Parable of the Testimony

NOVEMBER 15th

Hello y'all (:

I hope y'all had a FABULOUS week as I know I have here in good ol' Athens, GA.

First: HERMAN PRAYED! After teaching him for so long, Herman finally said the prayer. It was short, and simple, but beautiful and heartfelt. Also, he is reading the Book of Mormon! Which is also a miracle. Wow, Herman is doing great. He still hasn't found a place to live, but we're still praying for him.

Second:  We found two new investigators this week. Glenda and Victor. We went to one of our investigators on Tuesday who we were going to have to drop because he really wasn't progressing and he was always drunk when we went over. As we approached the house he told us to go ahead inside and start teaching his sons as he continued to sit in his garage with a bunch of other people and smoke his cigarette. However, there wasn't a woman in the house. So we told him we couldn't go inside without another woman. Glenda, heard us say this and asked us what church we were from, and when we told her we were Mormon she asked if she could join us inside. We promptly agreed and she brought her nine year old son inside as well so we could teach them both. We taught the restoration and you could tell she was truly soaking it all in. Afterward, we asked if she would be interested in learning more, resulting in a return appointment and two new investigators. This never would have happened if we hadn't of been obedient to the missionary handbook or "The Book of Blessings" as our mission Presidents wife, Sister Bennion, calls it.

Third:  We taught the Trevor and Anna this week, they were excited as ever to see us. They had also kept their commitment and had read the Book of Mormon! Anna likes it a lot and Trevor is there to explain it to her if she gets confused. They are the cutest couple ❤️    They are taking us to dinner this week. I'm way excited.

Fourth:  I just want every single person in the world to meet Charlie. He is the sweetest thing. He came to church again this Sunday. He just loves it so much and is soaking everything in! We plan on putting him on date this week, wish us luck!

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT

I was reading the parable of the talents and remembered something I have learned on my mission:

Now, Talents weren't referred to the skills we have like we usually talk about when we talk about the parable of the talents (a good cook, a wonderful piano player, etc) Rather, talents were a from of money. And it was very valuable. SO, I like to replace the word TALENTS with TESTIMONY. Because a testimony is extremely valuable and we have multiple testimonies. I could have a testimony on tithing, on prayer and on the atonement. And another person could have a testimony on keeping the sabbath day holy and the word of wisdom and so on... SO...

15 And unto one he gave five testimonies, another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five testimonies went and traded with the same, and made them other five testimonies.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five testimonies came and brought other five testimonies, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five testimonies: behold, I have gained beside them five testimonies more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two testimonies came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two testimonies: behold, I have gained two other testimonies beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one testimony came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy testimony in the earth.

I know that as we share the testimonies we have been given, we will not only help others gain more testimonies, but we will also gain more ourselves. Sometimes it's a little bit scary getting up in front of people to share what you know and believe. But we can share our testimonies in multiple different ways. Whether by being an example, to sharing a quote from General Conference on Facebook, to teaching your children. I hope we all have the opportunity to share our testimony this week. And I know as we do that, our Heavenly Father will look down on us and say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

I hope y'all have a wonderful week. 

Love, Sister Merritt

We found a swing and it was too tempting.