To obey is better than sacrifice!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Lately we haven't been seeing much success (numbers wise, people to teach wise) but our investigator Carmen came to church on Sunday and stayed all three hours this time! She is so great. we have an appointment with her in 2 hours. Im really excited. We haven't been able to teach her like we have wanted to yet, with all of the activities she has in her life it's been difficult to find a tranquilo time to teach her. But she is so amazing. She says she read in the book of mormon and really likes the church, and she loves the members and she loves us- pero todavia no me tienen convencida. With time I know the Spirit will touch her and she will know the truth.
We left on Thursday to go teach some citas we had set up- but everyone was a little miffed that we decided to ring their doorbell and distract them from the game. Thats ok. We went to our lunch cita early and make the lunch- empanadas! which luckily, being involved in the preparation I was able to tell hna fernandez i wasn't interested in having green olives in mine (their flavor is really strong and they use them in a lot of foods). And yes I watched a little of the game. My comp and I have repented and decided to not watch any more games. It is a little tough when everyone is like yeah just come in and watch it with us!

Another thing happened that kind of popped me in the head, like something clicked finally.
We went to teach some recent converts, and right as we pulled up we saw them leavig in a taxi. But then their brothers were there who invited us to play soccer. we accepted. we played them and halfway through when we were down 3-2 hna k said ok but if we win you have to come to church.They agreed. With our amazin skills, we won 5-4. Anyway they said all right we have to go, see you tomorrow. (we aren't supposed to play soccer with members or investigators, or any sports)
I rationalized it in my head, well hey if it gets them to come to church- its ok!
Ok back tracking a little, my comp four transfers ago was reading in the bible the story of Saul and how he was commanded to kill everyone and everything. but he kept the best animals to make sacrifices to the Lord. Anwyay the Lord gets angry because he says To obey is better than to sacrifice (ok sorry i dont have the bible with me right now to quote it). I said I dont get it! if we are sacrificing we are obeying. i just didnt understnad.
Ok So now i get it. Because playing soccer was for a ¨just cause¨ it was ok to disobey, because we were sacrifiing to get them to church. Number one- this was the lesson in sunday school and number two- they didnt come. So no matter what- God knows better, and He made the rules and the commandments for a reason. So we just have to obey. And if we have faith, like i know we all do, we obey. Faith=obedience.
A really good thing that happened on sunday is that we went and worked in another area for the night and did divisions. I left with this 20 year old super sweet girl. Thank Heavens someone let us in, and we taught a married family! I had almost lost hope for being able to find such things. I am really grateful that God knows I needed that. And i dont care if they live in another area- if it is a family that will accept the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ- it doesn't matter who teaches them.
Welp. I think thats it for now. I love my comp. Im sad because next week are transfers (you'll hear from me on tuesday) and i know for sure we wont be together again. BUT hey, change is always good, and usually, if we have the right attitude, it inspires to be even better.
Thanks for everything, i love you all.
Hermana Dunford