Much Opportunity...

Much opportunity was had this week for Elder Bischoff and I to teach about priesthood power and authority restored. Wrote Charles Wesley:

How easily are bishops made

By man or woman’s whim:

Wesley his hands on Coke hath laid,

But who laid hands on him?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland answers, “In responding to that challenging question, we in the restored Church of Jesus Christ can trace the priesthood line of authority exercised by the newest deacon in the ward, the bishop who presides over him, and the prophet who presides over all of us. That line goes back in an unbroken chain to angelic ministers who came from the Son of God Himself, bearing this incomparable gift from heaven.”

I know the priesthood of God is very real. I know it is in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It truly is “Our Most Distinguishing Feature” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Our Most Distinguishing Feature, General Conference Priesthood Session, April 2005).

Our encounter of the week was shared with Ian in contacting a referral we received from other missionaries. We knocked on the humble door of a small, white house. A woman answered the door and we asked for the name we had been given. Antagonistically, the woman responded, “What do you want with my son?” With a deep breath I calmly explained our purpose. Reluctantly she allowed the young man a seat on the porch as she stood in the doorway, listening intently as we introduced a lesson. Elder Bischoff placed a copy of the Book of Mormon into the young man’s hands to be quickly interjected by the mother. “He don’t want that! He don’t want no bible other than the King James! That’s what I was raised on! King James!” I smiled and proceeded to tell this excited woman the origin of the Book of Mormon. As the testimony of both my companion and our Ian was borne we could see, through the woman’s squinted eyes, a heart slowly softened. The discussion became less hostile as we taught from the scriptures. The woman was smiling. She would not give us her name, she asked us not to return, but she did request a Book of Mormon for her and for her son saying she knew it to be more of God’s word. I walked away happy. Though we may not see her again, I knew we had done a good thing.

Troy is a man the sisters are teaching. Troy began to research the church by checking out a copy of the Book of Mormon at a local library. It was not long before Troy found himself at the mission office asking to be taught by missionaries. Elder Bischoff and I became involved when the sisters offered to provide Troy a blessing to aid him in his effort to live the word of wisdom. On another occasion Elder Bischoff and I were present for a lesson of the Plan of Salvation. Troy’s heart was touched in learning there is a merciful plan of our Heavenly Father. In this divinely created plan, each of God’s children has the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and return to live with God again with our families for eternity in a fulness of joy. Elder Bischoff and I continue to follow up with the sister missionaries having much faith Troy will progress well.

Amie and Steven are working to kick their smoking habits. The lollipops are helping! Vaida, as adorable as ever, is cheering them on.

Love from Wi-Chee-Tuh!

Cooking steak with an iron actually works! Yeah, we did that.

Organizing a pantry. Yay service!