Well we got transfer calls and I have the privledge to stay here in Graz! Sister Holmstead is headed to Germany and is really sad about it. My new companion is Sister Ackerman! She is one transfer ahead of me - I knew her in the MTC! She is great so that is a tender mercy that I already know my companion! The Elders also come this week so I will be taking over Graz and showing the Elders around. Big things are on the edge here in Graz. Thinking of taking over Graz was realllllly overwhelming at first. I had a feeling that Sister Holmstead would get transferred and the Lord has really comforted me and so I feel good about everything.
This last week we spent a few days in Vienna for Zone Conference. (sometimes i still have to pinch myself that Im in Vienna or let alone a mission). It was really cool though! My mission president was there as well as the stake president for the Vienna Stake (our stake). It is so cool to see missionary work move forward here in Austria. The focus right now is working with members and their missionary work. Each ward here has at least one set of missionaries so the missionaries work really closely with the ward mission leader and members. In an ideal situation, the members are supposed to do the "finding" and the missionaries are supposed to do the "teaching". It is really neat to see this unfold here. The excitement of missionary work and everything is rolling forward!
Our appointment with Juliette and Endurance fell out this last week which was a bummer. But one thing that I have really learned while being here is that when people are ready and prepared to recieve the Gospel - they will do just that - accept the Gospel. We know in Alma 13:24 we are told that Angels are preparing the hearts of the people and I really know that is true. They are preparing the hearts to accept a Book of Mormon, to accept the invitation to church, or to be baptized. Angels, both seen and unseen, people in our lives today, family members, or whoever, the Lord brings to pass His purposes. Whether that is an inactive member seeing a member at the grocery store, or a struggling member hearing the perfect thing in a sacrament talk, the Lord is aware of His children. He sees who we can be and makes the necessary steps to help us get there. Missionary work is just like this. I have no idea how many times, people i talk to on the bus or street, who say they have talked to other "American Missionaries". Even if they do not express more interest or anything, I cant help but smile, because the Lord has put missionaries on their path before...and one day they will realize that. That is why the Lord is so great. People all over the world have been prepared and are conintually being prepared to here the good news of the gospel!
One scripture that i found this week was one that i have always heard but have never read from the scriptures. It is in 1 corinthinans 10:13.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted about that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
I know that God has given us trials and temptations specifically for us to learn and grow. This scripture brings so much comfort and strength.
I am so grateful for the access to the Atonement everyday! Through Him everthing is possible!
I love this work and I love our Savior Jesus Christ.
Im still grateful everyday to wear the little black nametag with His name on it.
Ich liebe euch!
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
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