Guten Tag! Wie gehts?!
Graz is still rocking and rolling. This last week was awesome for many reasons!
Reason 1: We found a new investigator and was able to be with her for conference! Her name is Petra and is from here in Austria (Sister Jaynes' German here we come! Tchuß Africa haha) Petra is great! She is about 45 years old and has two sons. She actually met with the missionaries about 7 years ago but was not ready for the gospel quite yet. She had come to a few activities but never to church, let alone conference! So we met with Petra and invited her to conference! She loved it! As I sat there in the church, next to Petra, listening to conference translated in German, I really loved my life and felt grateful. It is not everyday you are able to sit next to someone see and listen to our living Prophet and Apostles for the first time. How cool. After the first session, Petra said just turned to my companion and me and said "I think this is my faith, my church". Whaaaat?! Ya it was awesome! :) Petra was not ready a few years ago, but is ready and wanting to come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. She will have difficulties and struggles, but I am so grateful and excited to see this miracle happen!
Reason 2: We met a man named Mike a few weeks ago and and finally had an appointment with him. We wanted the elders to teach Mike so we all went and met Mike! Mike is really special. He is very humble, smart, and true to his word. As I have talked to Mike about religion and faith, I can tell he is very scarred. He has searched for the truth and been let down more than one time with what he has found. Well Mike actually was given the Book of Mormon a few years back. When I asked him why he had kept it, Mike said that he knew something was in it. I said he was smart, didnt I? It was cool. So here us 4 missionaries go, into this semi-sketchy apartment. (Sister Jaynes felt right at home after Charles' place). Mike lives in this really simple, one-room apartment. He has a TV, sink, bookshelf and bed. So Mike offered the edge of his bed to us missionaries and took a seat on the ground. I just had the quick thought to sit down by Mike - so I did. We had a really great lesson with Mike. We were all bearing testimony and we were able to understand Mike and his religious background. Towards the end of the lesson we invited him to church, he said he would come. Soon after that, Mike turned to me and began to tell me how much it meant to him that I sat on the ground with him. He went on to say that it really reflected on our church and the type of people we were. I was blown away. The Spirit was really strong. I am so grateful that the Lord uses us as instruments in His hands to do this work. I am grateful that he put the simple thought into my head, to sit with Mike. I had no idea what kind of an impact me sitting on the floor would have, but the Lord did.
Reason 3 and more: I still continue to learn so many lessons everyday. I have no idea why I have the life I have. I have no clue why I have been able to enjoy the blessings of the Restored Gospel my whole life. I still can't believe I am a mission in Austria seeing the miracles I do. BUT, I know that our Heavenly Father knows why. He knows why I am here and where I am going, just like he knows each of His children. He knows us. He loves us. He blesses us. He wants to bless us even more if we would just do what He asks of us. My faith in our Savior and Redeemer and His love for us increases daily here. There is so much in missionary work that I (Michelle) cannot do. This transfer I have really seen the Lord more in this work. I have been taken out of my comfort zone many times, I have been given tasks that I knew I could not do, but in the end, the Lord has extended my abilities. He promises this to all of us. The Lord provides a way to accomplish everything that He asks of us. No matter who you are, what you need to do, how much you have to change, etc, the Savior is always there. He is waiting to help us accomplish our goals and become better people.
I love this work. I love our Savior.
Oh and I love you ALL!
XOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
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