Servus!
I hope everyone is doing good! I also have to give a shout out to Elder Jaynes!! I am not surprised at all at what the Lord has called him to do. Miracles are around the corner for you brother! Speaking of miracles, one happened just yesterday in Linz! So first off, we have been meeting with a girl named Doris for about two months now. Doris is about 27, from Austria, and is hilarious. She is so spunky. She actually was a member years ago, but now has the desire to come back to the church and get re-baptized. The bishop asked us to help Doris in her journey back to the Savior. After seven years from being away from the church, Doris truly has the desire to come back to the Lord. All of the lessons with Doris have been really wonderful. The Spirit is super strong and I get overwhelming feelings of how much the Lord loves Doris and how happy He is with her. About two weeks ago, we were talking about baptism with Doris and she had the date of July 27th in her head because that is when she was baptized when she was 8 years old. Doris fasted last week, along with us, and yesterday she set the date on the 27th!
I must say that the experiences with Doris have been so unique. Teaching Doris the simple doctrines of the gospel - things she is familiar with - was a little uncomfortable at first. I felt intimidated, not knowing really what to do and how to help her. It was okay though, because Heavenly Father knew just what she needed. As time went on, it was really neat to see the change in Doris as she relearned and rededicated herself to the Savior and His teachings. We did not teach her anything new, but just taught the same, simple, pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. Doris will enter the waters of Baptism and make the first step back to her loving, Heavenly Father. Yesterday we were talking and I really felt that Doris was a large part of why we (the sisters) were sent to open up Linz at this time. A transfer later would not have allowed Doris to progress and experience the change she has had. Probably one of my favorite moments was as Doris told us how happy she was for her baptism. She simply wept. Doris said the closing prayer at our appointment which was so childlike and faith-provoking. She pleaded for help as she finishes to prepare for her baptism.
I am so grateful for the miracle of the Atonement and the beauty, peace, strength, and hope it gives us. Doris had tasted of the goodness of the Gospel and missed it. She easily could have given up and carried on with her "normal" life, but instead she did what each of us must do each and everyday - that is choose the Savior. Returning to the light and hope of the Savior is never an easy process, but it is always worth it. My testimony of the Savior and His never-ceasing invitation to come unto Him has been strengthened. He sees us as who we can become and never gives up on us. No matter where we are, what we have done, or how far we have to get back, the journey back to our Savior is the only way to eternal happiness. I am grateful for the Savior and His mercy.
We get transfer calls this Friday, but I am not worried. I feel like there is still more for me here in Linz. Doris wants me to do a part at her baptism - so I have to stay right? Good thing the Lord knows better than I do :) I love this Gospel. I love the Plan and the way Jesus Christ prepared for us. Let us each try to be a little better and to do more good than yesterday.
Ich liebe euch!!
XOXOXOXOXOX
Schwester Jaynes
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