Bolivia Bound

The Power of Prayer

November 10, 2014

Hello everyone!

Well, this week has been a week of huge learning for me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the week we hoped for as far as investigators and less actives go, but I guess it’s always in the weeks where things don’t go as well as we hope that we learn more about our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

We had a rough Sunday, seeing as how after a week of hard work the majority of our investigators and less actives didn’t come to church. Sylvana, the golden investigator that came last week, couldn’t come because her daughter got sick. And our less active family that was at the point of being rescued and seemed to be in great shape didn’t come to church either, and we still have no idea why.

So, we were pretty disappointed at first, but as I said, when moments of disappointment come, that is when we can learn a lot more about trusting in God.  I have learned a lot about that this week, between challenges with the work and having to face the reality that I am going home. In our mission, it is tradition that all the missionaries going home give their final testimony in their last multi zone conference with President (is that tradition in all missions? I have no idea.) But anyway, I gave my final testimony on Wednesday in my last conferencia with President. It was a very bittersweet experience for me to think back on all the experiences I’ve had here, how much I have grown, and how much I have come to love the people of Bolivia and my companions here in the mission. I have loved it, and thinking about going home, while I am excited to see family and friends, will be very hard because it means leaving behind a lot of people, and a way of life, that I love here as a missionary. 

With all these things going on, I’ve learned a LOT about the power of prayer and the power of a grateful heart. I want to testify to you all that Heavenly Father knows and listens to us, that He answers prayers, and that He gives us the revelation we need to make good choices and continue progressing. Trust in God and trust that He loves each one of you enough to answer your prayers. I think one of the greatest gifts I have received here in the mission is the development of a personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. As I said, I have also learned a lot about the power of gratitude. I read today the talk "Grateful in Any Circumstance" by President Uchtdorf, and boy is it powerful! I encourage you all to study it and apply it to your lives. No matter what happens to us, we can and should cultivate a grateful heart, because that is the way to find joy. I have applied it and know that it’s true. :)

And of course, I can’t leave you all thinking that all is bleak in our area! We had a new investigator come to church yesterday, Frank. He is the brother of a member, and he’s great. Very sincere, has a lot of questions. We got the chance to teach a powerful lesson of the Restoration yesterday and he understood. While he hasn’t committed to a baptism date yet, he had a lot of questions about baptism and committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray. I love working with sincere people and have a lot of faith that he will progress, along with Sylvana and the menos activos we’ve been working with. :)

Love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Chelsie Faulk