Hi everyone, to start this email off I
just want to give a HUGE shout out to all the missionary moms!! That package
saved me and it couldn't have come at a better time!! Thank you all so much for
all the love and work you pile into those boxes. I have watched you all put
several of them together, but I never could have imagined the feeling of
actually receiving them. You moms are absolutely amazing, and just know that I love
each and every single one of you. I wouldn't have been able to make it though
the week without your guys love. Well this week was one of stress, confusion, frustration,
nerves, and Spanish... but seeing as those are all things that NO ONE likes, we
are just not going to focus on them, I'll just skip to the good and happy
parts. I am just going to tell you about the best part of my week, other than
receiving my amazing package. So for those of you who don't know what happens
every Saturday here at the Spain MTC, we have the opportunity to go to a HUGE
park and try to talk to as many people as we can, place a few copies of the
Book of Mormon, hand out some pass along cards, share a warm smile, say a
cheerful Hola and bear testimonies with those we come in contact with. We basically
get to proselyte. I love going to the park, there is always an amazing
experience to get out of it. This last week was probably my favorite time that
I have gone. So when I went to the park I was fortunate enough to talk and meet
with one of the most cold hearted, stubborn, anti religious man I have ever
met. He was all about talking with us and willing to hear us out just so that he
could try to argue with us. I made enough small talk with the man (in English) to
learn that he is a "religious parody" movie critic, who is from
Brazil. He travels to other countries to watch their films and
this week he was working in Spain. Yay for us! He started off by asking who we were and what our
purpose was to be walking around a park all dressed up talking to strangers. We
thought that that was the perfect opportunity to share a quick message with
him. So we introduced ourselves as missionaries of the Church and briefly explained
that we are here to share our message of joy and happiness with those who desire
to hear it. Well our short introduction was enough to get this man going. He
proceeded to tell us that we were foolish for believing in such things and that
religion is something that the desperate and arrogant make up to fulfill their/our
selfish needs. He went on for a while and told us that we are terrible people
and the only truly humble people in the whole world are Brazilians and ended by
telling us that what we believe in. It is a lie and is wrong and false and made
up, and that we are idiots for believing those things. He expressed how sorry
he felt that such beautiful girls are stupid enough to make up and think we
believe in something that never has and never will be true. At that point my
comp was ready to bolt. The whole time he talked to us, I just felt this
horrible feeling inside me and it just got worse as he talked. I realized that
what I was feeling was pure sorrow and heart ache for this man. I so desperately wanted him to be able to find the
happiness and joy in this life that I have found but he was just so cold
hearted and not willing to budge on anything. Before my comp could run off
crying, I shared a simple testimony with him
just letting him know that
regardless of his opinion, I have happiness in knowing for myself that what I
believe in is true. I told him that no one can tell me that I don't believe in something
unless I don't believe for myself. I told him I was not ashamed of sharing my
happiness with others or in declaring the word of Christ, because I know for
myself that it is true. I finished by telling him that he won't ever know of these
things unless he asks for himself. Then I grabbed his hand, thanked him for his
time, and wished him the best. The look on his face as I turned to leave gave
me hope that one day he will invite the missionaries into his life. I had never
had my beliefs tested before, and because it was, I can now proudly say that I
have a stronger testimony of this restored Gospel and Gods love for each and
every one of us. Meeting that man was a huge blessing in my life. When I got back
from the park I opened my scriptures and the first verse I read was Romans
1:16. it says "for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." I am not ashamed
of this Gospel. I will not be afraid to share its amazing message with all those
I meet. I can do all things through Christ. I love you all. p.s. wish me luck,
I head out for Barcelona on Tuesday!! I am so excited! I will also be on and
emailing on Monday if any of you guys want to send me an email before then.
Love,
Hermana Stilson
No comments:
Post a Comment