Hello world!

This week was neat. NEAT things are happening! :)

Here are just a few.....

My brother Brian knew I wasn't sleeping well #inspired #godisinthedetails

 Famous Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria that all of Hollywood raves about!

 

(Disclaimer: this email is really long, sorry but like what can ya do)

So on Monday, our dinner cancelled due to a busy day. While we were eating at home, we received a knock on our door from one of our neighbors. He asked us if he could use a laptop or smart phone to log in to his iCloud account so he could message his roommate to let him in. Obviously we are the worst people to go to for that stuff!! But one of our members lives in the same apartment complex as us so we called him and he was home! While waiting for the member, our neighbor asked us if we were Mormon. He has a friend attending BYU. While talking with him, he asked us if there was a church near by and if he could go. He also asked us if there was a way to learn more... lol.

So we got his number and set up a time to meet. The next morning he knocked again on our door and said he had been talking to his friend on the phone last night all about the church and he said we had some kind of book he could read? hahahha. They're knocking on OUR door now so, what is life.

Wednesday we had a lesson with our investigator Julie. It was our second lesson but we really felt like we needed to recap the Restoration, mostly talking about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She and her husband (who is a member) are getting their phD's in psychology so it's hecka scary to teach them haha. But she really broke down her walls. The spirit was really strong and then we asked, "Julie, what would it mean to you if you knew Joseph Smith was a prophet?" and without hesitation she said, "I would be converted!!"

She told us ever since we came she had been praying every single day and has been reading to find her answer. Man, she is SO prepared.

Sister Bosshardt and I taught J and got to be at his baptism!

Saturday JOSUE GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! He was someone I had taught in Northridge YSA and wowie. He asked me to give a talk at the baptism and then his dad (who is a recent convert) baptized him and MAN OH MAN my heart almost exploded. I seriously could not stop smiling and my body felt so full I thought I was going to burst.

He was BEAMING! This feeling is nothing riches can buy. No greater thing in the world. Words just cannot describe.

You know the gospel is an interesting thing because you can sift it down to the core basics enough for an 8 year old to understand, but each individual concept can be expounded beyond the most brilliant scholar's brain capacity to comprehend. I'm still working on the first principle of the gospel lol which is FAITH.

 

Faith is this intangible hope that drives people to DO.

The reason why I'm talking about this is because I re-read a fantastic talk this week called "But if not" by Dennis E Simmons and I think his thoughts are significant. (It's a similar concept to Bednar's talk "Accepting the Lord and His timing").

He talks about a level of faith that is beyond the hope that your desired outcome will come to pass, but a faith that as long as you're doing your part to keep the commandments, the outcome (God's will) is for the best. It's a level of faith that is COMPLETE trust in God, even if we don't fully understand.

You may have faith that if you work really hard in school, you will get an immediate desired job after you graduate.

You may have faith that the "perfect" person you are dating is the right and only one.

You may have faith that all the practice and sweat and hard work you put into your sport will result in a victory over your rival.

You may have faith that your family member will heal from this chronic illness...

but do we have the faith IF NOT?

"The Lord has given us agency, the right and the responsibility to decide. He tests us by allowing us to be challenged. He assures us that He will not suffer us to be tempted beyond our ability to withstand. But we must understand that great challenges make great men. We don’t seek tribulation, but if we respond in faith, the Lord strengthens us. The but if nots can become remarkable blessings. "

Having faith when things don't quite work out as we had planned are the precious moments that make up our conversion. I know this is true.

If you made it this far in my letter, you are a true fan and I love you so much :)

hahah Have the best week sweetie pies~

GOD BLESS,

Sister Chels Dohner