It's still hot, just in case anyone was wondering. Really,
really hot. I have not had to bike today, a fact which I am incredibly grateful
for.
What a week.
Jace and Layla are out of town for two weeks, which is
really upsetting. We're going to miss them, and investigators being away from
the Spirit that long is a little disconcerting, but I'm not too worried -
they're tough, and the Lord will look out for them. We gave them an mp3 player
with some conference talks to listen to on their drive and taught them about
apostles and prophets. In that lesson, Sister Priddis called the Book of Mormon
the cornerstone of our religion and then started to describe a keystone. I kind
of interrupted her, and Jace and I helped her figure it out. They always say
that we learn more from our investigators than they do from us - sometime it's
just a little more literal.
We had a bit of a break through with KJ and his family this
week. We were able to help them clean up after they had their carpet replaced,
and they invited us and a member family over for dinner on Saturday. Hana, his
wife, was really excited about coming to church the next day and told us how
much she loved us. She ended up being sick on Sunday, but it was amazing to see
the difference in their family when the Spirit was there. I'm not sure how much
they're progressing and how prepared they are to receive the gospel, but I know
that it's making a difference in their lives.
We were also able to meet Lea this week - well, for reals.
The Elders told us about her when we got here, but we've only been able to talk
to her once on the doorstep. However, we made some cookies with Sharolyn and
Tara this week and took them to her and FINALLY got in the door. She fed us
some watermelon and we said we'd come back and help her with some service. A
few days later we went and helped her take down a tree that was growing a
little too close to a power line for her taste. It was quite the adventure, and
we had a lot of fun. She is really involved and has close connections with her
church, but we're hoping that as we get her some friends and help her some
more, her heart will be softened.
Our lives were completely shaken this week when we heard
about the shooting in Spring. When Sister Priddis and I were originally told,
we heard that it was a family in the Olde Oaks ward, and we were so upset. We
were out exercising on Saturday morning when we ran into Elder Ferrin and Elder
Tanner, who work in the ward next to ours. Elder Ferrin, who served in
Westfield with me, asked if I'd heard about the Stays, and I told him I hadn't.
When he told me that they were the family who'd been killed, it felt like
someone had punched me in the gut.
The Stays were one of the families I connected most with in
Westfield - besides the ward mission leader, we probably spent the most time at
their house. The thing I loved most about the Stays was that they were so real.
They were such a wonderful, righteous family, but they weren't perfect, and
they had amazing personalities. Cassidy especially was my good buddy. She made
me feel so loved and appreciated in a time when I was so confused, and we had a
grand old time talking about Tom Hiddleston and Shakespeare and Harry
Potter.
It's been a rough week, and there have been lots of tears
shed by the entire community. I've had a really hard time with it, but I am so
grateful for the knowledge I have of the Plan of Salvation. The Stays are just
fine, and Cassidy is going to be incredible. So many people have been and will
be inspired by this insanity. The Lord is in control, as always.
"But there is a
resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is
swallowed up in Christ."
Mosiah 16:8
Stay strong.
Love,
Sister Liljenquist
Tara approves of the cookies.
Lea, Sister Priddis and I - cutting down trees in
style.
The tree - VANQUISHED
Yard sale - I thought my dad would get a kick out of this
one.
Jenna and I practice selfies.
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