Last Wednesday night we were able to go and help our member, Nesha, move. She let us in on her life as a Broadway star. She has been in many, many productions and currently teaches celebrity children dance classes. She teaches the children of Mariah Carey, Hugh Jackman, Tom Cruise, and many others. Crazy cool! She said we were the answer to her prayers since she had been stressing about her move. It was great to be able to go and help her!
We went around the city last Tuesday and had many people write KindnessKards. Then throughout our travels on Thursday we were able to take pictures of them around the city. This was my companions idea. She is brilliant! We posted the pictures on Facebook, and many people seemed to like them. A little kindness goes a long way...especially when it has the possibility to be shared via social media :)
On Sunday we had fast and testimony meeting. The spirit was so strong throughout the meeting, despite it being a unique testimony meeting. The theme revolved around trials of life. It seemed a little gloom and doom with little specks of hope. I was wondering how the meeting was going to end up, when a less active member who has not been to church in a long time got up and said that he had felt the spirit so strongly, and he had found a place now where he feels comfortable coming back to church. That was wonderful to hear. He testified that yes, life is hard, but if it was easy, what would be the point of life? I think his perspective helped our active members to realize that God has given them trials for a good reason and They should learn from it, not suffer through it. I am so glad to see one more person affected the uniqueness of our branch :)
One of our members, Virginia, brought a non member friend of hers to church. She met him on the train 2 weeks ago and invited him to her church. Turns out he had been taught by missionaries for a little but before he moved here from Africa! Wow! That is awesome! He is eager to learn more! Yay! Sadly, he does not fit within our age range or even area...as many we find do not. But, he is a soul who wants to come unto Christ, and for that I cannot be disappointed :)
After church, a member gave us a ride home in her car- a rare treat here in the city! I think her car was the 3rd or 4th car I have been in since serving in the city! On the 21st of August I hit my one year here in NYC! Wow! That is crazy to think I have lived here that long!
We went contacting in Union Square on Monday. It was Sister Boseman's first time contacting in "my way"-standing on the side of the sidewalk and passing out cards to hothouse who pass by. She was hit up by some a Born Again Christians. Haha- she brought them over to me and they hit me with a bunch of questions in effort to prove how different we are. I calmly and honestly answered their targeted questions. They said they had never had a Mormon be so honest and direct with them when they have asked the hard questions.
I knew nothing I said would really make a difference to them since they were very devout in their beliefs, so I testified. I told them what I believed. They could not argue. I think they were surprised how calm I was. I did not have the scriptural knowledge to match them. I did not have the lineup of perfect questions to catch them in their words. I did not have anything but my faith. And I think that more than anything was what they left with. I am so grateful The Lord gave me the chance to be questioned here in this great city! I am grateful
for the testimony I do have and for the time I dedicated throughout the years to gain it. I know what I know and it helps me so much each and every day. The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a wonderful blessing!
We were able to have dinner that night with one of our funny members. So first off, she did not tell us what time she wanted to have us over. She would not answer her phone or text us back. We ended up finding out through Facebook the time we were meeting because she made a post about feeding the sister missionaries and asked who wanted to come. Haha...so we showed up at her house at 7:30. She always gives me a good laugh. For dinner we had broccoli, watermelon (another thing I have come to like out here on my mission), noodles with ranch/plain yogurt, peanuts, peanut butter, and chocolate candy bars. Hahaha....so funny! There was no main dish- she said she stopped doing that years ago. She was so sweet to feed us though! As we were leaving, we crossed paths with the "party" that was coming to join us for dinner. On our way home we ran into the AP's on their way home too. We have 3 AP's right now, since one is going home tomorrow, mid cycle, for school. It was great to say goodbye to Elder Kerr before he left! We sure do love our AP's!
We got to go to Washington Square Park with our district to do an APF- it was awesome! We went up to people on the benches and talked to them about the Book of Mormon. I have never used such a bold approach with people about the Book of Mormon before. I actually am not a huge fan of walking up to people to contact them, but it wasn't so bad. That is Sister Boseman's "way" of contacting. It was awesome, and we met a lot of really cool people!
It has been amazing to me to see my growth I. Just the last two days! I have had a hard time opening my mouth to those on the trains and bus ever since I came back to the city. But two days ago a light switched and it was instantly easy again! I have been able to talk to 700% more people than I was just 4 days ago! It has been awesome! God has been answering my many heartfelt prayers! I am loving it!
Oh, last night we were doing less active lookups, and we actually had a lot of success! But one man made my whole night with his 10 second rude encounter. An old, obnoxious man opened the door and we both in union said "Hi!" Immediately he turned sour and said "What, are you the Bobpsie Twins? What are you, Mormons?" He made fun of us through his gestures and slammed the door on our face. I started to giggle. Who does that?! Some peoples children! Stuff like that use to drive me to tears at the beginning of my mission. Now I am just amused anyone would have the gall to treat someone they don't even know that way.
Just grin, (giggle), and bear it :)
But, all in all it has been a great week! Sister Boseman and I are learning so much from each other! We get along great and are helping each other through our individual hard times. We are working hard, talking to a lot of people, and trying to be as obedient as we can be. I absolutely love her! I am so grateful every day to have her by my side! The Lord has truly blessed me! The gospel is real! I am so grateful to be a tool right now in Gods hands! I am so grateful for the decision I made to come and serve Him and his children! I will beforever changed :)
Love Always,
Sister Weyandt
Ps. Today we got to go to the Bronx Zoo! It was fun! The animals all look so sad though. :(
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