(Dad's note. The translation above is roughly what the phrase means. I will be asking Brent about the phrase meaning this week.)
Hello all,
This week was great! We've finally been able to spend some considerable time teaching and working in our area despite conferences and other interruptions. Lilia is doing really well, I'll tell you her story and probably have to wrap up from there. I've got some more pictures to send out, btw. :)
On monday, we met with Lilia. She had something troubling her, and she described some of her life challenges that she's been facing at the moment. We had planned on teaching the plan of salvation. As she was describing the state of her life right now (chaos) I was thinking about ways we could help her. In my very practical way I was thinking of people or places or things or scriptures to help her with as band-aids of sorts. Elder Thompson, however, who is easily the more spiritual half of the companionship, sat for a minute and then proceeded to teach her in a very beautiful way about the law of the fast. He shared some scriptures, bore testimony, and committed her and us to fast for her that day. We had a dinner appointment that night, and then we started our fast. The next evening, we had planned to text her to see how she was doing. She was incredibly positive, and said she was going to fast a little longer.
Two days passed. We spent time in Brno and in other places working and delivering the last two conferences for the month, and then we came back. Thursday was full of miracles. We had lessons, we went all over prague, and wherever we went the Lord had prepared people that we needed to meet with. Members, investigators, and then suddenly, in a crowd of literally thousands of people in the subway, we see this signature purple coat and bright blond hair. "Lilia!" She didn't stop. Worried, we ran up to her, "Excuse me? Lilia?" Was she ignoring us?
I ran up in front of her, "Hi!" A huge smile burst on her face. "Hello!!! I'm so happy to see you!" We briefly talked, and she said that "Since I started fasting, a miracle has started in my life! I can't tell you about it right now, but things are getting better and better every day!"
She then told us she had been fasting since Monday, making hers a 4 day fast. We told her again she only needed to go for a day at a time, or 2 meals, but it wasn't until our meeting on Friday (day 5 of her fasting) that she understood that one day is enough. She had only planned a five day fast to begin with, but it was remarkable seeing her faith and willingness to keep the commandments. She committed to the word of wisdom, and it looks like we'll be having a white November baptism. Her member friend, Tana, loves teaching with us as well and has been enjoying the time spent at her lessons.
Being a missionary is great. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, it's the most draining and the most focus-consuming. It leaves me exhausted at the end of the day. But, it's a beautiful thing.
Hope your week is full of the spirit and that you enjoy the upcoming halloween holiday.
Love,
Elder Brent Anderson
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