Happy Homesick Birthday

Oh man... I love all of the birthday wishes, but I am getting SO homesick.  I never really realized how much I loved my family until I had to be away from them for 11 months.  And I still have seven to go.  I'm not trying to complain--I know what I signed up for and what I'm getting myself into, or what I've gotten myself into--but being away from people I love is still super hard.  But I guess it's good because it gives me a chance to rely on Jesus Christ and to grow.  That doesn't mean it's easy, in fact growing means I have to grow out of comfort, but He will make it possible.

Ok. Enough of that.  On to my week.

Sunday was great.  Well it was super sad because my two baptismal dates and their less active mother did not come to church again (Prayers for Hanna, Lexi and Michelle would be much appreciated).  But it was great because Sister Stohl, the last sister to serve here NINE years ago (and a senior sister at that) came to church and I got to meet her.  She is from East Millcreek.  Imagine that.  Biggest regret of my life is not getting a picture with her, but after church got insane as it always does and it didn't get to happen.

Sunday was also great because Chaudhry is so great.  He was still late to church, but we had a lesson with him and the Barretts afterwards and he continues to amaze me.  He is the most converted man I have ever met, and he is strengthening my testimony of the restoration.  Unlike most people with a Christian background, he has actually read the bible, several times, and actually understands true doctrine, and since he already knows true doctrine he accepts the restoration and is excited to learn more about it.  He is amazing.  He spent about eight days in a torture cell, and risked his life many times, because He will not deny Jesus Christ.  He likened Moroni unto himself when he says, "And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life." (Moroni 1:3)

Before all that we found four new investigators.  It's so true that when we turn things over to Christ He will provide.  I know that none of what happened this week is because of myself, but because of Him.

The first is my newest, and so far only piano student in Selkirk. (After four months in Selkirk the flyers finally worked.)  Next is Garth, a very nice, also very converted man.  He loves the Savior and it shows in his countenance.  We met him walking past him and he started to talk to us, "Well aren't you two rays of sunshine"... and when a lady in the building asked him if we were bothering him he looked at her all confused and said, "No" and then joking about it said "Oh no!  They have me cornered!!!!"  It was super funny.

The other two came through a less active we've been trying to reach for forever.  It's been good.

I am again, as always, grateful for the Holmes.  They are my Holmes-away-from-home... Ha ha... Ok. Cheesy. I know.

Well, I love y'all as we Americans would say.  (I'll have a whole slew of Canadianisms for you when I get home....).

 

Sister Heidi Hill