Just Throwin' Down

It even snows in our new apartment!

Sister T and I having some fun.

We met a lot of really cool people this week, new investigators and less active families. Mostly less active families. Sister T. read sort of a funny, sort of sad scripture (1 Nephi 15:24) that made her come to the conclusion that friends who don't come to church or are inactive by choice- have become so because they don't read the Book Of Mormon. So anyway- with all these families- we were pretty straight up with them and just asked, "Why aren't you coming to church?" I was really saddened by their responses, which had nothing to do with the doctrine or the church. It was either, "Because I don't feel worthy",  "Because I became discouraged when my children all left the church." or "Because we didn't have time."  Let me be clear- these are very real reasons and they need to be addressed and not condemned for not having enough faith or not being steadfast. Our duty is to help them understand their infinite worth, to uplift and serve them, and to do all we can in inviting them to make the gospel of Christ a bigger priority in their lives. But when it comes down to it, there is only so much we can do. The conversion part of all of this is their duty and responsibility. Testimony comes through study and the Holy Ghost, but conversion comes from action. Only they can try to understand the Book of Mormon, and only they can receive a prayerful witness of it's truth. and when they do that- like it says in Helaman 5:12, Satan shall have "no power over them..because of the rock upon which they are built ." That rock is their testimony of Christ- it is theirs and theirs alone.

Using a knife to make lunch!

The one thing I know that we can do to help these wonderful friends is to be an example by finding this fire in our own hearts. Taking our question to God- asking, is this thing true or isn't it If you have a desire to believe and the intention to act, you will feel that burning in your heart or that still small voice or what ever it takes to get your attention. Don't ignore it, don't lie to yourself by saying you didn't feel it, embrace it and act upon it! By golly you have no idea how happy it will make you!!!

Alrighty- sorry I'm throwing a fit here. This is what I wish I could explain to these people that I love so much :(
All of them are amazing people. Sometimes I wish I knew more of how I could help people in their specific situations, but it's like Nephi said, I have to do what I can with what I've been given.

Our Investigator, J, had to cancel his church tour we had scheduled, but we are going to meet with him this Wednesday. Otherwise, we're doing well, plugging along in La Cross :) We had a great district meeting on Wednesday- Right in the middle of it, President Forbes popped his head in. We had our regular interviews with him. Meanwhile, Sister Forbes gave us cheese and carrots and one of the elders brought creme filled donuts... so yeah. I like this district. Later today we're going to tour a nunnery :)

I love you all so much. :) 

Hurrah for Israel!
Love,

Sister Roberts

My companion the gangsta