Hello everyone, I know this is long but it is worth reading.
I realized that I update you every week on events that occurred throughout the week, and spiritual experiences, but most the time what I write about them merely scratches the surface to what they really mean to me, and most of the time I don't take the time necessary to really write out how this mission experience (and more importantly god) is changing me to become better and better each week. Each day, each minute. I am so grateful for this experience but I have been hiding it under a bushel (Mathew 5:15-16).
This week has been a week of serious reflection there has been a lot going on in my head. To make matters worse, I felt like I wasn't getting the answers I needed in my prayers, All of this came to a point in my morning studies on Friday morning. I was reading in the scriptures, kind of going through the motions. I looked up on my shelf and a white binder caught my eye. Just before I left for New Jersey my dad gave me a white binder, he had put in it some advice, favorite talks, and letters from my extended family. One of the letters was from my cousin Megan, who was serving her mission in Latvia. The letter wasn't actually meant for me, it was a weekly email like the one you are reading right now, but it may as well have been for me because it has now caused one of the biggest turning points of my mission.
She talked about so many things that I wish I could dive into and talk about in depth but I know that it would make this email 10 times longer than it is going to be. Something really big is she said that there are so many things outside of her control, but the one thing she can control is whether or not she chooses Christ and his work. She said that there was a period in her mission that she was brought low and it was through her trials that she was truly stripped of her pride and was able to truly feel gods love. I would like to add my testimony. There have definitely been periods of time in my mission when I was brought very low. Though they were so painful it allowed me to remove my pride, soften my heart and truly be able to feel the love of God. Heavenly Father was able to let me see what is truly important.Â
Later that day we were seeing this women that we met named Yajaira. She was super fun when we taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and we were coming back to teach the restoration. We came back and she welcomed us. We went through everything and it was seriously one of the best restoration lessons I have ever been a part of, everything flowed so well. The scriptures were understood, her questions were all answered. We then talked about the Book of Mormon and why it is so important. We told her about how it will help her know more about Jesus Christ and his teachings, that that there is a prophet (like Moses) on the earth today, and that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints really is Jesus Christ church on the earth. After talking about it a little more we gave her the Book of Mormon we were holding and invited her to pray. She said she would give it a shot. She said one of the most beautiful and heartfelt prayers I have ever heard, I honestly wish I could remember what she said. But I will never forget what happened after she finished. She looked up at us and said that was my first prayer I have ever said... She paused and then said... In my whole life... and then she just started crying.Â
This was such a perfect moment, Huge testimony that  God truly does hear our prayers. he is waiting, yearning for each and every one of us to reach out to him. I know that this is why I am here. I am her to teach people how to pray. Help them get over their struggles. Help them see the light but more importantly walk to it. I want to help as many people as I can to come back and live with their ever loving father in heaven.Â
As for transfer news... I'm leaving... good news I am going to Elizabeth to be companions with my boy elder Follett! The one that was trained in the same area I was trained in, at the same time! I didn't think we could be companions because he was Spanish but Elizabeth is both English and Spanish! And to make things better my trainer (elder verhaaren) was called to be a traveling AP so on Sunday nights and all of Monday's he we be with us in the apartment!Â
Bad news... I found out at 8:40 last night. The second I found out we drove over to Marlene's house and told her. It was a sad moment but one I won't ever forget. I am going to miss Marlene sooooo much. I will be saying goodbye to her today. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know her. She will always be my Mama Marlene!
I promise my emails won't be this long in the future.
Much love,
Elder McOmber
