New Way of Teaching

This was an awesome week.  The biggest thing that happened was that we got a call from the AP's (President's Assistants) and they told us we needed to be at the mission office in the morning for a special conference.  Very weird, we had no idea what that was about and their was nothing on our calendar for any meeting, district meeting was the next day, but we were suppose to skip it and come to the mission office.  So we came, there were only 60 missionaries invited, 40 elders and 20 sisters so it was AWESOME to be invited.  Also Sister Bonham heard that Sis. Oswald and I sing and asked us to sing at the meeting, so we got to sing later that day in the meeting.  So yeah, the Salt Lake City Missionary Department was there to teach us new methods of teaching that the Church is implementing.  Elders Donaldson and Gonzalez were there!  Elder Donaldsen was the mission President of the San Diego mission that was filmed known as "The District" which is on BYUTV and are also the training videos we have to watch as missionaries, so that was also so cool to meet him!

We had a training from 8:30am-4:30pm.  The lessons are no longer 45min-1hr, nor do they go in order of 1. Restoration 2. Plan of Salvation 3. Gospel of Jesus Christ and 4. The commandments.  It is now 1. Restoration (which is also revamped adding inviting them to pray immediately, invite them to be baptized immediately, protect them from anti Mormon literature, and get them on mormon.org before we leave). 2. Book of Mormon 3. Church then 4. Plan of Sal 5. Gospel and 6. Commandments.  Its crazy!  OH!  And we have to be in and out of people's homes in 20/25 minutes, the actual "restoration" part of the lesson is only 7 minutes.  He said the message we have is short and simple, Christ set up his church, it was taken off the earth, now its back.   They said the Work of Salvation is Hastening NOW.  We are fighting for people's time.  So that was awesome to be a part of.  That night at our member dinner I practiced and got it down in 7 minutes and 14 seconds.  It was cool to practice with the members and show them.  Also they said that this general conference they will announce ya or nay to missionaries around the world having ipads, facebooks, etc. They have been doing a couple "pilot" missions, and they are studying and will decide a yes or no for everyone.  WAY COOL.
      
We implemented the new method of teaching this Friday night at a family we have been working with since august, who are less active. We have been working with them on coming back to church.  (They are now active and have come for about a month and a half now and to every activity).  His mom usually sits in on the lessons, but not as an active participant or showed any desire to come to church or learn for herself, but she likes being with us. We implemented the new method, she prayed for the first time out loud, then we invited her to be baptized, she said yes, then she came to church on Sunday for all 3 hours!  It was a true miracle.  I know this was designed of God and my testimony was strengthened after seeing its blessings in action. I can't wait to see all the good that can and will come of this. The work IS truly hastening.
          
Our investigators are great.  K.D. was baptized this Saturday and it was one of the best baptisms I've ever been to.  He's been attending the ward for quite some time now, so it was like a mini sacrament meeting, the primary room was PACKED, not enough seats, people even had to stand at the back and by the doors. What a beautiful thing it was to see. He had so much love and support. Then on Sunday when he was confirmed there were about 12 people in the circle.  Just seeing the strong circle of priesthood men, now all brothers in the gospel to him was so exciting. He has so much love, support, and friendship in the ward, its been awesome to see. He is getting ready for a calling and to receive the priesthood which is going to be another amazing step in the gospel for him. I feel blessed to have been a part of his journey towards baptism.

It was a great week!

Love
Sister Wawro

Baptism Pictures:

Primary Room set up for baptism

Family!