March 30, 2015 - Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Path to their van

Dear Family,

Another week has gone by and Easter is in a week. We got another 10 cm of snow on Saturday. Luckily it was light, fluffy snow. Church almost got cancelled yesterday though but instead it got postponed to 1:00 so the roads could be clear. We had to shovel a path to our van in the morning. That took 2 hours to do.

Monday: We had dinner at the Nilsson's. I gave a spiritual thought on The Book of Mormon. I talked about how Joseph Smith put his life on the line to write it. I also talked about the Mormon Message "Safety for the Soul" by Elder Holland. He gave a powerful testimony. Then I testified of how I know the Book of Mormon to be true for myself.

Tuesday we got to visit an investigator. He has been reading the pamphlets, Book of Mormon, and Gospel Principles manual. He has an issue with the whole idea of a pre-existence and it being a part of God's plan that Adam and Eve disobeyed God. He said these issues won't keep him from joining the Church; he just wants to understand why that it is. We encouraged him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. By doing that he can know that all of it is true. After that, we had dinner at the Gidney's. We got talking about General Conference and how it's nicer to watch General Conference at the chapel with other Saints around rather than on your own at home. I agree. I enjoy watching conference with other members. It has a nice spirit.

Wednesday we had district meeting with a focus on family history, with President Leavitt's whole push on doing the "My Family Booklets." I found out that you don't have to have memories of your ancestors in order to be done. In that case, I am almost done my booklet. I just need some more dates and find out the children of my great-grandparents and then I'll be done. 

In the afternoon Thursday we street contacted. We talked to this one lady who is a Christian. She said she prayed for God's presence and then she saw us. She felt like her prayer was answered. She was on her way to give sleeping bags to homeless people. She wasn't interested in our message but was very thankful that she saw us.  She was really humble. At dinner we got into the topic of forgiveness. How some people get offended at Church because of something someone said about them. We go to Church not for the people but for ourselves spiritually. The only opinion that matters about us is from God and Jesus Christ. We need to just ignore those people who speak ill of us. 

Sunday was a busy day. Sister Rawding and Sister Whiting gave the two talks. They talked about how we shouldn't try to change someone just to fit our comfort zone and how we are all God's Children. It was a combined relief society and priesthood. Bishop gave a lesson on Ministering then realted it to home-teaching. Atfer Church we just stayed there because we had dinner at the Rawding's at 5. They said they invited some of their friends to the Easter Concert. After dinner we rushed back to the church for choir practice before the Easter Concert. It ended up being well attended, There were some non-members there, and some less actives as well. It was a good mix. There were a number of beautiful songs sung. I felt the spirit throughout the performances. We ended having too many songs in the program though. It was supposed to be an hour but it ended up being an hour and 40 mins. It was a great way to kick off Easter.

I am so excited for General Conference this weekend. At the end of Conference I would encourage you all to answer these 3 questions. 

What did you learn? How did you feel? What are you going to do about it?

Happy Easter/General Conference

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder O'Brien