Pray, Pray, Pray all day, day, day

Hello Everyone!

I hope this letter finds you all well. Things are going great in the Champaign/Mahomet area! This week was so great.

Last Monday we decided to go to Panera Bread (aka St Louis Bread Co) for lunch. When we walked in, this lady came up to us and said her and her husband wanted to buy us lunch since they had a daughter on a mission a few years back. They made us get dessert and a loaf of bread too. They were hilarious and adorable. It made me think of my ward family and friends back home who would all do the same. I love how we all take care of each other's missionaries all over the world :)

During a lesson this week with our French speaking investigator, his 18 month old little brother kept coming up to us and gnawing on our book of Mormons. It was hilarious! Not only is the Book of Mormon spiritual nourishment, but apparently it tastes good too! Wish I would've known that longer.... haha

This week we were able to FINALLY meet some less actives we've been trying to see for a while. It's so cool how the Lord is guiding this work. He is at the helm. We have nothing to fear! I'm also learning is a waste of time and energy. Prayer is much more effective! I worry about things that end up working out perfectly. I end up being reminded whose work this is, and how much it's in His control.

Cool story time! So we were tracting on Wednesday night, and it was pretty cold (what's new) and we met this man who talked to us for a while. It was pretty cool. He said he would try coming to church. Well, Sunday came and went and he didn't end up making it. Life went on, and later yesterday, we stopped by to see an investigator, and his wife told us to stop coming by because his health is bad and he's just not interesting. Ouch, that hurts, but I said a silent prayer, and asked God to please direct us to honest seekers of truth and people who really are interested. I don't want to waste the Lord's time herding goats. Well, we decided to stop by and see the man we had just met tracting. It turns out, he had been praying 20 minutes before we knocked on his door. After we left, he had spent the rest of the night researching the church (he was watching a movie when we got there, so he must have ditched the movie). It was really cool. It was a direct answer to my prayers! Then, we only had a few minutes until we had to head home, but we decided to try contacting someone Sister Martinez and I had met while tracting on New Years Eve when NO ONE was home or interested except that guy. We were able to have a short lesson with him. It was super cool. The Lord truly turns our sacrifices for our gain. It was such a great opportunity to see how the Lord is guiding us in our work. We're not along. The sacrifices we make are never wasted. We grow, and He uses them to bless the lives of His children as well.

Thanks for the quotes! I love them. I love the one "The Lord looks at weaknessess and rebellion differently" especially because I fear my weaknesses, but I'm learning not to. Worry is a waste of time. I worried this morning because we were going to have to email later than normal and I worried you would worry, and then guess what? The appointment cancelled. All that worrying last night for nothing. Waste of energy! Prayer on the other hand ISN'T a waste of energy. Things just work out with prayer!

*Pray pray pray all day! Pray in every way! Happiness happiness happiness happiness will be your life's theme!* (sing to the tune of row row row your boat :P I just made that up...)

I've learned that just because things are hard, it doesn't mean they have to stay that way.

I'm also learning about humility. Humility isn't just not being puffed up and proud, it's being willing to listen to others. Realizing that you are part of the problem, and asking others to be patient with your weaknesses!

Life is wonderful! I am learning, growing, and changing, and watching others do the same. This work is so magnificent! Thank you for all you do. I hope you all have a super week! Don't forget to pray :)

Lots of love and support,
Sister Edgel

Its a blessing to teach who Christ is.

Hello Everyone!

This week was pretty groovy! I got to experience a variety of new things. Monday night I was in my very first FREEZING RAIN storm! It wasn't super bad, but just enough to have a few funny slips and lots of laughs :) How would I get through life without being able to laugh at myself? haha We also had some sleet and yesterday and the day before we had a few inches of snow. The forecast was bad, so our Bishop cancelled church after sacrament. There's a first time for everything! During the summer we don't cancel church from it being too hot. 1 for heat 0 for cold :] jk

So on Saturday during coordination we were reviewing the families that will be fasting this month for missionary work, and one of the brothers we have to contact, his last name is Parrot. One of the Zone leaders (who serve in our ward) looks at us, and asks if it's pronounced like it's spelled, and I say, "Yup! Parrot, just like, you know, buck buck buck-cock! Oh wait... that's a chicken..." and now they won't let me live it down! Birds are confusing okay! Kindergarten was a long time ago. They should give a refresher course in College...

Another funny moment occurred while tracting. We were doing a door approach talking to this man about how Christ can help us in our lives and how great it is to know we have a loving Father in Heaven and he says, "That is a true statement. I'm going to go back to my peanut butter sandwich now!" haha Salvation or Peanut butter sandwich? It's just funny the things people tell us :P

So last night, we had a few extra minute before a lesson with an investigator, so we decided to knock on some nearby doors. Thankfully, the people were SUPER nice. The lady asks us, "Are you really out in this snowy weather knocking on doors on Super bowl Sunday?" Surprise! We had no idea! We were just trying to contact people. Thankfully it was at least during half time. We just live in our own lovely little world as missionaries. It's great!

Yesterday we were visiting a less active in our ward, and we actually got to witness the spirit change in her home. Normally, we can't really tell the difference we bring because we're so used to it, but when we got there she was pretty frustrated with some things, and after our visit, she was at peace, and didn't want us to leave. It was amazing to see the change that the spirit can bring into people's hearts and homes.

This week we also got to help our Thai investigator strengthen her faith in Jesus Christ. I know I've said it before, but it's such a blessing to teach someone who Christ is. We've been teaching her more about her life, and helping her see how the Book of Mormon can help her learn more. It's so great!

Yesterday during church, a single sister who comes out with us a lot decided to bear her testimony about the blessing it's been in her life to come out with us. It was such an answer to our prayers! We've been trying to get the ward more involved, and it's just hard. It's not that people aren't willing, it just takes longer to get new things moving then you think it will. Thankfully this is the Lord's work, and He helps it move along faster than it would without Him :)

Heavenly Father loves us! He is constantly reaching out to us through so many sources! The church is true! The Book of Mormon can help us so much in our lives if we let it! I hope you have a super duper day!

Lots of love and support,
Sister Edgel