This week (and frankly, the past three transfers) can be described in one word: Temple. So if that theme sparks your interest, please keep reading. If not, please keep reading anyway.
Temple Referrals:
Since the temple open house, we've been spending a lot of our time tracking down referrals who asked to learn more about the church. This week, we actually had one track us down for an appointment! So we showed up to her house, and as we start to pray before going in, her neighbor comes out and says "No one's home" . . . Um sir. We literally have an appointment here right now. "Yeah, no one lives there" So in spite of him I ring the doorbell anyway. Sure enough, out comes the referral. I was already feeling pretty happy, so you can imagine that I almost jumped for joy when she called to this neighbor and said "Antonio, go grab your mother. Tell her that the mormons are here to teach her and I about their religion" His face turned about as red as Sorella Dwomoh's ragu. Turns out this woman had invited two of her other friends over to hear from us, and so we were able to teach them all about the restoration!
Since the temple open house, we've been spending a lot of our time tracking down referrals who asked to learn more about the church. This week, we actually had one track us down for an appointment! So we showed up to her house, and as we start to pray before going in, her neighbor comes out and says "No one's home" . . . Um sir. We literally have an appointment here right now. "Yeah, no one lives there" So in spite of him I ring the doorbell anyway. Sure enough, out comes the referral. I was already feeling pretty happy, so you can imagine that I almost jumped for joy when she called to this neighbor and said "Antonio, go grab your mother. Tell her that the mormons are here to teach her and I about their religion" His face turned about as red as Sorella Dwomoh's ragu. Turns out this woman had invited two of her other friends over to hear from us, and so we were able to teach them all about the restoration!
Temple Training
The other part of our time this week was dedicated to specialized temple training. To be totally honest, I was expecting things along the lines of "Ok sisters. This is how to properly apply blush". Instead, we were trained on how to use the center to meet the needs of people who come in and give them a spiritual experience. We did role plays in every part of the center to better learn how we could turn it into a missionary tool. So it's all the same concepts of finding, but with a lot more resources. Then on top of that, we learned how to online teach. What could that mean, you ask? Well it means that we, along with the other visitor center sisters, are in charge of anyone who comes on mormon.org to either 1) chat, 2) request a bible, or 3) request a book of mormon. They come in every 2-4 minutes, and our job is to answer their questions, teach them, and hopefully get a return appointment for the local missionaries. Or if they're not about that, we continue teaching them online via skype or facebook until they're ready. I felt like a grandma trying to learn how to use a computer again, but thankfully all the newer sisters are helping us out. More updates to come.
Temple Dedication
Finally, the dedication of the temple was the highlight of the week. Last sunday we watched all three sessions of the broadcast, and then President made a special announcement to the missionaries in and around Rome: There would be space in the Tuesday sessions for each of us to have a seat IN THE TEMPLE to watch the dedication. So Tuesday evening at 7, we were able to participate in the final dedication session of the temple. It was unforgetable for so many reasons.
1. Because we were seated all together as missionaries in the sealing room in a dedicated temple. I don't think that will ever happen again. It was such a special feeling, sitting there with my companion and the other sisters who I've grown to love so much.
2. After waiting in the sealing room for 30 minutes, we were all asked to stand as President Oaks, President Eyring, Elder Gong, and Elder Andersen all walked in and waved to us! They didn't stay for long, but it was enough time for me to feel the spirit and authority that they had as apostles of the Lord. They each gave beautiful talks that made me so grateful that we have 12 apostles on the earth today.
3. At the end of the dedication as we were exiting out of the sealing room, I turned the corner and saw Flavia, the girl who was just baptized two weeks ago, standing in the temple. I completely lost it. I definitely understand missionary work better than I did 17 months ago, but in that moment I gained a better understanding that I had had before.
That's why we're doing what we're doing! So that people who have no faith and no idea what joys repentance and forgiveness can bring, are able to enter into the temple and make promises with Heavenly Father. So they can be with their families forever. Seeing Flavia in the temple, after all the work that we had done with her, filled my heart with more love and gratitude than I can express. So I want to invite everyone to make extra time this week to go to the temple. It's such a special place and I know that we can feel a familiar peace there. I'm so grateful for temples and all the blessings that they bring us!!
The other part of our time this week was dedicated to specialized temple training. To be totally honest, I was expecting things along the lines of "Ok sisters. This is how to properly apply blush". Instead, we were trained on how to use the center to meet the needs of people who come in and give them a spiritual experience. We did role plays in every part of the center to better learn how we could turn it into a missionary tool. So it's all the same concepts of finding, but with a lot more resources. Then on top of that, we learned how to online teach. What could that mean, you ask? Well it means that we, along with the other visitor center sisters, are in charge of anyone who comes on mormon.org to either 1) chat, 2) request a bible, or 3) request a book of mormon. They come in every 2-4 minutes, and our job is to answer their questions, teach them, and hopefully get a return appointment for the local missionaries. Or if they're not about that, we continue teaching them online via skype or facebook until they're ready. I felt like a grandma trying to learn how to use a computer again, but thankfully all the newer sisters are helping us out. More updates to come.
Temple Dedication
Finally, the dedication of the temple was the highlight of the week. Last sunday we watched all three sessions of the broadcast, and then President made a special announcement to the missionaries in and around Rome: There would be space in the Tuesday sessions for each of us to have a seat IN THE TEMPLE to watch the dedication. So Tuesday evening at 7, we were able to participate in the final dedication session of the temple. It was unforgetable for so many reasons.
1. Because we were seated all together as missionaries in the sealing room in a dedicated temple. I don't think that will ever happen again. It was such a special feeling, sitting there with my companion and the other sisters who I've grown to love so much.
2. After waiting in the sealing room for 30 minutes, we were all asked to stand as President Oaks, President Eyring, Elder Gong, and Elder Andersen all walked in and waved to us! They didn't stay for long, but it was enough time for me to feel the spirit and authority that they had as apostles of the Lord. They each gave beautiful talks that made me so grateful that we have 12 apostles on the earth today.
3. At the end of the dedication as we were exiting out of the sealing room, I turned the corner and saw Flavia, the girl who was just baptized two weeks ago, standing in the temple. I completely lost it. I definitely understand missionary work better than I did 17 months ago, but in that moment I gained a better understanding that I had had before.
That's why we're doing what we're doing! So that people who have no faith and no idea what joys repentance and forgiveness can bring, are able to enter into the temple and make promises with Heavenly Father. So they can be with their families forever. Seeing Flavia in the temple, after all the work that we had done with her, filled my heart with more love and gratitude than I can express. So I want to invite everyone to make extra time this week to go to the temple. It's such a special place and I know that we can feel a familiar peace there. I'm so grateful for temples and all the blessings that they bring us!!
I love you all !
Sorella Maxfield
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