It's been a great week! We had a pretty great experience early on in
the week. We had just finished zone training, we hadn't eaten anything
all day and sister Stevens really wanted to go to this cute diner she
saw a long time ago. It was pretty far away and so right as I was
turning I saw a 5 Guys burger place and suggested we just go there
cause it's closer and probably better anyways. We saw some elders
there right as we walked in and were going to leave but decided to
stay. We sat down and there was a guy next to us who kept looking at
our name tags. The elders were sitting across the restaurant and
walked over to the guy and asked if they could share a message with
him, but he said he had to eat quick and leave so no. They left and he
turned to us and said, "You probably get the word 'no' a lot don't
you". We ended up talking to him for 30 minutes and we were able to
share more with him about our beliefs in a natural way just having a
normal conversation. He told us that his wife actually used to be
mormon, but hasn't been to church for a long time. He said he had a
lot of questions in life that he wanted answers to and hadn't been
able to find them. We told him a lot of the questions he had, we could
help him find answers to and I had a couple pamphlets that I had
happened to put in my bag that day. He said he was going to talk to
his wife and he lives in our area so we would get to teach him!!! His
name is Steve, he owns a construction company and coaches girls
basketball which I was excited to hear:) we exchanged information and
are praying that he will want to learn more. So the Indian family (the
Meena family) that we started teaching has been amazing! I'm not sure
what I talked about in the last email, but the father works in he
embassy here for India and they will be here until their daughter
finishes chemotherapy and her treatments. We had a lesson with them on
Thursday and when we went over there the little girls came running
over to us and gave us huge hugs. We taught them the Plan of Salvation
and taught how baptism is the first step to living with our families
forever. All three of the girls sat there so reverent and loved
watching the videos we had. We asked them what they would be willing
to do/give up in order to be an eternal family and the father (Lokesh)
said anything. We then invited them to be baptized and they said yes!
We set a date for the middle of march, because we have to translate a
lot for the wife. We want to make sure they have enough time and
understanding before they get baptized. The little girls have no
problem speaking or understanding and it is amazing to hear their
testimonies already from what they have learned. I love the Meena
family, they are the sweetest! On Saturday at the visitors center we
had a big performance with a man, I can't remember how to spell his
name, but he is African American and baptist and an amazing
singer/vocalist. I think his name is mr Herndon.. He has performed all
over the world and something cool about him is that he dies his beard
black and white to look like a piano key haha! I'm sure if you google
"piano beard baptist from Washington DC" you would be able to find him
easily. Look him up!! Something that I love about Washington DC is how
much diversity there is and how many interfaith events the church is
apart of here. Anyways, mr. Herndon came to the visitors center and
gave an amazing performance down in the auditorium. So many people
from the baptist church and other religions came to see. They loved
being at the visitors center and so many people stayed afterwards to
see what was inside the temple. On Sunday the whole Meena family came
to church!!!!! Also all of the Ghanadan family (I've talked about Tara
before and her son just got home from his mission) was there at church
and 3 other people who we have been meeting with this week in the ward
came! We were just so happy we couldn't stop smiling the whole day.
Sundays really are the best. This weeks lesson for relief society was
exactly what I needed this week. It's kind of long but I wanted to
share it, {{{Never forget that you are a child of God. You have a
divine birthright. Something of the very nature of God is within you.
We sing, “I am a child of God”.That isn’t just a figment, a poetic
figment--that is the living truth. There is something of divinity
within each of us that needs cultivation, that needs to come to the
surface, that needs to find expression. You fathers and mothers, teach
your children that they are, in a very literal way, sons and daughters
of God. There is no greater truth in all the world than that--to think
that we have something of divinity in us. Believe in yourself. Believe
in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe that no mountain
is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great
that you cannot weather it. … You are a child of God, of infinite
capacity. Stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little
better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a
new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart.}}}
I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that allows us to
find strength and happiness in our lives. He gave everything for us so
that we can live again with our families and with Heavenly Father.
Because of Him, we can find joy in the journey!!! I love you all!
Love, sister Haertling
Middle Picture: Sister Haertling
Bottom Picture: Sister Haertling and Sister Stevens with Gabe. (Tara's son)
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