Here is the story of the week!
Over the last month or so, we have been attending the stake lds family
services addiction recovery meetings. At these meetings we encountered a
man named Glen who is a recovering alcoholic and has been sober for 7
years. He had been previously attending regular AA meetings but was not
feeling the support that he needed there. A friend introduced him to the
addiction recovery program and he said that ever since the first
meeting there it has felt like home for him. We invited him to take the
discussions about three weeks ago and he agreed although he was somewhat
hesitant. After a few lessons he attended church after which he
declared he was "pleasantly impressed" and he has attended again since.
In our lesson with him this past week, his change of heart was visible.
We were greeted at the door by a clean shaven, humble man with a fresh
hair cut and a clean shirt. It was a pretty drastic transformation from
the scruffy guy we had been teaching. He shared experiences with us
about prayers being answered over the previous week and spiritual
experiences he had had. We extended a baptismal invitation and he
readily accepted. The only road block was his chewing tobacco addiction.
Good thing we met him in recovery class so we had some suggestions for
him! We challenged him to stop chewing and although he knew it would be
difficult, after receiving a priesthood blessing form our ward mission
leader and a ward missionary, he sent all of his chew out the door with
us. This was a pretty humbling moment for everyone involved. I have
never had to face a situation like this before and I know that my faith
was tested a bit in having to ask someone to give up their addiction
right then and there. The atonement is a powerful thing. It is also
pretty funny when two sister missionaries walk out of a house with about
20 cans of dip. I am daily amazed at how this gospel changes people!
Miracles happen every day.
I love you and hope that life continues to be peaceful and happy! I have loved coming to know the Book
of Mormon and knowing of its truth. I know that it really is the word of
God and the most correct of any scripture. It is amazing to be able to
say this now, as before my mission I did not have this firm testimony. I
love this gospel! I also love you! Give everyone a hug for me! LOVE YOU
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