Lighting Lithuania: November is Here!

Sese Dzerman and Sese Walles

This past week was amazing!!!!

We got to meet with a member who investigated the church for six years before she finally joined. She knew that if there was a true church on the earth, it would have to be this one. And that everyday she is still learning and coming to understand it's truthfulness each day. We then got to meet with a very nice couple who haven't been to church in a long time. The husband is often working in Germany and the wife goes to Ireland to live with their daugther. But they invited us into their home here in Klaipeda, and we talked like normal people! It was so great to see. They were ready to learn from the Book of Mormon which can come from other people, but is most important each day as we individually learn from the Book of Mormon through the spirit. It was a great discussion on having this life and time to prepare to meet God.

On Tuesday we met with our investigator from Spain! Her name is Victoria, and she is really amazing. We began talking about the plan of salvation, and her family is so very important to her. It was cool to discuss the importance of God's plan of happiness in this life so that we can return to live with Him and our families. She opened right up and explained how she really wants that. She stayed for english class when Algis joined us to talk about the end of the plan of salvation and how the gospel of Jesus Christ makes the path back to God possible.

On Wednesday we woke up early to travel to Kaunas to exchange. Then Sister Griffin and I traveled to Vilnius. There with Sister Hodson we were able to meet with their recent convert Kamile. She has happily begun Personal Progress! Wow that brought back good memories :) She was so excited to get started by prioritizing her schedule. Then we were able to watch the restoration film at the church with a taxi driver that she had contacted. It was very short and spirit filled, such a great feeling. That night we contacted some amazing people on the street who were truly striving to come to know God. The day before was Day of the Dead, when all of the Lithuanians visit their dead and place candles on the graves. We didn't see any cemetarys, but it was extra special to testify about life after death as we talked with people.

On Thursday we were able to teach english to Algis and the cute mother and daughter to talk about faith and repentance being the first two steps of the gospel. There is so much joy in the basic principles of the gospel! I learned this week that a manifestation of our faith in Christ shows through our confidence of the path that we are living right now and a sure knowledge that we will be able to live with God in the eternities. How cool! After we were able to teach the restoration to two new investigators who really care for their families. The spirit was really strong as we talked about finding truth through prayer and the Book of Mormon.

On Friday we got to serve with a nice lady named Virginia. She had us pull weeds and help rake out her yard. I have never had so much fun weeding, especially in November! :) We later met with Victoria that day to finish talking abou the plan of salvation. A member who speaks english was able to help us in the lesson, which was really great. Victoria is a student right now and pretty busy but is so sweet! She is pretty shy but is very open with us about her tender love for her family. It was great to testify about the power of being able to live with our families forever. We then visited Sister Zelekiene, who is the older member that can't leave her house. She has such strong faith!

On Saturday we were going to have a lesson with a contact from the street, but after falling through, we were led to other people in that area who were interested in the gospel. God truly does lead us through the spirit even when we may not be aware of it. As we live worthy and good lives, He will give us guidance. On Sunday Victoria came to church for the second time! And we had a lesson after in which she commited to be baptized! We talked about repentance and baptism being the gate to eternal life with God and our families. Of course, they are only the gate. We have the rest of our life to come to know God better and to seek more truth through prayer and scripture study. She has been praying to thank God for her family and their safety. She is reading a spanish Book of Mormon and always asks such great questions to us in each lesson, definitely ones I have never thought of before :) She prays in spanish for us and although I can't understand, they are very sincere. The spirit was very strong.

Today I read about the tree of life and those who cling to rod, partake of the fruit, and then leave compared to the people who continually hold to it and fall at the tree once they partake of the fruit. They never leave. I know that as we continually study the scriptures and pray every day we will partake of the fruit of the atonement through Christ. We will fall to our knees at His feet and never leave because we have come to know Him. We are freed through His mercy from sin and heartache. I know that God lives and loves us.
Have a great week!

Loves, Sese Dzerman