Spencer Miracles

Hi :))) it has been an eventful 2 weeks! Covering two areas sure keeps us busy and definitely sleep deprived haha. But the miracles we have seen and the people we have met, make up for that 100 fold. 

We had a lesson with raymond last week at McDonald's and we were showing him a video about the atonement and the lady at the table behind us turned around and I could tell she was listening. She then apologized for eavesdropping and that she just "thought it sounded beautiful"! We got to talking and started telling her a little about the book of mormon. Then Raymond jumped in and started bearing his testimony to her about it. He is usually so stubborn and wont admit that he loves the book of mormon so it was so cute to hear him bear his testimony of it. (After she left he was like "I just felt the spirit telling me I needed to testify of it! That felt good.") We told her we could come teach her more and we asked where she lived. SHE LIVES IN SPENCER (which is the other area we are covering now that we are in a trio). Out of all places! The Lord's timing and placement is amazing. There have been multiple similar situations that have been such a blessing. 
We also taught raymond about modern day prophets and apostles. We gave him a talk each day to read and he has been loving it. He seems to really be progressing and growing in his love for the lord. (Last week his doctor told him he needed to stop smoking - thank you heavenly father - and so he has been decreasing the amount of cigarettes he smokes!!) 

Samantha's mom came to visit so that has slowed down her progress and it has been difficult to meet with her. Hopefully she leaves soon. No offense hahahhaha. 

This week sister glenn was bearing her testimony to a lady about the book of mormon and how she feels gods love when she reads it and the lady told her that that love she feels come straight from satan HHAHHA 

Something I struggled with this week was patience. Patience with the people we are teaching, members, the work, a new companion, etc. But I heard something this week that really touched me and helped me to change my point of view. When I struggle to be patient with someone, i should remember how patient christ has been with ME! I should think of times in my past where i struggled or where i was stubborn and he was STILL there for me. He waited for me. And he was there every step of the way, encouraging me and cheering me on. I know that as I strive to be more like christ and see people through his eyes, I will be able to have more patience and love for the people around me. But I also think I need to work on being patient with myself. It's easy to feel inadequate and weak, but we are IMPERFECT people. We make mistakes and we constantly portray the natural man, but God knew we would struggle with that, and that is the WHY for the atonement. It is only through christ that we can BE perfected and become like him.
As I studied come follow me this week, I kept wondering - LITERALLY WHY does the lord continue to forgive laman and lemuel time and time again. They were so slow to remember the lord and the lord was SO quick to forgive. I think we are all more like laman and lemuel than we think. But God forgives them because he loves them. And he forgives us because he loves us. He never gives up on us. That is patience. 

I miss everyone :') I hope you are all doing better than ever. 
So much of my love, sister brinton