Zone conference was incredible. Absolutely incredible. It started off with our discussion on light and dark and here are some thoughts I had and things I learned:
- We made a list of characteristics of Satan and darkness and contrasted it with a list of characteristics of Heavenly Father and Christ and light. The contrast is SO black and white. The world truly is simpler than we think it is. There are only two influences. Each choice we make or don't make either takes us closer to Heavenly Father or Satan.
- We talked about light and dark in relation to the kingdoms of glory. Those who go to the Terrestrial Kingdom (the middle one) are those who were deceived by the craftiness of men, lived honorable lives, and weren't valiant in their testimony of Christ. I think sometimes as members of the church we think we're good and we're saved just because we have a knowledge of the truth, but if we don't consistently act on that knowledge and change because of it, we'll end up somewhere in the middle. We won't be able to live with God or our families forever simply because we weren't valiant. This description of those going to the Terrestrial Kingdom could definitely include members of the church.
- "light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time" That is a physical and a spiritual law. Check out this talk for more infomation. https://www.lds.org/general-
conference/2002/04/out-of- darkness-into-his-marvelous- light?lang=eng&query=out+of+ the+darkness+and+into+His+ marvelous+light - Imagine one side of a hallway being completely pitch, black, dark and the other side being the most brilliant, bright light possible. If I am standing in the middle of the hallway, each decision I make will take me either closer to the light or dark. Just because we make one bad decision, it doesn't mean we're going to hell. But it does mean we just allowed a little bit more darkness into our life. And on the other hand, when we make a right decision it doesn't mean we're automatically saved. But it does mean we chose to let more light into our life.
- The light of the body is the eye. When we turn off the lights in a room, we can't see anything and it's uncomfortable-when we sin, the first time we do something wrong we feel bad about it. But just like in the room when the lights are turned off, eventually our eyes adjust and we can become comfortable in the dark. Comfortable in sin. But on the other side, when we turn on the light in a room, it's also hard to see things, and our eyes have to adjust. When we are making changes and repenting in our lives, adding light, it can be uncomfortable for a little while, but it makes for a brighter life. That's for sure. I know this to be a true principle.
- Confidence comes in the light. When someone is walking in a dark room, they take small steps and walk with their hands out in front of them and are cautious. They are reaching for things to give them guidance, but can't have full confidence until the light is on. When someone is walking in the light, one can progress and stride with confidence in themselves and in the Lord.
- "We become like who we enlist to follow"
- To close the discussion, President Scott said, "Whenever you don't feel good enough, remember who your Father is." I loved that. Oh so much. Here is another talk that I've been listening to, reading, and pondering on lately.http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=
viewitem&id=2060 It's called "Our Identity and Our Destiny" from Tad R. Callister.
Sister Scott then gave a talk called, "O Remember, Remember." And it was INCREDIBLE as usual! She talked about remembering lessons and principles she had given talks on over the past few years. Here are a few. Remember: Truth and inspiration learned in the past; God exists and we are His children; We are in the Lord's vineyard; Do everything you can to be a dedicated, powerful servant of the Lord; to be grateful; No neutral ground; to stand in holy places (make mind a holy place); and finally, to use His name, the name of Jesus Christ, in a gentle, respectful manner. Especially at the end of prayers or testimonies. She's incredible. I hope I can be like Sister Scott when I grow up! The musical number went splendidly! It was powerful. Especially in the context of all that we discussed that day and has been happening in this great mission. Sister Scott even gave us a call a few nights later to thank us for it. I'm so grateful for good music!!
I think my favorite part of the conference was President and Sister Scott's departing instructions. On days when missionaries leave to go home, they would have a departing meeting and instruction where the missionaries could ask President and Sister Scott questions and the Scott's would share the wisdom they've gathered over their lifetime. That's what they did at this conference, minus the asking questions part. President Scott just divided up life advice into different categories like work, education, career; financial; service in the church; and general things. Everyone was on the edge of their seat with a pen and paper in hand soaking up every word they he was saying. I love President and Sister Scott with my whole heart. Because our mission is so huge geographically, most missionaries don't get to spend a lot of time around the Scott's, so I'm extrememly grateful I was able to interact with them as much as I did. They have forever influenced my life and will always be a blessing.
I could go on forever about Zone Conference and how incredible it was and what a pivitol moment it was for me, but I don't have that much time :) Yesterday was a Sabbath day of miracles. We had three investigators at church and they all loved it! It was ward conference. We found two new investigators yesterday that are pretty solid. Peggylynn and Crystal. Crystal is Jade's friend, Jade is 8 years old and loves the Book of Mormon and coming to church. She reads the Book of Mormon everyday by herself. Speaking of light, Jade is a light. Peggylynn is a miracle. Notice the small and simple details that led to an incredible experience. We had a member with us and we dropped by a potential investigator from about a year ago and she wasn't home. So we talked to her neighbor who was outside. He wasn't interested, but was impressed with our conversation skills! He works for a sales company and said he would hire us if we weren't missionaries! Hahaha. Contrary to a thought (we found out later) that Sister Hansen and I both had, we started walking back to our car to take the member home, but the man pointed the other direction and told us the housing complex was like a horseshoe so we could walk all the way around and talk to other people outside. We turned around and followed his advice. Which was actually the Spirit giving us a second chance to follow a prompting. After talking with a few uninterested people, I saw the back of a woman retreat into her garage when we came closer. We almost kept walking, but I turned around and practically followed her into her garage. We introduced ourselves and started talking with her. We came to find out that she had met with missionaries a year prior. She said she wasn't ready at that point, but a lot of things had happened in that year that had softened her heart. She invited us into the garage to sit down on some chairs. She later told us that she went back into the garage to set up some chairs because she saw us coming and knew we would talk to her! She was very up front and told us that she is never going to quit smoking and she'll never come to church, but she also said she knows something is missing in her life and she's searching. I testified that this is exactly what she's missing and that God sent us to her. She nodded and I watched the Spirit fill up her eyes. After we prayed with her and walked away from her garage, I was speechless. It was a testimony to me that 1. God works through small and simple ways and 2. God knows us, loves us, and is aware of us each individually. I know that's true.
I love being a missionary. The work is rolling forth and filling the earth. I am so grateful I made the choice to participate in the Lord's work. The Lord will not force us to live the Gospel or to share it. He invites us gently, and then lets us choose and then reap the rewards of whatever choice we make. It brings joy. The Gospel brings joy. Thank you for your prayers and support. I know God lives. I know Christ is our Savior.
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Participation in the saving ordinances unlocks and unleashes certain powers of godliness in our lives that are not available in any other way. These powers help refine us and perfect us." -Tad R. Callister
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