Bellkiss and me
Bellkiss and her family -- Elder Colby and Elder Bolton
(I will post better pictures as soon as I take more)
Let me tell you about Bellkiss. She is a great lady, a mother to three beauitful children and has a great boyfriend -- just need to see them married!!!!!
Bellkiss came into the mission office in (I think it was end of February). I could hear her talking to Sis Gareis. Her father had passed away that morning. He lives in Honduras. She was distraught - didn't know what to do. She is the only member of her family who lives here. Her mother and brothers all live (I don't remember - will have to fix this). Her mother is a member of the church and she has been to church with her mom before, so I think that is what led her to find our office. Well, actually we know that it was the spirit that led her to us.
Anyway, she really didn't know why she came to our office, didn't know how we could help her, but she needed some direction of what to do next and honestly just needed a listening ear. After five or so minutes of listening -- I felt so bad for her -- she had just lost her father who she hadn't seen for a couple of years. So I got up from my desk and went into the office area where she was and said "You just need a hug" and gave her a hug -- that's all it took -- the tears and her crying just flowed - she had been brave and was holding it in. She held on to me for the longest time and then I asked her to come into my little office. We began to talk - she told me the story of her father's death. Just a month previous he was a healthy, working man. But then was diagnosed with cancer which took his life within four weeks. She was devastated. Her brother lived in the same town as her dad in Honduras and she needed to get a hold of him and find out some details. I contacted the mission office there in Honduras and she was able to talk to someone there and got some member help for her brother. I gave her the names to the Spanish ward bishop that meets in the building where I attend and the transient bishop who is my bishop for her to call for further help and guidance. I did about all I could that I knew of - and she has a
little more calm then with something at least to lean on. There are so many more details about this story -- concerning getting a passport -- money to travel to Honduras -- getting her kids settled with someone while she went to Honduras. But she left pretty calm and felt some peace.
Before she left the office -- I gave her a hug and said -- Bellkiss, when you get back from your father's funeral -- I would like you to go to church with me or me come to the church in your area and go with you. And, I even asked her if she would take the missionary discussions. I said "You need he gospel in your life'. She was happy about that and said "YES" so she gave me her address and phone number and promised to stay in touch. She said that her mom would love it if she went to church and took her kids.
This is what Christ, our Savior did for Bellkiss that morning --he blessed her grieiving heart - he gave her peace!!!!! -- and led her to the mission office and I am soooo thrilled. The staff sat in awe -- they could't believe that I had committed her to be taught and to go to church. They said they never would done that. She would have left with no help. I feel so blessed and happy that I paid attention. When you pray for this and you prepare yourself to be ready and aware of your surroundings, the Lord will bring people into your life and your path.
I need to do this every week -- go out and find. But it's so hard being alone and I can't go out alone. But I can certainly approach people more -- pass out pass along cards -- there's alot I can do.
Well she went to Honduras - returned and started the discussions with the Elders in her area-- but those Elders never called to tell me that. When I found out and made arrangements to go with them to her appts -- it was her third lesson. I have personal opinions about how that discussion went -- I wasn't too happy about it.
She stopped answering their calls and wouldn't reply to their emails. One Elder went home and the other one was transferred and I am thrilled that we have new elders in her area and they are the zone leaders.
She said she distanced herself for awhile for many reasons. BUT, we have her back now and she has amazing elders -- Elders Colby and Bolton. I am so impressed with them and they are very receptive to her feelings and she is opening up with her feelings.
I will add to this atory -- I will talk about her progress, her kids, her boyfriend, our waffle supper and lesson on the spirit. I will add more of my testimony. I just need to go about another responsibility right now
No comments:
Post a Comment