Good Samaritan Moments

Hello my most favorite family and friends.

     First of all I am super sad because this is going to be a really short email.  Today isn't a regular P-day we only have one hour to email (both my mission president and family/friends) then we have to get back to work. But we get to have regular P-day on Thanksgiving so that will be fun.  But I am super bummed because I have no time to tell you all about the amazing week that I had.  So I will try my best.

     This week Eloisa has been doing great.  We were able see her three times last week.  It was wonderful. She really does have a great understanding and they are already looking forward to her baptism right when she gets back from the Philippines.  We were also able to get her information so we can have the missionaries teach her there.  Yesterday her whole family was able to come to church.  It was wonderful!  I was so excited for them and I know that the kids were really happy that they got to be at church with their mom and dad and not just their grandparents.  I am really looking forward to seeing what happens when they get back.  At this point all we can do is keep them in our prayers. I am so blessed to have known this family and to have helped them bring the gospel back into their lives.

     This last week we were able to meet with Sister Delois Larson.  She is wonderful and is really looking forward to being baptized on December 14 but we just found out that she can't get baptized on that day because she hasn't come to church 3 times and she has to work next Sunday.  We then had a lesson about fasting and we fasted with her that either the Lord can help her so she can get work off next Sunday or that she can know what day she needs to get baptized. It was a great experience to fast with her and we are excited to talk to her tonight to see what she was able to get from fasting.  I really hope the Lord will provide a way for her to get baptized on the 14th but I know that in the end it will work out the way that it needs to.

     We were also able to stop by a lot of less actives and were able to meet with them.  It really has been a great week in that way.

     Sister Pead and I were trying to ask everyone for referrals even when they were rejecting our message. We went to go meet with a less active member and when we got to her house she said that it wasn't going to be a good time.  We then asked her if she knew anyone in the area who could use a message of peace and hope.  She then told us where about 8 apartments and town homes were with people who have a low income.  I was so grateful for that moment because it was an answer to my prayers.  I was praying that we could find some apartments and town homes because that is where we found a lot of success in Shingle Creek.  I know that the Lord is aware of us.  I know that he answers my prayers and I am so grateful for all that he does for me.

I love Sister Pead!

     Yesterday Sister Pead and I were asked to teach in Releif Society.  Whoa second week and they are already having us teach.  We were asked to teach about one of the talks in the Preisthood Session by President Eyring, "Bind Up Thier Wounds."  We first wrote on the board a quote that President Eyring said, "I pray that we may prepare ourselves to give whatever priesthood service the Lord may set before us on our mortal journey."

     We then asked the sisters, "How does this quote relate to us as women?" We then talked about if you take out the word preisthood it means the same thing. Then we talked about how serving others is part of the covenant that we made when we were baptized.

In Mosiah 18:8-11 it says:

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection,  that ye may have eternal life—

 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized  in the  name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

 11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

     I love this, especially verse 9.  I know that when you are in the service of others that is when you get to have that little glimpse of how God feels.  As you are helping others, you get to feel of God's love for them.  Being on a mission it’s amazing to look at people this way.  You have a new perspective on life, and I LOVE IT!  I don't know if I have ever mentioned this but I love being here!  I am so grateful to be on a mission at this time in Minnesota!  I know the Lord is not only aware of me but he is aware of everyone and I know that I am here for specific people and that I need them and they need me!

One of the beautiful houses in Stillwater!

     One last thing, in that talk it talked about the Good Samaritan.  We are all familiar with that story. President Eyring said, "We are not told in the scriptures why the Samaritan was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.  It is not likely that he was taking a stroll alone since he must have known that robbers waited for the unwary.  He was on a serious journey, and as was customary, he had with him a beast of burden as well as oil and wine.  In the Lord’s words the Samaritan, when he saw the wounded man, stopped because “he had compassion.” More than only feeling compassion, he acted."

     I love that part because I think we can all relate to this story.  Sometimes we get too busy with life and we miss the great opportunities that we have to serve. The most important thing that the Good Samaritan did is that he acted.  I now challenge you all this week to be aware of your own Good Samaritan moments.  Look for those in need and act on the impressions that you get.  Not only are they promptings from the spirit but those promptings mean that the Lord trusts you.  He is trusting you with that person and he knows what you can do for them.  Be aware of those moments and don't let them pass you by.

     I am so grateful for the spirit I know that I couldn't do this work without it!  I love you all so much and thanks for all the support.

Love Sister Kendra Curtis

p.s. Sorry more pictures next week I promise!  

But I love STILLWATER!