Friends 3-5-17

(MARCH)ONE YEAR?!? Seriously never thought this would come.

This week was incredible. Sister Kafoa and I were able to go every single day to the hospital to visit an investigator who is living in an area near by. The hospital is in our district, and a lady in our ward care gives for a man in a wheel chair who is the Investigators fellowship in his ward. I have NOT fully understood the Atonement until this week. This man has been in prison 2 times in his life, in and out of police stations, and he has been an alcoholic his whole life and he is 57. He met the missionaries and they told Him he cannot get baptized if he doesn't quite drinking, so he put himself into  the Henry Bennet section of the hospital which is the Alcohol recovery section, and he is staying for a week, so far he has been sober all week, and we have seen him every single day. He said he has never felt love or hope ever in his entire life until he met the missionaries and the members of the church. This week we tried helping him learn to pray because we knew that was the only thing that could help him through, and we followed up and he didn't pray, followed up again and he didn't pray, he said it was too awkward, then we followed up the next night, and he said he prayed TWICE. He said he just cried, this man is NOT a softy, and he said he felt humbled to the dust of the Earth, as he prayed. He said that he felt "marshmellowy" inside and that he KNEW that Heavenly Father was listening to Him. He is incredible, and I am so sad that he is leaving tomorrow back to His area, who knows maybe that will be my next area, he has influenced me a lot, and I sure love him so much. He is the definition of the Atonement! I KNOW people can change!!! 

If you remember that family we helped on the side of the road last week, well anyways if you remember the Dad said he would find us and thank us, and this week sure enough he came to the Visitors Centre TWICE!! But the most incredible thing happened, our Relief Society President has been dropping off food daily at their house, given them a lot of money, and asked our ward if we will be willing to help a refugee family. Well anywho our Relief Society president, Sister Wairepo had us for dinner on Saturday, and we walked in and GUESS WHO WAS SITTING AT THE TABLE?? YES, she invited the family for dinner and we were able to teach them the first lesson. It was incredible, and we were so grateful for the compassion she has shown them, it is true that Charity never faileth!!!! 

I love you all heaps, and I hope you have the best week ever. Thank you for  your love and your support continually throughout my mission. I can't believe how fast it has gone. I love you!! 

Arohanui,

Sister Maddie DeLoach