6/14/2023
How in the world has it already been two weeks! (Sorry I didn’t write last week, I had no time) Time is flying by SO fast! The end of my mission has been INCREDIBLE, so REWARDING, so FUN and so LIFE CHANGING! The last couple of days I have been really reflecting on my mission and the person that I have become because of it. There truly aren’t the words to describe how grateful I am for my mission. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I love His gospel and I know without a doubt that it is true! Right from the beginning of my mission I knew I didn’t want to waste the 18 months I had been given so I decided I would give my mission 100 percent every day. I have recently reflected on President Nyguarrds promise to me in one of my very first interviews. He told me that I would see the fruits of my efforts if I kept pushing forward with faith and with diligence. I have not always seen success but I knew that as I kept going my Heavenly Father would bless me and I am here to share some of the miracles I have seen as I near the end of my mission. This promise did in fact come true! THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT MIRACLES BIG AND SMALL.
PROGRESSING FRIENDS are truly the biggest miracle ever. Every single week we keep finding people who are genuinely interested in this gospel. The Lord continuously blesses us! Our sweet old grandma Ellen is progressing and is absolutely loving this gospel and is keeping all of our appointments and all of our commitments. Our friend Makayla is so ELECT! She bore her testimony to us that she knew that the Book of Mormon is true! Our Friend Abel is still on track to be baptized on June 17th! He surprised us with a beautiful speech ( He is super shy so its hard to fully understand him) He spoke so loud and proud and bore the most beautiful testimony how this gospel has changed his life and has saved him from suicidal thoughts and actions. He made every day of hard work worth it! We were asked to go check on some sisters in Caldwell on Sunday and take them on an emergency exchange. While we were in Caldwell I got a very distinct impression that we needed to visit a Tongan family, the Raass family. Well because we were led to Caldwell and we used that time we are now teaching that family of 5 in the branch! They have come to church twice now. Lastly WILLIAM one of our friends was on a date for the 24th! When he found out I was going home on the 23rd he said maybe I want to be baptized then, it’s also my dads birthday so that could be super special. I don’t fly home until 11 something and I will actually be able to attend his baptism the morning I come home. I just felt so noticed by God. He knew I needed a later flight home so I could be there for Williams’ baptism.
Our MANY mission meetings! As you all know we are always doing or preparing something for a meeting. In the last two weeks we had an amazing MLC, progress meeting, staff meeting, long transfer planning meetings and our zone conferences! This time preparing for zone conference was extra hard. We were talking about the power and authority of our calling and uhhhhh try coming up with a meaningful 30 minute training for 75 missionaries… It was so hard! Every idea we had just didn’t seem to work out in the end. After hours of study and pondering we had to go to bed. When we prayed I just pleaded to my heavenly father for help. I knew this zone conference had to be meaningful and this is our one opportunity to teach and testify to the entire mission. It was honestly adding a lot of pressure. When I prayed for some reason I opened my eyes and looked directly at my thread bracelet and the impression was so clear. USE THAT. I stared at my bracelet and I knew what we needed to do. I was so excited I exclaimed to my comp while she was praying GOD GAVE ME AN IDEA! Well long story short I did in fact use thread to teach the missionaries how important it is to bind ourselves with God and as we do that he endows us with power. I’m so grateful for personal revelation!
EXCHANGES! This transfer we have been able to focus our efforts on those missionaries that are needing us. Last week I took out a sister who is so funny! She made me laugh so hard. I was able to talk to her about the things I have learned on my mission and help her be more committed in her missionary efforts. Last week while I was with another sister I felt impressed to role play giving out a book of mormon. She looked at me and said that’s perfect. I have never given out a Book of Mormon. I said TODAY IS THE DAY! Then all day we not only gave out one but two. She was in tears as she thanked me for allowing her to learn and grow as a missionary. She was so amazing!
With only 6 weeks in a transfer my companion and I knew we had to enjoy every last p-day possible! So last week we went to another district and played soccer for hours. It was a lot of fun to be with other missionaries and enjoy the time running our hearts out. We hope to get the Maxwell family and the APs out for one final round of pickleball next week… For today we got to go to the temple! I love you all so so much! Sorry for the long email! I have to write these special moments down and this is a way for me to do it!
