What a crazy awesome
week!!! We met a man who said he did his genealogy work and that he is
related to Jesus, he also said he has died 10 times (we take everything
people tell us with a grain of salt haha). We got to pass out flyers to
businesses for a live nativity going on, which was a lot of fun because
people were actually excited to talk to us. Wrapped some Christmas
presents! We were also hugged by some guy on his porch without our
consent, and gave someone a heart attack (with cut out hearts of
course).
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| Wrapping Presents |
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| Heart Attack |
We met
lots of cool people this week, Sister Holdaway is super in tune and
always puts just the right streets in our plans and feels like we need
to knock on the doors with the coolest people behind them. We had the
most powerful Sacrament meeting Sunday, there were 5 members of the
congregation who gave short talks on their favorite hymns and then we
had the opportunity to sing it. There is so much power in those inspired
songs. We also were able to attend a few baptisms! It was wonderful!
We
also had a fantastic Thanksgiving! We were able to spend it with a few
families in our ward who we love dearly. It definitely made it feel like
home which I was grateful for.
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| Happy Thanksgiving |
On
top of the collection I gave you at the beginning, there were a few
particular highlights of my week that I wanted to tell you about.
First
of all, the other day in a lesson with Grahm (who will be baptized next
week!) we were talking about service and missionary work and a whole
bunch of things. At one point Grahm said, "On my mission..." I honestly
can't remember the rest because I was just too excited by the fact that
he has a desire to serve a mission! It made me so happy to think that
because Grahm is truly converted to the gospel and has his own testimony
that he is working hard to build, he is going to go on to affect so
many people and be able to share the thing that has blessed his life. I
can't help but think about how the missionaries who taught my mom would
feel to know that her daughter is now on a mission. They affected more
lives than they could possibly realize because of their service, and the
effects will keep on going!
Another
highlight of my week happened today when Damian, who got baptized last
month, was able to go to the temple to do baptisms for his family
members who have passed on. It was a beautiful experience and I am
grateful that we were able to attend with him. It is moments like those
that I will treasure forever.
I
love being a missionary! I love meeting people, teaching them about the
restored truths of the gospel, serving people. Above everything though,
what brings me the greatest joy is seeing how the gospel changes lives
when people are truly converted and apply it in their lives. I love
seeing the excitement Grahm has to share the gospel, and that Damian was
so excited to help his ancestors have the blessings of the gospel when
they didn't have the chance in this life. It is a blessing to meet such
people, who recognize the value of their newly found treasure and use
it! The gospel is only worth something when we use it and apply it in
our lives, when we let it change us into something better. I love this
scripture in the Book of Mormon that helps us know what we must do for
this change to happen.
Helaman 3:35
"Nevertheless
they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their
humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling
their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and
the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because
of their yielding their hearts unto God."
May we all do what is required to find this joy and consolation.
Just keep smiling!
