Week 13

Sister Gillespie + Baptism = newest member in the church!! 

It was such a miracle that she was baptized. When we met her almost 2 months ago she was at the point where she didn't even want to live any more. As we've taught her there was a light in her eyes that got brighter and brighter with every lesson. Even when her husband passed away she still looked to God. She has strengthened my testimony of God's unconditional love for us, the Atonement, Missionary work, etc.. Everything just fell into place with her. We didn't do anything. It was literally 100% God. It reminds me of Alma 26:37. I know that God lives and loves us so much that He sent His son to Atone for each and every one of us. As we truly repent and look to God He takes away those feelings of guilt and unworthiness because of our Savior's Atonement. I saw that so much in Sister Gillespie.

Since we are in a trio and we're covering 2 wards we have no idea what is going to happen next week at transfers. We're thinking that the wards are going to be split again and one of us is going to get a new companion. But we have no idea! haha! 

Week 12

Temples+companions+President Eaton = #blessed 

We've had a really great week; the monthly mission devotional was on Sunday and Sister Zavala and I were in the choir. It was a really great time to see some of the recent converts and to hear their testimonies. It makes me so much more excited for the work that we are doing. 

Update on Sister Gillespie, She's getting baptized this Saturday and she is beyond excited. We had a lesson yesterday and we asked her why she thought this baptism was different from the other churches she's been baptized in. (she's been baptized into 6 different churches) She said that this is the one church where things actually make sense. Where she's found a family who loves her despite the mistakes that she's made. Being able to see the changes that she's made over these past couple of months has been the biggest blessing. It doesn't matter about the number of people you baptize or even who accepts your message. My job as a missionary is to act how Jesus would act if He were here and to invite others to "come unto [him]".

The temple today was the icing on top of the cake. We were blessed to have our mission president, President Eaton, drive us there. Long story short, we had an amazing conversation about the temple and the Atonement and we were so blessed with the spirit to testify of those things. Being inside the temple was just another testimony that Heavenly Father knows me and my needs. He loves His children so much and being able to go to a place where heaven and earth meet is one of His many gifts to us. Go to the temple often, I testify that the Son of Man does reveal Himself to those who are seeking Him.

To end the temple trip, President Eaton took us to Pizza Hut and we got cookie pizzas :) But the best part was, we got to see Pres. in action! We started talking to a guy who was in there and we had an incredible conversation and taught the restoration. Pres. even invited him to be baptized!! (the guy said yes ;) It was so so so cool to watch my misison president teaching the gospel and it's motivated me to teach on the spot and to FEAR NO MAN! Trust God ;)

Sorry this email is so long!! I love you all!!

Week 11

I should start off by saying that our trio is going super good :) The Silver Creek sisters were on bikes half of the time because the area is super small, and guess what? We had an extra bike! So we get to bike in some parts of our area. I didn't think that I would like biking very much, but it's actually really fun. And there are a lot of great opportunities for us to talk to people who are outside. (which isn't quite as possible in a car).

On Monday we had a pretty awesome miracle. We aren't supposed to be home until 9 pm, well it was 8:40 and we had absolutely nothing to do. So we prayed. As we were walking back to our car this guy came walking down the street with his dog. Literally out of the middle of no where. It was crazy. God answers prayers.

We also had interviews with our mission president this week. He only asks us like 2 questions, then the rest of the interview is up to us. So I came prepared with a bunch of questions. Since I've been studying humility lately I asked him how to balance confidence and humility. I loved his answer on that. The biggest thing that stuck out to me was that humility isn't comparative. A humble missionary doesn't compare herself to the the success of other missionaries, but instead throws herself into the work and seeks God's guidance as to how to improve. 

Make Christ the center of your life and you'll be amazed at the love that He has for you and everything that you can learn.

BTW: the next 3 weeks I will be emailing on tuesday. Just a heads up :) why? because next week we are going to the Seattle temple!!!

Love you all!!!!!!!

Week 10

Hey everyone! Hope your new years was great :) 

It's definitely been a blast being with Sister Heiner and Sister Zavala. We are all stressed and have no idea what is going on half of the time, but it's tons of fun!! Plus, since we are covering two wards we get to go to TWO sacrament meetings, two ward councils, and two of the other things as well. You know what that means? it means over 7 hours of church :) But testimony meeting was so powerful yesterday, it's so incredible to listen to people's testimonies and how much they truly love the gospel. I know this church is true!

New Year's was great. We stayed up till the early hours of the night. (aka 10:30). But I'm so excited for what 2016 holds. Especially for the fact that this is the only year in which I will 100% be dedicated to the work. "Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him" (Moroni 10:32) I know that as we all strive to come more fully unto Christ that we will see miracles and blessings. Look for those tender mercies that God loves to send us! I know that they are there and I know that He loves each of us so deeply. This year I plan on coming unto Christ by studying chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. I know that as we gain those Christlike attributes that we'll have more love, more faith, more charity, humility, diligence, and we'll be able to walk side by side with our Savior as we each seek to build the Kingdom of God.

I know that He lives.