Well
another amazing week has come and gone. I honestly can't believe that we're on
the last week of the transfer. This has been the fastest and best transfer of
my mission. I honestly don't know how it could ever get better than this. The
reason this week was so good was because of Taylor. She is incredible. I feel
so blessed to have been a part of her path to eternal life. The last few days
we had together were beautiful. We had wonderful studies together and I was
able to help teach her how to study on her own so that when she went home she
would be able to continue.
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| Sister Tanner, her district and their mini missionaries. |
The
best part was the closing fireside. We all went down to Mandurah where they had
a testimony meeting where everyone could share about their experiences. I asked
Taylor if she wanted to bear her testimony and she was pretty hesitant. I told
her I wouldn't force her, although I wanted to:) I felt like her mum. ha ha
When the meeting was coming to the end I felt prompted to tell her that if she
wanted we could go up together and bear our testimonies at the same time and
that I would hold her hand. She seemed a bit unsure still but then she finally
agreed. I told her that she could pray and ask God for help and to imagine that
it was just she and I in the room because she'd born her testimony to me so
many times.
So
we went up on the stand to wait for our turn, I looked over at her and realized
that she was praying. I felt this immense love for her and God's love for her.
Then we went up and we took each other's hands. She wanted me to start and
finish it. So I start speaking and I couldn’t help but put my arm around her
and cry as I introduced her and her experience. Then she very simply and
powerfully bore her testimony of Joseph Smith and The Restoration and then told
them all that she wanted to baptized. I then finished it off, I had to make it
real short because I was crying and my heart was about to burst. I have never
felt that happy and grateful. It was beautiful. As we went to sit down again
and she turned to me and said, "I asked God to help me and He did! I was
able to do it because He was helping me and you and I were doing it
together."
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| Sister Tanner, her companion and their mini missionaries. |
Honestly,
if nothing else happened on my mission it would all be worth it for Taylor. She
and I decided that we are going to be next-door neighbors in the Celestial Kingdom.
I love her with all my heart. She should be getting baptized soon. She's just
waiting to find out when her dad can come. She wants me to sing at her baptism
and she doesn’t even live in my zone so I had to ask special permission, but
President said it would good for me to go. I am so thankful. I wouldn't want to
miss her baptism for anything. “My cup runneth over.”
I
also LOVED general conference. It was amazing to me that questions that I have
been wondering about for my whole mission were answered so directly. It was a beautiful and revelatory experience. I loved
the focus on missionary work and families. That's what we're all about!
One
of the very specific things that I felt during one of the talks was how blessed
I am to have the parents that I have; who have given me the opportunity to see
a marriage that works well, not because either of them are perfect, but because
they both put God first. I also felt very specifically that I need to follow
mum's example. I have been so blessed to have a woman of faith and covenants as
my mother. Mum I love you and I am so thankful for your example of being the
kind of woman that God wants you to be. I love you. I also am thankful for you
Dad. You always demonstrate the proper way to treat woman and to uphold the Priesthood.
I don't know what I'd do without you.
Sorry
for getting all mushy on you all... conference makes me miss all of you. I
actually suggested that all the sisters make soup for the zone because
conference didn't feel right with out some kind of food involved. Oh man,
another favorite moment of mine was when the family choir sang "Love at
home." Oh man, I bawled. It reminded me of mum and then there was even a
cute old man who sang like grandpa. That's when I really lost it. Then there
was that adorable little girl who sang with all her heart, just like Livy does.
It made me feel so much love for all of you. Turns out it's a bummer to miss
your family, but that's ok. I'm back into the swing of things now.
We
had an investigator come to conference! She is amazing! She loved it. She said
after that she felt a different feeling in this church then she has in any
other church. She said that she felt that the people spoke truth. She is so
open and receptive to the Spirit. I am excited to get to know her better. While
she was waiting for her ride, she and I were able to have a good talk. We are
very similar in a lot of ways. She's one of those people that I clicked with
instantly. It was amazing. I don't know why God is blessing me so much, but I
am so thankful. I have found so many kindred spirits on my mission. It's just a
testimony to me that this is where I am supposed to be serving.
I
am so thankful to be a missionary. I still can't believe I thought about not
coming. This is just so right for me. I love it. It's hard, tiring and
frustrating sometimes, but more
importantly, it is rewarding, uplifting, and sacred. I am so thankful that
God softened my heart so that I could have this remarkable experience. I was
reminded again in conference of how much I needed this in order to be prepared
for the future, I'm starting to see that even more now. I love The Plan of
HAPPINESS. It really does make me happy. It's the way to ultimate joy in
eternity and NOW. I can feel it. I have felt a glimpse of eternity as I have
seen God's precious daughters learn of Him and come to know
Him.
It also helps me see, even more, that He knows ME. Truly, "to love another person is to see
the face of God." I'm
so blessed.
I
love you all more than ever! Thank you for your love, support and prayers!
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