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 her know how to study on
her own so that when she went home she would be able to continue.
The
best part was the closing fireside. We all went down to Mandurah and they had a
testimony meeting where everyone could share 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 she was praying.
I felt this immense love for her and God's love for her. As we went up 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 and 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 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."
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's not even 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; parents 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 women and
to uphold the Priesthood. I don't know what I'd do with out 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 Livvy 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 and don't miss you all
too much.;) ha
We
also 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 even more.
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.
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 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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