I
want to live there. Straight up. So, Sister Nelson and I had the opportunity to
go with a less active, Sister Sloat, who we've been working with a lot. Her
goal recently had been to get back to the temple. The last time she went was in
1995. We were so excited for her! The Lord helped her with her smoking
addiction, and when she was interviewed by Bishop Stone and found worthy to get
her temple recommend we were SO HAPPY for her. It was incredible. I love her so
much. We waited a whole 2 weeks in agony, from the day we found out we could
go, until Thursday morning! It was the longest 2 weeks of our lives. For real.
But it was worth the wait!!! The minute we pulled in, I was overcome with so
the spirit so much, I kept thinking to myself, "are we really at the
temple right now?" The session was amazing and I was bawling like a baby
the whole time. Of course, would you expect anything less? IT'S THE TEMPLE. The
the celestial room.. Words literally cannot describe how peaceful and beautiful
it was. I never wanted to leave. I think I used the entire box of Kleenex in
there. I was hysterically sobbing. I was just SO happy. Never in my
entire life have I felt the spirit so strongly than that day. Never. The whole
thing was surreal. And seeing the smile on Sister Sloats face while we
were there, I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. She was grinning ear to
ear. I'm so grateful that we were able to share that special moment with her.
In that moment, I KNEW without a single doubt in my mind, that Jesus Christ is
my Savior and Redeemer and loves me so much. That he suffered on the cross and
in the Garden of Gethsemane so that I can return to live with him and Heavenly
Father someday. I am extremely grateful for the wonderful opportunity that
Sister Nelson and I had to go to the temple together with Sister Sloat. It was
an experience that I will never ever forget.
All 3 of us at the temple! :) |
Next item of business.
OUR BAPTISMSSSSSS. Waddup. Morgan, Grant, Joan and Anna were all baptized this
weekend and they were wonderful! Especially Joan's. I really felt a strong
connection with her. Joan is the 77 year old woman who has full custody of her
great-grandson who is 7 months old. She has had SUCH a hard life, but I don't
think she's ever doubted our church. The first time she came to church, she
said "I've made my decision, this is the church I want to join. There's
just such a good feeling about you people." She's so amazing. She has so much
faith, I look up to her. When she was baptized, again, Sister Nelson and I were
hysterical. Literally. We were both bawling so hard and hugging each other
while she was getting baptized! Afterwards, she had a big smile on her face and
said "I finally belong!" It was so amazing! Crazy how Heavenly Father
trusts us enough to be apart of her conversion! I am one lucky sister!
So kind of a funny
story. Last week I had really been struggling on whether to stay here in
Virginia or go to Brasil once my Visa comes. I just love the people here so
much, I can't ever imagine leaving. So I had been praying, reading my
scriptures, praying, reading talks, and PRAYING! I was kind of leaning toward
Brazil but every time I thought about that I was like, but what about Virginia?
Needless to say, I needed help from the Lord. Well, it was perfect that we were
going to the temple, because I was like SURELY I'll receive an answer there! So
when we got in the celestial room, before I could even ask Heavenly Father, if
I should stay in Virginia or go to Brasil, He said "Go to Brazil."
Then I cried some more (apparently I haven't cried enough this week) and I was
like but I'm scared! I don't know! Then we had interviews with President on
Friday so I told him everything that had happen and his response was "oh,
that's not even an option. When your visa comes, you're going to Brazil. You
can't stay here in Virginia." I SWEAR, HE'S THE ONE WHO TOLD ME THAT IF I
REALLY WANTED TO STAY IN VIRGINIA, I COULD. SO whatever! hahaha. Sister Nelson
and I couldn't stop laughing. I had been stressing out this whole last week and
question wasn't even valid! I can't even stay in Virginia!!! Goodness! Hahaha.
Guess I'll be going to Brazil. :)
I know I say it a lot,
but I've LITERALLY never been so happy. THIS is the reason I came on a mission!
To find people like Joan and hep bring them unto Christ. That is my purpose. I
want EVERYONE to feel the wonderful joy that I felt that day in the temple and
when Joan was being baptized. BEST feeling in the whole entire world. I
wouldn't trade it for anything. I have a year left on my mission! That means,
one more year of this complete happiness!!! YAY!! I KNOW that this gospel is
the true and everlasting gospel on this Earth today! I'm so honored to have this
opportunity to share it with the world. Stateside mission's are the BEST! I
LOVE it here! I was worried before I came out that I would be stateside, I was
just like ughh, I want to be cool and go foreign. I'm retarded. I would be SO
happy if I got called in Virginia! I don't ever want to leave here! My visa can
take as long as it wants!!! :)
Tchau,
Sister Hallmark Anna's family and I! :) |
Sister Nelson, Morgan, Berkley,
Grant, me before their baptism!! |
Me, Joan, Sister Nelson, right before her baptism! |
Right after Joan got baptized!! :) |
My birthday last Monday!!! Jan 20th I'm finally 20!! |
Sister Wangberg couldn't make a
gluten free birthday cake, so she got a gluten free cupcake instead! She's the
best!!
|
My first grey hair on my 20th
birthday! I'm getting so old!!! Hehe
|
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