Hey y'all!
As you have probably gathered,
I have been caught in the "y'all" fever for about 15 weeks now and I
just can't help it! Life is so good here in Kentucky. However, Sister
Dorian (Cali Girl) is freezing!! When they say humid winter is a whole
different level, THEY ARE RIGHT. The leaves are breathtaking though and
the holiday season is beginning to show on the shop windows and mall
hallways so I am a happy little camper :)
This
week has been a very busy week, a week full of many lessons taught and
learned. It is amazing how many things you see people go through on a
mission. What is even more amazing though, is when you see the Atonement
work in their life and your own, changing you both for the better. This
gospel is truly one of miracles. I've said it before and I will say it
again. Miracles never cease.
On Monday,
we went to a trampoline place called house of BOOM (basically it is
just like jump on it). It was so much fun except for Sister Henderson
hurting her shoulder :( she tore her labrum before her mission and was
told she would need to get surgery sooner or later but that she would be
ok to go on her mission as long as she was careful. She ended up
tweaking in on a trapeze and has been in pain all week so we are heading
to the doctor today to get her an MRI. Hopefully everything is alright!
We will definitely keep you posted on that.
On Tuesday,
we did exchanges with the hermanas. Every time I exchange with them, I
think of Becca, my older sister. Since she was an Hermana, I think a lot
about her mission and the amazing example that she was and continues to
be for me to this day. Her example was one of the many things that
brought me here on my mission and so it really is a tender mercy to have
those times with the hermana's to reflect on that. We went to a part of
town with a lot of hispanics so having a Spanish speaker there was a
big help! Plus, Hermana Castillo is the sweetest missionary alive so we
really had a great time. We ended up teaching a guy in Spanish who had
the sweetest spirit about him. So much fun!
On Wednesday,
before we exchanged back, we went to a Mexican restaurant tucked into
downtown that a member who is from Poway told us about. She found out
that Hermana Castillo and I are both from California so she told us
about this place since they have the best cali burritos in town. Well,
SHE WAS RIGHT. It really is the little things that make all the
difference.
That burrito was so good and totally gave me
flashbacks to home. Yummmy :) That afternoon, we were able to teach a
girl named Lena. She is so prepared. She is truly seeking for truth and
wants to make this decision to follow Christ and find his church.
However, her boyfriend is a deacon at a different church so
unfortunately, we are worried that it might make things difficult as we
move forward since we didn't have the warmest encounter with him when we
first met him. We are not giving up hope though! We will keep you
posted on her progress but I have a feeling that she is going to really
see the blessings that come from this gospel as she pushes past any
opposition she may face.
Thursday
was such a great day!! We had a lesson scheduled with three young guys
that we met on the bus a few days earlier but when we went to the
address, we couldn't find it. Luckily we were there a little early so we
biking around the complex talking to people and trying to find where
these guys lived. After about 15 minutes, we decided to look at the map 
we found out that we we right next to it. When we got there only one of
the three guys was outside. We ended up teaching him and he was so
prepared!! He accepted baptism and our invitation to read the Book of
Mormon. He is 19 so we have to refer him to the YSA elders but that is
ok because I truly have gained a testimony of the fact that Heavenly
Father is in the very details of this work and he knows who each of His
children need to be taught by :)
After his
lesson, we got chick-fil-a (again , it's the little things) and then
headed over to the part of town where most of our investigators live.
When we got there, Kayla was outside with her niece. She is an
investigator that we started teaching but she dropped us because her mom
wanted her to stick to the Bible and she wanted to respect that.
However, when we said hi to her and asked how she was doing, she said
that she had asked her mom a question that her mom couldn't answer with
the Bible. She was wondering how the Savior could understand what she
was going through if He was the perfect Son of God. Alma 7 immediately
came to mind. We told her to go home and read it and asked if we could
come teach her more about how the Book of Mormon answers her questions
and she said yes!! We went back the next day and gave her lots of
info/scripture/talks on the topic. We also committed her to live the
word of wisdom. It was a very risky move but we testified to her that
she wouldn't be able to receive her answers and feel the spirit if her
body isn't fit for the spirit to dwell. She committed and to our
knowledge has been living it so we really see progress in her. It is so
amazing to see how the Book of Mormon could answer questions that arise
from confusing parts in the Bible. Heavenly Father really has thought of
everything. He knew that the Bible would cause confusion and that it
would be interpreted many different ways. So, he made the Book of Mormon
possible to that we could interpret the Bible correctly. the Book of
Mormon is true! I can't testify of that. I have not only received that
witness for myself but I have seen the fruits of it in my life and the
lives of others. It is the word of God and I am so grateful for the
opportunity to share it with others so that through it, they can come
closer to our Savior.
We have also been
teaching another lady in that complex named Angie. She is awesome. She
has had a lot of hard trials in her life but she really wants to change
her life and come closer to Jesus Christ. We are also helping her to
live the Word of Wisdom and come to church. So excited to see her
progress and work towards changing her life for the better. Her friend
has also decided to meet with us and hear our message and this friend
wants her son to sit in on the lessons as well. Heavenly Father is
blessing us with so many miracles in this area and we are so excited so
see what is in store :)
On Saturday,
ABBIE GOT BAPTIZED!!!! Oh my goodness this was such a happy day I can't
even begin to describe it. I am convinced that Abbie is one of my best
friends from the pre existence. She asked me and Sister Israelsen to
speak at her baptism and it was such an amazing, tender experience to
see her there, dressed in white, ready to make this covenant with our
Heavenly Father. I remember like it was yesterday walking into Qdoba
really to be shot down by questions and immediately realizing that it
was the opposite. Miracles do happen and the Lord is preparing his
children. Her parents have invited us over for Christmas and we are
planning on being at each other's seals as bridesmaids. It was so good!
After her baptism (which a whole bunch of her extended family came to!),
we all went out to lunch at BJ's. It was such a great day!! I say this
all the time but I like to compare a mission to how I have heard people
explain parenting. A lot of the time, it is really hard and you are
smiling through the pain. But when those glorious, miracle moments
happen, it makes every single other moment worth it. :)
Yesterday, we had a different Sunday
than most. We had stake conference in the morning and then went to a
member's house for lunch. When we got home, sister Henderson was super
sick! So, I put her to bed and called potentials for the rest of the
night :)
I love being a missionary so much. I
have learned so much about my Savior, His Atonement, and the Spirit. I
have learned that we must be exactly obedient and always grateful in
order to have the Spirit and thus access the full powers of our Saviors
enabling Atonement. One scripture that really hit me this morning was
one I read this morning about the Nephites in the beginning of 3 Nephi.
It says, "And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth
year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which
they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a
wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their
hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they
had heard and seen. Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that
it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and
deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of
the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes
and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish
and a vain thing".
I was amazed at how quickly
they had forgotten the miracles and signs they had seen and then, as I
pondered it more, I realized that I fall in this trap all the time.
Wonderful things happen to me and I feel the Savior so close as I go
through trials and then after things are over, I forget the wonderful
feelings and closeness that I felt. I forget to be thankful and then I
tend to be less and less astonished until hard trials come again and I
am compelled to humility and gratitude. This was a hard lesson to learn
but I realized that if I am going to experience a mighty change of heart
each and every day and one day become like my Savior, I have to express
gratitude. I can't forget the wonderful, joyous feelings that come as I
access His Atonement in my life. And, I have to be exactly obedient.
Not out of duty or fear, but out of a love for the Savior and a strong
desire to have His spirit to be with me at all times. Then, and only
then, will we find peace and joy always, even in the midst of trial and
affliction. If we are close to the Savior and always have His Spirit to
be with us, joy will come regardless of circumstance and we will
continually be converted to the Lord. We will become those people a few
chapters back when, "there began to be lyings sent forth among the
people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might
not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen; but
notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the more part of the people
did believe, and were converted unto the Lord." Opposition may not
cease, but we will believe and become converted unto the Lord because we
know who the source of our strength and joy is.
I
know that this is Christ's church on the Earth today. The Book of
Mormon is true. Joseph Smith translated it with the power and authority
of God. Our Savior lives and He loves us more than words can describe.
He is always by our side, ready to come to our aid when we are ready and
willing. Let us all strive to be more grateful, not only during this
Thanksgiving season but every day of the year. Let us love and serve our
Savior and obey all that He asks of us so that He can change our hearts
and make us into what He knows we can become.
I love you all! Have an amazing week. Thank you for all the love, support and prayers.
Hurrah for Israel!
Love always,
Sister Dorian
"And
it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name
shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold
guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the
world." 3 Nephi 27:16
