Missionary Work Rocks!!

Hey y'all!

My my my. Another week has come and gone. How is this happening?? Time just needs to stop so I can stay in Kentucky forever (just kidding mom!) Seriously though, being a missionary is the most joyful experience I have ever had. Even in trials, there is always something to be thankful for and there are miracles happening all around you. 

This week was a fun filled week for sure! Every week is fun but we did some things this week that are rare in missionary work so it was good to mix it up for a bit. :)

On Monday, we hung out with Abbie, that investigator that I have talked about in the last few weekly's. She is seriously so amazing. We went to Steel City Pops which is a homemade popsicle shop in town and then we drove up to Crestwood to have Mexican food with the Assistants who are the missionaries teaching her. She is still progressing so amazingly and is planning on going to a Utah school next fall. It is unreal! After that, we went and taught a former investigator who has been taught by missionaries a few times with no apparent progress. She expressed to us that she was struggling to receive answers to prayers so she is feeling angry and unheard. We have received lots of revelation and guidance from other missionaries and our Ward mission leader on how to best help her to recognize the answers she is receiving or have more real intent. We haven't been able to teach her anymore this week but we hope to teach her next week so fingers crossed! :)

On Tuesday, we went on exchanges with the Hermanas. We went and taught a referral named Anthony who is such a boss!!! We weren't able to set a baptismal date with him but we are meeting with him tomorrow. As he keeps his commitments and comes to know these things for himself, he will have that desire come to his heart. We will definitely keep you posted. I have a great feeling about him though :)

On Wednesday, we had the.....SISTERS CONFERENCE! This is a conference that our sweet mission momma puts on for all the sisters in the mission twice a year around conference time. It was so amazing! The first half was all about our worth as daughters of God and our potential as we labor in His kingdom. The assistants did an amazing training on faith, hope, charity, and love and how those attributes, as we strive to work on them and develop them in our lives, will carry through our missionary work and our work as mothers, wives, and daughters. They had their moms do video clips about the trials they have gone through and how developing those attributes through our Saviors Atonement has helped them to become who they are today. So so good! It had us all in tears for sure. So good :) after that we are cafe rio and learned how to do the hula! It was such an amazing confidence booster!

On Thursday, we had district meeting and then said goodbye to our favorite senior couple!! I seriously love them so much so we are going to definitely miss them lots!

Friday we had lessons with Kymbal and Rina. They are struggling to keep commitments but we still have high hopes for them. One major lesson that I have learned working as a missionary is that I can not take away anyone's agency. No matter how much I want them to accept this message and let our Saviors Atonement change their hearts, if they don't choose it for themselves it won't matter. It will not be eternal happiness unless they choose to achieve it. What makes my service worthwhile is how I use my agency. If I do all that I possibly can as a representative of Christ to help bring others to Him, I have done my part and miracles will happen. Prepared people will be found and they will accept this message because the Spirit will teach them through you. Abbie is a prime example of this. As we follow the Spirit and do our part, we may at some points be disappointed at the circumstances but we will never be disappointed in ourselves :) so, I will continue to have faith in my Savior go to work. 

This weekend was also conference!! Oh my goodness. It was amazing. I absolutely loved it. As I have said before, as a missionary, you recognize your weaknesses all the time! And sometimes I get discouraged by them! Being able to hear from our beloved prophet and apostles helped me to put into perspective that weaknesses are for our growth! Through the Atonement of our Savior, we can change and become better. Our weaknesses can become strengths. We will have a greater capacity to carry our burdens because He will be carrying them with us. Our prophet is a man of God and He speaks the word of God. The Spirit is an amazing teacher and I am so grateful for all that I was able to learn about myself and how I can be a better servant of God. I love this gospel and I love the amazing opportunities and potential is allows us. It is so good!! :)

I know that this church is true. I know that my Savior lives. Joseph Smith did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is true. This message brings so much joy and peace. It is SO GOOD! Man I am so happy. 

I love you all. The work is going so well. We are continuing to work on our faith and we know that miracles will continue to come and prepared people will find the truth. The Lord is gathering His sheep and His work is hastening. Thank you for all the prayers and support. I can feel the love all the way over in Louisville. 

Have an amazing week! 

Love,

Sister Dorian :)