Dear Family and Friends,
I
can't believe that another week has come and gone. Time continues to
fly by ah!!! It needs to slow down!! I can't believe that I am almost
through my first transfer. I continue to love missionary life, and
truly know that this is where I am supposed to be. Yesterday I had an
amazing surprise. I was sitting up front waiting for a tour when
someone came in the door. It was Sister Belka's turn to take the next
tour. She stood up and said hello. I couldn't see who it was and then I
recognized the voice. It was TROY!!! I can't even tell you how
excited I was to see him. To hear how all of you were doing, but also
for him to experience this amazing place that I get to serve in. For
him to feel of the spirit. What I loved most was the opportunity I had
to share my testimony with him. It made me realize how truly important
this work is, and that we need to share it with everyone we know, but
most importantly share it with the ones we love. To uplift each other,
and help each other return home. It was so awesome to be able to see
him. I know that Heavenly Father placed me at the trail center at that
given time, and allowed troy to come in at that exact time so we could
see each other. I am so grateful for all of you who are so supportive.
Who love me for me, and are keeping me in my prayers.
This
week we have seen so many miracles. We went and taught Claudia and
Ramsey on Tuesday this week. During the lesson the kids were running
everywhere, and there were so many distractions. They had just told us
that they were still chewing. Sister Belka and I were both getting a
little frustrated and the spirit was just not there. I prayed that I
would be able to not be distracted and teach with power. I all of
sudden was overwhelmed with a strong love for them from myself, and also
Heavenly Father. As tears rolled down my cheeks I began to tell them
how much I loved them, but most importantly how much Heavenly Father
loved them. I then said, "As I representative of Jesus Christ I promise
you that if you will read your scriptures EVERY DAY the temptation of
chewing tobacco will be removed". At this moment I realized that I
truly am a representative of Jesus Christ. That I have his authority to
act as he would act, to bless as he blessed, and to promise as he
promised. I realized how much Authority I have as a missionary. I have
all the faith in the world that if they read their scriptures that the
temptation will be drawn from them. We can do anything through the
power of the Atonement. The Atonement can not only give us the
opportunity to repent of our sins, but also help us get through everyday
trials, pains, and sufferings. We have been blessed with this amazing
gift, and we must take advantage of it. We must keep ourselves clean.
We must be prepared. Claudia and Ramsey aren't getting baptized this
week because it is Stake Conference this week, and they have to get the
Holy Ghost at church so we are pushing it back a week. We both feel
strongly that this is right, and that they still have some things to
work on and become fully converted to the gospel.
We
went and taught some recent converts this week and quite the time.
There is an 8 and 9 year old boy who just got baptized. The 8 year old
went to Sister Belka and said I know you showered today, and she was
like oh do I smell clean and he was like no your hair looks wet hahah!!!
We were dying of laughter. She had scrunched her hair that day. So
then the story gets better. They started telling us about this Sperm
Whale book that they got at the library. They kept saying sperm over
and over. We all know how mature I am and of course I couldn't stop
laughing. So I am already struggling. Well Baily Says the closing
prayer and he always prayers for the animals. Well he says please bless
the people that they will be able to feel pain like the animals do when
they kill them. Then he asks to help the people to pay their taxes.
So as we all know I have issues with laughing during prayers, but the
members that we brought started laughing, I start laughing, Sister Belka
starts laughing, and his parents start laughing. It was literally
hilarious. Bailey was a champ and took it well. Gotta love little kids
and their prayers.
As
I write this letter I think about where I was a year ago. I was dating
Clayton. I was so unhappy, I was prideful. I was not myself. I was
miserable. I look at myself now and I am happy, myself, humbled every
day, and so blessed. I know that I had to go through those hard times
so that I could appreciate and realize how far I have come. I know that
it is through the gospel that I am so happy. It is through the gospel
where I have received so many blessings. It is through the gospel that
we can get through the hard times. We truly are so blessed to have the
gospel in our lives. To know the TRUTH. To know the steps we need to
take in order to return back to live with our Heavenly Father again. We
can't slack off. We have to strive to do everything we can to better
ourselves. To be Christs diciples. We truly are in the latter days,
and we must be prepared to bring others unto Christ. We must strive to
be better each and everyday.
I
love this work. I love being a missionary. I know that this is the
WAY. It is the only thing that can bring us true happiness. Read your
scriptures, develop a relationship with Heavenly Father, and follow the
example of Jesus Christ. Have a great week!! I love you all
Sister Whitt
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