"Her spirit animal is an enchilada"

This past week was a great one! Exchanges, Interviews, MLC. Lots of fun!

​We went on exchanges with the wonderful Silverdale 3rd Sisters! Its was a blast. Sister Kramer and I remained on the island and talked a lot about how miraculous mission life is as she's been out for 3 months now. We talked about the lessons she has learned and what she hopes to learn and I just thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn from her as she is just pure unfiltered love.

We had interviews on Wednesday and Sister Blatter always takes a picture of companions. This time she let us say if we approved of it so it turned out decent. I love interview days! You always gain so much insight on how you can be a better missionary!

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Our whole district after interviews with President. Note the always present awkward gap between us sisters and the elders. It always makes me laugh :)
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A picture from MLC. Such a great training! It was all on working better with the members. I'm so excited to apply what we've learned and see the mission just soar! For those of you who are members you really are the means through which this work happens! You are so important!

This past week I studies 3 Nephi chapter 11. It is just such a great section! 

I pondered a lot on verses 10 and 11

10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

 11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

I was overwhelmed with love for our Savior as I pondered on the truly bitter cup He drank for our sake. I have come to discover a deeply abiding love for our Savior and His Atonement. I wouldn't be where I am without His loving sacrifice. I just wanted to leave you all with my testimony of the Atonement. I have felt it in my life. I have seen it give relief and strength to myself and many others. I know the Atonement is readily available for anyone who desires our Savior's help. I invite each of you to ponder on what the Atonement is. Study it out in the scriptures and reflect on your life. Pray to have your eyes open and you'll see how He is there every step of the way.

I love our Savior and I am so grateful to be a part of this work. 

A White Halloween

This past week Sister Wilson and I have been attempting to figure out the island. Its very confusing in that I have no clue where I am half the time... this place is a maze. But by the grace of God I'm beginning to figure my way around! I can actually drive two or three places without the GPS which I thought would never happen. There's my accomplishment for the week!

This past week we were able to witness an amazing woman enter into the sacred covenant of baptism. I had to share a little of Jesse's story with you all because its really taught me a lot.

​This is Jesse and her precious son. Jesse began learning of the restored gospel before I arrived on Bainbridge. I can't expressed how blessed I am to have been able to come serve here during the time she was being taught. Jesse is a true example of how the gospel blesses us in our lives. She is also an example of following the spirit even when you don't know why. Back in June Jesse just felt like going to church one day and so she got her son ready and walked to the building on Sunday morning. She told us she was terrified to go but knew she needed to and as soon as she walked in she just felt peace flow over her. Jesse has had a long journey that led her to where she is today and stands as an example of how the Savior helps those who truly want His help.

 

I wish there was time and words to explain the lessons I've learned from Jesse. Her unlimited love and concern for her son taught me a lot about our Father in Heaven's even more unceasing love and concern for each of us. Her desire to learn and to study the scriptures taught me that we should constantly be taking joy in the sacred word gifted to us by our Heavenly Father. There's just so many things that make this moment such a miracle. I can't begin to properly describe it. Jesse has revived my testimony in how our Heavenly Father is just waiting to reach out and help all of us as soon as we ask for it. 

Jesse is just one example of why I love this sacred work of being a missionary! I've been pondering on the scripture verses found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-17

"15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and  bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my  Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the   kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

 17 Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock,and my salvation."

I seriously love these verses in the fact that they teach the only way to truly find joy. I love being a part of the work of salvation and while I know we never truly bring someone to the gospel, I have been able to experience the joy that comes in being a vessel and witness as our Father brings all who are willing home. What a gift! So here's my invitation for you this week. Pray to feel this joy. Its really like no other. Pray to have an opportunity to help someone take a step towards our Father's kingdom and pray to recognize when it comes. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week and marvel at the fact that its November. Wow... yikes. 

Take care until next week!

Love,