June 9, 2014

This week we had a lesson with the investigator that came to the baptism and cried really hard. We talked about the plan of salvation. We've been using the Ensign magazine in our teaching lately, and got to share with her a great talk that really summarizes our purpose in our life on earth, how we must persevere. (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/04/the-blessings-of-perseverance?lang=eng) In it, the article talks about how the Lord needs us to keep going in this life, and in a sense, he says, "I love you, I sustain you, I am with you. Don’t give up. Repent and persevere on the path I have shown you. If you do, I promise you that we will see each other again in our heavenly home." What a great promise :)  In the lesson, she told us her mom got after her for coming to church and taking the lessons seriously. And guess what? SHE STOOD UP FOR IT! She told her mom that she felt good at church, and she learned a lot there, and that she was going to "follow her heart." Wow, that is amazing!! We feel so lucky to know her :)

Also, VIVIANA IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!! We were on exchanges and Sister Patterson was there with Sister Hammon and a Mexican member from Wellington to translate. They had planned to talk about faith, and guess what? Viviana had 'randomly' opened up to Ether 12 (all about faith) before they came when she was reading her scriptures. Sister Patterson powerfully asked her if she wanted to show her faith in Christ, and she said yes. She then committed to baptism. Wow, we are so happy for her!! This is a great step for her and her family, to be eternal :)

Also... on exchanges... the Sister missionary i was with took me to a woman that i had never heard about before. We sit down, and she's a bit eccentric. She begins to tell me that she put her head under the water years ago when she was at a hot pool and contracted meningitis long ago. She then grabbed my hand, picked my pointer finger out, and bowed her head. She started dragging my pointer finger around her scalp, through her short brown hair. Then she came it to... there was a HOLE in her SKULL!!  She stuck my finger in it, then proceeded to look for the OTHER TWO HOLES  as i looked at the sister missionary, about to vomit. Okay, if i was ever in that area and needed my day to get brightened, i would go visit this woman. Only a insanely funny person would do that to someone they just met. I hope i never forget that visual.

The Harbour ward had me bear my testimony in Sacrament meeting to say my goodbyes. I only cried a little bit, so that's good. This week is going to be crazy.

We are going on exchanges this week, and i get to help a sister missionary that is struggling with her testimony. Wow, i love my calling. This is the kind of thing that i love to do; i love to really, really help people, like the way that they actually need and want it - and spiritually helping is the only way that will actually give them lasting peace. I love being a missionary, i love my calling as a sister training leader.

love,
Sister Rose