The subject is a
quote from someone we're teaching. We went and visited him a few days ago in
the pouring rain and he called the rain our "liquid sunshine".
So it's been raining
the past few days, but today there is hardly a cloud in the sky! It's super
weird and my eyes hurt from the sun this morning...even though it's only been
like 4 days without seeing it. Imagine how crazy it will be when I only see it
once every couple of weeks!
In honor of the
Christmas season, we had our Worldwide Day of Service on Saturday to kickstart
Light the World. This day of service was a great opportunity for us to reach
out to those around us and brighten their day.
Sister Boss and I
decided that we should make a ward activity out of it! We decided to go and
serve at a place called the Juliette's House (a home for abused children) here
in McMinnville. When we told the members about our idea to serve there, they
lit up and supported us fully! They got really excited, telling us about all
the great things that the organization does for the community.
For the service
project, we deep-cleaned their facility. They had a list of things for us to do
and we expected maybe 15-20 people there. BUT...almost 25 members came!! It was
so awesome! They planned to keep us in the two big rooms of the facility, but
the members were so enthusiastic to work that we cleaned every room in the
building! Cleaning windows, shampooing carpets, moving furniture, mopping and
vacuuming, and so much more! I wish I would've taken a picture of all of us
together- but we were just so busy working that I didn't even think about it!
It was a great thing
to do in the community and it was amazing to see how many people participated
on such short notice (we announced the service project 6 days before it
happened!).
I love service!
Speaking of
service...we also served a nonmember lady named Patty. She is a hoot! She is so
funny. She took us on a mini tour of her property in the mountains of Amity-
she has this pond and a goose named Emit. We talked to her about the purpose of
life and why the choices we make here on this earth are so important.
I have a testimony
that the gospel truly does change lives. It's absolutely amazing to see the
difference in people as they apply the things that we teach them into their
daily life.
I've seen this as
we've been teaching Brooke and her family. Their desire to follow Christ and
learn of Him was their first step in living the gospel and they are acting on
that desire!
One night we had a
lesson with them and they wrote on their calendar, "Church and Family
Day" on every Sunday of the month. They also made a new rule in the family
that the kids weren't allowed to have sleepovers on Saturdays so that they could
all go to church as a family on Sunday mornings.
That just warmed my
heart and truly testified to me how the gospel can change our hearts little by
little to be in more accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel
really does help us to be more like Jesus Christ and makes us happier! They are
hand in hand!
I love this work and
for all that I do as a missionary of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful to be
serving here in Oregon, especially with Sister Boss. She is an amazing friend
and an even more amazing friend! We are always laughing and having fun- but
nonetheless, working hard all the time! She is a great example to me of the
missionary I hope to be one day.
Thank you all for
your love and support- it means the world to me!
All my love,
Sister
McCown
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