We've been teaching
a lot of lessons to those we are working with, and it's been amazing to see how
much Heavenly Father has blessed us with.
Ashley was baptized
on Saturday and it was so good! The Spirit was so strong during the whole
program and there were a couple times where I could see tears in her eyes.
Due to some
complications with the font, the stopper on the drain didn't work right. It
ended up draining as it was filling, so by the time Ashley stepped into the
font to be baptized, it only went to her knees!
She was such a pro,
though! She had to be laid practically fully horizontal in the font to be
immersed completely, and then had to be awkwardly lifted by the Brother who was
the same size as her. It wasn't the most ideal situation, but it all worked out
and Ashley came out of the water just GLOWING!
The next day, she
was confirmed a member of the Church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
She had a different aura about her after the confirmation and she was radiating
with love and happiness.
Ever since we have
taught her about the temple, she has been fascinated why what is done there and
the steps she needs to take to get there. She asks many questions and has such
a strong, sincere desire to go inside and be in the temple. She asked us if we
could go with her for her first time and we ecstatically said, "we would
love to!"
Our next lesson with
her will probably be focused all on the temple and setting a date for her to go
to the temple with us next month!
This past week I
also went on exchanges again! This time I was with Sister Child, who lives with
Sister Leifson and I and is companions with my STL companion. It was kinda funny,
since we basically just switched companions for a day, but were still in the
same apartment together. It was super fun though!
We had a lot of
lessons that day, one of which was with Joaquin, a 9 year old boy preparing to
be baptized in a couple of weeks. We taught him about temples, and there was
this one part of the lesson that he learned that both Sister Child and I didn't
know how to snap our fingers. He was so confused by that, apparently everyone
he knows can snap their fingers. He looked at us with the most serious
expression and said, "I don't mean to be rude, but did they have snapping
back when you were kids?"
Sister Child and I
just looked at each other and died laughing! Joaquin was confused by our
reaction, but it was hilarious!
Through the tears of
laughter, I said, "Yes! And we had TV too!"
Man, it was probably
the funniest moment of the week.
Another big piece of
news: Transfer Calls!
Sister Leifson will
be staying here with me in Council Creek and I am STOKED! she's so amazing and
has helped me so much, so I'm glad that I'll have another transfer to pay back
to her all that she has done for me.
We really have
become best friends and it's a huge blessing to have her in my life. She knows
me so well, it's kinda scary! But we have tons of fun together, so it's pretty
great. Now she has to put up with me for at least another 6 weeks!
I am so thankful to
be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This truly
is the best place that I could be at this time in my life. I have learned so
much and I am excited to continue learning and growing.
Something that I
have thought a lot about this past transfer are how relationships truly are
eternal, and not just family relationships! I believe that God loves us enough
that He would want us to be with all those we love, and that extends far beyond
our family. I have met some amazing people since being on my mission, and they
truly have become my family. Relationships that last for eternity have so much
more meaning.
I am so thankful for
the Plan of Salvation and the promise it gives that we can live with those that
we love more than just our live here, as we are obedient and faithful. I love
the gospel and the hope and comfort it brings in promising eternal
relationships. I am so thankful for the restored truths that Heavenly Father
blesses us with and the opportunity and privilege I have every day to share it.
I know that I have been called of God to be on a mission in this specific area,
and every day I strive to work as hard as I can. I love this work and I love my
Savior Jesus Christ.
I hope you all have
a wonderful week!
All my love,
Sister McCown
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