I loved all the talks that were given, and I don't think I've watched a general conference where I felt like many of the talks were as if they were speaking directly to me!
I am so thankful for the prophets and apostles. They truly are called of God and are SO inspired!
Let's see...other things that happened this week...
Earlier this week I still wasn't feeling great at all (the medication I took actually backfired on me and actually caused me to feel pretty loopy) which made us need to stay inside more during the day.
But tender mercies are always there!
A huge impact in my day was receiving the sweetest package from my family- my Aunt Karen and the kids!
The time that I actually got the package was my sickest day! Getting that little pick-me-up turned my whole day around- so thank you SO much!
Due to me being sick, Sister Leifson took charge and did so well at taking care of me and the area- I don't know what I would have done without her! She was always making sure I was doing the things I needed to do to help me feel better, and for someone who hasn't been on their mission for super long, she did AMAZING in the lessons that we taught while I was sick. It was a miracle that I was able to teach at all, and I was so thankful for her support during those very long days.
To explain the subject, Sister Leifson and I are crazy unified...its actually insane. We say so many of the same things at the same time, it's a little scary. The craziest moment was last night when we were watching Johnny Lingo (as missionaries, the number of movies we can actually watch are pretty limited) and there was this one part where Johnny said, "Don't cry Mahana". At that second, we both turn to each other and say, "don't cry mahana" to each other. Seriously, out of ALL of the phrases to say, it just happened to be the same exact one, said at the same exact time. That is only one of many instances, so stay tuned for more in weeks to come. :)
Sister Leifson and I have had a ton more teaching appointments this past week, which has been a huge miracle. We're working with three super solid people, two of which are on date, and it has been so exciting to see them progress.
We taught Ashley twice this past week- one about the Plan of Salvation and the other about the commandments. It was so cool to see how she just soaked it all up like a sponge. We met her only two weeks ago, and she is already almost done with the Book of Mormon! We seriously can't even keep up with her during lessons because she asks such good questions. She has a hunger for the gospel that I have never seen before, and it has been amazing to see the light in her eyes as we teach her about the gospel.
When teaching her the Plan of Salvation, her mind was absolutely blown when we taught her about what happens after this life on earth. With the religious background that she has, it was hard for her to comprehend the things that we taught her about how we can live with God again. She asked so many questions, with a strong desire to understand everything. I don't think I have ever taught that lesson so in-depth before with all the questions we were trying to answer!
She was so grateful though, for what we had taught her. She said it gave her so much peace and strength to know that her choices really do matter. She has the strongest desire to live with God again and follow Him.
This past week I also got to go to a meeting with Sister Anderson and the other missionary leaders in our mission. It was super fun being with them and receiving so much counsel about how we can help the other missionaries. I know that these meetings are not only to help us to know how to help others, but they are also there to help us know how we can better ourselves. I want to be more obedient and a better example, so I'm thankful for the things that I learned there to know what I need to work on. The gospel is all about step-by-step progression (which can be overwhelming!) but it's amazing to see, as I reflect over the last 9 months I've been on my mission, how much I have changed and how much I have learned.
I love this gospel!
Funny moment of the week (even though there were actually many during the times I was sick and medicated):
One night the other three sisters and I were sitting in our living room, hanging out and writing in our journals. At that point, I was ready for bed and I was talking about how my vision had gotten worse since I had been on my mission. I look around the room, trying to read different words on the walls or white boards and not being able to. I then see a picture of Jesus Christ on one wall and say, "I can't even see Jesus!" (It was insanely blurry and if I hadn't of seen it with my contacts in, I wouldn't have known it was a picture of Jesus Christ).
Without the slightest hesitation and with the most casual tone, Sister Child then says, "That's okay that you can't see Jesus, that's where faith comes in. You may not be able to see Him, but He is always there!"
We all died laughing for how subtly deep her comment was. But as I thought about it, it is SO true!
We may not be able to see Him in every second of our lives, we can't expect that- but He is always there.
I learned a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ during General Conference, and especially what His sacrifice means to me. I know that He suffered and died for me. I know that because of Him, I can have faith in comfort in knowing that there is someone who knows me, and exactly what I am going through. He truly does know how to help me in all my situations!
I know that He loves each and every one of you as well. He wants to help you and as we reach out to Him in faith, He can build us up into the people He needs us to be. He can heal us and give us strength in our darkest hours.
I love this gospel and I love sharing it with the people in Oregon. I love each and every one of you and I hope you have a wonderful week!
All my love,
Sister McCown
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