Man, has this week been...absolutely INSANE! Oh my goodness, I can't even relate fully how crazy it is, especially since my time to email pretty limited today.
This past week with transfers, preparing for and conducting a baptism, and every appointment in between, we have literally been running from place to place.
To explain the subject headline: Many times after we get out of an appointment or get done contacting someone, I would check my watch, realize we were either late or going to be right on time, and then say,"...and now we run!"
We probably looked funny to others as we were quite literally running to our car...
Anyways!!
First off, thank you to everyones birthday wishes! Especially to those who sent videos, it made my entire day and I was smiling from ear to ear as I watched those! Thank you tons, it means more to me than you'll ever know!
Secondly...Sariah was baptized!
We met with her again this past week before her baptism and taught her about missionary work. We even gave Sariah her very own nametag, just like ours, and had a little practice in her teaching someone about the gospel! We pretended to be her friends at school and she told us about church and what she does. It warmed my heart to hear her explain really well what the sacrament was...she's going to be a GREAT missionary!!
It was a wonderful program and so much of the ward was there to support her- the room was practically filled! It was beautiful and the Spirit was so strong throughout the program! In the program, there were music, prayers, as well as talks about the significance of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Sariah was bouncing into the building, and the smile never left her face during the entire program, baptism and all that happened afterward. She said she was nervous because there were going to be a lot of people watching her, but we told her to focus on how she felt. Afterwards, we talked to her and she told us of how clean and happy she felt.
During the program, we and the young women in the ward gave Sariah her very own hardcopy of the Book of Mormon with her name engraved on it. She was glowing!
Sariah's mom (someone we are trying to teach and help make the steps towards baptism) talked to us after the baptism and how she felt about it. We could tell throughout the program that she felt the Spirit. Later, she texted us, thanking us again for all that we did and said, "maybe one day I will be able to get baptized". We flipped when we read that because previously she wasn't willing to make the time for it in her life. She has a desire...and that is definitely a start!
Another exciting thing that happened on Saturday was that I finished the Book of Mormon again! It was amazing to be able to read it again this year and see what kinds of things stood out to be this time around than in previous readings.
I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon and for all the many things I can learn from it. This time when I read the Book of Mormon, I highlighted scriptures according to the lessons we teach as missionaries: The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Plan of Salvation and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Being able to read it with that perspective made me realize how much the Plan of Salvation, and specifically the Atonement of Jesus Christ, is taught. Even though these three lessons are very interconnected, the Plan of Salvation was taught most consistently, because it is centered on the love our Heavenly Father has for us, as well as the sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
I have learned so much about the Plan of Salvation these past three months, especially in how it can apply to me. Sometimes I find it hard to relate to the hardships people go through, because I haven't experienced the same things they have. But because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I don't have to completely understand, because He does! He knows how to best help others and the situations they go through, because He already experienced it, and according to our faithfulness, obedience and humility, we can receive the direction we need to help others.
No matter all the miracles that we have seen, and the many others that I didn't mention, every week comes with its challenges and struggles. Because of all the things that have been happening, I've been having a lot more stress and anxiety. My mind has been running a million beats a minute, which became pretty overwhelming and at times, made me super impatient.
But I can testify, that Heavenly Father is aware of me, and is aware of each and every one of you!
When I was having a really hard evening, we met and talked to a guy named Van. We ended up talking to him for almost 20 minutes about the positivity he was able to maintain in his life despite the challenges he had faced. I felt like I had been lifted up after that conversation with him! Even though he wasn't ultimately interested in our message, I felt the Spirit as we talked to him and I knew he felt the Spirit as well.
I know that was Heavenly Father's tender mercy that allowed me to work hard the rest of that day when I had no strength to. Many of the answers to the prayers I have are received because of other people and I am so thankful for that.
Another piece of crazy news: I am leaving Amity!!
I'm being transferred! Tomorrow I will be going to Forest Grove in the Council Creek Ward! I'm so excited for this new opportunity with so many new things ahead- a new companion, a new apartment, so many new people I have yet to meet!
I have to run so that I can go finish packing and saying goodbye, but I love you all! Have a wonderful week!
Sister McCown
No comments:
Post a Comment