I found out that on Friday, we street contacted over 30 people! That I guess I am pretty fearless when it comes down to it, that I even was getting in the car and saw two people walking towards us, we made eye contact (this situation was already awkward) and I knew I had to talk to them; keep in mind by now I was sitting in the car. They noticed and crossed the street (it was almost 8 pm at night, so it was dark). I jumped out of the car and ran across the street to talk to them. My companions stayed at the car and just watched. They ended up just walking away after a while, but I talked to them! I don't want to go through life missing the chances the Lord has placed before me with His prepared children. Don't want to get to heaven and have them come up to me and say that they saw me and I didn't share with them the message of the restored gospel. Why let that happen? I have already let a lot of people already pass by because I was scared. But! I am casting all my fears at the Savior's feet and letting take them away. There is no way that I can do this work with all of my fears and insecurities. It is time to let them go and the only way is through the Savior and His infinite Atonement.
We had district meeting this week, which was amazing! Each of us taught a little bit of it. My subject was on the mighty change of heart wrought by the Spirit (Alma 5:11-14, Mosiah 5:2). I had no idea where to go with this topic! After a couple hours of study (broken up) I finally had a light-bulb moment. That when you take up your cross, as described in Matthew 16:24 (look at the footnotes for more definition), you are changing and letting the Spirit more into your life to have a change of heart. This change of heart is like what King Lamoni's father and the people of King Benjamin did.I came up with an abbreviation for the word cross: Constant Rid Of Sin and Self. Some amazing gems of D-Meet:
"Baptism by fire is the change of heart." - Sister Palmer
"Pride comes from insecurity." "The Spirit rebukes Pride." -Elder Oakley
"Everything about our mission is giving up our pride." -Elder Laxton
"It's not about you! But Everybody else!!" -Elder Eppich
"Pray to have your abilities match your tasks." -Elder Sterneckert
Some things I took away from DMeet:
-How can I truly give back to Christ? What does that phrase truly mean?
By the way these are all the missionaries in my district. Amazing!
This past week we had MTE's again (Missionary training exchanges). So many miracles happened and they even continued! A few things that I learned from MTE's:
-I NEED to have an eternal perspective
"The reputation of a thousand years, can be disrupted in one hour."- President Clayton
- Remember how blessed you truly are for having this Gospel!!!
"If you had the Savior as your companion every day, would he let somebody pass you by?" -President Clayton
-"If you are not bold or have no courage in this work: you are not spiritually confident."- Elder Laxton
- USE THE BOOK OF MORMON in everything you do.
-The Book of Mormon is the most powerful resource combined with the Spirit in conversion.
This week we have learned a lot about patience in waiting for answers to our prayers. We submitted all of our will to the Father and knew without a doubt that He had a plan. And He did! It just took patience, like in Alma 26:26-27.
During morning workouts Elder Laxton said something really profound: "Always keep your head up and hands behind your head. Never bend down or let your head drop. If you do Satan has more power over you because you are already down. Always keep your head up, don't let Satan win."
So I still am not sleeping to well. I have tried different natural sleep aid's and they only help for a night or two. So I am pretty much at the point where I am going to accept the fact of not sleeping well during the mission. Which I know I will be okay, the Lord strengthens me each and every day.
I was wondering if somebody could send me some info on some colleges: BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, LDSBC, Utah State. Just info like the ratings, and finances and whatnot. I have had a lot of thoughts about the future lately.
Somebody once said that if we don't plan for our future here on the mission, when in life are we going to be closest to the Spirit?
So the bishopric in this ward found out about my musical talent. (thank you companion!! I really do love her though..) And they want me to sing in the ward. So I am going to :) yay!
I have a challenge for all of you!! a commitment rather ;) and I will follow up on you all next week!
+ Carry a copy of the Book of Mormon around with you always. (write your testimony in it too!)
+ Read at least 30 minutes a day from the Book of Mormon. Keep reading until something stands out to you. Pray to know what the Lord wants you to learn from it that day.
+ Pray always :)
+ Read and study your patriarchal blessings.
+ Expect Miracles!!!
Oh!! can you all send me some good motivational, self worth and just good quotes? I know I have a bunch at home, but it would be amazing to have them some here :) and some printed pictures of Christ?
Mom: are you getting the emails with photographs from Elder Van Alfen and anyone else? If so can you email me them too?
Colby: HOW ARE YOU? I love ya! what are you majoring in school again?
Does anyone have any ideas of styling and managing long hair? My hair keeps on getting longer, and I am not sure what to do with it, besides wearing it strait, ponytail w/headband, and sometimes if I feel like it curly. I need some ideas.. please!
What kind of pictures do you all want? I can try to take more pictures during the week of them if you request :D
I had an amazing study of the war chapters of Alma! Which they are now officially one of my favorites! But one day I decided to read my patriarchal blessing during Personal Study, and then read Alma 56 (stripling warrior's chapter). I had a mind blowing study! That the mother's of them taught them gospel and all, but the father's were the providers. Without either of them, nothing would have been possible. Think about how much your influence can truly have. Remember that quote I sent from Elder Ballard? "Never...ever underestimate the value of one soul." Whose soul is first? Yours.
During this study I also had revelation that right now, I am in this fight. That I am a stripling warrior and am being prepared to be a mother. And that my future spouse is out there on a mission too (older). And he is being faithful, diligent and just like the stripling warriors. How amazing! I know that we are being prepared for everything else that will happen in the future. I can adequately describe what it was like in that study, but it was celestial. It was powerful and I know it to be true.
Just in advance: I need some new exercise clothing :) diffuser for hair dryer. Hair things. printed family photos in color :)
some quotes for you all! (because you know how much I love them!!)
"Keep your head up princess, don't let your crown fall."
"I testify that the sacrament gives us an opportunity to come to ourselves and experience 'a mighty change' of heart -- to remember who we are and what we most desire. As we renew the covenant to keep the commandments, we obtain the companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead us back into our Heavenly Father's presence. No wonder we are commanded to 'meet together oft to partake of [the] bread and [water]' and partake of the sacrament to our souls."
-Elder Robert D. Hales "Coming to ourselves: the sacrament, the temple and sacrifice in service."
"If you don't figure out what you are going to do after your mission, you never will. You will never be closer to the Spirit than you are on your mission."
"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end."
-Elder Holland
"Take one imperfect step at a time."
-Elder Utchdorf (His mom)
"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again."
(an Elder quoted this from Batman)
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