"I came here (I adapted this to my own :)) to the San Diego Mission as a full time English speaking missionary to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."
So true! I didn't come to San Diego for a vacation or because of my choice, but because Heavenly Father knew that I needed to be here for a purpose greater than my understanding. I may never know the full reason, but I am so happy and grateful to be here. I cannot even try to explain the happiness that I feel everyday. This has definitely been the best decision I have ever made.
Next quote: "I need my Savior every hour."
This was said after he got our Mission President and President Morgan (in the Mission Presidency) to sing 'I need thee every hour' on the spot. No notice, nothing. He just asked, and Elder Geier accompanied them. It was breathe taking. President Clayton has a beautiful baritone voice, mixed with President Morgan's out of the world tenor voice (I have never heard someone with their kind of amazing voices). Without practice or anything, they blending and sang a duet with impromptu variations so incredibly amazing that I can't describe. Music has a way to heal most anything, and to bring in the Spirit so strongly. The Spirit was already strong with all of the missionaries there and Elder Ballard, but after that musical number it was indescribable.
"Remember Gethsemane."
Carry a picture of Christ around with you always (Elder Ballard does all of this..) and when you have a tough day or just need a pick me up, look at that picture and Remember all that Jesus Christ did in the Garden of Gethsemane. That He didn't just suffer for our sins, but for EVERYTHING that we go through. Think about it.
"Never, Never.... EVER underestimate the value of one soul."
"The more you serve the Lord, the more you come to love Him."
And all of those quotes are from Elder Ballard :) I hope you all enjoy them!! Because I am sure that you might not hear them from anywhere else, this conference we had was a special conference. He told us that he loves the San Diego mission, not because his daughter and her husband serves here, but that it just has his heart. And he will always try to come here every year, no matter what.
The rest of the day and week went amazing! I loved every bit of this work and the people here have my heart completely. I have given them my all and will continue to do so, and I expect nothing in return. Later that night we, my companion and I, led a bible study with our singles. All we do is lead and prompt the discussions, and it just takes off from there. We read Luke 7 last time, and the whole discussion took off. We prayed and knew what commitment we wanted to extend to them and had an idea of where we wanted the discussion to end up with. But we didn't do anything to force it or whatnot, it just evolved right into what we had felt to commit and leave them all with. I love seeing the Spirit work in lessons and inside of everyone. It truly is a remarkable thing to witness and be a part of.
On Friday we had an amazing Zone Meeting! (So this week has truly been amazing!!). A few quotes from that meeting:
"There is nobody you can't love when you know their story."
"If there is faith, there is a way."
"We have the power to astonish the World." Do we ever realize that? Do we every live up to the potential and privileges that we are entitled to? We are children of our Heavenly Father who loves us so very much. When you realize the influence you have on others, you can realize that you are changing somebodies world little by little. NEVER EVER doubt yourself or EVER tell yourself that you don't matter. Because you do. You do matter to Him! You matter to those around you and you matter to our Heavenly Father. If you ever feel yourself question or doubt yourself. Question those doubts and questions, not yourself. Question where they come from. And ALWAYS Remember your great worth. I truly love you all!!
"Lay your inadequacies at the Savior's feet!" -Elder Laxton
Last night we were able to serve our ward at the FHE activity. The activity was a Hawaiian themed pool party. We were the drink mixers! On a table (mom got a picture in an email from a Sis. Tengberg wife of a counselor in our bishopric) there was a table with a bunch of juices and whatnot, and our job was to serve up the drinks. We mixed them according to how they wanted them, and sometimes they would just say to have us make them something random, so we did. I found out that I have a hidden talent of mixing drinks, and they actually were delicious! People kept on coming back asking for something random again, because they liked what they had before. So let it be known, I have a hidden talent of being a drink mixer ;). My companion, Sister Palmer was wondering how I was doing it. I was kinda wondering too!
But! I am doing well, at least for the most part. I think I might have insomnia, because I seriously have trouble sleeping at nights. Even with a natural sleep aid (Melatonin) and lavender on my feet, and even switching my bed around. Crazy! I think in the past week I may have slept a total of about 12 or so hours? I'm not sure anymore, because I know that this lack of sleep has been going on for a while now. I am exhausted, but I keep going. The only way I am making it through the day is through my Savior Jesus Christ. There is no other way that I would be able to. I let HIM carry me through this work. This is His work and I have to do it His way.
I do teach lessons through out the work, just in case any of you are worried I don't. I just try to give an account of the bigger things of the week. I really do love this work, and these people have my heart completely. I really can't describe the love that I feel for the people I work with. Question time for you all! And I pray and hope that you ALL will answer :)
How are you all doing?
What is going on with all of your lives and at home?
Mom can you start, if you haven't, send a copy of family letter to Grandma and Grandpa Twitchell?
Are any of you able to write?
Remember always that I LOVE ALL of you!!!
your missionary in San Diego,
Sister Shelby Twitchell
p.s. If any of you want specifics on lessons and who I am working with, let me know. If you want me to have more detail... just tell me. LOVE YOU ALL!! Hope to hear from you
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