Sep 3

Hello from San Diego!!

How are you all doing? How was your week? Guess what?!! I am being transferred!! Crazy!! I will miss my ward and area and all of the people here, but I am excited for the change. It is kind of mixed emotions right now. I didn't really email a whole lot last week.. so I will try to make up for it by doing 2 weeks worth in this one :)

The same day we heard about Tori, we taught some amazing lessons! We had breakfast with one of our members, Taylor Ford. She is amazing!! She is actually taking us out again for dinner tonight! ( I am really sad to say good bye to her!!) We talked alot about her wedding coming up next spring. She is not officially engaged yet, that will happen probably around December time frame. But! they are planning on getting married in the spring. I am excited for the two of them!! It is really weird talking about wedding's with someone while on a mission, but it is still fun? We also had a really good lesson with one of our Less Actives, lauren fowler who broke down to us and came to church!!! First time in a long time! I am pretty sure I was smiling like a maniac! But I don't care!! We were soo happy for her! We were able to finally make it up to Julian, which is about 1 hour car ride away from Poway. Can I comment and say that there pie is amazing!! If any of you want to come down and visit my mission, I will be taking you there and a thousand other places in Julian, Ramona, and Poway :) I love it here so very much! This ward and place will forever hold a special place in my heart. I don't think I have ever seen so many beautiful sunrises and sunsets in my life! I have so many memories here. From having apartment fhe's to all the lessons done at the picnic bench outside of the church. I love it! I have finally this week felt the most happiness I have ever felt and feel so much peace. This is all through the Savior. It took me praying for a long time, being submissive, and letting go of so many things. My life is His life, I will let Him shape me into who I need to be. Nobody is perfect, and I am included in that, but by each imperfect step I make: it will bring me closer and closer to God.

Have any of you ever seen dry lighting? It is truly beautiful!! Pictures didn't do any justice for it, but we watched it for about 15 minutes with one of our members and came to the conclusion that there is no way that there is no God. How could that be possible? How can we all look at something so beautiful and not believe there is a God?

This transfer has flown by and has been the best one I have ever had. The most celestial companionship ever!! We never ever got into one argument or fight. We became like sisters and will continue to stay in contact throughout the mission and after. Sister Palmer is incredible! I have learned so much from her! I have learned to be myself, to love myself, to love the work, to have fun, to be a leader, and so much more. She is the best companion I have had.

A few things I have learned from church:

One of our YSA's gave an amazing talk last sunday about Korihor in the Book of Mormon. She came up with a little rap about it...

-Melanie Roy

Korihor comes strollin’ into town,

Talking smack to e’rybody around

Foolish and vain THIS, rituals and frenzied thoughts THAT,

He said “all this religion’s walkin’ on you like a mat!”

From Zarahemla to Jershon,

True Christians replied “Out witchu son!”

But many indeed were led away,

Blinded by flattering lies…okay?

Giddonah and the high priests caught on,

Alma the prophet asked, “Do you even believe in God?”

With his hard heart, he kept on debating,

Korihor the smooth-talker, you just wanna shake him!

“A sign! A sign! First I need a sign to believe!”

So God struck him dumb, and THUS WE SEE…

Don’t pervert the ways of the Lord,

Wickedness flees…first try to UNDERSTAND The Word.

Brilliant!! It was a shocker but I love it.

"When the time of action appears, the time of preparation has disappeared."

"Prepare and make decision now for the future."

"Life is a ship, you set the sail."

"Don't fear, just live right." -Elder Maxwell

"You don't have a hero if you don't have bad things happening."

"ask yourself a question: what are you willing to sacrifice for what you believe?" -thor

"if you don't look at yourself as beautiful on the inside, you won't be outwardly."

"Inward beauty shines out."

" a person is not an attribute of character, but of choice."

I hope me sending you all things that I got from church doesn't bother you.

The weather here is crazy!! it has become really humid and hot, there was a day that it bounced from 99 to 100!! It was crazy! But I survived! With lots of water and perhaps getting a darker tan later, I came out of it! But! All is well with me here.. except for the fact that I am being transferred out of my first area!! I am sad, really sad, but I know that there is a bigger purpose somewhere else, and I will go where I am sent.

there is a quote that describes what I did on wednesday to feel so at peace and happy about everything. I was told this quote afterwards, but I love it the same:

"We must be willing to place all that we have- not just our possesions (they might be the easiest things of all) but also our ambitions and pride and stubborness and vanity- we must place it ALL on the alter of God, kneel there in silent submission, and WILLINGLY WALK AWAY."

Elder Holland

I know this is true and really hard to do, but once we do it: we can have greater peace and happiness :) I love you all! and I hope you all are doing well. Til next week!!

with love,

Sister Shelby Twitchell