Changes!

No, I do not know who my new companion is yet. We have the transfer meeting tomorrow. The way it works is that new missionaries arrive late on Monday night, spend the night at the Mission Home, get orientated on Tuesday Morning, go to the transfer meeting and head out to their area Tuesday night. Departing missionaries head out to the transfer meeting, spend the night at the mission home, and head out on Wednesday. So tomorrow, we drive to Raleigh. You find out on Friday or Saturday night if you are being transferred or training or whatnot. I am a little nervous - so is Sister C. We hope our new living companion is easy to get along with.

We got to have a little Cottage Meeting on Saturday. We went to the B's home (the one with the farm) and invited investigators and a few members. Had a little lesson and then food and fellowshipping. It was really fun. Only one investigator ended up showing up (one of the Elder's investigators) but he brought family. His wife is on the Mercy Ship? Anyway, grandfather is staying with them and he really misses his wife. I believe she is a member. His sons are really cute.

We also taught a great man on Tuesday. We went to lunch at a less active member's home and she was like "well I'll come out with you" when we started talking about needing to find someone to go with us. It was awesome. They were both military and bonded. He was babysitting and his wife was at work. They totally met online and he went out to the Philippines to pick her up. Her family is very religious. He really enjoyed being around them. He accepted baptism! It was a really powerful lesson. I think the reason it was so powerful for me was because I had really been studying up on the Restoration in Preach My Gospel. I was reminded of what a miracle it is that God still talks to us today. Prophets aren't only a thing of the past.

Basically, if you read the Book of Mormon and ask if it is true, believing that God will tell you the answer, then you will know. Actually, the promise is that if you ask if it is *not* true. That book is a miracle. It is another testament of Jesus Christ! Everyone should read it because it will remind us of how merciful God is and how much we are loved, cared for, protected, and guided. I know so many people don't get why bad things happen or refuse to believe in God because if there was a God, then there would be no suffering. God allows some to suffer so he can punish the wicked and those that suffer will be exalted in their righteousness. Yes, it is hard to know that they are suffering. I don't like hearing about the terrible things that happen or that I see, but I know that they are beloved sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us enough to allow agency. He loves them and knows exactly what they are going through.

I love you!

There's a storm a comin'!

Hm. I don't really have much to report this week. Teaching, attempting to find new investigators, visiting people, studying the scriptures.

We just found out that Elder Holland will be coming to our mission conference on June 2. That is exciting!

I am very sad because this is Sister G's last week. It will be interesting to have a new companion.

Sorry this email is so boring, I just can't think of what to say right now other than that I know that Christ lives. I know that he is my Savior and Redeemer and that because he came to earth and suffered in the Garden and on the Cross, my imperfections are taken care of. This is what I am here to teach people - faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement.

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Sent about an hour later:

So the reason the subject heading was about a storm, is because apparently there is a big storm coming. Hahaha! Just realized I never said that.

NO LETTER THIS WEEK

...because we got to talk with Sister Benning on the phone for Mother's Day! She gets to call home twice per year: Mother's Day and Christmas.

She is doing well, is appreciative of all the letters and packages, and is excited to be serving the Lord.

When it rains, it pours

We had a NC storm on Saturday night. We had to pull over for a bit because we couldn't see out the window - it was like going through a carwash. There was lightening and thunder! So much fun! However, it caused some problems. E. and her family had a "sewer gas leak" right after we left their house and they got moved to a hotel for the night, meaning that she didn't make it to church and she smoked a ton (she has been trying to quit) because of the stress of it all and we have to push her baptism date back. We talked to her a bit about vision on Sunday. Where does she see herself in the future and what does she need to do to get there and how can the Gospel help her.

We heard the sweetest testimony from one of my favorite members on Sunday. They are converts of almost a year and right after they were baptized, they did a "construction paper prayer" for a family activity. They sat there and talked about what they wanted as a family and made a picture out of construction paper and popsicle sticks and whatnot. Then a friend pointed out to her the other day how eerie it is that it is exactly their life now. The house looks like the one they moved into a few months ago, they have their trampoline and dogs and van. True evidence that God listens to us.

My thing this week has been the family. I give you "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." http://www.lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng. When the family doesn't work, nothing happens. The family is where we learn about God and how to be good people and how to do things. Yes, we are taught at school, but it isn't anywhere near as effective as learning at home from loving parents on a constant basis. Everything is a teaching/learning opportunity. It breaks my heart to watch some of the families we see where the parents forget their divine role as caretakers of the children God has entrusted to their care. If you aren't ready to take on that responsibility, then maybe you shouldn't be doing what you are doing.

More info on families: http://mormon.org/family/

 

Editor's Note: In a short missve sent last week, Laura instructed us to thank the Merry Miss girls for her package. I have no idea what was in said package, but she used words like "awesome" and "thoughtful." :)