Nov. 13, 2017 "Welcome to Facebook"

Welcome to Facebook

Hello hello!!!!

Thank you for your kind happy birthday wishes!!!! Y'all are the best ️ ️

Since last week we hadn't been seeing much success, we decided to go on a sugar fast for the whole week until we got a new investigator. Because we are determined and we know the Lord will lead us to them! And after a couple weeks of meeting people and not being able to get back in contact with, or facing rejection, we were able to finally make contact with and have a lesson with Christian! Christian was a referral from the elders. They met her while she was outside gardening. She's a young mom with the cutest little boy! Our return appointment with her was on the day we had exchanges, so sister Farnsworth and sister Licona got to teach her and she said she is so open and wants so know!!! Please pray we will be able to continue to meet with her!

But truly with this opposition, I have been more refined as a missionary because I've had to become more bold when I talk to people and teach and testify of the doctrine RIGHT away. There is no time for small talk anymore.

This week I've also learned that while you may be bold and teaching with the spirit, the hearer still has the agency to choose what they will do based on what they feel or what you say to them. Like last night, we had a breakthrough lesson with Our investigator Leah. She has been being taught by missionaries literally my entire mission. I remember back last yr in Inde when she was found. But last night we got to the root of why she has not progressed, (and why she continues to not keep commitments and thus slow her progression) she will not have the support from her family. Which of course, is devastating for her. But she said that she still feels like she hasn't gotten an answer and doesn't want to pray to know if this is what she needs to do because she's worried she'll get a "yes." And then she said, "and my gut is telling me that it will be a yes." And after a pause, Sister Licona goes, "Leah I think you've just found out your own answer." And in that moment the spirit came in as a rushing wind and I know it hit Leah. It was powerful. And she knows this is true. And we will keep working with her, but she knows she must act on this if she ever will be able receive the full blessings from this gospel.

Anyway, when we feel the spirit we must act on it! And act in line with it!

The other highlight of this week was Zone Conference! My last Zone Conference!!!! It was so surreal. They have all the departing missionaries share their testimonies. After 17 months of Zone conferences watching other missionaries bear theirs, it was crazy for it to be my turn now!! Ahh we wont talk more about it though or else ill cry.

We also learned all about what we are going to be using Facebook for! and you all are probably wondering the same thing, of what in the world we are going to use Facebook for. WELL its actually really cool. With Facebook we will be able to establish daily contact with our investigators. It makes it possible that we can have group chats on messenger with our investigators and with their fellowship, and when we go to bed, if they have questions then the member is there to answer any question right at their fingertips. We can also have Skype lessons for people who have really busy schedules or live really far, and we can create pages and events on Facebook to better work with our Ward!!! That's just a little taste! And also we have a smartphone now!!!! So we basically have the internet whenever we need it, and we are also able to communicate better with that, as well!

we're figuring it all out, so updates and miracles to come. But also still for now, if you try to like comment or message me then I still wont be able to reply. We are still only using Facebook for a missionary purpose. :)

Final thought I want to share with you was what the Stake president, President Cato, (who's like famous here in our mission because of his loud personality and his conversion story - former restoration branch minister) shared with us at Zone Conference. He opened us up to the Bible and we went through some verses throughout the whole book of Luke and goes through the different miracles and things that the apostles, especially Peter, witnessed at the side of the Son of God.

Was Peter all in right off the bat?

Maybe he thought he was, but his faith would waver on multiple occasions. When the Savior was taken away prisoner, "peter followed afar off" (Luke 22:54) He took a step back. He removed himself. Later after the glorious resurrection, Peter basically says, "Well everyone, we have seen many miracles, it was all good fun. And now im going fishing." Of course we all know what happens next, that the risen Lord appears once again and asks Peter if he really loved Him, and later in Acts 2:1-2 you can see transformation in peter and who he is and his ministry. He was then willing to give his very life for the gospel he preached.

So where are we at? Are we all in?

Maybe we are not there yet, and that is just fine. As long as we keep pressing forward. Because that is the gospel of Christ, that is what Christ is all about is looking forward with peace and optimism.

The adversary will try to remind you of the things in the past and make you think that you are not worthy that while you did that 10 years ago, even if you've changed you still are stained and tainted. He tries to paralyze you in the past. But in the words of President Cato, "THOSE THINGS DONT MAKE A DOGGONE DIFFERENCE." Just repent and Look to Christ FOWARD.

Hope and healing, peace and joy are found forward in Christ. You don't ever need to turn back. So lets do what we need to do to get on the path or stay on the path, and be all in.

I want to work and serve as hard as I can for the rest of my life because I love my Savior. I know He lives. I know it more than anything.

Ahhh I love you all!!!

I love the opportunity my Father gave me to serve His children here in such a special place and represent His church.

Love you.

if you haven't read Elder Holland's talk, "The First Great Commandment" Read it.

I think its from oct. 2012

Pictures!!

We got to hang out with our recent convert who came to see us last week!! Ahhh love her!!!

Lunch w the Petersons ️ ️

Exchanges w sister mudrow!!!

Zone Conference

4 bffs from beginning to end