Rely on Christ

This last week, my companion and I went on 2 exchanges. For one, I was here with Sister Davis and for the other I was Albuquerque (City View) with Sister Cook.

It was fun to be in Albuquerque. But it certainly was not the "city" that I expected.

We also had our Christmas Zone Conference. It was great. There was a lot of good music. My favorite song was from Forgotten Carols. It took place after Christ was crucified and someone asked Joesph if that was his son that they killed. He answered, I was not his father, he was mine. It was so powerful.

Our stake also put together a great Christmas dinner. They even gave everyone little gifts. The sisters were extra lucky, because they had had a lot of stuff donated for the sisters, and not as much for the elders. They gave us tons of scarfs and ... We have also felt the love of our wards with little presents from Subway cards, money, packages not yet opened, a homemade scarf, and a Sister who gave us the recipies that she had cooked for us in the past. We have a little pile on our table at home. The love of the wards make me smile! I have a feeling people are going to be stuffing us with tons of Christmas foods soon. Next monday, I will have cookies to put out for Santa to come :) I can't miss out on that tradition.

At the Zone conference, each missionary had sent in a miracle story that S. Marble put into a booklet for us. It is soo cool and very special. I thought about sending it home as something special.... but I decided I should read it first.

Something cool that happened on Exchanges this week- We were leaving Sprint Apartments, when I felt like we were not done there, so we turned arround and went back. We were able to talk to one man and give him a pamplet. Nothing amazing happened, but I know we were suppose to be there to give him that. Then, we got back in the car, but I couldn't decide where to go! Left to this place or right to the other. I even got in the left turning lane (because it seemed logical), when I decided, nope, we have got to turn right. So we did, and we went to visit someone in the ward that recently moved in. Sadly, the parents were not home, but we asked the 3 kids that answered the door, if they knew anyone we could go and teach. I think the kids referred us to everyone nearby that they knew were not members :) Three neighbors and a neighborhood kid. However, when Sis Lindsay and Sis Purcell went back to knock on there doors, one of the neighbors were super interested. They were let right in and able to teach right away! It was so amazing for both of us. I loved seeing the enthusiasm of Children wanting to do missionary work. And I hope they will always remember this.

 

When I was in City view with Sister Cook, we ate at Dions with 2 families. One of their sons (an 18 year old boy) had brought his 17 year old friend. The 17 yr old hadn't decided if he was going on a mission or not. I loved talking to him because I don't tell kids that they have to go on a mission. I tell them to pray, and ask God what he thinks he should do. and then to do it no matter what his background may be. I love that answer. Gods answer is sooo much better than mine.

Church on Sunday was crazy. We have an investigator who came to church because it was important, even if she was really sick. Then we had a less active we were teaching come to church with entire nonmember family and even parents. As her mom and step dad left, the mom leaned over to us and thanked us for what we were doing for her daughter. It was powerful to know the church was changing her life. We hadnt known. You could feel that the entire famaily had felt the spirit. It was amazing! Then we had someone who might move here from UT in Gospel Principles. The class started by asking them if they had any questions. It was sooo funny. The dad was Less active (because he hates utah mormons) and they both had had previous hard hard lives. But its funny, bc people always think they can ask us the super hard you can't answer questions. That there is no way for us to answer. hahaha. He asked us how we KNOW the church is true. We told him that we dont know the church is true. that we can't entirely and fully grasp that. but that is where faith comes in and relying and recognizing the feelings from the Holy Ghost. It was a great lesson. haha, Don't people know that if you ask the missionaries a question, with a pure heart and real intent to know, then the spirit can and will give us the right words to say. Even if those words are that we want to study upon it to give them a full answer! IT is soooo cool! Then we had a former investigator show up in the next ward. She said that she had felt last night, that she needed to pray and fast and come to the Mormon church so that she can decide weather to be mormon or jewish! Wow! That was cool! Its amazing to see how the spirit influences us to be in the right place or say the right thing.

Right now, I have an easier time recognizing where we are suppose to be, and I pray so hard everyday to know what to say and how to be. We are always studying the scriputers and wanting to be better.

 

Oh, btw, I am in Mormon in the Book of Mormon!!!!! Exciting! I will meet my goal of the end of the year to read the entire Book of Mormon.

I love all of you!!!! Merry Christmas!!! I think and pray for each of you everday !!! I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH