Week 19: Testimonies of Children, the Excitement of the Gospel, the Day of Independence!

Hello there all my darlings!

Happy 4th of July! This country is a blessing I often take for granted. And then I'm reminded by the Lord that it's a choice land. One chosen to be a place of many saints. And I get to live here! And I also get to serve in the country as a missionary and help in the little ways I can to further God's plan. What a privilege and what an honor. God bless America! 🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇸

I feel like half of this week didn't happen... like I don't know where it went. Oh well! Guess it'll be a shorter email!

Odds and Ends

-saved a turtle from a chicken

-met another member in public at Subway (very rare out here)

-one of our friends possibly has something scary living in their fireplace/chimney... it's terrifying

-I killed 4 gnats while driving 😁

-Joseph played his guitar for us

-I always give Alyza a sticker when she comes and says hi to me. She gave me a Cinderella sticker in the middle of sacrament meeting. She also gave me a huge thumbs up after I bore my testimony. I LOVE HER!

-The Muellers brought us our new prized possession: a working vacuum! And some yummy pumpkin bread!

-We dropped cookies off at someone's house. We texted them and complimented them about their wreath. They told us they don't have one... it took a minute but the cookies got to their rightful owners!

-Again... people answering the door half dressed... I don't understand it.

-I handed out my first tithing and fast offerings pamphlet

-Had to run out of Walmart after pday shopping into a tropical storm...

-killed a mosquito and it splattered blood all over my hand

Miracles

---We went to meet our friend Michelle, but her husband Jimmy came out and told us she was busy. But instead of heading back inside, we talked for 30 minutes about different churches and tithing! His testimony is so strong. We were scheduled a time to go back and talk with both of them. And THEN the next day we got a referral, a request for a Book of Mormon, FROM JIMMY!!!! We were going to drop off a copy but he told us he couldn't wait and had already downloaded the app! WOW! We are excited to see what he's learned so far this Wednesday! The bug bites and annoying gnats were totally worth it!!

---The most progressing person we are teaching is Velma. She accepted the invitation to be baptized this past week! She was really opposed to the Plan of Salvation at first, but this time we asked her how she feels the Spirit first. She said it's more of a mental confirmation. I used a beautiful visual aid folder (second cousin) Stephanie made. At one point i read a scripture to her, and she was looking back and forth between the pictures and the scriptures. Then she said it CLICKED! AHH! She started tapping her feet, crying, and smiling like crazy! The Spirit was so strong. We have a lot to work through, but we promised if she read the Book of Mormon everyday she'd be able to resist temptation. She can trust in the Lord to help her!

---We were led to stop by a home where someone requested a visit. After answering the door, we weren't treated with kindness, but we made it in the door and were able to teach the one ready to listen!

Spiritual Thought

2 Nephi 25:23-24 "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. And notwithstanding we believe I'm Christ, we...look forward with a steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled."

Insight I received in my study is: His grace is a multiplier. So, there has to be something done to be multiplied. When we do our best, Christ carries the rest!!! Here's a little equation I wrote in my scriptures:

(x)effort x ♾️grace= (y)salvation

We must put forth the effort. Be steadfast, press on. The Lord sees and HE knows. Now show him!

Birthdays

No bdays that I'm aware of this week! But know that I love you all!!!

Pictures