Last night there was a devotional for the young adults
with the Renlunds, which we were allowed to watch because one of the
people we're teaching wanted to go. While she fell asleep a couple of
times, she ultimately decided that she enjoyed it, especially the music.
Afterwords all of the people in group had ice cream and treats. The
person we're teaching decided that she was going to mix the Sherbet and
Birthday Cake flavors, so we had a good laugh trying to figure out what
it should be called. It seems like she made some new friends and wants
to go to Family Home Evening with everyone at the Institute building
tonight!!!
Quick Summary:
We're
helping to prepare two people to be baptized and have a new potentially
interested person, who has now come to church twice, the devotional last
night, and institute last week. God has truly changed and inspired the
people of Cheney so much. They teach me just as much as I teach them
about what it means to love, serve, and follow the Savior. Christ gives
us the strength that we need to do hard things.
Temple Trip:
On
Wednesday we went to the temple with some members of the ward and a
young woman who was recently baptized, Ai**. She is a complete
sweetheart and has been so incredibly excited to come with us to the
temple for her first time. The feeling of peace and love that you feel
in the temple is truly immediate and all encompassing. I could feel all
of the people I love with me in Spirit, celebrating with me as we
performed the greatest service of all by allowing them to be baptized,
including one of my own family names.
Afterwords
Aimee said that this was just what she needed. She had been incredibly
stressed with everything else that was happening in life, but knew from
the moment that she got to the temple grounds that she had reached her
goal. This life is so much more than our worldly stresses, and with God
all things are possible and we can have lasting peace.
It helps that we stopped to get Krispy Kreme too!
My Other Thoughts and Insights and Such:
This
week has blown by so quickly, because we're so busy all day! We have
several people that we're trying to teach and work with right now. It's
incredible to see how much these individuals grow every single time we
meet, from start to finish. My favorite thing is when we're able to
share scriptures and ask questions, then they teach themselves, because
that's when you know that they not only believe it, but they're probably
going to act on what they learned.
It's been
an interesting experience using technology on the mission so far. While
I'm still not sure how much I like it, it's been a blessing on the days
when Sister Thomas and I are wondering if we're really making a
difference. We'll randomly get a text from people that we saw on the
street and they'll tell us that they were glad we talked to them or
otherwise brightened their day.
Seriously, I
love getting to meet so many amazing people from all over the place!
They have so many unique experiences, and I love getting to speak with
them about and strengthen their relationship with God. It's wonderful
when we're sitting in a lesson or talking to someone on the street and
ask them if they've seen God in their life, and they're able to take a
moment to reflect and realize that He's been there all along. Sometimes I
think that we have a hard time noticing the ways that God speaks to us
and shows us His love, so it's important recognize that God is in the
details. As Sister Thomas always says, every pink sky testifies of His
love for us.
It's been a miracle to see people
make and keep commitments to come to church and to read, and to be able
to have a small part in directing them back to their Savior. I've loved
being able to see the difference in their lives and how it's brought so
much hope, joy, and light. While living the Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't
easy, it's beautifully simple, and we can always rely on the Savior to
help us make it back.
I love you all and pray
for you constantly! I'm happy to say that I feel as though I'm getting
better at recognizing the answers to them too. It's amazing to see how
close my Savior feels, and I promise that as you put forth the effort to
find Him in your daily life that you will. He loves you, and so do I!
Te amo com todo de meu coracao!!! (sorry, accents won't happen on this computer)
Sempre,
Sister Avery
Your
Homework: Be the answer to someone else's prayer this week by doing a
random act of service, big or small, every day! e.g. make their bed,
bring them food, shoot someone a kind text
