October 3, 2016
Hello, all! It's been getting nicer here, especially in the
mornings...and by nicer I mean it's not sweltering hot :P But it's
still pretty warm.
The Zone Activity day on Monday
was really fun! We played games and hung out and ate pizza and treats.
President and Sister Cooper showed up! We had a district meeting that
night and a short testimony meeting. The missionaries in my zone are
both hilarious and spiritually strong.
On
Wednesday we had an exchange, so I was with Sister Swanson for the
day. I learned a lot from her, but it was stressful being the one who
knew the area and having to make more of the decisions.
Friday
was an AWESOME day! We taught the Ms and their 6-year-old
granddaughter A had a lot of great questions. She is super cute. :)
Then, after dinner, we met a super nice woman named D who had met
with the elders before. She is happy with her current church, but told
us she is going through a hard decision and asked us to pray for
clarity. Sister Minson shared an experience of how she recently made a
difficult decision on when to go back to college after her mission. It
really helped D feel the confirmation of her choice. We invited her
to watch General Conference because we know it helps answer questions
and is a great way to receive revelation through the Spirit. She knows a
member of our church who lives down the street, Sister W, and said
she would text her for more information on it. The Ws actually drove
by while we were talking! D flagged them down and we talked for
awhile. We also talked to another of our potential investigators, and
then to Sister W again who gave us a referral and wants to have one
of her neighbors over for dinner with us. What a night!
Saturday
was General Conference! For those who don't know, it is a televised
broadcast of the leaders of our church speaking, including the Prophet
and Twelve Apostles. It happens twice a year. There are two sessions
on Saturday and two on Sunday. For the first session on Saturday, we
watched it at the church with some other missionaries. Then we went to
the Os for the second session, and because President Cooper gave
special permission for conference weekend, we ate dinner with them!
M was applying for colleges so we talked a lot with her about
BYU-Idaho, which is one of her choices. On Sunday morning, we went to
the Cs and watched it with them and R. We had a great discussion
about missionary work afterwards and they have a bunch of friends that
they are going to invite to the Trunk or Treat that is in a few weeks.
For the afternoon session, we went to the Ss who had 6 little
kittens! They provided a delicious meal as well.
I
liked so many of the talks from conference, I don't even know which
ones to share! But I guess my absolute favorites were from Russell M.
Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, Neil L. Anderson, J. Devn Cornish, Juan A.
Uceda, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf. President Nelson said, "Happiness has
little to do with the circumstances in our lives and everything to do
with the focus of our lives." I know this is true. I have seen people
who have suffered so much get through those treacherous times through
reliance and trust in Jesus Christ. I have leaned on Him to get through
hard times of my own. He suffered all, and because of that, we don't
have to. We can give it all to Him and receive strength from His
Atonement. That is what brings the greatest happiness.
I
hope you will all read and review the talks from conference, as I know
the words come from God. Also, heed Elder Oaks' counsel that "member
participation in missionary work is vital for conversion and retention."
Who wouldn't want to share the glorious gospel with those who have not
yet had the opportunity to hear it? It's not all on the missionaries
:)
Love y'alls! Hope you have a great week :)
--
Sister Porter
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Fwd: Zone Activity Day and other silly pics :)
1. Awesome zone!
2. Sister Minson and I with Sister Gucake and Sister Chavez! They are so awesome :)
3. Double bag of fruit snacks!
4. Pretty swamp
