Hope
this week has been treating y'all well! It has been another
interesting week for Sister Jensen and I. Somehow, we survived, and
were blessed with many many miracles and tender mercies. Heavenly
Father sure has an interesting way of teaching us the things that we
need to know, and what we need to do to progress. I have no doubt that
our Father in Heaven knows each one of us. I know that He has a plan
for us all. "...all
that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has
promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in
the land;and he never doth vary from that which he hath said;therefore,
if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." (
Mosiah 2:22) Heavenly
Father does not ask much of us. All he wants is for us to be happy.
What we sometimes don't understand is that a fullness of joy comes from
obedience to the Commandments, and keeping our covenants. These
commandments and covenants have been given to us because He loves us.
He knows that these commandments and covenants will keep us safe, and
allow the spirit to be with us always.
Tuesday started
out as a great day. We had a fabulous district meeting. We discussed
topics of obedience and diligence. Both of which seem to be the
fundamentals of successful missionary work and life long discipleship. I
am so grateful to be serving around such amazing missionaries who love
the work so much.
We
had an appointment with the Reeves Gals. They didn't seem to be
progressing much up to this point. They haven't really kept their
commitments that we leave with them, and they refuse to commit to coming
to church. So this lesson we had with them is better known as a "do or
die" lesson. We went with the intent of trying to figure out if we
should drop them for a while because they just aren't grasping the
gospel. But we had a great lesson with them. We focused on the
importance of attending church, prayer, and reading the scriptures.
Somehow it clicked! Thank heavens for the spirit in that lesson. :)
They committed to coming to church on Sunday! :)
We
also had an exchange with the Geneva Alabama Sisters later in the
afternoon. They are such great missionaries. If anyone learned
anything during that exchange, it was me. Some crazy things happened to
us all, but we got through. I learned that feelings of discouragement,
and negativity are not just my thoughts. Those feelings are clearly
not from God, so they must come from another source. Sister Jensen and I
were able to have quite the breakthrough because of that exchange.
#blessingsfromabove!
Wednesday was
quite the day. Sister Jensen and I finished our exchange with the
Geneva Sisters, and then had to head to Tallahassee for our exchange
with the Lead STL's. We
had to drive separate cars though. It was really weird. There were
four cars in our zone that are about to be retired. So the Zone Leaders
and Sister Jensen and I all drove separate cars to Tallahassee and
back. During that two hour drive by myself, I had the opportunity to
just converse with Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for that moment
because I don't think I would have as much clarity and peace if I
hadn't.
Thursday was a much needed day. I got to go on an exchange with Sister Stephens. She is such an example to me. I learned a lot about grace on my exchange with Sister Stephens. In my studies that morning, i came across the scripture, 1 Timothy 1:11-15 which reads: "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.This
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Those
verses just helped me to realize that my work is pleasing to the Lord. I
am strengthened by His Grace. As Brad Wilcox would say, "Jesus doesn't
make up the difference, He IS the Difference. " Also, we got a new car
on the exchange. Her name is Carmella. She is the cutest car i have
ever driven!!! I just love her! #blessings
Saturday was
Jensen's 20th Birthday! So Sister Porter, Sister Stapley and I decided
to surprise her! we tactfully came up with a plan that we needed to go
on an emergency exchange. Sister Stapley and i bought groceries and
decorations. Friday night we decorated the apartment, and Saturday
morning we fixed breakfast for us all. We made stuffed french toast
with nutella and peanut butter. It was the best thing ever!!! we also
had sausage and hash browns. Sister Jensen had no bloomin' idea that we
were doing that for her! Also the Elders got sister Jensen a Mrs.
Potato head. It was hilarious!!! She is a very beloved sister that is
for sure! :)
I
am grateful for the opposition, and the blessings this week. I have
learned so much. More than i can express. As Sister Jensen and I pressed
forward for the rest of the week, Heavenly Father blessed us with three
new investigators that have the greatest desire to grow closer to him.
Its amazing. I am feeling so blessed and privileged to be part of this
great work. Time is running short, so this is all for this week folks.
Have a blessed one!
Love Y'all!
Sister Melissa Jean Wood
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