Week 95

Man, this week has been crazy? Exciting? Tiring? Hard? Rewarding? Amazing? Yeah, let's go with all that. I can't believe that July is almost here... I can't wait for the warmer weather to come and just absolutely obliterate my skin so I look nice and tan. We have seen a lot of cool things happening in our area this past week or so. I have been so lucky to have met some of these people and helped them grow in their path to discipleship!

We have been teaching this couple recently, Crystal and Eduardo, and we had a nice and rather awkward talk with them about the Law of Chastity and how important it is to keep it. Crystal was our friend previously on a date, but we had to postpone it for now. She is ready to receive Baptism, but she also needs to progress just a bit more. We have become pretty good friends with her boyfriend, so we are now beginning to teach him on a regular basis. The mother of Crystal is our recent convert, and she is so faithful. She only has every other Sunday off, but when she has it off, she is at church no matter what. She is impressive, and I aspire to be like her when I'm older!

Our friend Judy is progressing well, and she had an experience that really tore her down and made her sad. A sponsor she had, who was helping her, decided that she would say every mean thing that she could about our church and pour it onto her. I felt so bad because I could tell that she was genuinely hurt by the things her friend said. Judy is so pure and has come so far. When I met her, she did not believe in Jesus, and now she is following His example here soon by entering the waters of baptism. God changes the hearts of the people!

This next week, my dear Mission President will be leaving, and we will be getting a new one. I have such deep respect and love for him and all that he has done to help me as I have progressed towards the missionary I want to be. He has been great, and even sometimes when we have disagreed, I can still say with my whole heart that I love him. Wish us luck with our new Mission President! I am excited to see how he does and the direction the mission will go. It is always fun to change things up! I mean, we do it every 6 weeks. You'd think I would be good at change by now, but I am sorry to report that it is not the case—change sucks.

I have had a lot of time reflecting on the Savior Jesus Christ and His example for all of us. I have been so lucky to have recently read from 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, Matthew and Mark in the New Testament, "Jesus the Christ" from James E. Talmage, and other accounts of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have realized that the more converted I become to Him and His gospel, the happier I am. The joy I experience every day is due to my desire to follow what He has taught and the power of His Atonement. I love this! I get to share this every day with people who are seeking help and seem to feel like they are alone. In all honesty, we all have felt alone, but we should realize that just because we FEEL it doesn't mean we are actually alone. He is there. He will ALWAYS be there no matter what. I am grateful for the testimony of this I have acquired since being on my mission. I think it is one of the most valuable things that I own right now, that very knowledge that Christ lives and that He is on my side always. I hope whoever is reading this can gain the same witness and testimony I do of Christ because truly there is nothing more valuable. Enjoy your week! God be with you!

3 Nephi 27:14 - "And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil."