Hello!
Let me say one thing first. Smithfield is probably the best place I
could be right now. I just am so happy here. Sister Anderson and I
both came here brand new (we are "opening" this area) and so we didn't
know anyone. We got into our truck and said a prayer and ended up in
Lewiston and found AMAZING people who have been searching for
something more in their lives: purpose, joy, healing, forgiveness...
And they have felt the spirit and have learned for themselves from God
that what they need is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever since being
with Sister Paschal I have studied and studied the doctrine of Christ
and it just continues being beautiful and lovely. I feel so grateful
to be a messenger of this incredible joyful news. Faith, Repentance,
Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End. It's so simple, but so
deep and so powerful. The secret to happiness- lasting happiness.
We've had quite a few challenges this week- proof of the good things
to come I think. Our car was damaged enough that we can't use it
anymore, our apartment wasn't quite finished with construction and we
had a long commute to our area, we didn't really know anyone (besides
each other haha) and lots of things just seemed to be going against
us. But it didn't feel like that. God is good, and we don't need to
fear. His power is greater than everything else and when we have faith
we let His power into our lives.
One of the most lovely people I have met here is named Irma Porras.
She is from Peru and lives in the beautiful middle of nowhere. She
greeted us as sisters and just loves Jesus Christ and knows she wants
to come closer to Him. Her daughters are in Peru and she hasn't seen
them since they were 3 and 8-- now they are 15 and 22. This lady just
wants her family to be united and I just want to promise her that as
she embraces the gospel her family will indeed be united again. I am
so grateful that God blesses families through the restored gospel.
We are also teaching Juanita. She is from Spain and knows she was led
here by God for a reason and she already knows that part of that
reason is so that she can join the church and be baptized. Her family
has been seriously damaged because of the mistakes and weaknesses of
someone else and she has been hurting for that. She told us she feels
the gospel is exactly what she needs so that her heart can heal and so
that she can be happy again. We are helping her to love the Book of
Mormon and find strength in Christ to overcome the difficult things
that are ahead of her.
I love the encounter Christ had with the woman at the well. She was
searching for something to quench her spiritual thirst and didn't know
where to go to find it. The Savior found her though. He went to her
individually and offered her the living water that would fill her soul
forever. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, for His love for each of
the people I have met and will meet, and for His gospel that meets our
needs so personally and individually. He will never let us down.
I love you all!
Hermana Ogden
Let me say one thing first. Smithfield is probably the best place I
could be right now. I just am so happy here. Sister Anderson and I
both came here brand new (we are "opening" this area) and so we didn't
know anyone. We got into our truck and said a prayer and ended up in
Lewiston and found AMAZING people who have been searching for
something more in their lives: purpose, joy, healing, forgiveness...
And they have felt the spirit and have learned for themselves from God
that what they need is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever since being
with Sister Paschal I have studied and studied the doctrine of Christ
and it just continues being beautiful and lovely. I feel so grateful
to be a messenger of this incredible joyful news. Faith, Repentance,
Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End. It's so simple, but so
deep and so powerful. The secret to happiness- lasting happiness.
We've had quite a few challenges this week- proof of the good things
to come I think. Our car was damaged enough that we can't use it
anymore, our apartment wasn't quite finished with construction and we
had a long commute to our area, we didn't really know anyone (besides
each other haha) and lots of things just seemed to be going against
us. But it didn't feel like that. God is good, and we don't need to
fear. His power is greater than everything else and when we have faith
we let His power into our lives.
One of the most lovely people I have met here is named Irma Porras.
She is from Peru and lives in the beautiful middle of nowhere. She
greeted us as sisters and just loves Jesus Christ and knows she wants
to come closer to Him. Her daughters are in Peru and she hasn't seen
them since they were 3 and 8-- now they are 15 and 22. This lady just
wants her family to be united and I just want to promise her that as
she embraces the gospel her family will indeed be united again. I am
so grateful that God blesses families through the restored gospel.
We are also teaching Juanita. She is from Spain and knows she was led
here by God for a reason and she already knows that part of that
reason is so that she can join the church and be baptized. Her family
has been seriously damaged because of the mistakes and weaknesses of
someone else and she has been hurting for that. She told us she feels
the gospel is exactly what she needs so that her heart can heal and so
that she can be happy again. We are helping her to love the Book of
Mormon and find strength in Christ to overcome the difficult things
that are ahead of her.
I love the encounter Christ had with the woman at the well. She was
searching for something to quench her spiritual thirst and didn't know
where to go to find it. The Savior found her though. He went to her
individually and offered her the living water that would fill her soul
forever. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, for His love for each of
the people I have met and will meet, and for His gospel that meets our
needs so personally and individually. He will never let us down.
I love you all!
Hermana Ogden