It has been an incredible week. A good one to add to all of the incredible weeks that have already passed. And suprise! My last one is here already! It has been a really interesting time to think on the last 18 months and reflect on the offering I have given to God. Sometimes I feel sad, that I will be leaving behind this moment in my life to be a missionary and have the authority of this calling to teach the gospel and invite and help others to come unto Christ. And I think it will be hard to leave it all behind, but mostly I have been so filled with gratitude and joy at the things that I have learned and the people I have met and the experience it has been to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
One thing I've learned is that God qualifies us for the things He asks us to do! I remember getting the call to be a trainer in Smithfield. I was so excited! I met Sister Paschal and she was beautiful. Then we got to Smithfield, and I had literally zero idea of what to do. So we went out and did our best. We saw so many miracles there together! This past week I ran into Kayden here in Brigham City and it was such a tender mercy! He is a completely different person, just so happy. It wasn't because of anything that we did, but everything that Christ did.
I know that God hears our prayers. Working with Sister Orchard was the BEST. But it was hard work there in North Ogden and for a long time it didn't bother me at all because Sister Orchard and I were working hard and having a great time together. And then one day Brother Cragun asked me if everything was okay and it hit me that things were really hard in the area. Brother Cragun told me that when things are too hard to stand, that I should kneel. God loves His children. It has been such a blessing to me to learn that. Meeting the Mercado family in Ogden was the first time that I felt so much love for someone else. I know that Christ can carry us through hard times - to see Angel find faith in Christ to act and change was a miracle. I know that our purpose is to find joy, being in Smithfield Spanish with Hermana Anderson was such a joyful time, learning that even while we are working hard we can be happy and joyful because of Christ. When we are joyful we feel love for others and then they love us back!
God has a perfect plan for us. Teaching the Domingues family has been so fun. They are progressing and learning for themselves that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I am so grateful to live in the time of the Restoration. This Sunday the Parra family came to church and they are starting to accept the gospel again. Both of these families will find so many blessings. I know that families can be eternal.
More than anything else, I know that Jesus Christ lives and that this is His church. I love Him so much. If we come unto Him, He offers us life light and healing freely; without price.
7 And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign, that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God.
I love you all so much!
Hermana Ogden