Tuesday: we had our last zone conference with president Taylor. Lots of missionaries were there and a lot gave their parting testimonies (a ritual in which we do when a missionary is going to leave). So many are going home with president it's pretty crazy. Lots is going to change here in a couple weeks! Zone conference had a somber feeling about it. The spirit was there but I didn't leave with the same fire I usually do. There was lots said that helped and will keep helping me and I was really grateful for that! I also got some chastising revelation there that will make my mom laugh but seriously answer some prayers. President Anderson, the 1st Councelor of president Taylor is SO smart and knows what I need to hear every time he gets up to speak.
The first thing that came out of his mouth was," do you know why you get bugged?" And "do you know why you get bugged by your companion?"
If anyone knows me I get bugged and irritated so easily by the smallest and most insignificant things. My mom always told me I had this problem and that I needed to fix it but I didn't know where the source of the problem was so I didn't know where to start to fix it.
Well he nailed it on the head when he said, " it's because they are breaking your rules, the rules you have in your head that they don't know about...ya they are breaking those rules without even knowing." I was dying. Such a simple non gospel topic helped me in bounds and leaps to figuring out my "problem" haha I defiantly had to pick up my jaw as I was humbled and so excited to receive this awesome revelation. At the end of zone conference we got to hug president and sister Taylor. It was sad to think that will be the last time I get to see them out here on the mission, but president did say we needed to go skiing in sun valley together and I am defiantly going to hold him to that!! Terry had his interview and he passed!!!!! He will be getting baptized this Saturday!!!!
Wednesday: we saw Rachel who is reading the children's Book of Mormon.
She is just loving it and has so many questions and things to say about it. She was a bum about it for the longest time because she thought the Book of Mormon was dumb and not interesting. I had to apply my patience there so I wouldn't get frustrated because I feel so strongly towards the Book of Mormon because it is my iron rod in life along with prayer and family. I know Rachel will have her turn to get to know the Book of Mormon and start to understand its power, importance and significance in our lives. I know I had my many years of famine in the dessert as I put the Book of Mormon on the back burner in my life. I have learned from my teenage stupidity mistake and now have such a string testimony of the sustenance it has within its binding. We saw terry for our weekly lesson and he was still game for baptism. He has a really cool experience with a dream he had. He was in the baptismal font and a shark came up and tried to eat him, but before he could and hand stopped it and told him that he was his and that he want going to hurt him. We told terry that the dream was a sure sign God was and is protecting you and that he loves you because you are his. He is such a stud! We also met a less active family who has sadly fallen away from the church. It is so sad because they have three kids that could use the gospel and the fellowship and love it has to offer. We are trying along with sister McKee to get them involved in scouting and other things that could bring their family back into the gospel. I saw this mother this week as we passed her work and she was outside smoking. It broke my heart because she is not only denying herself the blessing because of her choices, but also her children and family.
Thursday: we went over to the Brown's for some service and man did we clean and organize the kids rooms until they were sparkling. We did some service at the food bank and then we went to a members home and had dessert and a lesson before we even had dinner. They have the most amazing berries over here and they made us blackberry cobbler and it was to die for!! Then we had dinner with the Simmons who is in the bishop brick. Their daughter just left on a mission to chile. It was fun to hear all her stories at the MTC. I am so grateful I am past that part because I didn't like the feeling of not knowing what I was doing. It feels so much better having some experience under my belt.
Friday: we went and saw the warn family. We had a great discussion on the commandments and how important it is to keep them. We talked about how the commandments are not restrictions but guidelines or a road map in getting back to God. I love helping people see the importance and simplicity of the commandments. They are to keep us safe, filled with the spirit and blessed. What a wonderful father we have. We did service in seaside and had a blast and then we went and had dinner with the brown family and her husband actually sat with us and we had a wonderful conversation with him. We challenged their family to come to church with week AS A FAMILY. Sister brown said she was teaching in relief society so there was a good chance they would all be there.
Saturday: was a really good good day! Terry to baptized and sister Okerlund and all her other companions that taught him were able to come up and see the baptism. It was a really cool spirit there that was felt and it was fun to see so many show up and support terry and show their love for him. We saw some other less actives that night and finished our weekly planning.
Sunday: THE WHOLE BROWN FAMILY CAME TO CHRUCH! It was a miracle.
Brother brown didn't pay attention and was a big distraction but he was there. We also had 5 other less active families there and two investigators so it was a good turn out. We saw the Gilbert family after CHRUCH and had an awesome lesson of the priesthood and the commandment honoring the father and thy mother while tying all into father day. I loved reflecting about my father today and I loved thinking about what that commandment means. Honor means respecting and not judging, not resenting and loving in the highest form. I love that word because it means we see them as imperfect people but with a divine role that God has given to them because he trust them and knows they can succeed. My father had definitely succeeded in his role in being my dad, role model, provider, teacher and protector. He is not a perfect man, but he will always been seen in my eyes as worthy of his calling. He is the hardest worker in our family and he loves his children and is so patient with me despite how dumb I am and how annoying I can be. He taught me the most important life lessons: the gospel should be at the center of our lives, to love my mother and how to be a self sufficient human being in society. He has taught me so much and I know I was placed in his care because he was the right fit for me and the dad that would help me see my potential and help me reach my destiny. It was so hard to be away from him, but I know I am showing him the honor I have for him as I serve my Heavenly Father. I love his gospel and I love my family. I hope you all have a wonderful week! I challenge y'all to make sure your parents know that you love them and show your Heavenly Father you do to by following his commandments and loving all his children! I love you all!
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