So before I forget.... when Trayser gets set apart, take a few minutes RIGHT AFTER the blessing to write down some things said. That is one thing I really wish I would have done.
As for things over here they are great! I was thinking about the goals to set...and after some thought, I decided to just make my focus to keep doing what I am doing. Not that there aren't things for me to improve, but that I have always tried to live everyday without regrets, to always do the best that I can. So....that is my goal for this last week. Keep doing what I've been doing. Everyday giving my whole heart to the Lord. Teaching by the spirit and following his guide.
The highlights for this week. We had some amazing lessons!! We taught lots of amazing people this week and we are finding everyday that there are people ready for the gospel!
I finally started (and finished) my "death" papers. They ask questions such as:
"During your mission you have developed talents, characteristics, knowledge and testimony. Please make a list of thirty of these talents, etc"
"Write a letter to yourself to read in 1 year"
"What is your mission legacy"
So pretty much I spent all of my free time reading my journals and thinking about my mission....
How do you put words to a year and a half experience that completely changed your life.
How do you put months of spiritual experiences on a few sheets of paper.
How do you count all the ways your service has touched others.
How do you count all the ways other's service has touched you.
I wish I had words to explain the heartfelt prayers to our Heavenly Father pleading that they will "please take just 10 minutes to read the Book of Mormon". Or feeling like a pin just got stuck in your heart when you hear them say "It's not true".
I imagine the stress of a parent of a wayward child when I hear from the missionaries in my past area that our new convert hasn't been coming to church and won't answer phone calls.
Or hearing the sincerity in the 85 year old widow's voice when she says "God, you know I am already baptized. But I will do anything to be able to live in your presence one day. Please God, illuminate me."
I wish you could all see that less actives look of surprise when you show up at their door and they hear you say "we are here to see YOU. We have missed you at church". Or when they finally understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When they finally understand that God loves them.
I wish you could all hear the prayer of the relief society president who is the only member of her family, hear her voice crack a little when she says "Thank you Heavenly Father for sending me these angels. You knew that I was feeling lonely today."
There is nothing more satisfying than following a promting from the Holy Ghost and seeing the hand of God work through you.
I wish you could be there right before a baptism, standing behind closed doors talking to a beautiful daughter of God dressed in white. Hearing her say through her nervous tears, "I know what I have to do, and nothing is going to stop me." I wish you could see the smile of joy and the light on the face of that beautiful daughter of God coming out of the waters of baptism.
Or getting that email from the new convert that says, "I finished reading the Book of Mormon!!! I read the last three chapters in the same day and before I did that I prayed to God to know if the Book was true. I wasn't expecting something big, I wasn't even expecting a confirmation in that same day, but as I read those chapters I started to think about my journey since I first got to know about that book. I saw how much I've learned, how much I've gained, how special those days were and how I met a whole new world, one that was always in front of me, but never made sense, never really got into me until now. And that was my confirmation. "By their fruits ye shall know them". "And whatsoever thing is good is just and true". I already knew, deep inside, otherwise I wouldn't let you convince me into being baptized (hahaha), but it felt so good to know and to be able to say without a doubt that I know that the Book of Mormon is true! È vero!!"
I guess Alma the younger says it just right!
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.I wish that I could put to words my exceedingly great joy! My heart is full to the brim. And I know I am just rambling now... but if there is one thing that I want you all to know in this very last email, is that...
25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.
27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has deliveredme from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever.
I know that this is true. I know that God lives. I know that he hears our pleas and I know that he answers our prayers.
I Know that Joseph Smith was called as a prohpet and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that la Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni is Christ's church. His only church. Where the fulness of His gospel can be found. Where the fulness of joy can be found.
I love you all so very very much! See you next week!
Sorella Wiltbank
I forgot to send the most important zc pic! With my companion!
ohhh Maria!
Maria is trying to live the word of wisdom so she drinks fake coffee. Orzo. And made us try it! She said in her grandma voice, "if you don't ever try new things you will never know if you like something".....it tastes like dirt.
fiat
The wall before I took it down.
the planners!
yes...more laundry. Different angle.
Lunch with Maria and her BFF
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