In case anyone forgot...Sister Webb was one of Samantha's favorite roommates in the MTC....
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Wow, you don't know how happy it makes me to hear how well you all are doing! It's only makes me want to work harder. I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for you and I thank Him everyday for it. In the letters you write me, DearElders, emails, I can see how you all have experienced miracles. It reminds me of something president Eyring said this past conference about how when we go off to serve the Lord, He watches out and takes care of our families and sometimes the blessings we've earned go to our families. So it brings me comfort to know that if I continue (and improve) on serving Him with all of my heart, might, mind and strength, I am not only receiving blessings, but my family is as well. I'm so happy to hear that Dad has been feeling better about himself and going to this group. When I first got his letter where he was telling me about it I cried a little bit. In such a short amount of time, so many miracles have taken place.
I know Heavenly Father is aware of each and every one of us. I LOVE that chapter in 3rd Nephi. I was just thinking of it this morning. What a blessing it is to know that not only do we pray to our Heavenly Father and look to Him and Jesus Christ when we are having a hard time, but they pray for us as well and they rejoice when we rejoice and mourn when we mourn or choose not to obey. In 1 john 4:19 it simply says something like, "we love Him because He first loved us." Not sure if that's the exact wording, but I just find it so powerful. In the same chapter it talks about how we can overcome Antichrists because we are of God (children of God) and what is inside of us, or our potential, is more powerful than what is in the world. We literally are His children. We each possess a spirit that once lived with Him. We are all different and are given weaknesses that allow us the opportunity to draw closer to Him.
I was studying the Atonement today during personal study. I love in John where Christ says to His disciples that they will face tribulation in this world, but they should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the world as well. He was willing to suffer to so great an extent - so much more than anyone of us could ever imagine - so that we could have the opportunity to live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. And he knows how we feel. When he was in the garden of Gethsemane, and he took upon Him our sins, he did not just sink down to my level or your level. He did not just experience pain on the level of sins I've committed or you've committed. He sunk all the way down and felt the pain and guilt of even the vilest of sinners, the worst of the worst. Things I couldn't even begin to imagine... And so we are never alone. We never have to feel like no one understands how we feel or what we're going through, because he's felt it all. :) That's my little spiritual thought I guess.
This week was a roller coaster, just like any other! Our zone had interviews with President Neider and during interviews we all had to do role plays in front of sister Neider and the entire district. Sister Franco and I thought we were going to throw up, we were so scared! We had to role play the restoration (1st lesson) and interact with the entire district as if they were a big family we were teaching. (It was in English, by the way) Afterwards we all got to talk one on one with Sister Neider as well and for some reason she was very impressed with me. She's a freak when it comes to quotes and always has sticky notes on her, and she said she wrote down almost everything I said because I worded things in such a clear, beautiful way like she's never heard before. Believe me, I'm not tooting my own horn because I really don't think I did a great job, this is just what she said to me. Even while I was talking to her she was writing down things I was saying. She told me I also have the rare gift of being able to smile while I talk and that she wishes she could pass that gift on to other missionaries. She also told me something that must have been inspired because it was something I thought I struggled with. She told me I have a powerful presence when I teach and know how to connect with people. She was very impressed, and when I told her my main concern was Spanish she told me she doesn't know about Spanish, but that in English I have no problems. It just brought me comfort because I've been feeling lately like I can't connect with the people because I can't speak the language very well. Even though Sister Franco tells me I do more than I think. But it's really more than the language. That's not all I need to be able to connect with people. If the spirit is there, testifying through me, then it won't matter what I say. As long as I try my best. That's why obedience is so important! We can't teach without the spirit and the spirit won't be there if we're not obedient.
Just this past Saturday we did our first exchange! Sister Webb and I were In my area and Sister Franco went with Sister Nieto into their area. Sister Franco was freaking out about who should go where, and originally I was going to be with sister Nieto (who speaks perfect Spanish) but she had a dream that night that I was with sister Webb in East and she was with Nieto in Central. Now, sister Franco's not the type to declare she's had a grand vision, but she took this as her answer and so it was. I was a little stressed because we're both new missionaries and Spanish is what I always complain about...also I've never had to lead the area before. And we had a lesson set up with Tomas, and an appointment to teach the 1st lesson with a brand new family. I was determined not to freak out, though, and I kept reminding myself of the promises found in the scriptures that the Lord will not let us be confounded before men and that He doesn't give commandments without preparing a way to make it possible. As it turns out, the day was filled with miracles! The 1st lesson went almost perfect and was probably the best 1st lesson Sister Webb and I have ever taught, I was able to say what I wanted and needed to say and even though I still couldn't understand everything, I understood what I needed to and we were able to answer any questions they had. Also, that night we went to the Munoz house. Jay Munoz is the one I told you came to church to watch us talk in sacrament and we were so excited. Well, we ended up talking to him on the porch because he was home alone, but he told me that he's been keeping the Law of Chastity and plans on continuing to do so. And he said he really wanted to go to church. We ended up teaching him a brief restoration and were able to come up with inspired questions that let him open up more. He shared with us an experience when he prayed to know if the church was true and he felt the spirit very strong. It was super cool and the next day after work he came to a fireside and night church with us. We were surprised how easy it was to get him to go. He was just like, "ok, I'll follow you there." He said he'll be coming to church in the morning next week and we're going to make sure we all match again so we can take a picture.
Well, I love you all very much and I will see you soon!
Ps - I have another exchange tomorrow, so keep me in your prayers!!! Well, you should be doing that anyway. ;)
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