Everytime I start to write my email home and I reflect on my week I am just filled with happiness! Is this normal missionary life?? I mean there have been some hard times and some sad times sure and during those moments I definitely feel them, but I feel like I come to write about the weeks and all I remember is the joy I feel. I can't say one bad thing about being a missionary or this area that I am in or my companion, or the people, or anything! This must just be a special blessing for you all haha :)
So the work is moving right along. We are busy and we love it. But we are tired and when 9 pm hits we feel it. I know that the Lord is giving us strength daily because He loves His children so much and He wants this work to move forward. Okay some quick updates. 1. I am definitely dairy sensitive now. When I eat that stuff my stomach goes nuts. 2. Sister Davis and I get to go serve at the Peanut Butter factory this week!!!! YAY!!!!! I will get to take home some of the best PB in the whole world! I wish you could all be here to share it with me! 3. Downtown was so fun! We went to the Galleria, a really really big mall with an ice skating rink inside it. Sister Davis got some real cowgirl boots and you would be so proud of me, I didn't buy anything :) We also went to the aquarium. That was really cool. We saw lots of different fish and some were SO big! We also got to pet stingrays. Oh and get this, they also have a white tiger! Random yes but it was beautiful. It made me sad though, the tiger did not look very happy. So I said a prayer for him. We went and ate at yummy restaurant called Pappasitos. It is Tex Mex and so good. I love Tex Mex. 4. I saw my first tree roach. It was disgusting and huge and I bolted the other way when I saw it. 5. I am the designated driver in the area again so no more relaxing in the car for me, it was a nice experience for like a week. haha Okay enough with the random facts. I want to update you on the people.
Carolynn-
Carolynn's rash is not getting better. She is in so much pain and it just breaks sister Davis and I's heart. During companionship studies though Sister Davis had the impression that we should promise Carolynn if she stopped smoking her rash would heal. As we pondered this impression more it felt good and right. Later that day we went to teach her and we prayed that the Spirit would guide the lesson and speak through us and if we were suppose to promise that blessing to her we would know. I read a scripture to her from Matthew where Christ heals the blind men because their faith in Him. We talked of how through our faith the Lord can and will heal us. Then I felt the Spirit so strongly and Sister Davis extended the promise to Carolynn. I knew the Spirit was the one that was extending the promise and I prayed that Carolynn would recognize it. What came next though was heart breaking. She said she didn't believe it for one second and was frustrated that we kept bugging her about smoking. She then asked us to leave. Like I said it was heart breaking and at first I was mad like "why did you let us say that Heavenly Father? We ruined it!" But before I could even think it I felt the confirmation that we were suppose to say it and extend it and that the promise will still be there for Carolynn. We just need to help her increase her faith and come to that conclusion on her own. We went back a couple days later and had a great lesson on temples. Carolynn also expressed some concerns with the priesthood and baptism, we then recognized what we needed to teach her next. We know a miracle is in the making with Carolynn.
Nicole-
Okay so Nicole is one of our miracles! She was a referral from head quarters. She is 20 years old and is a recovering cocaine addict. She has had a really hard life, her mom has been in and out of jail and so has she. She also has bipolar. She is the sweetest girl though I have ever met and even though I have only known her for a few days I love her like I have known her forever. She came to church with us yesterday and also we went to a young single adult fireside last night. When she was in jail she read the New Testament and it gave her a desire to know Christ and find religion in her life. We asked her how she came in contact with the church, she said "I was walking when two boys on bikes and in white shirts and ties gave me this picture of Jesus. I looked at the number on the back and felt like God was telling me I needed to call it." How special is that? We know that through the Atonement Nicole will be able to find that lasting happiness that she is searching for.
Danny-
Danny is someone we met while walking around tracting one evening. He actually met with missionaries before and even went to church for about 3 months. For some reason or another he quit going. Danny is an alcoholic and expressed to us his desire of how badly he doesn't want to drink anymore. We are going to see him later this week and give him information on the church's addiction recovery program. We will also teach him more about the Atonement.
Faye-
We met Faye a couple weeks ago and she actually had met with missionaries once before. Not yesterday but last Sunday we had the most powerful restoration lesson with her. She recognized the Spirit and when we invited her to be baptized when she came to knew that what we shared was true she said yes! She has a busy work schedule so we will hopefully she her this week!
Katie-
Okay so Katie Carnowski is the sweetest thing! She was baptized last Saturday on the 9th. Missionaries were teaching her in Conroe and then she moved in with her Grandparents that live in our ward so we got to finish teaching her the lessons and help with her baptism. The baptism was so spiritual! I love baptisms! You can just feel the Spirit so strong when you go. Katies Grandparents also came to the baptism and then to church on Sunday for Katie's confirmation. The miracle of this all is that we were able to ask Katie's grandma Linda if she would be interested in just sitting in on the lessons when we review them with Katie. She said she would love too! So last thursday we went over and had yet again another powerful lesson of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The room was filled with the Spirit as we read the words of Joseph Smiths vision. There was no denying it. During the whole lesson. Linda was taking notes and saying "I believe this!" We gave her a Book of Mormon and had her read the last two paragraphs which invite all men everywhere to read the book and pray and find out for themselves if it is true. After reading that she said " I want to read this book!" We are going back this Thursday and I can hardly stand it!
So many wonderful things have happened. I wish I had time to tell them all but really my words give it no justice. It is the feeling that I have all day long in my heart. This overwhelming feeling of joy and love. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. Elder David Bednar said this " The Book of Mormon, a willing heart, and the Holy Ghost- it is really that simple." I can testify that his words are true. I am grateful for a modern day prophet that can receive revelation from God for us. Specifically I am grateful for the revelation of the Word of Wisdom given to Joseph Smith. I have seen the reality of the harmful substances we are to avoid. I know that commandments are given not to keep us from "being free" but to keep us free! This is Jesus Christ church, I know it and I will never deny it.
I pray that all is well and that the Lord is blessing you all! I miss you! I can't wait to hug you! Keep faithful!
Xoxo
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