OH HAPPY DAY!

Elllllllo Beautiful Family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRAVES BB TEAM! WAY TO GO BOYS!

Yesterday was such a blessed day. It was one of those Sundays where every experience I had and all of my studies and inspiration came together during Sacrament meeting.This past week, Elder M gave me a blessing that I would be an advocate for my companion, this area, my family, but especially, my brother.  The blessing was long and comforting, but that word--advocate--is what really resonated with me. I asked Heavenly Father to help me understand what I need to be doing as an advocate.

Since Elder and Sister Nelson’s visit, I have pondered what I can do to follow Sister Nelson’s counsel to make a plan to study the Atonement. Before and since the conference we have tried to ensure that Jesus Christ is the center of EVERYTHING we do. I have also prayed and studied to know what I can do to know the Savoir more personally.

Celebrating Half-Way Mark with Fro Yo!

Yesterday as I was studying the Book of Mormon through the lens of obedience, it just didn’t feel right but I knew that is how I need to study it right now. All of this – advocate, atonement, obedience, clicked for me as I read DC 45:3-5:

“Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father who is pleading your cause before him. Wherefore Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.”

I knew this week would be hard because whenever something really great is going to happen (our scheduled baptism), opposition always comes. I prayed we wouldn’t let the door open even a crack to Satan, and I am so grateful that I have been able to fight off temptations with the help of my Saviour. Fighting off the temptations of the natural man – another connection that clicked:

DC 62:1 reads:

“…even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.”

I had an image in my mind of the Saviour kneeling down before the Father, pleading for me, and pleading with me that I could fight the temptation of the flesh and be able to succeed and feel the Spirit. Ah, I was starting to understand!

And that is why the Spirit prompted me to study through the lens of obedience, but more specifically, how to be submissive and help others obey the commandments of our Heavenly Father and help them be obedient. As a representative of Him, right now, I am our investigator’s advocate. I am my brother’s advocate. I am pleading for their cause to be righteous and do the Father’s will. Of course I can’t stand in place of Him but I can help them along the way, with my example. It especially touched me that I will be my brother’s advocate and that I need to be an obedient example for him.

Teaching as Jesus taught came form an experience teaching and preaching by the way! It was the end of the day, and we had just finished our last appt with our investigator. We had about 20 mins before we needed to be home and we were waiting for the other sisters to pick us up. We had a potential up the street so I told SK that we would walk up there and try them. Looking down the street, I saw that most of the house lights were off and the Spirit spoke to me very clearly, “knock on the doors where the lights are on.” We tried the first 3 doors with no luck. The last door we knocked on, a man opened the door with a friendly greeting. All I had were my scriptures and a pass along card. We had about 2 mins and I prayed that we would know what to say and how to invite the Spirit. He asked us what we were doing and without thinking, I held up the picture of Christ on the pass along card and told him that we help people come unto Christ and develop a relationship with Him. He held the card, looked at it, smiled and said that he would love for us to come back so he could learn more. Amazing!

My core experience with God this week was definitely A’s baptism! Witnessing a mighty change of heart is the best part about missionary work. It reminded me of Alma 36:24-26.  You could just feel the joy emanating from A after his baptism and especially yesterday after he received the Holy Ghost. You could see a light in his eyes.  Like Alma, I know that the Lord gave us “exceedingly great joy in the fruit of (our) labours…”

I have dreamed about his baptism since the day we met A. When I looked at him the first time, I knew that we were “old friends” and after his confirmation, his gaze confirmed that yes, indeed, we had known each other before this life. He told me that ever since we met he has felt a connection between us and that he knows SB and I were sent here to help him. He said that I had been a “ray of sunshine” who helped him overcome his fears.

We had a similar experience with an investigator when she told us she’d been waiting years for Sisters like us to come. As we were driving home, I had a flashback to the day when I arrived here and as soon as President said the word “T” it felt familiar and I knew it was where I needed to be with SB. I am often in awe over how perfect revelation and Heavenly Father’s plan is for me. I am continually amazed by God’s goodness and all with which He blesses me. I STAND ALL AMAZED!

My advice to a new missionary is something I feel very passionate about. While thinking about this, I thought of my new companion and the newly called Elder Lloyd! My advice, although it sounds redundant and simple is to -- OBEY. Be obedient. All the blessings of a mission are predicated upon our submissiveness and willingness to be obedient. 

Before we can progress in any field, and especially on a mission, we must first learn to obey. 

Seeing your investigators receive blessings and be baptized is fun. Having love and unity with your companion is fun. Having the Spirit fill your mouth because you are a worthy vessel is fun. Going to bed at 10:30 and getting the full 8 hours of sleep is fun! Over the last few months, I have gained a testimony of what S. O’Riordan said: “obedience is happiness.”

In doing so, we receive many blessings, like it says in DC 121:33, we can “conquer Satan” (DC 10:5) but most important, we can feel and listen to the promptings of the Spirit. We shared a lesson about being “in tune” with the voice of the Spirit, like fine-tuning radio. 1 COR 14:10 says:

Port Macquarie, NSW

“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world. And none of them is without signification.”

There are many voices competing for our ears, and especially the thoughts from the adversary. When we are obedient, it allows us to hear the most subtle and sweet promptings and impressions that will impact our decisions for eternity. 

Well mates, loveys -

Remember I love you to the moon and back. 

And back again

and again!

xoxoxoxoxooxox

Over to you!