First off!! Good news!! My allergy rash thing isn't because of Gluten!!! So mom all those brownies you were planning on sending me, send them away!!! :) Sister Hall has been begging me to ask because she remembers them from the MTC and she truly believes they are the best brownies she has and ever will eat! We learned it wasn't Gluten when we were fasting and my face still broke out! I'm guessing it's eczema or an outdoor allergy or something, until it gets worse I think I'll be fine, I just look like I'm sunburned, when it's raining! :)
Second, GREAT NEWS!!!!!!
Saturday Morning we were privileged to hear from Elder Call (area seventy), Elder Christianson (presidency of the seventy), and Elder Neil L. Anderson (quorum of the twelve apostles!) Lets just say it was INCREDIBLE!!
We got together as a whole mission and were all in black and white (which they kept referring to as the Washington Tacoma Uniform) and as he walked in you could feel the power that he held. It was really special because Elder Anderson actually got to set President and Sister Weaver apart when they became mission presidents!
He shared tons of great things with us!! There was so much spirit, and I loved how humorous he was at times. One thing he said is that its funny to be in a meeting with the twelve and Elder Packer will always say, "Neil, you need to enjoy your youth when you have it!" haha he then went on to say, "Most of my brethren have one foot in each world and they're waiting to step fully to the next." He talked to us about how we needed to have sealed in our heart, the testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, and when we do, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon will never be a problem, because they just add to that testimony! He also quoted Elder Kimball who said, "If a person hasn't suffered he hasn't repented!" It looks like I've repented a bunch with the suffering I've gone through, but it has all made me happier and more prepared to be able to share my testimony with the world. Another thing he said that hit me was he said,
"You're not who you think you are...You're better!"
And finally as he bore his testimony he said, "I am His Witness. He lives." and the spirit at that moment was indescribable, I knew with no doubt in my mind that not only did Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appear to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820, but Christ continues to run His church through his called and ordained Prophets, seers, and revelators! They are his witness, and though I have not seen him with my physical eyes I too am His witness! I am able to go every night and knock of strangers doors, and testify of Jesus Christ because He lives, he loves me, and He wants all of his children to have that knowledge. If anyone reading this is questioning, or has questioned their testimony of our Savior. Kneel tonight in humble prayer and just ask if he is there. I do this every once in a while when the doubts may sneak in, and each time I ask, I am blessed with a firmer knowledge of His presence. He lives, and because he lives we can too!!
If that wasn't a great enough week, it all got better yesterday!! So I told you about Crystal last week, Sister Sturges refered her and she is so prepared. Well, this week we got to meet with her fiancé Jimmy and their daughter Lillia.
We were worried at first that Jimmy would be against it, he walked in, big bushy beard, looks kind of like most the anti's we would come across, and we were a little nervous to be honest, but the Lord has truly prepared this sweet family. We were able to teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of Wisdom, and the Law of Chastity. By the end, they were 99% on date to be not only baptized on December 7th, but married as well!! So on December 7not only will RSL be destroying whoever they're playing in the championships, but Jimmy, Crystal, and Lillia will be beginning their journey towards becoming an eternal family. I'm pretty excited. I've been promised I would find a family to bring to the gospel, and I think this could be them! They are so sweet, and have so much to give.
Well, lets see, I think that's long enough for now....oh except I must mention, this last week we got to go to Stretch Island in our area, and OH MY GOSH!!! It's beautiful!!! You look one way and it's water, and the other way you see Mt. Rainer exploding over the trees. I wish I could put a camera in my brain so you could see the beauty I'm surrounded by each day. I'll just have to wait for our vacation up here!!
I love you all!! Have a great week!! And eat tons of food! And most importantly be grateful for what God has given you!! I'm so grateful for my family that is able to support me while I'm able to be out serving the Lord. I'm grateful to be a missionary and help others come to the Gospel. I'm SOOO Grateful to know that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!
Sister Thomas