January 23, 2012

Hello to all! 

This week has been SO CRAZY!!!! I am so exhausted from everything: mainly on account of a last minute BAPTISM!!! WOOOO!!!!
M (our investigator who is solid, and has had to wait for 1st Presidency approval for months now) was finally approved to enter the waters of baptism. He was on probation for some stuff way back in his past, and he had to wait a long time to hear back from the Prophet and his councilors. Late Tuesday night we received a call from President H. I answer the phone and I hear "Sister M. President here. I'm calling about M. I received a letter from Salt Lake today...." *he paused for what seemed FOREVER!* "...he's good for baptism."  

I pretty much freaked out! Sister C and M and I fasted just the Sunday before that he would be approved, and that all would go well so he could get to baptism! Coincidence? I don't think so! So we coordinated and planned the baptism within two days. I'm BEAT! I felt like I was on the phone all weekend, making sure everything was in order.

When we called up M that night he was so incredibly excited! We were all very emotional over the phone as we rejoiced together. "Sisters, this is the best news of my life!!" :D How happy I am for him! He was diligent, patient, and faithful. And the Lord knew all the intents of his heart. He had asked me to be one of the speakers at his baptism. I was so honored! His baptism went beautifully (they ALWAYS do!), and though he got dunked twice (he didn't mind: "I get to do it twice?! ALRIGHT!!") everything went perfect!

M is a very energetic guy. SO full of life and the Spirit. What a blessing it is to see these miraculous changes in peoples' lives.
On Thursday we had a "Sister's P-day" with all the sisters in the mission! There are currently 23 of us, so we all went to the Temple with our Mission Momma (Sister H) and did Initiatories. It was so powerful to see all of us sisters in the Temple together. The Spirit touched my heart as the thought ran across my mind, "Look at all of us! We are all here, away from our loved ones and from 'normal lives' to serve the Lord. We're all united in purpose. I love these women! They are so dedicated to our Savior and Heavenly Father; worthy to be here in the Holy Temple with one another." 

The Sisters of our mission are so amazing! Everyone with different talents, just pressing on in this work, lifting one another up. "As Sisters in Zion we'll all work together!"

It was such a fun day. After the Temple we took pictures (I'll send them soon), went to the Mission Home, got to know one another even more through a fun activity Sister H put together, had dinner and an amazing testimony meeting, and then had a "girl's night" for the remainder of our time there. I needed it. I needed a time to just relax and goof off and forget the stresses of the mission for even just a couple of hours. Sister H is so inspired, and I know that all of Sisters needed to bond the way that we did. I feel that we are more unified; especially with the Sisters who live so far away! 

I encourage all girls to serve missions! It's the best year and a half FOR your life! But then again, not everyone has that calling to serve. But be a missionary in whatever circumstance life takes you. Every member a missionary!

Overall, this week was exhausting but so great! I am shocked that it is already p-day, and here I am, back on the computer writing to you all.... time goes by too fast when you're on a mission! 

I received lots of great letters this week! YAY! It truly kept me sane. I seriously need it right now. If only I could tell you all the details of how crazy my life is right now. If someone were to ask me what's the craziest thing I have ever done, I'd say: "Go on a mission!" :D And I mean that in the best sense POSSIBLE! It's totally crazy, and yet so amazing how the Lord just takes care of everything.

But that's life! And I love it!

I love you ALL! Please write soon!! 


(Trav: The U?!? :) Write me.) I told her about your audition; hope you don't mind!


(Hunter: Liked my poem, eh?) Hahaha!

You are always in my prayers! 
Just remember, there's a missionary out here in the beautiful desert that loves you all and continually thinks about and prays for you!

Love, Sister M