I hope at least one of you can name the quote in my subject line. Tanner, that's probably left up to you.
So I had an internal conflict with this when I read it in President's email today, but I guess it's against the rules to "chat" while emailing. Which I will not lie, totally kills me, but exact obedience is either all or nothing. And I can't exactly look my investigators in the eye and tell them to follow a difficult commandment when I'm not following the mission rules myself. So. Please don't chat with me anymore. (I still love you.)
This week the Elders ran out of water in their apartment and had to come get buckets of water from us at 10 at night. So I spent Tuesday night singing "I will go and fetch the water..." while we ran buckets out to them :) You can never guess life here in the Pines.
Also on Tuesday night, we found out Rattigan is actually new Mother Rattigan. 10x more fun :)
I ate goat this week. I didn't throw up. That is a miracle in and of itself.
And the highlight of the week (and really of my entire mission)... I was reunited with Sister Char in exchanges, Wednesday afternoon till Friday morning. And I wish I could contain in words in an email how amazing and God-sent that exchange was for the both of us. She is hands down one of the most amazing missionaries I have ever met, and if you know me (or her) our mouths didn't stop going from the time she got off the bus till the cows came home. I got to spend thanksgiving with her, and though there was no celebration, I have never enjoyed the work so much, despite the pouring rain. I have never learned so much from one person in a day and a half.
Rose's baptism was postponed to December 6th. Sister A. and her husband accepted baptismal dates for December 25th. We found this amazing 18 year old, J., last night, and I can tell you, It's amazing how when someone walks in a room you can just feel the Spirit telling you, "He's next, he's next."
Our other miracle this week was Sister M.'s husband and Sister C.'s husband coming to church. We've been working with them since I got to the area, and A. and J. both attended all meetings and the Priesthood totally fellowshipped them all day. Miracles are so real, and patience pays off.
As I pondered on my goals for the next 3 months of my mission, I thought about what has already happened in the last 15 months of my life. I pondered on Alma 5... My favorite verses there are 14, 19, and 26.
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
Here, Alma is talking to those of the church. Have we experienced this mighty change he talks about?
19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?
Then in this verse, he goes even further. Is our change of heart manifested in our repentance? Do we plan to stand without spot before the Lord? What are we doing to ensure this happens?
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
Then, last of all, Alma asks us that if we've felt that change of heart before... If we experienced all these righteous desires and felt the Atonement active in our lives.... Do we feel all that today? That is the test. Has our conversion endured? Was the change of heart permanent?
I know we all need to reflect to check if we are all spiritually updated. If we only felt the influence of the holy ghost yesterday, but we don't keep Him with us today, it profits us nothing. Our obedience acquires worth as it becomes not only a one-time-thing, but a daily quest.
I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. Its my favorite time of the year right now, and I hope we all take advantage of this time where it is easier to share the gospel with everyone! How easy is it to just share our testimony of our Savior? I love my Savior. I've come to know Him as I've walked a ways in His shoes. I don't know everything, but I know that my Redeemer lives.
Merry Christmas! (Maayong Paskwa!)
Love,
Sister Luke
