week 24: #ByebyeRedding

Where in the world did these 6 weeks even go? They have flown by that's for sure. Well my time in Redding is over. That's right folks, after 6 months of banishment I am headed down south to Lincoln to be with Sister M! She just finished training and I'm super excited! It's bittersweet. I'm so sad to leave Redding, it has become another home. The other missionaries have become family and I just love the people and members here! But I am excited to move on and start a new adventure!      Thursday Sister T and I were invited to go to the special MLC with Elder Allan F. Packer and his wife. It was so so good. Something that I noticed was a theme was the importance of having the Spirit with us always. We do this by studying the scriptures and praying for guidance from the Lord. We have to learn how the Spirit speaks to us and practice listening and obeying those promptings. Something I have come to learn is that if we are prepared, we are much more confident in the promptings that we receive. He talked about how there are more people to baptize than we think there are, we just have to be diligent to find them.        We then had a half mission conference where he spoke to us again, which was amazing. Sister Packer and President and Sister Marston also spoke to us. I love learning from each of them. They are truly are called of God. Elder Packer also talked about the difference between a testimony and conversion. When you have a testimony you know it's true and you feel that it is. When you are converted you DO something with the knowledge and feelings you have, as a result, you become something greater than you were before.      Saturday we tried less active hunting again! Lots of people weren't home, but we were able to talk to the R Family! We learned that they're actually completely active, but they have a 10 year granddaughter who isn't a member but wants to be baptized but her mom won't let her. She is such a sweet girl and broke my heart hearing her desire to come closer to our Savior but her mom won't allow it. We encouraged her to keep being a good example to her mom and keeping praying and one day, her mom will let her be baptized.      On Sunday HECTOR RECEIVED THE PRIESTHOOD! So he will bless the Sacrament next Sunday! I'm sad I won't be there, but so excited for the blessings that are in store for him and his family! Excited for this next week of changes and new adventures! Love you so much! Sister Gore