Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Week 58: Life's a climb, but the view is great.



 Monday, January 9, 2017

Yep that did come from the Hannah Montana movie haha This week has just been INSANE! So good but lots of ups and downs! 

It's started off with Tuesday! We had 6 lessons that day! We saw J. in the morning but didn't do any service because it was raining and she doesn't like us being outside when it's cold. So we go over just to see if we can visit for a bit and share a little message with her. The first two Tuesday's of the transfer we were doing transfer moves and then in Antelope picking up the car, so we haven't been able to see her. Well long story short she did not like us just coming for a short visit. She got very upset and told us not to bother coming anymore. We ironed out the wrinkles and she said we can come back. I learned a valuable lesson about love and the importance of taking the time to get to know people and going to their level instead of trying to bring them to where I want them to be. 

J. has been hard for me to love, she is difficult but sensitive and I can't figure out how to work with her. I'm not sure what her desire or motives are. I know that she is beautiful daughter of God. So I am really working on my charity because I want to love and help her. 

We had an awesome lesson with L. on Tuesday. He mentioned to us that he wants to quit smoking so we taught him the Word of Wisdom. It went so well! He totally understand the importance of taking care of our bodies and loves all the blessings, spiritual and physical that come from keeping the Word of Wisdom. Although, he did tell us that he just bought two cartons so he wants to get his money's worth before he quits haha. So Brother Eccles told us to tell him he will buy them from him! Love it! We are excited to see him progress!

We had our first lesson with a C. this week, the referral from Yuba. He is solid! We went over the first half of the Restoration pamphlet and he loves it. He said it totally makes sense to him! He plans on coming to Church this Sunday and praying about what we taught so far!

That night we saw the W. family! We went through the Restoration pamphlet with them and they loved it! M. totally got it and just loved it! She wants to come to mutual so we are trying to help her get rides there. We can see C.'s heart changing as well. She used to be really against the Sisters coming over and now she warmly welcomes us in. 

Wednesday we had district meeting and our district leader wants more unity so each week a companionship is in charge of coming up with a game or activity to do together afterwards. This week the Hermanas were in charge and so of course we played Bean-Boozled! Haha it was so gross yet hilarious! It's always fun to see someone's face when they eat a sour milk or dead fish jelly bean.

That night we went to Young Women's to get to know them better and there topic was individual worth! We talked about how much God truly loves us and that he does not judge us or loves us based on our outward appearance, but loves us no matter what. We also discussed what it is that makes us love others. We never have a best friend because they have the cutest shoes of the best hair, but because they are kind to us and see us as important and of worth. It is so important to treat others kindly and with love. We all have our struggles and self-esteem issues so please be kind to others.

Thursday we had MLC! It was different with lots of new people there. We talked about Companionship unity and the importance of maintaining a loving companionship. The AP's had us talk as companions what our strengths are and what some of our goals are and then share them. Sister Cowden and I both feel like it is the first time either of us have taught so well with our companion. Literally we are in the most unity I have ever had! We just work so well together. We are positive and happy, diligent and obedient, we have good communication and we have fun! One of the goals that we have is to pray out loud for each other and our investigators during our comp prayer.

We also discussed the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus. President said that every single time he hears the message of the Restoration, especially Joseph Smiths account of the first vision, Heavenly Father confirms to him that it's true. I realized then that He does the same for me. There is a special warmth that comes into my heart each time I hear it or teach it. 

I know that it is true. That Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that God loves us and still speaks to us today. I know that Jospeh Smith was a prophet and that there is a prophet on the earth today and his name is Thomas S. Monson. He leads and guides the church as directed by God. How grateful I am for the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and a living prophet.

Surprise inspections-

Friday we had house inspections. Thursday was a rough day for us for many reasons, we pulled our mattresses into the living room to have a sleepover. The Paulsons told us they'd come to our house between 8:30 AM and 10 AM and we figured they'd be there closer to 10, so we were still in the living room in our Pjs talking at about 8:15.(we are easily distracted) Hermana Orton moves her mattress back into her room and I start doing mine when all of I sudden Hermana Orton yells "They're here!!" It was a mad dash haha we pull our mattress back on our beds and quickly change into pros. We had about 30 seconds to do that. We hadn't showered or put on any make up haha but on the bright side we passed inspections haha In our defense they were early

Saturday we went on exchanges and Sister Thomas came with me in Liberty Ward! We had a great day! We were able to see L. B. and her non-member husband! He had a lot of interesting questions for us, mostly about why we pay tithing. It was great to be able to testify to him my experience with tithing and the blessing it has been in my life. We invited him to church and he said that he didn't really see the point and but probably would come. But it was great to see L.'s testimony show. She talked to him about what faith is and that we have to rely on some things that we can't see.

Sunday was just so good! We had 4 investigators come to church!! C. and J. B. were there! Along with B. and L.!! Such a good day! We had  another great lesson with C. and finished teaching the Restoration. We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and invited him to read from it and pray about it. He's totally in! We are so excited for him!!

Thank you for your prayers, love and support. 

Remember that life is hard, man it can be tough. But we are given challenges so that we can learn and grow! "Life is to enjoyed, not just endured." -President Gordon B. Hinkley

Love y'all 

Sister Emily Gore

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