Yesterday was Labor Day so the library was closed and we couldn't
e-mail. But we have some (very limited) time right now so I'm going to
try and be brief!
This
week was fantastic! We have a miracle investigator named Karyn who we
absolutely adore. Last month, I saw her name in the phone, so I called
her randomly. At first, she wasn't interested, but then I told her we
also offer service (we're full-time free labor, basically). She said our
willingness to serve really impressed her so she decided to let us stop
by.
Well,
we did! We started teaching her the gospel. She is in her 70's and had a
lot of questions about things that have happened to her in life. We
taught her the Plan of Salvation, and once we did, she started crying
and said that no one had explained it to her that way before. She said
that all of her questions were finally answered! (This is the Plan of
Salvation, in case you're wondering! -->
http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation )
This woman is
seriously a magnet for miracles, though! Every time we bring a member of
the congregation over with us to help us teach, Karyn ends up knowing
them, or knowing their family, or being related to them! She came to
church for the first time on Sunday and found out she has cousins who go
there, too! She LOVED church and said repeatedly as she was leaving,
"I'll be back next week! See you next week!" We love her.
This
week we also had zone conference for all the missionaries in the
Traverse City zone. We're the first sisters that have been up here in a
really long time, so we were the only sisters at the zone conference!
Now I think I know what it would've felt like to be a missionary before
the age change announcement!
Also at zone
conference, they announced that it was time for anyone who was going
home this transfer or next transfer to give their departing testimony.
That meant me! I was NOT prepared for that! It was a very emotional and
spiritual experience. I have learned so much out here and I never want
it to be over. I definitely got teary-eyed but I somehow managed to hold
it together while I talked. I got to talk about some of the things I've
learned, and about my testimony of the Savior. It was a very powerful
experience. You could hear a pin drop in the room while I was talking,
which made me more nervous, but also helped me feel the Spirit very
strongly.
Right
before I got up to talk, I started worrying about everyone in the
audience (my mission president, our zone leaders, etc.). But then I
remembered D&C 62:3 which says, "Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for
the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels
to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven
you." I realized that my "heavenly audience" was much more important
that the earthly audience. On my mission, both of my grandmothers have
passed away. I realized that they were now probably some of the
angels looking upon my testimony. I wanted to make them proud, and to
let them know what I have learned. I decided to make my testimony for
God and for them, which calmed my nerves and helped me a lot. It was
something I never want to forget!
In other news,
transfer calls are this Friday! I will let you all know next week what
happens, but Sister Young & I are pretty sure we're staying together
in Cadillac. We just got here and we've got more work to do!
This next
transfer will be my last which is stressing me out but I also know that i
just want to make the absolute most of it! I want to work harder than
ever and be the best I can be.
This was longer than I was expecting it to be! I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!
<3 Sister Christiansen
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