October 28, 2019
Funny: Yesterday, this wonderful family we are teaching came
to church, and brought all 4 of their kids. The oldest of which is 4. After
church she came walking down the hall just sobbing. I was worried maybe she had
hurt herself somehow, or was looking for her mom. I kneeled down, and asked her
what was wrong, and she came up and wrapped her little arms around my neck, and
cried. I comforted her, but I was trying to stand up, because it's against the
rules for us as missionaries to hold children. As I tried to get up, she just
wrapped her legs around me too, and would not let go for anything. So I had
this little crying child clinging to me for dear life, and I was trying to look
for her parents. When I found them they said "what's wrong!" And she
wailed "I'm hungry!" My
companion whispered "same." I guess two hours is a long
time to go without food for a 4 year old, and for missionaries. 😅
Spiritual: By far the best part of my week was on Saturday!
We got to take 5 of our recent converts to the temple! It was amazing, watching
the people we helped enter the waters of baptism, enter into the house of the
Lord. In this life we are asked to walk by faith. We are invited to change, and
become more like Christ. We are helped to make and keep sacred promises with
him, and in return we receive marvelous gifts from heaven such as the gift of
the holy ghost. I know that temples truly are the house of the Lord, and I have
felt myself grow closer to Him, in that sacred place. I can't fully describe
the joy I felt watching these people who I dearly love entering the temple for
the first time. In Alma 27:17 Ammon describes the joy he felt at being reunited
with some people he loved, and this is how I would describe my experience as well.
“Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed
up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength" My joy
is exceedingly great!
Where I'm at: Another amazing thing that I got to experience
this week was I got to go on exchanges with the Sisters on the Eagle butte
reservation! I got to be with Sister Eliesa again!!! I was companions with her
for three transfers, and she truly is one of my best friends. It was SO fun
getting to go on exchanges with her! I was blown away by how much love I felt
for those people there. They remind me a lot of the people in Alma 32, they are
a very humble people. I was amazed at their faith. They have so much of a
desire to believe and to change. There are so many trials and tribulations they
face. I was brought to tears at seeing just some of the suffering they endure.
But they were also tears of joy, because I felt the great love God has for
them. In the short time I was there I got to meet people who have truly used
the atonement of Jesus Christ to change their life. I am very humbled and
grateful I get to serve with these amazing people.
