June 9, 2014

Howdy!

Sorry I didn't write last week. I ran out of time. But don't worry, I will update you on the most important part of last week. So 2 weeks ago there was a tornado making it's way through our area (ya... what the heck? I was slightly uncomfortable with the idea haha) and because of the tornado, there was a huge rainstorm that came with it. As a result, there were a bunch of displaced turtles. So we're driving down the road and we see this thing in the middle of the road and it's a turtle trying to cross this busy street, but every time it sticks its head out another car speeds by and scares it so it puts it's head back in. It was so sad! So I tell Sister Daniel what I saw, kind of with pleading in my voice, and she says we can go back. So I quickly turn the car around and pull over and run out into the street and grab the poor little guy. We named him Philip. So then we drive to a nearby park with a lake and we set him free and we watch as he joyously runs off and plops into the water. It was really quite precious. So we thought that that was it. Then we're driving on the same road and what do we see? Another turtle. Well I would have felt so bad leaving that one, so we turned the car around again and we parked and ran to get it when we see another one run across the street. So I grab the little one that was close, and set it safely off to the side, and then I run out into the street to get the other one that we saw and there is actually 2 of them! So I wait until the cars stop speeding by (everyone is looking at me like I am crazy as I stand in the middle of the median) and then I grab the two turtles and run back to sister Daniel. We then grab the other little one and put them all in the car and take them to a safe spot and drop them off. It was crazy. I firmly believe though, that 4 little turtle prayers were answered that day and that God loves all of his creations.

Other than that, the only other thing exciting that happened was that we found out that one of investigators has a heart condition and has to have surgery this week. We weren't able to meet with her for a little while because she was busy and then she cancelled the appointment that we did have because she said she had been in the hospital. Turns out that her heart has like two valves or something (I'm not a doctor so don't judge me) and it causes her heart to beat twice as fast as a normal persons and 2 weeks ago it got up to 200 beats per minute and she died... they were able to revive her, but she didn't know that she had that condition until this happened. So fortunately she wasn't avoiding us and still wants to continue learning, but unfortunately we will have to wait a little while. Totally understandable.

So this past week wasn't nearly as eventful, but we did start teaching these two wonderful kids named Hunter and Lexi and they are just so stinking prepared. Lexi is 10 and Hunter is 11 and their Dad was inactive for a while and their mom isn't a member so they had to wait for their dad to get active again and their mom to giver permission, but now after waiting for a long time, they are all finally ready for them to be baptized and it is just so fun to teach them. They totally get it and understand what we are teaching and they are so willing to learn and discover and find out for themselves if the things we teach are true. So they will be baptized on July 4th and it will be wonderful.

So this is the last week of the transfer, and then Sister Daniel goes home in 6 weeks. So weird. That's going to be me sooner than I would like, but I know it will be wonderful to see everyone again. Also, just a little food for thought, our Heavenly Father wants nothing more than for us to have joy in this life and the next. That is His whole purpose (Moses 1:39). So, in order for us the attain that, He has given us ways to achieve that. Now, initially when we look at the Lord's way, we are sometimes prone to "counsel the Lord" and say that the things that he asks us to do couldn't possibly bring us happiness. I know. I have definitely done that. But the truth is that the Lord's way will always bring us a lasting joy, whereas man's way, while it may bring temporary satisfaction or relief or whatever it may be, will eventually lead us to misery, guilt, shame, and ultimately unhappiness (Helaman 13:38). Anyone who has given in to temptation knows that. I promise that if we are willing to experiment upon the word and exercise even no more than a desire to believe, and then act on that, we will have our faith validated and receive everlasting happiness (Alma 32:26-27, Mosiah 2:41). Anyways, that was what I studied and I know it to be true because I've tried both ways and the Lord's way is soooooooo much better haha. I love you all so much and, even more than that, I know that our heavenly Father loves you more than you can comprehend. I hope you all have a lovely week!

-Sister Williams