So lots of changes have happened this past week. Saturday, we had 2 ward
Christmas parties. One for Mesa Del Sol and tons of our investigators came so it
was pretty awesome. The ward has it at the prettiest place ever!! It is at this
ranch that has a pond and boats and horses and it is just so beautiful! I want
to buy the land! They had a GINORMOUS bonfire!! And steak! When we were there,
we got a call from our zone leaders, they said that Sister Ward is transferring
on Tuesday, so she needs to pack her bags. We were all super duper sad about it
because she is just an angel and we love her. We went to the second Christmas party with the Spanish branch. I got told that I am speaking in the Spanish
branch this Sunday... I am so nervous because no hablo espanol!!
Last Sunday, we went to our churches and then we took off to Tempe that night
with all the missionaries in the whole mission. We all went up for our Christmas
Conference. Sunday night was the Mission President Fireside, which they have
once a month but I have never been able to go because it is too far. It was the
BEST THING EVER besides what I am going to tell you in a little bit. But they
had new converts speak and I loved it! Usually missionaries bring recent
converts or investigators to these things. They are hopefully starting one in
Yuma soon! That night we stayed at the Brown's home (huge house) they are going
to be a new missionary couple that stays in the office. Doing what my grandma is doing on her mission. They are so nice! The next day (Monday, this is why I didn't email you) we
had devotionals about Christ all day and about the Temple and got to know all
the missionaries in our mission and had a testimony meeting. I don't think the
Catmull's niece is in our mission anymore. That night we had family home evening
and got to hear a ton of musical numbers! It was awesome! So much musical
talent, it's ridiculous! Then we slept again at the Brown's with all the
missionaries from Yuma. This is the best part.... I GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!
yayayaya I have never been so excited in my life and I was just imagining those
people that live far from the temple and only get to go once in their lives. I
was so excited I was tearing up! The Mesa Temple is drop dead amazing! No
kidding! It is beautiful! And the new video, ahhh I loved it! I was so happy to
be there and found so much peace! Guess what, I got to hug President Toone in
the Celestial Room, I hugged a man! The biggest man ever! Have I ever told you
how tall he is!? yeah so it was amazing! And then we drove home last night!
And we found out for Mission Leadership Council Sister White and I have to
drive back up Thursday night to Friday evening. Our week is shot!! And we have
Javier's baptism this Saturday that isn't really planned, so this will be
interesting and all of our baptisms for the 28th, who knows what we will do! And
right now I am on exchanges with another sister.
This past week our zone met a new time record of how many investigators at
church, we had 35 and before our record was 27. As a zone we have 20 people on
date for baptism. Miracles happen! In our area, which is down right awesome, we
had 14 people at church, and we have 7 on date. At the Christmas Conference
everyone was coming up to me and saying, I hear your area is doing amazing! It
is so cool to think about how this area was "the struggling area" before, and
now it is one of the best in the mission. I know that is because of obedience
and diligence, miracles happen!
Also, I talked to Sister Toone this past week. We had a zone conference Sister White and I taught about sustaining ourselves in our callings, leaders,
fellow missionaries, and the Lord in this work. I was so nervous, my self-esteem
was definitely gone that day, but President and Sister Toone said they have seen
an amazing change in me and that I did amazing, that they really felt the
spirit.
Uhm... I think that is all. But just know I am thinking of you all a
whole lot! And finally it is getting a little warmer again back up to 70 during
the day :) Suprisingly I don't miss the snow, which helps not getting as home
sick. Well I love you and I can't wait to talk to you all :) :)
