It really has been a crazy week, huh? Are you amazed at how quickly the time seems to be moving?! It is out of control!! We just had another transfer call. AND a miracle occurred! For the first time in the history of my mission, I am staying with my companion AND in the Bellevue area! And I could not be more pleased about this. :) Sister Munafo and I get along so well. It makes things a lot more fun and things are really starting to pick up in this area. We just got a Ward Mission Leader and he is SUPER on fire!
Two days ago, I had the privilege of going to a Mission Leader Council with 3 members of the quorum of the 70. Elder Kipishke spoke to us and with us. It was incredible! He had each of us write down a question that we wanted to receive answers to and then he told us to "not take minutes" but rather to listen to the promptings of the Spirit to receive answers. It was a VERY revelatory experience. I walked away with a LOT of new ideas for my area and my assignments. It carried over into yesterday at church. My heart is so at peace here in Bellevue. It feels like home to me. This is the first area that I have really felt that. I LOVE the members here and I LOVE the investigators. We are experiencing miracles daily and are preparing ourselves to be instrumental in many more miracles this transfer. I wouldn't be surprised if I have found a new home. :) You know how some missionaries are in an area for a REALLY long time? I think Bellevue might be that area for me. Regardless, I will be happy wherever the Lord needs me. I am very grateful to be here though.
This week we worked with several new investigators that are honestly and earnestly seeking for truth. And many that weren't :) Yesterday we had a fun time with Ron (a first contact) who let us know how we were going to hell because we believed so much false doctrine and didn't read only the Bible. My heart was very sad for Ron. We see a LOT of people who are very convicted in what they believe. That is refreshing! But it is hard when the doctrine is so skewed and so false. All the things he told us contradicted themselves. I think the most incorrect and depressing false doctrine is the doctrine of Jesus Christ and God the Father. So many people have been led to believe that they are one. This in so many ways defeats the whole purpose of everything we do and the reasons we are here on earth. We are here on earth to progress and become like our Father. We, as men and women, were created in the image of our Heavenly parents. We came to be a part of creation and progress in families. I feel more and more sure everyday about this doctrine- the doctrine of the family. 2 Nephi 2 teaches us that family is critical to the plan and essential for our happiness. The more I learn about the gospel and the doctrine of the church, the more firm my testimony and faith is. I know that families are eternal. I know that God is our Father. I know He loves us. And that means the world to me. And regardless of what we are approached with, I stand with my testimony as a shield- and that feels so good.
Apparently... we have a 30 minute time limit on these computers- which no one ever told us about. So they want to us wrap up... Bother. Well, I just want you to know that I love you all so much. The work is progressing beautifully! I love being a missionary. I love learning about the gospel. I love sharing my testimony with others. This is the Lord's kingdom on earth. I know that. I am grateful for it. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I love you all so much and I am very grateful for your testimonies, your love and your support. Have a beautiful, blessed week! I hope it isn't as weird as this one- it will be nice to have new floors. All your dreams are coming true! :) Mom, I hope you get feeling better. You are all in my prayers! Love you!
Love always,
Sister Alicia Johnson
So Sister Munafo and I pulled some strings to get a few more minutes emailing. It was kind of disgruntling to be kicked off like that... we really look forward to reading our emails and sharing our thoughts with you. We only get this short hour to an hour and a half each week to really think about all of you and how much we love you. We felt hurt when that was getting pulled out from under us. We will just talk to the computer peoples next week and see if they can have some understanding in their hearts....
We just had so many adventures this week and I was so excited to share with you! The hard part is, I always look forward to emailing and then when we actually get to do it, I can't remember what happened throughout the week. Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever feel like time is slipping out of your grasp and there is so much to remember and write down that you just can't do it? That is seriously everyday of my mission. What's more, I am hitting 9 months in two days. Hopefully, I get to stay with Sister Munafo until Christmas :) That would be the best! Haha!
There has just been a HUGE emphasis on families this week. We are working with a family that we found a week ago. They are in more poor circumstances and their living arrangements are hilarious (mattresses all over their front room- they seem to spend a lot of their time there). What was amazing was the power of the Book of Mormon and the gospel. We started to teach them and little by little, each child quieted down and gathered around. Distractions were removed and this family truly pulled together. What a sight to see! We are approached with so many different situations, circumstances and problems and we give them ONE solution: The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is another family we are working with. This is a part member family. We are truly experiencing a miracle with them! I think I may have mentioned them last week- H and S and K. H is still progressing. We went to his house Friday and he told us he was preparing for Sunday by reading the lesson! He asks really hard questions that really make you think. I LOVE it because it gives me a really good chance to have very effective studies and look at the gospel from many different angles and lights. The more I learn, the more true it becomes.
I love that we have a church built upon continuing revelation. I have been getting so absorbed into the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. There is so much we wouldn't know had it not been for Joseph Smith restoring and receiving so much doctrine! The book of Moses has found a special place in my heart. :)
Well, other than that, we did get to visit a beef jerky stand this week. In fact, we biked to it :) All the way down the highway! So many adventures upon the bikes! And we also biked in the opposite direction up the biggest hill I have ever biked... My poor legs were very angry with me. God sure loves us though. This place threatens us CONSTANTLY with rainstorms. This is perfect when it isn't actually raining. One day we biked to an investigator's house, stepped inside her door and it started pouring rain down. As soon as we were ready to leave, the rain stopped! The tender mercies of the Lord :) You know, we have so many little miracles all around us everyday. I think so much of what we have we take for granted. I have felt recently that a great emphasis must be placed upon our gratitude to the Lord. It is changing me as I focus on the positive around me. I am so happy :) Hey! I just had a thought! I don't know if I have ever asked you to pray for specific investigators, but will you keep a special prayer in your hearts for the investigators we are teaching? And also that we will see baptisms this transfer? We are setting goals to see three. We just need some prayers and support from the Lord :)
Hey! I sure love you all again! I am sending giant air hugs your way as I type. You are all my sources of light and strength. I am grateful for your love and support. Keep being amazing and have a blessed week! I love you always!
Love,
Sister Alicia Johnson
I am sending some pictures! Make sure you keep these... I can't always tell but sometimes when I send them it deletes them from my camera!! NO!!! All my priceless memories!!!
My spider friend! He builds his web in front of our mailbox every night and every morning he is gone... Cool!!
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