Oh my goodness!!! I love trek so much!! Reading your email just flooded my mind with all of the memories. It was such an incredible experience. It helped me learn to appreciate the pioneers and it definitely built my testimony. Especially the women's pull.... I don't know if you remember me sharing this,but I was pulling in the front of our family's cart and the cart in front of us was struggling. My trek sister reached out and pushed the cart while we continued to pull ours. It was the most incredible experience I can remember. I remember reaching out as well and it was like a band of angels joined us. Every step was lightened. The weight was gone and the tears flowed freely. It is always a good reminder to remember that the Lord is there to take care of us. He wants to be there to aid and assist us. He gives us the strength to endure AND to help those around us. I have been reading about that quite a bit in the Book of Mormon recently. The first example that is like this is in 1 Nephi 17:1-3.
"And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness.
And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children and were strong; yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if is so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish and strengthen them; and provide means whereby they can accomplish the things which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."
There are a couple aspects of these verses that have really helped me this week. First, it is keeping the commandments. Second, pressing forward with faith. And third, doing it "without murmuring."
The last couple of weeks, my focus starting slipping a little bit. My companion and I would get carried away talking about things that weren't pertaining to the work. And then I started feeling like I really needed a transfer- a change of scene and then maybe things would be better. What I came to realize is that my attitude had drastically been effecting the work.
We still had success, but I didn't seem to care about anyone we were teaching. We would get home and I just wouldn't feel satisfied. So we set some goals to keep ourselves more focused and look at all of the things we have to be grateful for in this area and with this companionship.
Because of this change, I have been SO much happier! AND I actually feel like I have people to talk about because things are happening here! Just yesterday we had SIX investigators come to church! There were two in particular that I am really excited about.
The first is Hal. Hal has been married to a less-active member of the church for many years. He was raised Church of Christ and was very anti-LDS. A few years ago, Hal's daughter was baptized. She is a VERY strong. She has been home from BYU for the summer and this has changed Hal very much. He has softened up SO much to the church! For the past 4 weeks, he has come to church and stayed for both sacrament and the gospel principles class. Yesterday, Hal's wife, Summer, stood up and bore her testimony in sacrament. The look on Bishop Porter's face made me want to cry. This is a family that has been in many prayers for many years and now... things are beginning to change. Hal has been reading the Book of Mormon and when we go to teach him he has real concerns about recognizing the Holy Ghost... It is so amazing!! I love this family so much :)
Another investigator who came to church is Mack. Mack is 14 years old. We found him tracting. On Saturday we talked to him about baptism and invited him to church. His family hasn't seemed very interested but he is really excited about the Book of Mormon. A family in our ward went and picked him up for church. The 12 year old and 14 year old boys in the family stayed with him the whole time at church and made him feel very welcome. It was an incredible feeling to sit behind them and see them interact. I love this ward so much... I am so blessed to be serving here with Sister Munafo. I wish I could really explain all of the experiences that we have and the joy that we have felt as we have opened our mouths and testified of the truth.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is real. I love it so much!!! Thank you so much for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I am really happy that trek was such a wonderful experience. You will never forget it... I know I won't. My time in Young Womens really changed me for the better.
Also, this is kind of totally unrelated, but Sister Munafo has lots of food allergies. Because of this, we have been on a journey of finding whole, healthy foods that we can eat. A member of the ward, Sister Johnson (whodathunk?), has done a lot of research on different things to eat and where to buy them. SO we have been buying really healthy foods, but because of that, we might be going a tad bit over budget. I have had to pull some funds from my personal debit so that we could eat and not die.... I just wanted to let you know so that maybe you can make sure that I still have enough in my account. Plus! I feel like a million bucks! Going off of sugar and all that again :) We also have bikes that we ride every other week which is a total party :) Yay endorphins!!
I am going to miss the tree in the front yard. There are SO many trees here, but they have a LOT more lawn space than there is in Utah. Maybe I will bring some back with me ;)
Anyways! I love you so very much Mom, Dad and family! Thank you for being you and thank you for your emails and testimonies. Have a blessed week!!
Love you always,
Sister Alicia Johnson
PS~ Last week we went downtown and I found some souvenirs for you!! I just have to actually find a post office and mail them to you :) Cool :) I don't even know if they really have any special Nashvilleness- but I think they are cool :)
PPS~ Love you again!!
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