photo 08/04/14

Last Letter #70 08/04/14

It's weird to think that this will be my last blog. My companions have

to keep reminding me that I do NOT have a month still left. This

journey has been truly incredible. I feel so blessed with all the

people I've been able to meet and all the experiences that have broken

me down, strengthened me, and prepared me for what will come to my

next chapter in life.

We were able to do some more service this week (painting/sanding

fences, feeding an investigator's cats, helping clean houses). I love

doing service! It just feels so good and can  be very therapeutic as

well haha. We had some great lessons with Mason, Frank, and Bob. We

were able to have members with us at all the lessons which really

makes a difference, especially with Frank and Bob and we can't relate

to all their life experiences and level of intellect. But they are

great and it's so fun seeing them all come closer to Christ through

little moments of inspiration :)

As I reflect over these last 17 months or so, I think about how my

testimony has continued to increase. Before I came out, all the things

of the gospel I believed were true just because they seemed to be

true, and now with all the experiences I've had, I have more surety

and conviction. I feel that I have a much strong relationship with my

Heavenly Father because I've had to rely on Him and trust in Him. I

have seen His love for me in so many ways and to know of a surety that

He knows me by name and knows my needs. I understand the Savior's

Atonement even more, that is more than just my sins that He suffered

for, but for my weaknesses, pains, and trials, and that He can truly

carry me through, if I let Him. I know that God blesses us with

families to strengthen us and support us. We can find happiness and

strength when we have Christ centered in our homes. I know that He

blesses us with prophets to help lead and guide us and to know how we

can endure today and that we have a prophet still on the earth today!

I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know that the Book of

Mormon is the word of God and adds a second witness to the Bible of

our Savior and His gospel, that if followed, will guide us safely home

to our Father in Heaven. I know that families CAN be together forever

as we all strive to live righteously and have eternal life as our

goal. I know that prayer works. God hears us and He will answer and

guide in His time and His way. My testimony can continue, but those

are the fundamentals that have  become my way of life. I love this

gospel and I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is

the true church once again established on the earth in it's fulness! I

love you all. I could not have served this mission without all the

love and support from you each individually and collectively. Thank

you. I am excited to be reunited with my family and friends, but I

know that a piece of my heart will always be here in Idaho with my

brothers and sisters that have strengthened me as I've strengthened

them. What an incredible experience that I can never replace and will

never regret! As a favorite hymn says, God be with you till we meet

again :)

Love,

Sister Wightman

Letter #69 07/28/14

Well, it's been another incredible week. Mikalai got baptized on

Saturday! It was beautiful and even with a few hiccups along the way,

it all worked out in the end :) I was asked to speak on Baptism which

ironically was the first time I've spoken at a baptism (usually I'm

involved in the music) as it was also probably my last baptism on the

mission. It was a huge turnout with lots of friends and family. She is

so amazing and was so grateful for us. I am so grateful for the people

I have been able to meet and teach and prepare for baptism. They are

all special individuals that I know I was meant to meet.

We have had some great success with teaching Mason, a 16 year old boy

who is just so prepared, as well as Frank, a 70 year old man who is

intellectual, but very interested as well. It is so refreshing to meet

and teach people who are willing to act on our invitations and where

they feel that these things are true instead of just fighting it or

thinking it sounds good, but not willing to act. I feel like I've come

to understand finally what the term "long-suffering" means. I've been

in this area for over 5 months now and I remember for most of it, the

work was slow and I wondered if I'd bring anyone to baptism before I

came home. It took a lot of diligence, and praying, and planning and

re-planning and more praying and more diligence, but now we have had 2

baptisms in ONE month and are teaching more people who really seem

ready and prepared as well as more expressing interest. It's the darn

principle of patience, but I tell ya, it truly pays off! I appreciate

it all so much more because of the time it took and it couldn't have

come at a better time!

I attended my "departing temple trip/devotional" on Friday. This

transfer is a really different because all of us missionaries are

going home on different days and so we did our temple trip a little

early as an elder finished his mission this weekend. It was still a

bit surreal as I still have a couple weeks left, but what an

incredible experience. It was so special to be in the temple with my

mission president and his wife, the office staff and fellow

missionaries that I've been able to serve amongst while on my mission.

There was a great spirit there. We had dinner at the mission home

after (haven't been there since the first day I got out here in the

field!) and then had a little testimony meeting and some words of

wisdom from our mission president. What an inspired man. I needed to

hear the things he and so many others said. It got a little real as

the elder who was finishing first's parents walked in to be reunited

with him. Sister Edstrom and I looked at each other like, "Holy cow!

That's going to be us soon!". Again, a little grateful I still have a

couple of weeks to prepare still.

This journey just continues to be incredible. It is not easy, FOR

SURE, but boy is it worth it! I'm growing and being broken down and

then being strengthened constantly. It's a bit overwhelming at times,

but I know I'm being prepared for many things every day.

I love you all and thank you again for your support!

Love,

Sister Wightman

photos 07/21/14

"Filipino" dessert at Minda's on the 4th of July with Sister Worden

At Minda's baptism with her husband, Sister Worden and Brother Horrocks (baptized her)

Video

letter #68 07/21/14

Life continues to be miraculous out here. We started teaching two new investigators (one is a man in his 70's and the other a young 16 year old boy) this week and they both just seem so prepared, like they've been looking for this forever! We have also continued to work with Mikalai as she prepares for her baptism THIS weekend :D It's incredible as a month ago, I honestly felt like I'd never be a part of a baptism the rest of my mission and since then I've had one with one on the way and two more potentials! Continually learning the principle of PATIENCE haha. It has been almost unbelievable of how busy Sister Worden, Sister Hancock and I have been. It used to be that each night we had to plan out a whole day for the next day, and now we look at our planners and we just have a few hours still to plan each day. We are just getting booked with teaching opportunities. I love it! This is exactly how I want to be spending my time. 

We had a training this week on "recognizing the spirit" and I think it was definitely inspired. With all these teaching opportunities, it can sometimes be easy to get stuck in a rut, and so making sure we're relying on the Spirit really helps to make sure we are keeping these INDIVIDUALS in mind and helping them with their needs and concerns, not just teaching them. One thing we have changed as we've been teaching a lot more Restoration lessons is singing "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" instead of reciting his experience in his words. Although that can be powerful, there is something about music (and you all know how much I love music) that really sets in a special spirit. I'm grateful because to me, this part of our lesson is one of the most important parts that we are teaching because everything else really stems off of if this is true or not. I feel like with singing this hymn, it helps others to feel the Spirit even stronger and take TIME to soak in what happened as this young boy asked a genuine prayer in faith. My testimony has definitely grown stronger. We have also strived to help others learn to recognize the Holy Ghost more and that's been wonderful because sometimes we rush through that and then it's hard for them to know when they are receiving an answer to their questions. I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost who is a companion and a guide if we allow it to be. It's pretty hard to do it alone and I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with His spirit to learn and to grow and to know more. I am so so grateful for this gospel and that I have this wonderful time to share it with my brothers and sisters. It is such a blessing in my life and I would never want to withhold others from this wonderful blessing as well. It's there for ALL!

Love you all so much!!!!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Photos 07/14/14

at the Anne Frank memorial park in downtown Boise with Sister Worden and Sister Hancock

in front of a little fish aquariam (hidden surprises downtown!)