Hello hello!
It's been another wonderful and growing week here on my mission! Sister Christensen and I have a couple more new families that we are teaching and things just seem to be pretty positive. It's amazing what a difference it makes when people are actually ready and willing to hear our message. There's a few that have been taught by the missionaries before (like a few years ago), but then lost contact and now they're almost coming to US saying "hey when can you come teach me and my children!". We don't try to convert people, that's the Holy Ghost's job, we are only trying to add to others' faith that they already have. Through that they will have the desire to follow Christ's example, which includes being baptized and joining His church.
So one of the "growing" experiences that I had this week was my first companion exchanges. What this entails is two companionships switch companions for 24 hours to see different areas and learn from each other through our teaching and contacting skills. So Wednesday morning I drove out to Rupert (which is about 45 min east from Twin Falls) and worked with Sister Nettles. She is from San Diego and has been out on her mission for about 7 months. She is super sweet, has a great sense of humor, and a total nerd - in a good way (Tina, you would love her! Totally into the whole comicon/animation thing!)! While we were out there, a lot of our appointments fell through, so we spent most of the day going out contacting referrals and just trying to find people to teach. The thing with Rupert is that it is WAY more "boonies" and is a lot more spread out so it's harder to cover as many people within a certain period of time. We had a lot of fun though, and it was very humbling for me. I have felt very spoiled with serving in Twin Falls and with my wonderful companion, Sister Christensen, and I have to remember that I won't always be in the same place or with the same people. As long as we serve with all our heart, might, mind and strength, and just learn to love everyone we come in contact with though, it doesn't matter where we are or who we're with. The work is all the same and it is just as wonderful!
The next day, when we returned to our assigned companions and areas, Sister Christensen and I had to go on our first "splits". This happens occasionally when we have a lot of people to contact/visit with, but only so many hours of the day. So we pair up with church members and separate as a companionship to try to visit with more people. This has been a great experience because as it comes closer to transfers, I am realizing I am not going to have Sister Christensen with me always and so to be able to go out with someone else and not be so reliant on her is something I've been needing to work on.
We've been learning a lot more about using Family History work this week and how we can use it but also how we can teach it to those who we come into contact. Family History search is a great tool to find out about your ancestors and really understand where each of us comes from and learn about their stories. It's also a way for us to feel closer to our families and prepare ourselves and others to be able together as a family forever. If you have not already started doing any genealogy work, I highly recommend it! It's super exciting when you discover ancestors and put history back together. If you want to check it out or get started, go check out familysearch.org. There are Family History Centers everywhere and have free access and free help to get you started or help you continue!
Saturday morning, we participated in another service project helping clean up the trails at Shoshone Falls Park. There are trails that have had been covered by overgrown shrubs and trees for over the past 60 years that we were able to uncover. It was amazing seeing all the many helping hands cut and prune and dig to help clear up the trails and allow for so many people to see the Falls from different parts of the park. Being an avid hiker, I truly appreciate being able to help to have more options for trails and to discover more beautiful sites.
Sunday, Sister Christensen and I were able to use our musical talents once again. There is a young woman, Josey, in one of our wards, who is a senior in high school but training to also become an opera singer. She really wanted to sing with my companion before she left so, with a few days to prepare, I accompanied them in a song "How Can I Keep from Singing" in sacrament meeting. The musical number turned out beautiful! I'm so grateful for my parents who never allowed me to quit piano lessons (even when I called my teacher to say I quit and my parents called right back saying that I was not), so that I can accompany and perform wherever needed. There are only 3 sister missionaries in the whole Boise mission who can play the piano so they have been taking advantage of me playing. It's been great practice though, and the Bateman's (who we live with) love hearing me practice on their piano at night.
This upcoming Saturday, we will be getting the call for my first transfer (6 week period of time). I will most likely be staying here in Twin Falls, but not sure if Sister Christensen and I will be staying as companions (though we are both hoping and praying that we are, as are many of the people who know us!!!). If anyone is planning on sending mail this week, please keep in mind that I could be at a new address next Monday (May 6th) so probably just mail it to the mission home address: 1111 S. Cole Rd, Boise, ID, 83709
I love you all and am so grateful for the love and support that you have been giving me. I love the work. I love being able to share a message of such joy and hope when there is so much turmoil and distress out in the world. I am grateful to be somewhat immune to the events of the world (though I have heard of some recent tragedies in the country) and to just focus on sharing about our Savior Jesus Christ and that through all of our trials and tribulations, there is hope and there is love. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that Heavenly Father has created a plan, a perfect plan, to lead us back to live with Him again one day. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, who, at 14, had a questioned, knelt in prayer, and as a result saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the flesh and was instructed to restore Christ's church back on the earth today and to translate the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true testament of Jesus Christ and record of those that He visited here in the America's. I know that it is another tool to help us with life and is filled with truth. I know that we can communicate to our Heavenly Father through prayer and that He listens and answers us. He is ready and waiting, we just have to reach out to Him. If we ever feel distanced from God, it is not Him pulling away from us, it is us pulling away from Him. He wants to bless us. He loves us. I have prayed and had all my questions answered that these things are true through the comfort of the Holy Ghost. I would encourage each and everyone of you, if this is not something you know for yourself to ask and listen. This gospel blesses people individually, and it blesses families! Why would you not want that??
Love you all,
Sister Lauren Wightman
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