Well, great and wonderful things have been happening this week! As I think I mentioned last week, transfers are happening today and this is a big one. Where we are being transferred to is going to also decide which new mission we will be in. Sister Hamilton and I had no clue what was going to happen, where we were going to, but I was feeling that I was leaving. We were both very prayerful as we anxiously awaited the call from our Mission President announcing where we were going. In my morning studies Saturday morning, I came across a scripture in Philippians 4:11 and 13 which says "...in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.". It couldn't have come at a better time as I pondered that wherever the Lord sends me is where I will be needed and as long as I am trusting in Him, I will be strengthened and CAN DO ALL THINGS!
So I'm sure the anticipation is killing you all now (haha probably not), but I will be serving in the Meridian North 3 area (opening up a new area) and training a brand new missionary. And this puts me in the IDAHO BOISE MISSION! As soon as I heard this call, it just felt so good. It is definitely bittersweet to be leaving Twin Falls. This is where I was born and the people here are so close in my heart, but I am excited to open a new area and to begin a new chapter. Everyone has told me how wonderful Meridian is and my mission president has told me that the Stake is so excited to have sister missionaries in the area and are ready to put us to work!
Just when I thought this weekend couldn't get any better, I was able to celebrate with a bang in a baptism! Anna Stone is someone I've been working with since I came out on my mission, she's been meeting with the missionaries for about a year now, and I was so excited to be there for her baptism. Anna is an amazing woman who is such a great example of strength, faith, being non-judgmental, and perseverance. She was raised Seventh-Day Adventist and her husband is Atheist, but as soon as the missionaries came knocking on her door (she initially agreed to clear up misconceptions of the Mormons), she felt a difference, and they were able to answer questions that no one else could. It's been an amazing journey, as we've seen her husband support her, her children have a desire to learn, and her great trust in the Lord to accept His will. She was the one who, when asked to quit smoking, set a date, quit, got sick, but has gotten better and never touched a cigarette again. Her baptism was beautiful! Her husband and kids all came to support her and there was a great support from the ward. Sister Hamilton and I were talking to Anna a little before her baptism and she was sharing how nervous she was, just couldn't believe that this day was finally here. But we reassured her that this day was well earned and the Lord was so proud of her. As Anna came out of the water and we wrapped her up in a towel, tears filled her eyes and the emotions just flowed. She expressed the great feeling of peace and love that she felt and we couldn't help but embrace her and share with her in this joyous moment. I was able to play a musical number and Anna bore a beautiful testimony of how she knew that this gospel was true. The Spirit was so strong! It was definitely a tender mercy that this baptism was able to occur my last week here in Twin and that I could be there for her. I will be forever grateful for these experiences as they continue to build my testimony. It's amazing the changes in these peoples countenances as they grow in the gospel and come closer to Christ through their faith.
I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have about my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful to know that life continues after our time here on earth, that there is something worth living for. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that allows to be made whole through our Savior and gives us the strength to keep enduring to the end! As long as we trust in the Lord and ask for His help, we can be strengthened through Him and we can do all things and be content with where we are and where we are going. I love you all and again am so grateful for all your love and support. Please keep praying for the missionaries, the new mission presidents, and for the work! It's progressing, people are ready, hope is out there!
Love,
Sister Wightman
p.s. Please send any letters to the Boise Mission office (the same address)
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