09/09/13 Letter #24

Helllloooo!

Well, new week, new transfer, new area, new companion! Today was our transfer day and I am now serving in the Star area, opening up a new area again and training a new sister. I will not get my new companion until Wednesday, so I am working with another sister until then. But it's exciting. It was hard to leave my last area. The people are so great and some I truly felt part of their family, but this is the mission. Constant change. Maybe one day I'll get used to it. Haha. 

Star, as far as I have heard is more rural and small compared to some of these city areas. But I'm excited...more farm fresh eggs and vegetables, yummmm! All I need are some cowboy boots ;)

Sister Chen and I were able to finish this transfer together with a baptism last Friday. Her name is Taylor and she just turned 11. Although her parents have not been as active in church, they really wanted her to have the gospel in her life so that she could have the standards necessary to help her with middle school, cheerleading, etc. Taylor is so sweet and seriously the smiliest person I've ever met! She's ALWAYS smiling!!! It was a beautiful baptism with a great turnout! She doesn't know too many people, but almost all the girls from the Primary were there and I think it really helped her and her family to know that they are loved and supported. That's one thing I love about this church, is that you may not know many people, but we are all family and you feel that connection because you know that you have the same beliefs. Taylor was confirmed yesterday and it was so great to see her become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I loved hearing her say that after her baptism she just felt so clean and happy. 

I am so grateful for all the experiences and opportunities I am receiving here on my mission. In the last 6 months, I have seen myself grow so much. In the gospel, in maturity, in responsibility and in confidence. How blessed am I to be having the opportunity. The other day I was up at the mission office, picking up some things, and I visited with some of the elders that were getting ready to go home this past weekend. A feeling of sadness overcame me as I thought that I will have to go home at some point. I wish I could do this forever. And I know I can be a missionary for the rest of my life, but to have the separation from the world, so have my only focus and concerns be on this work and not school or work or money. I am so grateful to be "immune" to what is going on in the world because I'm sure it is still tragic. And although I still witness things that are tragic, I can at least try to bring hope and peace to those situations. 

I am grateful for this gospel. I am grateful for the things that I believe in because they are what give me peace and comfort and direction and purpose in my life. To know that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me, a Brother who is my Savior and suffered for me, a Heavenly Plan that prepares me to be with my Father and family again and for eternity, and to know that through my imperfections I can become perfected through Christ. We can receive the blessings from the gospel as we overcome fear with FAITH, pride with HUMILITY and sin with RIGHTEOUSNESS and REPENTANCE. This gospel IS true! It is simply beautiful and beautifully simple. And it is so worth it. I testify of that. And if you don't or you want to know, I would invite you to ask. Ask your Heavenly Father and He will let you know. Listen to those promptings and act on it. 

Thank you for your love and support!

Love,

Sister Wightman