It's raining, it's pouring!
Well, seems like Summer is finally over. And it has been raining cats and dogs! I'm grateful though. I was over that heat when it started! Haha. So grateful to be in a car though. We see the elders in our stake walking by and we just feel for them, but luckily they're in a small area. It's been a tender mercy with this rain too because Idaho's been in a drought. I'm loving that it's boot season too :)
This past week has been pretty adventuresome. Sister Archuleta and I had been invited to participate in one of our ward's mutual nights that was focused on, what else...MISSIONARY WORK! Sister Archuleta and I were very excited to be a part of this as ideas began to just flood into our minds. It took a bit of time to put together, but here's how it went:
We set up three rooms and in the first room we set it up to be like a family room and we had typed up "Mission Call letters" for all 86 youth!!! As they walked in, we handed them their personal letters and had them stand up one by one and read out loud where they would be serving and what language they would be speaking. We then shared with them the importance and the sacredness of this moment and to remember that it is not important where they are called, but that they have been found worthy to serve and to preach the Lord's gospel.
We then took them into the next room and welcomed them to the "MTC" as we placed missionary name tags on them. Here we shared about what goes on there, which was awesome since Sister Archuleta was just there only a few weeks ago. We talked with them about the fun and spiritual experiences there and what can prepare them the best for that.
The final room we took them into was the "mission field", where we discussed life out in the field and the blessings that come from serving a mission.We were both able to bear our testimonies and asked (in a non-judging setting) who would like to serve a mission. Almost EVERYONE (both boys and girls) raised their hands, which was awesome! I think these kids are just being prepared more and more at a younger age. We then handed them a packet that consisted of the pamphlets we teach from, pass-along cards, and a list of things they should know before they serve a mission. They were so excited and loved it all, which of course made our day! We even had one young woman come up to us after and share that before that night she had no desire to serve a mission, but now she does! It was just a fantastic night and a great reminder of why I wanted to serve and why I am out here.
Friday, I got to go on exchanges with Sister Chen and be back in Meridian. I seriously felt like I was coming home, seeing so many familiar faces. That night we had dinner at a members home who were having a "tailgating party" in preparation for the BSU game (they're fanatics out here), but it was basically like a Centennial ward reunion. It was wonderful to get to visit people that we had been teaching together and see how they are progressing. Sister Chen is continually improving on her English and is just growing so much :)
Saturday, she and I attended a baptism for Kylee whom we had begun teaching but had handed over to the elders who are in her area. I was able to have Kelly, who is getting baptized in a few weeks, and her daughter come to see it too. Kylee was one of those people who was just ready for the gospel in her life. Everything that she had been taught had been what she had been looking for. I am so grateful I was able to be there to witness her take this step. It was eventful as it was the elder's first time baptizing someone and he was a bit scrawny compared to Kylee, so it took three times for him to get her completely immersed under the water. But she had a good attitude about it and just joked that now she's "extra clean" ;) Haha.
Afterwards, we exchanged back and Sister Archuleta and I attended the General Relief Society Broadcast which was fantastic! They really focused on preparing to make and keep our covenants (baptism, sacrament, temple), which was perfect for Kelly to hear. I love how Sister Burton shared that covenants strengthen us, give us true happiness, and allow us to demonstrate our love for our Savior and Father in Heaven. I am so grateful for the covenants (promises) I have made with my Heavenly Father as they allow me to draw closer to Him and prepare myself to return to live with Him again one day.
The work is starting to pick up more as we are meeting more people who seem ready to listen to us. One of them is a lady named Taya who lives right on our mission border. She works for one the members on his horse ranch. She suffered from a stroke a few years ago and has recovered marvelously, but chooses to help out by cleaning out the horse stalls. She shares that it is therapeutic for her and expresses how much this brethren has been such an influence on her life and given her the hope she has needed with all of the trials she's faced. I volunteered me and my companion to help out every now and then...Sister Archuleta loved that ;) She has met with the elders before, but I think she is more ready now.
It's been interesting as this work is progressing and so many changes have been made over the last year (missionary age changing, mission splitting and building back up rapidly, etc). It has been a little overbearing for us missionaries as, although with all these changes, our success rate has not increased as quickly. However, a Zone leader shared with us the other day that Heavenly Father would not be making all these changes if there weren't people who were ready to be taught. That brings me hope and motivated me even more to find those who are wanting the gospel in their lives. Our Stake President shared with Sister Archuleta and I yesterday, that both he AND both of our bishops have received the impression that we were meant to be here in their wards at this time and that there are people who need us particularly. Of course, that just made us feel so loved and appreciated and encourages us to fulfill their impressions.
I am continually growing and learning throughout my mission. I see experiences that will not only help me throughout this mission, but will help me throughout my life. I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for ME and is continually preparing me through other people and through these experiences. We are not perfect and we have our weakness, but just like it says in Ether 12:27, those weaknesses can become strengths as we humble ourselves and exercise our faith in our Savior. And it's all about our attitude. If we think it's going to be hard or awful, it's going to BE hard and awful. But with a hope toward the future, even if it's still hard, it will be fulfilling and growing. When it gets hard or discouraging, have an attitude of GRATITUDE. Gratitude truly kills the negativity and reminds us that it's not THAT bad. What gives me this perspective and peace? Simply, the knowledge I have of who I am, who my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ are, and knowing that through Them all things ARE possible and that there is a life worth living for. Take it day by day and take it to the Lord, day by day. He is there for us. We are not meant to go through this life on our own. And we are never alone.
I know this gospel is true. I know that Book of Mormon and the Bible, as far as it is translated correctly, are true and are meant to be studied as one as they are witnesses TOGETHER of our Savior Jesus Christ and His love for us. I know that we have a modern living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides our church just as prophets of old did. I am so excited to hear from him this next weekend at General Conference and to hear what our Heavenly Father needs us to hear to receive the blessings that He has in store for us. I love my family and I am eternally grateful for them.
Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Wightman
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