Hello all! Well, I am finishing my mission here in the Meridian Stake (no changes). Sister Worden and I are staying together. As nice as it would have been to have had one more area, we have received some confirmations the last couple of days that we are still needed here.
Last Monday for part of our p-day activity, our zone made tie-dye shirts. It was fun (I think that's my first time ever making one) and a great way to spend with these missionaries. We were all pretty tight and united so it's been a little bittersweet with some of them being transferred, but I'm grateful we all got along so well :)
We got to teach Family Home Evening to the elderly people in Affinity again. We decided to give a history of some of the hymns in our hymn book, so we picked about 6 and gave the background then sang the first verse. The Spirit was incredible there and someone said they could hear us all out in the hall and it sounded like angels. I'm glad it was a success (sometimes it's hard knowing how to please the older folk ;))! A tender mercy that evening was that were walking to our car and the Ingersoll's drove by (from my second area) and said they were visiting a family that now lived in our area. It happened to be the daughter of a lady that Sister Chen and I lived with. She was now divorced and living with her daughter. They asked if we wanted to come along and we happily agreed to :) Marika was so happy to see me and it made it such an easy way to talk to the rest of her family. It's sad to see the struggles she's going through right now, but I'm glad she's got her daughter and her family to be there to support her. Definitely some good opportunities there (her daughter is not active in the church and her son-in-law is not a member).
The work is still continuing well with those that we are teaching. We had a great lesson with Makalai Thursday night as we taught her about the Plan of Salvation. She is truly prepared and shared some wonderful thoughts with us. It was comforting to hear that both her parents support her in choosing to follow this gospel (even though her step-mom is a little anti). She is progressing so well and we're hoping to commit her to a date tomorrow night! Lisa (the one with MS who we've done a lot of service for) came to our Relief Society activity Tuesday night and seemed to gel well with the other sisters. She also came to church yesterday (for the first time) to hear Sister Worden and I sing in Sacrament. You never know how people might respond to a simple invitation (we weren't expecting her to say yes)!
We had a miracle happen with Minda last night. We met with her and her husband at their friend's home (the Horrocks) and talked more about temples as they were wanting to learn more so they can prepare to go there one day. At the end of our discussion, Brother Horrocks asked if they had been thinking about a date for baptism and Rod shared that he was going to let Minda choose her own date because his progression process was going to take longer and he didn't want to hold her back in waiting for him. This was an answer to our prayers and fasting!!!! We were so excited and Minda shared such a powerful testimony as she poured her heart out to us about her gratitude for all of us in helping her have a relationship with our Savior again. We were pretty much all in tears. This was a witness to me why we are still needed here.
Like I mentioned, Sister Worden and I sang in Sacrament meeting. This was completely out of my comfort level, but I'm glad we did it. I think we had angels singing with us because the feedback we got after was overwhelming! We sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" and it fit so well with the talks that were given. I am grateful that we can share our message through music as well and that there were individuals there to support us and feel of that spirit!
This weekend was a little bittersweet for me as I received news on Friday that Sister Rowe (who I lived with in Star for 6 months) had passed away this past Monday. I was able to attend her funeral service, along with Sister Archuleta and Sister Maness. Sister Rowe had stage 4 bone cancer and had been such a trooper through it all. While living with her, we witnessed her lose her hair, weight and energy, but she continued to push through and always find ways to laugh. As much as it saddens me to know that she has moved on, what quickly came to my mind was of the Plan of Salvation, that she still lives and is no longer in a state of suffering, but now a state of rest and peace. Her husband was so strong at the funeral service continued to keep a smile on his face. I am so grateful I was able to be there for them and to be reunited with sweet friends. Death is not easy to handle, but when we know what this life is about and know what we have to look forward to, it can be more sweet than bitter.
I love you all and am so grateful for you. Thank you and have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!!!
Love,
Sister Wightman
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