Lauren, On a Mission

Family Values

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." –David O. McKay

To read more:

http://www.mormon.org/values/family

The Family

THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

To read more:

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! I loved getting to talk to my mom and dad and to hear their voices. I am so grateful for my parents and all that they have taught me and the continued love they've shown to me!

Earlier this week I wanted to stop by Billie's (one of our investigators) because she had to cancel our lesson last week and couldn't come to church because she and her daughter were still sick. I'm so glad we did. We got to just catch up with her and she how she was doing. As we asked her about her Book of Mormon reading and how she feels her relationship with Heavenly Father is right now, she expressed that it has not been good since she has not been reading or praying as much and hasn't made it to church recently. In my head I'm thinking, "Ok, well what to do you NEED to be doing?" and as soon as I thought that, Billie expressed that those were the things she needed to be doing because she felt a difference in her life when she was and wasn't and when we were there. She is definitely recognizing the Spirit and I'm grateful that she notices a difference to help her understand for herself what she should do, not just because we're asking her to. We are meeting with her tomorrow night to help her continue in her Book of Mormon reading. She has loved it so far and really connected with Nephi so I'm excited to see how she continues!

Wednesday, I was on exchanges and had Sister Molbek (from Denmark) with me. She is awesome! We had a really neat experience as we went to visit a lady who has been attending our ward with her husband since she moved here from the Philippines, but is not a member. She doesn't work and doesn't drive so she's alone all day. We went over and she made us cookies (yummy!). It was amazing as she so easily brought up gospel discussions and shared how she's seen the Lord's love in her life with all the trials and experiences she's had growing up in the Philippines. I am so excited to continue meet with her and help to understand the gospel even more. She appreciated our visit so much and is having us come back again next week to teach us how to make Lumpia (Filipino egg roles)!

Saturday, we decided to do some service for some people who we know needed weeding. One of them, the Higgins, are so sweet but refuse to let us serve them (think that sisters shouldn't do that kind of work). So we just came over and started working in their front yard. We weeded for about 20 minutes before Debbie came out asking what we were doing (she wasn't angry just didn't want us to have to do that). She then got a bag and started helping too. People seem to have a hard time letting us others serve them out here. It's frustrating haha! But I'm glad we still made a pretty big dent there.

Later that afternoon, we had a lesson at Bob's. He had knee surgery today and so we had some brethren come over with us and give him a priesthood blessing. It was great as the last time he had experienced that was for his wife before she passed away, so I think it brought back some special feelings. We then taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his faith definitely increased. I am so grateful to have other members come with us because the things they share really add in ways we can't. At the end we asked him to pray about the message we had shared that day and I asked him if he received an answer that it was true, what his next step would be. He simply said, "Well, it would be baptism.". I just love seeing people's countenance change as they become converted and see the gospel change them! We will keep praying for him and hoping things still continue on a good path as he will probably be out for a little while while recovering from his surgery.

Yesterday at church, the brethren passed out little potted flowers to all the sisters for Mother's Day. They gave Sister Worden and I the leftovers to deliver to sisters that either don't come to church or haven't been in a while. That was neat just to see their faces light and up to remind them that they are thought of :)

I am so grateful this gospel and the importance that I have learned of the roles in the family. In this day in age where gender roles are being challenged, it is so important to remember the reason for families and how they are established how each gender plays a part. The family is ordained of God and is a blessing in our life when we understand that we are a part of a Heavenly family and are children of God. Our earthly families are just an extension of our Heavenly family and happiness can be enjoyed when we understand and appreciate and respect our families. I find so much joy in knowing these things and knowing that my family can be together forever. It definitely changes the way I choose to live my life now so that I can obtain those blessings later. I know by choosing the right, serving others, and following my Savior, I can receive those blessings and truly have joy in this life and peace forever. I love you all and hope you have a great week cherishing your relationships with those around and understanding that you too are a child of God.

Love,

Sister Wightman

It was Mom

Family

Photos 05/05/14

At our Ward Mission Leader's house for his "Cinco de Mayo" party last Saturday. He made a turtle pinata and spent hours painting different designs on each hexagon...just to get it smashed!

Sister Worden and I with our appetizer dishes at the Horrock's

Letter #57 05/05/14

There's not too much to report on this week. We had a couple exchanges again and I got to be with Sister Emmett again. It was fun being with my old companion for a day. At first it was a little weird, but quickly we felt like we were just back together and it was nice to know that we already knew each other's teaching styles and were on the same page :) She is doing awesome in her new area and with her new companion.

Thursday morning, we got together with our Primary President who loves to bake and she taught us how to make mini lemon tarts. They were so good! It was hard not to just eat them all. We made them so we could give them to people that we visit. Those that we've given them to have loved them as well! It's always nice getting a sweet treat with a sweet message ;) I'm grateful for all these things I'm learning out here.

We are continuing to work with a couple guys who are working on coming making church a part of their lives again. Although it's sometimes a slower process, they've both expressed that they do appreciate the time we have taken to remind them of the gospel principles and even if it doesn't seem like it, we are making a difference. That was good to hear because honestly, sometimes it does feel that way.

We had an amazing experience teaching Bob Hall this week. Last time we visited him, he shared how something that continues to stand out to him is our belief about the three kingdoms in which we live in the next life. With his wife having passed, this is something very special to him. We reviewed the Plan of Salvation with him since it's been a while since the previous sisters had taught him that and then we read from the Doctrine and Covenants section 76 that goes into more detailed revelation about each of the kingdoms, what qualifies and the blessings. He received much comfort knowing that his wife is in the Spirit World right now and knowing how they can be together forever. I shared with him the testimony that President Monson shared in the October conference of the comfort he had knowing that his wife still lives and that because they have been sealed by priesthood authority, their relationship is not only bound here on earth, but also in Heaven and that they will be reunited never to be separated again because of the promises they have made. What a great knowledge all do and can have of that! I am grateful to know that families can be together forever and this life is not the end, but really the beginning. It truly does motivate us to live our best here now so that we can receive those blessings of being with our family forever :)

Yesterday, we had dinner at the Horrock's home and they had us prepare a little appetizer dish to add to the meal. I made a spinach dip in a sourdough bowl (SF style!) and Sister Worden made a fruit dip. They turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself :) It was great because they invited a couple over who have been coming to church but are not members and so it was just a nice casual environment to visit in. The members are so great out here and very supportive. We can't do this work without them!

I love you all and hope you have a fabulous week. To all the mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day! I'm looking forward to talking to mine this weekend (can't believe this will be the last time before I come home!)!!!