Hey Mom!!
Well this week seemed really long, but there was a lot going on.
To start out, on Tuesday we didn't really do much. Hermana Feveryear was sick, so we stayed in the house for most of the day. That was really weird... I haven't done that in like 5ever... but it was kinda nice to be able to just have extra time to study the scriptures.
But Wednesday we had our zone conference again. so the missionaries in the closer zones came together, and we received instruction about how we can better work with our areas and how we can help build ourselves and others. That was really a cool time. It always is. I mean I've only had 2, but they both have been so awesome. I'm able to have questions answered about how to better my work and how to improve my skills as a missionary to be more effective and to be more Christ like. But after zone conference, we got to go to buffalo wild wings which was a good time! I LOVE wings, and it has been so long since I had some! The only problem was that it's wings... so I was really messy. But I didn't get anything on my clothes so that was a blessing. Que bendicion! And then after that we visited a family that Sister Feveryear used to work with (she served in Yuba city before, which is where the conference was), and that was way fun! Their names were Lilly and Jesús and they were so nice. I only know them for about 20 minutes, but they were so loving and kind to me and the other sisters and it was awesome! It's so cool to see that love that others have for missionaries!
Also a funny story from that day, there was a member at zone conference that was helping out to make lunch for the missionaries, and her last name was Atkinson. I have no idea who she is, or even if we are closely related, but I talked to her for a bit, and she was just so happy and like started tearing up. That was crazy to see the love and impact we have on people that we don't even know. We don't know what will impact others.
But Thursday was our first biking day! It was a total bust though... like nothing was working out and it felt like a waste of the day. We worked to fix the bikes, so I pumped up the tires and had to change the tire. It was the first time I did that, but hey it worked. or so we thought... the one bike got a flat tire after like 2 miles... so the other hermanas had to pick us up... and then we had to cancel our appointment. and earlier in that day, the other hermanas were getting a bike pump, so we were walking to an appointment with someone. and it was RAINING!!! Like what??? Raining. In California. It was the only day it has rained while i was in Cali, and it had to be the day we were biking. But that was fun.
The next day we had another problem with transportation.. so the bikes were out, so we were down to 1 car for 2 companionships. It was tricky, but we were working with it. They would drop us off and stuff. But then they got a flat tire... so we were stuck at the church 2 miles away from our house when it was 8 and it was dark. So we were both stuck... we ended up finding a ride home and getting it worked out, but that was crazy... and then Saturday we had more car troubles. we got dropped off at someones house, but they live in the middle of nowhere. But then THEY WEREN'T THERE! So we were like stuck in the middle of nowhere and it was dark and late. Luckily there was a member not too far away, so we stayed at their house for about an hour till we could get picked up. So it was a wasted night... and a similar thing happened last night... an appointment fell through and we were walking around in the dark. So we are working on the whole bike thing, but hopefully it will work out better this week...
But this whole situation reminded me of something we learned in zone conference. They shared a story about Christ and how he always taught the people. He was going up to a mountain to continue teaching. And there is always a group of people following him around listening. So they talked about how he went up to teach on the mountain top, and not everyone followed him. They talked about how going up a mountain separated the curious from the serious. Sometimes we have to go up a mountain or have a hard time in order to show our devotion to Christ. It isn't always easy, but it'll be worth it. So we're just kinda hopefully that if we keep going we will eventually be able to see big miracles from this
But other than the whole car thing, we had general conference this week!! It was SUPER awesome!! We just got to spend all weekend listening to the word of God through his prophets and apostles!! It was so amazing though! I went in thinking about different people that I wanted to be able to help. And the cool thing was that I got an answer for what I could do to help them. The big overall message that stood out to me was about loving and helping to serve and minister to others. It is important to help ourselves through our trials and difficulties. a quote that I really liked was "let us not burden our remembrance with a heavy burden that is gone." But I really liked that, cause things that have happened in the past and that we have repented of, or changed, we an forget them and continue on, knowing that we are forgiven.
The other thing that stood out was that these really are the last days, and the second coming is coming. And like, soon! That's really scary to think about. But not necessarily for myself, but for others. there is still just so much more I need to do and people I need to help before that can happen! But the other phrase that stood out was the covenant path. And so we need to be ready for the second coming by staying on that covenant path and help others to stay on that path. We do that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and following him. It was just a really good conference! And 2 hour church!! that's crazy! that'll be cool to implement the home study! It makes us more reliable for our own testimonies, which in turn will make them stronger. :)
Then during the general women's session was my coolest experience. So President Nelson was talking about the Book of Mormon and to finish it before the end of the year, to highlight Christ in it, and to share it with friends and family. He said if we do that, we WILL see miracles. earlier that day I had already made a goal to finish reading the Book of Mormon I have, and mark it up for a friend. I have had promptings to do that in the past, but I still didn't, even before my mission. But the prophet said that, so now I have to do it by the end of the year. He told us to highlight Christ, which I had also already been doing! And then to share it with friends and fam! Something I wanted to do with my friend!! And so if i do this, President Nelson promised that we would see miracles. I believe that is true, so I'm gonna do this. Especially cause I had been prompted for this in the past. But that was a cool experience. I also found a talk that I want to share with another friend, so I'll send that over to her. Would you be able to send me her address?
The other cool thing that happened from conference, is that there is going to be a temple in Yuba City!!! That's like 30 minutes south of Gridley, which is where I am!! So we were all super excited for that! It won't be finished while we are here, but I'm so excited for the people here, because I know there are so many blessings that come from having a temple in the area.
But yeah it was a good week, and topped off with a good weekend!! Hopefully we can get a lot done this week and help people out! We are also planning for a baptism this week, so that'll be super exciting!! I hope you have a great week too!
Love and miss you!!
Kiley
Hermana Atkinson
Then during the general women's session was my coolest experience. So President Nelson was talking about the Book of Mormon and to finish it before the end of the year, to highlight Christ in it, and to share it with friends and family. He said if we do that, we WILL see miracles. earlier that day I had already made a goal to finish reading the Book of Mormon I have, and mark it up for a friend. I have had promptings to do that in the past, but I still didn't, even before my mission. But the prophet said that, so now I have to do it by the end of the year. He told us to highlight Christ, which I had also already been doing! And then to share it with friends and fam! Something I wanted to do with my friend!! And so if i do this, President Nelson promised that we would see miracles. I believe that is true, so I'm gonna do this. Especially cause I had been prompted for this in the past. But that was a cool experience. I also found a talk that I want to share with another friend, so I'll send that over to her. Would you be able to send me her address?
The other cool thing that happened from conference, is that there is going to be a temple in Yuba City!!! That's like 30 minutes south of Gridley, which is where I am!! So we were all super excited for that! It won't be finished while we are here, but I'm so excited for the people here, because I know there are so many blessings that come from having a temple in the area.
But yeah it was a good week, and topped off with a good weekend!! Hopefully we can get a lot done this week and help people out! We are also planning for a baptism this week, so that'll be super exciting!! I hope you have a great week too!
Love and miss you!!
Kiley
Hermana Atkinson
Comments
Post a Comment