Missionary Newsletter #50

This week, I noticed a few things I need to improve on. It seems like lately, there's been a pattern where those I teach struggle to recognize the spirit and in turn, their answer. It's not like they are purposely ignoring it, it's just not coming to them as easily as others I have taught in the past. Therefore, I am having to dig a little deeper. I love these people so much and want them too to have the blessings and spirit I know in my own life. The question is how... I have come to the conclusion that it has to start with me. I need to recognize the spirit more in my own life and make it a priority to feel it more strongly in the lessons we teach. It's not that the spirit isn't there; it just needs to be there more. Goodbye Sister Salmond! I am not the teacher. I need to let the spirit do all the work. I hope by studying and trying to focus on this more, those we are teaching, can feel it too and come to know of the truthfulness of this church. I have the faith, so I hope we can see miracles come rolling forward with this effort!

Outside of Spirituality, we have seen some BIG Thanksgiving Miracles! The first starts at the beginning of my Huntsville Days... There was a family that was taught previously and have been dropped for a few transfers now. (The mother found the missionaries after watching the Restoration video online and being touched by the spirit. How cool is that?) We have texted them every once in a while, but nothing really happened. Finally, just a little bit before thanksgiving, we heard back from the mother, Veronica! She told us to stop by on Thanksgiving day. There'll be there the whole day! Success!

I made myself Gluten, Dairy, Egg Free Pumpkin Pie and Cornbread Dressing (Southern-styled stuffing) And they turned out really good! Hooray! Victory!

We stopped by at noon, before all our many dinner appointments. They let us in and it was perfect timing cuz they were cutting the turkey to eat! No way! We made it time to eat there too. haha. (Let's just say that I legitimately gained 2 lbs and have yet to lose it from that Glorious Holiday. haha) Anyways, after feasting, we played Scategories, Thanksgiving Style! After a few laughs, we were

Their boy started eating straight from the fudge plate
 and he was set on doing it!
 There was no stopping him and it was soooo funny

able to bring in the spirit of gratitude and how they say "Thank You" back to God. In doing so, we asked how they still felt about baptism and THEY WANT TO BE BAPTIZED ASAP! Ok... I am jumping ahead... The mother, Veronica, and the youngest of their two sons, Kevin (14), loves it and is so on board! The eldest son, Wes Jr. (18) is open to the idea, but is standing back a little bit to do more research on what we believe, which is totally understandable and great! The father, Wes Sr., is not very interested at the time being. Veronica originally wanted them to get into church as a family, but can no longer wait for him to come around. Therefore, Veronica and Kevin are on for baptism on the 9th!

The next day, Veronica took us out for lunch. There, we were able to talk to her more one on one and answer some of her questions about the church, specifically about our current prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. After explaining it she felt much better understanding the role of a prophet. She had so many good question, but overall, what impressed us most as we sat with her at lunch, was her incredible faith and testimony. She really is an incredible woman and God trusted her to seek out the church on her own. There's no doubt. After lunch, being Black Friday, she felt the need to take us shopping! We each got a few shirts, a pair of shoes and house slippers. The talk at lunch was great by herself, but the shopping was the icing on the cake. She seriously is too good to us.

It was great to see Veronica and Kevin at church. The topic was eternal families and having peace in the home. It was perfect for them! God is so aware. Everything is working perfectly, it's like a dream. The church is so true and is aware of each of us. Sister Millard and I are so grateful for this miracle we have been able to see and their baptism will be the best way for Millie to end her mission. :)

Lastly, we had Zone Conference this week. If you haven't heard, the church is doing a Christmas Initiative with the Christmas video, "He Is The Gift." We have all been given pass-along cards to promote it. In addition to missionary efforts, it'll be on the big home page of youtube starting Dec. 7th, allowing 220 million people to see it! And it will be a billboard in Time Square! Wow! It makes me think of the verse in Moses 7:62, "And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to beat testimony of mine Only Begotten;....and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth..." We're spreading the good news with the whole world! Because, He truly is the Gift that just keeps giving and if the whole world knew that, it would be a different place. Y'all should have gotten some pass-along cards in your December Ensign. Take them out and give them to someone you care about, who can use this message! Let us spread this truth to the world like a flood!

I love this church and I am so grateful to be on the mission for such a momentous thing as this. I know miracles will come all over the world from this initiative. I know this work is truly inspired. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season as the crazy begins. ;) Happy Holidays!
#sharethegift

Love you All!
Sister Salmond