December 19, 2016

OKAY, CRAZIEST WEEK OF MY WHOLE MISSION!!

The Assisters
Sister King and Sister Holmstead
December 2016

The only way to describe the madness is to say that Sister Holmstead and I are essentially APs, we are called “the assisters” as we finish out our missions! We are technically assigned to Bakersfield 5th (the APs ward), work wherever we want, go on exchanges with whomever we want, have unlimited miles, access to all missionaries, and go to church in Berkshire, my old ward! AND, Holmstead and I came out together and we're headed home together!!

The Assisters
Sister King and Sister Holmstead
December 2016

The week starts off with our departing dinner and evening with the mission president and wife. It was way nice because while everyone ELSE there was freaking out because they were going home the next day, we just renewed our fire to go out and CONQUER THE WORLD our final 2 weeks! It was a really nice evening and we were reflecting on what we've all learned during our missions. As if I could casually write it down... BUT, I will say that I have come to feel the hope that springs from faith in the Savior. All the problems of life seem so small when I remember that all things are done with the wisdom of Him who created us, and all the trials we experience here will be but a small moment. 

Button Willow, 25 miles outside of Bakersfield
"demon dogs"
December 2016

Okay, so we start off working in the Snow ward for a few days. I served there for a transfer at the start of my mission so it was so fun to be back!! We were able to find some cool people to teach and we were in a trio with Sister Carter! One of the missionaries serving there is sick so while she was prepping to go home we were with the missionary who will replace her. It was SO FUN to see all the people I got to work with, and it was awesome to get to introduce them to their new missionary :D So part of the Snow ward is this little town called Buttonwillow like 25 miles outside of Bakersfield. It’s about 5 streets, 1000 people, one school, 2 stores and a few truck stops. We went there to tract a bit (and met some AWESOME people!).  We ended up at the public library, and we talked with the librarian who invited us to come carol there a few days later!! When we go back, all the kids there were NOT having it, but the adults seemed to enjoy it! While we were leaving, thinking nothing of the situation, we talked with the librarian again and described our roles as missionaries a bit more. She said she was interested in our message and wanted to learn more! So caroling DOES bring miracles!

Button Willow, 25 miles outside of Bakersfield
December 2016

We visited a less active member and a part member family I worked with when I was there a year ago. They had no interest in coming to church but still loved the missionaries, so we decided to go see them again. HOWEVER, when we were talking with them, one of them who is not even a member, she started reeeally opening up, more than before. When we were leaving she told us to not give up on her, that she really does want to know if this church is true and she’s ready to discuss some of the things holding her back!! WHAT?! It’s so cool to see how her heart has softened over time!

Berkshire, CA

Sisters Holmstead and King

December 2016

Also, for zone training meeting, the zone leaders gave us an overview of the role play for the meeting and asked US to run it and lead a discussion. So, even though we're just floaters, we still had to present a training, it shall never end, haha. But afterwards we worked in an area that has been struggling in finding people to teach. It was a miracle. On one street we got 4 referrals, 2 potential investigators, met the kindest old man who has a strong testimony of missionary work and this one door we knocked on had a kid who SCREAMED, said he didn’t have time to talk right then but gave us his number and begged us to come back :D  Also, one 4 year old gave me 5 pieces of candy for being a "good listener."

Baptism, Berkshire Ward
December 2016

On Saturday i got to go out with one of my trainees and we explored the farms on the outskirts of Bakersfield. Afterwards I got to go to a baptismal service for Berkshire and 3 people got baptized!! Afterwards we visited a family I had taught when I served there before and it was hilarious!! the 7 year old is getting ready to be baptized and his 2 sisters just turn to him and go "hey, you need an attitude check before you can get baptized. If you don’t shape up, you’ll be OUR age when you get baptized!" I was dying. They’re so funny. I also got to see another girl the elders worked with but whom I was close with. She has been struggling and had made some mistakes since her baptism, but we were able to testify of God’s love and the power of repentance. I know that God knows every part of ourselves that we don’t want to show anyone else, and loves us still. I know that he’s been in every dark place we have and he is willing to lift us out of our hard times. I am so grateful for this gospel and the power Christ gives us to change!

This week shall be full of MORE MIRACLES, I cannot wait, we are ending this adventure on the highest of notes :D   I. LOVE. THE. LORD. And all of you. Have a great week!