Happy (a little late) Halloween family and friends!:)
J is still doing really well. We visited him a few times this week. One of those times he gave us our own bottles of Smartwater and mints because Sister Reneer is always drinking water and I am always offering him mints! Haha it was so funny. J is kind and thoughtful. He is really progressing with his Faith and testimony. He notices the change in himself and he can tell he is much happier than he was before and said learning these things from our Church, has helped him with some sad feelings, even the sorrow from losing his much loved dog that passed away recently. He had his dog for a long time and was family to him. It has meant a lot to him to learn that the Lord knows about him personally and cares about him and his losses and things he deals with.
Trunk or Treat
J also came to our ward Trunk or Treat this week and had a lot of fun meeting more of our church members. We also had some other investigators come, (E) and her family were there too! They actually had dropped us but were interested in coming to the party that we talked about:) They had a great time and coming to the church softened their hearts I think. They had some misgivings and fears about our Church. But because of the Trunk or Treat I think they saw that we are family friendly and they really liked that!
It was such a fun night and we had a big turn out. That is always good because everyone is helping and sharing with everyone. There was lots of yummy food for everyone and games for all the cute little kids. The kids were pretty excited and kind of wild or maybe a lot wild at times:) There was also a fun Spook Alley that the Young Men of our ward did/made. It was so super cool! Lots of cool decorations and lights. It looked like it was a haunted house, but it was in the church so don't worry it wasn't too scary :) Everyone had a great time and it was a perfect night for trunk-or-treating! We were so blessed to have everything go so well for everyone and their families, friends and neighbors.
Transfers!
It's that time again! And this Transfer I am staying with Sister Reneer in Pismo Beach! Yay! I really love the people here and Sister R and I are great friends. The sad part is that Sister Hardman and Sister Hiapo are both leaving :( They have taught me so much with their beautiful and sweet testimonies and I will miss sharing an apartment, talking, laughing and learning with them. But they will be wonderful wherever they go! They are being replaced by two Elders so we will have one set of each in our ward now. It's a big change so we will see how it goes!
Oh before I forget I will say here that my new ward is amazing. We also just got a new Bishop, last week actually! It was very exciting ;) The Bishop and Bishopric are missionary focused and that always helps us Sisters and Elders so much! Our ward members are always willing to go out with us as well. It helps so much!
Choose to be Grateful!
In my studies I was reading President Uchtdorf's talk from this past April General Conference, about gratitude. And this is one of my favorite quotes from his message, "We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?" I was thinking about how that applied to me this week with the wonderful much wanted rain on Halloween and the rain the next morning. And even though it was exciting that we did get to see a beautiful rainbow afterwards, we were grateful for the rain while it was here.
I know every one is struggling with so many different types of trials, so being told that we should appreciate those hard things that are happening to us, is difficult. But I am learning that if we can try during the tough times it makes those times and all the rainbow times, even that much better. Sometimes I wonder why I am having this problem, and sometimes I don't have an answer. Besides, I may be going through a certain trial to appreciate the good times. Or maybe so I'll be able to understand others and what they feel when they are going through bad times. I am also happy that the Lord blesses us with things to be happy about each day, if we try to look for them or focus on those things.
Just like from our Article of Faith #13: "...We follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
I feel we can be uplifted if we rely on the Lord to help us through rain or sunshine:) I hope to learn to be more grateful for what I have around me and I think it helps to be having Thanksgiving at the end of this month:) Hope everyone has a great week!
Thank you for your love and prayers,
Love,
Sister S-K
No comments:
Post a Comment