[29] Positive Notes, Ups & Downs and Angel Members Bringing Warmth :)

A Very Happy New Year to all my family and friends! 

Positive Notes

The new year started out on positive note and I think that has a lot to do with my sweet missionary companion, Sister Clark.  Sister Clark has a very strong testimony and loves her Savior, family and the gospel. I can always feel the Spirit every time she shares it with those we meet and talk to.  It's been a blessing to teach with her.  She has also gained our church/ward's trust very quickly. I can tell they all love her very much and so do I!:) (Mom thanks for the glowsticks and 2015 eyeglasses we had fun with them) :)

More Positive notes 

(J) is doing great. He was interviewed by our awesome Bishop this week and was able to receive the Priesthood at church yesterday!   We are so excited for the great things he will do for this ward.  He said many times that he is excited to share his happiness as well with his friends. 

We've been doing a lot of less-active work in this area which is great. We've been doing all types of service to help them and we have been gaining their trust. It's great loving these people.  But also we have been having a hard time finding new investigators here who would be interested to learn more and who have time to take lessons.   We will keep praying and will keep being diligent and obedient and wait for The Lord's timing.:) 

Angel Members 

Some amazing members in our ward heard that our apartment has been freezing and so they brought us over heaters and food to warm us up. Hot Chocolate too!:) It was such a blessing.  There are so many thoughtful and giving people in this world.

Ups and Downs

This week we seem to have met a lot of opposition from different people we've talked to.  I read another missionary wrote that it seems to be a little tougher to talk to people after Christmas and I think that is true for us as well.  But I have really seen how it has strengthened my own personal testimony.   And even though some of the people have been unkind that we have talked to, it reminded me of the talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland 'The Cost- and Blessings- of Discipleship'. 

I love what Elder Holland says at the end 'Be strong. Live the Gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them."  I feel like we do that a lot as missionaries and as members of our Church. We have to defend our beliefs and some times that means we even have to explain, or help, people who have heard false things about our church.  But it is also important to remember that we should do it with compassion and love.  I know that everyone is allowed their own free agency which is a very good thing, and is part of this wonderful plan.  So they will be the ones who decide if they want to learn more truths that we want to share with them. 

We are sharing what we know so that others can the same happiness that we do. I know that as we share our testimonies with others with a sincere love we feel, their hearts will be softened and they will be able to feel of God's love for them. Then hopefully someday they can know that Jesus Christ cares about them and knows them and wants them to be happy too.

Still a Good Week

I am almost out of time, but I just wanted to add that we have also had many good things this week, and best of all it has been a great week for service! I know that has definitely been softening hearts! It has been a wonderful way to start off a new year thinking of and serving others.  I hope everyone has a great week!

love you much!

Keep Smiling and Serving, 

Sister Karissa