Week 39

4/24/17

Hello everyone!

We spent awhile, on Tuesday, walking around Amity. We have been driving the Hermanas around a lot since they don't have a car and because of that, we have been using a lot more of our miles than we normally do. I'm grateful that we get to help them out and it makes us walk more to save miles. Walking is so great sometimes because, if the weather is good, you have the opportunity to talk to a lot of people. We were able to see our investigator, Judy, and set an appointment with her to go to the Family History Center to help her start her family history. We are excited to do that tomorrow! I love family history work so much!

"In addition, many youth have discovered that giving of their time to do family history research and temple work has deepened their testimony of the plan of salvation. It has increased the influence of the Spirit in their lives and decreased the influence of the adversary. It has helped them feel closer to their families and closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. They have learned that this work saves not just the dead; it saves all of us (see D&C 128:18)." ~ President Henry B. Eyring

Adrian's mom, Rosie, fed us dinner that night. She is such an amazing woman! I'm so excited because she is going to be moving in with Adrian so we get to teach her again! It was just the three of us for dinner so she really opened up to us and told us things that will really help us as we try to help her. I'm so grateful for the Spirit that the Lord blesses us with because it makes people feel comfortable with us. They hardly know us, but feel comfortable enough to tell us the questions and concerns of their souls.

We had our last two lessons with Jillian before her baptism. She is so much like her dad because she is just excited to learn about the gospel. She remembers so much and loves going to church. She was so happy when she tried on her jumpsuit, Friday night, and didn't want to take it off. Her dad, Adrian, got to baptize her and that was powerful! The first time that he got to use his priesthood was to perform the ordinance of baptism for his daughter. He got very emotional and the Spirit filled the room and touched the hearts of everyone there. Jillian was just radiant after she came out of the water. I am so grateful that I get to be here, helping my brothers and sisters enter into the waters of baptism to make covenants with their Heavenly Father. 

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel." (2 Nephi 31:13)

In Relief Society, we were studying from President Monson's talk, The Perfect Path to Happiness, from October 2016 General Conference. In this talk, he says, "We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit. He has told us, 'This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.'" We talked about how sometimes it is easy to be overwhelmed by the things that we have to do in this life. He expects us to do a lot of things, yes, but he provides a way and He will always give us greater blessings in return. I'm so grateful for a modern day prophet who provides us with heavenly guidance. I love President Thomas S. Monson and am so grateful for his lifetime of service to the Lord.

I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week! Congratulations Amanda and Gary on your wedding!!

Love,

Sister MacKay