This week is the last week of the transfer! It's crazy how fast time
is going by! It's been a wonderful year and I'm excited to see what 2017
has in store for me! What a week it's been! Sister Loveridge got her
cast off on Thursday and I caught Cedar Fever (allergies) and it's not
been pretty. I hear it's supposed to last all through the month of
January so I'm trying to get it under control as quickly as possible so
it doesn't enable me from doing things. All of the members have been
so kind in taking care of me and making sure I will survive! A lot of
people say it's the worst it has ever gotten here in Austin with
allergies so I'm trying to hang in there.
We had a wonderful week full of many events including more service! A
couple miracles happened that I would like to share with y'all. First
we went and visited Staci Dunson this week (she is less active), she
has only been a convert for 5 years and she was baptized in Round Rock
(my first area). We went over to teach her and her husband Troy was
home (who is a non member) and he came and sat in with us while we
visited and taught them. After, Staci told us her husband had never
wanted to come sit in with her while the missionaries were there. She
said he had always sent them away when they would knock on their door.
But for some reason his heart was softened that day and he listened
(miracle). Staci later texted us telling us that Troy was glad he had
met us and wants us to come over for dinner this week (Yay)! Another
miracle happened when we went out finding this week and as we went by
potential investigators we decided to knock on their neighbors doors and
we were able to teach 5 lessons one day to people we found on our own
(miracle), and all 5 of those people wanted us to come back this week
and teach them more, so hopefully their doors will again be opened
(cross your fingers)! Last miracle I want to share happened on Friday
this week. We went to stop by a nail salon where one of our members
wanted us to get something from her and she told us to go to the store next
door to talk to the young man who works there. The store next door
was a smoke shop and so we were a little hesitant to go in there but I
said, "well let's do it!" and Sister Loveridge followed me in there and I
greeted the young man. About a half hour later after sharing the
message of the restoration with him we gave him a copy of the Book of
Mormon and invited him to read the introduction on his own time. We
found out that he doesn't live in our area but we hope to be able to
refer him to the other sisters who are serving in his area where he
lives (miracle).
We went and did more service at the Central Texas Food bank this week
and helped in the warehouse (which consisted of organizing food). I
still love being able to go and do that twice a week!
On Thursday we had a big party at Brother Storms house (our ward
mission leader) and all of our Gospel Principles class showed up, and
some of the investigators that we invited, some less actives, and
Brandon our recent convert! It was so much fun! We had fajitas for
dinner which were yummy!
Sunday (New Years Day) was Collin Christiansen's mission farewell and
guess who else gave a talk that day!? Brandon!! He spoke on faith and
how having faith has impacted his life. He did it all from the spirit
and all he had written down were a couple of points he wanted to talk
about (AMAZING)! It was his first talk and he did a great job! I can't explain in
words how amazing, prepared he was and how much he is progressing!
I read a story this week in the Ensign that I would like to share with
y'all. It's called "Smiling to the blind" by Mamie Salas.
In the dark of the night, I sat rocking my new baby until she fell
back asleep. She was about six weeks old, and I had been anticipating
her first smile to come any day. I loved those moments when I could
cuddle quietly in the dark with her but realized that while I spent
every waking moment watching carefully for that smile, if she happened
to smile right now, with only minimal light in the room, I would miss
the moment I so wanted to have with her. All of my waiting and
anticipation would be wasted if I did not see her smile--she would be
smiling to my blindness. I began pondering how easily we can find
ourselves in similar positions throughout our lives. We often hear of
experiences shared by those who have received great blessings in their
lives. We hear of miracles that defied the odds. We hear of money
showing up when people were down to their last dollar. We hear of
angelic ministrations to those who had lost all hope. As we listen to
these stories, some of us may reflect on our own trials and wonder,
Where are our miracles? Where are our angels? The real question isn’t
why they aren’t there, but why we don’t see them. How often do we
anticipate miracles but neglect to open our eyes to those that come?
How often do we look to the future, anticipating great blessings and
brighter days, but fail to appreciate the beauty in our lives today?
Through my trials, I have come to realize that our loving Heavenly
Father is always with us. He loves us and wants us to be happy. His
comfort is always available to us, but we have to actively seek that
comfort and be willing to accept it. Most of the time, answers to
prayers don’t come with fanfare. Comfort during times of trial comes
in the form of a meal delivered by a caring neighbor, a late-night
phone call from a loving father who felt the need to check on his
daughter, or a compliment from a stranger at the grocery store. “Let
him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon
the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his
ears opened that he may hear; “For my Spirit is sent forth into the
world to enlighten the humble and contrite” (D&C 136:32–33). Like a
new mother waiting in a dark room for her child to smile, we will not
notice when Heavenly Father smiles upon us and sends His blessings
unless our eyes are open. We need to let our faith in Him light the
darkness around us.
I hope y'all enjoy a great week!! May this year be full of many
wonderful new and great adventures! I love y'all con todo mi corazón!
Con amor,
Hermana Mann
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