Week 73

FAMILY:
We had the opportunity to speak in church yesterday.
2 weeks ago after a dinner in a member's home ( Lenore Jones') I had a strong impression to share the story about Riley coming home- but didn't share it. I prayed that night for an opportunity to speak in church so I could share this experience with the ward that I have grown to adore so much.
3 days later- A high councilman cancelled and Bishop Payne asked us to speak!!!
Almost the whole congregation was in tears as I related the ways God answered my prayers during this experience. I had many people thank me and cry to me about how they have a lost family member and how much hope I gave them. It felt so good to know that I was able to remind the ward of the glorious plan of salvation and the hope we have in the Savior.
I love the Luna ward so much. I want to just be a part of everyone's family. And HAVE gotten several invitations to come back and live with people- both from members and non-members alike!
Also we had a night of Christmas music last night that we participated in. It took place in  Luna and it was multi-faith. I was fortunate enough to be puked on by a 12 year old boy during the program! That was a day I will NEVER forget. The puke got in my mouth... my eye... my hair.... my skirt.... my arm....saturated my music lyrics in my lap... got into my shoes... hahahaha. It was an experience that I will never forget! And a taste that I can still imagine. I will tell you the complete experience on Christmas... SO MUCH WENT WRONG LAST NIGHT IT.

I love my companions. We are such good friends. I love them! They are so patient with me. Things are going well up here! We are finding people left and right!

Something I was reminded of this week was the reenactment we did at the Book of Mormon quest from Alma 24. 

21 Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword.

22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God.

23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword—

24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.

25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.

26 And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved.

27 And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people.

I love the last verse. The Lord sometimes works in strange and unexpected ways to bring others to the knowledge of the truth! Not always by having many people be slain haha, but I know that this is true.

Hermana Christensen