Birthdays & Baptisms

Hello, my beautiful family :)

I feel like before I reply to emails I have to get this out and answer any questions I can ahead of time ;) (speaking of, the elders were saying how they wished their moms sent them a list of questions because then they would know what to say haha, so thank you for helping me along haha)

We have a new transfer, and big news: we are all staying other than Elder Wilkins because Elder Firl is training! #24week #killinit #celestialdistrict Almost our whole zone is staying the same - only four people are out, I think, in our whole zone. This week we had a baptism for the Spanish elders! Yolanda has been waiting to be baptized for a year now, and was finally able to this Saturday! It was such a miracle for her to be able to be baptized, and under the circumstances presented. She has amazing faith.

Last Monday after preparation day we did a follow up with the Sister Training Leaders and ended up going late and long enough that they stayed the night again. It was crazy, but I think it helped a lot. I also went on exchanges with the sisters again Thursday.  I really love them. After everyone got back together, Sister Petersen took us all to Cheesecake Factory. That was fun. We all shared a few cheesecakes and food and it was hilarious when the waiter kept trying to take Sister Staker's cheesecake away. He asked numerous times if she was done and actually took it twice where we called it back. She practically licked the plate clean to show him how a finished cheesecake looks. Haha!

Friday was my birthday (thank you so much again!!) and so Sister Albanese wanted to take me to grab something for breakfast at this cute little bagel place. We went to correlation after and then all of us missionaries and our branch mission leader got Spanish food together :) we did some very effective weekly planning and then finished off the night with a visit to the Crisostomos. I love them. That was a good day :)

We also had the baptism for Yolanda on Saturday and that was awesome. The Spirit was so strong there. It was such an honor to be a part of it. Following the baptism, we went over to see the Forbes family. It was Sister Forbes', one of the girl's, and my birthday all this week so we ate dinner together and celebrated everyone getting one year older but possibly not wiser, haha. It was a good time. We also visited with the Forbes last night when we felt prompted to go over and that was quite possibly the coolest experience I have had in a while.

Oh man. So last night. You need to understand the miracle that is the amount of willpower I have developed thanks to the mission. We walked in and I glanced at the TV. You know what I saw? Loki. They were watching Thor! Ah! I wanted to watch so badly, but I refrained :) so yeah, I didn't give in to that one haha.

I have learned the last few months more than ever just how much the Lord truly does qualify us in our weakness and how He prepares us to do those things that are part of His plan, if we will align our will with His. I think I have learned a lot about the Atonement and about the real significance of having a strong relationship with the Savior, because for me there have been times when I have really felt there was no one else, but I knew I had Him, and with that I can draw enough strength to press forward. I know we can all have access to the strength and grace that comes though the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. I love the opportunity I have to share my testimony and witness of the gospel with those I serve.

I am getting caught up in this preachy rant again, but honestly, the gospel is all I have and I feel like it is all I need. I have gained such a testimony of that truth over the course of my mission. I remember Cruz told me the other day to never change and I told him we were always changing. He said not to change the core of who I am, to which I replied the gospel was my core so I could ensure that would never change. I really am beyond thankful for the opportunity the mission has presented me with to develop myself and my testimony to the point that I can have a firm foundation built on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love this work and I know that all things are possible though the Atonement, and that we really can receive strength and help in the hour of affliction. If we come to Him He will show us our weaknesses and in our weakness is His strength perfect. I love you and hope we all have a beautiful and joyous week :)

Muchísimo amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley