Monday, July 27, 2015

Mon, Jul 27, 2015 "This is good." -Connie

Hola mi familia y amigos,

The only way to describe this week is by saying Connie's favorite phrase that she says to everything...This is good. Haha.



Born again!! The church is so true! 


YAY!!!! BAPTISM!!!!



Connie was baptized!!!:D Oh, my heart and soul are filled with joy. This week has been absolutely incredible. It has been amazing to see how the gospel really does change lives. Connie just radiates the light of the gospel. We were able to teach Connie every day this week to prepare here for her baptism. My favorite lesson was the night before her baptism. We had the lesson at the Schafer's home, they are the most incredible family you will ever meet, and had a little testimony meeting. It was really special to feel their home being flooded with the Spirit as we sang, prayed, and bore sweet and simple testimonies. Connie shared the sweetest testimony about Jesus Christ. She told us that for her whole life she has been searching for the truth, and now everything has finally come together. She knows and loves her Savior and is so thankful for the gospel. Everyday, I give thanks to God for allowing me to be part of this amazing work. If Jesus Christ wanted to, He could just convert everyone...in a second...just like that. But instead, He allows us to be His hands. He allows us to reach out to others and share the truths that we have found. Why does He do this? Because,  when you "see many of (your) brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is (your) soul filled with joy; then do (you) remember what the Lord has done for (you), yeah, even that he hath heard (your) prayer; yea, then do (you) remember his merciful arm which he extended towards (you). (Alma 29:9-10) I am so honored, humbled, and joyful to be an "instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy." The Lord offers us the opportunity to have perfect and complete joy in this life. That joy only comes through the gospel. How marvelous is it that we have a calling to preach the gospel, each and every one of us. Don't believe for one second that the gospel isn't for everyone. It is for everyone. God has promised that He we bless us in abundance. Why waste the opportunity to filled with joy and see those you love come unto Christ? :)

The baptism was one of the most spiritual moments that I have had on my mission. I have to tell a quick story that happened right before the baptism started. So our investigator, Laura, has become really good friends with Connie, so she gave her a ride to her baptism. I love it. Then our other investigator, Christine, was able to make it to the baptism as well. So the 3 most amazing women were all there for one of the best experiences of my mission. It was really neat, as Sister Wright was braiding Connie's hair, Laura and Christine decided to join us. So for 5 short minutes, I was in a room with my awesome companion and 3 amazing women that I have served and loved and taught. It was incredible to realize how different each of our stories are, but that at least for one page of our life stories, we can be written in each other's. The Spirit was so strong in that moment.

Wow, the rest of the service was absolutely incredible. The talks and the violin musical number were so heartfelt and special. Sister Wright and I were able to sing "Glorious" with the singing-Sala-family. Connie loves the song glorious and had to have it at her baptism. Haha, she is so cute. Connie sent us the sweetest messages about her baptism. She said this before her baptism, "I had a wonderful time tonight and all this week with our meetings. Thank you so much for educating me and bringing joy back into my heart." Then the morning of her baptism she said, " I think the word that best describes how I feel today is peaceful. And most amazing to me is over 3 weeks without a cup of caffeine tea. I was given the strength to do that. Definitely part of my testimony." 


Connie with Bishop at her baptism



me with one of the Salas at the baptism


Christine and Sister Snarr . . . I  love the senior couples in our area, they are like my parents here.

And just when you thought the night couldn't get any better...our investigator, Christine, comes up to us and says "I've prayed about a baptismal date. September 22!!!" We were so happy! Christine is such an amazing women and has been through so much! It was funny, just before the baptism we were out tracting. We knocked on Christine's house without knowing it was hers. She opened the door, screamed, and then slammed it in our face. Haha...then she opened it again and invited us in. We were able to meet her husband and her dog...she's obsessed with her dog!;) Haha it was such a tender mercy to be able to see her!


Sister Hoth & Sister Wright--Lunch Break?!


Quick funny story. We had a dinner appointment with Laura one day this week. She was telling us that her boss was super shocked when Laura was talking about church. Her boss said, "You don't seem like the church-going type." Laura replied with, "Well, that's because I can't get Sundays off!" Haha, the main thing that is holding her back is her job on Sundays. But we know the Lord works miracles...so we are praying for one!

So this is life in Sidney. It's truly remarkable to be serving the Lord in such a beautiful place. The people here are beautiful. Haha, Sister Wright and I have so much fun. We are constantly laughing. I taught her how to serpentine the other, actually. Haha...we thought there were some creepy people following us...they weren't. I'm telling you...if you're not having fun on your mission...you're not doing it right. 

Testimonies are truly remarkable. All of us that have testimonies know the same truths, but the neat thing is, that each of us have a unique journey and unique experiences that we go through to receive these testimonies. I know that God lives! He loves us and has a perfect plan for us! Truly we each have a part in His plan. I'm so glad that Connie has been able to find her part in this wonderful life. I feel like it's appropriate to close with Connie's favorite song, "It's like a symphony just keep listening. And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part. Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies in each one of us. Oh, it's glorious." I pray that each of you will have the chance to see just how glorious the gospel is this week! Love you.

Love, Hermana Hoth