Hola, eh?: Tue, Sept 8, 2015 "Come unto Christ like never before." -President Burt

Dear everyone,

Christine is the best person ever.

I loved this week. My absolute favorite part about this week was CHRISTINE. We were able to meet with her a few times this week before she goes on vacation to New York. We are sad that we won't be able to see her again before transfers. But who knows? Maybe I'm staying in Sidney and English work a little longer. Only the Lord knows. Anyways, we made Christine a little cigarette box but covered it in pictures of Jesus and other gospel-y things and then when you open it it has pieces of rolled paper with scriptures on them. She calls them her scripture smokes. And now for the best news of all...Christine has been smoke free for 4 days now. What a miracle. She says that it has been hard, but I absolutely know she can do it. Our "last" lesson with her was so powerful and the Spirit was so strong. We taught the Restoration again and when we were talking about how the gospel blesses families, she expressed how deeply she wants her husband and sons to accept it. It makes her so joyful. In her words, it makes her feel "whole". I really have so much love for her and am actually getting emotional as I write this. I pray that I will be able to see her again. I can't wait for her to be baptized, whether I am here or not. What a glorious day that will be. Haha, Christine has brought so much joy to Sister Wright and I. Just listen to how funny she is...she told us that when people are mean to us on the streets, just say to them, "May the fleas of 1,000 camels infest your armpits...or other various body parts." Haha and she loves saying "Is it odd or is it God." when miracles happen. And she sums up her experience with the gospel in these words, "The only thing that has changed is everything." As you can see, she should start a quote book or write cards or something. I love her so much.

& Sister Jensen

Her parting words to us were my favorite, "Just know that if you don't help anyone else on your mission, you have helped me." She just kept saying how much we have changed her life. It's crazy, I don't feel like I have done a lot. Really, the Lord has done it all, but has allowed Sister Wright and I to be part of her journey. We are so blessed. Thank you Heavenly Father for allowing us to labor among your children in Sidney and find pure joy in it.

Em mission ~ chicken

Something BIG that I have learned this week is how to be okay with being perfectly imperfect. Sometimes, I get stressed out with feeling like I'm not a good enough missionary or that I'm not giving it 100% all the time. I so strongly desire to be the best missionary I can be. And a lot of the time I worry if I am fulfilling my potential. In fact, my whole life, I've strived to get 100% on everything. I've always set high expectations for myself and I've come to the realization that I often expect myself to be perfect. Well here's the thing, God doesn't expect me to be perfect. God knew that I wouldn't be perfect, and that's why He sent His son Jesus Christ. The Plan of Happiness is to help imperfect people learn, grow, and find joy. It wasn't made for perfect people. If we were all perfect, there would be no plan. So I've decided to stop worrying....stop practicing failure is what I like to call it now. All God asks of me is to be worthy and willing. I'm worthy. I'm willing. I'm me! God doesn't need me to be a perfect, cookie-cutter missionary. He needs me. He needs me for who I am. In fact, He has put His stamp of approval on me...my name tag! By the end of my mission, if I learn to be myself and be confident in who I am...it will all be worth it. When I get home, I want to be so different because I have found the real me. So, as I have been working to apply this into my mission, I have learned to love my mission. I just keep it simple. I keep it real. Guess what...people actually like talking to REAL people. I no longer just have good conversations about the gospel with people, but I leave the conversation with a new friend. I love it.

Russ and Connie. what what

My next favorite miracle...Laura finally said a prayer! It was so sweet. We went out to lunch with her and right when the food was placed in front of us she just said a prayer so fast. At first I was like, "well that was fast" but then I realized she was actually praying so I got the biggest, goofiest grin on my face! Haha so great! With Laura this week, we have really focused on the Atonement. She expressed her desire to change, but not knowing where to start. I have actually been pondering this question a lot as well. I have such a desire to change and use the Atonement every single day of my life. Above my bed on a sticky note it says, "How have I used the Atonement today?" That was tricky for me to figure how I can use the Atonement every single day. So when I went on exchanges to Victoria, I asked Sister Jeppson. She said that to use it everyday, you have to UNDERSTAND it and you have to TRUST in it. Each day, I've been deciding to trust that my mistakes don't define me, but because of Christ and His Atonement, I can be better. I can move on. He knows best how to help me. (Alma 7:11-13). I not only have to believe in Christ, but I have to believe Christ. I have to believe what He has said.

I feel so happy about this week. I've made a difference. I feel like I have changed the world because I have changed someone's world.

Love you all!

Love, Hermana Hoth