Dear Family,
Elder Echo Hawk spoke about an
experience he had. He was in a meeting in the temple, soon after he had
been called into the First Quorum of the Seventy with the leaders of the
church. He was called upon to bear his testimony. He said that
standing there in front of the presidency of the church, the prophet and His
apostles, he talked about the two missionaries who taught him the gospel.
He spoke of them by name. Elder Echo Hawk a member of the quorum of the
Seventy whose testimony has blessed the lives of I can only imagine how many
people, his testimony began from the teachings of two missionaries. As I
sat in that meeting listening to Elder Echo Hawk all I could think about was
how sacred and powerful my calling truly is. In my notes from the
conference I couldn't stop writing about the gratitude I was feeling to be a
missionary.
Yes, I got called on to speak. They told everyone to come prepared and that they would randomly call on four
missionaries. I wish you could have felt how hard my heart was pounding
when they called my name last. Sister Sabiano could feel it (that's how
bad it was) but she put her arm around me and told me I could do it (grateful
to have a mother figure on the mish) and it was so strange because when I
went up I wasn't nervous at all.
I decided to speak on not fearing and
having faith. It’s my favorite subject because It’s something I'm always
striving to work on and to improve. I had prepared a talk but when I got
up there my talk went a completely different direction. I have never once
in my life felt the spirit work through me as powerfully as I did then.
I'm not sure if my talk made any sense at all.. but I believe I said something
for at least one person listening because I was completely led to thoughts and
words I had not prepared previously.
Elder Echo Hawk talked about how the
Lord calls upon weak things of the world. Think about Joseph Smith- a
fourteen year old boy with such little education. Why didn't he go to the
University and choose the most learned professor..
It’s because God works through weak
things. As we set aside our fear, our inadequacies, our weaknesses.
He works with us-- He works through us. I know this to be true with
everything I am. I know that to employ the power and the strength our
faith must be founded on something. There is no more solid foundation
than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of
happiness, and faith in the capacity and willingness of Jesus Christ to fulfill
all his promises.
Family this church is true. And
I love it with everything I am.
I'm a little nervous going into this
new transfer.. but I'm just trying to remember to trust and to have faith.. and
all will be well. :)
The conference was incredible.
I love any opportunity we have to hear from President and Sister Revillo.
Sister Revillo spoke about
discovering the Book of Mormon over and over again. She talked about the
power in the Book. She posed this question that really made me think--
how can we say we truly love our Heavenly Father if we don't read the scriptures
that He has given to us. If we don't study His words every day, If we
don't pray every day. To study the scriptures is not only a commandment
but it is a way that we show our love. It is a way that we show our
appreciation to our loving Heavenly Father. Through reading the Book of
Mormon our Father speaks to us. I know that there is power in the Book of
Mormon. The promise from Joseph Smith is real that "a man would draw
nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book". I
love the Book of Mormon and I truly treasure the time I get to spend reading,
studying, and learning from it.
President Revillo spoke about how
special this time of our life is, and that as we truly understand the Atonement
of Jesus Christ we will have no problem in our mission. I love when he
talks about his mission, and how every blessing he has received in his life has
come because of his service. He has mentioned this fact a few times and I
always love the way he says it with such sincerity. President Revillo
always leaves me wanting to be a better missionary. He spoke about the
talents parable found in Matthew 25- He spoke of the importance of not idling
our time and using it wisely, using our talents wisely. The servant who
was only given one talent, buried it because he was afraid of man. It
made me think of the times when I have been "afraid of man" afraid to
speak and say something wrong, afraid to use the language, afraid to approach
people. But I have found that each time I trust in the Lord, trust His
strength, and His ability to assist me I have been able to use my
talents to the best of my ability. I have seen Him work through me.
He wants us to grow and progress, we have to be grateful for our strengths and
our weaknesses because through Him we can "double our talents" we can
receive His help and become exactly who He has designed us to be.
I was so touched by Sister Echo
Hawks spirit. Wow, the power of her testimony. Both she
and Elder Echo Hawk were converts to the church and you could truly feel of
their love for missionaries and missionary work. Through her speaking I
not only felt of her love but the love of our Heavenly Father for His
missionaries, and for His children.
This Saturday was the baptism of our
four investigators. Macmac, Totoy, Dianne, and Mary Gold. Family I
would have given anything for you to be there. To feel the spirit that
filled that room. I just cried. Macmac came out of the water
smiling so big.. then broke into a laugh. Mary Gold, who refused to get
up in front of everyone and bear her testimony went to the front of the room
and bore a genuine, confidant, powerful, beautiful testimony. We sang
"I stand all Amazed" as missionaries and as I sang the words to that
song I felt the love of my Savior like I never have before. I am so
grateful for my Elder Brother, for the influence He has on my life and the way
He changes each person who draws near to Him. It’s amazing how I have
felt myself draw nearer to Him than ever before through helping others get to
know Him. It’s funny how that works?
Macmac was really nervous to bear
his testimony and so he would only go up if I went with him.. so I held his
hand and stood next to him as he bore his testimony for the first time.
Then it was Totoy's turn and as I turned to him and told him it was time he
grabbed my hand as well and so everyone laughed as I went up for a second
time. Gosh. I loved it. and I love them. I was so proud (well
pleased) of my boys and of Dianne and Mary Gold.
Sister Sabiano left yesterday
morning. I closed the door after she left, sat down and cried. I'm
such a girl. ha. I will be eternally grateful for my trainer Sister
Sabiano. I will be eternally grateful for the lessons that she taught
me. I will be eternally grateful for the influence she has had on my
life. I learned through her the missionary I want to become and the
person I want to become. I learned through her what it means to be a
Preach my Gospel Missionary. I learned through her that happiness is a
choice. I learned through her the meaning of pressing forward in
faith. I learned through her the importance of diligence and hard
work. I learned through her what it means to be a
literal servant of the Lord. I truly hope you have the opportunity
to meet her someday, and if not she's one of the very first people I'm
introducing you to in the next life :)
I get my new companion
tomorrow. Sister Are, she is Filipina and she will be dying next
transfer, which means I will kill two missionaries. I am staying in the
same area and both Sister Morrell and Sister Verdeflore are staying!
I ate a star apple this week.. so
yummy :)
Dad told me about what he did with
the primary children by blind folding them and teaching them about faith.. I
ended up using that four times this week! It was such a hit with the little
kids. Especially when you go into a home and find out you're in charge of
family night for eighteen something kids-- so thanks papa
I miss you all in the best kind of
way!
Love always,
Sister Welling
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| Visiting with Elder and Sister Echo Hawk |
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| A wonderful day! |
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| Sister Sabiano and Sister Welling with Sister Echo Hawk |
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