So on Tuesday we had a meeting with all the new missionaries and their trainers. We talked about questions that come up as we are starting our missions, way to better our studies, etc. It was really awesome. My favorite part though was that they gave us about 20 minutes to sit in the chapel and to pray about the story of Joseph Smith, to know if he was the boy that was called of God to be a prophet and to help restore the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. One thing that I love knowing is that Heavenly Father is never going to get tired of us asking questions. He will always be ready to give us an answer, no matter how many times we have asked. So as we prayed, I just felt the most beautiful peace. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God. I know that God the father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. And I know that this is the true church of Christ, restored in its fullness once again to the earth.
I also had mission leadership council this week and it was the most awesome meeting I have ever gone to! President and Sister Passey decided that they want to try and help our mission to become a stronger "Preach my gospel" mission. So we talked a lot on goals we can set, and actions we can plan, to help achieve that vision. We thought about ways we can 1.) change the mission culture, 2.) help with the skills and training of missionaries, and 3.) help the individual. By the end of it, all of our brains were totally fried, but at the same time pumped up to go out and do work! Then towards the end we talked about how young our mission is! By the end of November almost all of the missionaries in the mission will have been here for less than a year. Holy cow!! So are the mission leadership we have to really work on helping these newer missionaries to develop the skills necessary to be trainers and leaders, because pretty soon it will all be up to them! As we talked about this, I thought more about how it seems like those that are called to do the work of the Lord are getting younger and younger (or maybe I am just getting older). Heavenly Father really is hastening his work (Doctrine and Covenants 88:73). He is calling everyone to be involved! The time is now, to help in the work and to reap the most incredible of blessings. I am so grateful to be a part of this work.
We also had the beautiful opportunity to go to the Mesa temple this Saturday to see the Rehm family be sealed to their adopted son, Mason. What an experience. We always talk about what a great blessing it is to have the ability to be sealed together for time and all eternity. But to be able to sit in the House of the Lord and to feel the power as that baby was sealed to a worthy mother and father, who have been waiting and waiting for him, I couldn't help but sob my eyes out haha. There are not words to describe how beautiful it was. All I can say is, incredible, beautiful, and spiritual, over and over again.
After the sealing, there was a luncheon for everyone that came, and after we were able to go back to the temple to do a session. We went with Hermana Rivera from our branch and as we walked in she turned to us and said "Sisters, this is only my second time coming to the temple". WOWZA! So we had that second awesome opportunity to be there with her as she got to feel those feelings again, and as she got to do the work for a woman that has already passed on. Pretty much one of the best days of my life!
When we got home from the temple, it was already pretty late. We didn't have much time to go visit people, but we decided to go visit a potential that the elders met while they were knocking. His name is Ivan. Heavenly Father always places us in the right place at the right time, because as we drove up to the house, he pulled up! We got to sit down with him for a second and talk about what we do as missionaries, what our purpose is, etc. He is so ready to learn! We are so excited to go back this week and get to know him better!
Well, it was a good one! I love you all and hope you have a good week!
Love
Hermana Lundquist