Week 23

"We must learn the gospel as much as we eat food."

^Funniest post I saw on Facebook this week. I died.

This weekend was my second stake conference in the Lake City Florida stake. So interesting. The one thing that the South doesn't do well is communicate. We heard that Sunday's session was going to be broadcasted from Orlando with the Prophet there. Then we heard that it was going to be from Salt Lake with the apostles. Then they announced in the Saturday night session that tomorrow's meeting would be from Salt Lake with Elder Nelson leading. So yesterday we walked into church having no idea what we were walking into. Turns out we had a regional broadcast from Orlando with Elder Gay of the 70, Sister McConkie of the YW General Presidency, Elder Kopischke of teh 70, and Elder Nelson. You never know what to expect down here. It's unreal. It was broadcasted to 48 stakes in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina and all about... MISSIONARY WORK!!! So insanely perfect!

Our ward mission leader usually has us read our progress records to him, asks if we need anything, and that's our coordination meeting. But this week, he was like I feel like we need to be more sincere in our prayers for missionary opportunities, then we were like "well, we had the idea of doing a ward fast this month," then the elders were like "We've made it a goal to get into every member's home this transfer," and then we had an idea for some challenges and such and then the Bishop walked in and we laid out our ideas and usually he always says "I'll pray about that," but he was like "Okay, get to it." So that was a huge miracle that we're actually getting somewhere. We've been going to every single member's home and telling them about the fast, pumping them up, and then saying a harvest prayer with them. We're tackling everyone in Keystone, Hampton, and Melrose and the Elders are getting everyone in Starke and Lawtey. We've been busy. So many people to see.

We had four meal appointments yesterday, which is more than we get in an entire transfer, beside from the Becks. I feel like I've gained 8 pounds from yesterday alone, but every family we saw is so excited to get going. We're having the ward fast for every family to find an individual or family who is ready for the Gospel. Miracles, we need miracles. I'm for real obsessed with this ward. Sister Hillman has three more weeks of training, and after that, there's a possibility that I might be leaving. Praying so hard that I won't. I love this ward.

At the broadcast, Elder Nelson spoke simply about the doctrine of this Gospel. He talked about how Christ's doctrine is only used in singular form in the scriptures, it's only plural when talking about the evil doctrines. His doctrine is one. It all just makes sense. It's simple, it's true, it's there. This dispensation is the only dispensation that isn't limited to time or place. Christ's doctrine will be spread to the entire earth and won't ever come to a close. I'm so grateful for the simple but so dang true truths that I have. It's true, this is Christ's church, He Himself is over it. I LOVE this time I have now. It's hard, but it's happiness, and it's worth it. And it's true. So there. Love y'all!

Sister C