This Week Was Wack

Hello from the south!

It's not really the south, but the culture is! Sorry this is coming out so late, we helped a disabled gal and her daughter move to their new apartment for 8 hours yesterday. The movers that were supposed to do the job refused to help her move because of her packing methods, which was totes and baskets basically. We pretty much helped them pack, then move stuff. They aren't even entirely moved yet! It was just us and the elders and Brother Casper from our ward. I got hit on by the 13 year old daughter, never thought I'd experience that. We aren't supposed to do service on p-days either, but this was one of those times where somebody really needed help. That's how we got permission to email today.

Anyways, this week was awesome cuz I puked on Tuesday and spent the rest of the week trying to come back from that while still doing normal missionary things. We totally got taken care of by the members this week though, like it's just been incredible. All you members out there want to be those families or couples or cool old people that the missionaries just adore! Take them in, and talk to them even if they're weird. We're all weird, especially the people who don't think they're weird!😆

Seriously though. We had a lesson over at the Finder's home with Tim where he got to meet Bishop. Sister Jones came running over with Sprite and crackers when she found out I was sick. The Walpoles with their two cute little boys and their busy lives help us all the time, and Sister Walpole went with us to another lesson with Tim this week and shared her sweet testimony (and Tim prayed for us for the first time since we've started teaching him, and I know it's because of the Spirit that was there that Sister Walpole brought). Brother Harding had us and two of our investigators over for Saturday morning session, even though his family was in Utah and he could have had the house to himself (plus he always helps us in a pinch😉). The Ciarlante's feed missionaries all the time and they invited us over for both Sunday sessions of Conference. And the Caspers are just heaven sent! Brother Casper helped us all day long to move, and I think he hurt his back too! Afterwards he had us over for dinner and it was like, 8 o'clock! I know this was long, but you wanna be those kind of people and families that can be relied upon, I want to be like that! Y'all already are, but I just wanted to emphasize the gratitude and respect I have for members like these.

I've really come to appreciate the unique perspective a mission life gives. I get to talk to people from all backgrounds, from all sorts of religions and cultures, and I get to share the gospel with them. I've heard so many stories about people's lives being changed because of Jesus Christ, not always Mormons either. People deal with so much sorrow and confusion, and it's amazing to me how anybody could believe they can get by without God.

I was just reading in Ether where he talks about the promises God made to the people who would dwell in these lands (the Americas, which is called the promised land in the Book of Mormon). Those who live here will be blessed so long as the people remember God and live righteously, obeying the commandments. This is talked about in the other books as well, but it struck me more profoundly this time because then I read about the utter destruction of the Jaredites later on in the book. The entire continent was covered with these people, millions of them. But they turned their backs on God and the teachings of Christ and they hated and cursed his name, and for that they were cursed until they went extinct. The same thing happened to the Nephites. They were given the same promise, and they forgot God and were destroyed.

I guess what I'm saying is that we have the same promise. Are we not living in the Promised Land, the only truly free country here on earth? This is God's country! We are going to be held accountable just like the Nephites and the Jaredites were. Christ's Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is spreading across the globe like wildfire. There are temples all over the world so that families can be sealed for eternity and those who have already passed on can have the opportunity to accept the gospel. We as latter day saints have a job to do, and that's to bring others unto Christ. We have all been called to be laborers. We are all converts and we must continually be converted to the Lord. In Alma chapter 5 it reads:

62. I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.

We just had an awesome General Conference. Use those notes and follow the words of the apostles and our prophet! I am so excited for Ministering! It sounds so much like just being a missionary! It'll be fun!

I know this is said over and over, but read your scriptures, say your prayers, go to church, use the Atonement. I'm not perfect, nobody is or was except for the Savior, but I know that by doing these simple things you will find greater happiness and a love for the gospel. This world is crazy and tumultuous, but there is peace in Christ. I love you all so very much and He loves you even more!

Happy Easter!

With Love, 

Sister Wilcox😘😘😘😘