Sister Neel 6/14/21

 

Hellooo everyone! 

It's been a killer week! The work of the Lord is progressing and that makes any missionary the absolute happiest:)) Washington is filled with the best people who are so missionary minded and devoted to serving their Lord and Savior. One of the best communities by far! 

We had some pretty amazing lessons this week! Out here we get about 3-4 referrals a day and so far we've only had a few of them get back to us. One of them is Tonya who requested to have a Book of Mormon study. We were able to go over the introduction and give her a run down of the prophet Joseph Smith and the importance of holy scripture and how the Book of Mormon can give us the peace and answers we seek. She liked it so much that she wants a personal copy! Wahoo! We also taught Ceara who asked us to pray with her due to some hardships she's been going through and after one of our prayers she asked if she could start doing Bible studies with us and come to know our religion better! We also had a bomb lesson with Charles at the waterfront and answered many of his questions he had after he came to church. So many of the members have made him feel so welcome and loved he wants to come back next week! Our goal is to teach him a few more lessons and possibly put him on a baptism date so keep Charles in your prayers!! 

I also went on exchanges this week! The other STL (sister training leader) in our zone's companion came with me and we partied it up here in Washington! Sister McCauley is pretty much my 2.0 companion when Sister Crockett and Sister Fry have leadership training meetings or exchanges, we love spending time together! She's only been out for three weeks but is handling the adjusting process pretty well. She opened up to me on our long drive home that she's been struggling with a lot of mental health issues and needed advice and help which I was gratefully able to give! Sister McCauley is super easy to get along with and one of the best teachers with the spirit. It was funny though, we had a massive rain storm hit while she was here and it was the first time Sister McCauley had seen this much rain and thunder so she was shook. I was like 'welcome to the coast my friend.' XD

As part of my personal studies I felt prompted to restart the Book of Mormon but mark up the beginning pages that include the introduction, the testimonies of the witnesses and Joseph Smith. I was amazed at how much I pulled out from the introduction and the profound spirit that testified to me about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as I picked apart each sentence written! I love how it boldly states that the Book of Mormon "puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." 

The Book of Mormon is our road map on our spiritual progression back to our Heavenly home! It is the keystone of our religion, written for our day so that we might know how to align our will more with the Father. I encourage you all, even if you have done it already, to do as Moroni 10:3-5 directs and "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ if this book is true." And just like the scripture promises us, those who pursue this course and ask in faith WILL gain a testimony of its truth and divinity, by the power of the Holy Ghost. I can promise and am a personal witness that there is no greater confirmation from Heaven than KNOWING and FEELING of the divinity of the Book of Mormon. There is power in this book and I'm so grateful we have it to study and pour over! Never take it for granted! It contains the happiness we all so desperately seek. So go read it! Everyday! Your life will be forever changed. I can promise you that. ;))

I love you all! I appreciate all the love and encouragement yall send me. I apologize for not always being able to respond back but know it means the world! 

♡♡♡

Sister Neel