Sister Neel: 6/26/22

 

What's up what's up!!

MISSIONARY WORK IS AMAZING!!!!! BEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST IS AMAZING!!!!! HELPING OTHER PEOPLE FEEL TRUE JOY IS AMAZING!!!! You can call me the happiest Lil bean out there cause my oh my I love my mission. I love the opportunity I have to be the Lords hands, to help move a work forward that is changing the world. Changing hearts and uniting families. There is power in serving and dedicating my heart to a gospel that continues to shape my life in ways I never imagined possible. I LOVE the opportunity I have to be a witness and share my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I go amongst the people and feel such a powerful love for each individual and immense desire for them to learn, to feel as I have and grow. People in Jacksonville say I'm the happiest person they've ever met. I can link that joy back to the fundamentals and principles taught long ago when I was young and growing to become something close to the amazing examples my parents are in my life ;) I've only increased in understanding and especially on my mission as I've learned, overcome and developed into a version of myself I needed to become. LIFE IS GOOD

Highlights:

☆ I went on two exchanges this week with sisters in my zone! 

First one was with Sister Bruneel. (HAHA everybody was trippin when we introduced ourselves). Here's some exciting things that went on:

• we taught a lesson to Sister Henderson, an older lady in our ward who is battling many health concerns. We were stumped on what we wanted to share with her until we rolled up to her driveway. We felt prompted to share "The Will of God" video on gospel library and discuss ways we can conform our lives to God's will. His timing and His vision. That lesson rang home for her and she was so touched. The spirit in that room will be unforgettable as the video played and penetrated each of our hearts. She had been praying for an answer to a difficult life trial that arose and this video answered everything. I'll never forget the way she tenderly held our hands and emotionally sobbed over how she knew we were on God's errand. There was elect power in that room and we were her little angels that came at no more of a perfect time. That is humbling, being a direct message from God is what qualifies me to want to live a life where this can happen 24.7

• we stopped at McDonalds to get Dr Peppers after contacting in the hot sun all day and saw this man listening to music at a booth. We both, unaware at the time, felt prompted to talk to him, but he seemed busy and really invested in what was on his phone. We went to the barroom, re filled our drinks and got in the car for our next appointment. As we drove away, we saw that SAME guy walking down the street and we both felt strongly we needed to pull over and talk to him. So we did, and he ended up getting an entire restoration lesson in the middle of the street. He was so intrigued, he made cars go around him so he could listen intently and wouldn't listen when we offered for him to stand on the sidewalk haha! When we recited the first vision, he said he felt something but couldn't put it to words. We helped him recognize it was the Holy Ghost testifying of truth and he was in disbelief. He covered his hand over his mouth and teared up looking at the picture of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith. We sat in the car and watched the spirit pour over him, awaking his spirit and creating a desire to learn more. It was powerful. Moments like this on the mission are the kind of moments that are hard to put into words but help make it all the more meaningful for serving 

• we got street tacos and rolled up to the church or our dinner hour only to be super mega surprised. All four elders and the APs came running out of the Church to surprise us. WHICH totally caught us off guard, the APs came down a day early for zone conference and decided to go on exchanges with the elders and ZLs. We ended up passing around the football and balling up with some teens for our dinner hour and it was so fun!

OK now for exchanges with cute sister Benson in Morehead city:

• sister Benson lost her mission Book of Mormon the day before we came together and she was so bummed. We spent our free time looking for it around the house or in their car but didn't have any luck. Around 9:45 pm I had the thought to go check the park we had previously been at with Ryan. We got permission to leave and sped over to the park in our PJs, searching this huge dark park with only our flashlights. 20 mins later we were about to leave and I has the thought to check the picnic tables. As we got closer we literally saw her Book of Mormon sitting on the exact same picnic table we had walked passed multiple times and never saw anything there each time. LIKE WHATTTT! It was the coolest thing ever!! 

• we taught a guy they have on date named Ryan at the park and he challenged me to a three pointer contest. He for sure thought he was going to win because he is a marine and is used to being a beast in all he does. I walked up to the line, did perfect form and swished the first shot. It was the best feeling haha. I beat him in horse as well and he was shocked. Guess I'm a baller now 

• we got to go out on Boog Island and see the Atlantic Beach and eat lunch. It was so special to be so close to the water and feel literal salt in the air. I love the water and love the beach vibes from this zone 

☆ we decided to surprise everyone and get Wendys strawberry frostys for every member of our district. We told everyone to meet at the church and handed out refreshing treats to our homies. Since the day was over we were able to pass around the football, play 500, hit the heel clicks at the same time and watch the most beautiful sunset set the sky on fire. I love these people and I love the time we have with them!

MIRACLES FROM THE WEEK:

We broke down the restoration lesson to multiple lessons with the Lechados and its really broadened their understanding! We've taken it at a slower approach so the kids could grasp a firm belief and know the principles of the gospel. We were able to give each family member a copy of the Book of Mormon and commit them to daily family prayer and scripture study. They checked in with us each night and said it's been changing their family dynamic and they are finding more unity amongst all family members. Sister lechado shared a really spiritual experience. She has a son who has autism and struggles to understand context in his reading but he can perfectly read the Book of Mormon. He also has had many experiences where the veil has thinned and angels are so near. Here's a special story: As the family was reading in Moroni one night, Clayton looked up and said, "I know him!! I've seen him before!" They asked him where and Clayton said that one night he saw an angel in his room holding a trumpet and golden plates, informing Clayton that a grand miracle would be taking place in his life soon. Clayton was ecstatic to be learning more about this angel and after he shared this story, sister lechado said the feeling in the room was immaculate. Everyone felt immense power and it wad yet another testimony builder for their family. 

Sister lechado said her kids are completely invested and will kneel down for prayer before her and brother lechado can even get up the stairs. Because of these experiences, sister lechado said they are pressing forward with getting their children REBAPTIZED!!!! Greatest miracle ever!!!!! The parents are still learning and deciding but watching their kids come to know the truth has blessed them in ways they said they had prayed for, for years. We continue to meet with them multiple times a week and share messages. We've grown close to them and are establishing such great friendships not only with us but members in the ward as well

We had zone conference this week and the Maurers are completely re shaping our mission. They are focusing on the details in teaching, extending invitations and even the way we word our prayers, feeling completely inspired that this is what will change our mission. Zone conferences now include a portion of accounting amongst all companionships and 2 hours worth of meaningful role plays. Everyone also shares their testimony at the end and those going home share theirs last. I was able to share my departing testimony. Nothing can compare to the feeling of walking up to the front and feeling the mixed emotions of complete sadness an Era of my life was ending but immense gratitude for the things I've learned. You can only imagine how special it was to share 18 months worth of knowledge and power I've obtained to a group of people I've given my complete heart and soul too. Sister paulsen said that moment was a moment where she felt like angels stood close to me, and I glowed different. Sister Maurer got up and testified about the power of missions and how special of a journey its been for her to see my growth. She said the NCRM gained an angel and is pained to lose someone so valiant and hard working. She said the work I did shaped and eternally changed the course of mission dynamic and missionary habits, which they now have eternity to thank me for. It meant the world ♡ 

I had my departing interview afterwards with President Maurer, that was something special. Receiving his inspiration and counsel for my future was powerful. He is so inspired and a true disciple of Christ. He marveled at how fast time went and said it felt like he was losing a daughter of his own. I've loved this opportunity I've had to serve alongside such inspired and devout leaders. I've never felt so loved or cherished in my life. I asked president Maurer to give me a blessing at the conclusion of my interview and again, what a special event. Heaven was so close in those moments and I grew in so many ways 

We also had MLC this week, saw so many good friends and had a lot of closure by saying goodbye to many amazing people I've come to love so completely. When I got up to bear my departing testimony, legit everyone in the audience cried and we all know that made me cry. It's hard to leave everyone behind, it almost feels like I'm dying haha but I have eternity with new found friends and memories that I will hold onto forever. At the end of each meeting, we always kneel in a circle and President Maurer offers a blessing over us missionaries. The words and promises he says are moving. I. Love. This. Mission. Wow wow wow. 

Lastly, we were at the park doing contacts and preparing for our weekly Book or Mormon study we do with our less active families in our ward each Sunday, when I looked over and saw this guy sitting alone on this bench. I felt such a strong prompting to go talk to him. I told my companions I would be back and walked over to him. I asked if I could sit next to him and he seemed super confused but after a while he opened up and we got to know each other. I learned a lot about his life story, he is going into his senior year and had had a life full of bullying, harassment and abuse at school and home. Hes never felt like he has self worth, he feels so alone and questions why he's even here. He said he had a dream the other day about dying and was worried on what life looked like after death. He opened up about his sad experiences and many trials he's had to endure. He struggles with a brain disorder and functions at a 10 year old learning ability. Overall, it's just so sad. I listened, just like the Savior would have and pulled out the Plan of Salvation pamphlet, helping him see the purpose of life. We discussed, I bore testimony and we discussed God's plan. 

It was so cool to see his eyes glisten and his countenance change when he realized his worth. He was a son of God. He had power. We talked about the things he loved about himself and talents he could offer to bless others. Our conversation lasted almost an hour and at the end of it he told me that I was a joy in his life. A real and meaningful light that provided hope. He said if I came out for anyone on my mission it was for him. He said he had come to the park to contemplate his life, to decide if it was even worth living and ways he could possibly end it all. He said that on his way over he had been praying, and felt prompted that something would come and change his life. He said I was that change and I had been sent to save him. He said he no longer wanted to end anything but find more about how he could better establish his purpose. He recognized that trials were a part of life but he knew how to navigate them. He felt hope and wanted to investigate the church in the near future after he gave himself some time to heal. Just shaking his hand, and watching tears drip from his face as he poured out his gratitude for me was life changing. You guys. The gospel contains it all. We have all the answers. All the hope. All the peace. Other people seek it. They crave it. And today was a manifestation that God is so aware of our needs. We are put in specific places to meet specific needs. I felt so much gratitude I was able to talk to Randall and provide a new path, a better way of living. I'm forever grateful for God's plan and the knowledge and testimony I have. What a special experience 

Man so many good things happened this week. So many lasts. So many miracles. So many memories. It's never easy to leave such a good thing behind but I'm forever grateful for these 18 months I devoted to the Lord. My heart is so full

I love you all so incredibly much 

♡♡♡

Sister Neel