3/27/12
This past Tuesday was truly incredible. I felt close to my Savior the whole day- at the temple and with my companions. I was able to feel the Holy Ghost so clearly throughout the day. It was amazing. My companion Irma Wilde and I had a feeling that someone very special was coming for the Devotional. We both guessed Elder Bednar or President Uchtdorf. Not too far- Elder Oaks came that night! His talk was astounding. He ended fifteen minutes early but he made such an impression. He is such a powerful man. His wife spoke first and said that there are no coincidences and Elder Oaks is meant to be here to talk to us tonight- she said President Monson asked him too speak. He talked about the sacrament. I felt like I was truly prepared for this talk. I have been learning and hearing so much about the sacrament since I have been here. It means SOOO much more to me now. Elder Oaks didn't even want to repeat the prayers because they are too sacred. He said a missionary can have the spirit because they appropriately renewed covenants. We need to participate every week and truly, humbly and sincerely prepare ourselves throughout the entire week. When we sin, we need to repent immediately. Change your thoughts and actions for good. I have a testimony of the importance and sacredness of the Sacrament. I LOVE it and I am SOOO excited for it every week! I also prepare myself with questions and thoughts for Sunday and they are ALWAYS answered or addressed. I promise that if you prepare, the Lord will do His part and bless you immensely. He wants to help us in all the ways He can. It is funny how hard it is sometimes to open the door to Him. I am trying to always have it open with constant prayers and thinking of the Savior as much as possible. I have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know that He died for us. I know that we can be forgiven! This gospel makes me SO happy!!! We have so much amazing knowledge that we can share. Lets not hold back. Let's try to do our best every day.- Remember Demand Excellence! :)
This past Tuesday was truly incredible. I felt close to my Savior the whole day- at the temple and with my companions. I was able to feel the Holy Ghost so clearly throughout the day. It was amazing. My companion Irma Wilde and I had a feeling that someone very special was coming for the Devotional. We both guessed Elder Bednar or President Uchtdorf. Not too far- Elder Oaks came that night! His talk was astounding. He ended fifteen minutes early but he made such an impression. He is such a powerful man. His wife spoke first and said that there are no coincidences and Elder Oaks is meant to be here to talk to us tonight- she said President Monson asked him too speak. He talked about the sacrament. I felt like I was truly prepared for this talk. I have been learning and hearing so much about the sacrament since I have been here. It means SOOO much more to me now. Elder Oaks didn't even want to repeat the prayers because they are too sacred. He said a missionary can have the spirit because they appropriately renewed covenants. We need to participate every week and truly, humbly and sincerely prepare ourselves throughout the entire week. When we sin, we need to repent immediately. Change your thoughts and actions for good. I have a testimony of the importance and sacredness of the Sacrament. I LOVE it and I am SOOO excited for it every week! I also prepare myself with questions and thoughts for Sunday and they are ALWAYS answered or addressed. I promise that if you prepare, the Lord will do His part and bless you immensely. He wants to help us in all the ways He can. It is funny how hard it is sometimes to open the door to Him. I am trying to always have it open with constant prayers and thinking of the Savior as much as possible. I have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know that He died for us. I know that we can be forgiven! This gospel makes me SO happy!!! We have so much amazing knowledge that we can share. Lets not hold back. Let's try to do our best every day.- Remember Demand Excellence! :)
During the fireside I was able to be a tool in the Lord's hand and it was such a sweet experience. As I was listening to Elder Oaks I wondered if the Holy Ghost was trying to tell me something so I kind of asked/listened and I felt that I needed to talk to Sister Patterson in the residence hall that night. I wrote the impression down in my journal. During the closing hymn of the meeting Sister Patterson (who was sitting behind me) leaned forward and asked if she could talk to me that night. I showed her the impression I wrote down and was able to testify that the Lord is aware of her and loves her so much. We both felt the Holy Ghost so strongly and it was so touching to see the Love of God fill her. I am so grateful that I could witness that. I know that when we trust in the promptings of the HOly Ghost we are blessed and we are able to participate in miracles.
I am SOO excited about Lauren's baptismal date!!! Abby, I really believe that one of the reasons we were supposed to move to London is so that you could help Lauren and be a friend to her and feel welcome in the ward. She is truly golden. Stay in contact with her! I love hearing about all your missionary experiences!!! I was really touched about the friends from China that were at our house on Sunday that you met in ROME! It is so crazy how the Lord puts people in our path that we are able to help. That was not a coincidence to meet them. I am so grateful for our family- how you all shine the light and love of Christ. I fasted last Sunday to help me be able to testify with the Holy Ghost and be comforted about going to Portugal and to feel ready. My prayers and fasting have definitely been answered. I am SOOOO EXCITED FOR PORTUGAL!!!! AHHHHH!!!!! I know it is going to be totally crazy and overwhelming at first but I say bring it on. I can't believe I am leaving already. I have changed so much here at the MTC. I truly love it here. Usually for the Firesides and Devotionals I have a question or something I know I need to work on that I pray about and ask for guidance from the Holy Ghost during the talks/lessons. This past Sunday nothing came to mind- I know I needed lots of help but I couldn't pin down with what exactly. So I told Heavenly Father I don't know what I need to hear, but please help me to hear it and apply it. It was INCREDIBLE!!! I felt like that talk was specifically for me. Brother Steinagel talked about being HAPPY. If we are not happy and having fun, we are not doing it right. This is a gospel of happiness. I have every reason to be happy! I just get bogged down by my mistakes and I feel anxious and a huge responsibility (which I do have) and sometimes hopelessness and lack of faith that I will ever be able to live up to what the Lord wants me too. But I know that these are thoughts of the adversary. I testify that with the Lord we can do ANYTHING!!! He is on our side! Do we really understand that we are literal children of Heavenly Father? We talked about that a bit in class this week- with Irmao Fife. I invite you all to ponder on that this week. There is true power in understanding who you are. You are all so special to me and I love you with all my heart.
I am so excited for the wedding!!! It is coming SOOO soon! What a great idea to have family members share stories at the luncheon! I will write mine by hand and send it to Grandma before I leave today! Oh the stories I could tell..... :) I love you so much Ali and Brandon! Any news on the Baby Ben and Jackie?! I LOVED your letters and packages this week!!! -I can't explain how much they meant to me. I felt so much love and support. I literally felt your prayers of love and support- really I did. Thank you- fromt he bottom of my heart! Dad- your e-mail last week really really helped me. It answered my prayers. I am so jealous that President Phi8llips is your home teacher! Tell me what he teaches you every month- what a powerful man!
It was so hard saying goodbye to everyone! The Branch Presidency, my teachers, the half of my zone going to Cape Verde. Irma Rojo got her re-assignment to Carlsbad California!!! She was SOO excited! She left at 5:00 this morning. I have learned so much from her and Irma Wilde. I love them so much and am so grateful for their examples! The computer keeps freezing, but I just keep typing even though I can't see what I am writing- sorry for the typos!
Change. What a great work. I am changed from this MTC experience. I plan to change forever from what I have learned and what i will learn. I am so excited for Portugal. I am praying for you. I love you. HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!
ALSO haha I totally forgot to mention General Conference!!! Make sure you PREPARE!!! I know that Thomas S. Monson is the true prophet of God. We will hear from the Lord's mouthpiece. Enjoy it and get everyone you can to come listen to the prophet's voice!!! ALSO!!! Make a mormon.org profile and share it with people!!! It is such a powerful tool and I know miracles will happen!!!
Sister Elizabeth Tingey
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