When Thou Art Converted

Hello Friends and Family! 

This week has been awesome! I've never been so ready and happy to have a week to do nothing but work! Usually it's nice to have something big to look forward to, but it was nice to have missionary work as the only focus again. I've loved that. 

Tuesday was a weird day though. We had so many lessons planned, and referrals to visit, and we were pumped. But before we even left the house, almost everyone cancelled on us. Everyone else didn't answer. So we knocked in the cold all day. By all rights, I should've been miserable. For some reason though, I was abnormally happy. God is very merciful. I've come to realize that joy is a gift from God, and I was definitely blessed with that gift this week. It's amazing. 

Wednesday and Thursday were pretty average. The cool part was the member work that happened. We've really been picking up our game in that area, and the blessings that we've seen from that are remarkable. The ward also put together a little Mormon message thing, and we got to see that. Here's the link, it's super funny, and full of my favorite people. Quincy 1st Ward Mormon Message

​Friday was amazing as well. We went to the pantry that morning, and were also able to watch President Monson's funeral. He was an amazing man and prophet. That was a powerful experience. Then we drove out to the middle of nowhere, on the edge of the mission, to visit a referral from temple square. ​His name is Johnnie, and this was one of the coolest lessons I've ever had. His house was literally the most disgusting house I've ever been in, but this man is one of the most prepared people I've ever met. It's amazing how the spirit can testify of truth, even in the most disgusting of places. we wrapped up the day with a dinner at the Hibberts. To make it all even more amazing/surreal, it was my 6 month mark. It's incredible how time flies. 

Saturday was spent mostly weekly planning, but we did have dinner with the Atwoods. I just love them. 

Then it was Sunday. Everybody flaked on coming to church, but I wasn't even mad (maybe a little bit mad), because President Seaman gave an INCREDIBLE talk about conversion. I can't begin to do justice to it. But one thing he said really stood out to me. He said, "True conversion is independent of circumstance". I love that. Conversion is also based on action, and living the principles which we have testimonies of. In that context, he delved into Alma 24. I'd encourage all of you to do the same. There are some great treasures of knowledge to be had in that chapter. 

That's my week in a nutshell. Transfers are this week, so that'll be exciting! Please send any mail this week to the address below. I love you all dearly! 

~~
I sit and ponder on a pew, 
Perhaps, once I did pretend. 
A smile, false, but now have learned. 
The meaning of a friend. 

These people sitting all around, 
Once unknown, but now have found, 
A special place within my heart, 
​The meaning of these friends. 

Alas, how quick, time marches on, 
Relationships realized, only in the end. 
Wasted time, till we see, 
The meaning of our friends.
(Dedicated to the Quincy 1st Ward)
~~

I've got a few pictures this week! 


 These two are from FB.  Photo credit: Evelyn Fessler. 

Probably the most exciting thing I've seen in Illinois. 

The Hannibal District.

My crazy friend Bill, from the food pantry

NANCY! She's my grandma out here. She runs the pantry, and makes sure I didn't lose ANY weight. 

Cardinals showed up! This one was fighting a squirrel ​for some corn. I think I might be in the Midwest or something... 

My long lost tag, found on a sidewalk a week later. MIRACLE!

My great loves, the ATWOODS! 

My snow angel on the Mississippi. 

The winter wonderland outside my door. So pretty.

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