"Seminoles, you Sinners!"
The title is a quote from Elder Stevenson doing role plays with us in our training on Saturday. Oh, by the way, I saw Elder Stevenson of the Quorum of the 12 on Saturday with our entire mission in Tallahassee. This was quite a special experience. I don't know how much I can convey over email, but I promise it will still be fresh when I get home, and I can tell you much more in person or over the phone.
Let us rewind to the beginning of the week though.
On Tuesday, we had district meeting and interviews with President Smith. This was my last interview before I have my exit interview with him. Afterwards, the Quinelly's took us all to Mexican food for a special Valentine's dinner. Sister Quinelly was my valentine :)
On Tuesday, we had district meeting and interviews with President Smith. This was my last interview before I have my exit interview with him. Afterwards, the Quinelly's took us all to Mexican food for a special Valentine's dinner. Sister Quinelly was my valentine :)
Wednesday, our super exciting appointment fell through, but blessings came of it. Instead of saying sorry, but thank you to the member we were going to bring, we decided to ask her if she would take us out to Loxley to see some people there. We did and it was great! She clicked real well with Angela, and then we ended up trying this family whose records were just transferred over. Turns out the husband excommunicated himself, but she is very open! Things couldn't have gone better! Also, our Book of Mormon class was much more tame this week. Our friends want to avoid relativism, and be real with each other about our beliefs and what we gather from the scripture. Sister Richins bore powerful testimony to them of real intent and what it takes to truly get an answer.
Thursday we gave service from 10- 4:30! Then, our 5pm appointment canceled, so we did the same thing with the member we were taking to that! Turns out, we went to Robertsdale and met her visiting teachee, whose heart had been softening. We had tried her several times, but this was the first time we could get in!
Friday, we set a baptismal date with Jhemerial!!! She is on date for May 13th (her decision). Sadly, she is moving to Mobile today, but I am just so excited to see her finally progressing. Hopefully, after the move, her whole family can get involved.
That night, we drove across the entire mission to Tallahassee. I had a blast with some of my best friends in a car for 4.5 hours.
Saturday morning, we got up and went to the stake center to be spiritually fed. The spirit in that room with almost 200 missionaries studying was fantastic. Then the meeting started. President Smith and Elder Parker of the 70 bore powerful testimony that helped me prepare for the lessons that I would learn. Elder Maynes of the Presidency of the 70 spoke next. He just really gets missionary work. My favorite thing he said often was "to have more faith than fear". Everything he said was to a tee what we needed to hear.
Saturday morning, we got up and went to the stake center to be spiritually fed. The spirit in that room with almost 200 missionaries studying was fantastic. Then the meeting started. President Smith and Elder Parker of the 70 bore powerful testimony that helped me prepare for the lessons that I would learn. Elder Maynes of the Presidency of the 70 spoke next. He just really gets missionary work. My favorite thing he said often was "to have more faith than fear". Everything he said was to a tee what we needed to hear.
Elder Stevenson was simply powerful. He often mentioned how he is a new apostle and is still getting the hang of things. He has no sympathy for those of us scared of our leadership callings. I thought that was so funny, yet so true. Can you imagine being on the same council as President Nelson, Elder Oaks, or Elder Holland?!
Two moments really stuck that I wanted to share. The first was when he was talking about the Holy Ghost as our third companion. He illustrated this by suggesting that Elder Holland was our third companion. If he was my companion, I would let him drive the planning and teaching efforts. I would observe him! It is the same with the Holy Ghost. As we are still, and receptive, we will receive guidance from a resource even greater than an apostle of the Lord.
Next, the most powerful moment of that meeting was when we left his Apostolic blessing on us. Many of my prayers were so strongly answered. He knew exactly what to say. I couldn't hold back tears for how strongly I felt. He bore powerful witness of the Savior, as is his duty.
I bear that witness and responsibility too, as His authorized servant at this time. I know He lives. I love Him more than I could ever say. He saved me and has given me more than I could ever repay Him.
I bear that witness and responsibility too, as His authorized servant at this time. I know He lives. I love Him more than I could ever say. He saved me and has given me more than I could ever repay Him.
I love you all, pictures will come next week. Until then!
-Sister Peterson
