Letters from Texas

I actually missed e-chatting with Teach this week. When Presidents Day rolled around on Monday morning, I just assumed that she would not be able to go to the library since all the libraries in Utah are closed. I was so wrong.

After we got back from breakfast and shopping, I opened my email to discover that I had missed her by about 30 minutes! I was so disappointed, but happy to see that she still shared an amazing story with me.

I was given the opportunity in zone conference to bear my testimony (they had the zone leaders and sister trainer leaders organize the meeting). I was given 10 minutes to train. It was the night before and I had NOTHING. This was to be a pretty big event and I knew not what I would say. Talk about a boat load of stress. But I kept reading. I kept praying. I kept... making stuff up. 

 

I was guided to the valentine from my brother that was sitting on my desk. I remembered the testimony the Dog Walker had written to me for my birthday. (This was about 20 minutes before we had to leave) and I felt impressed to pull it out. It is a very simple testimony. I don't have it with me but it basically says, "I have one testimony. I believe in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I believe in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible. I believe in many things about the LDS church." Something along those lines. (: It melts my heart. 

 

It also reminded me of another testimony I had read recently. That of Elder Bruce R. McConkie in the Purifying Power of Gethsemane. The final witness he gave of Jesus Christ before he died. It is a flippin' power house. With the idea of sharing those 2 things I set out to the meeting. It wasn't until President was sharing his opening remarks that my training/testimony pulled itself into a reasonably organized matter. I was so nervous. I will share with you what I wrote to my mission president about the experience: 

This week has been a huge spiritual feast! I can understand more fully what it means to rely on the Lord as you teach and as you learn. I have never felt such a powerful testimony than that of my own during zone conference when I felt the Spirit confirm to me the things that I know. I am so grateful for that opportunity because I cannot deny the truth that I feel. I know that I know these things are true. And when the devil sends forth his mighty winds to try to dissuade me I will reflect back on that moment when I stood in front of 40+ ordained servants of the Lord with shaky knees and sweaty palms but although the flesh was weak my spirit made a connection with the Holy Spirit and the truth cannot be denied. This is real, President. The church is true. All of it. 

It was such an outstanding experience. I knew with all of my heart the moment that the Spirit took over. You know that scripture that says you won't be confounded before men? I know that the promise is real. I had no idea what I would share. But as I said the words "God lives. Jesus is the Christ. There are angels serving here with us. The church is true." The words which I spoke penetrated into my soul. It was phenomenal. I am excited to watch that testimony in heaven someday because it was... it was monumental. (:  

I absolutely loved that. (: I hope you can feel the truth of it. Because this is real. (: 

 

Have an awesome weekend everyone!!