April 11, 2016

Hellooo FAMILY!

This week went by so fast! I know I say that every week but its true!!!

LIFE IS GOOD PEOPLE, and God is even greater.

Saturday was Ms. ******** baptism!  It was oh so good and such a special time!!

There was a wonderful turn out from the ward! Many people were there to support her.  Including her husband Chris! Also the Hughes, a couple from Canada who were members of the Athens ward until they moved last year back to Canada.  They both knew *** because of the antique furniture business and were wonderful guides and friends for her from a distance throughout this process.  They flew down for her baptism and Brother Hughes was the one who baptized and confirmed her.  They are wonderful friends and it meant so much to *** having them there!

My favorite part ever in my whole LIFE was when Sister Anderson and I were standing behind the font and after she came up out of the water she hugged Brother Hughes so hard there were tears streaming from her face.  At that moment the spirit hit me like a ton of bricks.  Earlier this week, we talked with Pam about Temples and baptisms for the dead.  This was not new news to her.  She was familiar with baptisms for the dead before she took the discussions.  This was a huge deal for her because most of her family has past on, she cannot wait to go to the temple and do their work.  I know that Angels were rejoicing on high for this moment when Pam came up out of the water.  You could feel it. The spirit was so strong.  She is one more step closer to our Father in Heaven now!!  Being apart of her journey in the gospel has been one of the greatest blessings of my mission!  I am strengthened by her testimony and faith.

And don't you worry! Many pictures will be coming!

As you can imagine that was definitely the highlight of the week! But a couple more highlights!

****** is a lady we have been teaching for quite some time now!  We had her on a baptismal date for the 23rd of April, but she went to the doctor last week and was told that she needs extensive surgery on her knee.  She told us that she would be in a cast and unable to move as she normally would for up to 6 months! She expressed her desire to be baptized and really wants to be baptized before she has her surgery or else it would be a very long time till she would be able to.  She was regularly attending church with us up until she had to start working on Sundays.  That is her only issue! So pray that Angie can find another job! But until then Angie's date has been moved to this Saturday April the 16th! SO EXCITING.  She is so solid and I love her to pieces!!!!

All of our finding is finally paying off!!!!!! 

We have a potential family who is so awesome!! The ******  This past week we had our first sit down lesson with them.  The last time we saw them we gave them a Book of Mormon and the mother told us this time that she was almost finished with it. WHAT. We got so excited!!  They are not fans of organized religion at all because of some experiences they have had in the past but the mother really does like the Book of Mormon.  We committed her to pray about it and ask God himself.  She accepted! Their daughter, Kaylee, who is a teenager. Asked me a ton of questions about being a missionary and why I am here when I could be at college, at home with my i-phone, etc.  It was an awesome opportunity to just bear my testimony to her and share what this gospel has done for me and so many people I have taught.  It was so neat!  We are super excited about them.

The work is really booming here in Athens!! Its so rewarding to see all your hard work pay off. We got this new objective from our Ap's this week and that is to Bear Testimony as much as possible. And Wow have I seen the difference. Our teaching has become so much more powerful as we bear testimony. I think that we often forget that one of the strongest things that we obtain from this life is our own personal testimonies. Because we are our own CONVERT.  It always brings the spirit SO MUCH.  I think that President Hanks is so inspired to add that as another objective.

Ladies and gentleman, *** is just one example of TRUE member missionary work.  She was so incredibly prepared before we even met her.  She had amazing members in her life who were not afraid to show her the way to true happiness in this life.  And because of that she is one step closer or our Father in Heaven.  And now she can do the work for her family and begin sharing it herself to others.  It truly is that simple.  I invite all of you to share something as simple as your testimony with someone, all is takes is a religious conversation!  

I have a testimony that this is Jesus Christ's Church in its fullest, restored once again.  I am so grateful to be a part of it.  I am grateful for divine power, the priesthood.  I love the gospel, the way it makes me feel and the way it has influenced my life.  I love be able to share that with others.  Being a missionary isn’t always rainbows and butterflies but it is worth it.  Completely worth it.  IT’S THE BEST.

Oh sweet! The joy this sentence give, I Know that my Redeemer lives!!

Love you with all the southern love my heart contains,

Hermana Moline