Monday, November 25, 2013

Go forth with faith to tell the world of Jesus Christ, the Lord!

Here is her letter this week. I do not fully understand all of her comments, as usual, but she sounds great. But for my sake, keep praying for her safety! Love, Dawn

Monday, November 25, 2013

HI FRIENDS!
We had to drive up to Santa Monica today, so I didn't have time to write a post-it, so this will be all over the place. But I am pleased to announce that I have been writing in my journal everyday so it should help. I know, I know miracles happen.
Did I ever tell you about Anabelle? Can't remember. So sorry if I'm telling you again. A couple weeks ago we were street contacting in my favorite, da hood of south central Los Angeles. Sister Perry started speaking to someone in Spanish (I normally just nod and say bien or si). This girl starts walking towards us. in her 20's. Very rough around the edges. Looked like she would want nothing to do with God. I kept looking over at her walking towards us and felt like I should talk to her. But Sister Perry was still talking in Spanish and I normally don't walk away from her (not supposed to) if she's talking to someone. But I really felt like I should, haha. So I went up to Anabelle, the girl walking towards us (I was literally only 2 feet away from my companion...we were back to back. But speaking different languages) She started to walk away from me, but I asked her to give me 30 seconds. I told her I was a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ. I asked her "What are you going through in your life right now that Jesus Christ could help you with?" She started bawling. She looked so tough and kind of scary, and there she was just bawling her eyes out. Sister Perry finished her contact and turned around at this point. She was so confused, haha. (as soon as we walked away from Anabelle she said "What in the world did you do to make that poor girl cry!") Anyways through her tears Anabelle talked about her depression and how she's in a rough spot right now (everyone in that area didn't grow up in the best circumstances :/) Anyways, it was such a cool and spiritual experience to meet her. We've seen her a couple times since. She really needs the gospel and she knows she does, but it's hard to get a hold of her (no phone and doesn't always stay at her mom's house). So if you could pray for her, I would really appreciate it. Oh actually, we had zone conference this week and President asked us to email home and ask you all to pray specifically for baptisms in the California Los Angeles Mission. And if you could pray for my little branch, my companion and Chris, Art, and Anabelle by name that'd be awesome. President Weidman said "Lets get as many people praying for miracles in this area as possible." Prayer is so powerful and I really do see miracles everyday.
Chris is doing SO great! He could be baptized already, but is waiting until after he meets with the cardinal for his mom. In one of our lessons this week (we were outside) he stopped and said..."Is that a tarantula?" Obviously, I SCREAMED. It wasn't a tarantula. It was some GIANT disgusting bug that is a combination of a giant wasp, ant, spider, and scorpion. But no wings luckily. It was awful and I'm sending home a picture. Luckily some elders showed up at the church at that moment and the elder from West Virginia (naturally) killed it for us. Ugh. So gross.
We got our heater fixed this week! It's what I get for rubbing in that it's been in the 80's last week. This week was freezing in the low 60s. and a man looking like Severus Snape came and tried to fix our ghetto old heater. Then I look up and he is carrying the heater out of the apartment! It was hilarious. So we just got a new one. It makes weird scary noises occasionally in my sleep, so lets pray I don't blow up.
We are never in south central LA after dark. We're not idiots. But we got out of one of Anabelle's lessons this week and it was starting to be dusk. But our car was right outside of her house, so it was totally fine. Right in front of our car was a car full of young single adult guys, so I obviously go right up to them. But then the smell of pot was WAY too overwhelming, so I told them in a loving yet chastising way that it smelled awful, to stop doing it, and they need Jesus. They laughed and took the pictures of Jesus we gave them. As we walked away (because my mom told me I can't contact people who are under influences...), they yelled out the window like 5 times for us to be careful in an almost protective and loving way. It was just super cool for me to see that these punk kids who were high, respectful of our calling. They recognized us as representatives of Jesus Christ. I am so protected and watched over because of my calling. They would not have had that reaction if I wasn't wearing my nametag, if I was wearing jeans, and didn't have the spirit that comes with this calling. My calling as a missionary is just so sacred to me.
We had a mini-missionary this weekend! pretty sure she thought we were nuts...which we are :)
One of my favorite less actives who has been coming back calls me her Caucasian A and Sister Perry her Caucasian P. #thedream Sister Perry and I are having a blast. We took our rival (WVU and Marshall) pics this week. So you can't get much better than that. Also, somehow we got on to this weird conversation about if our spirits have races. Sister Perry told me I have a black spirit. BEST COMPLIMENT EVER.
Also, put cinnamon on your pineapple and it won't cut your tongue. Genius. Also, I forgot to include my favorite foods of my area last week when telling you about my area. Ceviche, Papussas, and Haimika ? don't know how to spell the last one. It's delicious purple drink.
This week we met this kid named William. But I kept calling him Michael. I put Michael on our whiteboard, I prayed for Michael, everything. He turned out being elect which was awesome! But he's a baby-daddy so we referred him to the home ward elders. After we referred him I half-heartedly prayed that we would find a Michael. Who was the next person we contacted? A MICHAEL. Our mini-missionary thought we were so nuts because we just died of laughter. But then we kept calling him William. Mass confusion. But he lied about his phone number, so he didn't choose to be elect. Still hilarious. Obviously our mini-missionary prayed later "Please bless Michael/William that he won't lie to us anymore." It was awesome.
This week Sister Perry and I are trying to not say any complaints. We hit the other's hand if we say any complaints. It's harder than I thought it would be, haha. but it has helped me be so much more grateful and positive! Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! The 1st counselor in our branch presidency's wife is one of my favorite humans. Anyway they are feeding us on Thanksgiving. Both of her children are serving missions in South America right now, so we get to be her kids for thanksgiving dinner :)
I was asked to take 60 seconds this week to think about what I am most grateful for. I am beyond grateful for the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. It comes first in my life and always will. Second, I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all that comes with it (the Book of Mormon, this church, the Priesthood, missionary work, the prophet,temples, etc.). Third is without a doubt my parents. I just am so grateful for them. I occasionally tear up when I think about just running up to them and hugging them with gratitude when I see them next summer. On top of that, I can't imagine the reunion I will have with my Heavenly Father in the next life. I am just so humbled by how much he has given me. Fourth is all of you who have impacted my life. All of you, my family and friends, mean so much to me. I truly love each of you. Have the happiest Thanksgiving!
Make it a great week!!
All my love,
Sister Ali Atkinson :)

Monday, November 18, 2013


Lose not a moment, make no delay! Fight for our Savior; come, come away!
Hi!!!!
So much to say this week!
CONGRATS KELLIE! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!
Elder Satre told me his mom reads my blog, so shout-out to her!!
Last pday was seems like forever ago!
OH! I officially have changed the day I will come home to June 11th. It might end up being the 10th, because president is trying to change transfers around, but right now I'll be home the 11th. Lets just say I love and miss you all so much, but I need as much time here as I can get! I'm really trying hard.
Everything here is moving forward and going well! Chris and Art are still our strongest investigators and are doing great...Art talked to his boss about trying to get Sunday mornings off, but it didn't go so well. But we have the coolest ward mission leader ever and he went and got job applications for him. So we'll see how that goes!!
Last week, I meant to say Chris had an appointment with a Catholic cardinal. Not just a bishop. Merciful.
Our mission now has 4 Farsi speaking missionaries! There are only 8 in the world, and 4 are here in the ol' CLAM so that's super happy!
Our toilet messed up this week (no surprise with that bathroom), but a miracle came out of it. We had to go to the McDonalds to use the bathroom. (yay). We walked in and this girl ran up to us. "Oh my gosh. You are women of God, aren't you?! I literally was just praying to God to send me help. I am just so lost right now." We taught her for a few minutes and referred her to the elders (she's over 30). It was so cool to see how God puts very specific people in our paths. I had to stop complaining about the toilet. We also got to meet this hilarious homeless woman in the parking lot of the Mickey D's whose name is Papoose and she sang to us. So, God is real.
Some elders had to borrow our car (most missionaries are on bikes now) to go to a meeting at the mission office. Within 20 minutes they ran into a giant log on the interstate and killed one of our tires. Not their best. Feel like Dad, rocking the spare.
Pascual (the neighbor with an ice cream truck that takes care of us)'s two daughters are being taught by the Spanish elders, went to church yesterday, and have baptismal dates. Hoorah for Israel!!
We get fed every night by our members. Our young single adults really are the best. But last night our chicken wasn't cooked all the way. #salmonella Just kidding. Sort of. We feel much better now :)
I tried to be classy one day this week and wear a side purse instead of my backpack as we proselyted. The next morning I woke up and couldn't move my neck to the left. I guess that's what I get for trying to be classy for once in my life. #sorrymom
This week Sister Perry and I really focused on prayer. Every day we each pick something specific to pray for in each of our companionship prayers (we pray ALL the time). One day we prayed for an investigator who hadn't texted us back in 4 days. Within 20 seconds of me praying in our prayer "Please bless that He will text us back", our phone went off. Once again, #Godisreal!!! But it has been really cool to see as we deepen our faith in our prayers, we feel a deeper sense of love and direction.
Hope you all are enjoying the snow! It warmed up this week and hit the late '80s :) :)
We are already getting in the christmas spirit, so we made a giant christmas tree out of green post-its on our wall and every day we write the miracles we've had on it. We know...we're precious.
My favorite conference talk I re-read this week was from Elder Christofferson "The Power of Women". It really gave me a lot of strength, power, and excitement. It was a good reminder of who we have the potential to become.
It's always ironic when Jehovah's Witnesses knock on our door. A dad and two of his sons did the other day. He was immediately uncomfortable and said they were only speaking to Spanish speakers. I kindly told him my companion spoke Spanish. He didn't think it was too funny. But his sons appreciated the fruit snacks we gave them. I have so much respect for them though. They're trying to do exactly what I am, more power to 'em.
We spent some time in da hood of South Central again this week. Two white girls let alone in skirts there really do stick out... My two favorite comments:
These guys from their car "Hey! How you doing? What? Aare you da po-leeece?"
And then this one man had his two very scary dogs on the street corner chained to each other. Not to him or to anything sturdy! They were just chained to each other......... as we very quickly walked past them praying they wouldn't attack us, he said "don't worry sweeties. I won't let them bite you." Hahahaha, such a different world here!!
Speaking of, a lot of people have asked me about my area. I forget that I've been here a while and that I don't really describe it that well. Here are some reminders:
We are the sister missionaries who work with the young single adults . Our branch (congregation) covers the stake, so two zones of missionaries aka 24 companionships' areas. We just work with people who are 18-30 who are young and single, who speak English, and who don't have kids.
We cover the cites of Downey and Norwalk (mostly residential neighborhoods, the nicest part of our area), Bell/Bell Gardens/Maywood (cities that are 99% Hispanic...we live in da Bell Gardens), Vernon (factories), and South Central LA (50% black, 50% Hispanic). It is all flat. It is weird to see stairs. Dogs are EVERYWHERE. Everyone has a fence and dogs that are mean, so we often hit the keys on the fence as a way to knock. Doorbells are not common. Everyone has a thick screen door (you can see out from the inside, but not in from the outside). Ice cream trucks, fruit stands, and helote (corn on the cob with mexican mayonnaise) carts (men on bikes with giant carts in the front and a squeaky horn) are all over every neighborhood. Donut shops and palm reading shops are on every corner. There is trash everywhere, especially in South Central. I have grown to love the stench every morning at 6:30am. I think I actually like Mariachi music now #imissmytrumpet. Scrap metal trucks are common and people digging through trash lookin for recycling that they can sell is the norm as well. You walk up to a driveway and you think it is just one house, but it goes back forever! It's kind of like town homes. There are like 10 units back. So every address has a 1/2. We even live at a 7777 3/4 (the first part of the address was made up. I'm not that dumb, Mom.) Mustaches unfortunately are also everywhere. People LOVE the Virgin Mary. It is not uncommon to see a giant Mary shrine with candles and lights and flowers in people's front yards. No one has a washer and dryer. Everyone goes to the laundromat. So, most people steal buggies (aka grocery carts) from the stores to cart their laundry to and from the laundromat. We definitely stick out, but that's expected of Mormon Missionaries anywhere. For the most part everyone is super friendly to us. I'm almost out of time so I better go. Between Pascual, mission leaders, our branch president, and every single member of our branch I am so loved, taken care of and protected here. It really is a home away from home. We are working really hard to find the elect, and I feel really close to my Savior in doing so. Please know how much every prayer and thought from you is appreciated. I love you! DON'T FORGET TO READ EVERYDAY! We had more miracles this week from the power of reading the scriptures everyday.
MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK!
Sister Atkinson

Sunday, November 17, 2013

"Oh, make me Thine indeed, Oh blessed Son."


Here is the last week's email. Went out of town to see Micah's final play at Belmont University so this is late getting posted. Keep praying for her, the work and her safety! Thank you all. Dawn

Hiiiiii everyone!
I'm staying here with my YSA's for at least another transfer! With Sister Perry! So happy :)
There was some miscommunication in our zone on when our p-day was, so I didn't know until this morning that today was pday. Yes I put conditioner in my hair first becasue I was so frazzled, haha. So this might be an all-over-the-place email, so sorry if you can't keep up Dad :)
-CHRIS!!!!!
We have taught Chris for only two weeks. He is the boyfriend of a returning less active. He's 29. Works for Audi. He used to be in a touring scream-o band. Grew up as a devout Catholic, but started questioning things a few years ago. And here is his story summed up: came to church two weeks ago. We taught him in a group of visitors after church the Restoration. He stayed after because he had so many questions. He told his girlfriend from the get-go that he wasn't going to join her religion. But after he came to church he said he was just "looking for truth". He didn't want his girlfriend to be apart of anything, because he wanted to do this for himself. In two weeks we have taught him the restoration, the plan of salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the word of wisdom (our law of health), the ten commandments including keeping the Sabbath day holy and the law of chastity, and went on a tour of the Visitor's Center (including watching the hour long Joseph Smith movie). He has been to church every week. He reads the scriptures and prays everyday. The other day when we texted him to remind him to read before he went to bed, he responded "I read earlier because I knew I wouldn't have time to read at work tonight." He has given up all unhealthy substances. (Surprisingly, he said coffee was the hardest to give up.) When we first started meeting he was super hesitant to set a goal for baptism to work towards. He said he needed to give it a year. Then he said next August. Then he said the end of January. He just really wanted to make sure he was doing this for the right reasons (he totally is). Biggest curve ball is he and his girlfriend broke up the other night. He called us because he was really struggling. He said usually his crutch was one of the unhealthy substances I mentioned before, but he didn't have it to calm him down. We were super worried because he didn't text us back that whole night. The next day we found out that he turned off his phone to avoid temptation from his friends, went to the laundromat, and read his Book of Mormon. He's at the end of 1st Nephi. He and his returning less active girlfriend came to church this Sunday (not sure if they're back together.. haven't heard the story yet). He told us at the end of his Visitor's Center tour that he believed the Book of Mormon was true and that Joseph Smith really is a prophet and that this church completely follows in Jesus Christ's footsteps. He can't wait to get baptized. He would get baptized like tomorrow if he could, but there is one catch. His mom is very devout Catholic and doesn't want him to be baptized unless he is sure. Soooo he has an appointment with A CATHOLIC BISHOP at the end of December. So his baptismal date is for the beginning of January. I'm a little worried since that seems forever away, but he says "Don't worry. I won't be changing my mind about this." WHEW. AND THAT'S CHRIS.
-We still are trying to find like crazy. We're just sifting through, looking for the elect like Chris. We are just deepening our faith in the Lord.
-We were rocking the streets of Huntington Park this week. They call it little Mexico. (it's like street markets/outdoor mall). Super fun. Except this creepy church of the dead. #satanic #creepy
-We met this little old man Mexican cowboy who always sits on the same corner and is always SO drunk. He is hilarious though. Straight out of an old western movie, I swear.
-Why does the world lead us to believe that there can't be absolute truth when it comes to God? So frustrating. Google "President Uchtdorf What is Truth" if you want to read more of what I'm talking about. He (God) is either real or He's not. The message I teach is either completely true or it's not. Ask the source of truth for yourself.
-We're trying to be healthier and lose weight. Ugh, awful. #pumpkincookies
-The adventures of living in an alley this week: our neighbor's car's windshield was smashed in by some punk kids. They didn't steal anything. They don't have insurance, so they just had to pay for a new windshield. Ugh. The other night we were walking in from our car. I turned back to face the alley to lock the gate behind us. We were laughing and lolly-gagging when I all of a sudden felt a very distinct prompting from the Spirit "get inside now". Before I could say anything, Sister Perry said "I never get sketched out, but I feel randomly sketched out right now" We very quickly went inside and shut the blinds. Nothing happened and we felt 100% fine once we were inside. It was just a cool moment where we felt protected by the Holy Ghost. We call those moment #3Nephiteslookingout moments. :) I can't wait to see a movie of my life to see all of the unknown moments where God was protecting me and I was so unaware of it.
-Time is passing by way too fast and it freaks me out. #only7monthsleft :(
-One of our less actives that we were working with this week has severe social anxiety and another had deep-rooted offenses to some members in the branch. BUT! Both read the Book of Mormon and prayed everyday this week and had seriously MIRACULOUS strength to come to church yesterday. IT WAS AWESOME. There's power in that book.
-Oh my gosh, we were up at the temple this week for Chris' visitor's center tour. When we were walking on the grounds back to our car, who did I spot out? The one and only Kirby Heybourne (Mormon actor in commercials, and movies: Best Two Years, the RM, etc.). Obvi I reverently yelled to him and his 10 yr old son and said "Brother Heybourne! Hi! Can we get a picture with you?" #nailedit #hewasn'tasfriendlyashischaracters....
-Sister Jones and Sister Barney are going home this week, so that's a little tumultuous for me, haha. Sister Jones called to tell me she talked to some of you!!!!!!!!! After I talked to her, I can't lie I went to say my nightly prayer and totally balled myself to sleep. Not sure if it was because it was a moment of crossing my home life and mission life, because I realized how much I missed you all, realized Sister Jones was leaving, how badly I want my loved ones to understand what I believe and how much God loves them, or what. But I did. Thanks so much to those of you who are letting the missionaries stop by. All I want for Christmas is for each of you reading this blog to meet with your local missionaries just once, to listen to what I tell people everyday. What you do with that, is your choice, but for me, just listen and ask your Father in Heaven "could this be true?" To request a missionary visit, visit mormon.org.
-Spiritual insight of the week. I was reading this week in the Book of Mormon and something clicked for me. Jesus Christ has given us this gift to overcome this life and become our potential as children of God. But it's our choice to use that gift and follow that path. I think my mindset used to be Christ wouldn't save us because it needed to be our choice, but now my mindset is more He can't save us unless it's our choice. To be saved means to overcome this life and inherit our Heavenly Father's kingdom. We can't do that unless we become like Him. and everything Christ asks us to do is an opportunity for Him to change us. To help us become more like God each day. SO if we don't choose His path then we can't change. And if we don't change then we can't become more Christ-like each day. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it makes sense in my mind.
I'm really happy to be staying here with Sister Perry! Not sure what more Heavenly Father wants me to do in this area, but I just take it one day at a time. I just love this work, and I just love my Savior and I just love each of you. MAKE IT A HAPPY WEEK!
All my love,
Sister Atkinson :)

Monday, November 4, 2013

"The Lord is my light; He is my joy and my song!"


I am on top of it this week! Here is today's email! Dawn
November 4, 2013
Hi everyone!!!!!!!
I'm just so happy today! Sometimes ya just get overwhelmed by how much people love you, how much the Lord loves you, and how happy life really is. So happy!
How is it November?!
I'm trying to catch up on writing everyone back this week! Sorry if it's taken me forever! Like 2 months forever.... Sorry! I love you and should catch up today! Anyways with that, I'm going to try and plow through this email. Sorry if it's so sporadic as always!
-Even though I haven't watched the news in over 9 months (except the occasional glance here at the library. But the only things it shows are Kanye sporting a confederate flag and Jeff Bridges trying to cure world hunger, so I guess I haven't missed too much) and am completely ignorant of the world's culture right now, I really have lost a lot of naivety on the mission. There is nothing that compares to talking with/ being in the homes of people from ALL walks of life...like all walks of life. From illegal immigrants having to work in sweatshops in LA to meeting people who take way too much advantage of national programs, I've just learned a lot about the world here.
-This week was just so happy. Things are really picking up here. We are still working hard on trying to talk to as many new people as possible every day. We had a cool experience this week with a 25 yr old kid named Miguel. We were street contacting when we met him. It was a Friday night on a busy street and I honestly thought he was a typical drunk punk we meet on the street. We testified quickly of Jesus Christ and His restored path and how that would change and impact Miguel's life. He said he needed a change in his life (once again I thought he was drunk and may have said some "no kidding" thoughts in my mind). We got his address, but he didn't have a phone number (it's actually shocking how many people legitimately don't have a phone...that's excluding all the people that tell you they don't have a phone just so you won't talk to them ever again....can they respect the Lord?), but since I didn't think he was legit, we just told him we'd meet him at the fountain down the street at 3pm the next day. He said he would be there (but everyone says they'll be there..and most aren't, haha), and if he wasn't there we could stop by his house. (still thought he was drunk and still thought he was not legit). We found a few other people who I thought were way more promising. The next day we went to see those people who I thought were more promising at the times that they said they would be home. None of them were there. Feeling a bit discouraged we headed to the fountain to meet Miguel at 3pm (the whole time thinking he wasn't going to be there). We met some people on the street at 2:50, and didn't get to the fountain until 3:20. Whoops. We didn't see anyone there and weren't really that mad at ourselves for being late because we assumed he didn't show. We went on to our next appointments and decided we would swing by Miguel's house after, leave a note, and count him as contacted and never return. An hour later, we stopped by his house.....1. The address actually existed (miracle). 2. He actually lived there. (miracle). 3. He was literally sitting in the yard waiting for us to show up. (I'M SORRY, BUT THAT IS A MIRACLE). We were shocked. (I thought he was drunk 24 hrs earlier!) We sat down and he said he was at the fountain at 3, but left at 3:15 because he assumed we weren't coming. He left the Restoration pamphlet we gave him at the fountain as a sign that he was there. (We didn't see it...I really want to go back and get it and put it in my scrapbook, but I'm secretly hoping someone who needed it picked it up and then I can watch a movie in Heaven some day about how one pamphlet changed millions of lives....yes I know, I've seen too many movies. I blame Micah.) Anyways he just starts asking us all of these perfect questions. Like "I remember reading on page 15 of the pamphlet in the 3rd paragraph about how we can know these things are true for ourselves. But how have you personally come to know?" "Why do we need the Book of Mormon?" "How can I change my life" (I mean...he actually read the pamphlet? Let alone memorized it and really pondered about it?) We taught the Restoration using new pamphlets very simply and very powerfully by the Spirit. It was so cool. God is no respector of persons, and it was a good lesson for me to remember to not be a respector of persons either, haha. He has a baptismal date. He is so elect. Sadly for us, he has kids, so we referred him to the family ward elders. But it was just a very special experience (one of many), where I am overwhelmed by how aware Heavenly Father is of each of us, and how prepared some people really are to accept this Restored Gospel.
-We worked with a lot of less actives this week and a lot came to church to claim their blessings there. One of the new less actives we contacted this week in the hood had a hilarious first conversation with us when we knocked on his door. "Hi is Anthony home?" "No..who's askin?" "We're missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We work with the young single adults. When does he usually come home?" "Not sure..." "Oh okay. Are you his brother?" "No." "Oh okay...what was your name?" "Anthony." "Oh are you a cousin or a friend?" "No.." "Huh. So funny that you are both named Anthony.." "No, I'm the Anthony you're looking for." "OHHHHH." Sister Perry looked at me like I was completely nuts that it took me that long to realize he was the Anthony we were looking for. Whoops!
-A member always brings his same friend to lunch with us. His friend is not interested....at all. But he always comes to lunch. So we always teach a lesson at the end. Somehow he always needs to use the bathroom thought during our spiritual thoughts, hahaha. It takes all I have not to die of laughter everytime he excuses himself to go to the bathroom in the MIDDLE of the prayers. #lovemylife
-A redneck we met a few weeks ago (made Sister Perry and I a little homesick to hear her thick accent) said one of the funniest things, "My mama didn't raise me to be no hoochiemama. She raised me to be a housewife." #missmywestvirginia
-I am so past convincing people of the gospel. If they're not interested, I refuse to stalk them for 5 weeks just hoping they'll be home. 3 strikes (text, voicemail, note at house) and they're out. It really is quite liberating.
-I just love the Book of Mormon. I love reading it as a missionary. This week we read some of my favorite chapters in Alma and I just fell in love with individuals and their conversion stories (Alma the younger, Ammon, Aaron, and the other sons of Mosiah, Abish, Zeezrom, Amulek, King Lamoni, King Lamoni's 'boss' wife and dad, the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's. This is a gospel of change. It is miraculous. And I just love it.
-This week we went on exchanges with the Manhattan Beach sisters. Yes, I rocked the bike on those hills again. And yes my bum was sore for a few days again. They had a lesson with an investigator that Sister Koroitamana and I found last transfer when I was there on exchanges! It was super cool to go back and see how he has progressed. Super happy.
-We have some really solid investigators that I'm really pulling for. Especially Chris. (He's the ex-screamer and the one looking for truth) And Art. (His best friend is a member of the branch who is on a mission right now. He wants to know why it is so important to his friend. He also, knows that Sister Cuevas (the mom of his missionary friend) must get lonely (both of her kids are on missions right now), so he comes over ever Sunday night and plays Wheel of Fortune with her on the Wii. YES.). So keep Art and Chris especially in your prayers this week for me.
-You just learn a lot about yourself on the mission. I've learned that I don't get anxious very much, but there are basically two things that give me anxiety: 1. Feeling constrained, held back, or like I can't control a situation. If I can't help someone but want to, if I was stuck on an elevator, or something is preventing me from doing what I need or want to. 2. Not feeling like I'm living up to my potential/performing like I should be. It's so cool how the mission helps me pinpoint weird things about myself like that.
-Everyone thinks I'm nuts. And I just am.
-Missions also teach you to never take anything for granted (the atonement, your family, your hills, your education, the temple, etc). But especially the holidays this week. We had to be in our apartments by 6 on Halloweens (can't proselyte with the nutso's), but Sister Perry and I really had fun that night. But I'm never not going all out for holidays when I go home. :D
-I met with an RM (returned missionary) this week who is really struggling right now. I truly believe it comes back to the Book of Mormon. He stopped reading it everyday. It didn't matter that he was assistant to the president on the mission or what all he accomplished there. He still needs to read everyday. That reading would have given him that protection from the mistakes that he has made recently. I truly believe that. But the atonement and the joy of repentance is so real. I'm really proud of him though. Anyways, the point is: READ THE BOOK OF MORMON EVERY DAY. PRAY EVERY MORNING AND EVERY NIGHT. TAKE THE SACRAMENT EVERY WEEK. WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO.
-Yesterday in church was just one of those moments were I looked around at my little branch and was so grateful for the experiences I have had here. I love my branch. I love this gospel. Transfers are next week (so pday will be on Tuesday.. can't believe this transfer is already gone!) I think I'll stay here with Sister Perry until Christmas. You never know though! I'll keep you posted!
- President Massie (our branch president that I love...he is just the typical teddy bear older man with a hilarious older man humor)'s quote of the week in ward council. We were talking about how there was a Sunday School class for the teachers now to learn how to be a good teacher. "I once knew a guy who got offended by a bad teacher like that. And he never came to church again....And then he died." We all paused at the awkwardnes of the way he announced that man's death and then lost it. #welcometowardcouncil
-DAYLIGHT SAVINGS IS THE BEST MISSIONARY HOLIDAY EVER. It was the only night on my mission I will sleep more than 8 hrs and it was the BEST THING EVER.
-Oh my gosh. Some guys in our branch took us to Costco for dinner (in celebration of our last week allowed to eat at restaurants with members) on Saturday night. We agreed ahead of time to do the Costco challenge that they saw online (you get $10 and you have to spend all of it on food from the Costco menu and eat all of the food in under and hour). We agreed to do it in return for referrals from them (missionaries will do anything for referrals). It was disgusting how much food there was. Like disgusting. I am so ashamed. I was the only one who didn't finish it all. But I made the mistake of thinking I could save 3 giant dry churros for last and finish. #couldn'tchannelmyevenstevens But that Saturday night meal, made it for the easiest Fast Sunday ever. -_-. Don't worry, we got the referrals.
-It broke my heart while I was in Manhattan Beach to hear a less active member say "We are here to make choices. And I recognize that this is my choice right now." (to not come to church, but to spend all her time focused on other things). She just flat out said she was choosing to not follow God right now and recognized that. It was shocking how badly it stung. Come claim your blessings! As sons and daughters of God, we deserve them. He is just dying to give them to us. Come and claim them.
I just am so happy. I just love this Gospel. I love being a missionary. And I love each of you! Make it a great week!!!!!
Sister Atkinson