Hi all! Happy Easter!
This week was a good week, but this might be a shorter update:
-Since Sister Lopez got emergency transferred in to serve with me, after our zone's temple day and before her zone went to the temple, we got permission to go
to the temple with another zone this week so she would get to go! So I got to go
twice this transfer. THE DREAM. I love the house of the Lord.
-We had our interviews with president that we have every other transfer
this week. I was taken off guard by his question for me, 'In what ways so far
have you changed on your mission?' I know I have changed a lot, but trying to
put it in words was a lot harder than I thought. My mission is such a sacred
life-changing experience for me. And it continues to be that way. Also, I just
love the Weidmans.
-We did tons of service this week. I loveeee service, but missionaries get
roped in to some of the funniest service opportunities ever. Oh the life. Yes I
am definitely still allergic to cats and dust. #theworst
-Hermana Lopez is just awesome. She is so, go with the flow and happy. In
one of our service projects this week , a woman not-so-tactfully said "I just
can't get over the contrast in you two. You are white and a pink skinned giant
and she is the olive skinned midget." (I am 7 inches taller than her :) ) We
just died laughing.
-Elder Ballard is coming to our mission the week before I go home, so that
is super exciting!!!!
-Our area covers downtown Santa Monica. Santa Monica has a lot of
government subsidized housing. Let's just say, not by choice, I ended up in like
all of these complexes this week. And I can't really share my experiences on a
public blog and be politically correct, but there were some adventures to say
the least.
-There were a lot of moments this week where I just stopped and said, I
seriously have no idea how to handle this situation. I am only a 21 yr old
Mormon girl from West Virginia. But God always has my back and things just work
out. :)
-Our Easter was amazing. It really is one of the best holidays. Our
investigator Vicky, made us a delicious dinner and gave us the cutest baskets!
We got a call Sunday morning to say that our gospel principles class teacher
wouldn't be able to make it, so Sister Lopez and I needed to teach Sunday
School. We were both reading the talk mom sent us by Elder McConkie (here is the
link---
and decided that we should make a bunch of copies and our small class
should go around the room reading it a paragraph at a time. We then had everyone
share personal experiences or testimonies of their Savior. because the talk is
just pure truth and doctrine, the spirit was so strong. we felt prompted to
finish by singing I Believe in Christ (which turns out was written by Elder
McConkie). It was a really special experience. After church a member and his
nonmember friend (who came to church once like 6 weeks ago but wasn't interested
in meeting with us then) came up to us to announce that his friend wanted to be
baptized!!! I'M SORRY, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? We went to the visitor's center
that night and taught the restoration. So powerful. He is incredible. He has an
intricate spiritual background and has tried a lot of different religions. He
said that when he reads the words of Joseph Smith or learns more about the
restored gospel, all of the puzzle pieces of truth that he has from all of his
experiences finally fit together. He knows how to follow the spirit like
nobody's business. He lives right outside of our area, so we will be
transferring him to other missionaries. But he's getting baptized on May 17th!
Hurrah for Israel!! When we were teaching him, he went on a tangent for a few
minutes about how extremely lucky we are to have "so much light in your life at
such a young age". I just sat there in front of the Christus statue on a
beautiful Easter evening in so much awe. He was so right. I can't express my
gratitude for the knowledge and light of my Savior that I have. He really does
live! And His work continues today.
-This morning I was humbled. I selfishly thought to myself (for lack of
better terms), "Why do I have to give all my golden people away and then you
keep giving me nuts people to teach that I don't know how to handle!" Very
quickly I repented. I read in the book, Jesus The Christ, about the parable of
the laborers. I am not here for a wage. I am here to work for the Lord and do
whatever He asks. These are not my people - they are His. He loves each of us
equally. We each have the same potential and we each need this gospel. God owes
me absolutely nothing, because He has already given me everything. I owe Him
everything and all I have. I love this work and I love the Lord. So many
miracles this week and I'm sure there will be many more this week.
make it a great week!!!
Love,
Sister Atkinson
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