Sorry guys, I have not yet been taught how to post her pictures. Hopefully I will learn soon. Dawn
HELLO ALL!!!!!
Time flew this week.
The scripture in my subject line is
one of my new favorites (2 Nephi 4:34) and it goes along with Isaiah 26:4 and
Proverbs 3:4-6. New life motto. Trust in the Lord. It will all work out. :)
Sorry if I came off preachy last week, I'll be much more reserved this
week, haha.
-Picture of Dad walking across Summers Street in the rain in newspaper was hilarious.
-The other day I
was standing on the street waiting to get in the car and this giant white van
speedily drove past us. The sliding door was open and this girl was hanging out
of the door and called to us , "we ain't on crack." when she saw my surprised
expression, she gave out the funniest cackle I have ever heard. "HEH. HEH. HEH."
At that moment, I thought, "this is real life. this is not a youtube video. this
is my life. ohhh mercy, my life stinkin rocks." yeah. never a dull moment in
L.A. :)
-Eclipse gum car cup? Helped Sister Barney and I survive our studies
and plannings the past two weeks. (we only chew gum in our apartment).
-This
is way late, but can anyone tell me how Taylor's recital went?! I'm sure you did
great Tay!
-Thanks Zack Long for commenting on the ol' blog! Mom forwarded
it to me. Can't wait to hear from ya :)
-Loved the WVU Mountaineer on top of
Seneca during fall picture you sent me Mom. go 'eers. And loved the Elder Holland
quote from October 2012 General Conference typed all artsy. During that talk is when I got my 100%
going on a mission prompting. I've been able to read it or watch it and the
announcement about lower missionary age a few times since I've been out. I haven't cried much at all since
I've been out, but I always tear up when I hear/read those two things. Changed
my life!
-Okie dokie, Mom you won't get new pictures until you post the old
ones and send me the card back, haha..Then I'll send this card home.
-Julianne Hough (famous dancer/actress in the new Footloose? less active
Mormon?) ON MY CHURCH YSA WARD LIST. I freaked out when I saw it. No address or number
listed, so I can't go knocking on her door. But I did find her childhood email
address on an older list, hahaha. Dr. 90210? some plastic surgery reality show?
He was in Sister Barney's old ward (Beverly Hills). Maybe I'll get to meet him.
Almost everyone we meet has a close connection to a Mormon. It's surprising. We
ran into a Korean guy yesterday who went to BYU for 6 months and some of his
dad's friends translated the Book of Mormon into Korean. The Church is growing
and the knowledge of it is rolling forth to all the world! Speaking of, mormon.org rocks. It's our
favorite pass along card. It even has fancy QR code so we're tyring to get
people to pull out their iphones and watch a video with us right there on the
street or on campus.
-Sister Barney gave me a calendar my first day in the
field and we write down a tender mercy or how we have seen the hand of the Lord that
day. I have started to write down something I can improve or change for the
next day. It really has helped me grow. I recognize how much I rely on the Lord,
how much I need to stay humble, and to improve each day through the strength of
the Lord.
-Mom asked about Allan. He's still meeting with us. This week we
are going to have a lesson with him on feeling and recognizing the Spirit.
Hopefully that will help.
-Ashley is doing well. Her friend at BYU is coming
home the second week in March so we are really hoping that she'll keep her
baptismal date of March 10. She has the faith and the testimony, but a few
things are scaring her (family opposition and perfect knowledge and some other
things). She is like a younger sister to me. She has progressed so much, and I
just know that she'll continue to do so. I have decided that a reason my sister Brittany
and I served on campuses/ young adult wards is because we have a Mom who joined
the church at that age. We know what effect it can have on a person's life to
join the church in the young adult years. I have found myself sharing Mom's
story time and time again. Because my mom made that decision, she has an eternal
marriage and family. I wouldn't be on a mission right now if my mom didn't have
the courage to act on promptings. from the Lord. I love working with people this
age!
Valentine's day was one of my favorites yet on my mission. This might
sound super cheesy, but I recognized that I feel God's love for people that day.
I meet people from all over the world, from all walks of life. Within a few
hours the other day, I met an Italian, a Korean, a Lithuanian, a Iranian, etc. I
met a homeless man and a professional ghost writer for how-to books. I met a
Jewish person, a Muslim, a Southern Baptist who lived in Utah for a long time
and was worried about converting us to her beliefs (hahaha, we killed her with
kindness and we at least got her to giggle), an Agnostic, and an Atheist. I
mean, literally everyone. But every time I meet someone I feel this overwhelming
love for them. I have the desire to sit down for hours with them and hear their
story and where they came from. I have this overwhelming desire to share what I
know to be true with them. That God loves them. That God is their literal Father
in Heaven. That He will answer our prayers if we ask. How do I care so much for
people that I've known 2 1/2 weeks, 2 days, or 2 minutes? When they tell me a
tragedy from their lives, I feel so much sorrow and pain for them. I could type
for hours about the individuals I have met and how their trials and stories have
effected me. The other night we had a lesson with someone who has been
struggling. It broke my heart to hear about her trials in life, but I was
overwhelmed when she shared a very sacred and personal experience she had with
her Savior. I could feel God's love for her. God loved her so much that he sent
His only Begotten Son to this earth. For her. And for me. And for you.
I
love working with less actives. People who think this work is all about baptism
are a little confused. It's about bringing others, all others, to come closer to
Christ. Whether that's my companion, the man I talk to on the street for 25
seconds, to an investigator (someone taking the lessons), the ward I'm working
in, and members who are struggling. Don't get me wrong I love extending the
baptismal invitation and teaching the Restoration and I cannot wait to see
Ashley baptized, but helping people set their sights on the temple? So rewarding
as well. Baptism is a hugeeee first step, but eternal life is the end goal. If
we can help anyone and everyone get closer to that end goal, that goal of eternal
perfection and happiness with God and with our families? happy happy, joy joy.
That's not just the purpose of missionaries, that's the purpose for each of us!
I truly love you all so much. Thanks for reading. Thanks for the prayers
and support.
Make it a great week,
Sister Atkinson :)
p.s. check out
some of the mormon messages and mormon.org videos. love them. share them.
p.p.s.- if anyone wants to email my mom and attach a document with his/her
testimony of the Book of Mormon, I would love you forever. Do it landscape so
you can fit two on a page. I'll make copies and slip them in the Book of Mormons
we give out. Makes a great family home evening activity ;)
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