This week has by far been a crazy week fun of miracles and sorrows.
On Monday I got a wonderful phone call!! Dewayne Johnson from my Studio City area was going to be baptized March 25th and he wanted me to come back and speak at his baptism!! He had been struggling with the word of wisdom and he finally beat it!! Whoo! I got to go to his baptism Saturday and it was beautiful! The spirit was over powering and Dewayne's non-member wife Trish loved every minute of it. (She is soo going to get baptized!) After the baptism I thanked Dwayne for letting me talk on baptism and be a part of his baptism and he told me something that has humbled me to the core. During all of his lessons with the missionaries he could feel the spirit, but when I came and started teaching him, he felt something different. I was a different missionary. I had a better understanding of him, and what he needed and I had played a huge part in him wanting to be baptized. We all have unique conversion stories, that we need to be willing to share... you could be that one person who changes someone else's life... Don't be afraid! Just testify with God's power!!
That same Monday at Zone activity the Zone leader decided that we needed to all eat baluts to build Zone unity. A balut is a duck egg that was boiled before the baby duck could completely develop...... so you're eating a head,beak, bones and feathers..... well no one in their right mind wanted to do that sooo the Zone leader guilt tripped me into doing it because one of the sister training leaders had to do it... so yeah I ate a balut and some how managed not to throw up!!!! But don't worry I'll get back at the zone leaders.... some how.. if you have any ideas feel free to email me:)
Victor is doing wonderfully!! He has come to church twice and he still really really wants to be baptized and he is trying to beat his word of wisdom struggles with full force. We had a lesson with him and were able to download the gospel library app to his phone. He now listens to primary songs as he drives to work. He was so happy with his change of life that he played the guitar for us and bought us donuts!!
We found Jason last transfer and we were not able to get back in contact with him but we kept trying. We finally got a hold of him, met him at a park and taught him the first lesson. Jason is the perfect investigator. He asks all the right questions and is willing to follow commitments. He read the introduction out loud to us and said as he read he could feel that he was gaining knowledge! We invited him to be baptized and he accepted!! He is so excited to learn more... only problem is he is 24 so we might have to pass him off to the YSA elders.
We have been teaching Jack (a special needs kid in our ward) the lesson to prepare him for baptism and he is doing so good!! He can remember the things that we teach him and he is really starting to improve! His parents are so thrilled! We had a lesson with him yesterday about the importance of church and he told us eating snacks in sacrament was his favorite part of church:)
Yesterday I found out that someone so very very dear to me had passed through the veil. I don't know if I have ever been more devastated in my life... my first reaction was complete and utter anger at all the unfairness of the situation and the helplessness of being away from home... but this is one of the very reasons why I decided to come out on a mission. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will see our loved ones again. Families can and will be together forever and Heavenly Father has a specific plan for us. Sometimes He just needs to call His angels home. Jesus Christ our brother and Savior knows exactly how we are feeling and He will never ever leave us alone. All we have to do is let Him carry our burdens. Let him lift you up. This church is the true church that Jesus Christ himself established here on the earth. Hold on to the covenants that you have made with your Heavenly Father and you will receive eternal life.
I love you all and you are all in my prayers.
Love, Sister Howard
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