Unceasing miracles

God was so intentional this week with everything that happened, and each and every person He placed into our lives. More hugs. So many amazing conversations. So much growth. Thankful to be a missionary. I know that God is so aware of each and every one of His children and their circumstances. He will always grant us strength beyond our own!

I also gained a testimony this week that God gives us trials not only so we can grow closer to Him and gain experience, but also so we can relate to others, empathize with them, and comfort like the Savior does. Certain hardships allow us to look outward and help God's children in unimaginable ways! I'm so thankful for trials and the opportunity we have to "bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light… and mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." (Mosiah 18:8-9) If we look to Him in all things and turn outward amidst our struggles, He promises "this too shall pass."

P day activities last Wednesday- more basketball of course (I have so many bruises from getting absolutely beat up by the elders hahaha), soccer, baseball with pool noodles, etc. Finally beat Elder Gee at 1 on 1 basketball teehee. Did zumba and went on runs for our exercise every morning this week! Sister Pocock and I also discovered a little sitting area by the pool at our apartment, and we started doing our studies out there. Obviously we don't use the pool but it's such a pretty place to sit and feel the spirit.

Thursday was Mckensey's birthday and we got to celebrate with her!! Elder Wilstead, Hart, Gee, Johnston, Sister Pocock, and I- plus a few of our ward members- Presley, Milton, and Eli (who just got baptized!!) went to a hibachi grill with her in downtown Nashville! She was so happy and had a great day!

One of the many miracles of the week- after a really difficult night of asking God what He'd have me do, the words "work hard and you will fly" kept coming to me. The next morning in personal study, the very first verse I read out of the Book of Mormon was 2 Nephi 24:14 "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high." I felt His undeniable love and gained a stronger testimony that He knows me and hears my prayers!

Next miracle- friday morning I had the opportunity to get a priesthood blessing. Sister Pocock and I got really stressed because we had forgotten we had a lesson with a guy to teach him the restoration at the same time we were supposed to meet with the elders. But we said a quick prayer everything would work out. Right as we were about to call him to reschedule, he texted us first and said "hey can we meet at a later time? That would work a lot better for me." Elder Wilstead and Elder Hart gave me the blessing, and it was one of the most special experiences of my mission. I'm so thankful for their pure hearts, selflessness, willingness to drop everything to help, and worthiness to use the power of God to bless others who are in need. E. Wilstead played the piano for us for a while afterward and the spirit in the room was so strong.

Miracles continued through the rest of that day and the rest of the week. We found so many new people to teach that day and all of our lessons went perfectly! At the end of the night, S. Pocock and I were sitting in the car outside our apartment building, so filled with faith and excitement, we decided to say a prayer asking if God would help us find 3 new people in our last 20 minutes of work. Less than 5 seconds after we finished the prayer, a delivery man knocked on our car window. He wondered where he could find a certain apartment number. We got out and helped him find it, then told him about how we're missionaries! He gave us his number and said he'd love to chat with us more about it :,))

Right after we went back inside, a girl messaged S. Pocock back and said she wants to meet with us to hear our message! We had 5 minutes left of the night and still wanted to find one more person! So we said another prayer and I got a really strong impression I needed to call someone. I scrolled through my insta dm's until as clear as ever, in my head I heard "that one." It was someone I had only been messaging for a day or 2 but I decided to video call anyways. He answered immediately and it turns out a call from us was exactly what he needed for the struggles he'd been facing all week. Planning on meeting with him in person in a few days!! In 20 minutes, God led us to 3 of His children who need the message of the gospel. He answers prayers according to our faith and willingness to ask for help. Miracles have not ceased!! The Holy Ghost will always lead us to people who need hope! 2 Nephi 26:15 "the prayers of the faithful shall be heard." 2 Nephi 27:23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

Saturday we had a ton more lessons and it was my beautiful big sissy's birthday so I got to call my fam :)) happy birthday Amber!! Sunday was such a beautiful day! Our church meetings were nothing short of incredible. We had so many new friends come to church with us for the first time. Jackson and his buddies also came. Something HILARIOUS- I gave the closing prayer in sacrament meeting and as I walked to the front they all yelled "woop woop!" (Obviously not familiar with reverence hahaha) and after the meeting Jackson was so excited and said "I took pictures of you up there!" S. Pocock and I DIED laughing.

Sunday night we had dinner with Sarah from our ward (who has 3 ADORABLE goldendoodle puppies. My heart almost exploded) and her boyfriend Vince who isn't a member but is curious about our church! We made waffles all together and had a really great lesson with Him about faith in Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon! Had a lesson with a guy named David that night too and he's so inspiring! He said God brought him to Nashville so he could pursue a music career and use his talents to write worship songs and glorify his Savior. He said he'd love to read the Book of Mormon and we're bringing him one tomorrow!

Monday FHE was awesome! We played water balloon volleyball with the ward but eventually it just turned into a free for all water balloon fight. We all got absolutely drenched but it felt amazing in the 80⁰ heat! Had an amazing lesson with Jackson that night. We talked about his baptism coming up. He started crying then we started crying and it was the most precious thing ever. Something he said has really stuck with me. "I find it so amazing that the intelligent God who miraculously created every atom also knows ME perfectly and exactly what's going on in my mind."

We had our weekly dinner at Andrew's house with E. Wilstead, E. Hart, E. Johnston, E. Gee on Tuesday night and had one of the most powerful member lessons ever. All 7 of us were in tears by the end. In that moment, the love our Heavenly Father has for us and the love we all had for each other was so overwhelming. S. Pocock and I cried the entire drive home too as we talked about how thankful we are to be here, how thankful we are to have met each other, and how good God is to us. I am so amazed by how He blesses us. The greatest miracle I recognized this week is that God sent me here to Nashville. He knew exactly what He was doing when He reassigned me to serve here. He knew I needed to meet each of these people. I'm so thankful. God is so intentional.

The elders, S. Pocock, and I have also been having a lot of deep discussions about the signs we're showing the Lord that we're fully committed and dedicated to the work He has called us to. I've learned how important it is that we are in the world but not of the world. John 17:16 "They are not of the world even as I [Jesus Christ] am not of the world." Are we willing to give up everything that won't help us grow closer to our Savior? Alma 22:18 - "I will give away all my sins to know thee." What will we sacrifice in order to align our will with God's? Are we ready to completely submit to His plan for us? Do we ask each and every day "what lack I yet?" Is everything we do motivated by our love for the Savior? Do we say "thy will be done" even when what He asks of us is difficult?

President Nelson asks similar questions in his conference talk "Let God Prevail." He says, "Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His? Consider how such willingness could bless you… imagine the courage you can muster as you choose to let God prevail in your life and as you plead with Him to strengthen you. When your greatest desire is to let God prevail, to be part of Israel, so many decisions become easier. So many issues become nonissues! You know how best to groom yourself. You know what to watch and read, where to spend your time, and with whom to associate. You know what you want to accomplish. You know the kind of person you really want to become."

I testify that God's plan for us is perfect. His ways are greatest. His love is matchless. As we completely purify ourselves through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and surrender to the will of our Heavenly Father, He will help us overcome all things! He will remove our burdens and give us the wings to fly. Consider how such willingness and sacrifice will bless us! As we let God prevail, we will experience more joy than we could possibly imagine.

Love yall :)

hc <3

- family dinner w/ E. Wilstead & E. Hart featuring 50 chicken nuggets

- mckensey's birthday!!

- the Judd's trying out our ceiling camera

- Nashville 1 zone missionaries!

- our district <3

- little present from elder wilstead / one of my fav poems :,,)

- Sister pocock & my study place!

- post basketball game (peep our name tags - gotta rep your homies)

- if your comp doesn't tape your face to her water bottle - wyd?

- e. Lewis & e croney / bffs