I Have Never Been so Physically Exhausted in My Life!

Oi Familia e Amigos

Somehow this week was the most exhausting week of my mission so far, but IT WAS SO WORTH IT! We had teaching appointments every hour of every day and if an appointment did fall through, then we ALWAYS had someone to teach that was either walking down the street or just lived in the same neighborhood or apartment complex and we felt that we should try talking to them. I feel asleep every night absolutely exhausted, but I felt the hand of the Lord in our work so significantly. We worked so hard at finding new investigators and we were so blessed with so many people to teach.

It is truly amazing to see the Lord's hand in this work every single hour of every single day. I am constantly amazed that if we are EXACTLY obedient and have faith then we will be placed in the right place at the right time. I studied the gift of the Holy Ghost a lot this week because the role of the Spirit is so intertwined with our work as missionaries. To truly be able to find and teach by the Spirit, we need to respond to every good though that we have, not just what we think comes from the Spirit.

I have also been realizing more and more that the Atonement is symbolic in so many areas of our lives. That the birth of a new child, baptism, going through the Temple, being married and sealed in the Temple, these are all symbolic of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am realizing more and more how if we use the Atonement in our lives, then we allow ourselves to be healed physically, spiritually, emotionally, in every way possible. The Savior is waiting for us to reach out our hand to him and if we take that first step he will help us to become completely clean of everything. We don't have to feel the hurt anymore.

This week was amazing! We received new investigators right and left, who I just know have been prepared by the Lord. They are the kinds of investigators who have some things to work through, so it will take a lot of faith and prayers, but I know that if it be the Lord's will these people will be baptized and be able to change their lives 100 percent.

We had a lesson with a less active named John who has been starting to come back to church, he called us that morning and said you better change the lesson because my Mom is sitting in with us today. Uhhh... his mother had never said more than two words to us when we went to his house. We went over not really knowing what to expect, but J said she had never sat in on a lesson before, so we felt the pressure. We taught the Restoration and oh that woman has such a good and willing heart! She shared with us her desire to have what we had, she wanted the light that we radiated. She wants the gospel and she sees how it can change her life. We are so incredibly excited for her! It was amazing to see this woman's complete turnaround to never speaking to us, to completely opening up about her problems and asking how she could be clean from them.

We had to give up J G this week to the elders :/ It was a sad day for us, but we realize that he  will relate better to the elders because they are the same age and they will be great priesthood holders for him to look up to. We still get to see him at church and Institute! He is also still getting baptized on November 16 :)

We taught seminary this week! Very humbling to have children sleep while you are trying to teach. And let's just say that 5 am is very, very early compared to 6:30 am.

This week our recent convert came to church FINALLY and is able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood next Sunday! We are so excited for this and have been praying extensively over this miracle!

I know this is God's work. These are the Last Days. He needs each and every one of us to share the gospel with just one person, so that another soul can be brought to the truth. I have seen the hand of the Lord in this work and I know without a doubt that he is mindful of all his brothers and sisters on the earth. All we have to do is reach out our hand to him and take the first step. I know without a doubt that as we read the Book of Mormon, a spirit of peace and joy will come into our lives, this book testifies of Jesus Christ. This book testifies of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Restoration. And if we abide by its precepts we will be happier and more blessed than ever before.

Thank you and I love you all!

Sister Brotherson