Well I just got back from a Yankee's baseball game! A ton of missionaries from all over our mission went and it was a lot of fun to see everyone! I got to ride the subway for the first time and caught a glimpse of the city feel. Well this week seemed to go on forever because we didn't really get a full P-day last week. We hardly had any food this week! Our one dinner appointment cancelled and we didn't really have any food to cook (because we didn't have time to shop for food last P-day). The night before fast Sunday all we had was a muffin for dinner. But we had a delicious dinner Sunday night at the Matthews and I got to play the guitar there which was so fun :)
So the weather has kinda been all over the place. It was really hot and humid a few weeks ago and then it cooled off and randomly it will pour rain! Sister Awerkamp accidentally locked the keys in the car one night when we got home. We just kinda sat there wondering what to do and of course it starts raining. At first it is lightly raining and we were enjoying he cool drops on our face because it was warm out. And then it starts POURING rain. Like really pouring! We just start laughing and start dancing in the rain. We were soaked all the way through! That has happened to us twice now where we have been completely soaked through by the rain. We come into our apartment looking like we had just taken a shower with our clothes on. It was really fun though and it felt really good because it was warm outside. We ended up calling someone and got our keys out of the car that evening so it all worked out :)
Well things are going good with the people we are teaching. Diane really likes to talk a lot but we prayed that she would be able to feel of the importance of our lesson so that she would listen and it worked! We were able to get through the whole restoration lesson. She is very receptive to what we have to say.The only problem is that she asks the same questions over and over. She apologized and said that she is listening but she has a bad memory. We wonder if her MS affects her ability to remember.
Jessica has come to church every week since we found her! She is a member who stopped coming to church when she moved to NY from Australia. She has a sweet accent. Her sister who is a return missionary wants to meet us this week so we can all have a lesson together. So that will be so cool. I bet Jessica's sister is so excited that Jessica has been coming back to church. We haven't met Jessica's hubby but we hope to be teaching him soon as well.
We saw Elizabeth at church again! She is so happy and always wears a beautiful smile. She was the one who when the missionaries first met with her she didn't believe in God. Now she loves coming to church because it gives her a warm feeling and she like how everyone is so kind and friendly. She finally committed to reading the Book of Mormon and to pray about it to find out for herself it is true. That is AWESOME because she always gives us excuses for why she can't read it (school, work, taking care of daughter) We explained to her that the Holy Ghost is a gift that God has given to us to let us know truth when we hear it and that she can come to know truth for herself through the Holy Ghost. We asked if she wanted to know truth and she said of course she does and agreed to read it. So we'll see if she follows through with her commitment. She is progressing very slowly, but it is exciting to see that change that has occurred from when we first met with her until now.
This week I have taught a lot of lessons about the Plan of Salvation or God's Plan of Happiness for us. I just want my family to know that I have a testimony of Heavenly Father's plan for us. We are his children. He loves us more than we can comprehend. He wants us to receive all that He has. The way to receive these blessing is by turning to our Savior Jesus Christ. Christ is central to God's plan of Salvation. It is through Christ that we can be forgiven of our sins and live for eternity with our families after this life. I have had things put into perspective this week as I have taught this plan to others over and over. I realized just how short our time really is here on earth. It is just a small part of God's whole plan for us. I love sharing this plan with others and I am so thankful for the knowledge I have at such a young age of where I came from, why I am here and where I am going. Never forget who you are. You are children of God and you have a divine potential. God is wanting to give you all that He has. His invitation has always been "come unto me and I will receive you" we simply have to come unto him by follow Christ's teachings. As we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
I love this gospel! I love being a missionary! It can be hard at times but it is always worth it! My testimony has grown so much as I have seen the gospel transform and change the lives of others. It has helped build my confidence and faith that God can and will help us all no matter who you are or what circumstance you are in. My heart has been so touched by the faith these people have in God. Their life stories and faith make me want to be better! It is truly inspiring.
I love you all so much! I hope all is well at home! Enjoy your summer break and the new trampoline! And I am excited to hear about the scripture challenge you are doing! Maybe you can copy some of the story pictures Noah and Enoch draw! And Isaac, Caleb and Madeline--I want to hear a few insights you had or what you have learned :) What a fun way of reading from the scriptures daily! Well I have got to get going! I'll talk to you all next week :)
Love Sister Lounsbury
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