March 17, 2015

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND TRANSFER WEEK AND BAPTISM WEEK AND EVERYTHING GOOD

It definitely is the end of my time here in Lauderhill with Sister Morrow because everything is ending so well.

Maria was baptized on Sunday. Our bishop decided that she should be confirmed right after (as there was a PM family baptism and confirmation as well) and that was powerful. We visited her yesterday and asked how she felt after being baptized and she explained to us she is already feeling the promptings of the Holy Ghost and is choosing the right. I am sad to not be able to see her brother be baptized this coming week, but I know that he must need the sisters coming in.

Sister Morrow is so ready to be greenie broken. She has had passion and excitement and enthusiasm for this work for so many weeks, she is ready to "make a name for herself" and light her next area on fire. We wake up laughing and go to sleep laughing. No clue how I will have as much fun in this work without her!!! As much as I wish we could stay together, she so deserves to be on her own with another companion. I know that she will absolutely take off. 

Sister Morrow... she is selfless, spiritual, obedient, wise, helpful, a great listener... she is "that good companion." I know that you can put her with anyone, in any circumstance and count on her. I am so incredibly grateful for my time with her.

In other (random) news I have forgotten to tell you:

#1 the cost of being on time to personal study... I splattered boiling water from my oatmeal over like 1/2 of my forearm. I freaked. Iced it. But now with all of the knocking in the hot sun it is scarring. Sad day. It's okay I still have some sunscreen so don't worry m and d it will all be okay.

#2 we moved apartments. Did I tell you we lived in mold for 3.5 months? Not cool. Anyway this one is so nice and clean and now I have to leave. chill. Such is life.

#3 Hayden officially wins the best human award because he sent me the most hilarious card (valentine) and update and TWENTY DOLLARS. I actually cried some tears of joy because his 20 is saving me this month. Literally was an answer to a prayer and I just love Hayden so much. Sister Morrow said, "he must be the best brother, he is so selfless, huh?" I chuckled and thought... appears that way...is this gamer boy? He has changed!!! Haha.... Hayden you are the best and you are really growing up and I am stoked to come back and see the person you have become because that card was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.

Back to spiritual stuff: The area and ward here are incredible. I will miss this place, but I am excited to meet the people in my next area and get to work. Lauderhill is holy ground for me. It is sacred to me. The things that I learned here, the people I met, the miracles I saw... I could not be more blessed. I cherish the memories I have of seeing our recent converts in this area progress after baptism. The M. family, in particular, has my heart. I feel so blessed to have been able to watch them come to church each week, receive a calling, and bless the sacrament, etc. Br. M. even taught Relief Society's enrichment last week and educated the sisters about Family History. I love them with all my heart. I will never lose contact with them. 

We had an incredible miracle yesterday. Before knocking doors, we took a bathroom break at Publix. As we were walking out, three girls ages 15, 19, and 22 looked at us funny. We smiled and then they came after us saying, "Where is the church located? We have been looking for it for a year and we have not been able to find it." I have to admit, at first I thought three ridiculously elect gators fell into our lap, but after chatting we found out that they are from El Salvador and moved here last year. They have not been able to find the church... no wonder because we were in Oakland Park and the church is all the way in Coral Springs. Anyway, we gave them a chapel card and asked when we could come by and visit. I suggested Wednesday or Thursday, and one of them looked at me and said... "pues... hoy esta bien." They are so converted I love it! Sadly, we had a full schedule so we couldn't, but I know that God placed us in their path so that they could become active again and enjoy the blessings of the gospel!

I found a lot of comfort in Alma 26 this morning. This is my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon, and today I was impressed as I read :1 and :9:

1 And now, these are the words of Ammon to his brethren, which say thus: My brothers and my brethren, behold I say unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted unto us such great blessings?

 9 For if we had not come up out of the land of Zarahemla, these our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly beloved us, would still have been racked with hatred against us, yea, and they would also have been strangers to God.

My mission, and Lauderhill in particular, is holy ground to me. This time is so very sacred to me. Verse 1 took me back to pre-mission me. I was so selfish, not even desiring to serve the Lord. I am so glad that I did. I never, ever could have imagined I would be so blessed and learn so much. Verse 9 makes me think of each precious soul Heavenly Father has allowed me to teach on my mission. Those who have been baptized are so special because I have been so blessed to have witnessed the atonement change someone firsthand. 

I am feeling that fire again. I learned a lot about discouragement, and how NOT to deal with trials. I am ready to work hard and baptize consistently. The Lord has my heart and I am here to give Him my all.

Another round of applause for those who finished this extra long email. 11 months later and you still support me (m and d). Anyone else read to the end? I am talking to myself?

Enjoy each day, go share your testimony... it comes up in conversation easier than you think. Read D&C 33:8-10. Go be like Nephi as old. Share these amazing things that we know to be true. 

"Peace is when a spirit that promised to never forget is in a body that is striving to always remember." They will remember these things!

All my love,

Hermana McCormick