Week 40

Hello beautiful people,
This week was bittersweet. I had to say goodbye to some good friends in the mission, however, this transfer has been great so far and there is a lot to look forward to.

Firstly, Sister Mike is my Malaysian Twin. To summarise our companionship in one Sister Mike quote, ‘we met at a festival in the pre-existence’. And look, I probably wouldn’t be surprised. We may look like a very odd companionship, but I can assure you, we have very similar personalities. Her interests include music, festivals, the night, travelling, fashion, ohh and photography. In fact, Sister Mike served a 6 month church -service mission being a photographer for the church in Malaysia. Another great sentence that was documented, ‘If you see Emelia Lazuli Mike is married on facebook and I don’t post any of my wedding photos, it means my husband is not photogenic. You will see my wedding dress. I will post photos alone, that is it.’ #turnupthemike

Secondly, Sinead was baptised on Saturday. I don’t think I’ve ever really mentioned how we came to teach her; she was a member referral. She had been coming to church for almost a year, however, did not truly understand the role of the missionaries. With effort on our behalf to befriend her and with the support and direction from her member friend whom she used to work with, she eventually felt comfortable to take the missionary discussions. Sinead was truly prepared as she knew that church was a place of peace, however, she couldn’t recognise the many answers from Heavenly Father that this was the right path. It has been very rewarding to see how through fasting, prayer and scripture study, that not only did she receive her answer but she decided that baptism would be a blessing.

Moreover, it was a private baptism, and there were only thirteen people present, including us, but it was the most spiritual baptism that I have attended. There was so much love in that room, and I could feel Heavenly Father rejoicing for the journey that Sinead has had. She has overcome a lot, but it was great to see her confident and joyous in her decision. It was also lovely to hear from Sister Cooper, her friend and fellowshipper, on what she has learned from the missionary discussions. It has definitely increased her testimony of the gospel but also missionary work. I am just so grateful that I was blessed with the opportunity to teach Sinead, and to have met the Coopers. I felt so underqualified to teach, so Heavenly Father has been heavily relied on and she was definitely taught by the spirit as my approach was unconventional – teach people, not lessons as Preach My Gospel states.

Lastly, the upcoming week will result in a lot of finding. I am excited to search for other prepared souls in Crewe, and to work with more members. At sacrament this week, I asked Heavenly Father to help me to reach a higher level of consecration to the work and therefore I left humility at the altar. I am praying for humility, seeking out answers to my questions in the scriptures, relying on the spirit to direct me and reading preach my gospel to gain an immeasurable understanding of missionary work. This transfer is going to be great and I am choosing to be happier each and every day through gratitude.

Proverbs 3:5-6