I don't know how to start my email today because of the compete joy and overwhelming love I have at this time. We just got done with a session at the Temple......! Oh my heart is full of gratitude because this morning I told myself I wouldn't rush (I remember the first time going to the temple with Sister Yates! Tender.) I wanted Sister West to have the very best experience so I didn't rush myself or her. We were 10 minutes late but I was totes calm. With my stomach not doing the greatest I thought of all the promises Heavenly Father has offered to me....all I could do was smile at the temple workers knowing that I'm going to be just fine! My stomach hasn't hurt at all this morning; there was a reason why we were late! I'm drinking lots of water, taking naps when needed, when I'm doing well I work my hardest and we have seen so many miracles! So let me tell you about them!
Monday we took it easy and enjoyed cleaning and writing letters/making super cute cards out of what I have which is so awesome! Dinner at Sister Lambert's was really nice as always! The meal was meatballs and noodles! So amazing to see her serve us so much!
On Tuesday we had a bit of a mix up with dinners and I was down again but we had dinner with the Nielson's in the CI ward. It's hard not being able to control everything and beating yourself down. But Bro. N told me that I just need to work with the members and smile more! Let it shine! Being depressed I don't smile as much or laugh and people can tell. So I need to feel good about everything I do....it's a work in progress! So I went out with sweet soon to be Sister May, she has turned in her call and we went by the Perkins in the Bayshore ward and it was wonderful to talk to her and Hunter who is now 9 and not baptized! We are hoping to put him on date very soon! Then for some reason I had the feeling to stop by a referral from the SB ward, Patrick. He is a single father of like 3, moved back with his parents and wants to do better with his life and be an example to his children. He welcomed us right in and I had to take the lead on the lesson not expecting to actually teach him right there in his kitchen! Haha. So let the Holy Spirit guide?!!?! We did the introduction to the Book of Mormon and the spirit was just tender. Since Sister West wasn't there I didn't want to invite him to be baptized.......I could only hold it in for so long and then it just came out! He is totes ready and is on date for the 31st! I wanted to cry knowing it's been a while since I've invited someone to be baptized. Sister May was just over joyed, now she knows what it will feel like to invite someone to be baptized on her mission! She was glowing! She is going to be a wonderful missionary!
On Wednesday, it was another down day but we were able to visit Shaylee and Carlos. We sang in their home and wow, the spirit is just amazing! Then we had a lesson with Dakota, he is having troubles reading the Book of Mormon....reading problems.....I can totes relate! As he was reading my thoughts went to when I hated reading during family scripture study every night and sounding out the words. I thought my life was so hard. I hated it. But mom kept at me to read a verse, along with the sibs. Now I know I'm not a pro at reading the Book of Mormon but I totes have improved and know that it was the help of the Lord. So I felt like I had to tell Dakota about my experience.....School work became easier and so did learning about the church! We just have to be humble and ask for help! We then went to the SL ward cook out where Roben was helping to cook the food! It was great seeing him interact with the ward members....He might be an 'eternagator' but he need to exercise his faith more and get baptized! Haha. I love the members in that ward, Maranda Person, Kaitlyn Hinton, the Nunes Girls (Young women are like the best!)
Wednesday I learned that there is such an importance of companion study and planning for lessons! With Sister West being totes new I have to take the lead on the lessons....So with Jordan it was a bit hard and I had to give her little hints to say something....Shoot is that how it was for me when I first came out?!!?! Haha. I just felt so silly. Why am I stressing?!!?! It's so much fun laughing at yourself! For dinner that night, we ate with the Wood family....she had her mother-in-law and she is recovering from heart surgery I just felt her grandma love and I smiled all dinner. We chatted a bit after and I thought of Grandma Iliff and I just had to tell her, 'When I left for my mission my grandma told me that she is just a letter away.' I wanted to cry but I felt way to much of Heavenly Fathers love to cry so I just smiled and she gave me the cutest and most tender Grandma hug, I didn't want to let go! Did you know Heavenly Father puts people into our paths for some reason?!!?!
Then we had a lesson with Patrick and our ride for the night was just so sweet, Sister Hill! Sister West was able to invite his twin brother to be baptized also on August 31st! The spirit was so strong as we bore testimony of Joseph Smith and recited the 1st vision! Warm Fuzzies all over! I love it when members can experience these kinds of lessons. The gospel does change our life!
Friday for district meeting the training was all about the Book of Mormon! I'm so great I studied it that morning ;) Not really the Zone Leader's sent a text to us on accident but I used it for my benefit! Ha. The spirit was so strong we each shared our testimonies about how we know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Mine came over time and truly applying it to my life and praying lots to understand! We also had interviews with President Hansen. He is just amazing, like a Grandpa that cares! He said he wants me to get better and be the best trainer....and I can do it! I know what to do.....I have had many companions that have taught me like totes important lessons that I have already shared with Sister West. She is now into sticky notes (on the walls and leaving them at peeps homes!) and pictures by her bed!!! Too cute!
Saturday was slow, it was Stansbury days and so everyone was out on the Lake. I'm grateful for the sweet promptings of the spirit so I texted Sister Mama Roberts to see if they could feed us for dinner. I needed them! They brought a smile on my face and they didn't know I was having a hard day. Tear, she gave me a mother hug!
Sunday was just as wonderful as the week...really! Patrick and Michael came to church with their families!!!! Seeing them there just made my heart full taking these steps. Being so reverent and feel so much peace. The sacrament hymn was perfect for me and I'm sure them too. It states, 'at the throne I intercede; For thee ever do I plead.' He wants us to become like Him! I can't fully write all my feelings down but the spirit has whispered to me that the atonement is real! It is not just for me so I'm sharing it with others! Everything is going to be okay! We were able to see Janny, another tender grandma hug! and then correlation meeting was just great! The ward mission leader's have the vision and the members need to get on the ball! But they are doing better!
I'm just so grateful for my Heavenly Fathers love. He cares for us! I know that we can overcome all through the atonement of Jesus Christ! I have been able to look at each day and remember a moment I felt a warm fuzzy. That makes me smile and know that this is the plan He wants me to live, serve and share with others! At the temple today I didn't know a zone from the Salt Lake City East mission would be there too, so I was able to see the other wonderful missionaries! Sister Hansen just came up to me and gave me a big long hug. (I was doing really well with no tears and then she made them start! Ha.) I guess love grows fonder as we are far apart. I don't know really what I have done to have her be so emotional but she said to me that she misses me lots and she learned so much from me. If I haven't done anything I've helped her to love your companion no matter what! I love you all so much! Thanks for your prayers for my health and the people in the Stansbury Park area!
Love your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
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