My Faith in Elder Ballard Will Kill Covid!!!

Hello everyone, what a week that it has been! Let me just say I am glad it is over, but I am grateful for all that happened. 

Monday we had Mini Exchanges with the Sisters. Sister Conover and Sister Bartschi, and what a party that was. I went with Sister Bartschi to her YSA activity, it was a lot of fun. There were a lot of people there that I knew. But then we had a video call with a lady named Gia and fellowship. What was so cool is I have done lessons with her before with other sister missionaries and she remembered me and it made me so happy. We had an amazing lesson about things that we can improve on and she is going to try and come to church this week, and what was so amazing is she did!!! We ended the night off on a high note and just had a good day. I love it so much and those Sisters are amazing. 

Tuesday we had Mission Leadership Council. It was really cool and it was my first one, it was really cool to be able to talk and discuss things that the mission can work on but then all of the things that I can work on. I loved it. And not to lie we had the best lunch ever. Jimmy Johns, I love it so much!! I also loved seeing everyone. Afterwards, we went back home and got some things done. We went and knocked doors and on the way doing that we called the elders. Two of our elders went and got covid tests because they were supposed

to go to their original assignments, not good news, they both came back positive. He looked at the nurse and asked for them to do it again and it still came back positive. And because we were with them earlier that day and the day before, and Sister Snow was still not feeling well, we had to call the mission nurse. Guess what, we had to go into quarantine. I was not happy to say the least so we went home and changed our night around and did English class online. What was really cool, is the one person who joined is from Guatemala and he got here 4 months ago. He wants to learn English but during the whole English lesson he kept interrupting us and wanting to talk about the gospel and what he had questions about. We invited him to church and we are excited to see if he is going to come. That night we had two more amazing lessons. 

Wednesday, we had a lot of phone call lessons. That morning we did a video with Tiffany and Sister Taylor. It was really good, we were able to talk about her plan and what she wants to do to help with her word of wisdom problem. It is so cool to be able to see her try to do her best and want to stop!! We were calling a lot of people trying to set up lessons with them. Well we made a competition with our elders to see how many people we could talk to in the week. After that we called a lot of people, and it was a lot of fun!!!  

That night we had lessons from 4:30-9pm, every half hour. It was amazing and a good way to help me get out of my crazy mind set. All of the sudden Wednesday night we get an email that President Ballard is coming to our mission Saturday and talking to us. And I was so

distraught because we were in quarantine and I was not sick at all, but there was nothing we could do. Well my comp was feeling better so she decided to start taking her vitamins she needed to and gargling salt water. And we decided we were going to go get tested. Well we called a few sisters and found a sister who had rapid tests and decided we were going to call her the next day. So we got to bed early so we could help her feel better. 

Thursday we woke up and did the things we needed to. And then we called the sisters and set an appointment up to go and get tested. We went over and she gave us two sticks and I handed them both to my comp. And all of the sudden the sister looks at me and says the other is for you. Ah, what well I guess I am doing it to. This was my

first test, I was happy that I went that long without getting it. Well my poor comp was so scared and I knew that I was going to have to do it at some point too. I just shoved it up my nose and went for it. Both sides, all the way up and swirled it around. It did hurt, but beauty is pain right. And then we put it in the thing and it was going. Well after starting to drive home and looking at it we were both NEGATIVE!!! Happiest day of my life, I felt so relieved. I was able to go and see President Ballard! We went home and stayed inside just to be careful and so she could still get some more rest so she could get feeling better. We had a lot of phone call lessons and set up more lessons. That day we had 12 lessons planned. And the worst part is 2 of the 12 answered us but we were able to talk to a lot of amazing people. 

We had a phone call with the lady who had been talking to the missionaries for a long time, then with time things fell through and she lost contact. She was so happy to hear from us and wanted to come over. Her husband is not too open but I know that will help him. GALLETAS (COOKIES) that fixes everything so we are going to go and see them this week. She is so cute and wants to learn more so we are so happy for her. And then an awesome lesson with a guy named Hamid and every time we call or text him he always says "God bless you and your family!" every time without a doubt it is so funny but he means it with all of his little heart. 

That night we got a call from President Rodarte and he told Sister Snow that she is going to Guatemala February 1st. I am sending another Sister out to her original assignment, at this point I think I am doing something wrong. But I am happy for her and she is going to do amazing things!! 

Friday we were able to go to the other Sister District Council and it is always a party. They are so sweet and just love having us around and it is so much fun to visit with them. We had an amazing district council and good revelation. We had our district council on Zoom since the elders were in quarantine, interesting and fun. They asked us to do the training, just the night before at 7 pm and let me just say that is not enough time. So what did Sister Jackson decide to do? She made a PowerPoint, you should expect nothing less haha. Let me just say when I am so tired, and nothing makes sense after 9pm, then I have to plan a training, that is the first thing that comes to my mind. Since it was on Zoom that was even better. Well yes it was late and yes Sister Jackson was tired so we found some crazy old photos and put them in. Let me just say I think it was one of my best, and funniest.

We spent the day weekly planning and helping our people. We are going to be more bold and help them come unto Christ. And then we had a crazy night of lessons. We had a lady talk to us about how she would like us to teach her daughter and help her find ways that she can keep herself busy, we can help with that. Then a lady was taking her mom to the ER and it was the right time for us to call and pray with them. 

BUT the best part of my day and night and everything was this one, we had a lesson with Tehani and Vincent. We have been working with them to get baptized, their goal is to be sealed in the temple as a family. That is what all missionaries want! How crazy is that! They are so amazing. What is even more crazy is that she is my age and has a one year old child. That one hit me, let's just say I am not ready to be a mom. We had an amazing lesson with them. We read Alma 17:2-5 and talked about the story and how they loved going and teaching but they rejoiced to see each other. Then we talked about how the time was very hard and how they had a hard time and they talked about some of the things they have experienced. We asked them what stood out to them? They said, the part that talked about fasting and how that is something that they want to do better and they know it is something that will bless them. We talked about church and baptism with them and that it is something that they want, and that’s something we have been fasting and praying for them also. We told them that we felt that they could do it by January 29th, they looked at us and then we talked about it. And all of the sudden Tehani said “I know that it is going to happen sooner than later and it is something that I want”. Vincent is not ready right now. Then all of the sudden she asked us when the transfers are? We tell her that they are at the beginning of February and she says that she wants to get baptized before then. She has prayed and really wants us to be the missionaries who baptize her. She has had great missionaries but she wants us! You don't even know how happy that made me, I was tearing up. I have been able to work with Tehani and Vincent with all of my companions in the area so for her to say that made me so happy and touched. And what a powerhouse, she is going to do it because she is ready and her husband can when he is. But now is her time, and she said that she would like to pray if that is her date or if she feels another one. That was the best call ever. Some sisters were over and they heard the whole thing so we all got to celebrate. It was a blessing and the spirit was so strong no words can describe how amazing it was. God does work and He knows what He is doing. 

That night we went with the Sisters and got Nielsen's Frozen Custard and had an amazing evening. I love all of the sisters in our mission. What a day it was!!! 

Saturday, it was an amazing day! In the morning we had interviews with President, and what an amazing time that always is. I love being able to visit with him, after that contact lunch and off to go see ELDER BALLARD!!! What an amazing man he is. He came down to speak at the senator's funeral and so because he was down he wanted to come and see us. YEA! The meeting was going to be in the West Mission. It felt so strange to drive out of our mission boundaries and into the West Mission, but to see an Apostle of the Lord, and of course President's permission. After driving and making jokes about being in the West Mission we made it and there were so many cars there. We got our seats, there were so many missionaries that I know it was so much fun. He was supposed to finish at the funeral at 3 pm, but they were hoping he would finish early so they had us come ready to go at 2 pm, so we sat there for an hour and all studied our scriptures. I read about the 2000 stripiling warriors, I just love that story. The faith and the courage they had knowing if they kept the covenant they made with our Savior then they would be delivered out of bondage. 

We finally got to see Pres. Ballard, the spirit was so strong I couldn't believe it. It made me so happy!!! And he is the funniest person. We were all standing when he came in and he said “all stand”. And then the organist stood and he said to him “keep playing”. He just kept saying the darndest things. It was an amazing meeting and one that I am never going to forget. The spirit was so strong and I KNOW that he is an Apostle of our Savior Jesus Christ and is called of God. When he was leaving he looked at some of our elders and said "I am going home, you stay here and work. Good luck" he could just get the room laughing. It was so amazing!!! 

We came home and had lessons every half hour, we got to visit with some of our members. We had a lesson with Philly, but first one thing that Elder Ballard talked about was when you are with your investigators, if you can you kneel with them in prayer and ask them to pray and see if the things that we say are true. We had a phone call lesson with Philly and he hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon very well so we went over that and talked about it. And had a follow up lesson about the Book of Mormon. We asked him, if he was given another witness or testament of Jesus Christ what would he want to do. Well “read it and learn from it”. We told him that is what the Book of Mormon is, it’s another testament of Jesus Christ, it is the way that he can come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ and learn more about it. We asked him if he would pray about It and if the things we have taught him were true. All of a sudden on the phone it got quiet and he said, “I feel different when I talk to you, it is a good different, and something that I want with me all of the time”. We were in shock, we told him that it is something that he could have with him all of the time. We told him that it is something he can have and we invited him to be baptized on February 19. He said “that is soon”. But we told him we will do everything we can to help him get there. And he said “yes”, and then he said “I feel so good right now”!! And the spirit was so strong, testifying to him of the truths. It was so amazing and so cool that we were able to apply the thing that Elder Ballard talked about. What a good night it was. 

Sunday was a good day, we got up and did our personal study and went right to church it was so much fun to be able to see everyone and how they are doing. Well what was amazing is we had 4 people come to church in our English ward. Tiffany came and then Tehani and Vincent, and then the Cardena’s son, Mason came. It was so cool to see such a good turn out and we had amazing speakers. We took Tehani to Relief Society and she loved it. The lesson was amazing. She talked about the hard things in life but because of our Savior Jesus Christ we are able to get through it all. It was a very emotional lesson and something that was very good for everyone. After church we were able to go and talk with Tehani and Vincent, and what their goals are again. We talked about a baptism date for Tehani and she said that she prayed about it and wants to be baptized on January 28. We are so excited for her and this next step. She is so ready and is not going to let anything or anyone stand in her way. 

And then at the Spanish branch we had one of our members husband come who isn't a member, so we were able to visit with them and get to know him but also all of the sudden half way through Sacrament meeting we got a text from one of our new friends saying that he was there. When we went out to get him he was there with his little family and so that was 4 more people at church. It was so amazing! The branch was so nice and welcoming. We went to primary with the little girl, she was a little scared but she loved it and was making new friends. All these little miracles happening around me, it made me so happy to be able to watch it all happen. That means we had NINE friends at church. That is a lot and something that I have been working so hard to have happen, and then it happened!!! 

That night we had a lesson right before dinner with a lady named Elizabeth, she is so cute, it was cool to see her come to us and see if we can start teaching her daughter knowing that this is something that could help her. 

After that we went and had dinner with Bishop Burr and his wife. They are the cutest things ever and I just love them so much. They are so loving and welcoming and something that helps being on a mission. We were able to talk a lot about things in the ward and the people that we are teaching and how we can help them. We got a lot done!! 

I have been so blessed to be able to work with a lot of good people and feel the love and support that they have for me and the missionaries in the mission!!! 

The story that I want to talk a little bit about is the two thousand stripping warriors. It was amazing to be in a room full of missionaries who were so close to the spirit and to be able to receive revelation and peace so easily. In Alma 53 it talks about the Covenants they made with our Father in Heaven. In verse 11 it talks about the oath, something that they were willing to make with our Savior because they knew it would bless them, help them save their families, and come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. The Lamanites were coming and in order to save them and their families they would need to take up arms. They remembered the covenant that they made and knew that it would be impossible. And because of their diligence they were able to receive their answer, that their sons need to go, they hadn’t made the same covenant as their fathers. They weren't afraid because they knew that if they did what the Lord asked they would be delivered out of bondage. 

In Alma 53:20-22:

20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea.

I just love these verses so much and how it describes these young men. They were valiant and had courage, they were dependable and had integrity. They were willing to fight for their country and for their families. They were willing to show God their love and diligence but also they had the support of their family and loved ones, for me I think that is so important. To have people who are always there for you and willing to help you out. Life is hard and everyone is going through different things, and we are here for each other. We help in the ways that we can. We are going to be able to move mountains. I love you all and hope you have the most amazing week ever!!!