Weird week in Songshan!

Dec. 6, 2015

This week was crazy! One of the biggest surprises was at a Temple Tour meeting on Friday. Usually only the sisters that live close to the temple go to this meeting, but this time President had all the Sisters in the WHOLE MISSION come! Even the East Coast!　I got to see some of my friends I've only seen 2-3 times my whole mission. Like Sister Kirkham!! :)

We didn't go out on Thursday except for 2 lessons at night, because Sister Bowman caught the stomach bug Sister Farr and I caught last transfer. But I got her on the Supao(Gatorade) and water 48 hour fast right when I knew it was the same bug. Then she rested on Thursday and Friday, as much as was possible. She also took medicine that her doctor in America gave her that's supposed to kill all the bugs and bacteria in your stomach. So between all those things she was able to almost fully recover in 5-6 days. Pretty amazing!

One of the highlights of the week was definitely singing in the Missionary choir. It has been such a blessing to get to feel of the Christmas spirit this year in this way. I have loved being able to show my gratitude to the Saviour through sharing my talents with others. I have been saved and redeemed by His power SO many times on my mission and I'm still continuing to learn how to use it. I'm grateful to use music to show my gratitude and to strengthen my testimony of Him. Music is really so powerful!

Another thing that has been strengthening my testimony of the Saviour this week has been my preparation for the Mission Christmas party. I'm working on memorizing "The Living Christ" and then Sister Facer is going to play hymns in the background while I recite it. I'm so nervous! But I'm so excited. I was just reading the Book of Mormon in personal study this week when I felt a prompting to go read The Living Christ in True to the Faith. I really loved it as I read it. Then I felt that I should memorize it for the Christmas party and have someone play the piano in the background. So that day I called Sister Jergensen and she said I could do it! It's kind of hard, but it's really helped me to better understand the Saviour's divine mission and His matchless life. I think it's a good way to keep my thoughts focused on the Saviour, not just for this special Christmas season, but also when I get discouraged, I just start reciting that in my head and I can much more of the spirit with me.

We are having a baptism next Sunday! She's a sweet 12 year old girl, who lives with her RC Aunt. She passed her interview on Saturday. Her Dad had been 反對ing for a while, until about my 2nd-3rd week here. So after we got his permission we finished the lessons and she can get baptized now! It's been really amazing to see her change in the few weeks that I've been here. Sister Bowman, her Aunt, and her member fellowshipper have been able to see even more changes in her behavior and decisions through this process of investigating the church. We're really excited especially to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost after she's baptized. We know it will have a huge impact on her in her life! :)

This week I've been so grateful for God's gift to us, His Son. I want to invite all of you to watch this video and think about what an impact the Savior has had on YOUR life.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/purpose-of-a-savior

He really is the true gift of Christmas, and of our WHOLE year! :)

Love y'all!

-Annie