LETTER 40: The one where Tessa drives a guinea pig

Just a quick email--

I'm alive! (; Doing the work. Loving every second. Had an amazing Mother's day, loved skyping my family. I have the best family in the world!

Nothing super huge happened this week. Found a couple new investigators, and many little miracles! God is good!

I'm learned so much this week about how God's love really is ceaseless. It is always there, and it is individually and rightfully ours. All He desires is to help us and for us to be happy. All He asks is that we are humble and turn to Him and our Savior Jesus Christ for help. He is there! This gospel is real. It is the way to happiness. 

Thank you for your love and prayers! 

<3 Sister Bishop

We got a rental car! (chevy had a recall). It looks like a guinea pig haha.

Well if you insist... (: wise counsel courtesy of Prince's Doughnut shop.

LETTER 39: The one where Tessa reminds us to ask

Hello everybody (:

Great week. Lots of finding. Doing the work! Nothing too noteworthy to report. 

We had one cool experience (at least one that stands out among the many). We went to visit a member, she's 90 and the sweetest thing. We shared a message and prayed with her. She encouraged us over and over to "pray, and God will lead you to His prepared children. He will answer you." 

So we went to our car, prayed, and felt strongly about going to this one random street out of the hundreds that we've never been to. We drive over there, start walking, and meet two guys on the street corner. Long story short, we were led specifically to Jason--who we now have been teaching. Jason is prepared. God led us to Him.

It's simple things like this that happen frequently, and are just confirmation to me that God is so aware of each of us. He knows His children, and He gives to those that ask. It's all about revelation! Everything we claim, and everything I know to be true, hinges upon the fact that a man spoke with God and Jesus Christ. The Restoration is about revelation. The Plan of Salvation is about the Atonement. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is how we receive the blessings of the Atonement. That is the very core of what we believe.

So my advice to you is to ask .He may not answer in the time or way that we want Him to, but He will answer in the way that will help us grow. God will answer. That's my simple testimony for this week. 

Thank you for your love and prayers! Sending sunshine from your favorite missionary in So Cal (:

--Sister Bishop

Look what we found!

Haha this is Leslie, a recent convert. We're laying down the law. (;

LETTER 38: The one where Tessa sees Hollywood

Hello hello!

This week has been going great. We have been working hard and finding new people to teach. Many of our investigators are progressing and moving right a long on path to be baptized! It is the biggest blessing.

I absolutely LOVE talking with people on the street. (Though we have quickly discovered that we should NOT be contacting outside of liquor stores haha). It's amazing being able to talk with people about God's plan for us.

There's not a whole lot I have to share, but I do want to share some of my testimony and what I've been learning.

Something that I love is that it really isn't about what church building we attend, or which religious organization we follow. It's not about that--it's so much more. It's about the gospel. The pure, complete truth. It's about making promises with God that will enable us to return to Him. I KNOW with my whole heart that the fullness of the gospel has been restored through Joseph Smith. This young boy had simple questions and pure intent. He wanted to follow God.

God and Jesus Christ came and talked with Joseph Smith.

Think about that for a minute. 

Why would they do this?

To bring back the truth.

Do you think what they told him was important? That it applies to you?

The blessings of the church are great, but the very most important thing is that we are following God with our whole hearts, might, mind and strength. He commands us to be made clean, to be baptized and purified through the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The only way to do this is through the proper authority. The church is just a vehicle for this authority--the Priesthood--the very power of God himself that He has given to man. This power seals things on heaven and earth. This power changes lives. This gospel is a gospel of transformation. Because the whole and complete truth has been brought back--we have access to this enabling and transforming power. This life is about returning to God. And this gospel, as restored through Joseph Smith, is the only way we do it. I know it, I love it, and I rely on that truth every single day.

The greatest blessing any of us could ever have is to awaken to this glorious message. If you don't know if Joseph Smith was a prophet, or even if you do--pray and ask God to confirm this truth to you.

I love being a missionary. I love being able to talk with soo many people and tell them the good news that what was lost has been found.

Things are going great, the days are blurring together and the miracles are countless. I love you all very much, thank you for your support!

--Sister Bishop

Waaayyy too much Easter candy haha

Hey look--I found a typewriter under my bed, and it works! (:

HOLLYWOOD (:

There's LA...the forbidden city. Haha we were right on the boarder of our mission!