tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760427849225428412024-03-21T09:22:03.007-07:00Sister Tessa BishopTessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-84868440110137013922014-12-15T19:14:00.004-08:002014-12-15T19:14:44.181-08:00LETTER 70: The one where Tessa has her last transfer: HOME<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12/15/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Can
hardly believe it, but the time has come! I'm transferring home. This past week
has been filled with the most amazing things; a lot of reflecting and a
profound sense of gratitude. I'm convinced I've gotten the best last week of my
mission possible!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was able to have two
trips to the LA temple--one as a whole mission, and one with all of the
departing missionaries. Then to top it off, I am going to the temple again this
Tuesday, the last night of my mission, to be there as my recent convert Glenn
goes through the temple for the first time! I am sooo thrilled and blessed.
Words can't even begin to express it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past weekend we
had Stake Conference in Canoga Park. Elder Neil L Anderson of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles came and spoke Saturday and Sunday, as well as a
YSA fireside Sunday evening. He is absolutely amazing and I know
without a doubt that he is an Apostle of the Lord! I was able to shake his
hand, and he thanked me for my service (: Such a kind man. Filled with the
Spirit. His words and testimony had a deep impact on me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
We had a ward Christmas program yesterday, with a little pie party after as a
farewell for me. This is the best ward ever, I love each person so much and
they have treated me well! I've found lifelong friends here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are so many
things I could say, and so much I feel in my heart, it's overwhelming! But the
main thing is my love of the Savior. I have become more on my mission than I
ever thought possible. I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ is my personal
Savior, and that He is<i> the <b>only </b>way</i> to
ultimate happiness and joy. I know the gospel is a gospel of transformation. It
truly shapes us into the people God knows we can become, and outlines for us
how to receive all the blessings God wants us to have. I'm grateful to have had
this time to really allow the gospel to seep into me, and become a part of my
very core. It means <b>everything </b>to me. I am nothing without it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have come to know of
the reality of a living Father in Heaven who's love is vast and deep and
all-encompassing. He knows me--and each of us. Our fears, inadequacies,
concerns, mistakes, short-comings, strengths, aspirations, everything! And He
is there to help, no matter where we are at. No matter what. He answers
prayers. He really does communicate with us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know that as we are
faithful, all things work together for our good. The reason we are here is to
learn and be tutored and shaped. As we allow ourselves to be molded by God
through our experiences, we are fulfilling our purpose. We just need to hold to
Him, no matter what.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The peace, direction,
purpose, clarity, love, and all things good that come from living a life
consecrated to God is priceless. There is great power that comes from
establishing a pattern of prayer, serious scripture study, and active
participation in church. It is real. I know it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could go on and on!
But just know that this really, truly has been the best experience of my entire
life. I have had the BEST mission in the world. I wouldn't trade it for
anything, and I am going home with no regrets. I am completely indebted to my
God. I love Him and the Savior with all my heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With much love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mission temple trip
with my favorites. (</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWekz0bnKrIO5siJTByrSIqv61HhjcdVnrxd1k-xupsPhBuRGUYsLYIiKjH3HWZ6lUww4B52VoyRWYyEU5kQB0K9UbQxIs4CzrkCeTzqhDtdFhNSvoacFoWk93s7WL0RlZezx_JcNphg/s1600/IMG_8060Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWekz0bnKrIO5siJTByrSIqv61HhjcdVnrxd1k-xupsPhBuRGUYsLYIiKjH3HWZ6lUww4B52VoyRWYyEU5kQB0K9UbQxIs4CzrkCeTzqhDtdFhNSvoacFoWk93s7WL0RlZezx_JcNphg/s1600/IMG_8060Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmENAfLkByLfsXBg7UG0Iwv3e6mmbqabSr6JZj3LuBT6s7XdZNOqun5UWLU4gbJ1jcK8m6Oqy_vTFa7w2147kiqkEhBd6nxspHZpnQkgtOPAGtePo_MQ5LWYxBmbaQAQOPtiBqejRXZwA/s1600/IMG_8070Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmENAfLkByLfsXBg7UG0Iwv3e6mmbqabSr6JZj3LuBT6s7XdZNOqun5UWLU4gbJ1jcK8m6Oqy_vTFa7w2147kiqkEhBd6nxspHZpnQkgtOPAGtePo_MQ5LWYxBmbaQAQOPtiBqejRXZwA/s1600/IMG_8070Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
Christmas booth at CSUN!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9k2esIO_v7jywUacRS7ZOCq8zZn-OMm1NyoNQa6KPkMt0G6ZxPEcwcrgeybocfveQivrsg7B593QW3JA7za5D05QLHwM9pi0MFWeC9B-mupfTo5Jx8GP4c_hXbIOwAKQpMdKdkM4QW4/s1600/IMG_8084Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9k2esIO_v7jywUacRS7ZOCq8zZn-OMm1NyoNQa6KPkMt0G6ZxPEcwcrgeybocfveQivrsg7B593QW3JA7za5D05QLHwM9pi0MFWeC9B-mupfTo5Jx8GP4c_hXbIOwAKQpMdKdkM4QW4/s1600/IMG_8084Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Departing temple trip
<3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAeEoHBJbYqKPltyJB4A0VOQHYc81RJ2efCR9IrY7Cuf6ewV3zZucmTpK-7OLW9Ni0N3UsDH3EcPxJcL8j3l3ykT2y8ed0V0zav_Wm5KQdkrcZB1jZhvPxEov3FmglhwTge5de6R8IRo/s1600/IMG_8087Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAeEoHBJbYqKPltyJB4A0VOQHYc81RJ2efCR9IrY7Cuf6ewV3zZucmTpK-7OLW9Ni0N3UsDH3EcPxJcL8j3l3ykT2y8ed0V0zav_Wm5KQdkrcZB1jZhvPxEov3FmglhwTge5de6R8IRo/s1600/IMG_8087Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last Sunday with
Bishop and Sister Patton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JW8gbaQhC0qDAe4grObUM0_vApAoDohRDHo4DvkoNHswL9wy4V-zdRKNVwyTGLWR_2Ntd7VHXEbXCscQ8C70CDNMZea06bt-UythgCqca8_XXPfoBZUfKsSpO19evB9JWOcyfRodWos/s1600/IMG_8127Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JW8gbaQhC0qDAe4grObUM0_vApAoDohRDHo4DvkoNHswL9wy4V-zdRKNVwyTGLWR_2Ntd7VHXEbXCscQ8C70CDNMZea06bt-UythgCqca8_XXPfoBZUfKsSpO19evB9JWOcyfRodWos/s1600/IMG_8127Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-76185636718872545882014-12-15T19:11:00.002-08:002014-12-15T19:11:42.511-08:00LETTER 69: The one where Tessa is saved from the rain<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12/8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a great week!
Filled with lots of rain and all day meetings, which conveniently coincided so
that we didn't have to be out working in the rain (: that was a tender mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At church yesterday,
we had our brand new investigator get up and bear his testimony! That was
pretty neat (: He also tried to hug me in front of aaallll the members. That's
always awkward for both parties involved. I just stand there, "We can't
hug! We can't hug!!!" haha good stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hope you all got to
catch the first presidency Christmas devotional last night! It was lovely. If
you missed it, I'm sure it's available online...somewhere...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One thing at Zone
Conference that stood out to me is the key characteristics of Satan and Christ.<br />
Satan=rebellion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christ=complete
submission. Always doing the will of the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That's really what it
comes down to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As we strive to come
unto Christ, we must look for even the smallest hints of rebellion in us and
give it up! That will continue our progression. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another thing I've
been learning is how to deal with doubts, questioning, or uncertainties that
arise. I think it's completely normal to have questions. No one is an anomaly
for having them--it's part of the conversion process. What matters is how we
react to being on shaky ground. The adversary tries to do anything he can to
get us to stop living the gospel. Stop reading the scriptures, attending
church, praying, etc. He'll try to convince us that we are not being true to
ourselves or that we're ingenuine or blindly following by doing these things
when we're uncertain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BUT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<i>In our search for sincerity and truth, we can not abandon acting in faith.
</i>(that was an ah-hah revelation moment for me in church
yesterday)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We must agree to be
patient and to wait upon the Lord. So if every prayer doesn't seem to be
answered, don't give up. And if ever desire isn't immediately filled, don't
slacken faith. Conversion requires constant struggle and effort and great
self-discipline, relying continually on the merits of him who is mighty to
save. We must hold to what we know and pay attention to the right voices! Pay
attention to the small, quiet whisperings of the Spirit. God is there. He is
real. He will teach us truth. Going to church, praying, and reading scriptures
is a blessed resource for getting answers. We can never abandon these simple
practices, or else we lose our safety and promise of help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Things are going oh so
well. Living it up! Cherishing each moment! Sharing the gospel with everyone!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo<br />
Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Institute Christmas
party!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtczv8Kk5V1DWP6NNpu__c4U9cgUi9eXty7BlZ9V60Wtjic40Y0f3m_mwoC2nP9ZFMRR3ghqsBxNftV_2RjFwWg_jy-nQFo4B6FjqqT7Y176NR48zSqeiX3ssVflgNUBSVs6mnVMHoDQ4/s1600/IMG_8045Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtczv8Kk5V1DWP6NNpu__c4U9cgUi9eXty7BlZ9V60Wtjic40Y0f3m_mwoC2nP9ZFMRR3ghqsBxNftV_2RjFwWg_jy-nQFo4B6FjqqT7Y176NR48zSqeiX3ssVflgNUBSVs6mnVMHoDQ4/s1600/IMG_8045Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With our friends at
"Heart to Heart." We made snowman earrings with Nancy (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdybvLbGz0tBzEoOAOBikDx4-HNzzBGyBTIqVT7Rj5VyEqYjm5yZJSUIAmuL7AmNVfq6OQZDeoppW9si356pr0cl4848sbGJ7RDbKShLLY4nEdlJAELYC79dCPvj50ZLA5NoG-9MoWbBc/s1600/IMG_8050Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdybvLbGz0tBzEoOAOBikDx4-HNzzBGyBTIqVT7Rj5VyEqYjm5yZJSUIAmuL7AmNVfq6OQZDeoppW9si356pr0cl4848sbGJ7RDbKShLLY4nEdlJAELYC79dCPvj50ZLA5NoG-9MoWbBc/s1600/IMG_8050Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-22743447559243225392014-12-15T19:02:00.000-08:002014-12-15T19:02:59.253-08:00LETTER 68: The one where Tessa eats 2 Thanksgiving dinners<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">12/2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's
officially CHRISTMAS SEASON!!! Not that that has stopped me and Sister French
from listening to Christmas music for the past 4 weeks...no shame. It's my
favorite. (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyways, Thanksgiving
went very well! We had 2 dinners, which was lovely. We went on exchanges--I was
in Mission Hills with Sister Lambert. Yesterday we had MLC (hence the delayed
p-day) and will be having Zone Conference tomorrow. It's a crazy week, let me
tell ya. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something that has
stood out to me a lot (among many, many things) is how we truly become
converted to the gospel. Elder Oaks so wisely and eloquently said, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
" It is not enough for us to be <i>convinced </i>of the gospel;
we must act and think so that we are <i>converted </i>by it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is not enough for
anyone to just go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and
covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some
heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to
become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our spotless and
perfected state will result from a steady succession of covenants, ordinances,
and actions, an accumulation of rights choices, and from continuing
repentance."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amen to that! The
gospel is so much more than a check list. The gospel challenges us to <b>become</b>.
That's what our whole purpose is. Becoming men and women of God, like Him and
His Son in desires, actions, attributes, and more. We're not on this journey
alone. We tie ourselves to them and have access to their (much needed) heavenly
help through making and keeping covenants. As we are humble, our progression
continues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's quite simple. The
callings we have in the church, the little things required of us, all are for
our benefit. Though we shouldn't get wrapped up in the small details, they are
there for a reason. Having the organization we do keeps us humble,
service-oriented, and anxiously engaged in good causes. We should do all we do
out of love, with our eye fixed on our purpose for doing it in the first
place--becoming men and women of God, working towards the temple. I would do
anything, <b><i>anything</i></b>, to have access to the temple. And all
God asks is for our active participation and service in His church, and
following His commandments. SO WORTH IT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyways, I'll end
there. I could go on and on (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all. Keep
your sights on things that matter most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">ALSO,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">check out<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://christmas.mormon.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">christmas.mormon.org</span></a>.
The Church is doing a remarkable job using media to reach out to others of all
faiths and promote the real meaning of Christmas--our Savior. Watch this video,
and share with everyone!! We have been sharing it like crazy and it brings such
a special spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Zone
hike last P-day!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pM9wSeUzzWUrfsPQesbtQk-_YfgVINXzdRbd23zYSMl_VE0zt7WWq3RxyPQD__xP13-b07Wtn8C1lflBukrNBRYR24MnJNyOA2373Oe2YAqDgqJqbVETNcSJWxTXgP6yEL6463_Pomw/s1600/IMG_7973Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pM9wSeUzzWUrfsPQesbtQk-_YfgVINXzdRbd23zYSMl_VE0zt7WWq3RxyPQD__xP13-b07Wtn8C1lflBukrNBRYR24MnJNyOA2373Oe2YAqDgqJqbVETNcSJWxTXgP6yEL6463_Pomw/s1600/IMG_7973Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our district haha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl1ck-ICNUtIUd5IPmf-g7a7y32WLDJaRg69dva0tl16X3LBTi4PLnzBSxlt92ID39I45oZTWXkZGhpGAnSHH1xH7t-lCO3uy0W677EUnKhfb0l-iRRvHpCPn-3TZX1LLwMdX47SniK8/s1600/IMG_7992Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl1ck-ICNUtIUd5IPmf-g7a7y32WLDJaRg69dva0tl16X3LBTi4PLnzBSxlt92ID39I45oZTWXkZGhpGAnSHH1xH7t-lCO3uy0W677EUnKhfb0l-iRRvHpCPn-3TZX1LLwMdX47SniK8/s1600/IMG_7992Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Put
our turkey in the fire place on Thanksgiving (: we think we're funny.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi2U8gJ3Bcdg8U-QWD1j44q06WKFqiund31NrICuqD3tae0bNB1wpgB2enZEOR5Xlyjfz8dZiD0cwyzx3tpcW0u1L_W9EiYTb8ZoCwCD3wmcVVM4YGTTSJ9bl_AkY-rW5QVQDhrIug2Q/s1600/IMG_7997Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi2U8gJ3Bcdg8U-QWD1j44q06WKFqiund31NrICuqD3tae0bNB1wpgB2enZEOR5Xlyjfz8dZiD0cwyzx3tpcW0u1L_W9EiYTb8ZoCwCD3wmcVVM4YGTTSJ9bl_AkY-rW5QVQDhrIug2Q/s1600/IMG_7997Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Made hand turkeys with
our friends at "Heart to Heart"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGdOmwaqo0pdTqqf3pvmASBqYRWB2k1qSHL_EZad8q25YI5UONCQjGi3qqi6sauL3XQpUgDy-uNukTe2qJ88KUWQj7dl4aO9s9VkPtE4Zv8FCXTnHHHcH0z2DC6KQkHtdH69CifLFS10/s1600/IMG_8003Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGdOmwaqo0pdTqqf3pvmASBqYRWB2k1qSHL_EZad8q25YI5UONCQjGi3qqi6sauL3XQpUgDy-uNukTe2qJ88KUWQj7dl4aO9s9VkPtE4Zv8FCXTnHHHcH0z2DC6KQkHtdH69CifLFS10/s1600/IMG_8003Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look,
a bird!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYKajjHCkqON6cwXX1WlcN-B3IsHy5oUfSeZil0nZxCmPXBqNZ_zTKOmwuNC1BYaco_DvZJ-9Lv3ASmxH0_VEmnUuP5hLI61_vj4yiZTEcHQG3kdNSwHl2UvJKJZ_QrbYw5b3OGuqjGc/s1600/IMG_8017Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYKajjHCkqON6cwXX1WlcN-B3IsHy5oUfSeZil0nZxCmPXBqNZ_zTKOmwuNC1BYaco_DvZJ-9Lv3ASmxH0_VEmnUuP5hLI61_vj4yiZTEcHQG3kdNSwHl2UvJKJZ_QrbYw5b3OGuqjGc/s1600/IMG_8017Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We're ready for
Christmas. (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvkmDKWL3uvSOoYM3l6Nsh03K69fjIa6pQ_Ek4qUW6x5hIlgUc3QL82ybtsZZPRHYvoHPdk6hlLLOCXKrrp43PYciv7KZABbagZFK5FmJCwJaU35p2kvUDtW6lBJ7lWFO7Ga2RSNBGAI/s1600/IMG_8034Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvkmDKWL3uvSOoYM3l6Nsh03K69fjIa6pQ_Ek4qUW6x5hIlgUc3QL82ybtsZZPRHYvoHPdk6hlLLOCXKrrp43PYciv7KZABbagZFK5FmJCwJaU35p2kvUDtW6lBJ7lWFO7Ga2RSNBGAI/s1600/IMG_8034Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A rainy day surprise!
Came to the church, and found a lady with her pet Armadillos (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXTekjH8XEvrZ4p-9MIDE1UDvl-HDBBBxyGyzGLXTWpD6UksAAc2Tv_1dn2WwW9MbyN2Vu4OZo_d6Ys49fumg2KBg30wU5-vGw-qIkbez1LTE1eEoEissr1EhFpnOaKAHsbfNGO4ewcw/s1600/IMG_8042Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXTekjH8XEvrZ4p-9MIDE1UDvl-HDBBBxyGyzGLXTWpD6UksAAc2Tv_1dn2WwW9MbyN2Vu4OZo_d6Ys49fumg2KBg30wU5-vGw-qIkbez1LTE1eEoEissr1EhFpnOaKAHsbfNGO4ewcw/s1600/IMG_8042Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-297340519789120752014-12-11T01:23:00.001-08:002014-12-11T01:23:29.968-08:00LETTER 67: The one where Tessa and the bike disagree<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11/24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lets
see--quick recap of this weeks happenings!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lots of finding and teaching (: Finally got to
see Nick again, and he's working for a January baptism!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Random things came up--having to get our oil
changed, driving all over the mission to help the sisters on bike, a surprise
MLC with Elder Garns, etc!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exchanges; I was in a bike area, and
everything possible seemed to go wrong with the bike, so we had to re-plan
everything to be walking distance haha. It was an adventure! Fun day (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What's been really
standing out to me lately is how important it is to be diligent in keeping the
commandments at all times, not just when it's convenient or we feel like it.
Not even weighing the cost of obedience--just doing it and being committed to
obedience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even when doubts are
there. Doubt is a feeling, but true faith chooses to act even in the presence
of doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <i>only </i>safety
we have is <b>staying with God</b>! Just stay with Him, and keep doing the
basic faith-promoting things: church attendance, prayer, and reading the
scriptures. He will ensure our progression and growth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If our lives are
centered on Christ, nothing can go permanently wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The gospel challenges
us to <i>become </i>something. We <i>become </i>through <u>repentance</u>.
Repentance is our link to the power of the Atonement. This power and grace has
the ability to change our very natures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've experienced
firsthand over and over that real changing power. I think that's one of my very
favorite and most comforting things about the gospel--the fact that we can
always progress and change. Our weaknesses are not permanent. The sting of
sacrifice is always worth it. The deepest hurt and confusion can be wiped away.
Becoming<i> </i>a disciple of Christ is soo much better than <i>not </i>becoming
one. God ensures our safety and eternal progression as we are obedient,
repentant, and humble. That's the core of the gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm just learning so
much. I could go on and on! I always feel like there's nothing noteworthy about
my week, other than all the spiritual lessons God is teaching me haha. He is SO
GOOD to me! And all of us! I'm happy to feel like my real, true, deeply rooted
conversion is coming about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Working <b>so</b> hard
these last few weeks. I'm absolutely overwhelmingly blessed. Grateful to have
this Thanksgiving week to really focus on gratitude, and I hope you all have
the same opportunity!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sending my love from
sunny California,<br />
Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fun
fact: there are always shopping carts and toilets EVERYWHERE on the streets.
Who knows why. Had to laugh when we saw them combined (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw1xyJZHvkZLDTtQLgRRHpPX1qoV1gOMWljwW-avF8KDQE5EGbdUwUCwivQ7XonK1sKqk_pjs35tQqASCZSobQ15nKuyT9fkwngpRmHzbgjg6xMHjuxU3jVrlyTwriqtigiuAxbZgNis/s1600/IMG_7944Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw1xyJZHvkZLDTtQLgRRHpPX1qoV1gOMWljwW-avF8KDQE5EGbdUwUCwivQ7XonK1sKqk_pjs35tQqASCZSobQ15nKuyT9fkwngpRmHzbgjg6xMHjuxU3jVrlyTwriqtigiuAxbZgNis/s1600/IMG_7944Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mexican food courtesy
of Rebeca!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37m39OdrQSYbi-Kasidc8l3SVgu5CHL7UGcLUigWQ34lx02z3WQiybeOedLUDbBuNJRbgRtbxnvBKgPgsZNIFqO0cnvtQSB3j8i6w92nzPV3sb0oE2Ecy9loeh0ZpodOfQyg5E8f9ECQ/s1600/IMG_7946Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37m39OdrQSYbi-Kasidc8l3SVgu5CHL7UGcLUigWQ34lx02z3WQiybeOedLUDbBuNJRbgRtbxnvBKgPgsZNIFqO0cnvtQSB3j8i6w92nzPV3sb0oE2Ecy9loeh0ZpodOfQyg5E8f9ECQ/s1600/IMG_7946Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some members in our
ward are little people--they have these custom made little couches (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZgfJFDP0c8fzV8bvnf3OCYUNwfm-r4jOjQYZZ9skS1d6SRdBAfDa4wIpUli9H7jGVjT_tXmzoLCeoGM2NRaol-qjjVWmb2nlXrV70M6oqGViCpfDa6zySGTWrmaiucVxBmOs21HUs5Y/s1600/IMG_7952Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZgfJFDP0c8fzV8bvnf3OCYUNwfm-r4jOjQYZZ9skS1d6SRdBAfDa4wIpUli9H7jGVjT_tXmzoLCeoGM2NRaol-qjjVWmb2nlXrV70M6oqGViCpfDa6zySGTWrmaiucVxBmOs21HUs5Y/s1600/IMG_7952Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We got name cards at a
special MLC with the Area Seventy, Elder Garns, last night!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yIZ1N0ASPkkVyPesKjQkfYjzl4CJgwDDLyxz7OglDJMPWhJROOeTG1z2JG2tTcEL-pC4U-ZaHhs3g0EyQnXx_QXf9SrF0v-azhJDiOo0LJy2MWzKg6xvO4wgzk8Q-FRaWf48fi-fk5U/s1600/IMG_7957Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yIZ1N0ASPkkVyPesKjQkfYjzl4CJgwDDLyxz7OglDJMPWhJROOeTG1z2JG2tTcEL-pC4U-ZaHhs3g0EyQnXx_QXf9SrF0v-azhJDiOo0LJy2MWzKg6xvO4wgzk8Q-FRaWf48fi-fk5U/s1600/IMG_7957Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-6594079596920000882014-12-11T01:11:00.001-08:002014-12-11T01:11:19.138-08:00NUMBER 66: The one where Tessa soaks it all up<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11/17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great
week (: Normal missionary shenanigans haha. We went on exchanges, did some
finding, teaching, the usual!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a neat
experience the other night. We had a few minutes extra before a dinner
appointment, so we decided to knock around on their neighbors doors. One man
answered and promptly let us into the family room, with all of his family
there--they were in the middle of dinner and a movie. Haha he was kind of
funny, we think he was just being spontaneous and wanted to shock his family--
which it worked, their faces were priceless (; But despite his motives, we took
the opportunity to get to know them and their experiences with God. The
situation went from being a joke, to actually being a very spiritual experience
that ended in prayer and tears shed by the family. It was a beautiful miracle!
They want to learn more, and the family ward missionaries will be going over
soon (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something that's stood
out to me a lot this week is the importance of keeping our eyes focused on our
purpose in life--preparing to return to God. Distractions don't have to be evil
to be effective. If something is taking us away from the most important things
in life, then we need to refocus on spending our efforts and focus on the
things that matter most--God (: It's so much better to look at things with an
eternal perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A quote from Pres.
Hinckley:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It is
challenging to put this earthly experience together if we do not frequently
look at what the completed picture ought to look like. The life and perfect
example of the Savior provides this picture. Refer to it often."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm so grateful for
the things I've learned throughout my mission. I know I'm exactly where I need
to be. I'm learning about how God communicates with me. I know that revelation
comes through the little things--going to church, praying, and reading His
words in the scriptures. He is eager to teach and tutor us if we just humble
ourselves and turn to Him. I love how you just feel <i>good </i>when
you follow what God wants. Continually repenting, being rid of guilt, and
having confidence before God is priceless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love this work!
Soaking up all I can. Thank you for all your support and love and
prayers.<br />
<br />
<3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
mis hermanas (: We have a picture of us three our first day in the mission, and
now 17 months later! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8BExzTgV92VnnZJjuPbKSmZFAyg5rr0b3WHYjZ4laPg7jdVXI8K2fxLeq0zkUhhrcAuVbGb03c-CI_Ni1JNdKmfUHJ60eNJqsRSRDOI33R_nfj-MSN2zxaMGZ9eET8CqM0-a8QjLgXg/s1600/IMG_7932Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8BExzTgV92VnnZJjuPbKSmZFAyg5rr0b3WHYjZ4laPg7jdVXI8K2fxLeq0zkUhhrcAuVbGb03c-CI_Ni1JNdKmfUHJ60eNJqsRSRDOI33R_nfj-MSN2zxaMGZ9eET8CqM0-a8QjLgXg/s1600/IMG_7932Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exchanges with the
Granada Hills sisters (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXVX0AlH3dXdkJLr8rqSnc4yWVuUmYVFpZkGRCmJ1Ovb-wT-kwlktfk6Okb1YfbGTGIiGphOjsnxBjbSyqcKUZWvv6eOtyk5_hvgdKTcq9dckWiHDqH_Inxs9yFhtLIdapHT-_tdN5tE/s1600/IMG_7934Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXVX0AlH3dXdkJLr8rqSnc4yWVuUmYVFpZkGRCmJ1Ovb-wT-kwlktfk6Okb1YfbGTGIiGphOjsnxBjbSyqcKUZWvv6eOtyk5_hvgdKTcq9dckWiHDqH_Inxs9yFhtLIdapHT-_tdN5tE/s1600/IMG_7934Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hahah. Problems of
being in a YSA ward. (;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT2NzvnDh9OuHsru-kWl1UkvT4WvTGeciL8mCg76AIDTD8oXwDGr6iE3-Cmdgo5rCXu_55zh9VGfLh5nYaEtLeXTmMkMlA57aU0Wdx50gkjF-yhwguq1nxJkFT7OD_c33tJfMKjn4e7E/s1600/IMG_7935Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT2NzvnDh9OuHsru-kWl1UkvT4WvTGeciL8mCg76AIDTD8oXwDGr6iE3-Cmdgo5rCXu_55zh9VGfLh5nYaEtLeXTmMkMlA57aU0Wdx50gkjF-yhwguq1nxJkFT7OD_c33tJfMKjn4e7E/s1600/IMG_7935Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-46746893852015584852014-12-11T01:07:00.002-08:002014-12-11T01:07:52.084-08:00NUMBER 65: The one where Tessa gets a Canadian<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nov 10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We'll
get right to the good stuff (;</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
My new companion is Sister French! She is from Alberta, Canada and has been out
for about 10 months. (: She is so great, we get along really well and I'm
learning a lot from her. Couldn't be happier!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week, we had a
bunch of our lessons fall through. Things keep happening with our investigators
that prevent them from meeting with us...it's a little strange how frequently
it's happening--and most often, it's legitimate reasons not just them being
flaky! Very odd. But it's given us time to find and work with less-actives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had Mission
Leadership Council and Zone Training Meeting this week. We had such a great
discussion on our 2014 Mission Training Plan. I absolutely love it and think
President Hall was super inspired when putting it together. It's benefited me
personally and the mission tons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lame email again,
sorry! Not lots to report. Things are going very well (:<br />
<br />
I love my Savior. I love reading the scriptures, and truly receive revelation
from God each time I do. I know God hears our prayers, He loves us and is eager
to help us. This gospel has brought everything good into my life and the most
happiness I've ever known! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We realized we didn't
take any pictures this week, so snapped this one just barely haha</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgidG0ea9M2O26M04N0GsJlCW8v1rp4ULEWu9EYKeI5gO2lZP9Q8ca9_cmSAcQ2u-VV9p66q6jD-y-VIVX1MjmoIiPsDPWOMmTj801zCvXGXD6gPkBlaIoRqUxMAdX5N4yGBiVPBAJ0/s1600/IMG_7928Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgidG0ea9M2O26M04N0GsJlCW8v1rp4ULEWu9EYKeI5gO2lZP9Q8ca9_cmSAcQ2u-VV9p66q6jD-y-VIVX1MjmoIiPsDPWOMmTj801zCvXGXD6gPkBlaIoRqUxMAdX5N4yGBiVPBAJ0/s1600/IMG_7928Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-53853086477664357102014-12-11T01:05:00.001-08:002014-12-11T01:18:34.245-08:00LETTER 64: The one where Tessa stays in Northridge YSA<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11/3/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drumroll
please...</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Lewis is being
transferred! ): Sad day. BUT I'd be lying if I said I wasn't way happy to be
finishing my mission here! I'm thrilled to serve my last transfer in Northridge
YSA (: it's the best ever. So, now the question is who will my companion be...?
Stay tuned next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a good
Halloween, had a mini exchange and did service. Had an early curfew and got to
catch up on journal writing (: Didn't do any knocking, stuck to street
contacting. Found a few new investigators. Definite miracles!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm super short on
time today, but things are going very well (: I'm learning lots and working
hard!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until next week,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Institute Halloween
party with these clowns. (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEFT6DCCgLbp7l7g1nFWG1cL9L8jjR193pPN11760TE6-Kd6NAskokoEh-M8bMMHIhknTtCFAIYxWKdxVNey0lyIxlvwtkwuNBmjIGTGJETJAYIsfCw4BGBRDYMViguy8z56wmvCTJUo/s1600/IMG_3282Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEFT6DCCgLbp7l7g1nFWG1cL9L8jjR193pPN11760TE6-Kd6NAskokoEh-M8bMMHIhknTtCFAIYxWKdxVNey0lyIxlvwtkwuNBmjIGTGJETJAYIsfCw4BGBRDYMViguy8z56wmvCTJUo/s1600/IMG_3282Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_vBuo5NWO7EJ_NcQWb7PMEO5w0AoAlzCtMZXwpT6BXcPPKKibREUzlBYYkgihPFVIU5A5Tj7QY3Gqe-ZcTvyfL_1l7-XNUwhn6tQScC-dSfrlt-V9EVoWlbyHbGWKUBslBBlECKcDK0/s1600/IMG_0487Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_vBuo5NWO7EJ_NcQWb7PMEO5w0AoAlzCtMZXwpT6BXcPPKKibREUzlBYYkgihPFVIU5A5Tj7QY3Gqe-ZcTvyfL_1l7-XNUwhn6tQScC-dSfrlt-V9EVoWlbyHbGWKUBslBBlECKcDK0/s1600/IMG_0487Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Halloween!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgidG0ea9M2O26M04N0GsJlCW8v1rp4ULEWu9EYKeI5gO2lZP9Q8ca9_cmSAcQ2u-VV9p66q6jD-y-VIVX1MjmoIiPsDPWOMmTj801zCvXGXD6gPkBlaIoRqUxMAdX5N4yGBiVPBAJ0/s1600/IMG_7928Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgidG0ea9M2O26M04N0GsJlCW8v1rp4ULEWu9EYKeI5gO2lZP9Q8ca9_cmSAcQ2u-VV9p66q6jD-y-VIVX1MjmoIiPsDPWOMmTj801zCvXGXD6gPkBlaIoRqUxMAdX5N4yGBiVPBAJ0/s1600/IMG_7928Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7_noVBZ3PxKBPvdjq1eZfIPZb7OrL7fdEV7zg5SAfFQJ19F-oKpXpK2ZBBogkpUhlo1c0XPN74ZNBhUOi7l9_mRTtreNuCnsjqL43-Ktw-Rxkf7_CVOOgZAKNAbPJjp4peHPKXJ2dZk/s1600/IMG_0504Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7_noVBZ3PxKBPvdjq1eZfIPZb7OrL7fdEV7zg5SAfFQJ19F-oKpXpK2ZBBogkpUhlo1c0XPN74ZNBhUOi7l9_mRTtreNuCnsjqL43-Ktw-Rxkf7_CVOOgZAKNAbPJjp4peHPKXJ2dZk/s1600/IMG_0504Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">With Bishop and Sister Patton</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLBz5isSAcYsxQ28K1sjiStktElHKxqiYurPR1ofQtdvA5ZBHN4ng92Oe5ad_KvDuPfDPUMDdb9ZY__lSgimSKd9hXZSgHges_Blu0LWNe8viZAynCAxdWgP3wJxpoX2-oZ9TrqWxet4/s1600/IMG_0518Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLBz5isSAcYsxQ28K1sjiStktElHKxqiYurPR1ofQtdvA5ZBHN4ng92Oe5ad_KvDuPfDPUMDdb9ZY__lSgimSKd9hXZSgHges_Blu0LWNe8viZAynCAxdWgP3wJxpoX2-oZ9TrqWxet4/s1600/IMG_0518Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Miracle investigator, Luz! Handed her off to the family ward elders</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwd_iDBLNc6_T85oeweFjXeIKkN8t5KZ3lag7idMo1eRU5Stl_gfoRC9mBPAPDn6FE18sklLB1a6YpXtWQDMIbzRMbglyr5zUmt2mRIV8FoLUARpqq8wGYnkTT-jXX28ZFvuSo8wNiIY/s1600/IMG_0521Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwd_iDBLNc6_T85oeweFjXeIKkN8t5KZ3lag7idMo1eRU5Stl_gfoRC9mBPAPDn6FE18sklLB1a6YpXtWQDMIbzRMbglyr5zUmt2mRIV8FoLUARpqq8wGYnkTT-jXX28ZFvuSo8wNiIY/s1600/IMG_0521Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-27439373380297436192014-11-02T18:29:00.002-08:002014-11-02T18:29:59.634-08:00LETTER 63: The one where Tessa goes back to school<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We had
interviews this week, which I thoroughly enjoy. Carved pumpkins, did service,
visited and called a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>bunch<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>of less-actives, taught
investigators--the usual. (: We did start something new though! We got
permission from California State University Northridge and Pierce College to do
a booth on each of their campuses weekly! That's been suuuuper prime. There are
just flocks of YSA people and we get to talk with a bunch of people and share
the gospel nonstop! We're really excited about it. Sister Goettsche and Sister
Flake are also doing it with us--they're the ASL sisters, and are offering free
ASL classes. So that's pretty much the 'news' for the week. We've been
consistently working to try new ideas and make things more and more organized
and effective. We've seen amazing results as we continue to turn to God and ask
how to refine our efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had a huge
learning experience this week. While praying for some investigators and their
concerns, I had an 'ah-hah' moment that I needed to study justice & mercy.
I turned to Elder Christofferson's recent conference address, "<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Free Forever, to Act for Themselves</span></a>,"
along with lots of scriptures. Over the course of the week, I have come to
understand the role of justice and mercy more than I ever have! It's blowing me
away how important it is, how frequently it presents itself throughout PMG and
the scriptures, how little I understood about it, and how it so clearly
addresses concerns that my investigators have and questions I've had myself.
I'll try to summarize some of my learnings!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Basically:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JUSTICE</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(God)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Commandments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Laws<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Fixed,
eternal, immutable truths<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Consequences
for actions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">"<i>Pay
the price</i>" mentality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can have faith in God<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>because<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></u>He is just. We rely on this divine
quality of justice for faith, confidence, and hope. Because God is just, there
are some things He cannot do! He cannot allow sin, save some people and not
others, or allow mercy to rob justice. Because God is just, He devised a means
for mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MERCY<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Jesus
Christ)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Atonement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Forgiveness,
grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sins
wiped away, cleansed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Gospel
of Jesus Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">"<i>Price
is paid</i>" mentality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We know that it is "the sufferings and death of him who did
no sin, in whom [the Father] wast well pleased;...the blood of [His] Son which
washed" that satisfies the demands of justice, extends mercy, and redeems
us. It is ONLY through Christ that we can be saved, and we do not need to
achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Christ died
not to save indiscriminately, but to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>offer
repentance</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">REPENTANCE</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Us)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>choose<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>to access mercy by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>acting</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">All
about our agency!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By making repentance a condition for receiving the gift of
grace, God enables us to retain responsibility for ourselves. Repentance
respects and sustains our moral agency. God will not act to make us something
we do not choose by our actions to become. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">...hopefully
that made sense. Some of that was quoted from Elder Christofferson, more or
less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Something I
have seen is that many, many religions out here have the 'scale' tipped. They
either lean too heavily on the mercy side of the spectrum, or on the justice
side. What I love about the Book of Mormon is I think it teaches us so
beautifully and simply the balance between these and how critical repentance
is!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alma 42:24
"For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth
all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent (repentant) are
saved." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you read
all of that, kudos to you haha I'm impressed (: I hope it was of benefit to
someone at least a fraction of how much it benefited me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you for
your love and prayers! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><3 Sister
Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our booth at CSUN (: Working to get better posters and stuff this week!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOVE7qwH_4CgY9KGGxtpqY3rNRJeKZeFU7ycAFsz8OnBoXtW8lSZjl3VUB0RnZpine9tzxAp7UjBBf_8qbTFjS4UGWlT0RkehDhxSTJi3RisImqkGZ3ZDpqv5Qf0-uRNMEGSWVh_o6R0/s1600/IMG_0474Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOVE7qwH_4CgY9KGGxtpqY3rNRJeKZeFU7ycAFsz8OnBoXtW8lSZjl3VUB0RnZpine9tzxAp7UjBBf_8qbTFjS4UGWlT0RkehDhxSTJi3RisImqkGZ3ZDpqv5Qf0-uRNMEGSWVh_o6R0/s1600/IMG_0474Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">We did a huge community service project putting together care packages for our troops. So great!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav14wQSnL6S75mS6RiMdszKURV1XbYBbD4-DQJb-mpVGcjtIXd2vLhAGq_Q5RCyNlwdyZ_Q3BNR4anEFeXISRQY1RTRPFe4jRmcnqo8GuYF91_DLyhQVtSjoKd_JxWfqnQlEMeB3Koj0/s1600/IMG_0476Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav14wQSnL6S75mS6RiMdszKURV1XbYBbD4-DQJb-mpVGcjtIXd2vLhAGq_Q5RCyNlwdyZ_Q3BNR4anEFeXISRQY1RTRPFe4jRmcnqo8GuYF91_DLyhQVtSjoKd_JxWfqnQlEMeB3Koj0/s1600/IMG_0476Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-58327419840954914692014-10-21T07:29:00.003-07:002014-10-21T07:37:20.008-07:00LETTER 62: The one where Tessa tackles perfectionism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
always procrastinate writing my weekly letter home...hence why one didn't get
sent last week haha. So in an effort to avoid that, I'm writing this first
(: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have had just an
amazing week. I can't believe all the progress our investigators are making,
the self-discoveries I've had, the revelation for new ideas to try in our area
that have come, and the list goes on and on! It's truly humbling seeing how
much God qualifies us and leads this work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here's a list of a few
investigators that especially need some prayers at this time! I would greatly
appreciate it (: Also a little snippet of info about them...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Siddhi H--has been taught for a while. Working
to understand importance of organized religion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nick--committed to be baptized and pray about
a date!! He's so solid <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kat S--Her sister got baptized a few years
back. She is now learning and progressing right along<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gary J--working to have consistent lessons,
come to church, and understand the Book of Mormon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jeo S--trying to take a leap of faith and find
out if God is really there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amanda C--has been less-active for many years,
but now is working to return to full activity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks soo much!
There's power in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We went on a couple
exchanges this week. I was with Sister Redner and then Sister Taylor! Filled
with miracles and fun, for sure. Me and Sis Redner walked up to a girl on the
street and this conversation ensued...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: "Have you
heard of the Book of Mormon before?"<br />
Her: "Yeah!!! I heard it's way good, I've always wanted to read
it!!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*jaws drop*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">haha that's a response
I've never gotten! We happily gave her one and should start teaching her soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My main topic of study
and learning lately has to do with a tender subject for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perfectionism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not until I really
started digging in and studying it did I realize just how much of an impact
it's had in my life, as much as I wish it wasn't! It's a sneaky trap to fall
into. God teaches us eternal progression and faith in the Atonement, while
Satan teaches its counterfeit--perfectionism--which destroys confidence in
ourselves and others, and takes us away from the enabling power of the
Atonement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I struggle about my
imperfections, it just instills in me more awe of how magnificent that one
perfect life was--that of the Savior Jesus Christ--and how absolutely dependent
all of us are on the mercy that is extended to us through his atoning
sacrifice. The determination to endure in this struggle is what can set us
apart from others. Though our lives are not always a steady upward slope of
progression--it's more like a rocky incline with dips and setbacks--we can be
determined to get up and move on, despite how many times we slip. This fixed
determination to 'endure to the end' has to be rooted in our faith of the
Savior and the real power He has to save! We absolutely cannot rise above our
mistakes without the help of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What a great blessing
it is to have weaknesses. They keep us humble and reliant on the Lord. Though
as much as I can 'preach' these things, it requires a lot more effort to really
internalize and apply them to myself! Slowly but surely, it's seeping down into
my soul and I am patient as God is tutoring me in the ways of the Atonement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do love my Savior
and my God. They are way too good. They provide the best way of living. I hope
all of us can move purposefully forward along the path to greater perfection
with a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities God provides
us--challenging as they may be--to become more like Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exchanges with Sister
Taylor!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We were locked out of
an apartment complex, and decided to run into the parking garage after a car so
that we could get in. Jokes on us--the doors <i>inside </i>the
parking garage were locked too, and we were caged in there for a little bit
until the next car came in haha. Too funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MoT6nf_vnRZvxpKxw-rMpeEeCYevef1py4GQtbFO6RHhnYZrvl_xrt34Dulto3bIlNMJ89NgUAx1CDKDcZupPbdgJKwnAV_cPv06tGLZVPxbrhEr1W-HuhCFezSgiw94s_i0cwUMS-I/s1600/IMG_0462Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MoT6nf_vnRZvxpKxw-rMpeEeCYevef1py4GQtbFO6RHhnYZrvl_xrt34Dulto3bIlNMJ89NgUAx1CDKDcZupPbdgJKwnAV_cPv06tGLZVPxbrhEr1W-HuhCFezSgiw94s_i0cwUMS-I/s1600/IMG_0462Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Crashing the
Northridge family ward's party for food! Desperate times...(;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSNaQxf-8rz6jNzblzNmRWZSDq9BhHQc8IwTJeVvNLGG1pZhe_PccrOFKiaAG01r_Ak4X0KoEr0ZqBvmUri_WNrkf_FcefWM-bxNCSflBJrZpyIY_-yYvrHXO3kjpSODxHImvsJIFOVE/s1600/IMG_0466Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSNaQxf-8rz6jNzblzNmRWZSDq9BhHQc8IwTJeVvNLGG1pZhe_PccrOFKiaAG01r_Ak4X0KoEr0ZqBvmUri_WNrkf_FcefWM-bxNCSflBJrZpyIY_-yYvrHXO3kjpSODxHImvsJIFOVE/s1600/IMG_0466Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-57842320996553769582014-10-21T07:25:00.001-07:002014-10-21T07:25:23.894-07:00LETTER 61: The one where Tessa gets free lunch<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10/13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you've ever wanted to see 20 missionaries at a bar...here you go. Haha (:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After doing service, a
local restaurant offered to feed us free lunch. Super nice of them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc9uGJ91EWPT5e44XGuPtUUji0MjqcgL45oguWEdt8JkrhDPYduBX7BoLL9dqefQevbvWObwakwNQQ2RGwn2uhOsW_01kDapZydVN-Fcbu4z-d2B5vMweaRdj-vrkfVjvNyFVFQ0IQBA/s1600/IMG_0446+(1)Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc9uGJ91EWPT5e44XGuPtUUji0MjqcgL45oguWEdt8JkrhDPYduBX7BoLL9dqefQevbvWObwakwNQQ2RGwn2uhOsW_01kDapZydVN-Fcbu4z-d2B5vMweaRdj-vrkfVjvNyFVFQ0IQBA/s1600/IMG_0446+(1)Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Matching with Sister Marlow again! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hSBfsJ63JFEq8_332xRBTCikwNkCvsvfuR_Iyd4N9Jo6I4EbWqu-m6wPbam_kKuqPs1Aes5qqoCmN1IowA4pZC_vb70AIJytzJ9yCC_ctJAXBNobkzGgucDNmufQ0ynCrfZLL7cXiz8/s1600/IMG_0453Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hSBfsJ63JFEq8_332xRBTCikwNkCvsvfuR_Iyd4N9Jo6I4EbWqu-m6wPbam_kKuqPs1Aes5qqoCmN1IowA4pZC_vb70AIJytzJ9yCC_ctJAXBNobkzGgucDNmufQ0ynCrfZLL7cXiz8/s1600/IMG_0453Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-41867053022481054792014-10-21T07:22:00.001-07:002014-10-21T07:22:06.405-07:00LETTER 60: The one where Tessa appreciates the melting pot<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10/7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's
been such a great week (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had Mission
Leadership Council, Zone Training Meeting, and of course--General Conference! A
good line up for sure (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There's tons I want to
say. Literally...TONS. But I'm short on time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
This week, we started teaching Gary from Jamaica, Sunny from India, and
Blessing from Nigeria! Our teaching pool is seriously so diverse. I love
serving in a melting pot. I've learned a bunch about all different cultures and
religions. It makes me appreciate that much more just what the gospel can do
for people. No matter their background, culture, or current situation--the
gospel is true for everyone and can help every single person. Like Elder Bednar
said in Conference, "there is absolute truth in a world that hates
absolutes."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of my very
favorite talks (along with most everyone) was Jorg Klebingat's. His
straightforward talk on 6 steps for gaining confidence before God was very powerful!
A recap from my notes (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Take responsibility
for your spirituality <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Take responsibility
for your physical body<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Embrace voluntary
whole-hearted obedience<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Become really
really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. Become really really
good at forgiving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. Accept trials and
setbacks as part of God's plan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That's all for this
week. Things are going very well. I love the things God is teaching me. I know
this gospel provides the best way of life. It opens the way for us to reach our
potential. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the dentist for
Sister Lewis (:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdolxWb97PRfgxVYbt_uil5sqtRL_ElGiKRn2_AiR9xvQAsUj78IZBXMZ1TP_8490nzskMwFtZ_Zs22ZXPveYbTxyrtYcK7nu7a9fRZVnJcEaRcAqJfXjTm4q-34_Fe5K_H1j0Zk2oAEQ/s1600/IMG_0429Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdolxWb97PRfgxVYbt_uil5sqtRL_ElGiKRn2_AiR9xvQAsUj78IZBXMZ1TP_8490nzskMwFtZ_Zs22ZXPveYbTxyrtYcK7nu7a9fRZVnJcEaRcAqJfXjTm4q-34_Fe5K_H1j0Zk2oAEQ/s1600/IMG_0429Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unplanned matching
with Sister Marlow at Conference!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nxcFItLx4VXsqgdmR0o0g0EAa4uWqB0zrGTQftS7F7C4Mo4-nzfBoNFzq1JZKPMfktFUiy01UwGQWsDEs_xAHOfHNCUeWMYuZIT8SkRJdwp6XsEdJB-LKH5qew1U6N2JhCKj6gjPo-Y/s1600/IMG_0434Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nxcFItLx4VXsqgdmR0o0g0EAa4uWqB0zrGTQftS7F7C4Mo4-nzfBoNFzq1JZKPMfktFUiy01UwGQWsDEs_xAHOfHNCUeWMYuZIT8SkRJdwp6XsEdJB-LKH5qew1U6N2JhCKj6gjPo-Y/s1600/IMG_0434Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look
how great this is! All of the Great California San Fernando Mission (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Minus Pres and Sis
Hall--they still have to photoshop themselves in)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7y9aGk7kbBLsjLkW9_T4barcyVUBKyOh60niNTQl4lqQj7GjR-8SDEFU7xpsPN2knJezq5ZtZmpkXGRV9DjbqOtEkl4K5oWWvnBuJnQ-KF-3tqXZWkwiXnT1fTx1y1xJgKz3AuL-LuQ/s1600/whole+missionWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7y9aGk7kbBLsjLkW9_T4barcyVUBKyOh60niNTQl4lqQj7GjR-8SDEFU7xpsPN2knJezq5ZtZmpkXGRV9DjbqOtEkl4K5oWWvnBuJnQ-KF-3tqXZWkwiXnT1fTx1y1xJgKz3AuL-LuQ/s1600/whole+missionWeb.jpg" height="52" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-58392495911002510322014-10-21T07:17:00.001-07:002014-10-21T07:17:38.675-07:00LETTER 59: The one where Tessa Meets the Mormons<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9/29<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
seems like so much has happened that you all don't know about yet...it's weird
having big things happen and just accepting it and moving on with life, then
coming to email on Mondays and realize nobody else knows yet. Haha so the main
big thing I'm referring to is (drumroll please...)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our mission has been
chosen to receive <b>mobile devices</b> in October!! Woohoo!!! We are
going to be a pilot mission for a new training program they have. They also are
still deciding between giving us iPad minis or the new iPhone 6's. I'm pretty
excited (: I've said since the beginning that all I wanted was just one or two
transfers with the 'new way' of doing missionary work, and it looks like that
dream is going to become a reality! I'm very excited for it to roll out, and
happy I'll be here for it. It will be super effective with YSA work because
everyone is hooked on technology, so we'll be able to connect with them in more
ways. Such a blessing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also on Wednesday, as
a mission we were able to preview the new movie "Meet the Mormons,"
coming out on Oct 12. It is a church produced film, and they allowed us to see
it at the Stake Center so we can encourage less-actives and investigators to
see it (: It shows the lives of 6 people around the world and how they live
their faith. Man, it was <i>amazing</i>. Made me laugh, made me cry. They
did a great job with it. Overall I just left with a huge feeling of gratitude
to be part of something so great. I'm proud to be a member of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love this gospel with my whole heart. I
highly <i>highly </i>encourage you all to see it, and take friends!!
It was <b>not</b> made with the intent to proselyte. It's not pushy
or overbearing. It was made to increase understanding, not to teach doctrine.
So it's a safe, entertaining, and easy way to share the gospel (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We were privileged to
have the general Women's broadcast on Saturday! It was such a treat (: they fed
us a dinner outside under some lights, and they had a Waffle truck cater to us.
That was a treat too (; I loved President Uchdorf's talk. He talked about<i> "living
the gospel joyful."</i> The commandments God has given us are His
loving words to His children. He is all-knowing and wants us to be happy, and
has given us simple guidelines and commandments to light the path back to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I feel like it's
Christmas, I'm overjoyed to have General Conference this weekend!! It's my
favorite weekend. Make sure to watch it (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyways, this week was
great. We had a ton of stuff come up--meetings, service, broadcasts, etc--and
our investigators got super busy as well, which resulted in us teaching almost
no lessons. Everything fell through. But it's ok! We were able to contact lots
and had some great experiences and miracles (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There's so much I want
to say. Tons I'm learning. But the most important thing God has been teaching
me this week is how to rely on my Savior more. The Atonement is designed not
only to free us from sin, but also to strengthen us in the presence of our
weakness. Coming unto Jesus is the source of being happy and is the test of our
existence. Our weaknesses are gifts from God to help us humbly rely on Him and
love and assist others. We can grumble about our weaknesses and try to ignore
them, or we can embrace the challenges to be stretched and to grow. This
refining and polishing process is among the<i> most sacred</i> experiences
we can hope for! I'm so grateful for a God who has a perfect plan in place that
accounts for our weaknesses and short-comings, and has provided a way for us to
overcome them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That's it for this
week, sorry to be so long-winded! Love you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transfer meeting!
After 14 months straight of serving right alongside Elder Larman, he is
returning home. Sad day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF5Zdcq2PijO4z3MRvie5dKBKWHo6_z_x7eOpRWgwNu-x9giwzQDuVF6sqCsd8OnVab_Gpnvr4LMyWUTUwjm6TUcGrsNXQ1otQQX7pDVmCaiga2_XbXudMVqxSH8murH0mC4X13DZ6ns/s1600/IMG_0390Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF5Zdcq2PijO4z3MRvie5dKBKWHo6_z_x7eOpRWgwNu-x9giwzQDuVF6sqCsd8OnVab_Gpnvr4LMyWUTUwjm6TUcGrsNXQ1otQQX7pDVmCaiga2_XbXudMVqxSH8murH0mC4X13DZ6ns/s1600/IMG_0390Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And my Sister Naylor is now home in Prescott, Arizona! Miss her.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYAO1hwj28qbGxZRcqJuvzW_GOkDpK1vQOnI-xGb4T2qq5g2EFqta5eS1ZAxuB4rPshS4245Ze7tg8yY35HnRfqX-yUhJxiR2EVVIFdn0T8V2U-0D5g9I2FbVVn7uLY5es3Gwj3CrAHI/s1600/IMG_0391Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYAO1hwj28qbGxZRcqJuvzW_GOkDpK1vQOnI-xGb4T2qq5g2EFqta5eS1ZAxuB4rPshS4245Ze7tg8yY35HnRfqX-yUhJxiR2EVVIFdn0T8V2U-0D5g9I2FbVVn7uLY5es3Gwj3CrAHI/s1600/IMG_0391Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Waffle truck!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRfPfPJr8idOQbn2heNY1Imxxr5IkLh7PYDP3uIpiMI3D5b7RLmzEKH3RAvyJLGASDYyQA-S-OPpoesDdybdsJtI_QWqM45gvxZ4DuGqVXAuwb6W6-boMmUlgTLdLEVbww3WjdXTW2N8/s1600/IMG_0409Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRfPfPJr8idOQbn2heNY1Imxxr5IkLh7PYDP3uIpiMI3D5b7RLmzEKH3RAvyJLGASDYyQA-S-OPpoesDdybdsJtI_QWqM45gvxZ4DuGqVXAuwb6W6-boMmUlgTLdLEVbww3WjdXTW2N8/s1600/IMG_0409Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Patio dinner (:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPZYmKBQF4uxDVhRwVuhZ9aLfAeML-GPswS24sC-_s80peNT3qGpQNpYzEAnw_TQ22L1mEqyfpLMmNlW5ZL-rFpvnoQhgx5hO1ukv503R9apMSPNxIHInmfHUX3G6stfFjyq_wFmCrhs/s1600/IMG_0410Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPZYmKBQF4uxDVhRwVuhZ9aLfAeML-GPswS24sC-_s80peNT3qGpQNpYzEAnw_TQ22L1mEqyfpLMmNlW5ZL-rFpvnoQhgx5hO1ukv503R9apMSPNxIHInmfHUX3G6stfFjyq_wFmCrhs/s1600/IMG_0410Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-28444963812940805852014-10-07T08:40:00.006-07:002014-10-07T08:42:30.162-07:00LETTER 58: The one where Tessa tries to be a light, not a judge<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">9/22/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Good news!
I'm not getting transferred (: Which means I'm mostly likely finishing my last
2 transfers here in Northridge YSA! Woohoo (: I'm really happy and grateful. I
love this area and the people here with all my heart. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We've
had exchanges this week, some great lessons, contacting--all that good stuff (:
We have been teaching Nick, who is the most sincere, genuine guy! <i>He </i>asked <i>us </i>about
baptism haha. And you know they're solid when they start taking notes during
the lesson (; what I love very most about teaching is when it's the kind of
environment where you're all learning from each other. I feel like each time we
meet with Nick and various other investigators, it's like that. We all are
uplifted and edified, which is how it should be and one key indicator that the
Spirit is there. Teaching isn't about spouting off a message. It's about
listening and loving the person. Letting God guide the discussion. It's
beautiful and amazing, I feel so uplifted each time. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We had
the great blessing of going to the temple visitor's center with Siddhi! Janelle
came with us as well. It was a lovely experience, the Spirit is just so thick
there. We talked a lot about the importance of temples and having a modern
prophet today. Something I love tons is that God never intended for His
instruction to end at "Revelations" in the Bible. He didn't just give
us one Bible for eternity and that's it. He follows a careful pattern, calling
prophets and reaching out to us. He's given us the Book of Mormon today and
tons of modern revelation and guidance. God wants us to know that Heaven is
wide open! It's not over. His work moves forward.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Oh,
also at the temple I had the lovely surprise of seeing my cousin, Lindsey (:
Haha that was a shock! She was photographing a wedding there. Such a cool
coincidence (:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">One
quote to carry around in your head:<br />
<b>"Be a light, not a judge."</b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Lift,
encourage, inspire, and bless people, rather than judge. Let God's love flow
through us and reach others.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">That's
all I got for this week (: Things are going great. I'm loving every second.
Thank you for each of your examples. If you have anything you've been learning
lately, please share (:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">--Sis
Bishop</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Our district--I missed the memo about it being a silly picture haha</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuq6q5ZdoNl6dFEoH9J8hXYo2EAococ_LWOvCi0BN3h8BUlM0YsRcvSN-O1_x-7oD2k3EEeeXLUpaYwBJ-YNRLDcaQQde55LxALRRUcjM5xrVn6r2T2zmT-b46PpkLiQ7TODxnJyU9J8/s1600/IMG_0353Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuq6q5ZdoNl6dFEoH9J8hXYo2EAococ_LWOvCi0BN3h8BUlM0YsRcvSN-O1_x-7oD2k3EEeeXLUpaYwBJ-YNRLDcaQQde55LxALRRUcjM5xrVn6r2T2zmT-b46PpkLiQ7TODxnJyU9J8/s1600/IMG_0353Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
On exchanges at the CSUN campus--the letters spell CSUN from two different directions, it's pretty cool (:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF5ggDF6lHahGs8Ir1kNil932c4LFht-rNfOi4aD9GZY-p3ncveVgs00no5Fqxdcax5fTLXGmVyGFKbyw2ktMV4BY28_GErIJ9NbqVlH7X_xmAU1tAs7g1hE5SCuKVuX9cewEWJkxMuY/s1600/IMG_0357Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF5ggDF6lHahGs8Ir1kNil932c4LFht-rNfOi4aD9GZY-p3ncveVgs00no5Fqxdcax5fTLXGmVyGFKbyw2ktMV4BY28_GErIJ9NbqVlH7X_xmAU1tAs7g1hE5SCuKVuX9cewEWJkxMuY/s1600/IMG_0357Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">I think I could live here forever.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI36aCjemgvBg7_0QAiuPUsC4K0Jqjh20_oYE-HxS3xx5ybO6nFycgKZoHb7F5q_VQ70ADAekYEgKw78kcHAZb1JFgOnBa5TsicdN7BrzwcjwK7ypxh8_iDulUx6iWETtRM8ZIExF9-M/s1600/IMG_0362Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI36aCjemgvBg7_0QAiuPUsC4K0Jqjh20_oYE-HxS3xx5ybO6nFycgKZoHb7F5q_VQ70ADAekYEgKw78kcHAZb1JFgOnBa5TsicdN7BrzwcjwK7ypxh8_iDulUx6iWETtRM8ZIExF9-M/s1600/IMG_0362Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
Bishop Patton! He takes us to Panda Express for "secret lunch club" every week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ItbrXTA8JF4QbXc42a2MukgBkcg46c7VswMRDOxXMiZS0ZRJgA5aU5mPHTR-s03mq_n8a6wmSt69Z2H1bjgtGpO1oYQXkjYYjNVZtKxpQ1_wuTCTsIAx9ZwVxJi_JMnJ4KCFGxJEAtk/s1600/IMG_0368Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ItbrXTA8JF4QbXc42a2MukgBkcg46c7VswMRDOxXMiZS0ZRJgA5aU5mPHTR-s03mq_n8a6wmSt69Z2H1bjgtGpO1oYQXkjYYjNVZtKxpQ1_wuTCTsIAx9ZwVxJi_JMnJ4KCFGxJEAtk/s1600/IMG_0368Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<div class="ii gt m1489e8e16c2cab16 adP adO" id=":1t0" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 5px 15px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative;">
<div class="a3s" id=":1t4" style="overflow: hidden;">
<div dir="ltr">
Temple trip with Siddhi and Janelle (:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13wWHg43M4M0aPxpygxSZwjnW4aERTbfoPEPcnaCeGF44q6W1va1Z7ahb1t5vqjYBBS8JgTa_cKrpJONfLOgq7eaNPGtZZBkuH1l2wkSFHGTsW2qmQIQrPxUZWr3pan14Qrcsdm22I8c/s1600/IMG_0374Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13wWHg43M4M0aPxpygxSZwjnW4aERTbfoPEPcnaCeGF44q6W1va1Z7ahb1t5vqjYBBS8JgTa_cKrpJONfLOgq7eaNPGtZZBkuH1l2wkSFHGTsW2qmQIQrPxUZWr3pan14Qrcsdm22I8c/s1600/IMG_0374Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxxkwCup61W7JFRjiZP3WyqBKbtj2cFFdpnJoFVzfKJwjpgjoWUEfq1Q_NulRzTUvkaxN10WNl9XUr4AUrO1U1cDZJogWAutlM7fKDEfwois6JTaFxXfdne6HoXLq_JyOxB7F2sPg0oY/s1600/IMG_0376Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxxkwCup61W7JFRjiZP3WyqBKbtj2cFFdpnJoFVzfKJwjpgjoWUEfq1Q_NulRzTUvkaxN10WNl9XUr4AUrO1U1cDZJogWAutlM7fKDEfwois6JTaFxXfdne6HoXLq_JyOxB7F2sPg0oY/s1600/IMG_0376Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="yj6qo">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hq gt" id=":1td" style="clear: both; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 15px 0px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-30372573244453944912014-10-07T08:30:00.002-07:002014-10-07T08:41:57.424-07:00LETTER 57: The one where Tessa subtracts herself<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9/15/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's
been a speedy week!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've learned so much.
We had Elder Carlson from the Seventy come to our mission, and we had an
amazing Zone Conference. We've been teaching lots and lots, there's definitely
no shortage of teaching appointments. There's never been a time like this on my
mission! It's unreal. We haven't been able to be out contacting as much, which
I love, but teaching is great. Can't complain one bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking of teaching,
that's the main gist of my learnings this week! Elder Carlson said that
teaching is two things: Observing, and listening. Amen!! It's so true. When we
really subtract ourselves, the Spirit is able to come in and be the teacher.
And that's how it should be. Our purpose is to listen and observe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something I've been
working on is having every interaction uplift and edify the other person. Make
them feel known, loved, and appreciated. Leave them a little better than I
found them. That's the example Christ set for us. I'm sure He hugged a lot of
people. Echoing last week's email--all He did, He did out of love. It's not so
much about <i>what</i> He did, but<i>how</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another thing I loved
from Elder Carlson--"People will only learn <i>what</i> they
want to learn, <i>when</i> they want to learn it." That applies
for all of us. We are like clay in the hands of our Potter. He loves us and
wants to shape us. We can be soft clay--humble, submissive, faithful--and let
Him shape us. Or we can be hard clay--He'll still work with us, but He might
have to bring in a chisel and hammer to do so. It's our choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This gospel is amazing
and true. It gives us a depth, meaning, purpose, and peace in life that can't
be found elsewhere. God's way always works--100% of the time. We just need to
turn to Him and rely on Him. Trust that if He brings us <b>to </b>something,
He will bring us <b>through</b> it as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That's it for this
week, love to you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
very first "Boba" drink! They're super popular here. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52vX90NglzDpTYXhcapXg9YhzcsSmmbidrAaRIJn4ObJzOX8bADcRHFUmE2uaB6JhJWLibAbK3_b1KGwJ2U7nzmWeMp84lcPnKp7saSTl_xiSdIokkOpkwln7BFiFD_cfUgZLTKR3su0/s1600/IMG_0328Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52vX90NglzDpTYXhcapXg9YhzcsSmmbidrAaRIJn4ObJzOX8bADcRHFUmE2uaB6JhJWLibAbK3_b1KGwJ2U7nzmWeMp84lcPnKp7saSTl_xiSdIokkOpkwln7BFiFD_cfUgZLTKR3su0/s1600/IMG_0328Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the paraplegic home
this week, helping Nancy with her sewing craft. The elders were so focused haha
(:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFf-o6Jao8ke3Feq9sBWhMjotp2vMWzG1chh2ZU9HGYj_utYqGHLF5xPOdENDT2KTIpGvPATfhKghu6KT204YU77XiCTwt8PNQwBrnSO2DNVTUsFilpUUBpYt8zlAoajtBm34TRduDXM/s1600/IMG_0344Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFf-o6Jao8ke3Feq9sBWhMjotp2vMWzG1chh2ZU9HGYj_utYqGHLF5xPOdENDT2KTIpGvPATfhKghu6KT204YU77XiCTwt8PNQwBrnSO2DNVTUsFilpUUBpYt8zlAoajtBm34TRduDXM/s1600/IMG_0344Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today we went to a
Guitar store--just sang and played guitar and made up songs. Heaven! (:</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTX9EQFl-j51woxm_dB-WyEuy-hNcjWqd9FqiAsDKU6jbqsUpAVXcqZQcj3Ul44xkPbiAoV78tZSXUxxqkz6YgpmOfEWubDXfgBKiNrkssCktn2ARNgGQJ-VnTH3SbsFPcEs7Lxfikic/s1600/IMG_0346Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTX9EQFl-j51woxm_dB-WyEuy-hNcjWqd9FqiAsDKU6jbqsUpAVXcqZQcj3Ul44xkPbiAoV78tZSXUxxqkz6YgpmOfEWubDXfgBKiNrkssCktn2ARNgGQJ-VnTH3SbsFPcEs7Lxfikic/s1600/IMG_0346Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-35100573531354389062014-10-07T08:06:00.001-07:002014-10-07T08:06:34.946-07:00LETTER 56: The one where Tessa finds golden plates<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9/8/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another
great week! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had MLC on Wednesday,
it was all about becoming consecrated missionaries. Really inspiring (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We found a few new
investigators this week, all through our own finding efforts which is more rare
in this area. Most of our investigators are found through referrals. This week,
we met Joseph on the street and have started meeting with him. He is from Kenya
and is soo funny and sincere. Alex and Kat are also new--Alex is the cousin of
someone we know, and Kat is the sister of a recent convert. It's just the best
meeting new people. I absolutely love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not a whole lot else
to report. Siddhi is doing so great and is super excited for her baptism! As
are we (: It's going to be pushed back a couple of weeks, but will happen soon.
We have just been working hard and I'm learning tons! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't have a whole lot
of time to share some of my learnings this week, but in a nutshell I'm
discovering how important it is to give God our hearts. In the end, <i>why </i>we
do what we do is more important than <i>what </i>we do. We need to do
things with the right motives. Love. Eliminate our reluctance to reach out to
others. Christ was not only our perfect example of what we should do, but why
we should do what we do. As we fully dedicate our lives to God--giving Him our
hearts, and our desires, whether good or bad--He will give us a better life in
return. The only way to win is to lose. Lose our lives for God. When we do so,
we will win and will live a better life. Sorry if this is all jumbled (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all, have a
good week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">I love California.</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_5dYCsTu4xFDvnvc9UFbdkhLEy49RL7xg2I2Z0c5uBzAqZTsAl4Icnoa2ChyohECJc2sgsZ2EhZAtFpuV5NNPPE7pncrk7W-WUXKsQ1niewy8olYuKfLS41H5abK4-kNrmj3qPJ28j0/s1600/IMG_0303Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_5dYCsTu4xFDvnvc9UFbdkhLEy49RL7xg2I2Z0c5uBzAqZTsAl4Icnoa2ChyohECJc2sgsZ2EhZAtFpuV5NNPPE7pncrk7W-WUXKsQ1niewy8olYuKfLS41H5abK4-kNrmj3qPJ28j0/s1600/IMG_0303Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us in
one room with Nancy, and the elders next door with Ricky (:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcacHBkeMKz_dQ_4zJAUqTnnpXb9BdMtXiuUIJOBEe9vPRr6fIczSJyyk_X0bWOk7VmEnRzNjUqhVynPMH11LCrjaKOHW_1WsvTiixEtX9MUsOS8DmKmvZ8IRTj5ZLDb59dDC9igpKIpA/s1600/IMG_0285Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcacHBkeMKz_dQ_4zJAUqTnnpXb9BdMtXiuUIJOBEe9vPRr6fIczSJyyk_X0bWOk7VmEnRzNjUqhVynPMH11LCrjaKOHW_1WsvTiixEtX9MUsOS8DmKmvZ8IRTj5ZLDb59dDC9igpKIpA/s1600/IMG_0285Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joseph cooked us some
authentic Kenyan food! </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfU2vPVR7xcvFNhxbTOpzRFtbzmWQyfrhvbaf0HEJ4scWO_HEd2OJdqTPqas88meQj2Nelhikbipcn48mR_h7s4JG5kj4qvCX8ikhFzFk0quTV4D8Zuooe9WVj0ZihHLDMGUH12HWnro/s1600/IMG_0286Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfU2vPVR7xcvFNhxbTOpzRFtbzmWQyfrhvbaf0HEJ4scWO_HEd2OJdqTPqas88meQj2Nelhikbipcn48mR_h7s4JG5kj4qvCX8ikhFzFk0quTV4D8Zuooe9WVj0ZihHLDMGUH12HWnro/s1600/IMG_0286Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All the English Sister
Training Leaders at MLC. We all happened to coordinate with our blues and pinks
and purples (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnQJr_JDVpEzzRdPLVjYP-5lLh3GdED8UhDcx8kG9742Zu8uAYosm1AIP7MZCYnWIOIWiTmLjLZoGZxqhPDTVkvHi6MNX9TboM944EZDk2-pM5tMkcBZpUzwgu3W32rtKBqUjtqAXImY/s1600/IMG_0275Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnQJr_JDVpEzzRdPLVjYP-5lLh3GdED8UhDcx8kG9742Zu8uAYosm1AIP7MZCYnWIOIWiTmLjLZoGZxqhPDTVkvHi6MNX9TboM944EZDk2-pM5tMkcBZpUzwgu3W32rtKBqUjtqAXImY/s1600/IMG_0275Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vickie! We curled her
hair and painted her nails (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeLyoPtkuoUnekIPna_fHFCFjtoGN8ahaTwNZvqowfvdtHuUeuq9E7yOawdysdSLyEyDTWLvpzrkhqn2ajlnmnWDy8kp-mTBMpCgt0r8PUlcoSsyjwHZUm7GD9S5FOm_0_QlsPBqP7ks/s1600/IMG_0282Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeLyoPtkuoUnekIPna_fHFCFjtoGN8ahaTwNZvqowfvdtHuUeuq9E7yOawdysdSLyEyDTWLvpzrkhqn2ajlnmnWDy8kp-mTBMpCgt0r8PUlcoSsyjwHZUm7GD9S5FOm_0_QlsPBqP7ks/s1600/IMG_0282Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Look what we found... (;</span> <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn30WYVdckGsmnyJmQNiLMz7nzDGDhrDUjDYHtTuHeFv5udN8ju5SQmPs9c3e9c67UGdfIHsKIekqDtSYTuaYKwJzHClp8NmxIwTaoknbPDfJme-wCcmDCdoJ31Vy2KSKNejlB0bMXBhM/s1600/IMG_0319Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn30WYVdckGsmnyJmQNiLMz7nzDGDhrDUjDYHtTuHeFv5udN8ju5SQmPs9c3e9c67UGdfIHsKIekqDtSYTuaYKwJzHClp8NmxIwTaoknbPDfJme-wCcmDCdoJ31Vy2KSKNejlB0bMXBhM/s1600/IMG_0319Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0bH_CizI1pdavVlkuLixtxxVU5PvVU_Q-zfi0hTGiDkenx7zvx8-ncuqo9aa9CTGVPFbLeGhNRJ4oZm38dBEfvXu9DHS2_Iq-fb2Vbma1YT821XPxIzwDboRs28lwo4JXWK4yuyvkbw/s1600/IMG_0320Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0bH_CizI1pdavVlkuLixtxxVU5PvVU_Q-zfi0hTGiDkenx7zvx8-ncuqo9aa9CTGVPFbLeGhNRJ4oZm38dBEfvXu9DHS2_Iq-fb2Vbma1YT821XPxIzwDboRs28lwo4JXWK4yuyvkbw/s1600/IMG_0320Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-40253563676034621472014-10-07T07:45:00.001-07:002014-10-07T07:54:21.357-07:00LETTER 55: The one where Tessa sits with people at the bus stop<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9/1/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Not much to report on,
seeing as it's only been 4 days since I last emailed! But a great 4 days, of
course (:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We went on
exchanges, I was with Sister Johnson. I love exchanges! So fun getting to learn
and experience different things, and have a different perspective. Exchanges
always prove to be revelatory. I'm super blessed to have had my mission full of
exchanges! It's accelerated my learning for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">On Friday, we
were able to meet a referral named Ben and have started teaching him! Funny
story though--we knocked on his neighbor's door first, and a guy came and
talked with us. He was pretty persistent and just wanted to argue. He said,
"Listen. I've been drinking. And when I drink, I tell the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>truth</i>. So listen to me. I'll
teach you about Jesus." haha it was funny. We ducked out as soon as we
could. You just can't teach the gospel to a drunk person, I learned that early
on my mission. (: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday as
well, we met another referral, taught him, and he came to church! His name's
Hector. He was having a hard time with addiction withdrawals one day, and ran
outside of his house. The Elders were right there (fancy that!) and were able
to pray with him. Pretty cool story!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We found a
super awesome place to contact. There's a bus stop over by the Northridge mall,
and there are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>always<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>YSA people just sitting there
waiting to hear the gospel--practically asking to hear it (; I can't even begin
to tell all the miracles we've seen there! It is my favorite thing in the world
just sitting down with people and talking about their lives. Hearing their
experiences and backgrounds, what they're learning or struggling with. When we
listen with love, it really brings the spirit and the conversation easily
transitions to the gospel. There have been quite a few people who we hope to
start teaching this week! I'm in love with it. I decided I'm going to keep
doing that at home--just sit with people and ask them about their lives (: Try
it out--it's fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Due to some
last minute schedule changes, we found out Saturday we'd be speaking in
Sacrament meeting. Haha with no time to sit and write a talk, we just pulled
some quotes from other talks and went with it! I talked about love--a lot of my
talk was based of the BYU speech,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1943" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">"What if Love Were Our Only Motive?"</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>by Russell Osguthorpe. It is such a
good talk! Read it (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I've been
learning and studying a lot about commitment this week. First, some some quotes
from a talk (<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1983/10/the-word-is-commitment?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">"The Word is Commitment."</span></a>):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We
cannot become something without commitment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The
direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the
moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Total
commitment to correct gospel principles brings joy, satisfaction, and the
abundant life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Commitment
must be daily progression toward established purposes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">To reap
the full benefits of life, we must fill our days with commitment to worthy
goals and principles. There is no other way. As these commitments lead us to
action, we will find added growth and dimension which will guide us toward a
productive life here on earth and open the door for eternal life with our
Father in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Now my own insights. We know that all things will be consecrated
for our good (2 Nephi 2:2 "thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall
consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."). We can allow experiences to
change and shape us and bring us closer to God, or take us further from Him.
God's plan is one of progression and growth. He wants us to use our experiences
as building blocks to reach our potential. When we are committed to Him and
living His gosepl--<i>no matter what</i>--we will reclaim all the blessings.
All the experiences we have can teach us to trust in the Lord, and our ability
to return to God through the Savior. Commitment is what brings the
blessings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">That's all for
this week, I encourage each of you to deepen your commitment to God. Follow the
first and great commandment--love God, serve Him, and have Him as #1 in your
life. The rest will follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">--Sister
Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-85812556508893730772014-10-07T07:23:00.000-07:002014-10-07T07:36:52.214-07:00LETTER 54: The one where Tessa yells out the car window<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8/27/14</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
had a lovely week! Actually...a lot has happened! As I'm flipping through my
planner looking through the past 8 days, it just amazes me how much can happen
and change in one week. So lets get started (:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We went on a few
exchanges--first up, me and Sis Finau! We had the best lesson EVER with Siddhi.
We taught the Plan of Salvation, and it was powerful. It Spirit really hit all
of us, and confirmed everything--there was just no denying it's true. At the
end, Siddhi just said "<i>This is God</i>. <b>This is what I've been
waiting for</b>. What's next Saturday? I want to be baptized." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So long story short,
we set a baptism date for her for September 13! (: She is completely solid
in the gospel. She gets it. She's been baptized in many many churches, and has
come to realize the importance of the Priesthood, of Joseph Smith, the
uniqueness of the Plan of Salvation, and just all of these things...she gets
it. And she's following it (: yay! Thrilled for her. She is the happiest,
funniest, most loving and spiritually in-tune person you could ever meet. She
recognizes truth when she hears it, and she's found the fullness here (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
Friday and Saturday, we were able to volunteer at the "Relay for
Life" cancer survivor run! We set up tables, chairs, filled balloons, hung
signs, ran booths, got sunburned--all that good stuff (: My favorite was being
able to have great conversations with people about their triumphs and battles in
life--mainly cancer! And being able to reflect upon those close to me who have
battled cancer as well. I'm grateful for a loving God who lets us have trials
and experiences, and grateful for the comfort that comes from knowing His plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had some other
really great lessons and miracles throughout the week. We had a referral named
Tyler to go see, so we get to his apartment and had to park quite a few blocks
away (props of living in LA...street parking is impossible haha). We were
debating if we wanted to try to see someone else or just walk it all, and we
ended up going for it and walk. We finally get to his apartment and he's not
home, but on the way out we talked to a guy from France (props of living in
LA...people from all over the world (: ) and he was very interested in learning
more! Miracle! As we're saying bye to him, a group of 3 guys walk through the
door past us and I blurt out "are any of you Tyler?!" and one of them
was!! haha we got him!! Taught him on the spot, and he's now investigating.
He's great. So many miracles leading up to finding him (: God is good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday we had
interviews with President Hall, he is such an inspired man. Us and the Zone
Leaders did some training for the missionaries the whooole day and it was
revelatory. Then today we had district meeting and got to go to the temple for
Sister Lewis's birthday trip! Yay (: It was lovely and also revelatory. Tonight
we have a lesson with Chris--he got kicked out of his place and lost his phone,
so we had NO way of contacting him the past three weeks. Then two days ago at a
stoplight, he was crossing the street and I freaked out and started yelling out
the car window to him haha so we get to continue teaching him! Woo (: God is
good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Little and big
miracles all the time. It's the best thing in the world. I feel blessed with
the knowledge that I'm right where I need to be, doing exactly what I need to
be doing, and learning the lessons I need. Recently I'm learning how important
it is to get rid of the natural man inside of us. That's a central purpose in
our lives! Mosiah 3:19-- "</span><span style="background: #FEFBBF; color: #2f393a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from
the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless
he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,
and putteth off the natural man and becometh
a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as
a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to
submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a
child doth submit to his father</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">."
We are learning to become Saints. It's made possible through Christ, and ONLY
through Christ. I encourage each of you to look for little ways you can become
as a child and submit to God's will. His plan is perfect and is the way to
ultimate, lasting happiness. Love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Birthday
girl!!! Turned 20 (: made her some lemon cookies and we got shakes (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv19N5X-cQ-WD-zOfZIVcQMC1dIMYx9yNeZoobItpzObHwWMc9cR71eVtr-9GSm4lJgpsyFU9bjCpFd_kEGrPexnMn_9lchoEelwb3U8-sFo5-aC0O1xUVrc8cc-Iiywa7awJ9kJcQvXw/s1600/IMG_0206Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv19N5X-cQ-WD-zOfZIVcQMC1dIMYx9yNeZoobItpzObHwWMc9cR71eVtr-9GSm4lJgpsyFU9bjCpFd_kEGrPexnMn_9lchoEelwb3U8-sFo5-aC0O1xUVrc8cc-Iiywa7awJ9kJcQvXw/s1600/IMG_0206Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exchanges with Sister
Finau<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictooLYo4RzgYU6pwt-qTXmmwQYLSBVbWzAon6SWl-imn8Lvo0mxkegyEPx1knPZF-fQUHVC_g9bhXebrGjAyUgskiilIjJK4_N1QWYu5ulZsozoPrXrF2Y5Cran57w2J-gQUabHIlAVM/s1600/IMG_0212Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictooLYo4RzgYU6pwt-qTXmmwQYLSBVbWzAon6SWl-imn8Lvo0mxkegyEPx1knPZF-fQUHVC_g9bhXebrGjAyUgskiilIjJK4_N1QWYu5ulZsozoPrXrF2Y5Cran57w2J-gQUabHIlAVM/s1600/IMG_0212Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Legit (sketchy)
Mexican restaurant with Rebeca (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFg0DAkhcRr6RBCwlPBSf2ARkwYIh1xGYUkI0FdmD3FO1NbduhGjD7vksKvJcpcdFyu30Y56-hGPOMXAb-l0A9Bfj9kxB_tud3AEcmvxYhLb8rPTgp_mlBagzZXtJCu_Xojk2Mh2q0Vw/s1600/IMG_0215Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFg0DAkhcRr6RBCwlPBSf2ARkwYIh1xGYUkI0FdmD3FO1NbduhGjD7vksKvJcpcdFyu30Y56-hGPOMXAb-l0A9Bfj9kxB_tud3AEcmvxYhLb8rPTgp_mlBagzZXtJCu_Xojk2Mh2q0Vw/s1600/IMG_0215Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our zone volunteered
at "Relay for Life" this past week, a relay for Cancer Survivors.
Best experience ever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumsbbv_FAdokGEUJTtPrUg9ntgTqHR2qV5mwh6doAZHgq3mC6qQ_1NfQLES0CBFzKNN8bUy5ryeK8cL3EExbpO2lDJcWfegyMcFZ17UDBpQA_vxwTjoz4QkOPuGJQLwk4Z5ARbLGRjgE/s1600/IMG_0074Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumsbbv_FAdokGEUJTtPrUg9ntgTqHR2qV5mwh6doAZHgq3mC6qQ_1NfQLES0CBFzKNN8bUy5ryeK8cL3EExbpO2lDJcWfegyMcFZ17UDBpQA_vxwTjoz4QkOPuGJQLwk4Z5ARbLGRjgE/s1600/IMG_0074Lib.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emily's farewell
yesterday--she's heading to Peru!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmbD1U6TPJJa_81bTQZg-WAtJpLq0ry-ukHyrwvMEwjZysJYRc_dZTixd-nb7ZDxkw0Aj4DRUoB3g886vb3QFFqj4lFLv2ZLsXJqg_SD8zvxMSutc1qKq7ou3f_Tq0JVRSzhr6tcFq-4/s1600/IMG_0223Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmbD1U6TPJJa_81bTQZg-WAtJpLq0ry-ukHyrwvMEwjZysJYRc_dZTixd-nb7ZDxkw0Aj4DRUoB3g886vb3QFFqj4lFLv2ZLsXJqg_SD8zvxMSutc1qKq7ou3f_Tq0JVRSzhr6tcFq-4/s1600/IMG_0223Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">haha this kills me.
Typical nice row of California palm trees...then one that's beheaded. Just
looks like a giant stick in the ground!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoedsgkPwwe_Vx0uQcULxj1l8CwiJaLURhfWj_8e000VrAI42uk4xHEVK6m9Xuvu-8JakJKdjgFrL_SwLt26gMT8GEHdAfHe8d1aqRCOCLssOwA6kTwWnwM6f1PI15sPXvs3CzCE4rp8/s1600/IMG_0232Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoedsgkPwwe_Vx0uQcULxj1l8CwiJaLURhfWj_8e000VrAI42uk4xHEVK6m9Xuvu-8JakJKdjgFrL_SwLt26gMT8GEHdAfHe8d1aqRCOCLssOwA6kTwWnwM6f1PI15sPXvs3CzCE4rp8/s1600/IMG_0232Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Intense ping-pong game
at Institute last night (: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB0W9XGPSKr7nS1UsMeTPTvM1QwVbSpn5rkxUwiFgjJLIwh9RMjZYX6tjxl402d5J0ZiFq0mCc9pSdDQumAynGgnJYk7wZzPk37PmRKPY7J2bE3MrqSs6DyRHFV6LYgtBOxEMu5qBROY/s1600/IMG_0246-(1)Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB0W9XGPSKr7nS1UsMeTPTvM1QwVbSpn5rkxUwiFgjJLIwh9RMjZYX6tjxl402d5J0ZiFq0mCc9pSdDQumAynGgnJYk7wZzPk37PmRKPY7J2bE3MrqSs6DyRHFV6LYgtBOxEMu5qBROY/s1600/IMG_0246-(1)Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Temple this morning!
My favorite temple ever. It has my heart.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyUw310jF8Abal7_MzCGZSrQv-RxKndaESTANcxCH6SvyemC-WBe9KFSP2NhzMTqxQ1PfaC_IkpnpXByQZQ65nAAVvi-k9LygAZpY9qhYt-0PS9Ctu4tVRxen7ajJLXdRuBvq-UNtbj4/s1600/IMG_2952Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyUw310jF8Abal7_MzCGZSrQv-RxKndaESTANcxCH6SvyemC-WBe9KFSP2NhzMTqxQ1PfaC_IkpnpXByQZQ65nAAVvi-k9LygAZpY9qhYt-0PS9Ctu4tVRxen7ajJLXdRuBvq-UNtbj4/s1600/IMG_2952Small.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-81108264743231702082014-10-07T07:10:00.001-07:002014-10-07T08:17:00.507-07:00LETTER 53: The one where Tessa's Got Bishop8/18/14<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
a great week (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a fantastic
Sister Training Leader meeting this week. Something we talked a lot about was
really developing unconditional love like the Savior. None of us deserve the
Savior's love, yet He freely took our sins knowing it would be immensely
difficult for Him. It's so important that we learn to represent Christ through
our own 'Gardens of Gethsemane.' As we put on the altar of sacrifice our pride
and pain, we can love people unconditionally. We can truly love people for who
they are, not what they did--looking past their actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We've been teaching a
bunch. Also working on creating some maps to organize our area better! We
realized that the spirit has a really difficult time guiding us when we have no
idea where we are or who's in the area haha so now we are really cracking down
on organizing! It'll help lots to be able to be guided more where we need to
be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We went on exchanges
this week and had a super revelatory experience. Learned tons! It's amazing how
God has placed experiences in my life and taught me the things I need to know,
so that on exchanges He can draw from them to guide me in helping the sisters.
I really feel the greatest blessing is being an instrument in God's hands.
There's nothing like walking away from a lesson, exchange, contact, etc.
knowing that God was purely speaking through me. Not even remembering what I
said, but knowing that it was what the person needed and the spirit was doing
the talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There's much I could
say, but it is harder than I thought to write out everything I'm experiencing
and learning on my mission! God is way too good to me--and to each of us. He is
always running to our aid. We don't have to cross the finish line to receive
blessings from God. All He wants is for us to reach out to Him. I love this
work with my whole heart! This gospel has made me happier than I ever imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for all you
do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
new companion! Sister Lewis (:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdJQ1qiomDYdcxPWQly0OyoNdhnO87I_GWVdS1PO2pACKBjuNgeAs5fmtanxxJczJ1HvFovMz-bxyR6PmBxFZ8cSAnA-Ky2eMD8WL5GjPUkJ52FgRIq44WvSwedwiao7t-rxRF4PJTXE/s1600/IMG_0132Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdJQ1qiomDYdcxPWQly0OyoNdhnO87I_GWVdS1PO2pACKBjuNgeAs5fmtanxxJczJ1HvFovMz-bxyR6PmBxFZ8cSAnA-Ky2eMD8WL5GjPUkJ52FgRIq44WvSwedwiao7t-rxRF4PJTXE/s1600/IMG_0132Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Got Bishop?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKVe9A1cng-w6RhQQ3dBDCVIeHp0-6PdGR7eumvzCYvKpIzg1RO1JcC7_ekeYWbSH9-1Wp3W6WipssswXXKPl4-xa1wehC2WveTfM7K2o1jpeN3n5asCqsjxj7QodrfP2tXXa984QRPA/s1600/IMG_0139Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKVe9A1cng-w6RhQQ3dBDCVIeHp0-6PdGR7eumvzCYvKpIzg1RO1JcC7_ekeYWbSH9-1Wp3W6WipssswXXKPl4-xa1wehC2WveTfM7K2o1jpeN3n5asCqsjxj7QodrfP2tXXa984QRPA/s1600/IMG_0139Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We've
started volunteering twice a week at a Paraplegic home. This is Vicky! We
painted with her this week (:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlQziXCx6y3sFp8y0upGZKZbyi6QW3ENVF6LWdifwothxi8Ej2L7xM1pVTLSw8f9o7ryazpScMa6YoiLJdup2oBOt9CGWF_xbtGooudvoy7Ay1hRyUTnjSkeSZYvNuADVqRNPUlLOekc/s1600/IMG_0158Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlQziXCx6y3sFp8y0upGZKZbyi6QW3ENVF6LWdifwothxi8Ej2L7xM1pVTLSw8f9o7ryazpScMa6YoiLJdup2oBOt9CGWF_xbtGooudvoy7Ay1hRyUTnjSkeSZYvNuADVqRNPUlLOekc/s1600/IMG_0158Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With Siddhi at church!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmc0Yh4o9zDvaXfFgBvbZizVUlZ0IfR0yqpVkz4rIO_hrxl6KbS8y7g60Si7KX1Z4cV8VMKbGg4LI25a-pw7KneV6E5Kh9S5n75B_d5UxbVfiCXr5TKvn5b7J355s_I8Ktrge78CFihQ/s1600/IMG_0179Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmc0Yh4o9zDvaXfFgBvbZizVUlZ0IfR0yqpVkz4rIO_hrxl6KbS8y7g60Si7KX1Z4cV8VMKbGg4LI25a-pw7KneV6E5Kh9S5n75B_d5UxbVfiCXr5TKvn5b7J355s_I8Ktrge78CFihQ/s1600/IMG_0179Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Bowling zone activity!</span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhasrM4kbh1xbPJ__lEIpHns9YSfdWRdrkTaZeqmCrHgVyRsGvOC3rOW3AH4un17iAHGrZ_MA5c1z7wdF7xdg33luefJotI8QPQEVMwacDdGPdqItSbmbqQ8YUy-34jwaUGzDBJBr6BE/s1600/IMG_0185Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 9.5pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhasrM4kbh1xbPJ__lEIpHns9YSfdWRdrkTaZeqmCrHgVyRsGvOC3rOW3AH4un17iAHGrZ_MA5c1z7wdF7xdg33luefJotI8QPQEVMwacDdGPdqItSbmbqQ8YUy-34jwaUGzDBJBr6BE/s1600/IMG_0185Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-33771029518893180742014-08-29T13:48:00.000-07:002014-08-29T13:48:07.858-07:00LETTER 52: The one where Tessa puts her area on the map<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8/11/14</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
shooting off pictures from this last week, I'll send details tomorrow. Today's
has been the craziest P-day...as in, we don't even have one haha we've got a
bunch of lessons! It's a blessing though, definitely can't complain. We're
seeing the biggest miracles!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tomorrow brings
transfers, and Sister Goettsche is leaving me!! ): I'm super sad about it.
Anxious to see what God has in store for me next, who my companion will be, and
what new ways I can continue to learn and grow! The good news about me not
having time today is that we will make up some P-day time tomorrow, and you
don't have to wait a full week to hear who my comp is! (I can almost picture
how happy my mom is at hearing that (; )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all. More
tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Old
picture from our flour fight! The best. Notice how a full bag of flour is
getting dumped on me, and how Sister Goettsche is about to get hit in the face
haha. We took the brunt of everything that day...</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0xdSF4Ofe2OszfoushUhyphenhyphenyWfphUze1qNk0LwX_qLql-J27pPNO3BPh721Jk3Yf13_G3bB-NtBGC5DBAIWJ6WuH2_S9I036eU8n2PesYG5WdTdZgRWeOkcQwRpW0KOCWDuO_6ea9cego/s1600/flour+fightWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0xdSF4Ofe2OszfoushUhyphenhyphenyWfphUze1qNk0LwX_qLql-J27pPNO3BPh721Jk3Yf13_G3bB-NtBGC5DBAIWJ6WuH2_S9I036eU8n2PesYG5WdTdZgRWeOkcQwRpW0KOCWDuO_6ea9cego/s1600/flour+fightWeb.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carpooling with the
Northridge sisters (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YzIyTrv4C8gHVPvV5zXLE40dF4uVLUBtawxsSn-8F99efxOFHjinTrlBY5JrkMNKZrsDnBNjIGRTBMMytDS4qzaUdlM6sIDmKhAfj8andHRDeHYS9p_hXssPb2oSRnceKoVHic1qHEI/s1600/IMG_0081Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YzIyTrv4C8gHVPvV5zXLE40dF4uVLUBtawxsSn-8F99efxOFHjinTrlBY5JrkMNKZrsDnBNjIGRTBMMytDS4qzaUdlM6sIDmKhAfj8andHRDeHYS9p_hXssPb2oSRnceKoVHic1qHEI/s1600/IMG_0081Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
new favorite study spot (;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqxGz3cqkEGrwfNJ6L9CFzkzcxS0xLE1sO5Qp3SPo3D42Xijq084QKKuVsNCKulBMvpDH7YTzd6fr_1DSwnpC6h29LK0PCwRw-ma3FESMXuqe2VngZ4b9stOpvx-1_hT5aMpKet6LH9k/s1600/IMG_0084Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqxGz3cqkEGrwfNJ6L9CFzkzcxS0xLE1sO5Qp3SPo3D42Xijq084QKKuVsNCKulBMvpDH7YTzd6fr_1DSwnpC6h29LK0PCwRw-ma3FESMXuqe2VngZ4b9stOpvx-1_hT5aMpKet6LH9k/s1600/IMG_0084Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Went to the Food
Trucks for dinner--got a grilled cheese sandwich that has Mac n' Cheese in the
middle...changed my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvi74-dM-HjukNd-BgrwMC8w3kNEDjKSxM0sGAfv0cV05TGauOtVf_2V9uDScO_-IKL1MWMn1mmiOY61UBrLdXKPh0htdCfNKc06qOvNnslC7hyvJvkN4lPsQMkk_wdVGcAf4mIpWS9Q/s1600/IMG_0091Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvi74-dM-HjukNd-BgrwMC8w3kNEDjKSxM0sGAfv0cV05TGauOtVf_2V9uDScO_-IKL1MWMn1mmiOY61UBrLdXKPh0htdCfNKc06qOvNnslC7hyvJvkN4lPsQMkk_wdVGcAf4mIpWS9Q/s1600/IMG_0091Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The goat
that scared me to death. Had to be there...so funny.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWbtl5cVSW9JUjwITQ3WV_LXz3ao2zhiHpMw2z6GTB2mV_wHHqcR4kT3WxxfqVyWhr8pUSWRV5hJL_powDerYYpji9EaP1XEWk4SDGyRXpn8gdK87HgVDo_VEVod1rS-51-4ReVzJA1U/s1600/IMG_0097Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWbtl5cVSW9JUjwITQ3WV_LXz3ao2zhiHpMw2z6GTB2mV_wHHqcR4kT3WxxfqVyWhr8pUSWRV5hJL_powDerYYpji9EaP1XEWk4SDGyRXpn8gdK87HgVDo_VEVod1rS-51-4ReVzJA1U/s1600/IMG_0097Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Church Sunday with
Yoon (: She's the cutest little korean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uh_c7nuUozJ6xPv5sD86Sm1BwD0m7ttWoIQ_Yegt8ovZH2SEJbMXPmX-T7g9qprQDHVli4dBKXFdO9k9O9bVmHnDeJAqgsXT020dUMWI3iXms3lvhid94COdp6u63Rkc9sQq0iDQAus/s1600/IMG_0101Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uh_c7nuUozJ6xPv5sD86Sm1BwD0m7ttWoIQ_Yegt8ovZH2SEJbMXPmX-T7g9qprQDHVli4dBKXFdO9k9O9bVmHnDeJAqgsXT020dUMWI3iXms3lvhid94COdp6u63Rkc9sQq0iDQAus/s1600/IMG_0101Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Relief
Society!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2dQRsrw6-xLsKhIp9F-RW0bZgc1kTfnsDABZsXRbMSpN-NicKGOgIWcp_UdwBTlaMFUF_DCtCijF_aL8LqL3kwF53JCS271qy9Q0FZ3f7QVS_69b59z2n9y-ivxcfTlKJsVE9iYVz7k/s1600/IMG_0102Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2dQRsrw6-xLsKhIp9F-RW0bZgc1kTfnsDABZsXRbMSpN-NicKGOgIWcp_UdwBTlaMFUF_DCtCijF_aL8LqL3kwF53JCS271qy9Q0FZ3f7QVS_69b59z2n9y-ivxcfTlKJsVE9iYVz7k/s1600/IMG_0102Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dinner with my
favorite members!! The Marlows (: Flashback to my first transfer in Granada
Hills!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fTqGH3RHOq9bA9VVvQzVZ-uAAtNXGUzSfNlLlVBd95HRQgufYeVx0bAw3fFV5neE5h9SLLSRl8-zlTdIGpittJbPFBBfR-KNtZJXim3wzPQkpjJdXuAp6LrZ-IzFh2Ea86w_pvccUr4/s1600/IMG_0108Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fTqGH3RHOq9bA9VVvQzVZ-uAAtNXGUzSfNlLlVBd95HRQgufYeVx0bAw3fFV5neE5h9SLLSRl8-zlTdIGpittJbPFBBfR-KNtZJXim3wzPQkpjJdXuAp6LrZ-IzFh2Ea86w_pvccUr4/s1600/IMG_0108Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Taking the new sisters out contacting this morning!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39I1MPKLD8TFDXs5h1cl8VhtfA_mV9YHGsQB3orFY4ylEKW_GUTrSfPUoj8iq-Vdjr8OesKG2yC5fxMGRYE6vAlQbx4W5-tu-TAXXPyjUfC2K4JLPiZb-2GH7bvUHluEIYD7VHQ7SE_I/s1600/IMG_0123Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39I1MPKLD8TFDXs5h1cl8VhtfA_mV9YHGsQB3orFY4ylEKW_GUTrSfPUoj8iq-Vdjr8OesKG2yC5fxMGRYE6vAlQbx4W5-tu-TAXXPyjUfC2K4JLPiZb-2GH7bvUHluEIYD7VHQ7SE_I/s1600/IMG_0123Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
a great week (: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a fantastic
Sister Training Leader meeting this week. Something we talked a lot about was
really developing unconditional love like the Savior. None of us deserve the
Savior's love, yet He freely took our sins knowing it would be immensely
difficult for Him. It's so important that we learn to represent Christ through
our own 'Gardens of Gethsemane.' As we put on the altar of sacrifice our pride
and pain, we can love people unconditionally. We can truly love people for who
they are, not what they did--looking past their actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We've been teaching a
bunch. Also working on creating some maps to organize our area better! We
realized that the spirit has a really difficult time guiding us when we have no
idea where we are or who's in the area haha so now we are really cracking down
on organizing! It'll help lots to be able to be guided more where we need to
be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We went on exchanges
this week and had a super revelatory experience. Learned tons! It's amazing how
God has placed experiences in my life and taught me the things I need to know,
so that on exchanges He can draw from them to guide me in helping the sisters.
I really feel the greatest blessing is being an instrument in God's hands.
There's nothing like walking away from a lesson, exchange, contact, etc.
knowing that God was purely speaking through me. Not even remembering what I
said, but knowing that it was what the person needed and the spirit was doing
the talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There's much I could
say, but it is harder than I thought to write out everything I'm experiencing
and learning on my mission! God is way too good to me--and to each of us. He is
always running to our aid. We don't have to cross the finish line to receive
blessings from God. All He wants is for us to reach out to Him. I love this work
with my whole heart! This gospel has made me happier than I ever imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for all you
do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
new companion! Sister Lewis (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kRN8PoZMOe63Hb72gkTyvPqMySRjFnforWeTqODEH7BgeGbT-0pIPMy0o3x09YDTrcRYLZ1utRy5DWW3ggRU96r2wf81frKyQJmR59f6gaabvkozgyWakpXKNdMQKG0yrvXgV1ZFToU/s1600/IMG_0132Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kRN8PoZMOe63Hb72gkTyvPqMySRjFnforWeTqODEH7BgeGbT-0pIPMy0o3x09YDTrcRYLZ1utRy5DWW3ggRU96r2wf81frKyQJmR59f6gaabvkozgyWakpXKNdMQKG0yrvXgV1ZFToU/s1600/IMG_0132Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Got Bishop?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7xl84mIzIKvA_Jf2BcmbxwxfMsZMaXSGZE55ZEeOvpTAE25Aybr0Ac6BrjwTAnpDhKceTil_SnEcbb1f0ZR9GV_BwUhEPcUB20RTVLVoZngC8WlK39swsKkqQjgESTUI8zjiLA0wzJQ/s1600/IMG_0139Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7xl84mIzIKvA_Jf2BcmbxwxfMsZMaXSGZE55ZEeOvpTAE25Aybr0Ac6BrjwTAnpDhKceTil_SnEcbb1f0ZR9GV_BwUhEPcUB20RTVLVoZngC8WlK39swsKkqQjgESTUI8zjiLA0wzJQ/s1600/IMG_0139Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We've
started volunteering twice a week at a Paraplegic home. This is Vicky! We
painted with her this week (:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOp3cFzvUIuA4YB-sqU2FkHDKdKXNN34x9V2Ql93ODVhtFLK9WV2gIpIt3OsLs3uZ3XZbgYeqHJtpv0yUYzkJBKtMXeKtFkB8GPypQ8AzYcPpjOSQIIbQQsuf1BA3WYhHe6kaq2uhOIY/s1600/IMG_0158Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOp3cFzvUIuA4YB-sqU2FkHDKdKXNN34x9V2Ql93ODVhtFLK9WV2gIpIt3OsLs3uZ3XZbgYeqHJtpv0yUYzkJBKtMXeKtFkB8GPypQ8AzYcPpjOSQIIbQQsuf1BA3WYhHe6kaq2uhOIY/s1600/IMG_0158Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With Siddhi at church!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-2x0orzlGZVaxSrocQzHjwjx7fW_0wNg4vgpk9eYBPKpFEjZud1dQh9NfJXqnIHubZIKAsu_unrjOzEepY_MI52OfNdz0whN8YlXX43TlwZ18FunxZJv5lA0vjutkmiurVHQ6E6jihk/s1600/IMG_0179Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-2x0orzlGZVaxSrocQzHjwjx7fW_0wNg4vgpk9eYBPKpFEjZud1dQh9NfJXqnIHubZIKAsu_unrjOzEepY_MI52OfNdz0whN8YlXX43TlwZ18FunxZJv5lA0vjutkmiurVHQ6E6jihk/s1600/IMG_0179Web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Bowling zone activity!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO0FRBWzkZ6K4Swr-LOyid52UhC9uPNC0FnpRmc6uJQE0rXxqSxVAjsiNf6GtYpbEf4qMeeKY9C0bNQa4Mgo8kUZc8YcNOamzsiMq1CBFr4Mg6ihSXYNA-oTvyy9khlQU1cG_bETLVR8/s1600/IMG_0185Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO0FRBWzkZ6K4Swr-LOyid52UhC9uPNC0FnpRmc6uJQE0rXxqSxVAjsiNf6GtYpbEf4qMeeKY9C0bNQa4Mgo8kUZc8YcNOamzsiMq1CBFr4Mg6ihSXYNA-oTvyy9khlQU1cG_bETLVR8/s1600/IMG_0185Web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-9947136982651755452014-08-06T20:19:00.000-07:002014-08-06T20:19:28.085-07:00LETTER 51: The one where Tessa tracks down Jake...1 year later<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8/5/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What a great week (:
We have been seeing miracles and miracles. We started teaching 4 new people
this week! I can't even begin to express how much I love teaching people my age
(: it's great. We have also had multiple less-active members of the church
call <i>us </i>to have us come over. There seems to be an unending
amount of people for us to teach, which is a foreign concept to me! It's the
biggest blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One way great story!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rewind to last
year--me and my sweet trainer, Sister Rhoades, were out knocking and met two
guys--Jake and Rico. They were interested and we left them with a Book of
Mormon and pamphlets. We could never get in touch with them though! They kinda
fell through the cracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fast forward to two
weeks ago--I was on exchanges with Sister Young in Granada Hills, and randomly
Jake walks down the street on the ONE day I'm in the area! He remembered me,
and was still interested in learning! And he's YSA age!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm happy to report
that this week, me and Sister Goettsche were able to start teaching him! He is
the best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hands down there are
no coincidences. God is the greatest planner, and what a tender mercy and
miracle it is to be able to teach Jake, one year later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want to be a
missionary forever.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
We had a great Zone Conference this week with President Hall. He talked a lot
about becoming more consecrated missionaries. He said that </span><span style="background: #E7E6E2; color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
capacity of missionaries to call upon the powers of heaven—which is the single
most important thing any missionary can desire to possess–will depend directly
on their level of personal consecration (see D&C 121).”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> wow!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's been super hot
lately...we met a guy on the street-- <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">us: "hi sir! How
are you?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">him--"Hot, tired,
and lazy." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">haha that about sums
it up! Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a mission, we've been
focusing a lot more on doing community service. Me and Sister Goettsche have
been able to be part of 3 different community service activities just this past
week, and look forward to many more! It's really great being able to just
simply serve. I'm amazed at how natural and easy the conversations flow--people
feel comfortable asking us about our missions and <i>they </i>are the
ones who facilitate having gospel conversations with us during the service! Way
cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Revelation from church
this week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"We are not humans
having spiritual experiences. We are spirits having human experiences."</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've also been trying
to focus more on HOW we talk to people. Less important is the numbers, more
important is focusing on the PROCESS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sorry for the choppy
random letter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please continue
praying for Andrew Satterfield's health, and his family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm the happiest I've
ever been and I know without a shadow of a doubt that God's way provides the
best life. This IS the true gospel. I love it and I can't get enough of
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until next week,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
won the "cleanest car" award at zone conference. That in and of
itself was a miracle. (;</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIpThq78q6LOrfP6R3q-wUxjbpvnqqVgLqCjd41sh1Ueq70ci5RUmDE-Kr6Tz4_a6i7imUZZS5G79TNeRqz86uMoGEkQ_ryY-4sNATf-r3iB4I_vKyYmHD1il4VogEHG58U7WsQtpn44/s1600/IMG_0056Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIpThq78q6LOrfP6R3q-wUxjbpvnqqVgLqCjd41sh1Ueq70ci5RUmDE-Kr6Tz4_a6i7imUZZS5G79TNeRqz86uMoGEkQ_ryY-4sNATf-r3iB4I_vKyYmHD1il4VogEHG58U7WsQtpn44/s1600/IMG_0056Lib.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Korean BBQ with Jess! You cook it right at your table<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK0S4_YIMtF8XZpZaSfBwiopJPzIC4uTRt6CDeGdsD3amo1oslKkGELizuJOY_ti_bqOcuM2qMSWDAcY8XOJuqhoCDE0EsRKuxX7uneUwkkw2td0goLqnHkRk5gx6Wa7TLEgU4ECofOs/s1600/IMG_0060Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK0S4_YIMtF8XZpZaSfBwiopJPzIC4uTRt6CDeGdsD3amo1oslKkGELizuJOY_ti_bqOcuM2qMSWDAcY8XOJuqhoCDE0EsRKuxX7uneUwkkw2td0goLqnHkRk5gx6Wa7TLEgU4ECofOs/s1600/IMG_0060Lib.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">With our Sisters at the ER! Sis Finau got her appendix out. All is well. (:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo99TiNh4pjXh2EIzpw_WU56HIwrff5QoXpiosuir6kCI44oZaIV4WRBFVTGqoWa7bZwbPZBGHIAR3S_XD52Cq8sYhGwEnR36-JBWNuNnLbM-A1zsjssHKlN45NvVFx85LyHI3aSgOiyA/s1600/IMG_0065Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo99TiNh4pjXh2EIzpw_WU56HIwrff5QoXpiosuir6kCI44oZaIV4WRBFVTGqoWa7bZwbPZBGHIAR3S_XD52Cq8sYhGwEnR36-JBWNuNnLbM-A1zsjssHKlN45NvVFx85LyHI3aSgOiyA/s1600/IMG_0065Lib.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Community service project #1--cleaning up a street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2HxiUyuZmbQFVA3syuBGBNG1ZZxoBlgQfKPGlZ9B3m41pNrpjakGjzAGLXLkD1UmISJWazfn1dsyKukgDN_JJhASIj_PY-OOFPqOWgLOoCNyqfMpJ6tgPLx2Sbus3lrXZQJc3TzFqnY/s1600/IMG_0074Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2HxiUyuZmbQFVA3syuBGBNG1ZZxoBlgQfKPGlZ9B3m41pNrpjakGjzAGLXLkD1UmISJWazfn1dsyKukgDN_JJhASIj_PY-OOFPqOWgLOoCNyqfMpJ6tgPLx2Sbus3lrXZQJc3TzFqnY/s1600/IMG_0074Lib.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-41661891298129873992014-08-06T20:12:00.001-07:002014-08-06T20:12:36.294-07:00LETTER 50: The one where Tessa sees the ocean<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7/28/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
week was miracle filled! We are still incredibly busy. Probably the biggest
miracle was Aurora! So:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We met her on Tuesday,
and set up an appointment. Thursday we met with her at the park with a ward
member, and taught the Restoration. It was one of the best lessons I've had on
my mission. She just <i>gets it</i>--it still amazes me how people are
truly prepared to receive the gospel. But it gets better! (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later that day, she
texted and asked us to go to the temple! So we eagerly agreed! :D (Benefit of
being in the singles ward...they make a temple trip each Thursday). We hitched
a ride and had another lesson with her at the Visitor's Center. It was the most
spiritual and sacred experience for all of us. It was her first time really
feeling the spirit that strong--we were all in tears, and she just knows it's
true without a doubt! She wants to be baptized!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She's moving. On
Thursday. To go to college. Luckily, it's God's work and she will continue to
progress in the gospel with different missionaries. I'm so blessed to have been
able to be part of her conversion! Best experience ever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have also been
teaching Chris, who is coming right along. It's incredible to see the Atonement
working in other peoples' lives. God is literally taking away his desires to do
harmful things...he told us he was with his friends and they passed him some
substances, and he just put them down and went home. Didn't even want to do it
any more. Way cool! He knows he's going to get baptized. It's just a matter of
when (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leo is rock solid
still in the gospel. He is preparing for his mission already! He is confronted
daily by friends and family who disprove of his decisions and present him with
negative mis-information about the church. But throughout it all, he just knows
it's true and stands by it. He testifies with them and teaches everyone about
the gospel. He can hardly wait to share it with everyone! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've been learning a
lot about how important it is to be guided by God. The most important thing we
can accomplish and work towards is being under the complete influence of the
Spirit. Often, it doesn't make sense what we're being prompted to do. But as we
act in faith, God will lead us a long and will never lead us astray. At the
slightest promptings, we should be ready and willing to act. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a special favor,
I'm asking for prayers for Andrew Satterfield! He is a close family friend who
has been in a motorcycle accident and is fighting to pull out of a coma and
heal. Prayers are much much appreciated! <3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God is real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LA!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPUunDMnlBIm4K3IbxdJLSN1mdVf1Wwe4dd_5w-r_Qh2KaN9OcJeKMfE9S0yCYsEMTWMuXocfMMiEWv1HqF98wvefTBaqOQWGx05i68spgCTg-K1BL63ufg1qyOhZt-GaHuiNUYieUaw/s1600/IMG_0025Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPUunDMnlBIm4K3IbxdJLSN1mdVf1Wwe4dd_5w-r_Qh2KaN9OcJeKMfE9S0yCYsEMTWMuXocfMMiEWv1HqF98wvefTBaqOQWGx05i68spgCTg-K1BL63ufg1qyOhZt-GaHuiNUYieUaw/s1600/IMG_0025Lib.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You can see the ocean!!! The only spot in our mission that you can (: so cool. But it being 100 degrees outside...very tempting...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2eFZD5Ecbkk3OCgpwyM_-wAm7qS5CB1XM0lBUCQcdCBHPOPN4gSfhvmIZjnoztXdeaX0IwHfC9zITd2c6WSXSVHHZhe_f0nW1mPje8109HKvMr-bAvgGQnU7NysKVHGr0qxUg0FjD3g/s1600/IMG_0015Lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2eFZD5Ecbkk3OCgpwyM_-wAm7qS5CB1XM0lBUCQcdCBHPOPN4gSfhvmIZjnoztXdeaX0IwHfC9zITd2c6WSXSVHHZhe_f0nW1mPje8109HKvMr-bAvgGQnU7NysKVHGr0qxUg0FjD3g/s1600/IMG_0015Lib.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-59654610602896117842014-08-06T13:14:00.000-07:002014-08-06T13:14:38.230-07:00LETTER 49: The one where Tessa is saved from a ticket by the Book of Mormon<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">7/21/14</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It has been such a great past week! We have been working to get all updated and up to speed in our area (: We went on 3 exchanges, twice with the Mission Hills sisters and one with the Northridge sisters. We have been teaching Leo his "new member lesson" and he just blows us away with his rock solid testimony! On Saturday--less than 3 weeks into his membership in the church--he told us he's decided to serve a mission. Oh my heart!! I'm soo happy. He's going to be the best missionary. He is an inspiration.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We also got pulled over by LAPD going home one night!! haha so funny. There were two cops, and they walk up on both sides of the car and shine their flashlights in all our windows looking around. All they saw were pictures of Jesus and Books of Mormon haha. The cop kind of chuckled when he saw we were two sister missionaries! He took our registration and Sis Goettsche's license, then came back 5 seconds later and said, "I can't do it! God's on your side. Drive home safe." Haha it was great. (by the way--we were innocent! He thought we ran a red light, but really someone was turning left and almost hit us, so we stopped to avoid the crash, and the light was red. He caught the tail end of the incident.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Here's my learnings for the week (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">--Something that's stood out a lot to me is that first and foremost, we are spirit children of God. We can't neglect to feed our spirit. We should spend as much time focusing on our spirits as we do our physical bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">--The knowledge of Christ helps lift us above our present circumstances. He is the divine pattern after whom we should fashion our lives. He is light and life. He brings purpose and depth and love into our lives. He is my friend, my Savior, my Lord, my God. I can't express my gratitude and love for Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">--Being filled with love is critical! What we do doesn't matter if we aren't filled with love. When I truly see each individual as the child of God they are, the rest comes easier. All this work is about is being God's instrument to express His love to His children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My mission has been and is the most rewarding thing in my life! It's pointed me in the right direction and helped me work to have God as #1 priority. And when God is #1, everything else follows. I have such a testimony of that. Thank you for your love and support. Until next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My year mark! Re-enacting leaving with my suitcases (;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a6u_9ph9TKTFKK9kkUZUF5fo2N0ExxB7Bzq7voMc_pgIVIuVjpad5X1vJ2AOHQ1WsM_5hvfOpI5NZAYrZG98jpFbASbv3gCNlT4QuxZJGL4YI2uNoH0ulokdF7fmvGpne54aknaTo7s/s1600/IMG_3245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a6u_9ph9TKTFKK9kkUZUF5fo2N0ExxB7Bzq7voMc_pgIVIuVjpad5X1vJ2AOHQ1WsM_5hvfOpI5NZAYrZG98jpFbASbv3gCNlT4QuxZJGL4YI2uNoH0ulokdF7fmvGpne54aknaTo7s/s1600/IMG_3245.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sister Training Leaders of the CA San Fernando Mission (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bCG1_tyYtGxB2UgnHCC09yVba17raSB9JCBbi8f29gF5E7pzdpEvRGtG49YAXLFGRGe1dB1OjCZ5-0Zyxa58l3gHZKNyhC9_gTKPSVJssKDkW2CHAc4XUHl0M7BzSEyk4kApv6s2BgE/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bCG1_tyYtGxB2UgnHCC09yVba17raSB9JCBbi8f29gF5E7pzdpEvRGtG49YAXLFGRGe1dB1OjCZ5-0Zyxa58l3gHZKNyhC9_gTKPSVJssKDkW2CHAc4XUHl0M7BzSEyk4kApv6s2BgE/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Got a fortune that said "today is a good day for being with a companion" haha (: true that!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqORN9uDxckWgbu83w4a21Du46P0PRJ2ePRDMPMaQnQ6ufS8qVhxZb5TmHsOtpQh9wC6fMAOmq3_31lIVRDQM6DLcHxZ9u8-5NOwZa81fSOecd4wTF8saNQgZM1jeqw0uOpHDJO_6mHQQ/s1600/IMG_3250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqORN9uDxckWgbu83w4a21Du46P0PRJ2ePRDMPMaQnQ6ufS8qVhxZb5TmHsOtpQh9wC6fMAOmq3_31lIVRDQM6DLcHxZ9u8-5NOwZa81fSOecd4wTF8saNQgZM1jeqw0uOpHDJO_6mHQQ/s1600/IMG_3250.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Just in someone's front yard...I swear nothing surprises me anymore. People have the strangest/coolest things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2tjW6fcytQThpgP8ytmfn_1mnprvdIhTafCXqXI1YrGjt0YutqY04JZXDFxnT2CGaSHvO3B7WDR_L6MleBY7NHeT9FWpBmw7byRO3s5i8o6untpsNQM__wbkjvmV89M_Jyp6qP0fSkw/s1600/IMG_3257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2tjW6fcytQThpgP8ytmfn_1mnprvdIhTafCXqXI1YrGjt0YutqY04JZXDFxnT2CGaSHvO3B7WDR_L6MleBY7NHeT9FWpBmw7byRO3s5i8o6untpsNQM__wbkjvmV89M_Jyp6qP0fSkw/s1600/IMG_3257.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">End of exchanges. (:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUebkgpazgmKtwKCVP5dsdapgQ0JfVnfk3T_hA2LfTV7q7UqNCjBvCGm1Dj7vCYHipIgA1bOesiuwAg969Oenbw4mFuTddeZmJ1MgHwmreDc2w2yFglPJ7HKo92X-xgZMS4p5mvhkSe8s/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUebkgpazgmKtwKCVP5dsdapgQ0JfVnfk3T_hA2LfTV7q7UqNCjBvCGm1Dj7vCYHipIgA1bOesiuwAg969Oenbw4mFuTddeZmJ1MgHwmreDc2w2yFglPJ7HKo92X-xgZMS4p5mvhkSe8s/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Granada Hills Stake talent show! All the sisters in the zone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9gy2i-5jaiRTfA-xkEz9lIl7xENlzFHJ4ZhgswbnSelAt1cNmDdUf6rm65bQbXCLNL-b63Oue8CtoPBs9dAe0TdLp8zoSdJXYepJnwiuIhlKhXymL4oD3h9EC3v6hmYbEKvyDo2VFOw/s1600/IMG_3282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9gy2i-5jaiRTfA-xkEz9lIl7xENlzFHJ4ZhgswbnSelAt1cNmDdUf6rm65bQbXCLNL-b63Oue8CtoPBs9dAe0TdLp8zoSdJXYepJnwiuIhlKhXymL4oD3h9EC3v6hmYbEKvyDo2VFOw/s1600/IMG_3282.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-59277514839748822322014-07-22T11:29:00.000-07:002014-07-22T11:29:13.599-07:00LETTER 48: The one where Tessa is re-united with Glenn<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7/14/14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sorry I don't have any
time to write today! Things are going well, busy busy busy. We found out we are
over 28 companionships of missionaries' areas haha. We've got amazing things
happening here, just trying to get it all organized! loving every minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">until next week,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">sister bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">YES--that
is Glenn, my recent convert!! I got to go back to Granada Hills for a day on
exchanges and we visited him (: best. ever.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9hrkn6zMKKJcQHq-IkOgZNK04_YjXwO8PHqr3DpZJ-ZX-xxN9c6ccd_8Aa0cr5LZ2gsVJdIjUsGHB7dvgbzlMimWzHUHghTJZ_KatT-4t3_hEr2yoVwxKJM8-XBStvOL331-7heYWIY/s1600/IMG_3085Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9hrkn6zMKKJcQHq-IkOgZNK04_YjXwO8PHqr3DpZJ-ZX-xxN9c6ccd_8Aa0cr5LZ2gsVJdIjUsGHB7dvgbzlMimWzHUHghTJZ_KatT-4t3_hEr2yoVwxKJM8-XBStvOL331-7heYWIY/s1600/IMG_3085Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My family left notes
for me at my apartment while vacationing here...crazy!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5yKDS2gC-e53_yUcsceDo_vyrmzhtWx_gPgww4KGhwJ1vXyNdYLIejJeEdBisFMdoyRXRavx1K-gFoI8Kzoc1k5_d430_J8EMUhUoWsTklvcj3x_NLwlrzIMK728-b8ENmC3hILReK8/s1600/IMG_2985Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5yKDS2gC-e53_yUcsceDo_vyrmzhtWx_gPgww4KGhwJ1vXyNdYLIejJeEdBisFMdoyRXRavx1K-gFoI8Kzoc1k5_d430_J8EMUhUoWsTklvcj3x_NLwlrzIMK728-b8ENmC3hILReK8/s1600/IMG_2985Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had 7 different
companions this week. Craziest week of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOug-ak2RMUEvd4-YVs_6yMVm23C8Yt6OCmEW01CVWY8JUex9g1gPYH6TQ6oVWHMUi5CHxzSgF2LIIIwVDH3PDpw1ACi1M2wbkEJ1Yk8cIQJFwr_dc3APWYhZsu9pw67RKJUUQlRPhyo/s1600/IMG_3104Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOug-ak2RMUEvd4-YVs_6yMVm23C8Yt6OCmEW01CVWY8JUex9g1gPYH6TQ6oVWHMUi5CHxzSgF2LIIIwVDH3PDpw1ACi1M2wbkEJ1Yk8cIQJFwr_dc3APWYhZsu9pw67RKJUUQlRPhyo/s1600/IMG_3104Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dinner with some ward
members--got to use my ice-cream cone making skills again (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0ZSqOB9ViHlyeL30RhC_dyJwW0SpWKeY7gQV4sJLBVMRsf9FBSH-UfJuzbnb_X6F8F5LAu-gjqY3II7fJyW0MZmlEM7jKcn6QAZYP5FZsfTQgIBZDxti7Z2Vry7BVED93Ggvsz9tf6M/s1600/IMG_3125Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0ZSqOB9ViHlyeL30RhC_dyJwW0SpWKeY7gQV4sJLBVMRsf9FBSH-UfJuzbnb_X6F8F5LAu-gjqY3II7fJyW0MZmlEM7jKcn6QAZYP5FZsfTQgIBZDxti7Z2Vry7BVED93Ggvsz9tf6M/s1600/IMG_3125Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Went to some Asian gardens today for district
activity!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSkgQC6UiBEpSPCC8QIQhkQ2EGPvVjXx0LZf-zx3HqDXX5-isKz9R0OCVlgkf6GxL2VKNrFDXx3-FBOMhifKCTgyuosRTK662eVWsu0gmQPdX17mmsaZJskbUHP-mEULwK3BvUiCbpLY/s1600/IMG_3132Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSkgQC6UiBEpSPCC8QIQhkQ2EGPvVjXx0LZf-zx3HqDXX5-isKz9R0OCVlgkf6GxL2VKNrFDXx3-FBOMhifKCTgyuosRTK662eVWsu0gmQPdX17mmsaZJskbUHP-mEULwK3BvUiCbpLY/s1600/IMG_3132Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-85489477481358687162014-07-08T22:12:00.002-07:002014-07-08T22:12:42.911-07:00LETTER 47: The one where Tessa moves on, gets a Goettsche, and sees Leo get baptized<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JULY 6, 2014</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drumroll please...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am in the Northridge
YSA ward!!! I absolutely love being in the young single adult ward (: We cover
the Granada Hills and Canoga Park stakes--which is 12 wards!! It is a huge
area, to say the least. It's about half of our mission! We spend most of our time
driving around visiting referrals from other missionaries. We have a bunch of
very solid investigators, and the members are super involved! We teach many
lessons, majority of the time with members. The work is just soaring in this
area. I am truly humbled!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My companion is Sister
Goettsche! Pronounced "getchy" (: She is from Alpine, Utah and has
been out 2 transfers more than me. I have a deep love and respect for her
already! She is so fun and has a powerful testimony and drive to share the
gospel. We are working super hard and loving every second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had Mission
Leadership Council this week, it was sooo good to be back! Then Zone Training
Meeting on Friday. I got thrown right back into being a sister training
leader! I was nervous but it has all gone very well. It's the biggest blessing
being able to receive such inspired trainings from President Hall, and then
share it with the missionaries in our Zone. I'm super happy, humbled, and
blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also had a baptism on
Sunday!! So great!! His name is Leo, he met missionaries 5 weeks ago and was
super prepared to hear the gospel. I am still in awe about how God truly led
him along to the point where he met missionaries on the street at the exact
moment he was searching for truth. Leo has just grasped the gospel and has been
flying! His life has changed and he has the most powerful testimony already.
God has such a perfect plan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could go on and on
about all the tender mercies I've seen this week and evidences of the spirit,
but I want to highlight one recent change. The first change in the history of
Preach My Gospel was made! It is now a requirement to teach "lesson
5" before baptism, instead of just after. Lesson five is all about Laws
and Ordinances, such as the Priesthood, eternal marriage, service, temples,
etc. The whole point is that the focus is more than just baptism!
"Missionary work should begin and end with our minds focused on the
blessings of the temple." --Elder Russell M. Nelson. Teaching lesson five
helps investigators gain that eternal perspective and gear their thoughts
towards the temple! We had the chance to teach Leo about the Priesthood (a
little more in depth than before). The spirit was overwhelmingly strong when we
committed him to prepare to receive the Priesthood. I can't even begin to
describe it. It's so important to help people endure to the end! These
"laws and ordinances" are what helps them. If we don't endure, then
our baptism or other covenants don't mean anything. 3 Nephi 27:6 "And
whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved
at the last day." I'm so happy about these changes! I love helping people
have a more eternal perspective, and see what the steps are <i>after </i>baptism
to prepare them to return to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway, I am super
happy and grateful to God, and to my Savior. I've dedicated July to really
study about Jesus Christ, and it's been the most rewarding experience. I'm
coming to love and understand Christ deeper and deeper. We are so blessed, it
blows my mind. I can't begin to express the feelings in my heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for the
support, I love you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">--Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4th of July! All the
sisters in the zone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsCfI3GRQncWVRzbzLAUGg_jNEbo6a5Bh69maTkVtAxpcJAFni_nAxteomp52uisgB64OsE5iqPnQNFUStkca7S2_uynoDcipfesNn5o3qzQ3ON-4zSRAWQAaWWy7O7peW94RyJ4cis8/s1600/IMG_3036Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsCfI3GRQncWVRzbzLAUGg_jNEbo6a5Bh69maTkVtAxpcJAFni_nAxteomp52uisgB64OsE5iqPnQNFUStkca7S2_uynoDcipfesNn5o3qzQ3ON-4zSRAWQAaWWy7O7peW94RyJ4cis8/s1600/IMG_3036Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Little dog and cat (:
So cute.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnSd6KBs4XOABfZm2JukYMD2zR66AaaWVYQPFdNquhgrpdO-LpVg0qvDtyQnZtBNtrjFmfRHqzL8aOubVWrc8_w90Arud0zxAxAWjdvu301Hw2sm9X8zLqIfu2aBj-btgHbtOaD0h-e8/s1600/IMG_3055Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnSd6KBs4XOABfZm2JukYMD2zR66AaaWVYQPFdNquhgrpdO-LpVg0qvDtyQnZtBNtrjFmfRHqzL8aOubVWrc8_w90Arud0zxAxAWjdvu301Hw2sm9X8zLqIfu2aBj-btgHbtOaD0h-e8/s1600/IMG_3055Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leo's baptism!! Best
day ever!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">best balloon!! "You got dunked" (:</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJZRQ8W2mtAYz_zbIl4v-bXB-3TiLWpO5bxz6PD6wVeVKRiA_v12VKIYk0-dYIHM6cWO9sxEol5jw6wAwSbJVDtw4tNTbaxXJlAlKPxuswsJZ77n2qoSqn5VAFXofEHe3DI03ifDJkro/s1600/IMG_3073Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJZRQ8W2mtAYz_zbIl4v-bXB-3TiLWpO5bxz6PD6wVeVKRiA_v12VKIYk0-dYIHM6cWO9sxEol5jw6wAwSbJVDtw4tNTbaxXJlAlKPxuswsJZ77n2qoSqn5VAFXofEHe3DI03ifDJkro/s1600/IMG_3073Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376042784922542841.post-40146882080700482422014-07-08T19:06:00.002-07:002014-07-08T19:06:43.697-07:00LETTER 46: The one where Tessa feels grateful<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JUNE 30, 2014</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello hello!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another lovely week
here in Studio City...and my last, sadly! That's right, I'm getting transferred
tomorrow. I'm <b>so </b>surprised! I'm always wrong about transfer
calls haha. I thought for sure I would stay and train but nope--I'm
leaving, and I got called to be a Sister Training Leader again! Surprise!
That's a shock. I guess I had to take a little break to train Sister Turley,
and what a tremendous blessing that's been! God knows me and has a perfect
plan for me--I take great comfort in that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have
been knocking probably more than I ever have on my mission. Doors seem to
shut quicker than normal, and there are fewer and fewer people who give us the
time of day--let alone are interested in learning more. But I'm super grateful
that God trusts me enough to test my faith. We keep working and doing
everything we can to improve ourselves, and leave the rest to Him. This is His
work and He is more invested in it than I could ever be. So I'm happy knowing
that I'm doing my part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A huge answer to my
prayers this week has been gratitude. In His loving way, God has clearly shown
me on multiple occasions that I need to focus my efforts on gratitude! It
has truly changed everything, and I have such a testimony already of the
blessings of a grateful heart. I read the talk from this last conference,
"Grateful in Any Circumstances" by President Uchdorf--and wow, it is
amazing. I encourage you all to read it again. Some favorite quotes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the
world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to
God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the
goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and
understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a
disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In
other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful <i>for</i> things,
we focus on being thankful <i>in</i> our circumstances—whatever they
may be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This type of gratitude transcends whatever is
happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair.
It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the
pleasant warmth of summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we are grateful to God <i>in</i> our
circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In
grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in
Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the
closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In somewhat less
eloquence, I wish to echo President Uchdorf. Gratitude makes life happier. A
grateful heart helps us achieve our potential. It's a simple choice that makes
the world of a difference. I'm working to develop this 'attitude of gratitude'
in my own life, and the little steps of progression I've made have helped me
more than I can express!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love the Lord. I
love this work. There's absolutely nothing I would rather be doing. Have a good
week, I'll let you know next week where I end up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">xoxo<br />
Sister Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just one of the crazy
houses in the hills of Hollywood--intimidating to knock on haha</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4JtAT5ejyR_y8vm2Q4W69IrhN6J5Z7Ppg4GEcNJPJAtChoui_HFhqDzCDYGEZjOpWH27HkuLIhzUnpWa_UhMSe13pCzHrGsyHjPRrHHbOF5-yRU0qm4OSmOs5LpDk_Gv06eUjoed8MI/s1600/IMG_2955Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4JtAT5ejyR_y8vm2Q4W69IrhN6J5Z7Ppg4GEcNJPJAtChoui_HFhqDzCDYGEZjOpWH27HkuLIhzUnpWa_UhMSe13pCzHrGsyHjPRrHHbOF5-yRU0qm4OSmOs5LpDk_Gv06eUjoed8MI/s1600/IMG_2955Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">last day of Sister
Turley's 12 week training program<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qHqp8QvTFHaQ9P62D9kbq9eJ_JNN1Ce7Kz063W67U_Z7DnhMxUcCc60ps1GaQTKQ_gPwdqr-d-paYmxEj1Ylym-_gP_Eto8al4l-Qm2d7DqAmln7UbpA4eotrZZEvLfmQ3u1JzUNyj0/s1600/IMG_2973Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qHqp8QvTFHaQ9P62D9kbq9eJ_JNN1Ce7Kz063W67U_Z7DnhMxUcCc60ps1GaQTKQ_gPwdqr-d-paYmxEj1Ylym-_gP_Eto8al4l-Qm2d7DqAmln7UbpA4eotrZZEvLfmQ3u1JzUNyj0/s1600/IMG_2973Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me and Aaron, our
investigator, at FHE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5Gp-Lb5QBP7DHUtRw77Yb0R0B4VR-PlJwFduAGlJe5MSkjN-BCxVSFpEBG-urr7M639-UvEguEk-Vptkeka5cUJE6B7tkTmx6haGU2-rWsaNgLquYQtKM6_Ku0jF4BZoXR3IgF22J3E/s1600/IMG_2944Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5Gp-Lb5QBP7DHUtRw77Yb0R0B4VR-PlJwFduAGlJe5MSkjN-BCxVSFpEBG-urr7M639-UvEguEk-Vptkeka5cUJE6B7tkTmx6haGU2-rWsaNgLquYQtKM6_Ku0jF4BZoXR3IgF22J3E/s1600/IMG_2944Small.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Best district. (:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz5ecLjlDiFuGBDnszzqqR6H9okQ8G5RVO-BhHeJc4CPYtZcde8QdJcttdxeZhL_xa2M8X3QYW1O9_2SYF3kvETDUjmRmLPaumGj-icle7O06yHGjHZwLLEw6n4F6t4c5Rhou5oHOAdg/s1600/IMG_2948Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz5ecLjlDiFuGBDnszzqqR6H9okQ8G5RVO-BhHeJc4CPYtZcde8QdJcttdxeZhL_xa2M8X3QYW1O9_2SYF3kvETDUjmRmLPaumGj-icle7O06yHGjHZwLLEw6n4F6t4c5Rhou5oHOAdg/s1600/IMG_2948Small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mission temple trip!
See the people by the door--puts it in perspective how huuuuge the temple is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpEianBrE4jfALI0YvG_rnDUkPq2e2e2HvKWA2V6bqxagCwRimRjRCa0-yLO7JgX3-N4KMv2-oh1mcvKfxrysIV2fR2DM5dhseFzwaHCvLypWE6hDraW9mzfCwJTbFWBYAkudrK0Js08/s1600/IMG_2952Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpEianBrE4jfALI0YvG_rnDUkPq2e2e2HvKWA2V6bqxagCwRimRjRCa0-yLO7JgX3-N4KMv2-oh1mcvKfxrysIV2fR2DM5dhseFzwaHCvLypWE6hDraW9mzfCwJTbFWBYAkudrK0Js08/s1600/IMG_2952Small.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441050867650003146noreply@blogger.com0