Wow. I have so much to say. I
hope you have your reading glasses close haha! I seriously have so many
emotions and I am so terrible and putting them into words! But I am
going to try my best! But first, our week! It was awesome! :) We got to
see the Meet the Mormons movie in a special zone meeting. It was so
wonderful. I laughed and cried and just felt so uplifted! I strongly
encourage everyone to see it! We also had a ward party that was an
international food truck night. So people brought foods from all over
the world and we dished them into small amounts so we could try
everything. And believe me, I tried everything! I just kept walking
around and seeing things I hadn't tried yet, and before I knew it, I
felt like I was going to die from how full I was! It was all so good
though! And there were tons of non-members there too! :) Then Sunday
was super cool because we went to visit a lady in our ward who is in a
nursing home and we asked the nurses after if there is anyone who never
gets visitors that we could visit. They thought that was so cool and
gave us a list of ladies and a box of nail polish! :) It reminded me of
all the Sundays we would go visit my Grandma Cleo in the nursing home.
It was a really neat experience for me. We also finished our 100 Days
Closer to Christ Book of Mormon Challenge. It's always amazing to feel
the Spirit testify of the truth of that book and this gospel when I read
Moroni 10. It never fails. The power I've felt as I've read and the
relationship I've been able to build with my Savior is something that I
will forever cherish!
As for our investigators...
Tom is the same. Still hasn't kicked that girl out of his apartment. We
have tried being bold and loving and everything! So it's just up to him
now. He has an awesome testimony, just isn't quite converted yet I
guess! We weren't able to see Judy or Joseph because they were out of
town. We taught Andre, a recent convert, and he's been bringing his
sister Lecia, who is adorable! So we are teaching her now :) They came
to the ward party and had a great time! We have a few new people, but we
can never know if they are actually solid until we get a couple lessons
in. So that's that ha. I am so glad I got to serve in Palm Bay. This
ward is so wonderful. I barely got to know them, but they feel like
family! During ward council on Sunday
one of the elders asked what I sent my mom for her birthday. I said I
just told her happy birthday that morning... He had no idea about my
mom, so we just kinda let it go ha. Then I felt like I should give my
mom something for her birthday yesterday, so I got up to bear my
testimony in sacrament meeting. I talked about how there were a few
talks in conference about how it's the parents job to teach their
children the gospel. Then I gave the ward props because they do an
amazing job at that, and I thanked my parents for teaching me the gospel
and helping me get my testimony started. It was a really cool meeting.
Now
I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I know I've done it
before, but as I hear people pray for the missionaries it makes me so
grateful for all the prayers we have. I was a little scared at the
thought of not having all of those prayers anymore after this week! We
really really do feel them. And need them. I have especially needed them
this week as it was my mom's birthday and I found out that my Grandpa
Lowry passed away the same day. I am sad but I know that Heavenly Father
needs them both at home right now. A scripture in the Book of Mormon
gives me a lot of comfort! Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. (Alma 40:11) I
KNOW this true. The Plan of Salvation is such a HUGE blessing in my
life! I am honored that I have been able to share it and the restored
gospel with the people in each of my areas. I know I was supposed to
come here and have every companion and serve in every area that I did.
Speaking of, Tani got baptized yesterday in College Park! Sister Woolley
emailed me and said it was incredible. I knew it would be. He is such a
stud. I was so blessed to have been a part of his conversion process
and journey towards Christ!
As
you may know, I have had a huge struggle with perfectionism my whole
mission!! Well, probably whole life actually haha. But, right now I feel
so so great about the work I have done and the person I have become.
Yes, I still have a ways to go, but the lyrics of a song kind of
describe how I feel! It's by Mercy River and it's called "Change in the
Making."
This is redemption's story, with every step that I'm taking.
Everyday You're chipping away what I don't need.
This is me under construction, this is my pride being broken.
Everyday I'm closer to who I'm meant to be.
I'm a change in the making.
We
are all really a change in the making. It's not so much about
perfection as it is progression. I think Elder Russell M. Nelson said
that. Jesus Christ was the only perfect missionary and the only perfect
person. It's because of His perfection that we don't have to be perfect.
But we can become perfect after this life! His grace makes up for what
we can't do ourselves. Which is sometimes a lot. But as long as we do
our very best, we can feel good about the work we do. Heavenly Father
and our Savior love us so much and They do hear and answer our prayers.
This is their work; I am eternally grateful to have had a small part in
it! I love you all and cannot wait to see you in a few days. Yes, I am
sad to leave Florida. It has been my home and it will always have a
special place in my heart. But also am excited to see the other
adventures the Lord has in store for me. :)
Love always,
Sister Lowry
xoxo
