I've been swept off my feet! Litterally! By this wind! Haha the wind here in Casper Wyoming is pretty crazy.
Here are a couple other facts about serving here in Casper.
I almost always have:
- a cold nose
- cat or dog hair all over my clothes
- a book of mormon in my hands
- dinner appointments on my calendar
- a Christmas song in my head
- static-y hair
- a testimony on my lips
- and tender mercies / miracles given to me throughout the day!
So basically I'm in love with the work over here haha. I'm so in love with it! Here's an example of why I love it so much:
This cool thing that happened is from yesterday when my new companion Sister Van Camp and I were tracting. (By the way she is so amazing and just plain fantastic!)
We contacted a member who hasn't been to church in awhile, and then felt like going to a couple houses on the street. I felt a pull towards a certain direction so we went that way. There was a lady outside smoking and sis Van Camp told me we should go talk to her. So we did. She didn't seem super interested but her 11 yr old daughter was super cute and had been going to bible school so she was taking to us. Right as I was bringing up the book of mormon, another lady came outside. The spirit told me to just keep talking about the book of mormon. I explained what it was, another testament of Jesus christ. This lady's eyes got so wide and let me tell you. I have never seen someone so anxious to grab a book of mormon out of my hands before. I couldn't even finish my sentence of asking if they would want one before she was holding it!! She teared up and said she had been going through some hard stuff and wanted to turn to God, so she had opened the bible last night. She had been praying to get to know Him and knew it was a sign that we had come. The little girl also wanted a copy. I was just struck with awe at how prepared this lady was. And also how quickly God wanted to answer her prayer.
The very moment that she turned to Him, He responded with more love and help! The very moment.
I want to testify to all of you that our Savior Jesus Christ is just waiting with His arms open for us to turn to Him. For us to grow closer to Him. That is His greatest desire! And the moment we humble ourselves and take a step of faith, He responds. I promise that He does. Because He loves you.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
So take some time this week to turn to Him! I know that He loves you and can help you with whatever you are going through right now.
Until next week!
Sister Bush
Ps. my pday is on Tuesday for the next 5 months. What a blessing consistency is going to be for my pday! Haha
To Family:
Hello from casper!!
I love hearing about your week and thank you for the pictures!!!
Tuesday was chaos haha.
My group had to leave earlier for the airport than planned because another group of sisters needed us to help drive their luggage to the airport cuz it wouldn't fit in their van. So that was exciting haha. It also gave us extra time at the airport which means I got to eat at chili's!! Yay!
Another tender mercy was that sis Johnson, Jeffords and I all got to sit next to each other on the flight. Plus we found out that we all have the same favorite scripture: 2 tim 1:7. Which is not common! So it was a comfort from the spirit to remind me of that great verse.
President and Sister McMurray! They are awesome. It's been so great to meet them.
That night I found out in with sis Van Camp in Casper Wyoming(:
Wednesday
Transfers took place!
Driving to Casper and getting to know my comp was fun. We had quite a drive so that was long haha.
Then we went Shopping! A miracle was that we ran into the bishop at the store! Our area book hasn't been working so it was a tender mercy to be able to talk to him.
That night for halloween we had to be in by 6pm so we had special permission to watch 17 miracles! It was great.
So on Wednesday and throughout the week I have been following the counsel of Elder Holland. In conference, he said:
"We thank you for following our beloved prophet in this wonderful endeavor and suggest that you not wait for many more instructions. Just jump into the pool and swim. Head toward those in need. Don’t be immobilized wondering whether you should do the backstroke or the dog paddle. If we follow the basic principles that have been taught, stay aligned with priesthood keys, and seek the Holy Spirit to guide us, we cannot fail." - Elder Holland
I applied this to my missionary service! Who cares if I fumble on my first door approach or don't do exactly the right thing when meeting members. Just jump in and swim.
Thursday!
I'm quickly falling in love with all the ways I get to share the gospel here: roleplays service meeting members contacting and tracting
Area book started working! So that was good.
Spent the day contacting and meeting members and a little bit of tracting.
First door I tracked into, I got to meet a lady and her husband who love christmas. We talked about Christmas and Christ and the Book of Mormon. It was great and we actually might meet with them later!
That night we had dinner with the bishop and his wife so that was good.
Friday
Weekly planning for the first time haha.
Animal shelter service!! One of my favorite service things we do is go a couple times a week to the shelter and give the kittens social interaction time so that they will be more likely to get adopted. It's the best. Doesn't even feel like service haha.
Asian Buffett that night!
That night cuz we were at the mall we decided to try mall contacting! It was a neat experience. At first, super awkward cuz we had no idea how to stop people and talk to them. They all had places to be! But we prayed and then the spirit helped us out. Long story short we talked to a bunch of people and even ended up giving the restoration lesson in the mall to some people! Haha God is a God of miracles.
Saturday!
We Met a lot of inactive members, and shared messages with them.
We also helped the RS Pres with funeral dinner and stuff. So that was cool plus we got to talk to some nonmembers at the funeral dinner. So great.
Sunday
Broadcast! We had that regional broadcast and it was so good. Listening to leaders talk about ministering, temple and family history work, Sabbath day worship and gathering israel! So good. I have lots of notes.
After church I experienced the Wind in full force!! Almost fell over haha as we dashed to the car in the rain and wind. Crazy. Press forward saints!
Later that night i had one of the coolest experiences on my mission. Dan is a person we are teaching and we hadn't met him yet but roleplayed the plan of salvation and were considering inviting him to be baptized from what the elders told us about him. We went in that lesson with the spirit. During the lesson, I was given exactly what to say and when to say it. I invited him to be baptized and set the date for the 17th. He actually started crying. He said he felt so special that we would invite him to be baptized. I testified to him it's because God loves him and knows him. He said all his life he felt something was missing, and he hopes this is it. I can't describe the experience of asking him to be baptized. It was electrifying and the words were not mine, they were the spirit. I was full of so much joy and happiness. It was the best.
Monday
We went to the Animal shelter again, got Subway. Also that's when we had that experience tracting that I talked about in my weekly. So cool!!!!!
Then we had a lesson with Jaden, an 11 year old who wants to get baptized. She's amazing and so cute. We set her on date for the 8th of december. So good!!!!
Anyways that's the basics of my week! I love my new comp. She's from American fork utah, has mad piano skills (enough to rival troy and maybe beat him. Maybe. Id like to see a competition haha.) She's super sweet, obedient and easy to get along with! I love her. We are already sharing clothes so that should tell you how well we get along haha. Also how we are tired of our own closets lol.
I miss miss miss you guys
I love love love love love you guys
Sorry if this email seems rushed! It's cuz it was! Hahaha but know that I love you so much, I'm so grateful for your support, prayers, updates, emails, pictures, love and smiles. You are the best ever. I miss and love you a ton!
Sister Bush
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