I'm Coming Home

This is my last Monday in the mission field! I arrive home Tuesday, October 27th, 2015. 

Exciting Moments: 

-While driving, we felt prompted to go and talk to a lady who was taking out her trash. We drove around to find a place to park and she went back inside her home. We knocked on her door, and she didn't answer. We continue to tract until the very end of her complex (which was about 5-6 doors)... when we got to the last door, a man answered and he was surprised to see us. He told us that he has ran into us three times. Sister Brakey and I didn't remember. He said he had one of our cards that we gave him (The 'Because He Lives' card). He told us, "Hold on a minute," and then he showed us the card in Sister Brakey's handwriting. "Yup, that's my handwriting!" And she told him that since he has ran into us so many times, that God is telling Him that [he needs to meet with us.]. This experience was pretty neat!

Two Baptisms! 

Ciara and Skye got baptized! Each baptism was very unique, and I loved being apart of both of them. 

Ciara's baptism was precious! I felt bad that the font  didn't get filled up all the way, though. We filled it up an hour before and the water was shallow. Luckily, Ciara was able to go down all the way in the water. She was beaming, as well as her mom, and family members. Ciara has set a great example for the rest of her non-member family and siblings. So far, only her mom and her are now members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I can give more details on this later!). 

Skye was my last baptism - it was such a great way to end my mission. Almost the whole ward at sacrament meeting flooded into the Relief Society room. There were so many people, and some were even standing in the hallway. The spirit was strong, and there were so many tears. When we asked Skye if she was baptized, and if she wanted to be baptized, I had no idea how long she had been wanting to be baptized. This meant so much to her family that her grandmother, with her special sewing machine, sewed both sets of Missionaries who have touched sky on a handkerchief; the vision of this handkerchief was for Skye to take this to the Temple when she is [sealed to her husband for all time and eternity] (if I remembered correctly). All sets of missionaries were here: My companion and I with the Goldsboro 2nd Elders , the Goldsboro 1st Elders and Sisters, and the Goldsboro 2nd Hermanas (spanish). 

When Skye's Grandpa was there to baptize her, he got so choked up - he has told us before that he felt honored that he got to be the one to do that for her.

My companion and I got to speak on the Baptism. I tried so hard not to cry, but I did when I bore my testimony about the Holy Ghost and how this world is so dangerous that we need this protection 

Testimony: There is so much to say, with very little time. I truly know that this is the true church that has been restored on the earth in these latter days. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior; I know that this missionary work is real and I know that it is so important to serve with all heart, mind, might, and strength. I know that even though I have weaknesses, the Lord can make up for what I cannot do on my own. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, and I know that he has been called of the Lord. I don't doubt it for a minute. For anyone who is considering if a mission is right for them, it is. Go and submit your papers now. If you have a desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. 

I love knowing that in order for us to know how to make right choices, there has to be opposition (2 Nephi 2:11). If we lived only in happy places, or made sure we never have to encounter the world, that would defeat the purpose of why we are here in this life (to grow in strength of our Character and to also show to us and to God that we will follow Him, and his Son Jesus Christ). Although it is good to stand in Holy Places, and to do wholesome activities and be with wholesome friends who can uplift us, without those moments of trial when someone offers us something we shouldn't do, or being around someone who doesn't hold the same standards and we have to make a decision, those moments ARE truly what tests are character. We cannot - ever- check our religion at the door, as Elder Holland has put it many times before. When those trials arise, turning away from Satan is what we need to do. 

For example: 

-When friends/a group invite us to watch a rated R movie, we say no. 

-When someone says, "would you like a cigarette?" we say no.

-When someone suggests us to wear immodest clothing, we say no. 

-When someone starts swearing, we politely ask them to keep it to themselves, because swear words dull our spirituality and offend our spirit. 

. . . 

Anyways - I love this work. I love being able to teach people about the gospel, and about Christ. I love watching people grow in the knowledge of the gospel, and how it has truly changed their life for the better. I love watching people change and glow after they have been baptized. 

I love being companions with great people. 

I love serving. 

I love watching myself grow as a better person. 

Quotes: 

President Uchtdorf: 

"My dear brothers and sisters, if we look at ourselves only through our mortal eyes, we may not see ourselves as good enough. But our Heavenly Father sees us as who we truly are and who we can become. He sees us as His sons and daughters, as beings of eternal light with everlasting potential and with a divine destiny."

For any of those who have denied the existence of God, Jesus Christ, or any of the LDS beliefs...

have you prayed about it? 

With a sincere prayer, God will answer you. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

-Sister A. Marshall 

Re: Investigators, Pick Pickin', Free Cheese, Groceries, Sickness, and Miracles

Also: 

--There was a time earlier this week where I felt prompted to turn around in the car and tract a street near by our last appointment. The prompting was ["There is someone prepared on this street... go now"] and my companion also got the prompting to 'go now' after we had discussed it. We went, and we may have found the person - he was walking around with headphones on and we talked about our message and gave him a card. I tracted with so much diligence and I just knew that we were going to find someone. Having the Faith to Find is real. 

On Mon, Oct 19, 2015 at 12:01 PM, Alissa Marshall <alissa.marshall@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Well, My companion and I have two new investigators this week: Misty, and Tonsel (Tron-sell). 

Misty loves to learn about other religions, and she is Lutheran. 

Tronsel is in high school but is a spiritual giant. He doesn't have a phone and he lives all the way in Grantham (over 30 minutes away?) and so it may be a hit and miss if we come and see him. 

Last Monday, I wanted to by dairy-free cheese over at Harris Teeter. A man came up from my companion and I and he said [he can mark an item each that we wanted for free (by marking off the bar code with a sharpie) and to tell the cashier that it was from Dennis]. It was part of their marketing where people get to try an item for free and see if they like it. He said a lot of people haven't heard of this stuff (this was at a section with a lot of vegan/vegetarian options). My companion got Vegan Bacon (she tried it later and she said it tasted like dog food. But - there are a lot of good vegetarian options out there! I promise!). Heavenly Father blessed me because I was certainly low on my MSF funds. 

On Tuesday, we had a temporary exchange that lasted over 24 hrs; we also had service with a Part-member family, and another service project with an investigator. 

With our investigator Skye, we were able to teach all of the commandments (this is more than just the 10 commandments!) within 4 lessons. She passed her baptismal interview and her baptism date is October 24th. 

Ciara will also be getting baptized on October 24th (She will be a child of record since she is 8). Two Baptisms scheduled before I go home! I couldn't have hoped for anything better. 

We went to the Bishop's Pig Pickin' on Saturday. Skye's grandma brought me food that I could eat, and it was delicious!  Right after that, she took my companion and I out and bought 3 pints of ice cream for me, a brownie mix, some cereal and milk. She also bought Sister Brakey 2 pints of ice cream, red velvet cupcakes and a cake mix, frosting, and cereal. Skye's grandma told us it was the least she could do for us! She is very sweet. 

We did a lot of driving this past week, and we also felt very sick. We feel better now, though, which is good!

I weighed my luggage and I need to get rid of 20 pounds of items in order for me to not go over the weight limit for my luggage (I pretty much weighed all of my items, and also subtracted the weight of the suitcases on how much weight is allowed for the whole suitcase). 

. . .

Sister Brakey told me something wonderful to me a few days ago that has really stuck with me.

"...It seems like that's how it goes for the people who accomplish amazing things, everyone tells them they'll never amount to anything. Sister Marshall if you've experienced a lot of opposition in your life, then it sounds like Heavenly Father has a lot in store for you!" It stuck with me because for most of my life, I have been going through a lot of opposition, especially when it comes to me following Jesus Christ and developing my talents. This just reminds me that the people who matter, don't mind, and the people who mind, don't matter (to a point. God loves all His children and we should too). 

Anyways - I know I should leave with my testimony, and this is also my last full week on my mission. My mission has been very difficult, and very rewarding. It has been hard being out of contact with friends and family, but it has certainly been worth it. I would recommend a mission to anyone who wants to quickly mature, grow spiritually, wants to become a better person, and who wants to find more of a purpose in their life, and to those who wants to grow closer to God. A mission is pretty much like spending one-on-one time with our Heavenly Father.  I feel like I have become a better person from being on my mission, and I have truly come to a larger understanding of the Gospel Principles, the purpose of missionaries, the covenants I've made in the Temple, more knowledge, and I have learned even more so on listening to the Spirit's promptings. 

I may be young, I may be 23 years of age, but I believe that if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. I have served to the fullest.

I come home October 27th. 

I may be on emails next week! I'll be sure to have a closing testimony. 

9 days to give my all.

-Sister A. Marshall 

Investigators, Pick Pickin', Free Cheese, Groceries, Sickness, and Miracles

Well, My companion and I have two new investigators this week: Misty, and Tonsel (Tron-sell). 

Misty loves to learn about other religions, and she is Lutheran. 

Tronsel is in high school but is a spiritual giant. He doesn't have a phone and he lives all the way in Grantham (over 30 minutes away?) and so it may be a hit and miss if we come and see him. 

Last Monday, I wanted to by dairy-free cheese over at Harris Teeter. A man came up from my companion and I and he said [he can mark an item each that we wanted for free (by marking off the bar code with a sharpie) and to tell the cashier that it was from Dennis]. It was part of their marketing where people get to try an item for free and see if they like it. He said a lot of people haven't heard of this stuff (this was at a section with a lot of vegan/vegetarian options). My companion got Vegan Bacon (she tried it later and she said it tasted like dog food. But - there are a lot of good vegetarian options out there! I promise!). Heavenly Father blessed me because I was certainly low on my MSF funds. 

On Tuesday, we had a temporary exchange that lasted over 24 hrs; we also had service with a Part-member family, and another service project with an investigator. 

With our investigator Skye, we were able to teach all of the commandments (this is more than just the 10 commandments!) within 4 lessons. She passed her baptismal interview and her baptism date is October 24th. 

Ciara will also be getting baptized on October 24th (She will be a child of record since she is 8). Two Baptisms scheduled before I go home! I couldn't have hoped for anything better. 

We went to the Bishop's Pig Pickin' on Saturday. Skye's grandma brought me food that I could eat, and it was delicious!  Right after that, she took my companion and I out and bought 3 pints of ice cream for me, a brownie mix, some cereal and milk. She also bought Sister Brakey 2 pints of ice cream, red velvet cupcakes and a cake mix, frosting, and cereal. Skye's grandma told us it was the least she could do for us! She is very sweet. 

We did a lot of driving this past week, and we also felt very sick. We feel better now, though, which is good!

I weighed my luggage and I need to get rid of 20 pounds of items in order for me to not go over the weight limit for my luggage (I pretty much weighed all of my items, and also subtracted the weight of the suitcases on how much weight is allowed for the whole suitcase). 

. . .

Sister Brakey told me something wonderful to me a few days ago that has really stuck with me.

"...It seems like that's how it goes for the people who accomplish amazing things, everyone tells them they'll never amount to anything. Sister Marshall if you've experienced a lot of opposition in your life, then it sounds like Heavenly Father has a lot in store for you!" It stuck with me because for most of my life, I have been going through a lot of opposition, especially when it comes to me following Jesus Christ and developing my talents. This just reminds me that the people who matter, don't mind, and the people who mind, don't matter (to a point. God loves all His children and we should too). 

Anyways - I know I should leave with my testimony, and this is also my last full week on my mission. My mission has been very difficult, and very rewarding. It has been hard being out of contact with friends and family, but it has certainly been worth it. I would recommend a mission to anyone who wants to quickly mature, grow spiritually, wants to become a better person, and who wants to find more of a purpose in their life, and to those who wants to grow closer to God. A mission is pretty much like spending one-on-one time with our Heavenly Father.  I feel like I have become a better person from being on my mission, and I have truly come to a larger understanding of the Gospel Principles, the purpose of missionaries, the covenants I've made in the Temple, more knowledge, and I have learned even more so on listening to the Spirit's promptings. 

I may be young, I may be 23 years of age, but I believe that if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. I have served to the fullest.

I come home October 27th. 

I may be on emails next week! I'll be sure to have a closing testimony. 

9 days to give my all.

-Sister A. Marshall 

Multiple Interviews!

This past week was full of excitement, focus, and the spirit. 

I also had two interviews with my Mission President; the first one was a regular interview, and then the second one was my exit interview. I have learned great advice from him and he also told me two secrets to a happy marriage. :) 

Some of the questions he asked me, were:

-Do you feel like you have served a successful mission?

-He asked me more about my wedding plans

We also have been keeping ourselves busy with teaching appointments! We have been working to help Skye and Ciara come closer to baptism. 

One of the investigators we found the other week, dropped us and told us she wasn't ready yet for the message. I know she will be ready at some point! The message the restored gospel brings can truly make us happy! 

What would you do if you knew there was more out there about Christ, and about the Plan of Happiness that God has in store for us? 

In Church:

In Relief Society, the lesson was on Pride; I loved the emphasis on how a lot of sin is stemmed from Pride, such as: 

-Contention 

-Feeling like one can be above the other, or feeling like someone is beneath the other

-jealousy 

-competitiveness 

-Critical 

etc. 

. . .

This week was also another sick week for my companion and I. We had a sick day together and I made some home-made soup. It lasted 3 days for the both of us for about 6 meals. It was wonderful! 

. . .

I made some pear-apple sauce this week from boiling the apples on the stove and then putting them and the pears in the blender with some sugar, ginger, and cinnamon. It was delicious, but the sugar intake is way too much. I plan on making it into a filling instead (adding cornstarch and then cooking it on the stove later). 

. . .

This is all I can say for now!

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

-Sister A. Marshall 

15 days left to give my all. 

If Someone Convicted You as a Christian, Would There Be Enough Evidence to Convict You? - Elder Hales

Oh, what a week! 

Since it has been hard to find people to teach, and we weren't having much success, we decided to fast for almost 24 hours. We had hope that we would find success and that we would see miracles. During that day, the first person we encountered was someone who told us that Mormons were Satan Worshipers. He asked us who's car it was in front of his house, and we said it was ours. He asked us if we were married, and my companion and I looked at each other. I don't know if he meant if my companion and I were married to each other, or if my companion and I were married separately to someone else. When we told him to have a good day, he told us "Well, I don't know about a good day.... Have a day!" As if we didn't believe in good things. This was rather a most interesting experience, and something to learn from. 

I love how Faith works. There was a man that we came in contact with, and he said that he doesn't believe in working our way to get to Heaven. Well, this concept alone is missing something. It's missing a deeper understanding of faith, Heavenly Father's plan, the Atonement, and the point of keeping God's Commandments. I love what James says about how our Faith needs to have works. He says in James 2:17-18, 24, and 26 (KJV):  

 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

We need to act on the faith that we have. It has been said in this analogy about turning on the light. We have faith that the light is going to come on if we flip the light switch on. Faith is an action word. Making the effort and finishing the effort to turn on the light switch with a flick of a finger - that is the faith. 

Having the faith that miracles are going to happen during and after a fast - the fast, is the faith. 

Keeping God's commandments is the faith that we are going to be blessed, and have the spirit with us. Acting and keeping them is the faith. Faith is not something that we just hold in our hearts and believe that something is  going to happen. Faith is making it happen (according to God's will, of course). 

Well, because of the faith of my companion and I, we now have 3 new Investigators, and one with a Baptism date of October 24th. We are also feeling the spirit more strongly, and we have a stronger desire to do what the Lord asks. 

We have also encountered a miracle. A non-member, who is married to a member, said he was praying 5 minutes before my companion and I showed up at the door to help. He prayed to Heavenly Father for Him to send someone to help him and his wife complete a difficult task. Well, here we were! He also said that he had the desire to be baptized, and that he would be a member eventually. He also told us that with every member that he's met, they have been so nice. We helped them out in their task, and serving people brings such a good feeling into my heart. 

...

Hurricane : It missed us! We have been receiving a lot of rain, though. 

...

A stumbling block in the work: I pondered for a bit on something I've frequently come across on my mission. I've come across a lot of people who love history, and who have taken many history classes. I've noticed how a lot of these people have learned a little bit about the LDS (Mormon) faith from their textbooks, and also about the Prophet Joseph Smith. The paragraphs written about the LDS church are not written by LDS people, but from a far off standpoint of non-believers. The way these books have worded about the Prophet Joseph Smith have that he have 'claimed' to be a prophet, and then other words have been based on what 'seemed to be the case'. I can testify, right now, that I know that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God. He has all of the qualities of what a prophet entails. I encourage each of you to read/listen to this great talk by Hugh B. Brown, titled "The Profile of a Prophet". You can find it here, at: 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/hugh-b-brown_profile-prophet/

A lot of people have been misinformed about Joseph Smith, and the LDS religion. Many churches today preach against other churches, and the LDS (Mormon) church is one of them. The LDS faith does not ever hold a meeting about going against any specific form of religion - bashing other religions is not something Christ would do. He doesn't stir up hearts of others to contention - that is what the devil does. 

. . .

General Conference: 

Oh, this General Conference was great! Here are some of the highlights I have written on my heart: 

-We all need to have Charity, and love one another; being 'nice' is not enough if we don't truly mean it

- Simplify the gospel - it  doesn't need to be complicated! 

- God's secret weapon in preparing the world for the second coming is Women. Our voices need to be heard! The age change in November 2012 happened for a reason. From last April, we had about 89,000 missionaries across the world; by November 2015, we have over 200,000 missionaries. The Lord is indeed hastening His work. :) 

-The only way we can succor and comfort those, truly, is when we see people through the eyes of a parent - especially through Heavenly Father's eyes.

-Keeping the Sabbath Day - there so much more than meets the eye. This even means being on time to our meetings!

-Ponderize! Study a verse every week and find out ways on how you can apply it daily. :) 

. . .

Oh! Before I forget - on Saturday - it was raining very hard just before the second session of General Conference. When we were driving to go and watch the conference at a member's house, we noticed a homeless man who sat on the ground in a thin yellow poncho, with a sign next to him in cursive that said 'Homeless.' I instantly thought of the scripture which read, ['..if I had, I would give']. Instantly my being was filled with the spirit, and I knew I had to help this man. My immediate thought was to go to the grocery store and buy him some food. My companion, Sister Brakey, insisted that we stopped off at Mc Donalds (because she was hungry). I thought that would be nice, but I thought after that meal, he was going to need another one. I also thought about how the member we were going to see was going to feed us. So - we went to the grocery store, and we bought mixed fruit, a couple boxes of granola bars, allergy medicine (just in case), a toothbrush, a Water Jug, and some candy (just to spoil him). We drove as quickly as we could to the man after shopping. He was at an awkward spot at an intersection, but somehow, with the thick rain, we got to him. He told us that he was trying to save money for a room; we told him that as missionaries we can't give out money, but we bought him multiple meals to last him a while. I felt good about doing this kind act of service. 

Here is one of my favorite scripture passages about helping those in need. It's found in Mosiah, 4:16-27:

"16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—

 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.

 19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.

 22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.

 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.

 24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.

 25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.

 26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." 

I love serving others. I love being a missionary. I invite each of you to find someone on who you could serve today, and who you could make someone's burden lighter. 

Christ lives - He loves us, and is there whenever we reach out to him in faith. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

-Sister A. Marshall

 

A Week of Faith

Well, This week was certainly a week of Faith. 

We worked hard in inviting people to come unto Christ.

We had Zone Conference, and the conference went great. We learned a lot about Missionary work and also about Tiwi, which is this device that goes in our car and tells us if we're speeding, driving recklessly, etc. It is a pain when I'm driving in a school area and it says to drive a certain speed limit between certain times, and I have the Tiwi. I have to go that school speed limit after hours or it will say I was speeding!

We're teaching a girl named Ciara the Missionary Lessons before her baptism. She is 8, and so all of the lessons won't need to be completed before she is baptized.

We also asked a girl named Skye, if she had been baptized in the church. She said she hasn't, and we asked, "Well, do you want to be baptized?" And she said yes. She is thirteen and she lives with her grandmother. My companion and I wondered why missionaries haven't talked to her before about this, but I guess we're going to find out when we have dinner with her family later this week. 

We also found a man who lives close to a member - he's in his 80s, and he wants to be taught more about our message of Jesus Christ. 

The week ended with me having Food Borne Illness/ or the Stomach Flu. I thew up multiple times Saturday at  3:00 am (the first time I've thrown up on my mission) and then for the next two days I had to rest, and be on the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) diet. We had the District leader go to Harris Teeter (not in our area) and get me the things I needed. Later on, I saw on the receipt that the gluten-free / Dairy-free bread by Udi's  cost $11.00, and then the Martenellis Sparkling Cider cost $5.00. The total cost of my bill was $21.14; Harris Teeter is expensive!

Anyways - I still went to Sacrament Meeting, but right after church we had to head home - I still didn't feel good. 

We got the highest number of IOS again in the district; 

[Whenever I'm on Emails, I find it overwhelming to constantly squeeze in all that I want to say within my emails, so I apologize if I don't give a full account of my days for this week!]

-Highlights in Doctrine:

I loved it when they said in Gospel Principles that the only way we can make righteous choices is when there is opposition. If there is no opposition to make the right choice, then how would we know it would be the right choice?

Someone also talked about the Good/Better/Best. There could be two great choices, but one of them has more of an eternal benefit than the other. 

. . .

This week has also been dry for us in teaching and finding new investigators. Well, I guess we'll just have to keep on working!

. . .

I want to end my email with some scriptures that I found in my studies this morning about being a disciple of Jesus Christ (with my commentaries): 

2 Timothy 3:12-17 

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [This is very true!] 

 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. [A sign of the times - The wicked will continue to get wicked]

 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; [ Continue doing what is Christian, and what is right, regardless if the people around us do not approve or agree] 

 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [We've been raised up in the Faith, and we've read these scriptures since youth - let us continue to be wise] 

 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [All scripture - is given by God - in the scriptures is our manual for life!] 

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. [To be perfect means to be 'complete, finished, and fully developed' ] 

. . .

I know that the work that I do as a missionary, is true, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of Jesus Christ. How do I know this? I have searched, prayed, pondered, fasted, and I have acted on my faith to know if the teachings are true. In Moroni 12:6, Moroni tells us "...dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith". If we are given a commandment, and we are not sure of it's promise, well, we test it. We act on it. Then, we will see the blessings, and the spirit testifying to us that the commandment is true. Also - on another note- God does not leave us. He says right in place. If we feel like He's moved away from us, it is truly us who has moved, not Him. He is always there, and the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don't you doubt it, and don't you forget it. 

This is all I can write for now!

29 Days to give my all! Wish me luck!

-Sister A. Marshall 

 

The Last Finishing Touches

This past week had plenty of opportunities to polish me as a person. There has been a lot of opposition, which meant a lot of time to be on my knees and ask for strength. 

We had a goal of 15 IOs per day. We got 75/105 IOs. It was the highest that has ever been achieved since the IOs started. 

We tracted, and we tried to 'plant seeds,' and we also had moments where we needed to take some down time because of what has been going on. 

Also! We have Spanish Sisters in our ward now! They are amazing, and I know they will find some Spanish people to teach! 

I received one of the most vilest of letters I have ever received in my life from someone who lives within the mission boundaries. I talked to my mission President about it, and he gave me some great council on how to best take, and respond to it. A good thing about this trial is that I have seen the power of the Atonement help make my burden light, to the point where I cannot feel the burden on my shoulders. 

-We also had exchanges and I learned so much from Sister Brewer. When a woman yelled at us and told us that she doesn't want anything from Jehovah's Witnesses or anybody, Sister Brewer exclaimed after the fact that she must be a great singer because of how well her voice projected. 

-Tuesday is Zone Conference, and we are going to get our cars inspected, and the black box installed. This black box will let us know if we are carelessly driving, speeding, or if we are out of our mission boundaries. 

Anyways! It has been a great Preparation Day so far!

-Oh - another thing - I haven't mentioned this before, but many people are surprised that I already have a Wedding Date of December 5th, for the Seattle, WA Temple (10:30 AM). I won't have much time to plan, but with the Lord's help, I'll certainly pull it off!

Have a blessed day, everyone!

-Sister A. Marshall 

(36 Days left) 

Last Transfer in the Mission

I am in my last transfer in my mission now! I have 6 weeks (or - for me - 43 days until I go home).

I get to stay with Sister Brakey in Goldsboro, North Carolina. I can predict that this last week is going to go fast.

I have so many thoughts and I can't believe that my mission is almost over. I've learned so much and I continue to be that piece of silver going through the fire. 

Here are some of the highlights of my week:

We exceeded our goal of 50 IOs when we hit 64. This week, we plan on hitting 105 IOS (15 per day). A good way we have been able to do this is by what I call 'Drive Thru Tracting' where when we see people walking by, we pull over and either Sister Brakey and I will introduce ourselves from our car with the window rolled down and we hand them a card, and state our purpose as missionaries. We get more people than if we just went door-to-door. We also feel much safer than if we were to go tracting in the poorer areas of town. 

-We taught one 'other' lesson this week. We had an appointment with someone we had met the day before, and they weren't home, but the TV was on. Sister Brakey told us that the lady's house was '309'. When we got there, it was 301. I took '309' to be a prompting and so we went and knocked on '309' right after '301'. A woman by the name of Denise answered the door, and we taught her the Restoration. The spirit was very strong when we shared the message and I hoped that she could feel the spirit of the Lord testify on what we had taught her, was true. We don't have a scheduled appointment since she does not live there, but is just visiting for the time being. Even though we only taught one lesson to a non-member this week, it was still just as meaningful. 

-There is a rule in the mission that says we cannot teach males without a third female. There was a guy who sat outside of his house, and we introduced ourselves and told him that we had a message of the restored gospel. He wanted to hear the message right on the spot, and we told him that we couldn't. After that experience, I was pretty depressed, and I hoped that we got a transfer call that said we could be in a trio. It doesn't matter the area that I'm in - it is hard to get females to come out to lessons with us, either because they have kids, are working, are busy, at school, or not feeling well. My companions and I had to schedule a lesson in advance, and we have to call way in advance (we cannot call the day of and expect someone to come). Many times, the people have cancelled and then we have a hard time getting a hold of them, or we usually have to pass these people off to the Elders if they have the wrong intentions. This struggle is real, and I know that as long as I keep the faith to find people, and that I know that things will work out in the Lord's timing, I know that it will all be ok. 

- Most of the work my companion and I have been doing is helping the Less-Active Members come back to church, and, finding new investigators to teach from our own efforts. The greatest way that we can find people to teach is through member referrals, and for the most part, the people here don't know of anyone who they can refer us to. Missionary work cannot progress without the members. Most of the time, they think that we're doing all the work and we are the ones who bring in the people toward baptism. If it's just us, the people will not have the fellowship they need. 

- Oh! I few weeks ago I bought a Veggetti grater and I am able to make pasta out of cucumbers, , zucchini, carrots, and potatoes. I love this gadget, and it saves me money on Gluten Free Pasta.

Anyways! I hope you all have a great week! 

Sickness

On Wednesday, my companion and I both woke up with a sickness, and for a few days (Wed - Friday?) we took the advice from our Mission nurse to rest. We felt nausea, headache, muscle ache, and brain fog. By Saturday I felt better, and my companion is still feeling ill (Monday). 

We mowed a member's lawn on Thursday, and we had Zone meeting on Friday.

Something that my companion and I have started is a companionship jar. We have our own jars, and throughout the week, we write a positive note on a piece of paper on what we had observed what the companion did that day. For example, I could write how I observed how she was very passionate about the Atonement when she explained it to an investigator or something like that. With these notes, we fold them up. During companionship inventory (Step 13 in Preach my Gospel under Weekly Planning,) when it comes to discussing the companion's strengths, we read these pieces of paper. We tried this once and I feel good about doing this. This allows me to look for the good in my companion every day, and I come to grow in appreciation for my companion. 

Since the mission has been reading the Book of Mormon together, I have come to understand the Book of Mormon better as I have marked passages that comply with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so wonderful, and the scriptures make more sense to me than they ever have. I can follow along, and expound on the words of the prophets, and follow the genealogy of who passed the scriptures down to who. Currently, I am studying 'justice' in the scriptures, along with the gospel principles. 

. . .

I did a lot of baking 'expeditions' and I have made a lot of yummy treats. 

. . .

The Sabbath is a Delight -

On Saturday, my companion and I prepared for the Sabbath by cleaning up the place, through prayer, and other ways. When Sunday came, there was such a peaceful spirit in the home. It was truly a day of rest, and a day of peace. We celebrated the Savior by making home-made gluten-free/dairy-free cupcakes and by making home-made frosting. Sunday was truly a delight to both of us. 

We received a lot of inspiration on how we can help our investigators, especially since it was fast Sunday (where we fast for two consecutive meals). By making the sacrifice, the Lord truly blesses us with revelation (knowledge from God given by the Holy Ghost). 

This is all I can say for now!

50 days left until I return home!

-Sister A. Marshall 

A Mapping Week

This week went by fairly slow, but it was still good. Since we are low on miles near the end of this week, we decided to do a lot of map work to get to know the area better. For hours, we also put in the addresses for the GPS, since last transfer, the previous companion here used her GPS and not this one.

We had a good lesson with Tina this week, and we taught the Book of Mormon.

We had a miracle lesson this week! One evening we called some potentials and one of them was Curtis. We scheduled an appointment and the appointment didn't fall through. We brought a ward missionary with us (who was 18) and the lesson went well. We were able to schedule another appointment. Later on, we talked to the Elders about this person, and they They told us his name was Alston, and his last name was Curtis. We described this person and they said it was the same person. We even talked about the living room and what was in it. The Elders told us that they haven't been able to get a hold of him for weeks. Sometimes, when a person is taught by Elders for so long, sometimes they just need the Sisters to teach them to get baptized. I mean this in a way that when someone just needs to be taught by the another set of missionaries in order to get baptized. 

There was a baptism on Sunday and Sister Brakey and I made the program. We didn't teach him but I've heard that this ward relies on the missionaries for a lot of things. 

A good experience:

I experimented with making home-made chocolate pudding in the microwave (gluten free/ dairy free). It has saved me about 13 minutes (it takes about 15 min to cook it on the stove). I love chocolate pudding. 

. . .

I have 57 days left (9 weeks) until I'm home!

-Sister A. Marshall 

The Lord Truly Blesses Us When We Keep Trying

-Our Baptism with David fell through, last minute:

David, our investigator, had gotten his baptismal interview. His testimony was very strong, and he passed the interview. He came to church that Sunday, and his baptism was announced in church. That following Monday, he called us up and told us that he was second-guessing his baptism, and how he wasn't so sure anymore. He stumbled upon anti-doctrine and he told us some of the things he read, over the phone. The spirit instantly left, and there was a very bad feeling that my companion and I could feel. He asked us why we didn't tell him things like that, and we told him that is because those things of which he said, are NOT true! Later that week, he left us a voice message saying that he wanted us to rip up his baptismal record. We talked to you about what we should do, and we followed your counsel: he has his agency, and we must do as he wishes. Wither he will be interested in five, ten, or even twenty years, I know that there is hope that he may accept the fullness of the  in this life when he is ready.

I took the Color Code Test: 

I am a Blue/Red. The next colors go in this order: white, then yellow. 

After I took this test, I feel like this has been a big help to help me understand myself, and how I can better respond to others. 

Craig A. Cardon (of the Seventy) Came and Visited us in Stake Conference:

-He said some powerful things: 

+There is a better way to parent our children. He gave a personal analogy of when he was raising his children. If a child came home late, instead of condemning them for their behavior (such as - 'how dare you be late! I thought I told you 10 PM!' Or something like that), he pointed discipline to their spirituality. He would ask questions along the lines of asking if they had felt a prompting to go home. If they hadn't felt it, then they were doing something that dulled their spirituality. If they had felt that prompting, he would ask them about what was preventing them to follow that prompting. He would then talk to them about helping his children understand the importance of listening to that prompting of the spirit. Then he was going to take away privileges, and to have his children close so [that he would work with them on this particular challenge] and to keep them close. He made it more of a bonding and teaching experience - something that would help the child grow, rather than a condemning experience - something that would inhibit their child's learning and trust. 

-During the conference, there was a comment made about how children do come with manuals - there are a lot of parenting opportunities in the scriptures! 

In my studies: 

I have learned why there are Isaiah Chapters in the Book of Mormon! It came to me by an impression. In the headings of the chapters in 2 Nephi, it said to compare with that same Isaiah chapter in the Bible. The Bible has been translated and put together so many times, and the Book of Mormon, in English, has only been translated only once. The fullness of Isaiah is in the Book of Mormon. When I compared these chapters in the Book of Mormon to the Bible, I have observed that the Bible has taken out so many things, and even added some new phrases. One example would be from comparing 2 Nephi 7 to Isaiah 50. 

Anyways - I hope y'all have a great day! 

-Sister A. Marshall 

64 Days Left   

Call Me? Tap Tap!

My Goodness, what a week. I cannot express in my entirety of how I feel right now. So many things have happened!

Yesterday was my 16th Month Mark! I have 2 months left!

Wednesday - we met with a Former (A previous investigator), and her name is Tina. She said she has met with Missionaries before, and that she has gone through 7 Sets of Missionaries. She believes the Church is true, but she is living with her boyfriend and has children, and doesn't see a need a piece of Paper to express that. 

+We found Sister Brakey's drivers License today - it got lost this day, but we eventually found it!

Friday - I accidentally ran over a dog's foot while backing out of a drive way. The member we went to go see told us that we couldn't meet today, since she was so busy. She backed me up and I watched her for most of the time. Her dogs were so wiggly and had surrounded the car because I went over the 'invisible line'.  She said the paw was fine, but I was certainly startled for the rest of the day. 

Saturday - Our Investigator, David, has gone through the interview process and he is getting Baptized on August 22nd! 

+Sister Brakey and I met with a woman named Kelly. She is a former investigator and she told us how her husband died when she was 19. Her husband's death was portrayed in the movie "Platune" and her husband was the one who was put on a cross and shot with his military helmet on. He is also in the Book "My Gift to You" by Jerald "Jerry" W. Berry. I don't remember what his name is. Within this visit, though, she has told us that she has this strong desire to be baptized, but she is still soul searching. She has burdens that she wants to remove and they have been weighing her down for years (She's older than her 50s I think). 

Sunday - 

+We had an investigator come to church! Also, our recent convert passed the Sacrament!

Annabelle, the girl we have been teaching the lessons to, got baptized and confirmed yesterday. She is a Child of Record (age 8). I am so happy for her and her family!

+I encountered one of the most interesting things I've ever endured in my mission. It seems the moment I set foot in Goldsboro, I have been flirted with. This is moreso than any other area I have been in, and this experience which I'm about to share just tops off all of the other experiences.

+ So I was at a stop light (I'm driving this transfer), and there was this old red truck (to the left of us) with two teenage boys in it. My companion and I noticed that they were staring over at us. The one in the middle Seat looked over, and he made a phone with his hand and lip-synced the words "call me." I looked over to my companion. "Did you see that?" She told me no. I was flustered, and I looked at those boys, and I tapped my name tag twice. Within the next second, the light was green, and I sped off. My companion laughed her head off, and with that she said that just made her night.  

Things I have learned this week: 

-We talked more about the 'Tree of Life' in the Book of Nephi. It has been said that those who cling to the rod for dear life become less active [because eventually, when we cling to something, our hand eventually loosens in strength], and those who have the rod in their hand but hold it loosely stay active [because they will have energy to cling to it when they need to]. 

-I have understood what Jesus Christ has done for me, but this week I truly felt it. A lot of people, as my companion has explained to me, experience this at different moments in their life. After I have felt more of what Jesus Christ has done for me, the more I just feel absolute love for my Savior. 

-My companion is very yellow on the Color Code. She's starting to rub off on me! 

-It is easier to get IO's in a parking lot than at any other place. 

Anyways - I'll talk to y'all soon! 

-Sister A. Marshall 

*71 More Days* 

From Virginia Beach, VA to Goldsboro, NC

This week of transfers was rather exciting! On Thursday, the whole mission met up at the Benett's Creek Chapel in Smithfield, VA. The spirit was very strong and powerful. We received more council which pertained to us as missionaries. We received 30 new Missionaries, and this was a large number for the mission. There is a total of 186 missionaries and 9 senior couples. 

Some of the thoughts that came from the meeting are:

-Serve the Lord without expecting a 'Thank You' from those around us - It's all about serving because we love Him.

- As we serve Him, we increase our faith 

- 

We were told to do these things, in this order: 

1.) Take good care of yourselves

2.) Take good care of your companion - treat our companion like we would treat the Lord

3.) [Take good care of those you serve] 

And then the work will flourish. 

-Those thoughts of "I'm not good enough" "Oh, I can never do this", "This will never work out" "This is hopeless - what's the point of trying?" are not from the Lord. That is the adversary trying to bring us down. 

+ Uplifting thoughts of "I can do this" "I will do better next time" "I don't need to worry about this right now" "I can continue forward" are from the Lord. 

There will be correction as missionaries, and as long as we have positive thoughts, those will invite the spirit. Positive and wholesome thoughts are part of the Christlike Attribute Virtue, and those type of thoughts will help us in the work. 

---

Also - I read some of President Boyd K. Paker's Memoriam, additional to the August 2015 Ensign and in small print under the picture where he was sitting in a chair by himself, it said that in his teachings, he taught about how reverence invites revelation. A light bulb came into my mind this morning - it makes sense why for most of my life I have been quiet, and especially reverent. I can hear my thoughts, and also the whisperings the Holy Ghost. It is good to sit in church, to be there early, and sit there with reverence. 

. . . 

So - with transfers! The day before transfers, I was with Sisters Charlesworth and Rudy as a companionship (Sisters Charlesworth and Rudy are going to be companions now - it was a trade off, and then I became the spare. It's ok, though!). It was difficult when both of them were trying to back me up in the car (it's a mission rule that the companion has to back up the driver). Sister Charlesworth was sitting inside the car, and Sister Rudy was backing me up, trying to help me get closer to the gas pump. They both told me different things and oh goodness. That was quite an experience. 

Goldsboro. It's more humid than Virginia Beach, and I am more thirsty! 

Also - This is my second to last transfer!

I have 78 days left. I have 78 more days to finish off strong. 

-Sister A. Marshall 

Transfer Calls!

Hi, Everyone! 

So I got a transfer call on Saturday and my new area is going to be Goldsboro, North Carolina. Transfers are on Thursday this time because there is a large group of missionaries coming in. The whole mission is going to meet up and have a wonderful training. My new companion will be Sister Breaker. I haven't met her yet, but I heard she is a wonderful and diligent missionary. 

Last week I got blonde highlights. A member was willing to do that for me; I feel better with my hair being a little lighter, especially for the summer. 

We had two investigators show up to Sacrament Meeting - Ali and Timberly. 

Since it was the first Sunday of the month, it was Fast and Testimony Meeting. This is where we fast with a purpose (for somebody, spiritual strength, for investigators to receive answers to their prayers, etc) and where we go up to the microphone and share our testimonies of the restored church. One of the greatest things that happened was when our investigator, Timberly, went up and told the whole congregation that she had been church searching and she feels like this is the true church. She declared that she wanted to be baptized on August 22nd, and how excited she is for that day. When Timberly went up, though, one of the Elder Missionaries who sat near the front row looked back at us, with his mouth dropped. My mouth was dropped, and my companion's mouth was dropped. That was OUR investigator! WE are so proud of Timberly for her decision to make a sacred covenant with our Heavenly Father (God). 

I also bore my Testimony; As missionaries, at least, in my mission, it is not a common tradition that Missionaries go up and bear their testimony. But, in this ward, I guess it is. I bore witness that Jesus is the living Christ, that he lives, and that with Him, anything is possible. 

A lot of people, when they go up to bare their testimony, feel it's a time to preach to the people or to share a personal experience only, instead. But - that is not the point of Fast and Testimony Meeting. When the little children go up to share their Testimony, they are setting the example of how it should be - brief, simple, and to the point. When children give their testimonies of how they know this church is true, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet - those things, regardless if they are very simple - or even just simple phrases of serving their siblings - bring a very powerful spirit into the room. That spirit comes because they mean what they say, and that what they said is a true principle. 

....

More great Miracles - this week I had been praying for service opportunities to help our neighbors out. I hear them through the walls a lot of the time and I just wanted to do something nice for them. A few days ago, though, the wife of the family had a lot of groceries and she was making several trips to her apartment. We asked her if we could help, and she let us take some things! She finished her grocery trip run with us helping her. When we dropped the items off, she told us that we had very bright countenances, and how she really enjoyed being in our presence. Her comment truly made my day. 

-- My companion and I didn't have enough MSF money to buy groceries last week. A family was so kind and bought us our groceries, and even things we didn't ask for! I was so trilled, and so grateful. 

-- My companion and I are now implementing something that we like to call 'Drive-thru Tracting' where we give out Mormon.org cards from our car windows. We stop by people who are talking to others out on the street (Did I ever write about the time where we did that, and someone's baby went from their carseat and went to the driver's seat, and put the car in Neutral? The car almost hit us but we backed up just in time. The mother and her friend were standing outside talking to us from our car. This all wasn't our fault though; my companion and I truly believe that it was God who saved us from a car wreck). 

Anyways! This is all I can say for now!

-Sister A. Marshall 

Can I Wear Pants Now?

This week had many ups and downs!

Just before my companion and I came into the Library, we felt impressed to stop and talk to the man who had been putting on "Oversize Load" tape all around his van. We tried to explain our purpose to him and he told us that it was all bull [fecal matter]. He had six degrees which pertained to religious education and talked about how (I guess, in missionary terms,) [a lot of churches have reformed Christ's gospel, having their own opinions of worship]. We wanted to tell him how our church is about a Restoration of Christ's Gospel, and not a reformation. He asked us a lot of questions that only he knew, based on his knowledge and his study. We told him that we did not know because we didn't do our study when it came to plane crashes in 2001 and what the government did on 9/11. I thought to myself that this does not pertain to our personal Salvation (Salvation means delivered from physical and spiritual death) to know these facts. As missionaries, our purpose is to preach Christ's Gospel, which pertains to the principles which Jesus Christ established His church: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. If anything pertains to these 5 things, they will help us spiritually get closer to God. Christ's Gospel is very basic, but yet very powerful. I wish my companion and I could have shared this with him. 

I would like to ask every one of you: 

1. What does it mean to you to have Faith in Jesus Christ?

2. How do you show your faith in Him?

Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to act. This leads to repent.

3. What is your definition of repentance? 

Repentance is about these things: 

** We need to have the desire to change. Otherwise, we will not change.

-Recognize when you have sinned (to Sin means to willingly and knowingly to go against God's commandments) 

-Stop doing that is not in harmony with God's commandments (which requires self discipline) 

-Confess what you have done wrong to the person you offended, etc. This requires Humility, Patience, Kindness, and Charity. 

-Keep the Commandments - Repentance means - changing for the better. As we keep the commandments, we are acting on our faith. (James 2:17-18) 

-Most importantly, we acknowledge the Savior, and that  we cannot receive forgiveness without Him. He Suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, He bled for us, he died on the Cross for us, and he was resurrected for us. Because of this, He knows how to succor his people (succor means to run toward). He knows how to help us in our trials. 

-Baptism is the gateway to Eternal Life, meaning, being able to live in the presence of God again. Baptism, when done with the proper Priesthood Authority, will have access to Christ's Atonement (includes the suffering for our sins, the shedding of His blood,and His death and Resurrection; for a full definition, look on page 18 of the Plan of Salvation Pamphlet). We can be forgiven of our sins, and be clean again. Without the authority, there cannot be that access, and even though that baptism is still a great act of wanting to follow God and a great act of faith, it is not complete. Only through the restored Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can the Atonement be accessed. This is the only church on the earth with that Priesthood Authority. 

4.) Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) talks about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Anything that is good comes from God, and the Spirit testifies of this, either by good thoughts, feelings, impressions, etc. 

5.) Enduring to the End - means living Christ's gospel daily, not just on Sunday and to give the perception of a Christian. Christ's Gospel is in our heart, 24/7, and is a lifetime commitment. Jesus Christ did not take any breaks with being our Savior and redeemer, and neither should we. He always did the will of the father, and always glorified His Father. As Latter-day Saints, we believe in being genuine; not all of the members are perfect at it, but this is the vision that is set for all of the members, and all of God's children. 

I just shared a little bit of the Gospel lesson with you, by memory. These Gospel Principles - when acted on daily - will change your life. You will have more peace and comfort, and you will have more joy in your life.

...

Anyways --

On with the rest of the email - 

Sister Charlesworth got Foodborne Illness; she was very ill Friday Morning, and we had to go to Urgent care, and also the Emergency room. She was in the bathroom quite awhile and she couldn't hold much of anything down. They diagnosed her with being dehydrated, and her type 1 diabetes affected all of this and what she had to go through. I felt so bad; I made her home made fettuccine Alfredo (from what I could do to make it home-made), and she was able to eat that several days later.

. . .

A disappointment: The Santos family that we have been teaching - they are outside of our area! They are in the Cape Henry Area and we have to pass them off to another set of missionaries! When Sister Charlesworth wasn't feeling well, we sat down and located some of our referrals and investigators on the map. 

. . .

A highlight: 

Timberly, our investigator, went to witness a baptism! A member talked to her the entire time, and she was able to have an answer to Timberly's questions.

Another thing: This was the Bayside Sister's baptism. We weren't there, but we heard the Elder's left and the font overflowed. Our Bishop said he went to take care of it. 

. . .

A new thing learned: 

I read more in detail about the Gift of Grace by President Uchtdorf from last General Conference. I learned more about forgiveness, when I looked up these verses in Luke 7:41-47 about the interaction with Simon the Pharisee and Jesus Christ (Read all of Luke 7 for a more full account) : 

 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgavethem both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love himmost?

 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whomhe forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the timeI came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

I came to the conclusion that those who forgive much, love much, and those who forgive little, love little. I thought about the times where I wasn't as forgiving, I wasn't as loving, and when I was very forgiving, I was very loving. I also thought about other people and those who constantly hold grudges and how because of that grudge, they love little. 

Anyways - this is all I can write for now. 

92 Days until I come home.

-Sister A. Marshall