YUP. Leaving Durham!

It was such an amazing and crazy and busy and tiring week. Luckily, we had the car and we were able to teach so, so much. And we also did a lot of service! 

Here is an excerpt from my letter to the President: 

The most noteworthy events from this week was our two lessons with our investigator, A. She is so amazing. She has really been prepared by the Lord to receive this message. On Tuesday, we derailed the normal lesson plan we would have taught and felt prompted to re-teach the Restoration using a cup demo and the movie. She invite her fiance to join us and it was the most incredible lesson. We went through the lesson as normal and then we watched the film of Joseph Smith. It brought tears to her eyes. She told us after the movie that the night before and that same day, she had been praying to know about the truthfulness of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. She said that because we chose to teach that particular lesson, her prayers were answered. The Spirit was so strong in that lesson and we were able to testify about Joseph Smith. We asked her what her overall feelings about Joseph Smith were and she replied, "He was a prophet." It was the most amazing thing to hear her say that.

We had another amazing lesson with her as well. We decided to teach her about the Word of Wisdom. While it did worry us a little to teach her, because we feared she may have a problem with it, we continued in faith. We are so grateful to have the gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives to inspire us to know what to teach and what to say in those lessons. We talked about Joseph Smith again and how this divine health code and commandment was truly revealed to him by God. Upon reading the pamphlets of the do's and don't's of the Word of Wisdom, she questioned the use of coffee and tea. Sister E asked a thought provoking question to her. She made her think about why this (with staining from coffee and tea) would be a part of this commandment. We she felt like she did not have an answer, the Spirit truly spoke through us to explain why we should not have those substances so that we can be free from addictive substances. Her countenance changed and she readily accepted the counsel. Dots began to connect as she realized how addictive those substances really could become. We asked him in the most humble way we knew how if she would foresee a problem living this commandment. She said no. She was willing to give up coffee and tea and even said, "I never knew about this before. Now that I do, I'm going to be perfect at it." She is so an amazing woman and is going to strengthen the Church so much.

In that second lesson with A, before we started our lesson, we did a follow up from her Book of Mormon reading. We had assigned her to read Alma 7. One of the best chapters in the Book of Mormon about Jesus Christ! She always has amazing insights and it was great talking about the chapter. Sister Estes shared verse 19 and talked about how A really is on the path to righteousness. We next read a verse I particularly love found in verse 17.

"And now my beloved brethren, do you believe these things? Behold, I say unto you, yea, I know that ye believe them; and the way that I know that ye believe them is by the manifestation of the Spirit which is in me. And now because your faith is strong concerning that, yea, concerning the things which I have spoken, great is my joy. "

I read it and paused at the best parts. I said, (#loosequote) "And now, Annie, do you believe these things? And even before you get the chance to answer, I will answer and say, 'YEA I KNOW THAT YOU BELIEVE THEM!' And I know this because of the Spirit I feel. You are incredible and your faith is so strong. And because of all this, great is my joy."

I told her as heartbroken as I was to leave her, I knew that Sister E and the new companion would take good care of her and help her progress to her baptism.

Sister E got emotional in the lesson. It was the most beautiful thing. She was just smiling and crying and talking about how meeting people like Annie is the reason that we come on missions. I hope A felt of our love. I told her about how I only get to talk to my family once a week and how a week or two ago I focused my email on how much of a light she is in my life.

I am so, so sad to leave her but I know it will be okay. It was a really hard and amazing day on Sunday saying goodbye to everyone in the ward. During the rest hymn at sacrament meeting, I just looked out all the people in the congregation and thought of how well I had gotten to know them in the last 7 months and how much I was going to miss them. I had so many sweet moments with people from the ward. I am really going to miss this 

area.

I'm really going to miss my companion, Sister E as well. She has been such a blessing to me. The only thing I wanted in my second companion was someone normal, beautiful, and kind hearted. (haha is that too much too ask?) And Sister E was all of those three things. She is so loving and I adore her so much. She has pushed me to be my best and has allowed to express my concerns and feelings without resentment and accepted me with so much love. Sister E is such a beautiful person and has a ROCK SOLID testimony of this gospel. I love her so much and I definitely needed her at this time of my mission.

This is a scripture I read today that really left an impression on me. I love being a missionary! It is found in Alma 36! One of the best chapters in the Book of Mormon if I do say so myself!

26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me,behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.

 27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions...yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.

I am so excited about my new journey to a new area! Please pray for me and I will let you know what my new life is like!

Updatez: Following the style of Sister Amelia Knuth (she gives me shout outs sometimes so i better return the favor):

-ate lunch in our car in a "less" ghetto part of town #apples #carrots #cornbreadmuffin 

-sweets on sweets on sweets #nomorecandy

-best youth activity is planned for the day after i leave #feedthemissionaries #justmyluck

-i really want to go to raleigh and see the skyline again #hinthint

-we're going to maggianos for lunch #celebrategoodtimescomeon

-deep clean day last week #packpackpack

-bipolar weather #allweek

Sorry I haven't done "social media" updates in awhile... So they kinda struggled.

READ THE BOOK OF MORMON.