The Sunny Side of Life: A Coke and A Bread

Umbrella says I love NY!

This has been without a doubt the craziest and fastest week of my mission so far. To be honest I have only very hazy memories of everything that has happened but I will do my best to give y'all the highlights.

Highlight #1: DIANA GOT BAPTIZED!

I have been working with Diana since I got to the mission. She is the sweetest almost 9 year old in the world and a ray of sunshine. Her mom has been investigating the church as well and would love to get baptized but unfortunately isn't married..... don't worry though we are working on it and I HAVE THE FAITH. The baptism was awesome but my favorite part was when she got confirmed on Sunday. She was nervous so Letty (her mom) asked me to walk her up. As I sat on the stand and got to hear her be confirmed a member of the church I just was overwhelmed with feelings of peace and love. Before my mission I had never really realized what an important and sacred covenant baptism is and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to help others make it.

HIghlight #2: EXCHANGES

In a fun turn of events I went English for the day and transformed into...SISTER SHOWALTER! Sister Baggaley and I got to go on exchanges again and what a day. Neither of us remember much which is probably for the best. Our plans were thrown askew when we had to go trade in cars at the mission office, check on some other sisters and some members plotted to keep us in their home as long as possible....and succeed. As we peddled away on our bikes there was much laughter, many more bug bites and so much confusion as we tried to think about what had happened to the day. We still don't know.

Highlight #3: GLORIA

The obsession continues. Last Monday we were privileged to be taught by Gloria for a change, on the topic of faith. She put together a bomb lessons using references from the Book of Mormon, Bible and Gospel Principles book. I literally felt like a proud mother and teared up a bit. She is still awesome, still great and still a fave #forever&always

Highlight #4: YW

This week all us hermanas had the chance to teach YW and it was sooooo fun. We got to let loose and really open up to them about being a missionary and how we all received our answers. It was cool because they were all so different but it really testified to me that we are called here for a purpose. I also made lots of new friends because turns out there are quite a few budding artists so we got to talk about art and they showed me their stuff which was super fun.

Highlight #5: Jimmy

Jimmy is awesome and progressing super well! Still trying to figure out the whole smoking thing but he is working super hard on it. He was able to come to the New Member Fireside last night and 1. he wore a fedora and 2. the spirit was really strong. After we were able to talk with him a little bit and take a walk around the temple. I loved it and the spirit was so strong as he talked about his desire to one day go inside. I love the temple.

Highlight #5: LIFE

As I was sitting in church yesterday looking at our recent converts, less actives and investigators gathered there I was just struck by how much I love where I am. I truly love our ward so much and just being able to walk in and have people I have come to love come up to me and greet me and trade jokes just made me feel so blessed. It truly feels like home here. I am so so grateful for the time I have had in Queen Creek and could honestly spend the rest of my mission here ( which is always a possibility).

To end I just want to talk about the Book of Mormon. On exchanges Sister Baggaley said something that really hit me. The Book of Mormon was named after the prophet Mormon BUT he was named after the place Mormon. The scriptures say this in Mosiah 18:30 "And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever." Whenever I used to read that I would kind of laugh a bit and say okay we get it! It was Mormon!

But Sister Baggaley focused on the last part. " how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever." I believe that we call it the Book of Mormon not just because of the prophet but because it is through this book that people come to a greater knowledge of their Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the way to strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father and I am so so grateful to have it in my life.

TO THE MOON AND BACK!

Hermana Showalter

PS according to Elder Romero you can buy a Coke and a Bread for 10 pesos