Week 17 Heres the Tea

FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, CHILDREN OF GOD,

General Conference was absolutely amazing. Most of this weekend was spent in members homes listening to those inspired words and eating lots of good food. I am humbled and incredibly grateful that I get to be a member of Jesus Christs church on the Earth today. A big thing that I have learned on my mission is that not everyone gets to have that privilege. The Utah bubble made me forget that not everyone has heard this glad message. Being here in California has taught me so much about what it means to be a member and the great responsibility we all have to further this work. God truly is in every detail. 

Something that really struck me as we watched conference was the focus on trusting God. Missionary work is not easy, it is a battle every single day. BUT I am consistently learning that this is Gods work, Gods mission, and I just have the amazing opportunity to be His mouthpiece. I have a quote hanging on my wall that reads "...My commission is to do what He wants done; To say what he wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous Latter-day work." My call is to help His children in whatever way He needs, and I absolutely trust that everything that has happened and will happen is according to His marvelous plan. 

Something incredible happened this week. A few months ago we had been teaching this woman named Juanita and her boyfriend Marcos. They both were homeless at the time and we taught them at the park and at Del Taco. After a few lessons we were unable to get a hold of them anymore and since they did not have a permanent address we had to stop teaching them. Well, me and Sister Schmutz went to go see a less active member. When we walked into her trailer we began to talk to her friend Barbara who we met last week, and guess who walked down the stairs. JUANITA. The fact that they even knew each other baffled me. We were able to teach her a little something and we get to see her again tonight. Turns out her phone had gotten stolen and she didn't know how to get into contact with us. God is so good and He is so aware of each and every one of us. I know He led us back to Juanita, and for that I am extremely grateful. 

One of the wackiest days yet happened on Tuesday. We went on exchanges and Sister Dribnak joined me here in West Sac. She has never been here before and apparently God really wanted her to have the full experience. We ran into my friend Holly (the one who thought we were nuns) and she talked with us for about an hour. (which if you met Holly you would understand the wackiness of the conversation) I love her. She called me Tammy, it was fun. We also talked to a few others including a lady that hated the garbage man, a gentleman who told us his whole life story, a young boy that was slightly socially awkard, and last but not least a family that is convinced their cats speak to them. It was a very exciting day, and honestly even though it was extremely whack it just grew my faith that God is in this work and we really are instruments in His hands. I will go where he wants me to go, and talk to who He wants me to talk to. God loves his children. 

If you haven't watched General Conference or are not even planning to, I URGE you to do so. Those men are called of God for this day and the things that they share can and will change your life. I know that as we heed to their words we can receive more joy and happiness than we can even imagine. This life is to be enjoyed not just endured. 

I am so grateful. For my parents, my church leaders, my friends, and my family for helping me get to the point I am at today. You all brought me closer to my Savior Jesus Christ and that is the biggest gift I could ever receive. 

Mucho love,

Sister Tams 

Other/Funny stuff:

-BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT: Dad, you are the realest and I love you so very much, hope you had the best day. 

-Holly tried to give us some tea, she thought nuns drank tea so she was very confused. 

-We have been going to this nursing center and singing for them every Wednesday and I am absolutely loving it. 

-We had a lesson with Angelo this week but he was drunk so that was interesting. 

-We made and delivered cookies to some of the ward member and I ate wayyyyyyyy too many of them.