Week 23 Satan H8s ur Face!

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

This week we went on exchanges with the lovely Sister Conor and Sister Dribnak. I got to spend the day in Woodland and finally meet a guy they are teaching named Sean that I have been praying for like my whole mission. So that was cool, I like putting a name to a face. He told me I was invited to his baptism one day which I am stoked for. Sister Conor is super cool and I learned alot about her native country of Canadia. They don't say Ay, if you were wondering. It's a myth. 

We were able to FINALLY get ahold of Jeremy this week which was awesome! He prayed about the Book of Mormon and knows it is true which is even more awesome!! However, in less awesome news, he moved to Sacramento...sooo....sadly we had to refer him to the missionaries there. Lucky ducks, he is the coolest. 

A few weeks ago we got a referral for this guy named Memo. We have only had a few lessons with him because he is only available on Saturdays but we had a BOMB lesson with him, and found out he has been listening to the Book of Mormon a little bit. We are going to start teaching him over messenger during the week too which should be pretty cool. He even said he will pray about the Book of Mormon which makes my heart so happy! He came to church on Sunday which was so great. He even texted us back and everything...which for a missionary means a lot.

We had Missionary Leadership Conference (MLC) in Santa Rosa this week which was a treat. I always learn so much. This time around I learned a lot about eternal progression. We must consistently be moving onward and upwards. We have such inspired leaders that ALWAYS pump me up, so I am stoked for the month of December.

Remember Sean that I mentioned earlier? He has been taught off and on by missionaries for a loooonngggg time and has just struggled so much in kicking one of his addictions in the face. So we decided to fast as a zone for him. There was a lot of power in that. After we decided to fast the Woodland sisters had a lesson with him about fasting and he decided to join us. He hasn't given in to his addiction in over 2 days now...which is huge! I am very grateful to be apart of my zone. They are all really incredible missionaries. 

Overall it was still a tough week but Gods hand is in every single detail. I am so thankful for His guidance and His love. I am just grateful He lets me be apart of this great work. 

In this last general conference Elder Vinson said:

"It’s not our successes but rather our sacrifice and efforts that matter to the Lord."

 

I am not a perfect missionary, not a perfect member, not a perfect disciple. But I am trying. That is what counts. We may not see success, we may not see the fruits of our labors but that doesn't mean that they are not there. Our vision of success and Gods vision of success are often times very different. Making sacrifices and doing the very best that we can is what matters. Practice makes progress. I am just glad we have the opportunity to repent and change and get better each and every day. 

GOD LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW HE DOES. KEEP TRYING. TRY, TRY, TRY. GOD SEES YOUR EFFORTS, HE SEES YOUR SACRIFICE, HE SEES YOU. 

REMEMBER God loves you and Satan hates your face. 

Mucho love,

Sister Tams

Other/Funny Stuff:

-I got to speak on Sunday and sit with THE cutest 98 yr old lady named Barbara Baker. She leads the music every Sunday and she is a legend.  She turned to me afterwards and said "My quote in life is: If you are too busy to feel joy, you are too busy." What a legend. She is honestly the happiest lady I have ever met. Picture feat below.

-I got to tract on Ogden Street in Woodland, so that was cool. Reminded me of home. 

-We took the WINDIEST road to MLC on Thursday and I legit thought I was gonna die at some points. But its all good, luckily I am alive and well. It was definitely the scenic route. 

-I got to see my fave curly haired ladies Sister Jackson and Sister Bunker, I adore them. 

-We had to drop like 8 people from our teaching pool due to all of them dropping us at the same time, no biggie. God is good.

-Sister Conor had some of these Korean drinks from one of my fave books...aka TATBILB. Suprisingly tasty, I recommend them.  

-We found a lady named Alma...which come on...the name alone. We are going back tonight & I'm stoked. 

-I know I accidentally told y'all last week to have a Happy Thanksgiving but this week I really mean it. Happy Turkey day, gobble gobble.