Week 40 Don't ya love living in the latter days?

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

Well as most of you are probably aware the world is crazy. So thats fun. 

We had a pretty normal first half of our week! I am loving Sister Derbidge! She just hit her 4 months this week and even though she isn't technically a greenie she still has mad greenie fire and I LOVE IT. On Tuesday we were able to teach our good friend Gina who we found a few weeks ago. Her mother-in-law told her not to read the Book of Mormon but she told us that ever since she met us things have just felt lighter and not so crazy. We told her that we have been praying for her and we testified of the Book of Mormon bringing peace during trials. She said she is open to it and that she would read it and I am SO stoked. 

On Wednesday we were officially put into "Shelter in Place" The work MUST go on though! We have been doing LOTS of Facebook finding and contacted literally everyone in our areabook. Which was a score bc we found 3 new people to have video lessons with!!

Cool Story: We met this guy named Fernando last week who said he would come to church. But then church was cancelled...so we stopped by to tell him that, he wasn't home. We were sad but left a note hoping he would text us! HE DID!! We set up a time to meet and then had to rearrange bc Corona. But GOD IS GOOD and we were able to meet over messenger! He is so prepared and wouldn't of been able to meet unless school was cancelled because of his normal busy schedule! The lesson was bomb and the spirit 100% works even over video chat.

OUR MEMBERS ARE AMAZING. I CANNOT SAY IT ENOUGH. On Wednesday we texted every single active member and asked if we could teach them via video chat. So many responded and we have been able to continue to practice our teaching and sharpen our skills even during this weird time which has been SO good. 

Me and Sister Derbidge were talking yesterday and as we were talking I remembered something I heard once a long time ago and I don't really remember where from but someone has said isn't it interesting that one of the most common phrases in the Book of Mormon is 

"It came to pass..."

We all go through trouble and trial, we all go through hard things. More than anything else in the world I want to be outside declaring Gods word to His children but I know for 100% certain that when I got called on this mission God knew that this would be apart of it. He knew that this too will pass. Doesn't mean it isn't difficult but I can trust that God has a plan and look forward with an eye of faith. 

Here is an uplifting quote that has been helping me out: "The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy." -Elder Uchtdorf

Look for the everyday moments and be GRATEFUL. God has given us SO SO much. 

Hang in there,

pls send me snail mail 

150 Rankin Way #114, Benicia CA 94510

Mucho Love,

Sister Tams

Other/Funny Stuff:

-We bought a 12 pack of creme soda on Thursday and we have already finished the whole thing.

-Fernando told us that he thought video chat was a little weird and he wouldn't of done it if he didn't feel like God sent us to knock on his door. So that was cool. 

-We were still able to have lots of lessons this week so that was a HUGE blessing. 

-We had Zone Conference via video chat and it was SO good. I love our leaders so very very much. 

-President started zone conference with a giant grin and said "dont ya love living in the latter days?" I love him. 

-Each of the missionaries have been sharing little miracles throughout the day and I have loved it SO much. Just like God guides our feet He is also guiding our thumbs. 

-We called this one guy in our areabook and he was like "I'm doing good, just waiting for the ultraviolet rays of the sun to come up and dry corona" I like that thought.

-We didn't leave the apartment until 3pm one day and felt like we were gonna die so we decided to write a song and had WAY too much fun with it. Check my FB if you wanna help us go viral. lol. jk. don't do that. 

-Things are changing everyday. We got 13 emails from President this week and more to come, we have 30 missionaries being sent home within the next 2 weeks for health concerns and 20 more over the next 2 months with the 21 month thing. Each of those in my zone have been such good examples and have kept such high faith even during difficulty, its been amazing. 

-Last Monday we decided to walk around 1st street here in Benicia, its a lot like 25th street in Ogden, reminded me of home. Pics featured below.