Dearest Family and Friends,
That's right!!! 7 months ago yesterday, I hugged Mom, Dad and Cody for the last time in 18 months, in front of the MTC. Time has flown by since then and I can't believe that I have been a missionary for 7 months!!! I love being a missionary and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father called me to this work!!!
How are you all doing?! How is the weather in all of your areas? It sounds like the weather was pretty crazy all around the country this week, but I hope you are all safe and happy!!!
I would describe this week as a refining week!! Heavenly Father is refining and changing me, and I sometimes feel like the currant bush that Elder Christofferson talked about. I am grateful that He is helping me to become like Him though and that He is preparing me for the rest of my life and for eternity!
Here are the highlights and lowlights from this week!
*BEAUTIFUL fall-like weather on Monday. We went on a walk by our apt on prep. day, on this path that goes around a lake. It was beautiful and we got to walk out on the dock and enjoy the sun and warm temps. It was so wonderful!
*Tanya had a lot of struggles this week, and it was a very emotionally difficult week. She read a lot of anti-Mormon material and started questioning everything. She also read about things like Kolob and other things that were unimportant, and she said that she was upset that we didn't tell her about these things. She felt like she had been deceived into being baptized and that we hadn't told her the whole truth. We talked to her for 5 hourson Monday and she felt a lot more at peace about things, but then Tuesday and Wednesday were really difficult. She was questioning leaving the church altogether, but then her husband (who is an atheist btw) talked to her about what she loves about the church). There are certain things she loves and knows to be true, and he told her to hold onto those things and move forward in the church, so that is what she is doing. She continues to do better and is pressing forward, even though she doesn't have all the answers to her questions. We watched "Lord, I Believe," with her and it was perfect for her. I am so grateful for latter-day Prophets and Apostles!
*We were so blessed to see so many members who are less active this week! They are so wonderful and I love them so much. I have realized that a lot of them are hurting and they need the gospel so much! I want to love them and help them feel important and needed!
*Kelly Akin celebrated his 30th birthday!!! Woot-woot!!
*We got to cook food at the Pinewood derby on Friday night and it was so much fun! The man in charge of it is actually not a member, but he has been investigating the church for 13 years! His wife and kids are members and he consistently comes to church with them. It was so fun to be in this environment and to interact with everyone. Tanya and all her family came too, so we got to spend some time with them as well!
*Snow Days!!! This was so much fun!! I can't even describe! We got to trek in the snow and cold because we weren't allowed to drive and I felt like a missionary from one of the old church movies!
*Elder Gifford Nielson of the seventy came and spoke to us in a mission conference on Saturday!!! It was incredible! He was the speaker at the last conference who spoke about the Lord's Game Plan and who used "exclamation point." He also talked really fast! He was exactly the same at this conference and it was so wonderful!!! His address was so inspirational and exactly what I needed!!
That is all for this week but know how much I love you!!!! You all make me so happy!!!
Love you!!!
Sister Akin
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