December 16, 2014

"I will prepare, and someday my chance will come."

- Abraham Lincoln

So to give an account of last Monday to Thursday, Sister Hansen and I got really sick... We would go out for a couple of hours here and there, and in between the times that we weren’t out working, we were sleeping. I don’t really know what happened; Sister Hansen got a really bad cold, and then I got the stomach flu/food poisoning. We were out! And it was horrible. We told stories, watched the testaments, and slept... We both were taking care of each other, and we were quite pathetic!

But things got better! On Friday, we were able to get up and work after weekly planning, and we also had our Ward Christmas Party which was a huge success! Saturday was an awesome day! We took it really easy and slow because we were both just barely getting better, but we went over to the Malone's to do some service for them. While we were doing service, Sis. Malone told us that she was thinking about getting baptized after Christmas. We were all in shock, including her husband. She had not talked to him about it, and she said that she thought it would be great timing because all of her family would be in town and they could see it and support her in it. We thought that was a great idea and left it at that.

Then Sunday came around, and that was a crazy day! We were asked to speak in sacrament meeting because one of the speakers had to stay home with her sick kids, so we were naturally asked to talk for 5 minutes each. The topic was keeping Christ in Christmas, and we were asked if we could share a story from our missions. Well, I instantly thought of last Christmas (it being my first time away from home), and I had a wonderful gift given to me—meeting a dear friend, Theresa and witnessing her baptism. In sacrament I told the story of how we met and how she was my Christmas gift and how she reminded me the true meaning and reason for the season. It was great!

That evening, we had a dinner and a lesson planned with the Malone's and some members in our ward. It went so great! We talked about the Creation, and then Sis. Malone said that she was thinking about getting baptized—she brought it up all on her own. It was fantastic! We thought about it and laid out what all has to happen because she decided that she wanted to get baptized on the 27th of December. We are now going to be working on her baptismal date!! It is another Christmas miracle!

Yesterday we had a mission tour with Elder Perkins... I don’t really know what a mission tour is because it was more like a specialized training with an area 70. But anyways... it was pretty crazy how it all worked out. We learned a lot about obedience, Preach My Gospel, and treasuring up the doctrine of Jesus Christ. It was a really great meeting, but the crowning point was role playing. I wanted to share this story for Christmas, but I can’t help it. I will just share the minor details:

So we were asked to come prepared to this meeting with a 3 minute talk and a 10 minute lesson plan for the Restoration and The Plan of Salvation. Out of the 100+ missionaries that were there, only 2 companionships were picked, and of course Sister Hansen and I were one of them. I always get picked, so I knew it was coming. Also, Elder Perkins' sister lives in Sister Hansen's homeward, so she no longer was flying under the radar. It was pretty hilarious! So we both knew that it was coming, and when we got called up, we were told to teach the Restoration in 10 minutes. I cannot tell you how amazing that lesson was. We both thought that we had been sitting up there for an entire hour, but it was only 10 minutes. The Spirit was so strong, and as we taught one of the senior couples that we had never before met, we had this abundance of love for them that was indescribable. I absolutely felt the Spirit testify through us. I also was able to receive a confirming witness, yet again, that this is the true church on the Earth today.

We have been extremely blessed to have with us a member of the Godhead to lead us, guide us, and testify through us for the benefit of those who want to know that truthfulness of the restored gospel. I know that this unique message that I am called to spread here in Ohio is true, and we have evidence that we can hold in our hands to know for ourselves. It is the Book of Mormon, an additional witness to the Bible to tell us that Jesus Christ lives and loves us so, so much. We have the authority of God on the Earth today known as the priesthood. I can’t wait for the day when all truth shall be known and every nation, kindred, tongue, and people will profess to know the Living and Loving Christ. I love you all so much, and it is my prayer that you all will look for the opportunity to share the gift of Christ with all those that you love and cherish! I love this work, and I love my job!

-- Sister Gale