Week 40: A Mother There
Dear Loved Ones,
Just as I was settling into my life, they whitewashed me out of the Independence YSA after only six weeks. That was stressful and frantic, and of course, I'm sad to leave Madison just after I figured out my purpose in coming to the ward. But I can still help her over email, I know, and my new ward, Raytown, does have more work in it. A nine year old, who I have yet to meet, might get baptized soon and I'm still serving in the visitors' center! I love it here.
Conference, naturally, was the highlight of my week. I watched it at the visitors' center, where many of the sisters surrounding me had served at the jail, so they loved the Liberty Jail shout-outs. And, of course, with the constant mood of apocalypse that hangs over Independence, President Nelson's closing cliffhanger prompted speculation that it will have something to do with hastening the Second Coming.
One of my favorite talks was Elder Renlund's remarks on the saints in the DR Congo tossing idols over a waterfall after conversion. It reminded me of Fia. I can't tell the story, but before her baptism, she destroyed some items she knew she shouldn't have as a member of the church. I haven't seen her for almost two months but this girl still inspires me every day.
I love hearing about African saints in conference. I suspect the saints in Africa will soon become the backbone of the church, outpacing membership in other parts of the world and, give another generation or two, raising up prominent apostles. And now Freetown, Sierra Leone gets a temple!
It thrilled me to hear temples announced in women's conference. I'm sad to see the Young Women's values done away. I learned so much from lessons on virtue, divine nature, and choice and accountability. But I love acknowledging our Heavenly Mother in our new theme! I noticed an uptick in mentions of our Heavenly PARENTS last conference. This has been in the works for a while.
Just as I was settling into my life, they whitewashed me out of the Independence YSA after only six weeks. That was stressful and frantic, and of course, I'm sad to leave Madison just after I figured out my purpose in coming to the ward. But I can still help her over email, I know, and my new ward, Raytown, does have more work in it. A nine year old, who I have yet to meet, might get baptized soon and I'm still serving in the visitors' center! I love it here.
Conference, naturally, was the highlight of my week. I watched it at the visitors' center, where many of the sisters surrounding me had served at the jail, so they loved the Liberty Jail shout-outs. And, of course, with the constant mood of apocalypse that hangs over Independence, President Nelson's closing cliffhanger prompted speculation that it will have something to do with hastening the Second Coming.
One of my favorite talks was Elder Renlund's remarks on the saints in the DR Congo tossing idols over a waterfall after conversion. It reminded me of Fia. I can't tell the story, but before her baptism, she destroyed some items she knew she shouldn't have as a member of the church. I haven't seen her for almost two months but this girl still inspires me every day.
I love hearing about African saints in conference. I suspect the saints in Africa will soon become the backbone of the church, outpacing membership in other parts of the world and, give another generation or two, raising up prominent apostles. And now Freetown, Sierra Leone gets a temple!
It thrilled me to hear temples announced in women's conference. I'm sad to see the Young Women's values done away. I learned so much from lessons on virtue, divine nature, and choice and accountability. But I love acknowledging our Heavenly Mother in our new theme! I noticed an uptick in mentions of our Heavenly PARENTS last conference. This has been in the works for a while.
Sincerely,
Sister Smith
Comments
Post a Comment