November 6, 2019

In my journal for the past week and a half, I have been focusing on how I saw God's kindness that day and it has blessed me so much to do this! This past saturday there was a crazy wind/rain storm and the member that we were planning on going to see and see had to cancel because their power was out. so we were out knocking 6-9 haha but just at 7:40 when we would've had to leave to drive to the members house we met frank and gene! We were able to give them a book of mormon and are going back this week to teach them!:D That was just one of the miracles that I noticed this week because I took the time to ponder how I saw God's hand in my life that day. I know that the scriptures tell us to ponder for a reason:) 3 nephi 17:3 "..ponder upon the things which I have said... that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow...". Pondering helps us to face the next's days battles with joy and understanding! At zone conference on friday we were reminded of the importance of the book of mormon. Everything that we share a missionaries and everything we do rests on and comes back to whether or not the book of mormon is true. so.. Is it True? is it true to you? to help bear stronger testimony of the book of mormon, before we get out of the car we have been flipping to a random, favourite scripture and spend a couple minutes talking about it and then continue to talk about it as we walk. One of my favourites lately was jacob 6:5. part of it says "come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as He cleaveth unto you."I love that, I want to have full purpose of heart, and I want my actions to say that I cleave to God. He is our partner in this life, he didn't leave us here alone.  My sister sent me a quote this week that also talks about this:)  

 Elder Klebingat  “accept trials, setbacks, and “surprises” as part of your mortal experience. Remember that you are here to be proved and tested, “to see if [you] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [your] God shall command [you]” (Abraham 3:25)--and may I just add, “under all circumstances.” Millions of your brothers and sisters have been or are being thus tested, so why would you be exempt? Some trials come through your own disobedience or negligence. Other trials come because of the negligence of others or simply because this is a fallen world. When these trials come, the adversary’s minions begin broadcasting that you did something wrong, that this is a punishment, a sign that Heavenly Father does not love you. Ignore that! Instead, try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, “I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?” Then partner with Him to endure well to the end. Spiritual confidence increases when you accept that “often trials and tribulations are allowed to come into [your life] because of what [you] are doing right”
We are given so many opportunities to prove ourself! and it doesn't matter how many we have messed up in the past because as long as we are willing try, God is willing to forgive. 

Something supper cool that happened is steven in dartmouth got baptized in dartmouth on saturday!! sister cartwright and I first talked to steven at the bus stop right across the road from our appartment. He told us that he was a member of the church and was baptized in new jersey. Long story short, after looking for his records and asking him more questions we found out that he had been baptized but it wasn't into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and so ever since i left dartmouth they have been teaching him and he finally get baptized!! All of our contacting at that bus stop paid off!!! ( haha we had a lot of interesting times there, only got yelled at once though:)).

WE have exchanges in halifax this week and also the new missionary conference (which we get to go to the temple for!!). I messaged ximena and i will get to see her tomorrow too! she stopped meeting with the sisters for a bit but I just know that she can be baptized !!!! 

have an amazing week!!

love sister wood