Oh goodness so much has happened and I have never felt so close to the Lord in my life, this week's focus has been on less actives or what we have been encouraged to say, "Returning Members." I love that because it has such a positive connotation to it, we are helping them return and remember the testimonies and relationship they already have with Christ that they have just forgotten. Instead of less they are gaining that remembrance and discovering the love the Lord truly has for them.
Keys things I have learned this week: the beauty and truth of being exactly obedient even in the smallest forms. We hear repeatedly here in the mission field, "Obedience brings blessings but exact obedience brings miracles." It is so true! I know I gain an added measure with the spirit when I am constantly repenting and striving to be better. That's another thing I found beautiful, to repent as often as possible. Repentance doesn't have to be a negative thing, it is very motivating and turns your thoughts and heart to the Savior consistently And it is very motivating finding even in the small things that desire to want to show my love more for Heavenly Father and Christ. Another thing I have learned and cheesy but true = Love! It's the biggest tool to keep me motivated, to remind me why I'm serving, and to remember who I am and to learn more fully of God's love. I always am turned to the lyrics from Les Miserable that best describes this, "To Love Another Person IS to SEE the face of God." This week I have poured my heart and soul to God and found my answers into not giving up on the mission. It has been tough to Love people with all your heart and see them decide to walk away from God and to learn my part is to just trust in God that it will work out. And so far it has!
Beautiful purple blossomed trees in Florida
The sweet little girl we have been meeting, (Danesha), we were thrilled with because she said that she believed and said yes to the baptism invitation. It was such a wonderful experience but a couple days latter we had her aunt call telling us that we shouldn't be calling or texting a 10 year old girl and she told us that if we called again she would call the cops on us. I was stunned because her mother has always known, we have only called to set up appointments, and we only text out a scripture of the day, every day. Nothing inappropriate. We were kind to the Aunt but after we hung up I was so frustrated because this little girl has such a strong testimony and it killed me to know that this was being taken away from her without a choice on her part. It was so sad too because she kept calling our phone and left a voicemail crying on it. We then got a text from her saying that she wasn't with her aunt and was with her mom. We were lucky to text the mom and make sure everything was ok and we are meeting with her this week. We have been very blessed! I am praying with all my heart that her mother will give permission for her to be baptized, this girl is special!
Anywho other blessings: we asked our branch president's (President Stretch) mother-in-law to pray to be baptized, she is 102 and goes to church, has read The Book of Mormon but hasn't been baptized because she doesn't think she needs to because she's been baptized in the Methodist church. We explained in a tactful way why she needed to be baptized and asked her to pray about it and on Sunday when we say her she was a lot more positive about it all. She hasn't prayed yet but we are meeting with her on Tuesday/tomorrow and we are praying she will pray to get that answer :D So pray for Sweet Sister Stutzs! I know it would mean so much to Sister Stretch, she clearly has a wonderful relationship with her mother and I know that for Sister Stutzs the blessings she could obtain from this step would be amazing.
Oh and speaking of our focus with Returning members, Sister Jenkins and I discovered yesterday we have about 60 people to bring back to church and to help rekindle their testimonies. Crazy eh?!
Anywho, my time is running out on the clock but I love you all so much. And I will be writing snail mail letters home today, so woot to the woot! Oh and I'll have to write about the beautiful blessing I received from the Branch President, very neat experience.
The last thing I wanted to write about before I'm kicked off :) I wanted to wish Mama, a belated happy birthday. It about broke my heart when I realized I never sent a letter to wish this amazing woman a Happy Birthday!!!! Mama mumsie :) I love you so much. I am seriously the luckiest girl in the world to have you as a mother. You have prepared me for a mission my whole life without even realizing it because you are that much of an incredible woman and qualify along side Emma Smith that beautiful description of an Elect Lady. You have taught me to Love with all my heart, you have taught the importance of selfless service, you have been the example of always having a bold and humble testimony of the truth of the gospel and of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that any of the success I have out here on the mission is credited back to you. I only hope to honor all that you have taught me in the knowledge of being a daughter of God and a witness of Christ. I love you and will have a letter coming your way of everything or at least try to write everything that I am grateful for because of you. I love you so much and again I can't express enough the depths of love and gratitude I have that you are my mother.
So much love for you all and of course miss you like crazy but I can be happy to know that the Lord is watching over each and every one of you!
My (cheesy) eternal love :)
Sister (Tasha) Bush
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