Sister Elly Rex: Anchorage Alaska Mission 2020-2022

  We drove away from a frustrating lesson after the blizzard stopped. We decided to park at the 'Palmer Hayflats Refuge' to catch the Aurora lights. We were the only ones out and the stars were shining so bright. Me and Sister Baxter stood in the cold pointing out shooting star after shooting star. We said a prayer of hope to find a miracle in our area. I wished for those around me to realize that there is a true Heavenly Father who loves us SO much that he created this beautiful world.  I thought of this scripture, Alma 30:44, "Will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator". I know there is a God. I kno...

We helped set up an event for families to ice fish with Santa on Finger Lake. Our job was to make sure all the cars were parked 20 feet apart so the lake didn't cave in. The ice was 17 inches thick but as dozens and dozens of heavy trucks piled onto the lake, you could feel and hear the ground splitting. It was so scary! Thankfully we, and our RAV4 made it out alive. A new family, the Porras's, moved into our area! The mom is a member of our church and one of their daughters was just baptized. We taught the family the message of the Restoration. Jason, the dad, had many questions about prophets, heaven, and eternal families. After answering a couple, I looked at him and said, "Jason, you are cutting yourself short. Do you believe God loves you?". A slow tear slipped from his eye and he nodded his head once. His wife wiped away his tear and said, "Honey, do you believe that?". We invited him to pray to know how God feels about him. I know our Heavenly Father ...

I offered a message to a man who has been against the church for years. He replied, "Depends. How long will it take?". I quickly said, "FOUR MINUTES". He agreed and we taught him the message of the restoration in 4 minutes. A short, but very powerful message when the spirit testifies of what we are saying is true. I love keeping my companions on their toes by offering this sincere, short message to those we met.   I am learning to be like Christ is a lifelong pursuit. My testimony has been strengthened by sharing it with others. Focusing on the birth of our savior during this Christmas season has been dear to my heart. My mission president looked at me in the eye this week after I had shared my testimony of The Book of Mormon and said, "Sister Rex, you have become a true convert on your mission". My heart is full for our Savior, Jesus Christ and I get weepy every time I testify of the love he has for everyone of us.  A service referral, Barbara invited us ...

  I was able to talk with my bestie Niigan this week!! I had the Sister missionaries in Texas come and visit with her because I can't be there:,). After talking with her for a while I felt the spirit tell me that I needed to offer Niigan a priesthood blessing. So I had the sisters help find a family to give her one. It was so special to be able to video call in and listen to the words of comfort that were spoken to her, through a worthy priesthood holder, from her loving Heavenly Father. Later that day, our friend Susan was going through a similar experience and she was also able to receive a priesthood blessing of comfort. I am thankful for the love that god has for each of us individually, to bring us comfort in our times of hardship.  A returned missionary, Parker Smith asked if he could join us to knock some doors. We picked Ricky's door. After talking a while, Ricky invited himself to the ward Christmas party, the nativity event, taking the missionary lessons, a...