March 7, 2022: Golden Retriever Energy

 Sister Younica compares my personality and excitement for the work as, "Golden Retriever Energy". Probably because at 6:30 in the morning, I'm instantly up. When we go and find people, I'm running to their side. When we teach our friends, I get so excited!! I feel Gods strength with me through every second of the day.

This is my last week as a representative of Jesus Christ in Alaska. It still hasn't hit me that I will be home so soon. I don't want my full-time mission to end, but I know that as I press forward relying on my faith in Jesus Christ, I can continue to move the work forward wherever I go. 

We met Victoria snow-shovel-OYMing. Victoria was abandoned by her mother at age 14. She was homeless until later on. She has been through everything you could imagine.  She said she would go to different churches because she felt something was missing in her life. Many preachers told her that her children were going to hell because of her situation. She discussed that the news of her unborn baby, who hadn't even taken its first breath on earth yet, couldn't be bound to hell. She knew that wasn't right but fear instilled in her for years. She stopped believing in God because so many bad things had happened. But when she met us, she felt a connection. She always turns away religious preachers at her home but let us in. She could sense a light and love through us that she had never experienced before. We were able to calm her fear and inform her that our loving Heavenly Father loves us too much to send us to hell and because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we are all saved. 

She informed us, "The other day when it snowed, I was done with life. When it snowed, I really didn't want to go out and shovel but something told me I should. I went out and started to shovel. Then you two showed up and helped. I knew a spirit sent you and I have been thinking of you ever since". I'm so glad we followed the prompting to go back over that day. She agreed to meet with us often to experience God's love for herself and for her family. 

Dylan was in a car accident right after his high school graduation. Which left him paralyzed and having to relearn how to talk. I didn't know this when I reached out to him on Facebook messenger. He agreed to meet us on video call because he lives in Cope Cove. We taught him the plan of salvation which he had a hard time grasping. He whispers and says little phrases to answer questions. Usually it's the word, "yeah". At the end we paused and asked him for comments. He replied slowly;

Dylan-"I didn't believe in god until a few days ago" 

Me- "What changed?"

Dylan-"The girl on the right responded to me and it made me feel good inside"

Me-"That good feeling is the spirit! It helps us feel Jesus Christ's love"

I am grateful to be an instrument in God's hands to help a young man begin believing in God, it fills me with love and gratitude for the promptings of the spirit.

Brooke and her husband live on "Galloway Bay", aka their boat. He was raised on a fishing island with only 6 other people. The other family there were members of our church! He said they adopted him into their family. He was open to meeting with us because he would often join in on their scripture studies, and wholesome family activities. I find it miraculous that as we invite others to do the little things with us and our families, like read scriptures everyday, it can have such a big impact on an individual's life. Sometimes it takes a long while to see the miracle happen but God is working with them on their time. 

Carl introduced us to his friend Maen (from Albania), at a campfire last week. Carl's family, the Magalhães, had us and a bunch of other young adults over for "tea" after church. We each shared how The Book of Mormon has changed our lives and at the end of the discussion, I asked Maen if he had any questions. He said, "I'm going to need a copy of that book". He has been reading it and has met with us 4 times this past week . He has so many good questions and his fellowship has really taken him in. He has been through many trials in his life but I know he will feel God's overwhelming love for him as he reads The Book of Mormon, studies with good friends, and prays with an earnest desire. I'm excited for his journey!!

At a zone service, I complimented a man's legend of Zorro mask on his cowboy hat and we instantly became friends. He, Michael walked up to me after our service and said, "Sister Rex huh? Where does that name come from". I was able to share with him what we do as missionaries. He informed me that he had a Book of Mormon but lost it. I pulled Elder Birch over because Michael lived in Douglas. Luckily I had one on hand. As he told me some of his struggles with his daughter bring murdered in Oregon a while back and it hurts him. Me and Elder Birch testified that, "The Book of Mormon puts forth the doctrine of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life". He agreed to meet with the Elders. I love that no matter where we are, there is always someone thirsting for the truth and we can give it to them through such a powerful witness, The Book of Mormon. 

"The best present I could ask for my 50th birthday was realizing that I was a child of God. Coming full circle back into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the best decision of my life. I now know there is a God who loves me" -Rhonda Bear, after she expressed her appreciation for us being warriors in the world bringing light to those who are lost. She has changed her life literally in every way and glows with the light of Christ. 

Choose JOY,

Sister Rex

Pics:

-blueberry trail 

-Southeast university of Alaska

-Kathy

-Juanitas for life

-Michael, Aka Zorro

-Bonfire lesson w/Maen, Audrey, Derek, Josh, &Elise

-"if the starfish is dead, I'm taking it home"

-Goodbye testimony w/sis Agren&Gailey&Younica

-i slid down this cliff