"shining bright"

Honestly there are about a million different things I could touch on from this week. I swear I learn a billion lessons every single day, but hopefully I can capture a few of my thoughts today.

Let's start with the food. Let's go back to the days of my training when all I talked about was the food the members made me. I had a sad epiphany the other day that the reason for that was because that's all we had going for us hahaha. OK. That makes it sound like we did nothing. But I just was innocent back then. I now know there is much more joy to be found in missionary work than just the food. Food isn't the only thing that fulfills me now. BUT. This week we had a food miracle. We had this random number call us during lunch, and it was a lady from a different ward. She told us she had heard about our food restrictions from the sisters serving there, and wanted to make us dinner that night. She has celiac disease (can't eat gluten, coughs up blood when she does), so her house is a bread free— aka joy free— household. Well, she made us a delicious spread of gluten free rolls and stuffing and gravy and topped it off with some gluten free cinnamon roll muffins. Then she supplied us with lots of snacks to go. Alright now that we've got that out of the way, on to the real joy. The Book of Mormon. Back in August, I found this woman on facebook named Marisol. Unfortunately, I didn't do much about it. We talked and I helped her through some problems, but I didn't tell her what she really needed to hear about: the Book of Mormon. Luckily, some other sisters took care of that for me! She was double found haha. We got this call 2 weeks ago and these sisters are like "uh so we started teaching someone you're already teaching. Well we taught her about the restoration," I was like, wow. Dope. Cause I never did that!!!! Anyway. We had a lesson with her the other day, and we started talking about the Book of Mormon. She stopped us and is like "ok, so I kind of feel lost sometimes when you talk about the Book of Mormon. I just don't know much about religion. But I really want to learn." After that, Sister Larson just simply showed her a copy of the Book of Mormon. Then something I've never experienced on my mission happened. Marisol just looked taken aback. Sister Larson asked her how she felt, and she said "I have butterflies. I feel like an excited kindergartner just ready to learn and read it. How can I get one?" Then, she started to cry. Not even joking. The spirit just overwhelmed her, and I have no doubt it's because the Book of Mormon was shining bright, as a beacon of hope for her life. "I haven't felt this way in so long" -Marisol

"[the Book of Mormon] shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God." - The Book of Mormon - Mormon 8:16 Later that night, our friend James (he has been reading the Book of Mormon since 2019 with the missionaries twice a week, he's got 100 pages to go!!!!!) admitted for the first time that the Book of Mormon and going to church are benefiting his life. This may not seem like a big step, but trust me, for James, it's life changing. This book has changed his entire light. I'm more convinced now more than ever that the gospel really is light. I see the people we teach grow brighter and brighter, more filled with the spirit, as we teach them. Jesus Christ is changing them. But honestly, I see it the most in myself. The transformation is honestly unreal to me. I feel changed. The crazy part? I still have 5 more months to change even more. Oh man, then it just keeps going for the rest of my life.

Here are a few words from the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon about his experience of feeling transformed by Jesus Christ (Alma 36:17-20,24)

"And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the wins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! And from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

The gospel is an eternal thing. If you're struggling right now to do the little things, it's ok. If you're struggling right now to access the power of Jesus Christ, it's ok. If you're struggling right now to even believe in Jesus Christ, it's ok. This stuff takes time. We constantly are growing and changing and enduring. But I know that through Jesus Christ, we really can overcome everything. Whatever you're going through right now, Christ can help you. He can take away your pain, sorrows, turmoil, trauma, heartbreak, sickness. All of it. As I've been on my mission, I've learned that the best way to feel Christ's healing power is to read from the Book of Mormon. as I go through the various ups and downs of life, I turn to the Book of Mormon. I've discovered for myself that it really does "shine forth out of darkness." I love you all. If you got to the end, then this email must've been written just for you. God knows you. He loves you. He will help you. Don't forget that Jesus loves you, Sister Wallace pics: (sorry mom I forgot to take some with our friends...) We also sucked at taking pictures this week. We will be better next week. 1. us blown away at the end of Marisol's lesson 2. Me being sad after accidentally putting on my exercise shoes to go to a lesson... 3. me and Kekeli last week

Love it! I'm so proud of you! Thank you so much for sharing! ReplyReply allForward