Dearest Family~
This week has been full of all kinds of things! I am glad to
hear everyone is doing good back home! First I would like to brag about my
sweet Shanti! She is amazing! She has not missed one Sunday of church since we
met her and she is a full blown member. She is almost 58 years old now and she
is still working Monday-Saturday about 13 hour days. Sunday is her only day off
and even if she nods off a couple times in sacrament meeting she is always
there ten minutes early for 9am meetings. She is trying to keep the Sabbath day
holy better. Instead of shopping on Sunday she walks into town on Saturday
night after she finishes work at 8pm to do her shopping. She also is super
excited about family history work. She is planning on going to the temple next
month to do her parents work. I wish that I had her faith and strength! We are
now teaching her daughter and niece and they are both planning on coming to
church this upcoming Sunday for Easter. I am super excited!
In other big news TENO texted us this week! She texted us
Saturday night and said that she misses and needs the gospel in her life and
that she wants to get together with us and talk. So many of my prayers were
answered when she texted! I miss her so much and pray for her often. Her
testimony is so strong but Satan is working on her so much. She has the power
to influence so many people and she will someday make such a big difference in
the lives of many. I know that someday when the timing is right she will join
the church. I hope that I get to be there to witness it whenever that may be!
Transfers are coming up next week. I am pretty sure I will
be getting moved and it is kind of bitter sweet. I will be excited to continue
my journey here in New Zealand but the family I have here in this area mean so
much to me. Maybe President will feel inspired to leave me here for just one
more transfer! The ward is starting to think that I am a permanent fixture
though! Sister Isnard and I have officially been called to the Primary. Not
really but they don’t have enough people to help so Bishop (Duane 'the Rock'
Johnson) pulled us into the office and asked us to help ou. I am teaching
Relief Society on Sunday.
I learned so much
from conference this week. I don’t think
I have ever taken so many notes in all my life! This week was one big revelation
to me though. Sister Isnard and I watched a clip during study about Wilford
Woodruff’s conversion and I was amazed by his faith and seeking for the truth! As
I was reading in the book of Mormon in the Book of Mormon I came about many
prophesies about the last days. I had this overwhelming feeling as I read and
studied 'How do you save people that don't want to be saved?' I felt a minor
peace of the sadness that Moroni must have felt when he watched all of his
people be destroyed until he was the only one left because of their iniquity
and unrighteousness. And now the same has been foretold of us, the same kind of
destruction to all those who are unrighteous. Why do people feel as though they
do not need God? In President Holland’s talk this week he said "Sadly
enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want
any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable
gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who
pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick
marigolds" Do we realize what a great responsibility we have to spread the
gospel as members of the church to try and convince people that don't feel that
they need a God, to find those that are kept from the truth because they know
not where to find it. We have been called to love our neighbor as Christ
loves us. We are asked to share what we know and share with all those we meet
as he did. To invite four people a year to be taught by the missionaries. In
Mormon 8:38 it says " O ye pollutions, ye
hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why
have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon
you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an
endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the
praise of the world?" As I read this scripture and truly reflected on
where I am now and what I was doing before I came on my mission. Why are we
ashamed to take upon us the name of Christ? Do we really have the conviction
that this church is true and if we do can we feel the urgency to share it to
those around us? Do we remember the covenant we made at baptism to remember him
always and be a disciple of Christ at all times? I know that I have often
failed at this many times especially which standing for what I know is
right and sharing what I know. But we should not wait to change, now is
the time to start walking forward. To decide like the Prophet said to be better
today than we were before. To move forward with faith and strength and a
conviction of the truth that will lead us to save our Brothers and Sisters.
I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!
Love Sister Miggin
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