Baptism!!

You want to know what's gross? Growth. It just keeps happening, no matter how hard you try to stop it! ;)

An amazing quote this week: "Understanding breaks the barriers that come between us- we can accept people's faults and lack of understanding better, because of [our] understanding."

It is amazing what can be accomplished when we are in line with the Lord-- when the Spirit is with us, and we treat this mission as a sacred time for joy, and peace, teaching our Father's children about His kingdom in Heaven and on Earth.

There were so many huge events that happened this week, I can't even begin!

First, thank you for all your support and letters: I love you, and them!!! :)

WE HAD A BAPTISM! That's what the angels in Heaven said when our investigator got baptized on Saturday! He then prepared to, and received the Priesthood-- the Authority from God, to act in His name for the laying on of hands-- yesterday! He is an amazing person: as I teach him about the Priesthood, I realize it's so simple, but such a HUGE responsibility! I am now further impressed by the deacons, teachers, etc. who keep worthy to fulfill their callings and help with the Sacrament! God has SO MUCH trust in US!!!!!!! Think of all the hard callings you've ever had. We were trying to teach our recent convert what a calling was, and the more I talked, the more amazed I was that we run such HUGE things! I mean, hullo-- Stake Girls' Camp?! or A Bishop who has stewardship over (so the welfare: clothes, food, spiritual, emotional, family stuffs,) ALL THE WARD BOUNDARIES?! or the Relief Society President!? over all the women?! (that's much harder, I think, ;)

We had a man/boy we were teaching, and he was very contentious about the Bible/Book of Mormon. He had to say that if the Book of Mormon were true, it would have some prophecy that would/could be backed by history, and names and facts. All par for the course, but it was getting so frustrating, because he won't read and pray about it. We believe, and know that God is the author of all truth, no? Then WHO'S GONNA BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT'S TRUE?!

God. hullo.

But, it's understandable. As so many things are, that hurt my heart to hear. I looked him straight in the eye, and told him that I loved my family and I fully wanted to be with them for all of eternity, and I would NEVER base my life on anything that would lead me away from that. ever. How could I/ we/ you risk eternity with your family on some false prophet. church. gospel. I loved my family far more than that.

And then I had a moment of panic at the end of these statements. How could I say I knew these things were true?

I have an undeniable witness that these things are true. And it matters that they're true, because how could we risk living life the wrong way. I'm sorry I don't have physical backing, I'm sorry I can't prove these things are true.

But I'm also sorry I'm not sorry. Because I know it, and God knows it, and I can't deny these things, and that's what keeps me going: that's why I stay here and reach out to people who don't know, and have these horrible,  amazing, horrendous, uplifting,

Spiritual experiences. Because I expect to see all of y'all in heaven.

All my love in the Gospel,

Sister Bothwell

Googma!

ps. as a side note: never ever ever ever ever ever ever get pizza that's gluten and lactose free. just. don't. do. it.

Week number...... A lot.

I am sitting in the Tigard library and we're about to go to the Columbia Employee store, so we're all sups excited. We've had the most amazing experiences this week, as we all work together in this trio. It's so different in every area: the focus of the ward, the support of the ward, the focus of the gospel and things!
This companionship focuses very highly on placing copies of the Book of Mormon. We know the Spirit reading the Book of Mormon can bring, and relish in touching future generations as they "find" these books, in their aunts',uncles', and parents' and grandparents' houses. I placed my first Book of Mormon, and it was the most incredible feeling! OF COURSE I didn't get his number...but I did ask him if he lived around there... bahaha. We offered him the book, and he said, "A book to read, for free!?" YIEUP! I know he'll read it and love it, because I've read it and loved it. I ALWAYS test my feelings about the Book of Mormon. As I read, I try and keep my mind and heart open to see how I feel as I read--as though I were someone reading it for the first time--and let's be honest, it's only my third, maybe fourth time reading it, so that's not hard to imagine. ALWAYS, the feeling comes that this cannot possibly be of man. It is of God. Jesus Christ came to the Americas and preached His Gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture-- these aren't just nice things--they're important, even vital to our Eternal Salvation.
This week, Sora Holman decorated my planner for me. It's ever so cute and matchy with theirs. I like this area all right. I think I'm growing to love it, as I see all the amazing amount of people that are prepared for the Gospel! I've never seen so many people wanting and prepared and ready to learn, and searching themselves for the answers, with huge knowledge of the Bible. If the Book is true, then our church is the only true church with the proper authority from God, and that's a reason we ask people to read it. Something I don't think I really understood before.
We had a baptism! He had mapped out everything he was going to say for his interview, and got up and shared his testimony....Unfortunately, I forgot it in the car...oops...
but it was wonderful, and brought tears to my eyes as he read it. His family were all very less-active members of the church, and there was a part in his testimony when he talks about how heart-broken he was that he never heard the message of the Restoration of the Gospel, before. But he believes it was for a reason and strengthens his faith by what he had to go through.
As people who are not of our faith come to understand the Restoration of the Gospel and its vitality, my own testimony or knowledge of this truth and its real importance, is made ever stronger.
OH! Guess what?!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN OREGON!!!!!!!! :D
I'm terribly excited for the Visitor's Center to open the 25th, and for the days to get lighter, faster!
(get the fries out sooner and cook them longer.;)
GOOGMA!
I love you all SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!
thanks for all the support! I pray you are safe!
Sister Bothwell:)

Baptism's

Oh dear, I dunno how I NEVER have enough time to write!

I got transferred today. Boo. Haha No, it'll be really exciting! I'm back with my MTC companion: Sister Arts, and with a Sister that got transferred in from her mission in Romania: Sister Holman, to be VISITOR'S CENTER SISTERS!!!!!!

Apparently, it's kind of a big deal ;) Haha

We start training on the 22nd, and President Morby said that they just couldn't wait until March 19th to transfer me up to Portland. I'm in the Tigard Second ward, up near Beaverton, and it seems nice... I haven't been home, yet, we just went to email, so I'm excited!

Too bad I could barely fit all of my things in the car: I promised myself I'd never been like that. Oh, well, Spriiiiing's on it's waaaayyy!! Haha

And so Spring cleaning! ;)

We had a baptism, yesterday, and over a hundred people attended, we're pretty sure. This little lady had been waiting since August to get baptized, so the whole ward knew and supported her: it was fantastic! I played the piano, and only messed up...like seven times. Haha. It was great, and a couple investigators from other wards came: it was so cool to see them there; people who were on the cusp of baptism themselves! One lady was so overwhelmed when they confirmed the girl, that she was crying! I like to think she just couldn't wait :)

In other news, my Zone leader, Elder Taylor got called as Assistant! We knew it all along, he's such a gem. What makes a good missionary is how trustworthy and close the Spirit they are. I always strive for those things!

We hiked Silver Falls with a family on Monday? I don't remember if I'd mentioned it, but it was so fun to be on like a family outing!

I've told everyone from my last ward/area that they are to come visit me! It's supposed to be a beautiful Visitor's Center, and I can't wait!

We'll see how this next week goes, but it's started out eventful already: Sister Arts is pretty much super sick, and there's a baptism on Saturday! ;)

Adventures, adventures!

Thanks for all the support! This new area doesn't know what hit 'em, with three fabulous sister missionaries, such as ourselves. ;) So, if you hear about anyone getting translated...;) jokes! Hahah

I love you all!

Sister Bothwell

Oh MAN!

I love this area, have I mentioned that?!

We have come in contact with some of the most beautiful people, here. Their hearts are in the right place, and they love the Lord--member or non-member.

My heart was so full, as I stood up to give my talk on Sunday, because I had tried SO HARD to have the Spirit with me while I was thinking of what to say, and then the Bishop announced in Ward Council, that that was what he was teaching to the Priests and Laurels, etc. But really, even though we had been planning on EIGHT investigators in church, for my talk, and pressure was on, and everyone kept falling through, I looked up from off the stand, and saw a lady we had been working with every week I've been here. She had told us straight up, how she knew the Church was true, and she couldn't tell us enough how important it was to stay with the Church: there was nothing else worth leaving it. She's a less-active member who was struggling to come to church because of family situations, and when I saw her, I started to cry. I couldn't believe she'd come: I love her so much! and to know what kind of a hardship and struggle that was for her, to even be there!? I couldn't believe it!

My talk had a little to do with President Eyring and President Monson's talks in the October General Conference 2010.

I love Conference talks too much. :)

My companion is great--we love getting out and working! We know it's not okay to be able to talk coherently at the end of the night! You've gotta work harder, if you're able to do that!! Haha I think we're exhausted all the time, but it's been a huge amazing growth for everyone involved, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Go to church--you never know who may be praying and rejoicing when you walk in the door.

I love you all too much to say!

Work hard;)

Sister Bothwell