A WEEK FULL OF MIRACLES AND TENDER MERCIES
Well to start we had P day on Tuesday. We went downtown with all the Sisters in the Zone. We rode the bus to save miles too. We just went to lunch and walked around and had a good time! Well on the way back we tried to catch the bus.... But we missed it like 3 times. Just when we thought we had it down. So we were a little frustrated. But we walk all the way back up and meet Tyler, who we have talked to before, and his friend John. Well come to find out John was baptized into our church. He loves the BOM and use to go out with the missionaries. It was such a miracle!! We got his number and invited him to church. They live in a half way house... So that's our only issue there.
Then Wednesday I went on exchanges to Green Hills YSA with Sister Peterson. She is bomb! We had solid lessons. We even taught the plan of salvation!! Well then we go to institute at the church. Before it started we were just talking and I look down the hall and I swear I saw David Archuleta. So I was like Sister Peterson, come here! So we go in the hall and I was like I think David Archuleta is here! She was like are you okay?! Haha then he walks by into institute. Pretty sure he knew we were talking about him. Haha but he comes to class. We say hi! I was in institute with David Archuleta for a solid hour and 45 minutes. He had some great comments too!! Haha we found out he is staying out here for a mouth and writing and recording music. So he comes to the YSA branch for church, FHE, and institute. So that was cool. I feel like I know him now.
Then the next day, Thursday I went on exchanges with Sister Herbert. She is a new greenie from Oregon!! We stayed in Nolensville. I love greenie Fire! We tracted for days. She had some crazy spiritual revelation and told me exactly the doors we needed to tract and the people let us in! It was great. We had a good discussion with each of them, but they aren't to interested.
Then we went store contacting. Because Tracting for hours gets a little boring. Plus we were cold! So we go inside Publix, the grocery store. Make a couple rounds of pass Jesus cards out to people. Well we stopped to talk to this worker Havel from Iraq. We are meeting up with him this week too! But all of a sudden I see the Webbs walk in! I ran over and gave them a hug and talked to them. They were former investigators who are so solid. Well she said the night we tracted into them we changed their lives. A flip switched for their family. I was dying inside! Well Sister Gant in the Ward, Sister Webb texted her and told her how much she loved the missionaries. Then she said she wanted to hook me up with a guy and wants to make sure I get to college. She will do anything to help. Hahah I have no idea why. She's an awesome lady! So that was a miracle!so Friday rolls around and we rode the buses down to switch companions. So I haven't seen sister Oldroyd since Wednesday and we had a lot to do on Friday so we were trying to hurry. Well the other sisters came late, so we missed our first bus. Then we get on one and needed to switch buses because that wasn't going to take us to our car. So we hop off. Well we wait for like an hour and a bus never came. So we waited more. It's freezing and raining all day. So sister Oldroyds like I want some hot chocolate so I can warm up. i didn't want to, incase we missed the bus. So we hurry in and get her hot chocolate, then hurry oustide. Well guess what? WE MISSED THE BUS!! haha i seriously laughed then started to cry. bawl. I have never been so frustrated, so cold, and so mad in my whole mission. haha but eventually we caught the bus and barly made it in time for dinner. then after we headed staright to the temple!!! YAY! The Waters got to do Baptisms there. It was so amazing. Bishop Facer asked us if we wanted to do them too. OF COURSE!! So we helped Kandace with everything. it was so spiritual. all 4 boys were there too! i love the temple. That is something i wish we could do more of, the temple. so much peace and joy. i felt like i could breath in there after our crazy day. There is no greater joy than seeing your recent converts in white again:)
It just confirms to me once again that if you are in need of a blessing, the temple can help and supply that for you. Why would you want to lose those blessings? Go to the temple. You will be blessed with what you stand in need of.
Well then Saturday was the Nashville Zoo Run Run 5K. We got permission from our mission president to run it and to give out pass a long cards. So we ran it and stopped and looked at all the animals as well. because when are we ever going to be at the nashville zoo again? Plus we are out of shape and needed to rest. hahah but we finished in like 40 minutes. After they gave beer away for free. So everyone had Beer, bananas, and a picture of Jesus!! welcome to the south. haha it was great. Such a fun finding activity.
Then we went down to the boughtons for dinner. He served in Japan, so he cooked all this sushi, fried rice, noodles, Japanese pancakes, and wong tongs. SO GOOD! I've discovered i really enjoy sushi. so that happened.
Then Sunday we were trying to figure out where to tract. We were just talking about Brother Cooper in our ward and so i went to pray. then i had the idea to tract a Copper St. i didn't even know if we had one in our area. It was the slightest impression. Like i thought i was just day dreaming or something. So we go about our night and we drive past this road it was called Copper Stone Dr. COPPER. I whipped the car around and was like whatever our plans are for the rest of the night they are put on hold. We are tracting this whole street until know why we were suppose to. Sister Oldroyd wasn't to thrilled to be tracting in the cold late at night. But i just knew and was determined to find why i had the impression Copper. So we start tracting and we get a lot of return appointments. Then we knock on this door. Jesse, let us in. she is this cute mom that just moved from Bellevue. They said they were looking for a church. We shared the whole restoration lesson with her. then she said we could come back. SHE SAID WE COULD COME BACK!! That was the first time all week someone said we could come back after sharing the restoration. MIRACLE!!
Never, ever, ever, deny a prompting from the holy spirit. Espcially after praying for guidance.
“Not a day has gone by that I have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer. It is a relationship I cherish—one I would literally be lost without. If you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven, I urge you to work toward that goal. As you do so, you will be entitled to His inspiration and guidance in your life—necessities for each of us if we are to survive spiritually during our sojourn here on earth. Such inspiration and guidance are gifts He freely gives if we but seek them. What treasures they are! I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration. I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it” -President Monson
This is week was full of true joy and happiness. I love my mission.
But most importantly, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I love you all too!! Have a great week:)
Sister Gates
Exchanges with Sister Peterson to Green Hills YSA!! Love her. We love donuts too.
I spy.... David Archuleta!! He came to institute while I was on exchanges with Green Hills YSA!! He's great. I feel like I know him personally now.
Exchanges with Sister Herbert!! Haha she's the best greenie.
Sweet Cece's before the temple and after we missed the bus all day. Happy 15 month mark!!
Nashville temple with the Waters family!!! Best day of my whole mission.
This is our "we've missed the bus 4739;749283$4 times and we are freezing and cold" face
Nashville Zoo Run Run 5K!!
I like sushi. Fried rice, noodles, and Japanese pancakes. Members are the greatest when they use their talents from their missions!!
The Jensens!! They texted us to get ice cream at Brusters. They are our second parents!
