October 5, 2015

District Meeting!

 Dear Mom and Dad,

So we had some AMAZING miracles this week! Do I say that every week?? Haha! Well we do! We expect and facilitate daily miracles!

Just last night we met with A*** for the first time. She is 13 years old and very good friends with a beehive (C***) in our ward. Her mom came to the lesson too (she is SUPER supportive! But doesn't want to be baptized herself). We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ (she has already had the first 2 lessons before we taught her) and as I was teaching about repentance I started crying!! I just had this overwhelming feeling of peace, love, joy, and gratitude for the gift of repentance! How gracious our Father in Heaven is! How loving He is! How merciful! As I started crying I could see both A**** and D*** tear up, and even Brother F**** (the Elder's Quorum President and C***'s dad) was teary eyed!! It was a sweet lesson. We invited A*** to get baptized and she accepted and both she and her mom had big smiles on their faces. I am sure that D*** will accept the invitation to be baptized very soon. A****is getting baptized on November 14th. Keep her in your prayers!!

We also taught C*** this week on Monday and we taught the plan of Salvation. Before we even started the lesson he asked "now, what do you have to do to become a member of the church?" I love it when investigators ask that question. He is getting baptized on October 31st which happens to be exactly a year from the date that he first met missionaries!! #halloweenbaptism

He had so many wonderful questions about the Plan of Salvation and he LOVED hearing about the kingdoms of Glory! He also said at the end of the lesson how much he loved seeing us smile as we taught. He said that he can see the excitement and happiness we have in the gospel.

Oh and he even brought up the Law of Chastity and asked if we really only have certain relations when we are married, and we said that we do and he paused and said "Yes, my mom mentioned you believed that. I told her I didn't think you did, but it really makes so much since to wait until you're married. And I am willing to do whatever God asks" C**** is amazing!!!

Okay, one more thing. C**** also asked "so when can I become a brother?" And we told him he already is one!! And so now we call him Brother R*****!

When we taught him on Friday, we talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we also talked about Temples. He is SO excited to go to the temple in a year (and also to do baptisms soon after he is baptized).

I love being a missionary.

Companionship Unity.
Haha my head is being eaten by sunshine.
#superwhite

We taught B**** about the Word of Wisdom. She asked why we can't have tea and coffee and we talked about how Prophets are inspired and also how God see's the big picture and understands things that sometimes we can't understand yet. It was a great lesson.

I too got to sleep in on Sunday!! I slept until 6:30am!! I have typically been getting up at 5am this week to go running or do crossfit. Crazy, right? Yeah, I ran 3 miles on Friday and a 5k on Saturday!! And I even like running now!! What the what?! Who am I even?

My finger is all better pretty much! I can bend it almost all the way and it's only a little purple still :)

Move to New York with me, and then you guys will be close to one of your married children!!!

How many temples... 5? 6? I don't know!!!! Tell me!!

We should go on a church history tour!!

President and sister Jenkins finish their mission in June.

Yeah, plus Emma probably won't be Wendy cause Susan will probably cast a younger actor. [Black Swan Youth Theater is doing Peter Pan – Erica is casting the play – in her mind . . .] Emma will have so much fun in the Adams Family [Centennial High School is doing The Adams Family the Musical]. I wish I would be home to see it!!

I loved Elder Hollands talk too!! I cried too!! It was the only talk I cried during!! I love you mom!! And Dad! Conference was amazing!!!!! Oh wait, I got pretty teary eyed when President Monson was speaking. Yes, he is getting old, but I think that is partially what makes his testimony and talks even more amazing. He doesn't care that it is hard for him to stand there for so long. He doesn't care how tired and old he is. He just wants God's children to hear the message that God has for them. I love and sustain our prophet.

#genconf
I cried during this whole talk.

I love Sally and Polly. I will go on walks with you when I am home! And runs! But it will be so cold!! Can I run on the treadmill when I am home? I have to stay fit. Fit or fat. Haha remember when Emily asked Elder Hales to read her that book? [Funny story. When John was Stake President, we had the privilege of serving lunch to Elder Hales in our home. Emily asked him to read her a story – she was only about 3 years old. She ran and grabbed a book from our bookshelf. It was “Fit or Fat.” We all had a good laugh about that. Then he flipped through the pages and saw the chapter heading “Fasting is bad for your body.” He read it out loud and then paused and said, “Hmmm . . . I will have to speak to the brethren about this.” *For our non-LDS friends, Mormons fast once a month, and donate to funds that help others in need.

Wasn't it sweet when all of the apostles gave the new apostles hugs?

Sorry about Friday :(

Yes! I have a new Nephew!! Sebastian is an adorable name!! I love him already and can't wait to hold him. Haha jk, I can wait, but I really look forward to it!!

Wow I am excited for Katrina and Gordon!! Honestly, I will probably live in Oregon. I love Oregon. It's sweater weather year round. Except that I also really want to be an actress.. Would you guys please move to New York with me??? I would love to have parent support! Maybe when you retire, Dad! Haha and Mom! I forget that you work now too!

Haha I love the Middle. Why did Emily burst into tears? How could she relate to Brick? Haha I never thought that would happen!! [Funny story: We watch a show called the Middle . . . even though the couple on the show still have one child “Brick” at home they refer to themselves as emptynesters – I think Emily feels that way sometimes :/.]

I am so sorry that you missed the temple this week, Dad! That makes me want to cry!! I would cry if I missed the temple! I cry when I go to the temple!! I am just a very emotional person!

At the temple <3

I love to see the Temple!!

I am so glad your foot is doing better, Dad! Next summer we will run together!!

You guys are both so busy!! It's actually giving me heart palpitations reading your letters... #anxiety 

Speaking of anxiety. I received an email saying I need to start doing the "MyPlan" program. It's a new program out out by the church that helps missionaries who are near the end of their mission to plan for their post mission life. #anxiety

GREAT MISSIONARY WORK, FAMILY!!!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!! EMILY GOOD JOB AT BEING NICE TO SONIED!!!! Seriously, I am so happy that the missionaries noticed you reaching out to her, and I am so happy that you guys agreed to let them come watch conference at your home! You guys will be so blessed for that! Keep reaching out to her! Does she have a place to have the lessons at? You guys should offer your home to have one of the lessons at! Emily, keep being her friend and fellowshipper. It is SO important for investigators to have good member friends before AND after baptism! Does she have a date? Has she been taking he lessons? What all is happening???

Haha thanks for all of the pictures!! I love pictures! Wow, I look so real! I was so confused how someone I have never met had taken a picture with me! Haha and then I remembered! [We took a picture of one of our ward Sister Missionaries that reminds us of Erica – next to the cut out of Erica – it threw Erica off a little!!]

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! 

LOVE, ERICA!!

We are so cool -- hahahahahahahaha!

PS - I got your letter!! Thanks mom!!

Do you remember when I read “the water closet” for part of my student
council speech? Hahahahaha I won!!!

[Need a laugh?? Read this! I am not kidding . . .you will laugh!! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qww6tiaOLp0VU3-Wy7LUuaRncdGchZ1uMKOQhN0iXn4/edit?hl=en]