Well, the longest five days have approached and almost passed. . . We get our travel plans tomorrow. TRAVEL PLANS! We are all so excited. We have watched people come in and out of this and hosted new missionaries TWICE. . . who will all still be gone into the field before we are. Hence, I am reeeally getting excited! One can only get excited off of granola for so long.
So, quick update: This week we had THE best devotional I've had since I've been here. Elder Clarke from the 70 came and I wish you all could have been here for it. Spiritual slam dunk if I've ever felt one. One of my favorite parts? He told a story about two missionaries (he was their mission president). One of the missionaries was a really big, tongan elder. The other was short, skinny, and . . . take a guess. . . white as they come. (Just to show the contrast.) The little elder was training and he assigned it to the new giant missionary to recount the Joseph Smith story. All in a different language and fresh out of the mtc, this Elder worked reeeeally hard to memorize and be able to teach it well. So they taught. He nailed it. Everything he practiced, everything he studied, he performed well. Well following the lesson these two elders left and just after they got one house away, the small elder grabbed the big elder by is tie, pulled him down and said, 'Don't you EVER tell the Joseph Smith story like that again! Because it. really. happened."
Testimonies are a thing, and a good thing. But conversion is completely different. When we are converted, we act on the testimonies we have. This Elder KNEW that the Joseph Smith story is not just a story, it is the start of God' gospel brought back on the earth. His work. And oh boy, do I love it. He also talked a lot about personal revelation. Which if that was not a real thing, I would not be out here. Because if that were not a real thing, I would have to be the one to teach people; and I did not sign up to teach by means of convincing anybody. I have the EASY part over here, I speak what I know, in a language I don't, and somehow (aka through the Holy Ghost) people believe. I speak what I know, in a language I don't . . . but people still believe. That is the power that this gospel has. The power to make us better and to become the kind of people God intends, by believing. So . . . let's cheers to the fact that we all speak the language of the holy ghost; and if you don't? Learn it. Learn it now.
The rest of my week was also great. Our zone has become good friends. One of the other Elders (approx 4 ft. . . give or take a few inches) also has a passions for accents, so that makes for a fun time in the cafeteria. I played for another devotional on Sunday and got asked by my friends (the older people who run the mtc) if I would help conduct one of the pre-devotional songs. Luckily, it wasn't fast sunday, because I was already a wee bit shaky. I've never been particularly fond of standing infront of 1000 people with my face blown onto a big screen next to my elderly sister.
We also got to skype again this week! We skyped with one of the earliest members in Slovenia. His son is the branch president now and said he has been working on our visas so I'm thinking we're pretty good to go! He was sooooo kind and funny and I genuinely love the people over there so much already. I just did I spiritual kart-wheel I'm so excited. He also told us something awesome . . . as we talked about prayer we talked about how it is very easy to get to busy. He said, "Do you know what busy stands for in English? Being Under Satan's Yoke. So go ahead and ponder on that!
Imam vas rada! Molim vsak dan za vas!
Until next week, where I will be approx. T-4 days until take off! Love you all and appreciate your updates and pictures sooo much!! Stay strong!
Love,
Sestra Ceste (Rhodes)
So fast cuz I don't have time . . . thanks for the package and shower message and the dandelions paper! That jerkey was quite the thing I needed. And the green lemonade thing? Score!
Also big favor....we want to do something for our teachers before we leave to say thank you. Because we looooove them so much and they are always with us. So, we took these two pics. There are three teachers and we were wondering....
could you take the cute picture and the funny picture and put them both in one frame. (Like a dollar frame or something.) We want to give each teacher a frame with those pictures side by side. Or one on top. So three frames, two pics in each. You can make them whatever size you need. Is this a possibility? We'd be reeeally grateful.
Also, a thought to think and study on. When Nephi has his vision of the tree of life, he wants to know the meaning of the tree. So he asks. The angel then shows him the cities, the virgin Mary, her being overshadowed, and then Christ as a child. THEN The ANGEL asks Nephi what the tree means and Nephi knows instantly. I have some theories myself, but let me know what you two find.
i LOVE YOU TWO SO MUCH. MY PARENTS ARE AWESOME! XOXOXO
Sestra Rhodes
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