Back to Delaware

Hi everybody!

I have a really sad story for you all. I typed up a really good, pretty long email, went to click send and then it just disappeared. It's not in sent, not in the outbox, not in drafts, nowhere. So I'm going to attempt to recreate it but I promise that it won't be as good. Sorry!

Anyway, I have been sent to the Wilmington 1st Ward!! I cannot express how grateful  I am to be back in Delaware! I have been hoping to be sent back since I left Camden and Heavenly Father has given me this tender mercy for my last six weeks in the field!

Already I have learned that miracles come when you and your companion are willing to work hard. My companion and I doubled in to the area, which means neither of us had been here before and neither of us know the area or the people. The first day we literally had nothing. No area book, no lds tools, no names, nothing. So once we found our apartment we decided to call the bishop and the WML and we met with them both that night! And then we started setting up meetings with the other auxiliaries. Day two in the area we met with the primary president who gave us the name of a part member family, the Walkers. We went by the next day after district meeting, met the non member mom and kids, and set up an appointment for two days later. We quickly followed up with the primary president and let her know about the appointment and asked for fellowshipping advice and she gave us the name of one of the members who we were able to call. On Saturday we met with them, they didn't have a lot of time, and the kids were jumping around and wanted to see our tablets so we showed them #Hallalujah and testified of the restoration and the Book of Mormon
and we invited the mom and the 9 year old son to be baptized! They now have a date for May 14! I know that working with the ward brings the best results. There's no way we would have been able to find this family so smoothly without the inspiration and guidance of our primary president. Please keep this family in your prayers! I know that the gospel can and will change this family but there are a few miracles that need to take place if they are going to reach their date. I know with your prayers those miracles can happen! :)

I also had an amazing experience and learned a great lesson when I met a less active couple. The missionaries before had been visiting this couple on a weekly basis and had been doing a scripture study with them. This couple isn't able to come to church due to being home bound by illness, but they're a great example of living the gospel in whatever way possible. As we were meeting with them there was a knock on the door and it was their home teachers who came so that this couple could partake of the sacrament! As these men were blessing the sacrament I gained such a great appreciation for the sacredness of this ordinance. As the prayers over the bread and water were being said I placed all my thoughts on how because of the ordinance that was being performed this home that we were in was hallowed. Just like our chapels it was a extension of the sacredness of all that happened during Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. I was able to watch as this sweet old couple knowingly took part in this sacred  ordinance and took the bread and water with their frail and shaking hands. Their joy and gratitude was so great the spirit that was there
has stuck with me since that moment. I thought about this experience as I prepared myself to take the sacrament on Sunday. And for a little background, this ward has A LOT of kids. There are 110 kids in the primary. That's a lot! So there was a lot of noise throughout the entire meeting, but as I thought about the meaning behind the sacrament and the individual nature of Christ's suffering I really came to realize how reverence begins with me. Despite all that was
going on around me I was able to have a spiritual experience as I reflected on all that the Savior has done for me. And I testify that that can be the same for all of us. As we approach the sacrament with a humble mindset, being ready to make changes in our lives to draw nearer to the Savior the spirit will be there. He will guide us.

Every single day I become more and more aware of how special my calling as a missionary is. My mission means everything to me and I'm so grateful for all the lessons I learn each and every day.

Here's my new address for anyone who was waiting for it:

2209 Prior Rd. Apt D
Wilmington, DE. 19809

I love you all! :)