Family and Friends :-)
It's been another week with more adventures, awkward moments, rays of sunshine, and even snow. OSU is definitely a different life but a good one. We currently have 12 missionaries serving here. I have to say, I enjoy seeing them every day, multiple times a day. In other areas you rarely see other missionaries so to see 10 other missionaries a day is pretty grand. They are a huge support group and such great examples to me.
I wanted to share an experiences from last Sunday that I forgot to share: so everyone is probably aware of Josh from Powell. If not, here is a little sniping: In Powell, I grew very close to a family. One night in February my companions and I all decided to drop off a pan at the members home that they had lended to us. Brother and Sister M weren't home but there son Josh answered the door. Josh was inactive and we didn't really know him but we got to know him while we stood there and ended up inviting him to church, Sunday came and it was the most precious experience to watch Josh walk into church with his dad. So from there we would teach Josh every Monday night and it continued while I trained Sister Birchett and even continued while Sister Jackson was trained by Sister Birchett. Well, flash forward to December 1st as Sister Alius and I were about to leave transfers, we saw Brother M walking up to the temple. With tears in his eyes Brother M, shared that Josh was still progressing and now paying his tithing. What a tender mercy to hear. BUT listen to this, Sister Jackson and I go to our first Sacrament meeting at one of the Ysas and in walks Josh! WHAT?!? It was such a tender mercy for us. It's amazing to see the change in Josh. One year ago we started to teach him and now he was sitting in the YSA. Friends and family, your testimonies, your examples make a difference. I know it. And sometimes you don't see the results until a year later.
Yesterday, we set a goal for how many people we wanted to contact. We had one more to contact to reach our goals and as we walked down the street. There was the guy that I felt compelled to speak to. We met C and he immediately asked us questions about the church which led us walking him to the church (well, institute building where the YSAs meet) that was literally a 2 minute walk from where we were. We had the opportunity of giving him a tour and sharing the Book of Mormon with him. At the end, C said the most sincere pray and asked God to help him overcome an addiction he is facing. We are excited to teach C again tonight!
Being the only Sister Training Leader at OSU I have the opportunity to go on Exchanges with all the sisters in my stewardship. It's such a privilege to get to know the sisters on a one-on-one basis. I had the opportunity to go on Exchanges with Sister Hicks who has been out about 1.5 weeks. We had the opportunity to teach a girl named Daisy that Sister Jackson and I met our third day here. Daisy said the prayer at the end of the lesson and it was the first prayer she has ever said. This is one reason why I love missionary work. Helping my brothers and sisters gain a relationship with their Heavenly Father through prayer.
I have come to realize that it's okay to change. To become better and we can through Christ. But I have also come to realize that it is also okay that changing is hard. It is hard to put off the natural man. It is hard to make your weaknesses strengths. BUT it is possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. As you make the choice to change, you can receive the strength to do so. As we apply the doctrine of Christ into our lives, we CAN change even if it is hard. Jesus Christ is the Savior. The only way to find true happiness is to follow Him. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Until next Monday, Thanks for all the love and support!
XOXO,
Sister Detamore
1. The best restoration: restoration of the GOSPEL.
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