Sister Alexa Holmes: Wk #83: Forever A Missionary

Heavenly Father has SPOILED me this week.

We got three new investigators who are incredible. One is the son of our investigator Melvin, the other is the cousin of our investigators Robin and Carolyn, and the last one is a guy we tracted into! They all have so much potential, and I can just see them in white!

I was surprised by my friend SISTER SARAH WOOD!!!!!!!! She came back to visit the mish, and SURPRISED ME! Greatest reunion ever. Oh, how I love her! It was so fun to see her and catch up with her! Huge tender mercy.

We finished our long task of going through the roster with our bishop, relief society president and the elders. We have been working on this thing for 5 weeks, and FINALLY got it done! It was a huge, huge blessing.

We had double exchanges again this week, AND a surprise Zone Training. I got to see so many of my missionary friends! We all had a great time.

I got to speak in Sacrament Meeting... AGAIN! haha I was asked to speak on the last three articles of faith. The elders and sister carter spoke as well. :)

I got hugged by an older man in the ward, and that was quite the funny experience. All the sudden I look up, and this old man is walking FAST (mind you, he is usually pretty slow and uses a cane...) and with a look of determination in his eye. I was a little nervous and confused about what was going on!He walks right up to me, puts his arms around me and says, "I know you aren't supposed to do this, but what are they going to do, send you home? You deserve a hug." It was so funny, and cute, and unexpected!

And then, the cherry on top was Remona. We taught her the Word of Wisdom this week, found out that she drinks coffee and tea, and she was so sad to have to give it up. The lesson was powerful, and at the end before the closing prayer, she stood up, went and grabbed her coffee, and threw it away right then and there and hasn't touched it since! THEN, she asked if she could BEAR HER TESTIMONY AT CHURCH. We quickly asked the relief society president if she could have the last five minutes of relief society. Sunday rolls around, relief society comes to an end, Remona gets up in front of the class and shares the most sincere, powerful testimony I have ever heard. WE HAVE ONLY TAUGHT HER FOR TWO WEEKS. I can't even describe the plans that Heavenly Father has for her and her family. Not only that, but we are going to start teaching her husband this week and start prepping them both for baptism (Remona is still on for June 11th) and their cute daughter Amber who will turn 8 this year. I was sent here to find them, and they have made everything worth it.

I am so, so, so grateful to be a missionary. These past 19 months have changed my life, my eternity, and my love. My testimony has been solidified, my foundation has been built, and my determination has caught fire. For as long as I live, where ever I go, I will be a missionary. I will keep the name of Christ on my lips. I will represent Him through my actions and my words. I will lift, encourage, inspire, and bless. I will work hand in hand with my ancestors to bring the gospel to those who haven't had the privilege to enjoy it yet. I will be a valiant daughter of my Heavenly Father and stand as a witness at all times, in all things, and in all places. I will forever be a disciple of Christ.

I know this gospel is true. I know that charity never faileth. I know that power comes through diligent and sincere scripture study and prayer. I know that God is a God of miracles and always will be because He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus Christ lives. The field is white, already to harvest, and we are ALL a part of a great and marvelous work.

I am ready to reenlist in the battle of righteousness and serve my Heavenly Father in a different part of the vineyard.

I love you all, and I love my mission.

Forever a missionary,

Sister Holmes