This week my humble testimony has been strengthened ten fold. The power
and influence of the spirit that I have experienced has forever changed
my life, and for that I am extremely grateful.
This week has been one full of incandescent tender mercies.
On
Tuesday the alarm went off bright and early at 5:30 am. As I hopped out
of bed and onto my knees, I was so excited that it was finally
September 25th! Half of the Florida Tallahassee Mission was coming
together for a special conference with Elder Nielson and Elder Stanfil
of the Seventy and their sweet wives. Anticipation was raging, and I was
so ready! We got ready and headed out the door so we could be there at
7:30.
The sisters in the mission got to meet
with Sister Nielson, Sister Stanfil and Sister Smith, and the Leadership
of the mission got to meet with Elder Stanfil, Elder Nielson and
President Smith before the conference began. What an incredible meeting.
Never have I felt more empowered by the spirit than I did then! One
thing that really stood out to me in that meeting was how every creation
that Heavenly Father created was made to be acted upon, except us. We
were created to act. The example was given that if we pick an apple off
of the tree, the apple won't yell and say, "No! Don't eat me today!" and
jump out of our hands and back onto the tree. They were created to be
acted upon. So how are we using that gift? Are we acting on the
promptings we receive? On the commandments and standards we've been
given? Or are we sitting around doing nothing?
As
the day went on, we all got together for the main conference. So much
revelation came during that meeting! One of the things that stood out to
me the very most though was that we need to BECOME. What does that mean
for you? What do you need to do to become like the Savior? What changes
do you need to make? Everyday we have the potential to become greater
than we were yesterday, and to become stronger for the future. Who are
you becoming?
We got to sing the mission song
for them (that I get chills singing every time...) and eat lunch catered
from Red Elephant. SO GOOD.
After the
conference ended at about 3:30, President Smith announced that six
missionaries would be getting interviewed by Elder Nielson and Elder
Stanfil. They were prayerfully selected, and so we were all a bit
anxious. Talk about an intimidating/incredible experience!
Then all the sudden, President Smith said "Sister Holmes, you will be interviewing with Elder Stanfil in room 10 in 5 minutes."
WHAT.
I
was SUPER overwhelmed with the opportunity! As I went into the room
with Elder Stanfil, all my nerves were calm, and the spirit was so
strong. He is most definitely a General Authority for the Lord. It was
the most surreal experience. He was an extremely inspired man, and
seemed to know me. I will never forget that moment.
After
my interview (I may or may not have been overcome with some emotion...)
I sat out in the hall, reflecting and getting a grip on myself. Sister
Stanfil came over and sat by me, and I was blessed to have had the
opportunity to chat with her for a good 15 minutes! What a sweet, sweet
lady!!
As the interviews came to an end, the leadership got to have another MLC with them.
I
was struck by the power of the Atonement. Elder Nielson said that as he
was eating breakfast with Elder Bednar (no big deal...) Elder Bednar
turned to him and said, "I am convinced that the Atonement happened ONE
by ONE. That each of us took a moment by the Savior as he suffered for
our pains, weaknesses, and sins. Then, he took on the pain for the next
person." Never has the doctrine of the Atonement hit me so plainly. It
truly is uniquely individual to each of us. What a blessing!
After
MLC, we got to have dinner with them and chat, and then went up to the
mission home to take a picture. It was an extremely inspiring day that
has changed me and my testimony forever.
The
week continued to be filled with small miracles, and a new herd of
college students! Yay for fresh blood! It was extremely overwhelming on
campus! But SO MUCH FUN!!! We met some incredible people that we are
super excited about!!
Man. I wish I could know
how to express in words how truly grateful for this time in my life.
It's been quite the journey that I hope never ends.
And, of course, for the random things that happened this week:
-I got my finger STUCK in my water bottle for 20 minutes. It was swollen for two days afterward.
No, I don't know how it happened.
-I witnessed a boy and a girl riding a moped while holding a big cooler... people in Tallahassee are bizarre.
-We
prayed with two guys in the middle of campus... holding hands... and
just not the way we pray. haha I was a little embarrassed. but it was a
cool experience.
-We got roped into being in the stake choir for stake conference this weekend.... HELP.
It's been a great week though!!
Here's a little clip I want to leave ya'll with :)
LOVE YOU ALL!!
Sister Holmes :)
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