This week has once again gone by faster than fast! Thank you so much for all of the letters and prayers in my behalf this week! I have really felt them. So this week was a teensy bit rough, the husband of an investigator died friday morning. It was super sudden but kind of expected at the same time. He had been in the hospital since tuesday, which was the sudden part, but was declining rapidly, the kind of expected part. So we had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her and help her find comfort through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It was interesting to see how someone's view of death can be changed as they come to know of the plan of salvation. I think Heavenly Father has blessed us with this plan so that we can find hope and peace when our loved ones pass on. It isn't easy to lose someone you love, especially when it is sudden, but with the atonement, we can find a peace that the world just cannot offer us. I know that the plan of salvation is true. I know that after this life we have the opportunity to live with our Father in Heaven again if we live the way we are supposed to in this life. I have felt the hope that this plan brings into our lives on multiple occasions.
This week I have had more of a focus on controlling thoughts and establishing a stronger relationship with my father in heaven. Let me tell you, Heavenly father is there, he is listening, and he will answer your prayers. He knows what we are going through, how it makes us feel, and what we are thinking but as we take the time out of our day to discuss that with him, he will help us understand what we need to do to overcome a challenge, or find the peace that we have been searching for. I know that is true. He is waiting for us to ask for his help, to seek his wisdom and guidance, and ask for his comfort. I know that when we humble ourselves and ask for this help we will feel uplifted and able to overcome the things that are placed in our paths.
We also had New Missionary Training Meeting this week. It was my last one as a trainee but I am hoping that sometime in my mission life I can make it back there. They are times of nothing but upliftment and encouragement. Holy Wow. The leaders of this mission really go above and beyond to make us the best missionaries we can be and to help us become who our heavenly father needs us to be. This past meeting, I learned a lot about why we share the gospel and do the things we do to share it. For example, why do we ask someone to read the book of mormon? We have read it, seen it bless our lives, and now desire to share that joy and blessing with everyone who does not have it. Such a powerful reason, no? I loved the meeting and I feel like I learned so much, that I don't really remember a lot right now...all I know is that I am so excited to apply what I learned and keep the spirit with me as I progress on my mission.
I have been reading a lot of conference talks this week. I have a new goal to read from conference everyday on my mission and so far I am going strong. I really like this goal because conference talks are like scripture. They really are words from our Heavenly Father and are here to help us through our weeks and days as we struggle against satan. As I have been reading them and in the book of mormon as well, my mind has been enlightened and I have been able to obtain a deeper understanding of gospel truths. I am so glad that Heavenly Father has loved us enough to bless us with a prophet to lead and guide us and with general authorities who do the same. How blessed are we to have modern revelation, to know that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to continually give us guidance. How blessed are we?
This week, Hermana Santos and I did some service for a member raking some leaves. I have never raked before in my life and neither has Hermana Santos, seeing that she is from the deserts of Arizona...and so it was fun. But hard. We made it even more fun by taking a quick snap shot of the pile of leaves we had accumulated...we were very proud of it! We only got like half of the lawn done but we have plans to go back and finish it.
I hope everyone is having a good week and will continue to do so! Next Tuesday we get to go to the temple so our PDAY will be that day as well. Expect pictures from the house of the lord! I am so excited to go and remember what it is like to truly be in a place dedicated to the lord. I am so happy that I am a missionary, because even though it is hard, it has been something that has made me a better person, and brought me joy beyond belief. I love this gospel. I love Jesus Christ. Thank you for everything you all have done for me and my family! Thank you for the thoughts, prayers, and letters! They really pick me up when I am down. I love you all and hope you have an amazing day.
Love,
Hermana Kunz