Sister Wilson in DC North: Transfer 5

It's been a LONG week! Last week feels like months ago. WHEW.

SO. I guess the big news is that I've started my 5th transfer! Which is absolutely insane, I just got here. Time FLIES. It's scary. Also it's almost September, and June just barely started. ACK. For those of you that don't know, fall is a real thing. Trees really do turn colors, and leaves really do fall down. It's not just a painting. It's the real deal. And it's BEAUTIFUL. I'm already in love, and apparently it hasn't even started yet. Get pumped.

So, this past week has been a long one. I was sick again, which is always stinky. We had something to do though, even though we don't have anybody to teach. Since the temple is closed, all the temple missionaries get sent into various wards around here to serve until it reopens. We got 2 of those couples, the Lewis's and the Hallinghause's. They're so cute! Bishop put together a big list of people that we don't know that we need to find. We got together with the senior couples and the elders and divvied that up, and we've been checking on all of them! We've only gotten ahold of one lady (who wasn't very happy that the church was calling, OOPS), but it's really nice to have something to do. We've been street contacting around those places as we're checking on people, it's nice!

Last Tuesday we went and ate with a member of the bishopric and his family (they're wonderful), and they insisted on giving the closing prayer and blessing us that we would be able to find somebody to teach. It was great. So we walk out of their house and start our street contacting for the night, and GUESS WHAT HAPPENED. We said hi to a guy, and HE STOPPED. We started talking to him (Jorge), he's from Peru, but went to UVU and has a ton of Mormon friends. He went to Temple Square all the time, and went to church with his friends there. So we invited him to learn more, and HE SAID YES. AND GAVE US HIS INFORMATION. We smiled bigger than we've ever smiled before for the rest of the night and just about cried. It was a huge miracle. Except that he hasn't returned any of our calls/texts in the last week, so... It was a huge miracle at the time, haha. Other than that we haven't had any more success finding people to teach. We met with a couple less-actives this week, and everybody has the CUTEST dogs. I love it.

One thing I've been hearing a lot in conference talks and from Elder Perkins yesterday is that it really is the members responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. "If the missionaries don't have anyone to teach, it is the fault of the members." Missionaries are called to teach, members are called to find. So, if the missionaries in the ward you're in don't have anybody to teach, PRAY HARDER! Missionaries can't be missionaries if members don't give them referrals. EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY. Pray harder about people that you know that are prepared. They're out there, I promise. But we all have to do our part to find them. That's my little rant about member missionaries. They're the most wonderful people on the planet (right next to moms).

Yesterday was zone conference, and we had Elder Perkins from the Seventy come. It was SO COOL. So much wisdom crammed into my brain. He started the meeting by talked about how we make every meeting a "revelatory experience", and how we receive revelation. He had each of us write down 2 questions, a proselyting-related question and a personal question. When we go into a meeting without "asking, seeking, and knocking", we are being objects, subject to being acted upon. We were created to ACT, and if we want answers, we need to ACT. So here's my challenge for all of you! This coming Sunday, write down one question that you have. Then seek out an answer to that question as church goes on. It's amazing to see it work!

Been a long week, but a good one. It's always a good week when you talk with a Seventy. He was AMAZING. I love the Lord, and I love his church. More peace and joy come from living the commandments and serving God than anywhere else! I love what I'm doing, even though it's hard. I love Jesus Christ with all my heart, and I love the Book of Mormon. I've received more strength and revelation through that Book than anywhere else since being here. It's TRUE! Read it, pray about it, and get to church. Answers and blessings are waiting for you there.

I love you all!!

Sister Wilson

Also I think today was the first day of school or something and all
the moms were walking their kids to school and I was just like "MAN
MOMS ARE THE BEST." You're the best and I love you a lot. ❤️