Hola mi familia!
Due to popular demand, I am now writing a weekly family email. This week was super fast. It was also pretty crazy. We had stake conference and it was MIND BLOWINGLY good. The theme was the temple, which was the perfect kick off for me to post my picture of the temple! Conference was truly inspiring. Our stake president talked about ridding yourself of all corrupting influences. We focused on Moroni 10:32 (my mission scripture!!) and how it says to rid yourself of ALL ungodliness. It was amazing. He called everybody to repentance about getting to the temple as often as possible. Not only is that the place that will lift us up above the world for the rest of our week, but it is also the place where we become partners with the Savior in saving souls. How amazing is that?! We are truly fulfilling our purposes as members of the Church and God's children as we make an effort to go to the temple.
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| Sadie's newest piece: "The Spirit of God" |
He also talked about keeping the sacred things of the temple sacred. He also told us that modesty goes FAR BEYOND clothing. It is about being careful and highly upholding the sacredness of the body. The best quote from conference: "Many of you have heard it said that 'Modest is hottest.' NO. Modest is Godliness." I LOVE THAT! Modesty is how we show that we are godly- that we want to be gods. Do you think that in the eternities when we have earned the right to become gods and goddesses and our own worlds that we will be sitting there in hot shorts and bikini tops? The last quote I loved from conference: "It is okay to be sad, depressed, ridiculed, stressed, etc. But it is NEVER okay to be UNGODLY."
Sunday night we had a fireside from Elder Nielsen, who was the one at General Conference who spoke about exclamation points. He talked to us about how important it is to focus on the basics. he told us about when he was called as a stake president, and had no idea what to do. He went to the temple and oddly enough instead of feeling inspired to direct his stake members about going to the temple or focusing on missionary work, etc. He felt inspired to learn himself the Articles of Faith, and then to apply them. He found that during his time as Stake President he was asked sooo many questions and put in so many situations where the Articles of Faith were relevant. Such as the time President Hinckley was on 60 minutes, etc. He had a friend grill him about the gospel, and he was able to answer every single accusation with an Article of Faith. It reminded me of how I was prompted in the MTC to memorize the Articles of Faith in spanish. I have yet to have huge opportunities to use them, but I am ready for when the happen! I have felt the power of the Articles of Faith though. They were inspired by our prophet, Joseph Smith, in a time where people had no idea what the gospel was about. Even now, people don't know that much about the gospel, and the Articles of Faith still stand pure and true. I love that.
Anyway conference was awesome. I loved it. It was a huge blessing to hear from a general authority, from a fantastic stake presidency, and also from President and Sister Morgan.
Also we received iPads this week! Currently I am typing on my iPad! It is awesome! We are doing The Lord work so differently now and I love that. It is an incredible blessing. We are the ninth mission in the world to be receiving them, so we are definitely the guinea pigs. So it will be exciting to see how they progress!
This week we will be doing (hopefully) a chalk finding activity! The zone leaders asked for us to think of ideas, and then two days ago were like, "oh, Sister Dodson, what are you going to draw for us?" So apparently it is kind of my project. I am sooo excited. We will be doing it on Saturday so expect pictures on Facebook soon. I am thrilled to be able to use my talent to spread the gospel. I have been learning that that is the real reason I have it. God gives us talents only for the use of the building up of his kingdom. I am so grateful for my gift, and for the support of people! My temple drawing has gone viral on Facebook. TONS of missionaries shared it, as well as many people from home! It is a blessing from God. I am just grateful to be an instrument in His hands.
So a couple funny stories from this week: first I have learned that it is always better to stretch at home after working out at the gym... New York is scary. Luckily because we have been wearing big puffy coats and glasses we don't get cat called as much! The other day we were walking past a man with an electric wheelchair. When he drove past he almost ran over Sister Lancaster, and they had an awkward moment of yelling sorry at each other. Afterwords, as he's driving away he says, "Don't worry, I'll give you a ride next time!" I was laughing so hard.
Also this week I may have had a Marilyn Monroe moment! It has been super windy. We wear big coats, jackets, tights, glasses, etc. the glasses are awesome. The wind chill is terrible here and I don't like it when my eyes just water and water, so we got glasses to lock the cold wind! They have helped tons. Also we need them to protect your eyes from the poop, trash, and Dirt that gets blown into your eyes. Anyways we had dinner at a members house with a couple elders. I was wearing my orange skirt, my green coat, boots, but no tights (it was 68 degrees that day. November 18, and 68 degrees,). Anyways right when we walk outside, a huge gust of wind comes up and blows my skirt up in the air! I am standing right next to an elder, with sister Lancaster and the other elder barely in front of me! Luckily I don't think the elders saw anything! Hahaha.
We have been focusing on members this week, and so far have four dinner appointments lined up this week! That is pretty exciting. Member missionary work is what creates lasting and strong conversions. Members are the key! So I would encourage you to continue looking for people to help convert. Everybody needs a good friend in the Church.
Love you guys so much! Thank you for all!
Love you!!!
Sister Dodson
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