Sister's Conference

Hola mi familia!

We have had another incredible week.  I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father keeps giving me so many miracles and wonderful experiences clear through to the end.

On Friday we had Sister's Conference!! I LOVE this meeting.  All the sisters in the mission get together for a day to listen to President Morgan and other special speakers.  The elders always complain that they don't get an Elder's Conference, but none of us really have pity on them... Haha.  The theme of this year's conference was Ruth from the Bible and dedication.  I felt so inspired and LOVED the talks given.  I love being a missionary, but sometimes you need some extra motivation to help you give all that you can.  We also had a question and answer session with President where a question was asked about how sisters can have complete access to the Priesthood power.  After the question was asked, I leaned over to Sister Hall and said, "He's going to go to D&C 121:45."  Immediately after, President says, "Let's all go to D&C 121, verse 45."  Sister Hall just looked at me like I was crazy.  President loves that scripture and brings it up often.  We talked about how to access the complete power of the Priesthood, we simply need to be virtuous and valiant in all that we do.  It does not matter if we are male or female, we all have the ability to receive exaltation and peace in this life through the power of the Priesthood. I am so grateful for that knowledge and for the work of Priesthood holders in my life and in the mission.  I have felt the positive influence of a worthy Priesthood holder in almost all settings.  I definitely left Sister's Conference feeling ready to work to the end!

The 911 Memorial & Museum was inspiring!

The next day, we had a cool experience in following the Spirit.  After an appointment ended, we decided to go visit a less-active family.  We showed up to their door, and were welcomed in by Hermana Gutierrez, and then saw Hermano Gutierrez sitting on the couch in tears.  Apparently only 30 minutes earlier he had learned that his sister had passed away.  Only five minutes later, the elders showed up (the family had called them about 20 minutes before we showed up.). It was incredible to see how the Spirit had brought us all to a single place to bring peace to the home in a distressing time.  When Sister Hall and I were in route to their house, we decided to teach about temples and eternal families and to encourage them to get to the House of the Lord.  While at their house, the elders started teaching about the power of the eternal family and covenants.  We were all in sync to help this family progress! I was able to testify of the power of the temple and the peace I felt after Dorivee's passing knowing that she had made covenants in the Holy Temple.  It was an incredible experience for me to remember the peace of the gospel in my life.  The family is being bums right now and still won't come to church, but we have high hopes for them!

I made our family out of Legos!

Later that night, after a dinner appointment, we went to go see a part-member family.  When we reached their door on the third story, we received a text saying they weren't home... perfect timing!  We headed to go down the first flight of stairs and Sister Hall slipped from the snow and slid down three or four steps! The leftover food she was holding went flying into the air and slammed into the wall! She almost couldn't get back up because we were laughing so hard.  I seriously almost peed myself, I was laughing so hard.  After we composed ourselves, I grabbed the food and we headed down the next flight of stairs.  Next thing you know, I slip and fall on my butt down the second flight of stairs!! I definitely may have peed a little that time... We laughed even harder and decided that the food must be bad luck.  The last flight was twice the length as the other two.  I geared up and took the food and headed down first.  I was three steps shy of the bottom when I look up to see Sister Hall a few steps above me slip back onto her bum! She was so scared of running into me and causing a bowling effect that she turned onto her side and screamed trying to stop herself!  Luckily she paused one step before she hit me.  I don't think I've laughed that hard since Sister Smart left.  We were dying.  Hahahaha.  Don't worry, no injuries, just a big bruise for Sister Hall.

Monday we were warned of the snow storm of the century from our mission President.  We were told to be inside by 6 o'clock and to be prepared to be inside for the next three days! We were instructed to make sure that we had enough food, bottled water, and flashlights.  There was supposed to be 30" of snow and 60mph winds, so we had to be prepared for anything!  This morning we had to have a good laugh since we only got a whopping 7"... We still had to stay inside though for most of the day.  It was so nice to have some time to draw and get some things done.  And we wore our Bronx pants all day, so we were pretty happy about that.  It is hard to get out and work in the cold, but definitely worth the effort.  We had an awesome lesson with Gloria and Fernanda about the Plan of Salvation and testified of the power of the eternal family.  I love being a missionary and am grateful for every minute I get to share the Savior's gospel.

Love you all!

Hermana Dodson