October 8th 2012

Hey Family & Friends! I hope that everything is going well and that you had a great time enjoying conference weekend. We were able to watch two sessions of conference and it was so AMAZING!! I loved all of it. Our faces were priceless as we heard the announcement that you can be 18 years old for boys and 19 years old for girls to serve a mission! We were so shocked haha. But I think that it is awesome that they can go when they are almost fresh out of high school. Serving a mission is one of the most incredible and rewarding things I have ever done in my life. You feel joy that can't come in any other way, as you share the message of the restored gospel and see others come more unto Christ. I would encourage anyone who is thinking about going on a mission to do it! You will never regret it, and you will not only be blessing those you serve, but it will bless you and your family, and your future family and posterity forever. I loved Elder Holland's talk! Here are some things that really stuck out to me. "I need disciples. I need them forever. I need someone to preach my gospel. To defend my faith. Ours is NOT a feeble message. It is NOT hopeless. It is the work of the almightly God. It is to change the world." I too know that this message IS a message of hope and happiness. It is what the world needs. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only antidote for becoming better and reaching our true potential. I know that becoming disciples and choosing Christ over the world will make us the most happy in this life. This is done through reading scriptures, praying, serving others, attending church, developing christ-like attributes, and using the power of the atonement in our lives. No matter what may be in our past - we have the promise that our sins and mistakes "although they may be as crimson, they can be as white as snow". We need to start now to become defenders of the truth. I also liked what Elder Uchtdorf had to say. I agree when he said that we should let ourselves be happy now. Find joy in the journey and not the destination. We are ALWAYS going to be tried and tested. But those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and weave a tapestry of gratitude, will see that life is to be enjoyed amongst the trials we are going through. I love this gospel with all of my heart. It is an honor to be a missionary and to be a representative of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel.  I KNOW that Jesus is the Christ, the redeemer and savior of the world. I know that he still lives and that he will come again, and reign in his glory and fullness. I KNOW that his church has been restored to the earth today and that it is his church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I know that he is still calling after us every day and that if we will choose now to come and serve him faithfully, that all will be well with us. Blessings come to those who embrace this message.
This week we were able to get in touch with our investigator Jola, she was away visiting her daughter, but is back now :). We are continuing to contact and teach those about the restoration, and find those who are prepared.
I hope you all have a fantastic week! I pray for you all every day. I hope grandma is doing okay and that she will be able to regain her strength. Let her know that I love her! :).

Love, Siostra Forsey