Dear Sisters,
We had a great evening, the Spirit was strong. This meeting was about missionary work and how important it is to be a good friend to everyone, young and old, nonmembers and members.
Kristy Budge shared her conversion story. She spoke of the importance of ward support and feeling loved and valued. She shared many experiences of ward members helping her and her family. She reminded us all to never assume that people are taken care of and to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Ashley Williams also shared her conversion story. She spoke of the value of friendship. At a young age Ashley and her family received the missionary discussions and were baptized. She recounted feeling the spirit and her family growing closer together. Those blessings only lasted a short while. Her family became inactive. Ashley grew up longing to have the gospel in her life. In college Ashley started attending church, but felt years behind the other sisters in gospel preparation. She went through periods of not attending church. It wasn't until members of the church extended their friendship to her that she was able to overcome these feelings. Ashley said she is forever grateful to those kind sisters. Now she is married and has a little boy and is so happy he is being raised with the gospel in his life.
Both Lindsey Smith and Lindsey King shared experiences from their missions and spoke of ways we can do missionary work. Lindsey Smith testified that we should be good examples to our families and those we visit teach. She said to extend the hand of friendship and invite people to activities. Some great ideas she shared were: to keep pass-along cards in your purse, and study the words of Christ daily to bring the spirit into your lives. By doing these things we are better prepared to share the gospel. Lindsey King said FRIENDSHIP is the key to sharing the gospel. She shared that if we want people to feel the pure love of Christ, we must be a true friend. We also should strive to be the friend that we would love to have.
Laura Foster spoke about an experience during her mission in Russia. While she was there she saw a faithful sister work to bring back a less active friend. Through her efforts she was able to rekindle her friend's testimony, and see her embrace the gospel. As time passed the the tables turned and the once faithful sister fell into inactivity, and previously inactive sister has made it her duty to bring the joy of the gospel back into her friend's life. Laura testified of the importance of bolstering each other's testimonies, and helping one another through trials.
Laura Foster spoke about an experience during her mission in Russia. While she was there she saw a faithful sister work to bring back a less active friend. Through her efforts she was able to rekindle her friend's testimony, and see her embrace the gospel. As time passed the the tables turned and the once faithful sister fell into inactivity, and previously inactive sister has made it her duty to bring the joy of the gospel back into her friend's life. Laura testified of the importance of bolstering each other's testimonies, and helping one another through trials.
Annie Jordan talked about the missions she and her husband have served. She talked about how to prepare for a mission, spiritually, emotionally and temporally. She also shared some of her favorite scriptures Proverbs 3: 5-6.
Dorthy McVae shared experiences from her mission. She served in the Family History Center in SLC. She wanted to do something to thank the Lord for His goodness to her. She shared how service drew her closer to the Lord. She talked about the concerns she had with leaving her home behind, but it all worked out. She is grateful for the experience and would recommend to anyone to serve a mission.
Dana Erickson spoke about how to prepare your sons for missions. She currently has a son who is out serving a mission. She focused on the importance of raising your family with gospel principles. She said her son grew up with a desire to serve the Lord. She also said she has learned so much from reading her son's letters. Preparing and seeing her son serve a mission has greatly increased her testimony of the gospel.
Julianne Harmon spoke about teaching your children the meaning of the word "missionary". She shared a cute story about how she taught her little boy the meaning. She also said to share your missionary experiences with your children and let them see you being a missionary and the joy it brings you and the ones you are helping. She said if you have a family member or know someone on a mission talk about it with your children and read them their letters.
This truly was an inspirational meeting. We hope you all will attend the next one.
Thank you everyone for coming, and to all those who shared their experiences and testimonies with us. You brought a wonderful spirit to the meeting.
Here are the yummy dinner recipes:
