I GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!

Hello, my friends!

This week has been a good week, with so many miracles. I didn't always
realize them, but now looking back, I can hardly believe it! I don't
have much time, but I will share a few :)

The biggest and best thing was that I got to go to the temple this
week. Oh my heavens, you guys. I have never looked forward and yearned
to go to the temple so much as I have the last couple of weeks. I
longed for it and I was so excited about the timing and the
opportunity to perform the work of salvation in the House of The Lord!
Let me tell you, the experience did not fall short of my expectations.
The Spirit was so strong as I walked those halls and my heart was so
full of true peace and love and joy, but in such a calm and grateful
way. I felt so deeply beautiful and loved, and it was so nice. I
stayed in the celestial room praying for over an hour, and I never
wanted to leave. In fact, I cried as we drove out of the parking lot.
I noticed things I had never noticed before and learned and felt so
much. And they could not have squeezed any more people into that room.
But it was so cool to be in a room with so many other missionaries,
all so reverently worshipping The Lord. And I got to see Sister S
and Brother R from my ward in Riverside! I was so thrilled to see
them and seeing her was just so comforting and happy. The temple is
such a good place, friends.

We also got to go on exchanges this week! I got to be with Sister
S and she is just my hero. She was Sister C's first
companion (besides me), so it was fun to have things remind us both of
her! Sister S is a crazy goof and it is a blast to do be with
her. Especially when we run around in the pouring rain like crazy
people :) But also, she has so much wisdom and a relationship with the
Spirit like I have never seen. We had some incredible long talks in
the car and she helped me more than I can even express. It was so nice
to just talk and, yes, cry...a lot.

We also had the most amazing lesson, definitely in the top five of my
whole mission. It was with this man named J, whose wife and
children and in-laws are all strong members of the church. He has been
pretty hard to motivate and to get him to open up. But our timing was
as such that he was very open this day and as we went about it with
love, he really opened up and asked us so many remarkable questions.
It was a lesson fully and completely led and delivered by the Spirit.
I ended up sharing some things, mostly trials, that my family and I
have gone through that I was not expecting to share. We gave him a lot
to think about, and a lot to study, but not enough to overwhelm him,
which is a fine line. Sister S and I walked out of that lesson
so reverently and so joyful. His family has said wonderful things
about how they think it went, and he even came to church yesterday! I
am so excited to see how he progresses as he implements the teachings
of the gospel in his life.

Aaaand, we are teaching a sort-of-polygamist. Ha! But they are the
best people, you guys. T and S just love everything about
church every week, they love everything we teach them, and they share
the most wonderful thoughts and insights. And they have the cutest
little girl in the world! And we had dinner with them twice this week!
I love them. I am so excited to see where this goes. T is totally
willing to give up alcohol and weed and improve his life through the
gospel! But they aren't sure about not being allowed to move forward
in the life that they have planned with E (the other girlfriend).
So keep them in your prayers!

Also, Sister C gave allll the haircuts this weekend. Four to be
exact. So that was fun service! :)

And when we were going to buy white grapefruit juice to give to G
to help him quit smoking, we were stopped in the parking lot by this
Japanese girl doing a fundraiser! We were already telling her no, and
then she opened up this case of jewelry that she had handmade that was
lovely. In short, Sister C got a leather "I <3 Jesus" bracelet, and
I got a turquoise bead bracelet with a gold starfish on it. We are
mildly obsessed with them and I sincerely regret not getting a picture
with the cute Japanese girl!

Also, we had the best district meeting on Friday! It was all about
Christlike Attributes, which is the very best chapter in Preach My
Gospel. I love learning about that and hearing everyone's different
perspectives on it! We even had a little activity where we threw darts
at balloons with attributes in them, and then we studied them for five
minutes and shared what we learned with the district. I got obedience,
and I found a scripture I really like for it: "And now, I do not know
all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come;
wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will." (Words of
Mormon 1:7) We don't always know the reason for what The Lord asks us
to do. But He does. And it is only through being obedient to Him that
He can truly work through us and help us be instruments in His hands!
Ezra Taft Benson, a previous prophet, said "When obedience ceases to
be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment will God endow us
with power." We NEED His power. So let us be obedient to Him in all we
do! It is a process, of course, but we can do it, one step at a time
with the Lord's help.

Have the best week, everyone! Thank you for your letters, emails,
love, and prayers. I love you dearly :)
Love,
Sister Partridge

 

On our way to girls camp last week!