I just got Alexis' email and I couldn't wait to post it!
Here is a testimony builder of the Priesthood power and blessings.
When Alexis was set apart, I remember in the blessing she was given, it said something like she "would not be injured or harmed" in any way while on her mission. I remember feeling such a sense of peace and relief. Today, when I read Alexis' letter, I am even more grateful for the Priesthood and the blessing she received and to know that the Lord is taking care of her. I am so very grateful!
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We are definitely trying to start fires here. Despite the cold weather! Lol. I think that the Lord is DEFINITELY preparing this area. We just found out at zone conference on Thursday that because of the missionary age changing a few missions world-wide will be rapidly expanding. The allotment for missionaries used to be 190. Now it is 250 but still not every mission is granted that. In fact only a few are. And we are now one of them. We are expecting 110 new missionaries in the Nevada Reno mission. How crazy is that!?!
President Hermansen told us that that will mean enough companionships to have missionaries in EVERY ward and branch. Plus a surplus. Some wards will have two sets. There will be sets that only travel and train. Some will focus on family history work etc etc. I am just so amazed. I am playing in the kindling of a fire. :)
Haha... zone conference also meant vehicle inspections. We had to leave Elko before 7 to get there in time. So, for a little background information: My companion and I are driving a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Yeah... it's brand new! In fact it has less than 4000 miles on it. The interstates in Elko are SO dangerous. But I know that the Lord is looking out for all of His missionaries! We were in a caravan of 4 vehicles and we were in the back. While passing semis and and going around a bend - we couldn't really see anything in front of us. All of a sudden there was something large and black and solid in the middle of the interstate. I think I had just enough reaction time to clench up and widen my eyes before we hit the thing going 75 MPH. It didn't slow us down but when I watched it from the side and rear view mirrors I saw shattered particles fly everywhere. Whatever it was - it was in pieces. Instantly all of the Elders ahead of us were calling to make sure we were alright. Guess what it was...? it was a WHEEL BARREL! A wheel barrel... in the middle of the interstate! Umm, you know you're in Nevada when_________! Haha. WE were completely fine. Actually, we didn't even know how to respond. So we laughed. Hysterically. For like 45 minutes. I mean - what else could we do. ( I don't know how to get on the mission blog, but I know that Sister Hermansen took pictures of it to post. So I'd recommend trying to find the blog! The car is not pretty, but it works!). Surprisingly, we still won "The best car" at car inspections.
From that little experience (And all the other car accidents that have happened in Elko) I know that Satan is literally throwing everything he can at us to try to hinder this work. Spiritual obstacles AND physical ones (including coyotes and wheelbarrows lol).
This week was really really good :) I knew it would be though. I love it so much. This is the best opportunity in the world because being here I can actually make a big difference in the lives of those around me. Sacrifice is bringing more than I could have ever asked for otherwise.
We had the opportunity to meet Jack [editor note: name change for privacy] this week. He is very very addicted to alcohol. He is very sick and he believes that he will die soon. I can't say whether he will or not. However I believe that he still has a reason for being here. And I believe that coming closer to Christ has a big role in that. Something that really touched me was Tuesday night when he tearfully asked us "will I ever see my family again." IT breaks my heart that there really are people in this world who do not know that families are forever. And that God loves us an infinite amount. Everyone deserves to know those two things. I think that is what our entire gospel is designed upon! I hope that we can help Jack (I know he was in the hospital last night! :S). I really just want to help him feel like he has a purpose and to help him know that life is never over until the Lord calls us home - and since he is still alive, he apparently has not been called home yet!
Mom - I loved what you said about the elections. I also know a lot of people who are panicking because it did not turn out the way that they wanted it too. "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear!" I love that mom! We know that the Lord will take care of the righteous. I am grateful that you can see that and I hope that others can too. I also loved something that Ashley said to me - in a way it is a good thing that Romney did not win because then every time something bad would have happened (his fault or not) would reflect on our religion. I think that he has been such a great lead in for this work to hasten. And we definitely know that it is hastening. Remember - the economy isn't what is most important, faith in Christ is. Besides, through the scriptures we know that everything is going to fall apart before it's going to get better. There is always hope (and by Ashley's new-found definition of hope - it is a certainty that all things will work out) :)
Love Alexis
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