Fwd: Hearts are Bright, Temple Light, the Field is White!

Date: Mon, Dec 22, 2014 at 12:03 PM

Subject: Hearts are Bright, Temple Light, the Field is White!

Merry Christmas, Y'all!! 

Friday and Saturday I went on exchange (aka we switch companions for a day) with Sister Rowley, who's serving in a neighboring ward. As a Sister Training Leader, I get to do exchanges about once a week with sisters in our zone. It's been great in helping me get to know more sisters, and I'm still just learning how to do a good job of it. Sister Porter is a seasoned Sister Training Leader (she was one for 4.5 months in another area before she joined me in Athens), and has a thoughtful, loving heart, so I'm learning a lot from her. Sister Rowley is a powerful teacher, good listener, has a fantastic sense of humor, and a knack for knocking trailer parks! We had a lot of success in one. Seven of the twelve people we talked to set up return appointments with us! On Wednesday, six of the thirteen people we talked to were interested, and four of them set up appointments with us.The field is truly white and ready to harvest. 

Lyssa is still coming to church, and she feels more and more comfortable there. We had a very effective lesson on Tuesday that helped her overcome some personal problems. She started dating a member and investigating the church at the same time, which is a lead-in for problems if the relationship goes sour because the church and the beau are so closely intertwined. Sure enough, her relationship started struggling, and she didn't know what to do about her newfound interest in the church if her relationship ended. I had the idea to compare her situation to a rope. I said that there is a rope-- an indestructible, always-going-to-be-there connection, between her and God. Her investigating the church is climbing upwards on and strengthening that rope. Her dating relationship, on the other hand, is an entirely separate rope, even though he was means for introducing her to the church. If her boyfriend rope ends, the God rope doesn't have to. They are not the same rope. That comparison gave her a lot of peace and perspective. I'm so grateful the Spirit helps us in teaching! It's the connection between us and God's perfect teaching. The more in tune we are to the Spirit, the more perfect our teaching is, in every situation.

Frank, our miracle referral, came back into the picture! That was a miracle. We invited him to be baptized again, and he is on date for January 24th! He came to church, liked it, and is planning to come to a convert baptism on Tuesday. He may also join us for Christmas dinner at a member's home. We're grateful that he's back!  

Thursday was our Mission Christmas Celebration and Temple Trip!! It was, no exaggeration, probably one of my favorite days of my entire earthly existence so far. It was perfect.

Well, mostly. We didn't leave early enough to avoid traffic, and our session time came and went while we were backed up on Atlanta highways. We were very stressed, and sad that we may not get to do a session. When we got to the temple, we literally ran from the parking lot to the front doors for joy of being there! They were able to slide us into the next available session without a problem and everything worked out. My experience in the temple that day was priceless. It was probably the most powerful temple experience I've had. The only way I could sum it up is just an overwhelming feeling of profound love. I felt like a vase was in my chest, and God was just pouring and pouring and pouring love into it, overflowing in every part of me. It was so profound, yet simply gentle feeling, and real, and happy. The beauty of the celestial room paled in comparison to how I felt. I've reminded myself several since in difficult moments, "Remember how you felt in the temple." It helps me to be humble and loving, to remember the real purpose for why I am here. It helps me remember that it is truly a privilege to serve as a missionary at this time in the world and of my life. 

That night we had the Christmas Choirside, which Sister Bennion (Mission President's wife) directed. I sang O Holy Night in a trio with Sister Buhler (my beloved trainer!) and another beautiful singer, Sister Andrus. It went beautifully. Just before the performance started, Sister Buhler and I got to re-perform our Missionary Christmas parody from last year. That was just a treat! I've heard missionaries mention it time and time again throughout the year, and when we got on stage, I saw many a camera lit up and ready to record. We also found someone who had recorded it from last year, which is a great Christmas gift! (My camera had stopped working and no one else to our knowledge had recorded it. We found it!!) The audience had some good laughs, which bolstered our performance. I also got to see a few members from Lawrenceville, previous companions, and other sisters I love. On the hour-drive home, I just looked out the window at the stars and savored the sweet memories from the day. It was simply a happy, loving day I'll always treasure.

This transfer, Sister Porter and I set goals of having one baptized, three progressing, and finding one family to teach. If you could include us and our goal in your prayers at least once, that would surely be a great help on our end.

I wish y'all a white, white Christmas. :)

Sister Taylor