Preparation!

Okay so here it is... This week has been really great! We learned that PRESIDENT NELSON IS COMING TO SAN ANTONIO!! Isn't that just amazing! He will be here November 18th. We all get to go and I am so excited! 

But to make it even better, during Zone Conference when President Polley was talking to us about it, he talked about the importance of the Book our Mormon and said that it is estimated that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in 65 working days, which is about 9 pages a day. That day we had Zone Conference, we had about 65 days until President Nelson comes, so in preparation for his coming, our mission is going to read 9 pages a day in the Book of Mormon in order to finish before he comes in November! But then to make it even more fantastic, he also challenged us to make it a sacrifice and to read in only in our "free time" (in the morning, at night, during lunch, etc.) I was so excited! It has been so fun to sacrifice my time and focus on holier things. That requires a bit less sleep, more focus, and diligence, but it has been an exciting effort.

Then we had Stake Conference and that was just amazing! Wow! I was blown away at how every talk seemed to help me in some way large or small. There was a very interesting discussion lead by the Stake President that I loved, he asked,

"If you got a call this morning saying the Savior and President Nelson would be at a meeting tomorrow morning, how would you prepare?" some of the answers were:
- fasting
- prayer
- be on time
- study the scriptures
- look over the people in your stewardship
Then he made a point to say that it is the same for any other meeting. To get the most out of it, we must prepare. He taught that every meeting is a special experience and should be revelatory. It may be over the top to fast for every meeting but it could certainly help us to be on time, pray, study our scriptures, and really try to prepare and not just go into Sacrament Meeting, Ward Council, Relief Society, Young Women's, Young Men's, Elders Quorum Firesides, Stake Meetings, etc. to listen and hope to get something out of it. When we don't put any effort in we can only hope that Heavenly Father will help us.

This was something I felt like I knew, but after his talk, I felt like it was more ingrained in me to be prepared and to focus on learning and applying what I have been taught.

Also, Elder Hayman, the 70 that came and presided at the Stake Conference, said "It is better to come to Heavenly Father and say, "I've studied, I've pondered, I've worked hard to get and answer and this is the choice I have decided to make, is this right?" Rather than to ask Heavenly Father an open ended question expecting Him to give you the answer without any work on your part." This is also where preparation comes in. To get an answer, we need to work, we need to sacrifice, and put forth our best to receive His best.

Whether we are preparing for the prophet, a meeting, or preparing for an answer, when we put forth our part we will always gain more. The more the preparation, the more special the experience will be for us and the more insight He is willing to give us.

Hermana Zimmerman

P.S. After the Adult Session of Stake Conference Brother Andreason took us a 2 other companionships out to get some tacos. It was so good to see him and to catch up a bit.

What a Fantastic Week!

I can't even believe how great this week was. I all honesty this was the best week of my mission. I don't even know where to begin! haha

Eva's Baptism!

This was an amazing experience! She has been taught on and off for 5 years and right when we got here she decided she wanted to be baptized (it wasn't because of us, she was just ready haha). they hadn't had a baptism in over a year and this was the first one in over a year! It made us so happy to be a part of it!

Flat Tire!

Right after the baptism we got to our car and we see that there is a nail in the tire and it is flat. So thanks to my amazing and knowledgeable dad, I knew how to change the tire and get the car on the road to get the tire patched and back to the work of the Lord. But when we got to the 2nd tire shop we dropped off the car and got to talk to 2 amazing guys working in the front. They were hilarious and so positive. Usually when we go to get work done for the car the people are not having a good day, but we got there and they were laughing, cracking jokes, and just being so kind. As we were talking they opened up to us and told us their story about their recovery for alcoholism and their families and their church. they were so funny, they kept saying, "Yeah, this flat repair is on the house, it's for the Lord's car!" haha they were 100% right! but they asked us if we would share a scripture with them so we gave them each a Book of Mormon with Alma 36: 17-21 highlighted and asked them to read it. They were just so nice!

The Power That Comes From The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

We had interviews and I got to talk to the Mission President and wow was it amazing! I was able to talk openly with him and I felt changed the next day. I don't even know how to describe it! It was the best feeling. That is the feeling that come after true change, true repentance. When we change things in our lives, the spirit gives us true joy. I can't even explain how I felt. I was giddy! Like a little girl! I was just so happy! And it wasn't because any of my circumstances changed, but because my perspective and attitude changed. I was different. The power that comes through Jesus Christ's sacrifice is so real! I don't even know how to explain it, but it was amazing. that was what made this week so amazing! Every negative thing went away and I was just able to see clearly, without the negative things clouding my vision. It was just unexplainable. I wasn't comparing or judging myself or others and I had a real desire to serve the Lord and give my all. I am just so grateful that we are able to change. Honestly we all can feel like that every day. We can change and be better every day. I think Heavenly Father let me feel what true joy feels like and it still hasn't ended!! It's going to continue as I continue to work and repent every day.

Have a marvelous day everybody!

Hermana Zimmerman

1. So we made a Texas Sheet Cake with one of the members today because she was super excited about it when I wasn talking about the recipies I have from my mom. But the thing was they don't have an oven so we made the batter with them, drove to the church, baked it, drove bake, made the frosting, and then ate it. It was so fun!

2-4 Eva's baptism!! 

Miracles- September 3rd 2018

This week was really great! Really this area is really great. On Monday we went shopping with Eva (who is getting baptized this coming Saturday!) And as we were walking to a store, we see one of the members and she runs up to us and tells us that he daughter-in-law after about a year is ready to learn from the missionaries again! It was crazy! We were far away from the area, saw her, her daughter-in-law is ready to take the lessons, and it just worked out perfectly (must be divine design ;)). Attached below is a picture of her (Nohemi). 

So I don't know if any of you have watched the Addiction Recovery Videos, but they are amazing! So Step 1 is Honesty. And for that video there is a man named David that talked about his addiction and having to be honest about all that he had done in the past. Well each transfer I watch those videos with my companions because it shows how real the Atonement is. So 2 nights ago Sister Hainsworth and Sister Thompson (the 2 sisters I trained who are now companions... crazy hugh?) text me and say that I need to call them right now. So I do and they tell me they had a lesson with one of the youth in the ward, Elijah, and it was amazing! Elijah had a family in from out of town whose dad had baptized him mom a long time ago. So since they were in town they asked to come to the lesson because the lesson was for one of Elijah's friends. They all had a great lesson and the man who baptized the youth's mom bore a great testimony of Jesus Christ and the son did as well, saying that his family wouldn't be together without the gospel. The friend of Elijah feels the Spirit and they just had a great lesson with the spirit so strong. Well the lesson ends and they get in the car so excited about how great it went. In the car Sister Hainsworth says, "Sister Thompson, I know something that you don't know that will make this lesson even better. Wait til we get home." So they open up her tablet, watch Step 1 of the Addiction Recovery videos and the man in the video, David, was the man at the lesson that baptized Elijah's mom who bore a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ!! It's that awesome! They got to meet him and have a powerful lesson from a man that has been truly changed by the Atonement! It just made my day knowing they met him and had a powerful lesson. 

The healing power that comes from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is real! He can, if we let Him, change our nature. He can help us overcome our past. If we are honest with ourselves our burdens can be lifted.

Hermana Zimmerman