February 4th 2019

So the time is here, 2 more days in the mission field and I can't even believe it. These past 18 months have been an adventure for sure. I was looking back at my 1st mission email I send out and it was just beautiful to see where I began and now, where I end. So much change has happened, and really there is no way to describe these past 18 months. I have learned so much, taught so much, loved so much, worked so hard, and given my all to the Lord. I heave come to love the people of Texas and especially the Latino people here. They for sure have my heart.

Teaching the people in Texas about Jesus and His restored church has been such a humbling experience. It has really refined me and taught me so much about who I am and who I can become. I know that those are direct blessings that come from living the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You are changed. Changed from who you were to who you can become. And thanks to Jesus Christ it's all possible. 

I was reading a talk from this past General Conference called, "For Him"

I am filled with gratitude to be here and to be doing this for Him. The opportunity to serve Him by teaching my brothers and sisters for Him is such a privilege. 

There is a quote in the talk from President Nelson that says, “When we comprehend His voluntary Atonement, any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving Him.” I really love that. When we understand His sacrifice, our sacrifice comes out of gratitude for Him. Mosiah 2:17 says, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." We are all serving in some capacity, it could be service in a calling, being a mother or a father, a friend, a co-worker,  a ministering brother or sister, a grandma, a grandpa, a volunteer, etc. We are all serving others and in turn serving our God. Please continue serving His children and sharing with them the love that God has for them. Show them you care for them, show them you love them, show them that He loves them.

I know that service to others is the way to find happiness and peace in thsi life. Jesus Christ gave His life serving us and we can do the same for Him. I know that Joseph Smith spent his days serving all of us by building the church and bringing forth the Book of Mormon so we could have the blessings of the Gospel now. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that in it's pages we know how it find peace in this life and know why we are here. I know that the prophet Russell M. Nelson is the prophet of God and that he teaches us how to love and serve others by his words and his actions. Jesus Chriat leads and guides the church through Him and the apostles. I know that God lives and that He loves me and you.

Thank you for the kind words you have shared with me and the love you have shown me while I have been out here. 

May God be with you til we meet again!

Hermana Zimmerman

Just Few More Weeks Left!

I am not quite sure how to sum up all that has happened since December 3rd but I think the word marvelous fits nicely. 
I looked back at my last email and it was 43 days ago. The time has been flying here and there is so much that has happened and I don't have too many pictures from all of those days. But it has been beautiful seeing the Lord's hand in all that is going on. There have been ups and downs, Christmas has come and gone, a new year has begun, I've gotten a new companion (Sister Mugleston), and things have been so busy here. I have never felt so tired in all of my life, but all for a good cause. I would never trade it for anything.
I would like to share some thoughts from my scripture studies lately.
I have been trying to use the Come Follow Me manual and it has been so wonderful, such an inspired way of learning in the church. There was a part last week that stuck out to me it says, 

"For whatever reasons, God’s timing meant that the blessing Elisabeth and Zacharias desired, to have a child, came much later than they expected. If you find yourself having to wait for a blessing, or if it seems that God isn’t hearing your prayers, the story of Elisabeth and Zacharias can be a reminder that He hasn’t forgotten you. He has a plan for you, and He always keeps His promises to His righteous Saints. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland promised, “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come” 

Then there are 3 very beautiful questions:

How did Zacharias and Elisabeth remain faithful? 

Do you find yourself waiting for a blessing? 

What do you feel the Lord expects of you while you wait?

I love these questions! What is the Lord trying to teach us while we wait? We are all waiting for something and if we search for potential lessons we can learn, we will be able to go through our trials with happiness. President Nelson in his talks "Joy and Spiritual Survival" says.

"My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, which President Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”9 And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!"

I want to testify that Jesus Christ is joy! When we are willing to wait for blessings or things to happen in our lives, we can be joyful. We can fill our lives with light and lasting peace that comes from The Godhead. I want to testify that the tools God has given us to find that joy are the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon, specific prayers from the heart, the ability to attend church and partake of the sacrament, a prophet to guide us "to the most fertile parts" (1 Nephi 16:16) of our lives, the priesthood authority to perform the ordinances so we can make covenants and return to live with our Heavenly Father, and temples to continue the covenant making process. I love this Gospel that Jesus Christ simply taught us. This Gospel brings me joy that I cannot fully express, joy that lasts. 

I love all of you and hope that your week is marvelous!

Hermana Zimmerman

1. Sister Hill and I in the car

2. Sister Hill and I in the car again driving to Carrizo for an exchange

3. Jose went to the temple and did baptisms for the first time!!

4. Pants (with Sister Mugleston)!!

5. Last picture with Sister Duran

6. Me with a Tamarindo stick (this has become my new favorite Mexican candy!!)

7. Sister Casperson and I!

8. MLC picture

9. Sister Hill and I parting ways :(

10. Fun birds at the aquarium!

11. Sister Hill and her Tamarindo stick

12. us picking our own oranges!

13. The fun Christmas snowflake stickers we used to make our apartment a winter wonderland

14. Sister Felsted and I on an exchange in Carrizo

15. Sister Mugleston touching an alpaca!

January 8th 2019

Family! 

So today is our preparation day! We had an amazing Mission Conference with Elders Villareal, Ochoa, and Teixeira. They talked about goals, not getting discouraged, talking with everyone we see, and finding the prepared. It was an amazing Conference.

I CANNOT believe that i have less than a month left! It is becoming more real and it's honestly freaking me out... but it will be okay. All of you are great supports so it will be okay. 

How are you doing? 

Mom and Dad, I am really happy  There are always things to overcome, but I am really happy.

Are you feeling better this week?

Yes, things are going well. We have SOOO many people to teach and they are all so close to baptism. I am so excited!

How's the work coming?

Things are so well! We have tons to teach, many people to help, and so many people wanting the gospel, we are struggling to have time to teach them all! I love it!

Were you able to pick up your prescription that Dad called in?

Yes! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! My face was starting to get bad, but now it is a lot better!

I am trying to get the motivation to write in my journal and remember all the things that happened, but we just have no time anymore. There is no down time, but I like it that way. 

Also I have been working on something called "My plan" and it has been amazing. I have been able to really set goals for the future and think about how I want to live my life afterwards.

Life has been insane! I will try to sum it up in a couple bullet points:

*My Spanish has improved a lot! I am so excited about that

*I have been learning a lot lately about life in general and dealing with people. It's been a challenge but it's all good. 

*we have been finding so many people to teach! It is just crazy! Like 5-7 every week! That is a lot for our mission!

*We had had some hilarious experiences talking to people and being in lesson when members do crazy things

*we have 5 exchanges to do these next 4 weeks

*we have had some crazy people to teach who have schizophrenia and talk about their exorcisms

*we will have 2 zone conferences and 2 MLC's (mission leadership conference) this transfer

*Have Elder Teixeira come and really get us all excited about missionary work again

It's just been a crazy time here in the Texas San Antonio Mission! 

Con muchisimo amor 

HERMANA ZIMMERMAN