a changed heart and a grateful heart

It has been a busy past couple of weeks! I am doing great. Jessica was baptized last weekend and it was such a special experience for her. She couldn't hold back her tears the entire day! Her son, Landon, prayed for us and called us the "sister memories" instead of the sister missionaries. He is SO cute. 

A tender mercy I saw last week. We were wanting to get Jessica a gift for her baptism and I thought it would be really cool to get her a picture of the Washington D.C. temple that she could hang up in her home (she can't wait to go do work in the temple for her mom who is passed away). We didn't know where we were going to find one in time. We went to the church to grab something and there was a big cart with a bunch of books and manuals with a sign that said "take one". And right on top of the cart was a big, BEAUTIFUL painting of the Washington D.C. temple. Framed and everything. It was such a tender mercy and I know the Lord placed it there for me. Jessica loved it. 

When sister Russell and I were companions, we started teaching this guy named Edward. He was YSA age so we had to hand him over to the elders, but he ended up getting baptized this week!! I got to watch over zoom so that was super cool to see the fruits of my efforts there! 

We had a mission tour last week, where Elder Bassett of the 70 and his wife spoke to our mission over zoom and did trainings with us for 3 days.

For the past 9 months of my mission, I have woken up with a headache literally every day (okay that's an exaggeration). But I usually get atLEAST 4 a week. I decided to go to a chiropractor and I've only had like 2 headaches over the span of a couple weeks!! It has been such a miracle. 

Well, with Thanksgiving this week, I could go on and on and on about all of the things I am grateful for. But I wanted to pick one thing that I am most grateful for and that is the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have such a strong testimony of the transforming power of the atonement.

I am a living testimony that Christ can change hearts. He can change us so that "we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually". I've had to use the atonement a lot in my life and I'm grateful for that, because my relationship with Christ and my testimony of the atonement are now unshakable. I have been able to relate to those I teach on my mission and help those back home, because of the things I've been through. I have been transformed through the atonement of Jesus Christ. If you're not where you want to be, if you don't like who you are or what you are doing, you can change! Don't feel like you are stuck or that you are too far gone. Christ heals. He forgives. He comforts. He welcomes. He accepts. He loves. He just LOVES. 

"So, what can we give to Him, who paid the incalculable price for our sins? We can give Him change. We can give Him our change. It may be a change of thought, a change in habit, or a change in the direction we are headed. In return for His priceless payment for each of us, the Lord asks us for a change of heart. The change He requests from us is not for His benefit but for ours. So, unlike the purchaser at the market who would take back the change we offer, our gracious Savior beckons us to keep the change".

We could never give back, what the Savior has given to us. But like this quote says, we can give him change. Yes, it takes work. No, it's not easy. But you are not alone! He will help you change. He wants you to reach your full potential, so he will do everything in his power to help you get there. I promise that as you make changes in your life, to be closer to the Savior and Heavenly Father, that you will he happier. And who doesn't want more happiness? 

I love you! I am grateful for each and every one of you! Have the best thanksgiving! 

Love, Sister B