Zone Conference and Cockroaches

So much happened this week that just left me with a spiritual high. This week I have really been focusing on Ether chapter 12. Since I have been having such a hard time this transfer, it has really helped me. We were able to share that chapter with so many different people in lessons, and the funny thing was that it actually tied into what the mission President talked about at Zone Conference. My favorite verse from it is from Ether 12:6, which talks about not having a witness before a trial of your faith. Well, that is what happened. Heavenly Father was sending me a trial of my faith. Something the Mission President was talking about comparing Heavenly Father to teaching a baby how to walk. At first you are constantly holding their hands and are always right behind them. Eventually, when they learn how to walk, you still are watching them very closely, and you are never far away, but you let them find their way. That really hit me. That of course Heavenly Father always is willing to help you and comfort you, but what would you ever learn if he is always there showing you the way to go? We do have our agency, and we need to make our own choices, but always know that Heavenly Father is never far away when you need His help. 

During Zone Conference we also just really focused on being close to the Savior and really understanding the Atonement and how it plays a role in our lives. Something that I really liked is that President Hobbs asked all of us to find our favorite scripture about the Savior and explain why it was our favorite.  Then pick a favorite Christ-like attribute and explain why it is your favorite. So I did.  My favorite is John 14:18, and the Christ-like attribute I love the most is one that most people don't think about very often - courage. We really do need to have courage to stand up for what we believe in - courage to go out and to open our mouths. 

This week we got a new investigator!! Her name is Areana. She is a cute little 9-year-old. Her family is less active, and she is so excited to learn more about the church and to be baptized. I explained the resurrection, using owies and booboos, and tried to help her know who Jesus Christ is. It reminded me so much of when I was a primary teacher and all the cute things kids say. Because after I talked about the resurrection, she asked if her guinea pig who died was going to be resurrected. 

We also were able to do service with the Elders in our ward for a less active member. We cleaned up leaves, trimmed a tree, pulled weeds, killed cockroaches, and bagged everything up. Let me tell you, there was literally a hoard of cockroaches of all different kinds living underneath this deflated pool she had. They were fast, too. They were all coming for me, and I luckily had a shovel in my hand, and just ended up pummeling them with the shovel. 

Well Memorial Day was kinda boring.  We didn't have a Zone activity or anything, so we just got our shopping done, did some cleaning, and I wrote a ton of letters. It was nice and relaxing though. I hope everyone had a fun time with the long weekend. I love you all, and I hope that you all have a great rest of your week. 

Love, 
Sister Jessica Bell