The great task of life

MLC in Baton Rouge (ft. NOLA spanish zone leaders)

Exchanges in Houma with cute Sister Stratton

 

Hey y'all!! I hope everyone is happy and healthy and finding those rays of sunshine through the clouds :) It was a good week. It was one of those weeks where appointment after appointment fell through and the work was a bit slower. But we had enough tender mercies along the way to keep us hopeful and excited for what's to come. 

A couple of those tender mercies:

·         We got in contact with our friend Dorrish! She was on date for baptism about a month ago and was embracing the gospel with open arms but then she had to move quickly out of her apartment and we lost track of her for a long time. She wouldn't answer our phone calls or respond to our texts. We assumed she was avoiding us because hey, that happens. We kept praying for her of course. Well one day this week I felt like I should call her....and she answered! I can't tell you how many times we called her before but for some reason this time she answered. We talked to her and she was crying and was so happy to connect with us again. She's living in Kenner temporarily so we're going to send the Kenner sisters over to teach her. We're so excited for her to have the gospel in her life again! She needs it and we know she is ready for it.

·         Mama Caswell is a solid member and one of my favorite people. She has a special place in my heart! Her husband Mike is catholic and has never wanted to hear anything about "the mormons". He's such a great guy but it has always been hard for Sister Caswell to be the only member. She always tells us, "Never marry outside the church. Mormonism is a lonely religion." Well Mike has been having a lot of strokes and health trials. He received a powerful priesthood blessing at the hospital a few weeks ago and he believes God is giving him a second chance. We were at their house this week when he came in beaming and announced, "I'm going to join the Mormon religion!" That moment was shocking, incredible, and so so happy. Heavenly Father truly has a plan for all of His children.

When we do things the Lord's way we can trust that the Lord will be right there with us. He will put His hand on our shoulders and we will know He is there. And I'm not the greatest at that! I really seek to do things His way yet I continue to fall short. But I am sure thankful for the atonement which gives me the strength to continue on the path and strive to know and do God's will. Ezra Taft Benson said it best: "the great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it." So we can just keep trying, keep trusting, and keep seeking to know and do His will. Life is much happier when we are striving to follow Jesus Christ :)

I love y'all! 

Sister Thomas

"I have free dessert for anyone wearing a Jesus Christ name tag" - our cool friend at Costco

Haha that's my girl!! Sis hit her 4 month mark and celebrated with some cold medicine (don't worry, she only took the recommended amount)