The sacrament is essential 8-4-2015

Hi!

This week has been amazing. So much has happened! I love my companion. So on Wednesday, we stopped by this family who we added last week and we were knocking and knocking on their door and no answer. So I kept knocking and I noticed that Sister Stirland was like dead silent and so I looked over at her and she was just praying her heart out, but still, they didn't answer the door. 

 As we were walking away I asked her what she was praying for and she was like, "I just was praying that we would be able to see them tonight." 

 So we were about to leave and I was backing her out of the parking space and I looked over and this guy on the sidewalk waved at me! I did a double take and it was the member who had referred the family to us walking with the family who's door we had been knocking on! They had just come back from a neighborhood bbq. So we ran over and started talking to them and it was just so amazing. The power of prayer is so real. Sometimes I think I forget that all I have to do is ask Heavenly Father and he really will help us with anything. 

Wearing my birthday outfit Aug. 4 - I'm 20!

On Saturday, we were on exchanges. I went with Sister Anderson out to our area and we went to an ASL baptism! 2 elders in our district teach in American Sign Language and asked us to teach the restoration at the baptism. It was such a sweet experience. As we spoke, they signed and the spirit was just so strong. There really is one universal language that everyone can understand and it's the Spirit.

Then, on Sunday we added someone! It was such a miracle. We have been praying and praying to find new people to teach because Marcus and Daniela are getting baptized in 3 weeks. 

 We added the cutest little 9 year old. His whole family are members but his parents aren't active. He's been taught by missionaries before but we just really felt like we should stop by and get to know their family. 

 We went over and taught the restoration and the little boy at the end whispered in his mom's ear and said he wanted us to keep teaching him!! 

 He loves Star Wars and was comparing everything in our lesson to it. For example, the priesthood=the force. It was pretty funny. Sister Stirland and I both know nothing about Star Wars, so it'll be interesting to see what he comes up with and relates to the Plan of Salvation tomorrow. haha.

So this morning for personal study, I was studying the Sabbath day and the Sacrament. In "True to the Faith" it says that the sacrament is an essential part of our worship and our spiritual development. 

 When I read that I was kind of shocked. It says the sacrament is essential to our spiritual development. 

 It doesn't say it's probably a good idea to take the sacrament weekly, but says it is ESSENTIAL. 

 So after I read that I realized that I definitely don't understand the sacrament well enough. I've taken it every Sunday since I can remember and I've always known that you renew your baptismal covenant when you partake of it, but I feel like there's so much more to the sacrament than I ever thought. 

 I was just thinking about how beautiful it is that we pass the bread and water down the rows to one another and how at church, we really do go because we all need help. 

 We all need to be cleansed and receive strength from our Savior. In True to the Faith (I'm obsessed with this booklet btw) it also says, 

 "You do not need to be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but you should have a spirit of humility and repentance in your heart. As we approach the sacrament in the right way, it becomes a weekly opportunity for introspection, repentance, and rededication."

 I'm so excited to go to church this Sunday and really try to apply this! I'm grateful that Heavenly Father is so patient with me! I love this gospel and I'm so grateful that there is always something new to learn and new insights to gain. 

 Thank you for all your bday emails!:) Today has been the best day! Love you, love you!

Sister Helton 

I told them about our family tradition to start
each birthday with cake and ice cream on a birthday plate ...

So these wonderful Sisters woke me up with a 20th birthday surprise!