The Plan of Salvation Really Does Matter

So sad to write that my favorite member from my first area passed away this week. Je're was always so willing to feed us dinner every week, even though her and her family were barely getting by on food stamps. No matter what, she was always the spiritual constant in her family, despite being the only member of the church surrounded by bad influences. Her funeral was beautiful and full of people who all admired the same things about her: her love for everyone around her, and her ability to braid some mean cornrows. Though it's heartbreaking to see her pass, we know exactly where she is, and that she'll be reunited with her family again. When we're faced with heartache and sadness, it's crucial to know the reason we're here on this earth, and where we're destined to go in the next. People don't always have a desire to know about it until they're knocking at death's door, unsure of what's to come for them. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we had a sure knowledge of the answers to those questions, and have no fear in our hearts of leaving this life, because we know what will greet us once we pass through the veil- I am forever grateful for the truths we know and treasure.

We watched the Restoration movie with Sarah and it was so good! She said she knew Joseph Smith was truly a prophet. She also said he was pretty cute, but we told her that it was an actor potrayal...I think she was a little dissapointed he wasn't the real deal haha. It's always a great testimony builder to have the spirit reaffirm time and time again that he was a prophet. Her parents are still leery about her joining the church, but we continue to pray every day for her! We love her to death. Saturday we did a spa makeover night with some members and their non-member mom and it was a BLAST! She wants to join the church, but her husband is Shaman and won't let her. But she's still at church every week, and always feeds us the best food. She's the literal definition of a dry Mormon! 

We had a district meeting about the Atonement, and it was so touching. We all make mistakes and we all mess up, it's part of our mortal probabtion. But through Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can start over as many times as it takes to get it right. There's nothing too small or too big the Atonement can't cover. I am SO grateful for that! We sometimes think that once we mess up, that's it, why bother trying to fix it when we know we'll just do it again tomorrow? But we know that through Christ, every time we truly repent, our sins are forgiven and we can start fresh and clean. It's something we can't ever forget, because it's so so important! 

Gonna hop off, but I love you guys! I love this work so much- I know with all of my heart it is true. No matter what adversity we may face, it always comes back to the same thing: Read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. When you know it's true, nothing else in the world matters; no opposition can overcome you or break you down because you have God on your side. With Him we will NEVER fail. -Sister Bret