"After all is said and done, the greatest responsibility is to share the Gospel" Joseph Smith (D&C 15:6 I think. . .:)

Date: March 10, 2014 11:28:54 AM MDT

 That quote up above says it perfectly. So. If nothing else go away after reading this with that imprinted in your heart and mind. 

Wow.This has been the most fantastic week so far! I have learned SO much.

I will now attempt to convey some of it to you blessed people.

We had ZTM on Friday and it was just simply fantastic. It was this much needed re-energizing, re-motivated meeting that got all of us even MORE pumped to just go out and share the good news with every single person! This quote from a guest speaker and convert says it all. "Don't waste one moment, one second; the Lord has so much that he wants you to see!" Isn't that beautiful? We learned about three temptations that we have as missionaries, studied them and then taught each other about how we can continue to overcome them, and turn them into strengths. They were: Time, indecision and My will vs God's will. Interesting right? Especially indecision. Time IS a killer! After the meeting and throughout I just kept thinking how cool it was that I with all of these 20 somethings and we're all trying so hard to do our best to help others and forget ourselves. Of course it's so hard and that doesn't always mean that we're actually doing it but we are out here working and trying to change the world! It's such an exciting thing to be a part of:)  Mom: A realization that I had because of this meeting: Remember how I was telling you I was scared to change and didn't want to come back a different person? I didn't want the mission to change ME?  Well. I realized that that's what I want more than anything. If I can work hard enough, learn enough, change enough to create a solid foundation for the rest of my life, become truly converted, than I will have obtained my goal. Of course I don't want to come back a different person, someone that no one will recognize but I want to have the light of Christ, you know? Be the best me, and we can only do that through coming unto Christ every single day.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that when I come home, my mission will not be over! I will continue to progress:) It's exciting stuff. I hope that made sense. It does to me, so that's good:)

I've also been learning a lot about obedience. We all know the scripture, " For I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say. . " right? (D&C 130:120 or 121 expounds on this)  Well, that is so stinkin true! It's such a comforting thought. To the degree that we are obedient we are showing our trust in Heavenly Father's way instead of our own. Someone said in zone training meeting: Obedience is "true repentance." I've never though about it that way but it totally makes sense! When we are obedient we can EXPECT to see miracles. I know for myself that that is true. Just like the scriptures say, it's true! It's so cool! Treasure hunt time: might seem unrelated but it's actually not. Look up "faith" in the BD and read what it says, this miracle thing goes farther than just obedience. It's good stuff:)

Miracles: Yesterday was a day of miracles. We had an hour and a half to tract and I (surprise) had to use the bathroom. We used the gps to find the nearest member's house. They weren't there but the guy living downstairs was this oober nice Indian man that we had actually met before at a bus stop. He was seriously begging us to come in. WHAA? That doesn't happen! Long story short, we have an app for next Tuesday, he's pumped, we're pumped. We left. I told Sis C, I had a though while we were there to give him the Bom  I had, she had to. Back we went. He read the testimony I had written on the spot. He said he knew it was an important book and that he felt so good about it and would read it and have questions for next time! Idk, writing it it doesn't even sound so cool, or different from another missionary experience. .. but I felt SO happy. It was the coolest miracle. I really think that that man (Prakash) Has been waiting for us and Heavenly Father simply used us because we are missionaries and that's what we are for and we were there! I'll keep you updated:) Also we had 3 Chinese students at the branch yesterday which was so exciting but guess who didn't come for the first time? Mandie. When I saw that she really wasn't coming I felt so sad. Like crying. I'm amazed at how much I can feel for and about these people that I know hardly anything about. I know that it's a gift from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love loving people; feeling the tiniest bit of what They feel for each of us. I love it here so much!

Lots of other great experiences but no time!!! TIME. MOM, IT'S THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE!:) 

Here are some "cuse" moments for you all: The first counselor in the EQ presidency in the branch is active, a worthy priesthood holder the works right? Well, he is also an acting pastor (not sure of the actual name) at a different church! Seriously. I've seen him in the get-up. Some of the elders even went to one of his services. . . what? I think it's the most bizarre thing. 

Next: the other day we went to contact a referral right? So we say hi to everyone and get weird looks sometimes. This lady up the street, like too far to up be socially acceptable to say hi so someone, yells out to us.  Ok, cool! We soon noticed that she was staggering around and what was that in her hand? She literally waved to us WITH A SAW IN HER HAND. Aaand she was walking towards us. My brain automatically began to plan out how I would run in the said referral's home and go hide under the bed or something. It might not sound that creepy but, trust me, we were bordering north side and it was SKETCH. Hilarious too, though. There's the cuse for ya!

Well, I love you all so much and always love to hear from any and all!

May we all continue on in our own journeys to come unto Christ each and every day,

com amor,

Sister Ventura 2