A week of teaching and learning

This week was WONDERFUL! Last PDay Grammy T (who lives with us now. They gave her 6 months to live and put her on hospice like 3 months ago, but now she's Doing better than ever) taught me how to knit! It was super fun to hang out with her. I don't know what ya'll had me do as a kid to teach me to love old people so much, but I do! She's been excited all week to give me another knitting lesson :)

This week was crazy busy with teaching and meetings. Thursday I went to the doctor. Then that night the youth put on this big production about the Savior's Resurrection. It was incredible and brought the Spirit so strongly. T and D were there, but it broke my heart because we had taught them earlier that day about the Word of Wisdom, but they came into the Church smelling like alcohol. It broke my heart because I knew that they wouldn't be able to feel the beautiful Spirit that the youth were bringing because they had tainted their bodies with alcohol. I was pretty upset about it during the play, but as I was sitting there thinking about the Savior, I thought about how many times He has forgiven me and put up with my stupid choices, so my attitude about T and D changed and my love for them grew.

Friday we went on a road trip up to Gridley to meet with President Weston. I love that man! He is absolutely inspired and called of God. I always learn so much from our meetings and when he testifies of Christ I always lose it a little and may or may have tears well up in my eyes. Also, I got to see my trainer Sister Allen. It was so good to see her! I love that girl! Also I got to talk to a girl who has been waiting for her visa for a year and finally got it! She will be going to Brasil for the last 6 months of her mission. BUT she's from Dallas too and put her FBI clearance in at the same time as me....so maybe just maybe my visa will be coming soon.

Saturday and Sunday were General conference! If you didn't watch it, you better get onto LDS.org and watch it! I LOVED President Uchtdorf's talk about gratitude. Heavenly Father is so smart! He knows that when we are grateful we are happier and have a better attitude. He doesn't ask us to be grateful to receive praise and recognition. He does so that we have a more positive attitude. I also LOVED Elder Hollands talk and Elder Aidukaitis! Okay, I loved them all! :) priesthood session was also especially good. Elder Hallstrom's talk blew me away. I absolutely know and cannot deny that these men and women who speak are called of God and are His servants in His Church.

Elder Ballard talked about studying Preach my Gospel. So I'm going to invite ya'll especially William and Giancarlo to study Preach my Gospel, even just like 5 minutes a day and then email me what you are learning and I'll do the same. So boys...will you do that?

After Sunday Conference we went to a house that we tracted into about a month ago. They were the family that let us in right away. E and J. We have tried stopping by, but they weren't home. Well...yesterday they were home!!! :D We sat down and started talking. E doesn't know if she believes in God or not and J was raised Catholic, but doesn't really practice it anymore. I'll be honest, I'm not quite sure exactly what happened, but in our conversation E started getting interested and asking questions that led us to teach the Restoration. And then she kept asking more questions and more questions. Before we even knew it two hours passed by as we talked about basic principles like God and prayer. We invited them to church and they said yes! :D and then we asked if we could come over Saturday and help them with yard-work they were working on and they agreed to that too. They have two little boys, JA (2) and EV (8 months). They are the cutest little family in the world! J is such a great dad and loves his wife and kids. It's so adorable. I am so excited for them! And excited to teach them! They were our biggest miracle of the week!

Anyway, I could talk about so many other things that happened, but there's just not enough time. One thing that I've been thinking about a lot this week is giving up, but in a good way. I'm learning to give up trying to do things my way, but doing them the Lord's way. I give up trying to do missionary work, I need to become a missionary. I give up trying to avoid awkward situations because many times those awkward situations in talking to people has led to meeting and teaching incredible people The Lord has prepared. Once I realized that I was getting tired of fighting with The Lord and trying to do things my way I realized how much better and easier it is to do things His way. It's not a matter of me trying to decide if I'm actually going to do what The Lord has asked of me, I've decided to cut out that step and just do it. I trust Him. He knows what He's doing way better than I do. And I'm sorry it took me so long to figure that out and apply it, but it's made me much happier.

I love y'all and I miss you. I can't believe I get to talk to you so soon on Mother's Day!

Keep working hard back home. The gospel is real and I love it!

Love,

Sister Byrne

Sou dicípulo de Jesus Cristo