I love my savior!

HOLA!!!!:)

Monday night we had an awesome Noche De Hogar with our Ward mission Leader and our investigator Amanda, and her friend Byron who is a member. It was so awesome! We talked about the apostles and elder L. Tom perry and wowwyyyy I learned a lot! But we had a really good time, and Amanda loved it! :)

Tuesday, we gave an investigator a blessing cause she's really sick, and we had an awesome lesson with the member that came with us. The priesthood is so cool, and God is so good!

Wednesday we had district meeting, I gave a training on becoming more like Christ, and focusing on Charity and hope, it was really fun except wow I'm such a spaz when I give trainings it's embarrassing. But it was really good, I love my district and my friends.:)

Thursday we met with Rosio and went over the plan of salvation. This was a lesson that just made me really grateful for my mission. She was talking about how much she's changed from coming to know Christ, and I thought, this is the reason I'm here. Because there is a light in this gospel, this gospel is hope and it really does change us.

Saturday we had an awesome lesson with Amanda again, we talked about the plan of salvation as well. She said 'hey yall I wanna know how I can have an eternal family,' and we were like well you're in the right place here's all the answers. It was a really awesome lesson, it made me realize how much God truly loves us. I know he does have a plan for every single one of us, and although we can only see a few steps ahead of us, he sees the big picture. And he puts people and situations and trials in our life all for our good, so we can grow and learn and one day help others. (Also side note we ate Colombian food and I had empanadas and they were delicious :) )

We were able to set two baptismal dates this week! For Amanda and Rosio, who were having a Noche de Hogar with me both tonight as well :) on the 11 and the 31 of July. We are so excited. It's been amazing to work with them, they both are so sincere, and teaching them has helped me to know this really is Gods work, and he really does prepare people to accept his gospel. I am grateful to be his instrument, to bring this gospel to them who are truthfully seeking it. I know we are blessed when we obey and work diligently, and keep our faith in Christ.

This week as we did service, and hermana James asked me what my favorite part of my mission is...I didn't stop talking  about it the rest of the night. There's too much to love!

These members are amazing, their example and faith and willingness to serve and help and share is amazing. I will forever be grateful to be able to serve around them, and come to know them and be changed by their humility and selflessness. 

My companions have all been amazing. It's so fun to love with your best friend and to just see how the gospel has brought us all so close, that through Christ we're able to help one another. Im grateful for the friendships I've made here :)

I've been able to see the reality and blessings of the gospel. We are really so blessed to be members of the restored church of Jesus Christ. I've seen the change this gospel has on gods children, and in myself. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost,and the hope we have through this gospel. I am so happy to be here, to share what I love and that I know this gospel is the biggest blessing we can have, and I know it can and does bring so much happiness to every one we meet. 

My own testimony has grown so much and just wow. I think this is one of the biggest blessings I've experienced on my mission. I was talking to my hermana this morning, and she said how I had a strong enough testimony to get me on a mission, to have the desire to share the gospel. I'm grateful for her. I sit here now, seeing I've learned and grown and I think, wow I feel like I didn't know anything before my mission, and I love every day because I learn so much every single day. I love reading the Book of Mormon, and I've been working so hard to know the truth of it. I truly know that our Heavenly Father listens to us, and knows us by name and heart. I know he loves us so much, and when we sincerely pray and try our best, He helps us-through other people.

I am so grateful for my mission, for how much I've grown and changed, and that the gospel is such a big part of my life now. I'm glad to finally realize what's most important in this life, and I am so grateful for my time I have to serve these loving people in Tennessee. I'm so honored to be a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ, and I am so grateful to be engaged in this work, to share His gospel and the good news :) I've learned its so important to really live your life like Christ, to live for others and do all you can in your power, (and His) to help them come unto Christ. I love my savior :) 

I started my mission with elder Nielson CCM buddies! 

June 1, 2015

So we had the most awesome pday night! We met a man named Luis, who is so prepared, we went back on Wednesday and taught him the restoration! He is so interested and so prepared, we are hoping he had been reading and praying:)

Then we met with like 4 members who live in the same apartment, with our investigator Rosio. She's amazing! We had An awesome family home evening, she just loves the book of Mormon and church and the members, we're so excited!(: her brother is a member, and she wants him to baptize her, it's probably going to be next month, (Julyy, WHAT?! Cannot be,ie e that's next month..) but wow we just love her so much and I'm so grateful to know her and to be able to work with her :)

ThEn we met this Less active lady, who is so sweet! And we had an awesome lesson with her about Joseph smith, then she drove us home after! SUCH AN AMAZING NIGHT!!:)

Tuesday we did a lot of knocking, with a surprise THUNDERSTORM!!!!!! It was so awesome! It went on for days, (like 30 minutes,) but there was wind thunder and lighting! So fun! We also met some really solid people, we'll go visit them again this coming week :) also it's been raining each day this week, but we love it! We come home every night and our shoes are soaking wet haha but the work goes on :):)

Wednesday we had district meeting, always fun. I love being with other missionaries, we always have a good time and learn a lot.

Thursday we had another awesome lesson with Rosio and Michael, our Ward mission leader about the atonement of Jesus Christ. It was so good, the spirit was so strong, I'm so honored to be a representative of my savior, an to preach his gospel. 

Then after that, we met up with Jhonny who bought us ice cream :) he has been out of town a lot, like every weekend, so he hasn't been able to come to church. But we love meeting with him! He's so awesome, we're best friends :) 

Friday we did weekly planning...I'm getting a lot better! Haha I used to have mini panic attacks each week, I don't know the problem,  but it's getting better and I don't dread it as much! Haha!

Then we went out tracking and saw a miracle. Everyone we knocked into was white, but said the Hispanics are here, just come later. So we thought okay we're not supposed to be here right now..so as we were leaving the complex, we see this Hispanic lady! We totally go up and talk to her and she's very interested and says we can come back!  After that, as we were walking away, I show hermana James this scripture, 

Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." 

It was really amazing to see the Book of Mormon relate so directly to our life! I know if we put our trust in the lord, and pray for help to open our eyes, we will see his hand in our lives and his miracles :) 

We then had an awesome lesson with Amanda, and Byron-a member. She's so interested and has come to church so much, we're having a family home being with her and Michaels family tonight! She loves the Book of Mormon and church, and already knows it's true. She knows so much. She's a miracle :) 

Saturday we went out to dinner with a member, and had a miracle night. Our day was a bunch of door slams and no success, but that night we found a less active hermano, and his wife is not a member. It was kinda late, but we scheduled s family home evening for next week :) it's amazing how when we truly want to help others, the lord really will bring scriptures to our memory,many will fill our mouths with the words we need to say, and that others need to hear. 

Yesterday church was good! Rosio and Amanda came, they both loved it (: 

also this comes to my subject line, this homie of mine here was leaving church and I was like hey are you gonna come to class!? And he walks away really slowly and awkwardly and says "I need to go find my wife..."it was hilarious cause he's not married. I lol'd. 

I love this Ward, they are so caring and loving and willing to help. There's about two weeks left of the transfer, I really am sad cause I really don't wanna leave...but I know gods in from of this work and I'll do what ever he needs me to do :) I feel so blessed to be able to serve here with these amazing people, it feels like home :) 

Con amor,

Hermana Eastwood 

A quick thought of support from Paige

If someone feels inadequate, or like they're not good enough, or you
don't know enough, or you're not strong or brave enough, your
testimony is not good enough, just like elder uctdorf days, STOP IT. I
have learned so much from my mission so far, and I would trade it for
anything. I have come to know my Savior more, and I love him. I have
come to love the scriptures, and the companionship of the spirit, and
I never want to do anything to not be worthy to have him with me. I
have changed so much for the better, I now know who God knows, Needs
and wants me to be. I strive everyday to improve. I'm grateful for who
I am today, and for how much I've grown. My mission has helped me see
my faults, and regrets and mistakes, but I know without a doubt,
change is possible. We can let go of everything, and through this
gospel, we can become more like Christ, and we can perfect ourselves
through him. I know I still Have a long ways to go, but I am grateful
for who I am.
Or, since I'm in Nashville, in the words of my good friend Tim McGraw,
"I'm not as good as Im gonna get, but I'm better than I used to be."
:)

Everyone who is able to, No matter what you're feeling, I would
definitely strongly advise to make serving a full time mission a
priority. It is something only you can experience, and it is how one
can come to know their savior, and what's really important in this
life.
I will forever be grateful for my experience to serve as a missionary
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Hermana Eastwood