Hermana Rebecca Gifford Serves in Oregon: Safe!

Hi everybody!

How is everyone doing? We are doing great here.

Great news! I am not getting transferred wooo! I am so happy. There is so much work to be done here. Hermana Estudillo and I are staying together as sister trainer leaders. We are picking up two new companionships of sisters and 5 of the 8 companionships will be training new missionaries. So things are going to be pretty crazy. Over half of our zone are leaving so it’s a pretty big transfer.

We were able to find some awesome new investigators this last week. Audrey is the one that I am super excited about. She was a referral from the English Elders. She has been going to a Pentecostal church for the past while and she feels like things just aren't right. She had a lot of questions about different things. People have been telling her make sure you don't open the door for those Mormons so that has peeked her interest to see why people are telling her not to answer the door. She was planning on coming to church but didn't make it. But I am excited to keep working with her.

One of the investigators that came to church last week and this week is Melissa. She is 9 years old. Her aunt and uncle and their family are recent converts of about 2 years. Melissa's parents aren't interested but are allowing Melissa to come to church and learn. We have a lesson with her tonight with the Primary President. I am excited to get to teach her and her mom will also be a part of the lesson.

The other we had at church was Bianca. She is 19 years old. Her whole family was baptized a year ago but she decided not to. She has never really been interested in talking to missionaries but she decided to come to church yesterday! We weren't able to talk to her individually to ask her if we can start visiting with her individually but we have a lesson with their family later on in the week. The rest of the family is planning of being sealed in about a month. It has been great working with them to make it to the temple.

Yoselin is doing well. We only had one lesson with her but it was amazing because she has been reading in the Book of Mormon! She felt like she was getting confused by jumping around reading different chapters, so she has decided to start from the introduction and read it in order.

I am so grateful for the many miracles that we are able to see every day. I truly know that Heavenly Father is listening to every prayer. We don't always get the answer we want but he is listening and He cares. I promise!

I found a quote that I really like from President Monson. "So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment...We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we CHOOSE a positive attitude”.

I know that we all have ups and downs but we really can choose our attitude. I have definitely have seen this in missionary work.

I love you all and hope you have a great HAPPY week!

Hermana Gifford