A Functional... Ward?

Week 50, Transfer 8
Area: Auburn (Auburn 2nd Ward)
Compañera: Hermana Griffin

Anyone who makes it to the end of this email deserves a fist bump in six months.

Highlights:

First week in Auburn! It is a crazy busy area! I asked my mission president for one thing this transfer—to go somewhere where I could just work. And boy, did I get my wish! Three people just got baptized recently and all got confirmed yesterday! The gift of the Holy Ghost is such a blessing! We made the goal to put seven people on date this transfer. Your prayers for the people in our area and for us would be much appreciated!

The ward is so... put together here! Everyone just knows what to do and... does it? I never thought I'd be able to serve in a ward because after the mission split last summer, the only Spanish ward got put into the Sacramento boundaries. But here we are in Auburn, integrated with the ward, doing translation every Sunday, trying to start a Spanish group! The Lord's truth is marching on!

Had to move apartments... after we'd already half unpacked my stuff after transfers. We did repack and pack all of Hna Griffin's stuff in about an hour, so that was epic. But we moved to an apartment lovingly termed "the cave" by past missionaries, haha. It's not quite as bad as some have made it sound, but... we just don't question the bathroom, the oven, or the lingering "musty, moldy mac and cheese smell," as Hna Griffin calls it. But we bought all the cleaners known to man at the store today, so it'll soon be as sparkly as a princess birthday party—don't you worry!

Found eight new people this week! There's a GIANT neighborhood FILLED with fourplexes that is probably 90% Hispanic. It's been knocked over and over again, but people move in and out so frequently, and there are so many people living in each house, and hearts change daily. So it's kind of a necessity to knock the whole place basically every couple of transfers. I know this area was opened for a reason. So much prayer and so many impressions went into opening it almost a year ago, and I know the Lord has consecrated the area and our efforts to find the elect people that are here.

One of our new members got baptized at the very end of last year, has already been to the temple, already has the Aaronic priesthood, has already blessed the sacrament, HE asks US for info about the YSA, and is planning on serving a mission. One of our returning/part-member families' son/grandson just got baptized/confirmed this weekend (his grandma presented him his first week here to the missionaries as, "This is my grandson. Please baptize him." Six weeks later, he went through with his decision to enter the covenant of baptism and was so happy about it!), and his aunt has a goal of getting to the temple by the end of the year. Guys, hearts are ALREADY PREPARED. The field is white, READY to harvest.

Spiritual Thought 

D&C 4 (long but good):
"1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work;
4 For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen."

EVERYONE can help with missionary work, and it is VITAL that you do. If you're in an area where you can be hands-on—helping missionaries with lessons, fellowshipping, meals, etc.—do so. If you're not, find a friend, invite them to church, and tell the missionaries about them. If that's too scary, find a post you like from the church's website or a favorite scripture and repost/post it. It doesn't have to be anything big.

Our prophet, President Nelson, taught:
"There is nothing of greater consequence [than helping to gather Israel]. Absolutely nothing. … Anytime you do anything that helps anyone … take a step toward making covenants with God … you are helping to gather Israel" ("Hope of Israel" [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018]).

If Jesus Christ brings you so much joy, why are you hiding it? Share the gospel in simple or big ways—through a text, a church invite, or asking your friends if they'd want to meet with missionaries to learn more. And if that means being a missionary for yourself to strengthen your own testimony, then focus on that, because that is also bringing another soul closer to God and His immense and beautiful love and eternal promises! God loves you so much more than you can ever imagine, and I love you all too! QUE TENGA UNA BUENA SEMANA!!

/Hermana Ellis

Google Photos!! Go check them out to see some fun mission updates! https://photos.app.goo.gl/UtFZf4erpztBvg7x5

Notable Quotes:

Hna Griffin: "And so the mission veil parts."
Hna Ellis: "Nah, I'm still behind it (I can't remember anything). It just got a little thinner for the movie to come to mind."

Hna Ellis: "Do you want to hear the donut story?"
Hna Griffin: In the middle of throwing darts at the dartboard "I think I might want to sit down for this and not be holding sharp objects..."

Hna Griffin: "Beeeeaaans." (After we randomly found cans of beans nicely stacked in the cupboard.)

Bro Fallon (a member in the ward): "I put the 'f-u' in 'fun.'"

Hna Smith: "I ate a lot of baby tacos, and now my stomach hurts."





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