Serving.....

It's amazing how quickly time flies.  We continue to enjoy our service here in Independence,  We go out every day looking for people who the Bishop has asked us to visit.  It is so sad to see the living conditions of these people we visit.   We live in a very poor ward.   We live in a very inactive ward.  I hope and pray that while we are here, we can make a difference to a lot of these people.  I know that the Gospel changes lives.  It is obvious when we go into peoples homes if they are living the Gospel or not.
Last Saturday, the YW had a fund raiser. They had a spaghetti dinner and a silent auction.  The Young Woman's President is amazing.   She owns a party store and had the cultural hall decorated so amazing.   She did the whole thing herself.   She is Polynesian and we have learned that Polynesian families are very tight.   She is the ONLY one active in her family.   But her daughter was there, two of her sons....a brother....a sister and a few other relatives.   None were active but they were sure there to support her. And nice!!!   I have never met a nicer people.   They are so warm and friendly.  It was funny when I went up and introduced myself to her daughter.   I told her my name and she said, "I am Bianca, and I'm inactive."  I started laughing and said that was a different way to introduce yourself!!!  It was a great evening and I hope they were able to earn the money they needed.  The Bishop told us it wasn't a real good turn out.  But it was only because you had to pay for your meal.  He said when they have pot lucks or dinners that are provided for ward members, they get a couple of hundred people.    That supports earlier what I said about this being a poor ward.
I made more cookies last week than I have in a very long time.  I made 3 batches during the week which equals 12 dozen cookies.   Then I made cookies for the YW fundraiser.  It was dessert for the dinner.   I made 18 dozen last Saturday.   We also took 5 meals into two families.   I was in the kitchen a lot last week.   Glenn was right there with me, cleaning up, and he would go to the store for me if I needed anything.  What a trooper!!!  But we are a companionship and I think we work very well together.
The Bishop asked us to team teach the youth in SS.   Ages 12-18.  If all of them came, there would be around 36 youth.   But as it stands only 8-10 come.   We begin teaching this coming Sunday.   We are excited and pray that we can teach so that the Spirit will touch their hearts and they can develop a strong testimony of the Gospel.
My testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel, and my knowledge that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true Church on the earth today has become stronger, as we have been serving the past 8 months.  Here and in Washington DC.  There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He loves us.  We have a Heavenly Father who wants nothing but to see us happy and living the Gospel.  I am serving a mission because of my love and gratitude to Him for all He has blessed me with ALL my life.  I know I can NEVER repay Him or my Savior for their kindness and generosity to me....but I know how I live my life, in some small way shows that gratitude I have for them.   Glenn and I can serve missions the rest of our life and it still wouldn't come close to repaying them.  But I will continue to live my life serving them, and to live a life of obedience.  Until next time: read your scriptures!