Fall Is In The Air 9/30/2013

I feel like I begin almost everything with a comment either about the weather or time.  I will try to abstain.  At least until the middle of this post.  Things are progressing in Edwardsville.  I find with every two steps forward, you take one step back.  I have to keep reminding myself that we still have people progressing and we are still helping people.

First up, the Relief Society Broadcast.  If you missed it go to lds.org and watch it!  Right now!  Stop reading this!  It was so amazing and exactly what I needed.  The whole time I was thinking that my friend Michelle (our upstairs neighbor) needs to hear this.  She was supposed to come, but some stuff happened and she couldn't.  But we called her before we went in and tried to help her and told her to read Jeffrey R. Holland's talk Broken Things To Mend.  After the Broadcast we called her to see how she was doing and told her we were buying a pizza and coming over to help her.  She told us that she had something she wanted to tell us, but it needed to be done in person.  We told her to start watching the Broadcast online.  When we got there she told us the most exciting news ever!  She had been trying to really focus on God in her life because with her being so busy with school and work, she's neglected him.  She said that she had been thinking and praying about this decision and when she read Broken Things she knew it.  She wants us to start teaching her!!!!  Sister Felt and I were so excited but had to play it cool.  It was torture!  She got all her concerns out and we tried to help her the best we could.  She came to church yesterday and she liked it.  I hope she comes to know this gospel is true and love it just as much as I do.  And Michelle, I know you stalk missionaries, so if you find this and don't want your name on my blog or to be written about, I'm sorry, just tell me.  I'll change your name or just not write about you!.....LOVE YOU!

We had a lot of lessons this week and they've all been amazing!  We met with Alex and we found out that the house she is living in, which is very nice, she owns.  Let me tell you a little about Alex.  For one, she's 19 and for another, she's 19!!!  What?!  I'm 22 almost 23 and I don't feel like I'm old enough or mature enough to be a homeowner, let alone live by myself.  She's crazy awesome and way mature and smart and independent.

Glennis came to church yesterday and because she's not been doing very well health wise, we asked Bishop Ryan to give her a blessing.  She wanted one so bad, but didn't want to bother anyone with it.  You could see the desire in her eyes though when Bishop came up and asked her if she wanted a blessing.  So we went into his office and he talked a little about the priesthood and how blessed we are to have.  He then gave her a blessing and the two of them talked for about 30 minutes about Christ's sacrifice for us.  It was so wonderful to be able to be there and hear the blessing.  It was so wonderful and Glennis was so grateful.  Seeing someone receive a blessing for the first time and the beginning appreciation they have for the wonderful gift of the priesthood is such a testament to me.  I think because I've been a member all my life and have always had that in my life, I have definitely taken it for granted.

It was a pretty amazing month and I can't believe it's October tomorrow (thought I'd forget, did ya?).

Until next Monday,

Sister Trop