I Am a Christian and Jesus is My Best Friend!

Hello everyone!! First, this week has flown by. The coolest thing was that we had a stake conference broadcast and guess who spoke....Elder Andersen, Sister Reeves, Elder Teixeira and President Uchtdorf! It was amazing!! I wish that I would have brought my notes so you could have benefited as well from the power line up! But there was an idea that I loved from President Uchtdorf that I thought I would just share.

He started by talking about how our testimony is a living thing. It is either growing, which growth will bring it to the brightness of certainty or it will diminish until one day it has gone out. We must continue to nourish our testimony but that is not where it stops. We are reminded from the Book of Mormon that our baptism is a covenant to “stand as witnesses of God [and His kingdom] at all times and in all things, and in all places..." (Mosiah 18:9). President Uchtdorf went on to say that this becomes true as we SHARE the testimony that we have cultivated. In order to magnify this covenant we have made at baptism, we must stand forth boldly, open our mouths and share the testimony that we have taken the time to cultivate. This is when we become a witness of Christ.

It was such an amazing conference. All of them were in Switzerland and we went to Nantes to watch a broadcast of it.

Well for a continuation of the story of our Neighbor (she borrowed salt and basically asked to be taught at our door), we went and saw them this week and they are awesome. She is not sure if she believes in Christ but she is pretty sure that she believes in something. He is an atheist, but open and very friendly. What was amazing is that he was really touched by the Spirit. At the end of the evening, Sister Mason offered a beautiful prayer. Afterwards, he was at a loss of words and he told her again and again that her prayer was "so agreeable, different, better than I've ever heard before, personal, so agreeable, it was just...agreeable!” It was clear that he felt the spirit, but he has not yet recognized it as such. It was a testimony to me that any honest, pure-hearted seeker, regardless of their current beliefs, can and will be affected by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Earlier last week, we were headed to a RDV that we had with a Hungarian family that we had met. When we got to their apartment, the husband answers the door and tells us that we cannot come in. Mince. We walked down the stairs from the apartment complex (naturally disappointed) and exited at the bottom. At this point, we have no other lessons for the entire night. I looked at Sr Mason and just said "Well...if we're porting for 3 hours straight, we need to buy some chocolate to keep me company". ha-ha. We headed across the street to a small store, bought our chocolate and got to work.

First door we ported - believing, talked to him for 15 minutes and shared a little about the Restoration. He told us that he would love to welcome us in but his wife doesn't like religion at all and it bothers her that HE even believes. we left him with all of our information and he said that he wanted to see our church and find out more.

Second door-- not interested. Third door- Let in to pray with them. Fourth door...etc etc. This literally went on all night. It was a night of MIRACLES!! We met so many people who want us to come back, or let us in to pray, and/or had a chance to share our message. It was amazing. Sr Mason and I call it our chocolate bar miracle night. It was obvious though that the Lord knew that our RDV wouldn't go through but that there were people in that same neighborhood who WERE ready to hear themessage.

Cute story from that night: So we were porting (hour 1.5 out of 3) and a mom opens the door. We tell her that we are there to pray with families. She then tells us that she is not interested and not believing. Her daughter (13 years oldish) looks at her mom and then looks at us and with so much excitement says "I BELIEVE! I AM A CHRISTIAN! AND JESUS IS MY BEST FRIEND!". Instantly I melted. I saw this beautiful young girl BEAMING after sharing her simple and sincere testimony. She just kept looking between our plaques, and each of our faces all the while smiling from ear to ear. Through all the miracles we saw that night, and even though I will most likely not see her again, that may have been the highlight for me.

It is time for me to sign out.

I love you all

This church is true and Christ lives.

What a wonderful message we share

Soeur Bitter

Titensors!! I heard that you are headed out to Mexico this next week!! I am so excited for you. You will see so many miracles. I know that there are missionaries who will be coming to your mission because YOU are there. Mission Presidents and their wives have a profound impact on their missionaries for good--and for life. It definitely is that way with me and my mission president. And you know what it was the most--just the way they are. Who they are and how they are together. And I just know that your example will bless thousands of lives in Mexico. You are in my prayers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!! Already sent you a note and I'm sending your postcard asap. I loved all the updates from you and Sarah today! The turtle was my favorite...or maybe the leaf blower inside...or Zoë having her swimsuit on and her clothes at the same time...or Callan with his thug headband. All are great. And you two are great. Love you so much