Happy 4th of July!

HAPPY 4th of July to everyone!

How lucky are we to have our freedom and our independence. How privileged we are that we have this beautiful country to serve the Lord and to truly worship freely as the Lord directs. We are so blessed to have this wonderful opportunity. If we just step back and truly look at how far we have come. People were killed for trying to worship Jesus Christ, Daniel was thrown into the den of lions because of prayer and yet today at this very moment we can pray to whatever God we please. It blows my mind just to even imagine.

This week has been amazing and has just been flying by. I don’t believe where it has gone that now its Monday and I’m sitting here on the computer. The work of the Lord is so much fun; I love it. Maybe I’ll be a missionary the rest of my life? That would be cool. Miracles have just happened and things are looking good.

So miracle 1: I found a bike. A guy in the ward is letting me use a bike he has had for a little while. It’s a little small but I’m definitely not complaining. We needed one so bad. It’s a little Jamis road bike that should definitely fit my needs and get me from point A to point B in a quicker time than walking. I am so thankful to the Lord that he has carried me through and gave us enough energy to get through the week.

Miracle 2: the work is still progressing. Investigators are being found and we had a couple baptisms in the district. And I suppose a miracle is that I had the unique chance to interview one of the people being baptized. How strong the Spirit was in that room. I loved that chance that I had to do that for her and for the Lord. I loved that experience and I will love doing it again. It’s amazing to see how far and how much people give up to join the church. Things happen but that’s what the Atonement is for. It’s there to carry us through when we cannot. Truly, truly amazing.

So because everyone is asking how I ran to the darn fire hydrant...I don’t exactly remember but I went off into the street and either looked right to see if someone was there or whatever, or that I looked down and by the time that I looked up I crossed the street and was one the side walk with that dumb thing in my way. And I promise that fire hydrant moved a good foot in front of me. It just moved! I can’t explain it :) any who…

It’s hard serving a mission to have people still have their agency. I have to constantly remind myself that they choose just as I choose. We have been given that fundamentally sound principle before coming to earth. And I have to remind that they have personal choice. But that’s a lesson for all of us. We have to respect them worshipping and what they want to do just as much as they respect us. I love Heavenly Father and for how well He has thought this amazing plan down to the minor detail. It just amazes me!

I love this time that we are in. Even when times get hard if we keep strengthening our testimony in the Savior and of the prophet Joseph Smith everything will be ok. It’s so awesome.

I love you all so much!

Love,

E mac