July 16, 2018

Singing for President Oaks

I had the best week ever. 

To start, I got to have a private sacrament meeting in the mission home with President and Sister Oaks. Yes, as in the 1st Counselor in the first presidency. It was a very sacred experience. My companion and I were invited to participate in the special musical number, and I also had the privilage of sharing a miracle story. I told them of Jesus and Ivan. It was such a privilege and I feel deeply honored. President Oaks and his family had finished a cruise in Barcelona, so they asked the Galli´s to organize a sacrament meeting. It was my companion and I, the office elders, hermanas from barcelona who also sang and 2 other companionships, as well as 2 senior couples. Then some of the family members that came on the trip. We found out after concilio on thursday and came to the mission home bright and early both friday and saturday to practice. So it was quite an eventful week, and we didn´t know it was him until he walked in the door. We were just told it was a very special guest.

It truly impressed me the depth and strength of his testimony. He talked about the letters he receives and how he has seen that the members of the church 1- don´t understand the Plan of Salvation, and 2- how much we really don´t know about the plan. He talked about how we know Christ´s role, but we do not know how, nor any details of the Premortal life. I thought that was interesting. The night before I was praying for life guidance, and he used the exact phrase. He talked about how whenever there is a change, we react one of two ways: we can either grow as people and grow closer to the savior or we lose our faith. He told us to seek to teach those who are experiencing change, because they are the most accepting. He specifically talked about returning home from the mission field and gave us an 'apostolic challenge' to use it as an opportunity to grow and to never lose the key habits that we have developed. 

As Sister Oaks spoke, she looked right at me the whole time. She testified of how the mission will change your life. I just cannot imagine my life with out it. Honestly it is the greatest thing I have ever done and it truly has changed me forever! 

I know that God has called Dallin H. Oaks and the other brethren to lead the Church and that the true leader is Jesus Christ. He is at the head of his church and the head of this work. 

We had a very miraculous week and I feel extremely blessed.

We met an Indian couple in the last minute of the night, and I told them how much I love indian food, so they invited us over yesterday to teach then and their kids about God and then gave us lentil curry thing with rice and indian bread. Probably my favorite meal of my mission! 

We also had a mountain of Piquematchu this week that just about destroyed me. I am so greatful to be an hermana, where members are not offended if we don´t finish it... But when we were walking out of that eating cita, we were guided to walk home a different way, and we heard someone call out to us. And Ramon was there! He is a man that we are teaching who is really really struggling with depression, and he said, I just finished praying for the first time in my life. I prayed for strength. And we opened up the Book of Mormon and gave him some words of strength. It was amazing. I know God guides our every step and I have so many more things I wish I could tell!

Virginia is progressing so well! But... she didn´t come to church... So the 28th will be the big day. 

We also found a Ecuadorian woman that never gives her number to anyone, but she told us she saw a light in us that she never sees, and invited us to teach her, her 13 year old daugher and her 17 year old nephew. The kids are incredible and have so much potential. They wanted to come to church when she didn´t. I am so excited!

I love my companion. I love my area. I love my ward. I love my mission. I love my family. I love my friends. I love my life. And I love my Savior so much! He truly has changed me so much and I am so grateful.

I love you all so much! 

Thanks for all you do!

Go share the joy!!!

Hermana Read