My dear friends and family,
This week was amazing! One of my precious families from California came to Nauvoo this week and it was a huge blessing to see them. When I saw them again, it was like we were never apart. It makes me have eternal perspective and know that these relationships will last through the eternities and that we are all part of a heavenly family. I have met and come to love so many people on my mission and I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have had to know so many wonderful people.
David Warner, the Managing Director of the Priesthood Department from Church Headquarters has been here for the first week of Pageant and we had the opportunity of hearing him speak at the Cast Meeting before Pageant started on the first night. He said, "On the other side of the veil, they are rejoicing. Because we are here, they will be here." We had the privilege of watching Pageant on Wednesday night and I LOVED it. The Spirit is so strong and you can feel others there with you. One of my favorite parts is at the very beginning when the Bagpipe Band is playing "Praise to the Man" and they march through the crowd up to the stage with a huge group of pioneers following them along. It is powerful.
This week, Sister Newell and I had the opportunity to teach someone about the Atonement on mormon.org chat. She was in England and was struggling to forgive herself. We testified of the Savior's ability to heal us in every way-that it is not possible for us to sink lower that Christ's infinite Atonement can shine. It is incredible to me that the gospel can be spread through the Lord's appointed means to all the world. This transfer, alone, Sister Newell and I have taught people from 9 different countries and all over the United States.
I have absolutely loved Sister Newell. She is a huge blessing in my life and I will forever cherish her as a dear friend. She is fiercely loyal, supportive, motivated, hardworking, diligent, happy, full of energy, always has a kind compliment for everyone, and has a strong desire to learn. I’ve never met someone that can learn so much so quickly.
As I reflect back on this transfer that we’ve had together, I just kind of choke up because my heart is so full of gratitude. This transfer has truly felt SACRED. The first day we were together, we set a goal for referrals and the goal seemed very ambitious-had never been done before and would really push us. We worked diligently all transfer and now, at the end, we realized that we actually DOUBLED our goal that we set. I could hardly believe it myself, but the Lord provided us so many opportunities to testify of the Savior and to help further His work. During our dinner and lunch breaks, we would go into the Referral Center and do Mormon.org chat.
We would dig into our companionship study time and practice teaching, study Preach My Gospel, and just go, go, go. We would bike up the huge temple hill at lightning speed, muscles flaming on fire and all, to make it home on time and still make the very most of the time we have teaching the gospel. We would wake up on time every day and go running. We had absolutely no problems and the Spirit was completely unrestrained in our companionship. We had so much FUN. I will always love Sister Newell. She has a strong heart and deep desire to share the Gospel and I feel like I really gave everything I had. She helped me reach my potential because of who she is.
I've also been thinking about what President Gilliland has taught me throughout my mission. He taught me what it means to love the scriptures and use them in teaching. He knows the scriptures extremely well and it motivated me to learn how to use them. He taught me so much about receiving revelation and recognizing the Lord's will. He taught me how to have power in prayer and to speak with Heavenly Father. The conclusion that I came to is that he taught me how to be a good missionary. Throughout my mission, the Spirit has brought things to my mind that President Gilliland said in a training meeting or in an informal teaching situation. I know that serving around President was divine design and he has taught me lessons that will stay with me through the eternities and has changed me. He helped push me to be better, to try harder, and to expect more.
Yesterday, we met these Jamaican ladies that were recent converts to the Church. They were having a joyful celebration as they saw hundreds of missionaries in Nauvoo. They were running from one companionship to the next, pleading to take a picture with them. One woman exclaimed, "I have never seen so many missionaries in all my life! This is a heaven on earth!!!!!!!" As I watched them throughout the day at different times, I just reflected on that statement. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by so many good people and people that are set apart with authority to represent the Lord. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.
We get three new sisters tomorrow and I'm excited to meet them! I've been thinking about them a lot the last few weeks. Previously, they were scheduled to come in August. But the Lord had them come in July instead. I think there are many reasons for that. And I think that these sisters will be very strong and powerful missionaries. Transfers happen Thursday and I look forward to seeing what happens.
This is the WORK OF SALVATION!!!!!!!
Love,
Sister Heather Ripplinger
As I reflect back on this transfer that we’ve had together, I just kind of choke up because my heart is so full of gratitude. This transfer has truly felt SACRED. The first day we were together, we set a goal for referrals and the goal seemed very ambitious-had never been done before and would really push us. We worked diligently all transfer and now, at the end, we realized that we actually DOUBLED our goal that we set. I could hardly believe it myself, but the Lord provided us so many opportunities to testify of the Savior and to help further His work. During our dinner and lunch breaks, we would go into the Referral Center and do Mormon.org chat.
We would dig into our companionship study time and practice teaching, study Preach My Gospel, and just go, go, go. We would bike up the huge temple hill at lightning speed, muscles flaming on fire and all, to make it home on time and still make the very most of the time we have teaching the gospel. We would wake up on time every day and go running. We had absolutely no problems and the Spirit was completely unrestrained in our companionship. We had so much FUN. I will always love Sister Newell. She has a strong heart and deep desire to share the Gospel and I feel like I really gave everything I had. She helped me reach my potential because of who she is.
I've also been thinking about what President Gilliland has taught me throughout my mission. He taught me what it means to love the scriptures and use them in teaching. He knows the scriptures extremely well and it motivated me to learn how to use them. He taught me so much about receiving revelation and recognizing the Lord's will. He taught me how to have power in prayer and to speak with Heavenly Father. The conclusion that I came to is that he taught me how to be a good missionary. Throughout my mission, the Spirit has brought things to my mind that President Gilliland said in a training meeting or in an informal teaching situation. I know that serving around President was divine design and he has taught me lessons that will stay with me through the eternities and has changed me. He helped push me to be better, to try harder, and to expect more.
Yesterday, we met these Jamaican ladies that were recent converts to the Church. They were having a joyful celebration as they saw hundreds of missionaries in Nauvoo. They were running from one companionship to the next, pleading to take a picture with them. One woman exclaimed, "I have never seen so many missionaries in all my life! This is a heaven on earth!!!!!!!" As I watched them throughout the day at different times, I just reflected on that statement. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by so many good people and people that are set apart with authority to represent the Lord. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.
We get three new sisters tomorrow and I'm excited to meet them! I've been thinking about them a lot the last few weeks. Previously, they were scheduled to come in August. But the Lord had them come in July instead. I think there are many reasons for that. And I think that these sisters will be very strong and powerful missionaries. Transfers happen Thursday and I look forward to seeing what happens.
This is the WORK OF SALVATION!!!!!!!
Love,
Sister Heather Ripplinger
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