---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elizabeth Montgomery <elizabeth.montgomery@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 9:07 AM
Subject: Letter #18 - 8/5/13
To: Christine Montgomery <chrismont9@gmail.com>
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
From: Elizabeth Montgomery <elizabeth.montgomery@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 9:07 AM
Subject: Letter #18 - 8/5/13
To: Christine Montgomery <chrismont9@gmail.com>
Alright, speed writing. P-Day ends in approximately 20 minutes, then back to work I go.
First off, cute picture of three generations of missionaries at Zone Conference: Sister Filipovska (my "mom," AKA trainer), me, and Sister Zaretskaia (my "daughter," AKA trainee). Something tells me I'm gonna have a lot of posterity by the end of my mission... there are a TON of missionaries coming in to our mission by the end of the year, so much so that President Klebingat doesn't really know what to do with all of them. Baptize Ukraine, I guess... good thing the Black Sea is right nearby.
So yeah, we had Zone Conference this Friday! It was awesome. President gave us a doctrinal presentation on the Second Coming, we learned tactics to memorize scriptures, we got some more instruction as a zone, and probably the coolest part -- President told us the story of his conversion and how he met his wife, which is basically one big story of tender mercies and legit miracles that I won't even attempt to relay to you in this short of time. But wow. Don't be surprised if you find President Klebingat in the Ensign someday as a general authority... that man is incredible. And even more than that, he just helps me understand how incredible God and His gospel are. I am so blessed to have him as a mission president, seriously.
After Zone Conference when we were waiting for taxis, I kind of separated myself from the other missionaries and just looked at the temple, pondered, and basked in the Spirit that I was feeling. I wrote later in my journal:
"I imagined thousands of spirits standing around, almost thronging me, pleading for me to find their descendants and bring them to the temple. I also imagined the Lord Himself walking the halls of His home. As I pondered more, I just asked, 'Lord, what would you have me do to bring souls unto Thee? I'll do anything -- just say the word.' He didn't answer me then, but that was a very humble and important moment when I saw things clearly, as they really are. I completely forgot myself and was willing to give up anything and everything in the cause of bringing souls to Christ. And now that God knows that, He's going to take me up on that offer and push me -- I can feel it. I say let Him. God, do whatever You need TO me and WITH me so that Thy children can be brought unto the glorious truth of the gospel. What would Thou have me do? What would Thou have me be? Tell me and help me, and I'll do it. I'll do anything for this cause... I want to do EVERYTHING for this cause."
I can't even tell you how on fire with the gospel I am right now. I don't have time today to give details about all my investigators and all that amazing experiences I'm having here, but just know this about me right now: I'm in love with my mission. I'm in love with being an official representative of Jesus Christ, feeling so close to Him so often, and spreading the love of God to every one of His children I come into contact with, EVERY SINGLE DAY. It's incredible, and words can't describe how grateful I am for this experience. It is hard, just like everyone has always said missions are, but seriously... it's amazing.
More on my investigators next week... good things are happening though. :)
To end, I shall give you the testimony which I gave my ward yesterday (translated to English of course). "Sister Zaretskaia and I had an interesting experience a few weeks ago. We stopped a woman while contacting and told her, 'Hi, we're missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ. Can we share a message with you about...' but before we could continue, she stopped and said rudely, 'Girls, girls, I know," and walked away. We hear that every day, so it was no surprise, but this time I just thought to myself, 'You know? Do you really know? Do you know that God is your loving Heavenly Father? Do you know that you can be with your family for eternity? Do you know that there are prophets on the earth who speak with God and then speak with us, so that we can know the will of God? Do you know that Jesus Christ atoned for your sins, that He felt everything that you have ever felt so He could comfort you perfectly? Do you know that the Book of Mormon is an incredible and true book that testifies powerfully about Jesus Christ? Do you really know?' Brothers and sisters, never forget the blessings that you have because of the gospel of Jesus Christ; share them with everyone. I know it's scary -- every day I have fear. But my testimony is stronger than my fear, and my desire is stronger than my doubts, and I know it can be just the same with you. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Have a great week! I love you!
Sister Montgomery
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