Week 13 - September 28

What a week!!

I just have to say how GRATEFUL I am for the cooler weather. Never thought I would see the day come where Alabama summer would come to an end, and I wouldn't be dripping sweat all the time. Bring on fall! 

But before we go on with that, here are some HIGHS:

• Exchanges on campus/YSA with my MTC companion's trainer, Sister Isakson! We had so much fun, maybe a little too much fun and called the cops on ourselves. If you want the story time go to my google photos.

• Ate at our favorite little restaurant called Manna!

• The Stansfield's took us to chipotle for lunch after helping us get a new apartment (suprise we're moving again yay)!

• Breakfast at Sister Schlicks!

• Ate at Bojangles for the first time and it was an experience I do not recommend :)

Wow, I am realizing I must really love food.

Ok, now back to why this week was so interesting

On Friday we went to the Urgent Care for two hours and Sister Pinegar found out she had torn ligaments in her ankle, so they gave her some medication and a boot. Turns out that this medication might have been not so good for her because on Sunday we ended up at the Urgent Care again, then to the ER and we were there sitting for SEVEN HOURS. I HAVE NEVER HAD MY PATIENCE TESTED MORE IN MY LIFE. Oh, and after all that waiting we come to find out there is nothing wrong with her even though she is still in so much stomach pain. So, yesterday was a little testing for the both of us. Prayers for her that she can getting feeling better and we can figure out what's wrong!! 

Yesterday was so crazy, but somehow we were able to go partake of the Sacrament in between going to the Urgent Care and the ER. When I tell you I have never felt so close to my Savior than in that Sacrament Meeting, I mean it. Immediately, as they said the Sacrament prayers, I just started bawling (Sister Hanks iykyk ). Being on my mission has taught me and helped me realize the meaning and special importance of the Sacrament. It is the closest symbol that we have to come and experience Jesus Christ. As I partook of the bread and water, I felt a closeness and love to Him like no other, so much that it made me cry. It was a very sacred experience.

The field is white already to harvest - D&C 4

Afterwards, testimonies from the congregation were given, and I was crying during those as well. And to finish it off strong, the closing hymn was "God be with you til we meet again." I lost it!! It was my grandpa Doug's heavenly birthday, and so all I could imagine as the congregation was singing "til we meet at Jesus's feet", was the fact that the next time I see him we will literally be at Jesus's feet. So many emotions came out in that meeting. I have never cried so much at church haha. But I was grateful for that experience. Sacrament is truly one of the greatest gifts we have and I am SO BLESSED I was able to not miss it yesterday. Don't ever take that hour for granted!! 

To end on a happy note, I wanted to share a miracle from earlier in the week. ️️️

We lost contact with one of our friends Rozlon about two months ago after meeting her in Walmart. Well, the elders ran into her on Tuesday in Tuscaloosa at a gas station, and they made the connection that she knew us. She told them she got our number, but since her phone was messed up she wasn't able to contact us, but really did want to meet with us. They set up a time with her the next day to have a lesson with us! She told us how running into the Elders was a sign from God because two days before she had been up all night crying and praying! We taught her all about baptism and the Restoration and she accepted the invitation to be baptized. 

If you made it all the way through this email, I love you!! Thanks for reading, and thanks for all your support and prayers. I hope you have a blessed week!! Go experience the hand of the Lord now and tell me about your experiences with Jesus! 

- Sister Ekins