Marissa - week 6

To Everyone - 

Hi everyone!!

So this week has been a tough one but here are some of the interesting or cool things that happened this week:

- For the Fourth of July my whole zone went to a Fourth of July parade in Hiram. We got to walk in it and wave and clap people's hand. It literally was the best Fourth of July I have ever had. Yay 'Merica! It was also on our Pday! So we played soccer afterwards as a zone. We weren't aloud out from 6-9:30pm because I guess bad things could happen to us on the 4th. So we all had to be in the stake center and we played speed ball and volleyball, which was a ton of fun! It was like an all day Pday for us, I was pretty tired once the day was over. 

- I got to help our investigator, Lansing, move out of her apartment to a new apartment right next store (it is remodeled so it looks better)! It was tough but it was fun to serve her and show her how much we cared. She said that she has to take us out for ice cream next week no exceptions because we helped her, haha. 

- DARREN GOT BAPTIZED!!! Whooo! It was such at great day (July 8th)! He was so happy and he bore his testimony and it was so special. Sister Brunt and I got to speak and we gave the restoration lesson to everyone in the tabernacle. Every prophet has spoken there except for Joseph smith which I thought was super cool and exciting. I thought I'd be nervous but the spirit calmed my fears and I was more excited than nervous. I recited the vision and had everyone close their eyes as I spoke. I felt goosebumps and chills all over my body as I said "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" This is what Joseph smith saw as he prayed to Heavenly Father to ask what church to join. I bore my testimony of this true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ and so did my companion. After the baptism, a lot of people came up to me and told they had the chills when I spoke and that they felt the spirit so strongly. Lansing came to me and said she felt very peaceful during the baptism and loved the closing song "nearer my god to thee". It T'was a great day:)

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- The other day I was walking home with my companion and I heard a man yell "SISTER LOWE," we both look and I think "that was strange, no one ever knows me and not Sister Brunt" as the man got closer I saw that it was Brother Longhurst from Kentucky! I was so happy to see him! He took a picture with me and sent it to my dad! It's cool to see familiar faces!

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- On Sunday my companion and I decided to fast because this week everyone has been gone on vacation and no one has been home. We went without food for 24 hours (believe me it was so hard and a big sacrifice). We fasted because we needed to rely on God to help us find new people. And guess what happened... We got 4 texts on Sunday saying "hey my nonmember friend said they were interested about our church and wants to meet with you!" One of the people even came to church and we got to sit with them  and get to know them. The Lord really helps us out when we put in some effort to come unto him. I know that fasting truly works and that God can see that we are sacrificing something not for ourselves but to help others come unto Christ. 

This week has been hard, but It can only go up hill from here. I love this gospel with all my heart! I know Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer and that he gave us the Book of Mormon and the Bible to come closer to him and become like him. I love you all and hope everything is going well.

- Sister Lowe 

Mom

Thanks mom for the Toms, they are great!! You forgot to send me Meg’s email and I'm still waiting for you send pics of the family and stuff that happens In your week.  So I'm Gonna start sending my group emails out because I think some people haven't been getting them. But thanks for doing that at the beginning.

Jessica sent me pics of you guys. Devon looks so old! I miss him so much. It's weird to see pictures of all the siblings without me in them. But I'm not sad, I miss you guys but I love my mission and I’m not really home sick. I think the lord has blessed me in that way because if I was home sick it would really hit me hard and pull me away from the work that I have been called to do.  I love being a missionary. 

Right now since it is summer time it’s really hard to keep up with everyone. Everyone is always going away for the weekend or working 24/7 so it's hard to make appointments when they are free. During the school year I think it will be a lot easier to find more people, which I'm excited for!  I love you so much! And love hearing about your week:) I miss you mom and our talks in he car. You have prepared me so well to go on a Mission and it's hard to be away but I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing.  Plus what is my debit card checking Account amount.  Has devon's email changed form Myldsmail.net

Hey in your next package could you send me some money for laundry, because we do laundry every Monday and I put a $20 in the coin machine and got a lot of quarters, but I'm starting to run out of quarters now. It's $2 for a washer and I do a colors and whites wash so it’s about $5 each time I come, sorry to ask you this I just don't have much cash on me and I would go to an ATM but I don't have a car to get there.

Love you,

Sister Lowe