FAM!
How are you all?! From your emails, it sounds like the answer is "great!" :) I'm glad to hear summer is in full-swing with camping (Woods, it sounds like it was an adventure) and swimming (Monreals, sorry it's so hot down there in Texas) and dance camps/other camps (Betas, I loved your letters this week!).
It's been a nice week in Boston. I know people told me this before I left, but the days really do feel long and the weeks seem to fly by. This week especially because it was broken up by a day of exchanges with our Sister Training Leader and her companion, Sister White (she was in the MTC with me). I spent Thursday in Belmont with Sister Garcia (STL) and that area is basically like a Utah transplant. :) We went to a member's home (which was really refreshing- I could feel the Spirit as soon we walked in) to finish teaching their 7-year-old the missionary lessons in preparation for her baptism next week. I thought it was genius! The 7-year-old a) feels special because the lesson is all geared towards them b) listens a little better since the lessons are coming from someone besides their parents and c) gets extra baptism prep. It's also a great opportunity for the family to invite a non-member or less-active friend over to hear the missionary lessons! And the missionaries have to simplify it down for the 7-year-old, which is perfect because we need to be teaching the doctrine as clearly as possible. As John Taylor says, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it.” So, family, don't hesitate to invite your local missionaries to do the same for your 7-year-olds! Or suggest it to your friends/ward. :)
Allison AND Ramona came to church yesterday! It helps that we roped Allison into a musical number with Bro. Salazar and Sister Hollan. :) Bro. Salazar and Allison played the violin (they both go to school at the Conservatory where Ramona works) and Sister Hollan played the piano. They did Paul Cardall's arrangement of "I Know My Redeemer Lives"- look it up if you have a chance- it's beautiful! I definitely invited the Spirit and I hope Allison and Ramona both recognized it.
Allison came to Institute with us this week and she LOVED it! (That was Bro. Salazar's idea- genius! Member missionaries are the key!) She told us she's planning to go for the rest of the summer. (SWEET!) I was worried the entire time that the lesson was boring and the teacher was weird (pretty sure I ruined that shirt by sweating the entire time- in fact, I think I've ruined all my shirts because I get so nervous every time we teach a lesson + humidity. :) ) but the Spirit still finds a way to touch people who need to hear the gospel and Allison thoroughly enjoyed it. :)
Daina left this week for the summer. :( But she will be reading the Book of Mormon during her travels and will be emailing us questions. We adore her and she seems to really love our friendship, so we've got high hopes for her progress.
I forgot to mention last week an experience I had while studying the Plan of Salvation for Daina. Sister Hollan was practicing the piano during lunchtime (we were at the Stake Center for District Meeting) and I was sitting there reading Doctrine and Covenants 138 which discusses the Spirit World in depth. I was so overcome by the mercy of the Plan. To know that everyone will have a chance to hear the gospel is a testament to me of our Heavenly Father's love for us and his earnest desire for us to return to Him. I could feel the Spirit testifying of the truth of that doctrine. (that means I was crying and Sister Hollan was like, "What is wrong with my companion?") :) I pulled out my Patriarchal blessing and was also overcome by how some of the paragraphs stood out more now than before. It is amazing to see the promises in our Patriarchal blessings unfold- it makes me feel very loved individually by my Heavenly Father.
They had a few members bear their testimonies yesterday and one girl, Alexis Puglisi, really struck me with hers. She mentioned that she had an older brother pass away in October and she has a younger one out serving right now. She mentioned that she sends her younger brother packages to help him out, but then she realized as she was studying a lesson on Family History that that's how she can help her older brother in his missionary work on the other side of the veil. It was such a powerful testimony! It reaffirmed to me the feelings I had while studying Doctrine and Covenants 138 and made me really appreciate all that Dad has been doing with our Family History over the last little while. Eternal families are such a blessing and include much more than our immediate family. I love it.
Random things:
-Nat- THANK YOU for the recipes! Just what I needed! Do you also have recipes for the protein shakes you make in the morning? Also, what did you put in that trail mix at Disneyland? Almonds, craisins....what else?
-I am loving the consistency of Lillian's letters- every one is cut out in the shape of a heart. :)
-Sometimes, the bus rides feel a little like Indy.
-I am blown away at how many people in America still smoke. #punnotintended
-Jord, mailing address? And HAPPY CANADA DAY!
-And Victor, I'm embarrassed at my lack of knowledge as far as Clayton Christensen is concerned... I am repenting. :)
-I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that Dad is retired. So weird!
- Also, I cannot believe Lady AB is due so soon!
-Nicole- you are the bravest for giving Celinda a Book of Mormon. You are planting a seed and I'm sure she will appreciate you sharing something so special with her.
-Nat and Victor- that's AWESOME about Jessyka. It encourages me to have faith that my investigators are keeping the commitments I extend as well. She is a rockstar! :)
Things I've encountered this week in Boston:
-blue hydrangeas. I AM IN LOVE! Is there any possible way for them to grow in Idaho?! If not, sorry Mom- I will need to live somewhere where they can. :)
-a man trying to parallel park Kramer/Seinfeld style. He seriously hit the car in front of him and behind him at least 4 times before he realized his car definitely wouldn't fit. So funny.
-a dead rat. Still having nightmares. It was so BIG.
-a woman named Fay who openly confessed to me and Sister Hollan that 1- she needs Jesus in her life and 2- she had panhandled $100 that day and spent it all on crack. We gave her a Word of Wisdom pamphlet and a pass-along card. Pretty sure she was too high to really understand what we were saying. I felt bad for her, but I also am rethinking ever handing out money to people on the street again... :/
Must run! I love you all so very much and am so thankful for all of your love and support! HAVE AN AMAZING 4TH OF JULY! Think of me crying my eyes out as I watch the fireworks and think of how much I love this beautiful country of ours.
Love you!
Sister Wheeler
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