The Manner of Happiness

Dear Family,

What a good week. This is one happy missionary. :) You know, being a missionary is such a roller coaster. I'm sure you have noticed in my emails. But it is all worth it. And I am just so happy. So thank you for letting me be here and helping me be here. You are all amazing. :)

First of all, do you remember me telling you about Ed? The one who was praying when we knocked on his door? Well, we taught him this week. It was one of the best first lessons that I have ever taught. The spirit was so strong. The members that we brought with us didn't talk too much or too little, and their testimonies were powerful. Ed had the most amazing questions. He told us how he was baptized when he was little, but he doesn't feel safe and clean like he thinks he should. We then taught him the restoration including the restoration of the priesthood, and then he said, "So that's it! That's why I didn't feel clean! My baptism didn't count. All this time...I thought I was good, but that makes sense. I get it." The restoration just made sense to him. He could see what he had been missing all along. It was so good. We invited him to be baptized and set a date and he said yes. It was great. :)

But then he cancelled his next appointment (which is better than just not being there. He said he was working late) and didn't come to church. So we have a set back, but we have high hopes of seeing him this week and taking him on a tour of the church. We're excited. :)

On Wednesday I did an exchange with the Kaw River Ward sisters. So I went out to downtown Kansas City, Kansas with Sister Thorne, and Sister Sant came to Overland Park with Sister Hodson. It is only 20 or 30 minutes away, but it is a world different. I felt like I was in a different country. Overland Park is full of huge houses and beautiful landscaping. Kaw River ward is dirty, crumbling, and unsafe. We were by far the minority all day (black people and Mexicans). It was so much fun! Sister Thorne carries pepper spray, and dresses plainly, with little makeup and her hair up to avoid cat calls (they still happen, but we tried). We rode the bus system all day (there aren't buses in Overland Park because they "don't look nice"). Everyone was smoking. At the same time, though, everyone was willing to talk to us, and told us that they did need more religion in their lives. We taught an amazing lesson and invited a woman to be baptized. We ran into a ton of less actives that didn't go to church just because they didn't know where it was. We ate authentic Mexican food at a restaurant hooked to a little market. It was an amazing day! I didn't feel scared at all, even though it isn't uncommon for them to hear gun shots. We were so tired by the end of the day, but it was so good. Sister Thorne and I are good friends, and it was fun to catch up anyway. I sure do love her. I did get really hot during the day (which I am bad at). She told me later that I looked like was going to faint, but decided to not say anything because she thought she could carry me home. Good thing we made it. haha. :) (you know how I turn a weird red-white color when I'm really hot.)

Megan is doing great. She is getting baptized this next weekend! We are so excited. We were able to reconnect and see her a lot this last week. All of the plans for the baptism are rolling forward, and everything is great. We took her to the President's Devotional last night at the Visitors' Center (where recent converts share their stories and testimonies), and it was great. God's Plan just made her cry. I felt like I had come home. Her aunt and family (the Christensons) are the best. I love them. When I come back to visit my mission, I will visit them for sure. They have really taken us in. I can't even describe my love for their family. I have so much in common with both parents that I really could just fit in (of course, I'll take my real family, but I think you will like them).

Jesse is also doing well. Every time we see him things are getting better. What a great kid! He will be baptized. It is just a matter of time and him realizing that he is ready to make a life time commitment (he wants to be baptized, but we just want him to want this for the rest of his life, and make the so-called "sacrifices" to continue to live it).

On Friday I had a meeting in Independence. Every time I go back there, it really recharges me. President Keyes is amazing. It was good to see everyone and catch up and feel a part of the whole picture again. It was really good.
This Sunday was a really good day for us. James, a recent convert who hasn't come to church for a while, finally came!! He said his mom (who is not a member) wants to start coming with him, too. Yay!

Then, in sacrament meeting both Megan and Jesse shared beautiful testimonies. It was amazing! We were smiling like proud parents. Jesse is a bit of a showman and a goof ball, so his foster parents were really nervous what he would say. They didn't allow him to get up until this week. They think he finally understands what a testimony is, but they were still really nervous. It was fun to see the happiness and relief on their faces when he bore a wonderful testimony (he wants to be a missionary someday. :) ) and sat down. Megan's testimony was great, too. I will love these people for my whole life. :)

When we visited the Visitors' Center (twice--because of my meeting) this week, everyone asked me if I was coming back yet. I don't feel done with my time full proselyting, so it kind of surprised me. I don't know. I have a few ideas of what will happen, but I really don't know. I honestly hope to stay one more transfer. We'll see. That isn't until next week, but it has come too quickly. It's crazy to think about. This time is going too fast!

Matt, one of the investigators I taught in Lee's Summit, was baptized last Saturday. It's good to know that the seeds I planted are still growing and that it isn't over yet. I decided to stay in my area rather than go, but I am very happy for him. :)
I think that is all of my stories for the week. Just know I am very happy.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Atkin