Sneezy, Happy, and Dopy

Good Morning everyone,

I love the atmosphere of Fall. It is amazing that even though there isn't much evidence of it here in San Diego, everyone still has the spirit of new beginnings that so often comes with the season. Throughout the day, Sister Davis, and I point and say "Fall" anytime we see a tree that actually changes colors or leaves that have fallen. As nice as the weather is here in Poway, my allergies are VERY much aware  that things are changing in the air. I'm "Sneezy" and itchy but my allergy medicine makes me really "dopey." Nevertheless, I'm still "Happy."

Our missionary work here is also feeling the new beginnings and richness of this time of year. We have another new investigator who has been an "almost Mormon" for 10 or 15 years but her many health challenges have made her feel incapable of being an active member and meeting the "requirements" of callings, so she has never joined. Okay, there is another thing stopping her but for the most part she hasn't felt capable or adequate. She said Mormons are the "Navy Seals" of religions. haha! That made me laugh so hard!

 During planning the night before, Sister Davis really felt we should try her at an hour later than usual so the next day we showed up at 11 AM right on the dot and were preparing to express our purpose to her before being turned away but that wasn't what happened at all. She opened the door with a smile and invited us in....funny how that happens. :)

We talked w/ her and had an incredible experience with the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We were able to express to her that the covenant of Baptism is so beautiful...a promise to Heavenly Father that will do all we can to keep his commandments and follow his son, Jesus Christ. In return we are blessed to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost to be with us always if we live worthily. We told her that Heavenly Father would not withhold that blessing from her simply because she would struggle to attend church. She looked me in the eye and said, "You are the first person that has ever told me that." It was amazing to be guided to know exactly what she needed to hear. Her countenance completely changed. It was so beautiful to feel the spirit working through us to help her.

We're not sure what will happen but it was a great reminder of the importance of the spirit. John 14:26 says "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The spirit testifies of truth and helps us feel the peace of the savior's love. I feel blessed to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost and I want everyone to feel the way we felt in that room. Many of you who are reading this have experienced something similar. I encourage you to do all you can to seek the spirit daily. It is a blessing to know the Lord is with us, that he approves of us, and that we are living worthily. Hopefully, I'll always remember and apply that, even when life gets crazy again and I have to focus on more than sharing the Gospel. Being a fulll-time missionary and set apart from the world, is such a blessing!

On Sunday Sister Davis and I gave a talk. --yes, that is singular. One of the counselors in the Bishopric asked us to speak together in Sacrament on Teaching the Gospel. It was a challenge to prepare a talk together...everyone does it so differently, but we're pleased with the result. :) We used a lot of great quotes from Preach My Gospel (PMG) about missionary work and referenced John 21 where the Lord appears to his Apostles and asks Peter: "Lovest thou me more than these (the multitude of fish the lord blessed him with)?" Peter says, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." The Lord replies "Feed my Sheep." Christ asks him a total of three times and each time he replies, "Feed My Sheep." I love this so much, many of us don't realize that when we are Baptized in the Church we promise to share the gospel with others. Mosiah 18 expresses this and so does President Eyring in a  talk "A Child and a Disciple" from April 2003 General Conference, "All of us who are under the baptismal covenant have promised to offer the gospel to others." It is a great reminder to apply the things that we all know...to Do what we Know.

I'm so blessed to be learning so much everyday...I hope that some of it sticks and I apologize for being "preachy." I'm just a missionary excited by all that I'm learning and I want to share it with the world...or at least the 5 of you that will eventually read this as well as myself when I come home.

You're all wonderful! I miss you and I hope that November starts off well for each of you!

Love always, Sister Hudson