Sister Mandy Welker

This email was sent by Sister Welker on July 24th. We received it on July 23rd.

Week 50: Oh My Mission Life, Jamie at church, and Charity 101

So no, I'm technically not transferred yet. We find out on Tuesday night the rest of the details, but this will definitely be my last week in Alfriston Ward. My best guess is Hamilton, Taranaki, or Gisbon. Who knows, we'll just have to wait and see!?!

We had exchanges this week. We had another strange theme, but I guess that's just crazy Sister Welker. I was with Sister Ventayen in Mountford, and my companion was leading the area with Sister Kafoa. The theme was take a chance. I took some time to create a mini board game called "Oh My Mission Life," styled after the board game "Life." Every once in a while one of the sisters would land on the "take a chance" spot and would draw a card with a real life mission situation. For example, some cards would say "God answered your prayers," and others would say "Your companion got sick." By the end of our short game, I was able to explain how sometimes we're not always happy with the cards we've been dealt in life, but we need to try and make the most of what we have. There was a talk related to the topic in an Ensign article called "Making the Most of What We Have" (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2017/02/young-adults/making-the-most-of-what-we-have?lang=eng). Each sister read the talk and tried to stretch their faith by taking a chance and seeing where it would take them.

We had a less-active member come to church!! That was super exciting especially since I've seen her once a week since FEBRUARY!! I hope she continues to come to church, and that she can feel the spirit in the chapel.

We taught charity to a struggling active couple in our ward and challenged them to show their love in creative ways this week. We promised we'd follow up. To our surprise, they not only kept their committment, but they went to the temple and they are the happiest I've seen them!! It was a blessing for me to see some of the fruits of my labor, before my time is finished here in the Alfriston Ward.

I'll be sure to tell you all about my new area next week. It may or may not be my last area?!!? Who knows? Crazy to see how fast time flys!!

Hope you all have a good week!!

Sister Welker

1 John 4:18
Ther is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He htat feareth is not make perfect in love