Week #22

Hi Family!! 

Wow, a LOT has happened this week-- but it has been SO much fun!! Such an amazing week!! So the AP's and President surprised us by telling us our new assignments/ companions on Sunday night instead of Monday morning.. It was so crazy!! But guess what?!!! You are looking at the new Office Assistant of the SLC Temple Square mission!!! It is SO much fun, but super busy too!! We were literally in the office all day long Wednesday, and only got a couple hours of square time on Thursday. It's basically a service assignment-- which can sometimes be hard, but I feel really good about helping all of my fellow sisters out in the mission. I get to work with the Assistants to the President and the President himself a lot, too, which is really fun! I'm being surrounded by the most amazing people! And guess who my new companion is?!! Sister Richardson from Scotland!!! She was in my zone this last transfer and my very first transfer here!! She's in a lot of my pictures-- the cute blonde. Her flag is blue with the white cross on it. I get to hear the cutest Scottish accent all day long, ha! She is sooooo, so wonderful. Oh my heavens, family! I got seriously SO lucky being her companion this transfer!! She's really funny too, but also really spiritual. She's teaching me all the Office stuff and has been an absolute delight to have around. Some of our duties are a little bit hard to explain, but we basically set up the tours with sisters, update files and lists of sisters, answer all questions people have, help the AP’s out with their duties, etc. For my first duties as OA, on Wednesday morning we got to greet all of the new sisters, chat with them, take their picture with President, grab their pizza for lunch, and see who their trainers are. :) Sister Crookston is actually training this transfer!! It was fun to be able to see who she got though! 

So guess who spoke to us at the second half of our transfer conference Monday morning?! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. YEP! It was INCREDIBLE!!! He is such an amazing man, and he has such an incredible mantle over his head that is truly given to him from God. I felt the Spirit so strong as he entered the room, and truly know that he is an apostle of the Lord. 

He talked about the GREATEST things . . . it was incredible. He talked about how people know most about the missionaries in the church, how we are the only "symbol" of the church, besides the members itself. People all over the world recognize us as missionaries. We are literally representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored church. He also talked about how we never get a second chance for a first impression as missionaries! (in general, too, but even more-so as missionaries.) He talked to us specifically as Temple Square missionaries when he talked with us. He told us that we will be the first and sometimes only discussion/lesson most of these people will ever have with missionaries, and how incredibly important it is for us to be a GREAT example of the church, but more importantly of Jesus Christ! That's a bit of a weight on our shoulders, wouldn't you say?! Elder Holland literally called us missionaries as being "apostolic." He told us that we do EXACTLY what he does every day-- different missions, but same purpose!! So cool!! He explained what it meant to be apostolic-- meaning one sent with a witness and a message; we are sent and directed by the Savior. He helped me realize what my purpose is as a missionary, and how GREAT my calling is! I need to live up to these standards as best as I can!! 

I wish I could go on and on about Elder Holland told us...  but I leave you with one last thing he said. He, in his incredibly powerful voice said this to us; "Why should it be easy for you or for your investigator when it was never, ever easy for the Son of the Living God?! The road to salvation ALWAYS takes the road through Gethsemane, there is no way around it!" He went on to say that when we become members of this church, and even more, when we become missionaries for the Lord, He is asking us for our hearts, souls, and minds. Not for just a year and a half-- for FOREVER. This calling never ends! Dad, what an AMAZING experience you had this week!! I am SO proud of you and mom doing exactly what Elder Holland taught me this week; giving your hearts, souls and minds to the Lord and His work by teaching others about the Atonement, Salvation, repentance, etc. Elder Holland told us this, "A good life is NOT an easy life." We are supposed to taste the Garden of Gethsemane, taste the Cross that Christ was lifted up on. And yet, that is all He asks of us-- to TASTE it, to get an incredibly small and minute glimpse of what He did. All for us. 

Elder Holland ended with this: "Don't waste your mission wondering why it isn't easy. This is SERIOUS business." 

Talk about a slap in the face, right?! My testimony of the Savior has grown more this week than ever. What an incredible experience to be able to simply taste what He went through. It is such a small taste. I can't even think of a reason to complain anymore or murmur. 

Well family, you are all SO wonderful. I called Sola yesterday (from Nigeria) and he has been baptized!! :) I haven't been able to call him for awhile; the phones don't work there very well... But yeah, I have my very first (official) baptism yesterday!! Oh, and it gets better. GARY GOT BAPTIZED YESTERDAY TOO!!! :D We sent him a little package with our picture in it, a little card that talked about baptism, and a picture of the Salt Lake temple with our testimonies on the back of it. :)  I think we sent him a little CTR ring too. It was so fun!! From 5 months of work, I got two baptisms in One day! Ha! But I can honestly say it is totally and completely worth it. 

I have to head out now. I wish I had more time to write to you all, but know that I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life!! I love the Lord and love missionary work!! 

Sister Savage