Nytår, Ny Mig (New Year, New Me)

January 1, 2018

Our week only had 3.5 proselyting days due to the holidays and transfers! I said goodbye to my dearest Søster Day, held Søster Critchfield close by my side, and welcomed Søster Hall! It's going to be such a terrific tripanionship.  I'm pumped.  We started out our new transfer with an amazing appointment with one of our dear investigators.  She's in her mid-20's, a nurse, and a firm believer in Christ.  We talked to her about reading the scriptures.  God commands us to read the scriptures so that He can talk to us and help us.  When she wasn't understanding how advice given 400 yrs ago could still apply today, we read with her and applied with her.  Together, we read Ether 12:4, just one verse, and asked her what she thought she could take away.  The verse says, ''Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.'' She came to her own realization and said that we need Christ to be the anchor of our lives.  It was great! And when we read 2 Nephi 25:26, she understood the need for scriptures AND missionaries! It was incredible to see how quickly reading the scriptures and pulling out principles came to her.  She started to get really excited and readily accepted our invitation to read the scriptures every single day for 10 min.  What absolutely made the lesson was at the very end, when she said, ''I love it when you girls come over.  You bring me peace and happiness.''  My heart flew up and over the rain clouds.  It's inspiring to see how and in what ways God is preparing the hearts of the children of men.  

Another highlight of the week is that we met our weekly new investigator goal! I'm not going to lie, it's been a slow few weeks trying to find people to teach.  However, we brought that greenie fire out and shined it in people's faces until they were compelled to say yes.  Our little new sister is absolutely KILLING it! She doesn't get scared or nervous and invites everyone to learn about the restored gospel.  She's got a strong testimony that people are magnetized to.  

Yesterday was New Year's Eve!! We were lucky enough to spend it with a ward member and her 16 yr old daughter.  We ate fondue, and celebrated with glow sticks and party poppers.  We, unfortunately, had to go home well before the new year, but still celebrated in our tiny little apartment with newly painted nails and classical music. 2017 was a year to remember, but I'm excited for what 2018 has in store!! 

As a nod to all of the new years resolutions happening right now, I want to share with you why a scripture reading goal should be one of them.  The scripture we shared with our investigator, 2 Nephi 25:26 sums it up nicely: ''And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.''  The scriptures were written all those many years ago for US.  So that we can be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and it is only through Him that we can come to rest in the palace of the Father. I want to encourage you to make some goals this year based on Christ.  Talk of Him, rejoice in Him, preach of Him, read of Him, learn of Him, and share of Him.  That's what I'll be doing.  

Jeg elsker jer og håber at I kan lave nogle gode mål i forhold til det her nytår.  Det skal jeg gøre også :)

Søster Esplin

raya.esplin@myldsmail.net