P O W E R.

Wowowowow. 

One of the most amazing weekends of my mission!!

I just want to start of by saying how grateful I am that I get to serve here in Northern Michigan. I've been in the traverse city district (we're not a stake yet) my entire mission thus far and it has been the greatest experience of my life!! 

We had a district conference this weekend and all of us missionaries in the northern-most zone in MI got to attend. 

IT. WAS. POWERFUL. 

Our zone had the opportunity to spend some time with Elder Randall K Bennett- he was the presiding general authority at the conference! He's the president of the North America Northeast area (this is the third time he's visited our mission and man have we learned sooo much from him!!)

On Friday, our mission president and his wife, his counselors, elder and sister devries (regional president), and elder Bennett met with our zone for about 4 hours. We talked about what it will take for this district to become a stake. It was all centered around the temple, living the two great commandments (loving God and loving others), being all in, and ministering. 

Ahhh I can't even describe to you how amazing it was. I wish I could put it in words!

It was really cool because usually when I take notes in meetings like that, I write down what the speakers say that I like. But this whole weekend, instead of doing that, I wrote down what I felt like God was teaching me through the Holy Ghost. It was a game changer. I received impressions on how i can become more consecrated. And I learned the importance of doing what the Savior would do if He were with that person in that moment. 

Saturday rolls around and we attended both sessions of district conference. We sat in a circle with the leadership of our branch and talked about what we felt and how we can minister to "the one", like the Savior would do. 

Something I LOVED about this whole weekend was that this wasn't about the missionaries doing the missionary work. It was about members and missionaries unitng to minister to EVERYONE as the Savior would. This world needs to feel the love of God. And we have the opportunity to share that love with everyone we know! Why would we not take that opportunity? And us missionaries are here to help the members with that work. It's shifted- members aren't helping us- we're here to help them help their friends feel God's love. It's truly an amazing work. But also it's not even work. It's just ministering. Like the Savior would. And helping others feel the J O Y that we feel!! 

Saturday night all the sisters in our zone (except for one companionship) stayed the night with us!! Ahhh what a blast. We all get along so well. I feel blessed to serve with such amazing women!

Sunday we attended a recent convert/returning member testimony meeting. Shauna bore her testimony!! Shauna is one of my best friends from Cheboygan. Her testimony was powerful!! 

ALSO. Did I mention that I got to see sis Pugh and the despains and Shauna and sis Whitener from Cheboygan?!? They were all there!!! President Stoddard (the district president) talked about how amazing Cheboygan is and I just started crying right there in the middle of the meeting lol. Those people are the best people I've ever met and I miss them with my whole heart!! It was a tender mercy to see them this weekend. 

Okay but all in all- I just want to say how grateful I am for my Savior. I know He's involved in this effort to make the traverse city district a stake. I know He cares for the people of Northern Michigan. I have felt that so strongly!! I know He cares for each and every one of us. He is aware of us and wants to help us! 

Alma 31:35 says, 

"Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee."

Every. single. Soul. is precious in His eyes. I know He is there. I've felt so much gratitude this weekend for the opportunity I have to be here. Almost a year ago I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to serve my mission. Now I'm here in Northern Michigan assisting the Savior in bringing precious souls to Him. It's the greatest joy. I'm so so happy! And I love in 3 Nephi 21:29 it says, "I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward." Christ is with us. He won't leave us alone. 

He loves you and I love you!! 

Sister Ross

Pics from this weekend and some from pday last Monday