Declare The Doctrine

Heyoooo!! 

Wow. I have been taught so much this week! 

Up in Cheboygan, people were pretty humble and willing to accept the message of peace and joy that we share. If they didn't accept the message, they were typically kind and still wanted to be our friend. 

Traverse City is a bit different! The people here are pretty set in their ways and a lot of them are well off. We've also done a lot more work on Instagram, which is a ton different than Facebook. 

All that being said, I don't think I've experienced as much opposition my whole mission as i have this week! There's been quite a few people who just want to bash our faith. It hasn't been terrible, but it's still more than normal. And it has taught me sooo much. 

A while back David A. Bednar gave a devotional to missionaries around the world and he said, "we don't need to defend the Doctrine, we need to declare it. We never need to be on the defensive". Never has that thought stuck with me more than it has this week! We've had quite a few lessons in which people asked us difficult questions or expected us to provide proof that the Book of Mormon is the word of God- often with the intent of proving us wrong. It was pretty interesting! As we taught them and did our best to answer their questions, I learned a few different things. 

Number one, I've noticed that my pattern of thinking is changing. Rather than feeling guilty or worried that I couldn't satisfy these people, I felt at peace as I declared the Gospel. Usually I'm a people pleaser and I tend to bend my will to someone else's just to make them happy. And it's hard sometimes to fall into the trap of doing that that with the people we teach, because, you know, you want to be nice. But nooooo! We need to declare the Gospel, and declare it with love. I've noticed that in situations where before I would've felt bad or worried that I couldn't provide an answer to satisfy someone, I felt complete confidence in my testimony of the Book of Mormon and my Savior. And I felt no need to "prove" my testimony to them. I could declare what I know is true, and then let the spirit do the rest. It felt so good. And honestly it's strengthened my testimony of the Gospel even more and has made me feel stronger as a person. I know that's only possible through the Savior. I wouldn't be standing here and declaring this Gospel is true if it wasn't. I know it is with all if my heart. And it feels so good to be confident in declaring that to others who may have a hard time believing. 

We should never be ashamed of our beliefs! We should never allow someone to make us feel bad for being who we are or believing what we believe. God has made us who we are for a reason. We each have individual strengths that benefit this world. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! We are each children of God who loves us. Also, this is Jesus Christ's new testament church restored. Yes, we believe in living prophets. Yes, we believe in another book of scripture. And yes, we believe we have a Savior who loves us and sacrificed himself for us. Don't be ashamed of that! Those who are willing to believe will accept. And those who aren't, won't. And they're missing out! But we can have confidence as we declare our beliefs and stand strong in Christ. 

Despite people who want to bash us, we've had sooo many miracles!! It's been soo cool. This area is growing so much and i love being a part of it! We've found new people to teach and we're meeting with as many members as we can. This week I've felt so happy and I've enjoyed being a missionary every minute of every day. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. It brings me so much joy to share with people what makes me happy. Also I know that when we have faith, God provides miracles and He's definitely done that. 

And, can we talk about general conference!! 

I'm so grateful for an inspired mission president who asked us to study the Book of Mormon with the emphasis on Charity to prepare for conference. 

Almost every talk discussed Christ's love or the two great commandments!! I'm so grateful to know we have a living prophet who is inspired by God, and a Savior who loves us and knows us!! I loved President Nelson's talk about temples and can't wait to study more about the promises I made there. 

ALSO. There were so many repeated themes of conference! A few I found: 

- by small things are great things brought to pass 

- we can have JOY in every circumstance! 

- hold fast to the promises you make with God 

- we don't have to be perfect to be worthy- small changes every day will bless us 

- love God and love others 

 I LOVE THIS GOSPEL and I love all of you!! 

Sister Ross 

1) we live about 5 minutes away from a beach- I'd have to say it's pretty sweet 

2) my fun district! It's weird to be serving closer to other missionaries lol. it's a good time 

3)sis Sampson 3 months! We had to celebrate 

4) I LOVE this pic. Christ is with us!