Feeling like family, wait- they are family

This week was a really good week. The Temple was so amazing! Wow! I got to see the newest of the new. Wow. I was blown away. There were so many more things that I did not understand, but it was so incredible. Conference was a comedy of errors. I didn’t get to watch a ton of it because appointments kept falling through. It was a rush when I did get to watch it though. I found it interesting how many times obedience was brought up in conference. My favorite talk was definitely Elder Bednar’s about the Load. It was a fantastic talk and a very touching conference. 

It’s coming closer to the final days of Pleasanton. It is so so sad, I have really gotten attached to this area. Oh it’s the home land. 

Spiritual: We had an awesome lesson last Tuesday night with Rena. Rena is the friend of a member and has been wanting to join the church for a long time and now finally the time is right. She is vibrant, full of life and loves the Lord. It was so much fun teaching her this past week. It was a wonderful lesson. She spent the whole lesson referring to the church as "our church" and "our religion." Oh she is so golden! There are many times in my mission though when I have seen a fulfillment of the prophecy that there will be opposition in all things. Rena has Chrons disease. She also has some other severe health issues and is just struggling to even get up the strength to go on. She is only 45 and is going through so much. It was incredible to be able to promise her and come to the realization for myself that the gospel of Jesus Christ can provide a Rock of support for whatever problem may arise. The atonement of Jesus Christ was so infinite and so complete that it can heal, strengthen and uplift in ways that nothing else can. The strength provided is so powerful and so real that it only is understood by those that have experienced it. Wow. 

Funny yet touching: It was a dark and warm night when we went contacting. It was late enough that some strange characters are out but not late enough that the missionaries need to be in bed. We were out talking and there was this lady dressed in black at a bus stop. Being as it is my nature; I went over to her and started talking to her. She didn’t respond. I prodded a bit and after a while she finally turned with tears in her eyes and proceeded to tell us that her boyfriend had just left her and she was here alone. She thanked us adamantly for stopping to talk to her and was very grateful for our company. She was so grateful that she grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously squeezing like there was no tomorrow and said "My name is Jessica. Never forget me. Never." I was a little take a back. It felt so wrong shaking her hand for a solid 45 seconds but try as I might I could not relinquish her vice grip on my fingers. I don’t think I will forget her anytime soon. I believe I helped. What a difference you might make to someone. Just talk. If you feel the Spirit, don’t give up talking. It might bring someone comfort. 

Where I am at: Rena is progressing (When she is not sick) and Jeet is progressing well. Jeet has a baptismal date for May 26. Unfortunately he is moving to San Francisco. NOOOOO!!!!! Oh well. He will be baptized up there. haha Life is good and the work is moving forward. Transfers are coming up here soon. I will be leaving my home and traveling somewhere new. NOOOOO!!!!! haha We will see what this new adventure has to offer. I love you all and am so happy to hear from you. Love you all! 

 Ammon went on exchanges with the AP's and was able to have dinner at his dad's cousin's house. He said that it was so fun and that they were super nice and made him feel right at home.