This
week. I can't even explain it. It has been one of the most amazing
weeks of my life! There were so many highlights that I don't even know
how to begin explaining them all. I guess I'll try anyway though.
First
off, the wedding. Maria Guzman (now Orozco) is someone that I have been
teaching for the better part of my mission. She has been so prepared
for so long, but because she was living with her boyfriend (and father
of her son) unmarried, she was unable to get baptized. George works like
a mad man alllll day long everyday (including weekends) and so it was
so hard for them to be able to get married. We know this is an obstacle
that the adversary but in their path. Finally, George had a day off to
go to court and so while they were there, they were able to get their
marriage license. Because George works so much though, the only time
they could have the Bishop marry them was on Friday night at 8:30pm.
Well, we made it happen and it was amazing! It was very small and
intimate. Maria didn't have a wedding dress or cake, but that didn't
matter. They were fulfilling the commandments of God and they were so
happy to do it. As soon as the small ceremony, preformed by the Bishop, was over, Maria couldn't stop smiling and talking about how she only had
two more days until her baptism! What an incredible blessing it was to
be part of their humble wedding in the Relief Society room.
Next,
my talk.This whole week I have been praying so hard in order to know
the things that Heavenly Father wanted me to share with the people of
the Jurupa California Stake. I was blessed with lots of personal
revelation that I was then able to (in parts) articulate into words and
share yesterday. My preparation was definitely the hardest and most
nerve wracking part. Up until Sunday
morning before we left I was changing and revising the things I would
share. But as soon as I sat down on the stand in front of 1000+ people, I
was fine. I wasn't worried or nervous. I knew I had prepared and
Heavenly Father was blessing me for that. This experience makes me think
of a favorite scripture of mine in Doctrine and Covenants 123:17
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things
that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost
assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
I had done everything in my power and in that moment I was able to
stand still and see how Heavenly Father would take care of the rest.
Honestly, I don't really remember giving my talk. I remember feeling
good and lots of people smiling at me, and Hermana Rasmussen crying (she
cries a lot haha, she said she was 'just so proud of me'), and I
remember sitting down and feeling relieved and comforted that I had
shared the things I was supposed to, but that was that. I was the second
to last speaker and so it wasn't long after that when it ended
completely! I was on a spiritual high and I felt so darn good. That
feeling only increased throughout the day as we continued to study,
prepare, teach lessons, and then finally head to Maria's baptism.
Finally,
Maria's baptism was so stinkin good. She got baptized. Hermana
Castrillon was able to come up for it. She had tons of support from the
ward. Nothing went wrong. Maria immediately could tell the difference.
She felt the Holy Spirit confirming to her that the things that she had
done in the past were washed away. She had the assurance that she was
following God's will in her life and that she was going to receive so
many blessings for all the sacrifices she had made in order to get to
that point. I can't describe the feelings of being able to participate
in a baptism, especially as a missionary! The sound of a baptismal font
filling up in an empty church building has become my favorite sound. My
favorite sight has become the ripples in the water that are formed as
someone is brought down in symbolism of the Death of Christ and raised
again to signify His Resurrection (see Romans 6:3-5, 8). I love hugging
our converts as they walk up the steps into their new life as a disciple
of Jesus Christ. And on Sunday
I can't wait to hear the sweet words "receive the Holy Ghost" spoken by
someone who holds the true and proper Priesthood authority of God.
Maria will be an amazing member of His Church. She and her family will
be blessed for the eternities. This is the reason I am on my mission.
I
love this gospel. I know with all my heart that is true and that the
true power and authority of God exists today in one church, The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that through ordinances
preformed by this Priesthood we can be forgiven of our sins, receive the
constant companionship of The Holy Ghost, who is the third member of
the Godhead, we can open the gates of Heaven, we can be with our
families in joy forever, and we may live with God again. With all my
heart I pray that each of you will come to know of these sacred and
simple truths for yourselves through diligent scripture study and prayer
as well as church attendance and worship. I know that God lives. I know
that He loves us all individually and that He sent His Son, Jesus
Christ, to lead the way back to Heaven for each one of us. I love you
all.
Con Amor,
Hermana Rutherford
The Wedding!! George and Maria Orozco
Three generations.
Aweee me and my mission Mom! Love her :)
Okay so we have Chinese neighbors and they made HUNDREDS of dumplings
and kept giving them to us. They also said they are going to give me a
Chinese name, so hold on for that!
Some investigators who came to stake conference!!
A super cute package that Hermana Rasmussen's family sent her!! National Star Wars Day.