CON AMOR, HERMANA RUTHERFORD: M I R A C L E W E E K

To all,

Really this week was one of the best of my entire life. One of the busiest, but definitely one of the best. I have been so blessed this week. The Temple on Tuesday was exactly what I needed! One thing that I really AM looking forward to about going home is that I will be able to go to the temple a lot more often. The Temple truly is the House of The Lord. There is such a peace that comes with going to the temple. My Mission President told me that sometimes he goes to two sessions in a row when he goes to the temple. The first is to get all the "world" out of your mind, and the second is pure revelation. Well, this week I obviously wasn't able to go to two sessions in a row, but I did my best to clear my mind of all the world before going on Tuesday. My companions and I also decided to go in fasting, because we were all looking for specific answers and guidance. Let me tell you...It made an incredible difference. All, I know that Heavenly Father loves us and He talks to His children today. We can all receive personal revelation, I experienced this on Tuesday so strongly at the temple.

The rest of the week was amazing also. Sister Cozzens and I went on two exchanges, one with our own companions (we switched companions for the day) on Saturday and the other on Thursday with Sister Roberts and Sister Petersen in Menifee. Exchanges always complicate the week, but there is so much strength that comes by getting to learn from one another, especially when you get to go to a new area! On Saturday we had the privilege to go to the Adult session of Stake Conference, and then the Sunday Morning session as well. Then, on Sunday afternoon, Hermana Alicia Giron was baptized!! In attendance at the baptism, and at Stake Conference, was our investigator, Hermano Martinez. This was his 3rd time at church and he absolutely loved it!! After the baptism we were all enjoying some refreshments and we could see that he was deep in conversation with our Bishop in the Mission ward. After about 15 minutes, Obispo Rodriguez walked up to me and said "Hermana" he didn't say my last name because no one can pronounce it in Spanish, "Hermano Martinez has received his answer that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. He received his answer today at Stake Conference and during your talk at the baptism, and he is ready to be baptized himself". WOW! He was on date for the 3rd of April, but after the baptism asked us if he could move it up to the 27th of March. After we gladly said "yes" he jumped around so giddily and told everyone there that he was going to be baptized at the end of the month. We will continue working hard to make that goal a reality! Hopefully we will be able to help him take this step on my very last Sunday as a missionary in Riverside. I have faith that it will happen. I can think of no better way to end my mission!! The Lord is blessing us MAJORLY. For awhile I felt that I had "a dry patch" on my mission where I wasn't baptizing a lot. I wondered what I was doing wrong and why things weren't working out when I was serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength, but now I am seeing the fruits of my continued efforts.

Remember Marvin? He is getting baptized in the city he moved to as well in the next few weeks! Zulma? Her and her sons are moving out of their very undesirable circumstances and the first thing she wants to do is find the closest missionaries and be baptized (right now it's her abusive boyfriend that won't let her). So many good things are lining up and I know it's because the Lord always sees our efforts, no matter what. Never give up, you never know what is right around the corner. I know this church is true. I know Jesus is the Christ and He is our Savior and Redeemer. I love this gospel and all the time that I have had to serve here in Riverside as a missionary, and am thankful for all the time I am going to have for the rest of my life to continue sharing the gospel!

Sister Emerson and I at the temple!