Oh just another week in Harlem

Coldstone for breakfast???!!! Sure.

Sometimes you just come to the conclusion that the best option for breakfast is indeed ice cream. I often wonder where my life would be without that place sometimes. Marilyn definitely wouldn't be posting this blog for you if there were no Coldstone...so the only conclusion is to pay homage to that huge marble slab by eating some to kick off the morning. Anyways...

This past week was so great. We have such amazing people in our ward it blows my mind sometimes. Sister Child and I have been meeting with the members quite a bit lately to really get our heads around the young adult members in our area. As I have said before the range is so broad! There is no rhyme or reason, but there of course is one cause and that is Jesus Christ. This recent convert we have been meeting with is such a gem. She was/is Catholic and has been practicing catholicism all of her life. She recently began this program that helps you analyze how to "enroll" people into your way of thinking by opening yourself up to new ideas that others have experienced in life. This new way of thinking led her to begin taking the missionary discussions. Neat huh? She got baptized about three months ago and has been so involved, she actually hopes to serve a mission someday. I just love her so much. As we met with her Friday she explained that she had a concert that night and was very anxious about it. She is a violist at the Manhattan School of Musicand was performing in a show conducted by Kurt Masur...amazing right?! As we prayed with her we could sense there was something more to her anxiety than just the music. Long story short she was feeling like she had no support that night for what she had been devoting all of her time to these past many weeks. That was such an eye opening experience. Sister Child and I gladly informed her that if we could we would love to be there for her that night. The relief and joy on her face was indescribable! In hindsight it was absolutely our treat. The music was amazing and the musicians just moved us. It was incredible.

Its so funny cause as missionaries sometimes it is led on that we are only here for the sake of religion. As many of you may have served or have been active in knowing those who have served a mission, you know that a mission is much more than just the Book of Mormon. If I can take away anything from this particular experience as well as many others, a mission should be more categorized with serving your fellow men, and loving them as God loveth. Sometimes in this city it is easy to see alternative motives. Everyone is on edge about you when you approach them. "Que paso? What do you want! No thank you." is what we are often met with. Unfortunately the real situation is this, How can we be of help to you? How can we show you that your Father in Heaven loves you? or You know there is a plan for you here on earth, right? If only everyone is as open minded is our friend then they would be so excited to know that there is no alternative motive, just the pure knowledge that they are one of God's children and he waits for the time when you call on Him to bless you.

I have had such a great time this last week gettng to know a few things about the mission, this instance is just one of the many tender mercies I have come to know. Everyday I am learning and growing in my testimony. "I know my Savior lives, and loves me too. The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true," I know that it is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God who translated the Book of Mormon to act as a second witness of Jesus Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on earth today and that by his counsel we will grow closer to God. It is such a privilege to serve a mission. I am grateful everyday for this opportunity, and though it is not always easy, it is for sure worth it! I love all of you and hope that you have a great week coming! Eat ice cream for breakfast, its so amazing, haha! And so it is...