Scriptures

Hi all!

I don't have much time, but i wanted to share a scripture with you that I loved from study this morning. 

Jacob 3:1-2 - "But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."

Will you pray to Him in faith? I know He will plead our cause! 

Love you all! Keep up all your good work!

Sister Gessel 

Week of Miracles!

Hi all!

A big thank you for your continual love and support! I love hearing from! I hope you don't get tired of hearing from me. ;) 

This week has been so full of miracles I don't even know where to start! I wish you could meet all of these people! It's amazing that when we have been talking to everyone that there are always people to teach! 

There was a group of people that I was hesitant to walk up to but my companion felt like we should and so we went over and found out that one of them had met with missionaries previously! We got his contact info and were able to invite him to an open house we're holding this Friday.

Also, we were able to get back in contact with a lady named Mary and we had a great lesson with her! As we started talking about families and how important they are, she started crying. After a bit we asked what she was feeling and she said she was just happy and filled with the spirit! It was amazing! She's going to read the Book of Mormon and come to the open house! She is so prepared to hear the gospel!

People have just been opening up this week! Another lady and her bed bound mother that we go by and see fairly often asked about what i was holding! We were able to share a copy of the Book of Mormon with her! It was so neat! She wasn't very open the first couple times we went over, but as we have come and prayed with her mom her heart has softened!

There are such amazing people who are ready to hear the gospel! As it says in Alma  - Their souls are precious!  Please keep them all in your prayers! I know that I don't have the knowledge to know what they need to hear, but i know that He does! Will you please keep us in your prayers this week that we'll be able to help them feel of the Savior's love and of the truth of the things we share? Also, that the open house we are having Friday will go off without a hitch! 

Thank you for all you do to come closer to the Lord every day! I know He is there!

Have an amazing week!

Much love,

Sister Gessel

Pictures - Introducing Sister Zinck to cajun boiled peanuts - so good!

Sister McIntosh came out the other evening and afternoon with us! She's been a member for less than a year and she's so excited to share the gospel with everyone! 

Rainbow=tender mercy!

Also, this rainbow was a huge tender mercy for me this week! I love rainbows! I was kind of having a crummy day/moment and then there was a beautiful rainbow! There are always so many little reminders that He is mindful of us! Even when we're sad or we question or feel weak. Just look around, He wants you to know that He's there. :) 

Also, you can see a sandhill whooping crane! (I think that's what they are called - I also think you get a HUGE fine if you hit one because they're endangered...) 

Have a lovely week! Don't forget He loves you and I love you! If there's anything I can do for you please let me know. 

Sister Gessel 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone! 

I LOVE the 4th of July! Our little town is having some festivities tonight and we'll get to watch the fireworks from our apartment - I'm excited! I was reading in 2 Nephi 10 this morning about what a blessing it is that we are able to live in this promised land. We will be blessed in this land as long as we are keeping the commandments of God. I'm grateful for those who have gone before to bring us to this land and strive to follow Him. I know He's in charge. 

This is a picture of the beautiful sunset this past Saturday! The second one you can see part of the reflection of Lake Wailes! You can't beat the clouds here! Also Sister Zinck and I on this lovely Monday! Haha. Yes I had to wear red, white and blue. 

This past week we got to meet our new Mission President and his wife - President and Sister Cooper! They are great! I'm really excited to get to know them better. 

I don't have anything especially profound to share but I want you to know that our Savior and the gospel are the things that truly matter. Forget about all of the other random junk from the world. Some of it may be useful or have some value, but I find that a lot of it doesn't. There is peace to be found in the scripture, in praying and especially keeping the commandments. Study it out. I've found that knowing what I need to do and then doing it have brought me peace. There is NO way that we will be perfect, we are far from it in this life. We don't have to be perfect, that's why we have repentance. I'm grateful for my Savior, that He always looks out for me even when I sometimes forget or am ungrateful or fear. I know He looks out for you. He loves you. 

Please keep our investigators in your prayers! Especially Jacob (boyfriend of a member) and Amanda and her family! 

Love you all! Eat some kind of ridiculously fattening fried food for me today! :)  

Sister Gessel