Life in Temple Terrace :)

Brandon zone!

Love this!

We did service at a place where they have stuff for kids who have to go into foster care.

The sisters! Sisters House, Neibaur, Whitlock, Graham, me and Suman. They are amazing. :)

Love you all! Keep the faith! The spirit is real!

Sister Gessel

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, unto every one that believeth..."

Hi everyone! :)

Life here in the Temple Terrace part of Tampa is great! I have the
most amazing companion, she is the best. :) Our apartment has been
having some issues so we've spent the last week with the sisters
serving in the YSA (young single adult) Ward. They have been so kind
and it has been so fun to get to know them better! They each are such
great examples!

This week we've spent time serving online (we're basically the other
side of Mormon.org) as well as getting to know other ward members and
teaching lessons in our area. Online we call people who have ordered
the Bible or Book of Mormon, we chat with people who have questions
(moments and nonmembers), sometimes we teach lessons online, etc. This
week we got to speak with missionaries in Ghana and tell them about a
referral headed their way. Hermana Whitlock got to speak with some
members in Peru who were referring a friend in Chile. Chilean
addresses are sure hard to find, but it's been an adventure!

We also were trying to visit a new member this week, but it turns out
the address we had for her hadn't been changed to her new address, so
instead we met her husband's grandma! She is awesome! She's had so
many experiences with the church in the past and was so excited to
read the Book of Mormon. We are going to see her tomorrow, we will
keep you updated. :)

We also had a zone Training Meeting on Wednesday. It was all about
baptism and it was such a good meeting! Moroni 6 is such a great
chapter. We did a short training on the importance of keeping records
and remembering those who have made that sacred covenant with God.
Once they're baptized we can't forget them! We are all brothers and
sisters and we've got to help each other remember how to get back to
our Heavenly Father. :)

Here are a few pictures of the week. :)

Heading back from zone Training Meeting :) My companion is awesome!

This is real life!

Me and my new companion Hermana Whitlock! She is amazing!

Sister Watkins, me and Sister Alder at Panera before we left for transfers. Love them all!

Saying good bye to Tiffiny was so hard, but I know she is in such good hands! He has taken care of her from day 1. Way better than I ever could. :) We will always be sisters!

Our little "office" haha. I seriously love it!

As we have been reflecting on the life of the Savior this past week I have such gratitude in my heart! He didn't have to do what He did. But He did it ALL because He loved us, He wanted us to progress, to have a chance. Even though He went through so many trials and burdens He was and is the Prince of Peace. He saw the end from the beginning, He knew what He was called to do and He did it without wavering. I'm so grateful. Through Him I have found peace. I know He knows me. Better than I know myself. He knows what I need. I love my Savior and I want to do my best to serve Him everyday. I know His Atonement is real.

Thank you for being who you are. Never give up! You are never alone!

Love you all!

Sister GesselHi everyone!

Holy cow, this week has been amazing! I LOVE being an online
missionary! It was hard to leave Sarasota and the amazing people I've
met there, but I love change! I've been so grateful to be put in a
place where I can learn and grow!

This is one of our favorite member couples from Sarasota! They're
awesome member missionaries!

Changes all around :)

Hi everyone! 

Hope your week has been good! There are some exciting changes coming! I found out I will get to go be with Sister Whitlock at the mission office and do some online missionary work! I'm really excited! It'll be a good change. Sister Alder will be going to a new area too. :) 

One thing that I'm so grateful for is that the spirit always is working with us to prepare us for change. I'm so grateful for the people I've met here in Sarasota, it's been an incredible area to be in. Sister Felt will be coming up and I'm excited for that! We will be leaving the Harpers and others in good hands. :) At times in my mission I've gotten caught up thinking that we as the missionaries are the ones holding everything together. I've had so many reminders that we've just got to rely on Him. The Lord will accept of out efforts if we do our best. President reminded me of this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 101:16 "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God." 

The gospel is true, Heavenly Father is in charge, it's not over till it's over. 

Love you, 

Sister Gessel

Some of the awesome YSA Relief Society sisters! :) I will miss them! 

Don't forget to check out Mormon.org :)