Tough week, but a good one too

January 24, 2013

My goodness! It has been a tough week! But before we get into that...

MICHAEL GOT BAPTIZED!! I'm so proud of him! He couldn't stop smiling all through church on Sunday because he was so excited! Then when it came time for his baptism, he was bouncing off the walls! And as it would turn out, one of the members that was supposed to talk didn't show up and since I've taught him the longest out of the missionaries there, I had to speak! It went pretty well. The spirit was so strong as he entered the font! And when he came up out of the water, Michael was crying. He was so happy and he felt so clean! He truly understood that baptism is for the remission of sins, not just membership in the church! I'm so excited for him to receive the Holy Ghost this weekend! And he's excited, too! Thank you for all the prayers on his behalf! They were definitely heard and answered!

Sister Bullock with Michael on his baptism day

This week has been tough. Probably the toughest I've had yet. I really just felt like I couldn't do it anymore, like I wasn't good enough to be a representative of the Lord. I don't even know how to describe it. It was hard and painful and just miserable. But then I learned a really powerful lesson about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I realized I didn't understand anything about the Atonement! I wasn't truly applying it in my life. The scriptures tell us that Christ suffered everything for us so we wouldn't have to, yet here I was trying to suffer through everything on my own. So I prayed. I handed everything I felt and had experienced over to the Lord. I felt my burden being lifted from my shoulders. I have since found joy in daily repentance. I have a new look on life, the work and the Atonement/ repentance. It is truly amazing. And it makes me wonder how many other people don't really understand the Atonement, either. Alma 7: 11-12 helped me a lot. Maybe it'll help someone else, too. Now, I'm not saying I understand anything perfectly- I still have A LOT to learn. But at least now I'm on the right path to learning these things.

Alma 7:11-12

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

Sister Bullock with Sister and Elder Olsen

Cheerful things now! Elder and Sister Olsen left (sad) but Elder and Sister Eyring are here! They're so great! Elder Eyring sounds just like his older brother! It's so funny! But I love them already and I think they will do a great job in the Visitors Center. Speaking of which, the Visitors Center schedule is back to normal now! I'm excited about that! I love serving in the Visitors Center!

Elder and Sister Eyring, the new Washington DC Visitors' Center Directors

 

Anyway, so many prayers answered this week! Heavenly Father loves us and wants to bless us. Stay strong and faithful. Continue reading and praying and sharing your testimony with everyone around you! I love and miss you all! Thank you for everything!

Love, Sister Bullock

Letter dated Jan 16, 2013

Hola!

This week has been super awesome! There have been hard points, but it's been a really great week! First of all, right after I wrote home last week, Michael called to tell us that Brother West (the man that was going to baptize Michael) wasn't going to be into until Monday... Meaning he couldn't baptize Michael on Sunday. So after talking to Michael about it for a bit, we all decided it would be best if we waited until this Sunday for the baptism! And it's actually worked out better that we waited! This way, Brother West could still perform the baptism, we could prepare Michael even more, and we were able to invite more people to come! It's so great! So happy news! Michael is (finally) getting baptized on Sunday! YAY!

Silver Springs MD Chapel

Other great news! We've started teaching Larry again! We had to stop teaching him during December simply because there was no time (I know, saddest excuse ever... But it's true). But we've started teaching him again! We taught him last about the Restoration and he asked a lot of good questions and really thought about things. At one point, we invited him to church and he was really hesitant. He confessed that he is really afraid of going to church because of past experiences. The spirit was super strong at that moment and I felt prompted to ask him how he felt. He told us he felt happy, calm, and peaceful. Then I explained to him that what he was feeling was the spirit. That the spirit testifies of truth. I promised him as a representative of Jesus Christ that if he came to church on Sunday, he would feel that spirit 10x stronger than he did at that moment, and that all of his fears would disappear. It was so amazing how the spirit just grew in strength as that promise was being made! It's so cool to feel the spirit working through you. I love being an instrument in the Lords hands. So he committed to come to church. And he did come! And he LOVED it! And he's committed to come every week now! The Lord keeps His promises! Always has, always will :)

Sad news! Sister Wankier left! Not only did she leave the best trio ever, but she also left the area! We had alot of fun as a trio these past 2 weeks, but now she's off in Kentlands training Sister Kaarma from Estonia! Sister Lawrence and I are excited for her! Sister Lawrence and I are still having the best time ever though! We still laugh all the time and have lots of fun!

I seriously love being a missionary! There is nothing else I would rather be doing right now. Sure it's hard, and I'm not used to being crazy busy all day every day, but I wouldn't have it any other way right now. I absolutely love inviting others to come unto Christ.

Gentle Healer, by Greg Olsen

Will all of you do me a favor? Share your testimony of Christ with someone this week. It doesn't have to be big and formal. In fact, I've found that simple testimonies are the most powerful. Just find a time or a way to share with someone the happiness and joy you find in Christ. And I'd love to hear about your experiences, too! (Just sayin)

  

I love and miss you all! Thank you for your support!

Love, Sister Bullock

PS. I haven't been in the Visitor Center all week! I think I'm going crazy! AND! The Olsen's leave this weekend! What am I going to do without them?? AH!

Don H. and Lucille D. Olsen have been the directors of the Washington DC Visitors Center since Jan 2011

 Mom's note:
I want to share my testimony with all of you!  I know that God lives, that his son, Jesus Christ, is indeed my Savior and Redeemer!  My life would be lost without this understanding.  I find peace, happiness and comfort from this knowledge. I am grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, for its promptings and guidance. I know that prophets are on the earth again, that Christ's Church is organized as it was when he walked in the Holy Land. I know that families can be together forever through holy ordinances performed in Temples. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  As Ann Dew said, "I'm a Mormon, I know it, I live it, I love it!"  I'm appreciative of a daughter, willing to sacrifice 18 months of her life to serve her Savior and teach strangers of the peace and happiness the Gospel can bring to their lives!