Hello from a cold/sticky/hot Eastern State! PA likes to keep us guessing when it comes to the weather. It was fall, but now it's summer again. It's like being at home with the awful Utah weather. However, I did find out that PA is the most amazing state, they have apple cider slushes! Seriously, how cool is that?! My two favorite things combined into one. Delicious. 

It has been a good few days since I last emailed, the temple was wonderful. There is just something so special about the PA temple, maybe because I feel like it's my temple, or because it's in the middle of a busy city and it's so peaceful. Who knows, but I love it! It's a magical place.

After our P-Day was over, we went to go visit the Hillmans! It was great! We had a good talk about bacon. In fact Brother Hillman said "bacon is like fairy dust. Bipity-bopity-bacon" anyway, after that we talked about Spiritual Crocodiles. They are sneaky things, they hide in plain sight, and we never really know what they are until we are at the watering hole, and by that time it's far too late. The good news is that when we fall into those sneaky traps we have a thing called repentance, which can change everything around for you. 

We also met with Stephanie and Dick this week! Dick also came to church! It was so awesome! A lot of the brothers in the ward were coming up and introducing themselves to him! Which was so nice! We talked with them about the baptismal interview questions and invited them to be baptized on December 9th! They said that they'd have to come to church first, but Stephanie is willing to have faith to believe that Jospeh is a prophet of God. We think that they are very close! 

We met with a man named Yasir this week. He is Islamic but is super interested in learning about other faiths, we talked with him about the Plan of Salvation and it was interesting! As we talked about the Fall and the eternal perspective he mentioned that they have the same belief. We just had a great time talking with him about the gospel and answering his questions! 

Lately, I've had prayer on my mind. I've been thinking about how to make it more meaningful in my life. On Thursday I'll hit one year of being out here in PA, and I am so thankful for it. So I've been studying how to have more meaningful but also more thankful prayers. I've found a few scriptures that really stuck out to me.

1 Nephi 3:1 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father.

Alma 39:10 And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel.

Moroni 8:3 I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end.

I love these verses. First, you counsel with the Lord and then with your fellow beings. Take everything you do to the Lord, and he will direct your path. Second, counsel with him often, and listen to what he has to say, he's been here, he's done it, he knows. So follow him. Give heed to his words. Third, pray continually, and be mindful of others around you in your prayers. Along with all of this studying I've also started to write down my prayers and it's been fun to see how they change and grow! When we talk with the Lord we are given what we need, maybe not what we want but what we need. Life isn't the easiest thing to do, but when we counsel with him, and focus on saying what we really need to say to him, we are able to braved the storms of life. It's a good life with the Lord on our side. 

Jesus is the Christ. Father in Heavens knows each of us individually and he knows our struggles. Being a missionary is my favorite calling, and I love wearing the Saviors name each day. I love you all! Have an amazing week and don't forget to counsel with your Father in Heaven! ❤️

Much love,

Sister Jackson

car selfies

exchanges with Reading sisters