SISTER ZACKRISON: CHRISTMAS BREAK:)

Hey Y’alll!

This week has been good! It has probably been the slowest week in Tuscaloosa since I have been here, but we still saw a lot of miracles. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the semester ended and the students went home for break, but it really is quite dead here. We were talking with the members on Sunday, and they told us good luck, and that they were not envious since the break will be tough! Ha. It has been a little weird. Our normal source of contacting was going to the campus and meeting up with students, and talking with those on the quad. But it is okay, it is only for a few weeks that the campus will be empty! We are trying really hard to get our contacts in other ways, and we are trying to still teach lessons and find people to teach. It will just require a little more effort. I know that the Lord puts me in situations like this when He sees that I am ready to grow. I know that without being stretched, growth can’t happen. It will be a real blessing to have to work in other ways.

I tried a little experiment this week. During transfers, I was touched by all of the people standing up and sharing their Emmaus experiences. The problem I have is I can never remember them right off the top of my head and so I think to myself that I must not be having them. I began praying each night that I would be able to see my Emmaus experiences more clearly, and I began to write an “E” next to them in my planner. As I flip through the pages, I have pink “E’s” all over the week! I have been having spiritual experiences, and I am seeing them every day! It has been so amazing to see that, and realize that I really just need to do a better job at opening my eyes.

We had a special Emmaus experience our very first night as companions. We had spent the day weekly planning, and trying to see people throughout the day. I was feeling a bit down at the end of the day that I didn’t have more people to take Sister Warren to, but I didn’t know what to do about it. We were cleaning out this box of papers, and we found a scripture written on a sticky note. After looking it up, we read, “I sought‍ the Lord, and he heard‍ me, and delivered me from all my fears.” That is found in Psalms 34:4. It hit us both so strongly. The Lord heard our prayers. He is going to help us this transfer, and we will truly become the fearless disciples that He needs us to become. It was a direct answer to my prayers, and I just sat there in peace. He really heard me. He really knows who I am, and what I am struggling with. It was so powerful! And it all came from a simple scripture. I am so humbled. The Lord knows me.

We taught the lesson in Relief Society…basically the missionaries are the only sure things in the branch these days…and a powerful line stood out to me. It was on missionary work, so it ended up being a perfect lesson for us to teach. The book says, “Every person who receives the light of the gospel becomes a light and a guide to all those whom he is able to teach.” Well y’all, that is you. You are the light and you are responsible to guide these people around us. Isn’t that such a blessing?? How powerful is it that we get to share the light we have received? Everything is better in the light. This week, we are one week closer to Christmas. Let’s show the world the light of Christ, and really try our best to spread his love, and His word this Christmas season.

I love y’all! I hope you have a great week! We went caroling as a district this weekend. It was such a blast! Except, no one likes pictures but me! Thanks Mama for teaching me that! Love y’all!

Love,

Sister Zackrison