Sister Elle Jackson's Adventures in the Washington Everett Mission: Week 46: The Temple- The House of the Lord!

Elle had the Opportunity to attend the
Seattle Temple on Tuesday, June21st.

Well sorry I didn't tell anyone that my P-Day was changing. The reason that it changed is because I was able to go to the Temple today. It was amazing and I can't believe it has been so long since I was able to go. There is just something about being able to go to the house of the Lord and be so close to our Heavenly Father. Receiving answers to things that have been on your mind or bothering you. You never leaving wanting to jump for joy or shouting Hoorah, you leave feeling rejuvenated and with the feeling that you can take on the entire world. I think that there is no greater feeling to describe all of that then peace, gratitude, humility, and so many.

Elle, Sister Mergens (Ward Mission Leaders Wife), and Sister Leininger

This last week we had Zone Conference, it was set up a little different then normal and I think it is because the Bonhams leave in nine days. It was really good we talked about a lot of different things that probably needed to be brought up. Then Sister Leininger and I instructed on "..how do we still say productive and effective when we don't have people to teach.." It was really good, all of us missionaries had a good discussion about it. We read from 1 Nephi 16 about when Nephi breaks his bow, how there will be times when our bow breaks and there isn't anything else that we have at the moment, but what are we going to do to fix the problem. Are we going to sit in our apartment and have a pity-me-party or are we going to go out build a new bow, get us a sling with some rocks, and get the work done. Also, how Lehi gets a little frustrated, and how sometimes our leaders get lazy or frustrated or whatever, but do not let that effect your missionary work; but that we respect our leaders as Nephi did and account to our leaders and help them see the big picture....sounds all over the place but I promise that it really did make sense.

Elle and Sister Leininger enjoying freshly picked raspberries.

Wednesday we were on exchanges with the Spanish Sisters and I got to be with Hermana Richey! She is such an amazing missionary, I also can't believe that she has been out for three transfers now! Oh how time just disappears and well doesn't come back. It was good though we had a day full of service and we were able to help so many different people.

Thursday we went on a Blitz with Harbour Point. It was so eventful, we were able to find them two solid families to teach and then a potential families who have been looking for friends and a church to go to...LUCKY for them we have both of those things in one place. They were super cute though. They are Catholic but not really practicing and so it wasn't to bad trying to talk to them and share the things that be believe and that we know to be true. Side note: I love the fact that I know the Church is true and that we truly do have a modern day Prophet here on the earth. The the same Church Christ set up while he was here....guess what we have it right now and are able to partake of all of the blessings that our Heavenly Father wants to give us. He loves us and Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings! Isn't it just amazing the knowledge we have! Life after death, we came from Heaven...just breath taking! It ended up being the best day to Blitz. We also met this lady who pretty much believes in aliens. She said we have been genetically modified......not worth explaining but it was interesting.

Elle and Sister Packered

Saturday is when we were on Exchanges again and I was in Maltby with Sister Packered. I contacted my first Spanish contact and it went so much better then I thought! I was able to get my point across the best that I could and semi be able to understand them. I forgot the name of our church in the middle but they had heard of the Mormons so that was a quick fix. Can't wait for them to meet with the missionaries! The gift of tongues is real...even if I only got to experience it for a short second. Then we went to a members for dinner and there was Tyler Mousser's picture on their calendar- weird, different, fun. He was with all of their grand kids, but it made me laugh!

Tyler Mousser from our Hobble Creek 14th ward.
he is in a different mission in Washington.

I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for Eternal Families and for the Atonement and that Repentance is real. That through Christ I WILL be able to live with my Heavenly Father again and that "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us." (pg.8 Jesus Christ - Gifts and Expectations, Ezra Taft Benson)

I LOVE you all and hope that you have a great week! Thank you for all the support and little surprises.

(Update) Liana and I received a text yesterday from our good friend Becky Provstgaard. I worked with her at Spanish Fork junior High in the counseling center. She and her husband Todd lived in Everett Washington a number of years ago, They were up visiting and were able to run into Elle and visit with her for a few minutes. We received pictures, a short video, and an update. She had just returned from the Seattle Temple and was getting ready to email us. It was good to get an eye to eye update from someone we know and love. The flowers in the picture are from the Provstgaard's.