Taking the Shots: "MY BEST FRIEND.. MY BEST FRIEND!" (Week 45: 7/11-7/18)

This week flew by so fast. It's so crazy. My mission is literally the
best decision I have made. The friends I have made, the families I
have taught, the people I have met, it's been rough but the best
decision for my life!

These past 6 weeks with Sister Manson has come to an end. Yep that's
right.. We had transfer calls on Saturday. And Sister Manson received
a phone call. My heart aches. 😭💔 she has been a great companion and
I am so glad for our new friendship we have made. It's sad to see her
go, but I know the Lord has need of her other places. We have grown
and learned so much. She is one of the tallest people I know and I
will now call her one of my friends. I am so excited for when we
reunite again! We were talking about how sometimes people just click
when they become your companions. We continued to talk about this and
I thought to myself.. "Is that maybe because we were friends in the
Pre-existence?" I know that Heavenly Father made us companions for a
reason.

So this week was pretty fun! We got free SLURPEES from 7-11!! Whoop
whoop! We did some service. We taught a few lessons and we worked
hard.

BUT THE BEST NEWS AND GREATEST THING THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
WAS....................................................................................................................................

BRENDA, DERRICK, AND WAYNE CAME TO CHURCH TOGETHER!!!!! It was soo
exciting.. Brenda doesn't really want anything to do with the church
and she finally came. Wayne stayed for all 3 hours and he actually had
a friend from his elementary school there. (THATS ALWAYS THE BEST!!)
for 6 weeks we have been trying to get Brenda to come to church and it
finally happened. And she really liked it, as did Wayne.

Sister Manson and I have accomplished a lot here in this area
together, but I know I was sent here for a reason and I will continue
to do the Lord's will to find out why!

Some other big news!!! So they have been talking about splitting the
Fredericksburg VA Stake for a while now.. Because the work has
progressed so much they will now be splitting the stake in half. It is
quite an opportunity to be here to see it happen and I pray that the
Lord will be with us to further the work more here in this area.

So with the subject line... Wayne, Derrick's grandson thinks of us as
his best friends. So we have this handshake that we do all together
and say, "my best friend, my best friend!" Super funny!

The gospel is true! The Book of Mormon is true and is the word of God.
I am so grateful for this time that I have to serve my Heavenly Father
and become more like my Savior! Isn't that what this life is all
about? To become as close and be as perfect as the Savior? I know we
won't always make it to there, but that is what the Atonement is for!

This past week I was able to read and finish reading, "Our Heritage."
It's a book about the church and the many things that Saints go
through to be able to believe what they can. There were many
sacrifices of the people who knew that THIS CHURCH was the TRUE
CHURCH! I am grateful for all the sacrifices people have made to be
able to have this gospel still today!

Thank you all so much for the support and please pray for those who
are serving in Russia. That the people their may have their hearts
touched and that the work will move forward. #onework

We are all on the same team...no matter where we live! I love you all!
Keep on keepin' on!

Love,
Sister Pewtress