Dearest Family,
My heart is filled with joy! The weather is just amazing outside and the skies are beautiful blue! I am so grateful that Spring is on its way and I pray that it continues to bloom.
Today I had the most wonderful opportunity to attend the Draper Temple open house. My Mission President made it possible for our whole mission to go and have special VIP tours. It is absolutely the most beautiful temple that I have ever stepped inside. I am so grateful for it. Wow. It is truly breathtakingly beautiful inside.
When we went into the sealing room one of President Holme's sons also "President Holmes" asked us to have a seat and bore a very personal testimony about the Temple, the sealing power, and the Restored gospel. He shared a most personal story about my Mission President and how he gained his testimony of the Church, the Book of Mormon, of this gospel. It touched my heart so dearly because it was very similiar to mine. As I listened to this precious testimony and experience of my Mission President it stirred my heart and brought to remembrance the first time that I truly gained my testimony of this Church. It was almost three summers ago when I went to Utah for the summer. I came with a determination to read the Book of Mormon and experience this "mighty change of heart" that I always heard everyone talk about. I didn't understand what it meant, in fact I thought it would be this intense incredible moment while I was on my knees and each night I would hold my breath waiting for it. Each day I would read the Book of Mormon with a hunger, a thirst, a desire to know that it was true. I would pray with all my soul to experience this mighty change of heart. Although I couldn't recognize it at first, I was indeed experiencing this change in my soul and spirit every day. I changed my life, my thinking, my heart because of my love for the Savior and my gratitude of His atonement. I said goodbye to old friends and old ways and looked forward with an eye of faith and hope. After my two months of this spiritual change- I realized I didn't need an intense affirmation of the things I read and believed. I had great faith that they were true.
My grandma drove my brother and I to the airport and dropped us off. I was in the very last part of the book- Ether and had a determination to finish it before I stepped off of that plane. After our layover in Colorado- my brother and I stepped back onto the plane and as I began to read the very end of the Book of Mormon- one of the last chapters in Moroni- something incredible happened to me. Words cannot express the feelings that came over me but at that moment I knew that everything I had ever heard, read, learned were true. I knew it with all my soul. I began to weep because of the love and witness that I felt within heart and spirit.That was the first of countless witnesses I have had from the Holy Ghost testifying that this Restored gospel is true. I know it with all my soul and with complete assurety.
At times my heart yearns to be an angel just as Alma speaks of- so that I could shake the earth and proclaim with all brightness that THIS IS TRUE! Please accept what I have to offer you- Eternal Life, peace and happiness, the answers to all the questions of your soul!! But I also know that those who truly seek and desire to find that missing piece in their soul will accept these glad tidings of great joy that we as missionaries and members of Christ's Church bear.
I am so happy to be alive and to have a great and amazing family! What a blessing it is to have families in this mortality. Can you imagine if we had to endure the trials of life alone? Joy wouldn't be joy without your family to share it with. I know God is our loving Heavenly Father because He blessed me with you all! You complete me and I am ever so grateful for each of you.
Thank you for everything. Please know that I love you so incredibly much.
With all the love in my heart,
Sister Goodwin
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Katie's Letters Home
Katie's letter to an Investigator named Michael
Hello Michael!
Thank you for your quick response back! I appreciate your honesty and sincerity and I hope that you can feel the same for mine. I have prayerfully pondered what to write back to you for the past three days. Michael I know that if you will ask God with a sincere heart, having real intent- meaning you are willing to act upon the answer you receive, with faith that you will receive an answer as to if the Book of Mormon is true. You will.
This witness does not always come straightaway. It is after the trial of our faith that God reveals himself to us. We must show Him that we sincerely DESIRE with all our hearts, that we have FAITH that He will truly answer our prayer. How can we do these things? Each day if you will pick up the Book of Mormon and pray to understand it, you will feel the Spirit of the Lord as you feast upon those words of Christ. If you will earnestly seek and pray unto God each day, you will be granted the answer that the Book of Mormon is true. I testify to you that I am a living witness that the Book of Mormon is a TRUE testament of Jesus Christ! I know this by the power of the Holy Ghost; the power of God. All men are invited to receive this same answer but we must prove our faith to our Father before He grants unto us all things.
Do you truly desire to know this Book is real? To know that we have another Prophet and twelve apostles on earth today? That they hold the same priesthood authority and power that Jesus Christ and His apostles held and are special witnesses of Christ! Do you desire to be baptized by Jesus Christ's authority? To go the Temple and be able to make the sacred covenants to enter back into God's presence someday? To be sealed to your family for all of time and eternity? Within the very pages of the Book of Mormon you can find the answers of your soul.
I know that God and Jesus Christ live and they provide us with another testament of Christ so we can know with that they are real! The Book of Mormon has been part of God's plan to help the children of men since the beginning.
We read in Ezekiel 37: 16, 19:
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you so much! The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness. The Book of Mormon stands as a testimony of this restoration and as a testimony of Jesus Christ. It's the key to true happiness.
I testify these things to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sincerely your friend,
Sister Goodwin
January 30th 2009
Hello Family!!I am so sorry about the email you didn't receive last week. But I did write it! I was in a hurry to get to the Temple on time because I was going to clean the Temple. What a beautiful experience that was! I was able to clean the sealing rooms and they are just magnificent. It was so wonderful to think as I cleaned the crystal chandelier in one room that so many people made those sacred covenants right here at this very alter. I love the Temple!!!This week has gone by so fast! This transfer is almost over and for the most part I am very sad. I absolutely love my companion. She is incredible in my life and truly an angel. There is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father put her in my life to teach so many incredible things and to learn from her example. I have never met another sister with more faith than her. She is so incredibly strong and just full of love. She is truly my best friend and I know that we will be best friends for all time and eternity. I bonded on a level with her unlike any one else aside from family. We are both so incredibly nervous because this Monday we find out our new companions and our callings...We pray every day that we will be with kind and caring companions. It's crazy how similiar we are in so many ways. We both need that kindness and love expressed every day. My heart is full of love for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that He truly forgives us of our sins and our weaknesses. That God is our Father in Heaven and He loves us. Without their love, mercy, and support I could not do this mission nor press forward in the trials of life. This transfer I have experienced about every kind of opposition imaginable- spiritual, companionship, crazy people. It's just been tiring but it's been a great time of growth for me and it's increased my testimony of God and Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of this work.My love of the Book of Mormon has ever increased. The scriptures are referred to as "the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul". This is so true. I have never felt a deeper love of God and felt His Spirit stronger than when I open up the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. The power of prayer is so important- I encourage you to look up how many times prayer is referred to in the scriptures. It is absolutely essential that we pray always and feast upon the good word of God in order to stay on the strait and narrow path to eternal life.I express my utmost gratitude for all your prayers and letters. You have no idea how precious they are to me, more so than gold. I cherish every letter I receive and it helps me to feel love and support and the uplifting that I need. It is the greatest act of service that you could do for me at this time. I will remember it for the rest of life. Thank youI love you family. You are incredible. So precious and special in my life. I talk about you every day and include you in my testimony. You live in my heart. Love you forever and ever,Sister Goodwin
Letter to the Belmont's from Katie
Dear Brother Belmont,
Hello!!! How are you feeling? I hope that you are feeling better! You are in my prayers every day. Sister Belmont emailed me and told me about your amazing experience with the taxi driver from Nigeria. It is so amazing how the Lord works and uses us as His instruments to bring souls unto Christ. You are such a special person and I am so pleased that you are already so in tune with the Spirit and listen to it's promptings.
This is the first of many opportunities that you and your sweet wife will be able to take part in. You both radiate the pure love of Christ that Moroni talks about in Moroni 7. It is through this love that many others will come to know who Jesus Christ is. I am so excited for this opportunity that you have to bear testimony and share your love for the gospel with him. I encourage you to pray each day that you may be able to truly speak the words that this young man needs to hear and ask him to pray to know if these things you have shared are true. Lastly, please invite him to meet with missionaries!!! You can email his information to me (name, phone number) and we have a system in Temple Square that we can have missionaries over to his house within 48 hours whereas with other missions it can take up to two weeks.
President Henry B. Eyring has said when we invite others to learn more about the gospel it is the most important invitation that we can ever offer to another person. It is the most important invitation anyone could accept.
In Doctrine and Convenants section 18 it talks about the joy that comes from missionary work:
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the akingdom of my Father, how great will be your bjoy if you should bring many csouls unto me!
Another great scripture that I love is in 2 Nephi 2:6-9 it says:
"Wherefore, redemption cometh in adn through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved."
Never forget how special you are to Heavenly Father! You and Sister Belmont are so special to me and will always be in my heart. I hope that next year when you are able to go to the temple and be sealed that I will be able to be there. I am so happy and I love you both so much! Please let me know what happens with this young man! I cannot fully express the joy and excitement I feel!
Please get better!!!!
Sincerely,
Sister Goodwin
Letter from the Belmont's to Katie
My Dear Sister Goodwin,
What a pleasure it was to get such an uplifting email from you. The scriptures you gave about saving even one soul were so inspiring. One of my life goals is to know scripture even a tenth as well as you do. You are truly amazing, and an example for all.
The name and phone # of our Taxi driver is: Michael Chukwuonye (pronounced chook-WON-yay). His cell phone is (216) ###-####. I called the Cleveland Stake on the 17th and spoke to a sister Cheryl Yankel, who I think was a librarian and gave her that info. But she didn't sound that sure of what to do next, so it might be a good idea to for Temple Square to back her up. Thanks so much for offer.ing to help. He is a kind young man who actually hugged me as we parted. What a spirit-filled moment. (Sister Belmont, with her warm smile was the one that got the conversation going, so she really deserves the credit.)
I am recovering nicely after my (5-hour) heart procedure, and feel the Lord still has things for me to do.
I will be forever grateful for your part in steering Sister Belmont to the Church and inspiring me so. I feel certain that Heavenly Father has great works in store for you.
Please convey my deep appreciation to Sister Nishi also, whose remarkable command of english and knowledge of Scripture, along with her ready smile, were very much a part of the inspiration Sister Belmont and I received.
We plan to be in Salt Lake City in late May, and hope you will be able to meet with us again and will keep in touch with us. We love your uplifting letters. If you get any feedback on whether Michael was successfully contacted, we'd love to know.
Many thanks for all you have done and are doing.
Sincerely,
Brother Belmont
January 2nd 2009
Happy New Year! I can't believe that it is 2009. I feel so old, haha! Isn't crazy to think that I will not see you this entire year! Wow!Things are going great here at Temple Square! I absolutely love being a missionary!!! Thank you so much for the watch! I love it!!! It is so beautiful! :) I could not be happier!!!!Today I was in God's Plan for His Family and I took a mother and son through that were preparing to be sealed in the temple next week. It caused me to reflect on the time when we were all sealed as a family. What a beautiful experience. There is a noticeable difference in the family and the home since that day. The Temple is truly the house of the Lord and I know that the power of the priesthood has been restored because of the feelings and spirit that I feel inside the Temple.As a missionary; I have seen the different parts which make up my testimony that combine into one great testimony of the truthfulness of this great work. It is so powerful as I look at each principle of the gospel and ass I live it I gain a stronger testimony.This transfer is unique, it has been one of the hardest but biggest growing experiences. My companion is amazing and she has taught me so much about myself, my faith, and portugues. Here's a funny story... on new year's eve my companion woke up to me sleep talking in portugues- I kept saying Eu falla portugues... which means I speak portugues. Then last night- I was dreaming in portugues, very strange but awesome. :) I absolutely love that language and I have been learning new things every day. I know that the power of the gift of tongues is real- not only because of my companion's ability to speak English so well in only 2 months but also because according to her and the other Brazilian sisters- I speak without an accent and perfect. I hope that doesn't come off as prideful because I don't mean it like that. It truly is because of the Lord.I would like to include a powerful passage from a talk by President Heber C. Kimball:Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial, and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and His work. This Church has before it, many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned wtih victory.To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not, you will not stand.Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each of you will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?This is true. I know that this work is true and the fire burns within my soul. I pray that each of you will ponder your own testimony of the restoration and ask the Lord if this work is true. This is not a one time question, we are encouraged to ask and prove our faith that the Lord will respond to our desires to know. As we consistently strenghthen our testimonies in whatever area it may be lacking, we can know with assurety that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the restored gospel, the prophet Thomas S. Monson; are Jesus Christ's work, not man's.I hope to strengthen the seed of my faith in my heart every day for the rest of my life. I love my Lord Jesus Christ with all my soul. He is real and He has atoned for my sins! It is real. I feel the healing powers of the Atonement in my life each day.I love you so much. Thank you for being you! You are all so precious in my life. You are special to the Lord and to me.Love Always and Forever,Sister Goodwin
December 26th 2008
Dearest Family,Thank you for the Christmas presents, the emails, the letters, and most importantly for talking to me yesterday! It felt SO refreshing and wonderful to be able to hear all of your voices! I am so happy because of that opportunity!The mission that I serve in is absolutely one of a kind. I don't know any other mission where the Sisters are so blessed, loved, and remembered during the holiday seasons. On Christmas eve T2 closed at 5pm and at 5:30 pm we met in the NVC and watched a Muppet's Christmas Carol in the big theatre. After this we all went up to the Christus (the 11ft marble statue of Christ and the room is painted like the universe) and we sang Christmas hymns. Then we went back downstairs where we received these beautiful handmade scarves that people donated and made just for us. After this we went back to the theatre and watched The Nativity Story. It was a perfect night! And President said that we could sleep in until 7:30 am!! It was so awesome!!!!Christmas morning was great too! We woke up to find presents left for us so me and my roommates/companion opened them up and then headed to T2 for the day. The presents we got that morning were so nice and thoughtful. All kinds of nice things and then they gave each of us a scripture stocking with presents that had a scripture taped on the front and then I looked it up before opening each gift. What a great idea, I will definately use that later in life :). Then I was able to call home!!!!!!!! Then after T2 closed we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and had a fancy dinner that was prepared for us by all the senior couple missionaries. It was so cute, they were all dressed up in bow ties and waited on us. I loved it. After this we went up to the chapel in the JSMB (so beautiful) and had a Christmas program. I can say for the first time in my life I truly felt the Spirit of Christmas. It was so powerful and the night was end by a perfect beautiful blizzard to walk home in. I could not have had a better Christmas. I have received many cards with generous donations from every one! Please send them my love and gratitude as I will also be doing so. Sister Kluber, Aunt Cathy, Grandma and Gramps, Lois & Bob, You all, Bishop and Sister Sample, Grandma Debbie, and there may be more that I can't think of at the moment.Polly thank you so much for the idea to learn Porteguese with my companion. I told her yesterday that I wanted to learn and she got so excited and happy. I already learned a few things... Como va vous? Tutubane! Abrigado. Feliz Natow! Ayo sempre tento falla portugues. Haha I don't know if that is how you spell in the Brazil but that is hope it sounds.My companion is a powerhouse of faith. I love her so much. Every day she motivates me when I feel down or discouraged. She tells me that we are special to Heavenly Father and every day we try the best we can for Jesus Christ. She has already taught me so many incredible lessons about life and faith. Thank you for your many prayers for us. Some times it can be so difficult to communicate because she doesn't know very much English (Ingles) but with the power of the gift of tongues and patience we are doing so much better! My thoughts are all over the place because there are so many things that I would like to share... I am studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles and I have learned some absolutely incredible things. I would like to share a few of them with you!While Christ was on earth the adversary tested Him and sought to thwart His mission: there are three categories in which he tested Him with and nearly every temptation comes to us within one of these 3 categories:1) temptation of the appetite.2) a yielding to the pride & fashion & vanity of those alienated from the things of God.3) a gratifying of the passion/desire for the riches of this world or power among men.Trials and temptations prove our loyalty to the Lord. They also cause us to develop strength to overcome all obstacles and have more light and revelation. These tests will make us a united group of leaders willing to follow the Prophets of the Living God and be loyal and true as witnesses and explemars of the truths they teach. Because these tests are devised of God, we have no reason to fear because God does not call us to fail. He will be with us every step of the way as we live worthy of His Spirit. At times He may take a step back to allow us to walk on our own but He will NEVER leave us on our own. I was asked the question: Is there a greater witness of Christ's divinity than the testimonies of people who have given up a worldly way of life to follow Him?The greatest miracle being performed today is the transformation of a "natural" man/woman into a son or daughter of God. I invite you to think about this. It's true. It has built my testimony as I have reflected on this question. I look at my life and see how far I have come and continue to grow each day with the strength and power of Christ. It is truly divine. There is no other explanation.One last point I would like share with you that I have learned through my study... I am so incredibly grateful for the Apostles and Prophets of the Church.In Ephesians 4:11-14 it states their purpose: -perfecting the Saints-to unify the people in faith-to help others come to the knowledge of the Son of God-to help others become perfected in Christ through His atonement-to help others understand and reach our potential to become like Heavenly Father -to prevent us from being deceived by the cunningness of the doctrines and teachings of men.These were the purposes of the first apostles that Christ called and the apostles that live today also fulfill this purpose. What a divine testimony that this is Christ church!I love you all so much!!! I already told you about Sister Gita Belmont getting baptized but I would also like include her last email in this letter...Dec 20 -- I was baptized by my husbandDear sisters:What joy! My husband, being an Aaronic priest now, was able to baptize me last Saturday. The next day, I received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am and how the blessings are flowing. I can't remember being this happy with my husband for so many days in a row. In the past, we had ups but also had downs. Since I made the decision to get baptized, we are floating. I already feel like I am in heaven. I am certain that the restored church is the true church and I am so excited as I continue to learn the fullness of the gospel. I want to thank you so much for your continuing support, emails, and prayers, When I was interviewed by the President of the Riverside mission a few days before the baptism, he asked me how I came to my decision. I truly believe the certainty came to me on Dec 2 in Temple Square. We had just spoken with you and I was at the top of the North Visitors Center, looking out the window, down at the nativity scene, listening to the Tabernacle Choir singing carols. The sun had set and the tree lights were aglow. As I looked down at the little Jesus in the manger, the reflection of the big statue of Christ behind me was directly in front of me -- in the glass -- so I felt he was in the air, looking down at his birth. At that moment, everything I had read in the Book of Mormon, all my prayers, and all the conversations I had with you ladies and my own missionaries, the testimonies from my ward members -- crystalllized into one bright, shining truth -- that I wanted to serve the Savior with my whole heart in his restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ. I will never forget that moment. The President of the missionaries told me to remember that single moment when times get tough in the future. And I shall.God bless you, Sister Goodwin and Sister Nishi. You are my angels. Merry Christmas to you both.Love,Gita Well family I love you so incredibly much!!! It's time to go though!!Send my love to every one!Love Sister Goodwin!!!!!
December 15th 2008
Dear Family,
Wow, I have SO much to tell you!!!!This week has been crazy!!! It was the end of the transfer week and so I worked SO hard to pass off all the tours and the first achievement in the mission- Historic, Beehive House, Conference Center, Humanitarian Center, Family History, Security, and Welfare Square. I studied so much, I felt like it was exam time but I made it and was able to receive my Witness Achievement Award. There were 10 sisters in my class and only 3 of us were able to finish. But it made it so memorable when the President presented to me today at Transfer Conference.We had transfer conference today and I have been so scared because 2nd transfer starts this Wednesday the 17th and it is 7weeks long so it was so scary to think about getting a hard companion. But today I found out I am with my best friend from my class, Sister Peirara. She is from Brazil and she is still learning English but I absolutely love her. When we found out we both jumped up and started hugging and crying. It was amazing. I know this next transfer is going to be very tough but I am so blessed and grateful to have such an amazing companion. I'm a little bit nervous, but in a good way. We were the only sisters from our class that were put together. The other sisters are with older sisters. I feel like I have a lot of responsiblity because we are so new and my companion doesn't know very much English but we are going to have so much fun!!!!!! I can't wait. She and I are so alike in many ways. She was a model in Brazil and is so beautiful, has a heart of gold and one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever felt. She LOVES pink, she LOVES to shop, she loves her little dog. It's just going to be perfect. And I know you are all laughing, so I'll give you a little more to laugh at. We were called to be the Temple Square Clothing Coordinators. So we get to produce a fashion show for the new sisters. :) And we are also called to sing in the TMSQ choir. That is the best calling in the world and I am so excited!!!!! This week has been amazing... Elder Richard G. Scott came to our Mission Conference this week. Hands down, I adore him. He is the most amazing man I have ever met and I absolutely revere him. He has such a powerful testimony and he is so loving and down to earth. He taught us so much and allowed us to participate in his talk. I can't even begin to list all that he taught us but his testimony was so sincere and powerful that I cried. He said, "I am so certain that God and Christ live that if every thing in my life were taken way, even my dear wife whom I love deeper than words express, it would not shake my testimony." He also taught us that concepts like faith, prayer, love, and humility hold no significance and produce no miracles until they become a living part of the individual through his/her own experience aided by the sweet promptings of the Holy Ghost. One of the other powerful things he taught was that when we are willing to sacrifice deeply held personal desires in favor of God's will we are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from our loving Heavenly Father. I know this to be true and it is hard, but the Lord is there ready and willing to lead us on. And one last thing I feel like I need to include is that satan doesn't have to tempt us to do bad things, he can accomplish most of his objective by distracting us with many acceptable things thus keeping us from the essential ones. Even as a missionary this can happen, we must remember always those important tasks and put them before every thing. If we will ask ourselves will this invite me to love and serve God? Is ____ inspired of God? President Kimball said, "that if you ever have to wonder if some thing is wrong, it probably is."My sweet amazing companion and I had a priceless experience... We met a wonderful couple; August and Gita Belmont in the Tabernacle a few weeks ago. As we talked with them we found out that they were investigating the church and August was getting baptized that Saturday but his wife; Gita was still uncertain. We were truly the Lord's instruments as we spoke His words and read scriptures about faith and bore our testimonies. When they left, I gave them my email address and the next day she wrote us saying: Dear Sisters Goodwin and Nishi:I want to thank you for your kindness and for taking the time to share the message of the restored Gospel with us last night. We are heading home to Palm Desert, CA, with warm hearts and excitement about my husband's upcoming baptism. I must confess I have been wrestling with doubts for the last few months about not knowing for sure whether certain teachings of Joseph Smith are true. Your testimonies and scripture references have opened my eyes and heart to the importance of faith and trusting in the Lord. God bless you and keep you as you continue to do his work and serve his children. Have a Merry Christmas and please pray for us. We are praying for you too. Meeting you was one of the highlights of our trip.Sincerely,Gita Belmont I then wrote her back after much prayer and pondering and the very next day she wrote me back saying: Hello:>Just wanted you to know that after much prayer and discussions with our missionary, I decided to get baptized and the date will be Dec>20. And my husband, who was baptized on Dec 6, will perform the baptism, I am very excited. Both of you ladies also helped me make this important decision when we spoke in the Tabernacle. Your scriptures on FAITH, even when I don't understand everything, really got me thinking. And when we went over to the visitors' center and saw the exhibits, I was convinced. Elder Stewart, our awesome missionary, explained that it might be better if I gave you my actual address for easier communication.So here it is:>Gita Belmont>Removed for privacy>If it is possible, I would like to have a photo of the two of you for my scrapbook, and I would also like to know where Sister Nishi got>her highlighters that don't bleed on to the reverse side of the pages in her Book of Mormon.>Thank you very much and God bless.>Sincerely,>Gita BelmontP.S. I am attaching another photo of my husband's baptism. He has become an even sweeter husband since he started reading the Book of Mormon. It's a miracle.....I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to take part in this beautiful conversion and miracle. There are miracles that happen here every day. I love this mission more than I can write and express.I have more blessings that are poured into my life than I have room to receive. I am so grateful for every thing that you and everyone has done for me. It's amazing. I thank you with all my heart. Also... I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert and the Music and the Spoken word and guess what I was 4 rows from the front and President Monson was there, President Uchtdorf, Elder Scott. I was so close WOW!!!!My new PDAY is Friday!!! So I will email you then! I love you all so much!!! I will write you more tonight!!!! Miss you! Hopefully you get this!!! Love Sister Goodwin
December 8th 2008
My dear family,Hello!!!! Thank you so much for all your letters, emails, and prayers! Every thing is going great here! And even better it is finally snowing!!! :) As always- I don't know where to begin... I have been so blessed! Here are some of the amazing blessings I have received this week...I am so grateful for every thing!!! I saw Brother Yano the other day and we took him on a tour. At the end of the tour he gave me and my companion $50 and told us to go out to eat. He is so amazing! What a blessing! Sister Nishi and I were able to go and have a delicious meal. We also have taught over 150 people just this past week. Amazing, not just talked but taught. And extended over 120 commitments. Each day we have been so blessed to get at least one referral! Miracles happen every day and I have been able to see them and take part in them with my very own eyes. Sister Nishi and I were able to go to Elder Wirthlin's funeral. They did random drawings for who would be able to attend in the actual tabernacle and our names were drawn!! I am being completely serious- I was 15 feet away from the Prophet, the Apostles. We were up in the balcony sitting next to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. So close that a sister could reach out and touch on of the member's arms. And we got to sit in the first row!! It was so amazing. It was a beautiful ceremony and I have so much respect for that man. I hope that some day some one will say the things that were said about him. He was incredibly humble, selfless, and completely devoted to the Lord. I strive each day to have this Christ-like attributes. I am grateful that I can reach out and gain strength from my Savior.I have had some intense experiences this week. Here are a few- We were in the Tabernacle and met a couple who were devout Catholics and they flew in from CA because the wife wanted to do genealogy so for her Christmas present her husband flew her here. We began teaching her about the Book of Mormon and while we taught them- her husband stared off into space and acted very uninterested. We invited them to have a free copy and then declined and left. The very next day we have a blank in our schedule so we can Mission Services and ask where they would like us to go. They ask us to go to the Tabernacle and we did not realize it at the time but it was at the very same time as the previous day. As we are standing inside, we see a couple walk in and it happens to be Will and Ellie! (the Catholic couple) And she walks up to us and says, "My husband has decided he would like to read the Book of Mormon". Can you believe it!? Talk about an amazing experience. We invited them to receive missionaries in a few days to drop it off and they insisted on having it NOW. Her husband had already read the first 10 chapters online within these 24 hours. They even asked us where they could buy one, but we said we will get you one from downstairs. It was amazing. They would not fill out any information about how to contact them so I will never know what happens, but I know with all my heart that some thing will. :)Another evening we were contacting inside the North Visitor Center and we met this lady named Tammy and her daughter Alyssa. Tammy is dying of cancer and was losing hope about life. The words that I spoke to this woman were truly the Lord's because it touched her so deeply that she started to cry and she reached out to hug my companion and I. When she hugged me she whispered into my ear, "You helped me so much. You told me exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you." It was incredible and it made me feel so good to be an instrument in the hands of God. The last of many special things I would like to mention happened just yesterday. I was in the room with the statue of the Christus and we had just played a short narration of the teachings of Jesus Christ taken from the scriptures. I saw this woman weeping as she sat on one of the benches so I went over to comfort her and to see if she was ok. She told me that she always felt so much love and so close to Christ when she comes to this place. She later told me that her daughter had been murdered by one of her sons and I can't imagine the pain this woman was going through. She missed her daughter so much and I felt her pain; it was almost tangible. I read to her from the Book of Mormon about how Christ came to this earth and felt our pains, our trials, and our afflictions so He could comfort and strengthen us. I am so grateful that She and I both know God's plan of Salvation. Death is not the end and families truly can be together forever. I sat with this woman for quite some time and hugged her and told her that she is a good mother and that her daughter loves her so much. I also encouraged her to go the Temple where she could feel closer to the Savior and her daughter. This experience is indescriable in words but it touched my heart deeply.There is a scripture I would like to share with you from the Book of Mormon- "For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do not miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith" Ether 12:12.I know this scripture to be true. We are always given tests of faith in order to grow, recognize, and appreciate miracles when they do come. And they do. Faith is a gift and when trials are presented before us they are times we can use them to strengthen our faith and have hope. I love this work, this Church, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, President Thomas S. Monson, the Book of Mormon with all my soul. I know it all to be true and it is through God we have been given all of these things. Each of the things I have mentioned are truly gifts on this earth. This scripture from the Book of Mormon is also awesome- "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." Moroni 7:13"When I am weak and I can't find strength from within. I call His name and find strength in Him. When I am lost and I don't know where to begin. The light through the dark leads the way. A way to trust in Him. My Lord, my God. My Lord, my best friend. In your arms I grow. Don't ever let me go. I feel His love and I know in my heart that He lives. The Spirit's voice testifies of Him. My Lord, my God. My Lord, my best friend. In your arms I grow. Don't ever let me go. Please heal me. Speak peace to my soul. Be near me. Without you Lord there is no light in the world. In my life. My Lord, my God. My Lord, my best friend. In your arms I grow. Don't ever let me go. "I love you all so much. You are amazing lights in my life. Please know that I love you more than I could ever express.Love Sister Goodwin
December 1st 2008
Dearest Family,Today I am just feeling so humble and grateful for every thing that I have. I had the opportunity to go to Welfare Square today and to take a tour. I can't believe how much the Church and we as members contribute to help the poor and needy. It has added to yet another piece of my testimony. I know this is Jesus Christ's church just by looking at the good fruits that this Church bears to all, not just to those who share the same beliefs. I continue to just stand at amazement. This week has been amazing! It has flown by and I can't believe that it is Pday. I don't even know where to start... I'll start with Thanksgiving. We served at the Square until 5:30 and then we went to Chuck-A-Rama and FEASTED for two hours. I'm not quite sure if I've just become so deprived of delcious food or if it was truly as amazing as it tasted. Let me tell you, when I walked in and saw the plates of food every where I was humbled in gratitude for the blessing to be able to eat there. I ate 5 plates of food... Can you believe it Dad? Haha TMSQ sure got their moneys worth with me. :) Ok... well three of them were this delicious greek salad that I couldn't get enough of and then two were turkey and mashed potatoes. But it was so amazing! My stomach ached from eating so much but I felt so gross so I came home and ran a mile. But I am so grateful to be blessed to be able to eat such a feast, to serve at such a special mission, to represent Jesus Christ, to know who I am and to know God's plan. I am so thankful for temples, for my patriarchal blessing, for my family, for my companion, for every thing! I love Heavenly Father and I am so happy serve Him. The lights at Temple Square are just amazing. President Stewart told us that between the day after thxgiving and till xmas over 900,000 people will be coming to TMSQ. WOW. I will get the opportunity to teach more and testify and invite others to come unto Christ in one month than most do in an entire mission. We work so hard that at the end of the days I can hardly make it up the hill to the apartment. But it feels so good to work hard and to please the Lord.I have already had amazing experiences this week. In the past 3 days 4 people that Sister Nishi and I have taught and testified too have desired to have the missionaries over!!!!! I have to share one amazing experience... My comp and I were teaching this young men about 20-21 or so and we ending up teaching for over an hour and half. They both agreed to have the missionaries over and admitted to feeling some thing different but the one in particular- Chris was ready to be baptized. No joke, he wanted to know how soon he could and we explained that he would have to receive the lessons from the missionaries and he was said well can't I just receive them from you two? And we asked him to go home and pray about the Book of Mormon and he said, "why? I already know it's true. Why wouldn't it be?"... I forgot to mention that this man had never even heard any thing about the Church except about Prop 8. He and his friend were driving to UNLV and wanted to stop and see the "big castle". Also Elder L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us in Sacrament meeting yesterday. How awesome is that? This is the 3rd time that I have personally got to see him and shake hands with him in the past week. My companion is absolutely amazing. She is an answer to many of my prayers that I said at the MTC. She and I have become best friends and I know that we will be friends forever. She is the kindest, most loving sister and I adore her. I love all the sisters here they are just amazing. I would like all of you to know that I missed you dearly on Thanksgiving and I think about you every day. Thank you for the many letters, pictures, and prayers that you give to me. They make me so happy! I get so excited to check the mail :) And Dad I am sorry but I have not received your package yet...Hopefully today!Since it is december I would like to invite you to pray each day for opportunities to serve others. The true meaning is our Savior Jesus Christ. What better way to come closer and discover the true meaning of Christ by serving others. In the BOM it tells us that when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of God. I testify of that, there is no greater way to become more like and closer to the Savior than by reaching out and helping those around us. In the last GC Elder Holland talked about the ministry of angels. I know that God is always aware of us and he always answers our prayers. Often times, through others. So pray to be that angel to some one else! I am so grateful for all the angels I have had in my life, especially you family :). You are all so amazing! I love you so much!Sister Goodwin
November 24th 2008
Hello!! I don't have much time to write! But I will write a physical letter tonight telling you about every thing!I am doing so good! The week has just flown by, I can't believe that it is pday today! My companion and I went to the Nauvoo cafe and had free sandwhichs, chips, and dessert because my Mission president gave us a gift certificate to eat there. He is so nice, I just love him! I am so stuffed! I couldn't eat all my food so I will take it home and eat it later. It is going to be a busy day- we only get a limited amount of time to email and then we are going to walk to the bank and I am going to open an account then to the grocery store, etc. Then hopefully find some time to rest! My companion Sister Nishi is a complete angel. I thank HF for her every single day. I love her so much. She is so good and kind to me and we teach so powerfully. I am so happy and grateful to have her.There is so much to share and not enough time- so here are so amazing things that I thought you all might enjoy...I met Elder L. Tom Perry!!!! Haha not only did me and Sister Nishi meet him but he was in front of our apartments and he walked with us back to Temple Square. He is so nice and just radiates this glow. There is no doubt in my mind that he is an apostle of God. So this is semi-comical. Apparently anti-mormons have a thing for picking on me and my companion. Maybe it's because I'm this tall smiling sister in pink and shes this little sweet asian. Well whatever the case- I've already had 3 encounters with some since I've been here and I hear that is more than most people have an entire transfer. They get very angry and hostile and my first encounter did not go as well as I hoped but I am so grateful for these experiences because they have taught me so many things and how I can better handle them. They have also helped me to realize how important it is to always have a strong testimony so I can never be shaken by such people. It's also really helped to see how important it is to truly follow the Savior's example and to love every one no matter how they treat us. This can be so hard, especially when some one is being hostile to your face. But Christ, Joseph Smith, and so many others have set such good examples that I am grateful for.I had such an awesome week, so many people were open to accepting the Gospel into their lives. It's amazing. I have stories to share but another time another day. I am just so grateful and happy that I made the decision to serve the Lord. The Lord does call us in our weaknesses, but He does qualify us for the work we do. If we will humble ourselves before him, He will make them strengths! We have that promise in the Book of Mormon in Ether 12:27. I've discovered the secrets to successful missionary work and life in general... Being humble and submitting to the will of the Lord and aligning our wills with His will. Having the gift of charity which is the pure love of Christ. It never faileth. Each day I learn this more and more. If we possess charity we will never find ourselves judging another, criticizing, or thinking evil. Because we will love others and ourselves as Heavenly Father loves us. Serving at every opportunity availible. Service is truly a blessing to be able to take part in. There are so many blessings for the person that is serving. Having faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely KEY. If we will believe with all of our souls that Christ will strengthen us, protect us, comfort us, teach us, help us grow, help us love with out conditions, and help us to do anything. He TRULY will. Miracles can and do happen every day. We MUST be full of faith. As a missionary-Each day as we plan, pray, and prepare to teach those that we meet we must have faith that Christ will help us prepare a lesson or a tour for a person we have yet to meet. And He has. It is absolutely amazing. I have prepared lessons and tours and they applied specifically to a person that needed to hear that! Wow it's amazing.My testimony of this great and marvelous latter-day work is and continues to be engraven upon my heart and soul. This gospel brings peace, happiness, and love that is deeper and more abiding than ANY THING that the world can offer. I am a better person today and each day because of this gosepl and because of Jesus Christ. I am a disciple of Christ. I stand tall, proud in Him, and steadfast. I will never stray and will endure ALL things for my Beloved Savior and this TRUE church; even the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I pray each day to be strengthened in my weaknesses. That I may become the Sister Goodwin that Heavenly Father knows and expects me to be. He hears these prayers and answers them. I am a weak person but it is through Christ that I am made strong.I cannot express the love I feel for you- family. Each day my heart goes out to you and I am filled with a level of gratitude. You are the best family I could ever ask for. Thank you. You are all amazing. Please give Bubba a kiss for me.Love, Sister Goodwin
November 17th 2008
Dearest Family,Is every thing ok? I'm seriously worried.I haven't received any mail for you :(. Physical mail makes my entire day! It's SOOO nice to get it!!! Every day every one crowds around one of the senior sisters as she puts it in the mailboxes. Ok that's enough of a guilt trip...you get the point :)How are you!!!!! I am SO AMAZING!!!!!!!! Temple Square is so awesome. I can't believe that I am really here! My companion's name is Sister Nishi and she is from Japan! Every one told me I was so lucky because Asian companions are so coveted here on the mission. I asked why and they said because they are just so loving and patient. Well it was truly a tender mercy from the Lord to be placed with such a soft spoken sweet little Japanese sister. I needed it so much! My last companions taught me A LOT. My new companion has also taught me SO many precious things and helped me to feel loved and confident as a missionary. I was reading in the Ensign today and President Eyring has a wonderful talk- He says, "More than once the Lord has helped me to see His kindness in giving me association with some one whose difference from me was just the help I needed." I am so grateful for all the struggles I have had with my companions thus far because they have helped me to refine myself in so many areas and better serve my Lord. I know there are many to come, but I am prepared. I read some where that it is the true disciples of Christ that look as opposition as an opportunity. I love serving at Temple Square. I get to teach so many people each day and to stand as a witness of Christ and the divinity of this great and marvelous latter-day work. I have had spiritual experiences that have touched my soul forever. Although I have only been here for five days, I have already had confirmations through certain individuals I have met and taught that I know they were placed there at that time for me. I know with all my soul that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's only TRUE church on this earth! I had the opportunity to watch the Joseph Smith movie this week and as I watched it I felt a level of gratitude for him and all the saints. They sacrificed EVERY THING- even themselves because they knew this work was true. We are SO blessed to have this beautiful and precious knowledge within our hearts. We need to share it with every person we meet! It is our duty, we owe it to the Saints and to Joseph Smith. I love that man with all my heart and I am SO thankful for all that he did. This week I have felt the power of prayer in my life and family I invite you all to say your prayers outloud. The power of praying aloud with sincere desires is just amazing. I am in love with praying. I have never prayed more in my entire life than since being a missionary, and as a result I have never felt more in tune with the Holy Spirit, had my will aligned with the Fathers, and ever been happier. I know that Heavenly Father listens and answers our prayers! :) I am so happy.I don't have much time left but a few more things I want to share... I have so many but these really stuck out to me- There is a really great quote: "There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self." I constantly feel like I am growing and experiencing trials that Heavenly Father has placed in my life so that I can become a better person and a better missionary. It's really tough having a companion some times, but it's taught me SO much and with each companion I have had so far (3) I have been able to see their differences not as a source of irriation but as a contribution. Through much prayer; the Lord has helped me to see and value what these women bring that I lack.Each day I get to teach many many people and it's just the purest form of joy I have ever felt. I absolutely love it. "My missionary commission: I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation, I have been selected as a personal represenative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him, to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He were personally ministering unto the very people unto whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, My acts are His acts, My words are His words, and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to be a living, modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of this great and marvelous latter-day work. How great is my calling!"Each day as I am here I meet some one and they touch my life and I touch theres in such a way that helps confirm that I know that the Lord did indeed place me at Temple Square to help this person or talk to this man. It has just been incredible. I love you very much and I hope that you are doing well. Thank you for always being so kind and generous. Miss you.Love sister goodwin
November 7th 2008
Hello Family!!!!Guess what? Temple Square sistas are so special that we get TWO p-days! Haha its awesome. Well it's just this one time but it's very nice to be able to write to you again!! I love you!!I started my visitor center training on Wednesday and it's overwhelming. I never realized what a special and intense calling it is to serve at a visitor center. As a VC sister you must be able to pull all the doctrines from lessons 1-5 and implement them into the needs of the visitor within twenty minutes. It's so humbling, I cannot do this without the Lord. I've already poured my heart about and acknowledged my nothingness without Him several times. I am so grateful to be able to depend on the Lord and the Holy Spirit to guide me to know the needs of those I teach. Also, as a VC sister we have to rely completely on the Spirit because it is the only way to really know what this individual's needs are. I love it though!!!! I had my first VC teaching appointment last night and it was so much fun, a little scary but great!Tomorrow all the VC sisters including myself get to go to T2 (temple square) and serve for 5 hours as part of our VC training! How exciting!!!!!! And then Wednesday morning at 6:00am I will be headed down to Salt Lake City. Wow. My visitor center class is so AMAZING! It's all sisters which is just awesome! They bring such a special spirit into the class. There are 10 T2 sisters and 7 sisters that are serving at Nebraska and DC visitor centers. Out of all the t2 sisters- only me and one other sister are american! The rest all from all over the world. There are four from Brazil, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Austraila, 1 from Russia, and 2 from China. The first day of class we went in front of the world map and every one told where they were from, where they are going, and about themselves. I almost started to cry because of the love I felt for these sisters that are serving t2 from around the world...almost every single one of them is either the only member in the entire family or just them and one of their siblings. Wow. What a sacrifice they made it just makes me want to cry. I am so grateful for them, they are all ABSOLUTELY beautiful. Inside and outside. I feel so priviledged to serve with such amazing sisters in Zion.I am learning so many hard lessons of life here and I am so grateful for them. I was reading in "Our Heritage" the other day and when Joseph Smith took the Saints to Zion's Camp so the Lord could "refine" the Saints and see those who would be faithful and obedient and humble themselves and lose their rebellious spirit. I feel like this mission is just like that for me. I find that there is SO much I need to change about myself and I am working so hard to become the Sister that I need to be so when those I meet at Temple Square will feel Christ's love through me. That I will just be the instrument in which others can come to know and see Christ. I pray with all the energy of my heart each day for charity. But even on a bigger picture, this whole life is a "Zion's Camp" for each of us that so we can learn, grow, and become refined so that we may live with our Heavenly Father again some day. I can't wait for that day! :)I am really happy to be serving a mission! My testimony grows each day and my love for Christ and for others grows deeper. It will be one month out in the field next week. How crazy! Only 17 months left! How sad. Let me tell you, ever since I came out here, my love for you dearest family has grown immensely. I think about you all often and just think of how privileged I am to have been placed in such an amazing family. I really love you all with all of my heart and as I write this I feel an overwhelming about of emotion. But in a good way, I just really LOVE you all. Families are such a blessing! Thank you for always loving me, writing to me, praying for me, FORGIVING me, and just being so wonderful. I love you all!lovesister goodwin
November 4th 2009
Dearest Family,Hello!!!! :) Thank you for the emails and letters. Dad your letter was the most amazing thing I've ever read; aside from my patriarchal blessing. WOW Thank you soo much for that. Your testimony was so powerful and the words you spoke touched my heart in such a way I can't explain. I can't write for very long because the email times out and I only have 20 minutes to write to you and my mom so I will try to captivate every thing of signficance in this brief amount of time... First! I LOVE being a missionary!!!!! It's absolutely amazing. Each day my testimony of the Jesus Christ as our Savior and the truthfulness of this Church grows more and more. I am so grateful. I have so many amazing notes to write to you so I will write you a physical letter today. As I am here at the MTC I am humbled by all that I need to work on and become in order to be a successful missionary. But I have faith that through Jesus Christ and hard work- it can and will happen. The MTC is great but I feel like my wings need to spreada little more, I am so ready to get down to Temple Square!!! I head out there next Wednesday!!!! And I start Visitor Center training tomorrow!!!! I AM SOOO EXCITED! All the elders in my district have either left already or are leaving tomorrow. It's unbelievable how fast time flys as a missionary.Here is a great story to share- I was at the Referral Center this week and a lady named Davey from Hawaii called and asked about receiving a copy of the Finding Faith in Christ DVD. We ended up talking on the phone for a half an hour. She was absolutely amazing. That experience talking with her was a true testimony to me that there are indeed the Lord's elect waiting for the Gospel and are ready to accept it. She said she had been searching for truth and then one day these Elders came and they had walked miles to deliver that precious glad message to her. She was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and I told her about the promise given in the last book- Moroni chapter 10 verses 3-5. She was so excited and happy about this that she asked me if it was ok if she highlighted it. She said she was going to read it every morning and night and pray about it. She was just an absolute gem, I felt so much love in my heart for her. So I asked her if I could keep in touch with her because I could'nt just say good bye after that phone call. So that next day I went and bought her a birthday card and wrote my testimony and favorite scripture in it. :) I know with every part in my being and with all my soul that Jesus is the Christ, our savior. I am ever so grateful for the blessed gift of repentance. It is so important that we always strive to become more like Christ and humble ourselves and repent each day. Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins because He loves us so much and all He asks of us is to come follow Him and repent of our sins. I also know with all my heart and soul that the Book of Mormon is a TRUE testament of Jesus Christ. It was TRULY translated by a prophet called of God. I love the Book of Mormon, the more I read it the more I realize how grateful I am for it. I love this book so much. I am so grateful to know this and to know my Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for all His children. He has blessed me in SO many ways and things. I am absolutely humbled in gratitude. I still think back to that amazing day in the Provo Temple last Tuesday as I wept in the Celestial Room and felt so near to my Savior and heard Him speak such special and kind words to my heart. I love Him and I desire with all I have to serve Him with ALL my heart, might, mind, and strength. I love being His servant.I love you all and miss you so much.
October 21st 2008
Dear Family,
How are you!! I love you all so much!! I hope you are all doing great. Please
know that you are in my daily prayers. :)
Being a missionary is fantastic! I just love it so much. It is the hardest thing
I have ever taken on but the Lord supports me and gives me strength. With each
day that passes, I feel less and less like 'Katie' and more 'Sister Goodwin'.
This has been a challenge, forgetting who I was before my mission and trying to
become the missionary Heavenly Father expects out of me. I am working so hard
and trying to forget about myself. Missionary work is completely selfless and
requires LOTS of patience- with yourself, with your companion(s), and with the
other elders.
The days are very long and rigorous. We get up each morning at 6:15 am and we
study until 9:30pm. It feels so good to study hard and work hard. I love
learning about the Gospel, teaching the lessons, and just feeling the Spirit
work within myself and on other missionaries. Every time we go to the cafeteria
for a meal- it feels like a new day. I feel so far away from the outside world
and I love it!!!!!!!
My companions are great. Sister Taumalolo is hilarious and she makes me laugh
soo hard. She's Tongan but from Aussie. My other companion-Sister O'Brien is
wonderful too. She has such a kind heart. I know without a doubt in my heart
that Heavenly Father arranged for us all to be companions. We have so much to
learn from each other. It's been hard...having companions. But I am starting to
love it now. It's so great to get to really know these Sisters and bond with
them because they have set such high standards for how a companion should act
and we uplift one another.
I am so happy. I can't even describe t. My heart is overflowing with joy as I
study and learn the lessons out of Preach My Gospel and become so familiar with
the scriptures. I have memorized the first vision already, my missionary
purpose, James 1:5-6, and many others. Its just so great, the Spirit just fills
your whole body and helps your mind to retain the information you learn. My
favorite thing so far is teaching- whether it be to other elders or to volunteer
investigators.
Today is my Preparation day and I am doing laundry right now. It's nice to have
a little bit of a break today. On Sunday- Sheri Dew came to the MTC and spoke at
our Devotional. She is absolutely amazing! She spoke right to my heart and
helped me with all the things that I needed to hear. She is quite the Sister.
I have developed such a deeper testimony overall just by being here these 6
days, but most of all I have come to a knowledge that I know God is TRULY our
LOVING Heavenly Father. He is so aware of each and every one of us, what we are
struggling with, and He is always so ready to reassure us that He is there, He
hasn't forsaken us, and He will always be there with us.
I know that Jesus Christ lives and is the Savior of all mankind. I love the Book
of Mormon with all my soul. It is truly the word of God. I love The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love being a missionary. And most of all I
love all of you. Thanks for always being so wonderful.
Love always and forever,
Sister Goodwin.
PS - I really love to get actual letters because I can open them the day I
receive them- unlike email where I can only check on Pday- if I can steal a
computer away from some heartsick elder :)
Hello Michael!
Thank you for your quick response back! I appreciate your honesty and sincerity and I hope that you can feel the same for mine. I have prayerfully pondered what to write back to you for the past three days. Michael I know that if you will ask God with a sincere heart, having real intent- meaning you are willing to act upon the answer you receive, with faith that you will receive an answer as to if the Book of Mormon is true. You will.
This witness does not always come straightaway. It is after the trial of our faith that God reveals himself to us. We must show Him that we sincerely DESIRE with all our hearts, that we have FAITH that He will truly answer our prayer. How can we do these things? Each day if you will pick up the Book of Mormon and pray to understand it, you will feel the Spirit of the Lord as you feast upon those words of Christ. If you will earnestly seek and pray unto God each day, you will be granted the answer that the Book of Mormon is true. I testify to you that I am a living witness that the Book of Mormon is a TRUE testament of Jesus Christ! I know this by the power of the Holy Ghost; the power of God. All men are invited to receive this same answer but we must prove our faith to our Father before He grants unto us all things.
Do you truly desire to know this Book is real? To know that we have another Prophet and twelve apostles on earth today? That they hold the same priesthood authority and power that Jesus Christ and His apostles held and are special witnesses of Christ! Do you desire to be baptized by Jesus Christ's authority? To go the Temple and be able to make the sacred covenants to enter back into God's presence someday? To be sealed to your family for all of time and eternity? Within the very pages of the Book of Mormon you can find the answers of your soul.
I know that God and Jesus Christ live and they provide us with another testament of Christ so we can know with that they are real! The Book of Mormon has been part of God's plan to help the children of men since the beginning.
We read in Ezekiel 37: 16, 19:
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you so much! The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness. The Book of Mormon stands as a testimony of this restoration and as a testimony of Jesus Christ. It's the key to true happiness.
I testify these things to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sincerely your friend,
Sister Goodwin
January 30th 2009
Hello Family!!I am so sorry about the email you didn't receive last week. But I did write it! I was in a hurry to get to the Temple on time because I was going to clean the Temple. What a beautiful experience that was! I was able to clean the sealing rooms and they are just magnificent. It was so wonderful to think as I cleaned the crystal chandelier in one room that so many people made those sacred covenants right here at this very alter. I love the Temple!!!This week has gone by so fast! This transfer is almost over and for the most part I am very sad. I absolutely love my companion. She is incredible in my life and truly an angel. There is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father put her in my life to teach so many incredible things and to learn from her example. I have never met another sister with more faith than her. She is so incredibly strong and just full of love. She is truly my best friend and I know that we will be best friends for all time and eternity. I bonded on a level with her unlike any one else aside from family. We are both so incredibly nervous because this Monday we find out our new companions and our callings...We pray every day that we will be with kind and caring companions. It's crazy how similiar we are in so many ways. We both need that kindness and love expressed every day. My heart is full of love for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that He truly forgives us of our sins and our weaknesses. That God is our Father in Heaven and He loves us. Without their love, mercy, and support I could not do this mission nor press forward in the trials of life. This transfer I have experienced about every kind of opposition imaginable- spiritual, companionship, crazy people. It's just been tiring but it's been a great time of growth for me and it's increased my testimony of God and Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of this work.My love of the Book of Mormon has ever increased. The scriptures are referred to as "the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul". This is so true. I have never felt a deeper love of God and felt His Spirit stronger than when I open up the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. The power of prayer is so important- I encourage you to look up how many times prayer is referred to in the scriptures. It is absolutely essential that we pray always and feast upon the good word of God in order to stay on the strait and narrow path to eternal life.I express my utmost gratitude for all your prayers and letters. You have no idea how precious they are to me, more so than gold. I cherish every letter I receive and it helps me to feel love and support and the uplifting that I need. It is the greatest act of service that you could do for me at this time. I will remember it for the rest of life. Thank youI love you family. You are incredible. So precious and special in my life. I talk about you every day and include you in my testimony. You live in my heart. Love you forever and ever,Sister Goodwin
Letter to the Belmont's from Katie
Dear Brother Belmont,
Hello!!! How are you feeling? I hope that you are feeling better! You are in my prayers every day. Sister Belmont emailed me and told me about your amazing experience with the taxi driver from Nigeria. It is so amazing how the Lord works and uses us as His instruments to bring souls unto Christ. You are such a special person and I am so pleased that you are already so in tune with the Spirit and listen to it's promptings.
This is the first of many opportunities that you and your sweet wife will be able to take part in. You both radiate the pure love of Christ that Moroni talks about in Moroni 7. It is through this love that many others will come to know who Jesus Christ is. I am so excited for this opportunity that you have to bear testimony and share your love for the gospel with him. I encourage you to pray each day that you may be able to truly speak the words that this young man needs to hear and ask him to pray to know if these things you have shared are true. Lastly, please invite him to meet with missionaries!!! You can email his information to me (name, phone number) and we have a system in Temple Square that we can have missionaries over to his house within 48 hours whereas with other missions it can take up to two weeks.
President Henry B. Eyring has said when we invite others to learn more about the gospel it is the most important invitation that we can ever offer to another person. It is the most important invitation anyone could accept.
In Doctrine and Convenants section 18 it talks about the joy that comes from missionary work:
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the akingdom of my Father, how great will be your bjoy if you should bring many csouls unto me!
Another great scripture that I love is in 2 Nephi 2:6-9 it says:
"Wherefore, redemption cometh in adn through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved."
Never forget how special you are to Heavenly Father! You and Sister Belmont are so special to me and will always be in my heart. I hope that next year when you are able to go to the temple and be sealed that I will be able to be there. I am so happy and I love you both so much! Please let me know what happens with this young man! I cannot fully express the joy and excitement I feel!
Please get better!!!!
Sincerely,
Sister Goodwin
Letter from the Belmont's to Katie
My Dear Sister Goodwin,
What a pleasure it was to get such an uplifting email from you. The scriptures you gave about saving even one soul were so inspiring. One of my life goals is to know scripture even a tenth as well as you do. You are truly amazing, and an example for all.
The name and phone # of our Taxi driver is: Michael Chukwuonye (pronounced chook-WON-yay). His cell phone is (216) ###-####. I called the Cleveland Stake on the 17th and spoke to a sister Cheryl Yankel, who I think was a librarian and gave her that info. But she didn't sound that sure of what to do next, so it might be a good idea to for Temple Square to back her up. Thanks so much for offer.ing to help. He is a kind young man who actually hugged me as we parted. What a spirit-filled moment. (Sister Belmont, with her warm smile was the one that got the conversation going, so she really deserves the credit.)
I am recovering nicely after my (5-hour) heart procedure, and feel the Lord still has things for me to do.
I will be forever grateful for your part in steering Sister Belmont to the Church and inspiring me so. I feel certain that Heavenly Father has great works in store for you.
Please convey my deep appreciation to Sister Nishi also, whose remarkable command of english and knowledge of Scripture, along with her ready smile, were very much a part of the inspiration Sister Belmont and I received.
We plan to be in Salt Lake City in late May, and hope you will be able to meet with us again and will keep in touch with us. We love your uplifting letters. If you get any feedback on whether Michael was successfully contacted, we'd love to know.
Many thanks for all you have done and are doing.
Sincerely,
Brother Belmont
January 2nd 2009
Happy New Year! I can't believe that it is 2009. I feel so old, haha! Isn't crazy to think that I will not see you this entire year! Wow!Things are going great here at Temple Square! I absolutely love being a missionary!!! Thank you so much for the watch! I love it!!! It is so beautiful! :) I could not be happier!!!!Today I was in God's Plan for His Family and I took a mother and son through that were preparing to be sealed in the temple next week. It caused me to reflect on the time when we were all sealed as a family. What a beautiful experience. There is a noticeable difference in the family and the home since that day. The Temple is truly the house of the Lord and I know that the power of the priesthood has been restored because of the feelings and spirit that I feel inside the Temple.As a missionary; I have seen the different parts which make up my testimony that combine into one great testimony of the truthfulness of this great work. It is so powerful as I look at each principle of the gospel and ass I live it I gain a stronger testimony.This transfer is unique, it has been one of the hardest but biggest growing experiences. My companion is amazing and she has taught me so much about myself, my faith, and portugues. Here's a funny story... on new year's eve my companion woke up to me sleep talking in portugues- I kept saying Eu falla portugues... which means I speak portugues. Then last night- I was dreaming in portugues, very strange but awesome. :) I absolutely love that language and I have been learning new things every day. I know that the power of the gift of tongues is real- not only because of my companion's ability to speak English so well in only 2 months but also because according to her and the other Brazilian sisters- I speak without an accent and perfect. I hope that doesn't come off as prideful because I don't mean it like that. It truly is because of the Lord.I would like to include a powerful passage from a talk by President Heber C. Kimball:Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial, and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and His work. This Church has before it, many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned wtih victory.To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not, you will not stand.Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each of you will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?This is true. I know that this work is true and the fire burns within my soul. I pray that each of you will ponder your own testimony of the restoration and ask the Lord if this work is true. This is not a one time question, we are encouraged to ask and prove our faith that the Lord will respond to our desires to know. As we consistently strenghthen our testimonies in whatever area it may be lacking, we can know with assurety that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the restored gospel, the prophet Thomas S. Monson; are Jesus Christ's work, not man's.I hope to strengthen the seed of my faith in my heart every day for the rest of my life. I love my Lord Jesus Christ with all my soul. He is real and He has atoned for my sins! It is real. I feel the healing powers of the Atonement in my life each day.I love you so much. Thank you for being you! You are all so precious in my life. You are special to the Lord and to me.Love Always and Forever,Sister Goodwin
December 26th 2008
Dearest Family,Thank you for the Christmas presents, the emails, the letters, and most importantly for talking to me yesterday! It felt SO refreshing and wonderful to be able to hear all of your voices! I am so happy because of that opportunity!The mission that I serve in is absolutely one of a kind. I don't know any other mission where the Sisters are so blessed, loved, and remembered during the holiday seasons. On Christmas eve T2 closed at 5pm and at 5:30 pm we met in the NVC and watched a Muppet's Christmas Carol in the big theatre. After this we all went up to the Christus (the 11ft marble statue of Christ and the room is painted like the universe) and we sang Christmas hymns. Then we went back downstairs where we received these beautiful handmade scarves that people donated and made just for us. After this we went back to the theatre and watched The Nativity Story. It was a perfect night! And President said that we could sleep in until 7:30 am!! It was so awesome!!!!Christmas morning was great too! We woke up to find presents left for us so me and my roommates/companion opened them up and then headed to T2 for the day. The presents we got that morning were so nice and thoughtful. All kinds of nice things and then they gave each of us a scripture stocking with presents that had a scripture taped on the front and then I looked it up before opening each gift. What a great idea, I will definately use that later in life :). Then I was able to call home!!!!!!!! Then after T2 closed we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and had a fancy dinner that was prepared for us by all the senior couple missionaries. It was so cute, they were all dressed up in bow ties and waited on us. I loved it. After this we went up to the chapel in the JSMB (so beautiful) and had a Christmas program. I can say for the first time in my life I truly felt the Spirit of Christmas. It was so powerful and the night was end by a perfect beautiful blizzard to walk home in. I could not have had a better Christmas. I have received many cards with generous donations from every one! Please send them my love and gratitude as I will also be doing so. Sister Kluber, Aunt Cathy, Grandma and Gramps, Lois & Bob, You all, Bishop and Sister Sample, Grandma Debbie, and there may be more that I can't think of at the moment.Polly thank you so much for the idea to learn Porteguese with my companion. I told her yesterday that I wanted to learn and she got so excited and happy. I already learned a few things... Como va vous? Tutubane! Abrigado. Feliz Natow! Ayo sempre tento falla portugues. Haha I don't know if that is how you spell in the Brazil but that is hope it sounds.My companion is a powerhouse of faith. I love her so much. Every day she motivates me when I feel down or discouraged. She tells me that we are special to Heavenly Father and every day we try the best we can for Jesus Christ. She has already taught me so many incredible lessons about life and faith. Thank you for your many prayers for us. Some times it can be so difficult to communicate because she doesn't know very much English (Ingles) but with the power of the gift of tongues and patience we are doing so much better! My thoughts are all over the place because there are so many things that I would like to share... I am studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles and I have learned some absolutely incredible things. I would like to share a few of them with you!While Christ was on earth the adversary tested Him and sought to thwart His mission: there are three categories in which he tested Him with and nearly every temptation comes to us within one of these 3 categories:1) temptation of the appetite.2) a yielding to the pride & fashion & vanity of those alienated from the things of God.3) a gratifying of the passion/desire for the riches of this world or power among men.Trials and temptations prove our loyalty to the Lord. They also cause us to develop strength to overcome all obstacles and have more light and revelation. These tests will make us a united group of leaders willing to follow the Prophets of the Living God and be loyal and true as witnesses and explemars of the truths they teach. Because these tests are devised of God, we have no reason to fear because God does not call us to fail. He will be with us every step of the way as we live worthy of His Spirit. At times He may take a step back to allow us to walk on our own but He will NEVER leave us on our own. I was asked the question: Is there a greater witness of Christ's divinity than the testimonies of people who have given up a worldly way of life to follow Him?The greatest miracle being performed today is the transformation of a "natural" man/woman into a son or daughter of God. I invite you to think about this. It's true. It has built my testimony as I have reflected on this question. I look at my life and see how far I have come and continue to grow each day with the strength and power of Christ. It is truly divine. There is no other explanation.One last point I would like share with you that I have learned through my study... I am so incredibly grateful for the Apostles and Prophets of the Church.In Ephesians 4:11-14 it states their purpose: -perfecting the Saints-to unify the people in faith-to help others come to the knowledge of the Son of God-to help others become perfected in Christ through His atonement-to help others understand and reach our potential to become like Heavenly Father -to prevent us from being deceived by the cunningness of the doctrines and teachings of men.These were the purposes of the first apostles that Christ called and the apostles that live today also fulfill this purpose. What a divine testimony that this is Christ church!I love you all so much!!! I already told you about Sister Gita Belmont getting baptized but I would also like include her last email in this letter...Dec 20 -- I was baptized by my husbandDear sisters:What joy! My husband, being an Aaronic priest now, was able to baptize me last Saturday. The next day, I received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am and how the blessings are flowing. I can't remember being this happy with my husband for so many days in a row. In the past, we had ups but also had downs. Since I made the decision to get baptized, we are floating. I already feel like I am in heaven. I am certain that the restored church is the true church and I am so excited as I continue to learn the fullness of the gospel. I want to thank you so much for your continuing support, emails, and prayers, When I was interviewed by the President of the Riverside mission a few days before the baptism, he asked me how I came to my decision. I truly believe the certainty came to me on Dec 2 in Temple Square. We had just spoken with you and I was at the top of the North Visitors Center, looking out the window, down at the nativity scene, listening to the Tabernacle Choir singing carols. The sun had set and the tree lights were aglow. As I looked down at the little Jesus in the manger, the reflection of the big statue of Christ behind me was directly in front of me -- in the glass -- so I felt he was in the air, looking down at his birth. At that moment, everything I had read in the Book of Mormon, all my prayers, and all the conversations I had with you ladies and my own missionaries, the testimonies from my ward members -- crystalllized into one bright, shining truth -- that I wanted to serve the Savior with my whole heart in his restored church, the Church of Jesus Christ. I will never forget that moment. The President of the missionaries told me to remember that single moment when times get tough in the future. And I shall.God bless you, Sister Goodwin and Sister Nishi. You are my angels. Merry Christmas to you both.Love,Gita Well family I love you so incredibly much!!! It's time to go though!!Send my love to every one!Love Sister Goodwin!!!!!
December 15th 2008
Dear Family,
Wow, I have SO much to tell you!!!!This week has been crazy!!! It was the end of the transfer week and so I worked SO hard to pass off all the tours and the first achievement in the mission- Historic, Beehive House, Conference Center, Humanitarian Center, Family History, Security, and Welfare Square. I studied so much, I felt like it was exam time but I made it and was able to receive my Witness Achievement Award. There were 10 sisters in my class and only 3 of us were able to finish. But it made it so memorable when the President presented to me today at Transfer Conference.We had transfer conference today and I have been so scared because 2nd transfer starts this Wednesday the 17th and it is 7weeks long so it was so scary to think about getting a hard companion. But today I found out I am with my best friend from my class, Sister Peirara. She is from Brazil and she is still learning English but I absolutely love her. When we found out we both jumped up and started hugging and crying. It was amazing. I know this next transfer is going to be very tough but I am so blessed and grateful to have such an amazing companion. I'm a little bit nervous, but in a good way. We were the only sisters from our class that were put together. The other sisters are with older sisters. I feel like I have a lot of responsiblity because we are so new and my companion doesn't know very much English but we are going to have so much fun!!!!!! I can't wait. She and I are so alike in many ways. She was a model in Brazil and is so beautiful, has a heart of gold and one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever felt. She LOVES pink, she LOVES to shop, she loves her little dog. It's just going to be perfect. And I know you are all laughing, so I'll give you a little more to laugh at. We were called to be the Temple Square Clothing Coordinators. So we get to produce a fashion show for the new sisters. :) And we are also called to sing in the TMSQ choir. That is the best calling in the world and I am so excited!!!!! This week has been amazing... Elder Richard G. Scott came to our Mission Conference this week. Hands down, I adore him. He is the most amazing man I have ever met and I absolutely revere him. He has such a powerful testimony and he is so loving and down to earth. He taught us so much and allowed us to participate in his talk. I can't even begin to list all that he taught us but his testimony was so sincere and powerful that I cried. He said, "I am so certain that God and Christ live that if every thing in my life were taken way, even my dear wife whom I love deeper than words express, it would not shake my testimony." He also taught us that concepts like faith, prayer, love, and humility hold no significance and produce no miracles until they become a living part of the individual through his/her own experience aided by the sweet promptings of the Holy Ghost. One of the other powerful things he taught was that when we are willing to sacrifice deeply held personal desires in favor of God's will we are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from our loving Heavenly Father. I know this to be true and it is hard, but the Lord is there ready and willing to lead us on. And one last thing I feel like I need to include is that satan doesn't have to tempt us to do bad things, he can accomplish most of his objective by distracting us with many acceptable things thus keeping us from the essential ones. Even as a missionary this can happen, we must remember always those important tasks and put them before every thing. If we will ask ourselves will this invite me to love and serve God? Is ____ inspired of God? President Kimball said, "that if you ever have to wonder if some thing is wrong, it probably is."My sweet amazing companion and I had a priceless experience... We met a wonderful couple; August and Gita Belmont in the Tabernacle a few weeks ago. As we talked with them we found out that they were investigating the church and August was getting baptized that Saturday but his wife; Gita was still uncertain. We were truly the Lord's instruments as we spoke His words and read scriptures about faith and bore our testimonies. When they left, I gave them my email address and the next day she wrote us saying: Dear Sisters Goodwin and Nishi:I want to thank you for your kindness and for taking the time to share the message of the restored Gospel with us last night. We are heading home to Palm Desert, CA, with warm hearts and excitement about my husband's upcoming baptism. I must confess I have been wrestling with doubts for the last few months about not knowing for sure whether certain teachings of Joseph Smith are true. Your testimonies and scripture references have opened my eyes and heart to the importance of faith and trusting in the Lord. God bless you and keep you as you continue to do his work and serve his children. Have a Merry Christmas and please pray for us. We are praying for you too. Meeting you was one of the highlights of our trip.Sincerely,Gita Belmont I then wrote her back after much prayer and pondering and the very next day she wrote me back saying: Hello:>Just wanted you to know that after much prayer and discussions with our missionary, I decided to get baptized and the date will be Dec>20. And my husband, who was baptized on Dec 6, will perform the baptism, I am very excited. Both of you ladies also helped me make this important decision when we spoke in the Tabernacle. Your scriptures on FAITH, even when I don't understand everything, really got me thinking. And when we went over to the visitors' center and saw the exhibits, I was convinced. Elder Stewart, our awesome missionary, explained that it might be better if I gave you my actual address for easier communication.So here it is:>Gita Belmont>Removed for privacy>If it is possible, I would like to have a photo of the two of you for my scrapbook, and I would also like to know where Sister Nishi got>her highlighters that don't bleed on to the reverse side of the pages in her Book of Mormon.>Thank you very much and God bless.>Sincerely,>Gita BelmontP.S. I am attaching another photo of my husband's baptism. He has become an even sweeter husband since he started reading the Book of Mormon. It's a miracle.....I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to take part in this beautiful conversion and miracle. There are miracles that happen here every day. I love this mission more than I can write and express.I have more blessings that are poured into my life than I have room to receive. I am so grateful for every thing that you and everyone has done for me. It's amazing. I thank you with all my heart. Also... I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert and the Music and the Spoken word and guess what I was 4 rows from the front and President Monson was there, President Uchtdorf, Elder Scott. I was so close WOW!!!!My new PDAY is Friday!!! So I will email you then! I love you all so much!!! I will write you more tonight!!!! Miss you! Hopefully you get this!!! Love Sister Goodwin
December 8th 2008
My dear family,Hello!!!! Thank you so much for all your letters, emails, and prayers! Every thing is going great here! And even better it is finally snowing!!! :) As always- I don't know where to begin... I have been so blessed! Here are some of the amazing blessings I have received this week...I am so grateful for every thing!!! I saw Brother Yano the other day and we took him on a tour. At the end of the tour he gave me and my companion $50 and told us to go out to eat. He is so amazing! What a blessing! Sister Nishi and I were able to go and have a delicious meal. We also have taught over 150 people just this past week. Amazing, not just talked but taught. And extended over 120 commitments. Each day we have been so blessed to get at least one referral! Miracles happen every day and I have been able to see them and take part in them with my very own eyes. Sister Nishi and I were able to go to Elder Wirthlin's funeral. They did random drawings for who would be able to attend in the actual tabernacle and our names were drawn!! I am being completely serious- I was 15 feet away from the Prophet, the Apostles. We were up in the balcony sitting next to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. So close that a sister could reach out and touch on of the member's arms. And we got to sit in the first row!! It was so amazing. It was a beautiful ceremony and I have so much respect for that man. I hope that some day some one will say the things that were said about him. He was incredibly humble, selfless, and completely devoted to the Lord. I strive each day to have this Christ-like attributes. I am grateful that I can reach out and gain strength from my Savior.I have had some intense experiences this week. Here are a few- We were in the Tabernacle and met a couple who were devout Catholics and they flew in from CA because the wife wanted to do genealogy so for her Christmas present her husband flew her here. We began teaching her about the Book of Mormon and while we taught them- her husband stared off into space and acted very uninterested. We invited them to have a free copy and then declined and left. The very next day we have a blank in our schedule so we can Mission Services and ask where they would like us to go. They ask us to go to the Tabernacle and we did not realize it at the time but it was at the very same time as the previous day. As we are standing inside, we see a couple walk in and it happens to be Will and Ellie! (the Catholic couple) And she walks up to us and says, "My husband has decided he would like to read the Book of Mormon". Can you believe it!? Talk about an amazing experience. We invited them to receive missionaries in a few days to drop it off and they insisted on having it NOW. Her husband had already read the first 10 chapters online within these 24 hours. They even asked us where they could buy one, but we said we will get you one from downstairs. It was amazing. They would not fill out any information about how to contact them so I will never know what happens, but I know with all my heart that some thing will. :)Another evening we were contacting inside the North Visitor Center and we met this lady named Tammy and her daughter Alyssa. Tammy is dying of cancer and was losing hope about life. The words that I spoke to this woman were truly the Lord's because it touched her so deeply that she started to cry and she reached out to hug my companion and I. When she hugged me she whispered into my ear, "You helped me so much. You told me exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you." It was incredible and it made me feel so good to be an instrument in the hands of God. The last of many special things I would like to mention happened just yesterday. I was in the room with the statue of the Christus and we had just played a short narration of the teachings of Jesus Christ taken from the scriptures. I saw this woman weeping as she sat on one of the benches so I went over to comfort her and to see if she was ok. She told me that she always felt so much love and so close to Christ when she comes to this place. She later told me that her daughter had been murdered by one of her sons and I can't imagine the pain this woman was going through. She missed her daughter so much and I felt her pain; it was almost tangible. I read to her from the Book of Mormon about how Christ came to this earth and felt our pains, our trials, and our afflictions so He could comfort and strengthen us. I am so grateful that She and I both know God's plan of Salvation. Death is not the end and families truly can be together forever. I sat with this woman for quite some time and hugged her and told her that she is a good mother and that her daughter loves her so much. I also encouraged her to go the Temple where she could feel closer to the Savior and her daughter. This experience is indescriable in words but it touched my heart deeply.There is a scripture I would like to share with you from the Book of Mormon- "For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do not miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith" Ether 12:12.I know this scripture to be true. We are always given tests of faith in order to grow, recognize, and appreciate miracles when they do come. And they do. Faith is a gift and when trials are presented before us they are times we can use them to strengthen our faith and have hope. I love this work, this Church, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, President Thomas S. Monson, the Book of Mormon with all my soul. I know it all to be true and it is through God we have been given all of these things. Each of the things I have mentioned are truly gifts on this earth. This scripture from the Book of Mormon is also awesome- "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." Moroni 7:13"When I am weak and I can't find strength from within. I call His name and find strength in Him. When I am lost and I don't know where to begin. The light through the dark leads the way. A way to trust in Him. My Lord, my God. My Lord, my best friend. In your arms I grow. Don't ever let me go. I feel His love and I know in my heart that He lives. The Spirit's voice testifies of Him. My Lord, my God. My Lord, my best friend. In your arms I grow. Don't ever let me go. Please heal me. Speak peace to my soul. Be near me. Without you Lord there is no light in the world. In my life. My Lord, my God. My Lord, my best friend. In your arms I grow. Don't ever let me go. "I love you all so much. You are amazing lights in my life. Please know that I love you more than I could ever express.Love Sister Goodwin
December 1st 2008
Dearest Family,Today I am just feeling so humble and grateful for every thing that I have. I had the opportunity to go to Welfare Square today and to take a tour. I can't believe how much the Church and we as members contribute to help the poor and needy. It has added to yet another piece of my testimony. I know this is Jesus Christ's church just by looking at the good fruits that this Church bears to all, not just to those who share the same beliefs. I continue to just stand at amazement. This week has been amazing! It has flown by and I can't believe that it is Pday. I don't even know where to start... I'll start with Thanksgiving. We served at the Square until 5:30 and then we went to Chuck-A-Rama and FEASTED for two hours. I'm not quite sure if I've just become so deprived of delcious food or if it was truly as amazing as it tasted. Let me tell you, when I walked in and saw the plates of food every where I was humbled in gratitude for the blessing to be able to eat there. I ate 5 plates of food... Can you believe it Dad? Haha TMSQ sure got their moneys worth with me. :) Ok... well three of them were this delicious greek salad that I couldn't get enough of and then two were turkey and mashed potatoes. But it was so amazing! My stomach ached from eating so much but I felt so gross so I came home and ran a mile. But I am so grateful to be blessed to be able to eat such a feast, to serve at such a special mission, to represent Jesus Christ, to know who I am and to know God's plan. I am so thankful for temples, for my patriarchal blessing, for my family, for my companion, for every thing! I love Heavenly Father and I am so happy serve Him. The lights at Temple Square are just amazing. President Stewart told us that between the day after thxgiving and till xmas over 900,000 people will be coming to TMSQ. WOW. I will get the opportunity to teach more and testify and invite others to come unto Christ in one month than most do in an entire mission. We work so hard that at the end of the days I can hardly make it up the hill to the apartment. But it feels so good to work hard and to please the Lord.I have already had amazing experiences this week. In the past 3 days 4 people that Sister Nishi and I have taught and testified too have desired to have the missionaries over!!!!! I have to share one amazing experience... My comp and I were teaching this young men about 20-21 or so and we ending up teaching for over an hour and half. They both agreed to have the missionaries over and admitted to feeling some thing different but the one in particular- Chris was ready to be baptized. No joke, he wanted to know how soon he could and we explained that he would have to receive the lessons from the missionaries and he was said well can't I just receive them from you two? And we asked him to go home and pray about the Book of Mormon and he said, "why? I already know it's true. Why wouldn't it be?"... I forgot to mention that this man had never even heard any thing about the Church except about Prop 8. He and his friend were driving to UNLV and wanted to stop and see the "big castle". Also Elder L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us in Sacrament meeting yesterday. How awesome is that? This is the 3rd time that I have personally got to see him and shake hands with him in the past week. My companion is absolutely amazing. She is an answer to many of my prayers that I said at the MTC. She and I have become best friends and I know that we will be friends forever. She is the kindest, most loving sister and I adore her. I love all the sisters here they are just amazing. I would like all of you to know that I missed you dearly on Thanksgiving and I think about you every day. Thank you for the many letters, pictures, and prayers that you give to me. They make me so happy! I get so excited to check the mail :) And Dad I am sorry but I have not received your package yet...Hopefully today!Since it is december I would like to invite you to pray each day for opportunities to serve others. The true meaning is our Savior Jesus Christ. What better way to come closer and discover the true meaning of Christ by serving others. In the BOM it tells us that when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of God. I testify of that, there is no greater way to become more like and closer to the Savior than by reaching out and helping those around us. In the last GC Elder Holland talked about the ministry of angels. I know that God is always aware of us and he always answers our prayers. Often times, through others. So pray to be that angel to some one else! I am so grateful for all the angels I have had in my life, especially you family :). You are all so amazing! I love you so much!Sister Goodwin
November 24th 2008
Hello!! I don't have much time to write! But I will write a physical letter tonight telling you about every thing!I am doing so good! The week has just flown by, I can't believe that it is pday today! My companion and I went to the Nauvoo cafe and had free sandwhichs, chips, and dessert because my Mission president gave us a gift certificate to eat there. He is so nice, I just love him! I am so stuffed! I couldn't eat all my food so I will take it home and eat it later. It is going to be a busy day- we only get a limited amount of time to email and then we are going to walk to the bank and I am going to open an account then to the grocery store, etc. Then hopefully find some time to rest! My companion Sister Nishi is a complete angel. I thank HF for her every single day. I love her so much. She is so good and kind to me and we teach so powerfully. I am so happy and grateful to have her.There is so much to share and not enough time- so here are so amazing things that I thought you all might enjoy...I met Elder L. Tom Perry!!!! Haha not only did me and Sister Nishi meet him but he was in front of our apartments and he walked with us back to Temple Square. He is so nice and just radiates this glow. There is no doubt in my mind that he is an apostle of God. So this is semi-comical. Apparently anti-mormons have a thing for picking on me and my companion. Maybe it's because I'm this tall smiling sister in pink and shes this little sweet asian. Well whatever the case- I've already had 3 encounters with some since I've been here and I hear that is more than most people have an entire transfer. They get very angry and hostile and my first encounter did not go as well as I hoped but I am so grateful for these experiences because they have taught me so many things and how I can better handle them. They have also helped me to realize how important it is to always have a strong testimony so I can never be shaken by such people. It's also really helped to see how important it is to truly follow the Savior's example and to love every one no matter how they treat us. This can be so hard, especially when some one is being hostile to your face. But Christ, Joseph Smith, and so many others have set such good examples that I am grateful for.I had such an awesome week, so many people were open to accepting the Gospel into their lives. It's amazing. I have stories to share but another time another day. I am just so grateful and happy that I made the decision to serve the Lord. The Lord does call us in our weaknesses, but He does qualify us for the work we do. If we will humble ourselves before him, He will make them strengths! We have that promise in the Book of Mormon in Ether 12:27. I've discovered the secrets to successful missionary work and life in general... Being humble and submitting to the will of the Lord and aligning our wills with His will. Having the gift of charity which is the pure love of Christ. It never faileth. Each day I learn this more and more. If we possess charity we will never find ourselves judging another, criticizing, or thinking evil. Because we will love others and ourselves as Heavenly Father loves us. Serving at every opportunity availible. Service is truly a blessing to be able to take part in. There are so many blessings for the person that is serving. Having faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely KEY. If we will believe with all of our souls that Christ will strengthen us, protect us, comfort us, teach us, help us grow, help us love with out conditions, and help us to do anything. He TRULY will. Miracles can and do happen every day. We MUST be full of faith. As a missionary-Each day as we plan, pray, and prepare to teach those that we meet we must have faith that Christ will help us prepare a lesson or a tour for a person we have yet to meet. And He has. It is absolutely amazing. I have prepared lessons and tours and they applied specifically to a person that needed to hear that! Wow it's amazing.My testimony of this great and marvelous latter-day work is and continues to be engraven upon my heart and soul. This gospel brings peace, happiness, and love that is deeper and more abiding than ANY THING that the world can offer. I am a better person today and each day because of this gosepl and because of Jesus Christ. I am a disciple of Christ. I stand tall, proud in Him, and steadfast. I will never stray and will endure ALL things for my Beloved Savior and this TRUE church; even the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I pray each day to be strengthened in my weaknesses. That I may become the Sister Goodwin that Heavenly Father knows and expects me to be. He hears these prayers and answers them. I am a weak person but it is through Christ that I am made strong.I cannot express the love I feel for you- family. Each day my heart goes out to you and I am filled with a level of gratitude. You are the best family I could ever ask for. Thank you. You are all amazing. Please give Bubba a kiss for me.Love, Sister Goodwin
November 17th 2008
Dearest Family,Is every thing ok? I'm seriously worried.I haven't received any mail for you :(. Physical mail makes my entire day! It's SOOO nice to get it!!! Every day every one crowds around one of the senior sisters as she puts it in the mailboxes. Ok that's enough of a guilt trip...you get the point :)How are you!!!!! I am SO AMAZING!!!!!!!! Temple Square is so awesome. I can't believe that I am really here! My companion's name is Sister Nishi and she is from Japan! Every one told me I was so lucky because Asian companions are so coveted here on the mission. I asked why and they said because they are just so loving and patient. Well it was truly a tender mercy from the Lord to be placed with such a soft spoken sweet little Japanese sister. I needed it so much! My last companions taught me A LOT. My new companion has also taught me SO many precious things and helped me to feel loved and confident as a missionary. I was reading in the Ensign today and President Eyring has a wonderful talk- He says, "More than once the Lord has helped me to see His kindness in giving me association with some one whose difference from me was just the help I needed." I am so grateful for all the struggles I have had with my companions thus far because they have helped me to refine myself in so many areas and better serve my Lord. I know there are many to come, but I am prepared. I read some where that it is the true disciples of Christ that look as opposition as an opportunity. I love serving at Temple Square. I get to teach so many people each day and to stand as a witness of Christ and the divinity of this great and marvelous latter-day work. I have had spiritual experiences that have touched my soul forever. Although I have only been here for five days, I have already had confirmations through certain individuals I have met and taught that I know they were placed there at that time for me. I know with all my soul that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's only TRUE church on this earth! I had the opportunity to watch the Joseph Smith movie this week and as I watched it I felt a level of gratitude for him and all the saints. They sacrificed EVERY THING- even themselves because they knew this work was true. We are SO blessed to have this beautiful and precious knowledge within our hearts. We need to share it with every person we meet! It is our duty, we owe it to the Saints and to Joseph Smith. I love that man with all my heart and I am SO thankful for all that he did. This week I have felt the power of prayer in my life and family I invite you all to say your prayers outloud. The power of praying aloud with sincere desires is just amazing. I am in love with praying. I have never prayed more in my entire life than since being a missionary, and as a result I have never felt more in tune with the Holy Spirit, had my will aligned with the Fathers, and ever been happier. I know that Heavenly Father listens and answers our prayers! :) I am so happy.I don't have much time left but a few more things I want to share... I have so many but these really stuck out to me- There is a really great quote: "There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self." I constantly feel like I am growing and experiencing trials that Heavenly Father has placed in my life so that I can become a better person and a better missionary. It's really tough having a companion some times, but it's taught me SO much and with each companion I have had so far (3) I have been able to see their differences not as a source of irriation but as a contribution. Through much prayer; the Lord has helped me to see and value what these women bring that I lack.Each day I get to teach many many people and it's just the purest form of joy I have ever felt. I absolutely love it. "My missionary commission: I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation, I have been selected as a personal represenative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him, to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He were personally ministering unto the very people unto whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, My acts are His acts, My words are His words, and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to be a living, modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of this great and marvelous latter-day work. How great is my calling!"Each day as I am here I meet some one and they touch my life and I touch theres in such a way that helps confirm that I know that the Lord did indeed place me at Temple Square to help this person or talk to this man. It has just been incredible. I love you very much and I hope that you are doing well. Thank you for always being so kind and generous. Miss you.Love sister goodwin
November 7th 2008
Hello Family!!!!Guess what? Temple Square sistas are so special that we get TWO p-days! Haha its awesome. Well it's just this one time but it's very nice to be able to write to you again!! I love you!!I started my visitor center training on Wednesday and it's overwhelming. I never realized what a special and intense calling it is to serve at a visitor center. As a VC sister you must be able to pull all the doctrines from lessons 1-5 and implement them into the needs of the visitor within twenty minutes. It's so humbling, I cannot do this without the Lord. I've already poured my heart about and acknowledged my nothingness without Him several times. I am so grateful to be able to depend on the Lord and the Holy Spirit to guide me to know the needs of those I teach. Also, as a VC sister we have to rely completely on the Spirit because it is the only way to really know what this individual's needs are. I love it though!!!! I had my first VC teaching appointment last night and it was so much fun, a little scary but great!Tomorrow all the VC sisters including myself get to go to T2 (temple square) and serve for 5 hours as part of our VC training! How exciting!!!!!! And then Wednesday morning at 6:00am I will be headed down to Salt Lake City. Wow. My visitor center class is so AMAZING! It's all sisters which is just awesome! They bring such a special spirit into the class. There are 10 T2 sisters and 7 sisters that are serving at Nebraska and DC visitor centers. Out of all the t2 sisters- only me and one other sister are american! The rest all from all over the world. There are four from Brazil, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Austraila, 1 from Russia, and 2 from China. The first day of class we went in front of the world map and every one told where they were from, where they are going, and about themselves. I almost started to cry because of the love I felt for these sisters that are serving t2 from around the world...almost every single one of them is either the only member in the entire family or just them and one of their siblings. Wow. What a sacrifice they made it just makes me want to cry. I am so grateful for them, they are all ABSOLUTELY beautiful. Inside and outside. I feel so priviledged to serve with such amazing sisters in Zion.I am learning so many hard lessons of life here and I am so grateful for them. I was reading in "Our Heritage" the other day and when Joseph Smith took the Saints to Zion's Camp so the Lord could "refine" the Saints and see those who would be faithful and obedient and humble themselves and lose their rebellious spirit. I feel like this mission is just like that for me. I find that there is SO much I need to change about myself and I am working so hard to become the Sister that I need to be so when those I meet at Temple Square will feel Christ's love through me. That I will just be the instrument in which others can come to know and see Christ. I pray with all the energy of my heart each day for charity. But even on a bigger picture, this whole life is a "Zion's Camp" for each of us that so we can learn, grow, and become refined so that we may live with our Heavenly Father again some day. I can't wait for that day! :)I am really happy to be serving a mission! My testimony grows each day and my love for Christ and for others grows deeper. It will be one month out in the field next week. How crazy! Only 17 months left! How sad. Let me tell you, ever since I came out here, my love for you dearest family has grown immensely. I think about you all often and just think of how privileged I am to have been placed in such an amazing family. I really love you all with all of my heart and as I write this I feel an overwhelming about of emotion. But in a good way, I just really LOVE you all. Families are such a blessing! Thank you for always loving me, writing to me, praying for me, FORGIVING me, and just being so wonderful. I love you all!lovesister goodwin
November 4th 2009
Dearest Family,Hello!!!! :) Thank you for the emails and letters. Dad your letter was the most amazing thing I've ever read; aside from my patriarchal blessing. WOW Thank you soo much for that. Your testimony was so powerful and the words you spoke touched my heart in such a way I can't explain. I can't write for very long because the email times out and I only have 20 minutes to write to you and my mom so I will try to captivate every thing of signficance in this brief amount of time... First! I LOVE being a missionary!!!!! It's absolutely amazing. Each day my testimony of the Jesus Christ as our Savior and the truthfulness of this Church grows more and more. I am so grateful. I have so many amazing notes to write to you so I will write you a physical letter today. As I am here at the MTC I am humbled by all that I need to work on and become in order to be a successful missionary. But I have faith that through Jesus Christ and hard work- it can and will happen. The MTC is great but I feel like my wings need to spreada little more, I am so ready to get down to Temple Square!!! I head out there next Wednesday!!!! And I start Visitor Center training tomorrow!!!! I AM SOOO EXCITED! All the elders in my district have either left already or are leaving tomorrow. It's unbelievable how fast time flys as a missionary.Here is a great story to share- I was at the Referral Center this week and a lady named Davey from Hawaii called and asked about receiving a copy of the Finding Faith in Christ DVD. We ended up talking on the phone for a half an hour. She was absolutely amazing. That experience talking with her was a true testimony to me that there are indeed the Lord's elect waiting for the Gospel and are ready to accept it. She said she had been searching for truth and then one day these Elders came and they had walked miles to deliver that precious glad message to her. She was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and I told her about the promise given in the last book- Moroni chapter 10 verses 3-5. She was so excited and happy about this that she asked me if it was ok if she highlighted it. She said she was going to read it every morning and night and pray about it. She was just an absolute gem, I felt so much love in my heart for her. So I asked her if I could keep in touch with her because I could'nt just say good bye after that phone call. So that next day I went and bought her a birthday card and wrote my testimony and favorite scripture in it. :) I know with every part in my being and with all my soul that Jesus is the Christ, our savior. I am ever so grateful for the blessed gift of repentance. It is so important that we always strive to become more like Christ and humble ourselves and repent each day. Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins because He loves us so much and all He asks of us is to come follow Him and repent of our sins. I also know with all my heart and soul that the Book of Mormon is a TRUE testament of Jesus Christ. It was TRULY translated by a prophet called of God. I love the Book of Mormon, the more I read it the more I realize how grateful I am for it. I love this book so much. I am so grateful to know this and to know my Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for all His children. He has blessed me in SO many ways and things. I am absolutely humbled in gratitude. I still think back to that amazing day in the Provo Temple last Tuesday as I wept in the Celestial Room and felt so near to my Savior and heard Him speak such special and kind words to my heart. I love Him and I desire with all I have to serve Him with ALL my heart, might, mind, and strength. I love being His servant.I love you all and miss you so much.
October 21st 2008
Dear Family,
How are you!! I love you all so much!! I hope you are all doing great. Please
know that you are in my daily prayers. :)
Being a missionary is fantastic! I just love it so much. It is the hardest thing
I have ever taken on but the Lord supports me and gives me strength. With each
day that passes, I feel less and less like 'Katie' and more 'Sister Goodwin'.
This has been a challenge, forgetting who I was before my mission and trying to
become the missionary Heavenly Father expects out of me. I am working so hard
and trying to forget about myself. Missionary work is completely selfless and
requires LOTS of patience- with yourself, with your companion(s), and with the
other elders.
The days are very long and rigorous. We get up each morning at 6:15 am and we
study until 9:30pm. It feels so good to study hard and work hard. I love
learning about the Gospel, teaching the lessons, and just feeling the Spirit
work within myself and on other missionaries. Every time we go to the cafeteria
for a meal- it feels like a new day. I feel so far away from the outside world
and I love it!!!!!!!
My companions are great. Sister Taumalolo is hilarious and she makes me laugh
soo hard. She's Tongan but from Aussie. My other companion-Sister O'Brien is
wonderful too. She has such a kind heart. I know without a doubt in my heart
that Heavenly Father arranged for us all to be companions. We have so much to
learn from each other. It's been hard...having companions. But I am starting to
love it now. It's so great to get to really know these Sisters and bond with
them because they have set such high standards for how a companion should act
and we uplift one another.
I am so happy. I can't even describe t. My heart is overflowing with joy as I
study and learn the lessons out of Preach My Gospel and become so familiar with
the scriptures. I have memorized the first vision already, my missionary
purpose, James 1:5-6, and many others. Its just so great, the Spirit just fills
your whole body and helps your mind to retain the information you learn. My
favorite thing so far is teaching- whether it be to other elders or to volunteer
investigators.
Today is my Preparation day and I am doing laundry right now. It's nice to have
a little bit of a break today. On Sunday- Sheri Dew came to the MTC and spoke at
our Devotional. She is absolutely amazing! She spoke right to my heart and
helped me with all the things that I needed to hear. She is quite the Sister.
I have developed such a deeper testimony overall just by being here these 6
days, but most of all I have come to a knowledge that I know God is TRULY our
LOVING Heavenly Father. He is so aware of each and every one of us, what we are
struggling with, and He is always so ready to reassure us that He is there, He
hasn't forsaken us, and He will always be there with us.
I know that Jesus Christ lives and is the Savior of all mankind. I love the Book
of Mormon with all my soul. It is truly the word of God. I love The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love being a missionary. And most of all I
love all of you. Thanks for always being so wonderful.
Love always and forever,
Sister Goodwin.
PS - I really love to get actual letters because I can open them the day I
receive them- unlike email where I can only check on Pday- if I can steal a
computer away from some heartsick elder :)
