8/11/14

I love serving in Peoria! it really is like the land of milk and honey.

This week has been great. it obviously started out well, by our attendance at the Nauvoo temple!

And it just got better from there.  We did a lot of service this week, we helped Linda (who was baptized last week) clean her floors, and then we helped a hoarder clean out her basement.  It was all good fun, kinda gross but kinda fun at the same time. remember, cleanliness is next to godliness... that is all.  

Patricia's baptism was so wonderful!! During the opening song I just started crying out of happiness.  It was so werid I have never done that before, but I just really love Patricia and I love that the lord has truly prepared her.  She is such a blessing to my life, just that I have had the opportunity to meet her and help teach her. AH! I love it. the lord is so good to us!  Her services were really good! a few people came, but they were gracious and loving and it was just wonderful. Patricia had asked me to sing at her baptism, and I invited sister Henderson to sing with me, It was wonderful. The spirit was so strong as we sang "how great thou art." it was awesome.  My favorite moment of her baptism was right after she was baptized, we waited for her on the side of the font, and she just started to cry, and stood there crying for a minute. she was SO HAPPY and just radiating. AH! that is my favorite moment. 

She was so happy, and then on Sunday! well Sunday is a story for itself but I will tell you this part real fast..  Patricia received one of the most beautiful confirmations I have ever heard. It mentioned how there will be many who will follow in her footsteps and that she would have great power to withstand the adversary. AH! so cool!!  anyways right after they said amen I looked over at her, and she raised her hands slightly and just looked up and whispered "thank you Jesus." ahahaha ! it was awesome!! I love her!! I just love the soul and honesty she has! SO COOL!!  love her! she was glowing and just beautiful on Sunday, seeing people right after they have been confirmed is my absolute favorite, they are literally glowing. AH! the church is so true!  I am so grateful for the Priesthood and the Book of Mormon.. everything!

linda received a calling this week! it is awesome!   she is progressing well and she too continues to have her glow! :)  I LOVE RECENT CONVERTS!!!

ok so Sunday was awesome! I was so focused on Patricia all weekend that I kinda forgot about some of the other people so it was SO AWESOME when we saw that not one not two BUT FOUR investigators came to church!! Ashley Clake came, and The Merrys and Kaitlyn (which we weren't sure about)   It was awesome!!  and we were just so busy trying to help everyone. and some less actives came that we have been working with, who we were not expecting. It was just so great!! I LOVE when people come to church. it is the best!! :) SERIOUSLY..  And the sacrament meeting was just superb and the talks and lessons were PERFECT!!  I LOVE CHURCH!

We are still working with the Perplies to see if Kaitlyn will be ready for baptism this Saturday. It is a sticky situation with her parents not being fully active. so I will keep you all posted. :)

this up coming week should be super fun!! we are going to have a ward party and some new investigators!! love you all!

Sister O'Neil