I'm going to dive right into my week, starting off with finding the beach for Lake Elsinore. :) Last pday after I sent my email, we explored a little and found Elm Grove Beach, a surprising nice little beach at the edge of the lake! There were a decent amount of people there (considering it was Memorial Day), but BOY was it nice. :) Sister Clyde and I just laid out on the sand and enjoyed hearing the sounds of waves crashing and seagulls and feeling the California sun on our skin... :)) We're going back today, you can bet on that!! ☀️🏖️
We were also SO BLESSED because a General Authority (leader of the church) was able to visit our mission via Webex!! Elder Kevin Pearson came and first talked to the MLC (zone leaders and STLs) and then addressed the whole mission. Wow this man knows how to speak powerfully and get missionaries on their feet!! :) He also shared lots of stories, including "the soldier who stood by" (Alma 44:13) and Civil War stories. This guy is right up my alley. ;) I loved what he asked us to do as an MLC:
"Lead by example.
Lead by faith.
Lead by skill.
Lead by sheer force of will."
It's good to know that we have that power - sheer force of will - within ourselves. He said simply, "if you set goals with the steps I gave you (email me if you want to know those steps) and the Spirit, you can do anything." I felt that! I really felt that I could do anything!! It is awesome!!! <3 Oh he also told the MLC, "you're going to live through things that make COVID look like a joke." All the more reason to know that with God, you can do anything. Right? ;)
We had our first two exchanges of the transfer and they are going SO much better than last transfer! Missionaries are now used to it, our internet works, we're used to it... So that's a super great plus. :)) I already love the hermanas in Menifee and Lake Elsinore. Yeah there's actually no sisters in our zones - they're all Spanish haha! I love Spanish land!!
And then yesterday we were able to partake of the sacrament!!! <3 <3 I've never gone so long without it! Our bishop and his first counselor came to our apartment and blessed and passed it to us. One companionship of hermanas also joined. As he was breaking the bread, we sang a hymn and it was the first time in 2 months I sang harmony with others!! It sounded so good and the Spirit was very strong. :) The last time we were able to have the sacrament was mid-March, and we finally got it the day before June. Yay!!! I know that taking the sacrament is so important because it helps us remember the Savior and the promises we make with Him in ways we wouldn't otherwise be able to. Taking the sacrament is such a privilege!
Last but not least, we were again invited to join mission prep class via Zoom for our stake yesterday, and the teacher Sister Ruggles had a surprise! After starting the meeting, she introduced Elder Groberg and had him say a few words to us! :O For those of you who don't recognize his name off-the-bat (like myself), Elder Groberg used to be a General Authority and is who the movie The Other Side of Heaven is about! He talked about both his missions (as a missionary and mission president) and his wife also talked. The class then got to watch The Other Side of Heaven 2, although we as missionaries had to leave. It was way cool to hear him!! I'll include a "selfie" we took haha!
Thanks for all your constant support and reading my emails! I miss y'all so much. Keep on keepin' on!! See you in a bit!
Love, Sister Mary Goss
1) want to go to da beach beach beach
2) Lake Elsinore, est. 1888
3) getting mail wooohoooo
4) hit my official halfway!!! YAAAAY!! Also I have a countdown for my brother because why not and I miss him ;)
5) Brother and Sister Groberg!
6) Waiting for the sacrament <3
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