Sister Jessie Louder: Grow Where You're Planted

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Send me and update and let me know how you're doing. I miss you all and want to know what's going on 💛

This past week has been completely flipped. So much has changed but I am happy and well. On Wednesday night my comps and I got a call that our trio would be separating! We all knew it was too good to be true. 🤣 We all thought it would be Sister Dunning or Sister Smith going but it was me. It all took us by surprise. We went on a long bike ride for the last time and all cried haha. I created so many memories with them and they are seriously some of the nicest sisters. The next morning I was packed and at the mission office at 9am. I'm in the Heart Lake ward now with a new companion, Sister Handly. These past couple days here have been completely changed but I honestly am so thankful. When I experience change in my life, I am humbled and reminded to turn to God. Change allows me to rely fully on Him. Every part of His plan has a purpose.

This week in a mission devotional we talked about the story of the currant bush. I LOVE this story!!! There was currant bush that the gardener had cut down. When the gardener did this it was as if he could here the bush saying, "how could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth and all in the garden will look upon me with contempt and pity. How could you do this? I thought you were the gardener." The gardener replied, "I am the gardener here and I know what I want you to be." As I reread this story I was reminded of moments in my life where I have felt like that currant bush. I have said, "how could you do this to me?" but every time I'm reminded that God is the gardener here. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is able to cut me down. He is able to love me enough to hurt me. It is love inspired correction as Elder Christofferson said.

God has uprooted me and planted me in so many different locations around different people. He has cut me down because He loves me. All these experiences will be for my good. I know that God has a wise purpose behind everything and I know that as we humble ourselves enough to receive His love inspired corrections that we will grow into the people He needs us to become. God really is good and I have felt that so strongly these past couple days.

In this new area we are teaching a Nigerian family and they are on date for the 4th! We also had a lesson with an amazing lady, Tinisha. It was probably one of my favorite lessons on the mission. She is remarkable and has been researching about all religions her whole life. She knows the Bible SO well because she wants to know for herself which church is true. We introduced the Restoration of the Church and the Book of Mormon with some bible scriptures and IT WAS AMAZING. During the video call, while she was talking and while we were talking I just felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We literally have the answers to the questions that Tinisha has been searching for her entire life! The doctrine in our church has not been distorted in any way and nothing has been added to the doctrine. It is Christs true Church on the earth TODAY! He loves His children now just as much as He loved His children in the biblical times.

I love being a missionary for my Savior, Jesus Christ and I love serving in my home country. I have made so many amazing connections. If any of you have questions about what I believe in and love please reach out to me. I KNOW Gods love is always there for us, whether we feel like we deserve it or not. Pray to Him and allow Him to change you. Have a great week everyone!!!! ☀️☀️☀️