Busy, busy week

Busy, busy, busy... This week was GREAT even though it was busy and we didn't get all the lessons we wanted and I was sick as a dog on friday with a flu bug but we had THREE baptisms!!!! ONE completed family, and we went to the temple and we had an awesome zone conference and we had a good coordination meeting with the ward and the members are getting more involved and things are just great and we have high hopes for this week!!!

This week at church a woman spoke about testimonies, I really likes it. My thought: In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we use the word testimony a lot, it's something very important and personal to us, and every 1st sunday we have the opportunity to share it with other members. In Tagalog the word 'Testimony' is 'Pag-totoo', derived from the word 'Katotohanan' which means 'Truth'. In court they use the word testimony also, it's used when a person is to tell their part of the story as truth. But in Church our testimonies are not for one time purposes, but are to be gained, and maintained. We gain a testimony of the truths of God by following His commandments and principles. Through our commitment to be obedient to His commandments we gain a testimony of that commandment or principle and its followed blessings. We maintain the testimony by continually following the commandments, praying, reading the scriptures (particularly the Book of Mormon) and through sharing our testimony with others. When we do these things we feel an increased desire to continue. God will put our testimonies to the test through adversity and trials, if we stay true to our testimony or to the truth, God will bless us and we will feel an increase of light, truth and clarity in our lives.

I know that I have a testimony of this Church. I know that it is true and that God lives and loves us, I know that Christ lives and that he is our Savior and that only through him can we return to our Father in heaven. I know we have a living prophet, who is a servant of Jesus Christ, the founder of this Church. I know the prophet receives guidance for us, and as we follow his guidance we will receive blessings in this life and eternal life here after. This is the truth that I know. I believe we should all try to find God's truth and know it for ourselves and gain a testimony.

love you and thank you for your support,
--Sister Stephens
PS shout out: Thank you Elder Stephens for your letter and Emma Rose!!! for you wonderful picture and letter!!!! thank you!!!!