Exceedingly Thankful

Thankful Thankful Thankful. 

I'm "exceedingly" thankful. (Yes, Book of Mormon term.) haha

It's Thanksgiving tomorrow. HUH? Time freaks me out. Goodness sakes. It's really weird to think one year ago I was in Manhattan eating at Bishop Nixon's apartment. Has it really been a year? What. Where did time go. It's all a blur. 

This year we will be serving a thanksgiving meal to people that don't have one. And then a member invited us over for dinner in New Canaan. It seems like it's going to be a good day. 

Selfless holidays are great. Weird but great. ;)

Sooo.. Today I get to go to the Broadway play WICKED. I love Wicked. It's my fave. 8 other sister missionaries and I. Haha we are way happy! It's a secret dream of mine to be in Wicked. I would LOVE that. Singing, dancing, dressing up.. Sounds like heaven. I am a big dreamer. I have SO many dreams. But dreams come true. So idk watch out. 

Also all the fun floats are going up for the Macy's thanksgiving day parade! What a dream that I am living in. I am blessed to be here. What is this life.

I'm currently on a split with the one and only Sister Spencer. We are the happiest cats. We are in Scarsdale. And then I will be going to the city on the train with two other sisters. It's a jam packed P day. I can't think of one P day that hasn't been jam packed though. So much to do. So little time. We make it work somehow though. 

                       

It really was a good week. We were able to look a bunch of people up and learn some more about the people in our areabook. Our areabook is so full of names its like going to explode. So we are sorting through all of those. It's quite fun. Actually not really. But missionary work really isn't supposed to be "fun." Sure it's fun along the way.. but the purpose of a mission is not fun. You know what I'm sayinnnnn. 

We got a new baptismal date! A cutie 12 year old! He is from a part member family. They have lived here for 6 months and we magically knocked on their door. They were so pleased to talk to us and find out where the church was located and all the good details. Little tender mercies all the time. 

We also delivered 5 whole thanksgiving dinners to 5 families. Giant turkeys and all. It was SO funny as Sister Johnson and I were carrying all the food to the doors. It was heavy heavy. And I fell down the stairs at one apartment with a bag of potatoes in hand. HAHAH. Dying of laughter. And more bruises. I have been a bruised queen on my mission. 

But really. wow to see tears in some people's eyes as we dropped off all the food .. It was so tender. I never realized how blessed I've been my whole life. These sweet families were so grateful and so humble. I honestly hope I can be more like them. 

President Smiths daughter's birthday was on Sunday and President invited us over to give her a birthday hug. It was my companion and I, the AP's, and the Smiths. It was a great night and I actually was very touched by the spirit. Let's see if I can explain why..

The AP's shared a quick powerful message about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And good golly it was just super real. I kept thinking about this wonderful Smith family and their amazing example to me. I also was thinking about how it is BECAUSE of the Restoration that the Smiths are the family they are. This darling family has been sealed together forever and THAT is a blessing that wouldn't have come if it weren't for Joseph Smith! He brought back so many blessings to ALL of us that I think I/we take for granted. My heart is so FULL of thanks for the Restoration. The blessings could go on and on... 

The priesthood, The Book of Mormon, The temple, My knowledge of my purpose here on earth, Prophets, MY FOREVER FAMILY, My future forever family, My mission, Health, Leaders, Friends. SO many blessings. Wow. We are such blessed souls. Fo realz 

My thankful list right now: 

*FAMILY. (Mom and Dad, you have NO idea how thankful I am for you) I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. (Sisters, I love you too.) 

*My MISSION. Oh how lost I would be without this rich rich experience in my life. I'm BEYOND thankful for this time I've had to be stretched and pulled. The knowledge I've gained here is worth more than the world. 

*The Holy Ghost. Wow. Where would I even be without it. It has brought so much comfort and peace and I surely wouldn't have made it through my mission without it. 

*My Savior Jesus Christ. K really. I would be nothing without Him. We all would be nothing without Him. He saved us. Ohhhhh boy, He really saved us. And I'm especially thankful for His understanding. There are so many moments where I just feel peace in knowing that He knows exactly how I feel. I love him. I've really learned how to come closer to Him on my mission. 

*My very loving Father in Heaven. I cannot comprehend Him most of the time.. But I do know with all surety that He LOVES ME. I feel it everyday! I could never. ever. deny His existence. 

Woah I just feel like my heart could burst!! Sorry to be all "thankful" on ya. 

I hope you all can make a thankful list at this wonderful thanksgiving time. We have so much to Thank our Heavenly Father for. 

Remember Alma 34:

"That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

There is always much to thank God for. No matter what place we are in!! There will always be someone with more than us and there will always be someone with much much less than us. So let us be thankful for where we are!! 

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Love Abbs