Sister Amarae Huffaker: One Month Birthday (Sept 15)

Good afternoon everyone!

Can you believe ONE MONTH has passed since I was in my good ol' city of Mapleton? Crazy right? Just so you're aware, I received the best one month old birthday present on Saturday, when the sweetest 15 year old girl, Haley Doss, was baptized. She is from a part member family, living in a trailor with her Grandma(less active but coming back) and cousin Mckayla(getting lessons) They are the sweetest family and I've been so blessed by knowing them. I was so happy to be a part of her big day with her and her family. She had a very stressful week before getting baptized, due to the fact that Satan hits us really hard the closer we are to doing what is right. She had various family problems and also had to stick up and defend the church to her best friends who are baptist. Her example to me is absolutely amazing. None of her friends came after she invited them but she had a whole YW group come to support her along with her new ward family and us, the weird sister missionaries;)

Something that I have been talking to with converts, my companion, and along with some other members, is the transition from being a recent convert to being a new member of the church or a less active coming back. It is extremely scary and a big change in their lives. It can even be embarassing to come back if they've been gone for so long. We ALL need to do better in making that transition from feeling like they are on their own to making it seem like a "welcome home" or "welcome back" kind of feeling. If that makes sense? I've learned by teaching members and talking to ladies in the ward, how important it is to be a friend. VISITING/HOME TEACHING IS NOT ENOUGH. Go take random people out to lunch, take them cookies, go to their kids sporting events. No one knows where people are at spiritually. You may be the person that keeps them coming back each week with that smile you give them every Sunday. Be a friend and always take time to do the little things. (Getting off soap box now)

I love being a full time missionary and a representative of Jesus Christ. I know that I was called here for a reason and I know that even when things can get tough in all of our lives, when we've done all we can, that's when God helps us with our short comings. He causes the "furious winds" in our lives to help us to build faith and become stronger. Never give up on doing what you know is right, you will grow closer to Him that created you. Ether 6:5

Love you more than ever,

Sister Huffaker