week 15 and week 13 in MDM~"Called to Serve HIM"

Hey Y'all 

Sebastian got baptized on Saturday, and I wish there were words to tell you what it felt like. That morning we walked into the church to hear water rushing through the pipes to fill up a once empty font. We sat in the library listening to that almost heavenly sound as we folded baptismal programs. We paced around the church making sure everything was set up perfect. Then they walked in. Outside it was raining but from their faces you could never tell. Sebastian's face was illuminated with a smile from ear to ear. He was laughing with Brother Ellsworth about something that had happened in the car. We took him to the font and he once again was beaming. They went to change and we went to do a bit more pacing. Let me tell ya something, those baptismal jumpsuits must be made out of the same stuff that makes heaven, because even though I didn't think it was possible  Sebastian's smile was even bigger once he was all dresses up. We took a bunch of pictures and then walked into the chapel to wait for the service to begin. Then the members started to pour in. We had at least 30 members come to support him. It was so incredible because it really helped Sebastian see that we are his family. He was super bummed that none of his immediate family could come but the ward made up for it. When he was baptized we got to stand at the edge of the font and watch. As he went under the water completely and came up again it looked as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He described it as "It felt like before my heart was covered with ice, and meeting with you its been slowly chipped at, but now it is completely gone. Broken off, melted away and no more." He had to go to work Saturdayevening and said that everyone kept asking him why he was so happy and he kept telling them why. He said that it was cool to share his experience with random people he met. On Sunday he was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He said that when Bro Hobbins confirmed him "it felt like there was a part of him that he had been fighting with for so long and in that moment it had died. [He] didn't need to fight it anymore." He said that partaking of the Sacrament for the first time after being baptized "was like filling a hole within [him] that [he] didn't even know was there." On Sunday the bishopric in our ward was rearranged and we sang "Called to Serve" as the intermediate hymn. I just stood there crying for the entire second verse. Here I am in the middle of a loving ward family with so many saints that are called to serve. Looking at the new bishopric, looking at a recent convert of less than 48 hours, looking at a priest who just got his call, looking at a recently returned missionary, looking at the Elders, looking at Sister Lindsay, looking at the primary president, looking at the faithful priesthood holders who all helped with Sebastian's conversion, looking at the stake presidency, looking at the noble youth, looking at myself. I love that ALL of us as members in the Lords church have the opportunity to serve Him wherever we are. All in all this weekend was an amazing spiritually uplifting experience. It helped me see that the Lord is in the work we do because He calls us. He prepares the people, the spirit teaches the people, the saints are the example to the people, and missionaries create the environment for all of that to happen. I love this gospel with all my heart! and I hope you see many miracles this week! 

Love Sister Witt

week 14 and week 12 in MDM~ "My Soul resides in Oxford"

Hey Y'all, 

So most of you have heard me say this but if you haven't here it is again. I am a firm believer that you have the potential to fall in love with every person you meet, and I have fallen in love with Oxford. I'll attach some pictures of my beloved little town so you can see just how cute it is. I am so blessed to get another transfer here with my favorite companion Sister Lindsay. 

This week was full of miracles brought to us by Sebastian. He is progressing so rapidly. He has been reading his Book of Mormon every day and plans to be done with it by his baptism, this Saturday. This week we got the members really involved and started having lessons in their homes. Sebastian asked Bro. Ellsworth to baptize him. The spirit in their home when he did that was so amazing that we all just started to cry. Bro. Ellsworth said he would overjoyed to do it. Sebastian has so much faith it is amazing. The Sundays he has been to church have been completely crazy. The first one was General Conference, then fast Sunday, then a normal Sunday, this week was Stake conference and next week is a 5th Sunday. He was sad that he didn't get to partake of the Sacrament this week but is excited that when he does next week he will be renewing the covenants he will be making when he is baptized. 

Another miracle was that we went to Almont to visit Sis. H and she thought we should go rake her neighbors leaves. Her neighbor is a less active woman named Kim that doesn't want anything to do with the church, and Sis. H is her best friend. Well while we were raking her leaves Sis. Lindsay and I told Sis. H about Sebastian and the miracle he is. After we got done with the story Kim opened the window and asked if we would like some hot chocolate. Of course we said yes. So after we finished raking she invited us in and let us say a prayer and chat with her. It was amazing. We told her about Sebastian's baptism and she said she would try to come! How amazing would that be! 

Anyway this week was just incredible and I am so excited to see what miracles God has in store for the up coming one! I love you all! 

Love Sister Witt

We got to go to the temple a while ago and I never included the picture... sorry!

week 13 and week 11 in MDM~ "Another Week In the O"

Hey Y'all!

 This week was kinda crazy and jumbled. We got to teach Sebastian 3 times and when we went over to teach him  about the word of wisdom he told us that he has been keeping it since they first day he met with us! He Is preparing for his baptism exceptionally well. He has told all of his friends about his 'new found faith' and the 'joy that it brings into [his] soul' and has received an 'overwhelming amount of support.' He has been inviting them to his baptism and is working on overcoming all of his demons with help from our Savior and His Atonement. 

In weeks past we learned about how the only way to access the Atonement is through baptism. Think about that, the only way for those we love to really be forgiven is through baptism by the proper authority. Doesn't that just make you want to share the gospel with everyone you meet? Just make sure to keep the missionaries involved! They (we) are the only ones with the authority to teach non members all around the world. That's terrifying and exhilarating at the same time! Anyway feed the missionaries in your neck of the world and keep beign examples to those around you! Pray to see the Light of Christ in everyone you meet! 

Sorry this email is super lame. Next weeks will be better.

Love Sister Witt

I got Sister Lindsay to match with me. #majoraccomplishment #photoevidence

week 12 and week 10 in MDM -"All the Miracles"

Hey y'all thank you for all the love I got this week. Its weird emailing on a Tuesday but the library was closed yesterday. Thanks for all the questions about Sebastian. He is doing incredible. He is already sharing his 'new found faith' with his friends and some of them are wanting to learn more. He is an amazing miracle. He came to church for the first time on Sunday. Testimony meeting was great and the last hymn was 'I know that my Redeemer Lives" I cried through the whole thing and when he asked me why I cried I told him "because I feel the spirit" to which he responded "I know me too." We have been really trying to involve the ward on his conversion. We had a less active bring him and they really bonded. The Elders told us that he was really welcomed in priesthood. They told us of how the teacher asked the question of who had ever been moved by the spirit to do something. He raised his hand and told his experience of calling us for the first time. Elder Hratzfeld said "the spirit in the room was so strong you could grab it."We showed him the baptismal fount after church. He was relieved when he saw how simple it was. He said going to church felt nice and that he really enjoyed it. That night we texted him a scripture about church and he responded asking if we could meet the next day because he wanted to talk to us. He shared his testimony with us and told us how he knows he needs to get baptized on Oct 29, and hopefully one day serve a mission. He was holding back tears and I was openly crying. It was the most amazing experience ever! I truly know what it means to feel like a missionary! I know that that feeling comes not from us looking for it but from us turning outward to help others experience the gospel! 

Sorry this is so short again but i love you all 

sister witt

week 11 and week 9 in MDM-"Rainy week spent everywhere but Oxford"

Hey Yall! 

This email is going to be rather short because not very much happened this week. We had Zone meeting on Wednesday, MLCM on Thursday, Interviews on Friday and General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. In other words this week was a great week to be a missionary! I hope you all caught the message of missionary work that was so prominent during conference! I know we sure did! But then again I am a missionary. 

We got to teach Sebastian this on Thursday and it was indescribable. He is agnostic but since meeting us said he wants to believe that there is more. He told us of his past struggles and how he believes we and our church could help him. We told him that as missionaries we are not sent to teach people about the church but about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He had done his research and knew about Joseph Smith, he told us that he knew about him being a prophet. We helping him know of Gods love for him, because he is Gods son. He really liked hearing that. We got a texted from him on Sunday morning telling us of the drastic changes he had made in his life since we met on Thursday and how grateful he was that we are helping him see his full potential! He told us about how he was watching conference and had some of is questions answered but he still had more for us and asked us to come over after the last session of conference. That night he told us about the joy he saw on the speakers faces and how he wants an needs that in his own life. We told him about the Plan of Happiness and the spirit was so strong. I cried but it was dark on his front pourch and he didn't notice. After Sister Lindsay and I bore our testimonies of the Atonement he started to choke up and almost started to cry. He told us he wants to be baptized but it will take a lot for him to get there. 

This week was good! and I am running out of time! You know I love you and pray for you all! 

Love Sister Witt.

ps keep working on the challenges!