June 27, 2011

Hello Everyone!
Another glorious week in the vineyard! I have really had my eyes opened to the potential of this area and the love of the Lord for the people here. The new Elders (Taveras and Davis) know they are on a search and rescue mission and I can honestly say are 'anxiously engaged in a good cause' here in St. Petersburg.
I feel more in-line with the Spirit and it's promptings today than I did yesterday. Isn't it interesting how that happens? I felt a fire inside my very first day here; as if my testimony would burst out of me. I thought there was no way I could have more, because it just wouldn't fit. I was wrong. I realized why as I read the talk given by Elder Cecil O Samuelson, "...teaching someone else what we know strengthens our own testimony as we build that of another. When you give someone money or food, you will have less. However, when you share your testimony, it strengthens and increases for both the bearer and the hearer."
What a unique thing that is, to have more testimony when you give it away. That is how I feel. I have a greater testimony of this work and this gospel today than I did yesterday. Amazing. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will have more and will be even stronger tomorrow. I am so glad to be a missionary and to share my testimony every day! All I want to do is give it away, to anyone who will stand still long enough to hear it!
I often think of all of you back home. I pray for you each night and long for your safety. I pray we will each continue to develop a stronger relationship with our Heavenly Father because I KNOW he loves and cares about each of us individually. I am so grateful I have that knowledge. Sometimes I feel like my actual calling as a missionary is to remind people they are children of God and that they are truly loved by Him. Life is different when you truly know that. It’s better.
Today, we are only having half a P-Day. We are going back to work at 12:00. That’s because we are going to take from 12-6 this Wednesday to go to the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cincinnati Reds baseball game! Hermana Dollahite really wanted to take me to a baseball game for my half-birthday, and she got special permission from our mission president to do it! I am SO EXCITED!!!!
For those who know me well, you know that a baseball game is the best possible present/activity possible! Next week I’ll have some pictures of us at the game.
I love you all so much. Thank you for being exactly who you are. All I can say is that I love you. And I also feel promted to say that if there is anything bothering you, worrying you, or holding you back, give it to the Lord. He knows what to do with it, and there is no one who will be able to help you more. I gained a real testimony of that myself this past week.
Love you all,
Hermana Levanger