February 16, 2106

EL FIN
 
 Howdy, howdy, hey :)

Well the last email, I thought I better make it a good one :)

I am coming home next Tuesday the 23rd. One week, I cant believe how fast it has gone.

My mission has felt like a dream. I have learned so much, and I am so grateful for the chance I had to be able to serve a mission here in the Texas Houston South Mission. In 18 months I have had Tweleve missionary companions, 8 areas, I have served in English wards, Spanish wards, English branches, Spanish branches. I also served with the YSA, I served in a car, I served in biking areas. I was in the country, suburbs, city, downtown, coast, you name it. I served there. I am still curious to know why I got moved around so much throughout my mission. But it is exactly what Heavenly Father knew I needed at that time. I am so grateful to have served and to have loved all the people I had to meet and come in contact with. 

I know the people I have met on my mission have changed my life forever. They will never understand the impact they have had on me. I am so grateful to have met so many, and I mean sooo many people. Everyone has had such a different story and impact on my life. 

I know that Heavenly Father loves his children, I know we are all brothers and sisters. I know this life is hard, and people are even harder, but when we look at each other the way God sees us, we can understand the love God has for our brothers and sisters. I know the moments we have when we see how God sees, truly changes us. I am grateful for the moments I have been able to have.

 

I testify that angels exist. I know they have been with me to protect me while biking. I know they have been with me when teaching those who need those experiences. Angels are there, and they are real.

I know it is so much easier to hand everything over to the God. To do his will is what truly brings us happiness in this life. I experienced this on my mission when we finally give it up to him, and let him make of us what he wants, we become happier. We become better.

I have changed alot on my mission, and I know it's because of the change of heart and mind I had when I realized that Heavenly Fathers way is the easier way, and we are happier when we do what he wants of us. I learned this the hard way...

All I want to do is make my Heavenly Father proud.

I Know the mission has saved my life. I have learned so many things, I wish I could tell you everything that I have learned. But I know the mission was for me. I know without this mission I would be lost. I know I would never have the chance to truly gain the testimony I have now without it. 

The mission saved my future families lives. I think of my future children constantly. I am so excited to teach them the gospel, for them to find the happiness and joy I have felt. For them to be truly happy, I am so grateful that I get to be a mom. I am excited to tell my kids of the stories and experiences I have had on my mission. I am so grateful I have learned of the gospel, and how I can teach it to my kids. I am so excited for that. The mission has saved my future families life. I know that.

I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ changes people. It is amazing, to see the change people experience through the love of Jesus Christ. I know the atonement is what brings us happiness and is what helps us become more than what we can become on our own. I have learned, lived, and loved the atonement on my mission and I am so blessed to be able to have the knowledge of it.

 The atonement changes everything for the better. Nothing is to big for the power of the atonement. 

Grace is real.

God Loves me. 

I love my mission.

I know this church is true. I know we have a living prophet who speaks to us, and tells us what God would have us hear. I know that his apostles are called of God. I know they hold the priesthood, and I know they are part of his great work. I know that the priesthood is here on this earth again, and we need it, we need it!! I know it is only through his priesthood that we can enter into the kingdom of God. I know it's with our promises we make with God, we are saved. We have to do our part in order for him to do his.

 

I know God answers prayers. I know he listens.

I know the scriptures are the word of God. I know they are true.

 I love the Book Of Mormon. The scriptures bring me peace and guidance. I need the scriptures in my life. 

I need the power of prayer.

I need the Holy Ghost.

I need this gospel in my life.

I needed the mission.

It saved my life.

I am becoming who God wants me to be.

All I want to do is make God proud of me.

I am His daughter, and I know he loves me.

The mission has been the hardest, sweetest, most amazing thing I have done in my life yet. 

I am ready to see what Heavenly Father has in store for me :)

I am ready for the next adventure :)

I love my mission.

Love Your Girl,

Sister/Hermana Widdison :)

 

 

                                                                   February 8, 2015
  
40 pounds of bananas....

HOWDY HOWDY HEY :)

what a week :)

and when I mean what a week..

I mean.. prepare yourself for some pictures :) hahah

We started our week of with a trip to the Houston Symphony. LIKE WHAT!!

we have an investigator who plays the clarinet for the symphony, so he invited us.. (well.. sike, we totally invited ourselves... hehe ) We got permission and we went. It was incredible! It was amazing! The symphony is so talented! Our investigators name is Christian. but he is an eternagator.... haha he has been coming to church nonstop for 2 years, but just doesn't want to get baptized.

 One day :)

Then we were able to do some service with a food bank, where we handed out so much food! It was so fun and cold... 

The cars would line up and we would fill them up with food!! :)

It was so cool!

We saw a miracle that day, we texted a member in our ward and told her to come get some food! so she did..

then later we got a text telling us how we are servants of the lord, in tune with the Holy Ghost. Because she has had an empty fridge for two weeks, and had no idea where to turn. It was such a neat miracle to be apart of! All because of a simple prompting and a simple text message. :)

Grateful for miracles.

Then we spent time with my favorite family.. 

THE BAUM FAMILY :) so those pictures are attached.. 8 kids.. haha and I love all of them :)

One neat thing... 

Every fast Sunday, my little sister who is 10, Rebecca bears her testimony. That is how she has counted down until I get home... and so yesterday being fast and testimony meeting, I felt the strongest prompting it was time to bear my testimony. My last testimony meeting, I bore my testimony, and I just knew my little sister was at home bearing hers. I am so grateful for her example :)

(18/18 fast Sundays.. We are done Rebbecca ;) ) 

also, one scripture that hit me hard this week was Romans 5:19.

 I invite all to look it up :)

also...

think about this..

Our life is an open note, open book test.. we have all the answers in front of us.. it's the scriptures.. it's the gospel.. if we want to be happy, we have all the answers and keys for success :)

well, enjoy your week :)

Don't worry next weeks email will be the best final and last email y'all have ever read ;)

xoxo

Sister Widdison :) 

oh yeah.. I forgot..

they made us take home food after the food drive.. haha 

so they sent us home with 40 lbs of bananas haha

3 watermelon.. 10 things of corn..

2 cabbages.. and 20 lbs of potatoes... 

HAHAHHAHAHAH

Houston Symphony

Did I mention we had a few bananas?

Sure love the Baum family

Treats from home...Valentines day must be coming! Happy Valentines Day!

                                                                                                                                                                                February 1, 2015

 APOSTLES AND CHEERIOS

Hello everyone,

I am typing with my right hand.. and my right hand is what shook PRESIDENT RUSSELL M NELSONS HAND! ahhhhhh so cool!

So on Saturday the 30th, we had a tri mission conference with the Houston, Houston East, and our mission, 700 missionaries there. The spirit was so strong. It was so powerful, and so amazing. 

When President Nelson walked in, we all stood up and it was silent. It was incredible, then he asked that all missionaries shake his hand. It reminded me of how Christ visited the Nephites after he was resurrected, and had all of them come up "one by one." That's what it felt like to me. It was so special, and a moment I wont ever forget. (and his hands were soooo soft.. haha i put on peppermint lotion.. gotta have good smelling hands people :)) 

The training we received from him was amazing. The next prophet ... But what the spirit taught me was so special. I know that this church is true. I know we have a living prophet on this earth. 

President Nelson really taught us of how much our families are being blessed as we diligently work, and strive to do the will of the father. Don't worry Mom I am working hard, I know y'all need the blessings, hehe :) kidding he shared with us of how these latter days are made for us. We are part of the great gathering, and we will do that with the Book of Mormon, and how we are in this time, because this is what we were destined to do and be apart of. I just know my plan is for this time. I am excited for what more is to come in my life. 

One of the most powerful things, we all sang "I know that my redeemer lives.." for the closing hymn. As we started to sing, the spirit just rushed over my body, and I know that he lives. It was the cherry on top, to receive such a spiritual confirmation at the end of the conference. I am so grateful to have this knowledge of this gospel, and that I can share it with others. 

One neat thing, as we closed the conference, President Nelson bestowed a blessing upon us, and as he did, his total countenance changed, It was seriously like the spirit was just speaking through him. It is something I will never forget. He blessed our families, that they will come and they will stay all according to my service. I know that is true. He blessed us with health, and as we feast upon the words and apply them, we will be happy. I know it was a blessing from God. He blessed us with so much more.

I learned a lot, and I am grateful for the experience. It strengthened my testimony. I know my family is being blessed, and I know I am here to help bless other families. 

I love my mission.

I know President Nelson knows Christ.

I know he is an apostle of the Lord.

I know the my Redeemer lives. 

side note...

I GOT TO SEE A REALLY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE! basically my little brother... haha it was so hard to not hug.. Elder Andrew :) 

and I saw Hermana Sanchez! ahw I love her!

 We got loaded up with cheerios and cereal and valentines day goodies!

haha all in a days work :)

oh and I helped comb out lice! 

hahah oh the things you do as a missionary :)

well,

have a good week :)
hopefully it goes fast for you mom :)

xoxo

Sister Widdison :)

enjoy the photos :)

 

So amazing to see this kid! Elder Andrew

My companion Sister Hunter

My old companion Hermana Sanchez

This is how missionaries carry things

Then you ride your bike!

Thankful for members who remember us!

                                                                                                             January 25, 2016
This kid named Sam

This week I want to share a story..
 Since I  have been here in Silverlake, I have really noticed the example of the youth! 

I want to share a story of one of the youth named Sam!

My first Sunday here was fast and testimony meeting, and this kid named Sam gets up and bears such a powerful testimony of his earthly mission here, and his love for the Savior. It was powerful, so afterward I went up and thanked him, and asked him if he had his mission call, or if he was an RM. But nope, hahah he is a senior in high school!  He spoke with such power and love for the gospel. It was so neat. As time has gone on, I have noticed Sam often. He comes to church every Sunday, by himself. His parents are divorced and his family isn't active. This 17 year old kid has such a strong testimony, he knows where he is going and he knows he can get there and how to get there. I look as he is by himself, as the families scoot over and bring him into their family.

I am so grateful for the example of Sam, but also the examples of the families here in this ward, who bring him into their families.

He isn't the only youth who I have noticed who has a testimony, and is standing alone in their family. 

I am amazed at the youth in this ward.

ANYWAYS, 

We had a awesome week, it was a very cold one too. We love to wear our fleece line tights, haha 

We have got to  stay warm somehow!

We were able to see a lot of miracles, whether those miracles were finding a new investigator, or not crashing on our bikes :)

We have been just doing what we are doing!

Also, A special investigator I had in Houston named Rushinne got baptized.

I was able to go to Houston, where I was attacked with hugs and besitos from everyone.. haha it was neat to see everyone again.  It was a wonderful baptismal service as well, all in Spanish.. Sister Hunter was lost!  hahaha but thats okay :)

We have a good week ahead of us, President Nelson is coming..SAY WHAT? yeah, the next prophet :)

I am praying that I will be able to say the opening prayer or something! We are having a tri-mission conference on Saturday. (kind of a big deal)

I love y'all  :)

Thanks for all the prayers!

please please pray for my companion Sister Hunter.

xoxox

Sister Widdison

Baptism day

                                           January 19, 2016

 GODS TIME

 Howdy, Howdy, Hey :)

It's your favorite missionary ever ;) hehe

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A NEW COMPANION!!

Companion number twelve and what a good one to have :)

She is from Eugene Oregon :) She loves the mountains and loves running. AHW, SO GREAT, I KNOW :) Her name is SISTER HUNTER, she doesn't hunt but she is fun. Heavenly Father really blessed me with her! She is so fun to be around, it's her first biking area, so she is learning! she is great :) We have a good ol time. 

I just want to share one miracle with y'all this week :)

On Friday night we got the prompting to go and visit a less active member.  We biked over there, and as we were locking up our bikes, this truck pulls in the driveway, and the member comes out, and then sees us, and then her boyfriend, (not a member) was in the truck and he had just gotten there, and so it was like boom perfect timing, she "had" to let us in. ;) hehe. We were just sitting talking, and the boyfriend who is from up north lives right by the temple... LIKE WHAT! So as we were talking we felt prompted to share a random scripture in 1 Peter, after we shared it, our member just goes on and on about how hard life has been for her this past week, then her boyfriend shares with us how the day before his dad passed away. So we started to share the plan of salvation with him, and he just started to tell us how all of it started to make sense, and how he feels his fathers spirit. Then he started asking about the temple, and is so curious about how his father can be saved, but first he wants to be baptized so his dad can be happy.

I WISH I COULD DESCRIBE WHAT EVEN HAPPENED IN THIS LESSON.

The spirit was so strong, my ribs hurt... 

It was a moment I will never forget.

I know Gods timing is perfect. 

It's so perfect.

Plus, the Holy Ghost is AMAZING.

I am  grateful for the knowledge I have of the plan of salvation, that I was able to testify to this man of his father.

IT WAS SO COOL! many miracles happened this week, but this was one I know will stay with me forever...

P.S Texas is still hot.

XOXOX

Sister Widdison

My new companion Sister Hunter

Our district in Pearland

Fun time making cupcakes!

We are lots of help, can you tell?

We had a SNOWBALL fight

Biking, Biking, Biking

Putting in some service hours

                                                                                         January 7,  2016
1 Week.. 2 Area!

Oh my goodness.. this week was crazy!
 Since Hermana Halls companion went home, we cover two areas!

you would think that would be fun, but it's quite stressful actually!

To get from Kemah (her area) to my area is a 60 mile round trip. 

It takes 45 minutes, so we have to pack up stuff we need for three days then go and then live in whichever area, then come back to the other area! ... I was excited for the first "road trip", now it's just exhausting.. haha and we have about three more pack ups and "road trips" until transfer meeting. Then I will get a new companion on January 13th! and we will be done having "road trips" :) just good old biking in skirts in Silverlake! 

 

This past week was amazing. 

We started our week here in Silverlake, where we had an amazing family invite us over to have family home evening where we taught of the Saviors love and how we can see his hand in our lives everyday. It was so neat, the little 9 year old invited a friend over. BOOM! future missionary :) so that was fun! the mom and the dad both shared their testimonies of the Saviors love. I know it helped the kids hear and see that their parents love and know the savior.

 plus the dad helped fix my bike.. haha he got lots of blessings :) My brakes now work!! WHOOT

we also help a lot with a member named _____, she is starting her personal progress!  I am on a huge personal progress kick! I am planning to finish mine by February! So Hannah and Maegan better get working on it, haha we should all finish it by the time I get home.  We help ____ with a lot, we love to help her. She is in her 20's and has seven kids.. well, she has three of her own and four step children. Her house is crazy! I have learned a lot from her and I am grateful for her! Pray for my girl!

We also work a lot with the young women! We were able to help a lot of them this week with their personal progress, there is a beehive whose name is Kilara, and she and I are doing a project together! I don't think the young women here in this ward know how much they have impacted my life. We help them with preach my gospel and scripture study. It's cool to know they trust us, well duh we are cool sister missionaries ;) hehe  Just from really working with the young women here, my testimony has really grown of the kind of influence a lot of people have in our lives. I am grateful for all the examples I have in my life. shout out to my mom :)

As well, we really love to help the _____  family. She is a single mom of five kids, recently baptized in August, and is just trying so hard. She has a very good example of faith, she wants to just have a family. It's hard to see someone struggle, but I know she is on the right path with the gospel and support from this ward in her life. Pleas pray for this sister. 

Then we went to KEMAH!!

I served in Kemah a year ago. In kemah there are two sister areas, and I served in the other area, so all the people we visited I recognized! IT HAS BEEN SO FUN! and this Sunday we get to go the Kemah branch for church. :) I am excited to see all my old friends and the members I love :)

Since we are in kemah, it's a car area.. people let me tell you. I HATE CARS!!!
haha I love biking.. I get so tired and I feel like sitting in a car is just wasting time. hahah I love biking, plus fresh air and ripped skirts in bike brakes, nothing is better than biking :) 

In Kemah, we had some awesome lessons! 

We had a good lesson with a less active who is really scared to go back to church. So of course, I wanted to know why, so me, being bold asked her. It was so sad to hear of what was holding her back from receiving the blessing! Please pray for her that she can just come and see the church building with us!! 

We also had a funny lesson.. haha with this "juan" guy named juan.. (I hope y'all caught my joke there... Juan.. one.. hahahah) anyways, when he was in jail he got all this material from this one church and he is convinced that is the true church, but when we told him that his church wasn't the true church he was so confused. We didn't get to keep teaching him, but he was cute! he had no front teeth! So that was an interesting lesson... 

We also got to teach a really cool lesson in a super sketchy apartment complex.. haha the complex is called "Shady Oaks" hahah (don't google map that one mom) but we had a spiritual lesson about the plan of salvation, and it is so cool how Heavenly Father allows us to feel the spirit when we are worthy, even though where we were wasn't the best teaching location.

Oh and New Years... slept all through the night. #crazy

We had to be in at seven and I was asleep by nine.

hahahhaha

We went to church in Silverlake this Sunday, it was such a good Sunday! I just love biking to church. We have 9 am church, so the morning just felt so nice, and it was a beautiful day, and taking the sacrament was just good. Then TESTIMONY MEETING was so good.

 The members here impressive me so much. I am so grateful I have them as my example. I thought of what Rebecca might have been bearing her testimony about yesterday too... ;) and also we had the privilege to teach the Relief Society lesson. It was kind of scary, but it was good. We taught the importance of spiritual goals, and including Heavenly Father in the things which we want to accomplish.

Have you made your goals for this new year?? (proverbs 29:18)

I will share some of mine :) 

1. Finish the Book of Mormon by February 22nd (I have about 2.7 pages a day)

2. finish my mission

3. read all the gospels

4. make a list of attributes I want my husband to have

5. find out who the Savior is to me.. how can I know he lives? (I invite you to ponder this question, and read "The Living Christ")

6. RUN A MARATHON

hahahah some goals :)

the best one is #4 ;) hehehe

okay, love you!!!

xoxo

Sista Widdison :)

here are some pictures of me and Sister Hall :)

 heck yes my skirt is camo!

I am the daughter of Scott Widdison!

don't expect anything less :)

                                                                                                                                                December 28 2015
 Another Day

Well, Christmas came and went, short and sweet.

 Here are some pictures for y'all to enjoy :)

We had a huge mission conference. I was in the talent show!

I turned the piano players pages for him.. (applause was all for me)

Christmas Eve we went caroling in short sleeves.

I was in the nativity as well, I was an angel.. :) 

Christmas was another day..

We went and spent Christmas morning with the Steele family, We got to skype home with our families,  then we spent the day preaching the gospel.

Now today my companion is on her way home :(

I loved sister Sorensen sooo much!!! 

I am companions for two and a half weeks with Hermana Hall!  We will be covering both of our areas... so this will be interesting because they are 30 miles apart!

 short and sweet!
enjoy the pictures :)

xoxo 

Sister Widdison

We got our matching mugs for Hot Chocolate

I love Sister Sorensen

making cookies

Christmas Day

Christmas Conference

My talent in the talent show.... turning pages :)

Ready for a great dinner

This little guy had a secret for me, then leaned over and gave me a big KISS instead!!

Christmas

Thanks everyone

See, I told you I was an angel!

Christmas nativity with members