Bonjour ma chère famille et amis! It was a bitter sweet week. Lots of awesome things happened, but we also had our final conference with President and Sister Roney, as they go home in a week and a half. I'll talk more about that a bit later, but first I have some other exciting news. First of all, Rebecca was baptized and confirmed yesterday! Her whole family came, even her dad! It was really a beautiful experience that I got to be a part of and I went home last night just feeling full of light and joy. I'm so grateful to the Holy Ghost for converting the heart of this young girl and that I got to be a witness of that process. I joked with my companion that I'm just going to work with kids the rest of my mission, because Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." It is the truth! It was all wonderful, but the part that really hit me the most was a song that the stake president and his family sang. It's called "God Gave Us Families", I believe. I watched as all 9 of them were singing those words that are so true. As I saw them all huddled together arm in arm, I felt the confirmation from the Holy Ghost in my heart telling me that this indeed is God's plan for us, His plan for happiness--a family united under a mother and father, sealed in His holy house, striving to learn and live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is where true happiness can be felt and continue throughout all eternity. So that brings me to the final message our President left with us. He simply told us the key to being eternally happy. And yes my dear family and friends, you guessed it, that is achieved by following the Savior through loving obedience. Love is the key. The Savior is just waiting to bless us, and He wants nothing more for us than to just be happy. Isn't that interesting to think about? Someone suffered your every pain and sin all for the sake of your happiness. He did that so we can exercise our agency and choose to be obedient to His teachings. We are obedient if we love Him. And if we love Him and obey Him, we are happy. We are entitled to true, lasting joy. Now you see how love is the key? And that is my goal here as a missionary... To help create that love for the Savior where it didn't once exist...Within myself, and with those I work with and work for. That is how we can all achieve eternal joy. There is someone I owe a big thank you to for teaching me this principle from the very beginning, and that is my dad. Something I have always admired about my dad is the testimony he has of exact obedience bringing miracles, and bringing lasting happiness. My dad is someone who works every day of his life to live according to God's standard. He wants to make God proud, and he wants to be able to look Him in the eyes after this life with confidence. He wants to hear from Him those words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." That attitude is reflected in his every word and deed. It was no coincidence that this week we learned so much about the importance of living a life full of loving obedience as a family to achieve real happiness, the same week where we honor our fathers. Because that is something my father has done his whole life, and something I am deeply, sincerely grateful for. I have seen the difference of families where a father with that determination to honor his Heavenly Father doesn't exist. And they are not as happy as a family. I know so much of my joy comes from the diligent, loving adherence my daddy has given to the Lord. I hope you all have a wonderful week, and give your daddy's an extra hug for all the miracles that bring about for your family. Love, Soeur Shields
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November 2015
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