Change

This has definitely been a week full of excitement and change! Ashley got baptized this week!! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to teach her and her family and to help them grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that they are becoming closer and happier as a family because of their choices to follow God's commandments. We also taught someone else this week about the Restoration of the gospel and the Book of Mormon. It is amazing to see her entire countenance change as she learns more about the truth of Christ's church and how to follow Him. She has so much more hope and joy, and I know it is a result of feeling the Holy Spirit. The love of God truly changes people, and it is such a privilege to be able to see that.

One of the biggest changes this week is that I, along with 2 other missionaries in my district, will be getting transferred tomorrow! I am excited to find out where I will be going now, and to be able to meet and serve among the people there. I know that God has a plan for me and that I am needed somewhere else now. It is such a blessing to be able to serve as an instrument in God's hands and to be able to do His will. I know that He will not lead me astray, and that wherever I need to be is where I will go. It was definitely a hard couple of days, saying goodbye to people whom I have grown to know and love so much for the past 6 1/2 months. I have been able to see so many miracles occur here in Jacksonville, and I am forever grateful for all the love that I have felt here. I know that Heavenly Father blesses us with talents, abilities, and skills to be able to serve others and help them. While these gifts do bless us as well, they are most effectively used when in the service of others, which in turn is in the service of God (Mosiah 2:17, Book of Mormon). As we serve others and strive to be less selfish, we can become the kind of person that Heavenly Father needs us to be. We can overcome our weaknesses little by little and fulfill our potential as children of God. What will you do this week to serve someone else? :)

I love you all and pray for you often!

Love,

Sister Dieter

The Senior Missionary Couples and I

Definitely in the South!

Bacon-wrapped steak that a member made for us! (aka heart attack in bite-size form :) )