Sister Dakota Bartsch: "I'M COMIN' HOME, JESUS! I'M COMIN' HOME!" -Sherry trying to remember the 9th Commandment. SO CLOSE.

Good morning, yall :) What a WONDERFUL week. Last transfer, my Mission President committed me to find at least one family before completing my mission. I have stressed over this for weeks! On Tuesday, we found them :) Tiaquonta and Shedrick (those names, though). It was a miracle! It was overwhelming! They will be baptized on January 7th and their cute family will be raised in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Happy, happy day!

Zone Conference and Stake Conference with Elder Arnold was exactly what I needed. I received many assurances and answers to questions I have been praying about. We traveled out to Monroe, LA to meet with half the mission and that was fun :) I love this mission.

Goodbye to Gloria and O'Rian!!!!

I hope as you have read these emails you have felt the love I have for My Saviour, His Gospel, these people, and mission! I know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lives and loves me. He is the central piece of God's plan for our happiness. I love that in the true Gospel there are no scare tactics. God is not waiting to condemn us, but hoping to exalt us. His nature is loving and giving. One of my favourite things about my Father in Heaven is His consistency. He is always approachable, he is always providing for us, and He always keeps His promises. He has promised that if we keep the commandments and live righteously, we will be able and prepared to live with Him again! He will give us everything we need to receive that promise. That's a blessing I hope to receive someday! I know that I can if I do my very best and use the sweet gift of the Atonement of my Savior. The Holy Ghost will lead me and prompt me as I need, I know that for sure! Serving this mission definitely wasn't my idea.. but following the prompting to serve (even though I almost didn't a few times) has been the best choice of my life so far. Never before have I had a testimony like this, or felt joy like I am feeling now. My heart is so full of every good feeling I could probably fly myself home!! The Church is real, yall. If you don't know it, FIND OUT for yourself. Read the word, ponder what it would mean for you if it were true, and then pray. Just pray your heart out and ask if it is true. I promise He hears you - He loves you. He holds your happiness as a top priority. And He will answer. You can know! Trust the feeling, and then act on it.
I love yall.
Have a blessed two days :)
I'll be home for Christmas!
Sister Bartsch