Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Can you believe that October is almost over? I sure can't. The weather has fortunately been very nice. It has only rained a couple of times this last two weeks, so I feel very lucky. Besides the weather, the work is going well. There is so much to report, but with limited time I have to decide where to start.

First, I will comment on the Zone Leader Council. One of the most important things I learned from that is that you have no clue what your influence is. To relate a story told by President Kopischke at Zone Leader Council, he told of a time that Elder Holland mentioned a time when they were meeting to discuss church business. At this time, the brethren (men of the church) were about to excuse the women from the meeting. However, next on the agenda was a discussion of missionaries. The General Relief Society president at that time told the brethren that they may want to keep them around because, after all, they are the missionaries' mothers. Between President Preston and Sister Davis, they attributed that story to Grandma Jack. Now grandma will have to verify that story is true and I would like to hear her first-hand version, but none the less I think you get the idea. President Kopischke mentioned that this story is why he invited a companionship of sisters to the meeting. I couldn't help but think when grandma (or whoever it was) made that comment all those years ago, no one would have ever imagined it would have resulted in her granddaughter attending a zone leader council as a missionary. The influence of one individual has a large impact on many generations to come and it is important to remember that. You never know who you might be influencing, so make sure whatever you are doing, make sure it is for good. Additionally, it was a testimony to me how miraculous the Lord is. He has a plan for us and He provides a way for us to accomplish it. I wonder if grandma hadn't made that comment all the years ago, if I would have ever got that chance to sit in on the council and discuss the needs of the mission with the other leaders.

Second, I had a chance to bear my testimony at church yesterday. I was able to stand up in front of the Wigan ward and thank them for their wonderful example and influence. I am not going to lie, I wasn’t in the cheeriest of moods before sacrament meeting. Not for any particular reason, but I just wasn't over-filled with joy as usual, cheery Sister Jack. However, as soon as sacrament meeting started, I had a change of heart. It happened to be fast and testimony meeting, so I went ahead and bore my testimony. I talked about charity and it being the pure love of Christ. I told the ward, “Charity is the Wigan Ward. You can make someone feel at home, even though home may be thousands of miles away.” Then I also told them how much God loves and knows them individually. After the sacrament, I had a few ward members come up to me and thank you for my testimony. One came and commented just how wonderful it was that I could feel at home, even though I wasn't anywhere close to it. A different two mentioned how much they enjoyed and were grateful for what I said. While another I saw tear up as I spoke and looked out at the congregation. Not only that, but another member reminded me how influential missionaries are. She said, "While you may think you are forgotten, there are people who will never forget you." In that moment, I just felt that not only had I lifted the ward members, but they were also lifting me. I can’t accurately describe how much my heart was softened by the experience. I know that there is a greater feeling of unity as a result of that simple testimony.

Third, back to Brother Andrew. He is all set to be baptized on Friday! More exciting than that is that we were able to go and serve him this week by cleaning his house. He moved in 3 years ago. Since then, he just hasn't had time to fix things as he desired and sort through the piles of things he has accumulated. We were able to go ahead and get some things sorted out. As a result, he should have a fully functioning kitchen by the end of the week! I really should have taken some pictures from start to end, but bottom line there was a huge change. I really feel this change and desire to clean things up is an outward indication of how he is feeling on the inside. He is ready for baptism and is excited to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is truly a happier person now and has greater joy in his life. During the week when we were helping him, we helped Brother Andrew recognize this change is similar to repentance. Repentance as defined in the Bible Dictionary is a fresh view about God, oneself, and the world. Just as cleaning his house and fixing things felt great, repentance is joyful and rewarding. Whether it be a big or little change, this change can help us feel relieved of guilt and leads to a happier life.

Well those are my thoughts for now. I hope you enjoyed hearing some of my insights from the week. There is always so much to say and I only can write so much, so let me know if there is ever anything in specific you would like to know more about. Keep up the good work. I love and miss you all!

Love, Becca

The first picture is just of me today. This was my Halloween outfit with orange and black. As per Eric Brewer's suggestion, I dressed up as a missionary :) Sister Davis and I did dress up as each other for a bit as well by switching name tags, but I don't have any of those pictures on my camera.

Here is a picture from the Zone Leader Council I was telling you about. Can you find me? I think it should be fairly easy to play this game of where is Sister Jack?

p.s. from Annie: So sorry about the delay on posting this letter...I promise I'll be better!