Hello my dears,
Hope you're enjoying fall as much as I am.
Great news!
You remember Ollie and Keith? Well, the Sisters in Demopolis filled me in on the rest of their story the other day: Ollie has been an absolute miracle. When she first started working with the missionaries, she had several things that would have to change before she got baptized. She knew that if she came to know for herself the truthfulness of the the Gospel and Church, and decided to be baptized, she would have to give up coffee, smoking and drinking, and get married to her long time live-in boyfriend (not Keith). This would be no small feat.
Fast forward a few months, many prayers and tears (from both Ollie and us missionaries), and a whole lot of sacrifices later, and Ollie was able to enter the waters of baptism just last weekend!
Not only was she finally able to give up her addictions, but the Demopolis Sisters also helped arrange a small and sweet wedding ceremony for Ollie and her now husband, just a couple weeks ago.
When it came time to finally take that step and be baptized the last stumbling block to overcome was how she would get in and out of the font. She has very little use of her legs, and is wheelchair bound. The practice run the day before her scheduled baptism left Ollie in tears, and later that night she called the Sisters and said maybe it'd be best to wait. However, the Sisters assured her of the words of Nephi 3:7 "for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The Lord truly had provided a way for Ollie to accomplish so much thus far, surely he would not leave her in this final and pivotal moment. They prayed and asked for direction.
Sisters Wilkinson and Denny somehow thought of using a watering trough as a font, to eliminate the stairs, and quickly went to Home Depot to purchase one. Sister Wilkinson was a volunteer fire fighter before her mission, so she had the idea to enlist the help of the local fire department! When they went in the next morning to ask, Sister Wilkinson said something like "I'm sure this is one of the most bizarre requests you've had," to which they replied "Oh no ma'am, we do these types of things all the time. We're happy to help." Haha! Go figure.
There's no way I can adequately express all the tiny and big miracles that took place, or how special that baptism was.. suffice it to say Ollie is now a happy member of the true and only Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Keith, her dear friend, and my sweet connection to Ollie, was able to make it to witness that special day, and even sang for her at the service. So beautiful.
I wish so badly I could have been there, but hearing about it was just as well.
The Jones' (senior couple), who had come to mean so much to Ollie, ended their mission and left for home a week before Ollie committed to be baptized.. they decided to road trip to FL and swing back through AL the day of the baptism, if she went through with it. Everything worked out perfectly, and Elder Jones was able to Baptize Ollie.
Good thing too, because filling the trough was another feat. They thought they were going to have to use buckets to fill it with warm water from the church, but when Elder Jones arrived he told everyone that there was a warm water spigot on the outside of the building that no on else knew about hahaha.
ALSO, when they started filling the trough they discovered a leak! Luckily one of the members happen to have a roll of duck tape on them, which held up long enough for the baptism to take place. And BONUS, they were able to get a full refund for the trough from Home Depot.
Holy smokes, literally so many miracles.
We had Zone conference this week, which was amazing. I'll have to give some details on that later. One of my favorite things as a missionary, is being able to hear the testimonies of the departing missionaries at each Zone Conference. This time I got to hear from four of my best friends out here, who will be leaving for home at the end of this transfer. Sisters Terry, Begay and Tunuufi, and Elder Lewis. Lets just say I was an absolute wreck. So bitter sweet, because obviously I am going to miss this sacred time we've been able to serve together more than words, but sweet because hearing their powerful testimonies as seasoned missionaries is so special. Half of my notes from each Zone Conference come from the departing missionaries testimonies. They've learned obedience, diligence, and how a life can change when it's filled with the love of God. They've learned to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, and to trust His ability to change them into something they didn't think was possible. Their testimonies have become unshaken. I look up to these dear friends so much.
The Bessemer Stake conference was also this week. Talk about a week of divine direction. I'm constantly amazed by the strength of the Saints in the South. I don't think I've attended a single church meeting where missionary work was not brought up. They truly sacrifice so much to do their
part. Whether it be traveling hours just to do a few ancestors work in the temple, or putting their fears aside to share the Gospel with their friends. They amaze me. I will have to give you some detailed stories of members I know out here when I can.
Alright, well I love you all so much. Hope you have a great week!
Love Sister Smith
. So needed. All four of us are UA YSA "alumni" ;) so we took a group photo in front of the stadium. 
