The greatest thing about teaching is that I get to see people take a journey. I see them think and question and when they truly seek they ALWAYS find. It is amazing how eager God is to give us answers and blessings when we decide that we are finally ready for them. God is always there for us, with open arms to recieve us. It is only our decisions that ever push us away from Him. And even when we leave He is always there waiting for us to turn back to welcome us back into His loving arms and to give us peace.
I am always so surprised at how easy it is to forget that love and peace in moments of decision. So often people are attracted to the false advertisements that Satan gives that something will bring us happiness... Money, relationships, being thin, being popular, etc. But it is simply a moment of fun or adrenaline and then we realize that Satan has given us nothing and left us empty. At this point we have two choices. We can continue trying to seek out the moments getting our thrills and then again feeling that emptiness OR we can seek for true happiness. Things that are substantial, things that are from God, things that leave us feeling full. - We can serve those around us and our hearts wil be full of love. We can seek learning and our minds will be full of knowledge. We can build relationships with friends and family and our lives will be full of happiness.
What is most important in this world? Is it the titles and the success that comes from running a company or being a supervisor? Is it being the prettiest person in the room with the most money? No. It is as simple as that. Our lives should be more meaningful than that.
So often we worry about the things that we don't have. We are taught by society to strive for more. To never be satisfied. What about what we already have? Thomas S. Monson talked about this at the last General Conference. He says that when we focus too much on tomorrow we find we have a bunch of empty yesterdays."
This is my challenge to each of you. To live this day to the fullest potential that it has. Do not worry about the future so much but focus on what is going on at this time. Look at what you have today and who you have. Take care of the relationships you have now. Spend time with your families, tell them you love them. Call your friends and let them know you truly care. Give your full heart even if that means it gets broken. Do something you've been meaning to do but just haven't been able to get around to it. Make it a wonderful day today.
That is something I am learning out here. Things don't always go the way we want it to.... but we can't let that stop us. We can't make choices for other people but we can make our own choices. Choose good and do what God wants and it will always work out in the end. He loves each of us so much and He is just waiting to help us and bless us. So let Him.
God really gives us everything for our benefit. Times can be tough but as you work through it you will be stronger and better. Thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. Trust in God and love every moment.
I love you all very much and I hope that you are all doing super great. It is funny to think that your lives go on regardless of if I am there or not. I hope that you all know that I care about you and pray for you often. I hope you are all having the most wonderful day! Keep your head to the sky!
God be with you till we meet again.
Love,
Sister Gordon

Peace be unto thy soul

TRANSFER DAY! Wowzer! I cannot believe that transfers have come around! I have a new companion! Her name is Sister Henry and she is from France! She is beautiful and I can't wait to send you a picture of her! :) Her accent is gorgeous and I can already tell that we will be great friends! She is incredibly nice and laughs a lot. She is loving and straightforward which is a wonderful combination! I will miss Sister Clark a lot. She was such a wonderful and caring trainer and she taught me a lot! I received a new companion but I stayed in the same area, Quince Orchard West --- so I am still living in Gaithersburg, teaching in Germantown, and we go to the Quince Orchard Ward. I love the ward so much! They are really great people and they really care about each other and the missionaries. Our roommates are Hermana Gleason and Hermana Pinales. (Spanish Sisters) They are so much fun and I just know that our home is going to be filled with laughter and fun and a lot of hard work! I am happy that I was able to stay here for another transfer. I know that I am going to see many many miracles! I can just feel it! The work out here is so wonderful! I have loved sharing my testimony with people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has strengthened me and made me a happier person! It is amazing to see people have hope in their life and to really feel that God loves them. I know He does, He loves all of His children no matter what!
Knowing that God loves me regardless of all of my flaws helps me to truly love all of His children as well. It i an amazing thing to see a Child of God through Christ's eyes and to love them instantly. In my heart I feel an overwhelming desire to reach out and to help those who are in need both temporally and spiritually. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."(Mosiah 18:29) I know I am not perfect or maybe even the best missionary, but I have felt on many occassions on my mission that I was sent here for specific people at specific times to mourn with those that mourn and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."(Mosiah 18:9) God really does have a plan for each of us... And if we follow what He asks us to do and follow Him we will be lucky enough to have AMAZING experiences... to truly see miracles. I know this is possible for each of you. I know that as you do what God wants you to do and pray to Him doing all you can to keep His spirit with you... He will bless you beyond your fondest imaginations. You will be a part of something indescribable. I know that there will be hard times and difficulties that we will each go through, maybe sometimes they will feel unbearable... just know that these trials are but a small moment. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine badversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C121:7,8) This too shall pass, and when it does you will be made stronger and more capable to accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. I know this is true because I have already seen it proven time and time again. Ah! I am out of time. I love you all so much! I miss you and I hope you are doing well!

God be with you till we meet again,
Love,
Sister Gordon