Week One in Washington

Hello everyone!

I made it safe to Washington! My area is in a town called Mt. Vernon. It is pretty far north, close to Mount Baker. It is beautiful here! I feel like I am living in Frontier Land in Disneyland but in real life. 

My companion is Hermana Chatfield. She is very kind and so fun to be around! She has been in Mt. Vernon her whole mission and knows the area very well. 

I've had a chance to talk to many different people already! It is amazing to see how God works in the lives of others. We are working with a lady who is getting baptized in June! She is so ready and excited. 

The members are very kind here! They feed us and always ask how we're doing. 

My companion and I listened to a talk called "The Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar. He talks about how Christ influences us to look outward, when the natural instinct is to look inward. "There would be no atonement," he says, "without the character of Christ." I am grateful for the selfless example of our Savior. He shows us the way to peace and joy. The more we emulate Him, the more we can feel of our great potential as well as the potential of others. I invite all of you to consider a way you can follow the example of Christ and look outward this week.

Love,

Hermana Hammond

Week 4 in the CCM!

Hello everyone! Things are going well here in the CCM. I am learning a ton, more Spanish than I ever thought I could in just a few weeks. 

We are encouraged to memorize as many words,phrases, and scriptures as possible in Spanish. Sometimes I wonder if anything is sticking, but I had a really cool experience this week. Hermana Fuller and I have been practicing teaching lessons to a woman named Blanca. We had this very elaborate lesson plan ready to go, but right after we got into the room she told us her mom had died and she was feeling sad. Immediately I thought of a scripture I had memorized: Alma 40:11-14. I was able to have her read the part in verse 11 that says: ´´As soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men...are taken home to that God who gave them life.¨ I was able to testify to her that her mom is still alive and that our Heavenly Father is watching over her in heaven. 

I heard a quote this week: 

´´Only when our testimony transcends what is in our minds and burrows deep into our hearts, we can serve and love others as the Lord did.´´

I hope we can all take the opportunity this weekend to listen to General Conference. We can strengthen our testimonies as we listen to the words of the Savior´s prophet and apostles. On Sunday we were talking about how the promises that the Lord´s prophets extend are not just ´´nice blessings´´. They are promises from God that we will receive if we follow the counsel of His servants.

I love all of you!!

Hermana Hammond