Sister Brianne Watson: Not My Testimony

It is December 5, it's a P-Day, snow is dumping and dumping and dumping outside, and I'm listening to Christmas music. Is there anything better? I don't think so!

We had a pretty good week. We showed lots of people the #LIGHTtheWORLD video which was awesome...and we've been helping other people do the advent calendar. I just love this Christmas initiative! I've probably said that 482 times before, but I seriously do.

We got a new car this week! She's a dark gray 2017 Toyota Rav4 and I named her Raven. She is beautiful😍

Sister MacDonald and I will be STAYING together this transfer! Since I leave halfway into the transfer, they'll have to bring someone in to replace me...but we are so happy to be together for Christmas!

December 1 was the worldwide day of service and also the kickoff to the Christmas initiative and it was SO GREAT. We had three different service appointments. We served at the Skidompha Library in Damariscotta at the beginning of the day, stacked some wood and raked the yard of a disabled man in the branch, and then cleaned an overflowing sink of dishes for a lady who had surgery on her hand. The joy that comes from lifting the burdens of somebody else is unlike anything I've felt! I hope you all had an opportunity to serve somebody that day to kickoff this Christmas season.

Yesterday was my very last fast/testimony meeting as a missionary. I took that opportunity to bear my testimony, but I really didn't know what to say right before I went up. My heart was filled with so many emotions and there were so many things on my mind that I didn't know how to put it into words. I sat in my chair as one person after another got up to bear their testimonies and I just couldn't get up! My body was shaking with fear and I was so nervous...this never happened at any other testimony meeting on my mission but this one was different--so I turned it over to the Lord. I told Him in my mind that I wanted so badly to get up and bear my testimony of Him, but I didn't want to be shaky with nerves AND I didn't know what to talk about. I didn't want to mess up my very last testimony experience.

Immediately in my mind, I heard the words "this is not your testimony, it's Mine." It hit me like a brick wall...My faith wasn't strengthened by itself! I didn't teach myself everything I know about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was the Lord that softened my heart and showed me the blessings of His church. It was Him that allowed me to have hundreds of spiritually uplifting experiences throughout my mission. It was Him that stayed with me through the days that were difficult. Following that, my whole body was calm. My mind was clear. The nerves went away, and up to the podium I went. I will never forget that valuable lesson.

This past week we went and visited our investigator named Yvonnet. We planned on teaching her one of my favorite lessons, the Plan of Salvation. We introduced the lesson and started a short video for her that talks about where we came from, why we are here, and where we're going. During the video she smiled and nodded at different parts and at the end she said "I have always wondered the answers to those questions...is there a way I can have that video?" I feel like sometimes we take for granted the precious truths of the gospel and we forget that there are people out there who have NO IDEA about our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, or Their plan of happiness. We are so blessed to know that we came from a heavenly family in the pre-mortal life and we lived with Heavenly parents. We came here to receive a body and to prepare ourselves to return to live with God again by living worthily and learning from our mistakes. When we pass away, we will be able to reunite with our families and with our Heavenly Father and our Savior. THIS is something to rejoice about. I love being able to share these truths with people who haven't had the opportunity to hear it yet! GAH being a missionary is the best.

Side note: my companion just walked in with tomato soup and a piece of
cornbread. She loves me.❤️ That's it for this week! Three more to go...