Dear readers,

This is the last of my weekly emails! I hope that in my 18 months of writing and your 18 months of reading you have somehow benefited from what I try to share each week. 

I know that upon my return home in 6 days people will ask "How was your mission?". And I will feel as the Prophet Joseph Smith when he said, "Language is a narrow little prison.". I wish there was a way for me to share with you a portion of the joy that has been mine as I have served the Lord and His children in the Georgia Macon Mission. My time here has been unforgettable and is so precious to me. I cannot count the miracles I have seen and cannot begin to express the gratitude that I feel to my Father in Heaven for calling me to His work.  

It has been a happy and busy week in Zion!

K is doing really well and has accepted an invitation to be baptized. Teaching him has been different than anyone else my whole mission. We use a lot of examples and scenarios to explain principles. Visuals help him a lot, too. he is so service oriented and really loves his Savior.

I went to my last zone conference this week and on my last exchange - with Sister Orton! 

R has made the decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ and will enter the waters of baptism this Saturday - my last Saturday in the mission field. It has been a privilege to teach her and watch her faith and understanding enlarge and expand. She is a miracle and I have a firm hope that she will continue on the strait and narrow path to making more covenants in the temple. 

Sister Dillard is finished her training. Warner Robins, and whoever comes here to replace me, will be in such capable and good hands. 

I feel a great deal of peace and calmness about returning home. The Lord has taught me, over and over, about the importance of and joy that comes from willing service to God's children. There is more to be done upon my return home - more testimony to share, more hearts to gladden, more burdens to lift. And I am eager to continue helping Heavenly Father fulfill His purposes and plan.

I know that God lives and that He is loving and kind to all. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. He invites ALL to come unto Him - to repent - to receive His image in our countenances -  and "whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely". I am grateful for the Holy Ghost - as a testator, comforter, and friend. I am thankful for the daily and hourly guidance of the Spirit - to respond and speak under the power of the Holy Ghost is such a sweet thing!

Thank you for your prayers and faith and thoughts and letters and emails. You are wonderful.

See you next week. :)

-Sister Emma Gore

This email will be super lame and I apologize for that but it has been a crazy day and I've spent most of my time here organizing photos to send to the Assistants so they can make the slideshow for departing missionaries.

While doing service this past week at Emmaus Table (soup kitchen) I was stirring a huge pot of cheesy grits and they got really hot and started boiling and some hot grits landed right on my arm and gave me a nice heat blister...... when in the South. But man they were good grits! 

Sister D and I are having more fun than I thought possible. I love her and am so grateful for her example of exceeding faith in the Savior.

Today we went out to Andersonville National Historic Site. Amazing.

Tomorrow is my last zone conference and then exchanges!! It should be an exciting week.

Keep on keeping on! I cannot tell you how excited I am to see you soon. 

Jesus Christ lives! Oh , how He loves each of us. Lean of Him, listen to His words, and walk in the meekness of His Spirit. (D&C 19:23) 

Yours,

Sister Gore

p day fun

boiled peanuts - in the south

I do believe that in my 17 months and 26 days of missionary service in the Georgia Macon Mission I have neglected to make mention of one of the South's greatest treasures : The Prayer Tent. 

Georgia's streets are covered in churches. As frequent as fast food there is a church... Nearly. There is a Saturday morning practice that many churches of all denominations participate in! Members of the congregation sign up for a shift, take their canopy tents and lawn chairs to the curb in front of their church, and put up signs. "Need Prayer?" "We've Got Prayer" "Come Pray With Us" "Prayer Tent" and people pull over on the side of the road and the members of these churches will speak with them about their needs and situations and then offer a prayer with them. And they'll do it for hours on Saturday. And it's awesome. 

Other things that are awesome: WARNER ROBINS.

R is a solid rock. Actually, she is building her foundation upon a solid rock. We went over yesterday to teach her the plan of salvation but she had done her studying so she taught it to us instead. Yeah. She's awesome. Last Sunday she had stayed up really late taping boxes (she's preparing to move) and she said "I was really tired and I didn't feel well but I knew that going to Church was more important than staying in bed so I went anyways." Amazing. 

We also met a girl this week. We were headed to do some finding in an area and we got a text message. "Hi,  I don't know if you still have my number but I met with the missionaries a while ago. Sorry my life has been so crazy but can y'all please come back?". You already know we turned that car around and went to see her. She lives part-time with a member family and she is engaged to their son. She is a LIGHT. She bore a sweet and simple testimony of The Book of Mormon and it brought the Spirit into that home so powerfully. She has a really good handle on the doctrine and she wants to come unto Christ. however, she is facing some pretty hefty family opposition when she tells her mama she's converting. We don't have a date for her baptism yet.. Partly because K is hesitant. Her family has been going to the same church since the 1700's.. Pray that she will have the faith and courage to go wherever the Spirit leads her, regardless of the circumstances/reactions she may face! 

We went to do some contacting at a park this week and met a lady who just recently moved here to Warner Robins for a fresh start and better opportunities. As we spoke with S we felt impressed to share Mosiah 2:41 with her from The Book of Mormon. "Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God". Tears welled up in her eyes and she testified that she knew God had sent us to her that very day. We offered SThe Book of Mormon. She responded, "Please. I wanted a copy but I didn't know if I could ask." 

Sister D is on fire. It's such a wonderful thing for me to get to watch her confidence grow. And she teaches me new things every single day. 

All in all all is well. I'm happy. And the work rolls on as a stone to fill the whole world! I am grateful to be a part of the Lord's marvelous work and to have a front-row seat to the miracle of Jesus Christ's Atonement in the lives of those we meet and teach here. 

This week I challenge you to say a grateful prayer. Don't ask for anything. Just thank the Lord for everything you can think of and do it sincerely and it will lift your heart. 

-Sister Gore 

This week we did service at Trinity United Methodist Church. Actually, we do it every week that we don't have appointments on Thursday nights. They have a soup kitchen and we help prepare and serve and welcome people and all that good stuff. So fun!

Update on some people: 

-J is doing really great. He has questions about everything and he keeps saying that his questions usually either intimidate or annoy people... Not us! I love questions! They are the birthplace of sincere testimony borne to us by the power of the Holy Ghost.

-R keeps soaking in The Book of Mormon. We are also helping her pack her house up. 

The ward has us tracking down members and especially member families in which some people have not yet been baptized! That's been so amazing. We've found someone at home at every house we've knocked. Working through these families is the slower/harder way but it is the most fruitful. We have a few appointments next week with these families! 

Other news: I don't really feel like I'm coming home from my mission. Maybe that will change? I do feel a lot of peace. So I'm grateful for that. Sister O is coming to Warner Robins for preparation day today - how exciting. Next Monday is Zone Conference, turns out I do get one more! Yay! 

Remember who you  are and what you stand for. 

Matthew 5

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Yours,

Sister Gore 

Dear everyone,

I wish that I had sufficient time to tell you all about the last 8 days but I just don't. Trust that we are so busy and so happy and I love Warner Robins!! 

We are in the Warner Robins 1st ward. There are some elders in the WR 2nd ward. We share a building. Sister Dillard is awesome. I learn from her every day and it is really pushing me to be a trainer again! Also I didn't realize how incredibly humid it was in Pooler until I came here... wow, sweet relief. There's even a cool breeze here on occasion! 

J - Is very knowledgeable about the Bible, the sisters met him immediately after offering a prayer to know where to go to find someone who would listen to their message. Like... They opened their eyes and he was standing in front of their car in his yard. Crazy. He came to Church on Sunday and really enjoyed it! 

Soooo R called us. 3 seperate times. And left 3 seperate voicemails. They all went a little something like this, "Hi, this is R. I'm fixin' ta join the Church and be baptized. I have a Book of Mormon and my friend has been helping me. If you would just give me a call back I would love to have y'all come see me." Yeah. So she has a member friend in another ward in the stake and she is so ready to make changes in her life and be baptized. She hasn't been to any church since her husband died 10 years ago and she is soaking in the restored gospel. She came to Church Sunday and was so happy.

K  -  the sisters met while walking. He is from Burma and speaks Burmese.... The Book of Mormon has not yet been translated into Burmese... So! We are working on reading with him in English. His pronunciation is great, he just doesn't understand what's happening... Wish us luck! Pray for Kham!

R - Rjust moved from Washington. He called us, too. "Hi, I'm moving to Warner Robins soon and I want to attend church with you guys. I have a Book of Mormon - where can I read it to learn more about faith?". INSANE. We are having a lesson with him this week. 

Monday we had Mission Conference with Elder Clayton C Christensen, Elder Jack N. Gerard, and their totally powerful and inspiring wives. It was incredible. They were all such happy people and so full of conviction and strength in the gospel. Elder Christensen spoke primarily of the nature and role of the Holy Ghost. He talked about how we must be spiritually engaged in every minute of every day. It was such a good day. I was asked to play piano for the meeting and that was also a good experience. 

Sunday I spoke in Sacrament Meeting. I was hoping I would get to do that. The ward here is amazing

All in all I am so happy. And grateful every day for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sister Gore

Emma Caroline Gore	Tue, Aug 21, 10:01 AM (11 days ago)
to Roger, me, Amelia, K.R., Heidi, Jordan

Another week of miracles in the Georgia Macon Mission --

And I've been transferred! I am no longer serving as a Sister Training Leader but have instead been assigned to serve as a trainer! We pulled out of Pooler, GA at 7am this morning and I am so excited to spend the last 6 weeks of my mission in Warner Robins, GA! My companion is Sister Dillard from Layton, UT. She has been out 6 weeks so I will finish the 2nd half of her training before heading home. She has a lot of energy and excitement for the work!

A summation of the work in Pooler when I left:

Brother M is still doing awesome! He and his wife came to Church on Sunday and LOVED IT. He is recognizing the goodness and happiness that is beginning to stream more fully into his life as he begins to learn about the restored gospel.

H came to Church again, the ward leaders are meeting her parents, she just got started on Personal Progress. Awesome awesome.

There were 5 visitors in the congregation Sunday! Amazing!

We also did Pooler's blitz on Saturday and it was phenomenal. So many members came out to help us. And we discovered a few part-member households in the ward that Sister Jensen and her new companion will get to start working with!

Today is the first day of my last transfer as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I can hardly believe that. I remember distinctly the day that I hit my 2-month mark. Feeling like I would be on my mission forever! And here we are. 

I have set some important goals for myself this transfer and I am so grateful for the time that I will have here to learn from Sister Dillard and to help these people! Slowing down is not an option - the time is far spent - and my heart is eager and willing to do whatever the Lord requires in His great work of salvation. 

Please know that I love each of you dearly. I am so grateful for your emails of encouragement and your prayers. You rock!

Jesus Christ lives. He is the Son of God. I know that as we follow His perfect example that we can find sincere happiness. Not fleeting pleasure, but God-given joy that fills us and carries us through life's sometimes stormy seas.

Make it a wonderful week! 

Yours,

Sister Emma Gore

Hello hello --

Big thank you to everyone for their prayers and emails this week. I feel your prayers, really truly, and am appreciative of your exceeding faith and kind concern. 

Also, tomorrow I will have been on my mission for 17 months!! Incredible. 

This week..... WAS AWESOME.

Last Sunday Sister Jensen and I had just a few minutes left of our night and didn't quite know where to go. We held still for a minute and the Spirit directed "Drive straight". So we did. Similair impressions led us to a neighborhood that I haven't been in in maybe 12 weeks. We parked the car and got out and met a handful of people. A 15-year old who has bright pink hair, was walking her dog. We spoke with her and she said we could contact her via text to share more of our message. Honestly, we didn't think much of it. It was a very average contact. Two days later I can't shake the feeling that we have forgotten something. In the middle of the morning it comes to me - We need to text her. We message her and apologize for our lateness in contacting her and ask if we can send her a video to watch. The response is almost immediate, "Wow, I'm so glad you texted me. I was starting to get worried that you had taken my number wrong.". Whoa. We quickly learn that she has discussed her meeting us with her parents and has felt very drawn to the LDS Church since she met us. Hayden has experienced a lot in her lifetime and her parents really want her to develop a relationship with God but was unsure about all of that until now. So her parents are fully supportive if this is the direction she wants to come in.  

On Friday morning we traveled to Macon for MLC. It was an incredible meeting. Very.. bittersweet. We spoke a lot about what the culture of our mission is and what we want it to become. I realized something as we counseled : Culture is not a group activity. It is an individual decision and state of being. I remembered when I was transferred from my first area and found that the district of missionaries I had joined had a different culture than the one I had left. I discussed this with President Grayson and he asked me what I hoped the culture of my district could be. As I shared my thoughts with him he said, "Sister Gore, you be and do all those things.". And so I did. There is power in just ONE individual who chooses to be different in righteous and holy ways. Bettering the culture of the Georgia Macon Mission seemed overwhelming until I connected all those dots. I just need to be my best self and do all I can to teach and serve the missionaries around me. Perhaps you desire a change of culture at your work, at school, even in your own home. Decide with the Lord what you will do to be a light to those around you! Be courageous and good. The Lord is on your side. 

I thought that my time in Hebrews had been a fruitless effort but in reality it prepared me to answer Brother M's question from the Bible so that he might understand the Savior's perfect, sinless life. This led into a brief discussion about the Savior's Atonement for our sins and pains and infirmities. Sin must be paid for, either by us or by someone else. Jesus Christ alone, as the Lamb without spot, was able to atone on our behalf and make possible our salvation. Amazing. We taught Brother Martin about when Peter, James, and John gave Joseph Smith the Priesthood. Brother Martin said, "Okay so that would mean that you've had an unbroken line in your Church to the prophet today." EXACTLY. Oh it was so cool that he made that connection all on his own... well, by the Spirit. At the end of the lesson he shared with us his own feelings - that this felt good and more right than anything he had learned before. He expressed to us that he had never felt comfortable discussing religious things before but was comfortable doing so with us. And that he was going to pursue this. Please pray for him! 

I know that God is mindful of His children and has been preparing Brother M to receive the gospel! I actually met him... 18 weeks ago? He expressed 0 desire to learn more and excused himself from the room. But we left her  our phone number. She knew exactly where to find us. Truly, no effort is wasted if we are engaged in the work of salvation!

Saturday evening Sister Jensen and I were involved in a minor accident. We are without a car for now so Heavenly Father has blessed us with bikes!! Haha we are sharing the car with the Elders in our ward and biking some and members have been really gracious in helping us to get to our different appointments and meetings. We are both safe. Minor aches and pains but they've been more than bearable and I know that that is a direct result of your faithful prayers on our behalf! Thank you thank you. And can I just say that attitude is everything? It has been wonderful to work with the members this way and to bike and I'm just happy. And grateful for my mission leaders and also I LOVE BIKING. I just appreciate GA on a whole new level from the seat of a bike. Last night we road down a street at about 7:30pm. The sun was red-orange and the sky was beautiful hues of purple and pink. Pine trees lined one end of the neighborhood. Crepe myrtles and tall cottonwoods, all covered in spanish moss, lined the other side. A cool breeze attended us and we rode past little brick houses with shutters and front porches and  semi-cluttered yards and I did everything I could to make that happy feeling last as long as I could. It almost comes back as I write to you. God is good. Also, I can bike with no hands. ;)

Monday was the very last District Council 4/8 missionaries in our district will attend! Elders Holzer, Hooley, Cameron, and Egan will all head home next Monday so they each gave a training. They were just asked to train about whatever they felt impressed to share. Each training was unique and their personalities and accumulated experiences shone through and brought the Spirit so strong! I have been so blessed to serve around these missionaries the past 12 weeks. We have become so united and I am grateful for their ever-obedient and diligent examples. So bittersweet to think about the 2 years they have spent serving the Lord and laboring in behalf of the people in GA. They will each go on to do incredible things and continue to build God's kingdom! 

I need you to know that I know of the divinity of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God - our Redeemer - He is the first fruits of them that slept - He lives today, imploring us to come unto Him. I know that God lives! That His work and glory is OUR growth and exaltation and eternal life. I know that Russell M Nelson is a prophet, called of God, for our day and that He leads the Lord's living Church and people. 

 Sister Emma Gore

First off I need to apologize for taking 0 photos this week. My bad!

Zone Conference was this week and it was such a blast! Until after zone conference when I realized that that was my last zone conference on the mission. Next transfer's conference will be replaced with a mission-wide meeting. So that's bizarre.

I have been pondering frequently about agency. The power of choice! I have been trying to slow down my reaction time and to be thoughtful and mindful of the way that I respond to things. As I am an agent unto myself to act and need not be acted upon.

Ex. Last Tuesday I decided to clean out the fridge. I rearranged all the food to start with the bottom shelf. I took it to the bathtub, soaked it, scrubbed it, and picked it  back up again. It shattered in my hand. Hundreds of tiny pieces of glass filled the bathtub. And so I spent the next 40 minutes sweeping, vacuuming, sweeping vacuuming. And then using tweezers to pull the glass out from the shower drain.

And get this - I wasn't even mad. Or annoyed. I was 100% okay with it. AMAZING. It was so tempting to be frustrated but I knew that that wasn't worth it. So I chose not to be. I'm by no means perfect at choosing my reaction but I want to be meek. and temperate. And I've found that one of the attributes of meekness is not being easily irritated, angry, or annoyed. 

God lives. He loves each of you and knows you. He has a plan for your life. By trusting God and putting Him first, all will be made right. 

Yours,

Sister Gore

This week was replete with miracles! I made an extra effort to have joy in the work and to be where God needed me to be. I prayed to be an answer to the prayers of those around me! The Lord has mercifully opened my eyes and helped me to help His children. It is incredible to watch an individual's faith grow! And that is the success of missionary work -  When God's children have personal experiences with the Spirit that bring them closer to Jesus Christ.

C requested a copy of The Book of Mormon this week. We wanted to follow through and deliver it but couldn't get him on the phone and didn't have a complete address. We drove to his street one night, trusting that the Spirit would lead us. I knew the home that was his as we passed it. A kind neighbor verified. Chris was warm and so excited to receive The Book of Mormon. Ten years ago Chris was given a copy and had read most of the book. In time, his copy was lost. The Spirit brought to his remembrance this sacred text and Chris wanted another copy so that he could finish his reading. He and his family are quite busy but we are hopefully seeing them this weekend!

We met  a couple at the ward fish fry last week. Two of the four children have been baptized members of the Church but the parents were not baptized with them. She came to church on Sunday! Sister Jensen and I taught Sunday school - the lesson was on fasting. The Spirit really took over the classroom and Sister Jensen and I didn't even really teach. Rather, members bore testimony and taught from the scriptures as if they had a copy of our lesson plan! The mom raised her hand half-way through the lesson. "I have been looking for a way to continue to progress in my life. I feel like I've come to a standstill. I never felt comfortable with the way that other churches taught about fasting but this makes sense to me. This is what the Lord needs me to do. This is why I needed to come here today."  We gave her a Bible and Book of Mormon. Before she had left church she had read the introduction to the Book of Mormon, marked the things that were important to her, and was conversing with members about its origin and content. Her and her family and having some temporal challenges but we are praying that they will soon be in a position to meet with us.

On Sunday we, Pooler's missonaries, plus our ward mission leader sang a musical number in sacrament meeting. It was so fun!

Monday night we taught E and his mother, P. . We finally made contact with him 2 weeks ago and had our appointment for this week. He has allowed us to come because he wants to be a better person and he wants spiritual guidance. After we taught about the restoration we asked , "What would it mean to you to know that truth has been restored to the Earth?" or something along those lines. he replied, "It would mean that even in this crazy and busy world that there is hope. That would put a ray of hope in my life.". How right he is. There is hope for all God's children because of the magnificent truths plainly taught by living prophets and by The Book of Mormon - Because Priesthood power has been commended unto men that we may make promises with God enabling us to return to Him- Because the day of miracles has not ceased. They plan to be baptized in September.

All in all - amazing week. I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love Georgia. I love the people here and the work I've been called to do. I'm thankful for my Savior - for the witness of the Holy Ghost borne to my spirit of the truthfulness of the gospel - for my loving Heavenly Father who hears each prayer of my heart. 

Press on! Be not discouraged. Remember your destiny - your privilege - who you were sent to this earth to become. "Behold, we count them happy which endure." -James 5:11

Until next week,

Sister Emma Gore

This week we did so much service!

Monday and Wednesday we helped a family in the ward pack up their house. Tuesday night we got a call from Elders in NY who had helped a lady pack her truck and Wednesday we helped her unload it into a storage unit. Thursday we helped another member prepare for an event. Saturday we helped a returning member to clean some shelves. After a more difficult week, I found myself happier and more at peace this week. President Hinckley said, "The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired.". I most definitely have a testimony of that! 

We had a lesson with a woman named Lthis week. She is the relative of a member of the ward that Sister Rowland and I tried forever to meet. Timing just never worked out or she would cancel last minute. This week we finally got in to see her . Her 11-yr old daughter was there, too. We taught them about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sister Jensen showed the 4-minute video of Joseph Smith's first vision (thank you, technology) and the Spirit filled her home. She finally said, "I need to watch more videos like that one." She has great faith in the Lord and is acutely aware of blessings He sends her way. However, she is very content to remain where she is. She began to explain this to us. . She then asked about the manner by which we are baptized! Her heart is opening. We downloaded The Book of Mormon app on her phone and changed the language to her native tongue - she has been reading.

On Saturday the Pooler Ward had its long-awaited fish fry. So fun. Lots of people came.

I know that Jesus Christ does indeed live! "He is the great King Emmanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come."

Make it a great week!

Yours,

Sister Gore

ps - Oh, yeah. Also we forged railroad spikes into knives at a members house last Tuesday. I have 2 blisters on my hands hahaha. It was so fun.  Pictures enclosed.  Good experience. Brother R needs to grind the blades and then I'll send you a picture. 

Some good things:

- Elder Craig C. Christensen and Jack N. Gerard are touring the Georgia Macon Mission on August 27 and 28. 

-We have found so many new people to teach! Monday night it was raining so hard and we pulled up to the home of a media referral from about a month ago that we had been unable to make contact with. It's probably  8:45 and thundering and the water is above my ankles (not an exaggeration) and we knocked on his door anyways and he and his mom let us right in. The Spirit was so strong as we were with them and taught them about The Book of Mormon and the restoration of the gospel. I felt like I was in a missionary movie, to be honest.

- A family in the ward is moving and gave us all of their food including yogurt covered craisins. New favorite snack.

- These words from the prophet Nephi:

       7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

        8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

       9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

       10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

        11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

6. A lady let us in this week, heard our message, told us she wasn't interested, then gave us cold water bottles wrapped in paper towels, chiming "Remember - God loves you and so do I" as she sent us back into the street. The South is amazing. 

- We can do all things in the strength of the Lord.

- Jesus is the Christ. He has borne our griefs. He can soothe our souls and heal our hearts. He invites us always to lay our burdens at his feet. There is a balm in Gilead.

Make good choices.

-Sister Gore

Hey hey hey--

Transfer calls were Saturday. I am staying in Pooler!! I have so much peace about this. I know that there is work here that the Lord needs me to do. I am eager to  serve and teach God's children in any and every way that is pleasing unto Him. 

We celebrated Independence day aka the best day of the year last week!! It was such a good day. Heavenly Father helped us to just have fun and enjoy our holiday and still get stuff done! We actually taught 3 lessons on the 4th! And contacted a lot. Do take time to ponder on the design of our God in liberating this chosen land that His Church and Kingdom may be restored upon its soil and eventually fill the whole Earth. How blessed we are to have religious freedoms. "We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privelege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."

Mwelcomed us into her home again this week. When we arrived she had been reading on mormon.org about the plan of salvation. She had never before learned that we were spirit children of God who dwelt in His presence before coming to this Earth, though it is taught in the Bible (see Jeremiah 1:5,  Hebrews 12:9). Of this new-found truth, Mary described her feeling at first as that of falling from a tall building - then hitting a trampoline and eventually coming to a stillness once again. Mary said, "Learning this grounded me".  As we continued to discuss the "reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on Earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come" her countenance changed. She became so reverent and was awed by the perfect plan God has created for us.

We've had the privelege of teaching J twice since I last wrote. Once to teach her the plan of salvation. She was amazed by the doctrine of the Fall taught clearly in The Book of Mormon. Modern revelation departs drastically from mainstream Christianity, correcting the false notion that Adam and Eve's fall was unintended and should be viewed as a great tragedy. J loved to learn that without Adams transgression, none of the rest of God's children would've had the privelege of coming to this Earth to receive a mortal body and gain experience. I think her words were "Adam and Eve would be exactly as they were then but a kajillion years old!". Pretty much.  We saw her again yesterday with a member of the ward. They connected so well!! And as we talked with this member after the lesson she provided valuable insight into her needs that Sister Jensen and I had not previously considered. I

I have gained a heightened appreciation for the incredible power of prayer.  I know that God knows perfectly each of His children - knows our desires and fears and hopes - wants to help us. I know that Jesus Christ has overcome the world and that by relying on Him and living the principles of His gospel will may find steadiness and constancy and relief. I have felt the love of God in a new way in the past 2 weeks. In a way that is almost constant and keeps me grounded. I feel that my relationship with my Heavenly Father has changed and become stronger. I'm so thankful that "God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever." (Alma 26:37).

Make it a wonderful week!

Do many good things. 

Have fun. Be safe.

-Sister Gore

Hi! 

This week was a blast.

Sister Jensen and I spent a few hours contacting this week at a new park we found super close to our house!  Awesome place. We have met so many people there! It's always populated.. what a blessing. 

Also! A new version of Preach My Gospel has been released! I've been reading the new version on my phone next to my well-loved paper copy. There are changes everywhere, though small. Usually a word or two or maybe a new paragraph or quote. Some chapters are changed more drastically then others. Nonetheless, super exciting stuff. Included near the beginning of the manual is this pargraph: "Preach My Gospel is as much for Church members as it is for the full-time missionaries of the Church. The principles and doctrine taught in this guide are applicable to all members as they seek to build the Lord’s kingdom. Frequent study of this manual will help members better answer gospel questions, learn and teach the doctrine of Christ’s gospel, fulfill their responsibilities as member missionaries, and foster unity with the full-time missionaries."

Update (or install) the Gospel Library app and make Preach My Gospel part of your study! It can help you to have more meaningful study of the scriptures, learn to recognize and follow the Spirit, share the sacred truths of the gospel in and out of your home, and learn of Jesus Christ!

Interviews with President Grayson were this week. He said "Sister Gore, you buoy me up". Made me so happy. He works so hard! 

We also taught a woman named J this week. She is the lady that we met who watches BYUTV and all that good jazz. She had a lot of questions because of misconceptions about The Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith. Ultimately, she received the message well and was thrilled to discover that The Book of Mormon has an app! We have another appointment with her this coming week. 

We had District Council on Monday. Our discussion revolved around charity. One missionary asked how it is that God has perfect love for us - who are so fallible and lost and imperfect. As we spoke of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love I thought of the words of a hymn:

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

Elder Holland taught, “The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ,’ ...is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not.’ It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up … , not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.’ It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth.’ It is that charity—his pure love for us—without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of his love at the last day—the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise—surely it shall be well with them."

I am ever indebted to Jesus Christ and always grateful for His perfect, unfailing, limitless love for me - for the miracle of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy which is offered as a direct result of His matchless charity. 

I know that God is our Father. I know that He loves each of His precious children. And I know, without a doubt, that our Father in Heaven never gives up on us. He never stops calling us home. He never stops working on us - seeking to refine us, heal us, bless us, encourage us, and ultimately enable us to return and dwell in His presence,with our families,for eternity.

-Sister Emma Gore

Hello hello hello.

Some things from this week:

Tuesday night we had an appointment with a family that lives near the church but.... they weren't home. So instead we walked about 1 mile back down to the church and had planned to do some online work. As we were walking down this busy road that feeds onto the highway, a lady across the street caught my eye. We waved at her and she waved back and when the traffic died down we ran across the street to speak with her. This woman named Joann was standing on the corner because her brother who lives out of town was coming to visit and she wanted to ensure that he found her home. Joann watches BYUTV every other day and is well acquainted with the Joseph Smith Papers, documenting the life and work of the Prophet. She had fair knoweldge about the Church but has never attended or been visited by missionaries! I know we were supposed to meet her. So many things happened just the right way.

Wednesday I went on exchanges with Sister S. She has been in the Georgia Macon Mission for 3 weeks so I was her first exchange! I love new missionaries- so full of passion and enthusiasm and eager to learn. We found two new investigators on Wednesday! 

Thursday was interesting. Sister J was having a reaction to something so we spent a chunk of the day in urgent care. And then it rained ridiculously hard and people in South don't like to leave their homes or let anyone come to their homes in a storm. So all our evening plans were cancelled. It's honestly kind of funny. Our investigators think they're doing us a favor by not allowing us to drive to their house in the rain but in reality that leaves us on the street to find! Haha but it all worked out. We met some really amazing and sincere people on Thursday evening and the rain died down. 

Saturday it was so stinking humid. I left my house with a dry dress and came home with a damp dress. We spent all day looking for people to teach. No one was outside. No one answered their door. Nothing happened. For hours. But I knew we had prayed about our plans and felt good about them and I also remembered Alma's promise - "ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and your patience". So we were diligent and patient and tried to be faithful. Eventually we went in for dinner and then went back out at 6pm - more finding - until 9pm. In our very last 30 minutes of finding, and of proselyting time that day as a whole, we knocked on a door. K come outside. And then T came outside. They had previously investigated the church but we had no record of them ever learning from missionaries. They recognized the Book of Mormon and told us about themselves and their faith. Then they invited us back. Miracle. God knows where His children are. He knows what they need. He knows that we spent all day finding and had nothing to show for it at 8:30. And he knew where we needed to be to find them. Good things.

Church was so wonderful on Sunday - Happy father's day! In the afternoon we went to a really nice assisted living center. Residents + families gathered in the main living area and Sister Jensen played the piano and Elder Holzer played the guitar and we all sang and it was so fun. Outside of my comfort zone? Yes. Well worth it? Yes. No one in the center that came that day was LDS. But we sang about how we are children of God, how our families can be together forever, and of the love of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was sweet. 

Monday we had a video lesson. We read from The Book of Mormon. We only read maybe 15 verses from a chapter in 1 Nephi. T's comprehension is growing. She no longer asks questions about what is happening but wants to know WHY things are happening. She is so intrigued by Laman and Lemuel and their.... un-steadfastness (Is there a good word for that?). As we read with her yesterday we learned about a huge hole in T's understanding about Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. Did it have anything to do with what we were reading in The Book of Mormon? Definitely not. But there is power in that holy volume of scripture that helped us to discover this concern and now we can teach to Terricka's needs. 

I've officially been on my mission for 15 months. Crazy. So grateful for the people here. Grateful for President Grayson and the careful way in which he makes decisions and leads this mission. Grateful for my amazing companions. Grateful for repentance. Grateful for the opportunity to be better each day and to be forgiven and to be clean before the Lord as I am sincere in my efforts to come unto Christ.

I hope this finds you well. 

I think you're awesome.

You are a child of God. Don't forget it.

Love,
Emma

Sister J is incredible. 

Every day I learn something from her about how I can be a better disciple of Christ and minister of His gospel. She is so meek and humble and has helped me to begin to more fully integrate those qualities into my own character. Further, she has the prettiest singing voice. And is a go-getter. I am way thankful for her energy and enthusiasm for the Work!

On Wednesday we saw K with a member of the ward and read the Book of Mormon with her. She is slowly gaining a testimony of the restoration of the gospel. Then we had dinner with a member of the ward who is returning to activity. This individual often comes for Sunday School and Relief Society but has yet to come on time for sacrament meeting. So we focused our message on the importance of participating in that weekly renewal of our promises to God. At the beginning of the lesson, before we said we would be talking about the sacrament, we each wrote down a challenge we are currently facing. Then we discussed how Jesus Christ is able to help us with ALL of our hardships and afflictions. We read from Mark 5 of the woman with an issue of blood who reached out to touch Jesus's clothing, believing that if she did so she would be healed. Just as this woman reached for Christ, we reach for Christ and invite His power into our lives by attending church and partaking of the sacrament, promising to ALWAYS remember Him. It was such a good experience, my own faith in Christ was strengthened tremendously, and this sweet daughter of God attended Sacrament Meeting this past Sunday. 

On Thursday we had a ward social - dessert potluck!Thursday was so different. Instead of worrying about where to be I just was everywhere. There wasn't a person there that I didn't have some kind of meaningful contact with. And it was awesome. Perhaps what I thought was a weakness of mine is something I can turn into a strength. 

Friday was MLC. Such a good meeting! So much of our focus recently has been on technology and how to use it and how to use it safely. Now that the adjustment period is concluding and everyone is more settled, we can spend more time focusing on the doctrine of Christ. In MLC we spent considerable time reading from the scriptures and discussing the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ and the saving principles and ordinances of His gospel. I felt the Spirit so strong as we read from 2 Nephi 31. I've read that chapter probably more than any other chapter in holy writ. However, Its simple declaration of truth and invitation to follow the Savior never dulls. Nephi's teachings on faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and continued faithfulness to the end of our lives culminates in this powerful verse: "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.". I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way God has decreed by which we may be cleansed from sin and return to live in His presence! I am awed by the power of the Book of Mormon as it teaches these essential truths plainly and decisively, that none can misunderstand and all may obey and be saved. 

On Saturday a member drove us and our investigator T to the church building so we could give T a church tour! T has grown so much since we first started teaching her but has still never attended church. It's way outside of her comfort zone. So we wanted to show her the building to help her feel more comfortable coming to a service. I have had few experieneces as powerful as this church tour was. Peace and calm washed over us as soon as we walked through the front doors of the church. Immediately across from the doors is a painting of Jesus Christ- a wonderful reminder that He is the center of all we do. T recognized the Spirit immediately and commented on it then and through out the tour. We showed T the Primary room where children are taught that they are children of God! We showed her where Sunday School and Relief Society take place, and the baptismal font. We used the beautiful paintings of Bible and Book of Mormon stories to teach T about faith and baptism and the importance of church attendance. Finally, we arrived at the chapel. We all moved inside and sat in the pews quietly. Here we taught T about the Lord's commandment to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Sister H, who came with us, bore her witness of the importance of honoring the Lord's Day. The Holy Spirit was so present in those sacred walls. T prayed as we sat in the chapel. I love when she prays - always humble and sincere. Unfortunately, T had a family emergency and was unable to come but she has a strong desire to come this next Sunday. Please pray that T will have the faith to come and that the Lord will prepare a way for her.

Sunday we had dinner with the P family. Brother P hunts alligators and has some seriously crazy stories. He also owns a taxidermy business, which is on their huge property. Also they fed us pheasant and quail for dinner which their son had shot and killed and it was so good. 

Good news! B got baptized in Aiken, SC last weekend and J will get baptized in Aiken next weekend! So very proud of them and so blessed to have been able to teach them the restored gospel. A and C are doing really really well in Perry. 

I love my mission. I love the people here. I love the Lord. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of us all, that His Church and His priesthood have been restored to the Earth. I am grateful for a knowledge that because of Jesus our regrets, fears, pains, and sorrows can be taken from us. 

Make it a wonderful week.

-Sister Emma Gore