General Authorities visit DC South 😱

Happy Monday!! :)

We went to the temple today instead because it was open for the holiday! Wow it was so good. We went with the Senior couple and Stefanie. I love the temple. It brings so much peace into our lives. I know it's the Lord's house. I am so grateful for the Holy sanctuariesGod provide for us to feel His love and learn more about His plan. It's so beautiful. Also, you won't believe this. Actually you probably will because I'm so klutzy. I slipped down the stairs in the temple. HAHA I was like "wow only me and my mother would do that." (It's so true.) Love ya MA!! Good thing sister Hyer was the only one around to witness it. Her face screamed pure shock hahah.

The general authorities came and spoke at our mission conference and it was... AMAZING. I cannot even tell you how strong I felt the spirit when they bore powerful testimony of the Savior and His restored Gospel. Elder Ballard, Elder Rasband, Elder Gong, and 3 other members of the 70 all came to our mission. It was like a historic event! After that meeting I felt the strong desire to just CHANGE! I am so thankful for these humble servants of the Lord. Also, we got a mission picture with them all, I'll send it to ya when I get it! On our way from the gym to the chapel, I got to shake Elder Ballard's hand! HE IS THE CUTEST LIL MAN! I thought he would be taller? But he was cracking jokes the whole time it was so funny.

Sunday, Elder Ballard, Elder Rasband and Elder Gong all spoke at the new YSA stake conference, which I get to attend because I'm serving in a YSA Ward. Well, we get there and guess what. We see Elder Rasband going down the escalator to the big room where the conference was. (We met in the Marriott Marquis) I was like "sister! That's  Elder Rasband!" Totes was. So we ran quickly after him. He got to the doors and some people approached him and were talking with him. The whole time I was just thinking "I've got to go say hi and tell him he was my uncles mission president!" So I finally went up to him after these people were done and said "hi!... you were my uncles mission president!" And his eyes got big and he said "really! Who?" I told him Brandon McKinney and he said "ohh Elder McKinney! He was a good elder..." and talked about him for a minute! He said all good things about him :) then he turned to someone and said "hey! Let's snap a picture and send it to him!" (We take pic) "send that to my Elder McKinney!" Hahah he loves you Brandon! It was so cool to make that connection. Heavenly Father totally provided a way for that to happen. What a tender mercy!! It was so surreal. 

Then we went to go sit down and Elder Gong came up to Sister Hyer and me and started talking with us. Haha general authorities were just poppin out of nowhere! Haha. It was so cool that we got to meet so many of them! They truly are called of God. They didn't even have to say anything, you could just feel it while you were in their presence. Those were some pretty big highlights of the week. Also, Theo is on date for January 26th! Please pray that he will be blessed with the courage and strength to overcome anything that stands in his way of baptism. Theo is so prepared. He is just working through some things. He has met with the missionaries for two years and it's been so cool to see his progression since I've been here.

We had exchanges with Goose Creek and I was with Sister Nenneman! It was a hoot, God led us to 5 new investigators which they were each HUGE MIRACLES! It all started with talking with the first man we saw in this neighborhood we pulled into, getting his mail. Not much time to explain each story but moral of the story is.... TALK TO EVERYONE! Our mission had a goal to find 500 new investigators before the general authorities came and we reached that goal! Our zone had a goal to find 100 new gators before they came and we got 108 (I think)! It was so amazing. I know God blessed us as we were striving to be more obedient and follow the spirit. It's so cool to see myself grow each day when I push myself to become better. It's easy to stay at a standstill and in your comfort zone. I've learned though, that ya don't grow or become better by staying in your comfort zone. I know I'm pushing myself to be better when I feel awkward or my heart is beating super fast because I'm so nervous to do something, or running after someone to give them a card.... etc. It'sall SO worth it. I know God can bless us with the strength to do hard things. I know through His son, we are able to change and become better. We are able to reach the full potential our Father in Heaven sees in us.

Sorry it's short today!! My fingers can't type fast enough, there is always so much more to talk about and stories to tell but I guess you'll have to wait to hear them when I get home! Speaking of that...I found out my release date is September 6th. (YAY!!) That's so crazy. I only have 5 transfers left or something like that.

Never forget how much God loves you. And never forget to HELP OTHERS and remember how much God loves them. I just love you all with my whole heart.

SENDING ALL MY LOVE,

Sister Hymas :)