Carissa's Baptism

Hi y'all! What's up? Sorry that you'll lowkey be getting a lot of emails today since Chad couldn't send out my email last week because my family was in Cali! Here are some highlights from my week.

One of my favorite people ever, Carissa, got baptized! Wow, it was so amazing, something I will never ever forget. I've been reflecting a lot because my mission is slipping through my fingers so fast, and it literally makes me so sad.

It's so crazy to me what we do as missionaries. It's crazy that God trusts 19, 20, 21-year-olds to do the most important work that could ever be done on this earth. We are all so underqualified, but I know he qualifies each and every one of us, and most importantly, I know he has qualified me. It is so sacred and special watching those you love make the greatest decision they could ever make and be baptized. It's even more sacred being the instrument in God's hands that gets to teach them the most powerful lessons they could ever be taught.

Carissa is my best friend. I love her with all my heart. She is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. She has been through so much - so much good, so much hard. In the 4 1/2 months I have been here, she got married, she got a job, she overcame addiction, and most importantly, she relied on her Savior for strength. She is a different person because of the changes she has made. She's a different person because she has let God and Jesus Christ prevail in her life, and she hasn't given up on them when things are hard. Her life isn't perfect, and things are still hard, but in her words, "It's going to be a lot easier with him," and I so agree with her. I'm so grateful for her and the powerful example she has been. I'm so grateful that I've been able to watch a fraction of her conversion process. I'm grateful to have had a front-row seat at all the change she has made; it's changed me in the process.

With this, I have seen that the Lord's timing is perfect. It is worth it; it always will be. When we don't give up and let God prevail, he will help us become who he needs us to be. Carissa is my living witness of that! I love her and her family so much.

Sis Colson and I have been to Bdubs three times since we've been together, hahah. We have had the same waiter 2/3 of the times. We've become homies with her since she is our same age, and last time we left a card with our number on it and told her to call us if she ever wanted to hear a message. The previous times we explained that we are missionaries and what we do, and she told us she actually had a friend on a mission right now, so she was familiar with it. This past week, we pulled back up at Bdubs, but we had a different waiter. However, she walked up to us and told us how she got the card and said, "I've really been thinking, but where is your church? I want to come." We told her, and she asked if it was our number on the card or the church's! We explained it was our number, and she got excited and told us she would call us and come to church. That was so cool!

We got a text from a former (someone who was previously taught), and she asked us to come over. Her son is really depressed, and so she is really struggling. We prayed with her, and it was so special that she texted us in her most desperate time of need.

We helped a lady in our ward move. She is so awesome, and I love her so much, but wow did I not know what a hoarder was until now. Our ward has been telling us how it's unsafe in there because she lets her cats go to the bathroom everywhere, and one time, one passed away and it stayed in there for like ever, haha. Anyways, yes, there were 12 cats, so I asked if she knew where they were, and she told me no. I asked how she finds them, and she tells me she just yells "food!!!" Next thing I know, she grabs a container of cool whip and cheese and yells "food!!!!" and 12 cats come running from every which way. It was the most surreal experience ever, hahaha.

I love you all so much! Praying for you!

Love, Sister Liljenquist

Here are some quotes:

Elder Weber @service: "Sister Liljenquist, are you working or just taking up space?"

Sis Colson: "If I was able alcoholic, I would be a good one."

Elder Woodruff: "Step 0 in weekly planning, get a bevvy."

Lily Dille (Bishop's daughter): "You can't have rizz, you're a missionary!"