Those Beautiful Nights

Sunday was one of the greatest days that I have had in a while. Every Sunday is wonderful in its own way, just because church never fails to be the best part of my week.
Since it was the first Sunday of the month, it was fast Sunday and testimony meeting. The testimonies were so powerful, and most of them were about missionary work. Elder Palmer bore a super incredible testimony about how his sickness has made him so much more humble and willing to accept help from people. I've never seen him cry before, but he actually did. It was really interesting to see that side of him - apparently he never used to want to accept help from people but he's sort of been forced to. He has the most beautiful testimony I have ever heard; pretty much any time he talks I cry. I love to hear testimonies; each one is unique, though they testify of similar truths. Each and every testimony has the power to change and save lives - we just have to remember to share it. The spirit was so strong in that chapel that it was almost impossible to get up and leave.
My new friend Leah, who is getting baptized in 2 weeks, was at church. It's the most amazing thing to see someone start to grow in the gospel - she is amazing. She came into my life at the perfect time. She has helped me to stop and count my blessings and remember what is really means to be a missionary (even if I don't have a badge). I hope I'm making an impact in her life, but she has no idea how much of an impact she is making in mine.
After church I went to another church (my old YoungLife leaders Tim & April started a church in their home that is now in an actual church building) just for fun, and because I wanted to keep the spirit that was with me. It was awesome to hear Tim preach again. He talked about Matthew 15, about the Pharisees that Jesus called hyporcites. His sermon really hit home actually - we can't just say that we are Christian, we have to BE Christian and truly represent all that we believe in. I loved being there again, but I couldn't help thinking about how lucky I am to know the truthfulness of the restored gospel. I had no idea back then what exactly I was missing in my life; now of course, I know exactly what that was.
I'm still not used to the concept of missionaries just packing up and leaving. So many missionaries have made such a huge difference in my life and taught me so many things, and it is just so hard to see them go. I have met the greatest missionaries: Elder Warren, Elder Allred, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Hill, Elder Beberger, Elder Palmer, and Elder Christensen, and so many more. I am amazed at the commitment and love that each of these young men show. Truly all they want to do is share the gospel. I look up to them all so much; I know that I will go on a mission one day, and these guys show on a daily basis how much they love to be missionaries - I want that! I want it so badly. Unfortunately, Elder Hill was transfered today. It just makes me so sad. I'm happy that he gets to experience something new but it doesn't mean that I'm going to miss him any less. He is such an amazing missionary, and so humble about it. It's so awesome. We got to throw a farewell party for him on Sunday (it's become a tradition), and we had my mom's chocolate pudding Magic Cake and played some Midnight Madness (or Minutes to Madnight, as Elder Hill would say). It was absolutely crazy - I have never experienced anything as crazy as playing this game with missionaries. It's just constant yelling and cheering mixed with Harry Potter spells, Irish/Scottish/British accents, and a whole lot of talking smack. It's just about the greatest thing ever. It was so awesome because Elder Hill finally won! It was a well played match, and he totally deserved it. Before we played, though, the Elders gave a spiritual thought that was so powerful. Elder Hill talked about how much he loves his mission and how much it has changed bim. He got really emotional, which made it so much more real. He has been a truly great missionary and he will be for the rest of his life. The missionaries never fail to amaze me. They can be totally serious and be the best teachers in the world, but they can have the funnest, craziest times too. I'm so lucky to know them.
After we said our goodbyes, the fun just got more fun at the Lattin's. We drove over to the Macfarlane's house to borrow a movie (we basically broke in since they weren't home) and during the car ride we made up songs about Mormons to the tune of the song Blow by Kesha. I gotta say, they were pretty grand. We watched The Princess Bride outside on the Lattin's projector screen/sheet. Every line in that movie is hilarious, it was such a blast. After the movie, Emma, Sammi, Mrs. Lattin and I all sat out in the dark and watched for shooting stars. I think we saw four or five. When Emma drove me home, we sat in her car for over an hour just talking about our lives. I love talking to her - I talk, she listens. She talks, I listen. It's the best. We always bond well over those conversations. :)
There's something so special about those moments you spend with people you love. I wish that night could have gone on forever. I just have to remind myself to see the beauty in the small things, the things that I might overlook because I was busy looking for the next best thing.

I am so extremely blessed. That's about all I have left to say right now.