We had an interesting week. So many things have been happening. And yet so many beautiful things. We taught Brandon about the Atonement this week and it was incredible. He began the lesson by looking at a picture of Christ and saying "I wish I could know Him." As we were teaching him, the Spirit in the room distinctly changed and as it did, he had a smile come to his face. He could know Him! And this knowledge brought peace to his soul. It was such a gift from the Lord for me to be there. As he opened his heart and accepted the Atonement and the fact that Christ knows Him perfectly, the feeling in the room switched like someone flipped a switch. I made me think that that's now our Father feels when He sees each of His children accept the eternal sacrifice of His Son. Later on in the week, we taught him about the rest of the Plan of Salvation and he had so many questions about the Spirit world. His dad had been in the hospital and his family was told that he wouldn't make it much longer. Brandon was genuinely concerned about the welfare of his dad's soul if he were to pass. We answered all his questions about the spirit world and gave him relief to know that anyone that passes through this life without an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ would have the opportunity to know it. A couple days later we get a text from him saying that thursday night following our lesson on the spirit world, his dad passed away. It has been a hard week for him. But he has told us that he has the faith that his dad will choose the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Brandon has taught me what a strong person looks like. Sister Haws and I have been grieving along side him, being sad to see him suffer and to know that their family is different, especially since the rest of them don't understand where their dad is. But us and Brandon have felt the peace that death can have no sting. We are trying our best to help Brandon to feel comfort. No 16 year old kid should have to go through that. But God has a greater plan and knows and loves us.

Conference was sooooo awesome! My favorite talks were Elder Bednar, telling us how to have faith in Christ, but to believe Him and what He can do for us. We were able to share this talk with a less active last night who was sealed in the temple but due to a failed marriage, has felt the need to stray from the church. Her knowledge of the church is strong, but we are helping her see that she needs to believe that Christ can help her. I also loved Elder Rasband's about where we can turn when faith is faltering. One question i asked coming into conference is how me being a missionary can help my less active family and friends back home and the impression was clear, turn back to the night when you received your witness. To think of the moments when the Spirit was strong. I know that this is true and that looking back at those times can help spark the Spirit in us again. God wants to lead and direct us and He has the best tools to do so. Especially His Son Jesus Christ. 

Love you all! Have a good one. 

Sister Erickson