I heart DC =]

OK, so today right after I email you guys I'm going to the city to play sports with a bunch of missionaries on the mall (the green strip of grass in the middle of DC)! I'm so super excited!!!This week has been good. We just got a referral from some other missionaries last night for a man from Brazil, so we'll teach him this week in his native tongue...basically my companion will do most of the teaching and translate what I say. It''s gonna be an interesting experience. We also met a LOT of really mean people yesterday. Nothing like my first month here when I was condemned to hell about 5 times, but they were still really rude and it made me sad. So far my comp hasn't had too many bad experiences yet so thank goodness for that, but for goodness sake, even if you don't believe in what I testify of don't try to TELL ME what I believe or be openly rude! I've had to cut a couple conversations short with "we are not here to argue. We search for the pure in heart and when you're humble God will let you know that His church has been restored. Have a nice day." The first time my comp just looked at me with her eyes wide and I grabbed her arm and walked away. I LOVE being a missionary and I love testifying but it gets frustrating sometimes when people just want to argue with you. God is a God of LOVE!!!! Not just of justice, and even when He needs to judge someone it is in a righteous way. I read a scripture this week in passing somewhere (I really wish I can remember where, I'll have to find it later) but it was talking about being angry and it said "beware lest ye be overcome." That's the key folks. If you are overcome by anger than just don't be angry. Give up your selfish pride and fill your heart with love until you can rebuke with love and not be overcome with anger. I just wish I could help EVERYONE know the true nature of God and His love for them. It's so hard to give up my selfish will and turn my heart to God, but it's necessary for progression. I'm learning how to sacrifice what matters most to me for what matters more. It hasn't been an easy lesson, but as my heart changes to do God's will it swells bigger and bigger for the welfare of those around me and I feel love for people I've never met before and even people who yell in my face. I just wish I could transmit everything I'm learning into your hearts. It's so hard to explain over email, but whatever you do, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF LOVE! It changes roaring lions into purring kittens. It has changed my heart and it will change yours.This morning I was reading the book Jesus the Christ (incredible book by the way) and there was a part that talked about how people profess to believe in Jesus Christ but then said, that's great. The devils also believe and tremble (James 2:19-20). Evil spirits know that Jesus is the Christ just as well as you know, and yet it didn't change their evil nature. You may believe, but where is your heart? Where do your priorities truly lie? What do you choose to do with your time? What does your mind dwell on in times of quiet? What works are you proud of or not proud of? Think on this. I've been thinking about this all day so far, and I'm sure it'll be on my mind for the next week. It's just so amazing to find the answers to those questions and figure out what you're going to do with your realization. I know none of you are perfect =], so think about where your heart truly belongs and what you're going to do this week to change and serve God more. I promise you as you love others and serve God, everything else in your life will work out. God watches over His faithful covenant people. Never forget that! I LOVE you all so much! I try not to think of you too much cuz it helps me to focus, but on this one day a week I think of you and just want the best for each and every one of you. I hope you will feel God's love today and share it with one other person. After all, God asks "if ye love me, keep my commandments."Have a good week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Sister Witbeck~