HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Delaware Ward Halloween Party with the Que Kiddos   Sam and Jamie dressed up as Sister King and me! Hello amazing loved ones! Hope you are all having a tremendous day and are enjoying the beautiful fall season. It has been absolutely stunning here, but I feel that "W" word is upon us and soon it will be quite freezing. It has been an incredible week for many reasons. On Saturday we were able to watch Tessa enter the waters of baptism. Tessa is one of the most incredible girls I have ever met. At just the young age of 16 she has a stronger connection to the prophet Joseph Smith than anyone I know. I love the prophet Joseph Smith and I think it's because in one way or another I feel we can all relate to him. That is what Tessa saw and she immediately connected to him. She herself was wandering, wondering which church was right. She felt lost and she knew she ultimately had to pray to receive her answer. Tessa was introduced to the church through a member. This member was invited to give one of her friends a Book Of Mormon so she prayerfully decided which friend to give it to. The fact that she gave Tessa a Book of Mormon was completely inspired and I am grateful this member had the courage to share this beautiful joy with her close friend. After she was baptized she faced the crowd and bore the most beautiful testimony. You would have never guessed she had just found the church months prior. Her testimony was rock solid and she knew without a shadow of a doubt what she had stated was true because she took it to the Lord like Joseph Smith did and prayed about it. She has felt an abundance of God's love in her life, and she has developed a strong relationship with Him. As she was confirmed the words were spoken that because she had taken that step to be baptized, her family would be blessed. Her darling sister has already taken steps to entering the waters of baptism herself. Tessa is an amazing example to all her family members and she is also a wonderful example to me. Her passion for the things we taught her was out of this world. I admire her courage and I will never forget that testimony she bore and the many things she taught me. Tessa's Baptism I also have to give a little shout-out to the amazing girls, Sam and Jamie, for having the courage to share a Book Of Mormon with their teacher at school. They did it together and they role played over and over what they were going to say to this teacher. They sought out inspiration and prayed for guidance. They acted on a prompting and because they prepared themselves to give away this Book of Mormon the teacher responded well! Brother and Sisters do not let fear hold you back. Take a leap of faith and go for it! In other words Just do it!" You can change someone's life and fill a hole in their heart that they didn't even realize was missing. I am incredibly humbled and grateful for this time I have been able to spend in the Delaware area. These 6 months here have been precious. I am grateful for all those who have touched my heart and were able to see past my weaknesses and imperfections and be able to see Christ work through me. I'm sad to leave. This place feels like home and many people I have met have become "family." I love this area and I love all the incredible examples in it and the love and the strength they have shown me. If you are reading this, thank you for strengthening my testimony, and allowing me to grow. Thank you for letting me come into your life and taking a moment to hear the simple message we as missionaries share. I cannot even begin to describe how much each and every one of you mean to me. I love you and more importantly your Father in Heaven loves you! Have a wonderful week! Talk to you next time wherever I may be :) Love Sister Mathis