I'm training again! I don't have any idea why..... but I apparently need to learn something else that I didn't get the first time. Also, Sister R_____ is going to my last area in Boise East! It was such a crazy transfer call; we were screaming and jumping. I am going to miss her a lot, but I can't even be sad because she's going to the best area in the mission. I'm a little bit jealous actually.
Earlier this week we had a Sister's Training Meeting, which basically means that all of the sister missionaries in the mission get together for a conference at the Mission Office. It was SO good, and I learned so much. The theme was Priesthood, and we were trained by President and Sister Winder as well as Sister Christiansen (first counselor's wife--basically Mom's job). It was truly amazing, and my hand was flying down the page, trying to take notes on everything they were saying. My favorite thing was a parable by President Packer about the Keys of the Priesthood. I'll probably just attach it or put it at the end of this email.
Well, a lot else happened this week, but I'll just tell a really quick story involving a member of our ward. After a couple empty doors, Sister R_____ and I decided to stop by Sister T's house quickly to let her know about transfers before we headed off to a baptism that evening. Right when we were walking up to the house, though, she came flying out of the front door with tears in her eyes saying, "How did you know to come?" We held her for a few minutes before going inside. Apparently, she was just having the worst day of her life and was just about to start her pity party, when she looked out the window and saw us driving up! After talking for a while, Sister R_____ and I had the same thought.
"Do you want to have a really spiritually uplifting experience? I know it's last minute, but we're on our way to a baptism right now, and if you're feeling spontaneous, we'll just hop in your car." She immediately agreed that it was exactly what she needed. Anyway, that was just a little miracle we had.
I love you all so much! I will let you know next week who my companion is!
Sister Pratt
P.S. This is the parable I was talking about. It's pretty long but SO worth it!
Once a man received as his inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told, would open a vault which he must protect at all cost. The second key was to a safe within the vault which contained a priceless treasure. He was to open this safe and freely use the precious things which were stored therein. He was warned that many would seek to rob him of his inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure worthily, it would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity. He would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase.
The man went alone to the vault. His first key opened the door. He tried to unlock the treasure with the other key, but he could not, for there were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not open it. No matter how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had been given the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed instructions, but he could not open the safe.
In due time, there came a woman into the vault. She, too, held a key. It was noticeably different from the key he held. Her key fit the other lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not obtain his rightful inheritance without her.
They made a covenant that together they would open the treasure and, as instructed, he would watch over the vault and protect it; she would watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that, as guardian of the vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see that she was safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them both. Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself.
With great joy they found that they could pass the treasure on to their children; each could receive a full measure, undiminished to the last generation.
Perhaps some few of their posterity would not find a companion who possessed the complementary key, or one worthy and willing to keep the covenants relating to the treasure. Nevertheless, if they kept the commandments, they would not be denied even the smallest blessing.
Because some tempted them to misuse their treasure, they were careful to teach their children about keys and covenants.
There came, in due time, among their posterity some few who were deceived or jealous or selfish because one was given two keys and another only one. “Why,” the selfish ones reasoned, “cannot the treasure be mine alone to use as I desire?”
Some tried to reshape the key they had been given to resemble the other key. Perhaps, they thought, it would then fit both locks. And so it was that the safe was closed to them. Their reshaped keys were useless, and their inheritance was lost.
Those who received the treasure with gratitude and obeyed the laws concerning it knew joy without bounds through time and all eternity.
