Sister Julia Jeppsen: 9-17-12 Powerful Word of Wisdom/ Always Reach Heavenward

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLEY ELIZA EMMDONG... and guests :)

Another GLORIOUS week!

I love our Father in Heaven!! Sister Carter and I were really sick - and I am so very grateful! What a blessing it was that we were sick together, that we had the chance to bond with one another in unity, to suffer and endure with one another through complete exhaustion and sickness. I love her so much! It was wonderful

We had a miraculous lesson with the Seipels this week. We have been preparing for this lesson with the Seipels for weeks, studying, praying, practicing, and fasting - for we knew that the Word of Wisdom would be a very pivotal lesson for them, as we were anticipating the large possibility of getting screamed at and kicked out of their house. It was marvelous to witness the matchless power of God in EVERY aspect of the lesson! God made it possible for us to go to heir house earlier in the day to help Sharon clean out the kitchen and refrigerator. She opened up, saying it was time for a fresh start as we threw out food expired 4 years ago, when her son Sam died!!! The house hasn't been cleaned since Sam passed away... and they have 10+ pets... Then our fabulous ward mission leader - Brother Stark (who's wife is from Boulder City!! - they're going to be visiting next month, so I gave them our address and number :D Expect a visit) had been insisting on meeting them, so we invited him and his wife to join us for the lesson, which surely was divinely arranged. The lesson was remarkable. We went into the lesson, handing everything over to God, having done all that we could, trusting in Him completely. We had no fear. God was with us, His angels were before us and round about us, bearing us up. And we knew that He would give us the words. And He did. He did not fail us. I wish I could explain everything that happened in that lesson, I wish you could have experienced it with me. But it was absolutely incredible. As we leeway-ed into the Word of Wisdom, it was as if Sharon's tongue was tied. We were able to teach John the entire thing, and he was so excited! He's been reading the Book of Mormon, he's been praying, and as we taught him this precious commandment, he eagerly and faithfully committed to changing, to living this law - even tho he knew it would be hard. Then when we turned to Sharon, to ask her if she would live the Word of Wisdom - it was as tho there had been a fog over her mind for those few minutes. She didn't remember any of it! She started yelling at us, asking us why we would bring this up all of the sudden and why we were attacking her - accusing her of drinking alcohol while John has his coffee addiction. She thought we had been talking to John behind her back, that we had been plotting against her. We were all caught a little of guard, John, Angela, Brother and Sister Stark, and us. Everyone assured her that we had just talked about this with John, that this was the first time we had ever spoken of it with him. It was crazy. And then we asked John if he would like a priesthood blessing - and he did! He lit up when we told him that he could hold God's power too, that he can bless his family and others too after he is baptized. Then Angela asked for one! She wanted a blessing so that she can know which church to be baptized in. Sharon refused. But oh how miraculous that lesson was!! There are like a million more crazy miracles God performed for that lesson too, but too little time to write them. When we got into the car, Sister Carter and I crashed. We were so weak and exhausted, our sickness bearing down heavily all at once - it was wonderful! We didn't feel sick at all through the whole thing. God is so glorious, so powerful, so merciful, so wise! I love Him with every fiber of my being.

Have I told you about Chris and Adam? (Chris Borg and Adam Pollard) They are simply wonderful. They are these two 18/19 year old boys, recently out of high school. One day, we felt impressed to go to our dinner appointment early. We did, and we found Chris across the street, watering his lawn. He was great. We set up a time, and we've been teaching him and his best friend ever since. They've come to church and have been fellow-shipped into the ward so beautifully. I love our ward! The members are fantastic. The ward had gone into a lull, where they lost their missionary focus for a few years. But its been so cool to see them change! The entire ward has just become so missionary work focused! I love them so much!! We taught them the Word of Wisdom this week too, and its wonderful to see just how prepared they are. They have been raised smoking tobacco, smoking weed, drinking alcohol - every day. Its all they know. But its so cool to see them so eagerly and willingly want to change, because they know there is more to life. They crave what we have! We went through and made goals with them for cutting back and they are excited to change. Goodness, they are great! I love them! And God loves them so much, I can feel it. Its so powerful!

Ray Royal was baptized :) And we got to go through the temple with Sister Meier and President Riggs! Oh how I love the temple.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: 2 Nephi 28:20-30 We should never get comfortable with where we are at. There is so much to be had, so much room for improvement. Its exciting!! We should never stop reaching heavenward, stretching ourselves, changing ourselves, aligning ourselves with our Savior. We must never be "at ease in Zion," we must never think "we have received, and we need no more," that "we have enough." I never want to be the person I once was. And I never have to be, as long as I remember! The Book of Mormon is constantly exhorting us to remember! Do not fall back into your old ways, change - and become a new person through our Savior. Don't look back but look forward, look outward, look heavenward.

I love each and every one of you with all my heart, with all the energy of my soul. My precious family, ward family, and friends.

Glory to God, our Eternal Father in Heaven!

LOVE SISTER JEPPSEN

Goodbye Sister Meier!

Elder Gronning! He's our wonderful district leader and he's from Vegas, from Eldorado Valley Stake!! We love him so much! He's hilarious. He's going to be the greatest Dad.