HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi family!
Biggest tender mercy that the 4th of July is on a Monday for this American missionary! I am so excited to celebrate Bosnia-style today!
This week was INCREDIBLE! I had the opportunity and privilege really to work In Sarajevo Bosnia for about 3 days on exchanges. People... it does NOT get better than that! Sarajevo is the most stunning city I have ever had the privilege of working in. I was so happy. We had a long ol' drive down there since there really are no freeways here. But the view and conversation was worth it. I was able to work with one of sister Martineau's MTC friends. She is the sweetest little missionary ever. She loved showing me around her home town of Sarajevo. She loves it there and it made me remember how I felt and still feel about my home in Celje.
We went out contacting in the evening near the river that runs through the valley. I have never felt the Spirit so strongly. I am getting emotional just writing about it. We were exhausted and super hot but we said a prayer to talk to some people and went out. There is a road that runs alongside of the river which they close off every day at 5 PM. Everyone, including families, goes there to walk. People can rent bikes for more than one person, people sell popcorn and drinks... they were having a little bike race for children at one part. IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHT! One thing I adore about the culture here is that family is so so so so important. Seeing all those happy families out together made my heart burn with love for the gospel knowing that no matter how happy all of them were, the gospel was needed in each of their lives. I could have contacted there for months. I felt the joy of missionary work in a way I never have and I never thought was possible here. We had some amazing contacts and got some new investigators for the sisters there to teach. I might count that in the top 5 highlights of my whole mission.
Banja Luka was also so great this week. Sister Bushong and I went out contacting in such good spirits and had SOOOO much fun and in a short amount of time, found so many new people to teach. I realized how much of a role attitude really does play on our success. We have really enjoyed the work here. We also went tracting up on the mountains. STUNNING! Plus, they were loaded with families. Bosnia is perfect for the gospel and the gospel is perfect for Bosnia.
Honestly, the joy of missionary work has been a part of my week in a very special way. I LOVE working. I adore Bosnia. I am easily the happiest I have ever been in my entire life right now.
With the 4th of July coming up, I thought about how privileged we are to have the right to worship our God how we feel is right. He truly is the Author of Liberty. And in Him we do trust. We should never forget true privileges we enjoy because of those inspired men who came before us. I have come to know that God truly could not have had the restoration come to pass without a land He prepared with a young man humble enough to ask the question and obedient enough to bring the miracle of the restoration. How blessed we are to live in the land where that came to pass. Where Christ and God, Himself, appeared and restored the keys of the priesthood. I am so thankful every single day to live in a land covered in temples, churches and, truly, the brave. I hope you all enjoy the true reason behind the holiday and take a second to count your blessings and thank God for them.
Enjoy a root bear float for me!
I love you all!
Sestra Higgins
Hi family!
Biggest tender mercy that the 4th of July is on a Monday for this American missionary! I am so excited to celebrate Bosnia-style today!
This week was INCREDIBLE! I had the opportunity and privilege really to work In Sarajevo Bosnia for about 3 days on exchanges. People... it does NOT get better than that! Sarajevo is the most stunning city I have ever had the privilege of working in. I was so happy. We had a long ol' drive down there since there really are no freeways here. But the view and conversation was worth it. I was able to work with one of sister Martineau's MTC friends. She is the sweetest little missionary ever. She loved showing me around her home town of Sarajevo. She loves it there and it made me remember how I felt and still feel about my home in Celje.
We went out contacting in the evening near the river that runs through the valley. I have never felt the Spirit so strongly. I am getting emotional just writing about it. We were exhausted and super hot but we said a prayer to talk to some people and went out. There is a road that runs alongside of the river which they close off every day at 5 PM. Everyone, including families, goes there to walk. People can rent bikes for more than one person, people sell popcorn and drinks... they were having a little bike race for children at one part. IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHT! One thing I adore about the culture here is that family is so so so so important. Seeing all those happy families out together made my heart burn with love for the gospel knowing that no matter how happy all of them were, the gospel was needed in each of their lives. I could have contacted there for months. I felt the joy of missionary work in a way I never have and I never thought was possible here. We had some amazing contacts and got some new investigators for the sisters there to teach. I might count that in the top 5 highlights of my whole mission.
Banja Luka was also so great this week. Sister Bushong and I went out contacting in such good spirits and had SOOOO much fun and in a short amount of time, found so many new people to teach. I realized how much of a role attitude really does play on our success. We have really enjoyed the work here. We also went tracting up on the mountains. STUNNING! Plus, they were loaded with families. Bosnia is perfect for the gospel and the gospel is perfect for Bosnia.
Honestly, the joy of missionary work has been a part of my week in a very special way. I LOVE working. I adore Bosnia. I am easily the happiest I have ever been in my entire life right now.
With the 4th of July coming up, I thought about how privileged we are to have the right to worship our God how we feel is right. He truly is the Author of Liberty. And in Him we do trust. We should never forget true privileges we enjoy because of those inspired men who came before us. I have come to know that God truly could not have had the restoration come to pass without a land He prepared with a young man humble enough to ask the question and obedient enough to bring the miracle of the restoration. How blessed we are to live in the land where that came to pass. Where Christ and God, Himself, appeared and restored the keys of the priesthood. I am so thankful every single day to live in a land covered in temples, churches and, truly, the brave. I hope you all enjoy the true reason behind the holiday and take a second to count your blessings and thank God for them.
Enjoy a root bear float for me!
I love you all!
Sestra Higgins