Sister Caressa Ann Pitt: How Do I Know?

I have never been so tired on my whole mission. My arms hurt, my legs hurt, my butt hurts. After spending over a year sitting down, it becomes a little difficult to adjust to 5-10 miles of walking everyday. I have blisters on my toes that are developing blisters. I never stop sweating. I didn't even know that my upper lip sweated, until being in Portmore. But I can honestly say as Nephi of old stated in his first chapter, last verse, "the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (Or something like that...)

First of all, everyone asks us if we want water. A random guy (who honestly was hitting on us) gave us a nice cold coconut with a lot of water in it. YUM. Investigators gave us watermelon. An old lady we helped gave us cranberry soda. Plus everyone wonders why we are out walking, so lots of conversation starters. It is really warm here in Portmore. It's mainly that the air is just heavy. But it isn't awful. The wind is always blowing, thank heavens. The nights cool down a lot. We got our electricity back last Monday, so hallelujah. Overall, I know it's tough, and I have a lot of things I could complain about, but I'm alive, I'm happy, and I will do anything the Lord wants me to.

I can't say that things in Portmore are getting easier. It's tough to build up a legitimate teaching pool. I have a feeling this transfer will be a lot of trial and error, but I have faith that good things will come. The other day we had everything fall through, and I knelt down to plead with Heavenly Father to help us know what to do. I didn't get any type of revelation, but it turned out to be a productive day. The members in our area are weak with missionary work, but hopefully we will be able to help them find that fire to share the Gospel. We have a few investigators. Our best one, is going to the country for summer vacation. Sad day. Pray that we will be led to people who are prepared to receive the Gospel.

Oh, yes, fourth of July was this last week. Sister Lewis and I bought an Apple pie. It was glorious. I haven't had that for a long time, well my whole mission. Pie isn't really popular here, so it was a little expensive, but it was yankee doodle dandy! That same night, our ward had a games night. It was sooo much fun, and lots of people were there. This branch does a good job coming together. Even at church on Sunday, it was great. It was testimony Sunday, and the spirit was so strong. I really enjoyed it, and I love the members here with my whole heart.

This last week a lot of people kept telling us, "Yeah, well how do you know your church is the right one? Every denomination says they are the right one. If we all worship the same God, why does it matter where we go to worship?" Oh my dear people, it does matter. It does matter what church you are a part of. The reason for that is because, yes every christian denomination is worshiping the same Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, but there is only one church which has legitimate power and authority from God. There is only one church that has prophets, apostles, temples, continuing revelation, etc... That is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I don't say this to make it a competition or anything. It goes back to the first question they ask me, "How do you know that your church is the right one?" How do I know? Well, that is easy. The Holy Spirit has manifested the truth unto me. I have been enlightened, my understanding has been opened. I have had my prayers answered about this question in a very spiritual way. I know of a surety that this really is the Lord's Kingdom here upon the earth. I do not doubt.

I truly love this Gospel. I love it with my whole heart. I love that I was privileged enough to be brought up in it. Like that same Nephi I mentioned earlier, I was born of goodly parents who taught me of these amazing truths. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Love,

Sister Pitt