Elder and Sister Martin Ethiopia Mission: Emily Belle Freeman is called of God

Tuesday I (Elder Martin) joined the choir for the evening devotional. The General Young Women's President of the Church, Emily Belle Freeman, was the main speaker. Her husband Greg also spoke. Years ago Sister Martin and I had been with them on a Martin Door trip to Cancun, Mexico.

We had our picture taken with Sister Freeman after the devotional. We loved listening to her speak.

Sister Martin took my picture with Greg Freeman who also gave a good talk.

Her talk was Awe-inspiring to say the least. She made us laugh and cry. Her words brought tears to my eyes more than once as I felt God's love for me through her words. I know she was called of God.

She began her talk by showing a video of being pulled around Israel on a knee scooter earlier this year. She broke her foot just before the trip. She talked about this story in General Conference a day or two before.

She said her family always talks about the "One Thing" each one wants to do while on a vacation somewhere, like what is the one ride they want to go on at Disneyland. What was the One Thing from General Conference that spoke to you?

She thanked all of the missionaries for singing "Called To Serve" for the opening hymn as that was one thing she hoped to hear by attending the devotional. She then quoted Alma 7:7

7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.

Jesus Christ is the most important of all.

She made us laugh when she said she was so glad General Conference was over because speaking there was the scariest things she has ever done.

She said she heard a Stake President a couple of weeks ago ask everyone, "what level of participation do you want to have in the miracles of Jesus?" She asked the same question to us.--- It will be dependent upon your faith.

Sister Freeman talked about going to Lahaina, Maui a few days before General Conference where the recent fire burned the town down. She talked to the youth in the two wards affected, many now had no house. She asked them what they would like her to pray for. Some said strength, that we won't lose our faith, a roof over their head, etc. One said they wanted her to pray for a temple to be built there. All the rest agreed that they all would pray for a temple in Maui. Sister Freeman said I will do everything I can to get you a temple someday but if it happens to be announced this conference you will know that it was an answer to your prayers. Of course, we all know that President Nelson announced a temple in Maui!

Link to story below...

Young Women and Relief Society Presidents Visit Maui - Fires

She also brought her son's worn out missionary shoes which signifies to her of an example of hard work and enduring to the end.

We took some picture before and after the devotional.

I decided to grab some old pictures of our trip to Cancun and Tulum with the Freemans. Fun couple.

Each day we have class starting at 8:00 am and ending around 4:30pm. We have a morning teacher and an afternoon teacher. Our teachers were both sisters that recently returned from serving a mission. Their perspectives and experiences were wonderful.

Our morning teacher, Sister De La Torre gave us a speed challenge to find different things or send messages on our phones. Whoever won would get to ask her anything. I (Elder Martin) won 3 of the 4 so I had some fun asking her questions like what was her most embarrassing moment. We also asked her about her most memorable or spiritual experiences while serving in Brazil.

While She was serving in Brazil, there was a time when another sister companionship was sharing the apartment with them temporarily. There was only one set of keys for the apartment. One Sunday morning the other sisters left earlier to attend another ward while Sister De La Torre and her companion had a later meeting. The other sisters accidentally took the apartment key, but they were already outside the fence when they discovered it, so they yelled to Sister De La Torre that they would just put the keys in the mailbox.

Apparently, a man overheard this and was somehow able to get the keys. He sneaked into their apartment. The sisters were still getting ready for church. Her companion was putting her makeup on when she saw a shirtless man standing in the room. She froze in fright. The man asked it there were others. Sister De La Torre answered and said there were others there and she assertively told him he needed to leave. She asked him for the key, and escorted him out. He gave no resistance or trouble. The sisters both thanked Heavenly Father for the miracle of protecting them that day. Obviously, her small size didn't matter when she was wearing the armor of God.