Kait in Colorado: December 16,2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well I know where I am going next transfer.......

.....I'm staying in my area, with my companion! We have so much to do and I am so grateful I get to help do it! This past week we were able to serve in "The Santa Shop" and help underprivileged families pick out gifts for their children. It really put this holiday season in perspective for me. I have a pretty easy life but sometimes I forget how good I have it. I get wrapped up in my minute problems, which hinders me from seeing the incredible opportunities I have been given! I am so grateful to be here in this specific area, serving all the people here!

This morning we finished studying the Book of Mormon. I can't believe this transfer is already over and that I read it in 6 weeks. My experience reading it has really changed the way I see what I am doing right now. It is only through the knowledge and power that I gain from the book daily that I have the drive and resolution to have served thus far. Missions are hard but everyday that I strengthen my testimony of the Book of Mormon I add a little to my spiritual reserve. I can lean on that when times get hard. I know that without a doubt the Book of Mormon is the word of God!

We met a couple this week, Deana and James, who are looking for answers and God. I know we were led to them! Deana is on date to be baptized, January 25th! I haven't really helped anyone progress close to baptism yet on my mission so I am praying for the Spirit to help them every step of the way!

The Lord truly is helping his children through us. I had an incredible experience where I OYMed a Spanish man. I was able to teach him doctrine in Spanish that I haven't said all transfer! I know the Spirit guided me with what to say because he needed to hear it! I seriously love being able to speak a little Spanish! This same day we also saw a Vietnamese lady named Jan we had given a pamphlet to. Though she spoke no English we were able to feel of her desire to learn and communicate a little about how she felt about the pamphlet! We're going to go again when her children can translate for her! I love Asians!

We had 3 investigators lined up to come to church. Sadly they all cancelled. But I have faith that they can come next week as we help them with their concerns.

This week the weather was beautiful! We had days that were 55 degrees! Woot! Sister Fletcher is kind of freaking out that there isn't snow for Christmas haha.

When we contacted a less-active her grandson answered the door, and then we heard him yell, "Grandma! The Mormons are here!" It was priceless. We also had a lesson with a less-active this week who gave us about 12 jars of jam. We took them to district meeting and handed out "the goods" to everybody. Our district also had a district lunch last Monday at Casa Bonita. It literally is the worst slash the best. A tourist trap of a restaurant, the food is mediocre at best, but oh the entertainment! hahaha. It's in an old JC Penny and they have divers! Pictures to follow!

We had dinner with the American Royalty this week, The Tilleman-Dicks. Annette's parents are both Holocaust survivors and her dad was the only Holocaust survivor to be elected to Congress. Her three grandkids were also there, Hetty, Finn, and Willa. By the end of the evening, Hetty told me that she, Finn, and I, were becoming quite great friends. Finn told me he was wearing overalls because they couldn't find any pants. They also both just called me "Turner."

We moved into our new apartment this week! My new address is

2642 Kendall Street Apt 103

Edgewater, CO 80214

(and yes that is in large font for a reason....)

Our new place is great! Plus we live right next to a member of the ward! And her adorable children! We had a visit with them and it was the best thing that ever happened! Adam, who is autistic and 7, loves to dance so all through our lesson he was playing just dance on the wii. It was the most hilarious thing I have ever seen! He can really move it.

We helped a less-active organize her garage this week. She was baptized 5 years ago. She told us she is still reading the book of Mormon! And we're going her to house (which was built in 1890!) for Christmas!

I really can't believe I've been on my mission for so long already! I really don't understand how it happens so quickly. I found out an investigator I was teaching in Steamboat was baptized last week! I was so happy to find out that happened! His conversion story is amazing and I love seeing just how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ can really change lives. Sometimes I forget just how much it has changed mine. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to share with people the happiness I have in my life because of my Saviour. Also it's crazy to see how much I've changed since I've been on my mission. Not only am I much more aware of the Spirit and how much my Heavenly Father loves each one of us, as an added bonus I'm a total cheeseball. Sometimes I hate it, but it's who I am now haha. Get pumped to have me around when this thing is over. I'm going to want to hug everybody. JK that part of me has not changed (yet....)

Have a great week eating all the Christmas goodies you can get your hands on!

Love,

Sister Turner