Sept. 17

Elder Lawrence (of the Quorum of the 70) and his wife came to our mission this past weekend for our mission tour. That is why I could not email on Monday. Sister Hilton (serving in Fruita), Sister Gregerson, and Sister Stephens and I left Sunday night for Rifle. Then Monday morning we drove the rest of the way to Vail. Elder and Sister Lawrence attended our Mission Leader Council. He made it into a real council, whereas before it was more like "sit here for 5 hours while we talk at you." We made a list of all the things in our mission that are problems, all the things that are holding us back from doing the work that the Lord needs us to do. And then we talked about them. We discussed things like lack of testimony, wasting time, zone leader/sister training leader coordination, discouragement, how to use tough love, blatant disobedience, inappropriate elder/sister relationships, and staying a missionary on P-day. It takes courage to stand up for what is right. I have to be a representative of the Lord and my mission president who stands facing the other missionaries. We made the resolve to make obedience the norm in our mission. Love for the Lord is the real motivation for all that we are doing here. He told us that if we obey all the rules, magic will happen to us eventually. We will become the consecrated, dedicated servants the Lord needs us to be. He doesn't just want it. The Lord needs it. We have the imperative task of gathering Israel, of gathering those who are ready to make covenants with God and keep them so that they can return to Him someday. He shared with us this quote, "A (priesthood) leader that does not give correction is selfish." Sometimes it is hard to address disobedience when I see it. I'd rather just not say anything. I can't be afraid to be persecuted for being righteous. I'm learning that true happiness comes from putting the Lord first. I know where my loyalty lies. It is our decision. As missionaries, we are privileged to help people decide for themselves where their loyalty lies. Is it to the world? Or is it to God? Being a missionary is a total privilege. If we choose to waste the time we don't get it back. That applies to being here on Earth too. It is a privilege to choose each day to follow Jesus Christ, to learn of His example, and to develop a personal relationship with Him. 

The next day we had a zone conference with all the missionaries out west. I was able to see the beloved Sister Fletcher for the first time in almost 8 months! It was like we were never apart! She is still serving in Meeker and has almost been there for 9 months! Elder and Sister Lawrence spoke to us. Sister Lawrence gave the most incredible presentation about what it means to be part of the House of Israel and the responsibilities that are ours. In the premortal life, we were all born a spirit son or daughter of Heavenly parents. We made decisions that showed to our Heavenly Father that we were trustworthy. Each spirit progressed at a different rate because of his or her's choices. We distinguished ourselves by our faith and our exceedingly good works because of our premortal obedience. And showed that we have the talent of spirituality: we can recognize truth and then act on it. And so He trusted us to come here and be part of the gospel. He knew He could rely on us. He sent us to Earth at one of the most difficult times because He knew we could accomplish all that He sent us here to do. Now think, if you were Satan, wouldn't you focus on the House of Israel? Those who would be able to help the people around them the most? We have to be aware of how Satan is attacking us. Because he is. He wants us to be miserable. He will never have a body or a family. So he concentrates on those who have both. Yesterday I came to the realization that the way Satan is attacking me right now is by convincing me that I don't have the spirit and that I am not guided, when I do and I am. I have to trust God's promises. I am not doing anything that would prevent the spirit from guiding me. I have to trust that God will help me and that I can do all that I was sent here to do. I have had to make some difficult decisions in the past few days and I can see now that the spirit is guiding me. 

I learned so much during this meeting that it would take me more time than I have to record it here so I will save it for another time. During the meeting, I realized I used to be scared of the 2nd coming because I had no faith. Now I know that because of Jesus Christ, I don't have to be afraid. I can know where I stand with God. It is imperative that we are real and honest about who we are and what we are doing here. 

We learned the 5 basic rules of being a missionary.

1. Up at the right time, out at the right time, back by the right time, and sleeping by the right time.

2. Live the morning study schedule exactly.

3. Keep the mission music standards, and avoids all forms of worldly entertainment

4. Don't waste time

5. Obey the guidelines in the White Handbook and any other rules or guidelines established in our mission. 

At both of the meetings I was privileged to help with the music, both accompaniment and singing. Both times, when I took my seat, an incredible rush of the spirit came over me and brought me to tears. The music brings me closer to Christ and I am so grateful for it. 

I am going to be the exactly obedient missionary the Lord needs me to be. And I'm going to help everyone around me too! The difference will not only change my mission but it will start me on my path to sanctification. It won't be easy but it will be worth it. The Saviour promised each one of us that if we will lose our lives in His service, we will find it. Consecration is the only surrender that is a victory too!

I know that my everyday efforts to be the missionary and daughter that God needs me to be are changing things. And they are changing me. The gospel is the most real thing in the world because it is not of the world. I am so grateful for it and I am thankful for all of you, for listening to my preaching. It hit me this week. I have less than 5 months left on my mission. My mission has changed me forever. The Book of Mormon has changed me forever. I'm about halfway through my 7th time reading it. I would invite all of you to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish before I come home. I promise you that if you will do it, it will change your life. You will feel a difference. It will be the sweetest feeling because you are bringing yourself closer to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is because of Him that we are even here. I hope you will take my invitation seriously, mainly because I love you and I want you to receive the greater peace and happiness that is waiting for you! 

I love you all and I LOVE MY MISSION!  

A group of sister training leaders

sister fletcher!

and my favorite person!

Sept. 8

Hola Familia!

What an incredibly overwhelming week. I am so grateful for the spirit that has guided me so fully and completely as I have faced things that I never have before on my mission. I am just so incredibly grateful.

We had a sister activity on Monday. I could tell something was off with Sis Keavali and her companion. It didn't feel right. Sister Keavali was completely shut down. I called President Murdock and told him how concerned I was. They decided to do an emergency transfer the next day.

Sister Keavali had a panic attack on Monday night. I knew there was a reason why I asked you to pray for her. President Murdock called us at 8 and told us we needed to go to their house right then. As we drove up, the ambulance was already outside. My heart dropped. We raced inside. The firemen carried her down the stairs in a blanket. She was completely unresponsive. She had come home, laid down on her bed, and had convulsions and wouldn't focus or respond to anyone.

Sister Lara, Loertscher, and myself raced to the hospital behind them. Thankfully they live with a member and that member came with us to the hospital. I am so thankful for Sister Allison (the member). She kept us all calm. At one point, Sister Keavali stopped breathing and it was the scariest moment of my mission. They finally calmed her down. Sister Rodriguez came with her comp as well, Sister Seru. Sister Seru and Sister Keavali went to high school together. She came in case we needed a translator. President Atkinson, our mission president's councilor, came with Elder Barfield and Elder Edgel to give her a blessing. As soon as they came, I felt so much more peace. In the blessing, she was told that others on the other side were aware of her and helping. I almost lost it at that point. Her mom passed away 2 weeks before her mission. I felt her presence there. After the blessing, the change in Sister Keavali was astounding. She was responsive, alert, and starting to smile. Sister Lara, Loertscher, and Rodriguez headed home so Sister Loertscher could pack. Sister Seru and I stayed with Sister Keavali. She had to get an x-ray and a cat scan. They think she may have had a seizure. She told us that she was so happy when president called and said they were emergency transferring her comp and then she felt so guilty that she should have helped more. We helped her remember that she can't fix everyone. Our job is to bring people unto Christ, not be psychiatrists! I just love that girl so much and I am so thankful that she is okay. I hope it was a good wake up call for everyone involved, not only just how fragile life is but how important it is that we talk about the things we are going through rather than just keep them inside.

We stayed at the hospital until 1:00 a.m. Rebel missionaries! Woot! Sis Keavali was bummed because they had to cut off the shirt she was wearing. It was one I had just given to her. When we got to their house, the other 3 sisters were still awake and packing. Sister Lara and I headed home while the other 4 stayed there. In the morning we went back so Sister Rod and Sister Seru could go home and get ready. I got to run some errands with Sister Loertscher before she left and the change in her was so apparent. She is changing through the Atonement. We ate at Sonic, almost got locked out of their house, and lounged around waiting for Sister Murdock. I was so exhausted. For some reason that morning I decided to still wake up at 6:30 (why am I so obedient?). Sister Murdock brought Sister Koenig with her from Denver.  Sister Keavali and Sister Koenig are doing swimmingly. They are working so hard and are laughing and smiling a lot. I am so happy that everything is working out. Sister Keavali has the same light about her as she did before. I am so grateful for the spirit that has guided me throughout this experience. 
We had exchanges with the 12th sisters this week. Sister Baker came with me to my area. She is incredible. Plus she wears stirrup pants for pajamas. I was so tired and may or may not have stopped at a green light. A girl we are teaching, who is 12, and her little cousin, who is 6, did a "God cheer" for us. "Go God!" At one point the little one was on top of the others shoulder and they were yelling, "A FLYING ANGEL!"  "Jesus is our Saviour!" complete with cheerleader hand motions. Too good. That girl also told us that her boyfriend broke up with her earlier that day, "And he even gave me 65 cents earlier. Who does that?"  Sister Baker really wants to stay focused for the last little bit of her mission. She sometimes feels like she is holding back the work because they aren't as motivated as they could be and she sometimes has to spend time making sure her companion is okay. I told her to remember the celebrate the little victories and to "cheerfully do all things in her power" (one of my current favorite scriptures D&C 23:17). She has such righteous desires. I love her so much! I could tell that she is going home soon as the majority of our conversation was about babies, weddings, boyfriends, and elders and sisters from our mission who are now home and dating each other haha.
Something that Sister Hilton (my STL comp) and I are trying to be more effective at is staying in contact with the sisters and letting them know how our goals are going. This last week our sisters had 18 people at church! Incredible!
One of the miracles of my week was that 3 of our investigators came to church! Miley and her two sons, Aidan and Dagan came! We first had an incredibly powerful lesson with a member on Thursday (our first member present of the transfer!). Sister Price bore such powerful testimony (plus her name is Kaitlyn!). Randomly in the middle of the lesson, Dagan, the 9 year old, interjected, "Can we come to church?" I almost started crying. They are so close to the spirit. The older one, Aidan, who is 11, said the closing prayer. On Saturday we had a church tour with them. Miley said she had never before heard her son pray like that and she had only ever drug the youngest one to church before. She said she really wanted to pay attention to what was right in front of her face. She has a lot of questions but I know with the spirit they can be baptized! We invited them to be baptized on October 4th and they said they would think about it! Miley has some word of wisdom problems. Matt, her husband, is completely uninterested. Miley was concerned that would be a problem in our "patriarchal society" but we told her that we love everybody, no matter what their family is like! And then they came to church and were even 15 minutes early! Hallelujah!
I told April, a recent convert, that if she bore her testimony I would bear mine. Well she did! So I had to too. It was a huge step because she has a lot of social anxiety. And she even said a prayer in relief society!
We helped a lot of people move this week. We have a very transient ward.
Sister Lara is such a great companion. She is loving and kind and easygoing. She really just wants to do the right thing. And plus she has a great laugh!
I am continuing to work on the attribute of charity. I know that the best thing I can do as a leader is love these sisters! They are so dear to me and I am so thankful for the privilege I have of teaching and sharing with them so that they may continue a chain of righteousness and obedience in our mission!
Sister Rodriguez has been struggling a little bit but it's nothing detrimental. It's just enough to help her grow. I love her so much and was so worried about her. It was stopping me from doing the work. I knew I needed a blessing but sometimes it just takes some time for me to realize it or act on what I know I need to do. I finally called Brother Barney, a member in the ward, to ask for one. I have gotten a blessing from him before. I love their family so much. They have helped me to feel at home here in this area. The Barneys have a hilarious Sunday tradition where they hot tub as a family and talk about their week. They have 2 darling little kids, Dylan (7) and Allison (6). Brother Barney said he felt like he needed to get out of the hot tub and go inside. Sister Barney asked him what he was doing and he felt like he just needed to be inside. Right when he walked in, his phone was ringing and it was us. Talk about inspired.  In the blessing, I learned that I need to let Sis Rodriguez go in order for her to grow. I will continue to pray for her always and let her know how much I love her. I just need to remember that her burdens are hers. She and Sister Seru are working hard and are seeing so many miracles. I won't fully understand my relationships that I have made here on my mission until later in life.  I was reminded that God really does love me. The blessing was so specific and tailored to exactly what I am going through right now. It was such an evidence of  God's reality. I have been called to serve in the Grand Junction 6th ward. I need to remember that. I was having some difficulty focusing on the work here because I love 9th ward with my entire heart and soul. I am so thankful for the reminder to really be here. Everything I have experienced in my life and in my mission has prepared me for this time to be serving in this ward and I am going to make the most of it! The Lord needs me here. I have been prepared for this time.  I was promised that as I focus on the my daily tasks that I will be able to continue to run the Lord's errands and the time will fly quickly. YIKES. I will also be able to share with my husband and children this time of my mission with fondness. I was saved for this dispensation to share the gospel. It's not a burden because God knows I can do it. The most important thing I can do is let people know that I love them. So I want you all to know that I love you and that I love God! Everyday I see miracles and guidance from my Father in Heaven. He is more aware than we will ever know. You should all read Omni 1:26 and try and give your whole souls this week!

I LOVE MY MISSION!

HOSPITAL ADVENTURES. The best yellow socks in the world.

September 1

Well familia, I am back to my old stomping grounds...... THE 6TH WARD.... of Grand Junction. (I wish it was raymond 6th haha).

I am right beside my old area. In fact, I am still in the same district. Sister Rodriguez and I get to see each other all the time! Woot! 

I already know this area really well. I have been to it on several exchanges. I know a lot of the ward members. There is a lot of work that needs to be done here. I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT! 

Monday we got to be with Sis Keavali. I love her. I got to say goodbye to more people, including the darling Wagner family. I love them and will send pictures. The nice thing is I will see them around still and I get to keep really close tabs on how the work is going there. Monday night, the APs dropped off an extra mattress for Sis Keavali to sleep on and they told us what was happening with transfers. I knew where I would be going. And, to be frank, I was scared. But I know it will all work out. We have to build the trust of the ward and to find new investigators (because we don't really have any), and to work on obedience! I am really quite excited for how I can help this area because I already love the people within it.

Friday we had an emergency exchange to go on with some sisters who were struggling. My new STL comp serves in Fruita, Sister Hilton. She's in a tripanionship so that makes exchanges a little crazy. I went to the 7th ward with Sis Keavali. We saw so many miracles. We set an investigator on date and scheduled a church tour with her the very next day! Tamara is very quiet and sweet. She lives in pretty humble circumstances. The church tour was perfect! We had a member family there, the Malfitanos. In the chapel, their little daughter sang I am a child of God while I played for her. It was perfect. She doesn't say much but she finally used a different word than good to describe how she was feeling: peace! As she said the closing prayer, I felt very distinctly that she had suffered abuse in her life.  I had no idea where it came from.  I pushed it to the back of my mind. Tamara said she was coming to church! Later that day, I told Sis Keavali what I had felt. Yesterday I found out that she didn't come to church but Sister Keavali and Sister Loertscher went to her house to talk with her. She completely opened up about everything because they asked. She was abused as a child and because of it she has a hard time trusting people, especially men. God is so aware of His children. 

Sister Keavali is so amazing. Please keep her in your prayers. She is having a hard time but I know she will get through it with the Lord.

On our exchange, Sister Keavali had this awesome quote. "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." That is what I am really trying to focus on. 

Sunday was crazy. The ward is awesome. We taught Gospel Principles. We randomly sang with the ward choir and totally both sang at the wrong part. Woot! There is a sister in the ward from Med. Hat! Woot! Canadian connections for the win.

Also our investigators in the 9th ward, Kim and Rocky finally came to church!

We helped Sister Greco peel peaches. (Sis Gregerson will appreciate that).

I am excited for this week! I hope you all get to change and grow and learn more about the Atonement this week! 

August 25

THE TIME HAS COME. I LEAVE FOR MY NEW AREA TUESDAY.

I personally think that I will be staying out west, probably even still in grand junction! But only time will tell! Wish me luck!

I had the best last week possible here in this area. With the change, I have realized just how grateful I am for the time that I have had here. I love these people SO MUCH. I start crying randomly when I start to think about it too much so it hasn't really hit me that I am leaving because I try not to think about it.

MIRACLE #1 ERIN GOT MARRIED ON MONDAY NIGHT!

Monday night all of our appointments fell through. I wasn't feeling like a very great missionary. And then at 8:15 Erin called asking us if we could come over at 8:30 because she and Kyle were getting hitched! Wahoooo! When we arrived, all of her family was there and she and Kyle were ready. The marriage was very casual. Erin wore a Broncos shirt and her baby was nakey shakey but none of that matters. What matters is that they are now living the commandments! After they signed the marriage license, Erin exclaimed to Kyle, "We are no longer living in sin!" Kyle's mom wasn't too happy about it so she tried to make it a bigger deal by bringing champagne and a cake. Sister Rod and I became incredibly nervous when they started to pour the glasses. If she drank it, she couldn't get baptized. We whisper yelled back and forth, "You talk to her!" "No you talk to her!" I mustered up the courage and when she ran downstairs to grab a camera, so did I. As I expressed our concern, she simply said, "I wasn't planning on drinking it." I LOVE HER. She is the most prepared person I have ever met. Back upstairs, she took the champagne, poured it out, and put water in it so they could take pictures of them drinking it together. Her family said, "Why are you doing that?" Her reply made my year, "I'm living the word of wisdom. Now and for forever!" After the marriage we ran to exchange with the 7th sisters so that Sister Moser and I could then exchange with the 6th sisters. 

EXCHANGES

I was with Sister Lara for the day! She's from Seattle. She has had an incredibly difficult life. Instead of letting it tear her down, she has let it build her. She is so strong and loves to take care of people. She wants to help everyone but is stressed right now that she can't help her family more. We talked a lot about trusting God and I, of course, shared my favorite scripture: Mosiah 24:14. We had an awesome day together. We helped a woman move, taught a less-active who is progressing so much, and tracted in the pouring rain! We had dinner with a new move-in in their ward who served a mission and now she is married to a non-member. We had a good conversation with him about faith. I know he will get baptized some day! 

ERIN GOT BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!

We woke up to pouring rain. Sister Moser and I had a leadership meeting to go to so we headed out, leaving our companions behind. After we switched back, Sister Rodriguez and I started to freak out! We were just so excited and wanted to make sure everything was perfect. And it was! In the sense that the spirit was there so powerfully and we had good ward support. President and Sister Murdock also came with their daughter Myken, who leaves in 19 days for her mission in Germany. Erin was so excited. She kept rubbing her hands together like she was getting ready to run a race or something. Her brother was able to baptize her. He is the only other member in her family. I wish you could have been there, to feel the total and complete joy I felt as I watched Erin make covenants with her Father in Heaven. I even sang... say what? I sang Saviour, Redeemer of my Soul. I had Sister Gardner accompany with her violin and Sister Wells on the piano. As I was singing, I felt the spirit more powerfully and in a different way than I ever have before. It was carrying me. The reason why I was able to do it in part was because of Sister Pfeifer. She was in charge of 18 lives. On Friday night before the baptism (and after our Ward Fish Fry), she gave me a personal singing lesson! She is a professional opera singer! She told me that I could do opera if I wanted so that was pretty neat. After I sang it for her, she told me my diction was fabulous, my breathing great, all the technical things were fine...but I wasn't feeling it. I need to sing as if I was talking to the Saviour. As I changed my mindset and relied on the power I knew my voice already had, a different spirit came into the room. All I needed was someone to give me permission to really feel what I was singing and that is what she did! I am so grateful for her. After Erin was baptized and we waited for her to change, Sister Wagner bore the perfect testimony. I just love her. Erin was confirmed by Elder Merrill. In her blessing she was promised that she would be able to be sealed to her family one day. Oh what that meant to me and I can only imagine what it means to her. We took so many pictures and were so ridiculously happy! Such a blessed day! And Carley, her eight year old who got baptized a month ago, said the best closing prayer. She said, "I'm thankful that my mom got baptized today and I hope she's happy too and I hope she has a good day today."

ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS CAME TO TOWN

Apparently Saturday was the best day of my mission, because at 5 o'clock we were privileged to hear from an apostle of the Lord. It was very structured and organized. We all got to shake his hand. I was very nervous before but once we walked into the chapel, that all went away. He is such a real and down to earth person. He also tells really good jokes and is so kind. Being in his presence, made me want to be more obedient, it made me want to love more fully. I felt his love. I'd imagine that that is how we will feel when we are in the presence of our Saviour. Elder Martino and Bishop Causse also talked to us. They spoke about being an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Elder Oaks took a moment in his talk and paused. Then he said, "We take our spiritual impressions very seriously. I am not going to dwell on this but as I shook your hands, I felt very impressed that many of you need to speak with your mission president." That is all he said and moved on. YIKES. Of course, my heart started racing and I immediately thought, "What did I do?" Then I started praying and I felt peace. Yay for being irrational. I felt so happy. It was so cool to be able to grin real big at Elder Oaks, have him grin back, and know that I have a clear conscience. I am so thankful for repentance. Through Christ we really can be cleansed from sin. I left my notebook with my notes at home so I will send you them next week FROM MY NEW AREA! Woot!

THIS MORNING

We are now a tripanionship with Sister Keavali (from FIJI!). Sister Moser departed early this morning to Denver so she can be at transfer meeting tomorrow when she bears her testimony and then heads home. I am so thankful that I got to serve around my trainer her last transfer. Sister Moser is one of the most consecrated, giving people I have ever met. All that she wants is to do the will of the Lord. We got to wake up at 4:45 this morning to bid her adieu and pick up Sister Keavali. After that I couldn't fall back asleep so I started packing. All I really did was organize though and my suitcases still haven't been touched! haha

SISTER RODRIGUEZ

I am so thankful, so VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY thankful for Sister Rodriguez. She has taught me so much about righteous desires and real genuine love and faith. Plus we are like best friends so that is always a nice bonus. I am so excited for her to have new adventures. She will continue to do great things and bless so many lives. 

PATTY

Miracles always happen when I leave an area. We have been concerned that Patty has not been progressing as much. She has finished the Book of Mormon. Something we've been trying to get her to do is pray but we've never been really bold about it. Yesterday as we stopped by their house to say by, I knew we needed to have a lesson about prayer. I loved feeling the Spirit guide us as we asked inspired questions and shared personal experiences. And though it may have been a touch painful while we waited for her to say it, SHE SAID THE CLOSING PRAYER! It was the perfect ending to my journey with her. I know that she will get baptized.Hopefully I stay in GJ so I can come to it. 

Thanks for all your support love! 

Love,

Sista T

McClimans,Buddeckes Behrmans, 

 Sorensons, and Rices Karen, Milt and Patty, Ruby (the doll. hey she's just like terry!) 

Erin's super chill wedding…and baptism

August 18

What a great week we had! So many miracles! 

Monday

First and most important, we found out Robin Williams passed away. Sister Rod literally gasped when she found out. She almost cried. The weirdest part was that earlier in the week we had been discussing how much she loves him and how much Mrs. Doubtfire scared me when I was younger. We taught our favorite new less-active Donna Rice. She had come to church the day before. We found out she is friends with Sister Hugentobler in our ward already! So we brought her. Sis H was baptized when she was younger but then didn't come back to church til about 3 years ago when her daughter became interested in religion. She said she had believed in God but not in Christ. As she prayed about it she just came to believe. Her heart was changed. 

Tuesday

A really weird day. We visited John Bell, a hedrikite (?). He believes in the Book of Mormon but not in Joseph Smith. While he was talking I kept thinking that was he was saying made no sense. He was so closed but I wanted to give him the opportunity to have the full truth. We had an awesome lesson with Milt and Patty. Patty has officially finished the Book of Mormon and she knows it's true. She doesn't want to be baptized yet because she is afraid of social acceptance from her friends and family. Pray for her! We're at a bit of a loss of where to go from here. We've taught her everything and she knows it's true. I know and have the faith that she can get baptized before November! Tuesday night, Sister Moser, Sister Keavali and I drove to Eagle, CO! We had Mission Leader Council the next day in Vail. Sister Keavali and Sister Rodriguez were supposed to stay together but Sis Keavali came with us because she was going through some stuff and wanted to talk to President and Sister Murdock. Let me just tell you how incredible Sis Keavali is. Her mom passed away unexpectedly three weeks before she came on her mission and she still came. This week she found out a brother and her dad were missing. She is from Fiji. They went out fishing and hadn't been seen for about a week. While at MLCs, President called Fiji and found out they were okay! I gave Sis Keavali the biggest, best hug in the entire world. Tuesday night I was reunited with Sister Gregerson! She is my MTC comp. She and Sis Jones stayed at the Eagle sisters house too. I love Sis G with my entire heart and soul.  It was so good to see her again and catch up on life even though we've only been apart for about 5 weeks.

Wednesday

MLCs baby. We had a lot of trainings and did a lot of sitting. We also ate Qdoba for lunch instead of Subway. What? That's the first time that has ever happened on my mission. I learned about faith, planning, and myself. Our mission is changing and growing. It's so amazing to see how the attitude of baptizing monthly is becoming a real thing. When I was first on my mission, there was a lot more doubt. We found more investigators in one week this past transfer than our mission ever has before. The Lord is hastening his work! We also got to talk a mtc reunion pic because a lot of us were there at MLCs.

Thursday

I learned and remembered how incredible the power of prayer is. Think about how amazing it is that we can all communicate with God and that He hears and answers us. It's so real.

We tracted into Bill and Kat. He told us he got kicked out of his ward because he didn't own a 3 piece suit. Good thing I dislike 3 piece suits anyways. They were so negative and so closed. He yelled at us a bit. Also their cat was giving birth in the corner so that was lovely. Afterwards, I had the distinct impression that we needed to be there to strengthen our testimonies. In happier news, Erin is FOR SURE getting baptized this Saturday! She and Kyle are getting married on their lunch break on Tuesday (how adorable is that?). She positively beamed when they announced her baptism in sacrament meeting. 

Friday

We have been eating peaches up the wazoo. Palisade is world-renowned for them. And we've been giving them to all our friends because members keep giving us boxes of them. This morning we were privileged to help pick them! It was so fun! The best was accidentally stepping on them and feeling the juice squeeze between my toes. I just thought of Holes and how nice my feet were going to smell. When we gave peaches to the Behrman's she said, "Daddy we're going to have a peach cobbler tomorrow!" It was the cutest thing. We saw Erin and she is so excited and happy for her baptism. We weekly planned outside with our neighbor's stinky dog Venus. Sis Rod loves animals.

 

Saturday

We found an awesome new investigator! Her name is Mary and she is a Quaker! (I think she must love oatmeal and low cholesterol). She gave an amazing prayer focused on Christ. She is very interested in reading the Book of Mormon. 

Sunday

We made it through speaking in church! Sis Rod only threw up a little before we left the house. She gets really nervous haha. We had 5 investigators come to church! I spoke on Christ's love (Luke 7 with the woman and Simon the Pharisee) and of course somehow managed to include a farm story. That's about all anyone talked to me about after that. We found 3 new investigators! One named Angie we met about a month ago and taught her the first lesson. She was really busy so we didn't set up a return apt but we randomly found her again! And we found Audrey and Ivan. They are so happy. I am so excited to see them. I am so thankful for a comp who motivates me to go and find when I don't particularly have the desire. I sometimes lose the sense of urgency. But I am committed to have it all this week.  I LOVE MY MISSION.

The Elders shared in our coordination meeting that a boy they had been teaching was in the hospital because he had drank bleach. He felt left out from the boys in our ward and had tried to find new friends. He did things that he felt horrible about to try and fit in so he did the only thing he thought he could. He has some mental problems but it just made me so incredibly sad. I was reminded just how imperative it is that we always try and do what Jesus Christ would do.

In other news, an apostle of the Lord is coming to Grand Junction this Saturday........and it's Elder Dallin H. Oaks! He and 4 other general authorities are coming to train the leaders in this area. The missionaries are privileged to have a special meeting just for us! I am so excited slash just a little bit nervous! I'm excited to tell you all about it next week. 

 

I love you all and I LOVE MY MISSION!

MLCs!