Nov 3

Of course, so many things happened this week that I don't even know where to begin! I do know that I learned how easy it is to be doubting, hopeless, and negative. It is difficult to be the opposite but it is necessary. Our area is struggling right now and as both Sister Hilton and I have perfectionist tendencies, we tend to blame ourselves. We don't really have any progressing investigators. BUT we have hope that things will change because we are doing everything in our power to change that (D&C 123:17). We've had to have some good long real talks about what is really important. I felt sad because I felt like I was back at square one of where I was when I first came on my mission. I was reminded though that in Elder Klebingat's conference talk some of our weaknesses will be our companions our entire lives here on Earth. It's all about taking the time to be grateful for the opportunity I have to learn more about the love and life of my Saviour. 

It's the most wonderful time! 

The week started out with Sisters Conference. Which is basically a meeting that we organize as Sister Training Leaders and it is for all the Sister missionaries in the area to come to! Sister Hilton and I prepared the best we could for the conference and I just was praying that it would be inspiring and uplifting for all of us! I do not know why I was concerned really, because we had planned by the Spirit! It ended up being such a good bonding and uplifting experience for all of us! The sisters are what really and truly made all the difference. They have such strong testimonies and insights. I learned so much and saw what wonderful desires they have to be obedient missionaries. In one of the trainings, Sister Hilton and I tried to be funny...I don't know how funny it actually was, but we had fun. We called it "A Sister's Guide to the Holidays" and we talked dressed up for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas and talked about how we could still do missionary work on these holidays. It was so fun! I AM SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS. 

Right after Sister's Conference, Sister Wetzel who is serving in Fruita came with me on an exchange. She is great! Unfortunately, the past couple weeks I have been struggling with this weird exhaustion where I fall asleep at all time and in all things and in all places. I was so exhausted on our exchange and I said really weird things and I felt really awkward all the time. I don't think Sister Wetzel learned much from me but I sure learned a lot from her. She is so hard-working, kind, determined, and caring. We found a new investigator named Amanda, who lives right by some members! And we visited with 2 new less-active sisters who have a lot of potential to progress! I called our mission nurse about my exhaustion and we've made some plans so that it's hopefully not so much of a problem. I'm excited to start staying awake during personal study and comp study and role plays and lessons and lunch and service and car rides and meetings...hahaha. 

Halloween

Our ward is the best! The Halloween party on Thursday was off the chain! (I'm working on the whole dignified language thing). Over 250 people came and had so many great costumes. We had a Halloween miracle and our investigator Michelle came to the party! Sadly she is moving to Golden soon but we're happy she could come. We met a lot of awesome non members at the party too! I dressed as a "cheetah" and Sister Hilton was sneakily Anastasia when she is dancing on the ship. On real Halloween we were supposed to go out and work and hand out Family History invitations but unfortunately I got sick. So we spent the night inside. We did dress up as each other though that day and we took some pictures with a timer! We wore each other's clothes, shoes, and nametags! 

Miracles

A lady I first met at the middle of last transfer with Sister Lara has 3 kids. One of them randomly came to church on Sunday with her Grandma. Her grandma isn't a member but has a friend in the ward who is! How crazy is that? And we had already set up an appointment to see them this week. The teenaged one was at the Halloween party and she already has a close friend in the ward, Kaylee! I love built-in fellowshippers. 

Sister Hilton and I have been stressing and praying as to how we should approach Miley, Ayden, and Dagon about meeting with them. At our Zone Conference this week we learned about the Ammon principle so we decided to put it into practice. We went by in our service clothes and asked if there was anything we could do to help. They wouldn't let us but Miley talked to us for a while as Ayden and Dagon destroyed their pumpkins. We have a return appointment for Tuesday. It was so easy and simple. It feels like a second chance! This time we are going to really focus on getting the members involved! As we talked with them, I realized how much I LOVE THEM and I am so grateful to have a second chance with them. 

Lessons Learned from Sister Hilton

Sister Hilton is pretty great. Actually she is really great. I am privileged to serve with her. Something she has taught me recently is to make a decision and then pray about it. Too often I pray with the intent of Heavenly Father just giving me the answer because I would rather not have to make the decision. As one of my favorite lines f rom PMG says, "Personal decision-making is one of the sources of growth we were meant to experience in mortality." I have seen my prayers become more powerful as I try to use my own brain to make a decision and then to ask God about it. 

We were also able to go to Tatianna's baptism this past Saturday. 

Sister Hilton tracted into her her first week in Fruita. She taught her for basically the whole six months she was there, and she was finally baptized!  She had a lot of fun trying to find a jumpsuit that would fit since she is about 8 months pregnant. Every baptism is so unique to each individual. Her husband, Damien was on his way, and running very late. The whole program was altered, and her kids Johnny and Andrew were a little rambunctious, but finally to all of our relief we were able to get Damien directions, and he came! As Tatianna got into the font, Andrew was yelling, "I want to swim" and there was so much chaos. As Tatianna began to be submerged under the water, the Spirit rushed in. The boys were both happily smiling, and Tatianna was crying and laughing as she came out of the water. The other miracle part was that Damien said a very heartfelt closing prayer. He talked of the exciting new adventures they would soon undertake. I felt the spirit so strongly at that point.

It was a much needed spiritual refresher to feel the Spirit so strongly throughout last week. So many people in Clifton and Grand Junction have so many hard things going on in their lives. Sister Hilton and I got caught up in the gloom of it all a little bit this past week. I felt as if there was this eery and weighing fog over everything. It was through feeling the Spirit that I was reminded that what I am really sharing with people is that there is hope. That hope comes from Jesus Christ. There is never a fog to heavy or a pit too deep that Jesus Christ cannot help us out of! His love is ever-reaching and is just always there. What a blessing it is to know that. 

Thanks for all you do! I hope you all have a great week and that you are able to recognize the hand of God in your lives. 

HALLOWEEN MIRACLE.  A man who has never come to church since I have been here came to the ward party and then to church!

Sister Hilton and I being each other.