Weekly Update

Hello hello hello!

Another week come and gone. The highlight (haha yeah right) of my week was the fact that it SNOWED. About 10 inches. Boooooo. Luckily it melted within two days. I feel it was necessary to prepare me for what is coming. It's going to be bad. But I am excited! 

Anyways, any week with General Conference in it is going to be a good week!  We've been staying really busy with our lessons. We have a lot of people to teach and right now we are really trying to help people progress, which is the purpose of what I'm doing. We pray a lot to try and discern what it is we can be doing to help our investigators have a desire to come closer to Christ and then to act on that desire. We had two investigators come to General Conference this week so that was a big deal! Exciting times! 

We got a new car this week! A 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. Woot woot! I feel like a champion when we drive it. We switched with the Elders because they needed a bike rack. It was their idea to switch and we were more than okay with it!

On Tuesday we had a lesson with our two favorite Spanish men, Rodo and Benito. I actually talked to them and said some good one-liners in the lesson (ex. the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses our families. haha). The worst part though was when Rodo brought out what he called "plantanas machos" aka manly bananas, or better known as bananas soaked in brine with cheese on top. I almost threw up. I don't know if I have ever had a gag reflex that strongly before. Sister Tew was a champion and ate some of mine when they weren't looking. Oh man, it was bad. 

We had a cool experience when we talked to Flor for the first time this week. She is 15. We asked her to pray and she said yes! That was the first good thing. And the second was in her prayer she thanked God for sending us to her because she knew we were from God. How cool is that?!
This week I got packages from Janie and Sarah with goodies inside. I don't know what I have ever done to have such awesome friends. THEY ARE THE BEST.
We had a church tour with Rodo this week too. The chapel concluded our tour and as soon as we entered the strongest feeling of peace overwhelmed me. It was incredible and such a testimony to me that God really is aware of the work we are doing. I am so thankful I get to renew my covenants each week and remember my Saviour.  Rodo is so awesome and basically teaches us a lesson every week. He is so cool.

 We taught Misael, Jorge, and Omar, who are all bros from Mexico. When we first got there, Misael was hostile. But as we read the book of Mormon, he wouldn't stop. He just kept reading and reading and talking about what he was reading. His whole countenance changed just by reading from the BoM. By the end we were all laughing. When we got up to leave, Misael stood on the arm of the couch to be taller than us. It was so funny. They are the shortest little men. I kind of feel bad going over there because I am such a giant. I must make them feel like children haha. 

General Conference was so amazing! I love it! Never has the Gospel been more real to me. And more than just a church. It defines everything I am. I love it so much and I am so thankful I get to share it.
General Conference is such an uplifting, amazing, and yet emotionally draining time. I learned so much and got so many answers to prayers. We had a priesthood session miracle. Rodo cannot come to church because he works every Sunday but he could come to priesthood. We were so excited! And so was he! He came in his Sunday best and was so ready to listen to the prophet. We got there early to make sure everything was working. But it wasn't. The satellite was down so all the men needed the laptop to watch it in English. We headed to the clerk's office where we fiddled around with the computer there. The sound was not working no matter what we did. Sister Tew and I said a prayer. By this time, it had well started. After we said the prayer we tried in one last attempt to get it to work and it did! Rodo was able to watch in Spanish and understand! It was so awesome.
Sunday morning we watched in Spanish with one of our investigators. As you know, I don't know Spanish. Though I did not know exactly what was being said, I received answers to my prayers through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It was so incredible.
Spanish is coming slowly but I am starting to understand more in our lessons. Sister Tew is an incredible missionary for teaching a lot of lessons basically by herself!
We have a large teaching pool but we are really trying to do more than just teach lessons. We want to help people progress! It's hard work but I am just glad I don't have to go it alone. I realized during Conference that this work is impossible to do by myself. I need the Spirit and my Saviour's help every step of the way. 

Also we are currently teaching 3 Carlos's, each of which we don't know their last names haha. So they are now Carlos 1, Carlos 2, and Carlos 3. It's great! 

Anyways we didn't have a lot of time to email today but I hope I packed in enough stuff to keep everyone entertained! I love you all and I am so thankful for all of your support. It's great to be loved!

Love, 

Sister Turner

Sister Turner expressing her LOVE of snow

more snow......

and more!

Still in Steamboat Springs

HI HI HIYA!

Well I have a new companion and there are two new elders in Steamboat! My companion is Sister Tew! And she is from Hawaii! And she is so excited all the time! (That is why I am using exclamation points after everything). She's the best. She has 4 siblings and all the kids in her family were adopted. She has the cutest little five year old sister from China named Amy. She is the senior comp because she has been out for 7 months. She got her license to drive on her mission so driving with her has been less than ideal hahaha. She's really jerky and really nervous and we all know how nervous of a driver I am. Plus she has never driven in snow, so we decided we are going to ask president if I can drive in winter haha. The nice thing though is she knows she is a bad driver so I can tell her when we are going to hit something or someone and she won't get angry.

Last week we drove to Rifle on Tuesday for transfers. My companion was in Rifle for 6 months and so we met right at transfers. We waited to leave until later when the other elder got there so we could "caravan" back to Steamboat. I got to see one of my MTC sisters too! Sister Duprey is the best. It was bittersweet to be parted with Sister Rem and Sister Moser. Sister M went to Glenwood Springs as a Sister Training Leader (woot) and Sister Remington went to Falcon Park in Denver. They really are the best and were the exactly right companions I needed for my first transfer in the field. Apparently Sonic is owned by a member in Rifle so of course we hit that up and got free food! Sister Tew and I had a good three hour drive to bond on the way back. 

On Wednesday we had to split the area. Which basically meant I had to split the area because no one else knew anything about it. I was just at tad bit stressed about it but I think it went okay. The Elders are super eager and hard-working, which is exactly what the area needs because they need to gain the ward's trust. Our supper on wednesday cancelled on us but we got a miracle! Sister Locke, the YW President, texted us and asked us if we wanted to come eat pizza with them for mutual! Woot! We had a lesson with four Spanish men: Misael, Omar, Jorge, and Pascual. Because there are only two of us sisters we needed another sister from the ward to come with us. Sister Muhme came and was totally awesome in the lesson. She was whipping out the Spanish like a champ! When sisters first came into this area, Sister Muhme was pretty against them coming to her home and sharing spiritual thoughts. Now she thrives off of it. It is incredible to see the change the gospel has made in her life. Her husband isn't a member but I know he recognizes too how much their family has changed for the better.

On Thursday we got to head over to Sister Locke's for lunch for leftover pizza! She's our neighbour so we just zipped on up to her house. And we went running in the morning too! Woot! I'm going to be able to run for miles when I come home because I am so high in elevation here. Sister Muhme and her family went on vacay this weekend so they came and dropped off their leftovers. They are great chefs and so we love it! We taught three sweet Spanish ladies on vacay to CO. We also taught Rodo (where I fell asleep for two seconds. I tried not to, I really tried!), Juan, Arturo and Lucia. Yay for people to teach! 

Friday we attacked the ward list again. We finally got an updated ward list and were able to figure out who it is we can go visit. All the missionaries ate at Locke's and we had the most delicious chicken chili! 

Saturday we had a great day! We met so many great Spanish-speaking people and I wish I could tell you what happened in the lessons. I will someday! It's really cool that though I don't know much of what is going on, I can still feel the Spirit so strongly! I've gotten really good at just smiling at our investigators haha. One thing I've realized on my mission is that I am not very good at showing that I love people. And it's even harder when you can't say anything. Sister Tew is an incredible example and I know that is one reason she is my companion. Saturday night we ate at Fred and Don-Ela's. I just love them so much. Betty was also there! Betty is the sweetest little old lady. However she is a hoarder and won't let anyone help her. Last week though, our good friend Valerie called her and Betty invited her over! Valerie convinced her to clean up her house and Betty decided to move to California! It really was a miracle. After dinner at Fred's we had a meeting about the Just Serve presentation we did in church yesterday. Just Serve is a pilot project by the church in 3 or 4 missions in the US, mine being one of them. It's a website where a committee posts volunteer opportunities in the community. You can go on and quickly see where and when you can volunteer. As missionary volunteers we don't proselyte, we just serve and be happy. People are naturally interested when they see who we are. It's really awesome! We've seen it at Lift-Up as we have served there. 

Sunday our just serve presentation went well. Fred was a little angry because the technology wouldn't work to see the powerpoint. He told me he just cannot trust technology! Fred reminds me so much of Dad sometimes it's scary. In sacrament meeting all the new missionaries bore their testimonies. I played the organ so I just went up a couple minutes early and bore mine too. I couldn't let them show me up! haha. After church we ate waffles at Freds. Or rather, I watched people eat waffles because I was fasting. Good times. But we took the leftovers home with us and ate them this morning with the sisters in Craig. And Don-Ela gave us some of her fabulous homemade syrup to boot! On Sunday we taught Carlos in Dream Island and then headed to Sleepy Bear (another trailer park) which was a gold mine! We taught six lessons there and one of them was in English! WOOT! haha. We taught Sol, Hilaria y Edgar, Carlos, Jose, Ramona, Florencio's brother (we don't know his name but he had 10,000 kids), and Roxy. Then we drove to Craig where we are now teaching the Spanish people there because there aren't any Spanish missionaries there. We made a bunch of appointments for next Sunday which was awesome! We also got to eat with the Craig sisters at a members' house. That was interesting hahaha. It's always good when the members say they have the worst ward in the entire world. That night we went with them to a member's home, the Prescott's. We had a testimony meeting with a new convert who wasn't able to attend his first one that day because he had to work. The Prescott's had the funniest little son who kept shouting "AMEN!" and "HALLELUJAH BROTHER!" during testimonies. It was rich. Ooooh also on Sunday we got to scrape the ice off our car. WINTER IS COMING. wahhhhh.

This morning we had our first district meeting as a new district. We learned a lot about being bold. I really do think I have lost all my fear when it comes to being judged by people. Growing up that was a huge deal for me. I thought negatively about myself because I was so afraid of not being what other people thought I should be. And now I walk up to people and I have no problem chewing their ear off (I'm turning into Dad). I even do it with Spanish people with what little Spanish I know. Then I have to reveal to them that I really have no idea what they are saying. It's the best. With my boldness, what I need to do is boldly show my love. It's hard because I don't know the language yet but I'm working on it! After district meeting we hit up Safeway in Craig. It's closing so everything was incredibly marked down. I saved 54% on my purchases today! Woot! 

As I said, the Elders are really eager. So as companionships we are reading the Book of Mormon in a tranfer. We are reading 8 pages in englais and 4 in espanol. As Sis Tew and I share what we learn in personal study while reading the same material, we get such different ideas and emphases out of it. It's realllly cooooool!

So obviously my new comp is Spanish-speaking and is incredible at it! In the past week we taught 31 lessons and 27 of them were in Spanish! I am trying to learn but it's hard. I know quite a bit of religious vocabulary and I pray in our lessons but I definitely have a hard time with verb conjugation. But it's fun! I better learn quick or my companions vocal cords might give out on her! 

Wish me luck en mi espanol! Hasta Luego! 

new companion

First sign of winter

OOPS!  SKIPPED A WEEK -SEPT 23

I'm staying in Steamboat for another 6 weeks! (AKA so send me all the mail you want because my address is the same...) And I couldn't be happier about it! (Actually I would be happier if my two comps weren't abandoning me but that's beside the point).

On Friday night we got a call from President that Sister Remington is training a new sister in a new area. So we for sure thought Sister Moser and I were staying and we were overjoyed. However, Saturday we got another call and Sister Moser is becoming a Sister Training Leader (woot woot) and leaving me! So I get to welcome a new (luckily) older comp and the new set of missionaries all by my lonesome. Should be a good time. Yikes.
Tomorrow we're heading to Rifle to transfer meeting to welcome all these new changes. I'm just a little bit stressed about it. But I'll be fine.

This week was a great last week with my two best comps ever! We kept just as busy and taught a whole lot of lessons.
Last week in Comp inventory, Sis R told me how she noticed I wasn't falling asleep as much. Well she totally jinxed me. This week has been the worst. I fall asleep everywhere!
Tuesday we headed to Lift-Up. We volunteered with people who are here on vacation from Cali. It's awesome to see good people just want to give back.
Wednesday we went to Lift-Up again. This time we started in the clothing store but they had dire need for us in the food bank again so back we went. We volunteered with the sweetest old lady named Helen. The manager of the food bank abruptly quit so things over there have been kind of crazy.
Thursday we had supper at the Weik's. They just moved to Steamboat about a month ago and are both retired from the Air Force (although they are both like 40). We had the best thai food! And for dessert we had mango sticky rice. I love members of the Church who are also good at cooking. YUM. They had friends, a young couple, from UT visiting. They were nicest and both served missions. They were also hilarious. They provided some great advice on being bold and not comparing ourselves, which is what I do far too often.
We had a Stake Women's Conference to help at in Craig on Saturday so on Friday night we headed to the Craig sisters. One of the Craig sister is heading home (temporarily) to mend some health issues so we had pizza (like I need any more food). I was a little bit miffed because they had two kittens they found outside in their house. We all know how much I love cats, plus I am allergic to them! Then on Saturday I woke up with a ridiculous cold contracted courtesy of Sister Robinson. I'm trying not to be miffed at her too for this but life would be easier without this thing. Then again, I'm just being ungrateful. At least I get so many blessings from sneezing so much!
The Women's Conference was awesome! It was great to see so many of our ward members there. I slept through most of the first speaker but what I heard was pretty great. We were served lunch too! (Yay for more food).
Sunday we had FIVE investigators at church and then our investigator, Anna, randomly came halfway during Relief Society. She is an ordained minister who believes she has the gift of prophecy. So In RS when she randomly interjected and asked if she could introduce herself, it was semi awkward. I think she thought everyone would recognize her as some great spiritual giant and invite her to preach but everybody just said hello. 

I walked into church on Sunday and who did I see but Warren and Cheri Depew! Say what?! hahaha. Such a shock. Apparently they come here every year for a vacay. Small world. Cheri told me Grayden and Claudia were going to come to but they decided not to at the last minute. Now that would have been hilarious. It would have been a good old 6th ward reunion for crying out loud. Warren helped pass the Sacrament (because the ward is so small) and afterwards the bishop thanked him over the pulpit and told him he really liked his suit jacket. Only in Steamboat. 

Also on Sunday Sis R sang with an investigator in church. I played for them and it was awesome. 

On Sunday we ate five meals. FIVE MEALS. gah. We had breakfast, then in RS we had an awesome lunch/lesson on visiting teaching, then we had waffles at Fred's, pancakes at Stephanie's, and finally sandwiches at Darlene's. WHOA. 

Saturday and Sunday were just full of good byes. I just get to stand there and be like "yep, I'm the one who's staying" and then watch as everyone is so sad to see the other two go haha. It's been a good time.

It was incredible to me on Sunday the change that has taken place in the ward just since I have been here, especially in RS. When I got here, it was all business and not much friendliness. Well yesterday we didn't even get out of the church building until 1:00 pm (church ends at noon). I couldn't tell why things have changed but it made me so happy to see all the bonding going on! 

Rodo, Benito, Sister's Remington and Turner

The Muhme's 

Pizza

More pizza

One last pic on the car bed

Sister Turner with investigators

Two Sister Remington's ( Sis. Turner forgot her name tag)

Sept 16/2013 Lots of pic's!

HI HI HIYA!

This week was great! Another week gone already! Times really does fly when you're having fun! hahaha. This week we had an incredible lesson with Melinda. If the Lord would bless me with a lesson like that once a transfer or even once every couple of months, I would do everything in my power to help facilitate it. It's a great motivation to be even more obedient! Melinda is Christian. She has a young son and husband. She has had problems with addiction before and had to give up her older daughter. We taught her about the Restoration and then invited her to kneel and pray right then to ask if it is true. I have never felt the Spirit that strongly on my mission (and maybe in my life) as I listened to her thank and plead with her Heavenly Father. After the prayer, the Spirit prompted me to tell her that she was a daughter of God and that he loved her more than she knows. I have never before felt such power as I testified of God's love for her and how he wants her to return to live with Him. Missionary work is the best.

After Melinda's we walked to our car in the TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. In the words of Sister Remington, I have never before felt so wet. It was a hoot though! We went home and changed our

This week we volunteered at both the food bank and the thrift store. I love volunteering! 

It started raining this week. We have been trying to contact a referral, John Higby, FOREVER. Well on Tuesday we finally found him. He's an evolutionist so that didn't pan out but he does have several ferrets who have free reign in his home. LOVELY. 

At Darlene's (a sweet Less-active) for dinner, we were talking about her bipolar daughter when she randomly turned to Sister Remington and said, "Do you have issues?" It was the strangest/funniest thing of my life! I still can't get over it. Turns out she noticed last time we were there Sis R went to the bathroom twice HAHAHA. So she wasn't talking about mental issues. 

Wednesday morning we "zumba"ed with an investigator. We made her laugh a lot and then we had a great lesson afterwards. 

On Thursday we had a lesson with Danielle, our 13 year old Jamaican. She is awesome! We watched a Mormon message on the member who was with us's phone. We were all crying haha. It's the one about faith and it has Elder Eyring's voice. Go find it and watch it. 

Also on Thursday we had a zone training meeting. I got pumped. When we got back to Steamboat I was OYMing (opening your mouth) ERRYBODY. It was hilarious and really fun and I may or may not have made a fool of myself. I guess that's what mean when they say you should have fun on your mission! 

We drove to Oak Creek this week to help a man move furniture out of his burned-down house. He had an incredible attitude for having a house burn down. Of course we taught him a lesson and he is awesomely prepared. 

This week we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders: Sister Bennett and Sister Encarnacion. Sis R and I went with Sis E and we OYMed ERRYBODY again. It was a hoot. We met a man named Jacob at the college here and invited him to church. We invite a lot of people to church so we didn't think much of it. Well on Sunday, halfway through sacrament who appears int eh doorway: Jacob! complete with coffee cup and bike helmet. Our Ward Mission Leader Fred took him under his wing and afterwards took him to Sunday school where he proceeded to lay down across the chairs....Then halfway through Sunday school I turn around and he is sitting with his eyes closed and both hands raised in the air...After church a bunch of ward friends went over to Fred and Don-Ela's for waffles. Jacob came too. He seemed a little overwhelmed but he wanted to meet with us again so the more power to him! 

We had an investigator tell us this week that he's not sure if he believes in God but the one thing he does believe in is marijuana. That was nice. We also had an investigator run after us shirtless (he's an old man) and then proceed to recite one of his poems for us entitled "Old Chest". How fitting. 

Today some of the Craig missionaries drove up with a recent convert and their ward mission leader. We "hiked" to Fish Creek Falls. It was definitely more of a walk. It's beautiful up there! We also ate lunch (yay more food) and then drove to look at the hot springs at Strawberry Park. I'm definitely going back there. You guys should look it up.It's sweet. It was a lot of fun to be out in nature! 

This week I realized just how blessed I am to be a missionary. When I truly accept this sacred calling, it changes me! There is a greater purpose to what I am doing here than I often realize. I have found more happiness here in this short time than ever before! I still have a lot to work on but it's great because my weaknesses are so apparent. I know exactly what I need to be doing and who I can turn to for help.

Here's to my first transfer almost being over! 

                                             Just a little rain!

Hiking: Fish Creek Falls

more hiking

and more hiking.

Sister Encarnacion, Sister Turner

tricompanionship fun

                                                                         tricomp's

SISTA TURNER

Weekly report-Sept 9/13

Time on the mission is so weird. It feels like I just left and I've been out in the field for a month! But it also feels like I have been on a mission my whole life. I decided it's because every half hour of our day we are doing something that we previously planned. We never have down time. When I was at home or school I definitely was not making that much use of my time. We are doing so much that it feels like I've been gone forever and we keep so busy that the days fly by.
This past week was a gooder. 

Every night we have supper with a less-active, a member, or an investigator. One night we ate with Rodo and Benito, two older Mexican men. Rodo is an investigator and Benito is a member. They are hilarious and only speak Spanish. I prayed in Spanish and it was hilarious(-ly bad). Rodo gave us each a label. I'm humble. Sis R is innocent and Sis M is happy haha. Don't know where he got the idea that I'm humble. Maybe because I just sit there quietly because I know muy poquito Espanol. The food was so SPICY I thought I was going to pass out! It was my first real Mexican food made by Mexicans! 

Benito also said the prayer in Spanish in church last Sunday. He is the only Spanish member. Afterwards Bro. Brundridge, who was conducting, said "Gracias Benito"  in the most gringo way we have ever heard. Now we love to quote him. 

Church is great! This Sunday I played the organ. No one sings in the ward, so after not playing for a couple years my mistakes were well heard. I also played in Relief Society and Primary. I can't count the number of my people who have told me how grateful they are to my Mom for making me practice! So thanks Mom! 

As a companionship we have been having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning and then having enough time to exercise and get ready. So last week I decided to take upon myself to bound out of bed and turn on the light at 6 AM. It actually works to put all the pressure on me for walking us up and I am much less tired with time to exercise and not be rushed. Woot woot for bounding out of bed. (Isn't that surprising since I had such a hard time waking up all through school, right Mom?)
We are teaching a guy named Curt right now. He has some pretty interesting world and societal views. He gets stressed out far too easily and we are really trying to help him utilize the power that the Book of Mormon can bring to him. He also loves to talk. Every lesson with him is a real lesson in patience for me.

On Thursday in Meeker we had a great Sister Training Meeting with the Sister Training Leaders: Sister Encarnacion and Sister BENNETT! (as in Meg's old roommate). She is a hoot. My tripanionship sang a song and it was great! After we all went to lunch together with President and Sister Murdock. They are the best! And one of my Zone Leaders is from Calgary. He's a Redd. Woot woot for Canadians. 

Our ward mission leader, Fred, really is the best. On Wednesday they had us over for dinner and he invited his friend from work, John, and his girlfriend, Kristen. We taught them a lesson and they loved it! Also Fred is quite the host. He recited poems, sang songs, and played his organ for us. I really wish you guys could meet him. 

Yesterday after church we drove out to our other areas. We can't go very often because they are pretty far away. We went to Oak Creek, Phippsburg, and Yampa. In Phippsburg we had a referral from Church Headquarters of someone who wanted a visit. We drove out to a random house in the middle of nowhere. It was a bit disconcerting. But the guy was golden! He was so ready. He requested a missionary visit because he had friends who are LDS and they are always happy. The best way to preach the gospel is by example! 

We ate dinner at the Hatch's, a cute young family with two boys who have old men faces. They are the best! We have the most beautiful area too! 

Every Monday we have a district meeting in Craig. Today I had to give a training on teach when you find, find when teach. I'm just glad it's over haha. Some of the Elders in my district are incredibly mature...NOT. hahaha. It's greeeaaaaatttt.

We are still staying really busy and just trying to soak up the last two weeks before transfers. I really love it here and hope I get to stay for at least one more transfer! (which I probably will, if not for more!)

LOVE YOU ALL AND SEND ME LETTERS (but only if you want to)

My comps are kicking my trash in the letter receiving department

Sister Turner

Eating Canadian Goodies!

More from Steamboat Springs

This week was great! Mainly because I received a package from you people! We get the mail every night as we return back to our house and I had a hard day but that package made everything great! I especially loved the band-aids and the chocolate. My companions and I have loved eating it too. 

Last week I forgot to mention that in our meeting with Sister Murdock she told us not to get fat hahaha. She gained 25 pounds on her mission. She said if we didn't want to be miserable then we should watch our weight. Now everytime we eat a dessert, we say, "Sorry Sister Murdock!" I blame the members for feeding us such delicious food! Sister Remington bought a scale this week....the results were not as bad as I anticipated. So hurrah for eating! 

Last week we started volunteering at the local Food Bank. I love it so much! The employees are so nice and we see a lot of our investigators there too. We stock shelves, make bags full of personal items and clean. There really is no better feeling than serving just to serve. 

I finally met our bishop! He is a fourth generation Steamboat-ian and lives on an acreage. Dad was would fit right in with most of the people I have met here. Last week we helped bishop put together, clean, and spray-paint cots from WWI for his hunting cabin. It was a good time. 

Funny story: we met a less active who I told you about named Bradley. You probs don't remember him but as we talked to him he told us he would love to come to church so we arranged a ride for him. He didn't come. So a few days later when we saw him walking in park we called to him and headed in his direction. Next thing we know, he's running away and pretending he didn't see us. HAHA. Now we love to say remember when a less-active literally sprinted away from us? Good times, good times. 

Yesterday we went shopping at the thrift store downtown. I got some sweet new threads for dirt cheap (aka a shirt for 2$ and a skirt for 5). WOOT. 

This past week we had a lot of success with member present lessons. They are always the best simply because their testimonies bring the Spirit so strongly. We had a sweet lady, Leah come with us. I have honestly never felt the Spirit so strongly and quickly as she testified of how her relationship with the Saviour and the Atonement has changed her life. I love the ward members!

Last week we randomly happened upon a Baptist and a Jehovah's witness
discussing the Bible in a trailer park. They are both named Keith so we now call them Keith squared. They were both very kind and we had a great discussion about all of our different beliefs. Sharing our beliefs and testimony with them while hearing theirs strengthened my own testimony that we have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

With Jamie, our recent convert, we went to the library to check out family history. She is awesome and so dedicated to the Gospel! While they were looking at one computer I got on mine and found that the farthest back I can go is 1060. 1060 for crying out loud! Somebody has been doing some great work! 

I'm learning more and more how the mission is all about loving people! I have met so many interesting people with so many amazing experiences and the best way to bring them to Christ is to show His love for them through my actions. We have to do this a lot especially with less-actives who know but have just forgotten. We met some sweet people who are less-active and haven't gone to church for 50 years. They were the nicest and had the cutest home. Although they expressed they had no desire to come back to Church, we were able to share our testimonies through the scriptures and I know they felt the love of God again in their home.

We also met Sandra while trying to locate a less-active. She has a labyrinth in her backyard (look it up, I had no idea what it was). She is an Episcopalian and is retired. It was so neat to hear all about her beliefs and how she has lived her life and then to share our beliefs. We are meeting with her again too! 

On Sunday we had Danielle and Ashtay come to church with us. They are from Jamaica and are 13 and 7. Because it was Labor Day weekend the ward was 90% visitors. Ashtay, the 7 year old, is my new best friend and always sits by me. As a visiting black family from Florida walked in, she leaned over to Danielle and said, "Hey look, it's our family!" It was the sweetest thing ever! Testimony meeting was amazing and it's so great to know that you can feel the same Spirit at Church wherever you are! Danielle and Ashtay are so sweet and say the cutest prayers whenever we visit them. Ashtay even sang us a Jamaican gospel song. She's quite the performer. 

On Sunday we had coordination meeting with Fred. His wife, Don-Ela, always has a jar full of Oreos. It's the worst/the best! Fred is really awesome and is trying so hard to do his calling! Don-Ela told us this is the most he's ever worked at it! The Lord is truly hastening His work, not just with missionaries with members too! Fred is 70 and reminds me so much of Dad it's funny. We'll have to do a reunion trip and they can meet and become best friends! 

Everyone here is fit, way older than they look, and drives a Subaru. I honestly thought one of our investigators was 25. Turns out he's 42.

This week my personal study has been great! I am learning so much! One thing that changed my perspective of life is hope. Hope is not an uncertain thing, as we might often think. (As I, I hope I it rains today or I hope I lose 20 pounds by Friday). Rather it is the most certain thing we have in life. Hope is the assurance that God will keep His promises if we do our part. All things are possible to him that believes because they really are possible, we just have to believe! We have to take personal responsibility for believing, hoping, and having faith that our Heavenly Father will help us if we try to do what is right. There are so many fabulous if/then statements in the scriptures. If we do this, then we will get this blessing. What I love is that they are not if/maybe statements. If we do it, we WILL receive the promised blessings! There is no uncertainty. It's not if I keep the commandments, then maybe I will prosper in the land. NOPE. You will! Knowing that God will keep His promises gives me such a motivation and determination to do my very best! Because I definitely want all that He has promised me! A lot of people we teach don't have much stability in their lives. But being able to share with them this knowledge brings them so much comfort. There is something more to this life and we don't have to wonder what will happen to us when we die! Isn't that the most comforting thing? 

So after we have that hope that God will do His part, we then need faith, which is showing our hope by acting! Jesus Christ actually paid for my sins. If I try my best, keep the commandments, repent and give my will to the Lord, I can live with my family, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ forever. It's this knowledge that allows me to keep such a positive attitude while being doing something that's demanding and difficult. This quote by Elder Ballard sums it up perfectly! "Adversity becomes ADVENTURE in the service of the Lord!" 

Hope you all have a fabulous week! 
                                                            Fav. trailer  park-Dream Island

Steamboat Springs pictures

District sister missionaries

Home, Sweet Double Wide

                                                  Beautiful view

                                                   
                                                    First "care package" from home

Week 2

We had a baptism last night! Though I only recently met Jamie, I know that she has a strong testimony of the Saviour and of His gospel. The baptism was a powerful spiritual experience. Many ward members came out to support her, which is just what she needed. I cannot really put into words how I felt as I saw her come up out of the water other than an inexpressible joy. I think I felt just a small fraction of how Heavenly Father felt at that time. Jamie is an amazing example and we are so excited for her to share her testimony in lessons with us! Jamie is honestly hilarious. She is always herself and it's so fun to see her in Church settings where she is a bit more lively than most of the people there. I've really been able to utilize my piano playing ability here in Steamboat. I played in Sacrament and RS and at the baptism. I also accompanied the musical number at the baptism. It was Sister Remington and a sister from the ward. They sounded amazing and made everybody cry!

This past week we had a Zone conference in Rifle. It's three hours away so we drove to Meeker the night before and stayed with the sisters there. All the sisters got a special lesson from Sister Murdock on dress and grooming. One of the mission rules is now that all the sisters need to wear some makeup hahaha. Sister Murdock did a makeover on her daughter for us. It was hilarious and she is awesome.

We've been teaching a Jamaican lady named Sonia. Oh heavens, she gives the most hilariously awesome prayers. They last for about 10 minutes and they build and build until she is shouting and waving her hands around. It's hard to stay composed. Her daughter Danielle (who is 13) is really progressing though and she told us since she started reading the book of mormon daily she is smiling more and is less angry! woot! She is awesome and is on date to be baptized.

We got a new bed! Sister Moser is a champion and has been sleeping on an air mattress but one of our investigators found us one! He didn't quite know what he was getting us though hahaha. I'll just let you look at the picture of it. We love the new bed and are already collecting bumper stickers for it.

Our tripanionship loves to sing all the time! And we can harmonize woot woot. We've been singing a lot more in lessons and it really is the best way to invite the Spirit.  

Our ward is awesome although tiny. They are kind and I love meeting more and more of them each Sunday, since a lot of them aren't regular haha. They are the best for signing up to feed us every night when there aren't very many of them to sign up. We espcially love going to fred and don ela's (you read that right) for dinner. They even invited a less active and her husband for dinner too one night! Yesterday after church we headed over for burgers and milkshakes. YUM.

We are still super busy but that's the way I like it. The weather is great here. It's a little hot somedays but I am just soaking it in until winter hits. booo. Before the mish, I always thought p-day was the day to do touristy things but honestly we have no time. With district meeting in the morning 45 minutes away, cleaning, emailing, shopping, and eating, we have about 2 hours before we have to get back in missionary mode at 6. But I'm not complaining!

Right now I am trying to be less of a robot teacher and more personable. It is far too easy to just recite facts I know about the Gospel. But that's not the way to do it. Luckily I have my companions to show how to be an effective teacher. Our lessons this past week have been awesome! It's great to feel that you're really making a difference in someone's spiritual progression.

The thing right now is to have members be the finders and missionaries be the teachers. That's the most effective way to do it. We're trying to do this as much as we can but our ward is pretty small and you can only ask them to come to lessons so much. So we're just going with the flow and trying to get as many to help as possible.

We are teaching the funniest little Mexican man, Rodo. He is about 50, and is tiny. He gave us the best pineapple water. Although I had no idea what was going on in the lesson, I felt the Spirit as he talked about the Book of Mormon. He knows it's true. We just need him to come to Church now!

Last Sunday a family from Sister Moser's home ward was randomly at church. They were here on vacation and offered to feed us on Thursday. Oh man. They have three return missionary sons and it was super awkward because it totally seemed like they were trying to set Sister Moser up with the freshly returned one hahaha. They shafted the older two to the kids table. It was painful but hilarious. At least the food was good.