June 2

What a great week this has been! Both Sister Tew and I knew we were going to be leaving each other as we had the best week of our missions working together in unity and teaching with power. It was the best while it lasted so all I can be is grateful! I am staying here in GJ and she is on her way to bigger and better things! I'm pumped to meet my new companion! 

I honestly don't know where to start with the miracles this week because they were so plentiful! First of all, I hiked all the way to the top of Mt. Garfield, even though I am deathly afraid of heights. It was so steep and so narrow. At one part we were basically just scaling the side of the mountain. It was almost as bad as Goat Lake. YIKES. The view on top was incredible! I was so excited to have made it to the top but then realized I had to go back down. I decided then and there that I can do hard things and it is because of Jesus Christ. Attitude truly does change everything. I decided this week that because I am a daughter of God I can take control and choose to be happy and obedient! I know now more than ever that the Atonement is real and there is always hope through Jesus Christ. I understand the principles of the gospel more fully because I have applied them. I know I can truly change and become more because of His love. I love my mission! We were also able to teach Matt while on the way down because I was going so slow! He is singles ward age so we gave him our card and a book of mormon. We got home sunburnt and exhausted! My favorite thing now is while we are driving around to look at Mt. Garfield and say that I climbed it! 

In other miracles, we had an amazing church tour with a less-active sister. Sister Tew had seen her right before I got here about 3 months ago and she was not interested at all. I have a true testimony that the Lord can soften hearts. The sweetest spirit was there the entire time and she shared with us her desire to come back to church and to become more than she is right now. We also contacted a former investigator who really wants to learn again. We also have an amazing new investigator named Sam whose friends are all Mormons! She is so prepared! Plus she is from Thailand! She wants to learn because Mormons are the calmest, most peaceful people she knows (in my head, I thought she clearly doesn't know me haha). She is really confused by all of the other religions and I am so excited to share the truth with her. I love when I have moments where it really just hits me that we have the full truth and because of that can have so much peace and happiness. 

Patty is one of our progressing investigators. Her husband is less-active and they are both learning together. They are in their 80s. This week they both expressed to us that they feel like this is the way that God wants things to be. They feel the spirit at church and are reading the Book of Mormon together. I am so excited for them! They are helping me remember why missionary work is so amazing! Plus Milt always wears Canadian tuxedos. What more could a missionary want?

We had a fabulous district meeting this week. Every companionship in our district has one companion changing. It was great to be in the best district in the mission while it lasted! We had great trainings from 2 Elders who are going home and from Sister Tew. We also made sushi! I really can't express how much I love my district. I have learned so much from them!

One of my favorite moments of the week was eating at the Ludwig's home. They have a 9 year old boy and 4 year old twins. They are quite rambunctious and their mother is sassy! In a rush to leave for a baptism, we had to eat the delicious cake she made as fast as we could and then quick say a prayer before we left. The children were being quite rambunctious. The mother then yelled, "Fold your arms, heathens!" I decided right then and there that that is the kind of mom I want to be! 

The baptism we went to was Indica's, who is in the 6th ward! She is 12 and is so cute. Of course, Sister Tew and Sister Winkelman sang "Saviour, Redeemer of my Soul" and I accompanied them for the 12th time. Luckily it never gets old. 

Saturday night we found out Sister Tew is getting transferred. SAD. But we went to the Spanish branch's baptism, Flor! She is the best and has quite a story! She met Elder Ballard while he was staying here for a conference. He said a prayer with her and then sent the missionaries to bring her his book, "Our search for happiness." And now she is baptized! My absolute favorite thing about baptisms is the spirit right as they are being baptized. Her face expressed such joy. There is nothing that can compare with that feeling. Plus her little son Carlos decided I was his best friend halfway through the baptism and came to sit by me. That made my year. All the little Hispanic children speak to me in Spanish so I just nod and smile because I have no idea what they are staying. 

I love visiting Erin! She is so prepared. We were able to teach faith and repentance. She said she knows now that there is a difference between faith and belief. She had always believed but now she has faith because she is acting on it. Plus her children are hilarious. Her 18 month old sings "Let It Go" from Frozen and it's the cutest thing ever! 

Also today marks the end of our 3 months of not eating sugar! It was completely no sugar as we could eat what members made us but I truly can't believe how fast the time has gone. I already ate some jelly tots this morning! Thanks britt-dawg! 

Church was fabulous! No one was there to play the organ so I randomly got to step in. That was fun. Also the less-active family from Collbran all came to church to bless their baby! Woot! We had a great day saying goodbye to people. It really reminded me how fabulous and how excited I am for the new sister to meet all these people! 

I hope you all have the best week ever and that you remember who you are as children of God! 

Love,

Sista T

THE BEST DISTRICT IN THE MISSION.

doing yoga during weekly planning.

Erin's family. The only way Kenzie would be in the pics was if she wore my name tag! 

The Hike!

May 19

So because I am not feeling top notch, I am sending sister tew's weekly email! 

We were sick...

So Sister Turner and I alternated being sick every other day so it was kinda a bummer. I got to know our apartment super well. It was an amazing learning experience and it set us up for the amazing miracles that I'm about to tell you about!

Collbran! Tomarra! Espanol!

We went up to Collbran this week 2 different times. The first time we went up, we ate dinner with the Newitt family and they are the cutest. The Dad cried when he told us about his family and you could just see the love that he has for them as he spoke. Their youngest daughter, Amber, was there as well and she is an amazing missionary! She served in Las Vegas, speaking Spanish, and she loves the gospel with her whole heart. As we were finishing dinner, they listed to us all of the people that they know that they feel like would be open to the gospel, including some Spanish people! (And because Collbran is so far away we get to teach them in Spanish!!!!) We left their home with 8 referrals, and the even more amazing part is that Amber took us to 2 of their homes to have us meet them and one of them, Tomarra (whose house has the knight), became a new investigator and we're having dinner with both of them this week! There were just so many miracles and I am soo grateful!

Craziest Saturday of My Life! (I wrote this part)

A sister in our zone decided she wanted to go home. When we first heard we were a little shocked, to say the least. We didn't have a car so after being dropped by a member in our area we knew we needed to go to their house. So we walked a mile to get there! We both had the strongest impression that that was where we needed to be. We waited there for an hour (but didn't tell them that). We had decided we were going to do everything we could to keep her here but when we walked in their house, her bags were packed. It was shocking! She was 100% determined to leave. We weren't really sure why we needed to be there but we know we did. Friday morning we headed back over to their house to spend the day with them. When we got there she was sleeping. That is when we all decided we weren't going to let her go without a fight. Her comp, (my MTC comp), Sister Gregerson had so much faith! sis Tew stayed and we both left to make a plan. We decided to throw a surprise party for her so she could know how loved she is. We invited all their investigators and some ward members she is close to. They all came. The entire day we were guided in everything we did. I now understand the phrase "ministering angels". And in the end, she stayed! It was the most exhausting day I've ever had. I have so much respect for Sister Gregerson. She is so selfless and giving and was willing to do anything to keep her here. She doesn't have really anything to go home to and we all felt very strongly that going home would affect her for the rest of her life. I can't even begin to tell you how many miracles occurred this day and how much we truly saw the Lord's hand in everything. The timing was exactly what it needed to be. I know the Lord has a plan for each of us and our choices do affect us. But if we align our will with the Lord's, things will work out the way they are supposed to! 

Milt and Patti

Are the cutest! I love them with my whole heart! They came to church on Sunday, after an awesome lesson earlier in the week. It was the sweetest thing. I sat down in the row behind Patti and asked how she was. She started crying and told me about how her neighbor had passed away Sunday morning. She truly was heart-broken and it touched my heart. I listened to her and as she finished I shared how happy I was that she was able to come this morning to feel the peace of the Savior. Her answer touched my heart and made me sooooo happy! She said, "When Milt asked me this morning if I wanted to go to church I told him, 'I think we better.'" She knew where she needed to be because she has felt the Spirit and recognizes it in her heart. She is so close to her Savior and I feel so privileged to be a part of her life!

The Most Miracles I've Ever Seen!!!

I felt so blessed as I sat in church on Sunday, between all the sickness during the week and the crazy weekend we had, I wasn't sure what church was going to be like. I was overwhelmed with gratitude when we were surrounded by amazing people at church. Erin and Patti were both at church with their families. A less-active family from Collbran drove the hour to come down! Another less-active family that we weren't expecting because they told they weren't going to come ended up being there. The miracles and blessings are too many to name. I feel so privileged to be in this area of the world, of the country, of Colorado serving the Lord. I love this work! It's the best!

I love you all!!!! You're wonderful! Have the best week in the world!! (ditto from sista t)

While carless, we had a member drop us off in palisade so we could see our investigator for her birthday. Her dream was to ride a horse so we asked sis majors if she could ride hers! Woot! Also this horse is famous. It was the horse in the lone ranger that the lone ranger's brother rode! 

We had to give up our car this week so we were carless for 3 days. The Elders in our war dare the best and found us a car to drive as ours will be in the shop for 3 weeks!

I found this at the habitat for humanity we volunteer at and it was just too good! (a picture where Elder Turner is) also we went up to collbran this week and while eating dinner with members, their friends drove up in this thing! 

May 12

This week was fabulous! Our most progressing investigator is Erin. She is on date for July 19 (because she has to get married) and her 7 year old daughter turns 8 on July 18 so she will be baptized with her! She has come to church faithfully ever since she moved into our ward and is so ready to learn and do. She amazes me every time we meet with her with her desire to be obedient. She is one of the most prepared people I have ever met. We have so much fun teaching her little family. Her daughters are really trying to understand (they are 7 and 4) and it's so sweet. Right now we are focusing on the Book of Mormon so she can gain her own witness of its truthfulness. She is meeting with the Bishop on Thursday night. She is already becoming a staple in this ward!

We are also teaching Patti! She's about 80 and her husband of 8 years is a member. They have come to church 3 times already! She is a cowgirl artist and every time we go over they feed us ice cream :)

We've also been working with Jennifer, Genesis, Mo, and Risa. They came to church a week ago from Sunday and we saw them again Monday night. Genesis, the 10 year old, was in a lot of pain in her legs, so we offered for her to receive a priesthood blessing. She really wanted one. Brother Dalton, the sweetest, kindest, man in our ward came and gave her one. I love priesthood blessings because it truly is what the Lord wanted her to hear. She learned that she is a very special daughter of God with a purpose. The spirit was so sweet and so strong there. Genesis even asked if she could have Brother Dalton's phone number so they could still be friends. A family in the ward, the Redds, had them over for dinner on Wednesday and it was awesome! Jen, the mom, is a pretty tough cookie. As we were teaching them, I knew I had to invite them to be baptized. I was really scared but I did it anyway. Jen answered for the whole family and said that they don't need to be but the positive is we now know their concerns and how to better help them recognize the truth!

On Tuesday we headed up to Collbran and had a day of tea parties. First we had the best luncheon ever with the sweetest old ladies who live up there: Sister Tolman (who is 82 but looks 60), Sister Newitt, and the new Sister Litton. Sister Litton just married an older gentleman who lives up there and Sister Tew and I are certain that she is going to get the branch started up there again. She is a firecracker. We dined on dainty little sandwiches. It was probably the cutest thing I have ever done in my life. They each shared how they met their husbands and how they came into the church. All 3 of them were converts! The second tea party we attended was the senior tea for all the graduating seniors. Karlee, a less-active we've been working with, asked if we could come with her because she had no one else to come. At first, we were thinking "is this an effective use of our time?" and then we got our heads on straight and thought "What would Christ do?" So we went! There was even a mullet magician! The RS president is a principal of the elementary school and she was there so we were able to introduce she and karlee! It was perfect! 

Once again I saw SO MANY miracles this week. One of the most affecting was talking to my family :) It really put things into perspective of how imperative the gospel truly is and how real life is. Their examples have motivated me to be better, to be more anxiously engaged in this great cause I am a part of! Another miracle was Chris' baptism, in the 7th ward. I can't describe the incredible spirit I felt there. I felt God's love so powerfully and so purely. You can just feel the pure and courageous spirit that emulates from Chris. Chris was in an accident about a year ago that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He is so happy and such an example and I am so happy he has the gospel! This is what life is all about: helping people recognize the amazing power the can come into their lives as they put God first. I am determined to be more focused and hard working this week to help more people! President and Sister Murdock also came to this baptism. It's always great to see them! Sister Tew and Sister Winkelman also sang the song they sing at every single baptism, "Saviour, Redeemer of my Soul". I have played that song so many times I almost have it memorized. Everyone just loves it though so I am sure glad I brought it. 

Our district leader, Elder Hewlett, sure makes district meeting interesting every week. This week we shot rocks at eggs he duct taped to a fence with a sling shot. If we hit one we had to role play a teaching situation or answer a question from PMG. Too good. The sisters ended up having to shoot 2 to every 1 that an Elder shot because we just couldn't hit them! 

We were contacting referrals in a trailer park when we saw some people outside, so naturally we went and talked to them. Turns out they are meeting with the missionaries in Basalt (another town about 3 hours away) but they are moving here to Palisade! Such a huge miracle that we have met them already so we can help them get settled in and they won't get lost in the move!

Sister Tew is helping me learn so much about charity.  She truly loves everyone and is helping me see how important it is to God's work because that is what He is all about. I am going to continue working on this attribute this week. My goal is to have love become the motivation for everything that I do, not just as a missionary, but as a daughter of God! 

On Saturday I went on an exchange with Sister Winkelman. She is the best and one of the funniest people I have ever met! I laughed all day long. She hasn't been feeling too well as of late so we spent a bit of the day inside playing "Biblequest" where I discovered I literally know nothing about the Bible. It was great! I got to jump on the trampoline for a minute too! Sister Wink has the greatest desire to go and do. She is such an incredible example to me of diligence! Even when she can't go outside she wants nothing more than to do that! She's amazing! 

Yesterday we had 3 investigators come to church! I really love the ward I serve in and I love how much all the wards I have served in have felt like home.

And there's my week! While on exchanges we also shared this super cool video with a family and I loved it! I love seeing the juxtaposition between Christ's time and ours. They don't seem relate-able because they are so different but Jesus Christ and real people are the most connected of anything! 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1420-because-of-him?lang=eng

Hope you all have the best week ever! 

another service project, staining another fence! 

We found sheep in Collbran. 

I jumped on a tramp. 

I love these sisters. 

May 5, 2014

What a crazy week it has been! We have seen so many miracles and been so busy! It's been crazy! 

Last Monday we had a sister birthday party for all the sisters in our zone! And to top it off, it really was Hermana Jimenez's birthday that day! And mine was Wednesday and Sister Keavali's was on Saturday! We had a lot of fun! Pictures to follow!

One of our investigators who is on date, Erin, is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. She has such a testimony of the church already! We had family home evening with her and 2 of her daughters at a member's home on Monday night. It  was the cutest and their little daughters became friends! We talked about the importance of baptism and receiving the gift of the holy ghost. Erin and her daughter Carlee are on date for July 19, a day after Carlee turns 8!

Wednesday we had mission leader council here in GJ for all the slts and the zone leaders. Hnas Encarnacion y Smith stayed at our house Tuesday night because they had to drive up from Rifle. My birthday was awesome! I felt so loved! I got to wake up to some nice singing! Elder Redd's birthday was also the same day (he's a fellow Canadian) so it was a Canadian birthday extravaganza. At MLCs we discuss what we can do to help lift our mission. President and Sister Murdock had a mission president's seminar the weekend before. They told us what we should be focusing on is how we can be better parents and spouses by what we are learning every day as missionaries. It makes sense. It was just hilarious that as missionaries we had a meeting focused on marriage.... GAH. 

We saw our amazing investigators, Jen and Genesis, on Wed. night. Sister Hugentobler came along with us. It's pretty slow to teach them because they are so chatty and awesome. They are so prepared...they just don't know it yet! As we were talking, Jen's boyfriend, Mo, came in. Normally he says hi and goes to a different room in their apt but he randomly stayed in the kitchen and started answering our questions and asking his own. Pretty soon he had joined us on the couches and was bearing his soul about how much he knows God is real and how he wants Him in his life. The spirit was so strong! The little 10 year old, Genesis, even told us she wanted to be baptized again! The biggest miracle was all 4 of them (Jen has another daughter Risa) came to church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Moe commented to me that he had never shaken so many people's hands in his life. :) Because it was fast and testimony meeting that always makes for a bit of nervousness for a missionary. And this time it was well warranted. Chris, an investigator of the Elder's, got up and proceeded to bear his "untestimony" about how he knows God isn't real. It was pretty stressful! After he finished some stalwart men in our ward got up and bore their testimonies. It was all done in good taste and it all worked out! Talk about stress!

On Thursday we had a specialized district meeting, where we had trainings from President and Sister Murdock, the assistants and interviews with president. We basically have the best district in the mission! I loved learning about how I can be a better missionary!

In the afternoon we had a zone meeting. Sister Tew and I got to give a training too! 

Saturday we had a rockstar of a day where we found 3 new investigators! AND BRAD GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!! Woot! His baptism was one of the best/weirdest experiences of my life. We went early to practice the musical number. When we walked in the stake center we were greeted by a lot of tall college aged men. We were so very confused. Come to find out, the BYU Men's lacrosse team was chilling there before their game that evening. The coaches decided the whole team should come to the baptism! So the primary room was packed to the max. We still laugh about it now. It was just so random! Afterwards they all came and shook his hand! He felt pretty important! Also randomly, a kid I used to work with was there. Talk about my worlds colliding. Sister Tew and I decided we are never going back to college.

Brad's baptism was so awesome. Pres and Sister Murdock were there. And his less-active wife said the closing prayer! At church the next day, his mom in law bore her testimony of how happy she was and it was just the best! And she was less-active too just 4 months ago!

So my companion has been having a bit of a rough time as of late. She's taking care of things but as I was so focused on helping her, I didn't let myself realize that I was having a harder time than I thought. I finally humbled myself and asked President Murdock if I could have a blessing after the baptism.  (Actually sister tew texted him for me so it would actually happen she's the best!). I am so grateful for the priesthood power. I learned a lot of things about who I am and what I need to be doing.

Yesterday after church, we took Nancy Valdez, a very special sister in the ward, with us to some lessons. She sometimes says strange things but the Lord blessed us so much! We were able to see our investigator, Cassy Rose and they connected, as well as Martha and Stephan, who we hadn't seen in about 4 weeks! Nancy somehow got them to commit to read the book of mormon! It was amazing! 

Later that evening we saw our investigator, Krista, who is 16, with Sarah, a yw in our ward. Miracle of all miracles we were able to set her on date! June 21! 

IT's been TOO hot as of late! 85-90 degrees! I really don't know how I am going to handle summer. 

I really love being a missionary and I hope you all have the best week ever! 

Happy birthday to me! 

Brad's baptism! 

MLCs

sister birthday party with some of my favorite people! 

The sweet Wagner fam who had us over for dinner on my birthday! 

April 28,2014

HEELLLLOOOOOOOO!

What a whirlwind of a week this has been! 

Sometimes I have days (as I think most people do) where I just feel down and negative. This week after transfers I was feeling a little glum and self-concerned. I took a minute to myself to pray and decide what I should do. I decided to rely on the Lord and be awesome instead of sad! And it made the day the best day ever! I have felt very incapable and insecure in this area. However, this day I taught with power and authority and I felt confident! I know it was because I relied on my Saviour and because I decided how I wanted my day to be. We were able to see an investigator we hadn't seen all of last transfer!

The Elders gave us a fabulous new investigator this week! Jessica Romkee is her name and she is prepared (although she doesn't quite know it yet!) We are so excited to teach her. She wants to find truth and to raise her family in the right way, which is what the gospel is all about!

We also met with the best elderly less-active man and his non-member wife, thanks to a tip from our WML. All the Millers needed was a little friendly push! They came to church this Sunday! They are such cowboys.
We had some good conversation about farming and animals. Growing up on a farm helps me connect with most people here! (even if I didn't enjoy it while growing up). The wife, Patti, painted an awesome mural on her shed so we had a photoshoot with it (of course). And she won Stockwoman of the year in 2010! Apparently that is a big deal here. 

Our investigator, Erin, came to church with her daughter! Earlier in the week we taught her. She is not married, which is the main thing holding her back from baptism. Her first husband passed away so they are surviving right now on the social security money her family gets. So we have made a game plan! Her 7 year old daughter turns 8 on July 18, so they will both be baptized on July 19! That gives them enough time to find jobs and to get married! She is so prepared. The ward truly welcomed her in. Everyone was so friendly and she was invited over for dinner to a family's home for next Sunday! The members make all the difference! 

We had transfers this week on Tuesday. Only 3 changes were made in our entire zone and none of the sisters changed! Woot! Sister Tew sang at Zone Conference and I was able to play for her. I love that about my companion because then I always get to play the piano!

Our investigator, Brad, who we handed over to the Elders is actually getting baptized this Saturday! Heck ya! We are so excited for him!!!!!!

So there you have it! I am having a bit of a struggle to remember what happened this week, even though I write in my journal every night and I bring it to emailing! I am so excited for this transfer. I have the best area in the entire mission, the best investigators, and the best companion! Here's to week 2!

Love,

Sista T

April 21, 2014

Happy Late Easter! And Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

What a week this has been! CRAZINESS. 

First of all, last Monday we went on a zone hike...it was fun...haha.  The Elders left all of us sisters together for a bit where I had to coach everyone up over some really steep rock cliffs, all the while being scared out of my mind but not showing it to strengthen them. I was holding quite a few hands and calming fears and tears. When we finally caught up to the Elders, all the Elders said, "oh the trail just loops around!" even though we were at the perfect spot to turn around, but we followed anyways. This was our first mistake (actually our first mistake was probably letting the Elders be in charge of anything..). Somehow we ended up on the side on the mountain with nothing but steep shale beneath us. HAHA. So we had to slide down. But it wasn't over then. We had to make our way back to the trail. About 1.5 hours later we were finally back. I only fell twice and got some nice scratches and cut in my hands, arms, and legs. The Lord was definitely watching out for us! Looking back now, it's a hilarious memory. At the time, not so much. The happy thing is that we all made it out alive!

Monday night we had a delightful evening with a member family in our ward, the Berries, who are working on going to the temple. We were quite excited Sunday night because they called us and told us they invited their friend who wanted to learn more about the gospel! Talk about rockstar member missionaries. I was slightly surprised when I met their friend, Ally. She is a transgender woman. She has recently felt the need to find a church (aka the light of Christ has been working within her) and she decided to try out our faith because of the Berries' wonderful examples. We taught her most of the first lesson, gave her a book of mormon (which she was excited to read), and invited her to church! She views life with a very scientific perspective so it was fun to address her very real concerns and questions. Though I wasn't quite sure what to think, I felt our Heavenly Father's love for her as we taught and I knew she needed the gospel just as much as anyone else does. Afterwards  we called our Mission President as we had no idea if Ally could be baptized. We stumped him! He told us he would call "the Brethren" (how cool is that?). Later he called us back and told us she can be baptized! Woot! We were so excited to find that out! It's definitely going to be interesting teaching her. I'm really going to have to count on the spirit for this one! Also she came to church on Sunday! And she loved it! 

On Wednesday we ate dinner at the Beynon household with our sweet new investigator, Erin. She is amazing and is so prepared. She recently lost her dad and she knew, though she could not explain it, that she would see him again. And now she knows that she truly will! Brother Beynon is our ward mission leader. His son and daughter-in-law also live their with their 3 little boys, who are all under the age of 3. I love that Erin was able to experience the craziness and joy of a gospel centered home, as she has 3 little girls of her own! Member testimonies are so much more effective than ours because they are actually living in the world and are still happy and successful (whereas I am living the dream life right now being totally focused on the gospel). Later in the week we also went by and helped Erin move into her house with sweet Sister Rice who came along to help. Afterwards we talked about baptism and she has committed to May 17th! Milagros everywhere! The only thing stopping her is she is not married. We were nervous to bring this up. However, she brought it up herself and told us that she wants to be married! Heck yeah! Tender mercy of the Lord. Looks like we're planning another wedding! 

Wednesday night we headed up to my favorite area again, Collbran! The Elders will no longer be coming up there with us as they are super busy (being APs or whatever) so we can visit whoever we want! Everywhere up there reminds me so much of Dad. While visiting Claude Huish, his neighbor friend was there and accidentally backed in to our car...in the exact same spot it had already been hit! So now it just looks a lot worse!  haha. We're just glad we weren't in it. We are not looking forward to when it will be fixed. BIKES FOR THE WIN! 

We ate dinner that night in Collbran with the sweetest family, The Shephardsons. They were so sweet and let us bring along a less-active 18 year old, Karlee, and her non-member friend, Alex! We had a lot of laughs in their house and were able to give Book of Mormons to both of them! I just love that family! 

As this week on Tuesday is transfers we had calls to look forward to. All week the Elders were the WORST and kept dropping hints about what was happening to us. The things were ridiculous they were saying but I was so gullible I was convinced both Sister Tew and I were getting transferred out haha. Luckily we didn't get any calls and WE ARE BOTH STAYING!!!!!!!!!!! Woot! 

While we are driving around, the person in the passenger seat jumps out and talks to people anytime we see someone. This week I got to jump out to talk to Pete, an 82 year old from Holland. It was so cool to hear his stories about WWII. He talked for a really long time and I think I said about 3 words. IT was hard to direct it to a spiritual topic. He thinks he is going to heaven but he doesn't know if he'll see his daughter again who passed away because there will be so many people in heaven. The spirit spoke to me that forever families are real and we are supposed to be connected forever, even if everyone doesn't have that same belief. Though he didn't really want anything to do with the church, I feel like I at least made a new friend! 

Saturday night we had a choir practice for the big Easter program. They recruited the missionaries to build up the choir. The choir director, Sister Pfeifer, is my IDOL. She has truly allowed God to use her gifts and talents to better others' lives. And she has the 3 cutest sons in the world. The middle one, Lincoln, had to come up and announce rather loudly to the choir during a song, that he had diarrhea and he had it bad! hahaha. Music has such power and I felt the Spirit comfort and strengthen me as we sang and listened. One of the numbers was the missionaries! We couldn't find a pianist who could play the song in time, so I played while the other 3 sang I Stand All Amazed. Too good! 

Sunday morning came and while we were practicing the accompanist, who was playing all the songs except for our missionary song, fell down while moving to the piano. At first, she said that only thing that was hurt was her pride but as the sacrament meeting time loomed ever closer, we knew it wasn't going well. By the time the sacrament had been blessed and passed, she was white as a ghost and looked as if she was about to faint. They quickly escorted her out and Sis Pfeifer came and asked me to play the piano.... YIKES. I had no time to practice or prepare but I knew that I had to do it. So I started praying and praying hard! I got through the entire program without any mistakes. Biggest miracle of the year! I know that it was through the Atonement that I was able to do it so that all those who were there could focus on the spirit and not on mistakes at the piano. The Lord got me through it. We had so many non-members and less-actives come to our ward. It was incredible! Because we were sitting in the choir seats we were able to see all who came when they came! It was so fun! I know they were blessed for coming because the spirit was so strong. Jesus Christ truly does live and love us! 

And in closing, another fun story from Lincoln. He called us over right before church and then asked us if we had seen frozen. When we said we hadn't, he looked at us in all serious and said,. "I have seen it THIRTEEN times." And then he started singing the "let it go" song. I swear I'm going to know all the songs before I even get home. Also Lincoln is 4. 

I hope you all had the best Easter! 

Love, 

Sister T

The Hike

A nice district picture of the best district in the entire world! 

April 14, 2014

What a week this has been! Get ready for the most pictures you have probably ever received! 

First of all, can I tell you just how much I love being a missionary?! Of course it's hard but that's why it is so great, because I am learning so much! And I get to just help people all the time and forget about myself! It's the best! 

The biggest tender mercy of my week was I got a new mattress!! The mattress I had been sleeping on was pretty much 20 springs with some fabric covering them. The Elders had an extra mattress so we switched and I had the best night sleep of my life last night! I am so grateful for it!

We slept in Collbran on Wednesday night at the African safari house! Candi Hardin is the sweetest! She was too kind to us. We slept in the coolest bunkbeds and I wasn't too creeped out by all the animals. We were then able to spend all day up there visiting less-actives and getting to know people. We found the sweetest girl, Karlee, who wants to come to church! Heck yeah! 

Friday was the big day! Brad and Michelle got married! The biggest stress of my life is over! I have decided I am never getting married. It's too much work. Sister Tew and I basically did everything for the wedding. We set up, helped Michelle get ready, helped with food, found a photographer (our Ward Mission Leader), and sang and played the piano. Luckily, we have great ward members who helped us a lot! The wedding was perfect. It was simple and exactly what they wanted! It was also very small. I think about 45 people were there in total. They had family there, some ward members came, and then about 12 missionaries were there as well! The bouquet throw was hilarious. The crowd consisted of one weird man, the maid of honor, and about 6 sisters missionaries. The weirdo man ended up catching it! WEIRD. The best part of having all the missionaries there was clean-up was pretty quick! 

I went on exchanges this week with Sister Winkelman from California. She is a rockstar! We found 2 new investigators and had the time of our lives. She is one of the funniest people I have ever met. She is the only active member in her family and I don't really know that I can express how much I look up to her. They had a baptism that day of the sweetest little family: a mom and 2 daughters. I love the spirit I feel at baptisms pretty much more than anything else. We also met a man this day who said this was his 7th time being on Earth so he pretty much had a handle on what he was doing.

We had Stake Conference this weekend! President and Sister Murdock were there for both the Saturday evening and the Sunday morning. All of the missionaries in our zone sang the EFY medley at the Sat evening and everybody was crying! Woot! I really learned how important it is that the members are so involved in missionary work. They are amazing! 

Sunday was such a great day! After Stake Conf we practiced with the Elders for our Easter number and it actually sounded good! We ate dinner at the bishop's house. I didn't really know their family before so it was so fun to get to know them! They are awesome and the Bishop's wife is one of the sassiest people I have ever met! After Bishop's we had a lesson with the 6th ward elders who handed off an investigator to us who moved into our ward! Erin is amazing and I am so excited to teach her! She is one of the most prepared people I have ever met. She said she has been praying about it and just feels that it is right. (which is good because it is!)

This week was a little rough in that we found out Brad has been drinking so he will not be able to be baptized next week. He was afraid to be honest with us because he didn't want to let us down. We talked it over with him and decided to have the Elders teach him instead so he can feel more comfortable! I am so excited for him! 

I had an Elder tell me that I remind him of Tina Fey. I didn't quite know what to think of that. It made me happy but also a little concerned because Tina Fey isn't exactly who I should be exemplifying right now. So in conclusion, I guess I will be trying a little harder to be more like Christ (rather than Tina Fey) and working hard so I can enjoy the last week of this transfer! (I can't believe transfers are here already either!)

More wedding! We are on a sugar fast but a sister in our ward forced us to eat cookies and we couldn't be happier about it! 

African animal house! 

My old mattress and me being a super weirdo!