August 11

What a great week! As always! 

Erin is still on date for August 23! Keep her in your prayers that she'll be able to make that day! 

Patty is almost done the Book of Mormon! Actually she probably is by now! She is reading up a storm but still feels like she hasn't gotten an answer to her prayers about a date for baptism. 

Sister Rodriguez got sick this week...I got to spend a lot of time indoors reading and organizing! woot! In all my time inside I got to read a lot of the book of Mormon. I definitely gained a greater respect for the sons of Mosiah. They are such great missionaries who gave so much of themselves to the Lord. That's what I am really trying to work on, giving my will to God! 

We had an awesome ward party at the McGuires. They have their own personal lake! Sadly we didn't have anyone come but the Elders had 3 non member families there! Woot! 

Jasmine is on date for baptism! She's 21, has a one year old baby Alice, and a member husband named Beaux. She really wants to know if the church is true. She accepted September 13 as the date to work towards. I felt the spirit so powerfully in our lesson. I love asking inspired questions that really help people think about who they truly are. 

The reason why we had the spirit so strongly at Jasmine's was before we had a good 2 hour long comp inventory! Communication is key. I love working through my weaknesses with someone there to help me! 

I went on exchanges with the marvelous Hermana Stoeltzing this past week! She is incredible. Sister Tew was her trainer as well. The best part is she a bomb beat boxer so I would just yell out, "give me a beat!" and then I could sing to my hearts desire (only hymns and primary songs of course). I decided that is now a requirement for my future husband. We had a spirit-filled day and did finding and teaching. One thing I love about her is how she is so real. She recognizes her weaknesses and talks about them to get through them. Plus she knows what she wants for her future. And as Pres Murdock always says,"We get what we want!"

I am so thankful for a loving Saviour who is there for me every single day. I felt the spirit so powerfully in sacrament meeting testify of His love. Go read the third verse of hymn 86. It's incredible. Think about it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most real thing that we have on the Earth, which is crazy because He is not even someone that we can see. I know that He is real and that the way we can all feel that is by living the gospel of Christ, by trying to do what is right and repenting when we make mistakes. 

Have the best week ever! 

I LOVE MY MISSION. 

Sisters Conference

 we are teaching a blind lady who can really really talk. So sometimes when I get bored I do this to my hair and glasses in the middle of the lesson. Sis Rod then has the task of controlling her laughter hahaha. I'm really working on that whole reverence and respect thing. 

August 4

HAPPY ONE YEAR ON MY MISSION TO ME. 

It's absolutely insane how quickly it has gone. I am so grateful for all the things I have learned, the people I have met, and the experiences that have changed me. Even if I haven't changed anyone else's future, mine has been changed. I am so excited for the next 6 months to really be the missionary the Lord needs me to be at this time. The hastening of the work is real and I am privileged to be a part of it. 

This week was amazing. Of course there were hard moments but they are why the rest of the week was so good! 

Patty is back from vacation! We met with her twice this week. First, she had decided to wait until November to be baptized and Sis Rod  and I were crushed. Milt's daughter told her at the family reunion that she needed to wait until then so she could come! WE WERE SO FRUSTRATED and sad. That is a really long time away and, as Sister Murdock put it, Patty isn't getting any younger. The next time we went, Sis Rod was so bold. Patty needs to receive an answer from the Lord when she should be baptized. So she is going to pray about it. 

Erin is officially getting married and then baptized on August 23! I know Carley getting baptized first provided her with all the motivation she needed to make the changes that she did. She brings her 3 girls to church by herself every week and they read the Book of Mormon together everyday. I wish you all could meet Erin and understand how amazing she is.

We've started teaching a lady named LaDonna Lee. She has MS and lives in a nursing home. Every time we go over she is watching BYUtv or some other religious programming. This week she was telling us all about the great work Kirk Cameron was doing. I thought you would all get a kick out of that one. "Sharing the laughter and love!" (My comp and I both know the entirety of that song!)

Last p-day we got to head up on the mesa as a district (minus the APs because they are always too busy to have fun). We rode in the 6th ward mission leader's excursion that says "Fezzik  and the Brute Squad" on the back. They are obsessed with Princess Bride. It was a dream come true for me to ride in that vehicle. Their family loves geocaching so they had us find the ones that they have made....and they we drove up the scariest road I have ever been on in my life. And Sister Bonner is a crazy woman driver. Of course, I was slouching in my seat! The view was worth it and we took so many pictures, which I will send!

I went on an exchange to Fruita! It's the land of the dinosaurs! They have dinosaurs everywhere. I am sad I didn't snap any pictures of myself with my favorite extinct animals. The BEST part of the day was the sister I w as with, Sister Moody, got her visa to Brazil!!!!! She has been waiting for 9 months. We had just finished teaching a lesson to some people sitting on the asphalt (and we burned our behinds doing it because we sat down). We hopped into the car and the phone rang! Sister Peterson asked Sister Moody if she still wanted to go to Brazil!!! Oh happy day! We screamed and cried and cried and screamed! It was such a happy moment. We found an awesome new investigator for them to teach named Kerrie. She is from Texas! At first she said no to a return appt. after we had shared the first lesson. We testified of the power of the Book of Mormon again and this time she said yes! Hallelujah! I l earned so much from Sister Moody about being so excited about the work and doing the best with what you have. She is a top notch missionary.

This week I have been really trying to focus my thoughts on the Saviour. As I try to be like Him (and I am more aware of it) the more I am thankful for Him. It's really hard to do the right thing, and then add in thinking about positive and good things and I can't even comprehend how He did it. I am so grateful. I can't express it. Just imagine if there was no Christ. I don't think I would function. All of my guilt, shame, inadequacy, and sadness would make it impossible to do anything. There would be no hope. But there is and always will be hope because of Him. It is not easy to be like Christ but it is worth it. I love being guided by the spirit and helping people. The small sacrifices I can make are completely worth it if it means someone else can be happy.

Saturday we met Belinda and Clara! Belinda is a less-active who wants to come to church. She is blind. She prayed for us in Navajo. Clara isn't a member (yet). They are so full of good jokes. I am so excited to keep teaching them!

I've  learned this week from my studying that prayer is hard work! Sometimes I forget that and just say the same things I always pray for. My prayers don't have as much meaning as they could. You should read Prayer in the BD. It's pretty awesome!

We are teaching Jasmine Fink again! I think I saw her 2 times when I was first here in this area with Sister Tew and we could just never catch her after that. On exchange day, Sister Rod and Sister Keavali taught her with a new member of our ward, Haley. Haley and her husband are both about 5 feet tall...I feel like a giant when I am with them! On Friday we had an awesome church tour with Jasmine. She and her husband, Bo, a la, a reading the book of Mormon together already. She had to work this Sunday but they are going to come this next Sunday!

We met an extremely closed man on Saturday night. His wife is a less-active and they have met with missionaries before. It's crazy to me how many less-actives we just run into without seeking them. I bore testimony of what I know. He has absolutely no desire to read the Book of Mormon. He told me that I would probably bolt awake that night at 2 am and say, "He was right!" People like him just strengthen my desire to live the commandments. I f eel so sad for his family. You could tell that the wife knows it's true. He could be leading and blessing his family instead of holding back their eternal progression. I am excited to see how the Lord will soften his heart.

Our Sunday was such a good day. We fasted as a mission so that all the members will be able to invite one person every quarter to meet with the missionaries. I received answers to my prayers and I know that God is aware of me. In RS a sister shared that a patriarch she talked to said that what he had noticed after years and years of giving blessings was that God only notices the positive. He knows who we can become! And there is no reason to focus on the negative. Plus our favorite child in the ward, Lincoln, said that his favorite thing about church was the sister missionaries! We made a less-active YW a Book of  Mormon calendar with 1-D stickers all over it and she was so excited! She has some social issues and it's really amazing to see how the gospel is helping her change and be more positive. Also her prize for reading is dum dums. She's obsessed with them.

This week I am really going to try to be more accountable for my actions and for the things that I say I am going to do. I am so excited for the great  week we have ahead of us and to see even more miracles. Hope you all have a great week too!

hiking

nightly planning

sometimes we just get sonic right before we go home (because it is free)

July 28

What a fabulous week this has been! We saw so many miracles! 

So first off, last Monday night Sister Moser and I did our first exchange. Our companions stayed together and we headed to Fruita. Sister Daily came back to GJ with me. This is the last transfer of her mission. Time flies so quickly. She is from Washington and is amazing. She is so grateful and so good at expressing her gratitude to everyone around her. She is also an amazing teacher and so effective at asking questions. During the day we contacted former investigators. We found Clint and Shirley. A while back in blessing I was told that I still needed to find someone in this area. As we talked with Shirley and Clint, I knew that it was them. Shirley is amazing! She is a social worker and is raising her grandson. She is so open. She has 2 kids who are grown but have brain injuries from car accidents. She is going to read the book of mormon! Plus she has close family friends who are members of the ward. 

On Wednesday we headed up to Collbran! We taught Schowalters! Judy said the only reason why she is not baptized is because she is a "Stubborn Missourian." She knows it's true! Chuck also forced us to release a squirrel from one of his traps a mile up the road to keep it out of his yard. We almost had panic attacks as we drove with it in our car. I could not picture anything worse than it getting out and staying in our car. We made it through and the squirrel was released! That night we headed home around 8 and were able to find 2 awesome new investigators, Mae and Stacey, using the survey approach. Stacey was one of the first we've come across who said she doesn't pray. We taught her the complete first lesson on her doorstep. As I said the first vision, she stared deep into my soul. It was slightly disconcerting but I held my ground and stared right back. She is gong to read the book of mormon! Plus we saw her at the post office this morning and asked if it was still good if we came. She was busy at the time we had previously decided so we set up a new time. I know we were supposed to see her right then!

My companion's family is mostly less-active. It's really made the whole eternal family thing real to me as she faces every day not knowing if she will be with her siblings forever. She is so hard working and so obedient. I love her and I am so thankful she is serving a mission to bless her family and the people here. 

On Thursday we had Zone Conference! Sister Moser and I sang "Did You Think to Pray?". As we were practicing before, President Atkinson, a member of our mission presidency, who is also the musical director at CMU, gave us a little singing lesson. It was hilarious and perfect. I learned SO MUCH at Zone Conference about the power of the book of mormon, keeping myself accountable to my goals, and becoming. That was my favorite part: becoming. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a checklist of things to accomplish each day. There is a reason why we need to read, pray, and keep other commandments, it is so we can become like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. After Zone Conference our car was dead, so we headed to Walmart to buy jumper cables with Sister Murdock. Whenever she is in town it always seems that we get to spend a little extra time with her. We taught Ashley and Lexis outside with Sister Rice and her daughter, Hailey. Sister Rod sat on some buckets after everyone telling her it would be fine and they wouldn't break and then they did. HAHAHAHA. The little girls loved it and won't stop talking about it. It made their lives. 

Friday we weekly planned! It seems like every day I learn a little more of how I can change for the better and how and why I need to soften my heart. I am far too hard on myself and others. I judge too harshly and quickly and I am also not very quick to forgive, especially myself. Today when I felt so down and hopeless, I tried to think about Christ. It really made all the difference. I realized that I can't forgive myself because I feel like I should continue to suffer for the mistakes I have made. So I find negative things about myself to focus on. I won't let myself be happy and have peace. When I do this, it's as if the Atonement wasn't good enough for me. I know my Heavenly Father has forgiven my sins and I need to move on. So I am going to be more grateful this week, grateful for the opportunity to change, grateful for new beginnings, and grateful for mercy. God wants all of us to be  happy. I just need to start believing that He wants happiness for me too. 

We were guided all this week. We taught things that directly addressed investigators and less-active's concerns and were led to those who are prepared to listen. Friday night we met the best hispanic man named Jose. I got to speak a little Spanish. He has a cute little family and I am so happy we could them as a referral to the Spanish missionaries. I also randomly drove down a road that said "no outlet." I couldn't say why but we found a new less-active for reads the bom regularly. 

Saturday morning as we drove to help a member move we saw a lady on the side of the road who was crying. So we pulled over gave her a granola bar, a water bottle, and a book of mormon. 

We also met LaDonna Lee. She lives in Palisade Living Center and has MS. She is 40 and wants to read the book of mormon! So we brought it to her on CD! She watches BYUtv all the time! She's pretty cool. She said she learned all the negative about the church from South Park and now wants to hear the positive. 

The biggest miracle of the week was Chuck Schowalter came to church!!!! He hasn't been the entire time I have served here! SO GREAT!

Also we taught a less-active young woman who said the holy ghost feels like a little piece of home!  I just loved that! 

zone conference

a squirrel in a cage

a preying mantis (how fitting for a missionary!)

July 21

Get ready to read about one of the best week's a sister missionary has ever had yo! 

Last Monday after emailing I got a call from President telling me I am a STL again. Woot! This time they did it a little differently. My STL comp is Sister Moser, my trainer!!!!!! She is serving in the 7th ward as of last Tuesday and so for exchanges our companions will be together in one of the areas and then we will exchange with the sisters. We cover 7 companionships of sisters in Grand Junction and Fruita. I am super pumped about it, mainly because I love Sister Moser and I get to be with her a little bit in her last six weeks of her mission! On Tuesday we had transfers. I am so excited for a fresh new six weeks to give it everything I've got! Sister Tew went to Denver for her last six weeks for the first time. She's get to go to the temple for the first time in almost 16 months! I am so excited for her. After transfers we ate with the Behrman's. They are the sweetest elderly couple who are just a little lonely. 

Kim

We saw Kim on Tuesday with Brother Harrison. All on her own she has cut back on coffee and cigarettes. She really wants to do it. We love her so much an want to do everything we can to help her so on Wednesday morning we got up at 5:40 and went walking with her and her dog to keep her mind off of smoking. She has had a really hard life. Her husband, Rocky, has met with missionaries before so she decided to invite him to see us again. Sadly he said no and we were pretty bummed. On Friday when we went for our lesson we took Brother Beynon, our wml, with us. As we pulled up, ROCKY WAS OUTSIDE!  He is never home, except for when the Lord wants him to meet with us. Because he and Brother Beynon started talking, Rocky joined us for the lesson. They bonded over hang-gliding and airplanes. Apparently Brother Beynon is a hang-glider. We had no idea, so that was a nice surprise for our day. Rocky and Sister Rodriguez have a special connection. He kept looking at her saying, "What you got, kid?" Intimidation to the max. But Sister Rod kept saying to the right things! He wants to work towards baptism. The only thing holding him back he said is that he would have to go to church every Sunday and he likes camping. We know as he learns about he gospel again and works toward his goal, he will recognize the blessings that come with church attendance! Kim wanted him to meet with us so badly that she didn't really say much (for fear of saying the wrong thing) but I know she is so grateful to have a partner to work towards her goals with. We are seeing them tonight with Brother and Sister Beynon!

Martha and Stephan

They are on date to be baptized on August 16th. They have a hard time keeping commitments. We first saw them Tuesday of this week. They are in their sixties and have a lot of health problems. Something our mission has been pushing is church tours so we can have more people at church on Sunday. Though we did not plan it, in the lesson we randomly committed them to a church tour on Friday. Though we were both feeling ill on Friday we pushed through it and had a successful church tour with them! My favorite part is always the chapel. The spirit is so strong there. I played a song for them on the piano. Sis Rod  said the spirit was incredibly strong. Sometimes it hard for me to feel it while I am focusing on playing. Though they didn't make it to church because of some health problems I know they will make it this week! 

MY FIRST REAL-LIFE BAPTISM

So in other news, Carley Nicole Kovacic got baptized!!!!!!! She turned 8 on July 18 and got baptized on the 19th. Though she is only 8 she is still a convert because she is the first member of her family to make these covenants! She was baptized with Brynn Wagner, a friend in the ward who's family has been there for a lot of lessons and for a lot of support. It was adorable! The Elders had a baptism right before at 10 so I played piano for that and then for Carley and Brynn's. All the little girls and Sis Rod sang "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus." It was the best! Actually I think the best part was that a lot of Carley's family came and none of them are members. And it motivated Erin, her mom, to be baptized even more! A huge miracle is that Erin found a job! So now they are more financially stable and can get married so she can be baptized. The baptism was perfect. We had so much ward support and the spirit manifested to all of us that the promises those 2 little girls made with God are real. Carley was confirmed in sacrament meeting the next day by Brother Wagner. Her blessing was beautiful. She is such a special daughter of God. She is a beacon to all those around her, especially in her family! I know our Heavenly Father was so overjoyed that she made those promises with him.

I'm trying to keep myself accountable for the goals I set. I wanted to be more charitable. I've really tried to understand and focus on the love that our Father in Heaven has for each one of us. Sometimes my heart is not very soft. As I have read "the 4th missionary" and the scriptures I have learned that, though I am obedient, my will has not fully been given to the Lord. By being grateful and focusing on the Atonement this week I have better understood the why of all that I am doing. I am so thankful for a Lord and Saviour who will always love me. Sometimes that is hard to remember and comprehend but I know that it is possible through Christ. My perspective of who I am and who I can become is changing. I know more that anything is possible through Christ. I am going to continue to work on the Christ-like attribute of charity because without it I am nothing. I love my mission so much and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to keep changing  and progressing. We ate dinner this week with a family who's less-active son was there. He served a mission but it didn't change him. I've really been thinking about how I can let my mission change me. I don't want to waste any second of these 18 months not only helping others but allowing my experiences to help me progress so I can be a more effective instrument in the Lord's hands. 

This week we volunteered at the Palisade Living Center. We talk with old people who don't have very many visitors! One we saw is named Golda Humphreys. We discovered that she is a member of the church and served a mission in the southern states! She is 94 and can't move. When we asked her how she was doing she said, "I'm doing good. At least that's what I keep telling myself and soon it will happen!" Talk about a good attitude! 

On Sunday I had the best surprise! The Torrez family from my Denver ward called our church and Elder Merrill was inspired to answer it while we were walking through the hall! They were driving through GJ and wanted to stop and see me! Talk about the best people ever! It was so fun to see Siriah and Brother and Sister Torrez! And I got a picture with them! Woot! 

I love my mission and I love the gospel! Jesus Christ's love is real! 

Love,

Sista T

reunited with all of my best people! 

Cute Baptism girls 

theTorrez family!

July 14

Heyo Familia!!!

We found out Saturday night we are both staying here for another transfer! So this will officially be the longest time I have ever spent in one area: 6 months! 

Monday

We had a BBQ at the Beynon's house! We invited Erin, Carley, and Kenzie (our investigators) and they the Stewarts (a less-active couple). The Beynons are such a great family. They are so down to earth and are so  amazing at serving others. 

Tuesday

We weeded Bro Beynon's garden in appreciation. There is nothing I love more than hard work in the sun (although my family may beg to differ... I have changed!) Bro B's grandkids Emerson and Coleman were there. They are hilarious. At 2 we ate with the sweet Behrman's, who I think I told you about last week. They are homebound because Brother Behrman is so sick. Sis B has recently got a homecare person to come on Sundays so she can now come to church! Woot! She provided us the best lunch and she sent us home with a lot of food too. They are so lonely so we decided to go over once a day and sing them a song. And we get to each lunch with them every single Tuesday! Afterwards Sister Rod got her hair dyed by an investigator while we taught her a lesson. Unfortunately she hated it so we spent some time figuring out what we could do to help it out. We also got some ice cream. At 8 we had a lesson at the church with Brother and Sister Lewis and Jen, Genesis, and Risa. Jen, the mom, needs a softened heart. She has to answer all our questions. Her daughters are really prepared and I feel like they would be so accepting if she would only let them talk. The Lewis' were fabulous at answering all of Jen's rather antagonistic questions. 

Wednesday

We went to Collbran! Man I love that place! We saw the Schowalters and the biggest tender mercy, Brother Harrison randomly showed up too! He's one of our elderly ward missionaries. It was so great. A ward member got a gift certificate to a greasy little place in Collbran so that's where we ate dinner. YUM. We also stopped by Candy Hardin's. Her active family was in town from Washington. She is so sweet. It was so fun to share with and learn about all of them. I almost forgot that we saw Patty and Milt before we went to Collbran. She gave us the sweetest jewelry boxes that she painted. She is one of the best people I know. 

Thursday

I got my new passport! Woot! It's beautiful. But even better than that, we had the best district meeting in the world! We had a lehi's dream experience with blindfolds and yarn all throughout the church. At one point I was completely alone. There was nothing else to do but hold to the string and move forward. Sometimes I feel that is how life is. We ended in the chapel where we each sat and thought about what we wanted to change for next transfer. I have been obedient my entire mission. Lately I've been thinking about the why. What are my motivations? Are they pure? So something I want to change is to be more aware of why I am doing the things that I am doing. Afterwards we each bore our testimonies. They were all so different but all so perfect. We took some nice district pics. Later that night we taught Lori and Alexis. They are so prepared!!!!! We met Lori because we awkwardly stood there while she finished mowing her lawn and pretending we weren't there. She is going to read the Book of Mormon. Her granddaughter, Alexis is so sweet! She wants to read it too! Lastly we taught the Jankes, a part member family! And.....Sister Murdock came with us!!! She was in town for 18 lives! Our lesson was interesting...we had a hard time teaching anything but I still felt the spirit so that's good! They are just very easily distracted.

Friday

By far the best part of my week was "18 Lives and The Book of Mormon: Embracing the Power of Jesus Christ." It was held at the Two Rivers Convention Center in GJ. The Spirit was palpable as soon as we walked in the building. 700 youth were there from 5 different stakes across western CO. Our job was to take tickets. I loved seeing all the makeup, costumes, and excitement prior to the performance. The first one we went to was the dress rehearsal and it was almost flawless! I wish I could describe the way I felt. I had chills the entire time and was brought to tears multiple times. The story was about 18 different seminary students and their problems. Their seminary teacher then helped them see how the Book of Mormon helped them resolve these things. The Book of Mormon stories were acted out on stage and then videos showed the kids' problems in real life. One of the Book of Mormon scenes was when Christ came to the Americas. They had Robert Allen there to represent Jesus Christ. He portrays the Saviour in most LDS videos and pictures. I was reminded of my Moroni's Quest experiences. I am so grateful to be a part of the Lord's work. I want to do all I can to help Him. I know the book of Mormon is revelation from God. God prepared it and gave it to us for a reason. The last scene of the show they had all 700 youth dressed as missionaries with fake name tags. We, as the real full-time missionaries, got to stand in the aisles and sing with them. I just really wish you were all there. It was so powerful!

Later that night Sister Murdock came with us to another lesson at Erin's. Carley is getting baptized this Saturday! Erin is not getting baptized simply because she is not married. We talked to her about the importance and I feel like Sister Murdock's testimony made all the difference. Erin picked August 23 to be baptized!  I know she can do it! 

Saturday

18 Lives was just as good the second time! The day went by so quickly it was a little bit frightening. We got to take tickets at the front doors nearest the stage so we got to even peek backstage a little bit too. We hear that they are going to put it on DVD so maybe you can watch it then! After the show, we embraced our inner teenage girls and got pictures with as many members of the cast as we could. It was so neat to be the real missionaries that all those kids were looking up to. They would get so excited when they saw us. We even got to meet Robert Allen! I wish nothing more than that I was in 18 Lives. By the end of it, all the kids said they were just tired of crying. 

Sunday

What a great day! We found out one of the Merrills is leaving so we had a nice photoshoot that I will send! We had 4 investigators at church! Unfortunately the AC was broken. YIKES. We were privileged to go to Elijah's baptism that night. He is the son of the woman who is in charge of the entire 18 lives. It was so great! And he was so excited! 

So all in all we had a fabulous week. I am so thankful to be a part of this work and that I get to stay in the best area of the mission for another 6 weeks!

Love,

Sister T

Here isSister Murdock, Helaman and Robert Allen (Jesus).

All the sistas

our awkward band pictures hahaha. 

July 7

Happy Patriotic week! 

On Monday we had a lovely zone pday that we wore our canada shirts to. Heck ya! Represent! Canada Day was pretty uneventful but still a good day! 

July 4th was the most uneventful thing that has ever happened, other than all the fireworks at night. It was not what I expected. It seemed like no one was even outside. We visited a lot of old people. The sweetest Sister Behrman gave us an entire pan of cinnamon buns! God bless America!

One of the highlights of the week was randomly having to play the organ in church with no prior warning. All of the songs were patriotic. And we opened with the Star-spangled banner. I don't think I have ever played that in my life. Afterwards, the man who usually plays came up to me (he was late) and said how it made his day that a canadian had to play all those songs. 

We had a great sisters conference this week. All of my previous companions were there except for 2. President and Sister Murdock were also there! We learned a lot about planning. Afterwards, we ate at Subway with Sister Murdock and then she came to our lesson with Patty!!!! She is so bold and answered every single one of Patty's concerns. BOOM BABY. We are praying that Patty can get baptized on Saturday before her family reunion! Sister Murdock is amazing! 

This week we have the 18 Lives production to usher at. You should all check out the website, 18lives.org. It's going to be amazing! The lady in charge of the entire thing is in my ward! She has the best son who is 4 named Lincoln. I wish you all could meet him! We went to their house for dinner. He decided to randomly take a bath before dinner (we found out later because he had an accident). While we were eating, we hear him yell, "SISSSSSTTTEEERRRR MISSSSIIIOOONNNAARRRRIIEEEESSS!" as he comes running around the corner. His mom bolts up and says, "don't be naked, please don't be naked." He was and she quickly ushered him to his room while telling him he needs to get dressed. I wish you could hear the way he said it. It was so creepy and hilarious. Plus then he came out dressed in black velour pants and a navy blue turtle neck. It was 100 degrees outside. At church on Sunday, we said hi to him and the first thing he says to us was, "What are atoms made out of?" haha. He then told us that even "Adam's" are made out of atoms. 

We've been staying busy teaching and preaching, even in the heat. I don't know that I have ever experienced this kind of heat before. We go home incredibly sweaty. It's nice. I am so thankful our car has AC! 

This past week we found 2 new investigators! Lori was mowing her lawn when we saw her so we awkwardly waited for her to finish while she pretended we weren't there. Once she started talking to us though she really opened up and is excited to read the Book of Mormon! 

Edna's son, Don, is an active member of our ward. She is in her 80s. (Apparently we just love the old people haha). She has peacocks too! We taught her the entire first lesson. I felt the spirit. Afterwards she just looks at us and says I don't want to be forced into joining a church. YIKES. I then felt inspired to talk with her about the Atonement and finding peace. She softened and wants us to come back! 

So all in all we had a great week! I am excited to see what this next week brings! 

LOVE YOU ALL

Sista T

pizza on a p-day in canada shirts! 

sister meeting

peacocks

May 26

This week it's going to be a short one because we are going on a hike
as a zone! We're hiking mt. garfield today and I think I might die so
pray for me. The good thing though is that I am feeling a little
better. Woot!
This week I spent quite a bit of time inside trying to feel better.
But of course, we still saw miracles! I didn't see many of our
investigators this week but I got to spend time in the 7th and 6th
wards! They are both great (but not as great as 9th ward!).
On Saturday I went on an exchange with the delightful Sister Hancock!
She's 4'11. She is so adorable and loves being from Texas! We saw the
best less-active family named the Roofes who hadn't been to church
since they were both baptized in their childhood. I felt the sweetest
spirit in their home. And then on Sunday I saw them come to church!
Sister Hancock is so determined to always be doing and it really
helped motivate me to be a better missionary (because sometimes I am
lazy...)
I am having a really hard time remembering what happened this week
(probably because not a lot did...) but just know that I love being a
missionary! Transfer calls will be happening this week. Both Sister
Tew and I wish will all of our hearts that we will both stay but we
both kind of feel this is the end. It's crazy how much I grow to love
my companions. Sister Tew is the best! She is so funny and hilarious
and says the best things. Plus she loves her family so much so I feel
like I already know all about them and I love them too! Plus her
family is moving from Hawaii to Idaho this month so I can even visit
them!
We had an amazing sister conference this week! We had a panel of 5
converts whom we asked questions to. The spirit was amazing and they
said some of the best things to remind us just how imperative this
work is! As the councilor from the mission presidency, President
Atkinson, left he said, "What a sacred day!" He's the best! Some of
what they said was, "Don't give up until the miracle happens." "It
felt like coming home." "It's best when missionaries speak from the
heart and let the chips fall where they may."
It was interesting to note that all of them wanted to keep
commitments. They were excited about being accountable. My favorite
part was we asked what their major concerns were. Chris, who was
baptized just a month ago and is in a wheelchair, said his only
concern was stairs! hahaha. And then President Atkinson says, "The
true church has ramps!" It was the best moment!
This week I am so excited to have nothing stopping us from being the
best missionaries we can possibly be! We have a lot of progressing
investigators and less-actives. I know that the most important thing
is to have the spirit so therefore the most important thing I can do
is to be obedient!

I hope you have the best week ever!

Love,
Sista T