week 8

Love the Mud.  Gross!

Well howdy!

Seems like this week has gone by so slow but hey its finally preparation day! I'm sorry I didn't get to write everyone back last week I didn't have much time! I hope you all had a great week and I can't wait to hear all about it! Guess what....this week I'll hit my 2 month mark! Whoop whoop! 

Next week are transfers so I will know by this Sunday if I will be staying in my area or going to a new area! I have grown to love these people so much. It has not been an easy last 5 weeks but I'm growing to love this. So....Saturday was the baptism and I spoke at it. Two little girls named Hannah and Jaycee got baptized. I couldn't hold back my tears. It was such a special day for them and they are just the cutest little things. The spirit was so strong! Baptism is a saving ordinance to enter into the kingdom of God. By being baptized you choose to follow Jesus Christ and his example. How amazing. Sunday I sang in Sacrament and of course I woke up yesterday morning with a scratchy throat! I was going to back out but then I said whelp....Guess I'm going to do this haha. It was rough and it wasn't my best but other people thought it was good but oh well! Last week we taught Kelvin. We have been teaching him for the past 4 weeks and he has grown so much. He used to be very shy around us but he has opened up so much! He cracks jokes with us and he's just the best. Even though I can only understand some of what he says I can read his face and he has changed. The other day we were teaching him about the 3 kingdoms and he was like "oh my neighbor is going to the third kingdom" and we were just dying haha. Hes pretty sassy. 

 I am starting to understand spanish a lot more. I can somewhat understand when people are talking but I just cant produce much. I'm working on it! We got up early the other day to go running and it was so cold outside I got a brain freeze. We are trying to exercise more because in this mission people say "the Montana 30 is a real thing" because the members feed you so well, so I'm not about to gain 30 pounds! I haven't tried any weird meats yet but I'm hoping I will get too! I have really had to learn not to be picky with my food. One night we had some ham, green beans, peppers, and cottage cheese and let me tell ya.....I was screaming inside. Haha it was painful. Since I haven't had any soda or juice in 2 months whenever people give us juice I cry inside. It makes me so sick now! One night we had to sit in the car for a few before a lesson because I thought I was going to throw up haha. I guess it's a good thing? Less calories and sugar! Friday night we had pizza night with the Gormley's and as everyone knows, I just love them! Brother Gormley was telling us how him and Sister Gormley decided to get married and he said his mission president said "marry that thing" (his mission president didn't really say that but he's a jokester). It was hilarious to us but you had to be there. Anyways...we saw Kathy and she is just too much for me. We walked in Thursday and she had the funniest kitten shirt on and she was so proud of it. It's impossible to be sad around Kathy. One of the saddest things about this area are all of the stories from the women here. 70% of the women here have been sexually abused, cheated on, beat, and more. They are all amazing women and I wonder to myself....how could anyone hurt such beautiful people? Last night we saw Alicia who is a returning less active. She shared with us her story of how she was sexually abused by her cousin and had fallen away from the church because of him. She said for years she had blamed God for everything that had happened. In December the missionaries before us had showed up to Alicia's house one night when she had felt completely lost. She said "It was so weird that they had shown up that night after everything". We cried together and the spirit was so strong. I don't believe in coincidences. I know that those missionaries received a prompting to see Alicia and that it was the holy ghost speaking the to them. God knew Alicia was struggling, so he sent those missionaries. It was in no way a coincidence, it was a miracle. The other night we played uno with the wright's and it was the most fun I have had in awhile! Jaden whose 13 has been struggling to open up and so thought uno would be a fun time. We wanted to show Jaden that we are normal people and we can have fun. It was nice to just have fun with that family instead of talking gospel. Jaden is softening a little so there is progress! Update on Scottie...Scottie has been struggling a little with quiting smoking but we have so much faith in him. Everyday we have dropped off treats to him and have checked up on him. He is so close to baptism it's so awesome. Two weeks ago I extended my first ever baptismal question in the field. My companion had looked over at me and told me to do it and I said no I can't do it. I paused for a few seconds as my heart was pounding. I finally asked Kelvin if he would be baptized and even though he said he wasn't ready, I made that step. It was terrifying but after all was said and done I knew that I could do this. I was called to do this. It has not been easy but at the end of it all it will be worth it.

To my siblings: 

Yesterday when I had seen the pictures mom had sent me of you at church I began to cry. I couldn't contain my happiness and my emotions. Seeing the kids there as well warmed my heart. Matt I know you were out of town so no worries! I know you would have gone if you could've. I want to share with you something. For as long as I can remember, I have been praying since my freshman year in high school for you all to come back your church. Six years. It took 6 years for my prayers to be answered but yesterday was one of the best days in my life. I cried most of the day because I have never been so proud of you. The fact that you set aside your day to come and to take of the Sacrament gives me so much hope in my heart. It will not be easy to make this a habit but if you learn to rely on the Lord, all things are possible. Your prayers may take days, weeks, months, or even years to be answered. Never give up, because I knew this day would come. Have faith and hope. I promise you that this is the way. We call it the plan of happiness. Heavenly Father created this plan for us so that we can one day return back to him. Study your scriptures. Your faith with increase and I know that. I know that because it happened to me. Being out here alone without you all I have had to learn to rely on the Lord for my strength. I have had to learn to trust Him. Turn your life over to the Lord and he will do nothing but bless and heal you. That is the truth. 

With my own personal goal of reading a conference talk a day I want to share with you all some things I have learned. 

First is the talk "I will bring the light of the gospel into my home" by Jean Bingham. The prophet Moroni tells us that charity is an essential characteristic of those who will live with Heavenly Father in the Celestial kingdom. "Except ye have charity ye can no wise be saved in the kingdom of God." The greatest commandment Jesus said," Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."...."And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The greatest form of charity may be to withhold judgement. We sometimes look at others with an incomplete or inaccurate understanding. We may focus on the differences and perceived flaws in those around us whereas our Heavenly Father sees His children, created in His eternal image, with magnificent and glorious potential. "Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." We all need to recognize that those around us are doing their best to deal with any challenges they may have. "May we strive to do our best to help out."- President Monson 

Second talk: " The Master Healer" by Carole Stephens. Jesus Christ is at the heart of the "great plan of happiness". Regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement. "The rock of our Redeemer, a sure foundation....where on if (we) build (we) cannot fall."...."With unshaken faith in Christ, relying wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save."- Nephi. He knows us and meets us where we are. And because of who He is and what He has done for us, He understands. A daughter who had been struggling with a bipolar disorder and been in overwhelming pain. Her mother had said "I wish I could take this from you". When she had felt hopeless, a feeling of relief had overcame her. She then looked at her mom and responded "You don't have to, someone already has." Rely on the Savior and he will heal you. Use the Atonement in your lives daily. You don't have to do this life alone. The Savior pleads: "Will ye not now return, unto me, and repent for your sins, and be converted  that I may heal you?"..."If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come...will I receive." 

Third talk: "Rise up in strength, sisters in zion" by Bonnie Oscarson. "For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and needy, the sick and the afflicted." -Mormon 8:37. The world today as we know treasures their belongings and themselves more than others. We all do this at times. I'm sure we have all maybe at one point felt either ashamed or taken back to share our beliefs. "Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?" Always stand true of what you believe. The Savior was mocked and spit upon but NEVER backed down from what he knew was true. "It would be easy to throw our hands up in despair, but as covenant people we need never despair." 

Last talk: "Fourth floor, Last door" by President Uchtdorf. God rewards those who earnestly seek him, so we need to keep knocking. We have been promised "knock and it shall be opened unto you". Faith is more of believing in something rather than seeing, right? "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." The scriptures teach us that through faith the worlds were framed, waters were parted, dead were raised, and rivers and mountains were moved from their course. Faith cannot be forced. Heavenly Father will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness. He will reach with love but He will never compel. Faith is trust -trust that God sees what we cannot and He knows what we do not. Never give up. At times when you feel that God seems to not be listening to you, He is. "He has not abandoned you. He will not forsake you."

I have a testimony of these things. One my mission the spirit has touched me as well as the people. I know that forgiveness is such a important thing. On the cross the Savior said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I am always taken back in amazement of how someone can forgive thousands of people for the things they have done and the torture the Savior faced. Love your enemies. Pray for them and serve them. Love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind. Find joy in your adversity. I know Joseph Smith saw what he claims to have seen and that is God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE. THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. 

Challenges of the week: Pray every morning and every night. Read your scriptures every night as a family. If you only get around to each reading one verse a night then that's okay! Baby steps! It's better than nothing! Attend church every Sunday! When you feel comfortable enough stay for all three hours! I want you all to pray to know for yourself if Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God and if the Book of Mormon is true. How is every one's scripture study going? Prayers? Temple attendance? Handed out any Book of Mormons? 

I love you all and have a great week! Stay positive! Strive to be more like the Savior! Have the missionaries in your home! Go with the missionaries to teach lessons! You are all so amazing and I have seen so much growth in you. I promise you that you will forever be blessed if you follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all. Keep the faith. 

3 Attachments

Songs I want you to look up! Listening to them makes me feel so much better! They are efy songs! Share these on my blog everyone should listen to them they rock! 

Still small voice by Jena woods 

Listen by colten avery 

My story by kaity whitcomb 

Good friends by Nik day 

It's a good start by Joseph swain 

I can do all things by Tanner Townsend 

Good to be alive by Reagan Rindlisbacher 

Wonderful people by Catelin Lundell 

You are called by Christian love 

Light of the world by Ryan innes 

Daughters by Jenny Reynolds 

Arise (Don't know the artist but it's an efy song)