Ham and Potatoes

Happy Easter  to all y'all beautiful people!!

This week has been full of crazy miracles! I'll start off with my favorite....But cool story...So on Wednesday we went to visit a lady who was a member (Renee) who decided to remove her records. When we went over to her home and she expressed to us that she would like a priesthood blessing because she was going into back surgery the next day.  We arranged
everything and were able to get a hold of a member who was willing to
assist. He let us know that he would find a second priesthood holder to bring with him. When the two brethren arrived we invited them in and started to introduce them to Renee. Renee started screaming out for joy! At first we were confused… And then we found out that the second Priesthood holder that tagged along happen to be Renée's missionary, and baptized her many years ago! He had served in this area, moved away, then married someone from Ohio
and moved back here. It was so cool to see! The spirit was so strong when she received her blessing! That experience definitely open the door to us teaching her. She now is starting to entertain the thought of Getting Re-baptized:) so cool! 

This week I have been studying my Savior, Jesus Christ and his resurrection. By His Atonement and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has overcome all aspects of the Fall. Physical death will be temporary, and even spiritual death has an end, in that all come back into the presence of God, at least temporarily, to be judged. We can have ultimate trust and confidence in His power to overcome all else and grant us everlasting life. "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” - John 10:18

As a missionary I love Easter because Easter, along with Christmas, may be the only time in the whole year that some members find their way to church. I love meeting all the less actives in the ward. It's a great opportunity to help those who have maybe lost their way, find their way back by helping them feel welcome, missed, and loved. 

Remembering Jesus Christ and his resurrection can help us feel that much closer to the Godhead. As we continue to pray and follow God we can know what direction and path to take our lives. "When we decide to do “whatsoever [God] saith unto” us, we earnestly commit to align our everyday behavior with God’s will." - Elder Clayton. We must commit to God's will, even if we do not understand the "why." But Don't ask God to direct thy paths if you are not willing to move your feet. You must walk. That is something I have learned while being a missionary. I must walk. There is a point in everyone's life where you have to have God, because you have nothing else. Our job as missionaries is to make sure that when that point comes in the lives of others, that they know that God is right there. There is no one who fully knows what I go through but God. it's not easy, life is not easy. But if you have God it's possible. And It's not just possible.... it's fulfilling:) 

I promise if you continue to follow God to do the things that he asks life will always be fulfilling… Not always easy but always worth it.

Baked Beans

Hello beautiful people.

My new companion is Sister Holbrook! She is 20, 5'2", from AZ and
super cute! I love her lots! I'm still in Reynoldsburg and loving it
here! This area has really grown on me:)

I have been studying the importance of Joy this week. What is joy? Joy
is being happiness without cause or environment. President Hinckley
was a great example for having true joy.
How we can cultivate an attitude of happiness and a spirit of optimism.

President Hinckley's mother said, “a happy attitude and smiling
countenance could boost one over almost any misfortune and that every
individual was responsible for his own happiness.” I love this. Owning
up to our own joy. She also said," Cynics do not contribute, skeptics
do not create, doubters do not achieve." Having a positive attitude
and being joyful can bring us great opportunities in our lives. I have
guilty of struggling with being frustrated and sad depending on my
circumstances over the last few days. But it affects the work. It
affects the area,a don people around me. I realize that things tend to
go better when we have a joyful attitude and are optimistic. We choose
to be optimistic. Every day ought to be a good day in the mission
field.

People who are happy do not waste time pondering the past or fretting
about the future. And they persevere in spite of adversity.  Elder
Holland said, "Things will work out’ may well be President Hinckley’s
most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. ‘Keep
trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged.
Things will work out.’”

I know that even though things may not go the way we want they will
work out. We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. I have
too many blessings given to me and around me… That it would be
disrespectful to God if I wasn't happy. Stop seeking out the storms
and enjoy the sunlight I have been told.

And what a great and happy time to be celebrating the resurrection of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!! Easter is coming up, and I am
beyond excited!!! I can't wait for Easter Sunday. Take this week to
count your many blessings and to find the joys in life. It may be hard
at times, but it will be worth it:) I promise.

Fish and Chips (Last Week)

I hope everyone enjoyed Conference! I love hearing from the Apostles
and the Prophet! Such an amazing and humbling experience!

One of My favorite talks was by L. Whitney Clayton. He talked about
committing even if we don't understand. He talked about Jesus Christ
and Mary, and how she had complete faith in Jesus even if she didn't
understand everything. That is how we need to be...we need to have
complete faith in the Savior, and God and his plans for us...no matter
the circumstance. Simple acts of faith. We don't know Gods time table
so we must have faith that he knows what he is doing.

I don't always know what God has in store for me, and I don't always
understand why things happen the way they do, but I have complete
trust and faith in him. And in turn, I am blessed. And I can see the
blessings. They don't always come when or how I want...but they do
come. Time is such a beautiful and interesting thing to think about.
Since we can't tell the future, we just gotta trust.

I also loved how much the Plan of Salvation was mentioned in this
general conference. So much to learn from knowing Gods plan for each
of us. I want to extend the invitation that I accepted from
conference. To study the Living Christ. In doing so, you will better
understand your Devine potential and purpose in this life. Study the
life of the savior.

This week has been really great...we have some great new
Investigators, and last night we had a fantastic and spirit filled
lesson with the Walters family! 4 out of the 6 are to be baptized on
May 6th!!! So awesome! I am so fortunate and blessed to have the
opportunity to teach those who are ready to come closer to Christ. I
am so fortunate to be Gods servant and instrument for good. I am
happiest when I am serving others. I have learned so much of myself
from my mission and there is on,y up from here ;)

Thank you everyone for the emails, letters, and packages:) they always
lift my spirits:) xoxoxo