Hello Family!!!

Hello Family!!!

I am sooo happy to get to talk to you today. Yesterday was a lot of fun. We went out to white sands for the day but it was wayyyy tooooooo hot! and that was not so cool. But we still had a great time, and everyone used our sunscreen. Don't ask why, but Sister Tompkins and I have like 4 bottles at home. I'm not burned, she is slightly, and some of the elders are very pink, but we had a GREAT day. Since I'm talking about yesterday, I'll tell you a miracle that happened. So this month has been tight with money because I had to pay money for things to teach investigators and other stuff. But earlier in the month, when I was buying this stuff for the investigator to learn from, I was nervous about the money I had. I never like to use my money from home. But a scripture came to my mind of Christ sending the apostles to teach the gospel to the world without care for purse or script. Well, I bought the items and prayed I'd have enough. Yesterday, I checked out at Wal-Mart and the total was more than I had expected. But the card went through! Amazed, we got in the car and checked to see how much I had left. Turned out, that I now have exactly $0.01 left on my card!!!!! What a miracle and a blessing that heavenly Father helped me out! I know I could have put something I bought back, but Heavenly Father still helped me anyway.Wow

I want to tell you of another miracle (I'm telling you, I cant count or recollect how many we have had this last week!) So, do you remember when I told you about a man who was trying to decide to let his girlfriend move into a new house he is buying? Well, he didn't only tell her he'd decided no, he also invited her to a lesson and she is AMAZING!!!!! She shared a personal experience that seemed to shape everything. When we shared Joseph Smiths first vision, the spirit was so strong the best part was how she described what she felt. She said it sounded silly but she couldn't describe it. It was joy, beauty, happiness, awe, and ... many more. It was incredible to hear her words and to know and understand exactly what she was feeling! I loved being able to testify to her that it was The Holy Spirit testifying to her that the experience was true. you should see the way she touches the scriptures, it is like they are gold or something precious! I love her so much! I am only sad because she doesn't live in our area and we will probably have to let the Elders teach her :(

Last week at district meeting, Elder Kemp said the closing prayer and I had the impression on what to teach the 2 foster girls we visit. It was like nothing I've taught before but it was exactly what they needed. It was incredible how easily and completely it came into my mind. We started the lesson with Aspen in a bad mood. We had sis Tompkins write down some of the many blessings in life (then Aspen started talking! and opening up!) as we went around describing them. Then we talked about he many trials we face in life and wrote down those. Then we took the trials we have and wrote what we could learn from those trials. It was incredible! I know the girls were able to see that God loves them and that trials are meant to be for our good. Aspen has recently lost another family member and one of the trials were funerals. I decided to say what I have learned from funerals. I told her that I learned that God loves these people more than I do and that I need to turn them over to Him. When she asked what I meant, I said that I know how much I love these people and I know how much God loves me. I learned from funerals that God must love these people so much more than I love them, and that I just need to let him take care of them now. (I hope that makes sense) I know that the lesson was 100 percent inspired. I could not have ever done that on my own.

Something else interesting is that I will be a witness in a wedding this Friday. Remember the story about the girl I asked if she was pregnant? Well, they are having a private, small, wedding in the bishops office this Friday and they have invited us to come. Its hard to watch this couple and what they have gone through and chosen, but it is glorious to see how much they love the baby-to-be and what they are trying to do together. This family is truly going through a lot, but I love them so much.

Another man we are teaching I told you about last week is the man with the meth addiction and other past problems in his life. With him, I just wanted to tell you that he came to church on Sunday! At our appointment that night, he said that the he loved it and that the Spirit was so strong. It was so different from anything else. He said that he wished church could be everyday so that he could enjoy that feeling longer. How great it would be if we all felt the same way! Its sometimes really hard to be at church for us, especially when we have no investigators. It is easy to think, we could be out finding someone new to come to church, not here waiting for it to be over. But that's the thing, church is here for us to come closer to Christ. Even missionaries need it every single week. (And for me, I need it 2X a week :P) Its been amazing to learn so many great things. It is funny to watch Sister Tompkins readjust to a family ward from singles ward, especially Relief Society, but there is truly so much for us to learn, everywhere.

My companion and I are doing great, although I know that she is very nervous to train.  You really don't realize how much you rely on your companions until you are training someone brand new. This week, she is practicing her training on me. I know that she will do a great job. She is funny and I like it a lot because I get to be as stubborn as I want and get away with it :) But we both know it is just a role play so she can practice what to do and what she needs to know. She is a good missionary and an inspired person. I love her a lot. The only problem with the training role plays is that sometimes she will forget to do something or that we need something and ill just go grab it or tell her what she forgot if I just want it to get done. It is teaching me a lot about the way I've trained her and what I can do better at in the future. Ill be sad when we are not together. She is a lot of fun. I love the picture of when she decided to go bald just for the fun of it.

I am doing good. I think that it is really hard to not get stressed out on your mission because you feel like you, God, and mission president expect so much out of you. Where do you draw the line between impossible right now and I just need to stretch myself a little more? Fortunately, since being trained myself, a lot of these stresses have settled and only occasionally come up now and then. On Sunday, I received a blessing of comfort from our ward mission leader (aka, the Hawkman) and received a lot of council in it that has really blessed the last few days. In the blessing, I was told to look at the examples of the men and women who have gone through huge trials including Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. This last few days, I've read D&C 121 and 122 and it has been amazing. I love how JS pleads with God in love and respect and how God's reply is equally loving in talking to his servant. It reminded me that God not only knows me, but he knows those who are not of God. I also like how JS is told that all of this is for his good, and that his days are numbered, but the wicked will end those days any sooner than God had already planned. How special is that? I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us and gives us everything to be for our good.

Dad: That is way exciting how all the airplane stuff is going. Do you feel like you are hitting your midlife crisis? :0 just teasing. and you are way crazy for bringing up my birthday. Don't  you know that that is like forever away! We were talking to an Elder we drove up with to White Sands and I was telling him about something that happened in 1997 when he stopped me and said "I was 6 then." I paused and said. "So was I" This Elder is just about to go home, and didn't realize how old he is I guess. You know you are old in the mission when you are the same age as a Sister. Just kidding. Although I have no idea how the end of may is here. that is an odd one. And I hope  you and Amberly have fun on your daddy daughter date. Those are always a lot of fun, if only for that reason alone Daddy-daughter. I love you dad!

Mom: I'm still excited for you in Relief Society. It will be so good for you and I have to admit that since you got the call that is where I've wanted to be. I figure, hey, this is my mom's lesson possibly too! and that always makes it more special for me. And that is awesome that y'all can get your own Elders soon. who knows, eventually you could have 2 sets in your ward. You should feed them Chocolate trifle for desert!!!!! mmmmm then send me the ingredients so I can make it tooo! I didn't know they were going to broadcast Sister Monson's funeral. That had to be so hard on the family, although also a comfort in that much love and support. Last conference it stood out to me about how me mentioned missing a Youth Cultural Temple thing because it was on her birthday and he wanted to spend that day with her. I'm sure that that is a day and a choice he will never regret or forget. And thank you for being kind to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Next time, maybe offer them a Book of Mormon or a card! They are always either very nice to us or very awkward and unsure as what to say. But then, I feel like that is how we are to them many times as well. (we as missionaries or LDS people in general) Good luck with your printer and quilt projects! And don't spoil that Macy mutt!!! I love you mom!

Trent!: Hey puppy, How was your birthday! Did you do anything or get anything fun? I know  you didn't get a permit, right. Dog's Dont Drive What did you do? And what are your summer plans? I keep having to check how old you and Amberly are now so that when people ask I don't have to think about it. How old are mom and dad now? I just remember old, but under 50 and that seems to work generically. but then, I'm old too. but not THAT old. I hope finals will go good for you. What books are you reading? And what songs are you playing in piano and orchestra? Music is the song of the heart, right?   I love  you puppy!

Amberly: Hey gal, you have an amazing wax photo and those mickey mouse cupcakes looked sooo good! Mickey mouse always leaves a good finishing touch right! :) I hope you are reading! I love books! The Book of Mormon is the best, but I love books of all kinds! You just have to find a really good one to get into. Sometimes, you just have to get past the 20 lame books to find the best ones. How is your room looking? You look very good in glasses and a lot older in them. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of the house? Getting to go play with friends all over is a lot of fun. I love you gal!

I LOVE YOU MOM DAD EYN TRENT AND AMBERLY!!!!