The Larson's drop in!

I am so excited for Shane's mission call! Make a video... Practice beforehand!! ;)
You will have so much fun on Trek! You will be the best ma ever!
I really like what Marshall said! He's so great..

Last Monday we went quilting at Sister Thorum's again. We had 2 dinners that night! I really love the members here. Sometimes they get depressed if we say that we can't have dinner, so we just said yes! haha. That night we had a miraccclleee.
Sometimes we get "media referrals," which are referrals through a text message, from Mormon.org, another visitors' center, or something like that. Well we received a media referral a couple of months ago that we went by SO many times, and he was never ever home so we stopped going. Well last Monday we were walking down a street, contacting a completely different referral, and we heard 2 people talking on a balcony above. I stopped and OYMed them; it was 2 guys. We were talking for a minute and I asked their names. Long story short, it was the same media referral guy we had been trying to contact forever ago! His address was the exact same address as the house across the street that we had been trying to contact! I didn't even know that that was possible! & he was actually really interested and
we are meeting with him this week. (Sorry if this whole email doesn't make sense, my brain is a gong show today! So many changes are coming in the mission!)

Tuesday, a girl preparing to serve her mission in London this August, came out with us. I love her and her family soo much!! She is a great missionary already. She called her non-member friend and asked him if we could come teach him on the spot...and he said yes! We had an amazing lesson with him! That night we were supposed to have a lesson with a member and her non-member friend, but the non-member wasn't home when we went there. So the member called her teenage daughter who was having friends over, and asked if we could come play a gospel game with them. When we went, there were like 10 people there and a few non-members!! We played gospel charades with them and they loved it! It felt like it was a real mutual activity, haha.

Wednesday, we went to the Valley for Sister V's last new-missionary-training. We did a roleplay for OYMing and at the end, the group gave us feedback. One of the comments was that it was a "Cute role play," haha. I don't know how often roleplays get called cute!
When we got back from the Valley, we worked at the Tree... That's when the Larsons came!!

The Larson family!

Oh my goodness, what a complete surprise! Angelia was completely wild, but it was so good to see familiar faces! And thank you SOOO much for the packages!! Sister V and I are so grateful! 

That night, we decided to visit a part-member family. When we showed up, the non-member mom asked us if the bishop was almost there. We didn't understand why we would know where the bishop was, but she explained that the bishop made an appointment with the family that night and she thought that we were also invited! haha! So many non-coincidental happenings! Well the bishopric showed up and we talked to the family and it went really well.

Thursday, we went out to eat for district lunch. The district was going to Subway, but Sister V only likes Asian food, so we went to get food from Panda Express to take to Subway. Well anyway, a man ran up right before we paid for our food and paid for us! Soooo nice. I will really do that for missionaries when I get home. It's just so unexpected and unnecessary but
generous. I have been so fortunate on my mission to be taken care of!
The night, the elders (district leader and companion) came to a lesson with us for one of our investigators. It was so so good. I love seeing the way that other missionaries teach! Well, we obviously rode in separate cars, but Sister V and I were heading back to the Family Tree and the elders were heading back to their area.

Running gas to the elders!

On the way there, the elders called us and told us that they ran out of gas!! We turned around and saw them sitting in a turn lane in the middle of the road. hahah. We went to the gas station to help them out, but I had never been in a situation like that so I asked the clerk what to do about buying a gas can to fill up. He told us that if we gave him a $20 deposit, we could borrow a gas can and we would get our money back when we returned it. So we ran out to the car, only to find out that we had about $14 in dollar bills and spare change!!  We were laughing so hard as we realized what a complete gongshow we are. We went back in and I laid out all of our change. I was like begging the guy, "Please! I prrromiseee we will bring it back!" He just laughed at us and took the change.
After the fiasco, we went back to the Family Tree and Main Street was having a firefighter parade. Sister V and I stood outside the door with Clark, the parking ticket man, and we caught flying candy.

My my my, what a full week! And I'm not even done yet!

Friday, we had a mission conference. Elder Cook and Sister Cook came and spoke. Sister Cook conducted the entire mission in singing an intermediate hymn, haha. One thing that I really loved about Elder Cook's words was the witness and blessings he gave at the end. He said that apostles are called to do those 2 things: be a special witness of Christ, and leave special blessings. Our mission president explained to us that the blessings he promised us were only available to us because we were there, in that place, at the time that he was giving them... How special! He blessed us that our families and loved ones would be taken care of and blessed according to our service. At the end, I was feeling nostalgic to leave because everyone I had served with in the Valley was telling me that I would be sent to the new mission and they would miss me...
That night, Sister V and I went to Tari VanLuewen's and talked to her for about half and hour! She is so nice and was telling me all of these stories about Russ. She told me about the first time she met you and what a good person you are and etc etc. It was really good and we are definitely going to go back and get her to come to church again! She knows a TON of the members that I am really close with here.

Saturday, we were working at the Family Tree and my second trainer, Sister Mikki Stone came in!!! I was SOOOO excited. I love love love her and I miss her so much. It was such another wonderful and unexpected surprise!

I am sort of really sick of typing at this point, but I will write briefly about Sunday. haha. Happy Father's Day! To all of my fathers and father figures and friends... Happy Father's Day.
We went to the McLaws for dinner, whom I absolutely love. (Their daughter Sara, the future missionary is the one who went out with us on Tuesday).

Sara McLaws & I

We wrote letters to their daughter on a mission, following up with their missionary experiences that they tried to have for the week. We decided that Sara had the biggest and best missionary experience because she went out with the missionaries (us) and taught a missionary lesson to her friend! The family asked for an extension so they could look for more missionary opportunities this week. haha.

Welllll. I love you with everything that is in my heart. You are the very best in the whole worlddd!! Have a great time at Trek!! MWah!

Pres Uchtdorf comes to Park City!

Well, last Monday, Sister V and I started our quilts with Sister Thorum. 

Sis Villoso and Sis Thorum working on quilts!

That evening, we had our first New Member Lesson with Morgan and the Ward Mission Leader, Brother Vincent. We had the lesson at the Peters' home and then they made us crepes (Mm!). 

Monday, I got the letter about Shane turning in his mission papers. Since then, I've been telling EVERYONE! :)

Tuesday, we did studies with the District Leader and his companion. My DL tells me that I have "Legit teaching skills". 

We had district meeting with the Zone Leaders and then all went out for lunch. We had a waitress from the Philippines, so Sister Villoso talked to her in Tagalog and invited her to the Family Tree. 

In the evening, we visited a wonderful family with a less-active father. The night before, I couldn't fall asleep because I kept thinking about them. I figured that I could not sleep because I needed to remember to visit them the next day. When we visited, we played a gospel game and they gave us some treats. Before we left, I hugged the mom and when I went to let go, she kept holding on. She was crying and said, "Thank you for bringing the Spirit into our home."

Wednesday, we got our first Ward Mission Process!! (Referral that the ward auxiliary leader has contacted and the family has agreed to meet with us). More information on that to come. 

Thursday, we did some more service washing walls. I love service activities!

In the evening, we worked at the Family Tree. When we left to go home, we had a ticket on our car! We opened it and it was a note from Clark, the parking guy. haha.

Friday, the elders came and helped us "double-work" our area. We went tracting in an apartment complex and met a few potential investigators.

For dinner, Sister Walk (an amazing woman) took us to Panda Express. While we ate outside and talked, tons of people walked by that we knew! I think it's getting obvious that I've been in this area for 5 transfers... haha. I love it though.

Saturday was a SPECIAL day. Sister Villoso and I started this thing called the 40-day-challenge. It's from a talk by Elder Cook. We made a list of 10 things that we can avoid or start doing to feel the Spirit in greater abundance. The talk says that the things don't have to be ways that you are bad or even ways that you are being disobedient, but the point is to cut out even the most minor distractions. I'll send a photo of our lists. Of course we made them creative and cute :)

Our 40 Day Challenge Program!

Well, Saturday from 3 to 9 we worked in the Family Tree. It was a pretty regular shift, actually going kind of slow. The other sisters, Sister Willis and Sister Marlow, were on their way to the Family Tree to have a lesson with some people. When they came in, they said that they had seen President Uchtdorf on Main Street. We weren't sure if they were joking or mistaken, but they promised that it was him. Well, we went around and straightened a few things and then waited. We figured that if he was on Main Street, there was no way that he wasn't going to come into the Visitors' Center. So we waited and helped some people and then suddenly, President Uchtdorf and Sister Uchdorf walked in the door. I was standing right in the entrance way! It is all kind of a blur because my heart was exploding and I was so nervous, but I remember saying, "Hi! How are you!" I was the first one to greet them, so without any example of how I was supposed to be, I am sure that my eyes were wide as I hugged Sister Uchtdorf. When I shook the hand of President Uchtdorf, the room was so warm; I was so excited and nervous! Immediately behind them were 2 visitors (members), so I stepped to the side and greeted them. President and Sister Uchtdorf walked by me to talk to the other missionaries. As I said, it's all a blur, and I'm sure that I was blacked out because I can hardly remember it at all. I do remember standing beside Sister Villoso and talking to President and Sister Uchtdorf about where we are from and things like that. What a completely wonderful and miraculous experience!

Well, here is the general idea of what our week consisted of. Last week, Sister Villoso and I made a list of all the finding ideas we could think of. We'd been following the Preach My Gospel section on "Finding Through Your Own Efforts" (including OYMing everyone we see). Finding through our own efforts hasn't proven to be very successful, so we decided to focus on working with the ward leadership and ward members. Among many other things we: visited auxiliary leaders and taught them about the Ward Mission Process; we met with 3 bishops and 3 Ward Mission Leaders to prepare for 3 Ward Council meetings; we visited members' homes who have children serving missions and committed them to have a missionary moment this week to write their missionary about; we attended social events and asked members for referrals multiple times. We received and contacted many referrals who are interested in having lessons this next week. Also, the Ward Council meetings were completely wonderful! Previously, we haven't been able to attend because of our Family Tree schedule, but I am so glad that we changed the schedule so that we can attend. The leaders allowed us to speak first in the meeting so that we could leave after we discussed missionary work; we set goals with them to begin the Ward Mission Process; we made assignments with specific leaders that we will follow up on this week. Overall, I am so proud of Sister Villoso and myself for the work that we put in this week. Every moment, we have been focusing on finding. 

Our list of finding ideas

You asked if there is anything that I need. My shoes are getting scary ugly, but they work completely fine and I don't want to get new ones until my old ones are unusable. I wish that I had more colorful clothing, but I definitely have more than enough of what I need. Today I bought some little footie slipper-socks to wear inside my flat shoes. Perhaps I could use more of those, but I just hand wash the pairs that I have and it works out well. Oh! One thing that I have been craving, (that I obviously don't need), is JuJuCoins! My favorite candy :)

I love youu! Hope all is well! I constantly talk about you and how great you are and how much I miss you!! Mwah!

Corn hole and other funny events!

Two more weeks until transfers. The mission split is supposed to be July 1. We will probably start to see the new mission president and the changes at the end of this transfer, though. Everything is pretty up-in-the-air. We don't know anything yet! But I will for sure let you know when I find out.

 

Last Pday we played Volleyball and Cornhole at the park. There were nets already set up and all of the beanbags for the Cornhole game. Elder Allen and I were the only ones who knew what Cornhole was! We taught everyone else in the district and they seemed to have a lot of fun. When we were getting ready to leave, some guys came over and picked up the wooden Cornhole blocks and the beanbags and put them in their car... We thought it belonged to the park, but it was theirs! haha. They just waited for us to finish and didn't say anything before taking it away.

 

Sister Villoso and I have been studying Preach My Gospel, especially the section on Finding. We have been struggling to find new people to teach, so we have been trying every finding idea that we can think of. During our full day of proselyting, it was extremely rainy and cold, but we worked so hard to find someone. My tights were completely soaked and my hair was a gong show. We visited Former and Potential Investigators from the area book; we knocked on all of the doors around each place we visited; we asked every person for referrals MULTIPLE times; we OYMed any person we saw-- no body would let us in or talk to us! This isn't a story that ends with a miracle, but at the end of the day we were so exhausted and felt good about the work that we put in. It felt like one of those days as a missionary that you just have to prove yourself to the Lord to show Him that you are willing to do everything he asks, even if people don't receive you. It's cool to think about the Savior's efforts, and even though he was the Son of God, I'm sure it was a struggle to convince the people about the importance of his message. We have been working hard every day, but that rainy day felt particularly difficult and fulfilling. I am striving to put in the work so that I can be worthy of the blessings I hope to experience.

 

Wednesday, we had a training meeting. Some of the other missionaries are training TWO missionaries. I hope that I never have to do that!

Later, we were tracting and we OYMed this guy on the street. To remind you, OYM is Open Your Mouth, which means to talk to everyone you see. Well, he was kind of busy cutting the branches off of a tree, but we are really trying to find new people, so we talked to him anyway. He was so nice and open to talk with us. He said that he had met with missionaries before and had a lot of questions. He wanted to know how his family could be eternal; where he came from; why he is here; where he is going... And then he said, "How am I doing?" and started laughing. He was a member! haha. Ughhh. Former Bishop Sibbitts! What a trickster.

 

Friday, we ate Asian food at the Christensens. Cortney and Casey were there! I haven't seen them in forever, so it was nice to hang out with them for a bit. I really love that family. You need to meet them when you visit to pick me up! ;)

Sister V and I have been making gospel games, so we played Gospel Memory with them and had a lot of fun.

 

Sunday, we had dinner with a French family. The dad was born and raised in France; the mom studied there; and the children have all been there and all speak French fluently. It was way cool.

 

Well. That's my week! Thank you for the pictures! I printed them out (in black and white!) I love them. I love you! You're the best! I miss you! MwaH!

Ariel shares her testimony!

"We are really in America!" - Sister V

I'm excited for Shane to turn in his mission papers! It's like getting called all over again! haha. What if he comes to Salt Lake??! ahahah.

My testimony of the Savior increases each day. I.love.the.Savior. I have found so much strength in Him that I could not have without Him. I am finding that people can always look for faults with some doctrine or another, but as I study the life of Christ, I am better able to recognize this as HIS church. This church is different from every other because we have the restored Priesthood authority; to me, that means that this is the only church in which Jesus Christ is actively leading and guiding the people. He isn't crying out from the dust like the prophets of old; he is literally speaking to us through a modern prophet. I am getting tired of being told that I am "indoctrinated" into my beliefs. The way that I feel, even in the moment that I am writing this, is enlightened. It is enlightenment from a Spirit that can only testify of truths. I know that this is the only church with the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am SO grateful to be able to wear His name beneath mine every single day. 

Pillow cases from Sister Thorum!

Tuesday, Sister Thorum gave Sister V and I pillowcases that she made us! They are so cute. We found out about transfers that day, too. I am in the same area with the same companion. This transfer is only 4 weeks long though. The next one is 8 weeks!

Pillow cases applied

We did service three times this week! Monday, we did FHE and helped a family pack. Tuesday, we did yard work. Wednesday, we had dinner with the sisters from Park City East and did some cleaning and "organizing" with them. You know how I clean!!! The lady was kind of a hoarder and had SO much paper. Well every time she went out of the room or turned her back, I would whisper to Sister Willis to give me more stuff to throw away! It was honestly junk and she wouldn't miss it, so I was taking handfuls and handfuls away! hahah. Anytime Sister Willis was unsure about something, I'd throw it away. Ahah. 

Wednesday was my 9 month mark!! Oo-Oooh! (ask Shane to do the Baby Mama thing)

Sister V studying multiple scriptures, haha.

Pretty uneventful week! Love you!!!

The perfect weekend!.. (and lots of pictures!)

What a wild week leading to a perfect weekend! 

Our district 

Last Pday, we went hiking in Kamas with the district. We were all out of breath in the first five minutes.. haha. It was a beautiful day and it felt good to be outside in nature. We walked for about 45 minutes and then everyone decided that it was time for icecream. 

Tuesday, Sister V and I did service for a non-member. She has arthritis and hasn't been able to do yardwork for a few years. Sister Villoso and I were tough! We worked for 2 hours pulling stubborn bushes from the side yard. All of the yardwork tools ended up breaking... Not sure if we are too tough or they are too weak!

Pulling roots with Sister Villoso

That night, we were able to have a lesson with Morgan, the 16-year-old girl I told you about last week. Ahhhh. It was so good. We had it at the Peters' house and Morgan's parents were there!! The Spirit was so strong as we taught them about the Restoration. Her mom asked really good questions and we were able to resolve her concerns. I asked Morgan when she thought that she would be prepared to be baptized. She said Saturday, (as in, 4 days later). Eventually, her parents agreed to let her be baptized on that Saturday evening!

Elder Simon, Sister Marlow, Sister Villoso, me, Morgan, Brett Peters, Elder Darquea at the Family Tree for Morgan's baptismal interview

Wednesday, we had a Training in Sandy for the new missionaries and their trainers. Sister V and I rode down with 2 other sisters. That night we had dinner with the Thorums.. Sister Thorum is so so great! She has this studio space where she has a giant loom and a quilt stitcher machine (I don't know the official name!)... They are so cool though. She professionally makes quilts for people. She said that if Sister V and I don't get transferred that we can come over every Pday and make our own quilts!! 

Sister Thorum!

Thursday, we drove to Sandy again for a Zone Conference. It was kind of a crazy one... It might be because President Miller is getting trunky! There was a "Price is Right" game to teach us how to use our missionary allowance cards. There was also a pinata to teach us about what lack of Vision can do to our missionary work.. haha. It was an interesting day. Our Stake President, President Palmer, and our Relief Society President (who has written to you), Sister Livingston, both were able to attend. Sister Livingston made a comment about me in one of the meetings. She said that she was able to gain trust in the missionaries from going out and teaching with them. She said that when she went out with me, she could see that I was bold and what a good teacher I am... She was so so sweet. 

Friday, Sister V and I had a lesson with 6 teenagers! 4 members, 2 non-members. The member kids had gotten together and given their non-member friend a Book of Mormon and invited her to meet with the missionaries. Ahhh. It was absolutely wild at first. We walked up the driveway and heard the piano being played and lots of people talking and laughing. We ate dinner with them and they were having a lot of fun. It was amazing to see the change that happened though, as soon as we started teaching. Everyone was reverent and relaxed. 

Friday was also Brother Peters' birthday, "Papa Peters"... haha

Saturday... Possibly my favorite day in my whole mission so far. We went to the Johnsons in the morning and rode to the Salt Lake Temple with them!! We were able to go inside & do a live endowment session with them. As soon as the session started, I felt the Spirit so strongly. I loved sitting next to Sister Johnson and looking across the aisle at Brother Johnson... What a beautiful experience! 

Salt Lake Temple with Brother & Sister Johnson!

Afterwards, we took a few pictures in front of the temple, and then went to lunch with them & their daughter who lives in Salt Lake. We ate at Chuck-O-Rama, the exact same place that our family went after going to Temple Square. 

When we got back to Park City, Sister V and I stopped by Sister Thorum's. She got me a MUCH NEEDED case for my scriptures. Ahhh, there are so many people here that I have grown to love. 

Saturday evening was Morgan's baptismal service!! There were easily 150 people there... We filled up the entire chapel! I have never seen so many people at a baptism before. It was amazing! Her parents sat in the front row for the talks and when we moved to the baptismal font, they sat in the front row there, too. Her mom was crying the entire time. It was such a perfect service. The Spirit was so strong! I am so proud of Morgan and everyone is so happy for her! What a miracle.

Brett, Morgan, me, Sister Villoso

Sunday was Morgan's confirmation. Her mom attended sacrament meeting to watch. Brother Peters gave her a very nice blessing. We had dinner with the Peters and Morgan after church. Sister V and I taught them how to play the Plan of Salvation Charades. We had a lot of fun. They are a wonderful bunch!

The Peters family!

I just read my One Line a Day Journal entry for last year. Exactly one year ago today, you, Russ, and I went to New York City. We saw the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and 5th Avenue. We had Chinese food in New Jersey. 

Today is Elder Jerman's birthday, so I have decorated his office in the Family Tree. I love that man!! 

It was a crazy week trying to get everything ready for the weekend, but it was so so wonderful. I LOVE the temple. When I was in the Celestial room, I wanted to stay all day long. Before Saturday, I hadn't been allowed to go to the temple since October. (When you are serving in Park City, you don't get to go to the temple every transfer... So annoying). Well anyway. It was much needed. I can't wait until the day when I can go to the temple whenever I want!!

How was your birthday, by the way? 

I love you! Hope all is well! 

Miracles... and Elder Jeffrey R Holland

What a spiritually rejuvenating week. The past few weeks have been rough. Being a trainer is more difficult than you'd think! The sit-down, formal companion-study training is easy... It's the real-life application that gets difficult. The new missionary is still adjusting and learning (which is hard to forget!). I have been learning so much about missionary work and about myself that I couldn't have learned if I had not been a trainer. 

This wonderful less-active couple that I have been working with since February, got their temple recommends this week! The husband hasn't been to the temple in almost 20 years and is very excited to go back this weekend. I am so so happy for them. I love them with all my heart and I cannot wait for you to meet them when you come pick me up in 9 months (picking me up, wink wink). The couple has asked that we go with them for support and to "hold Sister Johnson's hand". I am waiting to hear back from the district leader if Sister Villoso and I can go. They are planning on attending the Salt Lake Temple with the bishop this Saturday evening. I am praying praying praying that we can go with them, but I don't know if it will happen!

Wednesday was the b-e-s-t day (besides Sunday, when I got to see you!) In the morning, we had birthday celebrations at the Tree --two cheesecakes, icecream, etc etc! And in the evening, we had a mission conference... I absolutely LOVED seeing and hearing from Elder Holland! What a complete miracle to hear an apostle speak. Especially Elder Holland! I found so much strength in his counsel and I know that the Lord provided many of those words for my benefit. He talked about the difficulties associated with serving a mission and acknowledged that it is SO HARD! He said that it has to be this hard because we need to walk the path that Christ walked. Serving a mission is hard, but it gives me the opportunity to suffer for this gospel that the Savior so willingly suffered for. Salvation is not easy! 

We dropped FIVE investigators this week! Or they dropped us. (Dropped, meaning that we won't be teaching them because they're not ready right now). We had a member come with us who is preparing for her mission.. What a wonderful way to immerse her in missionary work! haha.

We had an AMAZING miracle just last night. This wonderful 16-year-old girl who has been coming to church for many years, but has not been a member, called us. I am very close to her and I know her well; she has been facing opposition from her parents and they haven't allowed her to be baptized. Through her struggle, she has actively attended church and young womens; she has gone to youth temple trips and spent the day in the waiting room. She has been a great example to all those around her. Well, in her phone call last night, she told us that her parents have given her permission to be baptized! I called her father this morning and he said that we are allowed to prepare her for baptism! The Lord is truly softening hearts and working miracles! 

I have definitely seen the pattern that Heavenly Father has set for my mission... I work very hard, finding and teaching. I am excited. Whoever I am putting effort towards ends up dropping us. I am sad. And then, the Lord puts someone in our path who has been prepared to receive the gospel. I am humbled. Over & over again. 

I love you so much! It was so wonderful and lovely and exciting to see you!! & Russ & Matthew & to talk to Adam! I love you all!! 

<333

Sis Wall and Sis Villoso's fun week!

Sister V, me, Bro Livingston, & Bro Lewis

Today, after grocery shopping, I asked Sister V if there was anything she had in mind to do today. She didn't have any ideas so I asked her if she's ever been to Michael's. She hasn't, of course, because she's from the Philippines. Well I decided to take her and it was so fun! I think the only words out of our mouths for half an hour were, "Oh my gosh," "Cute!" and "I love this so much"... I got 4 sets of cards and Sister V bought a couple of journals & note paper. We were in Heaven.

This week hasn't been too eventful. Just a few things here & there.

On Tuesday, we had a lesson with this great woman we've been working with for a while. I think I told you about her a few weeks ago. She read through 2 Nephi in just a few days and came to the knowledge that it is true. So at the lesson Tuesday, we taught her about the Word of Wisdom & Tithing to prepare her for baptism. Afterwards, she was very concerned because she loves green tea. I decided to make a trade off... No ice cream for me, and no green tea for her! You will not be surprised to find that ice cream was the treat for every dinner afterwards!

Well just a few days after our agreement, she texted us to let us know that she would continue to read & pray, but that she isn't ready for the commitment yet. I really think that she's hung up on the green tea thing, which is so sad. We tried to talk to her about alternatives, and reaffirm her testimony about the Book of Mormon, but she says that she needs time. Sad!

On Wednesday, the 24th was Ellie's birthday... Happy birthday, Ellie!! 

Wednesday, 4 of the sisters from the Family Tree drove down to Sandy, UT for a training conference. We got to Sandy just fine, but had trouble getting to the mission office. We got lost, which was an adventure, but finally found our way there. The training meeting was very good. The assistant's to the president talked about Extending Commitments & Following Up, and then we did some role plays to practice. After observing the role plays of other missionaries, we would make comments about what they did well & what they could improve on. After one of the role plays, I made the comment that the elders hadn't mentioned Jesus Christ's name once, and that was the entire reason that I am on my mission. One of the elders pretended to take off his name tag out of shame. haha. I knew him from my previous district & we are good friends, so he knew that I wasn't trying to embarrass him, but that I was just making a point. 

On Saturday, Sister Villoso and I were visiting some Less Active people that we had heard about from the bishop. On the way through the neighborhood, we saw Brother Johnson working on his truck in his garage. We drove by but then I felt bad we hadn't stopped to say hello, so I turned around. I yelled out the window & he was so excited to talk to us for a minute. His wife, bless her heart, came running out the front door, so happy, saying, "Bring the sister missionaries in! I have a surprise for them!" We got out of the car and went inside & their son had come home to surprise them! They always tell us about him & were excited for us to meet him. He lives in Philly but was driving through Utah, so he wanted to surprise his parents. It worked so well because Sister Johnson was BAWLING and hugging him & wouldn't let go! She is so adorable. She said, "This is how your moms are going to be when you go home from your missions!" and Brother Johnson was like, "They don't want to talk about that!" haha. Ahhh. I just love them. 

On Sunday, we were passing out programs before sacrament meeting. I looked out in the foyer and sitting on one of the couches was this ex-communicated man that Sister Zeiner & I met a couple of months ago. I was surprised to see him and went over to talk to him. He said that he's been reading the copy of the Book of Mormon that we left him & also our testimonies that we had written on the inside cover. We had just OYMed him (Open Your Mouth, or in other words, talk to everyone you see) a couple of months ago and he didn't seem very receptive, but it was really nice to see him coming to church & making that effort. 

We are looking for new people to teach because Scratch (Satan, remember?) got a hold of all of our investigators! We have no non-members to teach, but we are really focusing on contacting names that we've gotten from the bishops & ward mission leaders. We had 15 lessons with Less Actives this week, which I think is the most I've ever had on my mission! I really enjoy working with the Less Actives and bringing them back to church & helping them read their scriptures & pray again. It's just so nice to see them REMEMBER. I want to see them in the celestial kingdom just as much as anybody else! 

So that is my week! 

I can't wait for Mother's Day! I love you so much. Always thinking of you. Always missing you!

All my love, 

Sister Wall