John 3:16

Hey Friends and Family!

Well this week, Sister P and I worked harder than we ever have in our entire lives! Wetaught 12 member present lessons, 8 less active member lessons, we have a baptismal date and we had people attend church. Behind every number is a person coming closer to Christ so we feel pretty good about it. But now we are both kind of sick!

Our baptismal date is a 7 ,almost 8, year old who is getting baptized in April. Heavenly Father always blesses for hard work! In all aspects of life. On Sunday someone said, "work so that there is something for God to help you with." I love that!

Well something I have taught people this week is what God's purpose is. Do you know what God's purpose is?

In John 3:16 it tells us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He loves us so He sent His Son so that we can be saved. He wants us to return to live with Him again. That is also the purpose of Christ is to prepare a way to us return to live with God again. So cool! I ove the scriputres, now we know the purpose of God is for us to have Eternal life. 

Our investigator Joel told us a story about a time in his life when he was really depressed. He had just gone through a divorce and he was homelss he had 2 teenage daughters. He was praying to God for help because he had no one else to turn to. After he prayed he got on the elevator in the motel and he saw a penny that said "good" on one side and "luck" on the other. He was like,"really God, a penny? not a 100 dollar bill or something?" He was wanting to end his life but this penny helped him know God heard his prayer. Then when he got back to his room, he found out that his daughter was the one who wrote on the penny and dropped it in the elevator. There are two ways to look at this. God is real and He answered his prayer through someone else. Or it was a coincidence. Well I choose to believe it was God and I know we can see God everyday in our lives when we choose to! 

Well its been in the 80's and 90's here is California. So funny:) Have a good week everyone! Thank you for all the birthday wishes!!

I Love Missionary Work

Hey! We found 3 new investigators in one day on Saturday!! It was so so cool:) This week we are going to try to meet the Standard of Excellence! woohoo. I love missionary work! Anyways sorry, busy day! I gotta go but i love you all!

This is my zone from this transfer!!

This is Noah, a less active that we are teaching and the Farley's!

This is Elder Pollard, Elder Bernard, Elder Manwill, Sister P and I! We are all in the same ward:)

I Know that God Lives

Well I don't feel much like talking about my week, it wasn't that exciting. But I did want to share with you what I  have come to know on my mission.

I  know that God is real. He has answered my prayers time and time again and if you look around you and you look for the blessings, you will see God's hand in your life. I know He loves us and knows us perfectly and He only wants what is best for us. Any trial that He gives us is for us to become stronger. God is not selfish, He is perfectly selfless. So if we want to be more like God, we also need to become selfless, this is where true happiness is found. 

I know that Jesus Christ is separate from God but one with God in purpose. He came and suffered for our sins and pains of this world. He knows exactly what we have to face in this life. I know this because I have felt him relieve burdens I was carrying and I feel his strength everyday. Being a missionary is hard and I know I cant do it alone. I know His strength is what gets me through. This is His church and His work. I know He loves me and I have come to know Him more personally and the sacrifice He made for me to return to live with Heavenly Father again. I know Jesus Christ lives and He will strengthen you and I in our lives if we let Him. I was talking to a young man this week that said,"I have never felt the help from Jesus Christ. I just don't get it." I said,"Well.. you haven't been to church, prayed or read the scriptures, how do you expect Him to help you?" It's like dangling from a cliff and asking for help but not taking the hand when it is offered. We have to act. We have to do something to come closer to Christ, He can only do so much until we decide to follow Him and accept His help.

I know that this life is a time to prepare to meet God. We only have trials and set backs to prepare us to see His face again. Each trial we have can bring us closer to Him. I know He sends angels to watch over us. 

I am just so grateful for all my friends that I have made on my mission, and all my friends in Utah and all my friends at home in Colorado Springs, and anywhere else I have friends. I am so grateful for my family that give me so much love! Thank you for all of the support, letters, emails and encouragemnt! Have a good week:)

Our Purpose in Life is to Prepare to Meet God

Well its been a great week here is California! I got to talk to my beautiful family on Christmas Day. I am sad to see the Christmas season come and go! It was the most perfect time to talk to people about Jesus Christ. 

Sunday was a proud moment, Hillary (baptised a month ago) gave a talk in church about how the Gospel changed his life. I was so happy to see him giving a talk! The Gospel changes people. If you want to change into a better person, join the church! I'm just sayin!

That was my favorite part of the week, my other favorite was Christmas Eve! We went caroling and it was so fun to see the expression on people's faces of joy! Then we went home and opened presents. It was soo good! I got a beautiful blue necklace, like 6 scarves, shoes, makeup and some lotions and perfume, and lots of junk food!

Something funny Sister P does.. well in New Zealand they say "what the he**" and its not a bad thing. So I had to tell my companion that we cant say that as missionaries in America haha. too funny. She was so embarrassed.

Well something that has been hard for me since I came on the mission is comparing myself to others. This is something I have been able to overcome and this is how. A zone leader told me "look up, not sideways". Anytime you see yourself comparing yourself to someone else.. just look up and thank Heavenly Father for what you have. Soon you will find your self grateful instead of jealous. :)

Well here is my spiritual thought for the week and my testimony:

The purpose of life is to prepare to meet God. Hard things are what prepares us for that moment. They are completely essential to this life. When we endure hard things well, then it will guide us to Heavenly Father's throne in a state of happiness, joy and peace. All we need to do is believe in Him, rely on Him and live according to His teachings. This will give you strength when no worldly thing can. When your spirit is strong then you are strong. 

"Endure to the end we must, for our goal is eternal life in the presence of our Father in Heaven. He loves us and wants nothing more than for us to succeed in this goal. He will help us and bless us as we call upon Him in our prayers, as we study His words, and as we obey His commandments. Therein is found safety; therein is found peace."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Till We Meet Again"