Mother's Day week

Hello everyone!

 So, first of all, the Mother's day call was great! I'm so glad that I got to see you all and hear about things that are going on every day. It's great! The best part about it was that I didn't get homesick at all! I just felt like I was at college again and that I'd talk to you again soon. Which was right because here I am, emailing, just a couple days later! Fun stuff! I think I don't feel homesick because I prayed that Heavenly Father would help me be a more consecrated missionary... who knows? Anyway, the week leading up to Mother's day was fantastic! We did SO MUCH SERVICE this week! We started the week by helping a sister in one of the Elders' wards dig up what she called "pokers" and separated them. We ended up returning to their house just 2 days ago to help paint a fence and to trim hedges.

The hedges were WAY overgrown, so one side looked a little... gaping when we'd trimmed it back to it's original border. But the rest looked fine! We then had a service project on Saturday where we helped a sister in our ward move wood and wood chippings into burn piles. She's an amazing person. I learn so much from her. On Thursday I officially graduated from counseling (BOOYAH!) and on our way out of the counseling office, there were some elders from st johns in the waiting area, so I'm not the only one having issues. I know that probably shouldn't comfort me, but it does :) I know I've probably said this before, but my companion finally got her visa to Brazil!! I'm so excited for her! I'm also excited for the new companion that we picked up from the Valley yesterday. She's really sweet and she absolutely loves it up here already! She's been in Phoenix for 14 months, so Eagar is definitely a change, but she says that "this is my place! I'm so happy!" so that makes me excited. The cool thing is that she's gluten intolerant, so I know how to cook for her! Remember when mom and Allison couldn't have wheat? Yep, I'm going to be making stir-fry, rice and rice flour pancakes! It's weird that I'm so excited, but I am!

Anyway, back to the work itself. We have 5 baptisms scheduled for the 24th!!! We're hoping and praying that everything works out for all of them, but they are all on track! We are worried about Courtney (she's the single mom with the 5 kids). This week she got an eviction notice, so the bishopric is working with her to help her find a place in the ward. The ward has been absolutely amazing with her family! I have a theory that the Lord will give us those that he's prepared 1)  when they're ready. 2) When the missionaries are obedient and listening to the Spirit; and 3) When the ward is strong enough to receive them into the fold. Cool theory, right? I think it makes sense :)

Other than that, our schedules have been completely full most of the days of the week! Sure, we have some cancellations, but that just means that we'll see them again later or that they aren't quite ready or prepared for the message yet, so I don't despair. Sunday was amazing! Not only was it Mother's Day (they gave us lotion and chocolate in our wards), not only did I get to skype you all, and not only did I get to fast and feel the Spirit help me through the day, but one of the people I fasted for made it to church!!!! AND (drumroll please)

SHE'S GOING ON  TREK!

There are, seriously, so many blessings from being obedient and praying and fasting for people. I know that sometimes it doesn't give us immediate results and that it may take years, but the prayers and the fasting work! We are currently teaching or have baptized people that have had family members fasting and praying and sending missionaries to them for YEARS! Don't give up on them! The Gospel has so much light and truth that the light of Christ that resides in them will be drawn to it. It may take years, it may not happen in this life, but we should NEVER give up. That's what I've learned up here. NEVER GIVE UP!

I love you all so much and I hope that you all continue to be healthy and happy. I encourage and invite you to study to signs of the second coming. And don't freak out about it because as long as we are keeping the covenants that we made at baptism and in the temple, we have nothing to fear :) This Gospel is amazing. It's brought so much light into my life when there was only darkness and it's brought me so much hope when I've only felt despair. I KNOW this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet that our Heavenly Father called to preach his Gospel and to restore the Church of Jesus Christ in our day. I know that families can be eternal and that we can all be together forever. I don't just believe this, I KNOW it. I know these things through the power and gift of the Holy Ghost. How can I know it and not share it? 

Love,

Steph