The craziest week of all time!

Hi everyone!

So this week has been super crazy and super emotional. First off, I want to tell you that transfers are in 2 weeks, so I'll be emailing on Wednesday (I think). Otherwise, you'll just have to be surprised to get an email from me that Monday! So this week we got back from trek. As soon as we got back, we showered (we really stank) and then hopped in the car and went down to the valley. Sister Goodwin is officially in Brazil! I'm super excited for her and grateful that I have Sister Heap as my new companion. When we got back to Eagar Tuesday afternoon, we finished our P-day chores and proselyted for a few hours and we had one of our less-active members (who is now active) finally decide on a date to go through the temple!!! It was awesome and I'm so exited for him.

On Wednesday, we taught Ron Dailey. Let me tell you a little bit about Ron. He's an extremely fit older gentleman who was raised Catholic, but has a thing against religion because a high-ranking Catholic Bishop came to his hometown and he was required to kiss the Bishop's ring (which he refused to do) and he decided that there was something really wrong with organized religion if that's what it required you to do. Anyway, we've been teaching him and we've been able to answer questions and he's been reading the pamphlets and he's read the chapters that we've assigned him in the Book of Mormon and he's really progressing. On Thursday we did an exchange in Taylor so that my companion could go to a leadership meeting in the valley. By the way, I met someone that's related to the Lee family from Tooele (you know, the one in the Benson Gristmill pageant). I didn't get back from Taylor until Friday night and on Saturday we had some drama. We had a Sister that was emergency transferred and I was asked to take her place in Luna/Reserve New Mexico, so I am now companions with Sisters Pass and Christensen. It was a bit hard because I thought I would still have 2 weeks to say all of my goodbyes to the members, investigators, etc. in Eagar but I know that the Lord has something in mind for me up there, so I'm going to keep serving with a smile.

In other news, yesterday we had a trek fireside with President Sweeney and it was awesome! I got to see most of my trek siblings and they are all planning on getting together pretty often! Too bad I won't be there, but they'd better prepare themselves for some facebook requests next year! Today we stayed in Eagar because we'll be going to Zone Conference and the temple on Wednesday, so we'll be here the next few days. Most importantly, we went fishing today!! Yep, I caught 4 fish and got my arms completely fried because (of course) I forgot to bring sunscreen. It was really fun, though, so I fully expect to go on a fishing/shooting expedition with dad next summer!

About grandpa, I really feel at peace. It's going to be really sad, not having him physically here, but I know that he's in that paradise that is reserved for those who have not only made covenants at baptism and in the temple, but have also kept those covenants. We know that those who have made and kept their temple covenants will be blessed in the eternities and that we will have the joyful experience of seeing them again soon. This life is really just a blink of an eye when compared to the eternities. I KNOW that we will get to see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. And I know that, when we do, we'll see grandpa. We'll get to see grandpa in his perfected form and we'll get to hear his voice singing with the angels in heaven.

Death is only just the beginning. He's just taken that next step in his eternal progression and we are blessed to have been able to be a part of his life and to be a part of his earthly family. I love you all so very much and I know that, no matter what happens, I will get to be with you all for eternity. Christ broke the bands of death and through the power of God, we have been sealed as an eternal family. NOTHING can change that. I love you all and I hope that you will look to Heavenly Father for the comfort that only he can give.

Grandpa Lee is free from toil and sorrow. And with the just, he now dwells. All is well

Love,
Steph

pics: 1. I decided to attach some pics from the trek and very carefully avoided getting people in them :) They'll be giving us a disc with all of the pics soon, soo you won't be bereft for long!
2. Unfortunately, I only have photographic documentation of 3 fish, but I promise that there were 4! (oh, and there's one of Sister Heap)
3. Me gently guiding a cricket out of the house in Cruzeville (he's under the orange cup)