And the temperature comes a tumblin' down!

HELLO EVERYONE!

This week has been... pretty good actually. The weather is getting really really nice. Also, you definitely know that you're doing the right thing if Satan is trying to discourage you. Prime reason being that we had some pretty amazing miracles this week.

Miracle #1: CONFERENCE!!!

I absolutely LOVED General Conference! It just makes me think of this same time last year when I was conked out on the couch after my Wisdom Teeth surgery. I think I got much more out of Conference this time around. Also, dad: I realize that I didn't give you my omelet order, but I hope there was an honorary omelet made for me this conference!

Anyway, the talks were absolutely phenomenal! I wrote down a bunch of questions right before the Saturday morning session and I had every single one of them answered! Crazy, right?! Nope, not crazy because those speakers were led by the Spirit as to what they should talk about. Proof that the Spirit of God is at work among the children of men and that the Lord is concerned with all of us INDIVIDUALLY. And because these speakers were inspired, they answered ALL of my questions :)

Miracle #2:

This week we were able to have AMAZING lessons with some of our investigators! One of them, is awesome because he knows that there is something missing in his life and he wants to know what it is. Enter the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which he says makes perfect sense! The only hitch is that his mother has refused her permission for him to be baptized until she passes away. So, right now we're praying, not only for his progress, but that his mother's heart will be softened.

Miracle #3: Meet the Mormons

We got to watch Meet the Mormons this week!!!! It was so cool! It's really kind of like a documentary, showing the lives of different members of the church and how they live their beliefs in their everyday life despite their different cultures and backgrounds. It was amazing! I would definitely watch it again! Also, the success of opening weekend determines how long the movie is in theaters (yes, actual movie theaters). So, if you can, go see it on opening weekend. You won't regret it. I laughed so hard at some points and at others, it was hard to hold the tears back. It's an amazing movie that you can go to and invite everyone to watch. It doesn't preach, it doesn't bible bash, it shows how we live our beliefs. And I LOVED it! I really liked ALL of the stories. They were really really awesome.

Miracle #3: The parable of the multiplying tic tacs

Actually, that's a really funny story. Sister Hurst had asked if I had any mints and I said "Yes!". I then reached into my bag and pulled out my little container of tic tacs. Unfortunately, there were only 2 tic tacs left. Despite that fact, I gave my companion one of the tic tacs and I ate the other. I was disheartened because I knew that I would need a tic tac later in the day and I knew that I didn't have any left. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the sorrow of my soul, I later reached into my bag to discard the once full tic tac container. However, when I lifted the container out of my bag, there were 2 additional tic tacs inside! Yep. Pretty cool huh? haha

Anyway, I love you all and I love hearing from you all. I hope that, no matter where we are, we always remember our Savior and his sacrifice for us and that we continuously strive to utilize the atonement in our lives. I know that I feel the strength of the Atonement especially when I'm reading my scriptures, praying sincerely, and taking the sacrament. Those are three of the greatest blessings that we have been given. Because I've read the scriptures, prayed, and partaken of the sacrament, I KNOW that my Redeemer lives. And that knowledge is the most comfort that we can receive in ANY circumstance. I know that the priesthood power has been restored to the earth and that worthy Melchizedek priesthood holders have the authority from God to give us blessings. I know this because I recently received a blessing that addressed concerns that the Elder giving the blessing knew nothing about. I KNOW that Christ's church has been restored to the earth and that we are ESSENTIAL to the hastening of the work.

Love,
Steph

pic: 1) Ahh Mosquitos. The one creature that I'm still trying to discover a purpose for. Total "bite" count? 73
2) This is my greenie that I'm part-time training while our companions go on exchanges. Her name is Sister Richards and she is the bomb!