November 12, 2018. Happy Veterans Day

Hope everyone has had an awesome past week and Halloween! It was fun here, we had Refit on Tuesday and everyone dressed up in something they could still work out in but they brought disco balls so it was super fun. Our Refit instructor wore a big dinosaur blow up costume and it was hilarious! Halloween was pretty chill for us missionaries, we had to be in by 7.

We had such an amazing day Thursday, we were busy all day, and had some pretty awesome lessons. One was with our Friend Kurt! We were discussing the Restoration and he has a lot of knowledge about Joseph smith, since he has investigated the church before. But let me tell you, the spirit was so strong in that lesson, at the end of the lesson we asked Kurt what he is expecting to get out of meeting with us and the very 1st thing he said was, "well, I'm not baptized." and then was really overthinking the question and said some other things, then said, "I will have to get back to you girls on that question." But then we brought it back to baptism and I was prompted to share with him in 2 Nephi 31 about our need to be baptized and the savior showing the way. and after reading those versus, I said, "Kurt, the lord has set the example for us, we know what we need to do to follow his footsteps." And when we asked him if he would be baptized, he said yes. and right after, I said, "We both have been pondering, and we both have felt you can be ready for baptism by Jan.12th." and he goes, "woah, you just blew me out of the water." and was just thinking for a minute and asked, "How did you know to pick that day?" and we told him that we both had pondered and both came up with the same date and felt peace about it. He said that he never thought of looking at meeting with us as trying to reach a goal like baptism, but just to meet and learn. He was beyond grateful for us and the time we have taken to share this with him. 

Right after that amazing lesson, we had a lesson with a less active couple we have been teaching over Facebook messenger video chat. 5 minutes before calling them, we both felt like what we planned to share with them was not right. So we took a minute and tried to think of what we could talk about instead. sister Jones came up with the idea of talking about prayer and how to get more out of it. But what kept coming to mind was motivation? Like what is there end goal in all all of this? In life?. We both agreed with it and no joke when we called them, they told us that they were talking with each other about where they see there future going in the church and what they both want, it was insane! Revelation is real! But the spirit between the 4 of us was unreal, it was so powerful even though we were talking to each other through a screen. Something that I read in the ensign a little back came to mind during our discussion and I felt very prompted to share it. It is from Elder Corbridge from the 70 and is a talk he gave in general conference called, "The Way." He says, "The Lord’s way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel. “There is an opposition in all things,” everywhere, for everyone. Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. We have only two choices. We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. And I ask, which way is easier? Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it."

After sharing that, he started testifying and telling his friend he is with that she is looking for something she already is because she feels she is still trying to find a balance between the church and herself. It was very powerful and there were a lot of tears, happy tears! But it was amazing. The spirit can do amazing things when you let it into your heart and act on the impressions you receive.

We have struggled finding new friends to teach this transfer, but the Lord has really blessed us this week! We were able to pick up 2 new friends and one of them is Chender! He is from India (there is a huge population of Indian people here, they are so nice!) but sadly he is leaving to India for a few months at the end of the month, but it's okay, because we are already in contact with the India mission because of another friend we teach through Facebook messenger who lives in India, so we will make sure missionaries teach him!

Another miracle was these amazing people in our ward, the Litchfields. They told us there son who just went on his mission has a friend who has been very interested in the church. So they asked him if he would like to meet with missionaries and he said yes! MEMBER MISSIONARY WORK AT ITS FINEST! So yesterday, we went over and got to share the 1st discussion with him. His name is Junior and he is so on board with everything! We are way excited to teach him, but sad we will probably pass him off the YSA. Still grateful!

I am so grateful for this gospel and the blessing it is in my life. I have learned so much and continue to grow spiritually. I know how important it is we read the Book of Mormon daily, The prophet wouldn't just tell us that if it wasn't. I love what Nephi says, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that is is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" 2 Nephi 25:23. I know the scriptures are written for our benefit, As Nephi says, it wasn't easy for them to write, it took effort on their part, and also faith. So we need to show our faith and devotion to doing what God commands us to do, and it's for our benefit! Love you all have a splendid week! 

They will all be dead next transfer other than sister Murdock and I😭

Well, the libraries are closed today due ti Veterans Day, so I am sending this fringe my phone.

Also, my sweet companion has written this awesome email that I am going to send this week! Enjoy! 

Well this week flew by so fast it was crazy! But I will tell you a few highlights of the week (here comes the novel).

Monday:  We emailed, went shopping and then went to go look at some clothing stores because we thought that would be fun.  Well we spent maybe 20 min in one store and 10 in the other and were done. Yeah I am so not into shopping. We hung out with the zone then went to the apartment because I was not feeling good. But I do feel better now so all is good.  We had a lesson with our friend Jennifer she is so amazing!  I love her!  We talked about the fall od Adam and Eve.  She was blown away with what we believed. 

Also, all the new sister missionaries came in and stayed at our apartment. They are all so sweet! One will be trained by Sister Murdock and that trainee will be so very blessed. 

Wendsday: today was transfers. I am still IN May's Pond with Sista Stokes! We are excited to see what this transfer holds. We did get to stop by transfers since it is in area and I got to say goodbye to Sister Murdock. I don't think I will see her till she comes home in April and that makes me so sad. But it's okay. She is so awesome! 

Thursday: we went to refit and that's all I can remember. Yeah sorry team...jk we had an activity with the relief society and we are soup and make kits for kids who don't have homes. 

Friday: we had district meeting....I mean council lol. We have two of the three new Spanish sisters in our district and they are so cute! I am excited for this transfer!  

Saturday: we got to go to lunch with Todd at Costco. It was so fun! We talked and enjoyed food. He is the best! 

Sunday: L came to church! She was sick for like 3 weeks and that was no fun! But she is better. But now Sister Stokes is sick. Prayers for her (Sister Stokes) please. 

Well sorry this was short but I had to email on my phone only so that's no fun! But its okay. I love you all! 

Sister stokes