April 14, 2014 (Almost in Order :) )

Okay so if she gets her call before Mother’s Day I don't want to know where she is going until then!  I want her to read it to me :0 I think it has actually hit me that Amy isn't going to be there when I get home. It’s funny how when something finally hits you it kind of hurts, but I know that she will be doing the work of our Father in Heaven and there is no better way for us to grow closer as sisters.  I can't even explain how much I have learned about that and getting along with people and loving people!  The Church is true that is all I have to say!  

I love your testimony of things scattered throughout your letter, that of worldly things not really mattering.  We have an investigator that will not come to church because she is afraid that the people there will judge her.  She is the sweetest lady and has been really learning so well.  The problem though is that worldly things get in the way.  So many other things have happened this week!  We are teaching an atheist that wants to be a Christian!  We had to drop a couple of investigators this week because they weren't progressing.  We have been learning about fear and I realized I was so afraid to drop investigators because then we wouldn't have anyone to teach plus I desired their salvation so much!  But after much fasting and prayer we had to make the decision.  That is we knew Heavenly Father had other people prepared for us to teach and we can't spend time on those who don't want to change.  Their time will come.  But as the week went on we kept finding people and finding people and I KNOW for a fact that Heavenly Father has prepared people for us to meet and even if it is just to plant a seed I am okay with that!  

So this week was transfer calls, but luckily we were saved because when a new missionary is training we stay together for 12 weeks instead of the normal 6 weeks. So we are safe in Decatur until June.  But we were reminiscing and realizing how much good has happened in the past 6 weeks!!  I wish I could explain everything I have learned!  I know that my Savior lives!!  I know he is here for me every day!  Also because of our Atheist investigator I have been studying a lot on how to help him understand about our Father in Heaven.  Because of that my testimony of My Father in heaven and even of Joseph Smith has grown tremendously!  

A common theme I have realized throughout my mission is that of trials.  I finally realized that we aren't meant to be happy-go-lucky all the time.  Life is not meant to be lived without trials.  But it is meant to be lived with hope!!  I read a quote that I want to share with you!!

"New life starts in the dark, whether it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb or Jesus in the tomb, it starts in the dark." - Elizabeth Dias

The trials or dark times in our life are our Heavenly Fathers way of preparing us to meet the light!  Everyone will take different amounts of time, but the time in the darkness is a growing stage.  It is not meant to be easy, but it will be worth it.  And I know just like the sunrise the darkness won’t be dissipated all at once.  It takes a gradual process, one that we don't really recognize until we look back :)  So as you find yourselves in the darkness, remember who our light is.  Oh and a poem because that is cool too. 

It begins in the dark

There is blackness all around

There is no sign of a mark

No inkling of a sound

Fear seems to set in 

For time begins to glide

Is this the result of sin?

Is there something I tried to hide?

I feel like I am drowning

But there is no water here

Why is the Lord frowning?

Our friendship did i sear?

I don't know how to leave

This deep and awful pit

On my knowledge I do cleave

He will save me from it

Then I begin to see

 What I have never seen before

The light comes from within me

From the deepest part of my core

The fire is the light

Of a friend who's always here

He brings truth and sight

And promises to stay near

he lifts me from the dark

And the fog is finally gone

On this journey I embark

The lights are now on

But what I have learned 

Will forever be in heart

To my Savior I have turned 

And that is where I start

The dark is where life begins

whether a baby, a seed, or day

Its not because of sin

For there is no price to pay

So share the light you've got

In this dark and dreary place

Find those whom Christ has sought

And share his saving grace

I know that Jesus is our light!!  Follow him for he has already walked through the rugged paths and paved the way back home.

We got tons of candy for Easter Bleh!!  So you don't have to send any candy.  But I do have a request... Can you send me some more Redmond clay?  I have been using it on my face and it has really helped especially since I got sun burnt from one day out in the sun.  Illinois doesn't know what spring is.  I love you all and hope you had a good Easter!!  Happy Anniversary this week mom and dad!!  Also Happy birthday to Zach!!  I will send a card, but it probably won’t get there before Wednesday. Good luck with the roof. Almost glad to say I'm not there right now hahaha Love you!!

...and for some pictures... :)  We have some members who own a farm on the outskirts of Decatur and they give us eggs ;)  and the pigs names are bacon, ham, and sausage ;) Then the other picture is of us with our Easter baskets from sister Montgomery's mom.