DOT

What a week.

In Preach My Gospel there is a promise given that those who serve diligently in the Lord's vineyard will find more joy than ever before.

I testify that that is true.

I have seen the Lord bless me with the power that comes with the authority. He has blessed me richly. How I wish you could all be out here serving with me, feeling the joy I feel. The Lord gives many blessings in the Book of Mormon, and they are being fulfilled to this day! The Book of Mormon is a place where all can look to find a remission of their sins. It can turn your heart to God, and that is engraved in my heart. The Book of Mormon changes lives. My faith is in it's pages, I know that I give someone the Book of Mormon, I can lead them to their Father in Heaven. He has given it to us because He loves us, and He wants us to know our identity. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I have seen it's power. It contains the Doctrine of Christ, and I know that simply because I've seen the Doctrine in the workings!

This morning while reading 3 Nephi 10-11, I read it in His voice. I could hear how He would say it. It's exactly what Joseph Smith records, that He speaks like the "rushing of great waters" (D&C 110:?). He is the first and the last, the destination for us all. We must know Him because we are to become like Him, and we cannot become something we don't know. His grace makes up for what we cannot.  His Atonement is individual as well as collective. He was resurrected. He lives. 2 Nephi 9:18, 21-22.

I feel as if I've lived 50 years through the stories of others and with the knowledge I've gained. I feel myself progressing at a rate I cannot keep up with! I am FEASTING. I know what it means to feast upon the words of Christ. I am being cleansed! I feel more joy that I ever have before simply by doing what I know is right. I am starting to see some of the fruits of our labors, unfortunately right as Sister Turley is leaving. SISTER TURLEY HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO HANOVER!!!!!!!!!!! TO TAKE SISTER KORMAN'S PLACE!!!!!!!!!! AND SISTER KORMAN AND I ARE GOING ON EXCHANGES TOGETHER THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best transfer. Also, I love training. LOVE IT. It's crazy but we go with it! Sister Turley knows how much I love the people there, that's all I ever talked about. She met Rob and John when they came down for conference to see me. They're so lucky to have her. She will be perfect there. I know they are in good hands.

John from Hanover just receiving his patriarchal blessing this last Sunday. He writes and speaks like he's been a member all his life. He is ROOTED in this!!!! He's an amazing man with a love for Christ. His prayers always get answered, like on the spot too! People will call him while he's praying and give him answers to the questions he has! It's INSANE.

Let me just tell y'all about my new companion Sister Collins: SHE IS AMAZING. She has hit the ground running without missing a step. She is rooted in her testimony. I compare her to the Holy Ghost, she speaks softly, but with incredible love and purity. She is meek and lowly of heart. She is a disciple of Christ, you can tell by the way she treats others. This Gospel is love and she lives that. How dearly I love her. I have prayed her here and the Lord has answered my prayers!! I adore her! She was a councilor at Brighton Girls Camp before she came, she might convince me to do that when I get home ha! I don't know why, but the Lord keeps blessing me with BEST FRIENDS out here, one companion after the other. I have loved them so much.

Ok. So since Sister Collins has been here we have yet to have a lesson that isn't amazing! Patty ASKED FOR A READING ASSIGNMENT AND WANTED US TO COME BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Sean came to church and told others that he is going to be baptized!!! (yes the drag queen). Sean and Patty are READING the Book of Mormon. Patty said in her lesson, "after every lesson we have I always have a question that I have never thought of before." This time it was about the pre-earth life. That Plan of Salvation is bomb, it related to everyone. So Patty and Sean are progressing!!

Yesterday we walked 4 miles to contact a referral that wasn't there. Afterwards we asked, "why does the Lord want us HERE?" As soon as we answered that a man walked outside a house down from us. We asked him if we could share a message about Jesus Christ and got a return appointment for next Sunday (Easter). Only problem is, he SPEAKS SPANISH. I don't know Spanish. Good news is there are plenty of members that do! Wish is luck!

Uplifting message to those who are on missions:
God's opinion is the ONLY ONE that matters. He knows you are giving it everything you have and He has endowed you with power to do His work here upon the earth. This is a mighty work for mighty warriors, which you are one! You are like the Sons of Mosiah, teaching with power and authority of God. Think of Nephi in 3 Nephi, no one listened. But who did Christ call on when He came? NEPHI. He didn't give up. He then gave him the power to BAPTIZE! Be like Nephi and Christ will give you that same opportunity. You have power and authority, power is the evidence of your authority. Know this, that you are marvelous. You are elect. You can do anything with Christ, whose name you wear and whom you represent. You are His tool. He is working through you, whether it be to help your companions or the people around you.

Something AWFUL.... WE TOTALLY HAVE BEDBUGS. LIKE THE LANDLORD IS HAVING OUR APARTMENT HEATED UP TO 130 DEGREES ON THURSDAY hahaaaaha. Of course it's days after Sister Collins comes into the mission that we find this out... Poor girl! She's a great sport. No surprise we caught them, we go into some interesting homes!

Manchvegas story of the week: I got proposed to at a stoplight in our car by the man in the car next to us. He signaled to roll the window down. I did and went to hand him a mormon.org card when he started asking me all these questions ha! Wish I had better street smarts... We were in the elders area, there's a reason there aren't sisters there!