All Things are Possible with Christ

July 14, 2014

I don't have any time this week! like 10 minutes! but I'm getting transferred so don't send mail to the D 1/2 Road address! I'm so excited!

Alsoooooo this weekend "M" was baptized! He has been meeting with missionaries for over 16 years and it is so cool to see how the gospel has completely changed his life. I love it. Sorry this is the worst email ever... BUT I LOVE YOU ALL!

I guess I do have one thing to say. I was reading about repentance this morning and it is so powerful. I know that the Atonement is real because when you are willing to gain a new perspective on yourself and God and give up whatever it is you're doing, you see miracles in your life. Repenting can be as small as reading the scriptures every day or keeping the commandments, or as big as asking for forgiveness for something you've done and going through the repentance process. Whatever it is, it's possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's possible because He died and rose again. That is a big part of the atonement that sometimes we forget about. Because he rose again, and performed the greatest miracle of all time, we are able to do all things with him on earth. All things are possible.  I know because I see it every day in my life and I know that Christ is walking this path with me. He is walking with you too. He loves you and I love you! 

He Has a Plan For You

July 7, 2014

This was quite possibly the best weekend of my entire life. LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY (sorry picture not posted). THEY WERE MARRIED AND BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND. I can't remember anything that happened this week except for this and I can't think of anything to say except that I love my mission. Things could not be better. On Sunday, "K"  in this picture- the mom- bore her testimony and I have never felt the spirit so strongly. I have learned that listening to the Spirit is SO important. She explained the whole story of how we found their family, and I'll share a little bit of what she said. She said she had just finished reading the Bible and she didn't know where to go next, she didn't know what to read next and a few days later, we knocked on her door and introduced the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. She said that she used to be one of those people who thought the LDS faith was weird because she didn't understand, but just weeks after we started teaching them, their life changed more than she ever imagined. Her health improved, and their family was stronger than ever. She couldn't wait to see what else was in store for them because they had seen so much already. She said she felt like she finally belonged and that she would give up anything to serve her Heavenly Father. Tears came to my eyes during this story because she was just GLOWING with Jesus Christ's light. She was so happy and she had so much faith and happiness radiating from her. The reason I started crying wasn't only because I felt the Spirit so strong, but because I was SO thankful that Heavenly Father had led us to this family. I felt so scared and my stomach turned inside me because I thought of what would have happened if we didn't decide to go tracting that day or to knock on their door or to follow the Spirit. Or even to come on a mission. They would have still been lost, still living the life that they were living, when they could have this overwhelming happiness.

I now understand how important it is to listen to the Spirit every single day  and to plan effectively so we can find the people that God has prepared. After sacrament meeting, a man in our ward came up to me and thanked me for coming on a mission, because if I hadn't, this family would probably still be searching. Tears came to my eyes again because I was just so thankful that we had the opportunity to teach them. I think back to that day that we found them- we had ten minutes before dinner and NO ONE had been answering their doors, so we almost decided to just leave, but we thought- let's do one more and this is who we found.

I just know that every one of us is known by our Heavenly Father and just like He planned perfectly for this family to find the gospel, He has a plan for you. for us. for every single person on this earth and He places people in our lives so that we can be led to the true happiness that He wants us to feel here upon the earth. Missionary work is not easy by any means, but it's the most worthwhile thing I've ever done. I am SO thankful I get to be here and get to learn how to be a true instrument in my Heavenly Father's hands. I am so thankful for my family, and I LOVE MY MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After the Trial of your Faith

June 30, 2014

This week has been the craziest week of my entire mission!!!!!!! But I don't think I'll be able to explain it right! so when you're reading it and going.. okay this isn't that crazy...just remember that I said it was. or judge me for it. haha okay here we go!

So it started last Wednesday. We woke up at 6:00 all excited to go to a miracle baptism that was at 7:00 in the morning! I stepped out of the room to go to the bathroom..and I almost slipped!  There was a BUNCH of water all over the entire floor of our apartment. We live(d), in a basement and  there is a back entry way and before you come into our house there is a small room that's in between outside and the actual house, kind of like a mud room. So I looked out there and there was a literal POOL out there. It was like 5 inches high and everything was floating! We were so shocked and confused and all we could do was laugh because we didn't know what to do! So in our panic mode we tried scooping the water out of the mud room with buckets haha but we obviously didn't get very far. The housing coordinators came over and they had us pack up and we left and moved out for the time being! we went and studied at the 9th ward sisters house and got ready there. That was the first event of the morning.

Then we had district meeting. It was all wonderful until one of the missionaries leaned over to me and asked if I had heard about one of my previous companions. She was going home. I was crushed and I started CRYING.   I was so confused because I didn't want to cry but I did! So that was great and embarrassing, but I just was so sad that she had gone home after all we had gone through. Then our district leader gave a training on the Atonement. He told us that our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall. When he said that, I knew that this was going to be the theme of the week. He then went on and asked a sister in our district to tell the story of what happened this week. She shared with us how her sister had cancer. She was married and had four kids, and this sister was so sad. She felt like her sister was being punished because she hadn't been the best missionary she could have been. She described how she got a blessing, and our district leader suggested that we have a district fast for her and her sister. We all agreed. He then asked if there was anyone else we should add to the list. It was really cool because then our district all gave names and situations of close family members and friends. It was really interesting to hear what all the missionaries were going through. I could not believe it. The Spirit was just so strong in that meeting, especially as we sang "Savior Redeemer of My Soul"  for the closing song. If you get a chance, read the lyrics here  https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/savior-redeemer-of-my-soul?lang=eng.  
The Spirit was so strong and I have never felt so united with a district. The rest of the day we had to clean out the water and dirt and all of our stuff out of our apartment. The 9th sisters helped, and we moved!

That night, we started our fast. We prayed individually for these missionaries and their families. It was one of the most powerful fasts I have ever participated in. I knew that much power would come from this fast. The next day, Thursday, as we were fasting, we got a call from this sister who was struggling with her sister having cancer.  The surgery was supposed to be 7 hours, and she was supposed to have a speech impediment for the rest of her life as a result of the surgery. Early in the morning, SHE called sister Murdock and said that the surgery had only been an hour, it wasn't cancer anymore, and she could talk perfectly! EVERYTHING WAS OKAY! This was such a big and great miracle that we got to experience along with this wonderful family!  I cannot even explain the joy that we felt that day. It was truly amazing to be able to be bonded as a district like that. Sometimes I think we forget that even though we are immersed in the work of salvation every single day, we are important too. We are the work. I knew that it was a powerful fast for all of these people and it would leave a lasting impression on our souls. I will never forget that day.

The next day was Friday. We were going to teach this man that I have talked about before- the one who has been meeting with missionaries for over 10 years! and his wife is a member. We went to go teach him the law of chastity... BUT HE BROUGHT UP BAPTISM!  He wanted to know what he had to do to get there. So we read over the commandments and things he had to know- and he said he had a problem with tithing. So we spent some time explaining the commandment and the blessings of it, and he really just didn't see how it was going to happen- money was tight already. I felt bad because I could feel the tension in him rising, and I thought maybe he would put off baptism or something, but then all of a sudden he was like... okay! and we were like... okay what? and he was like I'll do it. I want to be baptized. and then we died because it was the best moment ever. I couldn't be happier and more excited for him. He had truly changed and I felt God's love for him stronger than ever before. I couldn't believe the miracle that was sitting right in front of us. Heavenly Father had prepared this moment for a long time!

Then we had dinner with our favorite investigator family that I talk about all the time and  they are getting baptized this Saturday! At dinner we planned to have their baptism interview the next morning and they even got their white baptism clothes! It was all planned and great!

THEN CAME SUNDAY. Satan hit hard. The man that we taught on Friday was devastated because of something that had happened in his family, and he didn't know if this was the right time for baptism. He thought he would maybe want to wait because he was just confused and sad and didn't know what to do. He said he didn't even know why he was at church because he was so sad. He was contemplating postponing. and then the other family that I mentioned  that we had dinner with, they were crushed because they were having some huge disagreements with their family, and there were some issues with where the baptism could be. Everything seemed to be falling apart, and on top of that, the Bishop had pulled us in and told us about a few things going on that completely crushed us. I felt like Satan had taken my heart and squeezed it. He would not let go. of anyone. But I knew that I needed to remember that the witness does not come until after the trial of our faith. I knew that it would be okay, and I needed to be patient and wait. If Heavenly Father had brought them this far, He would not abandon them/us now. We would make it through, and so would they.

Not even an hour later, both families called us and told us that everything worked out and they were still on for their baptisms. the family will be baptized this Saturday, and the other man the next Saturday. It felt like a huge burden had literally FLOWN away. We were so grateful, so happy and so relieved. It had been such a rollercoaster all day. Yes, the problems are still there. but it's okay. We are all being strengthened along the way. That is why we have Jesus Christ. Without His strength, there is NO way we could do it. With our district united together, and being strengthened at church, we really felt like an army. I know that there is strength in numbers and in family. We need to do everything that we can to endure to the end TOGETHER. Enduring to the end is the hardest part but the most important. I know that we have been given the tools to do it well. Enduring well is the best talent you can develop here on earth. I know that the Savior was with us every step of the way.  Alma 26:35 "Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name."

He understands everything that is going on. He knew that these things would happen to us. Nothing is a surprise to Him. He has all power, wisdom, and understanding. when I remembered that, and read that he is a "merciful being", I knew we would be okay and this would be the most miraculous last two weeks of this transfer. I am so excited.

We just need to endure.

I love you!

Be An Answer to Another's Prayer

June 23, 2014

This week was a whirlwind! I cannot believe all that happened but I'm convinced that I want to stay on a mission forever and no one can do anything about it. So we got a call from our assistants and they said that president invited us to Denver for a special training because a couple of people from Salt Lake were coming! So us and the 7th ward sisters dropped everything and went to Denver for the next couple of days! When we got there we found out we got to stay in a HOTEL! We didn't feel like missionaries because what missionaries ever stay in a hotel? It was so fun though. AND I GOT TO BE IN MY FIRST AREA AGAIN! I was so happy to just drive around there and I think it was a small taste of what it would be like to come back home.  it will be a great reunion. Then we spent the next day being trained how to be better teachers and planners.. and oh my gosh it changed our lives. In a good way though! We have so much to change and its working already! the inspiration that has happened because of it is the best.

So when we came back, we had the best weekend ever.  We decided that we needed to act on every prompting no matter what, because we figured that God was helping us more than we knew, and we couldn't ignore the promptings anymore. So, Sunday morning, we decided to do that. Before church we really felt like we should go leave a note on one of our investigator's houses and after that all of a sudden I had the BIGGEST prompting that we needed to go see one of our less active sisters. I didn't know why- we had been teaching her for 5 months and we had even taught her the night before and she refused to come to church. Every time we asked her, or invited her to pray for the strength to do it, she said that it just wasn't her time, but we went anyway . We showed up on her doorstep and said, hi! We wanted to invite you to church today! and she said no, I'm not ready! and she was like no way. Then we said "A", we were prompted to come here and we know that Heavenly Father knows that today is the day you are coming to church. She still said no. So we invited her to pray about it. Then we saw her son in the background and we asked him if he wanted to come to church with his mom today and he said.. sure! we asked him if he knew where it was and he said no and then "A"  I do!  and we were like SWEET IT STARTS AT 11:30 WE WILL SEE YOU THEN!  Then we ran off her porch and back to our car.  THEN SHE SHOWED UP TO CHURCH! for the first time in 5 months! YEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

The inspiring morning didn't stop there. After that, the thought came to us to go visit this other less active sister and invite her to church! So we went and she wasn't home, but there was this lady frantically talking on the phone. We found out her baby was having a seizure!!! We knew immediately that that is why we needed to be there. So, we asked if we could do anything and she was just in tears and so we decided to leave. But then something told me to turn around and we could NOT leave until we said a prayer with them. We said a prayer with the son, and we ended up finding out that they were members of the church- they were in the spanish branch! so we were able to call the spanish missionaries and tell them about it, and people in their ward could send help. If we hadn't been there, no one would have know this happened!

Then we drove to the church and we were late for our meeting but on our way in the parking lot, we saw this man walking with his two kids and in my head the Spirit was like YOU NEED TO TALK TO HIM. It wasn't even a question, I had to do it. So we got out of the car after parking and ran after him down the street. Really quickly I said HI WERE MISSIONARIES CAN WE COME SHARE A MESSAGE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST AND FAMILIES WITH YOU and he was like YES! He looked so relieved. He said that he just got his two kids back today and he just looked so happy. He gave us his name and address and we got to pass it on! It was the perfect start to our Sunday!

I learned this week that you need to listen to every good thought or prompting that you have  because that is how God speaks to us, we just have to listen. Even if it seems like just a silly thought, or we don't understand why- IT DOES NOT MATTER.  just do it. The Spirit speaks to us a lot, especially when we have the gift of the Holy Ghost and are worthy to have it with us always. Everyone needs this gift, it has changed my life! When God prompts us to do things, it is always to serve others in some sort of way. This is how prayers are answered. Be an answer to someone's prayers this week! go and do!

This just shows me that Jesus Christ is the head of this work. Man is not. Yes, man runs the church here on earth, but it is truly Jesus Christ who is directing this work. I know this is true because I experience it every single day. Ordinances such as baptism, confirmation, and taking the sacrament WEEKLY are essential for our lives. Strive every way you can to have this in your life. It's how you get to know your Savior Jesus Christ and come unto Him when you don't know any other way. This gospel is amazing because it is healing and inspiring. It mends families and it mends our Spirits. It brings us on the path back to our Heavenly Father with our families. What is better than that! Now is the time to act, because Jesus Christ is hastening His work and preparing families to hear this restored gospel that will change their lives! Find it now! We have a prophet who leads and guides Jesus Christ's church under the direction of Him. I am so thankful for Him and His words!

Read this article:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/love-the-essence-of-the-gospel?lang=eng

and you will know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. It is so important to develop our own testimonies of our living prophet, because he holds the same power as the prophets of old! This is truly the Church of Jesus Christ restored on the earth today and I love being a part of it and living it every single day of my life.

The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ

June 16, 2014

Okay I won't say it...BUT THIS WEEK WE TAUGHT 35 LESSONS AND FOUND 11 NEW PEOPLE TO TEACH. (the best week ever? what?) I HAVE NEVER TAUGHT THAT MUCH IN MY LIFE! I have also never seen so many miracles in my life. I got to tell so many people about the Book of Mormon and teach people that I never thought I would and we found so many FAMILIES TO TEACH! I have never been so excited about the Book of Mormon. It's so special and so needed! We explained it to everyone like this: if you have a street sign with one nail, it can turn around a bunch of different ways. But if you have a second nail on the bottom, it secures it in place and keeps it strong. This is like the Bible and the Book of Mormon! The Bible is NEEDED because it's the last three years of Jesus Christ's life, and what is better than that?! nothing! but if you put the Book of Mormon with it, then it just secures that testimony of Jesus Christ and adds that extra witness that we need to solidify our lives and point us in the right direction just like a street sign does. I thought that made total sense! It simply strengthens the Bible. Having a literal record of Jesus Christ in the Americas is the most amazing thing. WE TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED. Does anyone realize what we truly have? It is not just a story written by Joseph Smith that tells us that we have to have 6 kids to get to heaven! (that's what someone told us this week.) The Book of Mormon is ANOTHER TESTAMENT of JESUS CHRIST ministering to the people in the Americas. It's an ANCIENT RECORD of prophets bearing testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and bearing witness of His divinity. Why wouldn't we want that in our lives? It is more scripture written by ancient prophets like the Bible, revealed to us by God now. WE NEED TO TELL EVERYONE! The Book of Mormon is something to solidify our testimony of Christ and it shares with us His full gospel to bring us full joy and to bring our families closer together in purpose and goal! to live together for eternity! The Book of Mormon shows us the path to take to get to eternity with God and Jesus Christ with our families.

We have seen so many cool things happen, but there is one in particular that I want to share. A long time ago (like 5 months ago when I first got here) I told a story of Sister Winkelman and I tracting into this lady who's mom had just passed away. When we knocked on the door and asked to pray with her, she burst into tears and we had a really special few minutes with her where we got to tell her where her mom was and that she was okay and that God loved her. She just couldn't believe that we had shown up at that time and little did she know, we were all the way across town and were inspired to go specifically to her street! but anyway, we had gone by and tried to visit her a few times after that but it never worked out. So the other day, we were around her neighborhood and I was driving and all of a sudden I thought of her and I immediately started towards her house. When we pulled up, she was outside and as I got out of the car she was looking at us like who the heck is that!? haha but as I walked up to her she said, "I REMEMBER YOU!" and she gave me a big hug and said, oh my gosh you were the one that came before with the other sister and just offered to pray with me! I always wondered how you guys knew, it just seemed so inspired and I have told EVERYONE about it!  but really she told everyone. her neighbors, friends, family, everyone. she was so touched that we just wanted to pray with her and made her feel so much better the day after her mom died. I was so happy to be reunited with this lady! She made me so happy! As we were talking she just stopped and said, "I often wonder what the purpose of life is. Do you know what the purpose of life is? Why am I here? Sometimes I feel like I should be doing something but I don't know what it is!"  then i died. YES WE KNOW THE ANSWER! We told her we would LOVE to tell her more about it, and we were just overjoyed. We had to get going right then, but we set up a time to come back and see her.

Heavenly Father knows what he's doing. He knew that she needed us that day and because of that, we get to teach her about this great plan of happiness. He sent us there. Going back to what I said in the beginning, I love the Bible and the Book of Mormon together because it answers all of the great questions of the soul.  If you need to know what the purpose of life is? it's in there. how to help your family become closer? it's in the book of Mormon. how to share the gospel with others? it's in the book of Mormon. how to make an important decision in your life? it's in the book of Mormon. what to do when all else fails in your life and you feel stuck? it's in the book of Mormon.

I want to bear my testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon! It's the best book in the entire world because it is straight from God, and it helps me know the plan God has for me through Jesus Christ. But the ONLY way you can know is by reading it. I can tell you all I want how great it is but until YOU read it and pray and ask God if it's true, you cannot say it is not true. I love the Book of Mormon because it's changed my life. It is something that I could never live without because it holds a power that nothing else in this world has. It has the words of our Savior Jesus Christ. and that is what is most precious to me. I love it.

Families are Eternal

June 9, 2014

D& C 128:19 "Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth!..."

THIS SCRIPTURE DESCRIBES THE GOSPEL AND WHAT IT DOES. I have a new companion! Sister Loertscher! yeaaaaah! We have had the BEST WEEK OF ALL TIME. I'm not kidding. Like the best week of my entire mission. I may have said this before but, I MEAN IT NOW. If you're going to believe me one time, make this that time because we have seen more miracles this week than I have my entire mission. I love Sister Loertscher! She's been out three months and came from Glenwood Springs to here. She's allergic to watermelon and if she touches it I have to epi-pen her. I don't think she should trust me with that. She's also allergic to chocolate but eats it anyway because she likes it. We enjoy each other.

We taught the most lessons we've ever taught in this area! Lessons just came out of

nowhere and all of a sudden people started progressing! So I am going to tell you of some of the miracles. But, before I do, I just want to talk about the divinity of this calling and of this church. I know that it's true because I have literally seen people's lives and marriages change in even just one week from adopting a commandment into their life and into their home. Like the word of wisdom changed this one family's life in 3 days because they followed it! And now their marriage is better than ever before! and another family's life.. they read the Book of Mormon every single day and they know it's true and they have come closer in their marriage too and they are working towards getting the priesthood in their home! I just KNOW that the church is important because it puts you and your husband on the same page. You become one in purpose and THAT is the most amazing thing to see. This gospel isn't just something that MIGHT change your life, but it WILL because FAMILIES ARE ETERNAL and JESUS CHRIST is the head of this church. and nothing else matters. That is why this church is so divine and being a missionary is such a divine calling. We are called to help people get to know Christ so that He can change their lives. WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN THAT!? IF YOU CAN'T TELL I LOVE LIFE RIGHT NOW.

Okay, so the man I talked about last week that made a HUGE change and used to be sad and stare out the window and now feels the Spirit in our lessons.  HE CAME TO CHURCH. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW BIG OF A MIRACLE THIS IS. He has been taught by missionaries for TEN YEARS and he has NEVER, ever ever ever EVER COME TO SACRAMENT MEETING! but he came on Sunday… and I died. and I got to sit next to him. I think yesterday was the best day of my life.

Another miracle was we were tracting and we found a lady. She was really nice to us and talked to us at the door and then towards the end she told us that she is a member of the church but just fell away but WANTS us to come back and teach her and she wants to come to church and she wants to go back to the temple to be sealed with her husband! She was so ready for us it was unbelievable!  It was perfect timing. Also the lady that lives with her agreed to sit in our lessons so we get to teach her too! I love tracting. I really. love. tracting.

This is the best miracle of all time. Oh my gosh I hope my words can describe it well. The family we're teaching, the ones I always talk about, are doing SO WELL! We got to teach just "K" this week and it was the best. She was telling us how her health has been improving a lot and she is so amazed. And then it hit me. A few lessons back, like the first few times that we taught them- I promised her something.  This is where I learned the divinity of my calling as a representative of Jesus Christ. I had promised her that if she read the Book of Mormon every single day, her health would improve. She would find motivation in her life and she would know that it's true. The fulfilling of that promise was sitting right in front of me. She, in fact, had read the Book of Mormon every day and her health improved. and she knew it was true "without a doubt in her heart."  In that moment, I asked her if she had remembered what I had promised her that night. She said she couldn't remember exactly what I said, but she would never forget how she felt. I then told her what I had promised her. Tears started streaming down her face because she remembered. It finally clicked. Everything that we had been teaching was true.

I just want to bear my testimony that I KNOW that this is Jesus Christ's errand that I'm on. I'm not here for me in any way. I'm here so that these families can grow closer to their Savior Jesus Christ and be with Him for eternity, and so that the people around me can experience His love. I cannot believe the miracles that I've seen. I truly feel like I have gotten to know my Savior even more this past week, and I cannot wait to meet Him one day. I know that He is my Savior and I honestly don't know what I'd do without that knowledge. I love this gospel more than anything and I'm so thankful for my family and I want them to know that. I'm so thankful for everything that they've done for me. I want them to know how special they are. Each one of them individually is so great in the sight of God and they have so much potential to do great things in their life, even more than they already have. I know that they are special. I know they each have their divine missions here on earth and I'm so thankful I get to be in their lives.  I know we knew each other before this life and we agreed to come down here and make this earth experience the darn best earth experience we could together. I love you guys so much and I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm glad we get to live together for eternity. I love you and can't wait to see you again one day.


If you would like to receive a free Book of Mormon, visit Mormon.org.

Cast About Your Eyes and Be Healed
June 2, 2014

SO MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED! First, I'm staying in Grand Junction another transfer! Sister Winkelman is being transferred and we will find out where tomorrow and I'll get a new companion! Missions are excittinngggggggggggggg!

Before I tell you all of the stories that happened this week, I want to share something about Jesus Christ and faith that I learned. So many times we hear about 'having faith in Jesus Christ', but how do you start that?  How do you get that seed of faith to begin with? When you feel lost and don't know what to do,  how do you even begin to find your Savior? How do you begin the healing process?

In Alma 33:19 it compared it to Moses, when He told the people that if they looked upon the serpent they would live. "Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live." so those that looked upon it, lived. But there were some who's hearts were hardened, and they would not look" Maybe they didn't understand because they were distracted by things in their life other than what was truly important. Their focus wasn't where it should be. They didn't know God.  They didn't have an eternal perspective. "But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them." it's when I read this that I understood how it related to finding faith in Jesus Christ. All we have to do is look for Him, and we will be healed. BELIEVE that Jesus Christ will heal you, redeem you, walk with you, help you. Sometimes life can seem overwhelming and complicated, but it's when we "merely cast about our eyes" that we are healed.  All we have to do is look for our Savior Jesus Christ and believe that He died for us, and that He was truly resurrected and we will be also one day. Jesus Christ is in everything. He is all around us, in our wonderful families, in the beautiful creations outside, in the Spirit that we feel at church, in our friends, in our talents, and in so much more. Stop and think about where Jesus Christ is in your life, and write down one thing where you know He is in your life!  "O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?"

This week INDICA WAS BAPTIZED!!!!! It was such a special experience because we have been working with her since we got here. I don't even know how to begin to tell you how special this girl is! She is only 11,  but she has an understanding of the gospel that is so rare. She truly is blessed with the gift of having faith in her Savior. When she was baptized, Heavenly Father's love just filled the room! It was so clear to me that her Heavenly Father knew her perfectly and was just so happy on this day! She is the perfect example of just looking for Christ in her life. she recognizes it everywhere. My favorite thing is when she prays- she always says thank you for all of our blessings, especially the ones that go unnoticed. I LOVE HER TO DEATH!!!!!

There was one lesson yesterday that stuck out to me that I wanted to share. We have been teaching this lady's husband for a few months now, and the first several lessons he would just frown and stare out the window.  He has been taught by missionaries for like 5 years. He wouldn't really listen and didn't like when we asked him questions. But yesterday we saw the biggest miracle in the entire world! It was sister Winkelman's last lesson with him and we just bore our testimonies to him of how much he is loved. I have never felt so strongly that Heavenly Father had a plan for someone. Heavenly Father planned for us to be here, and it was prepared from the pre-mortal life that we would find him and touch his heart. He was brought to tears when we told him this and he said that he knew the truth! The Spirit was so strong and I know that I say that a lot but I wish you could just feel how REAL it is. I never want to give up being a missionary because of the experiences we have every day.  I know without a doubt Christ was in our midst that day as we taught Him. He was such a changed man and I know without a doubt that Spirit softens any heart.

We also got to teach our favorite family this week, the one that we talk about every week. I think I always talk about the "best lesson" we had with them, but I swear THIS was the best lesson! I don't even know how to describe it in words! so I won't. but I'll tell you about the closing prayer that "B" gave at the end. I don't remember it word for word but this is what I do remember:  "Dear Lord, thank you for sending Sisters Gregerson and Winkelman to "K" and I. I am so thankful for what they have brought to us. I am so excited for this "beginning of an end", where we get to start on our path to salvation. They have shown me a spiritual world that frankly, I didn't think existed. I'm thankful that I've gotten to learn about this religion that I hadn't heard of until 2 months ago. I'm thankful for you sending the Barney family to me, because they are an example of how I want to raise my family. Even though I was skeptical of this at first, and even though I  haven't read much of the Book of Mormon yet, they have won me over and I feel I have found the truth. In the name of Christ, amen."

This is the truth. Hard times are coming. Following Jesus Christ will carry us through. The hastening of the work is not happening for no reason. It's happening because this is the last dispensation that was opened by the prophet Joseph Smith. It was prophesied that this would happen. We live here now because we were prepared in the pre-mortal world to come and fight for Christ now. We are strong enough to do it. I love my Savior so much and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's church restored. It is true.