Really President?!? On my BIRTHDAY?!? (from Dec 30, 2013)

So, I'll start out with the BAD news.  Saturday night we had 2 missed calls and voicemails from President Weaver, at 10 pm, who checks their phone then, anyway.  We knew it was important so we called him back.  If only we had avoided it....jk, but it was sad.  He told us that Sister Hall was getting transferred out of Belfair and going to Bainbridge Island :( and she was going to be leaving on Monday, today, aka My Birthday! apparently someone broke into the Bainbridge apartment and it freaked Sister Scott out and she can't stay in that apartment so she's coming to Belfair with me.  It was devastating!! BUT we both know that this is what God has in store for us at this time, and so we are at peace spiritually, our natural man is still pretty sad though.  In case you're wondering why its so tragic, we're in week 2 of a 7 week transfer, so it was 1000% unexpected! 

Now on to the miracles!! So this last week has been incredible, one of the highlights was for sure being able to Skype with you guys!! I loved seeing you, and that you've done so good on Avery knowing who I was, I felt like she really knew me, it was awesome!! 

Yesterday was AMAZING!! We had 5 investigators at church!! They are all so awesome.  Tom and Michelle Werdall, Bryan, Mauriella Hernandez, and Brad Baselt! They loved it! Mauriella is the daughter of a LA member that we knocked into a week and a half ago! She was at the point to come back, and now Mauriella is at the point to learn! It's so exciting.  Another part member family miracle is we were ward listing the other day and we went to this family the Schmidts!

They are the SWEETEST family!!! She's a member and he's not, but he wants to take the lessons.  They have been talking about getting back to church but just hadn't done it! We're now being able to be the instrument God knows they need to not only get Jasmine back to church, but to get Don baptized and their 3 kids raised in the True and Everlasting Gospel!! They are so special to me.  Jasmine called us angels yesterday as she was in tears from feeling the spirit!! I love when you see your part in God's plan!!!

We also got to go to the Kaylor's yesterday!! I love that family so much!! Crystal was crying so hard that Sister Hall was leaving that it gave her a migraine after church, and she had to have us over!!  She also made us the most incredible Pork Chops and Rice....YUM!!  They have a goal of being sealed in the temple in 2014!!! I love seeing the light of Christ in people!! They are incredible!!

The Belfair Ward is exploding right now!! If I could explain the difference between what it was when I first got here to what it is now you guys would flip!! It went from no trust to the missionaries, to these missionaries are trustworthy, give them your friends!! And they have, they have been so good at fellowshipping each of our investigators!! We could have not been at church yesterday and our investigators would probably have never noticed because members were befriending them and showing them around!! That is what you LOVE to see!!

Well, that was this week! Oh, funny story from the week before Christmas....

So we were tracting in Lakeland which is a golfing community and all of a sudden we see this lighted golf cart drive by, and then they keep going.....and they were all yelling MERRY CHRISTMAS with Christmas music blasting!! It was AWESOME!! We actually were able to allow a woman to see it because we knocked on her door just in time.  We thought it would make her like us more, but no, she did NOT want to hear more.

Then, we're in Lynch Cove's another little community and we see siren lights, so we pull off the road.  2 ambulances and a fire truck are coming and we're expecting to hear "Amber Alert a child is on the loose" or something like that, but no, instead the say. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" and then just drive by.....WE got to see 2 random parades, and we had to have been in the right place at the right time to see them, just more proof that God loves us, he led us to those places to be filled with Christmas Cheer!! :)

Well, that's all this week!! thank you for all the birthday wishes!! I love you all!!

And make good Goals this year!! If you can believe it, then you can achieve it!! :)

Happy New Year!!!

I love you!!! 

Sister Thomas

What a week!

This week has seemed really long looking back.  Not in a bad way, just in a long way....missionaries will understand :)  I'm gonna go mom style email this week and go by day and share the best things that happened!

Monday:

Monday was a great day, I turned 22 (so old) and it was a great day.  We did regular p-day activities except I picked up my new companion Sister Scott, so that was different.  She is great! She's from Ephraim, Utah and is 21.  She is so sweet, and it's been a fun week so far. 

At 5 we went to the Petersons, a part member family.  They fed us spaghetti and then got brownies and ice cream for my birthday!! It was so sweet.

Oh I forgot, earlier in the day after emailing Sister Hall and I, with the Key Center Sisters (Sister Thompson and Sister K (she has a longer name, but she's from Thailand and I don't know how to spell it or say it, so she goes by Sister K)) went to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant called El Sombrero!! It was SO GOOD!! They told them it was my birthday and they gave me Deep Fried Ice Cream and put a sombrero on my head and sang to me, it was way fun!! Then, we were sitting there for a while and we realized we hadn't gotten our checks, so we asked for them, and the Manager said, "Oh, your check's paid for, they said to keep up the good work"  MIRACLE!!! :) 

We found out at district meeting that the manager is the husband of a member and he's not baptized but he loves missionaries...so that was fun!!

Tuesday:

We didn't really have anyone to see, and it was New Years Eve, so President asked us not to knock and to get in between 7 and 8.  So we met some ward members and the Clifford's cooked us ham, funeral potatoes, jello, and rolls....you know, a good old Mormon meal :)  It was delicious!! That was the miracle for that day, because they didn't even sign up to feed us, we just went over and they insisted we eat with them....we didn't argue :)

We got home and sister Scott and I were exhausted and we were in bed asleep by 9:45, quite the new years celebration!

Wednesday:

Wednesday we woke up and realized it was 2014!!! What?  I tried to set goals for the year, but I realized I'd have to set 6 month goals b/c half the year I'll be out here, and half the year I won't....crazy!!

We had district meeting and visited a couple potentials, we went to the Gann's for dinner!! and then we visited with the Kaylors!! They are just on fire!! It's so awesome to see the gospel continue to bless them!!

Thursday:

The main event of Thursday was our lesson with Grandpa Rich!! We were talking to him about Baptism and he was hesitant and wanted a sure answer before he agreed and so on, and then we invited him again and said, "Rich, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God?"  He sat for a minute and then said,

"YES"

The spirit at that moment was so amazing! He said that when he said yes that a weight that had been holding him down for 6 months had finally been lifted from him, and he knew he was led to this point so he could accept the church!! It was such an incredible lesson!!!

Friday:

We met with Rich again and taught commandments and he agreed to live each of them, he is on fire right now. He knows it's true, and he is trying all he can to live it, he's struggling a little, but he is strong!! He's on date for January 18th! 

We also met with Randy, who is what we refer to as a sandbag.  He was baptized in 2009 but was never confirmed a member.  So we have started teaching him and he wants to be baptized on the 18th as well!  Belfair is full of miracles

Saturday:

Saturday was a rough day, I got really sick, cold and migraine, and ear ache, all that fun stuff and so we only went out part of the day.  We met with some investigators and tracted a little bit, it was kind of a rough day, but we were able to share the Book of Mormon with 2 people and we got to see Christina again, who is an investigator who is kind of close to being ready but now quite there, things are gonna pick up when her boyfriend comes back on the 18th.  She's pregnant and she wants to find a religion with him so I'm praying he'll accept it because she wants to be baptized!

Sunday:

Finally, yesterday! Yesterday Randy was able to come to church! Our other investigators couldn't though, it was sad.  Mauriella was sick, Tom and Michelle were sick, Rich's pipes froze and he couldn't make it, Jon was sick, Brad is out of town, and we haven't been able to talk to Bryan.  It was a good day at church though!

Yesterday night we were able to meet with the Mason family again!! It was so cool.  They are really wanting to know if it's true.  They're questions were so inspired, and they're just learning and sinking it in.  It's really cool!! They can't meet for a couple weeks so we're praying they'll continue reading and praying while they're out of town!

Well, that was this week in a nut shell!! It was a great week!! I wish this stinkin Flu wasn't going around, but its just that time of the year I guess, I just hope I don't get it in full force, this week was bad enough!

Well, I hope you all are well, and that your new year is a great one!! I can't believe that on Thursday I hit my 1 year date!!!! AAHHHAHAH!! Where has the time gone?

I miss you and wish you all the best!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Sister Thomas

Hello Family!

Hey Family!! I hope you are all doing well this week, even though I hear most of you have been pretty sick, I hope you're starting to feel better though!! Luckily that hasn't hit me yet, which is surprising since I'm around so many people all the time!! Well, lets see what happened this week! It was a pretty slow week, but we found some really awesome people!!

First was Michelle and Tom Wardell.  They are a couple that lives across the street from a really awesome member, Sister Peterson, who's also has a non-member husband.  Anyway, the Wardell's are really cool.  Michelle grew up around members and knows A TON about the church already, Tom is the opposite, he knew nothing really.  Except Glenn Beck said something about underwear so he asked us about garments.  Honestly I think it's so funny how people ask about our underwear, sometime I want to turn it around and ask them about theirs, like, "Hey, I hear you wear Fruit of the Loom what's up with that?" really people, come on.  Anyway! We taught them the Restoration, and talked about eternal families and temples a little bit, and they loved it! They are praying about being baptized on January 12!!

We also met a family, the Mason's!! We met Robert the other night while we were knocking and he was excited to hear more, he said they are looking for a church that will bring them together as a family....um what? we can help!! haha!! We taught him last night, his wife was shopping until the end of the lesson, and we're teaching his wife on Wednesday to get her caught up, and then we're teaching their whole family next weekend.  They have 4 kids, they're 13, 10, 4, and 2.  So if you do the math that's 4 individuals that have the opportunity to be baptized!! We have been so blessed here in Belfair to be able to find families!!! There is no greater joy than bringing a family into the Gospel together, that's what I learned with the Kaylors.

Oh speaking of the Kaylors, they are doing awesome!! Bishop is getting Jimmy interviewed for the priesthood and then getting them both interviewed for temple recommends so that they can do baptisms for the dead on December 28!! I'm so excited!! They are on fire!! Also, yesterday Freddy blessed the Sacrament!! It was so awesome!! He was so happy and proud to be up there and to be worthy!! He looked so good in his white shirt and tie.  I've never been able to see a convert pass the sacrament, mostly because Freddy's my first male over the age of 12 I've had the opportunity to teach and see baptized!! I can't even describe the feeling of Joy I had yesterday experiencing it.  The only thing I can imagine is its like when you're a parent and your child does something that makes you proud. 

Another fun thing this week was we had our mission Christmas party!! It was so fun!! We sang, ate, did skits, and did a white elephant!! I got a BOWLING BALL!!! haha, that is not coming home with me, it would be the weight of a whole suitcase :) we're gonna have some fun with it though, we don't know what, but something fun will come of it!! Our zone sang Jingle Bell Rock but with mission words, which were written by none other than your favorite missionary (me) with some help from Sister Hall!! It was a hit!! I'll have to send you the lyrics some time, they're pretty funny!! Maybe I'll just type it now:

Ring the Bell, Ring the Bell, Ring the Bell knock

We knock lots of doors from 5-7 oclock

Yelling, Rejection, but we are not phased

'specially ever since the bar was raised

Ring the Bell, Ring the Bell, Ring the Bell knock

put em on date and don't let em drop

Preaching and teaching and saying some prayers

In the frosty air

What a dark time, it's required time

to knock the night away

Ring the bell time, is a swell time

To hear J-Dubs tell you go away

Grab your gloves, grab your boots you're gonna freeze

knock all around the block

Enjoy your miracle at 6:59

That's why we ring the bell

why we ring the bell

why we ring the bell, KNOCK!!!

Well, I believe that is all for this week!! I can't believe that we get to Skype so soon!! I'm so excited!! I'll get more details like time and such next week!! I love you all so much!! Have an amazing week!! And remember the true meaning of Christmas at this special time of year!! I'm so grateful to be able to share the Gospel with all I meet, especially in this Christmas season!! I'll miss you, but I'm so happy I am where I am!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Sister Thomas

Marriage-tism!!

This week has been AMAZING!!!! We were able to teach a lot of lessons and find a lot of new investigators, but the best thing that happened this week was we were able to experience a Marriage-tism (marriage and baptism)  I've told you about Jimmy, Crystal and Lillia and this week we were able to see them married and baptized!

They are such a sweet family!! I love them so much!! The day was incredible! At 2pm everyone started showing up and lots of their family and friends were able to come, plus there were lots of ward members there because everyone already loves them!!

President Fields (the Gig Harbor stake President) was able to perform the marriage, it was so precious, he talked about them being able to become an eternal family, and how they would grow together in the gospel, and other beautiful things.  It was so cute, when he asked if Jimmy took Crystal to be his bride, he said "it would be my honor. I do" and I almost just bust out crying right there, they love each other so much and it has just grown as they've come closer to God together!! Immediately after the marriage Crystal, Jimmy, and Lillia went and changed into their jumpsuits.  We had a testimony about baptism, and then the three of them were baptized!! I can't even describe the happiness that was in my heart, there was so much peace. 

I then shared a message on the Restoration while they got changed, and dried off. Then we had some more testimonies.  And we ended with refreshments of course.  Sister Sturges made them a really awesome wedding cake, and they were able to have the joy of cutting the cake!!

It was a terrific day. 

Then, Sunday morning came, and it became even better.  They got to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  They are just incredible, and they are going to help the ward so much to grow, and expand! In Relief Society we split into groups and were talking about how the love of God being in our lives leads us away from worldliness, and how that is.  And Crystal shared something way cool.

She is a horror movie buff, like she lives for horror movies.  BUT she said ever since she's started learning more about God and Jesus Christ, those things just don't even matter to her anymore, she wants to spend all her time learning more about the Gospel and how their family can be happier.  My heart melted when she said that, to see how the gospel truly can change lives.  Its amazing!!

Funny Story! So Crystal is super baby hungry (they also have a 2 year old Draven, he's not in the picture) anyway, I was telling her how being on a mission has made me super baby hungry because we can't hold them, or really play with them much.  Then she said what you want all recent converts to say.  She said, "I can't wait to see your kids, I'm sure you'll be a great mother"  The only thing better than bringing someone into the gospel, is bringing a life long friend into the gospel.  They're planning on going on a road trip to Salt Lake this summer when Sister Hall and I get home so we can show them around.  I can't wait til we're able to see them sealed in the temple!! I will go anywhere they want to see it!!

Honestly that was the major miracle of the week!! Crystal's gonna teach us how to make  chimichanga's this week, I'm so excited, we're making them for the Ward Christmas Party!! I can't wait!!

It's crazy, this week is the last week of the transfer, and I have no idea what's going to happen to me, I could stay I could go, I have no idea!! It's freaking me out!!! I'll know next week though, all will be well!!

I love you all so much!! I hope you enjoyed the Christmas Devotional, and if you didn't get to see it GO WATCH IT!!!! It's great.  Elder Nelson's talk was interesting, but it was VERY GOOD!!

I hope you all have a great week, and I hope you're loving the Christmas season as much as I am, even though I'm an icicle every night knocking in 18 degrees.  I know it could be worse, but Washington never gets this cold according to the natives.  It's supposed to warm up this week though, so I hope it does. 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and I hope you're all safe and well!! I love you ALL!!!

Sister Thomas

I'm grateful to be a Missionary!!

So as we all know Thanksgiving was last Thursday, and boy did I learn how grateful I was to be a missionary! Not only for the miracles, but for the funny, awkward situations that come with being a missionary.  I'll start out this week by telling a very funny story.

So Tuesday one of the wards in our zone was putting on a thanksgiving lunch for the missionaries.  They said we could come without an investigator, but we wanted to get one there, because who doesn't love free food.  So while we're getting our mail we run into one of our neighbors named Amanda.  She said she'd love to come and that she would also give us a ride, which was awesome because it is far and we were running out of miles. 

So we get in her car and a Justin Timberlake song is on, we kindly ask her to turn it off, and she says, "yeah, of course, but you know that songs about me"  suddenly our brains went.....dun dun dun.....and the crazy stories began.  She told us that there are multiple Justin Timberlake songs in which he sings about her, says her name (Amanda, a very common name), and she talks about how she doesn't want to get in the middle of his marriage.

Sister Hall said to her, "Are you sure you aren't just confused?"

and she said, "I could be, if that's the case I'll just go to counseling and then be done with it."  That's when we decided she was a little confused about reality.

She then told us a story about how Mitt Romney stole the term "Job creators" from her, apparently she's some online writer? I don't know.

Then she told this story about Justin Timberlake, and how when he was a kid he walked into a house with a bunch of drift wood and then said, this is what my name will be, Timber. and a girl said "like timberwolf?" and he said, "no, I like lake, Timberlake"  then she said, that girl was me.....we were quite worried about her sanity at this point. 

Then at the lunch, another wards investigator and her started talking about false doctrine.  Like how Jesus Christ broke the 10 commandments, and something involving Hitler and angels....aka crazy false doctrine. 

That ends, she drives us home, and the last thing she tells us is, "Before you go I have to tell you something really cute about Eminem....he's a dang good writer, and a really good father.  I know this because I chatted with him for 2 weeks last summer."

And then we went in our apartment and that was Amanda...we have a lesson with her this week....we'll see how that goes.

EXCITING NEWS!!!

Crystal Jimmy and Lillia are getting baptized this Saturday!!! Crystal and Jimmy are getting married at 2 and then all 3 are getting baptized immediately afterwards.  Jimmy just has to do good with not smoking before then, if you guys could pray for him that would be awesome, it'd be much appreciated!!

Thanksgiving was fun, we went to the Bishop Wings house for the main event, THANKSGIVING DINNER, and had a blast!! Then we went to the Clifford's house and had some snacks and talked and got to know them.  And then we went to the Warren's house where we got sooooo many leftovers!! Sister Warren is just the sweetest thing on the earth, I love her!! She fed us tons of dessert, well me, Sister Hall gave up sweets til the 7 in support of Jimmy quitting smoking.  It was a great day that was filled with lots of love.

The rest of the week was a week full of miracles!! We went on exchanges, which honestly aren't my favorite, but it was pretty fun, just interesting. 

Well, that's about it for now!! I love you all SOOO MUCH!!! I missed you this thanksgiving and I can't wait to see you on Christmas, but I wouldn't want to be home because I am loving being a missionary, especially this time of year!!

I love you all, and miss you!!

Love,

Sister Thomas

I love being a missionary!!

First off!! Good news!! My allergy rash thing isn't because of Gluten!!! So mom all those brownies you were planning on sending me, send them away!!! :)  Sister Hall has been begging me to ask because she remembers them from the MTC and she truly believes they are the best brownies she has and ever will eat!  We learned it wasn't Gluten when we were fasting and my face still broke out! I'm guessing it's eczema or an outdoor allergy or something, until it gets worse I think I'll be fine, I just look like I'm sunburned, when it's raining! :)

Second, GREAT NEWS!!!!!!

Saturday Morning we were privileged to hear from Elder Call (area seventy), Elder Christianson (presidency of the seventy), and Elder Neil L. Anderson (quorum of the twelve apostles!)  Lets just say it was INCREDIBLE!!

We got together as a whole mission and were all in black and white (which they kept referring to as the Washington Tacoma Uniform) and as he walked in you could feel the power that he held.  It was really special because Elder Anderson actually got to set President and Sister Weaver apart when they became mission presidents! 

He shared tons of great things with us!! There was so much spirit, and I loved how humorous he was at times.  One thing he said is that its funny to be in a meeting with the twelve and Elder Packer will always say, "Neil, you need to enjoy your youth when you have it!" haha he then went on to say, "Most of my brethren have one foot in each world and they're waiting to step fully to the next."  He talked to us about how we needed to have sealed in our heart, the testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, and when we do, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon will never be a problem, because they just add to that testimony!  He also quoted Elder Kimball who said, "If a person hasn't suffered he hasn't repented!"  It looks like I've repented a bunch with the suffering I've gone through, but it has all made me happier and more prepared to be able to share my testimony with the world.  Another thing he said that hit me was he said,

"You're not who you think you are...You're better!"

And finally as he bore his testimony he said, "I am His Witness.  He lives."  and the spirit at that moment was indescribable, I knew with no doubt in my mind that not only did Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appear to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820, but Christ continues to run His church through his called and ordained Prophets, seers, and revelators!  They are his witness, and though I have not seen him with my physical eyes I too am His witness! I am able to go every night and knock of strangers doors, and testify of Jesus Christ because He lives, he loves me, and He wants all of his children to have that knowledge.  If anyone reading this is questioning, or has questioned their testimony of our Savior.  Kneel tonight in humble prayer and just ask if he is there.  I do this every once in a while when the doubts may sneak in, and each time I ask, I am blessed with a firmer knowledge of His presence.  He lives, and because he lives we can too!!

If that wasn't a great enough week, it all got better yesterday!! So I told you about Crystal last week, Sister Sturges refered her and she is so prepared.  Well, this week we got to meet with her fiancé Jimmy and their daughter Lillia. 

We were worried at first that Jimmy would be against it, he walked in, big bushy beard, looks kind of like most the anti's we would come across, and we were a little nervous to be honest, but the Lord has truly prepared this sweet family.  We were able to teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of Wisdom, and the Law of Chastity.  By the end, they were 99% on date to be not only baptized on December 7th, but married as well!!  So on December 7not only will RSL be destroying whoever they're playing in the championships, but Jimmy, Crystal, and Lillia will be beginning their journey towards becoming an eternal family.  I'm pretty excited.  I've been promised I would find a family to bring to the gospel, and I think this could be them!  They are so sweet, and have so much to give. 

Well, lets see, I think that's long enough for now....oh except I must mention, this last week we got to go to Stretch Island in our area, and OH MY GOSH!!! It's beautiful!!! You look one way and it's water, and the other way you see Mt. Rainer exploding over the trees.  I wish I could put a camera in my brain so you could see the beauty I'm surrounded by each day. I'll just have to wait for our vacation up here!!

I love you all!! Have a great week!! And eat tons of food! And most importantly be grateful for what God has given you!! I'm so grateful for my family that is able to support me while I'm able to be out serving the Lord.  I'm grateful to be a missionary and help others come to the Gospel.  I'm SOOO Grateful to know that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Sister Thomas

Spiritual High!!

Oh my gosh!! Yesterday was such an incredible day!! I can't even really explain the joy, but I'll try.....here it goes! 

So it all started at 8:20 in the morning when Brother and Sister Wood agreed to drive us to the Stake Center Dedication.  The Gig Harbor has been without a stake center since it was created a few years ago, and they have been waiting for this day!!  And lets just say it was well worth the wait.  We got there around 9 to beat the crowds, and then sat in the brand new, beautiful building to wait for the meeting to start at 10.  They decided that they were going to have the stake as a whole partake of the sacrament, and it was so cool to see the 4 tables of priests and bread, and dozens of deacons worthy to have the opportunity to do so, and it was so organized, it was a shock, most 12 year old boys are too crazy, it just shows the gospel is true when you see them be so reverent and kind during the sacrament.  We found out later in the meeting that 1500 people were able to partake of the sacrament as a whole, that's how many people, members and non-members, that were able to come to the dedication.  It was incredible!

Then President Fields offered the dedicatory prayer and it was incredible the silence that was in there, it was so apparent that immediately after the amen you could hear a rush of sound of the rustling papers, breathing, coughing, whining babies, but during the prayer there was no sound, it was peaceful, quiet, still, and I felt like I was in the temple!  I felt that everlasting warmth and joy that comes from the spirit, it was so incredible!!

After the dedication we headed home for some lunch and then headed to an appointment we had with a referral from a member in our ward, The Sturges'.  They came to the Harvest Festival and we were finally able to meet with Crystal yesterday with Sister Sturges there!

It was so awesome!! We taught the Restoration and she loved it, she doesn't have much knowledge about religion but she wants to be surrounded by good people and have religion in her life.  It was really cool, we shared the first vision and told her about President Monson, and she said,

"Wait, you're telling me there is a prophet, like Noah on the Earth now?"

"Yep" we said

"That's so cool, how have I not heard about that, why do people not know that, why wouldn't they want to know that?"

It was incredible! She said she believed that God would have another prophet, it wouldn't make sense to just leave us, she is so golden, and she is praying about December 7 to be baptized right now, we have an appointment on Wednesday and her fiancé and daughter (Lillia, 8) are going to listen too! Lillia did listen a little bit, but not too much, she was distracted being a young girl and all!  When we invited Crystal to church though Lillia was just like, "YES!!!! WE WILL!" It was adorable!

We also had an incredible lesson with a new investigator named Paula Winslowe.  She is awesome, she let us in when we were tracting and that night set up times for us to come and teach each of the lessons.  We had the one last night and the next three today, tomorrow, and Wednesday! She loves knowledge! haha!

Our lesson yesterday was awesome! We taught the Restoration and were able to bring Sister Seamons, a way sweet member with us! As we asked if she had questions she said, yes, I've been wondering this my whole life.  So I look at God, and how he's our father.....shouldn't there be someone to help him, if we have 2 parents on earth shouldn't we have 2 parents in heaven.  We all kind of smiled at each other and told her how we do have a heavenly mother, and she got a little teary eyed.  Its so incredible when people are able to learn truths on their own, and something they believe so much but people say their crazy.  But I love seeing when they hear that it's not crazy but it's true, and they see that we have something they want.  The spirit was so incredibly strong at the lesson, and Sister Seamons really helped it to be there!  I love having members help with the work, it makes it so much better!!

Well, I think that's all I'll share for now, there were other cool miracles and such, but if I told you all of them you'd be reading for a week straight, since they happen everyday!!

I love you all and pray for you so much!!!

I hope you all know how much your heavenly father loves you and how blessed we are when we keep his commandments and follow in Jesus Christ's footsteps!

I read a scripture this morning that really made me realize that how we end up is our choice, it's Helaman 14: 30-31 and it says,

30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto ^ahimself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are ^bfree; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a ^cknowledge and he hath made you free. 31 He hath given unto you that ye might ^aknow good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might ^bchoose life or death; and ye can do good and be ^crestored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
I love how it shows us the agency we have, how if we want good, we have to do good.  Samuel the Lamanite is just so awesome.  I wish I could be as bold as he was, he's an inspiration for sure!!  I hope you all can make the choice to do good so that you can have good! I hope your weeks are full of good!!
I love you all so much!!!
Sister Thomas