I am sharing a message that is supposed to be tested!

Wow- I just love you all! I am so glad that you saw the spot on Orlando FL Mission! I didn't know about it until it was released, and I haven't been able to see it because I can't go anywhere on the internet unless it is on lds.org, mormon.org, or facebook. Bummer. But Sis Krienberg was the first Sister Missionary that I met coming off the plane to a dinner that they had prepared at the church for all the new-coming missionaries- she is just as bubbly and positive as I am sure she was represented. I am so lucky to be in this mission.

Real Quick- I have meant to say this every single week, but just haven't been able to come around to it. It's a no go for the family to come out to FL while I am on my mission. This is something that was explicitly explained. Basically, I need to come home and be released- no exceptions- unless they change the rules :). I am of-course welcome to come back and visit everyone and go to all the fun Orlando hot spots with my family- and have even begun to discuss that with some of the people we see and teach because they want to meet my amazing family! This week has been a good week. We have taught more lessons this week than before- I love being with a companion that wants to work hard, follow the rules, and love everyone. Seriously, we accomplish so much. We are such good leaders, followers, and teachers together. However, there have been some challenging moments this week because we have had 2 recent converts and 1 member that has just begun coming around really take a turn for the worse this week. It has been so hard to see a transformation of people that I knew and were bright jsut a couple weeks ago, but because of poor choices, reading destructive material, and avoiding the standard CPR (church, prayer, read scriptures) have dulled thier sensativity to the spirit, questioned that they ever had a testimony, and have a hard time recognizing the truth that we share with them personally. When you feel so devoted to an area and a people, it takes a toll. However, prayers were answered (like they always are) and we have been able to remain focussed on finding those who are ready to progress!

It's funny because I get to the end of each week and think to myself, Man, I love car/bike week- do I have to switch again? This week was car week- I love it because we JAM to our EFY/MO-TAB/or One Girl Nation (a girl christian pop band- a cd that Diane gave us :) ) in between the hard moments. It also is a nice relief to not have to be active all day. BUT- it is also getting easier riding a bike. I have noticed that I am seeing lines in my legs that haven't ever seen there before (aka- MUSCLE!) But it always takes a couple days to warm up to riding all-day-err-day and to get used to being sore. However, I really love biking and talking to alot of people- also people take more pitty on us when we are on our bikes and are willing to speak with us.

This week I have been PREACHIN' that Spiritual truths come to us through Holy Ghost but most often as a result of personal prayer. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you……" were the words of the Savior as he concluded the Sermon on the Mount. Mormon quoted the Savior saying "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you." We become His people through earnest, heartfelt prayer. This is a message that is suppossed to be tested. Though it breaks my heart to see that some just refuse and even lie about their own efforts in discovering this truth, all those moments are quickly forgotten as I have also seen others come to the knowledge that the Plan of Salvation is real and they are apart of it.

I love this work! Keep workin' hard at home!

Sister Earl

P.s.

This morning we were doing our usual thing. Got up at 6:30, exercised, cleaned up a little bit, hoped in the shower- but just as I was getting out of the bathroom Sis Arsenault began screaming (like a man with a gun is in our apartment screaming) like a mad woman. I ran around the corner to find her backed up again (almost sitting on) our kitchen counter. Turns out what had happened was while she was cooking our turkey bacon a HUGE cock-roach had crawled up behind the stove. Naturally, I was no help. I (only in my robe) shoved on my tennis shoes and got on my bed. After discussing our options we tried to call our district leader but he wouldn't answer his phone, so we decided after quickly putting clothes on to go get the other elders in out district who live across the street. To make a long story short the elders left our apartment 30 min later killing 3 cockroaches that were were about 2 inches long!!!!! Haha, I have to go, but I thought you would enjoy the story knowi that things are never dull in Florida!!!!!