transfers! Keep praying!

Wow, everyone sounds amazing. Mom, I am so sorry to hear you have felt so sluggish. I am so grateful to have such a supportive, productive, goal oriented family. I haven't felt very surprised out here, and I owe that a lot to the home I have grown up in. FYI, I haven't gotten a letter yet, but tomorrow at our transfer meeting (yes, Sis Arsenault is being transferred) they will give us our mail so I’m, assuming will get it then. Well, Sis Arsenault is being transferred. It really wasn't a surprise. It really is good timing. I finally feel like in the last couple weeks, ward members have begun to trust me. 5 of our 10 gators have been referrals- it's really a big deal. We recently had a stake meeting with all bishops and ward mission leaders invited to be trained more in the significant role the ward play in gaining and retaining converts. One thing President Berry mentioned. was that missionaries will be in areas longer to gain the trust of those they interact with- and in looking at how long sis a and her own trainer were in Deland before, I ink it's safe to assume I will be here for a while- good thing I love it here!!!! Nevertheless, Sis A and I have become best friends. We work so hard! My heart is heavier than I thought it would be- but I am ready to embrace whatever wonderful sister may be mine tomorrow!!!!!! This week has been so fast- because we were pretty confident that sis a would be leaving, we made sure to go out with a bang. We had many neat experiences. One in my mind that sticks out is with Stephanie. For a whole bunch of different reasons, we haven't been able to see her for the last 2 and half weeks- but before then had been teaching her for about a month and a half. However despite our frequent and good visits, she is always stumped with who God is and his nature- but wouldn't pray to find out. And right after coming from our ZTM (aka Zone Training Meeting- also where I was asked to do another training!) we felt determined and prompted to go to her home right after and invite her to pray, or else we weren't sure if we would be able to see/teach her any time soon because she wouldn't be progressing. We just dropped in, she was pleased to see us, and when we asked her if we could open with a prayer she cheerfully said “oh yes! Can I say it?" We were floored. She said a beautiful, natural flowing, sincere prayer. Then she told us that she has prayed every day since we last saw her and she feels like that is why things have just been working out for her lately. Her countenance looked lighter as well! After that we had a great discussion about the characteristics of our Father in Heaven and the order of prayer.

Also this week, we both sang in church as a farewell- actually it was just a sneaky way to get a lot of people who really love us to church :) We sang "In this very room". It was really beautiful and there was a wonderful spirit. Yesterday was a busy day (Sunday's always are as we always feel like chickens with their heads chopped off), but especially so because of sis a leaving. In case you haven't noticed- everyone loves her! Our last visit was to a family that we love so dearly, but would also like to strangle for not making any changes. The spirit was incredible- now for anyone reading this I want to give a disclosure that missionary work invites a constant spirit if your living worthy of it- but is very still and simple- even when amazing things were happening. I have found that it's very rare to feel a powerful and obvious manifestation of the spirit- it has happened to me on a literal handful of occasions ON MY MISSION but I have still had many spiritual experiences. And interestingly, this visit was one of those times when the spirit was so obvious. But it was different, it felt like amazing energy Turing inside me but it also felt very uncomfortable. As a missionary on the Lords errand, I was terrified because I knew I my heart that it was time to testify and to chastise. I didn't know how to say what I knew I needed to out of fear to offend, but knew that the spirit felt so discomforting because some members of that beautiful family weren't living up to the covenants that they have knowingly made. However, as the words spilled from me I was assured that they were not offended, but being affirmed of the changes they need to make.

It's been so nice if there was ever a moment when I didn't know an answer to something to reassure myself with “it’s okay- I'm training right now" BUT today's the last day I can say that! The longer I am put I am realizing how really there isn't one missionary who knows how everything works. We are all always training.

I know that my father in heaven is a living magnificent all-knowing God. I am so grateful to know that despite his power and glory that I can't even begin to comprehend; he has still asked us to address him as Father. Every night, in some form or another, it is my prayer that others come to this same incredible understanding!!!! If someone is doubting at home, PRAY. In my mind, The fact that to prayer is a commandment tells us much more about who god is. He wants to hear from us. Our prayers will not change gods mind or influence his plan- his plan is already set. Its simple- he wants us to become like him, and to be as happy as he is. As we pray we will fell strengthened, we will have mysteries unfolded to us, we will feel loved and understood, and we will hear him speak to us. Pray pray pray!!!!!

Love us, gotta go! Decide to pray is week, and stay strong!