BEST WEEK

HEY EVERYONE! 

I totally left this till last minute today but I have to write you all a little update especially because this week was one I hope to never forget. 

It started with some joyful tears of gratitude while caroling with a favorite member, Sister Ferguson. We followed her around from house to store to house lol and sang to them with her, her accordion, and her dog hank:-) on the way to the last house she turned around and felt prompted to do a different friend, so we followed her and of course witnessed a miracle. I'm thankful for members that are in tune with spiritual promptings and who follow those promptings. This friend we sang to was in tears because of this visit which had all of us in tears. God is good to say the least. 

Then we continued to meet some angelic humans throughout the week. We were given loads of Christmas cards to hand out to everyone and so we were feeling a bit like mail workers but loved every second of it. We had some heart to hearts with all the members. A few of them have not been to church in over a year, and had disregarded God in general, but when we visited them their hearts were full, and they expressed gratitude and how much they missed church and God in their lives. We witnessed the Spirit work through these people. Their hearts were softened, and they felt a desire to follow God again. 

Also, we stopped by our friend Heidi this week and had a little tender mercy. She had met with missionaries in the past and we have made a few short contacts with her. This time we met her husband:)but the miracle was that just when we were about to leave, she asked before we had the chance to ask if she could pray. She said, "I'm sorry ladies it has been a while since I've done this..." and she closes her eyes and says the most heartfelt prayer to God. It was such a sweet moment. 

As I've been a missionary in the year of 2020 my faith has grown. I've had to rely on God A LOT. I have received the peace He offers. I know that putting Him first is worth it, and the only intelligent thing to do. I know that daily scripture study is essential. I know that He is able to give us the joy we all long for. This is the good news. Because of Jesus Christ we can he happy RIGHT NOW! Today! 

He is my light and because of Him I get to smile every day! 

I LOVE YOU ALL! Please let me know how I can help you! 

Merry Christmas 🎄

Good Morning:)

For those who won't be with family this Christmas, remember that you are never alone! Never in history has the Lord forgotten His people, nor will He forget His people now because "He has graven [them] upon the palms of [His] hands." (1 Nephi 21:16) 

Last night I was involved in a Bible study. We read Luke 2, which is the story of Christ's humble birth, and I was so touched. The prophets prophesied about this event for years and years. All the pages leading up to Luke 2 in both the Old and New Testament prophesy about this Messiah coming into the world to save them, and finally it happens! 

This Christmas there are many heavy hearts, but I promise that as you shift your focus to the Savior you will feel the sadness and disappointment lift from off your shoulders. Our Savior was born, so that this could be possible. He was born so that we wouldn't have to hurt from having heavy hearts. He is the only solution!

Sister Kozlow and I continue to see the Lord's hand in the work every single day. If there is one thing I've learned on my mission, especially this transfer it is that faith in Jesus Christ works miracles!!!!! When I have changed my mindset and remembered the power of God, it has worked miracles. I know He is a God of miracles today. His plan for us is perfect and we can have confidence in Him, knowing that we will be happy in the end.

I love you all so much! Spread some Christmas cheer this week!!! There are still SO many ways we can lift others without actually being with them in person. Merry Christmas!

Early Christmas Gift

Happy Monday!  

How are you all doing? How was your week? What was the highlight? I love you all! Sister Kozlow and I survived transfer calls and we both get to stay together in this area for Christmas haha! 

This week was pretty miraculous, and an answer to a lot of fasting & prayer! Just last night our Branch President called and asked how our day went. We respond by saying "pretty well." He then quickly said, "well it is about to get even better." He told us that two people in the area are wanting to get baptized!!!!!!!! After this beautiful news the lady called us, and we were able to set up times to meet and we were able to put the two on date. What a MIRACLE!!!! Faith works, prayer & fasting works. God knows His children:) This news was definitely the best early Christmas gift ever.

Another miracle with the FB page this week! Someone commented asking for the Church location... then commented asking for a copy of the Book of Mormon and turns out he is in our area:) We really really look forward to meeting him. Man isn't it cool how God is still preparing His people...  even out in the boonies hahahaha. 

Okay also this is the best! There's a guy in our area who served his mission in the Australia Sydney Mission a few years ago and sadly he hasn't been to church in while! This week we were able to do a socially distant walk with him and his parents at some Christmas lights and we were able to connect and talk about Australia and it was SO COOL. I'm praying that the talk we had about his mission sparked some memories and invited him to take a few steps closer to his Savior again. 

I love you all HEAPS! Let me know if I can help you or pray for you!

Heavenly Hugs :)

Hey everyone:) 

I hope you all had a wonderful first week of December! Time is going by so fast out here. I don't even know where this past week went. 

We just have been visiting more and more members in both branches and I just absolutely love it. As we listen to them express their concerns and challenges of life, I've been extra thankful that although I can't do much to help, I know the Savior can. No matter what they've gone through we are able to direct them back to Christ! How beautiful is my calling:') 

I was particularly touched by this sweet Sister who we saw briefly at the door this week. She had just lost her husband unexpectedly last year and it has been so hard for her. She shared with us her powerful testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. As tears filled her eyes, she said "I haven't really known the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be this true until just this year." She told us that when her husband first passed away the ONLY place she found comfort was in the Book of Mormon because it brought her closer to her Prince of Peace. For the first few weeks she would hold tight to it and she wouldn't let go of it. I hope to learn from her example. I hope that when I experience difficulties, I'm able to turn to Christ and hold on tight to my Book of Mormon. It is the right way. It is the ONLY way! 

To those of you who prayed for our HQ referral, THANK YOU! We were able to video call with her twice this week and she just feels like a best friend. Emily is the sweetest and most prepared person. She is searching for truth. She is searching for answers and peace and we are so thankful that because Christ has restored His church on the earth again, we have the answers! We taught her about God's merciful plan and she's praying to know if it is true! I love missionary work.

Also, this week my companion hurt her back and we are totally not close to any missionaries out here so anyways after a few phone calls they told us we had to go to the hospital to get x-rays. I brought her in, they took her, and I wasn't allowed to stay because of Covid and so I had to sit in the car for a few hours alone and let me tell ya, it was the weirdest feeling of my life haha, but also from that moment I can once again testify that angels are all around. I felt them with me:) I know they're there. I felt that "heavenly hug" that Sister Craven talked about in her talk at the Christmas Devotional last night.

But anywho, I love you all to bits. Please let me know if I can do anything for you! You're in my prayers!