Thank you so much for sending pictures! It's so great to see Jeren's graduation, Lake Powell, and all the other fun stuff! The thank you that Katherine made for Grandpa is unbelieveable... Did she take that picture?? You could sell it as a postcard!
Happy Birthday to Mommy on Wednesday! Dad said you got my gift! I hope you do something awesome like test drive a corvette ;) What are you going to do at the Humanitarian center? You selfless serving mommy you!
Speaking of birthdays, Josh is 20 today! Anyone else think that's crazy?! Feels like we were 14 and 15 just yesterday. :P
Wow, you'll have to keep me updated on what happens with the old white house. I think it might be like a good luck charm or something; I'm nervous for you to tear it down too. It's just too full of history! But I guess it's not doing much good just sitting there :)
Oh and thanks for the green smoothie recipes! I'll put those to good use, 'cause I actually drink a green smoothie every morning. I discovered the secret-- ALMOND MILK. It makes it taste like a milkshake. Dessert for breakfast, but 100% good for ya. Plain ol' milk would do the same thing, probably. :)
This week was so super great. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE LAS VEGAS? This is the place! Brigham Young said it, well he was talking about Salt Lake, but he should have been talking about the Robindale YSA ward in the Warm Springs Stake of Las Vegas. I am p.r.a.y.i.n.g that I stay here next transfer. There is so much work to be done!
Derek's baptism was amazing! He was absolutely glowing! So many people showed up that we had to move into the chapel. That's mostly thanks to Zach, our little social ringleader. He made sure evvvveryone was coming.
Something else cool is that the whole program was done by recent converts of less than 4 months. Michael, a member for 3 months, baptized Derek, Don, 2 months, gave the baptism talk, and Zach, 1 month, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. These new converts are the life force of our ward! And that's exactly how it should be!
Sis Luke and I bought him a white shirt and tie to wear-- green, his favorite color-- because he didn't have one. He was confirmed in church yesterday!
It's fun what you notice sitting up at the piano-- So many faces beaming at Derek. None of his family came to support him-- can you imagine not having any family support?-- but our ward is amazing; they've really just taken him in. I also noticed Stephanie, our investigator who is getting baptized in 2 weeks, crying through most of the baptism. Feelin' the Spirit! :) We've been able to meet with her several times this week and each time I'm blown away by her sincere questions and deep testimony. She is so ready!
Speaking of baptisms. Big news! Do you remember Tori, Mr. "That-would-be-a-waste-of-my- time" turned social convert turned investigator? He is getting baptized in the Royal Mesa Ward-- NEXT WEEK! This is such evidence to me that the Gospel changes people. That's the best thing about serving a mission-- seeing that happen. It's amazing what a knowledge that you are a son or daughter of God can do. He texted us the other night and said, "Time to get off the fence." His heart is changed!
Johnny is still doing well also-- he is a fun challenge to teach. Almost every time we go over, he's asleep or just woke up. We usually go over in the evenings. Bless him :) But he came to the baptism and to church, which is huge. We see so much potential in him!
We have a few new investigators this week! Alejandro, Aaron, and DJ (Danielle). I have to tell you about DJ. She is amazing! She's been through a lot-- she's only 23, was a military wife and just went through a bad divorce-- but her faith is unshakeable. She was a referral from the APs, and we met her at the beginning of the week. She came to all 3 hours of church, fed us a yummy dinner last night, and then we taught her the first lesson, which was INCREDIBLE! Apparently, there's been things she disagrees with at every church she's been to. And she's been to a lot of churches. Hmm... you sound a lot like Joseph Smith, DJ. :) When we read Moroni 10:4-5, she said, "That's a testimony right there that this book is true... Who would tell you to ask God unless it were true?!" Right, that's what I'm saying!! I know we will see miracles with DJ. She is a miracle herself!
Our ward increased in numbers this week because a handful of BYU-I student teachers are here for a semester. I walked into institute Wednesday night and one of them looked verrrry familiar...Janna Merrill! Holy blast from the past, she's in the ward!
Funny story of the week: If the luck Sister Luke and I have had with cars transfers over to cards, you should never let us gamble. Because we would lose all our money. XD This week at Zone Conference, our vehicle coordinator checked all the missionary cars to make sure they're in good working condition... and killed 4 out of 10 of them. Hahaha he left everybody's headlights on! Thankfully we got a ride to our next appointment and didn't have to miss it, and we got our car back that night. Apparently the AP's had been blasting our super girly church music as they drove. It happens. :)
I love you all! I'll send some pictures in a minute or two! (And I'll try and re-send some old ones in a different format.) Remember that Heavenly Father loves you, is individually aware of you, and hears and answers prayer!
Lots of love-