Baptism times TWO!!!!

Happy leap day!!! February 29, what a wonderful day! But I can't
believe it's almost March! Where has February gone? Time flies as a
missionary! This week has been so awesome, we had two baptisms!!! And
we had many miracles.

Saturday was the baptism! Leia and Cassandra were so excited and the
baptism was beautiful! Leia's dad baptized her and Cassandra and it
was super emotional. Leia's sister and brother in law gave the talks
and I could feel the spirit of this family so strong. Leia told me
that I have permission to live with them after my mission, so that's
exciting :) but Leia and Cassandra both were glowing. I am so happy
for them!

We had an AWESOME lesson with Jennifer! We taught the gospel of Jesus
Christ and the spirit was super strong, and we invited her to be
baptized on April 9 and she said yes! The coolest thing is that
Jennifer was a member referral. Sister Bird came with us and she was
totally crying when Jennifer said she would be baptized! This ward is
amazing with member missionary work. Over half of our investigators
were introduced to us by members and they're so much more solid when
it's like that! This is how missionary work is most effective! We are
going to the visitors center with Jennifer this week :)

We had a lesson with Sam again and he made it to church! It was so
cute, Sam sat down by us at church and the first thing he said was,
"you will get to meet my mom at my baptism because she got that day
off work!" He is so excited to get baptized! We have been blessed with
finding the elect!

Courtney called us Saturday night and she said she went all day
without a cigarette!!! That is such a big deal! We were so happy when
we got that phone call! We haven't heard from her since, so we hope
she is still doing well, but I am so amazed at the power of the
atonement!

The atonement has the power to literally change people. Daniel, from
the YSA ward, gave a talk yesterday and when he was standing at the
pulpit I couldn't help but cry because of the change I have seen in
him in the last 6 weeks. He has become a worthy priesthood holder and
is receiving a calling here soon. He has an understanding of Heavenly
Father's love and plan for us. I have seen the atonement give him
strength to overcome his weaknesses and make them strengths. I know
the atonement offers us all this same power as we utilize this gift in
our life.

I'm sorry I always talk about the Book of Mormon, but it is
incredible! This week I finished Alma and Helaman!!! And I'm almost
done with 3 Nephi! The more I read, the more I feel the spirit, the
more I want the spirit with me, the more I try to keep the
commandments. It's like a cycle. I know that the Book of Mormon is the
word of God and offers us comfort and solace. My favorite Mormon
message is the testimony of the Book of Mormon by elder holland. The
Book of Mormon really is safety for the soul. I have seen that in my
life these past 6 weeks. The Book of Mormon is so vital to read EVERY
DAY. I was horrible at it before my mission, but I am grateful that I
have learned the power that the Book of Mormon contains. Because it is
life changing.

Have a wonderful week! I love you all so much! Here's to another transfer! :)

Leia and Cassandra's baptism!!!

Leia said she wanted a picture with her sisters, but said we had to be in the picture because we are her sisters too...Too cute!

Our "baptism face" selfie!

The Work is Moving Forward!

Hello my wonderful friends and family! This week was so amazing, so
much better than last week, and we had amazing weather which made it
even more amazing! One day, it got up to 79 degrees!!! Talk about
blessings right there!

We are seeing so many miracles in our area right now. It's incredible!
The people we are working with are progressing so well. And we have so
many people we are working with that we have appointments pretty much
every hour every day! It's amazing how busy we are!

The Mojica family is doing so well! Leia and Cassandra are getting
baptized this Saturday!!! Valeria said she doesn't feel ready, but
that's okay because we know she will be ready soon. Leia and Cassandra
can't wait to be baptized! They are so excited, especially Leia. She
can't wait to start over and rededicate her life to live according to
Jesus Christ's teachings. This family is such a blessing to me and I
will forever love them! Saturday is going to be an amazing day!

We had such a cool experience with our new YSA investigator, Nick! We
had only met him once and he is a religion major so we wanted to
establish our purpose with him and see if he was interested in just
the knowledge or the actual spiritual change. So we planned to teach
lesson one and invite him to come to church with us. While we were
teaching, the spirit was SO STRONG and told me to invite him to be
baptized. I was like 'are you crazy Heavenly Father?!' But I followed
that prompting and Nick said yes and set a date for March 26!!! I am
so grateful I am learning how to follow the promptings of the spirit I
get.

We also got another kid on date this week! His name is Sam and he is
18 and a junior in high school. We met him once before as well and we
taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ and he accepted a baptism date
without any hesitation! He is so awesome and really likes learning
more about Jesus Christ.

Courtney has made INCREDIBLE progress this week. It's amazing that I
can actually SEE the change in her. She is happier and she is smiling
more and there is a light about her! On Friday, Sister Foster took us
to the Visitor's Center for a devotional given by Joseph Smith's
great-great granddaughter, Kimberly Smith. (It was so awesome!!!) The
spirit was super strong and it was so good to get Courtney into a
spiritually safe environment.

Even though, we brought Courtney to that devotional, I really feel
like it was for Sister Foster. Sister Foster is one of my favorite
people I have ever met! She has gone through a lot in her life and I
admire her for her testimony and her dedication to the gospel. She is
from Utah and they are moving back to Utah in just a couple months.
But she has been such a help to us as missionaries, and everything
that Sister Smith bore testimony of, was exactly what Sister Foster
needed. And her testimony was solidified which was so cool.

At church yesterday, we had NINE investigators at sacrament meeting!
And we have SEVEN on date! We are being so blessed, it's insane!
Heavenly Father blesses those who have a willing heart and are
obedient and work hard.

One thing I learned this week is that the atonement is so real. Our
lives are roller coasters and we have ups and downs all the time. But
the atonement is always there. That never changes. And the atonement
doesn't just offer a cleansing power, but it offers an enabling power
as well. It helps us make it through the hard times. I know that the
Savior is always with us. We just have to reach out to Him when we
need Him. He will always be there for us.

There have been so many times on my mission that I have felt the
Savior's help and I know that I am able to make it through everyday
because of Him. In Mosiah chapter 17 verses 9 and 10 it says, "Now
Abinidi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words
which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are
true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that
I have fallen into your hands. Yea, and I will suffer even until
death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a
testimony against you. And if he slay me ye will shed innocent blood,
and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day."
This is my testimony as well. I know that this is the Lord's work and
He has blessed me and the people I teach more than I could ever
imagine. I'm so grateful that I get to see these things every day!

I am so grateful for all of your love and prayers! Hope you all have a
wonderful week!

My awesome district!

The Visitor Center with Sister Foster and Courtney!

This lady by me is Joseph Smith's great-great granddaughter!!!  Kimberly Jo Smith!

We had to document that we wore short sleeve shirts in FEBRUARY!!!

This is Leia...who is getting baptized on SATURDAY!!!

EIGHT MONTHS!!!

Happy Monday to my wonderful friends and family! Hope you all had a
wonderful Valentine's Day! Time is flying... I can't believe I hit my
EIGHT MONTH MARK this week!!! It's so weird! And really gross at the
same time. Life is so much easier as a missionary!

I am not going to lie, this week was a really hard week for me.
Missionary work isn't always the happiest, easiest thing in the world.
It is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done! And there are
hard times! But through these hard times, I am always reminded that
Heavenly Father is aware of us and His Son, Jesus Christ, knows
exactly how we feel. So I know we are never alone!

My testimony of priesthood blessings was also strengthened. On
Saturday, I asked the zone leaders for a blessing, so we met up at a
family's house in our ward and they gave me a blessing. Elder Torrico
was so in tune with the spirit! It was EXACTLY what I needed and more.
I know that the priesthood is the power of God restored to the earth.
And I know that priesthood blessings are God's words for us. I am so
grateful we have the priesthood on the earth and that I am surrounded
by worthy priesthood holders here and back home!

Friday was a miracle day! Thursday night the zone leaders called us
when they were on exchanges. Elder Greenburg said that he had 5
restoration pamphlets to place on Friday, Elder Torrico took 5
restoration pamphlets to place, and he invited us to take out 5
restoration pamphlets to place. Of course we said yes, and when we got
off the phone, Sister Fuhriman and I looked at each other and said
"let's place 5 each!" So we prayed super hard that night and all day
on Friday that we would find 10 people to give these pamphlets to. I
know that when we include Heavenly Father in our goals, He helps us
reach them! We placed 10 restoration pamphlets on Friday and got 5 new
investigators!!! All it takes is faith, prayer, hard work, and
obedience :)

The Mojica family is progressing well, but we haven't seen them all
together in a long time. Their lives are insane so it's hard to catch
them all home at the same time. But we are seeing them more this week,
so that will be good! :)

Courtney is still working hard on not smoking. We are praying lots for
her!!! We haven't had a lesson with her in a while because she has a
crazy busy life, too. She got a new job, which is better than her last
one. Which is a major blessing! She is being blessed because she is
reading and praying every day!

On Friday we got a referral for a member named Brandon, who is a
member, and he wants to meet with missionaries to become active again!
And he has a nonmember girlfriend, Amber, who wants to learn! They
came to church and we had a way good lesson with them! They're super
awesome and are way interested in learning.

We also got a referral from the elders in the Hickory Hills elders!
His name is Sam Knight and he is 17. He is way interested in
learning!! We also met a YSA kid named Leif at church! Apparently Leif
goes to institute, but no one told us about him! So he came to church
and we set up an appointment with him.

The Lord really is blessing us! It's incredible seeing the work
hasten. I am so grateful for my calling as a missionary to teach
people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!

I read a talk this week that I want to invite all of you to read! It's
called Write Down A Date. It was given in October of 1984. He talks
about member missionary work and extends an invitation for everyone to
write down a date to have someone prepared to teach the gospel by.
This talk is so powerful and Elder Ballard's testimony is super
powerful about the effect that members have in missionary work! I know
we are ALL enlisted in this work! This is the work of the Lord!

I love you all SO much and I'm so grateful for the things that I learn
from each of you! I hope you all have a wonderful week and continue to
follow the promptings of the spirit that you receive!

I got to go on exchanges with Sister Baggett!!!  Dreams really do come true!  :)

Valentine's Day roses from the YSA!

Courtney's cute daughter, Pyper!

Another week down?!

Wow, it's already been a week?! I feel like I just send out an email
yesterday! The weeks are going by faster and faster, which I can't
believe because I don't think time could go any faster! I need it to
slow down!

This week was AMAZING. We had zone training on Friday and it was the
best zone training I've had so far on my mission! Our zone leaders,
Elder Torrico and Elder Greenburg, were talking about some
housekeeping stuff and then they stopped and bore their testimony of
our zone and said that we were all such amazing missionaries and how
they loved us all so much. They were crying and obviously I was crying
and the spirit was SO strong. That set the spirit for the rest of the
meeting and I learned so much from the spirit.

One of the awesome things I learned, not only can help my
investigators but it can help me and I want to share that! We were
talking about revelation through church attendance and we focused on
the sacrament because the spirit is so strong during the sacrament. We
learned 4 points given by Elder Clarke that can help us focus even
more during the sacrament. The four points are:
1. While the sacrament is being passed, say a prayer of gratitude.
2. After, ask if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is
the true church on the earth
3. Repent of everything
4. Before sacrament meeting, prepare and bring all your problems and
concerns and questions to sacrament and hand them over to the Lord.
I did this yesterday and it made sacrament a whole new experience! The
spirit was so strong and I felt cleansed. I am so grateful for the
sacrament and the spirit that is present. I am grateful for the
atonement of Jesus Christ that allows us to be forgiven of our sins
and cleansed so we can stand in the presence of our Heavenly Father
one day.

We met with the Barton family- a part member family who just moved
into our ward! Brother Barton hasn't been active for a bit, but he
wants to come back! His wife and her three kids aren't members.
They're from the Philippines and have only lived in the US since
December! They're so sweet! We had an awesome lesson and they came to
church and stayed all 3 hours! They loved it!

The Mojica family is awesome as ever! There isn't really anything new
to report on them.. We haven't met with the whole family in a while
though. They each are progressing at their own rate, but I love them
all so much!

Courtney is still struggling, but she wants to be baptized on March
12! She really really wants this, we just gotta get her to work on
word of wisdom. We have met with her a lot and we are trying to get
her in the Book of Mormon every single day. I know that if she does
she will not have the urge to smoke, she just has to experience it
herself. She's such a trooper though. I love the Eastland family and I
am so grateful that I get to work with them.

 I want to talk about one specific investigator. His name is Alex. We
were at a baptism in Olathe do I could play the piano, but we left the
baptism right after because I knew we were supposed to be somewhere
else, so we prayed about where to go, and we both thought of this
investigator named Junior, but he wasn't home. And I remembered (aka
the spirit reminded me) that there was an investigator named Alex who
lives right around the corner. Neither of us had met Alex, but I knew
we needed to go see him. We knocked and he was home!! He said that the
missionaries he met never came back, but he wants to get back into
church. He has had a hard time and doesn't know if God is really
there. I'm so grateful I followed that prompting and I feel he is
really prepared! And he is YSA! We are seeing him tomorrow and I am so
excited!!

Missionary work is so awesome! As I have been reading the Book of
Mormon more diligently, I have been able to see how every single
person strives to share the gospel wherever they go. And everyone has
different experiences. But no matter what, Heavenly Father is always
with us. I'm so grateful for that knowledge! I'm so grateful for the
opportunity that I have to serve a mission! I love you all so much and
I hope you all have a wonderful week and a happy Valentine's Day!

I got to go to President's devotional last night and AUSTIN BORE HIS TESTIMONY!  He's the best!

We met this super sweet lady this week who is converting to Catholicism.  We talked for  2 1/2 hours about the trinity...but we got candles out of it, so it was fun!

My zone did a service project at a senior center.  We sang hymns and primary songs to them and the spirit was so strong!  I love church music and more importantly, I love serving people!

Grateful for the Spirit!

Hello friends and family! This week has been so wonderful! Heavenly
Father has really blessed us so much! It's so awesome being His hand
in this work. I am so grateful to be a missionary!

The Mojica's are doing so awesome! They all came to stake conference,
and Leia went to the adult session by herself! They're the best! They
committed to reading the Book of Mormon every night as a family. I
know that this will help the girls' progression as well. Gigi also has
been so blessed! She was offered a job as soon as she got here! She is
so diligent in reading and she is seeing the blessings from it. We had
FHE with them last Monday night and we watched the Joseph Smith movie
and then we played the stick pull game. It was so much fun :) and they
all seemed to develop different parts of their testimonies.

Courtney has been struggling. We met with her a lot this week. We are
trying to help her stay on the path through her trials. Her life is
like a sad movie, but real life! It makes me so sad and I just want to
fix it! She wants the gospel so badly. And I know it'll bless her
life! We haven't been able to get a hold of her lately, but we are
praying we will find her.

Daniel is Courtney's brother in law and he was baptized 4 years ago.
He is in the YSA and he is so awesome! We have felt really prompted to
visit with him lots lately we have have kept daily contact with him
and have studied with him. He's so great, he wants to learn so much! I
am so grateful for the people who Heavenly Father wants us as
missionaries to meet.

Ashley Demaree wants to get baptized! She is the one who Daniel
brought to church last week. She needs to quit smoking, but she wants
to be baptized! She came to stake conference too and liked it a lot!

I really learned how to follow the spirit so much! I had two
experiences that really helped. Saturday night, we were walking into a
less active's apartment and this guy walked in behind us to go to his
apartment across the hall and I felt like we needed to talk to him,
but the less active answered and we went inside. The whole time I
couldn't stop thinking about going to see that man. So after the
lesson, we knocked on the door across the hall and a 13 year old boy
answered and he was so sweet! We talked for a bit and told us he
wished he went to church more often. We gave him a lesson one pamphlet
and he told us we could come back and he would translate for his mom
(she only speaks Spanish)! And then last night, we tried a potential
and it was a mom and her two kids. The mom wasn't at all interested
but the spirit kept telling me that Stanley (her son) needed the Book
of Mormon. But I was so scared because the mom wasn't interested and I
didn't want her to get mad if I offered it to her son, but the spirit
won and I asked Stanley if he would want to read the Book of Mormon.
And his face lit up and he was so happy and said yes! Those two
experiences helped me know that I am able to follow promptings and I
am doing what the Lord wants me to do :) I'm so grateful for the
spirit!

I love you all so much and I'm so grateful for all of your prayers and support!

We had a service project last week and we did decorations for a prom at a senior center!

This is what we do when we do service!  :)

One of Courtney's cute daughters, Mariah :)