Week 74 Endings no such thing in the Gospel

This week President and Sister Walkenhorst are driving back home to California and the Mansell's will be coming on Thursday. She and President came to their (our) ward yesterday (they're not actually there too often) and I kept looking behind me at President (he's not too hard to miss) and I was pretty emotional. I know what Grandpa Fox says is true about how we are called to our missions for our Presidents. I can't put into words what he has taught me about the gospel and how we must apply it in our lives.

We've had a good week. We have a couple new investigators, one especially *drumroooll* Brother Bible! He's in his 20's and is the nephew of a less active member. He's living with them for his job. We went and taught him and I absolutely LOVE how the spirit just tells everyone in the room just how true the message of the Restoration is. He has wonderful questions. We're very excited for him.

Funny/not story. We were on exchanges and Hermana Brown who I was with told me to take 4 of these different kind of pain pills for some pain I was experiencing. I asked her three times just to make sure."4 you said"?? Yes. Well I did and...we were right in the middle of exchange report (just between Priscilla and the Sister... I think) and all of a sudden the room became very swirly, there was buzzing in my ears, and my body went to weighing about 2 pounds. Boy, it was the worst/best feeling. Hermana Brown, what did you do to your STL(Sister Trainer Leader)?? I felt terrible, she was really bearing her heart about a lot of things, her testimony too, and there was Sister Call, sitting on the floor staring at her, rather cross eyed. We then went out to work and I can bear testimony on relying on the reserve tanks of Heavenly Father's strength is real! Hermana Brown was a champion as we were riding our bikes, and we've definitely been able to laugh about it since. 

I'm sorry for the short email again, everyone is wanting to go to the zoo. 

I sure do know this gospel is true. I feel it in my heart every day. Love you all, and don't just keep the faith, share it!

Sister Call

1) when I randomly find my, I don't know, SISTER in the ensign?? Psh..Lani

Week 73 Time flies when...well it just flies.

What a blessing to serve a mission, I am telling you.

Carla is doing incredible! We knocked on her door about 2 weeks ago. Her entire family is catholic but she knows that there's something missing in her life. Well she's been reading the Book of Mormon, praying and taking the lessons for the past 2 weeks and has been fairly tired of what everyone at church and especially her mom would react when she tells them. (she's about 27 by the way) Well everyone at church tells her to speak directly to Father Jorge because there's something wrong with her for even wanting to learn more about 'the mormons'. She's stronger than that though and she was just mainly worried about her mom at that point. We had a lesson with her last night and the spirit has been so strong the past couple of lessons. She told us that her mom told her that she loves her and will honestly support her in whatever she wants. What will bring her close to Christ. So...she's getting baptized in about 3 weeks!!! But but...we did a lot of talking last night and both Sister Washburn and I agree that we need to give her to the Hermana's who are in the spanish branch, not because she doesn't understand english perfectly, but really because she's going to progress best surrounded by that wonderful hispanic branch. We knew that the spirit had been telling us that for a little bit now, but we were of course pridefully fighting it. *sigh* ah well. What a blessing to have been able to be led to such an incredible, humble, and prepared individual!

We've been teaching a part member family, the Riewerts. The non-member wife, Sister Riewerts is VERY sweet. Her family is completely anti (she has grown up in Oklahoma her whole life) so at first she was just taking the lessons for information and for her husband...but something changed yesterday. We watched the Restoration video with them and the spirit was strong. Through the spirit, we were able to bear testimony of how she can't do this for anyone else, just her and especially her Heavenly Father. If this is really His church and He knows best how to make her happy..then do not be afraid to sincerely open your heart and ask him. It was wonderful. She looked in our eyes and promised that she would. That has to be my favorite part of the mission. Being able to feel and see the spirit change people. 

I also love the members in this ward, they're so wonderful! Everyone's support in the OKC 2nd ward is incredible and we LOVE Bishop. Good ol' 31 year old Bishop Wadsworth. What an incredible individual.

Love you all! Remember who you are, just how true the gospel is, and the importance to share it. Please.

Sister Call

1) So Sister Call likes to kill lightning bugs apparently on accident with pool noodles. (don't ask why that was in a missionary apartment. Definitely can't swim.)

2) Last zone p-day. Broom hockey. Only minor injuries. Success. 

Week 72 Area Miracles... that's all I can say

Okay. This week has been INCREDIBLE!

Our area has, in just one week, quadrupled (4*) it's numbers. I know that numbers aren't important..but they certainly do represent people and how much care you're giving them. And I WANT to say it's us (my prideful self) but I can only point it to the Lord, who knows why He's sending us these blessings now. We just need to not question and keep trying our best to stay obedient, diligent, and listen to the Spirit.

Sister Washburn is amazing! I can't put into words how much I appreciate her willing spirit and desire to be better every day.

We were over eating dinner at the primary president' house, Sister Coggins, the other day. She sent us over to a LA's (less active) house who no one knows about in the ward. She said that they had just been on her presidency's mind lately. Well, we did aaaaand of course knowing us, we knocked on the wrong address (Drexel AVE instead of PL) and the. most. prepared. 25 year old girl answers the door. She said that she'd grown up catholic (which isn't too common for OK) but she knew and felt that her relationship with God was supposed to be a lot more personal and closer, her questions weren't being answered, and that 'there's a piece in her life missing." Missionaries? Her name is Carla and it was a beautiful lesson that we were able to teach her. What a privilege to be out here! Sharing the answers with people that they can't find anywhere else.

 It was President's last MLC (Mission Leadership Council?) on Tuesday. There were tears shed, especially when he and Sister Walkenhorst bore their testimonies at the end. Grandpa Fox, what you and Elder Christofferson told us about how one of the main reasons why we're sent where we're sent is for our mission presidents. I can't put into words what they've taught and most importantly shown me about the Atonement through their words and actions. President and Sister Mansell will be arriving here on the 30th. President assigned Sis Washburn and I to bring over some ice cream their first day..because he says it's terrible and that they'll be stressed out of their minds. The minute he walks off the plane, President's handing him his phone.

Their is a LA in the area, Sister Johnson, who the sisters have been working with for a few years now. She came to church yesterday...WITH her non member boyfriend and her brother's girlfriend who has already taken all the lessons. We believe that she wants to get baptized. (that was basically our first time officially meeting her) She just works every Sunday (she got that one off because of vacation) and she struggles to find the faith to quit. Financial situations are pretty tough right now in Oklahoma because of the lack of oil. Good thing we know God is bigger than that though. What an incredible miracle though!

Sister Washburn and I have experienced so many tender mercies these past two weeks of being together. I pray that we continue doing more of our part every day to allow the Lord to keep blessing us!

Preach My Gospel: "Do I have enough faith in Christ to accomplish anything He wants me to do-even miracles if necessary"? A question that I've had to ask myself a few times out here. Just know that I have faith that Christ IS here not only in the field, but in all of our lives. He has the power to make anything happen that is His will (which is always for our best interests). Do we have the faith-filled action to allow Him too though?

Love you all! Have an incredible week. And share this gospel with others! Stop taking it for granted :)

Sister Call

 Sis Washburn and I's first day. She loves her dresses :)

You know, just zone leader Elder Walker cutting off the head of a rat snake in good ol' Paul's Valley

A family we're working with, the Durands, little boy named Victor. SO cute.

President's last MLC

District leader Elder Burrows throwing the keys onto the roof and 'retrieving' them. Don't worry. We ended up going and asking maintenance

'Generation' pic at transfers (figured this out; Priscilla, Sister Franklin's brand new sister missionary, Sister Franklin...  training....that's what I think)

Week 71

Hiiiiii Sorry, I only have about 5 minutes :/ We got here about 10 minutes ago and we need to head to Paul's Valley in just 5 minutes to make it in time for STM. I'm so sorry!

Hi mom!!

Okay sorry, so I am completely out of time, but all is well and my new companion is Sister Washburn. She's incredible!! I am so happy, honestly. The work in the area improved last transfer that's for sure, but with her to work the area, it busted last week!! Ah! I'm so excited. I love this work! Seriously, I'm re-discovering this gospel and my love for it everyday.

Love you all!

Sister Call

(This is all for this week....no comment.....Mom..... hopefully next week will be better)