Apr 25, 2011

Hey Oh!!

This week was a challenging week, we gave the elders the car for the whole week which in return made things a little more difficult. We also picked the worst week to trade cause of all the rain and storms that we had! But it all worked out for the best and we are still fully functioning ;-) One cool thing happened though where I said on Tuesday where I wished that someone would stop by our house and leave us a note or a treat! Then on Friday night, we had a bag with Chocolate chip Banana Bread on our doorstep!! Ask and ye shall receive! :)

On Tuesday we received a referral from the other sisters in another area for Alyssa Owens, a 28 year old mom out here in Odessa. She got into a car accident in Sept and has been in a wheelchair ever since because her back is still healing from being broken. She is amazing and has this incredible spirit about her. We ended up teaching her a little that day and taught her more on Friday night. She said she hadnt really felt the spirit before but did know that Jesus wouldn't give her anything she cant handle. We took her through a 'church tour' where we show her around and teach her a little more. The spirit was so strong as soon as she came in with us and Sis Baker. She was crying almost the whole time and said she hadnt felt like that before. Simply amazing. She came to church on Sunday with her 2 kids which ended up being more chaotic with them there cause they didnt want to leave her side, so we did primary all day. She said she's not bringing them next time haha :)

We did get to go to Liberty Jail this week with one of our investigator's Norman who is 74 along with an older couple in the ward. It was a good experience but realized that it isnt the right time for Norman, he has been taught for 5 or 6 months now and still doesnt remember anything we really teach him.

Saturday night we taught these 3 boys, Hunter (age 9), Braden (11), and Brenan (13) with their mom who is a member. We did the fiery darts of the advisary with them and had a blast!! Told them they had to come to church on Sunday so they could bring us some candy. They have been invited to church and taught by missionaries since Oct of last year and never came to church. THEY CAME ON SUNDAY!! They came in and RAN to us, giving us one piece of candy each!! Haha it was awesome :)
At church, on of my favorite mom's in the ward Tina Kellogg gave Sis Powell and I easter bags! It was so cute and nice! :) Then that night we went to our other favorite family, the Browns and sister Sarah Brown gave us our own buckets!! Haha. So much love from her and her family! They wanted us to be there for easter dinner, they are amazing.

As I look back on my Easter this year and compare it to the other easter's I have had, I see how amazing the Lord truly is and have been so blessed in my life. I am grateful to have the miracle of the atonement. I was reading my favorite scripture, which is actually 'GRACE' in the Bible dictionary and was so overwhelmed again with knowing how much the Lord truly makes up for all that I lack. It is so beautiful to see how people change and how this gospel brings people so much hope, joy and peace. How wonderful it is to know that Christ did so much for us so that we can feel and know that we will be blessed after doing our best to follow Him.

I love you all and am so grateful for all the emails and love that I receive each week! It fills my heart with so much love and I LOVE IT!!!! Thank you! :)

Love,

Sistaaaaa Steph