November 1st=Christmas Music

We finally got Halloween out of the way! YAY! I really do not like that holiday...if you could even call it that (it really is a gimmick for us to spend unnecessary money...in my opinion, plus it's just all about being spooked and stuff...) what can I say I'm my mother's daughter. I do enjoy dressing up, I'm not a party pooper, but I don't like decorating or taking long hours to get my costume ready. So what was I? CHEERLEADER from TEEN GIRL SQUAD click on that and go to toons....then you can watch some episodes to appreciate the amazingness of our costumes. We did get a lot of compliments and had so much fun dancing around and talking like them.

The whole squad w/Strong Bad. ARROWED....from dancing so much.

It was so much fun, we just danced a ton and just didn't care about anything, I felt kind of invincible in my costume, it felt good! I'm happy my roomies were game to do this...it was my older sister, Ashleigh's idea...and they all knew who Teen Girl Squad was, except Kristin, it's awesome though because Kristin still wanted to do it even though she'd never heard of it. I love her....she's willing to try anything. So Halloween was fun but I'm happy it's over.

I'm so excited that it's November! This means the start of Christmas music! Yes...November 1st is when I like to start it, I figure I only have a small opportunity to enjoy it all year long so I'm going to take advantage. I guess I actually started it ON Halloween because we celebrated it on Saturday, so I was so in the mood....I looove it. I'm excited for Thanksgiving..I desperately need a break and I'm so happy to say that I'll have gotten a huge assignment out to of the way just before it. I'll be teaching preschool the week before the break and with THAT off my shoulders I'm going to feel sooo good. At this moment I'm trying to register for classes but the site is being rather ridiculous and taking forever. Grr. Patience is really something I'll have to work on my whole life. ;)

On a good note, it has not REALLY snowed yet. Just some flurries a week or so ago but it didn't stick and I really enjoyed it...it started snowing while I was walking home and it was so magical. I really don't mind the snow when it's actually snowing it's the sticking around for weeks part that really gets me. Yesterday I was a in a long sleeved cotton shirt and really that's all I needed. But it will probably get colder as it gets closer to thanksgiving. Which I'm going to the Hegerhorst's! They were kind enough to still invite me even though Emily is still on her mission until December! Arin's coming with me and we're going to have fun on the farm....I'm way stoked about it.

So that's what's going on with me. I think registering for classes will have to wait because it still isn't loaded up. LAME. At least I got an entry in here.

You Can Be Happy if You Let Yourself Be,

Arica

Learning Takes WORK!

I did not realize when I came back to school that I would be so overwhelmed! I usually stress about school but I somehow I don't remember how I got through it. Just to give you an idea of what I'm doing:

Preschool Practicum: (practicum just means practice just in case you didn't get that) I get to teach preschool for two weeks (not consecutively) and I already finished one of the weeks. Let me tell you that was one of the most stressful weeks of my life, I shed a few tears due to the stress. I just felt like I didn't know what I was doing. I learned so much in that week...but I also learned that I loved to teach and really could see myself actually doing this! It's great to be reassured that this is what I want to do.

Acting I: SO FUN! This is my escape from everything! I wanted to take this class to learn more about myself and really express myself in different ways...and it really has taught me just that! I am now putting my acting skills to practice by working with a directing student on a scene of her choice. It's from a play called Blithe Spirit and I play the dead wife of a guy name Charles, who has since remarried and I have come back and only he can see me. So he's trying to convince his current wife that I am there and talking to him. CRAZY!

Scripture Study Skills: My favorite class. I have learned SO many things....the most basic thing that has helped me is being able to determine what is doctrine. I know is sounds ridiculous because I went on a mission and everything but I really didn't know what doctrine truly was. It just never dawned on me to research what people meant when they said doctrine. I didn't know it was different from a principle! It makes so much sense. It was amazing to figure out just those two things (which is the first thing we learned in the class). But we've gone into other things too and some things I already know how to do but it's just laziness, but when you actually do the things you've been taught scripture study becomes alive and you won't want to stop! Man...I love the gospel.

Science Methods: It's basically teaching me how to teach science to my students. It's a lot harder to teach science to kindergarten than anyone else because you have to make it so basic. Lesson plans are due in this class too. They are different than the ones I have for preschool, not SO hard core but still when it's not consistent it makes me happy when I can make my own lesson plans the way I'd like to...if that even happens.

I'm starting another class on Tuesday...it's just half a semester and I heard it's pretty easy. So things are good...just busy. I am FHE mom, Relief Society Humanitarian Specialist, have a social life, try to go to the temple once a week (that goal has been every 2 weeks but I'm striving to be better), and work.

Oh work! I'm a TA for a teacher at the college. She teaches Toddler Lab (which I'll be taking in the Spring) and she is amazing. We work well together and I'm getting her routines down...we've already talked about rehiring me for next semester. :) I really have seen how much my Heavenly Father loves me in so many ways; the people He's put into my life, the job, the school, my family, and more....I just don't know how I could show my gratitude for what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have done for me.

You Can Be Happy if You Let Yourself Be,

Arica

Long Overdue...

Okay...so obviously I didn't keep up on the "happiness" blog. I don't think it's going to last. I probably have had this theme going since my blog has been named this since the beginning. I just enjoy updating people on my life. I once heard my sister say "I just don't think people are that interested in what is going on in my life" but really I believe it's good for me either way. So here I go...

SO...I'm now in Rexburg! I bet you figured as much. :) The drive out here is a story in it's self...but it went well and I am so thankful for Maryanne Harris for giving us a GPS....man it saved us a couple times. I do feel more experienced and confident in driving now. It was fun to have Arin with me and taking turns driving and being co-driver. We'd read The Secret Journal of Brett Colton and change CD's over and over. Mostly listened a lot of Mika...we still can't get enough of him. Unfortunately we were really bad at taking pictures of our trip out and documenting everything. I think Arin has more pictures than I do.

Well we got here with my roomie and friend from the mission Kristin Havron. She followed us out from Tennessee. She's been a great roomie and we're planning on rooming together next semester too. We are alike in a lot of ways and it works to our advantage. It's so fun because we can talk about the mission a lot and not get sick of each other talking about it too much. My other roommates were people we just met this semester. I tell you have I lucked out a lot but I know Heavenly Father places you in people's lives for a reason...and my roommates have become great friends and people I'd love to keep in touch with. We've gone Latin Dancing, had a nerf gun war, and danced to a bollywood movie called Dhoom 2. I just love them.

I had a great summer...soaking in my family and kind of being lazy. I think school was what I needed to get me into gear. It's been a stressful but fun semester. I don't even know why I'm up instead of sleeping or getting some sort of homework done. I guess I just needed a release. :) I am on the down hill of my college experience and it's kind of a weird feeling. I have two semesters after this (I'm staying winter and spring on fast grad hopefully) and then I'll student teach in the fall! I made a life decision the other day...I had to sign up for student teaching and there were several places to choose from to student teach in and I could pick three...my choices went like this:

1.Salt Lake City, UT

2.Las Vegas, NV

3.Boise, ID

I was wondering when we'd find out if we got the one we wanted...so I asked someone and she asked "where did you ask to go?" I said "Salt Lake" and she said "oh you'll definitely going to Salt Lake then..." so it's pretty much a guarantee. I'm excited for new adventures and I can't wait to student teach. I went to Salt Lake last weekend and I could really see myself there...it just feels right. I really just want to be able to focus on teaching and no other classes. I'm doing a preschool practicum this semester and I wish I could devote all of my time to it but I have 4 other classes to worry about. I have decided that also when the time comes I really want to homeschool my kids until the age of 8! It sounds fun and I've been educated to do it so why not? I mean then they can get a little more home time and then go off on their own...

By the way one of the classes I'm taking is an acting class...and I LOVE it. I was nervous but I really like my teacher, classmates, and how I get to express myself in different ways. I don't know if I'm "good" but I love that it's beginning and they don't expect much yet. :)

So life is good. I have been having a great semester. I went to a mission reunion last weekend and General Conference...but that's for another entry. I need to get to bed.

You Can Be Happy if You Let Yourself Be,

Arica

Happiness Inspiration

Got the radio on, my old blue jeans

And I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve

Feeling lucky today, got the sunshine

Could you tell me what more do I need

If I could only take the credit for those words...I'm working on it though! I've decided to let my creative writing side take over more often and I have some good poems/lyrics up my sleeve for later. But I love finding those lyrics that just work for me as well as whoever wrote them! It has been a while since writing on here and I think I know why. With having a journal, study journal, letters I write to my missionary friends, and all that is in between....it just seems redundant to repeat myself on here yet again. Kind of like when I was on my mission we'd write to our parents about goings on, in a teaching record, and to our ward and stake leaders...by the time you got to your journal it was hard to keep it sounding fresh. but alas!! I have been inspired.

My sister Ashleigh just started a blog that has a theme...and I thought maybe I should put a theme to this thing...until I realized I ALREADY HAVE ONE! HAPPINESS!

So from now on...I will write about things that happen during the week that just made me happy...maybe the whole entry will be about one subject and maybe many...but this is it!

Words make me happy and I think everyone who really knows me knows that. But they always say that pIctUrEs are worth a 1000 words.

Pictures=Happiness

I have been digital scrapbooking my mission for just the past two days and it's been so much fun. I've been using shutterfly.com which has been a great starter place, who knows there might be more out there. Of course learning how the system of it all works took some time but now that I have that down it's been so much fun to look through my pictures and put them in order and tell the story behind it. I started at how I opened my mission call as the first page and went into going to the temple, setting apart, the airport, the MTC AND transfer 1....all in about 24 hours. It's been surprising how many pictures I have and how good record I kept of my mission. I always thought I could have done better but I can give myself a healthy pat on the back. I love technology. I am more a digital person than an artsy one that can put her own spin on things, so it has really worked out for me to have some here-say in how it looks but not make it too complicated. Just my cup of coco! :)

I am leaving for school on Thursday and it's still hard to believe that the mission is really over...I went and came back. The pictures reflect so many memories and allow me to realize it really happened and that there will be more pictures to come of my next adventures.

Bask in your happy moments,

~Arica

Miss the Most

I have found there are funny things I miss about the mission this week:

• always having someone riding in the car with me.
• crazy appointments that don't go as planned at all
• eating and then finding out there's more food at the next house you're at.
• always being ready at the same time everyday so you don't have to get ready right before you want to go somewhere...
• personal study set aside!
• believe it or not having someone back me up...haha

These things are small but I love that they remind me of my mission...it doesn't seem as much of a dream as before...it's slowly coming back. It's interesting because when I first went on my mission my pre-mission life seemed like a dream and I had a hard time remembering some of the experiences that I had to relate to the people I was teaching...so I had my mom send one of my old journals to help me. I guess it's the same whenever you're adjusting you just have to recall and relive and retell experiences to remember them and keep them alive and I think that's why so many returned missionaries talk about their mission so much. I know some people get annoyed with the "when I was on my mission" jargon but now I understand it...we just want to remember that those months of intense spirituality actually happened...and that they changed us. I love to talk about the mission but describing it in such a broad since is impossible.

Well I've been reconnecting with people and trying to keep in touch with those who I became close with on my mission. It's been partially successful because there's really not enough time in the day to really sufficiently talk to all the people and relive all the experiences that we've had in the last 18 months but it's fun to try. ;)

I've been thinking I need to think of some new hobbies to develop. Of course while I don't have much responsibility I'm looking for things to develop but I know once school starts I'll be super busy I won't have time to think about what hobbies I want to develop. I guess hobbies fill in the cracks of the busy life. Something that doesn't feel like a chore. So I went to this women's conference and they showed us how to do come canning of meats, fruit, and veggies. I was actually interested in it and I think I want to develop that.

List Time:

• canning
• writing (which I've said before but I think I can count this blog as a hobby and also my journal but both can definitely be improved. But also writing my novel)
• service projects for local charities and foundations. We made some baby burp cloths for less fortunate mothers and it turned out they didn't have much support so I want to find out more things like that and just get things going!
• now here's the time that I want suggestions....I just want more things to try and see what I am not only good at but enjoy. :)

So there you have it. My life is going great. School is coming soon...I'm excited and stressed. But all is good.

Words Cannot Express

What can I say? How can I summarize a whole year and a half of my life? There are words that can't really express how much I've learned, grown, and gained. I have made so many amazing friends and people I'd call family because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we have the eyes that Heavenly Father has it makes all the difference. I will probably reflect upon my mission the rest of my life and in this blog too. Therefore I will not try to find the words to express exactly what I've been through but will continue on with my blog as a weekly update on me. I don't know who might be reading this but it helps me know I'm doing my part to keep in touch.

I have been home for almost a month now and while I'm loving every moment I am also feeling very overwhelmed at the prospect of getting "into the groove of things" as people put it. I haven't been keeping in touch with people as much as I would have liked. I think I had a false notion that I'd have more time on my hands and while I DO have more time to do certain things it's different when you make your own schedule and such. The structure of the mission and knowing when I'd wake up, eat lunch, and sleep are gone....and I have only myself discipline to frame how my day will go. And let me tell you self discipline is not my strong point. I haven't been too bad. The first week was just adjustment, then my family went to the beach for a week, and then my very good friend and old roommate Valerie came on a surprise visit! It has been an amazing couple weeks. This week I'm working on getting things in order for school and driving out with Arin in September, making sure I have correct classes to graduate when anticipated, and reconnecting with friends. It's been good but a slow process.

I have found one true joy in my life....missionary work! haha Sounds funny I know but after 3 weeks of vacation from reality I have now lent my services to the Elders in my ward. They had 11 investigators at church this week! So I was able to be the friendly face that welcomed them and such. We also had a cottage meeting at another members home and I brought the investigators and was able to get to know them. Well tomorrow I'm going with the Elders to their appointment with the people from the cottage meeting and then after that to the next meeting with a girl I sat by in relief society! It's going to be great and they even gave me parts of the lesson to teach! I didn't realize how much I missed it. I think it's because my mission somewhat feels like a dream and being involved with missionary work here brings it back to the forefront of my mind! I love the feeling...I think I'll chase that.

I will continue to update as much as I can...no promises but I will also make my blog a bit more fun...with pictures and things!

Forever,

Arica

From Bitter to Sweet

Just like I was saying last week...miracles! Heavenly Father answers prayers and does care about us in ways we can't even imagine...we just have to give him a little time to answer and to learn from the wait. I will have to work on patience the rest of my life...THAT'S for sure. haha Things only got better this week. We were having 1-5 lessons every week this transfer and last week we had 14! Our goal as a mission is to have 20 lessons a week so we were really really frustrated...but we had 14 last week and expect to have a couple more this week. Many amazing times. Even some of the hard times have turned sweet. Example: we went over to a 17 year old boys house (name-Alex) and we wanted to teach him so we were talking and testifying. And he was a really nice kid....and he didn't want to hurt our feelings. But I didn't want to force him to meet with us and gave him an out because I knew he was going to say yes to just to make us happy. In the end he told us he just wasn't ready. So we left. It was kind of a breaking point for me...when I couldn't stand anymore rejection and realizing we can't make people interested in our message. Well then we got the blessings and many other people did help us too...and prayer and fasting. Then we had the turn around. Well this past week Sister Hardey a sister in the VC called a little 9 year old girl and asked her grandpa if she could receive this free gift from her friend. He said yes and so we were given the referral. We went over and talked to her (name-Nani) and I kept thinking 'she looks so familiar' and Sister Schoppa said something about it too. Nani goes "you know my brother Alex!"....and then it clicked. We had met Alex's little sister and brother but hadn't talked to them because they were in and out of the house. Now Nani IS interested...we were at the right house but for the wrong person. Alex wasn't ready but his sister (unknown to us) was! The Lord made sure that we came back in contact with her. She hasn't been raised with a religion so she knows there's a God but not much else but she's so excited to learn! It's amazing. I think that Alex will be more ready if his sister is an example to him. AMAZING!

Many of those expeirences and more will follow through out the rest of my life...if I look for them. They can happen to all of us...if we're looking for a spiritual experience or a chance to share the gospel...and pray for it...IT WILL HAPPEN...we can MAKE it happen with the help of the Holy Ghost. I looooove that there is no such thing as a coiensodence... Heavenly Father knows where we need to be and at what time.

Love, Sister Page

Many GRAND Things

I have felt your prayers and your love...and the love of the Savior. My last email I was pretty frustrated. I wasn't sure what to do anymore for my area...here's what I learned....WAIT. and then WAIT some more. Patience has never been a strong point of mine but I think the Lord from time to time likes to remind me of that when I feel I have a grasp on things. But due to your prayers and fasting and I'm sure many others combined with our own...we are seeing the miracles promised.

Sister Schoppa and I received a blessing from some elders in our district and since then I have seen the blessings come true. I didn't notice that I was under pressure but he blessed that the pressure I was feeling would lift and the stress would decrease. It has come and through many ways. List:

Tracy
Mom you are going to meet her. ;) I've talked about her before and discussed how we needed to drop her a couple times. She called us and asked us to come back. I think dropping her was the best thing we could have done! She said on the phone "I know I haven't been reading...I know I should attend church more" see it got her thinking. Well we both apologized for things said and how it had happened....and we went back. Well we got her a huge BoM because she has bad eye sight...and she takes it to church withe her and she stays for Gospel Principles! And we taught the word of wisdom and she said she'd work on it all. THEN we find out that she made a goal....(which she was opposed to in the past) "I want to get married in the temple on my 15th anniversary and that's next November so I need to get baptized before November" HOLY COW. That's not it. Pres. and Sister Pitts gave a fireside at the tabernacle and we sang at it. So we invited a couple people...and she was one of them. She said "well you've done so much for me...I can do this for you." and she CAME! Not only that the whole fireside and everything that Pres. Pitts said pertained to her! Afterwords we talked to the other missionaries and hugged sister Pitts and then I had a feeling "go talk to Tracy now"...so I went down. And she was crying..."I've never felt like this before....I'm hot but I have goosebumps....and EVERYTHING he said was related to me." She recognized the Spirit for the first time. If Tracy Solomonson could recognize the spirit and want to get baptized...this gospel IS true. She can't wait to get there now. She's on fire. I don't know what happened but everything is falling into place.

Former investigators and new investigators. We are finding now. We have gone back to people we used to teach and they are ready to see us again and we're starting fresh with a couple people. Then we have a couple new people we're started teaching. Yesterday we were led to someone who was ready. She's catholic and we talked to her about prophets and asked if she was willing to listen to more...and she's very active in the catholic faith. So we're getting ready for her to say "oh no I'm okay.." but she said "sure yeah I'll meet with you." Then we set up a time for tonight. I pray it goes well and we teach what she needs to hear.

Pres. Pitts and I had a good interview and he assured me he knows we're working hard. He had so much confidence in me and allows me to see things I can't! I will miss him. I'm going to see the Hill Cumorah pageant in 2012 and staying with the Pitts after their mission. :) 

Today we went to the Grand Canyon. It was a lot of fun. I don't have time to list it all but pictures to come. My last two districts have been some of my favorite. It was an amazing sight...very high up...but very worth it. The car ride was about 2 and half hours so it was fun too. So many GRAND things happening this week.

The work is amazing. I love you all. I can hardly believe it's close to the end of this chapter of my life. It's been THE best thing I've ever done. Love, Sister Page

Roller Coaster of a Life Time

Honestly, the mission is like a roller coaster. Each and every day is like a roller coaster. We could be on cloud 9 at one point and down on the ground in another point of the day. I've gotten used to this on my mission but it's hard when there's not as many cloud 9 moments. Things are pretty hard in our area right now. We're giving it our all. I've never never struggled this much in an area before. It feels like the peoples hearts are just hard. They don't want to listen. It's amazing to see the growth I have made on my mission though. I have never been the best at going up to peoples doors and knowing what to talk about....honestly I've been pretty awkward. But I'm different now. I talk and help them understand who we are and why we're here and share a principle at every door...which is something I didn't master until last transfer with Sister Cluff. It's amazing how the Lord molds and shapes us. To quote a song from "wicked" the musical: "Something has changed with in me something is not the same I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. To late for second glances to late to go back to sleep it's time I trust my instincts, take a breath and leap. It's time to try defying gravity." So we are looking for new ways to help people come closer to Christ. We're not going to let Satan win the hearts of these people. We're going to keep working until we can't work any more.
Some good things are that Izzie a 9 year old we're teaching is doing really well. She went to church on Sunday and she reads EVERYTHING we tell her too. She's so cute. And even Tracy went to church who we haven't seen in a while but she's been sick so we haven't been able to teach her but we stop by to see how she's doing. So there are some good people we're working with. We went and visited the Bishops on sunday and they were really nice and wanting to help us but I don't know if they completely understand that we need help....it really can't just be the missionaries. The members are so vital in helping in finding. It's not just about going out with the missionaries its about BEING a missionary and saying "hey I have a friend that would like you to teach them." Music to our ears. Knowing that they're truly prepared.
Well that's all folks. I'm not sure I'll email next week because we're going to the Grand Canyon and it's an all day event but we'll see if we can still make it to emails. Love, Sister Page

So Little Time...

SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!

First: We went to 3 sacrament meetings on sunday and bore our testimony in each...but the testimony that stuck out most to me was a 9 year old. 9! He got up and said "my dad made me a little treasure box with pirate skulls on it. I put my most favorite toys in it. I have 2 batmans already but I put other things in there too. But something I realize is that no matter how much I love my toys nothing in that treasure box REALLY matters. The only thing that matters with the gospel, scriptures and our family." HOW AMAZING. Every one mentioned his testimony after that and talked about what they keep in their treasure box! So now I'm asking you...what IS in your treasure box...what's your biggest priority and thing that takes most of your time? Should something be taken out of your treasure box?

Second: Zone Conference was Monday. (Thus my pday was today instead of normal Tuesday...confusing I know) I won't go into what all was said at zone conference but I did bear my final testimony...it was my last zone conference. It's soooo strange. I jsut talked about how I was on a pursuit of Charity my whole mission but I realize that it's something that possesses us not the other way around and it's a LIFE long mission not just a fully time missionary mission. I told myself I wouldn't cry but we all know I did. I've just learned sooo much while I've been here and I don't know how I could have learned the things I needed to any other way. I'm just happy i leave with Pres. and Sister Pitts...it was their last zone conference too down in St. GZ. The mission offically splits July 1st.

Third: Things with Sis. Schoppa are amazing. I'm my crazy goofy self and she laughs at it. I love her. We're getting along great. The hard thing right now is our area. We're not consistantly teaching people as much. We are definitley looking for new investigators. I want to get enough so that she can have a great next transfer.

Fourth: I saw Kim DeRyke "Stapley" at the VC. OH man I love her. We talked for an HOUR! Me, her and her hubby. I can tell what kind of missionary she was and it would have been awesome to be companions...even though that was NEVER a possibility since she served in Charlotte. We switch places basically. But her hubby is a huge redsox fan. It's awesome. And she gave me ideas for planners when I get home. I might get a planner or I might just use my phone to plan out my day...depending on the phone I have and if I know how to use it. haha But it was great to see her....definitley a highlight of the week. And she wants my mom and I to stop by in Cedar City on the way down from Provo. (it's like 45 mins away from St. GZ) So yeah...that would be awesome. So many places to go and so little time. I want to plan things but I can't because I don't know the time frame for everything. I'll let it work itself out because I have other things to do.

Oh and shout out to the Fischer's -a couple went up to visit the mission president in the Billings Mission because they're good friends and had nothing but amazing things to say about the mission up there! They talked about how awesome the missionaries they met were. I don't know if Colton was there but if they met amazing missionaries I'm sure he was one of them.
Love, Sister Page

Door Knocking/Ringing

Hallo! Guten tag! That's German for Hello and good day...so different isn't it! hahaha Why am I speaking German? Well probably that's because my companion is from GERMANY! I'm training Sister Schoppa (Shop-pa) and she's awesome! We haven't even been together a week but we are already great friends and I love her. She's ready to work and wants to learn to do everything on her own. She's going to be a great missionary. One of the first things she asked is "how long have you been on your mission?" And I had to tell her right away "this is my last transfer!" BOO. She's amazing and I have to leave. We are really having to build our area because we don't have a lot of investigators and the ones we do have aren't really progressing...it's pretty much the toughest area I've ever been in but with a great companion and a dose of faith we're doing just great. This means we're knocking a lot of doors and honestly that means a lot of really funny experiences. The more people you meet the more experiences you will have. We met a 94 year old man and he was a member but so nice. He wanted to give us something he had made...so he comes out with a BANANA HANGER! He works with wood and had like 20 of them. It was so funny. We were just walking around with a banana hanger in our hands. We're so proud of it.

We also talked to a Jewish guy. We were finding out if he was interested and he said "not really I'm happy with my faith" so we talked more and asked if his roommates would be interested and he said he didn't know. I didn't know what else to say so I said "well have a good day and umm...good luck with your "faith" " and as I said faith I pointed my fingers out like they were guns. Then we left but couldn't stop laughing. I couldn't believe I did that. But it made for a funny story.

On a more serious note...something I'm seeing in myself is that I'm not afraid to testify at doors. I have worked my whole mission trying to get to that point and I feel like I'm finally there. I'm finally in a place where no matter what they say I bring it back to the gospel and testify! It's been amazing to see the difference in knowing I did my part to invite them. We have a lot of follow up and such to do but at least we're keeping ourselves busy.

In the VC Sis. Schoppa is doing GREAT! She's made 3 phone calls and received 3 yes's so far. She's scared at times but she doesn't let that stop her. We've been having a great time and every shift she's on there's at least 1 person who speaks German and is a nonmember. WOOT. She was needed.

So many great memories made and many more to come.
I love you all! Ich liebe dich.

Liebe, Sister Page

My Plan vs. Heavenly Father's Plan

TRANSFER CALLS....the verdict is in. Here's what I planned...(because we on slow nights at the VC have to keep ourselves occupied...so yes I guessed transfer calls) I had Sister Cluff staying in the area and training a new missionary. I had me going to another area called Bloomington and being with Sister Dunn. Well Saturday night Pres. Pitts calls (usually it's the APs) and I answer thinking I'll just hand the phone over to Sister Cluff to get her training call. But he didn't ask me to hand it over....instead he says "you'll be staying in the area Sister Page and the Lord has seen fit that you train again....you think you can do that?" I of course accepted the call but honestly I was shocked. Then Sister Cluff gets a call and she's going with Sister Dunn to Bloomington...I totally had it backward! Honestly, I am worried about the area and such....this past week was really hard number wise...and I'll admit I got discouraged. Sister Cluff was so awesome to keep my spirits up. I've tried to be positive all transfer but I broke. I did repent and will stay positive. So I'll go up to Provo tomorrow (tues) and then pick up my "greenie" on Wednesday. I just want to make this the best transfer ever with her. I want to be lost in the work. I want to have so much amazingness that I won't want to go home! I can't believe it's the beginning of my last transfer. I think training will help me reflect on my own mission. Many updates to come.

But LACEY is BAPTIZED! The whole service was amazing. I can't even describe. The spirit so strong and so much support. We were in the chapel. They sang a special musical number after the actual baptism (Lacey included...) they're all in a choir together and the song went soooo well. I saw a difference in Lacey's countenance. In the scriptures when it says "have ye received his image in your countenance?" I know what it looks like when people do! As she sang the song (called Open Thou Mine Eyes) I could see it. She was a "new creature" as the scriptures put it. And then her confirmation on Sunday was great too. I really believe she is one of the reasons I stayed on my mission. :)

We'll see what this new transfer has to bring. I'm trying to think of a transfer theme...or a good quote to keep in mind...so if you have any suggestions please email me.
Love, Sister Page

I CAN'T Only Imagine!

I wrote down a couple of things to write about so that I don't have to think so hard about what happened during the week. The days run together I'm telling you. And also I apologize if I repeat some information because I can't remember what I've written previous and don't have time to look.

Lacey Kirkland! She's 18 and getting baptized next Saturday. She is amazing. She has a friend on a mission and he referred her to a missionary at the MTC and they had a couple of conversations on the phone and she finally said it'd be okay for her to be taught by missionaries. So a senior couple contacts media referrals to see if they're really interested. Well they watched Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration and she was okay to meeting. She met with us but didn't want to meet at her house so we met at the VC a couple of times and then started meeting at her friends house (Lora who WAS less active but not anymore). So Sister Mosley and I taught her and she would read and pray and do and ask!!! It was the best! She was ready and willing to do anything to know God...like King Lamoni's father in Alma 22. We asked her to be baptized a couple of times but she really wanted to make sure it's something she could commit to the rest of her life. Therefore we gave her time to pray and think. As we taught she constantly had more and more friends from school wanting to be a part of the lessons and supporting her and Lora. One day she told us that May 22nd was the time she felt she'd be ready. Now she's so excited. She can see the change in herself. She can't even believe the difference in herself now and her attitude towards life and such from before. Sister Cluff and I are the missionaries but I feel like I've found my long lost friend. It doesn't help that she reminds me of Colie...all the time! haha When Lacey calls or I call we answer by saying "hi best friend" ahahah It's so funny...I don't even know how that started. I can't even imagine if I didn't serve a mission because of people like her. Or if I didn't STAY on my mission. We were talking about it the other day because we wanted her to think "how do you think the actions and choices you make today could effect other people?" Lacey said "well if I hadn't started meeting with you Lora wouldn't have gone back to church....and if you hadn't come on a mission I wouldn't be getting baptized." Man the spirit was strong. I love her. Family you should look her up on Facebook and tell her hi. haha

I finally finished the Book of Mormon all the way through on my mission so I've offically read it 2 and a half times. I wanted to take my time while on my mission and really study it, not just read it like I had before. It's amazing what you miss when you don't stop to think what you've been reading. I'm now reading the Miracle of Forgiveness per Ashleigh's request and I have to say it's a really good book. It just tells you "hey...that's a sin!" and you kind of feel like "oh..." and want to be better. The Lord's commandments really are black and white...there is no gray area. If you have a little bit of gray that's not pure...the Lord wants WHITE....not off white or anything else. The thing is we all fall short of achieving that whiteness by ourselves...we DO sin but we can become clean by Jesus Christ. It would be better if we didn't sin at all...but of course learning comes from it too. I'll update you on what I learn from it.

In other news transfers are announced on Saturday and Pres. Pitts has made if clear that all the sisters will be moving into their areas. We have been living in Temple Apartments across from the VC for ever and now he wants us to live with members in our areas. I think it will be good. But we'll see who's transferred.
Love you all, Sister Page

Doing the Impossible!

Today was the best pday of my life. I did what I did not think was possible. I hiked up and up and up a mountain...I don't even know how many feet we were up but all I know is that I was SCARED OUT OF MY MIND! My district all went to Zion National Park and we had a blast. There was a part where it was a pretty big drop and you had to hold onto chains and I was like "I'm not going." and if you know me you know I HATE being the "party pooper" and that I didn't want to complain but I really didn't think I could psychologically do it . (I told my mom yesterday that I think I'm becoming more and more like her...that includes being afraid of heights!) So Sis. Cluff offered to stay with me while they went on the rest of the hike. They kept going and we stayed and then I was like let me just look and and see if it's as bad as I'm thinking...but I couldn't get very far I just couldn't do it. Then Elder Lanier (AP) and Elder Jensen (District Leader) came back like 5 mins later. I was like what's up...and they encouraged us. Elder Lanier said "you have two options come with us or climb down and wait for us down there...but it's REALLY not as bad as you think." I knew it was all psychological. So I determined to go because I wasn't going to waste my pday just waiting on people. So I started us out...and how did E. Lanier distract me?? With stories of Josh Carlson and him skateboarding on UNCC campus and getting caught by the cops every time. HAHAHAHAHA (he lived in Charlotte until he was 16) BUT it worked and I kept asking questions and not looking down. Well we kept going and going and going and we went over all of these boulders and such (I could do that all day...there was no cliff after the chain part). It was fun. Then we ate lunch and headed back...and I still needed some support and encouragement...but I was okay. I think the combination of the Elders helping me up and down things and Sis. Mosley just talking to me...helped a lot. I am doing things that I didn't think I could do....and then I realized...I've been doing things for almost a year and half that I didn't think I could do. I've been talking to random strangers about the gospel and helping them to change their lives. I was sitting on the tram taking us back to the main lodge of the park and I sat next to a woman named Sadie...she was at least 60 and so nice. I explained who we were and such, she was from Memphis Tennessee. I also invited her to the VC and talked about what she believed. It was cool. I don't think I could have done that a year ago. I'm determined to do this through out my whole life. :) I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. The whole time on the trail the Elders were relating the hike to the gospel and life. It really was applicable. I'm thankful that people have so much faith in me...and that the Lord has so much faith in me.

In other news we had a surprise baptism on Friday! It was amazing. Our investigator named Andrea (she's from Hungary and married a less active member) had a baptism date for May 22nd but her husband is a trucker and didn't think he'd get work off so they moved it up...we got everything ready in TWO days! It all came together and her confirmation was so good. It said that the Holy Ghost would lead her to the temple and that people on the other side are rejoicing at this decision because of all the temple work that will come from this one baptism. Pretty amazing.

Well I'm so thankful for my mom. I just have to say that. We had 25 minutes to talk and the rest was for the kids but I'm so happy that we did get to talk. I'm definitely happy if I turn out to be like her. She's one amazing woman and a strength to all. I had to give a talk yesterday on mothers and I told everyone at least 3 of the life lessons that she has taught me through out my life.

1. Bloom where you are planted
2. Don't settle for anything less than the temple.
3. Know the value of a dollar

This last one I applied temporally and spiritually...the spiritual part was knowing our self worth. I'm so thankful for a home I could come home to that was a haven from the world...after having the world beat on you all day at school and then coming home to the love and Spirit that resides there. I never noticed how beaten down at school I really was until now...and I'm happy I didn't realize because that would have made it harder...but I definitely felt the Spirit in our home. Thanks mom!
Love, Sister Page

Thrice Blessed

As usual I've almost used up all of my time...AND SO MUCH HAPPENED THIS WEEK!

1. Stephanie's baptism
2. Fred's Baptism
3. Zone Conference

1. Stephanie Peterson (19) is someone I taught in Hurricane....HURRICANE...over a YEAR AGO! And now the Assistants to the President are in Hurricane and I told them to stop by Stephanie's (well I told everyone serving there to stop by!). She was supposed to get baptized last April and didn't feel ready. She wanted to wait until after summer but that didn't happen either. This girl was the first person I taught all the lessons through...I was one of her first missionaries. She is someone who was so close to the spirit and didn't even realize how much she recognized it. But she wouldn't get baptized! Well I told them to go over....they did and they put her on date for baptism on Saturday May 1st. Steph calls me and asked me to give the talk on the Holy Ghost...but there is a rule...it's not your area you can't go to the baptism. Well we asked anyways...it was important! We had the AP's on our side. So they call President and he said...YES! I was able to go to the baptism of a life time. I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost but it was such a blessing for ME....what a miracle I was able to witness. I love her and I'm so happy she took this step. During her confirmation I had the impression that she would go on a mission.....that would be so sweet. I'm sure we're going to keep in touch forever.

2. Fred Masters (68)...he was nervous. But he was so ready. The program went so well. His favorite hymn is "How Great Thou Art" so Sister Cluff and I sang it...I even sang a verse by myself! eek! I was nervous but it worked out. I was to happy that I was able to be a part of it. His confirmation was cool too. He has been an example to many.

3. ZONE CONFERENCE! Of course amazing. We talked about our purpose and why we're here. PERFECT to prepare me for next transfer. I am going to go STRONG until the end. As my dad would say "stay focused, work hard, love your companion". I will. We read 2Nephi 31 and picked it apart and applied it to our purpose. Pres. Pitts is amazing. I'll miss his "sermons" haha.

 Love you all! Love, Sister Page

Why I Came on a Mission

This week has been good but it's hard when things aren't as busy as the used to be. Sis. Cluff and I are really praying and looking for miracles to find more people to teach. It would be great if you could pray for that too. I know you're mindful of me in your prayers but if we could specifically pray for more people to teach that would be amazing. I have really been thinking lately. I've been rededicating myself to the work and Lord and it just so happends that last night at the VC a Young Womens group came into watch some films and they asked me to tell why I decided to go on a mission, in retelling that story with the fact that I've been thinking about how I can rededicate myself...I was pushing back the tears. My mission has meant everything to me...and I don't want to waste a minute or day...soak up the time I have left! So I want to share why I decided to serve because I don't know if I ever shared the story with most people back home:
Quoted from my Journal November 16, 2008:
"I have offically decided...I'm going on a MISSION! I decided last month and got the ball rolling. I talked with Bro. Cloward (my advisor) and he said leaving next semester would be best. I got my medical exam and my dental stuff in ONE WEEK! I have my paperwork done and had my Bishop interview today. I want to write down why I'm going. I was studying about charity and trying to think about how I could be more charitable. I know I could do more service for people around me but I kept thinking about other things I could do...[it wasn't enough just to make my roommates beds for them] I went to church and during the sacrament I was working it out in my mind how I could legistically go. I realized there were only a couple things holding me back that were of the least importance. For the closing hymn they sang Called to Serve [the talks weren't even on missionary work] and I felt like standing up. I knew I was going to serve and that if I was going to do this I needed to tell someone. I talked to my family that night, my advisor, my roommates and my Bishop. They are all supportive. Everything fell into place and I'm doing this! I want to serve others...I want to learn the real meaning of Charity I want to organize myself so I can really study the gospel, not just READ the Book of Mormon....I want to be better, do better, and live better for myself AND those around me. Ever since I've made the decision to go I haven't been afraid. I'm almost so at peace that is scares me! (just kidding) I'm so stoked and exicted!"

I want you to know that I remember why I came on a mission, what I've learned from my mission, and that I will continue to learn and grow forever! I will NEVER be the same. I know that the Atonment does more than just forgive sins...it changes hearts and makes us become saints! (Mosiah 3:19) I have learned about Charity and I realize it's not something you DO or possess...it possesses YOU! It is a gift from God...and the way we attain that gift is only when we're worthy to recieve it. I don't know if I have recived it or not..but I know that either way I'm a little closer than I was before. I love the gospel and especially my Savior that helps me to be better always!
Love, Sister Page

Split of Everything

Splitting the area also means that we have HALF the investigators we used to have, but I actually think that Buena Vista had more people we were teaching so now Sister Cluff and I are doing a lot of finding! We had our "full area day" (as in we're not in the VC) on Saturday..we had a couple of lessons in the morning but from 1-6 we were walking around looking for people to teach and talking to everyone we saw....and KNOCKING DOORS! Needless to say we were tired by the end of the day. But then we went to our meetings in the morning and talked to the Ward Mission Leaders and they've given us some people to go see and want to keep us busy. :) So now we're finding more people and I think by the end of the transfer this stake will do very well on it's own. Sister Cluff and I are getting along great. We went on exchanges together a couple times and had a lot of fun...now we get to have fun all the time. She's the oldest of 6 and is from Arizona. (My 2nd companion from Arizona)....and she is short with red hair...and she's very animated! It's great.

We met one guy named David he's in his 20's I'd say. His neighbors asked us to go by...so we stopped by and he was about to leave to the store but we talked for a couple minutes. I asked him if he felt close to Jesus Christ he said "oh yeah definitley...I'm catholic" I let him know why we were there..."as missionaries we help people come closer to Christ...we teach people about Him" He said that weekends were the only time and he thought that Sundays were out. We assured him that we could meet on Sunday. We said "we can just start by coming once a week." and he said "I think that would be a great idea." So I have high hopes for him. I think he's been through a lot...he has a daughter that stays with him every other week and a girlfriend that's up and down in the relationship...so hopefully that Gospel of Jesus Christ can help him find some peace and stability in knowing that he is not alone. I'll keep you updated.

Now I'm not teaching Brant anymore but Sis. Mosley keeps updating me....and the story gets better and better as the week went by. The last time they were over he said "I know that after baptism and such they really push for boys to go on a mission. And if I did this I'm not sure I could financially go on one." and Sis. Mosley was like (when she was telling me this story) "HE'S PLANNING OUT HIS MISSION BEFORE HE EVEN WANTS TO GET BAPTIZED!" hahaha I think he will...the spirit has been too strong to deny in the lessons. I'm so excited to see what happeneds. Man...missionary work is the best!

Love, Sister Page

P.S.If you haven't read King Benjamin's speech for a while...read Mosiah 2-5! AMAZING! So much rich doctrine in there.

Half Transfered, Half Not

What a week....so the question...did I get transfered? Well kind of. THEY SPLIT OUR AREA! We covered two stakes: Buena Vista and Washington. I will now only be serving in Washington and Sis. Mosley will only be serving in Buena Vista! I'm happy about it because we'll have time to meet more people and find more that are ready to hear the gospel. So Sister Mosley and I both have been saying goodbye to people. :( BUT I will miss sister Mosley...it doesn't feel like we've been together for 3 months...SINCE JANUARY! Crazy! I learned so much from her. She taught me many many things. One of her friends in a recent letter described her as having a talent to help people change with out making them feel discouraged. It was so right! I have changed so much for the better because of Sis. Mosley's encouragment not her judgement. You don't have to break someone to make them better. We both are looking forward to the success to follow but it will be weird not to be companions. I have found a friend for life...yet another one.

My new companion? Sister Cluff from Arizona. She served at the VC before but was transfered up north to Payson for just one transfer and now it coming back. We've been on exchanges before and had a lot of fun...so we'll do well this transfer. :) Oh and Sister Mosley is TRAINING! She's getting a greenie...not that I'm surprised...she is amazing..I think she'll train a lot.

So baptism story of the week: Hazel Gonzales (she married a hispanic man...she's not hispanic) she's 71 and was so ready to change! I was proud of her. We got to the baptism early to take pictures and such...well the doors were locked to the building and the Ward Mission Leader wasn't there....so we call him and he said he's coming in like 15 minutes. We asked if he filled the font..."no...I thought 'so and so' was going to do it." So we run around the whole building trying to find a way in...we do and get things started. Hazel and her daughter were there and we sat Hazel down and started setting up chairs. The font was locked and we don't have a key to get it. Maeci (our ride and 21 year old friend who comes out with us all the time) knows someone with a key so she runs to get it. She comes back and we unlock everything connected to the baptistry and get the water started. Well if anyone has filled up the font before you know it takes about an hour to and hour and a half!!!! So we go the kitchen and get pitchers and a huge pot and start filling the pot up in the bathroom. We were in there for 30 minutes when we told them to get started. We stayed for the prayer but then left to keep pouring more water in. All together we were in there for a good hour and a half! WHY DO THEY MAKE IT 6 FEET DEEP! haha (don't worry I know why) So we keep going until the talks are done. We come out all wet...and watch her get baptized...and it was perfect amount of water. Then...after all our hard work...they drained it. hahahaha But it was still a very awesome experience because of the change of heard a 71 year old woman could have. I am amazed that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not closed off to anyone...it's NEVER NEVER too late.

I love this work....Andrew asked me if it's hard to concentrate when I come home in 3 months....no. My theme for myself this transfer is "Be happy that the experience happened not sad that it's over" which means I'm going to be looking for those amazing experiences left on my mission to be had....give it my all so that I won't miss out on the experiences I need to fulfill my mission. I'm greatful I still have 3 months!! I see the sisters and Elders going home this transfer and I'm just happy it's not me yet. When it's time I will be ready...until then...let us reap.

Love, Sister Page

The Facts...

To the Facts!

General Conference: The Saturday morning session we watched with our investigator who is 71 and will be baptized this week!!! She's so cute..her name is Hazel. I was so excited about conference it seems like it goes faster and faster every session! Hazel made us lunch for afterward too...it was fun to spend some time with her when we're just getting to know her too.

Saturday Afternoon we went to the Menloves...they are a family who would do anything for us. They kind of remind me of my family with the Sister Missionaries. So we got some shakes (oh btw I'm back on ice cream..haha..you can see my will power...actually we made a new thing...when our investigator gets baptized we can go back to what we want to eat....right now I'm off chocolate milk until another man gets baptized) ANYWAYS...we got some shakes and watched conference with Sister Menlove...good session. Elder Holland is just such an amazing speaker!

Sunday Morning and Afternoon we went to Mandy's...our recent convert. We were planning on staying just the morning session but she thought we were staying for BOTH and then having dinner. She was really upset that we couldn't stay. So we rearranged our schedule a little and stayed there for both session...which was amazing because they have surround sound! hahaha And then we had easter dinner. Not to mention that they got us an easter basket too. It was so sweet. I love her. I hope hope hope that I can stay in touch with all of the people that I care about so much. I hate that life gets in the way of keeping everyone as close as possible.

Surprise: TRACY CALLED US! I don't know what happened but she called. We were driving home one night and the phone rang I looked at it "TRACY!!!" I exclaim and then answer "hello this is Sister Page" (calmly) She wanted us to come over then next day and pick up where we left off. I didn't ask questions (she hates that) I just said okay and made a time. We went over and just taught as usual...but she will open up as we go along. I wonder what she's searching for...but she DID say she's been praying alot. So the two people (Fred and Tracy) I wrote you about that we "dropped"...well they're back!! I knew it would work out.

Yesterday was one of our investigators birthdays....I don't know if I told you about Brant...but he's awesome. He's 21 (now) and is living in a home made for boys 20 and up that have things to overcome. Yesterday we asked him how he's feeling about the lessons...he says "I was just telling my friend that this is the happiest I've been since I was 13..." Hmm...the gospel of Jesus Christ at work! We sang him happy birthday and made him cupcakes and a card. He kept saying "you didn't have to do that" but if we DID have to to do it wouldn't have made it as special. It was fun...my favorite part of the day. (I do have favorites of everything....haha)

Well I love the gospel and what missionary work does to help everyone we come in contact with!!! It's the best! I do have to mention that Pres Pitts said in his letter this week "I guess we'll just have to extend you for another year. :) wish we could!" I really do love it here.

Love, Sister Page

3 Baptisms and 1000 Miracles!

This week has been amazing.

Remember I told you about Fred....well we got a call on Sunday from our ward mission leader that he wanted to be BAPTIZED! We were fasting for him too...man my testimony of fasting has increased.So we heard this news but not from him. We decided to stop by yesterday and see him. He sat us down and said "I need to make an appointment...to get baptized! Don't fall over." We just wanted to HUG him...but we didn't (it's against our rules as missionaries) but we did shake his hand. Therefore you can see the happy blessings that come from dropping people at times. It made him think and pray!

Yesterday I was thinking about how I haven't seen anyone that I REALLY know come into the VC....someone had just had their best friend randomly stop in so I was thinking about it...then 2 minutes later someone asks me to go up front. And there stands Grandma and Grandpa Allred!!!!!! It was so nice to see them. We talked for a good half hour. They updated me on all the goings on with our dear friends the Allreds and the wedding that will be coming in a couple weeks. :) It was fun to see them...and I got a picture with them.

On Saturday we had three baptisms! The first one was a girl named Mandy McLaws....she had been contacted before but was not ready or interested...but when we came to her door one night she knew it was time. She told us she had been praying for change in her life and then we knocked on her door. The baptism was amazing. Her husband baptized her and we sang a song "if the Savior stood beside me" and then we had a great lunch afterwards at her home. It was really nice. She is someone I'll keep in touch with the rest of my life. I've been thinking about how many people I'm going to have to keep in touch with and such and I'm not sure how my love could be spread so thin but I'm ready to do it because I just LOVE so many people. :)

We also had fourteen year old twins get baptized. They had been taught on and off since they were 8 but now really felt like it was time! It's amazing to a part of something people have waited so long for! I'm excited that they are taking this step in their life. After their baptism we watched the Young Women's broadcast and it was AWESOME! Plllllease if you didn't see it go on lds.org and watch it (if they have it on there...) Pres. Utchdorf's talk in particular was the best...and most direct to the heart. I really want to do the new young womens personal progress sometime....I wonder if 2 months will be enough to do it in...haha probably not...but I could get started.

Another amazingly spiritual week...and another week of Heavenly Father pooring out His blessings and showing me personally how much He loves me. It's interesting the amount of love I feel from Him when I know He loves everyone else as well. But I don't need to totally understand it...I just need to know it's real!
Love, Sister Page

Dropping and Being Dropped

I think there's a vision that is in the mind of most returning missionaries. I generally think...oh when I get home I can read this book, watch this movie, go to this place, do this activity...and forget that normal people (as in not missionaries) have a busy life too! I read my families emails and hear what my friends are doing and realize that rest and relaxation are temporary in every day life. I'm thinking that coming off my mission it will be difficult for me to stay still. I still have some months left (thank goodness) but I don't think I'm looking forward to returning to a busy schedule of NON-missionary work. My schedule now is VERY busy...but it consists of things that are so worth while and I love doing that work. I can't even believe how rewarding missionary work really is! There are some down days and some hard times but they only help you to grow...and it's amazing to see that process. One of the down things we have to do in missionary work is drop people. I mean they are good people who want to meet with us but they are not progressing toward the goal of baptism...and that is why we come. At first it might not be the reason we come but later on it should become the reason the person keeps having us over. I want to tell two stories of people we've had to drop or who have dropped us:

Tracy
She was meeting with the Sisters before I came into the area...but the lessons we kind of on pause because she got into a car accident. Then she was having doubts about God loving her...and why would this happen to her when she's trying to do something good. So alot of lessons were focused on faith and such. Then she had surgery on her knee because of it. So it's in the healing process. Well like a week after the surgery she tripped over some clothes in the hallway and bent her knee all the way calf to thigh. It hurt! And it was spazing out as she put it. And she took some pain pills and went to bed. Well her son (12 and a member of the church) prayed that Heavenly Father would heal his mom because she's been in such bad pain. The next day Tracy could bend her knee. She could sit indian style, march, walk, and more. She said it's kind of tight but it doesn't hurt!! It was pretty much healed. She got all skeptical and asked the doctor if there was any way her fall could have HELPED her knee...and he said "you shouldn't even be WALKING" It was for sure a miracle. Well we think things will go well from here on out...but she calls and tells us that she doesn't want to meet anymore. She didn't say exactly why but here's why: she knows it's true and NOW has to change...and is NOT ready for that change! So while she's dropped I know one day she will be ready. There is no way she can't know that Heavenly Father loves her...I know how much Heavenly Father loves her because of how much even just I care about her.

Fred
A great guy. He's gone to church for years. His wife was baptized 5 years ago. He knows everything is true but is AFRAID of breaking the commandments. We went throught the first 3 lessons of Preach my Gospel and the next one was about the commandments but we didn't feel that teaching him those was really going to help him want to be baptized! He said he wanted it but when came down to it he couldn't commit. We had to drop him after teaching him for 2 months! It's sad but we both feel that it will help him to know and pray about what he really wants.

So these don't have happy endings YET! But I know that the spirit has touched both of these individuals and that they just need to accept it! That's what is comes down to 2Nephi 31:1...we can only bring it UNTO the people's hearts but they have to let it in. Agency plays a key role in our work and sometimes it's frustrating but I will never deny that the people we teach have felt the spirit and now it's their turn to act. I pray for them...I love them...and I know it will come when they are ready. Christ stands at the door and knocks....are we going to let Him in?
Love, Sister Page

Zone Conference Update

Monday was ZONE CONFERENCE oh how I love zone conference. This one felt different though...I don't know why. Maybe because so many people that I've known my whole mission are leaving at the end of the transfer or maybe because the sujects talked about hit so close to home!
Here's a synopsis of my notes:
Theme Scripture D&C 19:16 "For behold, I God, have suffered these things for all that they might not suffer if they would repent."

Pres. Pitts talked to us and it was focused on the Atonement.

He assured us that Christ individually knows each one of us and can separate each person and their doing when He gave His offering. Read Moses 1:28....if Moses could see the inhabitants of the whole world in just a couple minutes and know each of us individually then the Son of God would be able to as well.

Christ suffered and took pain and sin on Himself for people He KNEW would not accept His sacrifice...because He would never want them to think that He'd condemned them to damnation...it was THEIR choice.

Then we talked about how the there are unconditional and conditional parts to the Atonement and that is did TRULY answer all ends of the law of Justice.

INSERT CHART HERE.

There's alot more notes that I took concerning each thing but it would take too long. It was soooo good.

Then the rest of it was about how the Atonement can CHANGE us and how we can see the CHANGE in ourselves as we go through out our mission. The Atonement is much more than just for our sins it's for our short comings....it can HELP us to change. I feel like I've been doing a lot of changing in the last couple months...not because of anything new I discovered about myself but because I'm READY to make the change and I'm relying on the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ.

It's been an amazing journey to be on my mission and to see the CHANGE come over the people I teach but also myself. I don't want to ever go BACK to being complacent...I want to to forever progress. I love the feeling of that. I'm indebted to my Savior for all of His help. I've been reading about the last part of Christ's life since Zone Conference and I cannot imagine what He even went through and how He allowed so much to happen. I love Him for it. If I were to pick one account to read it would be John....I encourage you to also study the last week of His life. It will change you too.
Love, Sister Page

Finding Through Your Own Efforts (PMG)

The weeks are flowing together! I can't remember what happened! I think I'll tell you some of the new people we've found to teach...I'm really excited about it. We found both of them through just walking around...and that doesn't happen TOO much in Utah...it happens it's just rare.

#1. David: we were knocking on the door of a house when I realized we were in the wrong complex...so I told S. Mosley that we needed to go down one street and that we should just walk. She suggested we drive but it was a nice day out and I felt like it was better to walk. We start walking to the next street over and and man yells after us. He says "hey do you know where we could find a babysitter?" and then he saw our tags. "Hey speaking of the Church of Jesus Christ you need to come over to my car and see what my sons reading right now..." so we walk over to meet his 9 year old son David. He's in the car reading a Quad (Bible and BoM)...starting in Genesis! He had all kinds of questions about Adam and Eve and we were explaining a little bit. Then his dad goes "yeah his cousin is getting baptized today just up the road." and we looked at each other "well we have a baptism coming up today...his name is Daxton..he's about your age" and his dad goes "THAT'S HIS COUSIN!!" Crazy....we didn't even know his cousin wasn't a member. So we set up a time to meet and tried to find a babysitter for them but they had already found one. So we'll see him tonight.

#2. (same day) Brant: We had a couple minutes before an appointment and saw some
apartments we'd never been to in a little culd-a-sac that was hidden. So I said we should walk around over there...plus there were already people outside one of the houses. So we go to talk to them. Turns out that particular complex of four apartments is a house for stuggling young adults. We meet Brant. He's 20 and from Ohio...he says he's into religion and then not....kind of on again off again. So we talked to him and another guy who was less active from NC...and we set up a time to come back. We went over yesterday. Brant's roommate Ben was there too. Well we ask him to join us too. (The guy from NC was working and not too interested) We just got to know them better. They are really good guys that just needed some help. S. Mosley (she's very direct) asked "why did you want us to come back?" Brant said "The program we're in requires some kind of spirituality and I've been going to this bible group but I think I just work better one on one...and I want to see what's out there" (paraphrased of course) So we feel like he's really open. Ben was willing to listen and had questions but he's more just curious why we do what we do. Their firsrt question was about why they have girl missionaries because they'd only seen Elders before....so we explained that both of us can go on missions. You know the spirit was there and that people have potential when you can't help but smile after the lesson. We really feel good about both of them.

So those were some ways the Lord really put people into our path to show us where to go. I love the feeling I have when I'm inspired...the Spirit does truly guide. I'm so thankful for that constant companion that we have to be with us...it's yet another reassurance that Heavenly Father does love us and IS aware of us.

Love, Sister Page

Investigator Report from the UPM!

Hello to all! There are times that I cannot remember what happened in the last week so I will go through some of my investigators and update you on there progress. (By the way...transfers are next week so I'll let you know what happens with Sis. Mosley and I next pday...which I'm not sure if it will be on Wednesday. We're both feeling like we're going to stay together...so not too worried)

Mandy McLaws
She has been coffee free for over a week. I was giving up ice cream for the first week to support her and I did it..the day we went to see her I was allowed to eat ice cream again...and I had a shake right before we went to her house and I felt so guilty because she's doing so good on not drinking coffee which is addicting and ice cream is not and I can't even go more than a week. I've decided and committed myself to not eating ice cream for the rest of my mission. Now that's like 5 months! So that will be difficult...especially because I love ice cream...but that's the point. Do do something hard! If Mandy can give up coffee...I can give up ice cream. Then as a reward (because ice cream is NOT against the word of wisdom...) I will have a Chic-Fil-A shake as my break to my ice cream fast. Now that I've declared this to my email world...let it be done! We think of putting her on date as soon as possible...we just need to see about some FLDS background.

Fred Masters
I'm not sure if I told you about him yet....he's in his 60's and he's had many missionaries over the years since his wife joined the church 5 years ago. We've been trying to get him to pray. (He doesn't know that we know...he can't read...so we usually ask his wife and him to read things together) But we want him to pray specifically about Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon. When we come back he doesn't do it. He was "too busy". But he had time to pray about OTHER things. We stopped by last Wednesday night because we felt impressed...and it came up that he was afraid of making such a huge commitment. He doesn't want to do it and then go less active like he sees around him all the time. He's not ready to act. So even if he prayed about these things he probably wouldn't get an answer. We've seen many time the Spirit bear witness to him that what we're talking about it true. Sis. Mosley called him out on it..."we know that not everything has to be prayed about and we can tell you already know that these things are true!" He didn't disagree. He does know. So we thought maybe his biggest feat to overcome and that he's afraid of falling back on is smoking. We taught him the word of wisdom yesterday...and he let us know he has a DESIRE to quit. AMAZING. We feel that once this is over come he'll have a stronger desire for baptism.

Kelli Lester
This is a 19 year old girl who was dating a less active kid...but he's since become active...obviously since they're both meeting with missionaries. She wants to be baptized but they're waiting until they're married for many different reasons. She's one of those people you know that if you had more time and weren't on a mission you'd be good friends with. She's hilarious and her testimony is apparent more and more every time I go see her. She's been taught before I even came into the area but it's cool that I still feel like we're close. She's even asking her little 8 and 7 year old nieces to sit in from time to time. They want to go to church and have so many good questions. It's amazing. Micheala the 8 year old wanted to see a picture of Jesus (they don't know much) and I pointed to one and she goes "oh he's mighty handsome!" hahaha

Well if there's anyone else I've mentioned previous that I haven't talked about in a while let me know, I'll do it. Even people from past areas...because I still ask the missionaries there about how they're doing. You never forget these people you help...it's a bond that indescribable! Much like our Heavenly Father's love for us.
Love, Sister Page

Can I Count the Ways?

How do I love thee let me count the ways?
I think that is somewhat what Heavenly Father is saying to me and Sis. Mosley! He is showing us how much he loves us and believe me there are too many ways to count! We have been blessed to find so many ready and willing to hear the gospel. Let me briefly go through each one:

Seth Barlow- He is the father of 5 kids and he is not a member. He grew up in a polygamist community but left 14 years ago. Right now his wife is in jail (she's a member) but we don't know all of the details with that. The kids though are so cute! We're teaching all of them but only two are able to be baptized. Daniel (11) and Alice (9) and then when things settle down we'll figure out how to teach Seth on his own. He already has a pretty good knowledge but our lessons will consist of more in depth things that he might have questions on. So we're excited. He made us dinner after our first appointment. He's such a patient person...I don't know how he does it. I have much to learn from him. (In that way he reminds me of Steve Allred... :) )

The Arnold Family- the parents are members (the mom is a convert of about 7 years or so) but they have been LESS ACTIVE for 6 years. Something that happened in Illinois with a Bishop. Not sure of the details there either but the mom wants to come back and we can see a little bit of a desire in the husband (a life long member) but we're hoping to strengthen that desire. They have 4 girls ages 9-15...and they don't know very much about the gospel...so it's starting from square one on a couple things...but I think as they learn they'll feel more comfortable at church. :) They seem really excited so we'll have fun! The dad actually invited us over for dinner as well!

Gina- We've been trying to meet with her for a long time. We would go over and set something up and then we'd go over and she'd want to reschedule. We were wondering how serious she was. But finally we were able to sit down with her and say "Do you want to meet with us?" and she just opened up. She was a drug addict for 12 years and has been 4 years clean. She has a new out look on life and she said "I like when you come around...I know you're good....I know you know what scriptures I should read...I know this gospel is true...no one can tell me that it's not." We are like YESSS but her problem is she feels like she's looked down on because of her past...and she has tattoos and she smokes. So we're going to work with her. She said "don't expect me to be someone I'm not..." Well Gina we can see your potential...so we're not going to force you to do anything we're going to stretch you so be able to gain the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Amazing times in the mission. Sis. Mosley and I hope to stay another transfer together. I'd love to just stay her comp forever...but we'll try not to push it. Missionary work really does bring such great joy! I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've been able to take this time to learn and grow...and stretch!

Love, Sister Page

Spiritual Guidance

Okay so this week to put a little umph in my email I brought my journal to the library! I mostly brought it with me because of all of the spiritual experiences we had this week that I didn't want to forget to tell everyone about: (LIST TIME!)

#1. Direct from Sister Page's journal account:
 January 27th 2010
Talk about most spiritual transfer ever...it's only been a week and so much personal revelation has poured out upon me than I scarcely have time to write it down! Here is my example and testimony builder of the day: We have to back track a little to show how the Lord prepared us to recieve this revelation. Last night at the VC Sis. Mosley was talking to a girl named Valerie about how she knew she needed to go on a mission. She said, "I didn't aboslutley know until May when I could actually put my papers in...until I could do something about my answer." Interestingly enough that's the same with me...I didn't get my answer about going on a mission until I could actually put my papers in! Then the night before we were pre-setting (introducing) the Joseph Smith Movie to this couple (the man was not a member) and I said "Ask yourself if you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet...and if you know he is...what are you going to do about it?" (just to conclude...the nonmember man was not impressed with the movie and had a hard heart!) So TONIGHT we went on splits and S. Mosley had come back and used those exampled with an investigator (Tim) who doesn't feel like he's getting answers to his prayers...and she said "Tim, no on will recieve answers to prayers UNLESS they're ready to ACT on it!" It is sooo true!!! We might want the answer to our prayers but Heavenly Father is not ready to give it until He knows what we're going to DO with the answer. Amazing! It's like my answer to go on a mission. I didn't recieve my answer for until Heavenly Father KNEW I was ready to accept and act upon it. So S. Mosley asked Tim, "When you pray...if you recieve and answer are you ready to act on it?" Tim never had thought about that. SO POWERFUL...

#2. Zone Conference!
 Febuary 1st 2010
Of course spiritual nourishment there! I looove it. Probably one of the things I will miss MOST about the mission. :) Our scripture theme was D&C 58:27. We talked about free will...agency...and how we can choose liberty and eternal life or capitvity and death. How it's sometimes fogged on which one it which...we don't always see capitivity as a consequence...but that's what Satan wants you to think...that everything is "okay" until BAM...it's too late. We talked about daily repentance! I never really had known how to go about doing that....but Pres. Pitts (LOVE HIM!) said we should review our day and go through all the things we've done and find places we need to thank Heavenly Father for...and places we know we need to improve. I've applied this...and my prayers have not only become more meaningful...but much longer...and it's not repetitious! Try it! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father!

#3. Baptisms
January 30th 2010
Okay so I'm not going in order...but you get the idea. We had two baptisms this last weekend. Dausi was 12 years old and had met with missionaries for YEARS. Her mom is not a member but allowed her to get baptized. I wasn't really involved too much because I just came but it was a great day to see her take that step. Steve is the other bapitsm. I got to know him really well because we had daily contact with him the week and a half before his baptism. That's pretty hard to do since we have so much going on...but we did have daily contact. He's 44 and was taught for only a month or so before he was ready to be baptized. He truly had a change of heart. I didn't know him before but I heard about who he was and his attitude and it had totally changed. Every time he thought about his baptism or how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed him...he'd get a little weepy. He's so happy...he's one of those people that you can see the fruits of your labors with. It's going to be hard when we have to stop teaching him and let him go on his own!

Well that's the spiritual knowledge I gained this week. Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me. I love Him and how much He cares about me and the work S. Mosley and I doing together in our stakes. This is the best work in the world...I can't wait to be that support for the missionaries when I get back...i'm going to find them 1000 people to teach! haha Love, Sister Page

Bad Internet...

Okay so the internet is being really weird...and slow. I'm sorry my emails have been kind of lame lately. There so much to share this week. Let me go through the week:

Tuesday of last week: I went up to Provo because I had to attend the trainers meeting to gain guidance for follow up training Sis. Mosley. It was great. The car ride up was so fun...it was all sisters in the little minivan and we were so hyper by the end of the four hour car ride. The meeting was great and I decided that this transfer was the start of the many amazing transfers. I want this transfer to be the most spiritual transfer I've ever had. That's the inspiration I gained from the trainers meeting. So I'm striving to keep the spirit with me more! I stayed that night in the mission home and then left the next morning.

Wednesday: I drove back down to St. George. We drove to Cedar City with some Elders...dropped them off and then I had to drive the rest of the way to St. George. It was fun. Then I met up with Sis. Mosley and we served at the VC the rest of the night. That night we didn't get much sleep because we were talking a lot. Sis. Mosley said "this is hard because it feels like we have 22 years of catching up to do!" We feel like were friends before...it's amazing.

Thursday: My YEAR MARK! I can't believe it. We went out in the area that day and I can tell you that I already love it. The stakes we cover have a place in my heart already! The leadership is ready and willing to help us in anyway and we have people who are truly ready for the gospel! We have a lot baptisms planned for this transfer it's exciting.

Friday: We had District Training Meeting (DTM) and that was good. We have a lot of new faces but Sis. Harwood is in my district! WOOT! We had the VC that night and let me tell you when you're LOOKING for more spiritual experiences they happen. Sis. Mosley and I have had more nonmember tours together than any of my other companionships! It's amazing. (btw I told her I wanted this transfer to be the most spiritual...so we're working on that together.) Saturday: We had a baptism of a 65 year old guy. It was amazing and I didn't really know him. But he was so ready. But I'm running out of time before I lose this email completley. So..to be continued!
Love Sister Page

Continued:
I just wanted to say sorry that my letter was so hurried...the internet was going really slow...but my week with Sis. Mosley has been amazing and I'm so happy that Heavenly Father knows who I need and what area I need to be in. I just wanted to leave you with my testimony that I know He is truly mindful of us! He cares. He loves me...yes He loves everyone but I know that Heavenly Father knows us individually. It's amazing. I wish everyone could recognize that love...keep praying and reading your scriptures and the doors of Heaven will be opened up to you! I love you all and I'm so thankful for the people in my life that have shaped an molded me into the person I am and the person I'm becoming. There's always progression...it's part of His eternal plan.
Love, Sister Page

ps. Sis. Mosley and I have been singing "Be Still My Soul" a lot...I don't think it's coincidence...I need that song.

Birthday, Transfer Calls, Year Mark!

So much has happened this week that I can't even think of where to start! You will notice that I am emailing on Monday instead of Tuesday...this is because it's TRANSFER WEEK! Yep...and I have to go up to Provo...I'm not being transfered up there but I have to go to a trainers meeting. I'll be back on Wednesday! I'm follow up training a sister that just came down here last transfer. Her name is Sister Mosley and she is childhood friends with our very own Staci (Aci) Place!!!! We had talked about it already and Staci had told me to look for her..but what are the odds that I'd help to train her. She's super cute and excited. I think this will be a great companionship. I'm moving to her area, Washington and Buena Vista Stakes.

So I'm in the process of moving. I have 1000 journal pages (it's like writing in a yearbook...we give them to missionaries who are leaving and stuff...it's just for fun but sometimes there's no time!) to write and I'm writing my whole MTC district for my year mark. So I have some things to get done.

Let's talk about my brithday! It was awesome. We got up and played basketball...(I heart basketball!) and though I wasn't too good it was fun. Then right before we were leaving one of the Elders said "hey we need to talk to you." and he's a zone leader so we thought something was wrong...and then all of a sudden the Elders sing "Happy Birthday" to me. :) It was nice of them, plus they're pretty good singers. Then I get back to my apartment and find sisters decorating it! It was so nice and one of my really good friends (Sister Jensen) made up a song for me to the tune of Ladies Choice on Hairspray! It was cute.
Then we got ready and studied. We went and did some contacting and talked to a lot of people and set up appointements. Then at 12 we went to The Olive Garden for my bday lunch. Sister Harwood, Havron, Dunn and Morris all were there. We had a lot of fun. Then the people came and sang Happy Brithday to me too...because Sis. Morris sneak-ily told them and they gave me a little cake thingy with a candel in it...so I was able to blow out some bday candels. We went to an appointment we had after that...and contacted some more people and then have the VC in the evening. So it was awesome. Sis. Prince (a senior sister) made me my very own ICE CREAM CAKE! (Ash, Arin, Andrew..SPICY COW!) It was so good. I got a lot of cards. And my Narnia CD came that day along with my mom's letter! Woot. Good brithday..I'd say. I'm offically 22 and counting! haha It's hard to believe I'm in my 20's ...heck it's hard to believe Ashleigh's in her 20's.

I got a little book from Valerie (my former roomie) and it has Mickey Mouse on it...I don't know why but I felt compelled to do something special with it. (you know how I love paper). So I made a new "fun book" with a couple of different sections! One is "things I want to do before I die"...or my offical TO DO list...they are things that I could actually accomplish...so I'm really going to work on it when I get home. Should be fun...if any of you want to join me in my list...help me add things!

I'm so happy to be here on my mission...among people who care about me and really show that charity that I came searching for in the first place. They're such great examples to me.
I have learned more about the Atonement then I ever thought possible in this transfer...I keep thinking of a song from the Nashville Tribute to Joseph:
"And how could He know the heartache I feel when He lived a perfect life. From Gethsemane to Calvary was it really for me that He died? Then the Spirit whispers these words ringing true..from the garden to the cross..He walked a mile in my shoes!"

He truly did! I love Him for it. I love this work. It has taught me so many amazing things. I will continue to serve Him for all of my heart, might, mind and strength for the next 6 months! I can't believe a year has passed. What an amazing year it has been.

Love, Sister Page