Sunshine, Tiwi, and other randomness!

I actually am emailing my update with plenty of time! What?!

This week was a great one! Kitsap has become very busy it seems like we're always on the go. I love it! 

Last Monday was a typical p-day we didn't have time to do anything... ha that's the way it goes. We ran around cleaning, shopping, music practice, dinner in Seabeck, just craziness. That night was really nice and peaceful though. We decided we were going to start doing "member inspires" and had an FHE with an amazing family here where we talked about the plan of Salvation. It was really great and started my week of thoughts focused on the Atonement which continued through the whole week.

Tuesday was a way great day with VERY bipolar weather. You all know the saying "If you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes"? Yeah try if you don't like the weather wait one minute! No joke when we looked out the window in the morning there wasn't a cloud in the sky a minute later it was pouring rain. It was like that all day long. Very very unpredictable but not really because you knew the sunshine wouldn't last long. That day we also have the lesson of God being aware of each of us reinforced as we were driving and randomly felt like we should go visit someone. It turned out that person really needed someone at that moment. It was something and simple as turning instead of going straight but it was exactly what she needed. God knows each one of us and all we have to do is ask for help. He's just waiting to give it to us. But we have to ask.

Wednesday was a wonderful day! We had a very inspired Zone Conference all about studying, planning, working with the members, faith strong enough to find those prepared, grace, and communication. It was really powerful. I'd share my take aways but I forgot my notebook... :D It left me with a really strong feeling of God's love for each of us. Its a beautiful gift we're given to be missionaries. Its just as beautiful a gift to be here on the Earth. During zone conference our cars got equipped with a lovely little thing called the TIWI aka the black box. It monitors our driving and serves the purpose of helping us improve our driving as it will say to us "check your speed", "check your seat belt" "aggressive driving", etc. if our driving isn't safe enough. So far I haven't had it yell at me and I hope not to because other missionaries have told us its scary and traumatizing when it does. I think its pretty cool though that instead of just monitoring our driving to protect the cars they are more focused on improving our driving to protect us not only on the mission but for the rest of our lives (hopefully). 

Friday we ran out of Book of Mormons! It was very upsetting. We have ordered more 5 times! None of our orders have been filled. We felt like goofs going up to doors talking about the Book of Mormon and not being able to offer them one. But thankfully some people loaned us some. Hopefully we'll get some asap. 7 copies won't last long. That's one a day. Not enough. But we know that whatever happens in God's plan. It definitely stood as a testimony builder on the fact that the Book of Mormon is the key stone of our religion. I'm so grateful to have the knowledge of the Book of Mormon and its truth!

Yesterday we got to watch this way cool kid get baptized. He'd already been taught everything when Sister Liao and I took over Seabeck but it was still pretty cool to be able to watch this 11 year old boy act on his faith that was visible in his smaile and how he talks. More visible evidence of the truth! Its such a great gift!

Well that's about it for me I'll just leave you with a cool scripture to read and ponder. I may have shared it before but its a very powerful verse in my life :)

Ether 12:12

 12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

ALSO Birthday shout outs to my goofy brother Harrison (You're so OLD) and to an eternal best friend of mine, Erica Sandau! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Love you all,

Sorry I never have time!

It seriously feels like every day goes faster and faster! It freaks me out! There's never enough time for anything!

This past week was exhausting! I'm pretty sure I'm out cold before my head has hit the pillow!

This past week was so great as we saw many miracles. I love serving with Sister Liao. She's such an entertaining little spiritual powerhouse. We study English in the morning and I've learned a lot from her. Every minute is a learning experience. One of my favorite quotes from her this week was with our Bishop's wife

Sister Batschi: "Do you have contractions in Chinese?" (referring to can't, don't, etc)

Sister Liao: "Contractions? Like having a baby?!"

Haha! Never a dull moment! Its so fun. Her English is actually better than most Americans I know.

We had an amazing experience with a young 18 year old boy who my previous companion and I begun teaching a little while ago. As we taught this young man about the plan God has for His children (aka all of us) you could see the hope and light of Christ begin to glow in his face. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted! The best part of it all is that he then came to church Sunday and he paid better attention than pretty much everyone else! It was so cool! Through texting later he told us he had really enjoyed church and it had felt really good (aka he felt the spirit!). He then told us to continue texting him scriptures to read and that he looked forward to church next week!

Its so amazing watching God at work! I love this time in the WA-TAC and am grateful to have the gospel in my life.

Again sorry this is so short but I have to go! Love you all! I've type the update first next week :D

Kitsea and Conference!

How has another week gone by?! Time is flying insanely fast!

Anyway this week was very BUSY. We finished our running around, etc for Sister Combs's departure from Kitsap on Monday and then Tuesday we drove to Tacoma for transfer meeting. While driving there we were getting close to crossing the narrows bridge when we saw a sign informing us that there were high winds crossing the bridge. That made me a little nervous but we said a prayer and crossed the bridge. It was a testimony builder because as I drove I could feel the wind hitting the car but it didn't seem to cause a push or anything like other times I've experienced wind. Goes to show you our loving Heavenly Father answers our prayers.  We get to transfer meeting and we swap companions. I LOVE Sister Liao! She is so great. She's just a fun loving great missionary!

We spend every other day in Kitsap and the other days in Seabeck. They are two totally different worlds even though they're right next to each other. Seabeck is made up of more boonie type streets with lots of walking between house and Kitsap is more close together and you never know what'll be behind those doors. Its very entertaining. Never a boring day!

General Conference was AMAZING! I loved Elder Anderson's talk when he said "I can teach you to dance but you have to learn how to hear the music" (very roughly quoted). Its so true! We must each learn in our own way to hear the spirit so that we can fully live the gospel. It such a wonderful gift from God to be able to listen to the prophet and apostles!

Something that we've encountered this week was people trying to tell us that we don't need a prophet and that by believing that we have one we aren't worshipping the true God. I love these instances because they present to opportunity to ask God Himself to confirm the truth to me. Its such a wonderful blessing that God allows us to bear testimony that its true that we don't need a prophet to communicate with God but that a prophet is needed for us to gain even more inspiration and understanding of our divine potential and who God is. The thing people don't seem to understand is that the Prophet is there to teach the truth and to call our attention to areas in life that we may face challenges (such as the conflicts with the sacredness of marriage and families or cell phone use in church). It is OUR personal responsibility to listen to what the prophet and apostles teach and then to study and search it out for ourselves and to ASK GOD for permission. The prophet is a gift to the world to help us pay attention to the things that may otherwise slip into our lives without notice until its too late. The prophets serve as servants of the Lord and as such are here to serve and not to have power or influence over people. It is such a wonderful gift to have the knowledge that God works the same way today as He did in the times of the Bible. Having a living modern day prophet helps us to know this fact.

I am so grateful for the love our Heavenly Father has for us that He expresses by giving us a prophet to hear Him speak to us through and to have the words of past prophets in the Bible and Book of Mormon. Its is amazing.

Well that's about all I can think to share this week. The sun is shining here as I hope it is for all of you! Until next week take care!

Love,

The Sun is Out and Kitsap Lake is Becoming Kitsea!

Well! Another wonderful week has come and gone in the blessed land of Kitsap Lake! How am I entering transfer 7?! Time is flying by! Its so crazy! 

We were privileged this week to witness the very special baptism of our precious little Knotia. She's so great. She was beaming as she was interviewed by our District Leader. The first thing he asked her was who was God and she eagerly answered "My dad" and when he asked her if she believed Jesus was her Savior she said yes without hesitation then all of a sudden she became shy when he asked who President Monson was. We were in the room but we aren't allowed/wouldn't say anything. Elder Weber allowed us to give her one reminder so we wiggled our ears and she knew exactly who he was after that. It was so cute! She was so excited to be baptized that after he told her she was ready she practically danced in her seat. We joked with her that maybe we should move her baptism two weeks out and she literally shook our shoulders and told us that wasn't going to happen haha! The next day was her baptism! When she walked out in her little white jump suit I'm pretty sure everyone's heart melted. Mine sure did. She is just so precious and loving and strong. The greatest part of the whole thing for her was that her mum made it! When little Tia found out her mum was coming she stood by the doors and watched for her for 30 minutes until she came! After her baptism she informed her mum she was next! It was so great! I could ramble on and on about how much I love this little girl and how marvelous of an experience that was but sadly time and words won't allow me to. I'll just leave it with this Knotia is an example of pure love, strength, and trust in the Lord. Last night when we were talking to her after she was confirmed she informed us that all the scary images in her head we gone and happy things were there. When we asked her if she knew why she loudly proclaimed "THE HOLY GHOST". And now she's giving the closing prayer in primary the week after conference. She's amazing This gospel touches everyone who will allow it to. It is the truth. It is God's gospel given to benefit His children because He loves us. We are all His children. There isn't anything in the world that could make me believe otherwise. 

Well you all may be expecting news on transfers. I will be staying in Kitsap Lake and getting a new companion. Her name is Sister Liao (pronounced like meow but with and L). I am very excited for this transfer! Not only do we get blessed to go about sharing the gospel with the people of Kitsap Lake we are also being charged with a 2nd area and will be taking over Seabeck ward boundaries. Which is Why the title says Kitsap Lake is becoming Kitsea. The little I know about Sister Liao is that she is from Taiwan, she's been out two transfers longer than me, she was trained by the same wonderful sister that I was, and she is just a bubbly loving great missionary. I am looking forward to these next six weeks with great optimism and expecting many miracles!

I hope you all have a wonderful miracle filled week and here's my morning study insight for you all.

Alma 37:7 

 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

in the footnote for "means" it leads us to two different verses that I don't have memorized so I encourage you to go look it up and then look up the first footnote (it think its in 2 Kings) for the word SMALL. Then I want you to ask yourselves, "What small and simple means has the Lord asked of me to be a tool in progressing His work?" I promise you that if you do this prayerfully and listen to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit will help you to see what the Lord is asking of you to do. Maybe there's someone you know who needs you to invite them to an activity, to church, or to meet with the missionaries, maybe there's a stranger Heavenly Father wants you to smile at. Whatever it is if you truly study this out and ask God with the intent to act on what He tells you you will be the means for God to perform miracles in your life and the lives of countless others.

Until next week,

Love,

Exchange, Seattle Temple, and our little miracle

Wow time is flying! I've been in the WA-TAC for 8 months! It feels like so much less and so much more at the same time. Every second is so great. Monday night we went on exchanges and I went to Bainbridge Island with Sister Bishop (love her!). It was great, I think I learned the most about myself and where I'm at in my spiritual growth this exchange than any others. I was asked some very soul searching questions that I will always be seeking to understand more. We met some really interesting people and I had it reaffirmed to me that every second of every day we need to be reconfirming our testimony of the Savior. Its so great! One big take away from exchanges. Ether 12:27 says,

 "27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Notice it says weakness not weaknesses. Our weakness is that we are in imperfect mortal bodies. Everything else that we view as weaknesses is merely the tools we must use to fully rely on God. We are only weak when we aren't trusting in God.  I'd encourage each of you to evaluate yourselves. Make a list of your "weaknesses" then next to each thing you write list how that is a strength. If you can't think of how it's a strength ask God and He'll tell/probably show you.

Wednesday we went to the TEMPLE! My big take aways for you is first off, the church is without a doubt God's church restored to the Earth. Second. God has commanded us to be happy! How loving is that?! Thirdly is this time we have been given here on Earth to learn, to grow, to experience so many things (that all lead to experiencing joy) its all a gift! God's love for us is immeasurable. We are all SO blessed. I'm sure there's at least one of you that will read this and think, "how is what I'm dealing with a gift?" I'd encourage you to pray and ask God. And maybe also read one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon ( https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?lang=eng ). But if you're going to read it you have to read it open to God giving you the answers He will give not the answer you necessarily expect.

Last little thing (well only little in one way HUGE in another) is our precious little Knotia (nuh-tie-a) which some of you may remember me mentioning in past emails is getting baptized on Saturday! She is so so so precious! Words can't express then love I have for this little girl. She is such an example to me and I just pray one day I can be as brave, loving, and trusting in God as she is. This little girl literally danced when she realized she's less than a week away from making a eternity changing decision. She's stolen the hearts of everyone around and its such a blessing to be able to watch her begin her journey to Christ.

Mayhem, Rain, and OLY 4th!

I really need to start writing this email first, I'm always short on time but that's missionary life for ya! BUSY!

So this week was mostly like any other. Sort of. Tuesday we were informed that our family that was on date to be baptized was not going to be able to due to some issues that had been unknown by us and mayhem was occurring. Custody battles, hiding from the police, it was just a mess. BUT the 9 year old daughter stands as evidence to just how precious the gospel is and how it blesses us. We were over at the members home for dinner and our sweet little Knotia was practically in tears as she told us she wanted to be baptized and was upset that she couldn't be because of her mum. With the members house we got the ball rolling and got parental permission for her to continue working towards baptism as she will soon be living with the members indefinitely and they'll be getting custody of her. She will still be able to feel the blessings of the gospel and make the sacred commitments in just a short time here! Let me tell you there is nothing more precious than a sweet little girl praying and giving her heart to God.

We had a really warm week and even got into the 70s until just yesterday when Washington had to remind us where we were and down pour. Its funny how I've come to LOVE the rain.

Well I really don't have time so sorry but I will say real quick it was such an amazing weekend as we got to travel down to OLY 4th for a baptism. It was like a big family reunion. We got to see the gospel in action as we all felt the overwhelming joy of being reunited. Even for a short time! I love this gospel!!!!

I can't attach the pics. Next week!

What a great gift!

Well this week was a crazy one! I feel like time is speeding past me!

We did a lot of walking this week trying to preserve miles because its a busy month with a good bit of traveling. This allowed us to meet a lot of really interesting people. I love being able to share my testimony of the restored gospel with everyone. Its amazing to watch God work in people's lives. This past week we got to teach a lesson to a young man who claims to be atheist. At the end of our second lesson with his (we talked about the nature of God, prayer, faith, etc) we invited him to pray. Its so great to hear the prayer of someone who is rediscovering the Lord's love for him. It was such a testimony building experience to listen as he thanked Heavenly Father for things in his life. It was great to see the hope and light in his eyes after he prayed. The church is TRUE! Its such a gift!

The other night as we were getting home we got a phone call from a member who told us her 5 year old son was having a hard time because his dad had just left for a 2 year deployment. The poor little guy was feeling so alone and he remembered some past sisters taught his about God's plan for us and how He never leaves us alone. Because he remembered this he wanted to talk to the sisters. We talked to him about God's love and helped him to feel some comfort. My heart broke hearing how sad he was but it was such a great experience to here hope come into his voice. It stands as evidence that no matter your age the Lord is aware of you and is there to comfort you. I've never personally met this little boy we couldn't give him the comfort he needed but through the spirit Heavenly Father was able to give us the words to say. I know that this gospel is here to benefit each of us. I see it everyday. It blesses us personally and it blesses our families. What a gift!

We met a gentleman the other night who was trying to convince us that the church was wrong by telling us Adam and Eve had cursed us. It made me so sad to hear his perspective on life. He talked about how the pain and suffering was punishment and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my life. There are always going to be hardships in our lives but I am grateful to have the knowledge of the restored gospel that teaches us we can overcome weakness through Christ. It is through our Savior we have more hope than anyone of us could ever imagine. Its such a blessing. As we spoke a few verses came to my mind over and over again.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Alma 26:11-12,
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
Alma 26:16,
 16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
How wonderful is God?! He has such a perfect understanding to know that though times may be hard (or even painful in the moment) they will pass and leave us stronger than before. I am so grateful for His perfect understanding. I may not enjoy every minute in the moment but I cherish every challenge the Lord has blessed me in and helped me over come.
Saturday we got to have a visit with Elder Richard J. Maynes. It was amazing. He shared with us the importance of not just memorizing our purpose but living it. I left that meeting with a renewed determination to live every second fulfilling the responsibility the Lord has blessed me with.
Well I'm out of time so I've FINALLY include some pictures for you. Sorry I've slacked!