11/18 - 12/15/14

yupp. that number is getting up there. raise your hand if you're starting to freak out? just kidding, i told myself i can't freak out about it until it starts to get warm again. (we'll see how that goes).

Hey thank you guys so much for everything you did for my birthday. it was such a good day and i'm so grateful to have so much love and support from such an amazing family. 

so this past week was one of those blur weeks. We had a few exchanges! I was able to go to Parkway with sister Robertson. She is amazing! You know those people who just radiate love and charity? That's sister Robertson. She never missed an opportunity to tell someone she loved them! and here's the great thing, she truly means it! She didn't just go around throwing i love yous on people, but she just served so many people in small ways and then she would express he love for them. I learned a lot from her. 

We also had a great Sabbath yesterday! There was so much focus on the spirit of Christmas. 

"We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a diffrence between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of ourselves-giving of the riches of the heart and mind-and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at a store,"

-James E. Foust

President Morgan sent us this quote and i just love it. I love this time of year when people are seeking to give good gifts and just express their love to others. i am constantly reminded that the gift of the restoration of the gospel is the greatest gift we could give another person, and the gift of the Atonement is the greatest gift that we've been given. So many opportunities are unfolded to us because of them. 

Since i've been out for 11 months I wanted to tell you about 11 people who have changed my mission.

1. Sister Huppi- my trainer! She set the tone of diligence and relying on the spirit for my whole mission. Those two things have changed the outcome of many situations out here, including the love i have towards my mission. 

2. The Martin Family- they are a family we were able to teach in Salem. They are still going to church and their oldest daughter is getting baptized soon and Brother Martin will be the one who baptizes her! I only hear great things about them now, how they are striving to live the gospel and become an eternal family.

3. Sadie Leavitt- my second companion! and one of my best friends. She continues to be a huge support even though she is home. We had such a fun time together and were able to see many man miracles.

4. The Beganovic family- a family i was able to teach in St Louis Hills. Oh man, teaching them was the best. We had so many laughs and spirit-filled lessons. It was amazing to watch the spirit teach them with the language barrier.  They are still doing super great, and their kids are now being taught!

5. Leona- oh man. Leona is a huge miracle on my mission. it was when we were in a lesson with her that i just knew without a doubt in my mind that i was supposed to teach her. she isn't one who just rushes into things, especially making a promise with God. She truly understood the doctrine and loved it. She was baptized a few weeks ago and i was so blessed to be able to go back to see it, her husband was able to baptize her and she was just glowing. Next step: eternal family! yay!

6. Sister 'Alofaki- with her i learned the real meaning of humility. she was so willing to learn, from the second she got there. Watching her grow has been so great.

7. Sister Christenson- the mission nurse! She has been one of my best friends out here. Her husband passed away last year and she came on a mission shortly after. She helps the missionaries so much, and we all love her. She has such a sweet spirit and is such a good example of righteous living.

8. President and Sister Morgan- part of the reason i was called to serve here in St Louis is so i could serve with them. They have so much love for the missionaries and they help us so much to live to our potential.

9. Sister Scott- well now she's Brooke. We had so much fun and she taught me a lot about the process of progression and how everything we go through in life is a part of it.

10. B & W Brown- they have a special place in my heart. Teaching families has been the biggest blessing as a missionaries and i'm so grateful for this family. they are so ready to make the right choices for their little boy. i love them.

11. Jesus Christ- more than anything i've come to know and feel what it means to have a Savior. There have been times where I've wished more than anything for someone to progress in the gospel or for someone to just listen to what we have to say, it doesn't always happen in the timing that i want, but i've come to know that there is a time for everyone and a specific love that He has for each of us. 

I'm grateful for that.