The Three O's... Got to Love 'Em

Letter dated February 10, 2010

I love you all more than a bucketful of juicy red tomatoes on a warm summer's day! (If you know how much I love tomatoes you'd know that that's real love right there! :) )

Wanted to thank you all for your endless support, love, and prayers that are always offered in behalf of the work that we are a part of and the people that we are teaching. The power of prayer is incredible! Please keep on praying for others---- don't ever stop!

Where does the time go? It seems like it was just P-day yesterday------- too quick------

What a diverse and wonderful week we had full of its various ups and downs! :) Last Thursday we went to visit one of our sweet less active sisters for the first time who lives in a small apartment complex. At the end of our lesson, we asked if there was anyone else that could benefit from the message that we shared, and she directed us to her neighbor, L. Well, we went on to teach L and she accepted our message and wanted to be taught again. Well she then led us to D, who wanted the gospel as well.... and D lead us to B, who is definitely prepared to receive this message.... and then she led us to C, who was a little occupied.... but we found out he's been taught before by the Elders months ago and ended up moving....so we sent the new Elders over to go teach, and he and his family are now being taught the Gospel as well! :) Isn't the Lord amazing? Everything seems to always be a chain reaction. What I want to emphasize from this experience is that you never know whom of those you know are ready to receive the gospel. Don't be afraid to share the gospel with them- open your mouths- do them a favor by helping them find the same happiness that you have in your life. Utilize the missionaries! You as members are blessed to be the full-time finders and the missionaries to be the full-time teachers. Let's help each other out in this process! :)

A lot of opposition as well- if not, it would be too easy :) .... four of our investigators that we have very high hopes for, ended up going to a different church on Sunday and wouldn't answer our phone calls for awhile---- that's alright---- the Lord will help us know their needs and what we need to do..... He always does. But, on the good side of things, on Sunday we had three of our less-active families that we've been working with come to church and loved being there! :) Yay!

Right now our little Branch is struggling a lot with even having enough members to come to church and are having a lot of problems amongst themselves---- our Branch is starting to slowly disintegrate--- lots of families leaving because of being offended. (It seems like that has been one of the greatest trials here amongst the people we've worked with during our mission.... focusing a lot on building up our wards and branches and doing all that we can to bring them back into the fold.) We have about 20-30 active members who regularly attend (including children above the age of 8).... soooo..... a little bit of work to do, but we're doing all that we can and are striving to go about doing it in the Lord's way- He is the only one who can help at this time. Quite the process--- but the miracles will come... work hard... patience... work hard... patience.... TRUST IN THE LORD. All will be well! :)

This brings me to the motto of my mission that I've now adopted as my own personal creed:
"Oposition faced with Optimism always brings about great Opportunity"
.... the 3 O's :) love it, live it, apply it now!

I love you all dearly and pray for each of you and your specific needs each and every day... don't forget the power of prayer. Remember that the Lord loves you and will never give you a trial that you cannot overcome with His help. Let Him guide you.