June 27

My companion says hello back. This past week has been filled with mostly walking and service. As our teaching pool has gone down, we have been trying to find new investigators by talking to everyone we see. I think the highlight of this week though has been the walls of less actives that we have been breaking down. A big problem out here is keeping the Word of Wisdom. It seems to be that the majority of the residents keep cigarettes on hand. But this past week we have had two members express their earnest desires to quit smoking. One has agreed to take lessons on stopping smoking with us, and the other asked for a priesthood blessing. It was her first blessing in  over a year. We also are teaching the Warnberg family. The dad hasn't attended church since he was 18, and we were able to break down some walls with him as well with answering questions he's held on to for years. The kids are excited for baptism. Them and their mom just need to figure out for themselves if they know the church is true. We are going to try to give them a baptismal date tomorrow! Although things are crazy, I know that the Lord's work will go forth. We are just trying to be as obedient and diligent as we can be.

June 20

But something I forgot, was my experiences on the first day. First off, my mission president and his wife are amazing! Sadly tho, this mission is getting a new president soon. But anywho, the first day we got to see the temple, and the coast. My favorite part was getting to spend some time alone at the shore to think, and then literally and figuratively burring our fears together in the sand. It was awesome!

June 20

I love and miss you so much! My first area is Willamina, Oregon, and my companion/trainer is amazing! It's sort of a hill-billy town near the coast, and apparently it mostly rains during the winter, so it's been pretty sunny. In fact, after being in the sun with my companion for five minutes, I got slightly burnt (I blame you). The people here seem to be pretty nice, besides one member who chewed us out for teacher her mother. We just told her to have a nice day, and then we avoided each other at church on Sunday. 

Besides that, we've had some pretty cool things happen. Kimber, a nine year old girl got baptized on Saturday. And one of my first lesson with Sister Ure was so exciting! She was telling this 30-40 year old man and his mom that God loves them, and he had a smirk. Sister Ure asked what he was thinking, and he said that he just felt good, like a warm hug. She told him that that is what the Holy Spirit feels like, and he agreed. He said he hadn't felt that in his life in a long time.

May 28

Although today was a bit stressful, it was the best day I've had at the MTC so far. We have really grown as a district, not only to each other but also to Christ and our Heavenly Father. Learning how and what to teach, and practicing on investigators and each other has invited the spirit into my heart. I love this gospel, I want to share it with others. Elder Tetreault, our district leader told us to keep in our hearts why we are here. Things can get overwhelming fast and it's important to remind yourself why you are a missionary. And although Sister Tayco would say it's the ice cream we get on Sunday and Wednesday night, we all know it's because we love Heavenly Father and others more than ourselves.I want to be bold in teaching, because this is The Only Way.

"Through the Atonement you can be blessed with Strength Beyond Your Own. If you don't think you can do something, then your right! When you lose yourself in the work of others and call upon His strength, than you can, and will" -Elder Bednar

May 31st

So much has happened lately it's been hard to find time to write. After sister Wagstaff went home I sort of placed myself in a companionship with sister Wynder and sister Tayco. They taught me so much in the day I spent with them, including planning skills and how to teach our first practice investigator.Now I'm placed in a companionship with sister Warburton and sister Roberts. I love them, but the past few days have been a bit discouraging from having to be away from class and planning so much. On Monday we took sister Roberts to the ER because of the pain she had been feeling. You'll be happy to know I haven't lost my humor though. As we were heading back to the MTC our driver mentioned that his van was ghetto. So naturally, I told him it matches his personality. Crushed by my joke, he then went on to say that he'll make sure my assignment changes to serve 18 months in Provo....I said sorry and repented.

Our first TRC was panicked, rushed, and a huge learning curve! Our second left us feeling the power of Heavenly Father's plan for us as missionaries. We had planned to teach the Plan of Salvation, but as we began, Sister Roberts started to speak about Joseph Smith. In my head, I was picturing myself throwing all our plans and resources out the door. I realized though that she was acting by a prompting from the spirit. All three of us used scriptures, personal examples and testified of the restoration and the power of prayer. It was obvious that the spirit was there with us in the room, and that it was God's plan.