Hey Everyone, 

Thanks so much for the pictures and the emails, you guys are the best! It looks like Andrew had such a fun birthday, it's finally my P-Day, so something may be coming in the mail for his belated birthday soon here. I bet he was in heaven opening that cute Thomas the Train, Andrew heaven right there. :) He's sure growing up so fast, I can't believe he's three! I'm so glad Andrew came to our family, I can't even imagine our family without him now. That's exciting to see that Dad got a new car! What kind of car is it? It's very classy, I like it, good choice. I'm so happy for Michael, he got Mrs. Bremer?! That's so exciting, I bet he's going to have such an incredible year- she sounds like an incredible teacher! What a blessing, now he can have the best of both worlds - a great teacher, and a fun experience with all the great activities at Kaysville elementary. I'm so happy for him! I can't believe Natalie is off to Boston... How exciting! It was sure fun to see the darling way Colton asked Rachel to homecoming! How fun, you guys will have to keep me posted on how she answers him. Also, I loved the story about the Black's they sound like an incredible family! 

So to answer your questions

1. Brother Dalton's referral isn't in my area, I am hoping to talk to the mission president at our next zone meeting. Which should be coming very soon here. 

2. We get to attend the temple every other transfer, (a transfer happens every 6 weeks) I got to go with my companion today, the Spokane Temple is so beautiful! I loved the new film as well, it was so touching and I felt like you could connect more with the characters. It was incredible, and I felt I gained much more insight from it! 

3.  Thanks so much Mom, you are so sweet! I would love that actually... If you could possibly send me the corduroy skirt (in the green tub in my room) and the Polka-dot skirt with the pink flowers, (Should be in my closet on the shelf on the left hand side) and maybe one more shirt for P-Day, (possibly my favorite blue with the beads, that would be wonderful!) If you can't find some of them, no worries. Thanks so much! You are wonderful!

Anyway, this week has sure been wonderful! So fun trivia for you about Washington... There is a huge population of Russian people here, so some of the billboards are written in Russian! It's so neat. Also, Washington is known as the land of meat and potatoes. Everyone here feeds us meat and well, you probably guessed, potatoes. haha. It's delicious, but sometimes it's a little taxing afterwards while I'm biking. Something else fun about this week. We teach a less active couple- Lynn and Dianne Ellsworth, the husband Lynn makes Electric guitars, and actually made a guitar for Eddie Vanhalen, and he also created the world's biggest guitar and it was in the Guiness Book of World records for awhile. How neat is that?! 

Now for the spiritual side of things, this week I have learned so much! At all of our meetings this week we have talked about the Atonement. I've come to realize that everything about the gospel is possible because of the atonement. The most important part about the Restoration is the fact that through it we have access to the atonement, in the plan of salvation if it weren't for the Atonement we couldn't get back to Heavenly Father. I've known these things my whole life, but as a missionary, I feel I am actually coming to know them for the first time. It's amazing that you can learn something, but as you delve in deeper we can receive even further revelation. I got emotional during my studies, I've never really fully understood how incredible these truths are.... Just the fact that we can eternally progress if we constantly emulate the atonement each day. Sister Knowlton has this great analogy we use in many lessons- It goes as follows...

~ Lets say you take all your worries, all your feelings of inadequacies, things you wish you could have done better during the day, regrets, etc... and put them in a box. Now close up that box, and put it at the Saviors feet. You'll want to open that box back up to see what you left in it, but don't. Just leave that box at the Saviors feet, he's already paid for it. You don't have to worry about it anymore. Then the next day, try to be a little better. Just don't forget each night to leave that box at the Saviors feet. 

I love that analogy! I use it as a missionary each day, I wish I would've talked to everyone, and I'm still not perfect, sometimes I wish I could have a chance to give a lesson over again. I know that in our daily lives, if we give that box to the Savior each night, he'll help us carry it. I read this life changing talk by Elder David A. Bednar, called "The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality" we have shared it with many of those we've taught this week. Whenever I used to think about the atonement, I thought about it forgiveness of sins. It is the forgiveness of our sins, but there is another incredible part of the atonement I didn't really recognize before. That part is enabling power. It's incredible, in Elder Bednars Talk- "The Lord desires, through his atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost to live in us- not only to direct us but also to empower us." another of my favorite exerts from the talk reads, " The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity." It's incredible that we can be strengthened beyond our own capacity! I have felt this on my mission, as I've biked up a huge hill and felt exhausted I pray for strength and he helps me make it! I know that he can give us strength to do and overcome any challenge we may face. 

As for experiences this week, we are still teaching the White's and things are going great! Thank you for your prayers for them. Also, we are teaching this wonderful family- The Abrams they are a couple in their 30's Jeremy and Natsuko (she is from Japan) and they have two darling kids named Tiffany (Age 11) and Dominique (Age 10). Sister Knowlton has been teaching them for awhile, and they are doing really well. We taught them about tithing and we had a bag of marshmallows and we gave them 10 marshmallows and asked for one back, and then we read Malachi 3:10 it talks about how as we pay tithing the windows of heaven will be opened and there won't be room enough to receive it. After we read that scripture we had cute little Tiffany hold her hands open, and we poured out the whole bag of Marshmallows. It's so true though, that with tithing, in reality we get back all that we give to the Lord. Through our Beautiful Temples, Church Buildings, Activities, etc... It's amazing, so the Lord gives back to us as we give to him. 

Also, tender mercy of the day. Today it's my friend Sister Hood's Birthday, and we went out to lunch to this cute Mongolian Barbeque restaurant, called Hu Hot. Funny name right? Anyway as we went to pay, our waiter told us that a gentleman who'd already left had paid for our meal! There were about 10 of us there and he'd paid for all of us, I was so touched. We didn't even get to thank him... But I was so grateful, what a wonderful man. It's amazing, I see little tender mercies here every day. The Lord's hand is in everything. 

Anyway, my testimony is growing so much on this mission. It's such been such an incredible experience, and I've only been here a little over a month. 

I love you all so much, I'm sure grateful to have such a wonderful family! 

I hope you guys have a wonderful week! 

Love Always, 

Sister Sarah Clark 

August 19, 2013

Hey Everyone, 

Thanks so much for all of your emails and letters this week. They mean so much to me, and always come at the perfect time. Although we do meet many people who are interested in the gospel, there are also many who don't want anything to do with us, and they let us know. So thank-you so much for your wonderful letters and emails, they've sure helped cheer me up during the hard times. I have had many incredible experiences that definitely outweigh the difficult experiences. Mission work is not easy, but after several no's, the yes's are such a wonderful blessing. I've realized how much I need Heavenly Father, and that this is his work, and all I can do is my best, and then I need to leave the rest to him. I've realized in life that even if we serve and others don't appreciate what you do, the Lord still appreciates your service, and in the end it is him that we are serving. 

I'm so glad to hear about all the fun things you are doing! Park City, Family Parties, Back to school shopping, how fun! I'm sorry to hear Michael and Andrew aren't doing so well though... I'll keep them in my prayers.. Yeah, hopefully the doctors will find a solution for Michael, allergies are the worst... I can't believe everyone is going to be starting school here so soon! So, did Michael end up deciding on going to Kaysville or is he going back to Jefferson Academy? This is the milestone year, Rachel is a senior, and Michael is going to be in 6th grade, Josh is more than half way through with junior high, and Andrew is almost three, where has the time gone? 

Okay, so I have some funny stories that I think might give you all a good laugh. So my companion Sister Knowlton is such a great missionary, she even teaches lessons in her sleep at 3a.m. the other night I woke up to her talking in her sleep teaching the restoration haha. There is never a dull moment, she always keeps me laughing. So I thought I'd share some of her great jokes with you! 

~ A set of identical twins were born in Mexico, and their mom wasn't able to take care of them so she gave them up for adoption. The two twins were named Juan and Jamal (pronounced Ha-Mall). The woman who adopted Juan was sitting in her living room flipping through Juan's scrapbook, she called in her husband to talk. She said, "Oh, honey, I really wish we could see a picture of Juan's twin Jamal..." Her husband replied, "Well if you've seen Juan, you've seen Jamal." 

~ Do you get it? Pretty funny right? Haha :) 

That's so neat a new family just moved in! What a great missionary opportunity, I never realized how important member missionaries were until now. After working with the ward council and ward missionaries, it's so neat to see how loved a family feels when they are welcomed by the ward. As missionaries we always hope the ward will give our investigators a warm welcome. The other day I tried to put myself in the shoes of a new investigator coming in to church for the first time, not knowing what to expect, and then having people just warmly welcome me. I feel that that's what Christ would do if he were there at church is make sure they felt loved and had friends. When I get back home I want to be a much better member missionary, I've come to realize that members are just as important, or maybe even more important than the missionaries. So what a neat opportunity! Friendship can seriously change lives, that's one of the most incredible lessons I've learned is how much we can bless and influence others lives because we have the light of Christ within us, and others can see that and they want that in their lives. 

Well, this week has been incredible! We met a man named Warren while we were out riding our bikes. He was carrying his groceries back to his apartment, and we asked if we could walk with him and he gladly but hesitantly agreed. As we talked with him, we learned that he had dealt with liver cancer for the past two years, and he said it had made him stronger and had made him think more about God and what would happen after this life. It was a pretty quiet walk, yet right when we started talking about The Restoration, suddenly a wave of loud noises came through! An ice-cream man drove by, a huge loud group of children came by on bikes, and 3 other cars passed. It hit me that the adversary knew how much this message could help and bless Warren's life. We asked if we could walk with him to his apartment, and a few moments later the loud noise died down. As we told him about Joseph Smith, and that God restored his church through Joseph, there was a light that came to his eyes. As Sister Knowlton got out a Book of Mormon, his interested had been sparked. He looked longingly at the book, and we told him it was the guide to finding peace in his life at that it was a book that could help him feel God's love more strongly than ever in his life. It is so incredibly that the Book of Mormon constantly talks of the Atonement, and how those in the Book of Mormon use the Atonement. So many people don't understand that using the Atonement is God's greatest gift to us. As we told him of this and gave him a Book of Mormon, he thanked us very sincerely. I felt so happy being able to share this with him. He'd been re-searching many religions, and doesn't belong to a particular denomination. We gave him our number, so we are praying that his interest will be kindled, and that he'll want to know more, so keep Warren in your prayers... 

Another incredible experience, was teaching Barry and Lori White about the Book of Mormon, and the Restoration. The lesson went wonderfully, and I felt the spirit so strong! I felt the words they needed to hear flow through me. After we were done teaching I knew we had had divine help during that lesson. It's amazing, I have learned so much about relying on the Lord... I know we couldn't do this work without his help. 

Also, yesterday we met a very devout Catholic woman. We just started talking to her and her husband in Casual conversation and knew we couldn't help them much because they were so set in their ways. Then I felt inspired to ask her if she'd done much of her family history. She said she hadn't done much and would love to learn more. I felt the spirit so strongly and we gave her a pass-a-long card with the address to the family history center. If it weren't for the spirit, I wouldn't have known that family history would have touched her heart in that way. I felt that maybe as we were talking about family history, her ancestors could have been there with us touching her heart. That thought came to my mind as we were speaking with her. 

So, just a thought I feel I should share this week... My perspective on the scriptures has changed so much! I heard the other day in our zone conference that as we read the scriptures and gain new insights that it's you that changes, not the scriptures. As we grow, we gain can learn more in depth. It's crazy, I've known these things my whole life... but as I've studied I feel I'm learning these concepts for the first time, I'm just understanding how important they really are. As I learn more about the What, and the Why of the commandments, and the incredible blessings that come... I've become emotional realizing that the commandments are given to us as loving guidelines, and there is always an incredible blessing for every commandment we keep... So my perspective on the mission rules has changed so much... 

Anyway, It's fun to hear from all of you! I love you all so much, and miss you! 

Love, 

Sarah

MTC District

Sarah at the Provo Temple with her 2 MTC mission companions, Sister Gifford and Sister Richardson- the Elders in their District called them the Tri-force.

Sister Sarah Clark & Sister Kylee Mahlstede at the Provo Temple July 2013

Sister Knowlton & Sarah in Veradale, Washington in Spokane Valley

Sarah's Washington District- August 2013

August 12, 2013

Hey Everyone, 

It's so fun to see all the pictures of what you're all up to each  week! I especially loved the pictures of Andrew and Josh with the Mohawks, and Andrew holding the cute little puppy! Those pictures made my whole day! I'm glad to see and hear you're all having so much fun! I miss you guys... It's so fun to be able to keep in touch, it almost feels like I get to be with you when I see those pictures and read all of your emails! I'm so sorry I haven't been very responsive to all your emails. We don't get much time to email, and after I read all of them, and write the mission president I don't have much time.. But I sure appreciate all of them. Thank- you all for your love, support, and kind words. After I wrote last, I hadn't had a chance to open that package yet, I sure enjoyed opening all of your sweet letters, and I loved the "Sunshine" package! It really did bring sunshine on that rainy day that I opened it! So thank you again, You'll have to tell the Winkelman's I loved their letters as well! Also Mom, thank you so much for sending that shoe polish, my shoes look so nice again, they look brand new again! So thank-you for everything! 

This week was so much fun, we had a cute girl named Monica Allen come stay with us, she is Martialese and she came on what they call a "Mini-Mission" and she was about 4'11" so we called her our mini missionary. We had a lot of fun with her this week, she kind of looked like Raven Symone, and had a similar personality as well, she was so funny. Whenever she agreed with us, We loved having her with us, she got to see the 24/7 side of missionary work. She's a convert, and had such a sweet testimony. So that was a fun surprise this week!

Anyway, this week has been incredible! I have learned so much this week, and I have seen so many miracles! This week we started biking, we share our car with another set of Sisters. I didn't have the best attitude at first, The weather is quite warm here, and there are several hills, and biking in a skirt isn't the easiest task. Yet, ever since we began biking, I feel since we have been sacrificing a little more God has been blessing us more. On a bike, it's so much easier to talk to people! While we were biking home one night, we saw a man and a boy sitting on the curb. We stopped to talk to them, and we came to learn that the young boy Dakota was homeless, and the man- Berry was trying to help him out. We didn't know what to say at first... I was wishing we could just pull out a solution and tell him of a place he could stay... We just talked and listened.. We got on the subject of religion, and began to ask Berry about his faith. He said that he was adventist, and that he was thinking of starting his own church. I felt prompted to ask Berry if he had ever wondered why there are so many churches... He sat there and thought for a minute, then he answered and said he wasn't sure, but that everyone had their own way of drawing nearer to God, and that God was just happy that they were. Sister Knowlton and I went on to teach him about the restoration, and then we taught him about that the fullness of truth has been restored, and we went on to talk about the Book of Mormon. I felt my mouth was filled as I told him that prophets in the America's saw our day, and were inspired by God to write about what would bless in our times. I felt the spirit so strongly as we taught Berry. He told us he is about to be baptized as an Adventist, but that he's going to take into consideration the Book of Mormon, and wait to be baptized as an Adventist. It was so touching to see his heart softened as we spoke to him. We later learned that he is a famous country singer, Berry White! You'll have to google him! His wife came out to call him in for dinner, and we came to learn that she teaches at Central Valley High School, and she said, The LDS kids are what make CV High Great! It was touching to hear that those LDS kids have been such great examples, It's incredible that people do watch for our example, and it does have an impact on them. 

Something I've realized this week, is that we have the power to be influences, no matter where we are in life. We don't have to be missionaries to be an influence. We have the power to speak kind words and recognize the good in others and validate them. We can help those in our lives desire to be better people. When we become better people, we are using the atonement and coming closer to Jesus Christ. So I know each of you has an incredible influence for good, and I know Heavenly Father puts people in our paths for a reason. I love the quote, you were born with the ability to change someone's life, don't forget that. 

Another neat story I feel I should share is a story about Ann. She is the woman we teach that lives in the Mirabeau Home- The Adult Home. She lost her wallet about a week ago, and we felt impressed to teach her about prayer. We encouraged her each day to pray that she could find her wallet. She said she'd been praying but day after day, she still hadn't found it. Come Friday, we felt inspired to share a scripture about miracles. Mormon 9: 19-21 It's one of my favorites! Anyway, it goes on to say in verse 21- " Whoso Believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him." Afterwards she said, "Oh, good news! I forgot to tell you I found my wallet in the transit lost and found!" she was overjoyed and so were we. Usually the bus transit lost and found throws away their finds after a few days, so it truly was a miracle her wallet was still there. It was just such a testimony to me of prayer. Heavenly Father doesn't always answer our prayers right away, sometimes he waits to see if we'll trust in him. I know Heavenly Father will always answer our prayers. 

Anyway, There are so many incredible stories I could share with you... But here's a little glimpse of my week. 

I love you all and I'm so glad to hear you're doing well! I hope you all have a great week!

Love Always, 

Sarah 

August 5, 2013

 

Well this week has been so eventful, I moved into my first area. It's a few blocks away from the Spokane temple, the city is called Evergreen and it lives up to its name. There are gorgeous Evergreen tree's everywhere you look! We live with this cute Elderly woman Sister Mulloy. She's a sassy little old lady, we love her! She was a convert to the church and she told us her conversion story, and she said the missionaries just came in and threw her coffee away, but she was glad they helped her overcome her struggles. We live in her basement, it's like we have our own cute apartment it's wonderful! I got a wonderful companion, her name is Sister Knowlton. We clicked right off, she actually went to Utah State this last year as well, her first name is Sarah, and we are so much alike. I just love her! She is originally from Preston, Idaho and she went to Preston High (The High School where the movie 'Napoleon Dynamite' was filmed) and what gave me a good laugh was to learn that she worked moving chickens, the same job Napoleon has in the film. I got a kick out of that. :) Anyway, she is such a sweet girl, and a wonderful trainer, I got so lucky. She is so organized, and has helped me so much in smoothly transitioning into the mission field.

This week our work has consisted of working with less actives, and visiting them and encouraging them to come back to church. We have also been teaching a few investigators. We visit one woman at an adult home, (a place where those who are struggling because they are out of work, or struggling with other issues can come stay until they can get back on there feet again.) We teach a woman named Ann, and she has been going through many struggles... We were able to teach her that she has a father in Heaven who loves her and wants to hear from her. Ann is kind of distant, she is mentally there, but I feel she must have struggles mentally. Yet, It's so neat to see light come into her eyes when we visit her. We've taught her about Faith, and the Restoration, and we visit her daily. My favorite moment this week was when we helped Ann clean her room so she could feel the spirit. We told her we'd help her clean, so the spirit could be there. After we helped her clean we taught her about the Holy Ghost and how it could comfort her, teach her, and help her know of the truth of the Book of Mormon. After the lesson, and helping her she was so happy. Later during the week, we invited her to be baptized, and she is now on date! We are so excited for her! We are also teaching a man named Levi, and he is Christian, and he used to be Omish, so he has searched and searched for truth. When we read the Book of Mormon, he says he knows it's good, and that it motivates him to become better,  yet he thinks someone just copied the bible, and put it together in a different order to create the Book of Mormon. He started bible bashing with us one night, and I felt we needed to drop him. Yet, we went to give him a lesson on faith,and how we have to keep an open heart the spirit can let us know the truth of all things. Lately, my favorite scripture is Alma 32: 27-37. Just that through faith, it starts out small just like a seed but if we nourish that seed daily, we can gain that deeply rooted testimony. Yet we have to remember to nourish it every day by reading the scriptures. 

One of the less actives we teach in particular has strengthened my testimony of the gospel incredibly! His name is Max, he is about 60 years old. He has been through a lot... He served in Vietnam, and ever since to rid the memories he began drinking. (Don't worry Mom, we only visit him when we can take a member with us.) But Max has had so many trials, his girlfriend stole his car, and he is so hooked on cigarettes and beer. He really does have the desire to change. He used to start drinking at 8 a.m. and now he doesn't drink till 4p.m. I really believe in the power of prayer. We pray for him all the time, and he is improving! He even came to church this Sunday! From Max, I have watched and have seen that drugs really over take your whole life. It breaks my heart.... But I know that if Heavenly Father can part the Red Sea, he can help Max overcome his addictions. 

Anyway, we seriously have an incredible ward! They have all signed up for a 40 day fast, so each family has taken one day for the next 40 days to fast that missionary work will progress. After there day of fasting, they have us over for dinner, and we break the fast with them, and share a message about missionary work with them, we have asked them to pray about who they could share our message with, and some of the kids have even wanted to help out in the missionary work. I was so touched when we were brainstorming idea's, one little boy said he was going to invite his non member friend to scouts, and one young girl said she was going to invite her friend to girls camp! I sure love the ward here! So fun story, my Bishop, Bishop Clark is related to Ezra T. Clark! So we are somehow distantly related to him! Also, the other night we had dinner with the Jensen's and they used to live in the same ward as the Gregory's and the Jensen's! What a small world! 

Anyway, I love mission work, it's a lot of hard work but it's sure neat to see how the gospel touches others. 

Hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you all so much!

Love, Sarah 

Sister Sarah Clark arrived in Spokane Washington on Monday, July 29th.  She was one of 39 new missionaries to join President and Sister Mullen that day.

President & Sister Mullen with Sarah

Sister Knowlton & Sister Clark

31 July 2013

 

Dear Brother and Sister Clark,

 

I was pleased to welcome your daughter, Sister Clark to the Washington Spokane Mission this week.  I’m happy to report that she arrived safely.  I had the privilege of meeting and associating with her the day of her arrival and note that it is evident that she comes with a great desire to serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Sister Clark understands the role of the Holy Ghost in accomplishing the work here in the Washington Spokane Mission and has committed to live worthy of that power.

     

After prayerful consideration, I have called Sister Knowlton to serve as Sister Clark’s companion in the Spokane Valley, Washington area.  It is our objective to call only the best missionaries to serve as trainers and I believe that your daughter is in excellent hands.  We expect that your missionary will serve in this area for the next 6 to 12 weeks as she begins her mission.

 

I have attached photographs of your missionary and assure you that Sister Mullen and I will love Sister Clark.  Our great desire is that her time here will further establish her on the path of righteousness, as well as bless the many people she will serve.

 

Attached are the new updated recommended guidelines we have for parents.  These guidelines are based on many years of accumulated missionary experience, especially those guidelines concerning personal contact with your missionary. Sister Clark needs your good example.  I sincerely request that you consider them for the benefit of your daughter and her fellow missionaries.

 

The mission has a website where you can see what is happening in the mission.  Go to:  washingtonspokanemission.wordpress.com

 

You can send mail to your daughter at:

 

Sister Sarah Clark

15418 East 24^th Street

Veradale, Washington 99037

 

Thank you so much for sharing Sister Clark with us. 

 

Sincerely,

Donald E. Mullen, President

WASHINGTON SPOKANE MISSION

Sarah was set apart as a missionary on Tuesday, July 16th by President Doug Aagard (President Brown had a biking accident earlier that day & was unable to make it.)  Sarah was promised great blessings during her service as a missionary.



Our family at the Provo temple shortly before dropping her off at the MTC.

What a fun surprise for Sarah to be greeted by Madi Brophy-a friend of hers from our Stake that she went to High School with.  It seemed so much easier to drop her off with Madi walking her in.
 

July 24, 2013

 

So, I sure got two wonderful companions, not many people get two companions. It's been really fun I sure love them both, it's pretty funny, the elder's in our district call us the tri-force. So that first night when I wrote you that letter I actually wrote my companion's name incorrectly it's actually Sister Richardson and Sister Gifford. Sister Richardson is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and like I said earlier she played for BYU's Rugby team (pretty awesome right?) and she is so sweet, she's 23, and I love her to death! Then there's Sister Gifford, she's from Lubbock, Texas and she wants to be an accounting major, and she's a a sweet girl. It was hard at first to call everyone Sister at first. Then it really touched me to think about it and realize that we are all brothers and sisters. We are all children of God. On another note, Sister Richardson, Sister Gifford and I are the only three Sisters in our district. I have come to love my district so much, they are your family in the MTC, we spend almost every hour together. Some fun facts about my district- Elder Cenatiempo (we call him Elder Dinner Time haha) plays baseball for BYU, and I have known one of the elders since 7th grade- Elder Hollingsworth.

Anyway, you know how everyone says that Disney Land is the Happiest place on Earth? Well, they haven't been to the MTC, everyone here is so kind, and you can feel the spirit incredibly strong here. I think what really brings the spirit so strong is that we pray before everything we do. I've learned here, that the spirit really is our teacher, and if we pray to have the spirit to be with us, we will be guided in everything we do. It's neat we've been able to teach investigators, (we don't have the knowledge of whether they are a member, or someone truly investigating the church) we teach a two women, and we come up with what we will teach them on our own. As me and my companions pray, the spirit has really guided us in knowing what to teach. We teach a lesson that we feel will help them draw closer to Christ in their lives. I truly have felt love for these women we have taught, and it's neat to think how it must feel to learn that you are a child of God for the first time, it's neat to see the light that comes to their eyes as we teach them this. 

In almost every one of our lessons we talk about how when we grow in our relationship with God, we flourish in our other relationships. This is why the gospel blesses families so much. We also talked about how Christ is central to every single lesson in Preach My Gospel, and that the Atonement is the key to everything! I absolutely love the scripture 2 Nephi 31: 16-18.  It talks about how Baptism is the gate to becoming closer to God, and once we enter baptism this is the way we start on our path to feeling God's love and getting back to him. This is why we ask investigators about baptism so early on, so that they can enter onto that path of feeling joy and that they can get on the path back to their loving Heavenly Father. 

My favorite day by far this week was Sunday. We listened to a devotional that was given by David A. Bednar about two years ago on Christmas day at the MTC. It seriously changed my whole perspective. It's interesting that you can hear the same simple truth over and over, and still not fully grasp it. He talked in the devotional about overcoming the natural man by turning outward. He said that in life there will be times when we feel sorry for ourselves and get caught up in our own problems and we feel sorrow. He talked about Christ's amazing example of turning outward, he told of the man who had his ear cut off when Christ's friends had betrayed him, and how Christ could have had the attitude of feeling sorry for himself, but instead he healed the man's ear. He asked how we would feel if our friends had betrayed us, would we be thinking of others? Then he told of how while Christ was suffering on the cross he was doing mission work talking to the other two men who were going to be crucified. Then he told this story of a woman who was a relief society president, and she lost her daughter to a car crash. During the day of her daughter's funeral a woman from her ward who was sick called and chewed her out for not sending a meal to her home. On the way to her own daughter's funeral, she brought the woman a bowl of soup. I was so touched to hear of her incredible example. I think I tend to get caught up in my own problems, this really made me want to be better. I decided the mantra for my mission will be - "Turn Outward". I was praying that I could find a way to forget myself, and focus on my mission. This talk was definitely my answer to my prayers. 

It was so fun, on Sunday I saw Kylee Mahlstede, Dallin Wright, Bradley Gregory, and so many of my friends from college and high school! It's been so fun to see so many familiar faces. :) Well, I sure love you guys, and I'm so glad to hear you're all doing so well. I look forward to hearing from you again next week! 

Have a wonderful week, and Happy Pioneer Day! 

Love, 

           Sarah