Sept 3, 2013

Dear Family,                                                                                   

I apologize for not being able to get an email to you sooner. Since yesterday was Labor Day we couldn't use the computers here at the library and we're not allowed to use the computers at the members home. So yeah. But yesterday was really fun. Brother and Sister C got permission to take us to Lake Okaboji along with some other members. Crazy name right? Evidently they are the great lakes of Iowa. It was a bummer not being able to fish or jump in the water but it was still fun to have a picnic and stick our feet in at least.  It was SO relaxing to be in nature.  Sister K and I came back refocused and ready to work even harder this week.  It was a good reminder that even though it's important to work your hardest you need to take time for yourself. No need to run faster than you have strength. 

I agree with you Dad I think we're very similar. Sometimes I do stuff or say something and I'm like. That's something my Dad would do! It just makes me laugh, and love it.  I wouldn't want to be like anyone else. Last Sunday we were given a training by the Bishop on how to improve the priesthood. I was like, Um, I don't hold the priesthood...why am I learning about this. But its focus was more on what we need to expect.  They talked about how fathers should give blessings to their children every school year. I was proud to say that I can't remember ever going to school without a priesthood blessing.  Thank you for living up to your priesthood and living worthy of it. :)  I've often been told that comparing ourselves to others is one way that Satan can get to you. I know it's been a struggle for me. I know when Satan is trying to get at me when I have the thoughts of "Oh, I need to be like this missionary or Oh, I need to develop this Christlike attribute right now." But it's inspiring as we lay our burdens at our Saviors feet because He provides a way and provides knowledge for us to overcome those thoughts and progress as an individual.

This week we were able to hear from Elder Robbins from the seventy come and speak to us for zone conference. It was incredible. He talked a little bit about that. He focused more on having a positive attitude. He said that "being of good cheer" is a commandment, and this commandment will be the commandment most broken among the Saints.  Having a positive attitude makes a huge difference in EVERYTHING. He gave an example in the scriptures In 1 Nephi 17:2, 20.  In verse 20 Laman and Lemuel gave their version of their journey. They were like it would've been better if we died. Whereas in verse 2, Nephi is like we made it, it was so great our family had plenty to eat and we were so blessed.  He also talked about murmuring.  He gave us the definition of murmuring which is more than complaining but it's complaining against the plans of God.  So that hit me because sometimes I have a tendency to be critical, not only of myself but of others and to be negative.  So that's what I've been working on is changing my thought process and attitude.  And it's making a difference. It oddly is giving me more patience and lasting peace, which is so nice! So much to learn!  He also talked a lot on Hope and how it is an abiding trust in God and confidence in God.  I've been studying Hope like crazy in Preach My Gospel and it's pretty intense you should read it.  I was asked to say the closing prayer at the end of the meeting...Scariest thing I've ever done, but I love it when the Spirit guides your thoughts and prayers. He's a great little buddy to have with you always. :)

As for work in Le Mars it's been good. This week was the hottest week in Iowa. Everyday was 95 and up plus 90% humidity. So it was awesome.  Sister K and I almost got heat exhaustion a couple of times. We've been drinking so much water.  So sometimes I look forward to the winter and then I've also been hearing that it's going to be a crazy winter...I hate snow. So this should be fun.
Another thing I learned this week is I will never EVER take self propel on a lawn mower for granted.  We mowed Brother C's lawn for him because he was stressed so we thought oh we'll do it really quick. Nope, self propel was broken. But we did it and afterwards we were out service tr-acting and we knocked on this one house and they were like yeah you can mow our lawn...and of course their lawn mower's self propel was also broken.  Needless to say we slept really good that night! And the family who let us mow their lawn turned into new investigators. :) So no fear we were rewarded.