Miracles GALORE!

Hello everyone!! I hope all is well over in Utah! :) I think I'm finally starting to miss it.. Hopefully I'll get used to all the different roads and scenery over here soon.

Well this week has been jam packed full of miracles!! I cannot believe how amazing things turn out when you really work hard. Heavenly Father is just too good! 

On Tuesday we dropped our car off to a body shop to get it repaired. We still don't have it back... It's been quite the challenge getting around by foot and by rides! But we have been able to see so many tender mercies from the Lord. The reason it is in the shop is because of a hit and run accident that happened prior to me coming. Sister Cordner has had to crawl through the passenger door since I've been here because the driver's door was jammed from the accident! Crazy. So that's been our challenge this week! No car. BUT, we have a new investigator that we met while walking!!!!! 

On Wednesday, we got dropped off in a neighborhood and were going to visit a member. She wasn't home, so we decided to go tracking. We met a lot of people! We were lucky that it wasn't raining like the previous day! I made the silly silly mistake by asking one lady, "Have you ever wondered if it's the true church?" After she told us which church she went to.... Ha. Ha. Never again :) But it turned out okay. I was just very embarrassed afterwards. But then!!! As we continued to walk down the road, we saw a cute older lady walking towards us while lifting weights. As we came a little closer, she crossed the street! So we crossed the street too of course. When we approached her, she was very happy to hear what we believe! She has heard about the church a little bit, and really likes the standards we have. We talked for about 20 minutes, answering her questions and inviting her to the ward Christmas party and church. She loved getting to know us and hearing why we are on missions, etc. She is from Egypt! By the end she agreed to come to church! So we exchanged contact information and continued down the road. Sister Cordner and I were SO excited!! (As you can imagine!) And after talking to others, we saw her again! This time we gave her a Book of Mormon! We forgot the first time, and Heavenly Father gave us another chance :) Anyway, she ended up calling us on Friday, telling us that her husband said it would be great to go to the party! 

So long story short...kinda... They came to the awesome Christmas party AND church!!! We haven't even taught them yet! Heavenly Father truly does put prepared people in our path! They both loved church and said it was an amazing experience! And they brought their son (he's in his 20's) to the party. I cannot wait to start teaching them. :) 

I feel so blessed and grateful to know that Heavenly Father trusts me with teaching His gospel. 

Being at church with investigators has been such an eye-opening experience! I tried to put myself in their shoes to see how I would feel if I were there for the first time. What a coolSunday! I invite each of you to try it. It made me feel so grateful for the knowledge we have here on Earth. Even though some things seem hard to understand, the gospel is full of plain and simple truth. Heavenly Father loves YOU! And He has a perfect plan for YOU. 

There have been many more miracles throughout the week, but there's too many to write in this time. :) It has been one magical week!! 

Just some random fun things about the past week....

On Monday, Sister Cordner and I got to go help Sister Conley (our basement neighbor) pick out her Christmas tree!! That was so much fun! Along with farm fresh apple cider and homemade soft ginger cookies... Those might be my new favorite cookies for now.. ;) On Friday we helped her decorate it. So much fun holiday spirit!

Living with Brother and Sister Davis is so fun!!!! It's like living with grandparents, like I've said before probably. :) They make us yummy breakfast every so often. Brother Davis is a baker! He made the best chocolate frosting for some cake, and gave us the leftovers to put on Ritz crackers.. TRY IT. It really is delicious! 

When it rains..... It RAINS! Sometimes it's like mist, but when it starts, it goes all day! And of course it's when we don't have a car... ;) But it's been fun!! 

On Friday, we had dinner at a nonmember's house! She has taken the discussions from missionaries a long time ago, but didn't get baptized because her husband didn't let her. She has a lot of member friends. She is from Kenya Africa!! After we ate, we asked her if she would be taught again, and she said yes!! Sister Parker (from the ward, and her long time friend) was shocked that she agreed! :) Sister Parker told us that Fidelis (the nonmember) thinks we are so bubbly and fun compared to other missionaries she has had for dinner. Woo! :) When I was sitting at the table, it was cool to think "I'm sitting at a table with women from Bolivia, Argentina, and Kenya!" (Sis Parker is from Argentina and Fidelis had another member friend over). My mission has people from everywhere!!! Pretty cool. :)

With Christmas coming up....

I hope you ALL know about the video He is the Gift! AND those pass-along cards in the Ensign! Yes, I know many people in Utah are members..but I challenge you all to give out at least one to someone you pass by in the store, or at school. As missionaries, we give out SO MANY! The video is absolutely amazing. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has given each of us His son. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and for the love and comfort I receive through his atoning sacrifice.

I am speaking in church this coming Sunday, and have been thinking about what to speak on. It is a mission farewell for a soon-to-be Elder in the ward, so definitely missionary-related -- which will be fantastic, since I'm such a pro now. :)  Anyway, I've been studying about LIGHT. Let me tell you, there are TONS of great scriptures about light. With Christmas on it's way, I related it to Christmas lights. WE can be Christmas LIGHTS to the world!!! How? By receiving light into our own lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mosiah 16:9 states "He is the LIGHT and the life of the world; yea, a LIGHT that is endless, that can never be darkened..." AMAZING, right? Through Christ, we can be guided and directed always. If we receive light, we will GLOW. You can "shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations" (D&C 115:5). Our wonderful prophet Thomas S. Monson said, "If you want to give light to others, you have to glow yourself." I would invite each of you to take a look at yourself. Do you see that light shining? I do! Continue to share your light through your great examples! You are all beautiful Christmas lights :)

I will now close by saying that you are all so amazing!! Thank you so much for your love and support!! I hope you are having a great (warm?) December so far! :)

I love you all so much.

Sister Winterton