This week has been absolutely wonderful! Quite a few folks gave us flowers, we made friends with a parrot named Gremlin (who spoke fairly well) we sang The Sound of Music while frolicking in the hills, we made stops at Starbies and Pananra, got warned by a crazy hobo to run-away from the Mormons while we could (apparently we’re an anti-Jesus cult- hmmm), we heard love stories from old men, met a witch who educated us on witches spiritual beliefs, finally went to Snow Top, taught a lesson on sexual purity to about 20 adults, painted some pictures, met (very attractive) Muslim brothers at a couple different houses. They are always so kind and they gave us a Qumran, we did a double take at a dog sticking his head out the window and realized it was actually a pig… smiling at us as he drove past. (what?) We bore our testimonies in church and cried like littel girls, we planted flowers, got cursed and yelled at, got threatened with viscous dogs, talked to literally hundreds of people,  I started taking voice lessons, I discovered I actually have bangs, I also discovered how to tuck myself in at night but wiggling around a certain way, and I also discovered that the hot sauce we had been using on our burritos had been expired for quite some time. yummy. BUT the most incredible discovery was learning more about Faith, Charity and Humility through some beautiful experiences had with some beautiful people. I started praying for these three things in each personal prayer I had.

Faith- “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen which  are true.”- Alma 32:21

Faith is choosing to accept Gods will. As simple as that may sound, I have discovered a lot of depth in that. God called me on a mission. It’s Gods will that I bring souls to Christ. As I have faith that I can achieve my goals, God will enable me to do so. For example, a few days ago I felt a prompting that Sister Saunders and I should pray that someone who had our number will call us and set up a time to meet. We hand out roughly 5-10 Books of Mormon each day. We leave a pass-along card and our number at almost every house. We prayed for this specifically and had faith that this prayer would be answered according to God’s will and the righteous desires of our hearts. Within a day Nick called us. We had never even heard of him. He’s in his 20’s and hadn’t met with the sisters in months but wanted to continue taking lessons. We were stunned. Sister Saunders had never gotten a call like that in her 6 months of serving. I know that God answers specific, faith-filled prayers!! Another experience I had with faith this week was tracting a trailer park in Fabius. We asked God to soften the hearts of those we would come in contact with and to be led to those elect who were prepared for the gospel. A few minutes in, we came across Joey. He was very touched when I testified of Gods love for him. He said he used to believe in God but was now atheist, due to some events in his life. I challenged him to pray and just ask if God was there and if he loved Joey. He said he would. The next day he texted us and asked us to come back and share our message. In that same hour we met Charlene. She is having a lot of problems with her church being judgmental and hypocritical, she’s currently separated from her husband and is just going through a lot. She let us share the restoration with her. She said her sister was Mormon and she would love to learn more. Since then, we’ve taught her a lot more and her son, Zaxchary (12) has sat in on lessons. She has found so much peace in the scriptures already! We were able to hand out tons of Books of Mormon to folks who were “too busy” to hear a message then but were interested in the book. I know that at some point in their lives, they will find comfort in those pages.

A couple more quick stories on Faith! We have been teaching this woman named Heather. She is married and has two young autistic kids. She is SO ready for the gospel!!! Its mind blowing. 40 minutes before her second lesson, I felt that I should invite Sister Schfeild to come teach with us. I thought it was ridiculous because she lives 30 min away in Pompey and is a very busy mother. I texted her anyway and for 2 minutes just prayed in faith that she would be able to attend. 2 minutes later we got a text that she was on her way! It ended up being quite essential for her to be there and was such a blessing! Also, This week I’ve been trying to discern the needs of Amy. Shes in her 40’s, married, kids, working. She was baptized and raised in the church but has been less active for many years. has been taking discussions for years and years every week and still doesn’t really know the church is true or if the Book of Mormon is true. I knew God would  help me understand Amy’s need and through a lot of prayer, I was able to know that her problem was desire. Super simple but very profound. She did not have a desire to believe. It was so ironic because the day before we met, she had read Alma 32 (about faith) and it literally says that faith begins with desire.  When we discussed this, I saw a light bulb turn on in her mind. She admitted that she didn’t know if she really had a desire or not. I know as she prays and asked God to give her that desire, she WILL receive it!

Dang. I had a lot more stories I was hoping to share but to finish up, after a lot of faith and specific prayers, we were able to see Lee and Jon at church! Everyone was so shocked! GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS WHEN WE HAVE FAITH. IT HAPPENS TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY!

Charity– Moroni 7:45-48

I had the sweetest experience with Charity. After my call to repentance last week (during splits in New Hartford)  I really felt a Christlike love for everyone. Immediately after this experience, we knocked on some doors. 4 of those doors answered and 3 of those doors had a soul who was was open to hear our message. The fourth door wanted us to come back tomorrow! As we taught those souls the restoration and as I invited them to be baptized, I was overcome with love. Each of them committed to being baptized and wanted to learn more. I know it was only through God that that was possible. I have been praying so hard and asking Heavenly Father to fill me with charity and deep love for all those I come in contact with.  The other day we met Wendy. When we told her that God loves her and wants her family to be happy, she broke down in tears. I just hugged her and comforted her. She is going through a bad divorce and has a 9 year old daughter and just moved in a new house. As she was talking, I felt such a connection with her and almost felt as she felt. As this love over came me, the spirit guided me in the words to say that she needed to hear. I was able to be a tool in Gods hands. I cannot wait to share more with her and teach her and her gorgeous daughter hazel. As we truly look outside ourselves, Gods love can penetrate our hearts and we can see others with clear lenses.

Humility- Mosiah 21:14

Man, Ive been humbled being out here. I dont have any time left, but I will quickly share a couple experiences. This week we tracted into another Wendy. This Wendy has a younger brother who took his own life, her mother recently died and she was in a car accident not too long ago and has to have her leg amputated because of it.

We met another woman named Tiffany and her sister Jaque at a park. After 5 years of abuse, after 2 broken jaws, a broken hip, a broken arm and being kicked down the stairs while pregnant, she divorced her husband and sent him to prison. She now is living with her sister and is about to move to North Carolina to live with her mom. The night before we talked, their uncle was shot in Syracuse.  Another woman, Arlene. Was started talking to her on a porch. She has been raped and abused from the ages of 7-40. She’s now 43. She’s been in multiple car accidents and has scars all over her body. She has cuts all over her body. She’s tried over and over again to end her life. She smokes and drinks to get through the hour and she believes life is Hell. I bore my testimony to her of God’s love. She just started crying. I hugged her and she didn’t let go for a few minutes. If I ever thought once I was experiencing pain, I take it back. I have never known pain like these women have. I have seen more abuse this week than I have in my entire life. It has broken my heart. I am so grateful for my family and for the truth I have. I have been so humbled by those I have met. I want to always be humbled and always be aware of the needs of those around me. As I am humble. I allow God to work through me

My challenge to you this week is to pray or to seek FAITH, CHARITY and HUMILITY. Record the experiences you have with each of these at the end of each day. As you do this, You WILL be blessed with faith, charity and humility. You will feel a greater love and gratitude for your God and for your loved ones.