Rain and Smiles. . .

We had so much rain this week! Ha Ha! It felt like spring! But it’s not. Sister Thacker (being from Arizona) has never experienced autumn so we are anxiously awaiting it. I can’t wait to see the leaves change, especially with so many trees here! But we’ve heard it won’t be until the middle of October. We’ll be patient and wait a few more weeks. Thanks for the beautiful fall flowers Mom!

We had some sweet experiences this week finding new investigators!

We met Candice and her family a few weeks ago. She’s a single mom with five kids! Ah! Her kids are adorable though and while Sister Thacker was talking to Candice I sat on the steps with the kids and basically gave them the Plan of Salvation lesson. Ha ha. It was fabulous! Kids are so smart! They know more than we think. We went back this week and taught the Restoration. When we told Candice there was a prophet on Earth today she was really surprised. “What! Really! That’s weird, I mean it’s good. I had never thought about it before.” We told her about General Conference coming up and she got excited. We discussed the stability it brings into this crazy world knowing that a prophet of God is on the Earth today. She felt like she really needs that. We all do. We’re so blessed to be able to hear President Monson speak this week! Can you believe we have a prophet on Earth today! Mom and Dad, if there is one thing I want for our family it’s to always follow the prophet.

I know I always say this, but my testimony increases everyday when we are led by the Lord to find someone. He loves us, and He is aware of each of us. We got a Headquarter Referral this week (someone who calls in for a free DVD or BOM) for someone who lives on this obscure street we had never heard off. We went to find her but got there and realized we didn’t have an apt # and it was a huge apartment complex! Sister Thacker and I looked at each other, laughed, and started knocking doors. The very first woman we talked to invited us in. She was closed at first, but we started discussing in conversation the Lord’s plan for us and ended up having one of the most powerful lessons I’ve had yet on my mission. I love the Spirit! I love knowing the Lord will send witnesses of the truth to those who are seeking it! And I love knowing that we would never have knocked those doors if we hadn't had that headquarter referral.

I know the Lord is preparing the world for something great. We were at a less-actives home and caught a little of Pres. Obama’s speech. I don’t know what is going on in the world right now, but what I do know is that the Lord is preparing us for great things ahead. We just have to put our trust in Him. I read this quote this week; it was in my journal so I thought I would share!

"Let us not take counsel from our fears. May we remember always to be of good cheer, put our faith in God, and live worthy for Him to direct us. We are each entitled to receive personal inspiration to guide us through our mortal probation. My we so live that our hearts are open at all times to the whisperings and comfort of the Spirit." –Pres. Faust

I’m so excited for General Conference! What an incredible opportunity to receive personal revelation about how the Lord would have us cope with the world today.

I love you lots and lots! I’ll talk to you next week!

Sister Painter