A Fabulous Week in Ohio!

A Nice tempature of 85 degress in Ohio, while Utah is snowing today.


Dear Family:

Another fabulous week in the Ohio! I can’t believe you got snow! I hate to rub it in, but we have beautiful 85 degree weather! Besides the tornado warning we had earlier in the week. Oh! Do you want to hear a cool story about that tornado? Well if not, I’m going to tell you anyway. :)

We were on our way to see Shawn and Judy, who happen to live in a little town 30 minutes away, when the Spirit told me there was going to be a tornado but not to worry we’d be okay. I was filled with this powerful peaceful feeling. Odd. It was raining, but it wasn’t too bad. What was even more odd is that peaceful feeling because I’m terrified of tornados! Ha ha. Seriously! I told Sister Cahoon what the Spirit had just told me, she gave me a funny look but I think she believed me. Then I asked if she could remember what we were supposed to do if we were driving and a tornado was coming for us! Ha ha.

Judy called a few minutes later and told us the tornado siren had sounded and we might want to reschedule for later. We told her it would be okay, we’d be there. While we were teaching her and Shawn the tornado warnings went off again, but I didn’t even flinch! I knew we’d be okay. Isn’t that cool! I think the greatest gift we have is the Holy Ghost! Heavenly Father knew I’d probably be a nervous wreck without that small little assurance. Needless to say, we’re really enjoying the 85 degree weather. :)

So I was looking at the 2009 Family Book you sent me Mom and I realized Brandon is like two feet taller now than when I left. My little family is growing up! I think you should stop.

Danielle, HAPPY GRADUATION this week! I sure love you and am so proud of you! You’re an incredible girl and that is a major accomplishment!

We’ve been so blessed! I’ve got to run, but enjoy the snow and I’ll talk to you next week!

Lots of love!

Sister Painter

Good Things are Happening in Wilmington!

Dear Family:

Good things are happening in Wilmington. I have been converted to the country and never want to go back to the city. ha ha. I’ll include some pictures. It’s beautiful!

All of our investigators are doing wonderful! Judy made it to church yesterday. It was so good to have her there. The branch welcomed her right back. Shawn had to work but he said he’ll come to Sunday school when he’s not working.

Oh my goodness! I got the best letter from Mary Halpin this week. I reread her letter over and over again because it made me so happy! When we left Fairfield she had started the Book of Mormon and in her letter she told me she has made it all the way to Moroni! After she finishes it she plans on starting it from the beginning again because she “doesn’t want to miss anything.” She basically bore her testimony of how the Book of Mormon has impacted her life and how grateful she is for it. I should have brought it with me so I could tell you what she wrote. If I remember I’ll bring it next week.

I wish everyone would just trust us enough to open the Book of Mormon! It is a masterpiece- besides that fact that it has power to change lives! When we started meeting with Judy and Shawn again, we told Judy to start reading from the beginning of the Book of Mormon and it has been such a treat to watch the literal change in her countenance as she understands more and more what she’s reading. It is incredible!

Speaking of incredible things :) I had a small tender mercy yesterday. It’s kind of a long story but bear with me. I taught the lesson in Gospel Principles yesterday, it was on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I think that is one of my favorite topics ever! It really is. We talked mostly about how we increase our faith and how it has to be tested and tried for our conversion to be complete (see BD Conversion). Some of the stories and comments made expressed concerns and fears about acing in faith. So we talked about how that process can be hard and scary sometimes, but the key is that our faith is IN Jesus Christ. One of my favorite things of my mission is testifying of the Savior’s role in our lives- He is our only constant and that is why faith in Him is so important. Thanks to previous experiences I can testify of that: that no matter how hard, how lost, how lonely we feel, no matter how little control we may have, He is our constant companion.

So earlier that morning we had had a situation that left me feeling overwhelmed with how dark and evil this world can be. Have you ever felt that feeling? I just felt like giving up because this darkness was so overwhelming. So I went and sat in the bathroom for a few minutes (the only alone place you have on the mission…ha ha) and desperately prayed for the Spirit to come back. The tender mercy is that the Spirit did come back. And it was strong! I was gently reminded that having faith is sometimes a hard and scary process, but in the end it is the easier way. Satan has influence, but God has power. I know that’s true.

President Robbins sent this quote in his email and I love it! So I’m copying it for you.

President Ezra Taft Benson said:

We once knew well our Elder Brother and our Father in Heaven. We rejoiced at the prospects of earth life that could make it possible for us to have a fullness of joy. We could hardly wait to demonstrate to our Father and our Brother, the Lord, how much we loved them and how we would be obedient to them in spite of the earthly opposition of the evil one. Now we are here. Our memories are veiled. We are showing God and ourselves what we can do. Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us.

I love, love, love that! Because I know it’s true! Anyway, sorry for the long-winded email. I love you and remember that no matter how hard it gets, have faith! He’ll always see you through.

Lots of love!

Sister Painter

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a wonderful chat with Carlee on Sunday. It was the best Mother's Day Gift I could receive. She is doing terrific and loves being on her mission. The time is going much too quickly for her. She sends her love to everyone. She would love to hear from any of you.

Have a great week.

LaDawn


Hi Family:

Well, what do I say? Ha ha. I basically told you everything that happened this week on the phone. It was really good to talk to everybody. Britt told me she was almost done with the Book of Mormon and she is going to read it again by December. I forgot to follow up with the rest of you to see how it was going. It’s crazy the next time I talk to you will be when I come home.

The Gladys Knight fireside was on Thursday! It was all the way on the other side of the river (about an hour and a half from here), but it was well worth it. She was fabulous! During the night they basically taught the first two missionary lessons, which was great for our investigators there! Judy and Shawn were able to come. Oh man, I love both of them so much. We had a lesson with Judy on Saturday. We came in and she sat us right down, had her Book of Mormon open, her notebook close by and told us she was ready to learn. If only all investigators were like that! If only I was like that. She really is a doll. The Spirit is always so strong in her lessons and I know its because she’s willing to be taught.

When we were there she bore the sweetest testimony of how this church and its inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only place where her questions have ever really been answered. She told us that for years she has asked pastors about what the Holy Ghost is and she never had really figured it out. However, when she asked us we were able to open several scriptures in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon that teach us exactly who he is and what his role is. Not only that, but we were able to teach her about the Godhead and their respective roles. It really is the most incredible thing that we have the answers to life’s most difficult questions. I love it.

I love knowing that this is the Lord’s church. It truly is. It is His organization and His gospel and because of that we know that “the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all His promises shall be fulfilled” (Mormon 8:22). We really have no reason to waiver or doubt. We have all the answers! I just think its so cool.

Anyway, I love you lots. Thanks for all the love and support.

Sister Painter

Miracles, Miracles, Miracles!

Dear Family:

Oh my goodness! We had the best week EVER!

Miracles, Miracles, Miracles. I have the biggest testimony that this truly is the Lord’s work! We are simply His missionaries (not just us full-time missionaries…all of us)! And if we live worthy and willing He will use our little “uncelestial souls” (Elder Holland quote) to do great things. Ah! I can’t even tell you how much I LOVE this work!



Miracles, Miracles, Miracles. So last week we doubled our investigator pool. This week it doubles again! 2… 4… and now we have 8 official investigators! Ha ha! Just wait until next week! I think I was telling you a few weeks ago how this branch just needed some healing and not just concerning missionary work. It’s been great to watch the process. The Atonement works! And not just on an individual level! Christ should be the center of all of our relationships and organizations! What He did for us is just that powerful!



So I only have a few minutes but I’ll tell you about the people we’ve seen this week.

Judy and Shawn were former investigators. They even got to the point of having baptismal dates, but Shawn wasn’t sure he could give up his coffee and tobacco so he decided not to continue investigating. Judy didn’t want to move forward without Shawn. Well we got to see them this week and they are the sweetest people I’ve ever met! They remind me of my wonderful grandparents! When we were leaving we asked Shawn, “If God asked you to give up your coffee, would you do it.” He told us he would. So be praying for them. I know they are SO close to receiving the blessings of the gospel. They are coming to the Gladys Knight fireside with us this week. It will be perfect for them.

Sandy and Kim were really old headquarter referrals we wanted to follow up with this week. Turns out they had never been contacted to begin with (probably because Sandy was in the hospital for 6 months). Sandy is the mother, and Kim is the daughter, they both are a little older. We knocked on their door and they let us right in. They told us about the last few years of their lives and the struggles their family has been in, particularly the death of Kim’s 16 year old daughter. What an incredible feeling it was to share passages of the Book of Mormon with them and bear testimony that they would be able to see Hailey again. They are super excited to read the Book of Mormon and I’m excited for them.

Mary is doing great too! We had some really good lessons with her this week about what the Gospel really means and the importance of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and continuing to live these principles for the rest of our lives. Heavenly Father truly has a perfect plan!

Anyway, we’ve been blessed this week! It has just been so much fun! (Even in the rain!) The country is beautiful! I love tracting out here! Ha ha!

Happy Birthday Brittany! There is something in the mail for you. You’ll probably get it in a few days. And tell Grandpa Boyd I’m praying for him still!

Tell Kristi congrats! I'm SUPER excited for her! We'll get home around the same time! Crazy huh! Anna is being such a good sport!

Thanks for your emails! I love them! And I love you! I’ll talk to you next week!

Luv you lots!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister Painter

It's Glorious!

We'll Bring the World His Truth. . .

Hi Family!

It’s another rainy, spring day in Wilmington, Ohio. Oh man, it is BEAUTIFUL here! It really is something spectacular. I’m going to really miss the trees when I return to the desert. I’ll have to try and catch some pictures to send next week.

Well last week was definitely an adjustment period. It’s a whole change of pace here, both in the people and in the work. It’s a bit difficult to come here from a thriving ward, but I’m excited for the challenge. Plus, I’ve really been blessed to work with some strong leaders in my other areas which will come in handy here.

Some fun facts about Sister Cahoon:

Hometown: Hesperia, CA
Before the mission: Working as a substitute teacher in CA.
Family: Youngest of 5 kids
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Color: Blue
Craziest thing she has done on her mission: Barked at a dog
Favorite things about the mission: Focusing on others

The branch here needs a lot of healing. Sister Cahoon and I both have a strong conviction that helping them learn to love missionary work will heal a lot of those wounds. There is a joy that I’ve felt doing this work that is completely incomparable to any other feeling. As Russ would say, “It’s glorious.” I used to make fun of him for saying that word a hundred times in every letter he sent, but it’s so true! The best word to describe it is glorious!

Church yesterday was a lot of fun, especially since we got to teach Priesthood. How often do girls get to say that? Ha ha. Oh man, those men were stone faced for the first ten minutes, well up until I accidentally called Sister Druck, Sister Drunk! Ahh! It was awful! But it definitely lightened the mood and we had a “glorious” lesson with them. I love the feeling you get when the Spirit takes over your words and you speak exactly what the Lord would have you say. Its seriously is addicting. We were able to bear strong testimony that this is truly the Lord’s work and he is laboring here alongside us.

Our one investigator is doing really well. (Yes, I said one.) She has a baptismal date for July. It will be a long road, but like I said the Lord is close by. Needless to say, our goal is to find new investigators (and lots of them).

Thanks for your encouragement and support. I have the best family in the world! Tell Grandpa Boyd I’m praying for him. He really is a strong spirit to overcome so much pain! What a good example!

I’m glad Sister Manwaring called you. She is a doll. I love her lots!

Thanks for the Emails and the card I got this week. We laughed at the map of Wilmington on it. Oh, and thanks for the flowers. They were beautiful!

I love ya! Lots and lots!

Until next week…

Sister Painter

P.S.
One quick funny for the week. We got a call from our district leader one night informing us of a tornado warning coming right for us, he gave us some quick instructions and hung up. Sister Cahoon turned to me and said, “I’ve never lived through a tornado before.” Ah ha ha… Good thing she’s never died in one either. Hopefully we live through all of them yet to come.

Where is Wilmington, Ohio?

So if you were wondering just where Wilmingtion, Ohio is, just take a look!

I Got Transferred!

Dear Family:

It happened!

I got transferred. We figured it was coming, since Sister Thacker and I have officially been together for half of our missions! :) Good thing we get along.

It was hard to leave those we were teaching, especially since both Sister Thacker and I got transferred out. I know this will be a great transfer. Change is good. Sister Cahoon is my new companion. She is a doll! We get to serve in a little country town called Wilmington, OH! It’s practically like being in Rexburg. It’s a small branch, so hopefully, with some love and hard work, it will grow!

This week was amazing! Like the last few weeks I wish I could share EVERYTHING, but I can’t. I will tell you though; I don’t have a shadow of a doubt of God’s love for His children and His eagerness for us to succeed. And even though we have to go through times of testing, heartache and trial, He will set us up for success. All we have to do is recognize what He’s done. I want you to know that I KNOW that.

Last Monday Sister Dalley and her girls took us to the Cincinnati Museum. Loved it! (Pictures)

Our whole Mission gathered together for a Mission-wide Conference. Amazing!

Here are Pictures! Lots happened this weekend! If I remember I can tell you more next week. Sunday morning we went to the Thompsons to wake them up for 1:00 church! ha ha. That is the first picture of Hudson and Daryl (we were teaching both of them). The next picture is the whole Thompson family when we had to say good-bye. Sister Thompson is the only member in the family. Oh man, I LOVE them!

Last picture is Betty Wise. She was baptized last November. She is amazing.

I don’t have much time, just some quick notes:

Happy Birthday Dad! One year older and wiser too! I was thinking about you “post tax-day.” Sorry I missed it. I promise I’ll be at the next one.

Brandon, I LOVED your Ohio state report! Sister Thacker and I sat down and read it all the way through. You are right; this would be a great place to come on a vacation. Maybe next summer! (hint hint)

Mom, Thanks for keeping me updated. You really do rock. And thanks for all the mail this week.

I'm glad you finally made it to St. George. It sounds nice. I've been thinking about my grandparents. I sure love them and miss them. I've been blessed.

I love you, Mom and family! Sorry my emails are always so scatter brained. I need a nap today. ha ha.

Sister Painter

Gratitude!

Dear Family:

You know those moments that your heart is just overflowing with gratitude? Well this is one of those moments. I was reading through your emails and I just thought to myself, “I have so many blessings!” Seriously! I can’t keep up with all of them. Where much is given, much is required, and I’ve been given so much. But I’m grateful! I really am! I love serving a mission! Almost more than that- I love knowing I’m where the Lord wants me, when He wants me here, doing what He wants me to do. The peace and confidence I feel in knowing that was worth all it took to get here.

All of our investigators are doing well. There are small, slow steps of progress. But we just have to glory in those little miracles anyway. Sometimes I wish I could just do it like the old days and stand on the corner of a busy street and sing the song that’s in my heart and testify in a loud voice for all to hear. I think Cincinnati would give me a ridiculous look. Maybe I’ll do it anyway. Ha Ha.

I appreciate that quote you sent about faith! You were right on Mom with what I’ve been contemplating this week. Maybe it’s because we share brain waves, even across the country. :)

Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do. . .to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid. . . to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain.
Gordon B. Hinckley

Leave it to President Hinckley. But I know it’s true. I was studying “conversion” this week and was reminded that we aren’t truly converted until our faith has been tested and tried, even over a lifetime. Will we really hang on to the rod and walk through the midst of darkness? Will we cease murmuring and start counting our blessings when the going gets tough? Faith is an assurance in something that has yet to be seen, the blessings to come after the trial. But if we endure well, if we do the things we said we’ll do (specifically keep our covenants) we will see the fruits of that faith because “Heavenly promises are always kept.” That truth is the same for me and for our family as it is for our investigators. We just have to have faith.

Lots of blessings. Lots and lots of blessings. I love you!

Thanks for being such great blessings!

Sister Painter

We finally tried Skyline Chili! Its famous Cincinnati cuisine!
Sister Savage took us for dinner this week.

Modern-day Prophets and Apostles!

Dear Family:

This definitely is another week I wish I could tell you EVERYTHING! The Lord truly is in the details and it is amazing. However, I can’t write that much. Bummer huh!

First off, CONGRATS on being the 2010 Parents of the Year! I knew you were special, now the whole world gets to know it too! What an honor! Dad, just accept the award! I know you hate that, but if you would stop being so great you wouldn’t have to:) I sure love you both! I have been so blessed to have the family I do. I’ve been thinking a lot about you due the major theme of General Conference on families. It was INCREDIBLE!

I knew with the first two speakers, President Packer and Sister Beck, that this conference would be just what the world needs right now. I can’t even describe the depth of gratitude I have for prophets and apostles today who commune with the Lord frequently and who spend their lives teaching us what He would have us do. Can you believe it! Modern-day prophets and apostles!

For a few minutes this morning I was reading in Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage about the Dark Ages and the Great Apostasy. What a horrible time to live! It truly was dark times, particularly spiritually. Contrast that with the light we have because of Joseph Smith’s prayer, a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ,and a prophet on the Earth today. I am so grateful!

I think I’m extra grateful right now because I’ve spent so much time with those who are still caught up in those “dark-ages” philosophies of men. They are searching for the truth but are distracted. I appreciated Elder Foster’s words when he said, “A distraction doesn’t have to be evil to be effective.” How true.

I loved President Monson’s remarks about how he didn’t live in the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry, but he believed the words written centuries ago testifying of Him. He believed the words written by the Nephites. He believed the words of Joseph Smith. We have so many recorded testimonies of the Savior. Do we read them? Do we believe them?

Our mission presidency challenged us to study the last week of the Savior’s mortal ministry to prepare for Easter. Interestingly enough we had some inside time for a few days because I got pretty sick, so Sister Thacker and I had lots of time to spend in the New Testament and in Jesus the Christ. It was a really humbling experience to consider His life and what He did for us. I didn’t live in Jerusalem at the meridian of time either. I didn’t follow the Lord as he walked the region teaching and healing. I didn’t see Him condemned, crucified, or resurrected. But I believe the testimonies of those who did. I really do.

I know that Jesus is the Christ, that he lived a perfect life to be an example for us. I know that He gave His life out of perfect love for us. And I know we will one day see the prints on His hands and His feet! I can’t see them now, but I know they are there. I know that I’ve received a witness from the Spirit that these things are true. And I am so grateful.

I’m grateful that we can feel His influence during these “perilous times.” I’m grateful for families, for temples, for leaders and teachers, missionary work, family history work, all things given us that we can come to know Him. Honestly, I basically cried like a baby all the way through President Monson’s talk. Haha.

I am especially grateful that we have the truths of the gospel and that I get to share them with the people I have to come to love here. Our investigators are doing so well! Ernest, who officially changed his name to Nana, passed His citizenship test and is going to be baptized the end of this month. Wahoo. We have a couple more upcoming baptisms too. Lots and lots of tender mercies! I’ll have to tell you more about them next week!

I’m glad all went well with the Wedding! Congratulations Cindy & Kelly!!!!! Thanks for the picture everyone!

Tell Brandon to send me a list of all the really fun missionary approved things to do in Cincinnati Ohio! I hope he got an A on his report!

I love you all! Lots! So let’s do everything we can to make sure our family is together forever!

Sister Painter

Picture is at the Peaces: Sister Peace colored a Christmas tree Easter egg. Can you see it? Ha ha

We See Miracles Everyday!

This is Carlee's letter from March 29th. My computer was being funny this last week and I couldn't get it on the blog. So here is her letter a little late.


Hi Family!

I wish I could tell you EVERY detail of this week because it was just that good! We see so many miracles everyday! It’s interesting because often those miracles are so small that if you aren’t watching for them you might miss them. We just have learned to keep our eyes open.

It sounds like you are keeping busy! Good luck this week with the Wedding, and Easter, and farewells. Dad, I was waiting for your birthday week but it seems like you need this picture now. Ha ha. I saw it and I thought to myself, “Dad needs to see this.” Just know that I’m thinking about you and praying you through tax season.

Well this week we definitely had a spiritual “feast” with some incredible lessons! We were able to meet with the Randall family at the Livingstons. I hope you can meet them all someday. Nate Randall is a less-active and his wife has been investigating the church. Oh man, they have the most adorable three kids! Their oldest is eight and he is a gem! Seriously! He talked his mom into letting him read the whole Book of Mormon. She was a little worried because she doesn’t have any religious background and she didn’t know how to answer his questions, so we started them on the Book of Mormon reader. Well this week when we had our lesson on the Restoration Tyler says, “We read that in our book,” and proceeded to tell us the story of Joseph Smith. Kids are so smart! He had all the answers! We watched the movie about the Restoration and Crystal (the mom) totally lit up. The Spirit was so strong in that home! Sister Thacker and I were seriously walking on clouds the rest of the day!

We had a sweet lesson with Dennis too. We talked about having “real intent.” If we want Heavenly Father to answer our prayers we have to show Him we really want it! No half-hearted efforts will do for Him. We have to walk in faith believing that the answer will come. We promised him that if he came to church EVERY week and made plans to attend ALL of General Conference he would receive his answer. But Heavenly Father is going to hold us accountable for what he tells us so we have to be ready and willing to act. I’ve been pondering that lesson all week and re-evaluating MY half-hearted efforts I make sometimes. The conclusion is the same for us as members. If we wish to keep our testimonies, no half-hearted efforts will do. God wants our heart and he expects us to give it to Him!

Oh and guess who came to church! Finally! Gina and her whole family came! We called her before church and her mom said she was still asleep so we got her to wake her up and put her on the phone. We told her so could be late but she needed to come, so she did. See, it wasn’t so hard was it Gina! Ha ha. The Young Women were wonderful! They arranged to pick her up for the activity on Thursday at the Bishops and made sure she’d come next week. It was great!

And yesterday we had the neatest lesson with Ernest! We talked about Scripture Study and he shared his budding testimony with us about the Book of Mormon and the principles of the church. It was so tender! He explained how since he decided to start living the principles of the gospel he’s seen the blessings, like not going to jail. Seriously. Awhile back he had a friend that wanted him to go drinking with him and Ernest told him no and explained why he shouldn’t go drink either. Well his friend decided to go anyway, ended up getting arrested and spent some time in jail. Now that he is out he’s been coming to church with Ernest. :) Hopefully this week we’ll be able to set another date with him.

Oh one more I have to share! This week we had to take in the car to get some more maintenance done. While we were there one of the employees of the dealership came up and said he had recognized us from when we were there a few months ago. He said he would never forget us, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a wallet size picture of The Savior he had seen in our car and we had given him months ago. He told us he keeps it in his pocket and it’s what gets him through every day. “By small and simple means are great things brought to pass!” Isn’t that precious! There are so many small ways we have to share the gospel! Just keep your eyes open!

I am so grateful for the gospel! I’m grateful for the principles of the gospel (that keep me out of jail). But I’m especially grateful for our Savior! For the love He has for us! I love Him so much!

Have a good week this week!

Sister Painter

This is for you dad. . .