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. . .

I love the Africans!

Dear Family:

I love the Africans!

And I love being able to work with them so much here in Cincinnati! If I’m allowed to have favorites, they are it!

So a few weeks ago we received a headquarter referral for a man who wanted a missionary visit. His name is Aaron and he is from Ghana. We set up an appointment, went to meet him and quickly realized he has seriously been prepared for the gospel! He told us that he was friends with Brother Apuma who was baptized a few years ago and just moved back to Ghana. When Brother Apuma was taking the lessons he would have them at Aaron’s place sometimes. The way Aaron explained it to us was that he was, “Just too busy then. Just too busy. But now I’m not so busy. So I called you back.” Ha ha. So a few years later we get a call. He explained to us that He really wanted to get to know God and the Bible better, so we shared with him the story of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I will never forget the look on his face when he held up the copy of the Book of Mormon we gave him and asked us, “Do the preachers know about this?” We told him some do, some don’t. He asked us, “Why aren’t the preachers teaching this?” He was really concerned that the rest of the world didn’t know about the Book of Mormon. Really concerned! It was a pretty tender experience. We challenged him to share it with his friends.

And get this! We asked him if he had ever wondered about why there are so many different churches if there is only one God. He gave us a funny look and said, “YEAH! I was just listening to the radio station from back home in Ghana on my computer and some people were asking that same question. I was just wondering that.” Isn’t that sweet! He happened to be listening to this radio station right before we came over and the Lord prepared him for the message of the Restoration! Love it! I don’t know much, but I do know the Lord is “anxiously engaged” in this work just as much as we are! The last lesson we had with Aaron we told him about modern-day prophets and he practically taught us the rest of the lesson. It made complete sense to him that God would have a prophet today because all the other prophets in the scriptures are dead and we obviously need someone today to help us get through our own “Red Seas.” It was pretty neat.

We had another sweet experience with Brian. He’s a single dad with three kids, one of them has severe autism. Have I told you about him before? I can never remember. Brian has a really difficult time with organized religion, specifically the “hierarchies” that are often established. He has some unbelievably sad stories about the churches he participated in when he was young. His fears are definitely legitimate. To help him we got out the chart in the General Conference issue of the Ensign of the prophet and apostles and taught him God’s way of doing things, not mans. He recognized the difference. He finally opened up to us and told us how he was practically ready to give up his Bible and his search for God before Sister Thacker and Sister Howard knocked on his door. He explained to us the positive change and the spirit that he can feel in his home now and how grateful he is. It was a powerful moment.

It reminded me of the devotional Elder Holland gave while I was at the MTC. He said we are responsible for taking those we meet out of the gutters of life and taking them back into the presence of divinity. We are responsible for bringing the Holy Ghost into their lives so they can be cleansed and sanctified just like we have. During that lesson I realized what Elder Holland meant. The Gospel changes lives. It really does.

That was a quick update of two of our investigators Mom. It definitely doesn’t do this week justice but it will have to do. I’m glad you had some beautiful weather in Cali to play at the beach. It’s been raining here all week. :)

Thanks for the pictures!

I sure love you lots!

Sister Painter

I love this Gospel!

Dear Family

I love this Gospel! I really, really do! And I love this work! This transfer Sister Thacker and I have decided to work on developing the attribute of Hope.

Specifically, we are focusing on the statement in Preach My Gospel that says, “Hope is an abiding trust that [Heavenly Father] will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in your confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance” (See PMG Chapter 6). So our goal is to further develop those four qualities and guess what! It has completely changed the work! Don’t get me wrong neither of us were that bad at those things, but I hadn’t realized until now that we weren’t that good either. President sent a quote a few weeks ago that said, “A pessimist looks for the difficulty if every opportunity, but an optimist looks for the opportunity in every difficulty.” And it’s so true! The nature of missionary work really is difficult, as are most things in life. But inside EVERY difficulty is an opportunity waiting to blossom.

It seems this is the message the Lord wants to get across to me because it keeps showing up in my studies! Ha ha. Two quotes I found that I have to share! Both of them are from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. The first one Elder Holland referred to the story of Christ’s apostles and their experience of crying to the Master in fear that their boat was about to sink in the tempest and they were about to go with it. The Savior was a little disappointed with their lack of faith. Elder Holland related that to us by saying:

I know some of you truly feel at sea, in the most frightening sense of that term… it is not without recognition of life’s tempest but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the Savior’s power to calm the storm… Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But… he rebukes faithlessness and he deplores pessimism. HE EXPECTS US TO BELIVE.”

I think this was for me, as well as a few of our investigators. We are all going through experiences that might seem like our “ship is sinking.” But I know that heavenly promises are always kept! And the Savior promises our boat won’t sink if we trust Him enough to lead us safely across the sea. So Sister Thacker and I are focusing on those “heavenly promises” of finding families that are prepared for the gospel. The other quote I found was in an Ensign article that you have to read! It’s called ‘This the Greatest of All Dispensations’ by Elder Holland. In it he said, “God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.”

So my dear family, I’m committing to do a little bit better of dreaming and believing! Ha ha. I really am! And I know that Heavenly Father wants to bless our family just as much as He wants to bless this work in the missionary field. So let’s look for those opportunities!

I just love this gospel!

So now I’m out of time to tell you about the week. I guess I’ll have to catch up next week. Oops sorry! But have fun at Disneyland, especially when you are go on Small World over and over and over again! Sister Thacker and I were laughing because we thought you would be there the same week as her family. However, you missed each other by a day.

Oh and let Molly know I did get the Christmas package, in February. Ha ha. Actually, it was devoured quite quickly. Sister Gundersen ate the Swedish fish in like three days flat. And Sister Thacker took it upon herself to sort that HUGE container of jelly beans into the right flavor so we didn’t have to keep eating the Java flavor when we were trying to find Rootbeer. Ha ha. I’ll send the picture.

Lots of Love!

Sister Painter

Still Here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLEE. . .




Dear Family:

Guess who my new companion is! Sister Thacker! Ha ha. No Joke. Sister Gundersen got transferred but Sister T. and I are still together. That means by the end of this mission we will have spent half our missions together. Crazy huh. We love it. I guess you just can’t split a good team. :) We’re sad that Sister Gundersen had to get transferred. However, I know she will do a lot of good in the branch she’s in now. They could use some Sister Gundersen energy!

And thank you! thank you! for all of the birthday love! Even though I skipped the day the rest of the world still lived it so I guess it still counts. The birthday package was wonderful! We loved it! I should have a birthday every week just for the mail. Ha ha.

Let see what happened this week:

Ernest had a baptismal date for the end of the week so we were preparing for that, but because of certain circumstances he postponed it until April. We felt good about that too. A lot has been going on in his life. It’s amazing how when people choose to take the steps the Savior has asked us to Satan literally will unleash his forces. We’ve seen a lot of that with Ernest. However, through it all we’ve seen “many mighty miracles.” For example, his 3 kids got their visas from Ghana to come to the States! It was a miracle and Ernest knows the Lord is looking out for him. I’m excited to meet them when they get here. They will be here for his baptism!

AND Dennis has been committed to be baptized! Dennis is the one that we meet in his barbershop every week. It’s always an adventure. Just picture this hole-in-the-wall store filled with Ghanaians coming in and out and three sister missionaries sitting on old sinking couches trying to teach the gospel. Africans coming in and out, in and out, always sure to give us their personal opinion on the topic we are discussing. And then there is Dennis, sometimes we get him to sit still but like last week I’m pretty sure that during our one hour lesson he gave three haircuts and sold a car. Ha ha. But he listens intently, asks incredible questions and somehow the Spirit is always there ready to teach. It’s a pretty unique experience.

We also started teaching Richard, one of Dennis’s customers who we noticed just “happens” to come in every Monday night at 6pm when we’re there. He’s a good man and has some great observations! We gave him his own Book of Mormon last night and he was really happy.

Dennis’s big question is about authority and who has it. We’ve had some phenomenal lessons about the priesthood and a few weeks back Brother Howard was able to give Dennis a blessing. It makes me so grateful to know that God’s priesthood power IS on the earth today. Think about it, God’s POWER. I guess growing up with the Priesthood in my home I didn’t necessarily grasp the incredible blessing it is. BUT IT IS! Dennis is picking up on it now and we’re really excited. During our lesson last night one of his good friends walked in and told us he was a member. He grew up in Ghana, he’s been a member his whole life, he even served a mission is Africa. He’s name is George. When he told Dennis that he was a member Dennis started telling him off about how he’s known him for four years and he never shared it with him. (That’s my plug for member missionary work!) My favorite line Dennis threw at George last night was when he said, “How can you keep the “good news” in your pocket!” Ha ha. I love these guys! There are good men! Ghanaian’s are truly some of the most faith-filled and trusting people I’ve ever met! They have truly been prepared for the gospel!

Dad just so you know, I told Kate (my sweet Ghanaian sister from Fairfield) that we’d bring her out to Utah and take her to General Conference when I get home. So plan on it. :) And Mom, George told me his mom is the Relief Society President in the Assin Foso 1st Ward in Accra, Ghana. I told him I’d have you talk to Sister Hoffman and see where Elder Hoffman is serving.

I’ll include the picture we took with Dennis, Richard, and George. Dennis is in the front, Richard is in the white and George is on the left of him.

I’ve got to run. Sister T. is patiently waiting for me.

Until next week…

Lots of Love from your favorite sister missionary!

Sister Painter

Dennis, Richard and George. . .

Happy March!

Hi family and friends. . .

Just another quick reminder that it is Carlee's birthday on Saturday. So if you get a chance, send her a card or a note. She would love to hear from any of you.

She sounds great and is at her half way mark this next week which I don't think she is too happy about. It is going much too fast for her. Have a great week and thanks for all your love and support.

LaDawn


Dear Family:

Thanks for the birthday emails! I forgot it was this week. I hit my half way mark and turn 23 all in one week. How rotten is that! Let’s just skip this week. Ha ha. Sometimes time just goes to fast!

I was heartbroken to hear about the earthquake in Chile! When we found out we called President and thankfully by that time all the mission presidents had reported back that the missionaries were safe. I was SO grateful! Hermana Blackham has a great work cut out for her! I know that the message she shares will bring the most comfort to Chile right now and I’m grateful that she’s safe! There are people who will finally be ready to accept the gospel.

Speaking of finding people prepared for the gospel we found a family that is ready to receive the lessons! The Lord is preparing people everywhere! They are an older couple and they have a grown handicapped son living with them. They are some of the neatest people! She is an ex-nun! Ha ha. The image of Maria in the Sound of Music should come to mind. Her personality is almost the exact same! She told us stories of how she would sing while cleaning the bathrooms and get in trouble, and how she would talk at dinner when they were supposed to be silent. I just love them and am excited to teach them. Their son, Georgie, reminds me a lot of Ryan. I know that their experience with him is at least partially how they have been prepared for the gospel. I’ll keep you updated.

So we had a fabulous week! We had six of our investigators at church! It was great! Taylor finally made it! She’s the 12 years old whose mom gave her permission to take the lessons. We took Chrissy Rampton over to one of our lessons. It turns out they are in the same class at school and have become good friends. Chrissy is so cute! When we dropped her off after our lesson she told us now she “REALLY” wants to go on a mission! She’s 11, so only 10more years to go. (I included a picture of Sis. T, Taylor, Chrissy, and Sis. G.)

Another highlight this week was one of our lessons with Ji Soo and Hannah. Since they have hardly any religious background we are trying to help them understand a little bit more about the nature of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We were reading through 3 Nephi 17 and Hannah read verse 20 where is says that Christ’s joy was full because of the faith of the people. She gasped and told us that is her new favorite verse. I asked her why and she said, “When I read it I felt this tingly feeling.” The Spirit in that room with those two sweet girls was powerful! We asked them what they learned about Christ from reading about how He healed the people and blessed the children. Ji Soo answered saying “that Jesus loves us.” Oh man! You’re right He does! It was so simple, but such a rewarding experience! That is why we’re out here! To invite others to come unto Christ!

Yesterday in church someone mentioned the difference between “knowing about the Lord,” and “knowing the Lord.” I’ve thought a lot about that. If we are diligently studying and attending our meetings we learn much “about” Him but do we take the time to apply it in our relationship with Him? I was SO grateful Hannah was able to feel that feeling when she read that scripture! It starts with the simple testimony of the Spirit.

I wish I could tell you more about the week but I’m out of time! I love you lots and lots and lots! Hopefully time slows down soon!

Sister Painter

P.S. I included some pictures of the Ninja game we played at the Hebdon’s. I’ll have to teach the family when I get home! You’ll love it!

P.P.S. Next week is transfers so I'll email on Tuesday. Just a friendly reminder.

Carlee's Birthday is Coming!

Hi Everybody:

Hope all is going great with everyone. Just wanted to let you know that Carlee's Birthday is coming up on March 6th. I am sure she would love to hear from any of you for her birthday. So if you get a chance, drop her a card or a note, she would love it. Thanks for all your love and support.

Her apartment address is :

7441 Timber Drive #9
Cincinnati, OH 45241.

Thanks,

LaDawn

Having Fun!

All the Sister Missionaries in the Ohio Cincinnati Mission. . .




Dear Family:

What a blessing it is to be here! I just can’t get over that sometimes. I think sometimes we as a society don’t take the time to “enjoy the journey.” I’ve definitely been guilty of that. But we’ve had a great week just having fun doing what missionaries do.

Saturday was definitely a highlight! The three Cincinnati Stakes hosted a Priest/Laurel Conference on Missionary Work and all the missionaries were invited. (Well not ALL of the missionaries, but all of the Sisters were there! It’s been 6 months since I’ve seen some of them!) We held a “Zone Conference” for them: trainings, role plays, and food included! It was as fun as our zone conferences! All of us were paired up with a few new companions for the day and we went out to a couple of real appointments with investigators. That was a treat for me! The first appointment I got to take Erin and Hannah to see Gina, which was perfect because Hannah is in our ward so she invited Gina to come to church (again). And the second appointment I got to take Aimee and Emily to see Debbie.

The highlight of the day was being able to listen in on their testimony meeting. What an opportunity to feel the Spirit! When I was a laurel I would have been terrified to go out with the Sisters, but to hear their testimonies of missionary work and the “instant love” they felt for those they just met made me feel those “warm fuzzies” again. ha ha.

I’ve actually been pondering a lot about that for the last few weeks. That “instant love” I feel for almost everyone we meet. It’s indescribable! No matter who they are, where they’ve been, or how they treat you, you love them. And not just a little, A LOT! The more I’ve thought about it the more I realize that it’s the “joy” referred to in the scriptures! And THEN I realized why all of our covenants center around missionary work (they do! Just think about it)… it’s because that is what brings us the most joy. When someone we love purely accepts and lives the gospel of Jesus Christ and is able to experience the same joy we feel it INCREASES our joy (D&C 10). And THEN it occurred to me that all of this is because God’s plan is centered on our happiness and receiving his “fullness of joy.” It’s perfect!

I’m grateful to have this experience to truly learn to love. It’s pretty neat.

This week’s adventure was Sister White’s Wong Tong soup. ha ha. Sister White is Ji Soo and Hannah’s aunt (who is also from South Korea). We stopped by the other night to see how they were and Sister White asked if we had dinner yet. We told her we hadn’t, so she quickly insisted on making something for us. She’s just sweet like that. Well, we sat down to something a little bit “different” with a definite fishy smell. ha ha. It was REALLY good! Until I had a funny looking object on my spoon and just happened to ask her what it was. Battered fish skin. Yep. It was already on my spoon so I had the whole thing in one bite. I just wanted to let you know that and I expect you to be REALLY proud of me for getting it all the way down. And I survived. (Especially since Sister Gundersen ate three of them before she realized what it was! Ha ha)

I love you lots!

Sister Painter

Pictures included are my companions on Saturday and ALL the Sisters in the OCM now!

"All Weather Is Good Weather!"

Sister Painter helping Sister Thacker with her first snowman. . .

Every kind of weather is good weather for a missionary they say. . .

Hello Family!

We've had a snowy week! But just like President Packer said, "All weather is good weather [on your mission]!" People who wouldn't have let you in before at least think twice about it when they see three young ladies in skirts that are soaking wet from walking down the road that has no sidewalks and dodging semi's that shoot slush all over them! ha ha. Mission memories!

Sister Thacker made sure we made a snowman so I included the picture of the three inch snowman that is gracing our balcony. She also made sure she made a snow angel (in a skirt). I volunteered to watch rather than to participate. We've been having a lot of fun. And it’s true! "All weather is good weather [on your mission]!" We've met some wonderful people this week shoveling out their sidewalks!

Last night we noticed one of our neighbors got stuck and couldn't pull into the parking space. So we went down to help her (those years of getting people out of the snow in Idaho came in really handy!). We got her right out and were able to talk to her. She's from Micronesia! (Definitely don't have the snow problem there!) The missionaries in Micronesia have done great job because every Micronesian we've talked to knows someone in the church or some of the missionaries! Her uncle is a member and they've been to church a few times with him in Micronesia. They are looking for a church around here. (Perfect!)

Speaking of Micronesia our sweet 17yr old investigator from Micronesia is doing great! I absolutely love Gina! She is one of the brightest girls I know! We'll be reading the Book of Mormon and say, "Why do you think Nephi wrote that?" And she'll say, "Because he wants me to pray about what you sisters are teaching me." ha-ha. How did she know? :) I absolutely love her! Our current struggle is getting her to church.

But guess what! One of the ladies we've been teaching, Lila, finally made it to church this week! We were thrilled! Since August the sisters have been trying to get her to church, now she finally made it! She is a pretty amazing woman. So many of the people we teach have struggled through so many trials! It's incredible to me the strength that people have to endure so many things! Lila is definitely no exception. She's attended churches most of her life and she has a strong faith in Christ. What I love is when we teach her something new, like the pre-mortal life her eyes light up and her face just shines. It reminds me how precious these doctrines are.

Having grown up in the church I think I often take for granted what has simply become a part of me. I've always known I am a daughter of God and that he has a vested interest in me. But for Lila, that was something very new and real to her. We've been so blessed! We truly have everything! Everything that is important anyway.

Well that’s it for the West Chester update today. We're ready to go and forge the weather again!

Lots of Love!

Sister Painter

On the road again!

Dear Family:

I wish I had more to report on this week than I do. Ha ha. Since we were sick for most the week we didn’t get much accomplished. Sister Gundersen thought she made it out of the MTC sick free, but she got it a couple days after she got here. Then when she was starting to get over it Sister Thacker and I got it. I guess our immune systems have taken a beating because it took us twice as long to get over it.

Poor Sister Gundersen was patient with us until we could actually leave the house. There is nothing like being stuck in the apartment your second week in the mission field.

We’re better now though! Plus, we had a fabulous zone conference on Wednesday. (What I can remember anyway. My brain was a little fuzzy.) President Robbins is incredible at using the scriptures to teach! He trained on obedience and used the story of Naaman. I’ve never thought much about the story but President literally made the story jump off the page! I love it! I had to read it a few more times through when we got home. You should take a look: 2 Kings 5.

Since I don’t have much to report on I thought I’d tell you a little bit about my companions. I realized the other day that I don’t say much about them. (Good thing I’ve only had three so far and Sister Thacker and I have been together for 80% of my mission! Ha ha)

I gave them a one minute interview this morning and these were their answers:

Sister Thacker:

Time on mission: 1 year
# of kids in her family: 6 (oldest)
Hometown: Maricopa, AZ
Favorite color: Blue
Preferred candy bar: Reese’s P.B. cups
Best part of serving a mission: “Meeting so many different people. Everyone is so unique.”
Scripture Hero: Abinadi
If you could do anything right now: Go dancing
Where you were before your mission: going to Northern AZ University for Elementary Education degree
Favorite thing about Sister P.: Enthusiasm about the Book of Mormon and the gospel AND she shares EVERYTHING (so she says while she’s eating my teddy grahams).

My favorite thing about Sister Thacker is her patience. She is a great companion because not much ruffles her up. She loves the people so much. AND she stays focused. Ha ha… I can talk about all sorts of things and she’s good about staying on topic.

Sister Gundersen:

Time on mission: 1 month
# of kids in her family: 7 (third)
Hometown: Blackfoot, ID
Favorite color: Plum
Preferred candy bar: Reese’s P.B. cup Easter eggs
Best part of serving a mission: “Teaching the Gospel!”
Scripture Hero: Gideon (in the Book of Mormon)
If you could do anything right now: Go biking
Where you were before your mission: teaching 4th and 5th graders (in Blackfoot Charter School)

Favorite thing about Sister P.: She smiles!
My favorite thing about Sister Gundersen is her boldness. Man! She tells it how it is and then she commits them to be baptized! Ha ha. I love it!
Our favorite memory together:

We were all laughing about when our cars got grounded this week and we trudged 2miles in the snow storm to our dinner appointment. We were soaking wet from the snow/sleet and the cars passing by that would splash us. Welcome to the mission field Sister Gundersen! We really do have a good time together! We’ve been blessed with wonderful sisters in this mission! Next week I promise I’ll have more to report on our investigators and the work!

Oh yes, I have come to the attention that I’ve been on my mission 8 months now and am now old news, but I still like letters! And that will never change. (hint hint)

I love you lots!

Sister Painter

Happy Birthday Grandpa Boyd!

And Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa Painter!