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. . .

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.