Ouch...Thank You

Dear family,

Yesterday was a very bizarre day for us. After 4 weeks with our sweet Sister Greathouse, she felt strongly that she needed to go home to sort out a lot of health problems, so we had to drop her off at the airport yesterday morning. It was so hard knowing what lies before her if she truly wants to get back out here. She can do it with the Lord's help. We truly do miss her though. Sister Riggs and I just hugged and cried for a good while. After personal study we went to see Dr. Holmes, the Chiropractor. While he was adjusting Sister Riggs neck I had to look away so the image of the movement wouldn't be in my head when he adjusted mine. I hear the movement in her neck and she said, "oww,...thank you." It was a perfect analogy for the gospel and our experiences hear on Earth. Sometimes the Thank you is delayed for a very long time but it will always come when the Lord lets us understand the purpose of that trial or challenge. It's silly but very deep. I know there are people experiencing a lot of Oww for a reason and we can be a part of helping them come to say Thank you.

We just got back from a meeting for the Sisters in the mission. The 4 of us training Sisters (including the mormon battallion sisters) got a chance to share our thoughts with all 40 of the sisters here. It was wonderful. We talked about how we need to laugh and find joy in the journey. Self-destructing is Satan's way. Joy in the journey is the Savior's way. Sister Sterling (Phil, do you know any Sterlings from PG?) shared how her twin sisters that are about 4 were alone in the kitchen getting into their typical mischeif and from the other room she hear one of them say, "I believe in Savannah!" She peaked in to see Savannah standing on the kitchen counter tightly holding onto the cupboard with one hand and reaching far back into the cupboard with the other. Savannah said, "say it again." So her sister said, "I believe in Savannah!" That unity and confidence in each other is what we need in our companionships, mission, ward and stake. I know that applies to after the mission too. We can do incredible things when we know that someone believes in  us. I know that is true. I felt that the moment I walked into my district in the MTC. I felt it totally change me and I've carried that throughout my mission. Then we talked about the immense changes in missionary work that are approaching. We have 180 missionaries currently and are expecting that to increase by 70 before July. We want each missionary to come into this mission and feel like they are a part of something amazing and that they are needed and loved instantly. The work will truly roll forth with greater power as we are behind each other and pushing alongside. I felt so humbled and full of love for every sister as we all sat huddled in the living room of our mission home. I felt an outpouring of appreication for these choice daughters of God that are here serving the Lord. They each carry a power and I know that we can create a unity here that will help hasten the Lord's work.

I love this gospel. I Know it is true. I feel the safety and certainty that comes from spoken truth as the spirit witnesses to my heart that the doctrine is true. I love being a tool for the Lord. I'm looking forward to the months I have left here in San Diego and for the years I have in the Lord's kingdom all over the world. I'll still make a huge impact if it is a desire of mine and if I am willing to act on the impressions that come, even when they don't appear to make sense. I love you and invite you to pray for those opportunities to bless lives each day with an act of kindness and showing your awareness.