Here's to 5 Spooktacular Months!

I forgot my birthday book yet again...Happy birthday to anyone who has a birthday this week! 

This week has been great weather. We have been biking quite a bit. Nothing like California weather but good for here:) Everyone keeps talking about winter coming... I am going to freeze!

This week has been quite eventful. We did a service project at a Park for an Art institute's 100 anniversary next spring. We dug out and planted tulip bulbs in the design of an abstract painting...crazy! The person in charge said we planted about 4,000 bulbs if I remember right...I didn't think the planters were that big but my back sure feels they were! I am so sore from shoveling out and piling dirt back in the planters. I couldn't help but think of the days working out in the yard when I was little. I was surprised at how many of the missionaries  didn't know how to garden. It made me grateful for times I have learned to work hard. It has been such a blessing on my mission!

Leslie is doing alright. The elders in the ward had another baptism which we attended and spoke at! Leslie parents said she could go which is amazing but something came up last minute. Keep her in your prayers!

This week we met with our investigator named Mercy. We met with her twice with members, once with only the two of us, and then she attended a baptism and a Presidents fireside where converts speak last night. She has a baptismal date for the 22nd of November. The ward members have been so kind to her. Everyone loves her two year old daughter blessing. Steve Nelson gave her a priesthood blessing of strength one night after a lesson with Steve and Keri. It was a neat experience. The relief society president invited her over to her house for dinner. She went without us. Mercy is merciful to us. I am sure this week has been a bit overwhelming but she has tried to take in everything. She wants so badly to be baptized. We worry if we blink she may disappear. She is so amazing it feels like a dream. I am sure she has many questions because we went through the lessons quite rapidly. We are planning to review all of them in detail coming up. Everyone loves her! After the baptism, she said to us, "everyone loves me here, I just want to love them!." I am praying she can survive the social storm!
This week we felt we should teach a potential in Hopkins, an area we have spent much time in lately. We taught her the restoration, and although it all went well, we felt that the person we taught was more curious than interested. Immediately after Sister Bone and I both felt prompted that there was another part of the area we should focus our time in called Excelsior and Shorewood. We felt we had fulfilled our purpose in Hopkins. Nothing has felt quite right in the area since we found Mercy. Not many of the missionaries in the past who served in this area have visited the part we feel prompted to go to because it is a bit farther away. We are excited, when the new month starts to budget our miles so we can get out to it! We are excited!

This week I have studied much on consecration. The key to consecration I believe is keeping your eyes on the savior. I am grateful for what the savior has done for me. During moments of trial I have come to appreciate Jesus Christ. I am beginning to understand all he has done for me. I pray I might keep my eyes on the savior and ultimately my purpose as a missionary.

Tomorrow we have a mission conference. A member of the 70 will speak to us! He spoke at the presidents fireside. He did a good Job. I was asked to lead the music for the conference. I am excited! Never thought I would do that! 

Today we are carving pumpkins as a district for preparation day and then have a family home evening lesson with mercy tonight at the members home. Should be fun! 

For Halloween night this Friday I think we are doing another service project. Our mission is trying to get involved with local businesses and churches to do service! It has been a good experience. I am excited for Halloween! 

Have a great week! Watch out for the goblins and ghosts! 

Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy

Happy birthday Hannah Kriesel!! Wow, it feels like forever since I have seen you. I hope you are doing well! Happy birthday Logan Dunn too. You are growing up fast:)

It is getting chilly here! I have already worn my winter coat...what in the world?:)

This week has been very humbling. None of our investigators could meet this week. We realized we must plan many back ups and rely wholly upon the Lord. We went to dinner Tuesday with Pam and John and had Smores after by the fire. We shared the Restoration with Pam previously and she seemed interested. While with them, we prayed about how to share the Restoration message with her husband or share a thought from the scriptures. It seemed that, although we were able to testify about different truths of the gospel throughout dinner, we could not think of a way to testify of Joseph Smith. The Spirit seemed to "constrain" us. At the end of the night, I asked if we could share a thought but I did not think they heard me because no one responded. We looked down at our watches and realized we had been there for much longer than we had planned or should have stayed. I prayed for forgiveness and immediately a quiet peace enter my heart. The words "by small and simple means are great things brought to pass" came to mind. The next day, they told us they had heard me ask if we could share a thought and wanted to know what that thought was. We told them we were going to share a scripture. They told us they would have loved to have heard one. I wonder if we should have been bolder. We don’t want them to think that we are befriending them to manipulate them into joining the Church. We truly want them to find happiness. I laughed so hard with them and enjoyed their effortless company. I pray we will know how to help them.

I went on exchanges this week with Sister Schwartz. She has been my sister Training leader since the beginning of my mission. We tell each other we could never be companions because we would have a hard time getting things done...we laugh too hard. Every time we are together, we have funny experiences. We were hitting many dead ends and so to stay positive, I suggested we pick animals and try to replicate their sounds. It turns out she is a pro at this game! I couldn’t believe how realistic the sounds were...we had a good time! We also saw another sunset with a double rainbow on the opposite side...it was gorgeous!

I have learned much about mistakes this last week. Sometimes we learn by successes but more often than not, the biggest lessons we learn come from our mistakes. I came to realize the Lord’s hand in my life this week. Why is it that so often we only realize the blessings we have been given after the Lord takes them away for a time? I am grateful for the Savior. He is the light. He brings the light of clarity into even the darkness of confusion. I am so grateful and humbled at his mercy and grace. I will never deserve all he does for me. I pray I will be able to use the gifts he has given me so I can one day return to Heavenly Father in honor.

Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy

Hymns, Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy, no. 335

1. Brightly beams our Father's mercy

From his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

[Chorus]

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

2. Dark the night of sin has settled;

Loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the lights along the shore.

3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.

May we rely on the Lord in ALL we do. I am forever grateful for the decision I made with Heavenly Father to go on a mission. I have learned priceless truths by my own experience. I am grateful for repentance because it is in those times that I have had the opportunity to feel my Savior's love. I have never felt Satan's influence so strong before but never have I felt the redeeming love of the Savior like I have here. I am grateful for the selfless love of the Savior. I pray I might emulate him and light the way for others. How grateful I am for prophets and apostles who guide this work. What a wonderful opportunity it was to hear from them this weekend. They speak with the tongue of angels.

We got to watch the last session with President and Sister Forbes and the sister training leaders. It was neat to watch it through their eyes. Have a great week!

 Us in blankets watching conference Sunday morning….spoiled:)

Thanks Mom and Dad for the hat and scarf!