Mon, Aug 31, 2015 I'll be what you want me to be.

Connie, Sis Wright, Sis Hoth at baptism

Hey Ya'll!

It has been another incredible week in the mission. I have learned so much about the Spirit this week. I remember the words that John Bytheway said at our fireside a few weeks ago, "the only thing you need to do as a missionary is have the Spirit, and the Lord will take care of the rest." That is so true. My job is to be worthy and willing to have the Spirit with me at all times. And if I do that, God has promised that He will guide me, that He will help me know what to say, and He will tell me exactly what I need to do. So many times this week I have asked Heavenly Father "where should I go? what should l say?" And then there's always that question that I have for Him, "what do you want me to be?" I don't have to wonder these things if I have the Spirit with me. It will tell me "all things which (I) should do". So through the Spirit, we have seen so many incredible miracles this week. 

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Something else I have realized this week is that the reason why there are so many good stories to tell from the mission is because we are constantly outside of our comfort zone. And that's where the most memorable stories come from. So I just encourage all of you to stretch outside your comfort zones, and share the gospel. It's scary. But I can promise you that you will see miracles and gain the most incredible memories of your life. "Life begins outside of your comfort zone.

Haha...so funny story this week. We were on one of the reserves, Tsartlip, just out talking to people. A few weeks ago we met a man named Wayne and taught him how to pray. So this time, We saw our friend Wayne, who is a heavyFirst Nations man. His voice is so deep. We were talking to him while watching his neighbor across the street back up the r.v. In the backing up process, the neighbor crashed into the house. Sister Wright and I jumped so much. Wayne just cracked up laughing. The neighbor pulled the r.v. down where we were and needless to say, he didn't think it was as funny as Wayne thought. He was swearing up a storm while trying to fix the wheel of the r.v. Wayne turned to us and said, "Maybe you should go teach him how to pray." Haha. So we went over and talked to him, but he wouldn't face us. So I asked, "Can we at least leave this with you?" (holding a Book of Mormon Card with Jesus Christ on the front) The man said, "Is it a card with Jesus Christ on it?" Haha, my mouth dropped. How did you know?? Apparently, I'm really bad at remembering who we talk to. We had talked to that man and left a card with him a week earlier. 

I had a neat experience out tracting the other day. It was a hot day and people were just not interested. So, I turned it over to the Lord. I asked which house we should go. As I looked out across the road, I saw just the top of the roof to one house and that was the one we felt prompted to go to. We went over there and there was a man cleaning his car. We had a great conversation with him and then right before we said goodbye, his wife came out. His wife was the lady that we met in the library the day before. So crazy. God is so good and knows exactly who we need to talk to. We don't need to worry about who to talk to or what to say because God knows all of His children perfectly. If we are in tune with the Spirit, then He will tell us exactly what we need to do.

Zone Conference ~ Elders; Sisters Wright, Hoth Jensen, Jeppson, Christianson, Magelby

So one day, we decided to go contacting on the only street that we can contact on. (It's the only street with people). So we went to Beacon and as soon as we got out of the car, there was a dark, heavy feeling on Beacon. I have never met so many rude people all in a row. People were yelling out their cars at us and rude comments seemed to just be flying our way. No one would listen. Sister Wright and I were both struggling to stay on Beacon. But I decided to keep my head up. Something I learned my first transfer in the field was that when all odds are against you and you want to give up, that's when you can't give up. Satan was working so hard on us right then, and that's because there was someone there that NEEDED the gospel. We pushed through and talked to everyone we saw. We ended up having a few good conversations and moment of bearing testimony. I don't know exactly who we impacted that day, but I know that we left that street brighter, lighter, and happier than we found it. And that's our job. 

We had a really powerful lesson with Christine this week. She has told us that when she says her strong, powerful prayer and makes the effort to stop smoking that she will be able to stick to it. So we focused on that. We encouraged her to have that open conversation with God and to plead for the strength to quit smoking. We were able to promise her that if she increased her understanding of the Savior and His Atonement, she would have the strength to quit smoking. It was sad, Christine wasn't able to come to church. And after this week, she will be on vacation. Her date is still the 26th of September..so keep praying for her! Transfers are while she is gone...so we are hoping that one of us stays to continue to encourage her! 

So, I have to share another message that Connie sent us. Wow, I bet every missionary wishes they had a recent convert as solid as Connie. She said," Immersed myself in scriptures last night until 6 am. Started with the life of Jesus Christ video. It was awesome. Next I went to the gospel principles book and the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Just having breakfast now, then I will continue my reading. I have faith this will pull me out of my stress. Thank you for your continued support. You are truly one of my many blessings!" She is so sweet. Pray for her...she is still on the job hunt!

Laura is doing great. She is struggling with smoking still, but each day she is gaining a stronger testimony. 

Tabitha moved so we are sad that we can't work with her anymore.

 I taught Sister Wright how to puddle jump. It's the best when I can get my companion soaked. Haha, we have had some really rainy days this week. One of the days, we were walking up a huge hill and then all of the sudden a bus stops next to us. The bus driver asked if we wanted a ride, his name was Hanz. The bus was empty so he just wanted someone to talk to. We shared the gospel with him and we were on our way. I'm so grateful for all of the Christlike examples that I get to meet everyday.

A sweet little sister returned from her mission this week and I loved a quote she shared. "We need to stop thinking I need to take care of myself or no one else will, and start thinking, I need to take care of these people or no one else will and Christ will take care of me." I love that. I have noticed that as I have turned outwards, that I don't need to worry about myself. God takes care of us. We are supposed to take care of each other and lift others up. It is part of our baptismal covenant (Mosiah 18:8-10). I pray that all of us may do a little better to be a little kinder and truly love and serve others.

Love you all and thank you for your support! Have a great week.                                                    Love, Hermana Hoth