Tuesday, December 31, 2013

KAELEY'S LAST LETTER OF 2013 DECEMBER 30th

 
 
Skyping with Kaeley on Christmas Eve it was so good to talk to her, she just looks and sounds so happy and is loving being in California serving.  Sorry this was not posted Monday, we had some computer issues . 
  
HAPPY NEW YEARS !!!                                                               December 30th 2013
 
 
     Can you believe it!  It’s almost a brand new year! 2014! So crazy! But I can feel that it will be a wonderful year full of new adventures and new hope and faith!
  This week has been great! It was a wonderful Christmas as we spent it with members and decorated people's doors with snowflakes! And getting to see my family! It is always a wonderful time!. It is weird to see them through a screen just because you get use to just emails and then see them. It kind of plays with your mind! :) In a good way though.
   It was a very good week. We found 1 new investigator who seems to really want to learn!! We weren't able to meet with a lot of our investigators this week but we did hear from them and were able to see them for a few minutes. We have 2 investigators that are doing so well and so in tune with the spirit and we know that they will get an answer. 
   We had a wonderful Sunday. Our stake president came into town for the day and also the Elders in our ward gave amazing talks on raising the vision and we will see miracles. It was so powerful and for me personally, changed my view of goals and the way I see things. I am really grateful for that and really needed to hear some of the things were said. The stake president also made some amazing comments that I believe and pray inspired people to share the Gospel with their friends and families. The Bishop also gave an amazing presentation on missionary work and how we can be a part of it, members and missionaries. And that is the whole vision of hastening the work, members and missionaries working together to bring the harvest of souls. Members are so important and make the difference between investigators that stay and walk away from the Gospel.
  I love the Gospel so much and am so grateful for the chance that I have to share it each day. It changes lives every day including mine. I am eternally grateful that Heavenly Father loved me enough to push me to come.  It is the best decision that I have ever made for my life and has changed my future forever.
   We are having a Family Home evening tonight at the church with the members and our investigators that we are super excited about! We are having pizza and games and it turned out to be a lot bigger than we thought but we feel so good about it and are excited!!!

 I love you all and am grateful for the love, prayers and support! All my love, Sister Haws

Monday, December 23, 2013

KAELEY'S LETTER DECEMBER 23RD 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL    !!!!!!!                                       December 23rd 2013
 
     I can't believe it's Christmas! This month has gone wayyyyy to fast. And Christmas should be an everyday thing  because I simply love Christmas. We saw a lot of miracles this week! We actually found 3 new investigators that are very promising. They all came from member referrals and have amazing questions and truly want to learn more. We feel very good about them. We also had a chance to go caroling with some of the members. That was so much fun!! We prayed over our ward list and caroled to those that were less-active or were just in need of a pick-me up. The members really seemed to enjoy it and we had fun. One night was very cold but we were able to have fun and that made it "warmer" you could say.
   On Wednesday, our Bishop's wife had her baby girl. Which was super exciting but then we realized,  she was our choir director for the Christmas program. Then we got a text message saying  "Sister Haws, We know you have heard that the baby was born and we are looking for a new choir director”.  It made me laugh but I had the amazing chance to be a part of it. We only had a couple of days to prepare but it was amazing and the spirit was strong. There were quite a few people there as well and that was neat to see.
  Sorry this is so short but I will see a lot of you tomorrow!!!  I love you all and am so grateful for this time to celebrate the Birth of our Savior, and Redeemer. He Lives, I know he does. I have felt His healing power and strength.  He is my best friend and I know that He is real.  I hope you all enjoy this wonderful Christmas season with family and friends! It is truly a season for celebrating the good news of the birth of our Savior and to share our glad tidings with the World that through the Savior, Jesus Christ, all my return to Heavenly Father.
   Love,  Sister Haws
 

Monday, December 16, 2013

LETTER FROM KAELEY DECEMBER 16TH 2013

Hola !! And Merry Christmas to all !!                                 December 16th 2013  
 
    Well this week has been pretty darn good. Up's and down's but that is what helps us to grow closer to the Lord.
   Monday we were finally able to teach one of our investigators that we haven't been able to see for about a month and we had an amazing lesson of how the Holy Ghost plays such an important role in our conversion and helps us to learn the truth of all things and we felt that it went really well. He is very intelligent and uses a lot of big words that make it difficult for me personally to understand, haha  but,  it is very entertaining and I am really grateful for the spirit that can understand and then tells me what to say.   And this was also our last day with our Elders that served here with us in the Bishop Ward. They both got transferred and they put 2 new elders in. But we spent most of the day just having fun with the Elders before they left. We all became close and good friends so it was hard to see them leave. You really do make some of your best friends out here.
   Tuesday, we went out to Benton which is like 15 minutes from the Nevada Border and visited some members and meeting some really neat potential investigators. We also met the new elders and one of them I already knew from before and the other one is fresh from the MTC.
   We were able to do quite a bit of service this week for people and we had some very good connections with some of the less-actives in our ward that are wanting  to go to the temple. There are 2 single ladies that we are really working with to help them go to the temple and they are so excited. There is one that is so strong. She has been a member for about 4 years and has an amazing testimony. She was inactive for a while but she came back because she feels so much peace every time she walks into the church. And she just glows. The Gospel has changed her life and does each day and she is such a strong example to me of being truly converted unto the Lord.  We were able to see one of our former investigators who is having a really hard time. His wife is really sick and might not make it too much longer so we were able to read some scriptures with him and we sang for him and his wife. The Spirit was so strong and you could just feel how much the Lord loves them and is very aware of them. The wife received a priesthood blessing and it was powerful. I just love moments like this being a missionary. It reaffirms that God loves His Children and we are here for them.
  We also had the wonderful chance to see our mission president this last weekend which was so nice and a much needed visit! I just love him so much. You can see the power of God within him and the love that he has for his missionaries. He is an amazing man and I am so grateful to be here and serve with him. I just felt so safe and so much peace being around him. I didn't want him to leave. We told him he should move the mission home up here and get a private jet and then he can fly wherever he needs to. :) He even liked that idea.
   We also got to go on splits with a member in the ward and we saw so many miracles. One of the coolest things was that we ran into a couple of Hispanics and I have been trying to learn Spanish so we can at least give them something and I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help me and I told him who we were and that we share a message about Jesus Christ and it can bless his family. Then I bore my testimony on the Book of Mormon and the spirit was so strong. He replied and said that this book is very important and I said yes. The member that I was with speaks a lot of Spanish and she said after that I had to have gotten the gift of tongues.  She said when I started, there was a lot of grammar errors but when I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, she said it was perfect and he completely understood. I don't know if it really was but the spirit was so strong and he knew that is was good and important. We were able to give him a Book of Mormon in Spanish and he wants to learn more. Don't really know how we will teach him but the Lord will provide a way. I love being a missionary more than anything in the world. There is so much joy and peace that comes from sharing the Gospel each day. I never not  want to share it. This Gospel changes lives. I know that it has mine forever and I am eternally grateful for that!!! I have gained a relationship with my savior and Heavenly Father that no one can ever take away from me and I am so grateful for that. I know that through that relationship, I can get through anything because they are always on my side. This truly is the work of the Lord and He is preparing His Children for His coming. Thank you for all your support and love and prayers. They are felt! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!         All my love,  Sister Haws.

Monday, December 9, 2013

LETTER AND PICTURES FROM KAELEY DECEMBER 9TH 2013

fun in the snow

Pictures from their ward Christmas Program





Their whole zone
Hello!                                                                                                                                                    December 9th 2013
   Can you believe it is almost Christmas?!? Where has all the time gone! I just can't believe it! But I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Especially as a missionary because people are nice and people are focused on the Savior so much more! I wish it was like this all year round! The first Presidency devotional was amazing! I especially liked Elder Nelson's talk about finding peace through the Atonement of the Savior! The spirit was so strong.
   Our Christmas program went SOOOOO well! Everyone loved it! We didn't get as many people there as we would have liked. BUT the majority of the ward was in the program so those that were watching it were less-actives or non-members! So that was really cool to realize! We had so much fun doing it and so many people said they would have loved to see it again! They did get some of it on camera but we don't know which parts so you may or may not get to actually see it "live!" I loved it so much! We were very tired after but it was worth it! We even had the family we are teaching come to it and they really loved it!
   We didn't really get a lot of people visited this week because we were busy with the program and trying to let my companions  knee rest. Her knee isn't doing so hot right now so any prayers would be much appreciated! We know the Lord will provide a miracle but we just have to be patience. It is getting better but just taking a while and we are trying to take it easy for her.
   We did visit a few less-actives that are doing well and a couple of them have been coming out to church lately! Which has been so great!  We still have SOOOO much work to do in this area and it is moving forward. But sometimes it is overwhelming. Our human mind sometimes freaks out a little bit and says how can we ever do this but the spirit side says keep having faith and trust in the Lord. It is a decision we have to make every day. To trust in the Lord and not get down or discouraged. That is exactly what Satan wants is to discourage us. But he will never win! We have seen so many miracles and we know the Lord is working side by side with us. We couldn't be doing what we are doing without him.
   Last night was one of those moments that discouragement set in and I had to make a choice. We were talking about everything that we need to do and everything that needs to change. And of course, my human side said, "AHHHHHHHH, this is dumb." But I realized after,   that in order for things to change, I have to have more faith. So that is exactly what I am working on this week. Increasing my faith and relying on the Lord. I look back at times and just see how much I have changed and grown closer to the Lord and I am so grateful for the testimony and the Conversion that has taken place in my heart unto the Lord. I am so grateful to be a missionary especially this season because this is my gift to the Savior, serving him and sharing His Gospel. That is one of the best gifts we can give the Savior, is becoming more truly converted unto him and sharing His Gospel with those we love. Thank you for all your love and prayers! I hope the days leading up to Christmas are wonderful and each of you feel the love of the Savior each day!
 OH MY GOODNESS! The best news of the day, that I forgot to say is that I am staying in Bishop another transfer, (probably finish out here) AND I get to stay with Sister Kimball and Wilkin! Both are done with training and normally they split us up after that but they didn't! The Lord needs us together and we are so excited to be together for Christmas!!!!
   I love you all dearly! Have a wonderful week! Love, Sister Haws

Monday, December 2, 2013

KAELEY'S LETTER DECEMBER 2ND 2013


Hello!                                                                             December 2nd 2013

    I hope this finds everyone well fed and happy since Thanksgiving just happened! It was a great day for us in the mission field to spend it with friends who have become like family. They had an open house that anybody could come to so we met a lot of different people and just had a good time eating and singing Christmas songs! :) Christmas time is my favorite and especially as a missionary. People tend to be more open about hearing about Christ. I wish it was like that all year round but we will use it to our advantage!

   We were able to have quite a few lessons with Less-actives and they all went very well. And we made some good contact with people. We officially have a baptismal date for December 28th that we are really excited about! She is a 16 year old girl who's Aunt is a member and she really loves the Church. So we feel pretty good about her.

   And this weekend for the first time in about 2 years, they had a Baptism of a part-member family of a 9 and 11 year old boys. It was very powerful and so nice to see a baptism again. The spirit is always so strong at them.

   We have faced some difficulties within the ward and just things that we really need to help and change so that the missionary work in this area can move forward. I know the Lord will provide a way and that is where faith has to play such a huge part. Sometimes we can't see how things will work out or how things will play out. But with faith leading us, we don't have to know all things. and that is such a blessing and can truly help us to rely on the Lord and I have come to learn the more faith we exercise, the more miracles we see.

   This week, we have a lot of practices in order to get ready for the program. We are hoping it will get taped but who knows. It will be a lot of fun and we are helping to put up some of the decorations and that has been fun and pictures will come of that for sure! This week will be a great week! I love you all! Sister Haws

Monday, November 25, 2013

SNOWY PICTURES AND LETTER FROM KAELEY NOVEMBER 25TH 2013

Kaeley has her release date, it is March 5th 2014 ! We are getting excited to see her in about 3 months !! 

YEA, SHE FOUND HOME !!! 
She looks like a stern mother ready to scold her unruly children !  
Enjoying the first snow fall in Bishop Cal.
below: she had to scrap snow off the car for the first time on her mission
guess it is good practice for when she gets home !!

 
HAPPY  ALMOST THANKSGIVING  DAY !                                                                                                                November 25th 2013      

    I can't believe it this month is almost over! I feel like this month pasted by faster than any other month. But is sure has been a good month. That is probably why!

   We had another really good week. Very busy. On Tuesday, we decided to show up to one of the members home and offer to do some service for them. They are an older couple who have done so much for us since we have gotten here and we wanted to repay them so we spent about 2 hours helping them clean their kitchen and windows. It was a lot of fun. My companions ended up cleaning the front door and then they starting hollering, came running inside and asked for bug killer. Apparently they moved a cobweb and a lot of spiders came running at them. They were only daddy long legs but it was entertaining listening to them scream.  : )   They said there was about 80. No joke. But it was a lot of fun.  Then we had practice for the upcoming Christmas program that evening and had dinner with a member.  Wednesday, we finally had the appointment with the specialist for my companion's knee.  They said that she needs to do physical therapy for about a month and if that doesn't work, she may need to have surgery.  So keep her in your prayers that therapy works.

   Thursday turned really cold up here and on Friday we got snow!!!  It was beautiful to see but it melted the next day which I was very okay with.  Walking around in it isn't too fun.  On Saturday, we got to teach our new investigator from last week the Message of the Restoration and it went so well.  We had dinner with them and we really feel she is ready and prepared to know that these things are true.  And we had ribs that day which made it all the better!!  We are seeing so many miracles in this area.  We still have a lot of work to do but the Lord is pouring out blessings!  Which I am so grateful for!  Those tender mercies are what help us to stay motivated and to keep going!  The Atonement of the Savior is real and empowers us to go beyond ourselves and do the work that the Lord needs us to do.  I hope all goes well this week and you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving  day! I am grateful for all of you! :)  Love, Sister Haws

Monday, November 18, 2013

ANOTHER LETTER AND PICTURES FROM KAELEY NOVEMBER 18TH 2013


AS IT GETS COLDER, HEARTS ARE GETTING WARMER!!!!!                                                                               November 18th 2013

   I can't even begin to tell you how amazing this week has been. It has not been the easiest but it has been totally worth it. We have seen so many miracles and tender mercies this week, it is unreal. The Christmas Program that will happen in 3 weeks seems to be going very well and we realized for the first time this week, that it is uniting the ward in a way that we desperately need right now. Even the people that aren't too happy to be in it are uniting with the same type of people in the ward! haha It is amazing to see and we know that the Lord has His Hand in this program. We also had the amazing opportunity to do some service for the community and for the ward members.
Tis the season to rake leaves! So we helped at city hall and then went to help a member with her leaves as well.
Kids will still be kids, playing in the pile of leaves.
 
Yes, It is Kaeley in the pile of leaves reading her scriptures !
And we also helped another lady do some cleaning in her house. It has been a great week for service.

    Friday, we had an amazing training about how to increase our faith and trusting in the Lord. Our mission president believes we are not living up to the potential we could in our mission so we really need to exercise faith and then go out and work and leave the rest up to the Lord. To set High goals with the guidance of the spirit and then work and see the Lord working  miracles. It was very inspiring and helped me to realize that there are things that I needed to change and that I needed to rededicate myself to the Lord. And that is exactly what I am doing. I just needed to focus more on what I am doing and be in the here and now and not thinking about the future. I love being a missionary and serving the Lord more than anything and sometimes, I just need that little reminder from the Lord. I am grateful that the Lord loves me enough to help me to change and become better and to show me the way to do just that.

AND THEN, Saturday happened, Seriously a day of miracles. We met a man about 2 weeks ago and he was getting ready to go running so we asked him if we could come to his house and share a message with his family sometime. He said yes and gave us his address. It took us a while to get a hold of him but we got in Saturday morning and taught him and his 4 kids. He is a single dad and is amazing. He has been through so much and we felt so strongly that he is one of those families we were meant to find. They seem to be so prepared and really listened to the message of the Restoration. The spirit was so strong and I know that it bore testimony to his heart that the things we said were true. We pray very hard for him! :) And then we we were able to talk to all of our other investigators that we hadn't seen in a while and we also meet a couple of really promising potential investigators that already love Mormons!  Which is always a good sign!

  Every year, our ward puts on a huge Thanksgiving dinner and that happened Saturday night as well. So we got to help a little with that but mostly we got to talk to so many people that came. There were so many less-actives that came and even the man and his kids that we had taught that morning came to have dinner!!! There was just this happiness in the air and it was amazing to be there. We felt very good about the turn out.

   BUT WAIT!  it gets even better.  This Month in our ward, we have had more non-members at church every Sunday since we got here. There was one member that brought her niece and she came into the Gospel Principles class, which we taught that day about the Creation and the Love Heavenly Father has for us, and after the lesson, we invited her to learn more and she really wants to. She loved it so much and really enjoyed herself. So we got 4 new investigators in a matter of 24 hours. We haven't found anyone for about 3 weeks. We KNOW that it was the Lord blessing us. The work is moving forward and we really feel we are starting to gain the trust of the members and building strong relationships with them. This area is picking up and we are so grateful to be here. It hasn't been the easiest transition for me personally in this area but I have learned so much about relying on the Lord and learning that I am truly His servant. I can only do as much as my faith that is in Jesus Christ. "And Christ hath Said:  If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." Moroni  7:33. I am scratching the surface of this scripture but it is showing me the power we each can have if we truly put our Faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. He can help us do anything and he will always help us to do His work and bring people unto him.
I love this work so much and am so grateful to be out here and be serving the Lord. I am grateful for forgiveness and mercy and the love he shows me each day! He is real and hears and answers our prayers. I know it and I love it! The church is true! Love to all, Sister Haws

 

Monday, November 11, 2013

NOVEMBER 11TH 2013


Hello!                                                                                                                                                                    November 11th 2013

     I always try to think of something clever to start my emails with, and normally it is fail big time,  and today was no exception.  I just literally sat here for 5 minutes trying to figure it out, which I guess was a good thing because I now just had something to start me email out…..  yep and I did say me. :)

   This week has been pretty good. The first half of the week we still tried to stay inside to let my companion rest her knees but we got the results back from the MRI and we know about just as much as before except for more medical terms that none of us can pronounce. We know that there is a tear in something and that is it swollen (which we probably could of diagnosed ourselves just by looking at it,) but we have an appointment with a specialist in a couple of weeks, which stinks because it is so far out and she has to suffer with it until then, but patience is required.  But we have decided that her knee hurts anyway so we may as well go out and work as much as possible and as long as her knees can take it. Which we don't know if that is the best but we don't really have the option as missionaries to just sit inside and especially in this area. There is SOOOOOOOOOOOO much work to be done and we have already been down for about 2 weeks. But we are still trying to let her take it easy and resting as much as we can but working as hard as we can.  We are being so blessed even though we were inside for 2 weeks. The Lord was preparing people and their hearts and we have seen some of those miracles already.

     There was a couple of Less-actives that we visited this weekend and we hadn't seen them for about 4 weeks and we felt bad but we decided after seeing them again that is was a good we waited so long,  because they really missed us and they needed to feel the difference in the spirit.  They even brought up coming to church which is a step closer than before.  It is amazing how the Lord prepares people's hearts.  It can take years or just months.  I truly have come to know that the Lord knows His children one by one and he watches over them and blesses them one by one. I just found out that 2 of the investigators that we were teaching in my last area are getting baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    1 of them actually just got baptized the end of October and the other the end of this month,  both of which we didn't know how long it would take. We knew that they would but it is amazing to see how the Lord prepared them and they have changed their lives and are so happy! I love the Gospel so much! It changes lives every day.

    Sunday was a very busy day for us. I was asked to play the organ in Sacrament meeting and it was so much fun! I love playing the Organ and grateful that I know how to play. Then we taught the youth Sunday school group and taught on how to find answers to our own gospel questions and it went very well and then we also had the wonderful chance to teach Relief Society. We taught about "Loving God more than we love the world." It ended up being a very good lesson, or at least we think so! :) But it was a good reminder for me to remember why I am out here serving. Because I love God and My savior more than anything. Every morning I say that to myself and it seems to help me make good decisions and to stay faithful and diligent. The Gospel truly is TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is nothing better and nothing else will lead us through the darkest of times!

      Now, this may come as a shocker to some of you that know me well. I use to be very quiet, and shy, and not a big people person. A lot of that has changed......like a lot.! :)  Anywho, the senior couple missionaries up here are putting together a Christmas program for the community and helping to unite the ward and bring people into our church so they can feel the spirit and see that it is a normal building. The program requires singing with a microphone and a couple of the numbers require dancing and singing. (Don't worry we have permission from the mission president to be in it.) And guess who is in the program....yep me!!!! Now,  if that had happened before my mission, well, we all know that it would of never happened but now, I am having so much fun with it!!! We have practice a couple of times a week and they are going well! We are so excited to be in it and doing it. I never thought I would be on a stage with a microphone, singing, AND DANCING!!!! I won't even sing in the shower to myself but I love who I am becoming. I still have a long way to go but I am becoming the person I always wanted to be and it is because of the Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is real and his power is real. I love the Gospel so much and am grateful to be out here!!!!. I love you all!!! Love, Sister Haws

Monday, November 4, 2013

Kaeley's letter and pictures November 4th 2013

Silliness in the kitchen ! They do get to have some fun too :)

Not sure what she is doing, I think she has lost it ??? 

P-day hike

Fall scenery in Bishop California

NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!

     I love November. Mostly because of the beautiful colors and when the seasons start to change. Especially here in Bishop. It is so beautiful here in the Fall. This week has been a very blessed week. We have seen so many miracles. My companion's knee is still in pretty bad shape so we have been taking it easy so she can heal faster so we were inside most of the week. BUT even though we haven't been able to get out as much as we want to, the Lord has truly blessed us. We try to go to the appointments. that are set and that way she isn't out walking around. We had a couple of dinners with the members and they are seriously the best. They have such beautiful testimonies and truly love the Lord. And we were able to invite them to invite their friends to learn more or to come to church and they all did so! It was a miracle because we haven't had that kind of success with the members in quite a while. There is also a young women in our ward who was baptized 2 years ago and is the most Christ-like person ever. We sometimes do splits with her and we just love it. We especially enjoyed it this week because either Sister Kimball or I would go with her and the other would stay with Sister Wilkin so she could rest and it was amazing because we found so many people in such a short time that we knew that the Lord was providing and showing us that he loves us. We also had the amazing chance to serve in the community by helping in the food booth at the football game on Friday night. We were able to be in the public's eye and let people get to know us AND we actually might of found someone to teach who really seems interested. Her son is dating a Mormon in Montana and she has been really impressed and told us we are welcome to share more with her and I really feel that she will get Baptized. We haven't been able to meet a lot with our investigators but there is a couple that are finally reading in the Book of Mormon and we know that their lives will change. But we did have a less-active come to church again this Sunday and she is working to go to the temple! Which is so exciting!!! We have been doing a lot of service and that is exactly what the Lord has needed us to do. We were a little discouraged yesterday with everything that has been happening and just not seeing a big progress in the area or the ward but then we think about all the miracles that we see and we know the Lord is providing the path, one stone at a time. Just as the scripture in Alma 37:6-7 says, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." We know that that is true. We just have to stay faithful and trust in the timing of the Lord! I love the Lord and His Gospel. I am so grateful to be out here and to be serving the Lord and sharing the Gospel. Best decision I have ever made. There is nothing greater than the True Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and nothing that brings more blessings!!! I love you all! Love, Sister Haws

Monday, October 28, 2013

KAELEY'S LETTER AND PICTURES OCTOBER 27TH 2013

Kaeley's mission district in Bishop California with her mission President

Sister Kimball, Kaeley and Sister Wilkin



Aloha!                                                                                                                                   October 27th 2013
     Can you believe it is almost November?! Turkey and mashed potatoes month!! YEAH!  Anywho, This week has been pretty good.  Teaching and finding people to teach has been a little on the slower side. We went down to Lancaster again Tuesday afternoon for a Zone Conference on Wednesday with Elder Golden of the Seventy. It was an amazing Conference and I just loved it. There were things that were said that personally hit me and helped me realize how much I still really need to change and grow and rely on the Lord. This is His Work and I have never forgotten that,  but I think I haven't been relying on him as much as I should be right now. It was a good wakeup call you could say. And it just helped us to realize that the only way things will change is by relying on the Lord and letting him direct our paths. He talked a lot about how we need to think in terms of Families and finding Families and never to set 0 as a goal because then you haven't accomplished anything. We weren't ever setting 0 as a goal but we were always at 1 and if we missed that, we were at 0. He said it is a simple as changing our thinking! That was really neat. Sister Golden also gave an amazing talk. She talked about how the Shepherds take care of their flocks, (this one touched my heart, since I raised sheep for so long) and the love they had for them. But she said something that I didn't know. At night, there is a pen that all the sheep go into and then there is 1 shepherd that stays all night to protect them and the others go home and sleep. The next morning, each shepherd would take turns and would stand at the gate and call to his sheep and those that were among his flock would come to him.  Then each shepherd would take them out for the day and then the same thing would happen that night and the next morning.  She related this to the Savior and us as His missionaries. We are here to find those that will hear His voice through us and it is those that will come and remain a part of His Gospel and church. I loved that and just thought that was amazing and so true and helped us to understand our purpose more fully here in Bishop. She also related it to us and how we personally heed the call of the Savior, to come unto him and to share His Gospel. It was amazing to say the least.
   Most of our appointments cancelled on us this week which was kind of a bummer but also seemed to be a blessing in disguise. One of my companions dislocated her knee and tore 2 ligaments a few months before she came out on her mission and it has been acting up again so we have had to take it easy and rest it for her. We also had the chance to sing in Sacrament meeting.  I was originally playing the piano while my other 2 companions were singing but that song didn't work out for this Sunday so we changed it to a hymn "Joseph Smith's first prayer" and I was asked to sing the Alto part and a lady in our ward would play for us. And this was Saturday night at 8 pm. To say the least...I was kind of scared or maybe a lot scared.  I hardly sing in the house,  let alone in front of people. But somehow we did it and I tell you what, There were angels singing with us. The last versus we did acapella and it was the best and so pretty. The spirit was very strong and it was so nice. The Lord truly does make up for the weaknesses we have. I am so grateful for His spirit that brings so much peace and joy and helps us through the hardest times. I know the Savior lives. I know he is there for each one of us and to guide us throughout our lives. It is amazing how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and that love never changes!    All my love, Sister Haws
 
 

Monday, October 21, 2013

KAELEYS LETTER AND PICTURES OCTOBER 21ST 2013

Looks like they are little "high" on sugar after eating all that cookie dough !! 

NOT SURE WHAT SHE IS DOING IN THESE PICTURES ????  BUT SHE SENT THEM AND I AM GOING TO POST THEM ANYWAY JUST TO EMBARASS HER :)  



Hello                                                                                                                                       October 21st 2013

    I just first want to say that the Church is true and the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I know he does and I know he loves His Children. There is no doubt in my mind and my testimony has been strengthened so much because of the things that have happened.

     As you know we had the amazing opportunity to meet Quentin L. Cook, An Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ. And wow. He is an amazing man of God and you could feel the spirit so strong around him and it just shines in his eyes. I had the neat experience of being able to play the Organ for that meeting. I got to play while an Apostle was there! It was so cool! And I thought I would be terrified and so nervous but I wasn't because the spirit was there and it was just so neat. So peaceful. I will never forget that and grateful that the Lord gave me the chance to use the talents He has given me.    I cannot even begin to tell you how much the words he spoke touched my heart and were an answer to a very sincere and desperate prayer.

    Earlier that week, I had been really struggling to just stay motivated to work but I wanted to and I wanted to share the Gospel but I was just having a hard time and didn't understand why. Tuesday night, I realized that I wasn't feeling all that great and then my throat starting hurting really bad. I woke up the next morning feeling awful but went to work anyway because the exchange sisters were coming later that day and I wanted to go out and work. Right before they showed up, it hit me real hard and I felt so sick and just dizzy. They came and we divided and I was with my companion from last transfer which was nice to get to see and talk to her again. We went out and worked for a little bit but I just got so exhausted and we went back and I rested and the same thing happened Thursday morning as well. I was so frustrated because I had made a goal to be more dedicated that week and then I got sick and couldn't go and work. I cried for a little bit which only made it worse, I don't recommend it! :)  I was discouraged and irritated with my immune system. ( getting sick as a missionary is like the worst thing IN THE WORLD.) On top of that, there were some things that were said that really hurt all of us about our area. We have been trying to do the best we can, but there were things that were said that made us feel like we weren't doing enough and weren't good enough to be up here doing it. It was hard just because I had already been feeling that and then to hear it from someone who doesn't even know our area and has been there for 24 hours just made it worse. But I realize that those feelings never come from God. He will never tell us we aren't good enough for something! Because we are. And my companions had all felt the same way and it was just discouraging.  BUT!!!!!! then Elder Cook came to the rescue. The talk he gave was for us. I felt like he was speaking directly to me and telling me we were doing what we needed to be doing and the Lord was proud. There is this misconception that missionary work is just tracting, aka knocking on doors. And it is a part of it but there are so many more ways to find and it starts with the members but we have to strengthen the ward and help them invite their friends and this area has been tracted so much that we are needing to work with the members more than anything. But Elder Cook re-affirmed that what we are doing by working with the members is right and we are on the right track. I just knew that the Lord had heard my prayers, the silent ones as well. And I felt so much at peace with everything!

     Another answer to a prayer that I didn't even know that I needed was that the Mission President allowed me to go back to my old ward in Lancaster!!!!!! There is an investigator that we found while I was there that is getting baptized this Saturday!!!! And I really wanted to say Congratulations and see him and just everybody! And that just made my entire life! It was better than Christmas, Seriously! But it helped me for some reason. I felt like I finally put a close on that chapter of my life and can truly focus on this area even more so. I guess I didn't realize how much I was just holding on to my old area and investigators and to just see that there are people ready like Jose, and we are called to find those that will listen! It was just so motivating and encouraging. It was just a much needed answer to prayers and I am so grateful for the things that have happened! I love the Lord and His Gospel and I know this Church is Christ's true church. There is nothing like it and so many blessings come because of it! My testimony of the Gospel and of the Savior has been strengthened so much and I know that the Savior lives! He is real and His Atonement is real and heals. I am grateful to be here serving Heavenly Father and My Savior. Thanks for all the prayers and love and support! I love and miss you all dearly! Love, Sister Haws

Monday, October 14, 2013

KAELEY'S LETTER AND PICTURES OCTOBER 14 2013

HAVING FUN BAKING

NOT SURE ABOUT THIS ONE, MUST BE SILLY HAT AND FACE DAY ??

SURPRISE COOKIES THEY BAKED
Cookies, Earthquakes, and baptism dates. OH MY!                                                           October 14th 2013
   YEP! That is what our week has been full of! Exciting news of the day, We had an earthquake last night.  A baby one but an earthquake. That makes 3 for me in my life time and you never really get use to the ground moving underneath you. But it was entertaining to watch one of my companions freak out a little bit where it was her first one. :)
  We also had a neat service chance. All 7 of us missionaries in this area got together on Tuesday and make some delicious cookies for some pass-along plates we were starting in the ward to get them thinking about serving others and we had so much fun making them and delivering them. We felt like FBI agents as we sneaked up to leave them on the doorsteps and then run away really fast and peel away in the car. It was fun to say the least.   We made a cute little heart and a poem to go along with it to help them to pass along the plate! (Pictures will come.) We delivered them to 5 people and the Elders to 2 families. We only got caught by 1 of them but they have been sworn to secrecy. And the rest are just racking their brains trying to figure out who it is. It is really funny to listen to them and they tell us about it and we just smile and act like we know nothing. The best part is the "blaming" someone else for it and we just say yeah,  it could of been them. We love it! There is a huge difference in the Spirit up here in Bishop. The Lord is blessing this area and we can feel it. Yesterday at church, everyone just seemed so happy and just excited to be there. We all gave talks yesterday in Sacrament meeting and we got to teach Gospel principles and Primary. We were very busy but I love being busy and teaching. Yesterday was just so good!!!
   We also saw some amazing miracles! We had a very spiritual lesson with a less-active lady we are teaching and we able to tell her how much Heavenly Father loves her and we are here to help her go to the temple. She is amazing!
  One of my companions has been sick for the last couple weeks and it got really bad last weekend so we went to the doctor and she had bronchitis BUT her getting sick provided the coolest miracle. The Doctor that was checking her, told us that her best friend growing up was Mormon and that she had taken all the lessons when she was 18 and was going to get Baptized but her dad didn't want her to so she didn't but she LOVES the church! We are hopefully going to start teaching her this week! This just proves that God Makes use of our weaknesses like sickness! :) and then we went back to the house to let her rest and our Zone leaders were in our area contacting some of our potential investigators and they were able to get in with one of them and teach him the Restoration AND set a baptismal date with him for November 16th!!! We are so excited about that because there hasn't been a Baptism here in 1 1/2 years!!! The Lord is providing miracles and we can feel His love and guidance every day. I am so grateful for the chance to serve up here. It is not easy but I know that the Lord already knows the path we need to take to bring others unto Christ. We are planting seeds and preparing their hearts for those that will come.  And in the meantime, we will see miracles and build up this area. I just feel this renewed sense of Faith for this week and a sense of Peace. And I know that comes from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior so much and am so grateful for Him and the help he provides every day for me. I couldn't do this without him. I am so grateful for prayer as well. That has been my saving grace and being able to talk to my Father in Heaven and receive direction and counsel from him to help this area. I know God is real and hears and answers our prayers. It is the best way to come to know who he is and feel of His love!!! OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I almost forgot, (which is weird,) we get to meet Quentin L. Cook this Sunday!!!! He is passing through and requested a meeting with all the missionaries in our mission so we are driving to Lancaster (which I am totally stoked about) and meet with him Sunday morning from 8 to 9:30! Party!!! I think it is so funny that in the Church, The Apostles are our "celebrities" Except that they are so much more and just simply amazing. And then next Wednesday, we go back to Lancaster for another meeting with a member of the Seventies who is coming to tour our mission! Best mission ever. Just saying! :) I love being a missionary!   And I love the Lord for giving me the chance to serve him. Thank you for the Support, letters, love and prayers! I feel them every day! I love you! Love, Sister Haws

Monday, October 7, 2013

Pictures and letter from Kaeley October 7th 2013

Waterfalls they hiked to for P-day near Bishop California
 
Awww, Isn't she just beautiful ? This mom sure thinks so !!! 
 
Kaeley and her companions above. Picture below is her district in Bishop Cal. 
 

Hola!                                                                                                                                                    October 7th 2013
    Who knew that California could get so cold! Or maybe I have just adjusted so well that it feels cold. Thank Heavens we are in a car but the cold is moving in but it does feel pretty nice compared to 100 degrees so I can't really complain. This week has been an interesting week. It has been sort of a discouraging week but the Lord has provided little tender mercies to help us see that He is there and is blessing us.

    There is this really weird "off" feeling about this area and we can't seem to figure out what it is. The spirit isn't here as much as it should be and I believe partially because there is so many churches and God is just such a casual thing to the people. He isn't everything like he ought to be. And everyone just kind of does what they want when they want without really understanding that there are consequences for actions. Every talk in General Conference felt like it was directed at the area specifically and we wondered who had told the Prophet and Apostles :)  ? could it be that possibly Heavenly Father since he knows everything?

    There are a lot of members that don't really have a true testimony to know that this Church is true and has the fullness of the Gospel.  Which just breaks my heart. We are a part of Christ's only true church upon the face of the Earth and it is just taken so lightly here. I really hope I don't sound extremely negative. Because I love the area and the people so much and I think that is why it hurts so much to see people take this Gospel that I love so much and just throw it to the side and act like it is just another Church. Because It isn't . If anything, being here so far has really strengthened my testimony that this church IS the only true church. And I especially love the relationship I am building with My Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He is real and the Atonement is real and covers so much more than just Sin. It literally covers everything!  Which, I am extremely grateful for. But here are some amazing things that have happened this week that helped us to keep going.

  Our investigator, Megon is doing so well! She loves the Gospel and is making a lot of changes in her life to come closer to God and she just has such a beautiful spirit about her and as she has been reading in the Book of Mormon, she has just started to glow more and more and the spirit is growing brighter in her eyes and countenance. I LOVE seeing the Gospel change people from the inside out. It is the best feeling in the World. We also had a really neat experience. Saturday night we decided to go get some Mexican food from a place we had heard about. As we finished and received our bill, this man walked up to us and asked us if he could pay for the bill for us and called us sisters. We knew he was a member because we don't get called sisters unless they are members. But we didn't even know what to say and just stared for a few seconds. (He probably thought we couldn't speak English or something) but he asked again and said "I would really like to"  we asked if he was sure and then gave him the Check. This man was traveling through back to Reno and had stopped for something to eat. He was a less-active member that the sisters visit every once in a while. That was a tender mercy from the Lord and we knew that the Lord was watching out for us. And the best thing about this weekend was CONFERENCE!!!!  All of them were my favorite. I can't just pick one but of course Elder Holland's was amazing and the Prophets talks too ! The talks were all just so amazing and so inspired. I really felt their focus was on holding tight to the testimony you have and always strengthen it! There are perilous times was said a few times and about judgment day. Sometimes I feel that we forget how close the second coming really is and the signs of the times are here and happening and only happening more and more. We have to have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His true church to truly make it to the very end. I just want to shout to the whole world and make everyone join because they need the blessing that comes with living the gospel. But I guess that is what makes our job as members of the true church so important. It is only this Gospel that will help people through what is coming. Only the Gospel will save the world. And we have it. What a huge blessing and honor and trust from our Father in Heaven that we get to be a part of His work. He could do anything he wants yet he lets us be a part of it. Heavenly Father really loves His children and he wants them all to come back home.

    I Love this area and the people and my companions so much. I feel so very blessed and I know that the Lord is really helping me and guiding me to know how to help this area. It is a blessing and an honor to serve him at this time and I love it so much. I can't imagine my life without my mission. I remember thinking I didn't want to come and boy would that have been the stupidest thing I could of done to my life. I am grateful that Heavenly Father loves me enough to push me to come and especially those people he placed in my life to help me to come. I love the Lord, I love His Gospel and I love His church. If you don't know if this really is His church I encourage you to read in the Book of Mormon and then ask God and I know he will answer your prayers. So many blessing will come as you truly seek out the truth! 

   I love you all so much and can feel the power of your prayers and support and love. SO THANK YOU!!!! All my love, Sister Haws