January 6th 2014

January 6th 2014

Good Morning!!!  And HAPPY NEW YEARS! 2014! This is going to be an amazing year! I can feel it! So many wonderful things are happening, especially with the Church and spreading the Gospel.

   We have had a wonderful week, full of miracles and tender mercies from the Lord.   Last week, I mentioned that we planned a Family Home Evening and it turned out SOOO good.  Seriously. The feeling that was there was amazing and the members seemed to really enjoy themselves and we even had a couple of our investigators come and they loved being there. We had pizza and salad and lots of junk food left over from Christmas and then we played boys vs. girls pictionary!!! It was so much fun and we felt so good about it and had such a great turn out that we are planning on doing it once a month from now on.

    Then we had an amazing lesson with a former investigator who knows the Book of Mormon is true, but wants to do things as a family and her husband really isn't on board anymore . But we talked a lot about her setting the example and how eventually her husband would see the happiness in her and want to be a part of that. We also talked about putting God first in our lives and the blessings that come because of that.  She is amazing and we really feel good about her this time.    We then had a little New Years party with all the missionaries at the senior couples apartment. We had some fun games to play and an amazing dinner that was provided and we made prayer rocks for our investigators. It was a lot of fun and a great way to bring in the new year. We had a curfew that night as well so we got home early and got some extra sleep, which was really nice.

  I ended up with a cold last weekend and gave it to my companion, but it hit her harder than it did me so she rested for a couple of days to get feeling better but we were able to go on splits with a member in the ward so 1 of us was still out working and met lots of wonderful people.    We also had a great lesson with a part member family. The daughter is 13 and not baptized and claims to be atheist. BUT she knows more than most members! :) seriously! She is amazing and she is willing to learn and open up to know if there is a God so she is one of our new investigators and we feel really good about her.  We had a great lesson with the family we are teaching and they seem to love the Gospel and are taking it all in. We invited them to be baptized and they all said yes! We haven't set a date yet but we will soon!

   We also were able to get in with a couple more less-actives this week that we are going to start to teaching. One of them is a convert of about 5 years and has been inactive for about 2 years but she wants to come back so bad and loves the Church and the Gospel and has such a strong testimony of it! I love being around her and her spirit.

   Sunday was an amazing day. One of the best Sundays since being up here. The spirit was so strong and we had 4 investigators at church and they all loved it! I also got to play the organ again which always makes me happy because I love music! The whole atmosphere in the Church was different and amazing. I remember the first Sunday we were here, I just remember feeling overwhelmed and discouraged because of the work and everything that we needed to change. But yesterday, made everything worth it. It was amazing and I am so grateful that the Lord trusted me enough to send me here. It is a very sacred place and the Lord loves the People here so much. Sometimes when we are driving or walking down the street, I look at people and feel as though I can feel the love Heavenly Father has for them. It is really cool. I love serving the Lord and am so grateful for the things that I have learned and been able to do.   This Church is true. Christ is at the head of His church and speaks through a living Prophet today.  Heavenly Father is real and hears and answers prayers. Jesus is the Christ and our savior and redeemer. And my best Friend. I would be so lost without him. The Book of Mormon is true and has an amazing power to heal and comfort and guide and direct. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the chance to share it every day with God's Children.

 love you and miss you all!    Love, Sister Haws