KAELEY'S LETTER FEBRUARY 24TH 2014

HOLA!                                                                                                                                                                   February 24^th 2014

      I don't even know where to begin....So many mixed emotions. It is very strange to be where I am at this point in my mission.  At the end.  Making plans to come home and move forward with a new life as I have become a new person. I am not the same as I was 18 months ago, which is a good thing,  but also a very strange experience. I don't really know how the new me fits in with the World. All I have known for 18 months in service given to the Lord each and every day. It is kind of scary and excited and nerve wracking and joyful.  Too many emotions at times for me but I am so grateful for prayer and the power that is has to help.

    This last week was very good. Each day has its up's and down's for me personally, but this area has grown and changed so much in the last 6 months. We have been through so many struggles and heartaches and yet so much joy and happiness has come as well. And as the area has grown, I have grown with it so much. The area is picking up and the work is hastening. The members are catching the vision of missionary work and have a strong desire to be a part of it! We had a member give us 3 referrals this week AND she came with us to visit them. I can't even tell you the difference that members make in missionary work. We were able to get into a house that we wouldn't have been able to and it was all because she was there. And another one of the other referrals is letting us over sometime soon. We also had a dinner with the members and for the first time since coming to this area, they had invited their neighbors over for dinner with us. It was so cool to see that and to feel the difference that it makes. We didn't teach the restoration like we normally do but felt that we needed to share a message from the Book of Mormon about Christ and how we can strengthen our faith in Him each week and if nothing else, they know we believe in Christ and when the time is right, they will come searching for it.

   Our mission president also came up this weekend for training and interviews and it was so good to see him. He came to our ward on Sunday as well and it was so nice to have him and His wife here.  We had 81 people at church which is just amazing. When we first got here there was about 40 coming to church and the last few weeks we have had about 80-85. It is amazing what the Lord can do as we exercise the faith that we have and trust him. We set goals and then go to work and trust and have faith that the Lord will provide for those numbers.  Because each number is a beloved Son or Daughter of a Loving God.

    I have thought a lot about my mission this last week and how much I have changed and grown. One of the biggest differences that I have noticed is my relationship with my Father in Heaven. He has become one of my best friends and the only one that I have let in so deep. He has always been there for me. To lead and guide me and has helped me overcome weaknesses and helped me to understand my divine role in His plan for me.

   I am so grateful for the testimony and the knowledge that I have the This Church is the True Church of Jesus Christ. That Joseph Smith truly was a Prophet called of God and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and evidence of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God hears and answers each of our prayers and that there is so much power in prayer. I am so grateful that the Lord loved me enough to cut me down and build me up again and help me to become better than I was and am. I am so grateful for that and will forever be grateful. I have gained so much that will bless me for the rest of my life.

   I love you all! Thank you for everything. The prayers, love, support, emails, letters. Just everything! I am eternally grateful! Love, Sister Haws

KAELEY'S LETTER FEBRUARY 17TH 2014 AND HER MISSION REPORT DATE AND INFORMATION

KAELEY'S MISSION REPORT INFORMATION

Here is the details for her mission report.  It will be March 9th 2014 at the Hibbard Church 2029 N 3000 W.  Our sacrament meeting starts at 1 p.m. 

On Saturday March 8th we are going to have a welcome home dinner and party for anyone that would like to attend at the Hibbard School located just 1/2 mile north of the church.  It will start at 4 P.M.  We will have a potato bar and desert and drinks there.  We will have more time on Saturday for you hang out and to visit with Kaeley than on sunday after church since it is so late in the day.   If you would let me know if you are coming that would be great, you can e-mail me  at  heehaws@ida.net 

If you would like to bring something we will just have a desert table so you can bring some kind of treat to share. 

If you cannot attend on Saturday, we will have a little open house that you can visit with her on Sunday after sacrament meeting with some refreshments before you go home.  She will LOVE to see everyone there if you can make it. 

Hello!                                                                                               FEBRUARY 17TH 2014 

   Another week down, only a few more to go. I promise I am not counting. But on Friday, we had a Sisters Women’s conference and it hit me really hard just how much time I have left. It is all bitter sweet but it is a good thing. I can feel that it is time and that is okay!

    This week has been pretty good. We are still working with a lot of the less-actives but they are responding pretty well. There are a couple of them that are working towards the temple and hopefully I can come back and go with them when they go.  We have had a ton of people in the gospel principles class the last 2 weeks and a lot of them are non-members or less-actives which is exactly how we want it! We weren't able to meet up with a lot of our investigators this week which was a bummer but this week will be better. This week is crucial for us to set baptismal dates for March. So we are trying to work as hard as we can. We have found a lot of great potentials that are pretty sweet so we just need to follow up with them.

    We went down to Lancaster on Thursday night since it is a 3 hour drive for us to civilization and we had to be to the women's conference at 9 on Friday. We stayed with our sister training leaders who I love so much and it was so good to see them.  We also were able to go to Walmart AND we went to Panda Express which was so good and hit the spot. Where we are, we don't have a lot of shopping options so it was nice to be there.  There were so many people in Walmart that we thought the whole town of Bishop was there!!!  So many people and it is weird to be around that many. Being on my mission, I have realized how much I am a home body and don't like being in big crowds of people.  I have to as a missionary and thank heavens the Lord is here helping me but it is nice to be in a small town.  I am so grateful for the things I have learned.  This last week, I had some time to reflect on my mission and really think about what I have learned because I had to give a mini talk at the Women's conference and I am so different.  I am not the same person I was when I first got here and I have learned so much. Something that really hit me was how my relationship with my Heavenly Father and the Savior has grown.  They both have become my best friends and are so close and dear to my heart.  I can talk to them and know that they listen and are here for me. And I am so grateful for that.  And it is something that I will cherish the rest of my life. Heavenly Father has given me the best gift ever and that is the Chance to serve him on a mission.  I have gained so much that has changed my life forever.  I love you all and can't wait to see everyone!!! Love, Sister Haws

KAELEY'S MISSION REPORT INFORMATION

Here is the details for her mission report.  It will be March 9th 2014 at the Hibbard Church 2029 N 3000 W.  Our sacrament meeting starts at 1 p.m. 

On Saturday March 8th we are going to have a welcome home dinner and party for anyone that would like to attend at the Hibbard School located just 1/2 mile north of the church.  It will start at 4 P.M.  We will have a potato bar and desert and drinks there.  We will have more time on Saturday for you hang out and to visit with Kaeley than on sunday after church since it is so late in the day.   If you would let me know if you are coming that would be great, you can e-mail me  at  heehaws@ida.net 

If you would like to bring something we will just have a desert table so you can bring some kind of treat to share. 

If you cannot attend on Saturday, we will have a little open house that you can visit with her on Sunday after sacrament meeting with some refreshments before you go home.  She will LOVE to see everyone there if you can make it. 

KAELEYS LETTER FEBRUARY 10 2014 WITH NO PICTURES :(

Kaeley sent some fun pictures but for some reason I have not been able to get pictures to load on here for the last 3 weeks, not sure what is going on. I would love to share them with you if I could.  

Hello!                                                                                                                                                                    February 10^th 2014

   Another week has flown by. This week was actually pretty eventful. Now you will all probably laugh but it is quite funny. So last week right after we finished emailing, we headed up to what is called Ancient Bristle Pine Cone Forest to see what is up there. Apparently, it is pretty cool. When we got up there, there was a little bit of snow but we didn't think much of it. (now,  your probably already guessing what is going to happen.) So we keep going and then the road went from no snow to a lot of snow and we realized that we needed to turn around but the road was really narrow and sat next to a big drop off and so we said" Well... let’s keep going and see if there will be somewhere to turn around. The more we went up the mountain, the more snow there was and eventually....we got stuck. :) But it wasn't just us. We were with all the elders in our district and we had 2 sets of elders in front of us and 1 behind us in the trucks. But the ones in front of us got stuck as well.

   We all got out and tried to get them unstuck and we had the truck out for a little while but it got re-stuck and the car was not going to move. (We have a little Chevy Cruze.) Then the sun went down and we were all cold so we decided that it was time to leave so we all piled into 1 truck and headed down the mountain. The whole time we were just laughing because most of us where from Idaho and Utah and it was just ironic that we got stuck. So we made it home, wet and cold and drank lots of Hot Chocolate to warm up and made plans for the next day to go back and get them. We had quite the adventure. Our district leader called the mission president to let him know what had happened and he just laughed and expressed the desire for us to stay away from the snow for a while. ;) We all have had a good laugh about it this week!

   We have also seen a lot of miracles with the Less-active we are working with this week. A lot of them have been responding to the lessons and coming to church which is really cool and neat to see. The lord is truly blessing the hearts of the people here. We are still praying every night for the powers of heaven to help us reach 50 baptisms in March and we are seeing those powers each day.

  The work is moving forward and the ward members are catching the vision. It is so cool to see the difference and to feel the spirit working through them. Yesterday, we did a musically number called the Olive tree and it was beautiful. We also got to teach Gospel principles and Relief Society and they both were powerful lessons and the spirit was so strong. I love the gospel so much and the Joy and light it brings. not only to my life but to those around me.

   I have been thinking a lot about those times in our lives that bring the most sorrow, its the times right after that that bring us some of the greatest joys in life. It is interested to see "opposition in all things" at work. I am so grateful for the gospel and especially for my Savior. He is real and I am so grateful for his sacrifice. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!! Love, Sister Haws

HELLO TO ALL KAELEYS BLOG READERS,  SHE WANTED ME TO POST ON HERE FOR HER WHEN SHE WILL BE REPORTING HER MISSION SO YOU ALL KNEW IF YOU WANTED TO COME HEAR HER TALK AND COULD PLAN AHEAD.  SHE IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 9TH.  OUR SCARAMENT MEETING STARTS AT 1 P.M. IN THE HIBBARD CHURCH.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN E-MAIL ME   heehaws@ida.net  OR CALL ME  208-356-7113.   WE ARE SURE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HER IN LESS THAN A MONTH  !!!

KAELEY'S LETTER FEBRUARY 3RD 2014

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                                                                                                                                            February 3^rd 2014

   WOW! What a crazy week. I honestly don't even know where to begin.  Well...first, I probably should fill everyone in.  I have been thinking about extending for another transfer out here and have been praying about it and working on it with my mission president. And I found out a couple of days ago that it did not go through :(  which was kind of sad but also very happy at the same time!!!  BECAUSE THAT MEANS I AM COMING HOME MARCH 5TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHAT?!?!? Crazy right!  I kind of had a freak out this weekend because of how truly close it is and just realized how short of time that is! I am excited and sad and just about every other emotion in the book but that is okay!  I gave it to the Lord and said I would stay if you need me to but the Lord knows best and he will send me to where I need to be!

    For this week,  we have had some crazy stuff happen. Some not so good stuff and then some amazingly amazing stuff happened.  But it was a testimony to me that no matter how bad things may seem or get...there is ALWAYS good that will follow. ALWAYS. And that is because the Lord is in charge not us.

  For some reason, the last couple of weeks have been very challenging for me personally and I had no clue why. It was beyond frustrating and I was trying to understand why each day was such a struggle for me because I had no reason to be sad or unhappy. I am so blessed to be where I am at and know the Lord's hand is over me.  It was a hard and difficult time and almost every night ended with me on my knees in tears pleading for the peace and relief I so desperately wanted and needed from Heavenly Father but wasn't really getting. I didn't understand and just tried to do my best with what I could for each day. And that helped. By the end of the week I was so tired of crying and not understanding why, that I finally just gave up and gave it to God.

    I don't tell you this to feel sorry for me but rather to make a point.  Over the weekend, we had a few less-actives and investigators that seemed to be going through something similar to me. I didn't realize it till a few days ago that maybe I went through all that so that I could relate to the people we are teaching. I was able to tell them my experience with the Atonement and prayer and help them to understand maybe a little of what they were going through. It was an amazing experience for me, because in a very real way, I was able to help them and I would not have been able to otherwise unless I had just experienced what they were struggling with.  And Because of that, they stayed and they keep learning.  They keep growing and wanting to be a part of the church.

   I don't really like that I had to go through all of that for a couple weeks but I am also very eternally grateful that I did because it helped someone else come closer to Christ and Heavenly Father. I told Him he could do that again if needed but please, a little less tears next time would be nice :)  I think that made Him smile. My relationship with my Savior and my Heavenly Father has been so strengthened and I am so grateful for the Love and patience and the Atonement, and prayer, and church and the sacrament and the Scriptures and everything Heavenly Father gives us to help us and make us happy. We go through things in life no matter what, and the Gospel is given to help us make it through things and be well. It will be hard, it will hurt and it will push us and pull us and sometimes tear us apart, But iF our foundation is in Christ, NOTHING can ever tear us down to the point where we can't get back up. I have truly learned this for myself and it is something I am very grateful for!

    Now, on to the happy news!!!  We were praying for one of our investigators that has a baptismal date because she has some concerns and we haven't been able to get them from her. So we prayed that she would open to us so we could help her prepare for baptism. So that night, we got a phone call from her and she was crying and just told us everything that she is struggling with and how she didn't know what to do. We were able to help her and she received a priesthood blessing and she knows that the Church is true and wants to join but she has some big changes to make in her life  but she really wants to make them !!! She is amazing and knows that she can with the help of the Savior! She is one of my favorites and I know that the Lord is guiding her to what will make her happy!  

 Then we had a wonderful lesson with the family we are teaching! They really want to know that is it true and they are doing what they need to do to know and I know that they will get baptized. It may take some time but they will get their answer.

  Church was amazing as well!  We had 85 people at church and that is the fullest it has ever been. I got to play the organ and on the opening song, I have never heard them sing super loud, but this time it was so loud and great! I had to turn up the organ because I couldn't hear it! And we had a couple of members bring non-members to church and there was a lot of less-actives that came and they even bore beautiful testimony that brought the spirit in so strong! There was just a very sweet spirit in the building and one that I hope will keep coming every Sunday. We had a break the fast dinner with all 7 missionaries  and a celebration for how amazing this week has been and the many miracles. Calling down the powers of Heaven really do work and the Lord is just waiting to provide miracles and help us return to Him. I love the Lord. I love His Gospel and I am so grateful that I am serving Him and His children. This is the greatest work to be a part of. I love you all and am grateful for the prayers and the love from all of you. I hope you have a wonderful week! Love, Sister Haws