Well it hasn't been too long since I last wrote you, but I am still soooooo exhausted and ready for this P-day once again. Man, my energy is running out... actually it's not. I am working hard though and I love the fact that I am absolutely exhausted. It is a great feeling!!

    Well this last part of the week was great. We spoke with Sharon and Josh and they are not off board, but they know it's something they need in life and someday will take the step. For now, they just need to learn more so they can understand better and gain more faith to take the steps necessary to go from the dark pathway to the light. The gospel is not always easy to live, but it is worth it. I know it is worth it. I think all the time of the dumb things I have done that have taken me away even a little from God and those times were the hardest in my life. I couldn't hardly cope with myself. I didn't like myself. But through trials that I have faced, I learned if I went to God and putting it all on Him, He has blesses me with confidence to get through the trial.. hmmm wonder why. What was missing before? The Divine Being who took upon Him all that I was gonig through so he could know how to succor me at that time.. I was not using this resource to my benefit.. silly Sister Filichia!! Man, oh how I want these people we teach to understand what I now know through experience, but because of God's love they will have the opportunity to have the experience as well, on their own time with plenty of chances given to them along the way... let's all just make a pack that we will take the first chance given to us and learn so that all the other times can be super easy in comparison!!

   Debbie is doing well. The girl knows baptism is where it is at and that she needs it and God wants it for her.. in fact that God is requiring it from her, but she is doing the right thing to become worthy... just taking her time to get there... but I love this work so much family.. I can't even stand it. Seeing someone grow and finding those who don't know and making them aware brings greater joy to me than anything I have ever experienced.

   This morning, I was reading in Matt 6:28-34... I do believe. He says to consider the lilies of the field they toil not nor do they spin. In Laman's terms they don't freak out and go for a quick pleasure, but they are believing and still. Waiting for the promptings given from God to do His will. God always provides for us and gives us what we need. If we trust in God and not in man's flesh we will be provided for. He knows what we need and has made a plan to give it to us when the time is right. Mum and Dad, you are wonderful examples of this and I love to read it and recognize that plan A and B are made and don't always work out but because God knows and loves us & He has made a plan C that is where we need to be.. litsen for it and He will give it to you!! 

   Love you family talk to you soon!! Till next week :D

Love you soooooo much!

 Sister Filichia

Alright family...
   LIZ THANK YOU!! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ ABOUT YOUR LIFE LATELY AND THE PICTURES ARE INCREDIBLE.. I GOT A FEW PRINTED OUT BECAUSE I HAD TO. LOVE IT. alright enough with the caps..
   this week was amazing. First off ELDER BEDNAR is the man. He is absolutely incredible.. I was the first one to shake his hand in the mission.. not that that is that great but it was cool for me because I didn't know we were going yet and he walked up to me to shake my hand... so it was that cool.. and I finally learned how to wave my arm properly in front of people during a song and lead for as chorister for the meeting.. did a fine job, they were easy... but still ... ha. Mum, my dress I wore for the farewell came in handy on this day- I wore it and it was great!! Perfect for the occassion. :) Anyways those the unimportant details you probably would like to know if I was home because our family is psycho like that.. and I love it.

   He talked to us a lot about the difference between being an object and being an agent. He said now I know a lot of you go into teaching appointments and have been told to ask questions, please ask questions that see where they're at, not what they don't or do know.. people put on the spot are merely objects, but people who are given the ability to act for themselves are being agents. Every time he asked a a question he asked if it was alright to ask one.. he taught us that when we do missionary work or anything that if we do things merely out of duty, we are being an object, when we do things because of the desires of our heart we are acting as agents unto ourselves. I thought it was interesting all the things he brought out... maybe I will make a copy of my notes and send them home.. there is so much to tell, and not enough open doors in my brain for the stuff to come through in so little time.    The thing that touched we sisters was at the end: Someone had asked a question about the priesthood and it was so interesting to listen and hear about the many responsibilities and privileges these men have but the same thought went through all the sisters minds and came out of Sister Clark's mouth ..'what about all this applies to us women?' His answer was brilliant... he talked to us about our divine natures. That from the our premortal existence gender has always been involved. Gender like it says in the proclamation is divinely given and specific for each of us and our purposes here on earth and in the life to come. He talked about how woman naturally have an outward looking perspective and are nurturing and protective.. he said a woman would instinctively give all her clothing and food to her child or someone else's because that would keep them alive, that is the nature God gave woman. Woman don't need the priesthood to enter the temple, or to gain exaltation. Womanhood is an extreme privilege to have. He said everything a woman has naturally a man needs the priesthood to obtain. Men and woman have different roles, the priesthood helps man fulfill his role and a woman needs a man to fulfill her role as someone given the gift of procreation.. that is a unified power, but ya know having babies is kinda a woman's power... ha ha but we were taken back by this. It was incredible to hear an Apostle of the Lord speak truth to us about things that each of us needed to hear. We are blessed to have these men lead our church as guided by our Saviour Jesus Christ himself.

After this we just decided we were off.. we will be agents unto ourselves and will act in faith.. because it is an action word. God gave us agency to do good things and anything not good binds us to the devil and we will remain captive until we use our agency to come closer to God who frees us from the captivity which the devil hath bound us by since the fall of Adam. I was so touched by it that I could even see a different side of myself after this meeting. Well afterward, I thought I was leaving New Castle Emlyn and moving onto something new.. but then stuff happened this weekend with people that we teach that made me feel uneasy about it, but we applied what Elder Bednar said and stopped talking at people and started asking questions of the soul that allowed the spirit to act on us and words came out of our mouths that only the angels knew were coming.. because I sure didn't. It was amazing the success we had.. I pray it continues.
   Well, Monday night came and in fact I am not transferred, I am staying. Sister Lauritzen and I are stoked.. We know amazing things are going to happen this next transfer. We can feel it. Yesterday was the most amazing day with finding people and I am going to walk in faith that all of them will be baptized one day. It is not about numbers but about bringing people to God and that is why I yearn for all to be baptized because that is the gateway to heaven. it really is. We should all yearn for all that we see. Life is a mission... we are in a lifetime missionfield... lots of work to do people!! Let's get on it!! Nothing can make you more happy!! haha  Anyways, time is up and I still have so much to tell... guess someday it will all happen... I love you family!! you are the best in the entire world!!

Sista Fili <3 (meaning a heart)

Borradah (I may have spelt it wrong) means Goodmorning in Welsh.. very cool. Nosta means good night.. so if I were writing this at night that would be applicable, but it's not so.. I'm over it ;)

  Well family I haven't read everything that Mum and Dad sent but I am pretty excited about what I am hearing about.. Nick is the bomb.com. Took my breath away hearing that he is gonig to Tim's mission. Man, he will have lot's of strength to bear him up, always does, but I am sure the spirit of Timmy resides there in some parts. Man, that's neat. 

   Well this week, we had a splendid one. The two things that have changed since I last emailed though are that Debbie is.. backing off a bit.. but keep the faith, God works miracles and she is one. I know it. #2 Wayne Williamson is a less active recent convert who is like a roller coaster theme park, not just one roller coaster, no he's much more talented than that emotionally... but we talked with him one day and challenged him to go to church with a question. Also it was Fast Sunday so let's try that law out again.. so he did... it was answered. At church he actually participated, which is huge. This kid has aggraphobia... fear of large groups of people... that is church... but he did great. He was happy and I sat with him right at the front and he sat there like a sponge (Mum's phrase) just soaking it all in.. I thought he might leak water, but nah he's cool, retention skills were heroic yesterday. Anyways, miracles are happening and we are stoked to see them!! Wish we were teaching more but there we are.. that's the work, and the people we do have, I am eternally grateful for.

   This last Thursday the interview's happened and it was great! President Ogden is an inspired man. I walked in and he straightway asked and answered the question (without me hinting a word) that Sister Lauritzen and I were festering over the day before about someone we should be teaching but are not because of lack of contact availability. Ya that was incredible.. then we talked about my stay here in Wales.. pretty sure it's almost over. I would love to stay, but I know and he knows I need to grow more and it's time for a change. I do love it here, and a part of me never wants to leave these people I love and another part of me is ready to go discover others who are seeking the truth in another part of this country. All I know is that as I have prayed this last week to know if it is right, I have felt very strongly that it is and that I am in fact ready. I love this work, I love these people and no matter where I go.. it will be my mouth and feet, hands and example that the Lord works through to bring souls unto Him.

   I am grateful for inspired leaders.. I am also graterful I get to see and meet Elder Bednar in 4 days... ya he's gonna be a Prophet someday, even Pres. Ogden thinks so... but who knows, God does.. we'll leave it to Him. I am stoked though. I can't wait to read your letters and write back about how good everything is. So next week when I write it will be Thursday.. yes transfer's already.. crazy I am floored.. this has gone sooooooo fast. not even joking. and it's only gonna get faster. holy tullido!!

   I love the New Testament.. Matthew 5... yes I am still there just plugging along and studying it out...it is the bomb. com I love it more everyday... the Book of Mormon though is my favorite in all the world.. I am starting up in Alma and what incredible leaders they had to help us see that to stop contention is as simple as being the example of what you want done to you. If someone speaks out against you, just turn the other cheek and make it a happy response. Never speak out against other religious sects if you don't want others to speak out against yours.. and most importantly.. contention is of the devil. It only drives the Spirit away. Where God is there can be no contention. I have found as I serve that if you are talking about good things and it turns contentious, it doesn't matter what you say to back yourself up, the only thing that helps is inviting God into it and then leaving. We forget that it's bad when we can't understand why our side isn't being seen or heard, but in the end justice will have it's go.. might as well work to be on the good side of the justice party and don't argue just agree to disagree and have a mercy swim party!! I am psycho... but serious. Philippians 1:27... speaks truth, and it is something I have been working on for some time, and ya I don't know if I will ever master it, but I know I can someday if I do all things in the Lord, I will be strengthened- that's where we find the strength to carry on is by donig His will and believing Him, not just believing in Him but trust what he says and believe Him - just do it. I love you family so much and I am so glad that I have time set asaide each week to share my thoughts and feelings with you. It truly is a blessing.

Dad can I get Jeanette's address and email address por favor ? Gracias.

Rwyn dy garu di!!

Sista Fili

Helloooo

Well this week has been great. Sorry it's taken till now to email, (bank holiday and then yesterday the computers at the library weren't working properly) so it's a Wednesday letter, but it's all good!!

ha this week I got bit by a chihuahua... the tiniest dog with the most evil eyes.. I was frightened. I knew he wanted a piece of me and just wasn't sure about committing to that, but I guess I did against my will. His owner kept saying just stand still and he'll lay off, the first time I could and he did lay off the second time I was in the midst of moving and then he came up with another one and I was so frazalled I forgot, so I got bit. I guess that's like us with Satan, the Lord tells us to 'be still and know that I am God',. then we can conquer Satan because he will have no power over us, but by fear of him we frazel and show our weakness so that he has the power now to bite us... how silly are we that we don't just listen to the owner and stand still and save ourselves that hurt of being bitten by something that is in reality much smaller than us. After that experience, I am looking at the world a little bit differently. It is so simple, just read the owner's manual.

   Well mum, I would like you to know your daughter is cooking, and well might I add. I am putting stuff together randomly and coming out with yummy things for my cute future family to eat!! haha It is fun. You find that members give you lots of random stuff, then you buy some random stuff put it together and walla!! a dish of food. haha ok so it's not all that random, but still I am taking one step farther into maturity land.

   The work is going well, Debbie is incredible. She and Kevin are doing well and she gets what the church and the gospel are all about. She goes to church and feels at home there, more at home there than in her own home.. wonder why? We as LDS members who have been brought up in the church don't recognize the feeling of the spirit at church as strongly as those who have NEVER had it in their lives. She feels it so strongly and it has made me want to recommitt myself to looking for the feeling at church and anywhere that the ward parties are.. she feels it there as well, in fact anywhere ward members are she seeks to feel it and finds it. She loves it and I only pray that this continues. The devil is working hard to fight for the souls of those we teach and any who have not been able to hear the message of our dear Saviour, it's up to us to fight back, and how willing are we to fight? How hard will we fight so that we do not loose this real true battle we are fighting with Satan. I was reading Mosiah 25 this morning and it struck me with all the emotions that these people felt for their brethren all at the same time. They felt joy for those who had been delivered, but sorrow for those who were slain, thankful for the gifts God gives to His children as he provides a way for their deliverance and anguish for those who know not of God yet.. these too can be our emotions of the people all around us. You don't have to go far too find it. I am certain that our Saviour's main plead to all of us who know Him and know don't yet know Him is to Come to Him, when we do we will leave all wordly things behind and will truly embark in the service of our God.

   How is everyone donig? the babies happy? man I love them.. haha man alive I just miss this glorious family of mine!! haha but I don't at all at the same time... I feel blessed to know that the Lord is taking good care of you!

   I am so grateful for all things in my life, for answers to prayers and for the comfort of the Lord that He knows me personally. He knows my heart, thoughts and desires. This morning I was struggling deciding if my way of focusing was right, but then I realized in some ways it is the exact same for us all. But if we go to God and discuss it out, He will tell in what way you need to focus because He does know me. Man, I am grateful for that. I know that He lives and I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and can answer the questions of the soul if we have faith to see the miracle of it.. miracles come by the amount of faith we exercise to see them. I am seeing the simple miracles of life all the time and oh how grateful I am for that. No other Gospel can show you that so well.

Welp, it's been a year since a lot of things and my my how the time flies... I realized this morning if time flies even faster than this for the rest of the mission I will be home before you know it.. which is happy and sad in all sorts of ways. I love it here though and don't want to leave for a very long time.. Which is good, cause I'm not... hahaa but my love for the family just keeps getting bigger, which is ridiculous cause I sure was obsessed with you all BEFORE I ever came out here.. man can you imagine how much God loves us then? Does my head in thinking about it. Well family I love you and I am grateful for you!! Hope this all made sense.. my mind is racing and I am running out of time. Loves!! Till monday :D

oh ps.. President's interviews tomorrow!! super excited.. and next week Elder Bednar and many other General Authorites are coming to visit us. If you have good ideas for a brilliant question for him that you or I should or want to know let me know on Monday and I will ask it on Saturday and tell you the next Monday!! booyah!!

I love you love you love you!!

Sister Filichia

Alright my bright and beautiful family, 

   It's been an incredible week... well every week is incredible I guess when you are a missionary, if you look for it that is. I don't want to give off false pretenses to these future missionaries that it's all about everyone saying yes and excepting- most don't, or go half way and then reject (that's even harder to see) but it is the greatest work. It is just as Alma tells Helaman in Alma 36 about his conversion story- the pain we feel for others who reject is deep, but the joy we feel in regards to others and their accepting is just as sweet as was our pain. I love this work because I am being converted every step of the way. I love it because I see miracles everyday and I love it because I am helping other people come closer to their Father. I love that I have never felt so high on love yet so low all at the same time. Not too many LOVE  you but the one's that do- you take every ounce of it in. Nothing can be taken for granted on a mission, and with life- it all makes us more.

   Debbie has a baptismal date. September 17th family!!! I am soooooo excited, I hope it all works out for it to be on that date, but I know she knows it's true. She is first hand seeing the effects of coming closer to God. She is even noticing how important it is to others, sometihng not even we Mormon's recognize, we just expect. We should always continue to be amazed and in awe of the dedication of other Latter-Day Saints. Even the prophets and apostles talk about their amazement- and they're legit.... sooo ya... anyways what I am talking about is that there is this family from Spain in our ward. 1/2 the family speaks english well enough to get by and understand or at least get the gist of it the other half knows as much english as I know spanish. They come to all 3 meetings and have a smile on their face, if someone can translate they ask for it, and if not then they just feel of the spirit and gather what they can from it. The mother and father of the entire family sat in front of me and Debbie and Sunday and I was so impressed and touched. This man sat and translated to his dear wife so close and friendly the entire time. I told them after I am so grateful to know them and to be able to witness such love, care and dedication for each other and the gospel. He looked at me and said, I can't afford NOT to come to church, she understood enough to know what was being discussed and said (well he translated it to this) it is what brings me joy regardless of how I have to learn and understand it. They get it and Debbie heard it and it touched her. Our dedication to God and the gospel is not only for us, but for all who choose to see and partake of the miracles of another's conversion.

   I am in love with this gospel... I really am, it sounds... interesting... but I am. I am sooo grateful for our family. Sometimes I have different things like dad laughing so hard he's jiggling or Matt making me kiss his biceps... or numerous amounts of funny and other stuff pop into my mind of the family. It's not a bad pop into my mind, I am where I need to be and doing what I need to be doing... you ain't gonnna see me for a while, don't you worry, but it's kind of a tender mercy for me. Nothing makes me happier than to see my family smiling. I know it's because of the love we have in the home that I am soooo excited about my future home- that's why I'm obsessed mum, it's your (the entire family) fault for being so amazing and loving me so much that I can't wait to have what I have that in my own family. I love you and hope that you will keep in touch. Mum, Dad can I get both Hunter's addresses, Ward and Amber's, Grandma's and Mel's address, Spence and Barb's, and if you have Clint's (dad's bro's) that's cool too!! and Heather and Steve's!!! address prease... Liz I think I know yours... but hers too just to double check. umm... ya for now I think that's all.. oh if we can get Camille and Ryan's, Cherise and Aaron's, Damon and Leslie's... that would be cool.... but if not I understand. Is Celeste still at Clint and Mikki's? alright family that I love, I will be talking to you soon. You always put the smile on my face. I'll be sending a letter again today in reply to your emails :D loves!

Rwyn dy garu di - welsh for I love you

Sista Fili

My goodness you wonderful people in my life!!!
   What a great week it has been, and last week Dad's emails just made me so happy to hear about the little, but good updates of my other friends. I love this work. I love being a missionary. I love where I am and who I am privileged to serve and to serve with. Sis. Lauritzen is a major blessing to me. I have always loved the work, but the rest I was still getting used to, I LOVE IT ALL .. I DO. That which we choose to indulge ourselves in becomes that which we love... so I am gonna love this for the next 14 months of my life... and most of it will go with me to love and indulge in for the rest of my life!! I can't wait. I am also excited to read what ya'll wrote me today... I caught pieces of Dad's and the camp fire bit.. I am sooooo bummed I missed it, but soooooo grateful they all were able to experience it.
   This week started off slow... er... but ended ballin'. On Saturday morning, we prayed HARD to find the elect as we call it. We went through the area book and found former investigators in the areas we chose to find in and it is incredible how the righteous desires of our hearts are met by God who knows all things, especially His children and their desires and personalities. We went to 2 places in the first area and the formers were not there, but someone else on the street was ready and prepared.. investigator #1 after a LONG morning of rejection.. and lots of it rude to be honest, but there we go, it's part of the job description.
   Then we went to the other place and visited the former there. At the door before she answered, I all of a sudden had to wee as they say here in this discrete country.. hahaha .. but whatever I thought.. So we were talking to her and she didn't shew us away but was hestitant and busy. She almost said goodbye then I said.. can I use your toilet.. which is something else discrete about this country... she said yes and Sis. Lauritzen worked her magic of friendly talking and making people feel comfortable while I did what I needed to, I came back down and they were talking about the missionaries from before and her family, we stayed 10 minutes longer and set a return appt. God uses our weaknesses (like my small blatter) for His good. I know this is true, I know this story was silly.. but it illustrates that this is God's work, He knows His children and fights for them. We must be bold enough to answer to the call...and I am talking bold people.. haha.
   Debbie!! is our new investigator and she is brilliant. Her partner is kevin who is from Salt Lake and is less active in the church. We ere referred to go see him and his family & to invite them to church because they had just moved in and may not know where to go.. we went and found not only Kevin but Debbie... oh we love her. And her kids. What an incredible family. You can already feel a difference in their home since we came the first time because she is sincerely interested and doing everything the Lord asks of her to the best knowledge and ability. I am sooo grateful I know her because I am better because of it. I see good things in her future :)
   This week, I studied Mosiah 2 and it has stuck with me like crazy glue. Please go and study it for yourselves. I love how serviceful King Benjamin is to his people he resides over, and just tells them distinctly to serve as well. By God's perfect wisdom He tells us and admonishes us to serve one another knowing it is the way we can feel God's love for God truly is the Father of our spirits and our spirits want to do good. When we do, it is as if we do it to Him because we are all a part of Him. He gave us life and all He asks for in return is that we do as He has commanded and then He'll bless us and then we are still indebt to Him.. so what have we to boast? Serve, serve, serve... it's all we can do to return a bit of love for the infinite atonement He suffered for each of us and the life and breath that we have... if it weren't for the atonement there wouldn't be life on the earth, mankind probably wouldn't have lasted too long with all the blood thirsty people there are in the BOM and Bible.. I mean let's be honest. But because He has saved us, we can live.. now and for all eternity. I praise His name this day and for the rest of my life. How grateful I am to be in the service of Him who gives us all life, love, and the will to do good things.
   Keep it up family.. you are incredible and I am soo blessed to have your prayers and examples in my life. I couldn't fulfill this mission without you in the back of my mind being the voices in my head.. Jen you are definitely in there... be exhausted.. it's gettin' there and I am only beginning... so let it begin and continue :D I love you all!!

ps I got grandma's letter and money, tell her I love her sooo much :D

pps... I am excited about the new bishop, but I will miss Bishop Halbert.. who my Mission president and his wife know.. sooo cool. Mormon world is BITE SIZE! Keep it up.

Love you all!!

Sista Fili

HELLOOOOOOO
How are you? Well, I just emailed you... but hope you are excited for some happy news... remember Elicia that sang at the fireside..i told you about her a little while ago? Well, she went to Young Women's camp this last week right after the fireside and at the end she bore her testimony to say that she wanted to come to church and to join the church basically... so the YW president took her home and asked her mothers permission to let her come to church and YW activites and her mom gave her permission to do so.. Amy Wilcox, the YW president, called me at 10:45 pm to tell me the news on Friday night.. probably the best part of my week at that moment but... then there was church- she came, she loved it- she bore her testimony again to say basically the same thing. After church, we went over to the Hutchinson's for dinner and she was there hanging out with Elena and we were able to teach her a bit. She is absolutely fabulous and we couldn't be happier, we just pray it continues!! How lucky we are to know and have this Gospel. She has inspired me so much with her faith, knowledge and wisdom. Think about the fact that someone can see an example, recognize it's right, hear what others believe and identify with it so fast. She said that she was never taught to pray, but she knew there was God out there so she has always prayed, and God has always answered. What a wise person... 'O be wise what can I say more.'- right Mom? haha
My thoughts have been on the Wadsworth family quite a bit the past few days. I hope they know I love them so much. I sent the package today ..FINALLY... and there is a card in there for them from me. My companion and I pray for them every night together and every personal prayer I have is for them as well. life is altered so quickly how important that firm foundation is. I found a card today that says ' I get up. I walk. I fall down and I still keep dancing' or something like that... but I thought about how precious that is to think about. We all have hard days and times, we have much to endure but oh, how we can still find joy in the journey of life through our Savior Jesus Christ.
Brielle walking?!!! What is this...man crazy to think of her not as a baby in my arms sleeping so peacefully and so adorably, man pictures could be very necessary family :D haha it's cool. how has the week been? Mom and Dad your letters ALWAYS make me cry. Sorry I don't reply to them sooner, but hopefully I will be able to be better now that Sister Lauritzen has the same habit I do of writing a letter and an email a week :D But this one shall be epic and so .. ya jusy love it-it won't happen for a very very very long time. Haha i love you family!! Has school started up again? Crazy. Time is flying and then I think... no it's not it's been just as long as it feels, it's just everyone is growing and I am not seeing it happen so it's crazy. I do get grandma's letters and money, tell her thank you- there's a letter for her in the package as well, thought it would save on postage.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!!!

Alright I love you and hope all is well, if I missed something I am very very sorry- a lot is in the package home of questions that need answering. I love you family and Mum I hope you had the best birthday ever- pa thanks for the emails I will definitely read and reply next week :D can't wait!!! tada butt!!

I love you with all my heart
SWS
Sister Filichia