Hello again.. so soon. Well, I wish I had loads to say.... oh wait, I do. nah I am just so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here, helped me stay, and helped me to be the best that I can be. I just feel overwhelmed with gratitude today and yesterday. We don't realize the support system we have until we go somewhere with people who don't time after time. Sister Nelson and Sister Laborero are brilliant companions and we are loving it. We taught a lesson on Friday night that had all three of our different elements in it that we have to give and ya know the lesson was full of the spirit. I haven't been in a lesson wuite like that one since Sister lauritzen. Maybe it was just the situation, but the spirit was powerful and thick. Lynette, the lady we are teaching, suffers with severe depression and has a hard time recognizing God's love because, like most depressed people, all she sees is the bad in her life and that no one has helped or could help her. What a testimony to me it was when Sister Laborero bore testimony that we were the help that God sent to her to let her know she i loved and there is a way out through His gospel. We were able to follow promptings of the spirit and relay a message to her that was just for her from her Father in Heaven. The incredible part is that it was- I don't remember what I said, what Sister Nelson said, or what Sister Laborero said, but I do know that we all felt as Lynette did- peace, comfort, and joy. By the end this lovely lady was sitting up and smiling... oh how the spirit works. Gratitude, major.

So last night we went and had primary with the Sadler children (in the picture). They are sooooo cute. Their family is going through alot right now. Their parents are divorcing and life isn't happy, but the pure happiness of these kids is outstanding because they know the Gospel of Christ. Shannon (9) said that she is planning on serving a mission. She bore her testimony in sacrament about how she helped this little boy at the Garden festival and she felt the Holy Spirit witness that it was good. She was so happy she was able to put the smile on her Mam and Dad's faces. (In Merthyr with this accent instead of Mum it's Mam... so they spell it like that too. I think they just pride themselves in being the most different in all things from the rest of Britain). Her and her sister, Anariah (7) (also in the picture) both choristered for us in the Beaufort group, AKA the Twig, and They did so well. Our closing Hymn was conducted by Anariah and she chose the song Families Can Be Together Forever. My eyes filled with tears as I watched this gorgeous child of God just smile and conduct with confidence this song that she truly believes to be true. The best part is, I know it will be. I am grateful for the children around us that remind of what is really important in life. Life is full of stuff, but with children in our lives regardless of the kerfuffled moments they come up with, it is full of joy. They bring us to earth and remind us that no one is perfect, but because we are all Children of God we can become perfect through the Atoning sacrifce of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us all serve a bit more, forgive sooner, love better, do instead of try, and always look heavenward for guidance.

I wish I could express to you what this gospel means to me. I wish I could properly ask each of you for giveness for anything I have done wrong knowingly and unknowingly, I pray that someday I will be able to properly, but for now know that I am sorry and do forgive me of my imperfections toward you. My heart is full of gratitude for my Saviour and love for His children. I know that it is all true. All that happens in this life is for our good. We are not without hope for the future and eternity. It is all in our favour if we do it in the Lord's way. He died for us, let us live for Him.

 

I love you all!! Hope that the week is going well and that all things are looking up!!

 

Loves in hugs and kisses (only cause you are woman or family...)

  Sista Fili

 

so guess what!!! I now have two areas in one for the next 6 weeks!!! and two companions!! booyah. It's super much fun so far. Sister Lewis went to Solihull and swapped with Sister Nelson (from utah and AZ!!), who also came out with her. Mind when Sis. Nelson and ii first met we both told eachother we would serve together and felt like we just knew eachother from somewhere else.. it's happening people!! so fun. Then we also have sister Laborero from england.. londoner :).  So there is heads of the valleys and beacon heights ward(s) that meet in the same building. They had to close a sisters area for a transfer becasue ther weren't enough sisters to fill it all until next transfer when a sister from scotland comes, so president decided to combine these areas again for 6 weeks so as to not have to shut one down. They are all doing really well anyway. But lucky us we have 2 areas to cover and it should be fun. i HAVE OFFICIALLY SERVED IN everysingle AREA SIS. lAURITZEEN SERVED IN.. CRAZY SAUCE. we're firends!! SORRY FOR CAPPS... anyways... It's been so much fun and I am so excited for the adventure of 2 areas, but it will make going back to just the one super nice, but slow. Oh well, missionary work is missionary work and i love it!! how are all of you? sound like you are doing well. This week has been crazy good.

Miracle: Monday was not pday it was a work day designed by God. We went to a few people's homes and before we left this certain area I saw a lady standing outside her door looking out. Well we got in the car and as I drove past her to turn around I felt something say talk to her, so I turned around and paarked up the car got out and we met natalie. We spoke for about 20 min. and just learnt bout her and her faith and her life and as we shared the book of mormon with her she kept taking it out of my hands and then would give it back almost remembering it wasn';t hers until I gave it to her and then she was like, it's finally mine. We have a return appointment with her to day and are super stoked.

Yesterday at transfers was the last time I will see Pres. and sis. Ogden. It was sad, but actually super surreal. Sis Ogden said that they were gonig to be doing a fireside in Arizona (probably Scotsdale) in September so... you should try to find out where and when exactly and go!! it would be amazing to meet my mission president and wife. President Rasmussen gets here on Friday and we will meet him next week. Super crazy to have a new one, but it will be amazing I am sure. He is called by a prophet and I am excited to meet the man.

This past week I have just thought alot about attitude. I try to have a good one all the time and ya know I didn't realize my progression until I read some of my journal from the beginning... holy cow  I am grateful to have learnt that attitude is everything and having a good attitude about life is the way that we are able to experience heaven on earth. Who wants to be around grumpy gills all day, I am not perfect at it and i am sorry or those who had to live with my grumpiness, but I am now learning that iti s unnecssary. There is no situation so bad that whining about it won't make it worse.. thank you Elder Holland and then thre is Pres. Uchtdorf's counsel to STOP IT with back biting and coveting and jealousy and such. When we have a good attitude about things we aren't tempted to do that stuff and weare able to better follow the prophet and apostles counsel from God. I am working on it more and more, but situations and people thatused to irritate me now just make me giggle. Life and drama is more humorous than we let on in the moment. Let's be honest with ourselves. Anyways, I hope you are all doing amazing and having a good week in the heat.. I don't know what I will do when I get back and am in actually proper heat-- probably faint. Will someone be prepared to catch me please? thanks. you don't have to for a while, just saying. Anyways The church is true and gets more and more true everyday of my life. I am indeed grateful for the opportunities I am given everyday to improve and become who i need to be for God's kingdom. Scary, amazing thought eh... it's coming ya'll!! Let's committ ourselves to having a positive attitude about all thigns thiss week. The glass is always half full people!! it's  the choice you make whether to make it half empty.

 

2 We give ^athanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of ^afaith, and ^blabour of love, and ^cpatience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

 

 Rwyn Dy garu Di

Sista Fili

wow everyone sounds great!! I am super excited for Holly's baby... for Nick's joyful 'non-engagement' engagement that i will be home to see become a sealing!! woot woot!!! I get to enjoy that fun too someday.. however I would not be ANYWHERE in the world but Merthyr Tydfil, Wales preaching the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ right now. This is my joy and this week it is stood out to me 10 fold. So, sometimes our companions struggle with a desire to be here which then allows us to express and think about why me are here personally as well. All week I have been contemplating this and to be honest I know that with or without me the lord would get this work done, but i would not be who I am now without the mission. The Lord knows that. I love doing this work. I love being apart of the salvation of souls. I know I am rubish at doing the Lord's work.. I try to do all I can and yet still... fall short, but the effort i put in is what the Lord sees. D&C 117:13 'when he falls he shall rise again, for his ^asacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.' I hang on to this because I know that I have been called and set apart by and under the direction of a prophet of God. I try to  n ever, ever forget that special and unique blessing in my life.  Our mission president often tells us "You are the only one who can help someone today and this week.  The Lord has great faith and trust in you.  "How great is our calling!". How great is the calling that at baptism we are all called to. I am grteful that we can all gather together to gather the nations for the coming of our dear Saviour and Redeemer. That is what life is all about. 

 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng

please check out that talk. " the purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences. How do we do this? The scriptures give us an answer in one simple phrase: we “wait upon the Lord.”¹² Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and … [our] good.”^13"

^{it gave me the outlook i needed this week as we faced some trials that all depended on our 'waiting upon the Lord'. I know that god speaks to us through His servants the prophets, Amos 3:7, there is NO DOUBT about that. He loves us, just read it dangit!!
But really as we were knocking on doors this week in the rain.. it was pretty epic and we were soaked and people were taking the mick left and right at the door, but there we are. Any ways, we were standing at this door waiting for this INCREDIBLE potential investigator to answer and suddenly the thought came to me- what we do, knocking on doors and such is a type of Christ knocking on the door for all of us. He knocks and waits, but it is our choice to open it up. We may open it a little and then shut before He can really say or do anything, we may open up and listen and feel and really have the experience we are looking for, but never open it again for one reason or another, we may just choose never to open it. But glory be to those who open and let open again and again. Oh how great is His joy... and our joy to be honest. It's all down to our agency and if you notice when Del Parson drew that painting of Christ waiting at the door with no handle He was allowing us to see that the only thing we have that he does not is our WILL. Christ does not have the handle, but it is only on our side. He may have everything else on loan to us, but that one thing is what is ours and we can use it as we choose... but we can also give it away. Let us not give it away... that would be sad, wouldn't it.} 

^{Today we have been at our bishop's house taking a photo shoot with his wife... so Heather and Liz I will be eventually giving her your face book details so she can let you know my face will be on her book. ;) but she is super into crazy make up so don't be alarmed... it was well fun. I love things like this so much. We may or may not do more with her... why not, she's talented and it's fun. Then you can can do whatever you please with da tings.} 

^{I am proper bummed that the marcum's are peacing out of Mesa and that I won't get to say goodbye. So sad, please tell them I miss them, love them, and hope you see them soon. Heck maybe I'll get a cheap flight to Branson to go see some friends someday.. ;) (ya Kendra that's right, i'm talking about you lady!!)} 

^{So Yesterday at church I had a very cool experience I want to share with you. first I need to share the back up story- so last year on August 2nd Philippa Evans died in a car accident. (super similar situation, type of person all of it to Timmy... of course it was!)  on that day that we found out Sis. Nadsady was going home and I was catching a Sis. Lauritzen who was coming from Philippa's home ward, Heads of the Valleys. So of course we were able to go to the funeral because of the short distance and close association of Sis. L with the Evan's. At the funeral I knew i would serve in their ward. I knew I would come to help them out in a year's time and I just let it be known as i knew i would serve in Heads of the Valleys someday.... well since I have been here I haven't hardly been able to see the family and the impression had worn off, it was in the back of my mind, but started becoming a I know I just made that up... didn't i. Well on Sunday Philippa's younger brother who is my similar age had read something I had written in my info for the ward newsletter his mum puts together and in it I had mentioned about Tim. So he came to me for help- I was overwhelmed and wasn't actually that great of help at the first... but on the way to the, well what Sis. lewis and I refer to as the twig (it's a little group set off of our ward... so not a branch from the stake a twig from the ward...... but the ward refers to it as the Beaufort group) I was thinking about what help or advice I could give him to help.... the first year is rough and bless the heart of wales it is not the same as Arizona or Utah.... ok America in the whole.... so then we go to Beaufort and out of the blue he walks in! He had to pass the sacrament, but as we sat during the meeting i wrote down all the things he had asked about and pondered about and we had a good chat afterword... what a testimony builder to me that God gives us impressions and I guess prophesies that He intends to keep. I know God loves us. I know He keeps his promises and that if we keep ours he is super stoked to do as He has promised. D&C 82:10.} 

1 Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
 2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power;
 3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us^abecause of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.
 4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are ^afaithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
 6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye ^adeliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will ^bspare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us.
 7 And now, if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our hands, and I will command my men that they shall fall upon you, and ^ainflict the wounds of death in your bodies, that ye may become extinct; and then we will see who shall have power over this people; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage.
 8 And now it came to pass that when Zerahemnah had heard these sayings he came forth and delivered up his ^asword and his cimeter, and his bow into the hands of Moroni, and said unto him: Behold, here are our weapons of war; we will deliver them up unto you, but we will not suffer ourselves to take an ^boath unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children; but take our weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will perish or conquer.
10 And now when Zerahemnah had made an end of speaking these words, Moroni returned the sword and the weapons of war, which he had received, unto Zerahemnah, saying: Behold, we will end the conflict.
 11 Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken, therefore as the Lord liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart with an oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now as ye are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.
 12 And now when Moroni had said these words, Zerahemnah retained his sword, and he was angry with Moroni, and he rushed forward that he might slay Moroni; but as he raised his sword, behold, one of Moroni’s soldiers smote it even to the earth, and it broke by the hilt; and he also smote Zerahemnah that he took off his scalp and it fell to the earth. And Zerahemnah withdrew from before them into the midst of his soldiers.
 13 And it came to pass that the soldier who stood by, who smote off the scalp of Zerahemnah, took up the scalp from off the ground by the hair, and laid it upon the point of his sword, and stretched it forth unto them, saying unto them with a loud voice:
 14 Even as this scalp has fallen to the earth, which is the scalp of your chief, so shall ye fall to the earth except ye will deliver up your weapons of war and depart with a covenant of peace.
 15 Now there were many, when they heard these words and saw the scalp which was upon the sword, that were struck with fear; and many came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moroni, and entered into a ^acovenant of peace. And as many as entered into a covenant they suffered to ^bdepart into the wilderness.
 16 Now it came to pass that Zerahemnah was exceedingly wroth, and he did stir up the remainder of his soldiers to anger, to contend more powerfully against the Nephites.
 17 And now Moroni was angry, because of the stubbornness of the Lamanites; therefore he commanded his people that they should fall upon them and slay them. And it came to pass that they began to slay them; yea, and the Lamanites did contend with their swords and their might.
19 Now Zerahemnah, when he saw that they were all about to be destroyed, cried mightily unto Moroni, promising that he would covenant and also his people with them, if they would spare the remainder of their lives, that they ^anever would come to war again against them.
 20 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that the work of death should ^acease again among the people. And he took the weapons of war from the Lamanites; and after they had entered into a ^bcovenant with him of peace they were suffered to depart into the wilderness.
it's the same with us to God- He fixes the rules and as we choose Him he blesses us, but if we don't we have no promise. I love you all soooo much. I am grateful for each of you and for the love you share for me. I could not be here without you and your prayers. Hope this week is spectacular and full of jolly good gumm droppity drops!! tada mate!!
(ps an English person told me my English accent is actually proper tidy... that is a pretty big deal... but who knows. maybe she was taking the mick and i am too daft to realize.)
Loves!!
 sista Fili

yes...we are a happy family...

Borrada!! (hello in welsh)

(spoken with a heavy super fake English posh accent) How are you all this lovely day in Arizona where the sun is shining? Oh I hope it bakes you because it is not baking me this lovely day.. it's not too bad though to be honest but for about 3 days this week I was in fear of snow... (kill the accent and ome back to the american earth) WHO DOES THAT!

Anyways, I alove being in Wales in all it's glory and gorgeousness. It really is soooo beautiful I am without words most of the time... literally. speaking of wales, before I foreget here's my address currently:

Flat 4

The Square Buildings

Merthyr Road

Troedyrhiw

Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 4AN

Wales

So sorry it took me forever to get that to you. I didn't even know it for the first while of being here. I am super exciteed to get letters from both Grandmas, nothing is better in life than post from the grannies!! I love it!!

This week was pretty brilliant and I am super grateful for it. District meeting was epical and everything in more that I needed to hear. I was impressed by the fact that a friend also serving a mission in a foreign land taught me the exact same thing at a different time but this time there was a bit more input.. obviously. However, the impact on me was the same. I really knew both times that I heard it that the Lord was instructing them to say what they said and for me to hear what I heard. I am graterful that we were sent here to be even as Christ is, perfect. Yes we are trapped in a mortal body and yes we are subject to imperfections and yes we definitely fall short of perfection from day to day, but because of repentance and the atonement we can slowly but surely rise to the perfection we were made to obtain. God didn't give us the commndment to 'be ye perfect even as I am' because He wanted to show us how cool he is in comparison to us, He commanded us because he knew and still knows that with His help it is attainable. We come to this earth perfect, spotless... babies... and that is who we are. Never forget the divine potential we have is who we actually are, The devil decieeves us into believing that our potential is to be nothing... God doesn't decieve but gives us proof, through trials that we are more than we live up to in this current probationary state. I love to think that someday if I have actually used the Atonement in my life lived the gospel and applied and helped others live and apply it as well that I could actually be perfect- super far from it now, but that thing is that the more we realize we are nothing the more we become who we actually are. I trully believe that we are never hapier than when we are in the service of our God simply because it is then that our true selves comes out and we can stop playing the role of a caharcter we don't actualy like that begins to consume us and make us miserables- step of out the world's character and into your dream role of someone you aspire to be because if it is your true deisre than chances are that is who you really are and you just need to learn the way to get out of the character you boxed yourself into for soooo long. It's all about the character of Christ. It's about becoming even as he is because that's why we are here, that's why He suffered and knew it would be worth it. We wwere not made to be ok.. but to be jus what Moses 1:39 states: "My work and my glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Why would rubish work and a half hearted haf great outcome be His glory .. if God knows the beginning from the end the end from the beginning, would He really have Moses write that down if he didn't mean it and he couldn't lie because then he wouldn't be God... ya He wouldn't. He meant it becasue we are His work and His glory and nothing we do can change that so rise to the occasion and feel the power of the Lord's love- I promise you that you will feel His work and his glory in you if you but look to Him and live, regardless of the seemingly simple things we find pointless or difficulty of the way- if we do it His way, WE CAN NOT FALL. I love this gospel. Super much. Loads and loads of love.

We are so blessed to have this in our lives. The people here are great. many say come back and then we find out they are plling the nice welsh I can't say no trick again so I will plan to not answer or be out when they get back.... super bomb.com.. but it makes even more grateful for those who say yes I want it, I need it, teach me now... Investigators do not grow on trees here, but the joy of life does and that is what I love. The joy of weather is never expressed- The way to start a conversation with any British folk is to talk about the weather- they always have about 10 minutes worth to say about it.. I don't know how, but it is a proven fact by myself and my current bishop... who says he himself even does it... because he is welsh and that's what they do... None the less though we are teaching a few people who are just great and we ar enjoying the power of the spirit in our work, it's undeniable sometimes and I love that!! One investigator, Steven is just ace- he writes us little essays with his way of thinking about what he is studying and asks us questions and concerns to answer and the spirit is always thick like a blanket in his home, he is giving us the verdict is he wants to be baptized or not on Friday... eek!!! I have faith though that one day regardless of when, he will be- he has great faith, just doesn't get it yet.

This week we were gonig to a potential investigators home for a lesson and she flogged us to our dismay, she is really elect we just seem to always make appointments when work ends up wanting her... hmm.... sometihng is off... SATAN... daft bloak. ANYWAYS, and ended up at a less actives house to find that he was the one who needed us. I love how God works. I lvoe that if we have the desires to serve Him He will make it work. Nothing can be better than that.

I hope you are all doing well. I heard about uncle Clint (thanks mel) and will keep him and lisa and neil in my prayers. I am so proud of Nick Aunt Mel- he is great and has grown loads.. you can totally tell!

Michael and Amber- wow I am pretty sure I always knew he would climb to mount everest 1 billion times to marry that girl... lucky las and lucky bloak. Super happy for them and for all the marriages as of late... man it's crazy!! I am just so happy too mum that you are turning into little miss thin!! what a woman!! haha but really you sounded great in you email and for that i am grateful, kinda jealous of the monday night family pol fun though.. but not that jealous... I'm a missionary!! give me a break!!

Dad- dude you are a legend. a piano on your left middle finger?! And i bet you went and got it fixed went home and got right back to work.. that is my reality fear and I pray that it is not what actually happened. rest man!! Anyways, you are all in my prayers and I lvoe you dearly. Can't wait to get that picture you promised mum... yup I'll hold you to it!!! Love you dearly, and happy father's day this week... for America too right? Alright peace, love, charity, and all other good things that we are!!

Rwyn Dy garu Di!!! (I LOVE YOU!!!)

Ta ra!!!

Sista Fili

oh my goodness weddings gallore.. I am going to go home to a married world... well half married world. The other half I shall dwell in for a time till I am invited to enter... apparently. .... but still so many babies and marriages happening, it's exciting and nuts!! I guess it doesn't seem like reality at all though because I am on the otherside of the country not bothering about anything but the gospel and people accepting the gospel and families being sealed because of the gospel and ya know... that type of stuff. no big deal really. 
but ANYWAYS, family, how are we? You all sound great and like everyone is just growing up and Cade is probably passing me up in height here soon enough... give it a rest would ya child!11 already!!! holy toledo you are almost an old man. Better getting your walking stick out and ready. ;) Mum you give great updates and i am grateful for it. I think about you all every night before I go to bed when I say my prayers and I always have the feeling that no matter what, no matter the struggles, no matter the happy moments, no matter the temptations and the moments of Gethsemae that we all go through, God is there with us. we are never alone and although I am not home and i can't do anything for you even if I were home, even if Tim were still alive he too couldn't do anything for you, all we could do is be there for support just like you are all one to another but the thing to remember is that God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, CAN actually help but only if we let them. 

"Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." (3 Nephi 14:7) 

it is all about us asking, seeking and acting or in other words knocking... but I guess like i have said before it's an invitation as it is a warning. what we ask for eventually, if not immediately we shall receive; good or bad, fair or unfair, it's all about what we choose to do with the agency God gives us. Seek after something good or bad in people, in media, in opinions, in situations, etc. and you will find it... no doubt about that one. Knock and the path way shall be opened to you... if you act on good things, sure it might be  struggle but you will be able to find the path way there and through it to the light, act on the bad and yup you'll probably be in a world of hurt. The incredible thing we must never forget is although we may at times falter and find ourselves on rocky paths that seem like we can't possibly bear to turn around on and go back because it seems too painful to go through it all again , we don't have to walk it alone. the pain has already been felt by Him who suffered for us all. The hard part has been done, lean on Him and He may not take the journey away or the tingling pain, but He can lessen it and He can keep us company so it's not so long and not so bad and give us guidance to learn from it. Sometimes we have to walk on the rocks to be able to remember the why of not doing it again and I guess that's why He let's us go through it. 

"12: I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues (going through a hard time), that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty (struggle), that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble. 13: And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved." (Alma 32:12-13)

I read this this morning in scripture study and it really touched me that the Lord does chasten us because He loves us... we don't get it. we don't understand how much He loves and and desires us back, if we did we wouldn't do anything to take us from His presence, but we do. It's a fact and none are exempt from it, but that's why He does it. He wants us so He will do what He knows is best for us so not only will we come back, but we will choose to come back. I am excited for the day that i can thank Him face to face for all the times He had to do the hard thing and give me what I needed and not what I wanted because without those times in my life I wouldn't be half of who I am today... not that i am anything great, but aren't we all on the path to greatness and shouldn't we be grateful for what we are that is great regardless of what we still lack? I am confident that if we are doing our best, the rest is all just fluff. If it's important He will work with it, promise you me, He will work it out for us. These things i know and i grow more confident that He knows me each and every day. the work is incredible because I see these principles practised by others everyday. I see it work everyday not just through them but also through me. 

"I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for He hath redeemed my soul from hell." 2 Nephi 33:6

I love you and can't wait to hear from you again. Loves!!!

Sista Fili 

Walkin' in sunlight...literally the sun is shining...

Hello, hello!!!

      Family... isn't it great to be alive? Ya know I think it just might be. The joy of the gospel is that we know why we are alive and what happily awaits us as we strive to live worthy of the prize. My emotions are tender today and I am not sure why. But I feel that possibly it is because of the happiness I feel in the place I am at and the work I am doing. The best part is though that It's not just missionaries that have this joy, some missionaries don't have this joy, but those who serve God with all their heart, might, mind and strength having desires to serve Him are not only called, but are chosen and feel the joy that only the Gospel can bring. You can and do feel it too every time you serve God in one way or another, it's not a happiness reserved to missionaries only, but is a happiness given to all who follow God. If you want it, go get it. Simple as that.. but maybe not so simple. It takes sacrifice and diligence to serve God. He never said it would be easy, but He did say, however, it would be worth it and ya know after this life I know it will be worth it, but during this life it can be worth it as well. We will go through hard things, it's inevitable, but as we strive for happiness with our Father in Heaven acting on His instructions to a fruitful and happy life (the commandments) we prove that God is right and does actually know what He is talking bout (imagine that..) and experience joy. There can actually be joy in the journey of hardship if we sing the song of redeeming love through out it in our hearts, in our minds and in everything we say an do. We don't have to be RoMo's (robotic Mormon's) to experience this either- we just need to be the people God created us to be. Never forget that we existed before we were born. We had personality before we came  and God knew us.. still does.. and He interacted with us in such a way that only did we have this personality but we gained parts of His as well.. just like we do today with family members and friends and we chose to come to earth using the intelligence given. We chose to suffer because we knew it would make us into the God's we have been given the potential to be since the beginning. The only way though that any of this is remotely possible is through the atonement. I guess that's why it's the most commonly talked about subject in any and every church organization we have. It is the center of it because it defines our dear Saviour, Jesus Christ, purpose and mission for all eternity and He is the center of our message, our religion, our very lives. In life we can not forget Him because without Him.. we are nothing. nuff said. I know this is true. I know God not only lives, He loooooooves me. He loooooves you. He loooooves all of us. We are unique to Him. He knows our names and has a personal understanding of who we are and why and not only that, but who we can and will become. If in doubt always remember "..It is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgements of God are always just, but the judgements of man are not always just." (Mosiah 29:12) So don't judge yourself, don't judge others- just live and love love love because that's all God wants you to do!! That's the secret to happiness is LOVE. The strongest and most powerful emotion/action God has ever given us the ability to feel/do. So love yourself, love others, and most assuredly love God. (I can not believe I put an emoticon... but it just went really well).

 

So this week was great. we got to go to a mission conference in Birmingham with Elder J. E. Jensen of the Seventy. He taught us about alot to do with the scriptures and it was a total blast!! He really helped me to think about how to study and apply and the spirit was thick. Words can't describe what I learnt to be honest.. Only actions but it was literally one of those meetings where I know I learnt alot, but I don't remember alot of it, just how I felt and the determination I gained to read and study personally, companion like and with those whom we share the gospel with.

 

Funny happenings: popped a tire (that was Sis. Lewis' doing trying to park on a curb, because they do that in Britain) then the SISTERS (not me unfortunately... and I might want to fix that) took off the bad and put on the spare tire.. ok so one Elder definitely assisted, and by the end they did but at the beginning it was definitely a sister lewis and wheatley effort.

                               held baby pigeons. and thought of Steve the ENTIRE time.. babhahaha. It was weird. They hadn't even got all their feathers. Some LA raise them just in case you were wondering. I felt like I might pass on with a disease though. Probably will.

                               Took a picture with my companion standing in the toilet.. don't you worry we stood in a plastic bag in the toilet... but my companion just likes to do crazy things.. they are therapeutic to her apparently. Nothing like standing in a plastic bag in a toilet to calm your emotions.

                               oh and during our lunch break we made our flat living room area into a mini dance studio. It's pretty epic. Good exercise. She's an exercise fanatic.. so I may or may not get fit in a transfer.. not that I was completely not fit.. but ya know..I'M A SISTER MISSIONARY FOR HEAVEN SAKES!! So ya.. it's about time now.

                               We jumped on Marion Hughes bed.... not a literal jump, just a bounce into a laying down position. She's a Less Active with dimentia who told us to go look at her huge house.. insisted actually... and she happened to have a lush looking cushy bed that we decided to lie on for a moment and jump to get there. twas epic. 5 Min. after we looked she told us to look again.. cause she couldn't remember we had looked the first time... we told her we just needed to share a message and go, but it was fun anyways!!

                        

Mum, Well I am glad you got the fireside thing and hopefully enjoyed it. It really is something I love doing and plan to do more of!! You're wonderful and am happy the school year is over so you can hopefully, fingers crossed, relax. I just love you!!

Dad, your lesson and stuff you sent me really made me think about the people of Limhi and Alma and His people differently. I know that maybe you haven't always been what you want to be.. that goes for all of us, but I do believe you to be like one who followed God: Alma and his people. I love you!!!

Heather and Liz, keep up the joy of magnifying your callings and being ace mum's I am super proud of you and hope to be like you and your 'can do' selves.. I am working on it :) I love you!!!

Matt, I love you alot brother and can't wait to hear what's going on with you from you!! keep working your bod... ;)

 

To all: love is abounding within me towards you.... man it is a good thing you all can take my lame jokes. My companions just dismiss them all the time.. it's saddening, but I get over it. You can't fix stupid.. eh?

 

I hope you hear from you ALL soon :) but regardless I will speak to you soon!!!

Till next week... RWYN DY GARU DI!! (I love you in Welsh)

                                                                                   Sista Fili

Happiness...

These past few days have been blissful... can I just say, it is so!! Ha but really. I am having so much fun with Sister Lewis and we are working hard. We find SOOOOO MUCH and it is fun. Now those of you who have served missions know that finding can be one of three things- necessity that isn't the most fun, but is the most necessary (and has it's moments...), a back up plan for the appointments, or something to look forward to- not going to lie for a while the third thing might not have been my main emotion towards it. I love doing all of missionary work and I love talking to EVERYONE I see and I love meeting new people, but getting rejected is probably low on the list of likes and high on the list of dislikes- but you get used to it because that's what we do, that's who we are and that's what we care about :) (thank you Mr. Slovinsky from Tommy Boy for your line). So we have found and found and had a total blast with it. I think that God answered my prayer to find myself- my personality- again. Sometimes when you serve you loose yourself so much in the work that you become a robot and literally loose your self. God sends us, who we are and what we are to refine and shape us, but not to kill who we are- He uses that part of us to do the work. I felt for a while like that part of me was slipping away and dwindling in the abiss but thank you to my Saviour for hearing my prayers and sending me a Sister Lewis who brought it out of me again so instantaneously. I feel like as I focus and immerse myself in this work and have fun with it that we really will be able to fullfill the plan that God has for this specific companionship.

I have gained a testimony of serving and letting others "see our good works, that they may glorify our Father who art in Heaven." So we were out tracting and going by loads of potentials and went and spoke to this lady that Sister Lewis and Sis. Stucki (last companion)  had served not long ago and as we finished up the conversation the next door neighbor had come out and asked us who we were, what we were about and said that he had seen us around a time or two and was intrigued by us. So I guess he had looked up mormons on the internet (they'd given his wife stuff, so I assume it was Mormon.org) and he was stil intrigued and asked us to come over and teach him a bit about it. So at our first meeting he explained to us that his interest all started when he had been carrying groceries from his car and the sisters had offered help to him and whether he accepted or rejected was irrelevent- he felt there was sometihng different and the funny thing is they didn't share anything with him, but they had his wife and he knew something was right about this. So the first lesson went really well and at the beginning you could tell he enjoyed it, but it still didn't seem like he had conneccted to it quite yet, but Sister Lewis asked him a heaven sent qustion- do you have a question for God?- he did. He said with tears in his eyes, "I want to know if those who have gone past are ok" then I asked if he had lost someone close to him and he had and told us about it and ya know the spirit filled the room. We bore testimony to him of the plan of Salvation. I was able to tell him that I too had lost someone dear to me and the plan was the thing that kept me going and that's why I left my family for a time was so that others would have the comfort, joy, peace, and knowledge that I have so that no matter what happens they know it will be ok. I knew at that moment that for Kevin we were representatives of Christ because of the fact that for 5 minutes, Sis. Lewis and I stepped out and the Saviour stepped in through us to speak to His child whom He knew and was able to use what we knew from our experiences in life to help this man. I hope it all works for him and that he is able to share with his wife  what he is feeling and experiencing, but even if he doesn't I am grateful for the moment I had to help lift someone's burdens and to gain a knowldge for myself that the plan of salvation is in fact the plan of God for His children of whom we are.

I was asked to give a talk yesterday in church and had ... ok so let's be honest... I didn't give myself loads of time to prepare, I never do, but I did prepare and the spirit was there. I am amazed at how when I rely fully on the spirit to guide because although I have a "plan" I don't actually have a complete one, I am not nervous, just kerfuffled inside, but what comes out is what needs to. I was so unsure after it even though I was completely calm during it and people told me after that it was this and that and I didn't believe them till Sis. Lewis expressed to me her feelings abou it all and what I had said and I didn't actually remember saying that and then realized I hadn't. I love the spirit and gift that God gives us to be able to use it. Sis. Lewis explained something to me this morning that she thought of as she was studyin the Plan of Salvation in Preach my Gospel. She shared a quote with me that says that "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm." and then said we are God's work and His glory- He is enthusiastic to bless us, to listen to us, to help us, and even sometimes to chasten us when we need it. He is enthusiastic because we are His glory and as we grow and become even as He is, and gain glory as He has His work is being accomplished and He loves us so mch. I think it is important for us to know and realize that if God puts us to it, He will make the way to get us through it- we just have to turn to Him. We too often try to accomplish things on our own and how silly when He already knows how. If we but turn to Him in all things then we may " know the truth of ALL things". I would invite each of you to turn to your Saviour with each trial faced at this time. We are all always going through something because we are all always being refined to become like Him- if we aren't then we are not fulfilling our purpose in this life. Sometims it is harder for others than some, but maybe that is just our invitation from the saviour to fullfill our baptismal covenants and have the strength and opportunity to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. I know that as we do it for another we will find it two fold for ourselves in our deepest and darkest moments. They come and when they come don't fret, there is a future- that's why they came- to give you a future with your Heavenly Father. I know this to be true. I know that God lives. I know He loves us all individually and with enthusiasm. He is ready and waiting for you to take upon yourselves His name by using the atonement more fully in our lives by living the gospel with enthusiasm. Our mission president's wife sent something to us today that I cut down and want to share with you:

 

Immerse yourselves in the work. We are a church of 'immersion'.  As we immerse ourselves  in our Heavenly Father's work and in the Gospel, it becomes more a part of us. We are a church of immersion. We baptize by immersion. We immerse ourselves in the Gospel principles. We immerse ourselves in the scriptures

We immerse ourselves in giving service to others. I know the more you allow yourselves to be immersed in the work, the happier you'll be, the more growth you'll experience, and the more you'll feel the companionship of the Holy Ghost  -Sister Judy Ogden

 

Please, let us immerse ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ- it's the only intelligent thing to do. I love you all. Hope your week is fantastic and that you recognize and make the miracles happen. Talk to you soon!!

 

Love for and for always,

        Sista Fili