January 16, 2012

Hello wonderful family!!! How are you all doing today? So...this last week we did a lot of service. People here actually allow us to help! Haha, anyways, there is this lady that came from New Mexico and was trying to clean up her friend’s house who is now living in an old person place (I always forget what they are called.) And so we helped her clean things off to prepare them for a yard sale and then we went a second time this last week to help her box things up to give to goodwill. It was nice to be able to help her, although my eyes now hurt from all the dust and dust. Oh wells, such is life... We were also able to help our recent convert. He allowed us to paint/stain/something his fence. That was fun to be able to do. And then they fed us lunch...and dinner since they had signed up for that and we taught him a lesson. So it was "A Day with the Hamners." As we called it. It was fun. Oh, last Monday I played 5 bases with the elders. There are so many elders in my zone! It's a lot bigger zone than last time. There are a couple of elders that came out with me in my zone, but they weren't in my district in the MTC, so I don't know them as well. But yeah...slowly I'll be able to learn all the elders’ names. Slowly... but it was fun. (I'm in the Chico zone/stake... so I got to go to Chico for that and for shopping.) We were also able to make contact with some less actives in our ward. Also... we spoke yesterday in church. And what a relief that's over. But it was good. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I talked about faith and repentance and Sister Tubbs talked about Baptism and the Holy Ghost. It went really well. We also texted 2 part member families to invite them to come hear us speak, they didn't respond, but THEY SHOWED UP!!!! That was really exciting!!! But they left as soon as possible. So, gives us a perfect reason to stop by their homes this week and to thank them for supporting us. Also, about my talk... Dad, you must be famous or something, just kidding, but I quoted you, and when I was writing my talk I thought about how it was the 2nd time I was writing a talk and quoting you. The first time it was in the talk I gave at zone conference. And yesterday it was about faith. I remember one time you telling me, "God cannot direct your path unless you are moving your feet." I really liked that thought and related it to how we sometimes need to take a step of faith forward, for things to work out and God can help direct us. Oh! We set a baptismal date this week!!! We had a really great lesson with our one investigator. Currently she's working 24/7 taking care of this lady who's practically bedridden. She's hoping to find a replacement soon. We always have to find someone to take her place so she can come to church since she can't ever leave the lady. We're excited for her baptismal date...even though it's kind of far away. June 2nd that is. But she's still not quite sure about the whole authority thing and she wants someone special and close to her to baptize her. But she's amazing. She talks like a member. And was able to come to church for an hour yesterday. It was good. Yep. That's all the excitement I can really think about to say. I don't know if I ever said before but in Dad's letter you asked about why I was driving. Well, all the foreign sisters cannot drive and the original sister that was coming up here is from the Philippines. And my companion accidently had an accident a couple of transfers ago and backed into a pole and got her driving privileges away. So, yep. That's why I'm driving. I hope all that makes sense. Yep. Life is good here in Paradise. Just what I thought Paradise would be like. Haha, just kidding, well except that it is good up here. Still enjoying life. And Sister Tubbs is great. So yeppers. I love you all so much!!!! Have an amazing week!!!
Love you bunches,
Sister Kristi Walston