August 5

Meet Clearlake(:

Those two elders are Elder Farnsworth and Elder Goynes.  Isn't it beautiful?  Sometimes it really is, even though other times it just stinks.  But we appreciate the beauty it brings(:

Meet Monce and Keahi.

Monce's mom found us one day as we were walking down the street, telling us that she used to go to church with the Mormons. So of course, we got her information, went the next day, and started teaching her nine year old daughter, Monce.  Keahi is her cousin- who is six years old and just too adorable for words to describe. 

So we started teaching Monce about how she is a Princess and how one day she can go into the Castle here on earth called a temple.  In that first lesson, she wanted to know how and we set a baptismal date right then.

Her excitement was uncontrollable and we went there are almost every day to try to thoroughly explain everything she needed to know before this big step in her life.  And we found this gem on her fridge.

-Keep in mind she speaks Spanish and English so sometimes words get confusing for her(:

So then Sunday came- we finally got everything arranged so that her baptism could be perfect.  Filling the font was pretty funny.  Usually the elders to it and they just put Hot and Cold on full blast for about 2 hours.  But, us being Sisters, wanted it to be the perfect temperature so it took us much longer.  And then we found this wonderful surprise in the font. 

 Yeah... We were not happy about that one.  Apparently he wanted to be baptized too- but two sisters trying to get a giant Wolf Spider out of a baptismal font is too entertaining.  Nevertheless, we succeeded.  Barely.  My companion almost fainted.

One thing that our mission does is every fast Sunday from 4-5, we do Might Hour of Prayer.  Which is exactly what it sounds like- an hour of praying.  

And I would suggest everyone to do it.  It is the perfect time to figure things out, talk things through with your Heavenly Father, and feel of His love for you.

So right after Might Hour of Prayer, we had the baptism.

Don't mind my hair- I know it is getting long.

But THAT right there makes this all worth it.

There are not words to describe the feeling you get when somebody that you have studied for, prayed for, and think about all the time actually does it and gets baptized.  There are no words.

It is worth it to preach His Gospel.  So worth it.

This whole family is going to be the most amazing family on our Spanish Branch, once we get enough members to start one.

I know it with all of my heart.

A lot of people here think I am Mexican- apparently I have "ojos tapatillos" (big eyes).  Which a lot of people in Guadalajara and Jalisco have.  And then I speak and they know I am from America haha  but it is an honor until then!

Okay.  So besides that- I am staying in Clearlake!  And I am staying with Sister Chavez!  So exciting.  I love her so much and I love this area so much.  We definitely have a lot of work to do!

But my Zone just isn't going to be quite the same.  It is crazy how attached you get to the missionaries you serve with.

Left to right:  Elder Nelson, Elder Farnsworth, Elder Skidmore, Elder Goynes, Elder Johnson, Sister Reid, Elder Giles, Me, Elder Campbell, Sister Chavez, Elder Volksen, Elder Van Wagenen Front: Elder Alvarado, Sister Jones

So, I do exist.  And I am indeed a missionary for all of those who were wondering.

Thank you for your prayers!  I miss you all and think about you every day!