Dec. 1, 2014 Thanks to Him

Dec. 1, 2014  Thanks to Him 
Feliz Cumpleanos: Queen Esther, and Theresa and Sarah Schmidt

My heart has been really softened and touched this week.

We have seen so many miracles, I don't know where to begin. I think I will do a thank you email this week, because I have so much to be grateful for. (I am following the example of Haylee.. thanks babe) 

1. First- I am grateful that I got really sick this week. WHY? because one, it made it really easy to say no to the 15+ dinners we got invited to from the ward, and we didn't have to pick and choose which one we should go to because we couldn't go to any of them! We felt so much love as I was sick in bed. Hermana Izu sent out a text to all of our members and investigators saying that we just love them and we got so many responses of pure love and gratitude. Really I was so filled with Gods love and His gratitude just thinking about all of these convert members, who just love missionaries because missionaries changed their lives. It was truly humbling. and it saved our lives--- aka we didn't get diabetes-- that's always good!

2. Because I was sick we had to say no to a family (LA FAMILIA VILLANUEVA)-- (less active we work with, one of my favorites I have met on my mission)  and coming over to dinner, right once they heard I was sick the Hermana (who I just adore) went and made me soup and brought it to me!! It was the sweetest thing in the entire world. Hermana Izu and I were so grateful, (well at the time I was dying in the bed, and hermana Izu met the Hermana outside and died a little bit over there). Anyway, it just showed me so much love. I was so grateful! I am not used to being helped!  Because on the mission, you are out here for everyone else, and to get all of this love from other people, I almost felt guilty. It was so life-changing. 

3. I am grateful for my companion who took care of me, she even gave me a back massage while I was sick... now that is a true Idahoan! (actually shes from California.. but shes worthy to be from Idaho...) (I thought that was pretty funny) 

4. I am grateful for Rosa (our investigator) who came to church, and even WALKED in the cold to get there with her 2 sons. She is amazing, she said she LOVED church! The ward fellow shipped her like you've never seen. I was dying! 

5. I am grateful that I get to go on exchanges with Hermanas who just come out, THEY HAVE SO MUCH FAITH! 

6. I am grateful for la Familia Villanueva who invited us over for dinner on Saturday (when I was kinda better) who after our powerful message committed to prepare to enter the temple as a family. We love this family so much! We have seen so much growth in them. They have 5 kids, all teenagers, who don't come to church who have been here a year in America, who are ready to change! At church on  Sunday 5 of them were there and they talked to the bishop about going to the temple!.. Hermana Izu and i frankly about cried. We have seen so much growth in this family! We still have a little bit to go, but its an amazing journey that we have been blessed to see! I love them. 

    I also invited them to come visit us in Idaho, also offered them our home to stay in while they are there, and promised them river rafting hiking and fishing.... sorry not sorry Dad! :) family learn your Spanish! (they espeak no Ingles) 

7. I am grateful for the new video He is the Gift.. and I challenge you all to post this video on your face book walls and also on your friends walls specifically. do it. 

8. I am grateful most of all for the Savior. I have learned so much about the atonement while I have been out here on my mission. I know that He really does heal ALL pain. He heals us when we are tired, when we don't feel good enough, He heals us when we feel regret, when we have hit our low, when we have fallen off of the path, when we feel like we can't go on, when we feel like we don't know what to do or what to say, and when we feel empty, He can heal us. I have felt and seen his Healing power in my own life and in the lives of many many people. His power is real, and I love sharing the news that He Heals. 

I love you family! I am grateful for you and for your prayers! I want to be with you all forever and ever! 

All of me loves all of you all

Hermana Hammond                       La Familia Villanueva