ADVENTURES IN ARKANSAS

I've been dreaming of a White Christmas all month. We totally got it! Our friend Dylan got baptized on Saturday, we went to the temple with 3 recent converts, and Zak is getting baptized on Monday!  It's been the best week ever. My heart is so full! Christmas as a missionary is such a special experience. From Christmas zone vs zone dodgeball to Christmas eve lessons with our friends, I just can't express all my gratitude.  I hope everyone has had a very merry Christmas and has been able to reflect on the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Over the past year and a half, I've come to understand how truly amazing He is. I know that he is the source of all joy and love! I wouldn't trade my testimony of Him for the world. I can't imagine my life without Jesus Christ. I love him and I trust him  KEEP L-I-V-I-N  Pictures :  the quad!  Temple Trip! Dylan's Baptism! District Christmas Eve! Christmas morning pickleball 

Hey everyone!  Happy Thanksgiving! This week has been so good! We taught some fun lessons and we are having a blast. I am so grateful!  Watching Colby (who was baptized on November 15th) bless the sacrament this past week was a surreal experience that I'll never forget. This is why I am here. These moments make every bad one worth it. I love this work! Time is flying by! Wow. I've been trying my best to live in the present and just make the most of this last transfer. I saw this quote from Elder Wirthlin that said "worrying about the future creates unhappiness in the present". It couldn't be more true! I'm excited for what is to come but grateful for every second that I have left to wear my Savior's name on my chest. Also, if no one has told you that they are proud of you this week... God is!! He sees you and knows you personally :) Anywayyyyy, I also created a Google photo album for this last transfer so definitely join it for fun flicks from the home str...

I can't believe the amount of joy I've felt over the past few months! Opening this area has been such a blessing, I love everything here! Two weeks ago our friend Emily got baptized! We met Emily in October and she told us her dad was a member. We didn't realize how involved she had been in the church growing up (going to 2 girls camps, church off and on) but was never baptized. She was glowing at her baptism, and I've seen her absolutely blossom in the gospel!  Last week our friend Colby got baptized. The Spirit was nearly tangible in the room as he got up after he was confirmed to share his testimony of the restored gospel. I will be forever impacted by the opportunity I had to teach him. Who would've thought a simple invite to a tabernacle choir concert would have done all this?  Crazy to think I'm now beginning the last transfer of of my mission. I will be sprinting, and giving it everything I've got. I am staying here in the Joplin YSA branch with Siste...

Hey! Past few weeks have been so bomb! Jasmyne got baptized, we went to the temple with Jasmyne 2 days later! It was awesome! She is having some push back from her family but we have faith that all will be well. Ryan got baptized on Saturday! Went to the temple yesterday, he is a stud!  Emily gets baptized a week from friday! Wahoo!  I gave a talk this weekend about aligning our will to God. I have come to realize that my mission has changed from a sacrifice to an investment. The more I have followed God's will the more His has become mine. Here is a quote from Elder Soares's talk, "when we choose to let God be the most powerful influence in our life over our self-serving pursuits, we can make progress in our discipleship and increase our capacity to unite our mind and heart with the Savior". Uniting with God is JOY! I'm so grateful for my mission :) PICTURES : temple with jasmyne! jasmyne's baptism ryan's baptism broadbent my best friend! post pickle teac...

Ooooo weeee life is too good here in Joplin! Sister Broadbent and I are cookin! YSA is so much fun!! Let me tell ya, missionary work is the most amazing thing ever.  Here's a rundown on a few of our friends:   *Jasmyne! She is getting baptized next week! So outgoing and positive!! I love her!! She has been so prepared! Absolutely solid. *Ryan! He is a recent converts son, he has these cargo pants that we call his Jesus pants. In one cargo pocket he keeps his book of mormon, in one he keeps his bible. His goal is to go to the temple right after his baptism at the end of the month! He got a blessing and said it felt like a hug from God! *Nick! Kindest soul. I bonded with him over call of duty the other day. He comes to church and all the activities. He just started reading the bible and book of mormon! Loves the missionary lessons! *Colby! Smartest guy ever, he teaches english to kids. We did a book of mormon study with him after playing pickleball! He is a deep thinker and asks...

Hey!  So I didn't last long in Arkansas... after 6 weeks there I got transferred! I'm now in Joplin, Missouri (JOMO)!! What's even better, is I am with my other MTC comp SISTER BROADBENT!! It's too much fun being with her again, I'm very lucky! Life couldn't be better right now! We are opening up a new area, Joplin YSA (young single adult) congregation. So we spend most of our time on campus at Missouri Southern State University, or at Pittsburgh State University in Kansas. I can now say I've served in Kansas! How classic is that? Being with the young adults is so much fun! Last week we had 7 friends at church! I love all the friends we are teaching! I love the members! I love playing pickleball every morning! Life is good!  I hope everyone is doing good! I love you all! Keep L-I-V-I-N! God loves you lots!  PICTURES : campus lemonade :) morning pickleball! GO'RILLAS me and broadbent! Family Home Evening Post church selfie! transfer loop Pitt State! Wes! ...