13. More Change

Happy National Queso Day!

This week did go by quicker than last week, and I am getting settled into my new area pretty well! In God's funny way, He has decided to shake things up just one more time. Sister Hymas is being sent to another area to replace a girl who went home early. So, it is me, Sister Biehn, and Sister Silifaiva doing the work of 2 companionships in a huge area. We will be busy, but being busy is good!

This week we did lots of service at the pear farm and at strangers houses, just doing whatever needs to be done. We did pruning, hammering, cleaning, mowing, sweeping, etc. I still love service and I can tell a difference in the days I didn't get the chance to do any.

Our friend Luis is struggling right now with some family problems and giving up coffee, so we would appreciate your prayers for him as he works towards his goal to be baptized. Our other friend Stormy accepted the invitation to read the Book of Mormon and attend church, which is super exciting! We hope to make great progress with our other friends, and I will keep you updated on them.

One super awesome experience we had this week was with Nancy. She isn't a member of the church, but she has had some experience with it. She reached out and asked if she could receive a special blessing from God for her health. She is terminally ill with small cell lung cancer and needed the kind of comfort, peace, love, and reassurance that only God could give her. We sat in her home and got to know her; we shared stories of our own trials and told her how much God loves her. The Spirit was really powerful as we talked and Brother Ogle gave her the blessing. Before we left, I felt like I should share 2 Nephi 31:20 with her:

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

As we press forward, taking life one day at a time, trusting in the Atonement of Christ, reading the scriptures, and doing our best, God will bless us and we will reach the ultimate goal of living with God again. I know God loves each of us; He has us in mind every second of every day and has a glorious plan for our lives. This simple message always brings me joy and it is my favorite message to share with other people.

Have a happy week, let me know how I can pray for you, and listen to some Chris Stapleton for me!

Hermana Thrasher

PICS!!

1. Hey look, a bridge!

2. We have (herbal) tea time and movies with a projector in our house every night

3. Y'all want some candy?

4. Pear farm! We got strapped into this huge platform that reaches the tops of the trees and we could lean all the way out to reach the farthest pears with just a tether holding us from falling haha!

5. Our friend Vic, a recently baptized member. He is rough around the edges, but always a hoot.

6. We like pickles, what can I say?

7. We were blessed with some beautiful skies this week!