Mother's Day= I get to see your sweet mug!! YAY!!

Kenyon getting to see his big sis after a while.  This made my Mother's Day the happiest ever!!

Brother Brigham ;),  (****She called Blaine this after seeing how impossibly long his beard had gotten**)

My heart is so full today! All night I was just reflecting the whole conversation we had. I never knew how beautiful it could be just to hear y'alls voices again, to see your faces and to know you're all still there and doing well. Its amazing the little things you miss. My heart just leaped out of my chest when I saw Kenyon's face! I don't know if it was divine inspiration or what but I needed to see him and just hear his voice and just have that time with him to reconnect. On the really hard days where I just feel like I need to talk to someone he's the one I think of, sometimes I'll just talk to him in my head and think of what he might say to me. On the mission sometimes its hard to remember that you're still you, that you have a family and that you're more than just a missionary to someone. Being able to talk to y'all yesterday made me realize that I am still an individual and that I'm so loved and cared for. Its so easy to fall into the routine of the mission and a couple months pass and you feel like you don't really know who you are anymore but there's nothing better than having your family to help you understand who you are to them and to our Heavenly Father. It really was just what I needed. Something else that also really helped me was when you told me a couple weeks ago about my plaque and how it was different from all the others. Its nice to be reminded that I'm still unique and individual. I love you all so much and I'm glad you hung up first because I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Sister Pitts was right there for me when I said bye she hugged me and told me it was all going to be okay. Something she said that I really thought was true was she said, "One day you'll marry someone just like your dad." Ya know dad, its true. I look up to you so much and hope that one day my own family will be blessed to have someone just like you leading us. I am so lucky to have a family who loves me so much and even with all the miles in between I still feel that love every day. It was such a blessing to be able to have you all in one place and not have to be worried about not seeing one of you. You are all so individually important to me. Even in your hello's they were all uniquely YOU! Kenyon was as mellow as ever, in his true surfer dude form but filled with so much love. Calvin, even though toothless, was still as sweet as ever! Hailey, still shy and quiet but becoming more confident. Shelby, still SO spunky and funny :) and then you and mom, together! Mom talking and you tearing up in the corner ;) just kidding. I just felt so whole. And was thankful for the reminder that I have an eternal family who will love me no matter where I am or where we all end up. I AM SO THANKFUL!

 So I didn't get to talk to you about my week so here it goes. We had a really great zone meeting this past week. We were taught how to extend powerful invitations, the importance of follow up, how to utilize members more fully and in order to not be discouraged don't allow yourself to tune into "K-Crap Radio" -Sister Toombs After that meeting we went to teach the Olsons, members in our ward, she is a brilliant single mother of three of the most beautiful daughters ever! We taught them about the priesthood and it was amazing the spirit I felt when I was able to testify of the divinity and power of the priesthood. I was able to show them a picture of you and kenyon and calvin (one of the family pictures taken by mindy). When I was done we were all in tears and how I felt was so much bigger than I was, it couldn't all fit inside. Another thing I've learned about myself is how much I love setting goals. We also had district meeting this week so we could set some goals for our district. I'm convinced that goal setting is one of the best parts of missionary work. "A goal not written down is just a wish." We were able to set goals and we decided our district motto would be "Faster, Higher, Stronger." We have set some pretty high standards but we also decided that there is no reason why we can't strive to be the best missionaries we can be. Our goals cover every aspect of ourselves, including emotionally, physically and spiritually. Every time we set goals I always think to myself that I chose the right major, business has a lot to do with goal setting. Missions teach you life skills ;). 

We have started teaching the sweetest lady ever! She is an excommunicated member but at this point in her life she is so ready and willing to give up everything to have the gospel back in her life. She is inspiring! We also had dinner this week with a nonmember family that was a referral from the Pitts! After we left Sister Pitts talked to Mrs. Martin and invited them to hear a message from us, and they accepted! SO COOL! This happened RIGHT after we had dropped someone... It was the coolest thing ever! This week we taught Carissa about the temple and she is currently preparing to go to the temple! :D She also signed up for LDS Singles today ;) #DOUBLESCORE So we had several funny experiences this week as well... here it goes... We did the prayer approach with someone and they asked us to pray for their bottom healed, never had that one happen before... luckily sister g was asked to say that prayer and it was so hard not to laugh through it... second one was also while praying.. We were saying the closing prayer at an active members house, we were all kneeling and they have this brown lab. So sister g is praying... again and the dog comes up and licks my forehead then goes over to her and licks the side of her face and she stops her prayer and says "EXCUSE ME!" oh my heck none of us could keep it together... SO FUNNY! The last one was pretty awkward. We went over to talk to one of our investigators parents about teaching them and about baptism and so we go to the door and the dad answers and tells us to go talk to his wife and daughter out back so we go around to the fence and open the fence and they're in the hot tub and it was one of those moments where we weren't sure if we should just turn around and not say anything or if we should talk to them. So all four of us just stop in our tracks for what felt like forever and then sister g says, "well uh...is this a bad time?" BAHAHAHAHAHA So anyways, those were some adventures from this week! I love you so much dad! And I loved your attachment too. THATS SO LEGIT! I can't believe you trained that many times... what a killer missionary you were/are! :) I am so thankful for your prayers and your support dad, sometimes its what really carries me through! I LOVE YOU! 

Happy Cinco De Mayo and Missionary Monday!

Before the Baptism

After the Baptism

Great Pic of the "sisters" :)

Cute Letter From Candice

Kenz Extreme Close up :) taken by Carissa's daughter

The "Zone"

Dad,

So this week was pretty awesome! I feel like it was the most hardworking week of my mission, nothing CRAZY awesome happened but physically and spiritually I feel pretty worn out. Monday we contacted referrals and it was pretty cold out that day so we knocked on this door and the sweetest hispanic man answered the door and his wife was there too. They said they were devout Catholics and weren't interested but we asked if we could pray with them and they let us. We all held hands, they insisted, and prayed together. When we were going to leave the man handed us 20 dollars and said "It's cold. Go get coffee to warm up." We said we couldn't accept his money but he shoved it into sister Grenfell's hand and insisted we take it. It was really neat to see that even though not all of us have the same beliefs there are still many people who believe in Christ and in our Heavenly Father. Oh and P.S. We didn't get coffee of course... We actually still haven't even thought of anything to use it for :P Another cool contacting story... We went to contact the Pitts neighbor and they let us in and we talked for quite some time and they actually invited us over for dinner with the Pitts this Friday! It'll be WAY cool! 

     Okay and crowning event of this week! Carissa and Ryan were confirmed yesterday! They had to wait a week because it was stake conference last week! So church started and carissa and Ryan still weren't there... WE GOT SO SCARED! We thought it was going to be another MIA incident so we went outside and walked around the whole church building looking for her car.... NOTHING! AHHHHHHHH so scary, we called, NOTHING. Luckily, she did show up! We hurried into the chapel and she was confirmed along with Ryan. A member of the ward confirmed Carissa and one of the Thornton ward Elders confirmed Ryan. The blessings were really neat and I was just beaming with HAPPINESS! Afterward we sat with her and she said "I felt it. I really felt it." SO COOL, but it gets better. To give you a little background, Carissa NEVER cries. We have only seen her cry one time and it was because she didn't think she's get the kids on Easter. And she always used to say "I don't know why people cry so much in this religion... Is a requirement to cry in this church?" Haha in true Carissa form! Anyways, so we are sitting in fast and testimony meeting and people are bearing their testimonies and we hear Carissa crying! We ask if she's okay and this is exactly what she says "I get it now, I understand why everyone cries. I just feel so happy that I am keeping my covenants and that I get the blessings from it." TALK ABOUT GETTING IT!! OH MY HECK IT WAS SO COOOOOOOL! AHHHHH! Man, all I can say is that its all worth it, all the tears that were shed at her non-baptism, all the manual labor that went into moving her into her new apartment, all the heart felt prayers that went into helping us know how to help her, just everything was so worth it! I am so happy and privileged to be a missionary for the Lord! In every journal entry I write without fail at the end, "I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY" and even on the hard days, the tired days and the AWESOME days, its never any less true. Of course I miss you and think about you often, but this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I'm so thankful every day for the example you've set for me and for all the love and support I feel from you! I love you so much Dad! :) 

Carissa and Ryan's Baptism

What a week it's been! The beginning of the week was pretty rough. Sister Grenfell was really sick so we didn't get to go out and work all day Tuesday, which is usually our busiest day of the week. Wednesday we took it easy again and were only able to go to a couple appointments. Thursday we had district meeting and we talked all about the Grace of God. What is grace to you? It was a really great meeting and I learned a lot about how much grace really can change us AND save us. I feel like every day I come closer and closer to understanding how the Atonement works in my life. It reminds me of the lyrics of come thou fount "Oh to grace how great a debtor, daily I'm constrained to be. Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above." That's the prayer I have in my heart every day, Heavenly Father, make me what you want me to be today. I feel so much better when I know what I'm doing exactly what the Lord would have me do. Friday we found a new investigator, his name is Anthony. When we first met him, it was by a member referral, and he kind of had the attitude of wanting to prove everything wrong that we were talking about and as the lesson went on he changed more and more. When we recited the first vision the spirit was so strong. I knew what we were testifying of was true, and we both felt like Anthony felt it too. We are meeting with him again this Friday.

 Saturday was amazing, Carissa and Ryan were baptized at 9 am and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever been a part of. It was amazing to see the instant change in them as soon as they came back up the stairs after their baptism. When we talked to Carissa in the bathroom right after she said, "I've never been so happy in my life. I feel so happy right now." She was so touched and Ryan was too, he was so much more reverent and peaceful. Amelia-Rose (Carissa's daughter) gave the closing prayer and she said, "we are so thankful mommy and Ryan got bapaaatized". It was soooo cute, and really funny. I never felt so fulfilled in my life, any pain or frustration that's come from being a missionary was completely swallowed up when we got to see her be baptized. I finally understand what it means in the scriptures when it says "If you bring but one soul unto him, how great shall be your joy" ITS SO TRUE. Carissa and Ryan, children of Heavenly Father were brought into his fold, saved from sin! HOW GREAT IS BEING A MISSIONARY AND HAVING A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF THAT! 

The rest of Saturday we spent in meetings. All the missionaries in our zone were invited to go to the Priesthood session of stake conference. They talked about members and missionaries working together to hasten the work. They said that that's the only way the work will truly be hastened. Then we had transfer doctrine. SISTER GRENFELL AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER IN EAST LAKE AGAIN! 3RD TRANSFER IN A ROW! We are so excited! We have decided that it's for a reason and that the next six week are for us to work miracles here in east lake, the Lord has kept us here for a reason. Then we had the Saturday evening session of stake conference. All of us missionaries sang Hark All Ye Nations, it was awesome! Then President Toombs spoke. He talked all about members and missionaries as well. He said that he only has 24 missionaries placed in this stake but that the stake president has 3000, and that in order for things to really progress and hasten we need the members to work with us. He promised our stake that if there is a member at every single lesson we teach the number of convert baptisms will double in the stake.... WOW! What a promise, right!?! It was incredibly powerful! 

On Sunday we went out with Annie Pitts, bishop's daughter that just got back from college. She is going to Frankfort Germany in July! SO COOL RIGHT! She's amazing! Having her with us reminded me of when I was home and was always with the Sisters. It was so cool to give her opportunities to share her testimony. We are teaching her the second lesson this week to prep her to teach one of our investigators with us. I wish I would have been more involved with the missionaries before I came out. It was overall a great experience, we took her contacting and everything. It was great. 

But what I learned this week was that my Heavenly Father never forgets about me, he knows me perfectly and knows exactly what I need and when I need it. He knows my struggles and my strengths alike, and gives me trials to help me improve and grow. I love Him and I know He loves me. I am so thankful to be a missionary. I am thankful for your love and support that helps me each day. I love you dad! 

P.S. Bishop Pitts is going to be in Philly this Tuesday through Thursday. I don't know if it'd be possible, but it'd be really cool if my family in PA was able to meet my family out here in East Lake. Maybe y'all could meet up for dinner and go to Geno's for a cheesestake. Mom has Sister Pitts e-mail if you want to get in contact. 

Mom's note****We are meeting him tomorrow night for cheesesteaks @ Geno's.  (NOT PAT'S, lol)***

I LOVE YOU! 

<3 Sister Hoopes

The happiest day of the week......MONDAY!! :)

Carissa and her sweet children

Awesome CO sisters on P day

This one is my FAV.  This is SO McKenzie! :)

Probably the best Text McKenzie has ever recieved :)

Dad,

Sounds like one crazy awesome week! I love the "Vontrap family" styled bike picture!! :) You look pretty legit in your Bee-Keeper suit too! All the pictures this week were perfect! Thanks so much Dad! And monkey bars too?? WOW! :) That's really cool! The prom group looks like they had a great time! That's so awesome! I'm really glad you had a great Easter pops! I thought it'd be really hard being away from the family since it's been my first holiday away from home besides valentines day... which lets be honest, doesn't really count as a holiday worth celebrating. It was really great though.

The week started out really great! We found out Carissa was only imprisoned!! I have never been so happy someone was in jail in my life! We were at the Bishops house for dinner and we got the text then, it had been one rough week so us, the elders and sister Pitts were all so happy when that text came! We were able to set Carissa and her son Ryan back on date for this Saturday at 9 am! WE ARE SO EXCITED, so is she of course!

Wednesday we got to go to the temple and that was a really great experience. When I walked into the celestial room I sat down and just prayed because I just needed to feel better inside, lately I've just really been struggling with being confident for whatever reason. As soon as I was finished I felt something on my shoulder, like someone was physically comforting me. I really think it was grandpa Woolley. I know I have family members on the other side who strengthen me and help me in times that are tough. It was a really wonderful experience.

On Saturday we got to go to a Mormon Chorale Concert with Robert (an investigator), Lynne (investigator), The Carrolls (less active members), and Carissa and her kiddos! It was really great, my favorite part was when they sang I Believe in Christ. I felt the spirit really strong and my testimony of Christ was strengthened even more.

Sunday was KILLER!!! The whole overflow was full, there were so many people at church!! Linda Sue and Jim Carroll came to church! It was their first time in 20 years! It was seriously a miracle! SO many people were completely amazed and they all welcomed them with open arms! The Lopez's all came (investigators). Their grandpa came up to us and said, "You are working miracles with these girls. I cant express how grateful I am for the work you are doing with them." Then Carissa and all her kids were there and she fit right in with everyone else, a lot of people in the ward knew about her adventures last weekend but they didn't treat her any different, it was great! Sister Grenfell had a 20 minute talk and she did a GREAT job! After church we were able to meet with the Lopez girls and we watched the Because of Him video, man, it was so powerful! I don't think I've ever liked an LDS produced video more in my life! They gave us these really great Easter baskets too. Then we got to eat Easter dinner #1 with Carissa and her kids. All of us were missing our families a little bit in one way or another but we were talking about it and we all said we didn't really feel that sad, Carissa calls us her sisters and she said that she was so thankful she was able to spend Easter with us. We were all just really thankful to be there together and in a small way it felt like family. I really don't think I've ever loved a family, besides my own, more. It was a really happy time! Then we had dinner #2 with a new family in the ward who doesn't have any family around. It was fun, we watched Because of Him with them as well. Then we saw the Olson's and made resurrection rolls. Neveah, the second oldest, taught us a lesson because she wanted a turn since we are always the ones teaching. It was cute! Overall, celebrating Easter was a great experience.

I know my Savior lives, I know he suffered for me in the most personal way possible. I know he rose, and that because he did, I will as well. I know that his sacrifice makes me whole, makes me better. I know that through his atonement I can change and become the person my Father in Heaven has always intended me to be. I know that Christ's gospel is restored to the earth and blesses me every day. I know that the work I am a part of is HIS work and that its the best work a person can be a part of aside from having a family. I am so thankful every day to be a missionary. I love you, Dad.

Love, Sister Hoopes

(pictures: Carissa and fam, Lopez girls, and we got flowers from an open house we hosted. We got to take them and that'll probably be the first and last time I ever get flowers on the mission ;))

Wow, This mama was so happy to hear this!!!! Happy Missionary Tuesday!!

Hello! I'm Sister Pitts from the Eastlake ward in Thornton, CO. I had the missionaries over for dinner last night. My son and husband were at tutoring, so it was just me. I was running behind and had a huge handicap because my kitchen is under construction, thus EVERYTHING is packed :)

However, I was determined to cheer our missionaries up. It's been a hard few weeks in our area, and I think we were all a little down. We have an Open House planned for this coming Saturday and I think Satan is really trying to get us down. My friend, who was supposed to have them for dinner last night, had lost a grandchild to a drowning accident. We'd had a baptism not happen, I'm sure you heard about that in yesterday's email. Missionary work has been hard here lately.

So I figured I had a bowl and a griddle unpacked, so we could have pancakes with whipped toppjng and sprinkles. That cheers everyone up! Without countertops, that proved interesting. Without a pancake spatula it was even more interesting. Lots of melted forks, lots of pancake batter on the floor, lots of laughter, and silliness too. 

It was a delightful evening and I just wanted to share how much we enjoy your daughter. She was so helpful last night, preparing the dinner, wiping up spills, and cleaning up afterwards. 

The Sisters worked hard to learn a song for the baptism, they came over a lot to practice in their spare moments, it was a treat for me to have one on each side of me as I played the piano to help them learn. They have beautiful voices and I hear from SO many members how much they love hearing the Sisters sing when they have appointments with them. Sister Hoopes is a wonderful example of the Savior and we love having her in our ward and in our home. 

An update on the baptism, while we were eating dinner, the sister that was supposed to be baptized ended up texting the Sisters. She was just getting out of jail. She'd been arrested for dumping lemonade on her ex husband's girlfriend (her ex best friend) this past weekend. Not at all what any of us had been expecting! It created quite the laughter and luckily, she won't be charged with a felony, so we can still have a baptism. I was tasked with letting all the families know, since they thought you'd love the outcome.

So the evening was just as I'd hoped, but not as I'd planned. My lack of kitchen made for lots of laughs and the jail release made for some relieved sighs and more laughter. Thanks for raising such an awesome daughter!

-- 
emily pitts

Glad to know that Heavenly Father carries us when we're down.

This week was interesting for sure. We had interviews with President Toombs this week, I don't know if you ever did that on the mission, but it was a good experience. We were just able to talk about the work and about how I was doing personally. He said that Sister Grenfell and I were little miracle workers in the East Lake ward and he loves to keep track of us. I love President Toombs, no matter what numbers you report that week he loves you so much. I really feel like he is so much more proud of you every time you grow your testimony and learn more about who you are. He's amazing. 

This week we saw a lot of miracles as we set goals. This week our main focus was on referrals. We set a goal to get 35 referrals, five per day. By the end of the week we received 28. Even though the number goal wasn't reached, it was awesome to see how many people had friends and neighbors brought into their mind when we asked who we could go share the gospel with. We are preparing for a tri-ward open house in which people have invited friends and neighbors to tour our church building to see what happens there and the things we teach and programs we have. All the missionaries in each ward are really excited about it. 

On the 10th we had Zone meeting which is a lot like district meeting, just with the whole zone. We were trained mostly on the Atonement and the question of, "Is the Atonement fresh for you?". It was a really great meeting and I learned a lot. But I thought about the question too and I didn't really know how to answer it. At first I thought yes, then no, then I was just really unsure. I understand that there are two parts of the Atonement, the cleansing and enabling parts. I know I'm not perfect because I'm not translated but I also know that I probably use the enabling part more than the cleansing part, but at the same time I didn't understand how the enabling power of the Atonement is really felt. With sinning there are steps that you take to become clean, six steps in particular, but the enabling power doesn't really come through steps, it comes to every person differently. So this week I really thought a lot about the Atonement and how it works for me. David A. Bednar said the Atonement is meant to make bad men good (cleansing power) and good men better (enabling power). To me this means its meant for sin and for sorrow, for the sinner and the saint. Sister Grenfell and I spent a couple days studying it in personal and companionship study. We even drew a crazy diagram to help us understand it logically. We prayed to feel it more in our lives and we even took the challenge it give in Preach My Gospel to repent daily. After this week however, I don't think the Atonement can be logically studied, it has to be felt to make sense. 

Saturday we had a lot to do to get ready for the baptism, we had to fill the font, follow up with those who were bringing refreshments, practice the song we we planned to sing, SO MUCH CRAZINESS. The baptism was at 1 and it was about 12:45 and people were showing up. We had texted Carissa in the morning to see if she needed help getting ready for her day. She hadn't responded so around 12:50 we headed to her house to help her get all her kiddos ready and in the car. We showed up to her house and she wasn't there, her car wasn't there, her lights were off, the whole bit. We started to worry a little and decided to drive back to the church to see if she had showed up. She wasn't there either and so we counselled with the Bishop and to what we should do and we decided to start with the baptism with the faith that she would show up. Sister Grenfell and I had to tell all the people who showed up that Carissa and Ryan weren't here but that we were going to carry on like they were with faith that they'd come. There were 57 people there from the ward, pretty good turn out. With our hearts in our stomachs, we sat and listened to the speakers give their talks and we sang the hymns and by the time Sister Grenfell and I got up there to sing there wasn't a dry eye in the room. We both had to pull ourselves together, we felt so disappointed and so heartbroken, but we sang and it sounded decent. Bishop was the last one to speak and he stood up and opened the font, talk about a blow to your tear ducts, we all looked at the water that was empty and Bishop talked about how this is exactly how our Heavenly Father feels about us. He waits for us to make covenants with him, he waits to see us make good choices and come one step closer to Him. We were able to experience some of the pain He feels when we use our agency to get farther away. He really did a great job at bringing it all together. As much as we could hardly focus on the words anyone was saying, so many people felt the spirit that day. We still haven't heard from Carissa, her phone is off, and she isn't home. But something Sister Grenfell and I learned was how real the enabling power of the Atonement was. Even though its been a couple days I know for a fact that without the Atonement we wouldn't be out teaching and doing our best to try and find others who are prepared, we wouldn't be able to think straight or have the spirit with us. Its still hurting inside, but we are moving on and doing all that we can to press forward and be okay. We were able to get priesthood blessings directly following the service from three sets of elders who were also all at the baptism. It was a good chance for us to all come together and feel of the love Heavenly Father had for all of us as missionaries. The thornton elders taught Carissa before we did and Elder Rampton was supposed to baptize Ryan so it affected more than just us Sisters. But something Elder Potts said after the blessings really stuck with me and helped me realize why this might have happened. He said, "I don't think its any coincidence that this happened right after you were both trying to understand the enabling power of the Atonement." We both agreed and we are both being strengthened by it. We are hoping to be in touch with Carissa soon, and any prayers you could send her way would be great.  

I know that my redeemer lives, and loves me. I know I'm here in Colorado for a reason, I know the Lord is proud of me and that you're proud of me. And I know I'm doing my best and that's what counts. I love you so much and am thankful for the example you are to me of never giving up and for all your help and prayers that have brought me to where I am. XOXO 

Spring is in the air. And Sister Hoopes has her 1st baptism this Saturday! :)

I got this emailed to me from a sister in Kenzie's area that was feeding them dinner that night.  Looks like fun!

Dad,

 

 

This week was pretty awesome! On Tuesday Sister Grenfell went to a meeting and I stayed in the area (first time without her here) and it was a really great experience. I was in a tripanionship for the day with Sister Packer and Sister Holladay. It was a cool experience to be with them and take the lead in all the lessons we taught. It helped me feel like I wouldn't be so lost without her, of course I missed her bunches, but it made me less nervous for the time she may get transferred or vise versa. When we taught Sister Torgerson this week I really felt the spirit. We talked about the holy ghost and times I have felt it and times the other Sisters had felt it. I never realized how much talking about those experiences allows you to feel the confirmation of the spirit even more! When we taught Sister Carroll we had a good break through. At the end we invited her to watch conference with us and she accepted! When we went over to watch it with her she payed really close attention and we had a really great lesson with her and her husband afterwards. We invited them to attend church and they said they wouldn't make any promises but they would try... That's better than we have gotten before so we are hoping the spirit works in their lives to help them get to church. We also moved houses this week. We are now living with Brother and Sister Voge. They are so nice and he was the old bishop so he knows a lot of the people we are teaching and things. When we come home every night they always greet us and ask how are day was and offer us cookies (SO MANY COOKIES.... its bad). But they are so kind and its just really nice to have someone there to welcome you home at night. Thursday night we met with Charlie Tilburry (or Gibbs) and she is a less active member and has been for a while but we took her to a scripture study class that the missionaries teach and she actually really enjoyed it. It was a really great experience. There ended up being 4 sets of missionaries and Charlie which was interesting but we had a really great discussion about 2 Nephi chapters 3 and 4, AWESOME CHAPTERS. Sister Grenfell and I have been working with Sister Pitts (the bishops wife) to practice a song that we will be singing at Carissa and Ryan's baptism this Saturday. We will hopefully be able to tape it and send it next P-day :D We have also been working with a young woman in our ward who is struggling right now. She is having a hard time wanting to live the religion and feels like she's doing it because her parents are making her. Sister Pitts invited us to start meeting with this young woman in their home and so we have been over the last few weeks. This past time we met with her we pretty much bore testimony of God and how we are his children and he loves us. It was very powerful and by the end all four of us girls were in tears and we couldn't deny that the spirit was there. I am so happy we have the privilege of helping this young woman gain a testimony of our Heavenly Father and that I am able to strengthen mine in the process. We unfortunately were not able to carry on the Hoopes family tradition of the big breakfast! But it was a great conference experience nonetheless. The first session we watched with Carissa and Ryan in the Olson's home (members that we adore), then part way through we went over to Sister Bolas's (another member) and watched the rest of the Saturday morning session with her and Lynne (an investigator). Sunday morning we watched it in the Olson's home again and Sunday night we watched it at the stake center. Conference was really great! Here were some things I took away from it:

 

When Jeffrey R. Holland said "Yes it is worth it, because the alternative is desolate... Be strong in the gospel, defend your faith with courtesy and compassion but DO DEFEND IT." I LOVED THAT!

 

Ballard when he talked about how he learned the importance of following up on his mission, that had me laughing pretty hard. And I loved the invitation he gave to families with missionaries and without missionaries to get a copy of preach my gospel and study beside the full time missionaries! PRETTY SWEET!

 

And the last thing I really loved was when L. Tom Perry said "We must teach our spirits and bodies to work together to keep the commandments of God." I feel the happiest when my spirit and my body are on the same page. Its always more enjoyable when you're not experiencing an inner battle between your mind and your spirit. I feel that way being out here on a mission. I know in my mind and in my soul that I'm in the right place. Its not an easy thing to be out here but I know its right.

 

Thank you for all of your love and support Dad, you mean so much to me and I'm thankful for the time you take to pray for me and diligently write me every Monday! :) You're the bomb.com. I LOVE YOU!