January 21, 2019


Funny: There are several unique things here in Hot Springs South Dakota. One of them being the way people choose to decorate their front yard. It is fairly common to see decorative toilets in yards. I guess when people here have an old toilet, they don't know what to do with they paint it, stick it in their front yard, plant some flowers in it, and call it a day. I attached a picture of it. If any of you were looking for a fun new way to decorate your yard, here ya go!
Spiritual: Sometimes one of the hardest things for us to do is get people to come to church. We can invite everyone, until we are blue in the face, and sometimes only 10-15 people will come at all. However, this week there was a tender mercy for us. Some of our investigators that we have been teaching for a while came for the first time! It was such a blessing! We had about 35 people come to our little branch! There is such a special spirit at church. I always feel that love and peace that is only found through Christ. That is why we gather there. It isn't a place for "perfect" people it is a place for incredibly flawed imperfect people to gather together, and learn from each other and our savior how we can better ourselves, and come unto Him. Most people in my branch travel total 2 hours to even be able to come to church. They sacrifice a lot to come, because they know it will be worth it. I am very thankful for the opportunity to go to church every Sunday. It is a blessing I would often take for granted before, but not anymore.
Where I am at: A new transfer is starting, and guess what? I get to stay in Hot Springs! By the end of this transfer I will have spent almost half my mission here! Good thing I love it here so much! I am ridiculously attached to this area, and all of the people in it. Hot Springs will forever hold a very special place in my heart! Sister Haney is going to go to Custer with Sister Housley, and it will be a walking area! Sister Eliesa and I get to stay here. I am very fond of Custer, we travel there every single week to do work. About half of our investigators are there, and it will be really hard for me to say goodbye to them. I love my area so much! I love these people so much! I love them like family, and have deep connections with many of them. When you watch the light of Christ enter someone's life more deeply, and see the joy that it brings, it's impossible not to grow in your love for them. I am SO grateful to be here on my mission! My arthritis is doing better, and currently the plan is I get to stay in my mission for all 18 months! I am very grateful for that! I love you all so much, never forget it! 
Mitakuye oyasin