august 17

Seferino's baptism


We found out a lot about our neighborhood this week. Aparently, [we've never seen him but we are hoping to soon!] John Travolta, or as they call them, "Uncle John" hangs out just 2 houses down from us on a regular basis. He's friends with our neighbors and he plays with their kids. In case you were wondering, we're being taken care of if a movie star is coming to visit. We live in a palace.

Elbia and Manuel. OH they are so exciting to teach! Elbia sits there and is so surprised to see all this change in Manuel. Manuel can't stop smiling. It's contagious! They both committed to be baptized the 4th of septiembre!!! WAHOOO! Both understanding, they will have to make a few changes in their lives. We taught Manuel la palabra de sabiduria and he has not drank and smoked once and then remembered and didn't smoke again. Elbia was a little upset to hear she can't drink coffee and tea in the winter [because it's sooooo cold here! it does .... for native arizonians! 60 is freeeeezing!] but last night I testified to her and she said, "oh honey, I know this is a commandment." Manuel was also able to come to a baptism on Saturday and a fireside on Sunday. He just LOVES it all. He can't get enough.

Baptism on Saturday was for a man you might remember (prob not ... I never remembered who missionaries were teaching). Hna Nielsen and I taught him back in January. That was after Hna Ghan taught him .... twice .... and Hna Nielsen and Voigt taught him. Since us Hna Ladd, McBride, Rodeo, and Nishiguchi, and a set of elders have taught him. He has officially been baptized! I will remind you how it ended with us though ..... he yelled at us and said he doesn't want to be a part of this church. He was offended by something a member did during the lesson and .... a number of other things. So, quite a different story seeing him get baptized. We pray he continues and strengths his testimony and knowledge of our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Right after he got baptized, Manuel, with a smile, said, "I like it" in english! He's great! Oh yeah and to get him there .... we probably called 10 p[eople ... and finally went to dinner and the father spoke spanish and could bring him. Miralces happen!

Fireside was put on by an english ward in the other stake we serve in. They were SUPPPPPER excited to do this and it was a success. It wasn't a huge turn out, but those who came were greatly enriched, as well as those who shared their testimonies. We had 6 people there who we are teaching or have taught (one part member family, in particular). Horray for the spirit and for hard work in helping people! I also played my favorite "yo se que vive mi senor" efy version. I love that song .... english and spanish! Even more now!

We met with an english ward mission leader this week. Apparently there has been a huge road block between our branch and this english ward, though we both cover a huge apartment complex. I have been reading chapter 13 and realizing that these relationships with leaders are crucial for the work to move forward. This english ward has really put their feet in this apartment complex and do lots of activities and such. Why have we not been a part of this .... most of the people that live there speak spanish anyway? They did a Thanksgiving potluck last year and Bishop Louden was to the side. A little girl (7 or 8) came up to him and said thank you so much for the food. I haven't eaten for 2 days and this makes me feel much better. OH! They have home teachers assigned to each building in the complex (about 25 buildings) and they make visits .... basically as friends and share a message of Christ each time. Once again, a blessing of serving in Arizona with SO MANY GREAT MEMBERS! Horray!

That is all I can think of. We struggled this week on being motivated as both of us started feeling sick. Not cool but again, it gave us an opportunity to repent, change, and improve.

OH how did I forget? Zone Conference this week. Way different and soooo good! I feel like a different person after Zone Conference. We are extending baptismal dates on the first lesson .... if it is not done with the Spirit, they will throw it in your face. If the Spirit is there .... hence how we should always be teaching .... if they are ready they will accept and prepare. We will find those who are ready. We haven't found Juan Herrera but still praying for him.

Love you all! Here are some pictures! PS yesterday we ate dinner with a woman who was mission companions with the missionary who found my MTC companions parents and brought them to the gospel. The world is sooooooo small. Love you all! Hermana Clark

August 10 "I will have to pray about marrying you"

We had a day this week that we were whistled at and asked if they could wait for us to not be missionaries to marry us. Hermana Nielsen was asked "God told me I should marry you." She responded with, "I'll have to pray about it" or something like that. Funny funny. Entertaining. After a bunch of men yelled "I love you" we heard another man yelling from the pool in a very sweet voice, "there are my two favorite young ladies." His name is Barry and he is from PA. Whenever we're in the area he comes out and talks to us. Very nice man .... not interested in the church. Glad we put a smile on someone's face!

What happened this week? We got a call from Elbia and Manuel Sunday morning and I didn't hear it. 10 minutes later I checked the message and they said they were outside. I grabbed an hermana in the branch and we searched the parking lot and they weren't there (nor did they answer the phone). My heart sank. They are the cutest couple. I have never seen two treat each other with so much respect. Both probably in their 50s or 60s with health problems. Both searching for something more. She's the one who said "every mormon I talk to is so peaceful. Why?" So we were SOOOO EXCITED they made it to church ... but then I didn't hear the phone? Yeah I was kicking myself. Anyway, sat through socidad de socorro and right before Sacrament las hermanas en la rama next to us called and said, "I think you're investigators are here". OUr buildings are SUPER close and theirs is actually closer. We ran out and drove over to them and stayed for their sacrament. hahahah sometimes you just .... ajust to the needs of the investigators. For some reason they needed to be in Valencia this past week to hear two really good talks about the family and husbands and wives. :)

the Branch here is awesome. they sometimes call us telling us about our investigators. Sunday, we found out that Rosy and Armando went on the campout! We couldn't get a hold of them this past week and sometimes get a little chided if we just stop by. So .... cool! The branch certainly fellowships!!!! Still planning on two baptisms, one for the 21st for Rasa Mercado, and sometime on or before September 4th for Rosy (and Armando??) Anyway, the work is going well. It is exciting. I have less than a month left here in the area. We ate at a family's house this week (first of all ... every family is AWESOME here ....) .... but we were talking about some of the people we're teaching and mentioned we needed a large print libro de mormon and they said, here ... give them these reading glasses and we'll try and find the right prescription! then they gave us a tent for Rosa Mercado to go on the campout (turned out she didn't go with her boys ... but it wasn't because she didn't have a tent!). Yeah, anyway, cool members who just offer up anything that is needed.

Recently, it seems, maybe it was all at once, we've talked to lots of people who have lost children when they are teenagers. Yuck that is so hard. I canNOT IMAGINE. That with others stories, it made me ponder a lot on the plan our Heavenly Father has for us. It is perfect and complete!

Last night we talked to a young man in a parking lot. It was dark and so we identified ourselves and he said .... yeah ... I usually go to church. He was completely embarrassed he was smoking a cigarette. Ashamed. He was only 14. We told him very bluntly, we do not think of you any different, Shane. You are a son of God! He loves you no matter what you do! The decision you've made to smoke that cigarette, and presumably others, however, is a decision he is not pleased with. He promised us he would not by another pack. I pray he keeps that promise. The Spirit testified to me of that principle. God's love does not correlate with our decisions. He loves us no matter what. His blessings, however, are contingent on our obedience. 3rd article of faith.

Love love. Thanks for your love, prayers, examples, and hard work! I love each of you!! Love always, Hermana Clark

august 3

What a SWEEEEEET week this was! To be together, again, Hermana Nielsen and I have discussed some things we are going to work on this month [we no longer call these transfers, all reporting systems refer to months now]. We have been humbled by some things we know we can improve on and have seen changes already. We also had our district leader ask us about how our practices are in companion study. Needless to say, it was cool he completely pinpointed us, but we also felt a little stupid, after being together for so long we still really struggle with the simple act of practicing (I can't even say it's something we've gotten lazy at or something ... we just have never quite developed that while we've been together). We plan lessons but rarely will practice teaching the investigator and such. Well, we have 5 weeks to improve! We focused on practicing this week and never have been able to teach the lessons we did practice ... but we know it will improve our teaching! Faith! So, we've been humbled and it feels good.

I will say, one day this week was suuuuuuuper long. We had one appointment and one service activity (we're teaching Fransisca's brother, "Chango," how to read english out of the Book of Mormon) and both were cancelled. I don't know what it was with the day but it was long. I got tired. By the end of the day, I won't lie, I looked forward to not being a missionary in 6 1/2 months. Ok I repented of that thought though because the next day was Sunday and we had 5 people in church and it was craaaaaazy!!

Rosa Mercado changed her date to August 21! Wahoo! Nothing is in the way, she just has to check if her english teacher's son can baptize her that day! We're hoping she gets to the branch campout this weekend with her boys. It'll be a miracle ... but we have faith and have seen many miracles!

We went by Rosy's this week to have a lesson and she was in a mad rush and we didnt' know what was happening. She drove away and and were a minute or two behind and saw her pull over to the side of the road and saw Armando run across the street and watched the first few moments of them embrace. He's been in Mexico for a month and it has been a very VERY long month for her. That was tender to watch. Like a soldier returning. Anyway, hopefully tomorrow we will be talking to them to see if they would like to get married and baptized the 21st as well!!! She was excited to see when we can come by again! Glad to see that family all back together again!

Now for the most exciting thing that happened this week. I've noticed in teaching, that when lessons are taught with the Spirit, I feel like I am watching Hermana Nielsen and Clark teach, and I am somehow a fly on the wall. It is ... incredible. We taught Juan this week [the referral I talked about last week who was given a ride by a member because he felt impressed to stop]. Well come to find out, Juan had NEVER taken the bus before but is unable to use his car for this month. So he made the journey to the bus stop for the first time ... and Jeff found him! OH MY GOODNESS I have never seen a man so prepared to learn how we are children of our Heavenly Father and how he has a plan for us and has sent lots of help for us to know the way. He said as he walked into church last week with Jeff (knowing very little about the Mormons), he felt all of his worries and burdens lifted and literally left outside. He could NOT wipe the smile off of his face. He was so excited to find out that church was not only an hour long, but 3 hours long!

We taught him last night, again, in the Kurocik's home and WOW. Celestial lesson, as we call it, in a members home. He could recognize the spirit there as well. The Kurocik's will be great friends with him, seeing as they are both converts, Hno Kurocik after studying to be a Catholic Priest and finding doctrinal inaccuracies. Hna Kurocik shares her testimony of studying the scriptures to find answers through the Holy Ghost. Oh my goodness. We cannot walk out of those lessons without saying a prayer of complete gratitude for helping Jeff find Juan! WOAH! Juan last night pretty much told us he knows that all of this is telling him he needs to keep going in this way. Oh wow ... pretty much he is golden. He is soooo ready for the gospel in his life to lift burdens and have that hope that the world is just sorely lacking. Funny part of last night was also when we were talking about food and our health before the lesson. Hno Kurocik turned to Juan and said [after Juan had said he loooooves sugar. He's a cook at the Hilton and so he's always around good food], "You're a dead man." Oh man it's just so amazing to see members click with investigators and help them. We are doing pretty much nothing in this .... we preach ... it is the spirit that teaches and the members that befriend. THAT IS HOW MISSIONARY WORK SHOULD BE DONE. The end.

Hermana Nielsen and I. Have I told you all of the near misses at BYU? First, living. He lived in Mackenzie and Spencer's ward in Moutainview condos. I sometimes went to that church and we both remember going to the outdoor church that one time on a fast Sunday. I almost was her roommate at the last condo she was living at, but at the last minute opted not to take that contract [I know her roommate] ... which brings up the whole roommate thing. We both worked with each others roommate. I worked at the MTC with Alicia and she worked with my roommate Emily at Brick Oven. Then WE both did early morning custodial winter semester in buildings right next to each other. Our bosses were really good friends and often doing things together. We both took nutrition 100, Judaism and the gospel, and Presidents of the church (all from the same teachers). ANYWAY small world. We know we're here now for a reason and it is so cool to see how the Lord's hand is in our lives and those we're able to serve!

I love being a missionary, and I am grateful for these trials and opportunities to serve and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we have been given the authority to bring the world His truth! Thank you for letters. I was chided this week by a friend for not writing back. In truth, I should be by all my friends. Thank you for your love and prayers. Love always, Hermana Clark

July 27 - jump for joy

they're still together!!





YES! we are still together!! This will be our 5th transfers together and I'm not sure I've heard of anyone in the mission being together this long ..... but we know there are many reasons. Some we've realized, some not yet. When people ask, we say we've been together since Christmas .... minus 6 weeks. Holy cow that's soooo long! End of fall semester to beginning of the next fall semester. Boooo yah (as our district leader, E. Pebley always says)! We were happy with that news!!

I am so glad to be in this area because there is so much to be done! Rosy and Rosa are still getting baptized September 4th (the weekend before I'll probably leave) but both we want to push up their dates and very likely it will happen. Norma needs to go to Mexico to talk to her Dad about something that happened a long time ago ... and then she has all desires to get baptized. We went to a girls camp skit the JC were putting on for their parents (to prep for the real one at camp) and it was sooooo awesome! I say this because Norma's daughter was in it. WOW. Hermana Nielsen and I were so impressed by the young women and their testimonies and willingness to share their talents and experiences. WOW. YW was certainly different in Michigan and NJ.

MEMBERS. We went by our WML this week to ask his wife if she could come out with us and we walk to where their condo is and their gate and front door are wide open with lights on ..... and it's completely empty. Kind of a scary picture ... with everything going on here right now with the law ... but then they came back. They lost their house this week because of something with the bank. They're moving down the street ... aka out of the branch :( We are SOOOO SAD to see them leave, but we realized that night that that of Heavenly Father's way of sending him to where they are now. They will be a huge blessing in the Valencia branch and to ALL of their neighbors. They're ... awesome.

We got a call this week that a member in our stake invited someone to go to church in spanish. So ... when is church? We got the information and all and then we asked how he met him. So anyone who's reading this .... MEMBER MISSIONARY .... right here. He said he was driving down the road and saw a man at the bus stop and felt impressed to stop. He gave him a ride to Target and invited him to church. Needless to say, church was filled with the Spirit and we are excited to teach Juan this week. I'm sure the story Juan has is years long of searching for something more in his life. This week will forever change his life, whether he accepts these things now or at another time. YAY for awesome member missionaries in Arizona!!!!!

A few weeks ago we had a district meeting with 2 districts together (and then a big pizza party with really good pizza .... I miss NY pizza but this was pretty good!) One Elder talked about TTI's: teach, testify, invite. Each day we are to talk to at least 20 people on the street and TTI them. In our area it is pretty much 100 of the same people, I'd say. Sometimes we meet new people, but it's a lot of the same ones ... so it's like we're becoming friends. Fun like that! Anyway, as missionaries, we are to preach the gospel to everyone. It doesn't matter who they are, what they are doing ... well ... there are some no gos ... but ... anyway. This talk this Elder gave was to motivate us to find more who are searching for the REstored gospel of Jesus Christ. He read a story about an Elder who found his friend, that he is confident he knew in the premortal life and promised to bring the gospel to. I went home and kind of asked myself .... is there someone here I need to find? I pondered for about a day ... knowing that some people do come on missions to find this one person that they need to teach, testify, and invite to be baptized and such .... and I came to the conclusion I don't really think anyone up to now has been someone of that category. It doesn't mean I haven't done the Lord's work, however.

That's a really short answer to that thought but I did realize something. Ryan McGeough. He IS someone that I specifically needed to help. A little different from missionary work in Arizona ... but the work in the temple is the same exact work as those who are living here in Arizona, or anywhere in the world for that matter. It was humbling to realize this. I remember sitting at his funeral when I was ... maybe 14 or 15 ... and thinking .... no one here knows about the Restored gospel. I am the only one who can help him. I kind of pushed it off for years. Well, I knew it had to be done this past summer. That became really evident one night as I tossed and turned trying to go to sleep and finally sat up and said out loud, "Fine, I'll ask her for permission," referring to his mom. I have great faith that he is now serving in the Spirit world. I hope to one day be able to see his family understand and comprehend this great work as well! Anyway, that was a really cool thing to realize this week. And we will continue to find those who are ready to accept the gospel and who we can help prepare to one day accept the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ!

The Law goes in place this week if nothing impedes. It is tough being a missionary here doing this work with this law being put in place, being pushed by a member of the church. We contacted a menos activo yesterday [who no one in the branch knows about] who told us they have no interest in being part of a church that is making this law. YIKES. I thought of Dad's talks on choosing to not be offended. Speaking of hard things, we ran into a man who told us "The Book of Mormon goes against what Jesus Christ teaches in the New Testament." I did not know what to say to him. Hermana Nielsen was pretty bold with him. We just testified to him. I do know though, if you're not open to the spirit, it will not testify to you.

Love you lots! I love your letters! I feel so blessed with so many letters ... from family, friends, missionaries! Until next week! Lots of love! Hermana Clark

July 20 - what makes a successful missionary

Yesterday was a good missionary day because it was one of everything. Appointments fell through, a new investigator we were really excited about dropped us, we finally dropped someone we've had a lot of faith in for month ..... and yet we still saw success.

We got billions of phone calls yesterday about lots of random things. One of them was saying that the spanish branch next to ours is having 12 baptisms on Saturday. Needless to say that is exciting, but I felt a little discouraged. They had 16 baptisms in March and Elder Oaks was at it. The Hermanas there have changed and all of them are amazing hermanas (they also just made the branch double it's size ... it's about 5 or 6 times larger in area than ours). Anyway, to put it frank, we were feeling a little down about the work in our area. I started asking the question, how do you know we're successful missionaries? Last week we were in a stake meeting and President Reed said, "A sister came back and no one she taught was baptized ... but it was a successfull mission" Well that brought comfort, but I also know that this mission IS baptizing people and it's not uncommon to baptize a lot. NOW baptizing is not everything, but it is evidence of your efforts. Hermana Nielsen and I talked about it throughout the day and just asked the question .... how do you know you're successful?

We went to a lesson with a woman who hasn't made it to church for the past 2 weeks. I have no idea how the lesson went ... but the Spirit was there. Hermana Nielsen and I taught very insinc. We both felt like words were put into our mouths. I fumbled on the Spanish but I knew what I needed to say. She was flipping through the Book of Mormon and I knew that we needed to talk about the story of the Bom through pictures. The Spirit is just .... right on. It wasn't us and I love that feeling. The lesson ended with her wanting us to come back soon. This is opposed to the last time we saw her and she said I'm busy everyday ... I don't have time. It was incredible.

Hermana Nielsen had the impression this is what PMG2 is going to be focusing on ... teaching by the spirit and get away from this Restoration lesson. We really have NO IDEA what is changing ... but we hear rumors from all the members about stuff. We're excited to find out ... whenever that comes! We got in the car after that and said "he will teach by the spirit, and he will touch the hearts of the people and HE WILL BE HAPPY." [the quote from last week]. We had no doubts in our minds last night that we are seeing success. We may not be seeing the fruits of our labors but we are confident that we are helping the work move forward. I think my faith is being tested. Faith is something I know blessing has talked a lot about. I need lots of faith. Well, it is being developed. Ether 12:6. It feels good looking back, but it hurts when everything seems to fall through the cracks and we're left with a day full of finding people who aren't there, don't want us, and everything else. What matters is that we're working hard and we have the Spirit.

Que mas? Saturday we went to a bi-stake activity of cleaning the gardens around the temple. Just happens to be the two stakes we serve in. Our investiagator didn't show up, but we ended up sweeping out the big shed. I felt like I was at BYU again doing early morning custodial. This time I was next to Hermana Nielsen though, not Natalie! I have some really gross looking blisters on my two thumbs from the experience. I don't have hard working hands anymore! It was fun to do some different kind of work though!

I love this work. This time is so crucial in my life. I know that while trying to serve and bring those we meet to Christ, I am coming closer than ever before to my Savior. I am being humbled so that I can learn of Him and be more like Him. Next week we find out about transfers and I am thinking I will be going somewhere else. I have been here for 5 months and I absolutely just LOVE this area ... despite not seeing lots of the fruit of our labors. I know this is the Lord's work! I know He lives! He is guiding His church on the earth through a living prophet, President Monson! We watched a movie this week and I have never felt so much motivation to read the Book of Mormon! Oh I love that book! I feel so inadequate in my knowledge, testimony, and seek the help of the Spirit to do this work. I know as I rely on Him, I will be strengthened and I will be able to be God's hands here in this area.

I love you! Thanks for your love and letters and prayers! I pray for you!

Love always, Hermana Clark

July 13 - Hungaria, lake powell and white legs

The Bryson's have a phone that rings ... and then a computer voice says who it is. We're in the basement so we can hear it but maybe not as clear. I've been living her for 5 months now and I've noticed ... for 5 months ... that they get a lot of calls from Hungaria. They don't seem to pick them up ... and they get one just about every single day. Well, first question of any intelligent person is, where the heck is hungaria ... because it isn't a real place. Yeah, well that's besides the point because for 5 months I was wondering who the Bryson's know in "Hungaria" and why they're never answering when they call. This week we heard it when we were studying and I said something like, ".... Hungaria! what's new!" And Hermana Nielsen turned to me and said very inquisitively ... I don't know how to write that .... "wow .... hermana .... I just realized something ... what if it's saying "out of the area". OH MY GOODNESS! This was a week ago and it doesn't matter where we are, what we're doing ... but I just lose it and laugh! Then a few days later Hermana Nielsen says ... Hungaria isn't a real place, is it? There's Hungry ... and Bulgaria ... but Hungaria????" Ok stupid moment of my life. And it took 5 months to correct. I hope you thought that was funny cause we're still laughing about it! HUNGARIA!

We had interviews this week with President Ellsworth! He is such a great man! I think of the quote on p 185 from Elder Holland about listening and applying what people are telling you about to the gospel. He is a very good listener. They are all about "heavenly questions" to ask. Not the usual ones you ask ... but the ones the person you are teaching needs so THEY can be taught by the spirit in thinking about their response. Oh they are so wonderful! [I feel wierd saying that ... and I feel like I'm neglecting that the Bassetts were wonderful too ... but they're different and it's exactly what the mission needs]. I had some time to sit down with Sister Ellsworth and just talk about life and her kids. Oh I love that lady! She's spunky and happy and listens to the Spirit.

Everyday when we walk outside I feel like we're at Lake Powell. I think that's why I don't mind the heat that much ... because it reminds me of lake powell and vacation. It ranges from 95 (which is perfect) to 113 (I think). It's not too bad ... some days we're absolutely soaked and it's just kind of funny and gross. Life goes on. Goodwill clothes continue to sustain us. They're pretty awesome. We just met a recent convert in the stake who's whole living room is from DI. Nothing in there cost more than 5 dollars. And you know what ... it looked pretty nice, really. I know I don't have much taste but it did NOT look like second hand stuff at all. Horray for cheap stuff!

The work! We've been memorizing a quote that President Ellsworth wants us to recite together as missionaries. I think I almost have it down. "I have often said one fo the greatest secrets of missionary work is work. If a missionary works, he will get the spirit. If he gets the spirit, he will teach by the spirit. If he teaches by the spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness. No worrying about the families, for all time and talents and interests will be centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work - there is no satisfactory substitute, espcially in missionary work. -President Benson. Whenever we're outside trying to contact people or even members to talk to them about missionary work .... I like to say that quote. It helps me stay focused on forgetting about the fact that my clothes are sticking to me or that no one is opening their door or that people are not dressed modestly even if they're members. This is the Lord's work and it will not be stopped!

Oh yeah. Sister Ellsworth also talked to us sisters about clothing. APPARENTLY, long and mid-calf skirts are "out of style and hard to find" so the requirement has been changed to just covering the knee when you sit for sister missionaries. It is also up to the mission president and his wife if we need to wear nylons and we're off the hook for the summer! Wahoo! My personal opinion is that they look nice ... because my pasty white legs really do not need to beam bright ... ever .... but in this heat it is really nice to not have to wear them. :)

I love each of you. Mom, Dad, Abby, Kenz, Spencer, Madeleine, Henry and all of extended family! Oh and yes I am receiving email from grandma madelyn! I love emails and mail ... both are great! And I love hearing about all the missionaries! Been getting some from Becky that I just LOVE reading! Talk to you soon!! Love love! Hermana Clark

july 6

4th of July

***

President Spence Ellsworth! Things are changing here in Mesa, Arizona .... and all over the world. This morning we had a meeting with our Zone about how we're kind of losing the whole transfer thing and we're making goals and things are going from the 1st to the last of the month. "transfer days" I guess are going to be the same, every 6 weeks, but all goals and what not are 1st-last day. Zone conference and interviews are quarterly. They're stressing Preach My Gospel more as well as exchanges. Well, maybe this is also having a new President. No se pero this is super exciting! I'm going on exchanges with Hermana Mazariegos tonight. She is from Guatemala and has been in the mission for a few weeks! Mas espanol! o and she is a full field spanish sister! Horray for more full-field spanish!!!!

This last Thursday we met President and Sister Ellsworth and two of their daughters. They are excited to be here and feel so honored to serve here! I don't know how to describe them but they are eager to work and serve us. It is very evident by their love and testimonies of the gospel! Here's some things on them. President loves ice cream. He was a farmer until 15 years ago when he got involved in life insurance .... aka so they can now be mission presidents. They met a BYU. Sister Ellsworth is from Seattle and said it was SUPER hard to get used to country life in Carey, ID! They have about 1000 people including the outskirts there ... so Mesa is a different life. This is the first time they've ever moved in their married lives! They have 7 kids and 6 grandkids! Their last one, Angela, is 16ish, will be a sophmore in high school. Amy is heading to BYU for her freshman year. Scott is a Utah State and served his mission .... where else .... MONGOLIA. Ellsworths even went to go visit Mongolia ... and we heard some stories of Mongolia. I felt like I was at home ... kind of weird to think of that as being familiar but it was cool to hear more of that land! And then ... I think ... 4 married kids. One just had a baby last month! Sister Ellsworth reminds me the Meg Ryan in You've got mail (I don't want to dim how awesome she is ... because I don't like comparing people to movie people ... because they're just characters) but she is cheery and happy and humble and .... we just love her!

We taught a family last night who was taught 5 years ago. The old Branch President stopped us (when he happened to buy us ice cream :) ) and asked us about them. He said he gave one of their children a blessing when they needed a kidney transplant. After the blessing ... he didn't need one. We focused on authority. We're excited to go back! His friend was even there that's living in another area. We gave our only Libro de Mormon last night to the father and his friend right away, looked at it and said ..... can i have one? We asked him why he'd want one ... and he said to learn more about Jesus Christ. Horray!

We set two dates this week with Rosa Maria ... who's actually just named Rosy .... and Rosa ... who actually is a Rosa Maria. So Rosy and Rosa tiene una fecha for the 4th of September. Both of them picked that date and they are excited for it! That is the last week of .... next transfer (I don't know if we're using that work still .... not sure ....) so we're praying I'm here through next transfer. We've been teaching Rosy since February. Armando, her "esposo" is in Mexico getting a divorce so they can get married. She this week told us her goal is to get married by the church .... aka in the temple. She is hoping that Armando gets baptized in September too. We're .... excited!!! They're awesome! We also had 2 other investigators at church. Yeah for church attendance! I've historically had a bad track record on helping people come to church so that was super exciting!

Yesterday we decided we wanted to go to an English Bishop to talk to him about our work (none of them know us ...) and he said his 2nd couselor's first language is spanish. They had an english fireside a few months ago and because they have so many people in their ward who also speak spanish ... they were thinking of having a spanish fireside. Cool! We're onboard! It was just so interesting to think of going to see him and him literally saying to us "wow, it's funny you stopped by. we've been talking about this for a while." Horray for all working together! This is the Lord's work and we need to be unified in it!

We had some time Sunday afternoon and so we knocked a few trailors of people we didn't know. I ... am not fond of dogs. Especially chijajas (how do you spell that?) Well, two were chained up, barking like crazy. I somehow had the guts to walk through them and knock on the door. No one answered after a few minutes so I started walking back. One of them started tugging on my skirt. HAHAHA We even talked about this a few months ago with Sister Bassett ... but I bolted. It was funny. I was freaked out but just laughed when I got into the street. hahahaha

Ok I love you all! Congrats Kenz and Spencer!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures! You're all in my prayers! Keep up the good work and serving with all our heart, might, mind, and strength! Love always, Hermana Clark