THE BITTER SWEETNESS OF TRANSFERS -- I GOT THE CALL...

Hi everyone !

It has been six weeks 
 and it's transfers.

 I got the call, 
Saturday evening, 
to serve in the 
Fair Oaks 3rd Ward and the a College Oak YSA! 

I will also be a Sister Training Leader 
with Sister Christoffersen!

 I am so nervous but I am excited to serve there!

***********

Last Friday, Sister Baul and I had a lesson with Jobe and Jesse. Bishop Lewis and Sister Streeter were also there. We had Jesse say the opening prayer.   He really does have the desire to be baptized and follow our Savior.  We talked about how we need to make the efforts after faith and know that the Lord will help us do our best as we do the things that he has commanded us to do. Just like Joseph Smith and how he wanted to know what church to join and which one is true, so he took it upon himself to exercise the promise in James 1:5.Joseph received his answer because of his desire but also because he showed that desire to follow through with the answer he received.  We talked more about faith and felt impressed to extend the date of August 27th. When we closed the lesson having Jobe say the prayer and they were really going to ask their uncle for permission.

(minors have to ask permission for a minor from their guardian to be baptized).

 On Sunday, after church we spoke with Jesse 

and he said his uncle said ....

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

When we spoke with Sister Streeter, over the phone yesterday,  she said that it did happen. 

I am so excited that they are finally going to be baptized. 

It was the best goodbye are present ever.

Sacramento River -- PDay Hike

 Also,  on Sunday,  

we had FIVE investigators come to church! 

Jamie, 

Micheal and his family, 

Jobe, 

Jesse, 

& 

Terry!  

I had to give a talk on -- 

Why is the Book of Mormon important for us today.  

I thought I did a really good job but maybe...kinda pushy. 

P-Day Hike

But after Sacrament meeting they said that it was really good and that they do need to share it more with others. 

I explained how we learn of the why and how to repent, learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- the Atonement, faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. 

What made it nice too was that 

Terry said that she really wants to read it now! 

I started to cry. 

I will miss Mather and Anatolia dearly. 

I had a lot of good experiences  with my companions! 

I am going to miss with Sister Baul --- 

we are going to be eternal friends!  

I just know it! 

Also our apartment with the Hermanas! 

I will miss those I served with in Rancho Cordova Stake 

and everyone I was able to meet!

I will miss all of these wonderful people and many more!

Hurray for Israel!

Sister Hyde

FIRSTS, MIRACLES and JOY

This week was full of firsts and of miracles!!

On Tuesday, some members took us out for lunch to a Japanese food restaurant. I had sushi....... I do not think I will eat that again but, the rest of the food was good.  I also tried squid and it was actually really good!

We had a referral appointment in Anatolia on Thursday.  It turned out to be a husband to a less active recent convert house. Robert,  didn't even tell Tomika(his wife).  So when we came it completely surprise her and Robert had a huge smile on his face. Robert was trying to be funny near the beginning but toward the end he changed and the sprint was strong. When those that haven't felt the spirit in such a strong way they try to put it off sometimes, with Robert he tried to be funny again but soon got really quiet. We taught about the spirit and the roles it can play in our lives. Tomika bore her testimony of it and when Robert heard it... You could tell it touch his heart. We taught to them restoration and they loved it. We made a return appointment for next week can't wait!

The next miracle was in Mather on Friday and it went amazing! We had a referral appointment again and this one was amazing! Originally it was for these two girls but they were expecting the elders. They were all giddy up and everything. Their younger brother though came and sat on the lesson. We still gave message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and when we started to talk about Baptism and the Holy Ghost and how they need to be performed or given by the Priesthood. The girls weren't really interested but their brother is!  Muhamed started asking all these questions about the priesthood and the Holy Ghost. He said I was going to be baptized in another church this Sunday but now knowing that. I want to make sure I get baptized by someone holding that authority. That comment allowed one of his sisters to pay more attention. He asked if we have that authority in our church and we said yes. He said that he will be out of town this weekend but when is the next service? Every Sunday at 9 was our response. He said that he is going. 

When we got out of our appt. with him, I started to think - what just happened? Before we even got out of the car and went to speak with them we prayed to see a miracle and see the lords hand work at this appt.. Our prayer was answered! One thing that I learned is that, if you have true desires and know/ promise that you will do whatever it takes for your prayer to be answered then He will answer it even more! He loves all His children sooo much. Miracles like that allow me to see more of a glimpse of the grand picture!

We taught gospel principles in Mather Ward-- about the Fall of Adam and Eve. It went really well for knowing we had three seconds to prepare. While we were teaching I just got the thought that it really did have to happen so that we can have joy! 
I love that word --  Joy!!!

We also were able to talk to President and Sister Jardine for a little bit before President blessed our apartment. During this blessing I felt the spirit so much. It only makes sense that the place were we prepare to help and serve people should be a blessed place where the Spirit can come.

EVEN IN TIMES OF WEAKNESS

Hi everyone!!
Well this week has been quite eventful week! And kind of a trail of my faith in a way. So last Monday normal preparation day right but as we went out to go find people to share the gospel to, I suddenly felt
really sick. We went home and planned for the next day. That night I didn't sleep at all and threw up. Tuesday I really even looked worse than Mr. Hyde. Or so my companion says.

I couldn't keep anything down. Except for some water and pedia-lite ....  I drank so much of that stuff, it's not even funny. I love the Terry's because they came over from the mission office around three that day to see how I was doing.  Sister Terry diagnosed me to have heat exhaustion going on to heat stroke. Elder Terry and Elder Rasmussen from the office came and gave me a blessing.  Felt so bad for Sister Baul because she has to stay in that day and the next. We had exchanges Thursday to Friday with our Sister Training leaders. I stayed in my areas with Sister Lalomanu came with me. She is so sweet,smart, fun and an amazing missionary!

Friday evening the Anatolia Ward had a talent show, so as missionaries we try to get involved with the ward, and we did exactly that. We made up our own rendition of "I HOPE THEY CALL ME ON A MISSION". It turned out ok. The ward is super funny.  

Then on Saturday we are going to go see our backups because our one appt. didn't show up and I got this rash with hives all over so I went to CVS got some cream and Benadryl and I was out. It went away in the morning but then it return Sunday night. I am so done with it but faith endures trails and a happy attitude too.

Sunday roles around and we were able to teach primary in Anatolia Ward about Temples. I love that Ward so much and Mather too! Sister Baol and I were also able to see and talk with President and Sister Jardine too. We both got to talk with them individualy. It's nice to receive some counsel to the areas that you are called serve in. And to receive counsel in general.   That Sunday we also got a new Ward mission leader for the Mather Ward- Brother Bahr. Can't wait to start working with him.

This week was a mess and I felt horrible to have not been able to go out and share the gospel to the areas were we served as much as I could. But the Lord knew that and that week our leaders helped in our area and found four new investigators for us! One of them wants to be baptized so much that she sought out the missionaries and wants the gospel in her home! Such a blessing the lord gave us.  In our times of weakness -- he knows us AND understands us. All we have to do is trust him, have a strong faith and desire to serve him and obey his will.


Today I read in Luke 1&2.  I just gained a more appreciation and admiration for Mary. She truly wanted her will and the Lord's will to be one. Right from the very beginning, before we all came to earth.  How incredible is it to know that our Heavenly Father knows our divine potential, and gifts to fulfill the role that He has given to us here on earth.

Hurrah for Israel --
Love Sister Hyde