Lani's Letter

My Dearest Family!

It was so wonderful seeing you all yesterday! Happy Mothers day mom!...by the way, Is it Abby's birthday June 2nd?? I think it is, but I am not sure. How embarrassing is this, but can you send me a list of everyone's birthdays so that I don't forget?? 

Thank you for all your emails. Sister Jasper just loved all of you. She is really tough, but we have really been enjoying each others company lately. We might be laughing too much and sharing too many inside jokes, but it is whatever.

Dad- that is a wonderful idea with the members. Like I had said, we are committing them to read the Book of Mormon for 30 mins a day and that is going to be extremely difficult for some of them. The singing is a great idea! Sister Jasper doesn't like to sing, but I can hear her secretly singing in the bathroom, even though she denies it. We will work on that. This next week is going to be great! We already have at least two appointments set up each day. That is one thing that I always am concerned about. I want to make sure that our days are full of service and appointments so that we are not wasting time trying to figure out where to go or try tracting, which hasn't been successful in this area. They all know we are coming!! It is actually really funny if you set back and think about it. :)

We met a young woman who moved here about a week ago who just got baptized. Her name is Mercy and she is incredible. She is from China and already has an incredible testimony. We took her to the trail center this last weekend and she seemed to really like it. We talked about the song, Come Come Ye Saints and talked to her about how she is a pioneer in her family. She is so excited about family history work, a little overwhelmed, nothing has been done of course. I told her all about my saying that I was going to be the first sister missionary in China...but while we were talking I just  kept thinking that her children are going to be the ones to serve in China...the Lord is preparing the way for China to be opened and I got to witness it in just one little Chinese woman, Mercy xie.

This last week, we got a new bishop, Bishop Townsend. He is an incredible man. I love him already. Whenever he calls us or we are in a meeting with him, he says, "How goes the work!?" He supports missionary work completely which makes such an impact on the ward. If the Bishop is supportive and acts, the Ward will eventually catch up. The Bishop is key.

That is sad to hear about the neighbors mother, but at the same time that is wonderful for dad to work with them! It is an act of faith, but pray for an opportunity to bear your testimony about seeing our families again. Plan of Salvation!! :)

It was interesting. The other day I was talking to Sister Jasper about some things and this is what she told me. She said, "Being a missionary is a big deal." I had never really thought about that. Representing the Lord is a big deal. I should never feel shy or nervous about sharing the gospel, but have the faith to OPEN my mouth and as long as I am being obedient, the Lord will fill it. :) I have so much to learn.

The members here are amazing. They feed us almost everyday. It is interesting, I have never been so willing to do dishes in my life!! Sorry mom and dad. :) I love doing the members dishes! We do them, and they talk to us, we laugh and they just seem to trust us more. You are so right mom- SERVICE is key. It is tricky though, because everyone here is in the military, so they are always moving around, so people don't really know each other well here because no one stays. I love it because we will walk into someones home and they will have crazy Danish statues or an Middle East rug or something from Asia....these people have lived all around the world. I am sure I get distracted sometimes.

Thank you for reminding me to be myself. I really needed to hear that. The Lord does send us to these places because of who we are. I need to just stop worrying about what the members think or what anyone thinks and just completely trust and rely on the Lord. Thanks mom and whoever else who made copies of my patriarchal blessing! I have been reading it often.

Priscilla- who cares about haircuts, live at Mountain Pines. No pressure.

Ford- Congrats on your date! I really like Rachel. She is sweet.

Thank you all for your love and support. I loved the analogy about the atonement. I know it is the atonement that changes people. It is so hopeful and powerful. I love the part in the Primary song, "He knows I will follow Him, give all my life to Him." I have been thinking about that a lot and how that applies to me. How are we all giving our lives to our Savior? Just something I have been thinking about.

I hope you all have an fantastic week. Good luck with school, work and Musicfest! I am so glad to hear Sarah and Jason are coming to support Ruth! How fun! I am so grateful for your prayers and I feel them everyday. Keep up the good work. I am doing my best to get focused back on the mission...with pray and hard work...IT WILL HAPPEN!! :) I am good.

I love you all dearly! Have a fantastic week full of LIFE! :)

With tons of love,

Sister Call