1 Nephi 13:12

Happy Columbus Day!!!  We have been singing America songs all day to commemorate the finding of this awesome Country.  Always a party :)

So, we are back to being a duo.  The dynamic duo.  Sis Wood was emergency transferred to Reno this week so it is just sister Catlett and I again.  It's been fun.  Even though we haven't really seen each other this week because of exchanges.  And next week is going to be even crazier!  With all the stuff that has been going on, we have had to push back exchanges and so have been doing two and sometimes three a week.  It wears you out!!  But it is super fun because you get to get to know new people, see new areas, and learn different teaching techniques.  I think that's why I am a Sister Training Leader, I need all the extra help!  It's not enough just to learn from my companion but I get to learn from all the sisters in Sparks!  

We've been keeping busy, teaching lots of people, doing a lot of walking, talking to a lot of people.  We met this really cool guy this week.  He was a paraplegic, he had gotten his neck broken when a drunk driver hit him.  But instead of letting that get him down, he took up wheelchair tennis and ended up winning the U.S. Open in wheelchair tennis!  How cool is that??  I didn't even know that was a thing, but apparently it is.  He was super religious too and had some amazing stories about how God had helped him through his trials.  It was amazing to listen to him and hear his stories.  I think that is one of my favorite parts of the mission, all the amazing people we are able to meet!  So many amazing experiences and people out there.

Crazy cat story.  We had parked and were getting ready to get out and the phone rings.  So I answer it and start talking but leave my door open so we don't bake in the car.  Well there is this cat that is just chilling in a garage across the street.  He is staring at us and they just starts walking over, sauntering over, I should say.  We are watching him this whole time while I am talking to the person on the other line.  He continues until he reaches our car, stares at us for a second, and then jumps in the car onto my lap and plops himself down!!  I had no idea what to think, this random cat just coming over and getting into our car.  It was a fat cat too and would not get off.  My companion (we were on exchanges) is sitting in the car dying with laughter and this cat is just sitting on my lap very content.  Too bad the owners were not outside and we could have used that to start a conversation!  

Anywho, I hope everyone has a great week and watch out for those crazy cats!

Love,
Sis Rae

My beautiful Sparks :)

My crazy companion

Just chilling

Meet the Mormons

So this one is going to be a kind of short one today, sorry!  It's been a crazy week.  We didn't have a full day of proselyting once this week, which never happens!

First things first.  We saw Meet the Mormons!!!  It's the film that is coming out this weekend.  Go see it.  No agency.  We got a special showing, just us missionaries so we could talk to people about it and answer any questions or anything that came from it.  It is fantastic.  Not pushy at all.  It just tells the story of six people’s lives and how the gospel and impacted them and made them into who they are.  People from all over the world, different jobs, different cultures, all amazing.  It made us laugh, and cry and everything in between.  Maybe it was just because I haven't seen a real movie in almost 18 months but it was SO GOOD!  It's not to be used as a proselyting tool, in fact, we have strict instructions to not even be near the movie theaters while it is playing (so people don't feel bombarded by missionaries after they walk out of a Mormon film) but just to get rid of the many many misconceptions that plague our religion.  They start the movie out by playing clips from popular movies and shows that talk about Mormons and who we are.  It's pretty funny!  So go see it and take all of your friends to go see it!

Second things second.  We are now in a trio!  One of the sisters had to go home on medical leave and for the rest of the transfer, her companion, Sis Wood, has been put with us.  It's been interesting.  It's always different working in trios, making 3 opinions work instead of just 2.  Especially when one is very opinionated.  But it's all good.  She came out the transfer after us, so she knows what she is doing and is a good teacher, which is always nice.  The Lord knows what He is doing!

Third things third.  Conference.  SO AMAZING!  I just love that we have a prophet who speaks with God here on the earth today.  I don't know what I would do without that guidance.  They know how to be happy because they have lived it and then just share with us that same council.  And conference is always better when you are on a mission because you listen with the intent of how can this bless those I am working with.  And you can always bank on the Prophet!  He says it best.  There was a lot about strengthening our moral convictions.  Being able to stand up and out for our beliefs.  It all boiled down to a few themes; feast on the scriptures, have sincere prayer, worship in the temple.  Pretty easy, yeah?  When we do those things, we build on that foundation of Christ; a foundation which will never fail.  A very, very comforting thought.  

Anywho, to sum it up, go have a good date night, watch Meet the Mormons and if you didn't catch it, go to lds.org and look up some General Conference!  It's da best.  Hope you all have a great week, cheers!

Sis Rae

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Sis Catlett and I started a challenge to take a picture a day.  So that is what this week is going to be!  :)

​Creepy doll found on the sidewalk by the zone leaders

​Teachin lessons

​Living it up in Sparks!

​Saving people from breaking the Word of Wisdom 

WWe had a huge service project, over 175 missionaries were there, where we cleaned up a park here in Sparks.  So much fun!!  We cut, and scrubed, and picked up trash and had a grand ol time!

Those were the highlights of our week, hope you all had a great week as well and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Love,
Sis Rae