The Church is Truer Than True!

Sister Anderson and I had the best week I've had since coming out on my mission. To the point that not only did we meet the mission standards of excellence, but we tripled them. And I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for how much we've been blessed! One of my friends who is on her mission is Spain said that Elder Holland came to visit them recently, and he told the missionaries there that "Your success if directly proportional to your desire" and I truly believe that! Earlier this week I was praying before personal study and I was thinking for a long time about what I wanted to promise Heavenly Father this week. At first I started to ask, "Please help us to find those people that are prepared to hear the gospel," but immediately the thought came to my mind, "Well what is it that you want exactly?" I thought for a long time and then came up with a specific number of lessons in my head that I felt we could promise Heavenly Father as long as we worked our very hardest. At first it felt outrageous, but I felt very peaceful the more I prayed about it. When we accounted on Sunday we realized that we had taught exactly the number of lessons that I had promised Heavenly Father we would strive for.

The most amazing part is that there's no way we would have been able to teach so many lessons and find so many new people if it was just sister Anderson and I. Heavenly Father is leading us to people left and right! A few weeks ago Sister Anderson and I went to find a less active individual in an apartment complex, and on our way out I felt like we should knock on a certain door so we did. The people were friendly but not interested, and as we were walking away they said, "You know I'm pretty sure one of the people living right across from us is Mormon. Maybe try them." Sure enough, when we knocked on that door we were able to meet a wonderful couple who recently moved here. The wife is a member and the husband isn't but he wants to learn, so we've started teaching him. Part-member families are my favorite to teach! :)

That same night we contacted them we were on our way to visit a different name but the name of a less active woman in our ward came to my mind so we suddenly decided to go see her instead. When we got there we had a wonderful discussion with her, and Sister Anderson shared an inspired story! The woman told us that it was really weird that we came that night, because just earlier that evening one of her daughters out of the blue had asked her, "When are we going back to my church?" We've also started teaching her fiance. :)

The ward can't get enough of Bennett and Verna, and Bennett and Verna can't get enough of the gospel! Something special from one of our lessons this week was that Verna has only agreed to say the closing prayer once before, and it was very brief, because she feels that her prayers are too personal and she has a hard time talking to Heavenly Father with other people around. Verna agreed to say the closing prayer for our lesson on Wednesday. She asked Heavenly Father how He was doing, and then she said, "I love you, Heavenly Father" and choked up and started to cry. One of the most genuine, heartfelt prayers I have ever heard. I've decided that when my mission is over you guys need to drive up here and pick me up so that you can meet all of these people with me!

The people here are so wonderful. Heavenly Father fills us with more love then I've ever felt before.

Up to this point we've been spoiled with having beautiful weather, but this week the weather has definitely started changing and I'm learning what Washington is actually like! I think I might have to invest in some good boots! We have transfers next week and it would make absolutely no sense for president to transfer me because Sister Anderson and I are in the middle of the 12 week training, but for some reason I've had a weird feeling recently that I'm being moved anyway. Who knows, though, it might just be me. I guess we'll find out! President Bonham is wonderful, by the way. I'm not sure I've told you anything about him, but he frequently tells the missionaries that they're not allowed to do drugs and not allowed to participate in high-speed races to the Seattle space needle. Okay, President Bonham, whatever you say. :)

The church is truer than true!

Love you all!

Love, Sister Slade