THIS WEEK HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE!!!

M and L were baptized.  I don't even know how to describe my emotions.  The baptism was wonderful (except for the fact that the water was super cold).  We had an incredible turnout from the ward.  The ward really loves Sister S and I.  It's like our family.  We go to them if we have problems and they come to us too. Anyway, Sister S spoke and I was able to sing. The baptism was really exciting.  There were times when I felt the spirit during the baptism- but the moment when I felt the spirit the strongest was when we were cleaning up and putting things away.  Everyone was bustling around and finally we finished.  I had been talking to a few men in the ward and thanking them for their help.  A few more came and joined until it was me and about 9 adult men.  Someone else started talking and I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude as I was looking at these good, kind, men who love the Lord.  I can't begin to express my gratitude . . . these men are worthy priesthood holders and faithful leaders in our ward.  It made me realize what kind of member I need to be (even though I'm a girl) and what kind of a person I want to marry.  It also reminded me how grateful I am for Ward Families!  We experienced a similar feeling in Singapore and I have an amazing Ward Family in Eagle Mountain as well. M and L are my family now.  I love them like family and I am excited to see what the Savior has in store for them as they continue to be covenant keeping disciples of Christ.  

We also had two other miracles this week

1) We were walking during a "District Blitz" and ran into a young lady with a baby.  We ended up talking to her and finding out that her husband had a drug addiction.  We invited them to the ARP (addiction recovery program) meeting and we had the opportunity to join them in the meeting. That was also a really neat experience.  She had been praying that day for help- and she met us a few minutes after she had left her home.  She later starting crying during the ARP meeting, being overwhelmed with a feeling of love from God.  HE IS REAL!

2) We hadn't taught anyone on Friday and we have to teach every night (mission rule).  We had ten minutes left so we stopped on the street and prayed.  It was 8:44pm and we were on a sketchy street (sorry mom). Sister S turned down a super dark ally (she wouldn't normally do that) and this HUGE dog just started booking it in our direction.  I started thinking about how I was going to kick it, when suddenly it stopped right in front of us and it's owner came chasing after it. This led us to a new investigator with only 10 minutes left in our day- and we taught a 10 minute lesson. Not to mention we didn't get eaten by the dog!  We got back home at 9:02 (two minutes late but close enough).  

GOD LOVES US SO MUCH!  It has been a good week. 

Transfers are tomorrow and I will be getting a new companion.  She is from Connecticut and has been out a little over a year.  I am staying in Cypress and I am so happy about that.  I have loved my time with Sis. S from Tonga.  I will love her forever and I'm grateful for all she has taught me!

Two Dear Friends Baptized

So this week Jessica had a very limited time on the computer to email.  It was Martin Luther King Day and since the public libraries were closed, the Elders all had to email from the church.  This meant "email shifts".  Jessica didn't write a formal letter, but I wanted to share a few wonderful things that we emailed back and forth about.  

Jessica ran into an Indian woman on the street this week.  She had just sent her daughter off to the military and when these two sister missionaries approached her and started visiting with her, she broke down in tears and told them how hard it was being apart from her daughter.  Jessica said this triggered tears for her and she told me how she was able to relate to her feelings.  I told Jessica how much we miss her and how sometimes I have a deep ache from missing her so much.  There have been a few times when I have knelt down in prayer for peace and comfort, knowing she is exactly where she needs to be, but longing to talk to her and see her face to face.  In these moments I have felt the very distinct impression that "She is in the palm of My hand.  Just trust me!"  So I asked her what that meant  She said, "It means He controls everything!  LIKE EVERYTHING.  He caters the weather, food, people and everything to you.  But his goodness does depend on your faithfulness and obedience"  Pretty amazinng.

The other big news is that tonight (Wednesday, Jan, 20th) at 8pm M&L were baptized!  I have been looking forward to this day since we spend time with them at Temple Square.  Here is my text to L this morning:

ME:Hi L!  Jessica told us you and M are getting baptized this evening!  We are so excited for both of you!  My parents, Dave & Judy Allen, are coming to support you in this decision as well!  How we LOVE you and Mike and know you will feel an increase of the Holy Spirit in your life with this decision. Thank you for being so kind and generous to Jessica!  She adores you both.
I was reading this scripture in the Book of Mormon last night and thought of you two...Moroni 6:3-4

3 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

L: This is beautiful.  We are very excited about tonight. I think back often the first night I met Jessica . . .the moment she got off the plane and they came directly to my house. That look on her face with her bottom eye lids full of flowing tears.  I honestly believe she and S were sent here for ME because I never gave to much attention to the Elders.  When Jessica, with her soft spoken voice comes over and teaches the gospel you can not only feel the Spirit but the love she shares with all. I heard last night that this weekend they are supposed to have transfers.  I said in shock, while standing up in front of them, "" OH NO!  You need to write the Bishop or the President or all of them and let them know I still need you!"  In reality her mission was accomplished.  They got my attention and that's what God wanted her to do.  My deceased daughter, N, also needed help to save her Mom! It's been a pleasure to get to know these Sisters.  I hope to always keep in in contact with you all!  I love you so very much!  I will send pictures from tonight."

Feeling SO GRATEFUL for this wonderful Gospel and the happiness it brings in to so many lives!

Milestones, Rain, & More Miracles

This has been a good week for me.  I feel like I'm finally reaching some milestones.  I find I am starting to look forward to tracting.  I know how I want to organize my notes and stuff, I get really excited when someone commits to do something and I LOVE my companion so much!  We have so much fun.  I also don't get as homesick as I did  . . . but I still look forward to P-day a little too much and I really look forward to going to bed at night.  

THE RAIN WAS CRAZY here with El Nino!  It rained SO HARD one day that I had to drive in the middle of the road because if I drove on the edges, the water went to the top of the wheels on our car.  We ended up taking our shoes off when we were walking because there was no point in getting them super wet.  My rain jacket and umbrella are great and kept me pretty dry.  

I had a cool experience I wanted to share this week.  We are teaching a new investigator named C.  She is 15 and we are trying to get her to read the scriptures.  So I was flipping through my Book of Mormon and found a really good verse I wanted her to read. Then I had the thought come into my into my head though to pray with her and have her flip to a random scripture. We prayed and she opened my quad . . . TO THE EXACT SCRIPTURE I HAD WANTED TO READ!  Out of EVERY verse in the whole book . . . she chose the verse that 100% applied to the lesson and the verse that stuck out to me!  Miraculous!

I have attached tons of pictures.  The Christmas lights here were something else!  

I'm excited for this next week, and I love you all!  

We aren't suppose to eat in our car . . . but we might a tiny little bit:)  These are called "Frost Bites" and they're better than Italian Ice!!

My Zone

The sisters in our zone and Pres. Tew far right

El Nino . . .

One of my favorite members in our ward!  I love her

One of the member's houses.  Incredible Christmas decorations!!

Stake Conference

Happy New Year!

So this week was a little insane :)  I thought I would start from the beginning.

MONDAY: We went to a return appointment for our investigator.  I didn't want to go because it was dark outside, and I think the house that the investigator lives in is CREEPY! We decided to drive by and see if the light's were on in the house- and the investigator was standing outside!  So we taught him the restoration, and we are excited to see him again tonight for another appointment.  

TUESDAY: Sister C (another missionary) was with us for the day, and we spent quite a bit of time walking. It's hard to get appointments in the morning on weekdays because most people work.  But that evening Sister Tew (the mission president's wife) came out with us.  We saw some miracles (like we showed up at a less active families house at the exact same time as the young women's president) but the highlight was the milkshake Sister Pugeda got us :)

WEDNESDAY: was normal 

THURSDAY: we got our tires replaced

FRIDAY: We had a blitz! That's where the ENTIRE zone goes to one area and works for an our, then goes to another area.  It was fun working in different areas but me and my companion had hardly any success.  Some of the other companionships saw miracles though!

SATURDAY:  THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART (so read this part if you don't want to read the whole thing). We were getting ready to go to dinner, we were actually walking to our car to go home for dinner, and there was a lady sweeping her porch.  We hollered up to her (we were kind of in a crazy mood) and she told us we could share a message with her.  Her name is Butterfly.  She has had an INSANE life.  Like think of the craziest thing that could happen to someone- odds are it happened to her.  I don't want to go into detail, because I love her and I don't want to divulge her personal life, but everything our church offers fits her needs.  Even the members in the same complex held callings that would bless her immensely.   The members in the complex have a child her daughters age! I felt like we needed to share a scripture- and John 3:16 was stuck in my head.  That's the most cliche scripture ever, but I followed the impression and she broke down and grabbed me.  She just started sobbing on my shoulder and I held a woman I had only known for five minutes and felt an incredible amount of love her.  I can't tell you everything I told her because I didn't feel that the words were mine, but I know I was a tool in Heavenly Father's process to let her know that He really really loved her and needed her in His fold.  This incredibly tough woman (probably one of the toughest women I have ever met) needed us that day at that time.  

I don't understand why God trusts me, especially in teaching someone who is so precious to Him, but I trust God.  He can put me wherever He needs me because EVEN THOUGH IT'S REALLY REALLY HARD He is all I need.  He is all I have ever needed and I didn't know that until now. 

Love you all- sorry for the crazy long letter.  

Love, Jess