#GodIsGood

God is Good. That's basically my life right now. He's always good. But He's being extra special nice right now. 

We got to go on exchanges with the Fort Meade Sisters and I was lucky enough to have Sister Brown with me in Odenton! Oh, she and I have the best adventures! We got hit on by 3 men smoking weed... found some anti-Mormon material, took it (it was for the greater good; like how Nephi had to kill King Laban to save generations), and shred it (a member of the bishopric approved). Umm... we did our best to stay out of a street fight (we succeeded in avoiding it by hiding). We went dumpster-diving for Sister Suda's name tag (and found it). And we put two of Theresa's kids ON DATE for baptism on June 4th with their mom!!!! YAY! So, Theresa, Olivia and Destini (the two daughters) are all now on date for June 4th and they all came to church yesterday! Woot woot! That's what's up. Sister Brown is a miracle worker :) Adventure just follows her. 

I learned that an easy way to get a crazy household quiet is to recite the First Vision. I did that at Theresa's house, because Destini wanted me to share it with her mom and there was lots of noise and craziness before it, but before I could get halfway through it, everything was quiet, the Spirit was there, and everyone was listening. Whoa. There's no way that experience could NOT be true! 

Theresa, Olivia, and Destini all got to try on their "angel suits" for their baptism as well. Pictures will be attached :) They're adorable :) 

And my HUGE miracle for the week:

Do y'all remember Amethyst? I haven't mentioned her for a couple months because we lost contact with her... But we got a miracle text from her on Thursday! We immediately called her after I finished screaming for joy. We met with her and she has completely cleaned up her life. She's living the commandments! She's received the help that she needed and she's been so clean and good for about a month now! We met, retaught her the Restoration, and she accepted the invite to be baptized on June 4th as well!!!!!! SHE'S GETTING BAPTIZED!!!! I've been praying so hard for her and God has taken care of her. He will always take care of His children, especially His girls. She came to church for the first time yesterday and LOVED it! I just can't stop smiling.

Near the end of this week, I was just thinking about all the miracles I've been able to witness in just this short little time. And I thought to myself, "all the bad, all the disappointments, all the pain, it's ALL worth it. It's all worth it." I truly am amazed at how little God asks of us. There are really hard weeks. There are really hard days and hours and sometimes even months or years. Life is not easy. BUT IT'S ALL WORTH IT! Every pain, struggle and tear creates joys beyond comprehension. I would live my worst weeks over and over again just to see Amethyst, Kaitlyn, Theresa, Olivia, and Destini baptized this transfer. And I'm not just saying that. The hard days don't even compare to the depth of joy I have on the good days. That's what I'm learning out here. No matter how hard it is, the good days always make up for it. Every single time. They don't just make up for it, though. They overfill it. The joy far outweighs the pain. All because God, my very own Heavenly Father, your Heavenly Father, loves me. He loves you. And He is aware of each of His children, whether they want to be aware of Him or not. Oh, God is good.

Kaitlyn is getting baptized this Saturday. Four more souls will be getting baptized this transfer. Our other investigators' hearts are softening and they continue to grow as they learn. I think God gives us these days that are just amazing to help you know that it really is all worth it. No matter how much pain I'm in, stress I'm having, disappointments I receive, I am where I know I need to be. And I'm happy. I pray God lets me stay here longer. I'm grateful for each day I get to serve here, and I hope I never take it for granted. My days as a missionary are numbered, but the lessons I learn here will go on through eternity. And, thankfully, God magnifies our callings and exceeds our abilities as long as we just try. God is just SO good. 

Oh, and remember Patrick? The oil change guy? He's getting baptized on the 28th and he requested that Sister Larsen and I be there. #BaptismsEveryWeekend!!! 

Also, Sister Suda and I spent the day in Annapolis today. We totally did the 6lb shake challenge again with some other sisters. Enjoy the pictures :) Annapolis holds my heart. I seriously want to live here one day. Just sayin'. 

Quote of the Week: "Don't get discouraged. Things will work out." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Scripture of the Week: 3 Nephi 24:3

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Sis. Brown and I shredding a book. Sister Brown. Olivia. Destini. Theresa. Kyra took my camera. Sis. Suda and Kiera, Amethyst and I. DTN Annapolis. Sister friends. That shake is bigger than my head. Sis. Sudan and I. Chuggin it. We did it! License plate for Alexis and Cameron (Sorry, I didn't buy them...).

It All Starts Because of Mom

Happy (belated) Mother's Day to all you Mothers and motherly figures out there! It all starts with you and your example! As I told my mom yesterday (#skyping!!), everything I know and everything your children know and hold on to starts with the example of their mothers. You are changing lives each and every day! You are miracle workers! It's the best calling Heavenly Father could ever give you. Whether you have children or not, all us women get to be mothers to those around us. I love that we have that calling in life! 

So, I have many highlights for this week! One of which was the opportunity I had to skype my family yesterday!! Hopefully they've posted pictures and such online, because I wasn't smart enough to take any pictures of that experience! But, seriously, skyping is the best. It just motivates me to work harder and gain more and more experiences to share. And, boy, is Heavenly Father blessing me with experiences! This week has been amazing! 

Last week I told you about a woman in the ward who regained her testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. We've been teaching her daughter Kaitlyn, and because of that simple testimony she gained, God has prepared her and softened her heart to let her daughter Kaitlyn get baptized! Kaitlyn is now preparing for baptism NEXT WEEKEND! May 21st! She's been taught almost all the lessons and she's truly ready for this amazing day that will change her for the rest of her life! That family needs the Gift of the Holy Ghost more and more in their home, and it's happening. They are changing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and although their trials aren't necessarily getting easier, they are being made stronger to handle them. And God is lifting them. And I just love that I get to be a part of this! 

Oh, and remember Suzie who told us not to come back a couple weeks ago? Well, we went back anyway, and we had a great conversation with her and we are going to start visiting her more, without "pushing" religion at all. She got worried because while she was intoxicated she had indicated that she wanted to be baptized and come to church, but then she felt like she wasn't ready for that yet, so it was just too fast. But her heart softened as we talked with her and she's okay with us coming over again :) #miracle.

And you know our investigator Theresa, who we've been working with for a while now? The Spirit has done amazing things to her heart and she is now prepared to be baptized on May 28th!!!!! We're reviewing all the lessons with her and she's living all the commandments and it's her time! And, another miracle, her daughter Olivia, who we've been trying to teach for a while now, accepted our invite to learn more.... and next thing we know, she came to church yesterday with her younger sister ALL BY HERSELF! She called a member for a ride and came to church! Oh God is so good! We're hoping she chooses to get baptized the same day as her mom :) Prayers are greatly appreciated and you are all changing lives with the prayers you've said so far! Nothing that we do as missionaries is done on our own accord. All is led by the Spirit, and the Spirit is softening hearts and people are changing! SO GOOD! 

Okay, do you remember a man named Patrick that Sister Larsen and I met and taught while we were getting our oil changed a few weeks ago? Well, that very same Patrick has now allowed two missionaries serving in Broadneck to teach him. And, get this, he's come to church TWICE now (they just started teaching him last week), and HE ACCEPTED THE INVITE TO BE BAPTIZED!!! All because the Spirit prompted us to teach him while he tried to flirt with us ha-ha. It's so good! Oh God is so good. 

Another highlight of the week: we got to go to the Temple Visitors Center with Theresa!! Oh, it was so powerful! She said she has never felt the Spirit the way she felt it at the temple, even when she went to church for the first time. She knows the temple is the way she needs to go. We had a huge lesson on eternal families and she has started making changes in her family, including spending more time AS a family and off of technology! It's been so HUGE! That was such a fun experience. Then we got to watch Meet the Mormons and she wants us to teach all her kids (remember, there's 8 of them...) and help them follow Jesus Christ as well! So, we're hoping to start teaching ALL of them, not just Olivia! That would mean, with all the people we're teaching, and all of her children, 8 baptisms this transfer. EIGHT! That's huge, and it's not even about the number! That WHOLE family could have the gift of the Holy Ghost. That WHOLE family could start new. It's all about families. That's where it's at. And that's our goal. 

And I have the best family around.

 I love you all and I'm so grateful for your examples! Have a fantastic week and don't forget to let me know about your miracles!

Scripture of the Week: 2 Nephi 25:26

Quote of the Week: "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel." - Joseph Smith

P.S.  the last few picture are of the AMAZING Arbon family who allowed us to Skype at their home. This was my entertainment while my companion skyped ha-ha. 

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

WORK

Oh, how I love staying busy and just working! So, I got my new companion, Sister Suda, on Wednesday! She's from Hawaii and she's a convert of about 5 years. She has such an amazing testimony and we just work really well together. She's shown me so much love and she really just works hard! And that's the best because my personal goal this transfer is diligence. I want to just work so hard and get things done! We are praying to baptize (us and the elders) every single week this transfer, starting this weekend. And we know it's only going to happen with hard work and prayer. 

So, a brief recap of the week. I said goodbye to Sister Larsen. She's now in Westminster with the amazing Sister Nish (All she does is bake and baptize... seriously). A member in the ward gave me a Secret Service pin... that's legit. Wednesday my Mommy turned 50 (happy birthday!). We also had a miracle lesson with Kaitlyn, our investigator, and her mom Jessie. Jessie's heart is softening SO MUCH to the point where she's now talking with Kaitlyn about being baptized and they both want to bare their testimonies in sacrament meeting next fast Sunday! Just yesterday we were visiting with them and we had another miracle lesson! Jessie and I got to talk and really understand the doctrine behind the restoration. She has a lot of doubts and confusion, but she's working through it! As we talked, she exclaimed, "THANK YOU! YOU HELPED ME FIND MY TESTIMONY! I KNOW IT'S TRUE NOW! I CAN FEEL IT! I KNOW IT'S TRUE!" And she's been struggling with her testimony for such a long time now! Your prayers are working. They really are. Kaitlyn is just at the edge of baptism right now, about to jump in and we just can't wait! 

We're also still working with Tree. She's moving forward... slowly, but surely. I'll keep you updated on her more next week. Hopefully she'll be getting married this week. We'll see. 

So, one of Sister Suda's talents is teaching the Restoration everywhere. She just teaches it and teaches it. And because of her brief teaching, we picked up three new investigators this week! One of which is Giovanni, the woman who's been meeting with Jehovah’s Witnesses that Sister Larsen and I felt prompted to knock on her door! She's a new investigator :) She's got a really depressing look on life, mainly because she believes that once you die, that's the end, but she hopes for more and that's all you need to find the truth. Hope. 

Then we taught this man named Bill, who is a Roman Catholic and LOVES everything about the Mormon Church, but doesn't understand the Great Apostasy. We expounded some scriptures with him and he'll be coming to church next week :) He's now a new investigator (but we'll likely be giving him over to the Elders). Then later in the week, we got this random call from this crazy old lady. Never met her before, but apparently we had an appointment with her that she had to cancel (don't ask me how that happened). Her name is Lee and she's 61 and physically disabled. She called us so we could come do service at her home because she had a friend when she was FIFTEEN years old (that's a long time ago) that was Mormon and told her that the missionaries and the Mormons could always do service and help her if she needed it. She remembered that and called us up. So we scheduled an appointment and went to meet her. We were a little hesitant because we had no idea what her story was and on the phone she sounded super crazy... and when she answered the door and welcomed us in, she was holding a knife. Let's just say Sister Suda and I were terrified, but it all still felt all right, so we went in. And all was well. She was just holding a knife because she wanted to give it to us to cut some things as service ha-ha. As we served her, we taught her and she said she was willing to learn more, so now we're teaching her! She also let me hold her bird, and then it never wanted to leave my shoulder. Then it pooped on me. So there's that. 

Another great miracle this last week: we've been working with a less-active family who is temporarily in our ward. They're awesome. Seriously, I love them so much. And one of the daughters, Missy, and her husband were over when we came over. I've met them both before, but I didn't know that they weren't members. Turns out, they want to be members! They announced to us last Thursday that they were moving to Odenton in May and that they wanted to be taught all the lessons so they could join the church! And we get to start teaching them! God is so good. The best thing is that all of these miracles really have nothing to do with me. I didn't make them happen. All I did was work hard, be as exactly obedient as I can, and follow the Spirit. That simple. And the windows of Heaven are opening. And I get to witness it :) 

We also got to meet with Sonia, the Methodist pastor yesterday. She believes Joseph Smith was a prophet! And the Book of Mormon! But she also believes that every church is basically true.... so she obviously doesn't understand the Great Apostasy... we're still working with her on that.

This week really has been amazing. We've had our disappointments, as every week carries, but we've had incredible spiritual highs and miracles. Diligence. Work. Hard work. It all pays off. And I'm learning so much from Sister Suda already. I love this work :) It's seriously the best work there is! 

Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday to all those mothers and motherly figures in my life! I love you all and you mean the world to me! Oh, and I have the best mom in the world. Just sayin'

I'll see you (family) on Sunday for SKYPE! 

Quote of the Week: "The first syllable of the word testimony is test. And yes, there is a test in acquiring the knowledge you seek." -John Bytheway

Scripture of the week: Psalm 147:3

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Another Go in Odenton!

That's right! We got transfer news yesterday and I get to stay in Odenton for another transfer! Yay! Sister Larsen will be leaving to Westminster and Sister Suda will be my new companion! I'll give you more of an update on that next week. So, this week has been crazy, as usual! We got to visit with Suzie, our investigator. She still wants to come to church and be baptized, but she has some things to work through, so we'll be pushing back her baptism to another date. But she's still working hard and pushing through! We also got to go on exchanges with the Fort Meade Sisters! I got to spend the day with my last companion Sister Brown in Fort Meade!!! SO FUN! I love her :) She's just the best. Seriously. She's grown so much in the last 6 months. I can't believe it's been 6 months since we met! She's a stellar missionary and she just keeps getting better! I don't know how it's possible. While we were on exchanges we were really working hard to find a new investigator; we felt prompted to knock on this door and BAM! God provided :) The Fort Meade Sisters are now teaching Norman and his wife! #exchangemiracles

Then I got to go on exchanges with the Broadneck Sisters! I went to Broadneck with Sister Udall and she's just a fireball. She's great :) We had a blast there and there's just so much potential in that area! 

I love it :) Being a missionary is the best! I had a cool experience this week while I was at Physical Therapy (for those of you who didn't know that before, surprise! It's all good, though. That's another story), one of the PT aids started talking with us about how he just "came to faith" two years ago and how it's changed his life. He said he wanted to be missionaries like us! So, when I go back on Wednesday, we're going to try to get his info to the elders where he lives! SEE! We can be missionaries EVERYWHERE! God is going to do whatever He can to help the people who are ready for it, even if that includes sending a missionary to physical therapy! 

And Sunday, the best day of the week, was amazing yesterday! We even got to teach Young Women's! We'd been a little discouraged because the wedding and baptism didn't happen this week (but it will still be happening; we just don't know yet), but we went out to work anyway and we saw even more miracles! Just yesterday we picked up three new investigators! A husband and wife (the husband, by the way, LOVES "Stick It"... We're basically best friends with that family now), and a PASTOR! We're teaching a Methodist pastor, that's right! And she already said she believed the Book of Mormon is the word of God. So that's pretty amazing! Good things are happening in the Lord's vineyard. The field is white already to harvest. The Scriptures say it, so it has to be true! And we're seeing that already! The work is going really well! Missionary work really is the best.

I love you all! Keep looking for those miracles!

Shout out to my Mom who will be turning 50 this Wednesday!!! (Don't hate me for telling everyone your age...) She's really just 21 with experience ;) Also shout out to Elder Bird who'll be 20 this Saturday! And Shout out to my Aunt Rosanne who had a birthday last week! Happy Birthday! 

Scripture of the Week: Mormon 8:22

Quote of the Week: "Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost." -Elder Holland

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Darkness Before the Dawn

So Sorry! Mom (me) totally forgot to post this on Monday the 18th. OOPS! Enjoy!

So, I totally stole that subject line from my brilliant little sister. She knew how to describe this week without even knowing what this week entailed! I guess that's just the Lord's pattern, though. There's always darkness before the dawn. But dawn comes, no matter how dark it is. Light always comes. And I just love looking for the miracles that are just hiding around the corner! I want to start off by saying that Christ heals broken hearts. Completely and without a scar. My heart was broken and aching last week for those that I love. Now my heart is full beyond comprehension. I can't even say what I feel right now. A pretty adequate expression on my feelings are found in Alma 26:16. Look it up. He says it better than I could.

So, this week was amazing if you can't guess. There was still craziness in the beginning of the week. Let's just say I was on exchanges with another sister for 4 days straight before she went home. I didn't get to see Sis. Larsen until Tuesday. And it was crazy. But I love that Sister and I'm praying for the best for her as she makes her journey back into the real world (how terrifying!). 

On Wednesday we got to teach a former investigator! We didn't get to pick her up as a new investigator because she's super busy, but we did get to teach her about Jesus Christ! And it was the best! She's from India and has little understanding of who Christ is, and she said she wanted to learn more! She's great :) Then we checked out a referral from the Elders named Irenda. Oh my goodness. She has the SASSIEST little four year old girl EVER! She's great ha-ha. We picked Irenda up as a new investigator after testifying of the healing power of the Atonement. That family needs a lot of healing. And it's going to come :) They're so great! Ha-ha, they make mission life hilarious. Then we raced the Elders home and totally won because our Tiwi (the car monitoring system thing) wasn't working. Beat that, Elders! ha-ha don't worry, we were being safe. You still gotta have fun on a mission. No, I'm not acting my age and I probably never will :) 

We also got to have INTERVIEWS with President! Oh how I love seeing him smile and laugh and joke around. That man has so much to deal with, but he's doing it all because of the Savior! He's great! I was told that when missionaries are assigned to a mission, they're most likely assigned to that area because of their mission president. So, I was basically assigned to President and Sister Christiansen, and I'm totally down for that ha-ha. On our way back from interviews, we had to get our oil changed and this 56 year old man starts walking up to us and starts hitting on us. We talked with him the entire time our car was being working on (at least 2 hours) and his heart was softening to the gospel and we got to sign him up to meet with the Elders in Annapolis!!! Yay! It was so cool! Though he was kinda creepy at first, he still needs the gospel in his life and I'm so glad we were able to share that with him. So good.

     Okay, are you ready? Because what I'm about to tell you next is just miracle overload. We got to go to MLC on Saturday and meet with all the leaders in the mission. It was amazing as always. And we got to go to a Just Serve training, a new program the church is trying to start on the East coast (it's already been started in most parts of the US). Super cool. I got to see some members from my last ward in Martinsburg. Shout out to the Keogans! Then, Sis. Larsen and I decided to tract. It was really weird. She really doesn't like knocking doors, and I'm not too fond of it, but the Spirit prompted us as we were about to get in the car to knock this one street. It's, like, 8:30pm and dark. If the Spirit hadn't prompted us, we totally wouldn't have even thought of doing it. But luckily he did. We knocked. We got chased away by a dog and skipped a house. Knocked some more. Nothing big happened. We get to the end of the road and ... nothing. But we felt prompted to go back to the house with the dog. Scary. But we did it. And this sweet lady from Italy opens up. She's been meeting with the Jehovah’s Witnesses because her sister asked her to, but she feels like they're too pushy. She said we could come back. We'll totally start teaching her next week :) All because the Spirit prompted us to knock :) 

   But wait, there's more! God is so good! Yesterday we got to have dinner with our Relief Society president and her family. It was like Thanksgiving in April. And the best part was that we got to bring Bill, a man someone referred us to who is a sweet old man who's super lonely and needs the gospel :) We brought him; they loved him; the Spirit was so strong. He's our new investigator :)

And there's more! We come out of that appointment and we have two voicemails. One was from Theresa, our investigator, and I'll get back to that one. And the second one was from a member family, the Chuggs, who live next door to our investigator Suzie. They were over at Suzie's house just talking, and Suzie didn't know she was being recorded in our voicemail. They're just having a normal conversation when Suzie says, "Do you all hold baptisms on weekdays?"...... wait for it... "... because I've been thinking about getting baptized on May 2nd..." !!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS EVERY MISSIONARY'S DREAM. So, yeah. We just sat in the car and cried tears of joy. Her heart has softened. And she's going to be getting baptized on the 2nd. And I'm so grateful for that family for calling us, listening to the Spirit, and leaving us that voice mail.

But wait, there's even more!

We called Theresa back and she just nonchalantly says that she and her fiancée are planning on getting married this Saturday and she's planning on getting baptized this Sunday and if it can't happen this Sunday, then next Sunday.... wait, what?! Long story short, Sister Larsen and I are planning her wedding and she's getting baptized. So, there's that... They don't teach you how to plan weddings in the MTC...

MIRACLES! I can't even begin to describe the joy I'm feeling. There's so much joy. There's joy in the hard times, but the hard times, the pain and suffering there, allow so much more joy to come in the future. And I'm so grateful for my trials because they allow me to recognize the good. 

I am just so happy.

Every time I think about that voicemail, I want to start crying. Theresa is finally getting baptized! She's been investigating the church for a year now and it's finally happening. The work is Hastening! And the best part is: it has nothing to do with me. I didn't do anything. I worked and I worked and I worked. I've been obedient and I'm trying to improve. And God did everything to provide me with these miracles. 

God is good. All the time. Thank you all for your prayers. I know most of this is directly from your prayers. Thank you! You are changing lives, healing hearts, and working miracles!

Be Blessed.

Scripture of the Week: D&C 103:36

Quote of the Week: "We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." - Neal A. Maxwell

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Sorry, no photos this week. This computer is weird. Love you all! 

Missionary Work is Not Easy Because Salvation is Not a Cheap Experience

So, yeah. I could just say this week was hard. Missionary work is hard. And just leave it like that...

But then I know there are people out there like my mom who would just worry like crazy that something's wrong, so I can't just do that ha-ha. I'm going to preface by telling you all that despite the difficulty of missionary work, there is still so much joy and peace and great things happening! So, no, I'm not depressed. No, the world is not ending (yet). Yes, all is well. Just some weeks are harder than others. 

This week we did get to go on EXCHANGES with the Kent Island sisters again! I got to go with Sister Blosch, again! And I got to go to Kent Island, again! I like it there a lot :) It's super pretty. And Sister Blosch is just amazing. Just saying. So that was the highlight of the week. I've also been on exchanges with the Spa Creek Hermanas for the last few days now! It's been an interesting week... But Hermana Garcia is the best! I love her! 

On Wednesday, we had a pretty low day. Our amazing investigator Lynda texted us and told us she wasn't interested in meeting anymore... she said she loved us and that it wasn't us, just her, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. It's like getting broken up with over text. Just saying, that's how it felt. And it was really hard because both Sister Larsen and I just love her so much and we know that this would make her happy and she'd find her answers. But it's not her time. I think the charity that I ask for every day, and the God gives me every day, is such a blessing, but it's such a hard thing to have as well. I just love these people so much, and these Sisters I get to serve SO MUCH that it hurts when I see them fall. A sister that I was serving with (not my companion, don't worry) went home early this week. It's been rough and she's had a very difficult mission, but she held out as long as she could. The same thing is happening with another sister this week and I just love them both so much. So, yes, it's hard. It's hard seeing them fall and hurt. But, I also know that going home is the right thing for both of them. I know it, even though I don't want it. Love hurts sometimes. A lot of the time. But I'd rather be full of love than without it. 

So, that's what makes missionary work hard. The hardest things are rarely your own failures (though those are there as well), or your own misfortunes, but the pain of those around you. And there's a lot of that, but the best thing about missionary work is the ability we have to lift them up. No, pain doesn't always just "go away." Most of the time it takes a lot of work. But we have the Gospel. And we have knowledge of the Atonement, even though our knowledge is very limited. I KNOW without a doubt that Christ suffered everything; He sunk below it all, to lift us up. And it's that knowledge that not only gets me through, but helps me enjoy the journey. You can find joy in your difficulties and your trials. I see it all the time.

So, I'm sorry if this seems like a really depressing email. That's not what it's supposed to be. Life is hard sometimes. It's true. If you haven't had it rough yet, just wait. But that's when you grow :) And that's when you learn and you get to experience the best joys! "Adam fell that men might be, and men [and women] are that they might have JOY." (2 Nephi 2:25). You have to go through the hard times to enjoy the good. That's life. And all works out in the end, and if it's not worked out, it's not the end.

I'd like to leave you all with a quote from "Missionary Work and the Atonement" that has really helped me these last few weeks. It's from Elder Holland and he said, "Missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience... [we] have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane... to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, [we] will have to pay a token of that same price... Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn't an easier way... The Atonement will carry the missionaries perhaps even more importantly that it will carry the investigators. When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the living Son of the living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is through Him- The Way, the Truth, and the Life."

This work is worth it. What you do every single day is worth it. Keep smiling. Keep pushing. Recognize that you are loved and that you are enough. God sees your efforts. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be perfect at trying. I know this is true with all my heart. There is no doubt in my mind. It's true. It's true. It's true. And I hope and pray we can all know that for ourselves. I love you all. Keep pushing. Keeping going. Enjoy the journey.

Quote of the Week: "Forget yourself and go to work." - President Hinckley

Scripture of the Week: Alma 36:27

Oh, and I hit 10 months yesterday... wasn't it just a week ago I was at 9? Wow. And there was snow here the other day. Gross. Oh, and I got to see brand new kittens this week. That was the cutest thing ever. Just saying. 

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

My Last Week as a Teenager

Yup. I'm officially old. But I'm still young at heart, so that's what really matters, right? Thank you all for the birthday wishes! The best present today has been emailing all of you and hearing from my friends and family. I love you guys :) 

Didn't you all just LOVE General Conference!?!?!!? If you didn't get a chance to watch it yet, go right now! It will change your life if you have an open and willing heart :) I love hearing from our inspired leaders! I know God has called them for a reason. Thomas S. Monson is the one and only true Prophet on the Earth today. And he LOVES you. He really truly loves you. And his love is only a portion of the love God and our Savior Jesus Christ have for you. That's a lot of love. Go watch it and feel that love. And just like Elder Holland said in his concluding talk, don't forget the feelings you have as you listen to General Conference. Let that feeling last. Study those words and implement them into your life. They can make a difference. 

Some quotes from General Conference and fun facts:

There are 177 Announced Temples!!!! Yay!!! 150 of them are currently operating! The Lord's work is Hastening! 

There are also ~75,000 Missionaries!!

"This is His [Jesus Christ's] conference!" -Pres. Eyring

"The most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain is that we are all sons and daughters of God." - Elder Hallstrom.

"You can have what you want or you can have something better." -Elder Holland

"When trials come, partaking of the sacrament will bring safety." - Elder Renlund

"A child's spiritual DNA is perfect!" -Elder Anderson

"The choices we make determine our destiny." -President Monson

"If we choose Christ, we will choose right!" -Presidnet Monson

"God sees us worthy of rescue" - President Uchtdorf. He will carry you home. We can have confidence and trust that our Father can and will rebuild us into something more than we could ever imagine.

"We have God's assurance that He will consecrate our afflictions for our gain." Elder Oaks

"We will be blessed for our desire to do good... We can escape the consequences of sin and stupidity- our own and others... He will help us especially when we struggle... Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among us, as we sanctify ourselves today."-Elder Holland

Oh and there's a million more I wish to share! But that's plenty :) So, this week our investigators Suzie, Lynda, and Thereasa all watched General Conference! It was so amazing! They loved it! And Lynda is already in 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon! They're progressing SO well! I love it! Many great things are happening with them.

This week we also had the privilege of getting to know Sister Carolyn Allen, our mini-missionary! She was just absolutely fantastic :) I loved having her around and wish we could've just kidnapped her and kept her forever and ever. I'll definitely be seeing more of her after the mission! I love her :) She teaches already with just power and conviction. I just love missionaries :) 

So, basically my last week as a teenager was really great! There's so much I wish I could tell, but not enough time to say it all. I love this work. I love this Gospel. I KNOW I am a daughter of God. I know it. And you can know your divine nature, too. You can pray and God will listen. He wants to hear from you. There's a little story I heard this last week. It was about a recent convert named Lucy Wong. She was going into an interview with her bishop a few months after she was baptized and he thought he could teach her a little something about prayers. So he asked her how her prayers were going. She said the usual, "I pray every morning and evening. In the morning I tell Heavenly Father the plans I have for the day. I ask for things that I need. I thank Him for all that I have... the usual." The Bishop asked about her evening prayers and she said, "Well, I start by saying, 'Dear Father, this is Lucy Wong....' and then I listen.”...

The Bishop had a little something to learn that day from this sweet new member. She listened, and God spoke. I promise you all that God speaks to us personally. I've tried this whole "listening" thing for the last week and my prayers have changed. My days have changed. My attitude has changed. Listen. God is speaking to you. And be willing to hear what He has to say. I promise you will hear Him as you genuinely listen. I know it, because I've heard Him. He told me I'm His daughter among many other things. And you can know that, too.

You just have to listen.

I love you all. You truly are amazing people. I hope this week is better than ever before. Make tomorrow magnificent each and every day. And make this day better than yesterday, each and every day. I love you. God loves you. Never forget that.

Scripture of the Week: D&C 6:34

Quote of the Week: "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." -Corrie Ten Boom

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Note from Mom: My baby girl (second to last) turned 20 today!! Hard to believe!!! I miss her, but I'm so very proud of her, and the hard work she is doing. I also know the Lord is proud of her too!