The evidence

On top of it being the end of a new year, the end of the transfer is nigh! Calls will be in by next week. I am always curious as to what will happen considering every few months just about everything in my life changes, but I've seen so many times that what needs to happen happens, so I don't worry as much as I used to. Things work out.

 

The biggest news I have for this week is SNOW! Collectively we've received about 2 feet of snow here. It's insane! People here practically haven't noticed but I can't get over it! I've actually really enjoyed it so far to be honest. We've been shoveling a lot of driveways, and we took a break to make the most awesome igloo you've ever seen! Aptly named Fort Kie. Pictures....will come in the future :) Two 11 year-old girls from across the street pulled out their snow gear and decided to help us. I have found myself two more little sisters! They are great, and we will be going back this week to see them and their families. I've really enjoyed watching fleet of snow Wall-e's dispatch, especially when the downfall is consistant. I love how societies and individuals adapt to circumstances. We always say to ourselves- what would happen if...? But truly when we find ourselves in feared situations, we just keep on going somehow. I've decided that I would really like to live in a place that got snow as long as I had good snow gear to play in. And a good soup cookbook!

 

Both Sister Hausauer and I gave talks at church yesterday- mine was on Henry B. Eyring's talk from this past General Conference called "Where is the Pavilion?" Here is the link:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/where-is-the-pavilion?lang=eng

I focused my talk on being able to remove the barrier when we feel distant from God through becoming childlike and in serving others.
"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." Mosiah 3:19
I have found on my mission that I have only been able to gain even the smallest vision or insight into the work when I get over myself and realize that I am insufficient on my own! I'm grateful that I've been able to become more acquainted with the slightest pricks of pride- I know what it feels like when I'm holding onto something and think I know best. I'm grateful to have been broken down in that way.

 

We also taught Relief Society haha it was busy day. We were asked to teach about how to prepare children and youth for missions. We decided to teach the Restoration, since the best way to strengthen anything spiritual and prepare for the future is to gain your own testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ was restored through Joseph Smith and that living prophets continue to guide the church. It's a big question, and the only way to know is by searching on your own. It was fun to teach that and I think it went well! I am serving in a really great ward.

Well that's pretty much it for this week! I'll email you all next year :) I hope everyone is well. Happy New Year!
Sister Raines