WooHoo!

 This week has been pretty good!! And by that, I mean that it's been amazing! Every week/day is so wonderful when spent in the service of our Lord.  I've found that I get a little burned out with writing between emails, letters, and journal, so I'm sorry if the detail goes down.... 

   The main thing that happened this week, was ZONE CONFERENCE!! WooHoo! It was pretty amazing, especially because our district performed a musical number!! Sister Chen played the piano, and we all sang "Hope of Israel!!" We killed it. Also, Sister Thompson gave a talk that was amazing.  One of the other talks was given by and Elder Schrenk who just came in with me.  As he spoke, we literally sat with our mouths open. He spoke with so much power! It was bizarre how awesome his talk was! Seriously, 2 and 3 days later we were still in awe and would break the silence with, "Wow. Elder Schrenk's talk was SO good." We all think that he'll be called as a General Authority within the next decade.

   Overall, Zone Conference was probably the highlight of the week! I was so uplifted and edified by the messages shared, and I got to bear my own testimony, which always strengthens me.  Our companionship also won the clean car award! $25 to Subway!! WOOHOO!

   A lot of our investigators were out of town this week, but we've been working hard to find more people who want to be taught! I know they're out there, but sometimes it's just hard to talk to everyone.... I'm workin on it! I love you all, and I love the Lord.

   God Speed,

           Sister Pratt

Sister Chen's first time to see/use an ice scraper

studying hard 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wack-Noodle

 I think I'm gonna choose a "word of the week" to use as the subject line. This one is just a funny thing that Sis Thompson says all the time. It's my favorite.

  Wow. Let's see. What happened this week?

   We got to do some family history work! It was awesome. I fell in love with it. Among other things, I found a picture of Grandpa Edwards singing in a choir! Wow. One of our investigators, Yvonne, is going to come get started on her genealogy this week! We're happy for her :)

   I absolutely LOVE everyone in my District.  We are actually practicing for a musical number for Zone Conference, so we get to see each other more than usual. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to spend time with others who are dedicating their lives to the same principles as I am!! Also, I heard something in the MTC about your sense of humor changing when you're a missionary... it's really true. My companions and I will just crack up for like half an hour about the weirdest things, but I love it.

   One family that we spend a lot of time with is the Carey's.  The mom has diebetes, and the inlaws are living with them along with an adopted sister and her 3 year old child.  Sometimes we go over there to help her clean and straighten when everything gets too overwhelming.  Anyway, guess what Sister Carey's favorite movie is.  The Man from Snowy River. I was so happy.  I almost consider it a tender mercy.  We get to quote it all the time together, and she actually named her daughter Jessica after the main girl!  She doesn't have horses right now, but they have land, and she's hoping they'll be able to afford some horses in a year or two.  She invited us to come back after the missions and go riding with her--amazing!! My companions and I actually are starting to compile a list of activities we need to do when we come back for the Meridian Temple dedication in a couple years. Right now the list includes horseback riding, attending the temple (obviously), going to the water park, going to see a movie, etc.  It grows every week!

   Another crazy thing that happened this week was Conjunctivitis (pick eye). Sister Thompson was plagued by it for a lot of the week.  It was obnoxious because we could still work, but people don't want to visit with us when we have a contagious infection, so we had to stay home a little anyway. Frustrating. Between that and training meetings, we got to do almost no teaching! Oh well, it was still a pretty good week.

   Saturday, we did a TON of service, there were people moving, getting married, doing yard work, raking leaves.. so we had a lot to help with! The good thing was, it was super warm! I was in a t-shirt pulling weeds when the mail came, bringing gloves from mom. I'm sure I will need them very soon, but it was just ironic because the weather was so nice.

   FUNNY STORY: On Sunday, an investigator came to church, and she really wanted to go to the marriage and family class. We didn't want her to be alone, so we decided to go with her. Worst decision. Ever. Basically, the lesson was all about "rekindling the flame" with your spouse. Awk.  It was pretty bad. 

   Anyway, that's my week. I'm sure there will be more spiritual experiences next time! The church is true, and it has the power to change lives!

   Sister Pratt

 

 

I MISS YOU!

Mom and Dad,
     I MISS YOU!!  But I know that our lives and the lives of countless others will be blessed by my service here.  Sometimes it is frustrating to see someone turn down something that will make them so happy...really frustrating.  I can only imagine how our Heavenly Father must feel when we do something we know is wrong or forfeit blessings for worldly pleasures and comforts.
     We actually had a pretty discouraging lesson the other night.  This man was too stubborn/lazy to even find out if it was true.  We have been teaching him lessons, and he isn't progressing at all because he won't read the Book of Mormon.  I actually was rather blunt with him, saying, "We can't shove this down your throat...if you EVER want to know if the things we have taught are true, you have to read the evidence of our words!  it's all hanging on the Book of Mormon."  I testified my heart out...it didn't do anything.  The most obnoxious part is we aren't even asking him to join the church!  We are just asking that he find out for himself whether or not it is true.  I don't understand why people won't even do that.
     I'm beginning to understand how important agency is to our Father in Heaven.  He watches some of His children do evil and terrible things every day because He wants them to be able to choose their own path.  Wow.  I don't know if I would have that strength.
     Not all the people we teach reject our message, though.  There are many who are earnestly seeking truth and have been prepared to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
   By the way, thank you so much for the package!!  My companions felt so loved.  I think the candy will last us a while because we're all trying really hard not to gain weight...easier said than done when you have a feast every night!  The members here feed us SO WELL!
     Also, I learned some Mandarin Chinese!  I LOVE YOU

I also learned "Merry Christmas" but that's a lot more complicated...
     Anyway, I love you!  Your support and prayers are so appreciated!
EPED  Sister Elizabeth Pratt

"I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!!

  I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!! This week has been kind of slow, but the Church is still true, and it can still change lives!! Not only do I see it in my own life and those of my companions,  but I see it in the lives of members and everyone we talk to.  I know that we are all so different, and God gives us all different challenges... but the Gospel can help all of us!  No matter what we have going on, we can utilize the Atonement to become stronger.

  Anyway, this past week, like I said, was slow with teaching, but we got to do a lot of service.  Actually, the lady we live with, asked if we would help her go pick grapes, so she could make grape juice.   Best decision of our lives.  It was so fun, and it smelled so good!! 

  Sister Chen got me back for the chair stunt this week, too.  She took a lint roller and rolled it over my hair. OUCH! Also, it was in church, so I couldn't do anything to get her back. Well, played, Sister Chen... well played.

  I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! But the time was cut short today.. so this is all I have.  Hopefully I will have time this week to write you all.  To those who I asked for addresses, Mom gave them to me... so no worries.  Except Foster... you aren't off the hook.  I still need yours.

  TTFN,

Sister Elizabeth Pratt