Jesus Take the Wheel!

Happy Monday!

Last Monday Sister J and I had the privilege of trying to go see a less active that we thought lived close-ish to our house. Our appointments always fall through on Mondays, but I hope not tonight since we're teaching C. (our bus contact) the Law of Chastity. Fun, fun, fun! We missed the bus, so we got directions from the other sisters and started to walk in the freezing wind. We quickly realized we weren't dressed for cold weather and walked about 6 miles total. I kept telling myself, "I feel like a real missionary!"

On Wednesday, we went to zone training, and we were able to go to the temple and it was great. We were almost late to the temple but we barely made it on time! I love how I've been praying this entire week, and I'm getting more realizations and having certain statements just 'click' in my mind. It's really nothing profound, but it's helping me more as a missionary, and how I've grown throughout my life and what I can do differently. 

Sister J. and I in front of the Atlanta, GA Temple.

 

I love going to the temple!

I wish I could tell you all that I learned in zone training, but right when it was about to start President Harding talked to Sister J, and she burst out in tears. I was predicting it this entire transfer- she got her visa. She's leaving on the 25th of March so I'm probably staying in Atlanta once again. We cried with each other, and had a hard time concentrating about being better planners. My Mom saw a picture of me on Facebook at the Zone Conference. You can't tell that I was crying, but with Sister J it's a bit more obvious.

Holding back the tears at our March 5, 2014 Zone Conference

I'm going to miss Sister J. much!  She's been an outstanding trainer!

I taught C. (our bus contact) with Sister B. about the Word of Wisdom Wednesday night since both of the sister companionships had to talk to the Relief Society President Sister R. about less actives. He knew we were going to talk about the Word of Wisdom, and so I prepared myself and bought him mints, and he gladly accepted them. He opened up to us about some sad stories that he or his friends have experienced in their lives.  He knows that he should change, although it's really hard. He accepted that he wants to be baptized on March 22nd, so we're thrilled! One last baptism before Sister J. leaves. I didn't know that it was standard for an investigator to be clean 2 weeks before his baptismal date, so I MAY have forgotten that detail! After I found out I texted him explaining what happened, and that we don't want to rush or push him to do something that he feels like he can't do. He replied and said that he thinks it's possible, and now he's been clean since last Saturday. [=

I was on exchanges with Sister W., and we taught K. (the man who takes care of his bedridden parents, adult daughter with health challenges and four grandchildren) with Elder and Sister N., (the Senior couple assigned to my ward) and Elder N. was AMAZING when he explained the priesthood and how we're the only church with the proper authority from God. I thought K. was never going to understand, but he did. I wrote down some scriptures so I can try to imitate it when we have other investigators struggling with the same thing. I asked him if he would also be baptized on March 22nd, but he said no. I was so irritated but I'm trying not to let it get to me because I know Sister J. has been teaching K. from the very beginning and she would love to see him baptized as well.

Sister W. and I were driving to see more less actives, and as we were turning left on a green arrow into an intersection, we saw a truck just coming straight towards us! I wanted to scream, but something told me not to. Sister W. was inspired to almost floor the pedal, to go straighter and then a hard left so we didn't run into the curb. I honestly thought that huge truck was going to hit the back of our car, t-boning us into a spin right in the middle of the intersection. We had to stop and park for a while to get our heart rates down, but thankfully we weren't hurt.

We saw Brother and Sister B. three times this week, and they bawled so much when we told them that Sis J. was leaving. We brought it up when we talked about Proverbs 3:5-6 and how we need to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. Sister J is absolutely terrified because she doesn't know Portuguese very well since she's been out for 9 months and hasn't had to use her Portuguese since leaving the MTC. We tried to bridge that to Sister B.’s baptism, but that didn't go very well. We feel like she doesn't have the desire to be baptized, and although she may know it's true, she doesn't want to act. I'm trying to keep my optimism but Sister J and I really can't do anything when it comes to someone's agency. We don't know what's going to happen, but we know that she won't be baptized on the 22nd either.

But R. (our soft-spoken homeless investigator) was baptized on Saturday! We had to call baptismal coordinators for our ward because of convert and member baptisms. We're still trying to fix all of the kinks in it working out since whoever filled the font did NOT do it right. The baptism started late because the baptismal coordinator's daughter was getting baptized with R. and they had the programs and also A. their daughter. The water was absolutely freezing so A. was crying when she went in because it was all the way up to her neck. Roy grimaced at the temperature when the prayer was being spoken, and all three of us, (Sister J., Sister E.[the member who referred him to us], and I) knew that they didn't say his full name! So he had to go down a SECOND time. Oh isn't he special?! He told us although it was freezing, he still felt warm after. R. was talking about how different he felt, but it was a good different. We had to race to make it to see Elder Quentin L Cook on time, so we didn't stay around after.

R on his Baptism Day--March 8, 2014

R. with some of his ward family.

 

For those who may have seen picture on Facebook of all the 270 missionaries in the Atlanta, GA mission, Sister J. and I are right in the middle. We're in the line of the only girls standing in front of the elders. I'm wearing my leopard print cardigan and Sis J is wearing her turquoise striped shirt. My mom emailed me the picture and I can barely see ourselves, but we're there! We had to stand there for over an hour before Elder Cook got there. We were able to shake his hand along with Elder Piper and Elder Parker. They talked to us on how to become better missionaries. They taught us that we should have lessons with our investigators based off the questions that they ask us, because that's what they need at that moment in time. When they asked us questions based off of scriptures, we should make them more pro-active in finding the answers for themselves. Then we'll have them teach it to us, and the spirit will testify to us as missionaries that what they're teaching us is true. They were talking about how missionaries are assigned to specific people, mission presidents, or a place that will influence their life in the future. Now I'm wondering why I was assigned here! Who knows?

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice....

C. came to church on Sunday, and he loved it. He said that priesthood was AWESOME and he's so glad he came. He does his research on-line by wikipedia-ing everything, so now we have to read all of these articles to tell him if they're true or not. Most of it is, but some small details are wrong. It's funny since when he said that he was clean all of Saturday, he asked what time his baptism was because he's invited his family to it already. Apparently his brother thought he was punking him, and his sister in law said that'd she'd be in class. He told us that their lack of faith in him is disturbing, but he's glad he has an awesome support group like us. People are very surprised on how much he's changed, and he has so quickly! I'm so proud of all of the positive changes he's made in his life so far.

One of the quotes that I've enjoyed this week is some that Brother B. told C. over the phone when he cancelled us earlier this week. "Don't look back into yesterday, think about what you'll do tomorrow." C. told us (he didn't know he was on speaker phone) that this is what he's been looking for all his life. I agree completely that we shouldn't ponder on what we did wrong yesterday, but to learn from it so we know how we can be better people tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a great week, and praying for missionary opportunities!

-Sister Sudweeks

"Tracting" in the ER

Happy Monday!

Sister J. and I were sick again this week. Surprise, surprise. This has been the week that we were the most sick, and so we didn't see many of our investigators consistently this week. We have zone training along with the temple this Wednesday, and we're meeting with the Relief Society President right afterward to talk about less actives, so we won't be able to see any investigators at all on Wednesday. Saturday Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve is coming to the mission, and we'll have to drive about an hour to go hear him speak for two hours. But of course, we have to be there early to get good seats, so that will take up even more time. We also have a BAPTISM at 11am on Saturday for R.! So exciting! But hey, it'll all work out since we're hastening the work of salvation. :)

We taught R. the Word of Wisdom on Tuesday, and we had just found out from his fellowshipper Sister E. that he smoked cigarettes. On Monday I was at the self check-out fighting on whether or not that I should buy some mints. Sister J. gave me her Tic-Tacs that she didn't want, so I was there for the longest time, until I settled on buying them anyway. We found out R. has quit before, and used sweets or peppermints to help him fight off the cravings. I had the mints in my purse and asked him if he would like them, and he graciously accepted. He quit smoking and drinking coffee cold turkey. :D Yay for listening to the promptings of the Spirit! Sister J. was somewhat judging thinking, "I gave her mints, why is she buying them?!" So, that was a cool lesson.

We met an entertaining person on MARTA after our lesson with R.  Anyway, he was using the excuse that he has never rode MARTA before and doesn't know how to get to Roswell. Sister J. was more than happy to show him how to get there and use MARTA assistance to get directions to a certain place. I could tell from the very beginning he was interested in her, but she was oblivious. She was talking to him about the Book of Mormon, and gave him a copy of it. He said, "To thank you, can I take you out to dinner?" She totally blushed and looked away since she had no idea it was coming. He said, "You're blushing." which made her blush even more! She had to explain to him that we're missionaries and we don't date on our missions. He then asked her, "Well if you could, would you?" She was dying, and thankfully it was our stop so she got his number, gave him ours, and ran off the train! We gave E. to the elders to see what his real intents are, and so far his aunt is answering the phone and they can't get in contact with him. Oh well! xD

Sister J. was leaning back in her chair one day, and she fell off her chair! I laughed so hard because she left a little black line on the wall, but we were able to scrub that off. I continued to read my scriptures when she found out that she ripped her skirt almost all the way up to the zipper! It was a long skirt with a slit in the back to her knee, but it ripped up so far! She didn't realize it at first and as she was walking around our apartment thought, “Wow, it’s a little breezy.” She told me what happened and showed me and I literally fell out of my chair cracking up, rolling around the floor! Before last week I couldn't have said that I've rolled on the floor laughing, but now I can!

We saw K.  earlier last week, and one of the only things that is holding him back from getting baptized is that he's unsure that our church really has the proper priesthood authority. We tried to get the Bishop to come meet him since he's unable to come to church since he’s so busy taking care of his sick parents, but the Bishop had a very busy week.. Hopefully this week! We talked about fasting, and how we can fast to really come to know an answer to a question- considering he keeps on praying and hasn't gotten an answer yet. We were supposed to have a group fast for him on Sunday, but he never answered the phone Sunday morning. Sister J. and I fasted for him anyway, so we hope that we can get in contact with him and see how he's doing.

We haven't been able to go see our wonderful Sister B this week. Considering there are three sets of missionaries who go over there regularly, sometimes we have to schedule accordingly. Since we were sick all of the end of last week, we had to reschedule and reschedule all of our appointments. Sister B. wasn't at church since her husband has a viral infection that just keeps pounding him. We're going over there tomorrow to see how they're doing. We're going to team up with the elders and reteach her all of the lessons and ask her to pray about each one so her testimony can be strengthened. We're not going to focus so much on baptism but testimony, so hopefully one day she'll realize to herself, "I need to do this."  In a Karma the dog update, one of their adult children purchased a chain to tie him up so he’ll stay in their yard since they don’t have a fence.  Yeah!  No police visits this past week!  (At least I don’t THINK there were any police visits this past week.)  The B.’s thankfully did not go to jail. 

We met a man named C. on MARTA, and he was drunk. He came up to us and said the most interesting things. He then said we have 2 minutes to sell him on our church. We gave him a Book of Mormon, and he started to walk us home because he lives near us! We were afraid he WAS going to walk us home, because we thought he was.. interesting. We set up an appointment with him, and he actually showed up on Saturday! He was born Catholic and raised Christian. He googled Mormonism before he went to the appointment, since he's gone to many other churches and he's searching and thirsting for knowledge. He accepted to be baptized if he came to the conclusion that this church is true, but no date yet. We're hoping for the 22nd, if not a week later. 

We met with him Sunday night because he worked the night shift, otherwise he would have been to church on Sunday (he works one Sunday a month). We taught him in a wonderful member’s home, and for once he's an investigator with transportation AND a stable job. YAY. Haha! We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he loved it. He compares all of the other religions to ours, and he likes ours so much better. He was talking about how some of our beliefs were some of his beliefs before he even met us. C. told us that a few days before he met us, he was asking God what his purpose in life was, and we answered it for him! He told us that he read 40 pages of the Book of Mormon (including the last 5 because he wanted the spoilers), and explaining it to us what he read perfectly. He understood it all! We are just amazed, because he's so receptive to it all, and he really loves meeting with us. Last night we asked when we could see him again and he said Monday, but then we had to tell him it was our day off. So we're meeting with him Tuesday, and teaching the Word of Wisdom. I'm buying mints today just in case! I think it'll be my little thing when we teach it.

Also on MARTA we met a 'false prophet' who was wearing a robe, cloak, fake beard, and had a huge staff. He was testifying about the Falcons and how God has delivered his people, and he will deliver the Falcons all the way to the Super Bowl! Someone was recording him and I thought it was just hilarious. I wish I had my camera!

Sister J. lost her voice, and had all of these symptoms so we had to inform our nurse Sister L. I had to do all of the lessons, phone calls, and basically everything when it came to missionary work. It was draining, but now I appreciate having a companion more than ever since her voice came back Saturday night. We had to go to the ER since no urgent care was available, to have a check up to make sure nothing horribly serious was wrong with her. We did our two hours of “finding” there, but no one was really interested. She has an upper respiratory tract infection, aka a fancy name for the common cold, and was given antibiotics. She was told to rest and that's what we did all day on Friday.

I got a priesthood blessing since I was so worn out and tired. It didn't help that I didn't take any naps on Sunday or Monday due to writing letters and Scrapbooking for Scriptures (can I get a copyright for that?) so my immune system couldn't handle it. In the blessing it talked about how my family and friends are praying for me through my trials and afflictions, and I should receive strength from that. So thank you so much for praying on my behalf, it helps me get through a long day when I just want to rest my feet.

I hope that everyone is still progressing. I feel like that's my motto when I write to everyone back home that one should always be progressing spiritually. I don't remember if I've mentioned this quote before, (I know I have in some letters) "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do NOTHING." (Edmund Burke)  If we're idle then we're letting the adversary win. Always be serving others and trying to be better now than who you were yesterday. I love you all so very much, and it's crazy to think I will be out 4 months on Thursday! There is no greater service than this. :)

-Sister Sudweeks

Sister B. Might Have to Go to Jail

Happy Monday! (I've decided, this is my opening statement for every email, this is so much easier.)

I'm happy to report that this week was just amazing, full of miracles, and I secretly wish I didn't have P-Day because I just want to go out and teach! =D

 

This has been an AMAZING week!

Tuesday was a very bittersweet day. Some things took longer than expected- for example we had to walk to the library since we missed the bus. But then something AWESOME happened, and it couldn't have been a coincidence! We saw R. (our homeless investigator who is so humble) get on the exact same bus as we were, and we sat right behind him. We talked to him a little about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we asked him to pray about being baptized on March 8th. He said he would get baptized, but not sure when. I moved to sit by him since it was hard to hear him since he's so soft spoken. I noticed the woman in front of R. was listening to what I was saying. (She was sitting sideways on the bus so I noticed her staring.) I asked her as well if she wanted to learn more about what I was teaching R. She said yes, and so I immediately started to teach her about the Restoration and the First Vision. It was so PERFECT because R. was just mentioning that he's already been baptized, and I talked about the importance of the priesthood. So as I was teaching the spirit was testifying to all three of us that what I was telling them was true, which confirmed to R. that he needs to be baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority of God. D. (the woman) told us that she had seen a commercial about Mormons years ago, and it still stuck with her today. I gave her a Book of Mormon and started to read part of the introduction with her. I was about to read the last two paragraphs and invite her to baptism, but she had to get off. We were able to get her contact information, and she said, "I'm really going to read this book!" Unfortunately we haven't been able to get in contact with her yet, but we'll still call her at different times of the day to see if that makes a difference.

The reason why Tuesday was bittersweet is because as I went from sitting behind R. to sitting next to him, my water bottle wasn't shut all the way, and it water damaged my new set of scriptures! It didn't ruin them totally, but the edges have quite a bit of character, and I wish they didn't. I wanted to cry when I saw them. I’ve had to let them air out.

K. (the man who takes care of his bedridden parents, adult daughter with health problems, and four grandchildren)  tried his hardest to come to church last week to hear me speak, but he couldn't. He agreed to be baptized on March 22nd, sorta. It was a very soft commitment. K. said that he'd have to come to church first, and then give us an answer. But he's been on date before, and already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, it's just church that's getting in the way! We've been inviting him to come to church since the very beginning, and he hasn't. So we'll see what happens this week

Sister B. is no longer on date to be baptized, and I know that she could be baptized tomorrow if she had the faith and trust in God. I asked her on Saturday, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just want to understand. The only reason why you don't want to get baptized is because of your family, correct?" I was correct, she's told us time and time again that her family will practically ignore her if she gets baptized, and she's so torn. She's on the verge of saying yes or no. We taught her our purpose as missionaries, and read my call letter to her. Just as that was happening, a police officer stopped by to talk about Karma, their very naughty and pregnant dog. They went outside to talk but he mentioned that if they get another call about Karma, they're going to take Karma to the pound and put them in jail since they haven't done anything about her. So, we're really hoping that doesn't happen! She and her husband, Brother B. have been sick all week, and so have we. Sister J. was sick with the flu on Wednesday, and I was sick all Sunday.

It felt so weird not to go to church, but I put good use to it! We had apartment clean checks this morning so we cleaned the apartment so it was "Celestial Worthy." Elder and Sister N. (a missionary couple) came over and checked it this morning, and we passed with flying colors. Perfect! On Sunday I read 3 Ensigns front to back, cutting out quotes and pictures that went along with scripture verses or stories. I loved it since now when I go through the scriptures I have a little spiritual thought that goes with a verse. I call it Scrapbooking for Scriptures! I stole the idea from Sister J., I admit it. I do it with my journal as well. Sister J. and I went on exchanges on Sunday, and she taught a referral from Book of Mormon Musical. He speaks even faster than I do (if you can believe it) and he accepted that he would be baptized. Sister J. and Sister W. were so excited, they forgot to talk about a specific date. Oh well, next time! :)

Saturday was full of amazing lessons with members. I can't talk about them all, but we were having a lesson with R. our homeless friend and he literally picked his baptismal date, March 8th. He was a referral from Sister E. in our ward for those who don't remember, and we told her what date he picked and she was absolutely thrilled. March 8th is the day that she too was baptized, and the day that she was married. She told this miracle on Sunday and it ignited a fire in Relief Society and Sunday School. People want to come out with the missionaries now so I really hope that our member’s present at discussions just fly through the roof the next upcoming weeks! Members really do make a difference in missionary work.

We saw N. (the woman who lives in a car with B.) with Sister E., and Sister E. prayed beforehand that she would teach by the spirit and tell them what they need to hear. N. doesn't want to get baptized in fear that B. will just follow, and not do for it himself. She talked to her about how she should just love B. for who he is, because she tries her hardest to get him to read the scriptures. She told N. that the only person she truly has control over is herself, and she can only save herself. It really gave her something to think about it, and it's EXACTLY what Sister J. and I wanted to tell her, but she told her in the way we never could of.

As we were in the car, Sister J. and I came up with our own car line. We were talking about how Jaguars weren't even that fancy, but people want to buy it just because of the name. We're calling our car line, "Snaz" and the car names will be "A", "E", "I", "T", and "Z". Feel free to take the next few moments saying "Snaz _" with the name of the car. Snaz T would be a sports car, it's our favorite! 

Thursday was a really hard day for me, but I'm completely fine now thanks to the Atonement. The Atonement is real, and it's never been even more real for me until this week. Sister J. talked to me about how Jesus Christ has literally felt everything that we've felt, and we don't have to harbor all of those feelings that we coup up on the inside. We can pray to our Heavenly Father to take those feelings upon Him, so we won't feel them anymore. I know we can give Him the entire burden, and not keep part of it because we don't want to fully and completely trust Him with it. But as I was able to pray to Him about all of my fears, worries, and concerns, the feelings just literally washed away from me, and I no longer have those feelings that were weighing me down. It feels absolutely AMAZING. I challenge any of you, if you have any of those feelings that you want to get rid of. Pray, and be amazed.

I hope you're all doing well, and make sure you're always progressing!

-Sister Sudweeks

We Got Slushed!

Happy Tuesday!

Warning all of you, I'm typing on the most ghetto keyboard on the face of this planet so this email won't be as long as usual because I have to press the space bar super hard multiple times to get it to work. So this week has probably been the hardest week out of the entire mission for multiple reasons, one of them being that Sister J. and I were the most obedient this entire week (factoring in love, of course) and this was the week where appointments fell through.

I failed to mention this in my last email but as Sister J. and I were calling all of our ward members on our first snow day, we asked them if there was anything we could do for them.  Many asked for prayers for their health.  Sister J. and I both prayed for each specific person that night and those prayers were answered!  The following week those members came up to us asking, “You prayed for us, didn’t you?”  They each explained in various ways on how they had faith in our immense faith which allowed them to be healed.  My faith grew so much stronger because of that! At least three of them expressed their gratitude which made me love and respect them even more. 

Last Tuesday the mission wanted to prepare for the ice storm so they had transfers on Tuesday. We got a call early that morning asking 1) if we had bunk beds and 2) if we had a car. (Yes and no.) Sister J. and I managed to borrow the other sister’s car because we now have two new roommates! Sister H. and Sister E. who are fresh from the MTC. It was crazy trying to ration our food since we didn't know we were feeding 4 on Monday! None of us know how long they are going to be staying with us because they are opening up a new area and the apartment coordinators haven't been successful in finding them an apartment yet. Tuesday night we had a mission wide conference call saying that if we needed to go to the store in preparation for the ice storm that we're allowed to do so because our power, heat, and water may stop working. So we filled up so many containers of water it was hilarious! Thankfully, we didn't need to worry because everything was fine.

Our impressive water storage.  Hey it's a start!

There was an ice storm on Wednesday and Thursday.  All we did those days was study and walk around in the freezing rain or snow, trying to get in contact with less actives that lived in our area. We were five minutes out of our apartment one of those days and this huge truck gets right next to us and sprays us with dirty slush! The truck came around again (they were doing donuts in a parking lot) and this little kid says, "Hahaha, you wet?" and drives off. We were so upset! It doused us from our hats, hair, coats, skirts, and boots. A stranger came up to us, brushing Sister J. off saying how uncool that was and that he was sorry. We continued along our way and dropped off post it notes at less active's doors. It was so cool! Everything was literally frozen! We took some pictures and hopefully if I have enough time I'll be able to send some. Since my boots are torn up from the earlier horrible weather (and I can’t find any more boots in my size) my feet were soaked Wednesday. On Thursday, Sister W. from my district suggested that I should wear plastic bags on my feet. I did so, and boy did it work! I laughed the entire time but my feet were so warm compared to Sister J’s!

A Frozen Wonderland!

We met with K. this week, and we were able to teach him about baptism. We've been teaching him since July, and he already has a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. The problem with him is that his parents are bed-ridden, his older daughter has seizures (and she has 4 kids), and he has to take care of them all. He's never been to church which is an issue. He wants to get baptized but doesn't know when. But K.  has to come to church at least two times beforehand.

M. dropped us on Saturday, which is another reason why this week was so hard on me. (M. is the one who went back to her abusive boyfriend) I have never really been dropped by someone who I taught from the very beginning. She texted us saying we were the sweetest girls she's ever met, but the King James version and the Book of Mormon contradict too much so she doesn't want to meet with us again. We texted her back thanking her for expressing her concerns, and asking if we could meet with her one last time so we could hopefully clarify some things. She never responded to us and I was so upset, I started to cry as I prayed for her as a companionship. We're just going to wait it out and pray that something comes from it.

We also almost got dropped from another investigator N.. (N. and her boyfriend B. are the couple who lives in their car.)  She believes most of it, but she opened up to us saying that she loves her last church. Due to her boyfriend, B.,  she was shunned from that church because they didn't like him, and those were her friends and family. She switched it from a, "I'm never going to love another church" to a "I don't know when I'll be baptized, but I know as long as I'm going to the activities it'll happen in the future." So that lesson was a miracle in itself!

On Sunday, I had the privilege to speak in Sacrament Meeting on service and missionary work. I really couldn't tell you on what I said, but apparently from the comments people told me, it was- "Perfect, bold, a talk from a real leader, inspiring" and so on. I really wish I had known what I said! I just prayed that the spirit would guide me on what to say, and the spirit delivered! R. (the homeless man that now lives in a shelter) brought a friend to church and stayed the whole three hours. They talked about The Plan of Salvation in Sunday School, and that was the lesson we were going to teach him next, and they loved it. We don't have a follow up appointment yet, but we know it'll happen.

Sister B. was unable to come to church on Sunday since she got sick Friday night or Saturday morning. We were planning on having an amazing lesson with her Saturday afternoon stating our purpose as missionaries, and being bold on addressing her concerns when it comes to her Baptist family believing that Mormons are cults if they tell people to stop drinking coffee. Due to her sickness, we were unable to do so, but thankfully we're going to see her tomorrow to hopefully get her to really take a baptismal date seriously.

Even though this was a hard week, as we were able to email today, Sister J. and I realized that we had received an email from A. –D.R’s sister-in law.  D.R. is the one we had dinner with last week who was asking all those antagonizing questions but we were finally able to bring the Spirit to our discussion as we bore our testimonies about why we decided to serve missions. She included in her email this comment:
  

:"Sometimes I feel like he just wants to argue why he no longer follows the teachings of the gospel but then I see him actually reading the Book of Mormon and reaching out to you as missionaries. I think the best thing to do is follow the spirit. Heavenly Father loves him and M. and their son. He knows what will soften D.'s heart and help him back to activity and help him build an eternal family. Sisters, you are awesome. Thank you for all your service especially with his family"

D.R., is reading the Book of Mormon? I am so excited! Sister J. and I are going to call him this week to see how he survived the ice storm, and if he has any more questions for us since we gave him the Plan of Salvation lesson. I expect great things from this family!"

Although I know that this week was a hard week, I know that it's over and done with. A new week has arrived, and Sister J. and I will just brush it off, and move forward. I was reading the November Ensign (I think) and I saw a quote from President Monson that said, "Will I falter, or will I finish?" I don't want to falter today, I want to finish this mission strong. I don't want to falter this week, I want to finish it proudly. Take it hour by hour, day by day, and anyone can make it through a hard week. I hope everyone had an amazing Valentine's Day, and a lovely President's Day!

I love you, have a great week!

-Sister Sudweeks