HI Dad - 2/23/15

Hi Dad,

I have been so greatly blessed! I love serving here. Before I came to this area, I was very nervous. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do full-proselyting. Elder Gee (I served in the VC with him) gave me a blessing. In the blessing he told me that someone was waiting for me here. Well, it was getting to 5 months of being here and I still hadn't found that person. Then, we got assigned to serve in Jackson. And the miracle of Diana and Jonathan happened. They were baptized and confirmed this weekend. It was so beautiful and the Spirit was so strong. I am getting transferred on Wednesday. After the confirmation, I went to speak with Diana and Jonathan and told them that this would be the last time I saw them for a while. Diana began to cry and thank me for coming and teaching them. She said they wouldn't be where they are now if we had not come. They were the ones waiting for me. I know it. It took a long time for me to find them, but how grateful am I that I did. I feel so blessed. I can't wait to see them go through the temple together in one year!

I'm going to add Mom onto the email because I want you both to read this. Thank you for supporting me and always giving me encouragement. This is the greatest experience I've ever had! Love you both tons!

Hermana Clay

Wedding!! 2/16/15

Hey family!

This week was so so wonderful. Diana and Jonathon got married! I'll write about that in a little.

We were able to visit the Shelline family one last time before they left for Salt Lake. Again, I love that family! Lauren was baptized and confirmed this weekend! I was able to get a few pictures from them and it just filled my heart!

We were able to go to the Idaho Falls Temple with Chele (a girl from one of our wards. She is awesome! She leaves on a mission soon.). This was my last time there! It closes in March for renovation. Sad. But, it was a wonderful experience. I love the Spirit that is in the temple. All worries that I have leave me. I was reminded of the first time that I went and being able to walk into the celestial room and see my family waiting for me. What an amazing experience that was. I know that families can be together forever!

We had a lesson planned for a less active member, but then had to change it really quick. It was clear to my companion and I that what we planned is not what she needed. We decided to read this talk with her. I absolutely love this talk. I know that Jesus Christ is the One that gives us hope. When everything seems to be falling apart, Christ is the light that shines through the darkness. 

The wedding! Wow. It was absolutely beautiful! The ward mission leader is an interior designer and completely transformed the cultural hall. Diana and Jonathon looked so great! They were definitely a little nervous, but very excited. As I talked with Diana afterwards she told me that she was so happy, especially because now she can be baptized. Their baptisms and confirmations will be this weekend! The wedding was such a miracle. It strengthened my testimony that the Gospel really does change people. I can't wait for this weekend!

There were lots of other great things that happened, but I need to get going. I love you all tons! Happy birthday to Parker, Wessy, and Dan this week!

Hermana Clay

these were sitting outside of the church

One Year! - 2/9/15

Hi family!

Wowzers. This week was incredible! We received SO many blessings and miracles. It was insane. Be prepared...this week's email will probably be longer. There are just too many things to write about!

First, the Shelline family. I love them! We were able to have a wonderful lesson with them. Evan told us that the Bishop wants him to baptize Lauren. He was ordained a priest this past Sunday! How awesome. They leave for Utahon Tuesday and Lauren will be baptized on Saturday. We are so excited for them!

Next, Julia Ortiz. Last week, we had a super powerful lesson about the Plan of Salvation. We left her with a commitment to pray about what she should do - either move out or get married. On Wednesday, we had a church tour with her. As we were standing by the font talking about baptism, I asked her if she had given more thought to what we talked about last time. She said, "I have. A lot. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to tell you guys." I thought we were about to hear bad news. It was the exact opposite. She said, "I've decided that I need to start coming to church every week. I've also done a lot of praying....and a lot of crying...but I've decided that I'm going to move out so that I can be baptized." MIRACLES!!! I can't even begin to describe the excitement and joy that filled my heart. This is such a difficult decision for her, but she trusts in Heavenly Father. We are so grateful that He was able to soften her heart and help her realize that she needs the Gospel in her life. 

Richie Larson is awesome! We were able to take a trip to Idaho Falls with the Green's to visit the Visitors' Center. And it was on my year mark! That was super special to be back there. Anyway, we had an incredible experience there. We watched "Meet the Mormons". Afterwards, we walked around and talked about temples and families. We then watched "God's Plan" and finished at the Christus. The Spirit was so strong. As we were talking at the end, Richie got teary eyed and said it all really touched him, especially about families. I'm so grateful that we were able to go to the VC and feel of the Spirit that is there. It is definitely one of my favorite places!

On Friday, we were finally able to visit Isaiah, Larissa, and Michelle. Isaiah is 9 years old, but hasn't been baptized yet. That family is so cute! We taught the Restoration and were able to set a baptismal date with him! More miracles!

On Sunday, we were able to have a church tour with the Bedolla family. President Rowbury came and helped us so much. It went really well. We read 3 Nephi 11 at the end. Wow. The Spirit was so strong! I absolutely love that chapter.

I don't know if y'all remember, but last week, Jonathon told us to give him a week to think about marriage. After what he explained to us, Sister Honeycutt and I felt certain that he would say he wanted to get married. On Saturday, we went to their house for a lesson and only Diana was there. We sat down and she broke down crying. She told us that she didn't think that marriage was going to happen. She was so sad, especially because she has such a strong desire to be baptized. It was heartbreaking. We left feeling pretty defeated. On Sunday, we received messages from Jonathon but couldn't read them because our phone is dumb. I called him after the church tour and he said that he was sorry that he wasn't at the lesson on Saturday. He said that he had been doing a lot of reading and said that he would like to get married to Diana this Saturday. WHAT?! MIRACLES AGAIN!!!! I was beyond shocked when he said that. We are praying really hard that all will be able go through without any problems! Your prayers would be much appreciated! 

Heavenly Father has been so good to us this week. There were even more miracles that happened, but the ones I wrote about are the big ones. I know that this truly is God's work. He is preparing His children to receive the Gospel. I know that we can find true and lasting happiness as we embrace the Gospel. I know that families can be together forever and I'm so grateful that we have temples. It's crazy to think that a year has already gone by. I am beyond happy here! It's hard, but it is so worth it. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father led me to make the decision to serve a mission. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and love! Have a wonderful week full of miracles!

Hermana Clay

Cheerwine again!

Hey family!

This week was awesome. Lots of good things to share.

We finallyyy got in contact with Julia again! It was so good to see her. We had a super powerful lesson on Thursday with her. We taught about the Plan of Salvation. She wants so badly to be with her parents and brother when they are sealed in the temple, but she doesn't want to get married. It is totally possible for her though! She just needs to trust in Heavenly Father.

We had dinner with the Shelline family who just barely moved to the valley. Before going, the woman who gave us the list of names for the week told us that the husband was less active and the wife was not a member, but very interested. We went to their home and had such an awesome time! They are seriously the coolest couple. They have a little girl and are expecting in April (I think). We had lamb and it was disgusting. Definitely not a fan of it. Anyway, we went to share a message and she said, "Should I go get my scriptures?" Then, she told us, "I'm not a member, but I'm planning to be baptized." What?! So insane. She said that she watched General Conference and knew that the church was true. She started taking lessons in Utah with her in-laws and is planning to be baptized on the 14th down there. We are so excited for her! They live in the Elders area, but the Shelline asked that we come to the lessons, too. I am super grateful because I love that family and don't want to lose contact with them!

We went to Jackson again and had a lesson with Diana and Jonathon. They are so awesome. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they already knew everything. They both really want to be baptized. We invited them for the 21st of this month. Jonathon said to give him a week and then he'd tell us. He was much more open to the idea of marriage this time. Praying that it will go through!

We also had an amazing dinner with a family in Jackson. It reminded me a lot of home and growing up because there were tons of kids and not a whole lot of space. Haha it was great. We had enough name tags for each of them to wear. I'll attach a picture. It was so cute.

Sunday was a great day. We were in the Spanish branch for all 3 hours. Finally! We also had English class and the entire Bedolla family came. They said they have read a little bit out of the Book of Mormon. Yay! We're planning on having a church tour with them this week. 

Lots of other things happened, but there's no time to write them all! I hope you have a super great week! Love you lots!

Hermana Clay

Picture 1: We got Cheerwine again! Tender mercy.

Picture 2: The drive to Jackson

Picture 3: Random house in Jackson.

Picture 4: All the little kids with our name tags on :)

Picture 5  This is Mia, the Markegard's daughter. She is so cute!

Picture 6.  The Tetons

"Stop blowing your wind on me!" - 1/26/2015

Hey family!

It was another great week. 

We taught Richie about the Word of Wisdom. He is seriously the most prepared person ever. After explaining it all, he said that it would be a little hard to give up coffee, but he is totally willing to do it. He even brought up questions about his baptism and what it would be like. I can't wait until he doesn't have to work anymore on Sundays!

We had exchanges with our STLs this week that went really well. I loved having them up here again. It was fun.

We have been working with a less active, Lori, for a while now. When I first met her, she was very sad and depressed. Now, although she still has problems, she is much happier. She has been to church for the past 4 weeks and tells us that she feels much better after she goes. It has been neat to see the difference in her countenance and attitude over the past few months. I know that she is happier because she is accepting the Gospel more in her life.

On Saturday, we got to go to Jackson! It was so much fun. Jackson is beautiful. The pass is scary, but we made there and back alive. There are a ton of hispanics there, so we will be busy. The Elders have been teaching a couple, Diana y Jonathon, for a little bit. We went with them to a lesson so we could transition them from the Elders to us. Diana and Jonathon are amazing! They want to be baptized and sealed in the temple. The only thing holding them back is that they need to get married. I am excited to work with them. The lesson was super powerful and I know that they will soon accept the Gospel into their lives.

We did a fireside for the youth of Victor 3rd ward this past Sunday. It was so much fun! We based it off of this talk. I LOVE it! I have studied it a lot this past week and have basically talked about it in every conversation I've had. Haha I hope y'all will read and study it! And then apply it! Always think of the reason why behind your actions. If it doesn't align with your purpose (understanding and doing God's will), then it's not worth it.

Lots of other great things happened this week. Hopefully this upcoming week will be full of miracles as well! Happy birthday to Grandma Brammer! Love you all lots!

Hermana Clay

Pictures: Driggs holds an ice sculpture contest every year. Here's a few of them.