Atonement

This week I have done more knocking than I ever have on my mission combined. I was dreading it a little bit but I quickly got over that and went to work. I have really been working on being persistent and not letting people go with one rejection. It was hard for me at first because they think they really do not want to hear what Sister Nicholas and I have to say and that has always scared me. However this week I decided that it doesn't matter what they think they don't want. They need to hear what we have to say. So we taught. A lot of the time it was barely long enough to get a declaration in, but other times people would listen. Yesterday while we were out knocking, we found this woman named Arlene. She is such a sweet lady, we already love her! We had a great lesson with her that flowed so easily. It was more of a gospel conversation than us preaching at her, which was really cool for me. She accepted a Book of Mormon and set a return appointment! We will be seeing her next Sunday and we are praying so hard that she will be able to feel the spirit of the Book of Mormon and be able to recognize it as well.
        We also got to teach a woman named Carmen while we were out knocking. We started to teach the restoration and she didn't seem too interested. Right after the first vision she asked us what our purpose was in coming to her door and explaining this to her. We told her that we invite others to come unto Christ. That through the Book of Mormon people can feel and know of His love and grow closer to the Savior. At that point she started to cry. She told us that she had been praying for answers to her prayers and she asked why Heavenly Father waits until she almost can't take any more to answer her prayers. We explained that everything he does for us is for our own good and that everything was done with perfect timing. We asked if there was a time we could come teach her more about her Heavenly Father's plan for her and she told us that she didn't live in the home we were at. She lives in Santa Barbara. She isn't in our stewardship, but I believe that she had to be in that home 
so she could be introduced to the Book of Mormon at that time. She wouldn't let us refer her to the 
other missionaries so we told her that if she wanted to have them come she could check out mormon.org and request them. I hope and pray she does so.

     We had zone conference this week and as usual it was the best meeting! We focused on how to better use the Book of Mormon and how important it is. I think that has been one of my favorite things to learn about since coming on the mission. The day after zone conference we were able to use one of the ED-PEPS (ED-PEP is a role play that helps us practice what we are learning) and apply what we learned. 
We have an investigator named Jess. He was a Jehovah's Witness but when his sister passed away from not being able to receive a blood transfusion, he decided there was something wrong and has been studying the bible closely since then. He is a former but I have a lot of faith that he is really close to finding out the truth of the Book of Mormon. He is weary about falling into a trap of 
following a false prophet and in the bible it says that we can tell if a prophet is of God because his prophesies come to pass. Jess is very focused on this and wants Joseph Smith's prophesies to come to pass before he will believe. When we met with him on Wednesday however, we realized that all of 

his concerns relate back to the Book of Mormon and if it is true or not. We explained to him that he can ask Heavenly Father if it is true and that if the Book of Mormon is true then Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that we have His church on the earth again today. We committed him to read 3 Nephi 11 and pray about to know if the Book of Mormon is true. We are also praying for him and pleading with Heavenly Father to help him recognize the spirit and the promptings he gets while he reads the Book of Mormon.
That is what's going on in my neck of the woods! "Here's what's happening in your neck of the woods!" Can anybody tell me what that famous lineIt kind of does have a Christian Valley feel to it.  Much of Huntsville reminds me of that area...wooded, rolling hills and lots of water. is from? I bet my dad could.

      Anyway on to more serious matters. The Atonement. Since being a missionary I have really been able to study the atonement and learn about how crucial it is in our conversion and our salvation. 

What does the Atonement mean to you? What is the Atonement?

I don't understand much about it, but here is what I do know. Without a doubt

*It is ALL encompassing. Nobody can fall so far that they are out of it's reach.

*It changes hearts.

*We cannot be forgiven if we are not forgiving. Matthew 6:12, 17-18

*Anything that is unjust will be made right through the Atonement.

*The Atonement can be applied to anyone but we are opened to the enabling power as we follow The Savior's perfect example, try our hardest and do as the Savior would do.

Do you agree with this? I would hope so. I have been hearing stories of people at home who have not quite learned the concept of this incredible gift. YOU are putting it to waste if you cannot forgive others, if you chose not to apply it to yourself and others. It is there for a reason. If you have been 
hurt, use the atonement to change your heart. See how it can help heal all wounds. As we forgive we 
are lifted of a huge burden. When we don't forgive we carry around thousands of pounds of unnecessary baggage. There is this quote that I love that says, "Not forgiving is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." I want you to know that this is the truth. When we don't forgive we are bound by these hard feelings. We feel like life can't move on. 

The Atonement is there for all. Who are we to say that we won't forgive? The atonement is there for everyone. Including ourselves. Use it.

Sister Skeeter

Addendum- Madi didn't have time to finish this so she sent me a letter with the rest of what she wanted to say. Here it is: I am so grateful for the positive examples of my family who have shown me how to be truly Christ-like. I can see how the atonement has healed them and the peace that it has brought to them. It has had such a huge impact on me and how I react to every situation. Because of the things I have gone through and seen, I have been able to love more fully and use the enabling 
power of the Savior's sacrifice.
     I can testify that as we use the atonement it can heal us and comfort us. No matter what the circumstance, no matter how offended we are, and no matter how much we hurt. He can ALWAYS help. He is always there to pick us up and get us back on our feet.
     On the other side of things: the Savior's sacrifice is there for us to use and ask for forgiveness. He will never condemn you. If anything he is waiting with arms outstretched for you to come to Him. Don't ever feel like hope is lost. It is never too late. The adversary would love for you to feel like nothing can be done. If you feel that way then you won't repent and possibly fall further. Do not feel into that trap! The Savior begs us all to come unto Him. How will you use this gift that he has freely given? Use it to become like Him. Show your gratitude for what He has done. Don't let this eternal gift pass by. He loves you, I can promise you that as a representative of Jesus Christ.

Can't Breathe!

     This week. Let me tell you. First I got my first official wedding invitation from Eleanor! I was so exctied when I saw it! (Mom, she is a friend from College) I think that makes 5 wedding announcements since I have been out. People! You cannot be getting married without me! You can't wait 13 more months?.....ok, yeah that would be hard. But worth it right? Who doesn't want Sister Skeeter at their wedding?

     Things here in Goleta have been kind of tricky. Mom remember when I said I was emotionally sound? Well I would make fun of ( kind of) the people who would get super stressed while they are out working. There really isn't much to stress about. You put your faith in the Lord and things will work out as they need to. Well now I understand. While still keeping the faith I am totally stressed. But it will be all over next Sunday. I am giving a 15 minute talk in church next week (which by the way I don't have a topic for which makes it hard) with an RM and then my companion and I are doing an ED-PEP (teaching on how to be a better missionary basically) in district meeting this week. I don't think these people realize how little time I have to study and prepare. It would be ok if these were on different weeks. That would be no problem, but of course the ED-PEP is on something that I am terrible at as a missionary. But that is how it always works. We are never assigned one that we are good at. I swear these things are SO much more for the missionaries teaching it. So I am excited to see what I am going to learn from this but I am worried that I won't have the time to prepare well enough. Guess we will see how this goes! Pray for me!

      As for the work, well I really have no clue what to say about that. Its moving bit by bit. We are just waiting for the Lord's timing to kick in now. We are doing all that we can and that is all that He asks of us.

     And this week I almost died don't worry. We did some service at someone's house and I don't think I have ever seen so much cat hair and dust collected into one little room. By the end my chest got super tight and breathing became difficult. I took some benadryl before I went, which was smart on my part. But anyway, don't worry I am still alive and just trying to survive in a world where people love cats. Oh the joys of serving a mission!

Well, my time is up already! Love you all! Don't forget about m

Rotten Milk

     New area, new sense of purpose. In this area we have little to no previous work going. Sister Nicholas and I are working so hard to get the ward to give us referrals and people to teach. We REALLY need it. I am not used to this slow movement. But this first week we have continued to see miracles and the Lord answering our prayers.

    I was really afraid that because I was in a new area I would shut down a little and lose my confidence. That is what most missionaries were telling me would happen. Surprisingly this was not the case. When I got here I felt like I had been here forever and I had no fear talking to people and taking the lead. I was a little stressed about being a senior companion and driver too. After being here though it has been really easy to work with Sister Nicholas. She is such a great missionary and I am so excited to be her companion. She is one of the sweetest missionaries I have met out here and she has a real desire to do what is right and to get out and work. This area has been kind of slow the past few transfers and that doesn't seem to phase her or her desire to get out and work. She has been so patient with me while I try to get the hang of driving around this huge area. Together we are both excited to find and baptize while we are here. We are determined to get this area growing and the ward even better member missionaries.

We received an awesome referral from President Hulme. He had met this man Jason at a car repair shop and wondered what someone like him was doing as a runner for this shop. President went up to him and told him that if he wanted to get a better job to give President a call. Jason recently lost his job and called President Hulme. They went out to eat and they talked a little about how Jason wanted to start going to a church again. He has been married for a year and a half and they have a five month old son. We were able to set up an appointment with Jason and his family and teach the Restoration. It was a great lesson and Jason seemed very interested. As we talked about the spirit we described the feelings associated with the spirit. We then asked Jason if he had any of those feelings while we were talking. He told us that he had and we explained that that was the Holy Ghost testifying to them that what we were saying was true. We committed them to read the introduction of the Book of Mormon and pray about it. They told us that they were excited to come to church and that they would be there. They were true to their word. They were at church ready to learn on Sunday morning! We were so excited to see them. It was a pretty good Testimony meeting and both Sister Nicholas and I got up to bear our testimonies. 
After the meeting we asked how Jason and his wife, Mishayta, how they were feeling. They said they had really liked the meeting and they felt good. As we explained again that that was the spirit Mishayta told us that she knew what it was and that last night while they were reading the introduction of the Book of Mormon they felt it as well. We have another appointment with them this week and we are so excited to teach them!
This week we also had a baptism for Tyler. He is a great kid. I am sure you have heard of him from Sister Reyes and Sister Nicholas. I have only been able to teach him a couple of times but I can see that he is an incredible guy. His baptism was really powerful and we were able to have about 5 nonmembers there. One of those is a wife of Brother Henry. He is a less active in the ward. His brother Steven was actually in my last area and he is very active. Brother Henry has been less active for years and his wife is a Seventh Day Adventist. She looked into the church at one point but her Brother Henry kind of turned them away from the church. She is a very sweet lady and they both welcomed us into their home when we came. We are hoping to get them on the focus 15 and possibly help Brother Henry's wife to feel the spirit as we teach and have her become an investigator. We have really been praying for them and this goal and we will be working toward it this transfer.

       Just so you know, if you want to be a good member missionary the best thing you can do is think of your friends who aren't members. Pray to know who would be open to hearing about the gospel and then act. Members play such a big part of conversion. It is so much more effective if members find people instead of us knocking door to door.

      Also today I had some really sour milk. I almost threw up don't worry. I have never had milk go bad. I usually chug it down with my cereal so it doesn't last much longer than a week, but this half gallon went bad fast. Gross! I am still alive for right now but if I die, you will know why. 

Ok, it is time for me to get going. I love you all!

Sister Skeeter

6 Week Intervals

......So transfers are tomorrow. But we will get to that part later :) This week was a pretty good one! We knocked into this guy who was a crack up. Not because he was trying to be but the things he said were interesting. He told us that Christianity is the red-headed step child to Catholisism. I think that should be the other way around, but ok! And my lovely companion has some bright red hair. I told her she should have gotten super offended by that to see what he would say but it was too late at that point. It would have been funny to see his reaction though.

       We taught Makaylah's family this week and WOW! That lesson was so great! We got to her house and we sat down and asked if her step dad wanted to join in the lesson because he had been at church the day before (that was a huge step for him). Makaylah looked at her mom and said "He's going to say no." We asked her if she would just ask him and invite him to sit in. Her mom, Wendy, told her to scoot and she went to ask. The room went quiet and we heard Makaylah say "ok" quietly. I figured he had said "no" and she wasn't going to argue it but as she came into the living room she says "He said yes...." We were all surprised but at the same time Sister Kemp and I were not because we had been spiritually creating this lesson and planning on him being there. We taught the restoration again and the spirit was so strong the entire time. Charlie, the step dad, isn't very into religion but it seemed that he had really felt the spirit as we taught. He told us that he had enjoyed church and that he got a good vibe from the meeting. We explained to him that that was the Holy Ghost testifying to him that what he was doing was right. After the lesson he thanked us for coming and told us that he planned on being in the lesson this week. We are so excited and can't wait to continue teaching Makaylah's family. We have been praying to teach a family and the Lord has blessed us with one.

       We also had a fun lesson with Kaitlin and Angelina. Our primary president gave us some of her FHE games so we used one called enduring to the end. It made me miss family night but that is ok. I feel like I have been able to have that again with these girls. Anyway, they are doing so well and we can't wait for them to be baptized!

     Oh! Before I forget! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAGE!!! Sorry it's a couple of days late but I totally forgot to write this last week! I love you! I can't believe you are 19! Crazy! I hope things are going well! I miss you! Keep smiling!

    Ok, someone needs to tell her that is up. Please and thank you! :)

Mom! Actually everyone, you need to read the story "The Black Telephone". Its a good one! Our bishop read it to us at church yesterday. Read it!

So funny story for Mikayla: First background story. When we plan to see people and their lessons we plan members that can go with us. So for this LA we planned for Brother Brown to come with. Ok on to the story. We went to this member's home a couple of nights ago and his wife answered the door. She looked at us funny and I was about the ask for this member but I totally spaced on his name. Not sure why, we see him pretty often. So instead of asking for Brother Dixon Brother Brown came out of my mouth. I quickly corrected myself and went of with the conversation. As we walked away from his door I started cracking up. Like I couldn't breathe kind of cracking up. Sister Kemp looked at me like I was a weirdo and asked what I was laughing at. At first I couldn't tell her because I didn't know how to phrase it without it sounding bad and still I don't know how to explain it but I will just tell you Brother Dixon is black. So I was laughing because I was hoping his wife (who isn't a member) wasn't thinking I was referring to their skin color. Ok, don't worry I am just sitting here laughing again as I relive this memory.  

     Ok, ok, ok, I will tell you what is happening to me now. But first I was telling some people in the ward yesterday that I was thinking I was going to get transferred. We said our goodbyes just in case and a couple of them looked at me and said "Sister Woods you have grown so much since you have been out here! You were so quiet and so shy! You have really come into your own!" Inside I was just laughing at them. Me? Shy? I don't believe it. However now that I think about it, I was pretty quiet. I didn't want to say anything wrong so I kept my mouth shut for a long time. I don't think I started talking really until this transfer. 

      Well, my predictions were right! I am heading to Goleta Ca tomorrow! I am the senior companion and driving. Yikes! I am so not ready for this! But here it comes anyway. I am excited to be going to another area but sad to be leaving my "home". Wish me luck!

I love you all!
Sister Skeeter

No?

Sister Kemp and I were cracking each other up the other day while we were weekly planning. We get so bored that we start going crazy. While we were planning we were joking about how missionaries don't know what the word "no" means. Why do you think we keep coming back? We joked about how when people say no and close the door we write them down in our planners with their addresses and make a note to visit them when "they are more prepared". I am sure you are all wondering why this would even be funny. It is when you are a missionary.

Also this week I ate some legendary food. There is a member here who makes a certain pie and the story is that some sisters had it one day and then got really sick the next few days from it. I don't know the whole story but that is what I was told. I have been to this members home a few times and had avoided this pie for 4 months. There is another part of this story that some of you know, but I don't really want to talk about it on here. Mail me a letter if you really want to know. Anyway, we go to this member's home on Monday and after dinner he asks if we want dessert. I hesitantly said yes (I can't eat very much when I am at his home. He even made fun of me because according to him the amounts I dish myself are "meager") and Sister Kemp excitedly exclaims "there is always room for dessert!" haha she didn't fully understand the circumstances yet. That is ok, more power to her! He grabs a pie dish and places it on the table. As he pulls off the tin foil I see a mint green.....filling and start praying that we are about to eat mint chip pie. The member's mom, who lives with him, asks if it is avocado pie. He tells us that it is. I can't lie; my stomach churned. It wasn't too bad, but I can't eat avocado as of right now.

Also Mikayla! Remember when we used to talk about how long your prayers are when they were like 2 minutes long? Well now mine are 30-40 minutes long. Beat that! Just kidding this isn't a race. Also can you send my new license? I kind of need that. Thanks!
This week the three little girls did not make their date unfortunately. Something happened and Melissa is not allowed to see her dad, who is there at most of our lessons. We have referred her to other missionaries and pray that her mom will still let her be taught and baptized. She has been so excited about becoming a member. She got up last fast and testimony meeting again and spoke about how she knew baptism was the right thing to do and she was excited to go to primary. It has been so fun to watch her progress and love the gospel. She is such a good missionary to her mom and we can see how her mom has been softened to this message because of the things Melissa has done. I think she can see how happy Melissa is with the gospel and with reading the Book of Mormon.
For Kaitlin we have been talking with her mom to see if March 2nd would work. Things are difficult here because Kaitlin's parents are separated and have to do some talking before her dad before the date can be official. We have been praying so hard for these girls and we continue to do so as Satan tears them apart. I know what happens is what Heavenly Father wants to happen. As of right now we can just teach and pray and hope the spirit will touch Kaitlin's dad.
Makaylah is still doing very well! She loves reading the Book of Mormon and has a very strong testimony of priesthood blessings. The funny thing is she has never had one. We taught her and her mom about the word of wisdom and we told her mom that if she needed help overcoming an addiction she could get a blessing. Makaylah jumped at the idea and said "they really work!" She then told us that she hadn't had one before but she had seen others get blessings and see how they helped those people. Her testimony is still growing and she continues to amaze us with how prepared and ready she is for the gospel. Her mom Wendy has also been making a lot of progress. At first she wasn't interested in really listening to the lessons but now she sits in on all of them and was so excited when she got her own Book of Mormon. She even came to church for the first time yesterday and brought her husband who was not interested at all. We are looking forward to teaching them and seeing if her husband will start sitting in on the lessons. We had invited him before but he decided that he didn't really want to hear them. We are hoping that him going to church yesterday is a turning point for him and that he will have a desire to learn more now.
This week I also had a really sweet experience with prayer as well. Sunday morning Lydia left church early because she wasn't in a very good mood and one of the members caught her as she was leaving. The member said a quick hello and asked Lydia if she was feeling well. Lydia replied that things weren't that great so the member reached out and gave Lydia a hug. She she did so Lydia began to cry and this member lovingly listened to her and tried to comfort her. That night in my prayers I felt so sad for Lydia. I wanted things to go easier for her and I want her to be able to not stress about work. I was fervently praying for her and asking the Lord to help her and take care of her. As I did so the thought came to my mind "I will take care of her." I knew that Heavenly Father had been listening to my prayer and He was telling me that everything was going to be fine. I had meant to tell Lydia that the next day, however I forgot and didn't end up sharing that with her. On Friday Lydia texted us and told us that she had lost her job. We had planned to go see her the night before (inspired planning) and decided that we needed to see her when she got home. When we got to her house I was able to share my experience with her and help her to realize that Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. He knows what we are going through and what we need to do to become the people He wants us to be. The spirit was so strong as I testified of His love for her and told her about my experience. I could feel of his love for Lydia and as we talked my love for her grew even stronger.
      I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I know He is watching over us and guiding us along this path. I love Him and know that He lives, as well as the Savior.

Well that is it for this week! I love you all!

Sister Skeeter

Mini Eggs!

So I realized a couple of days ago that Easter in the next holiday...after St. Patty's day. Anyway that means that mini eggs will be coming to the shelves pretty quickly. Remember how I asked for no more candy? Well, I am revoking that just for the Easter season. Feel free to send me as many milk chocolate mini eggs as you want :) 

Ok, I have a list of things I wanted to tell you all about.

1) There is a hockey team out here called the LA Kings. If that isn't the biggest oxymoron then I don't know what is. I was so confused when I saw that. Then I realized that it was hockey and not basketball (Sorry, worldly I know).

2) The other day we were walking in our apartment complex and this kid walks outside. I had to do a double take. It looked EXACTLY like Tavan; except this guy ended up being super ghetto. So imagine him with a plaid jacket that is 20 times too big for him and then sagging jeans. That is what I saw haha I just thought it was funny.

3) Ok RMs. Do you remember those streets that you were just so excited to go knock because there weren't any records of other missionaries being there? We had a couple of those streets this week. I was so excited to go knock them and then they were kind of a disappointment. Only because people were not as open as I was hoping they would be. Life of a missionary. Full of ups and downs.

BUT! There is this apartment complex that we realized was in our area and there are no records of any missionaries being there and I know they haven't been knocked for at least 8 months. We have been going there and I think there was only one door that wouldn't listen. The people in that apartment complex are very nice and very willing to listen. That is one of the places I look forward to going to every singe day. It's just a good pick me up! And we meet some pretty colorful people there too. There is never a dull moment.

Ok that was my list. Not as long as I remembered it being.

For all of those wondering, the weather finally cooled down and we have had three days of rain. YAY!  Prayers and Fasting really work. We are praying that there is more rain to get out of this drought.

Oh hey! I hit my 4 month mark yesterday and the fun part was that it was Sister Kemp's 4 month mark too! We took pictures....don't worry! Maybe one day you will all see them!

Life as a missionary has been so good lately! I don't know why or what changed but things have been a little too easy. There's a storm coming! I can feel it. I think it actually started brewing this week. I just hope and pray that I am always worthy to help these people and am open to the promptings of the spirit. I think that has been the hardest part for me. It is hard for me to recognize when the spirit is actually talking to me and when I am just thinking. There have been a few moments when there is no mistaking but then there are others where I have no clue. So that is what I have been working on lately.

Gah! Ok, time is already up! Love you all!

Sister Skeeter

I Was Born Into What They Call The Church Of God

     Let me explain the title. We knocked into this lady named Sandy this week. I am pretty sure my lungs are completely black now and I don't think I have ever smelt so much like a smoker in my life. She was a very heavy smoker. The walls of her apartment were yellowed from the smoke and there was a cloud of smoke lingering from the past. Her home smelt like a casino times 100. Can you just smell it now? As we went home we could smell the smoke on us the rest of the day and we hoped the other non-members that we talked to wouldn't be able to smell us and get the wrong idea. Oh the things you experience on a mission. Sandy is this really sweet older lady who let us in after talking for about 30 seconds (just so you know that is the first time I have ever been let into a home on first contact). We taught the restoration lesson but every 5 minutes or so she would say to us " I was born into what they call the church of God. They call them the holy rollers. Now that is just far fetched." I think she told us that 6-7 times. Because of that we weren't sure how much she remembered or understood of what we were saying but it was an interesting experience. It felt weird being in a complete strangers home but she told us that we were welcomed any time, however we aren't sure that she would even remember us if we went back. Maybe we will check in on her in a few weeks and see if she remembers us.
     This week some of the events that took place feel like they happened months ago but at the same time I can't believe it is already preparation day again. So in some aspects it went by very fast, in others it has felt like it has been a long week.
In my personal studies I finished reading the Book of Mormon which was really cool. After I finished I said a prayer and have continued to pray to feel of the truthfulness of the book so that I can gain a better testimony of it. Having that reconfirmation I feel will help me to help the investigators understand the importance of it more as well. The thought that I cannot convert someone past my own conversion comes to my mind a lot as I declare to people about the Savior and the Book of Mormon. As I have been able to read and pray I have been able to grow closer to the Savior and I have been able to strengthen my own testimony. I hope the Lord's investigators are able to feel my testimony as I bear it to them and can feel of my love for the Savior and the Book of Mormon.
Today I also read in Matthew and I really liked a verse in chapter 7. It is verse 29 and it says "for He taught them as having authority and not as the scribes." In JST it says that He spoke with authority from God not from the scribes. I just thought that was neat because that is how I want my teaching to be; from the authority of God and not of myself. My goal is to always be teaching with power and authority and of course with the Holy Ghost. I know it is only through him that people can become converted.
I don't remember if I told you about Chad in the last couple of emails but Chad is a newer investigator and his life has been a difficult one full of past mistakes. I feel bad for him every time we teach him. I want him to be baptized already so that he can start a new life and have a more fulfilling life and not feel so cast out. He came to church on Sunday which was super exciting but he took off after Sacrament. We also have a police officer in our ward and we suspect that Chad saw him and felt uncomfortable and that is why he left. We aren't sure yet but we will try to figure out what we can do to help him spiritually. He has been so great at reading the Book of Mormon and he said that whenever he is really struggling he opens it up to a random page and starts to read. He said it has always opened up to something that can help him and he has been strengthened through reading it already. We are so excited to be teaching him but sad that it is so hard to get a hold of him and teach him a real lesson. He tells us he has questions but every time we plan to answer them he leaves or doesn't show up for the appointment. One day we will be able to answer his questions! 

      I have a feeling Chad will be baptized but it might be awhile before he is completely ready for the gospel.

      So I am sure most of you have heard stories or met JWs who are nice at first and then they get really hostile. Let me just tell you, that has been my experience with all of them except for one out here. I am quickly losing respect for them because of how rude they are. Oh man, if I could bible bash they would be sorry. I refrain though and go on my way. So this week we met one who approached us and the minute she said she was a JW I shuddered a little bit. I was waiting for her to bring something up so that she could start arguing with us but I was completely wrong. She asked us a couple of really sincere questions and we had an hour long conversation about the things we believe and what we know is going to happen after this life. We cleared up some misconceptions for her and explained the real Adam and Eve story. Have you ever heard their take on it? It is kind of funny. Anyway, I walked away thinking "wow, I can't believe that just happened." Anyway I just thought it was funny because she was so different from the rest of the ones I have talked to.

     Also a couple of quick things: Jamie, thank you for getting me hooked on Jolly Ranchers. I cannot go through weekly planning without them now. And guess what! I got a free skirt this week! That was sweet! It isn't super attractive but hey I am always down for new clothes when they are free!

Ok, time to sign off! I love you all!

Sister Skeeter