Things are going GREAT in the Helix Ward! The numbers and key indicators don't exactly show that... but we are switching things up and really focusing on the members and building a relationship of trust with them. Our week has been filled with appointments with recent converts and less actives and other active members of the ward. We've been going to members homes and sharing a brief message along with our testimony and that's all, and so far we've really seen the change in their attitude towards us and towards missionary work. It's a slow process and most definitely does not provide the instant gratification. But Sister Stott and I feel strongly that this is the way to help build up the ward and where we should be spending our efforts at this time. It's slow, but we are working and waiting patiently to see the fruits of this labor.

   Patience.. something I've really come to learn and practice since I've been out- what a christlike attribute- and it is HARD! But I feel like patience is something that in missionary work, you really need! We work work work, having faith and no doubt, and are PATIENT that the Lord will bless us and that we'll find those prepared and ready. Patience and faith are so dang hard sometimes. But I know that if we do that and truly ENDURE (but not just endure.. because that somehow gives the impression that your just holding on.. unhappily.. hanging in there. But when we truly endure happily and faithfully, we're able to have a brighter outlook, that things will be good again. And we can't just sit around and wait for them to be good, but change the perspective and make it good right then and there.)
    One less active that we've been working with, Justin Miller, he was baptized when he was 12 but his whole family was/is inactive so he quickly fell away after baptism. However, he still had a few good friends in the church. Well we've been working with him and he's really made a COMPLETE 180. Sister Stott and I felt inspired that he is to go on a mission, he's only 22. And so we had a lesson with him that was completely focused on missionary work, and would you believe what happened? He wants to serve a mission! He is studying the scriptures and praying every day, and he just got ordained a priest on Sunday and afterwards bore his testimony. It was amazing! This might be one of the times in my mission that I've felt the most successful :)
     Brooke, our recent convert, is doing great! She was extremely nervous that her dad wouldn't accept her being baptized so she didn't tell him that she was even meeting with us. However, the day before her baptism she wrote him a letter and sent it off. And after a lot of prayers in his behalf... guess what! He's totally accepting of it and HAPPY for her! He even said that he might be interested! Things are great :)
     This week, Sister Stott and I really feel like there is someone out there and ready for baptism THIS WEEKEND. So we've been praying a lot and searching for him... but it's so interesting because we'll have that faith that we'll find him and then a few minutes later I find myself thinking, "hmm that'd be cool IF that happened" but BAM there it is, a lack of faith! Satan plants those thoughts... so we have been making a special effort and will continue to do so throughout this week and shoot- for the rest of my mission- to talk to EVERYONE and INVITE everyone! Miracles can and will happen. An Elder in my district this last week shared this quote with us, "God performs miracles, and he will until the second coming"! It's so true! We just have to train our eye to see them happening all around us. Faith. Work. Faith. Work. Faith. Work. Stay tuned for next week :)

    Last night in the MoBatt we had two nonmembers come in that didn't have time for the tour. So Sister Stott started walking back with them to the resource room (typically going by yourself, is normal!) but this time it just felt different. I was literally drawn forward- walking with her and the 2 nonmembers. Next thing I know we are all standing in the hall- not a word has been spokane about the Mormon Battalion- but instead the conversation was focused on the restored gospel. We asked where they were from- Pakistan and London. They asked where we were from- pretty soon Sister Stott and I were talking about who we were- missionaries and what we do. They continued to ask some really GREAT questions- "what makes our church different, how does "the word" spread, what types of thigns do you do to practive the religion, etc." Some really inspired and heartfelt questions! As we were talking with them we touched on multiple different things and as they started asking more and more questions, we were able to expound. The conversation had become focused on the Book of Mormon so we walked over to a glass case that has a Book of Mormon and a Bible from the 1800's. They again asked some really good questions and as soon as we offered them their own copy, their eyes lit up, "Really?? Of course! I'd love one!" was their reply. Anyways, the whole entire time with them was just amazing. The spirit was so strong and our tongues were truly loosened to say the things He would have us say that would touch their hearts and testify of the truths. Our mouths were filled with what they needed to hear. Ahh it was just so FUN and a great experience to be his mouthpeice, his hands, his servant. I've never felt a greater joy come into my life than I have when sharing this restored gospel with others. Whenever we share the gospel- we are able to have the spirit more abundantly in our lives- it just makes me happy :D

     And dang, we can all definitely use the spirit in our lives more. Here's a quote I recently read from this last General Conference by Julie B. Beck's talk entitled "And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit” the quote reads,

The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. Qualifying for the Lord’s Spirit begins with a 1. desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. 2. Keeping the commandments, 3.repenting, and 4. renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord’s Spirit with us. 5. Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power to a woman’s life. Many answers to difficult questions are found by 6. reading the scriptures because the scriptures are an aid to revelation.³ Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day. 7. Daily prayer is also essential to having the Lord’s Spirit with us.⁴ Those who earnestly seek help through prayer and scripture study often have a paper and pencil nearby to write questions and record impressions and ideas.

     It seems like a life long process to be able to recieve and recognize personal revelation, but it can and does happen. And I know that as we all strive to do these things that will make us worthy and able "...to qualify for, and receive, and act on personal revelation..."-- we will receive those answers we stand in need of.
     Well anyways, I love you all so much! It's been such a great week and I hope it's been good for you guys too :) Have a great week, you're all in my prayers! Take care :)

Love,

Sister Kimaree Miller