Called to Serve

March 19th

Hey mom! Thanks for the email :) I can't believe Barnes farewell is this weekend! Wow that's crazy. I'm excited for him. I think all of those things you mentioned he will gain if he serves with his heart. :) Thanks for getting school taken care of. I've actually briefly thought about switching to BYU. With all the sisters leaving on missions enrollments are low and it would be very easy to get in right now. We'll see what happens when I get back. I would rather go back to BYUI. But it might make more sense to try BYU. I've thought about talking to Austin about it, but I don't want to worry or think about it, I only have so much time left where I don't have to concern myself with those matters. So I'll just figure it out when I get back. I don't really want you to post these things on the blog- about April and Jewel. Just because I don't think they'd appreciate their stories up for everyone to read. But things with April are going so well! I called her this week and she said that she was on vacation but she made sure to pack her Book of Mormon. Before I called her I was praying and to know what to say and that she'd feel the spirit and I felt so strongly that she knows. The spirit has already told her. I even felt that she knows she knows, but she's denying it. I prayed that I'd have the chance to tell her that. We laughed and talked. I just love her so much, I'm sure we'll be friends for a very long time. But as I was teaching about the apostasy we started to discuss her questions and concerns and I said, "April everything will be answered if you just know that the Book of Mormon is God's book. It all hinges on that. All you need is to gain a witness the book is from God." She agreed and then I said. "April, you already know this is all true. Your heart knows it. You've felt it. The spirit has born witness. You're just afraid. I know it, you even know it. you know you know, you're just unwilling to let your mind catch up with your heart." She never denied what I said, she just went into her fears and concerns about joining the church. She committed to pray for strength to accept the Lords answer and to continue to read and pray. She has really been thinking alot about her readings. I just LOVE her. She's so wonderful. We got off the phone and I was filled with such an overwhelming joy, that I can't describe. I'm so anxious for her to accept what she already knows. I hope she gets baptized soon, but I also kind of hope it's after my mission so I can go! lol. I don't know how i'd get there she's in North Carolina. Maybe when she goes through the temple. I really feel she'll get there soon. When we were hanging up she said, thank you so much. I always feel so much peace when we talk, and these conversations really help. Little does she know how much they help me as well. I truly feel that she is my friend. Jewel is also doing so well! She came to Presidents devotional this last Sunday and she really felt the spirit. She was crying and said, "I think this is going to happen for me a lot sooner than I thought." She's so prepared it's unreal. We know that her husband is playing a huge role in helping her receive the gospel. We know angels are preparing the hearts of men, just like Alma says. It's amazing to see and feel that. I love this work. It's hard. It's challenging. We're on the front lines of the battle with Satan. But the Lord protects his servants, and we have no cause to fear. You see remarkable miralces and trajedies on the front lines. This is a work my heart loves. I'm grateful to be able to serve our God in this manner. I'm grateful that because I am part of the tribe of  Ephraim I know it's my responsibility and the Lord will give me opportunities to be such a missionary throughout the whole of my life. It is the desire of my heart.

well I love you all very much!!

Here's a scripture for you mom- regarding what you said about blessings outweighing the sacrifices:

Romans 8:18 "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Our sacrifices and sufferings are not even worthy of the comparison of our blessings. What a remarkable thought. I have faith in this scripture. I believe it to be true. I cannot see it. But I beleive my Savior and trust that my blessings will not have comparison to my sacrifices. How great is our God.