We spotted King Benjamin!

King Benjamin???

We went on a short road trip to Brazos State Park!  This is where all the alligators live.  Is was so-so fun!  We saw tons of alligators, turtles and frogs.  It totally beat the alligator hunts we have had around Sienna.  We literally saw over 20 alligators.  I have a lot of pictures to show and tell.  But my favorite was an alligator,  we named "King Benjamin" because he was one big guy--HUGE!  Totally made the trip worth it.

Alligator Hunters!

Transfers have come and gone and I am now serving in Victoria, Texas which is 2 hours away from the mission office.  It's the country out in "Never-Never-land". My  new companion is Sister Fisi'inaua which I am really excited to serve with.  We served in the same ward in my first area in Clear Lake.  So we have bonded just great!!  I'm really excited to be here because there is a lot of potential.  Our area is massive though!  It is really spread out and would probably take an hour to get from one side to another.  The ward has about 600 members but only 250 are active.  So there is a lot of work to do here.  We were blessed to have a baptism last Saturday, Zach. He's a nine year old boy that comes from a great family!! So we are now starting from ground zero with investigators.  Which is great, we are ready to work!

My companion Sister Fisi'naua
My new address:  2107 N. Ben Jordan #1610
Victoria, TX  77901
I'd love to hear from you!

We both are just starting fresh and have a great desire to work hard to build up this area.  My faith is growing so much especially after a miracle that we had yesterday.  We made a goal to find at least 2 investigators.  We've be talking to everyone and asking for referrals, going and meeting the members.  I've been thinking a lot on how finding at least 2 new investigators is a commandment from God, because it came from our leaders, which was inspired from God.  So because it came from God I knew He was going to provide a way for us  to accomplish it. Sunday came and we hadn't found anyone yet, but I just knew the Lord would provide.  The day was going by and it was getting pretty late. We hadn't had any luck, which could be pretty discouraging but I just felt like I knew Heavenly Father would provide someone if we have faith and do all that we can.  So we were in a complex after trying a less active family--with no luck. We OYM'ed a kid--no luck, then we see some people who had just moved in that we went to talk to and they said that they would let us come in and teach them! It turned out that this family had visited the Mormon church 10 years ago and had the missionaries over a lot and fed them and everything. Heavenly Father not only provided us 2 investigators, but 5 new ones--a family! It reminded me of when Christ fed the 5,000 and his disciples gave him everything they had to feed the people; 2 fishes and 5 loaves.  Christ not only blessed them with sufficient food with what they needed, but he blessed them with food left over. Because we worked hard to just get 2 new investigators--Heavenly Father  provided a family of 5. Everyday I love my mission more and more and the experiences I am having. My faith and love for the gospel  has grown in ways that I couldn't have grown anywhere else. I look forward to really making this last half of my mission count.

Happy Father's Day--Daddy!
I want you to close your eyes and open your arms and just imagine me giving you a big hug and kiss on the cheek!  I really am grateful for the way you raised me and the example that you have set.  Your obedience to the gospel and principals really have made an impact on me.  I now recognize the importance of doing all the little things that you always tried to implement:  family home evening, family prayer, family scripture study and so forth.  As I look at so many different families I see the impact those little things can have.  Dad I want you to know how much I love this gospel.  I say it all the time in my letters how much I love this experience because I can't explain nearly enough my feelings.  The experiences I'm having and lessons I'm learning will stick with me forever and I'm truly grateful for that.  If anyone is getting converted from this experience it's me.   I know it is only through Jesus Christ that we can find peace and happiness and that we can return to live with Heavenly Father and  together as families .   I know that Christ lives and will come again.  Until that day and forward, I'm going to do everything that I can to serve Him.  I love you dad and am grateful to be your daughter.