I'M IN LOVE!!! I'm the happiest Auntie on the planet!!

I am just so-so happy and grateful for the exciting news!  I'm finally an "Aunt" and I've been waiting a long time for this!!  Little Jaxon is adorable.  He just wins my heart!  So glad to have a new addition in the family.  As much as I wish I was there to hold little Jaxon, I am so grateful to be here on a mission.  I love the experiences I'm  having.  (The good and hard times).  But sooner than later I'll be there to hold him in my arms, which is really bittersweet right now. 

I love my Little Jaxon!

Texas thunderstorms come so fast.  One second its nice and dry, the next minute it's a down pour of rain.  We have gotten caught in it a few times, but its fine--we just go out with a smile!  This week we have had the opportunity to be involved with a lot of service--especially a lot of yard work!  I was fortunate enough to bring back my lawn mowing skills from high school days and mowed 2 different yards.  I loved it!!!! And the mosquitoes did too.  Fresh sweaty blood to suck! BLEH!   One day, we went with a sister in our ward to takes care of the Victoria Gardens.  It is an educational garden place that is so-so beautiful.  Not long after we showed up in the gardens a storm rolled in and we were surrounded by lightening and thunder.  It was quite exciting.  We took shelter in a tin shed and couldn't really get to the car for about an hour.  It was so loud we couldn't hear each other because the rain was hitting the shed so hard.  So we decided to play "Book of Mormon" charades.  hahahaha   It was great!  Sister Fisi'inaua and I jumped up to act stuff out and finally Sister Davis joined in.  This sweet little 60 year old woman was havin a ball with us.  It was a pretty entertaining experience.  (Great FHE idea)!! 

Out in the Gardens is a gigantic Birdhouse!  It is beautiful here. 

  The 4th of July was great!  We went to the church in the morning because they were having a bike parade for the primary children.  You better believe we took our bikes and decorated them and joined the fun.

Happy 4th of July!

     Overall it's been a good week and a great transfer.  I love this area--"Victoria" and my companion is awesome!  I really enjoy serving with Sister  Fisi'inaua.    Saturday was a baptism at our church.  Some of the elders have been working with a sweet older Hispanic gentleman.  He was so happy and excited.   Oh man this baptism was Great!    One I'll never forget!    We have a lot of great investigators we are working with.  They seem super solid as well.  We're learning a lot and just trying to assist the Lord in His work here in Victoria.  

BAY CITY ZONE!  BEST ZONE EVER!!!

                              

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.  

 

Mother's Day is a Special Day!

One of the best gifts a mother could ask for is to be able to see and talk to all of her children on Mother's Day.  Today we were able to gather all of our children in New Harmony (Allie and James Skyped in) to Skype with Sister Megan Pace in Houston, Texas!

It was so good to see her beautiful smile, and hear how she is learning and growing as she is meeting new people and sharing the gospel in Texas.  One of the most special moments we were able to capture on video as we asked her what her favorite part of her mission has been so far...she shares her testimony of being a missionary and how her personal relationship with the Savior has grown.  You can hear what she shared here: Sister Pace's Testimony

Howdy from Texas!

The Church is True in Houston!

What a great few months!  It has been full of teaching, service projects, baptisms, changes and adapting to a new area.  Heavenly Father is really sending us prepared individuals.  I'm noticing it isn't necessarily anything we are saying or doing in specific ways, but realizing we are just His instruments and trying our best to open our mouths to everyone.  It's amazing to be a part of the Lord's work.  As long as we really do our best, the miracles do not cease. I love the experiences I am having on my mission.  I wouldn't trade this time for anything else.  It is evident that the Lord is preparing us for His return by hastening His work and I'm so happy I am part of His Army of Missionaries.

 "Sister Conference"

Sister Thompson and Sister Hawkes, it was good to see my first Companions again.

Right- Sister Harris my MTC Companion

Our trip to Sister's Conference to hear Sister Sheri Dew!

January 25th was an amazing day with Kevin and Chanselle's baptism.  They were so happy and it was such a special day.  The ward gave great support as well and I know they will really flourish in the gospel.  In a year they get to be sealed in the temple too!  What a memorable weekend.

My dear friend Chenselle after her baptism.   

 Well isn't this just a fun time of year.  The month of LOVE!  I have been studying about Charity  which has helped me gain a greater desire to talk to everyone and share my testimony of the gospel with them.








A big thanks for all the letters, packages and wonderful surprises.
  It made my whole week!

  For Valentines Day, Sister Cotton and I  had a lot of fun sneaking around and giving heart Attacks to some of our less actives who need more love in their lives.

Rhea's Baptism!  It was such an awesome baptism!  She was so excited and ready for it.  The best part was her family was there to support her.  The spirit was so strong and they really enjoyed it as well.  Sister Cotton and I had the opportunity to speak at the services and I felt it an honor to be a part of it. 

Our sweet miracle "Rhea"!

After serving in the Clearlake Area for 7 months, I received my first transfer to the Sienna Plantation area with Sister Newman.  This area is  so--so beautiful.  It starts in Missouri City, Sienna Plantation (where i live), Houston, Sugar Land, Fresno, Arcola, etc.  Big area with lots of work to do! I love my companion already.  She is amazing! She is from South Jordan, but went to Dixie State last year too.  Small world!  I felt like I knew everyone at Dixie, but guess not.  We hit if off sooo well.  I've been very blessed to have such awesome companions.

My lovely new companion Sister Newman!

Celebrating Sister Newman's 9 month mark with Sonic Wednesday!

Sister Newman and I are  trying to read the Book of Mormon together this transfer.  We are trying to mark anything that has to do with faith.  I love doing this!  It's going to be a challenge, but I am  already learning so much from it and my testimony of the Book of Mormon continues to grow more and more.

I love ya'll and hope you have a great week! 

Merry Christmas from Sister Pace

  This Christmas season has been so great! I feel like I have really been able to feel the Christmas spirit so strong. I know it is because I haven't been as distracted by the commercial part of Christmas, and I've  been able to really focus more on Christ this Christmas and give back to him by giving of  my time and service.

 We have been taken care of so well by this ward! My love for this ward grows more and more. There are so many wonderful people here. We have been involved with the ward Choir which has been so fun! We went to a Christmas sing along at a members home and sang Christmas carols with the choir. That was probably my favorite Christmas activity so far! That is a fun tradition I would love to carry on. There are so many homes that are decorated from the grass to the roof and everything in between. I tell ya, everything is bigger in Texas! 

I just want you all to know how happy I am here on my mission! I have been growing more and more to love this place and what I am doing here! My love for the people has grown, the missionaries I serve with are so amazing! We have so much fun together and they have such great testimonies.  Also, my love for President and Sister Ashton have grown. They are soo amazing as well!  I definitely consider them as second parents. Sister Christopherson  (one of my companions) got to go spend a few days in their home with their family to see what a gospel oriented family life is like. That doesn't happen very often. So I was able to see them a few times this  past week. I have so much love and respect for them. Sister Ashton is a huge role model in my life. 

Most of all, my love for our Savior Jesus Christ has grown. I have loved studying his life and ministry these past few weeks in the New Testament. I love how the world is so happy during the Christmas season because they remember Christ so much more. Just think of what it is going to be like when he reigns again on the earth! Its going to be amazing! 

 I love you all and hope you have a great Christmas season! I challenge each of you to find one way you can go out of your way to serve someone everyday until Christmas. I promise you will be able to feel the Christmas season even more this year! 

Fall in Texas for this Missionary!

New Harmony Apples!

I got the apples!!!! Thanks so much.  It was a wonderful surprise and totally made our week!  I bought the ingredients for apple dip so we will be snacking on them.  Yum...Yum!!! Fall weather in Houston is still in the 70s and 80s, but there have been more days that are overcast and the breeze is nice and cool. 

                                                                                                                                                                                   

We're the Snow White Twiners!

Trunk or Treat!! Happy Halloween from Snow White and Cowgirl (missionary version)

We went to ward Halloween trunk or treat  which was so fun.  We helped with some of the carnival games for the kids.  We dressed up for it too!  I was Snow White  and Sister Thompson was a cowgirl.  We found out the last minute that we could wear costumes so we tried to be creative with what we have.   

  This is a picture of my sweet friend Morgan.  We're the Snow White twiners.  This girl is a doll!  She is in our ward and is the daughter of one of the Bishopric.  She is a special Olympic Swimmer and has so much love.  She will just get up in the middle of Sacrament Meeting after someone  has shared their testimony and give them a hug and a kiss on the cheek!  She is my favorite!              

PS:  Yeah, I died my hair!  I didn't want to worry about the up keep of the blonde.  But I'm getting use to it.  Now I definitely fit in with the Pace Girls!     

We'll it was transfer week again and guess what!?  Sister Thompson and I are still together in the same area.  But there is a new addition to our companionship, Sister Christopherson!

 

 

 

 

Sister Christopherson, Sister Thompson and Sister Pace

    What a blessing it has been to have Sister Christopherson with us.  She is on her last transfer and comes with experience and so we are benefiting have her for this short time before she goes home.  

I've been here for 3 months and sadly we haven't baptized anyone in the time I have been here.   But instead I look at our successes and all that we have been doing.  We have worked hard getting the ward excited about missionary work, helping strengthen the members and less actives.  We met with Bishop Brower and he is really happy with what is going on,.  He told us how we have met his goal with 55 people coming back to church.  They haven't been baptisms, but in the last year there have been many people who were inactive or less active coming back to church.  This is so great!  He told us that 54 people have come back and he is considered number 55 because of his conversion through all of this. 

                    

I really am loving being a missionary.  There has been some great times and hard times.  The thing about being a missionary is God is trying to mold us into a person that He wants us to be. I'm learning a lot about myself, what is important in life, and most importantly the gospel.  It is great!!

Rainy Day in Houston!

                                 

 

Temple Day at the Houston Temple!

Sister Pace and Sister Thompson at the Houston Temple

The Houston temple is gorgeous!  I had an amazing experience. It was a great feeling being in the temple with a bunch of missionaries in the same session.   Every time I go to the temple it just gets better and better.  I loved the Celestial room.  My thoughts kept going back to the first time I went to the temple in St. George.  Having the whole family there was really a special experience.  I just remember going into the celestial room and seeing everyone waiting for me.  I know that's what it is going to be like on the other side.  I am so grateful for this gospel.

It's been a busy couple weeks with zone training and conferences.  My mission President is absolutely amazing.  I have so much love and respect for him.  He has such a powerful testimony and I can tell he cares so much for his missionaries.  We had interviews with the President and then we   did some role playing with him.  It really pushes my out of my comfort zone, but I did learn a lot. The

Sister Pace and President and Sister Ashton

coolest part about the training was the assistants came to the meeting as well and met with us as companions and had a training about our area.  We set goals and prayed about our investigators.  So this zone conference helped light a fire of faith and determination to get back to work!  Sister Thompson and I feel impressed with a few individuals that will hopefully be baptized by the end of the year. 

Sister Thompson did a training also that was just so powerful about how we represent Jesus Christ as missionaries.  Just so you know my companion is amazing.  She is so knowledgeable in the gospel and we have definitely grown closer.  I learn so much from her.  Even though she's almost two years younger than me, we really balance each other out very well.  She has helped me so much in the mission just by her wonderful example.  She has so much love and charity.  It's great being her companion!