We had a wonderful week. I know the Lord is blessing us so much. The work is moving forward. I am so grateful for the trials in my life. I know they strengthen my faith and help to make me stronger. I know God hears our prayers and answers them. I know He keeps His promises as we do our best in living righteously. Thank you for all your love and support and prayers in my behalf and for the missionary work. He will bless us with opportunities to share the gospel as we seek and respond to the opportunities placed before us.

Miracles wouldn't be miracles if they were planned.

Later that night we went to a cottage meeting and Alicia { a recent convert } spoke. She told her story about joining Christ's Church. She was the first speaker and she brought the spirit into the whole room, it was incredible!
I just love cottage meetings. The Spirit is always so strong and New converts tell their stories and their trials that they have gone through and how they kept the faith despite adversity. Each one testifies that they have never been happier in their lives. You could see them just glowing. My words obviously don't do justice to how their words touched our hearts.
One girl had lost her best friend and the relationship and friendship with her parents because she joined the church, but she said," I know this is true just as I know the sky is blue; I could not deny it even though everyone was telling me too."
On Wednesday we had plans to visit an inactive member...we felt lie we were to go and see her but the Spirit prompted us to go at a different time then we had planned (thankfully). Her daughter, Johanna (not a member) was home and we got talking about things and then I brought up the church and asked her what she knows about the church. She said," Yeah, I've always wanted to but I'm on the quiet side and didn't know how to ask." We taught her the first lesson and it went so well, the Spirit was so strong. Yeah, she prayed at the end. For someone that is (admittedly) so quiet to offer a prayer was a MIRACLE!! Miracles wouldn't be miracles if they were planned.

TO THE "BURBS" 10-10-11

This week was suburb week for us and our district as well. We had so many miracles after miracles happen. The last few weeks have been a major trial of our faith. The scripture that has been coming to my mind is the one found in Ether 12:6 ( Book of Mormon). It has been really hard and a little discouraging at times. But we kept the faith and REMEMBERED {keyword}
that the Lord blesses us when we do all that we can, exercise faith, and when we are obedient. Those promises are sure! The Lord helped and strengthened us and guided us to be in the right place at the right time. I know that He leads us to find His children.

October 2011 CALLED TO SERVE

Sister Kimball and her companion,Sister Alberts, stop for a little lunch on the back patio after helping with yard work.
                                     Good work, sisters !

October 3, 2011 My testimony is sure !

People just love to tell us what we believe. I try my hardest not to get defensive, but I want to clear things up about what they think we believe...

Times like these frustrate me, but I'm actually grateful for them because these experiences never have influenced me to think differently. They always strengthen me. My testimony has never been so sure. I know with every fiber in my being and with all that I have and much, much more that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He is the only way we can return to live with God again. He gives me strength, he has forgiven me,he loves me and everyone. He knows me. I know that this is His true church. I know that He is at the head and that he has called prophets and apostles on the earth today to help His gospel go forth as He had in ancient times. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has provided an additional witness that Jesus is the Christ, our very Savior. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. ( just) like Elder Callister said," It is either true or it is not." It is true! It has drawn me closer to Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost, each and every time I read, ponder and pray about it. No one, not one person or any unseen power can take this away from me!

October General Conference was awesome !

Wasn't conference amazing? I just loved every second of it. I don't know any other conference where I laughed more than this one. so many of my questions I had before conference were answered. I really liked what Elder Jose L. Alonso said although I couldn't understand him very well but the one thing I did understand was," we are to do the right thing at the right time without delay."Another talk I enjoyed was by Elder Carl B. Cook when he talked about the time he was in the elevator and had his head down and President Monson walked in and said to him,"Remember that it's better that we look up towards heaven. That way when we look towards heaven and turn to God, we will receive strength and faith to carry our burdens so that they may be light."
I could go on and on about every single talk. ..Now Elder Perry's talk on missionary work...WHOOT. WHOOT ! I loved it! He spoke of three ways we can share the gospel and not fear because there is no fear in love. He told us not to get defensive or argue but that we shouldn't hesitate to add our voice to any conversation about the church.

letter of Sept. 26,2011 continued

Visiting with the parents of the 6 year old boy that I spoke of previously, we finally got to visit with Rema and John (the parents).The Spirit was strong as we talked to them. I could feel so strongly that they were both being prepared. I felt that from the first few moments as we spoke to them. They said that they have been to our church with a few friends before they moved to Washington, however, they feel comfortable where they are now with the christian church they attend. She was really nice about it, however we continued to talk and she told us that they have read a little from the Book of Mormon that we gave them. She said," It aligns with what I believe and they will continue to read. " She expressed to us that she is confused why there are so many churches.
My heart literally broke when she told me that they were
" comfortable ".  The only thing I could do was to share my testimony with her. So I did. I bore witness that the Book of Mormon is true, that this is the way back to our Heavenly Father. We claim that we are the only church with the authority from God. That this is the way to bring her family closer together for not only time for all eternity. She was receptive, however she declined. That family is being prepared but my heart aches when I just know they are so close and they choose not to accept. As I was walking to the car a still small voice came into my mind and said, " Be of good cheer they are being prepared, they will come around." We got into the car and Sister Alberts turned to me and said," There is hope. That  is the family. Tears just started streaming down my face. I want to be a part this family coming closer to Christ, however, it's not the right time. 

PATIENCE

This the title of Lauren's letter dated 9/26/2011

It has been a very good week. Very spiritually filled. Did all you sisters watch the Relief Society broadcast? It was sooooooooooo wonderful !

Through President Uchtdorf so many of my prayers were answered. The spirit was so strong and tears just filled my eyes. I loved it. The first thing President Uchtdorf talked about was the 5 things we are never to forget. The FIRST, never forget to be patient with yourself. I often pray to be PATIENT with my companion. LOL As he continued, he talked about why we need to be patient and compassionate with ourselves and we need to stop punishing ourselves.I find that I do that a lot especially as a missionary. I am very hard on myself. I often feel so weak and I feel that I fail. For example when we don't reach our mission goals I feel that it is my fault.I often think," I can do better, so much better." Often it is very hard for me to say, " I did the best I could," because I always feel that I could have done much better. However, this week through talking with my companion, lots of prayer, through scripture study and listening to President Uchtdorf's talk I FEEL BETTER. I feel that when I honestly put forth all that I've got, even though it is not perfect, I can still say at the end of the week, " I have done the best I can."