New Year, MANY MIRACLES

cute puppy we found tracting

trying to talk to a goat

MIJA (we twinned on accident)

​2017 where did you go?

I started my mission a little less than a year ago and man it has flown. Thus far president has rejected my petition to extend forever but I think I may be starting to wear him down. Only time will tell.

I think there is no better way to start a year then serving the Lord. As we focus on following Him and becoming more like our Savior not only do we make resolutions but we keep them. Christ inspires us to change who we are, not just our actions, and that is a lasting change. I know I've seen it change me. I'm still the awkward individual I was before my mission (lol @ my life) but now I'm a bold, awkward individual who can order her own food #progress

Something I've really gained a testimony of recently is prayer. Sister Baggaley and I had the opportunity to go to another zone in our stewardship and give a training. We met up one night to plan (since we don't live together) and spent 40 mins going in circles. For some reason the spirit kept shooting down everything we had and it just wasn't coming. Then we read D&C 42:14

"And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach"

I mean first of all as a missionary its like BOOM ROASTED. And then we just started breaking it down word by word. And we were like "what is a prayer of faith? What is the difference between a prayer and a prayer of faith?" And wow folks let me tell you, prayers of faith are everywhere in the scriptures! It's more than talking to our Father in Heaven. It's a submitting of ourselves to His will and getting up and acting on it. It's the first step in the Doctrine of Christ and NECESSARY as people and missionaries. Miracles come from prayers of faith (check out Helaman 3:26-27).  It was probably one of the most spiritual planning sessions of my life and it has completely changed the way I pray and talk to God. If it's not a prayer of faith I cannot teach and as a missionary, teaching is kind of everything. I just love the scriptures and the spirit!

I also had exchanges with my Step daughter/ Mija Jr, Sister Neahusan. It was full of many fun adventures including but not limited to: us trying to rescue a pregnant goat and her friend, everyone being mean BUT us having a great time preaching the gospel AND killing it at Mesa Lights despite the old white people. Being an evil step mom is the best.

ALSO ROSY AND KIMMY ARE GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND! I cried/danced/laughed/partied in the back of our investigators home  as we were watering their plants after talking with their mom on the phone. #MIRACLES

Other stuff that happened: gave a talk and roasted everyone on the atonement, crashed a Spanish fiesta on accident and holy awkward, watched 17 miracles and realized 1000 reasons why I was not born then, ate sushi and reunited with mija, Sister Shaffer.

So pretty great week folks.

To the Moon and Back!

Hermana Showalter

ps pdays are moving back to Monday next week