May 19th!

Family,

WHAT? It is May 19^th!! It's going to be June before I know it. It's really funny too because Sister Stanton is always laughing at me saying "Sister Powell you are always a day behind, it's the 19th not the 18th!" or this morning "It's not April it's May!"

This week has been excellent. Sister Stanton and I have been visiting every family and individual in the ward to earn their trust and commit them to having us teach their friends/neighbors/family in their homes..it's working! I know just about everyone in the ward and they know our names. Best part is...we are starting to see results from our hard work.

Last week Cali and Chase came to the VC to watch the "Joseph Smith Movie" with the Southards. After watching it, I know without ANY doubt that Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God to bring back the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God has a plan for each one of his children. Life after this is not over. We will hug those we've lost and laugh with them again.

This Saturday Cali and Chase are getting baptized! We are so excited for them. We've been praying daily that their Mom's heart with be softened and...it has. We are focusing more on her and continue even after her children are baptized. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings more happiness into my life than anything else. It is the teachings of our Savior that bring comfort to me in tough times and has made me who I am.

I started reading the New Testament the other day and one verse has continued to stick with me and that is "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." -Matthew 10:39 When we stop focusing inward and start focusing outward, we find happiness. As we serve those around us and care more about their needs and happiness than our own, we find that we ourselves are happier. My Mission President said this last zone conference, "Testimonies are made stronger more on our feet than on our knees." This again is that same concept of being selfless. As we go through experiences and strengthen others faith in Christ (by sharing the gospel), we in-turn strengthen our own faith.

So this last week I took a couple and their three boys through the VC. Their boys were about the same age at Tyler, Brandon, and Ethan. I felt like I was with Brain and Marnae. It was really fun!!

It's been really stormy here lately. I was telling Mom I have never heard such loud thunder in my entire life! It woke me up so I was just laying their and Sister Stanton said, "It sounds like a war out there!" and then she fell back asleep. hahaha and I just kept laying there.

Well hope everything is well with all of you!! I'm doing great! There is nothing better than teaching others about Christ and watching them change for good.

Love,

Sister Powell

p.s. A recent convert made a DVD with me in it, I'll send it home so you can see it.