1/13/14
Hawaiian Roller Coaster

This week i would like to relate unto that of a roller coaster ride. we hear this analogy often, but i will add my embellishments and hope that you all will follow and understand what I mean.

Monday came with much ease, like boarding a roller coaster.  Monday we got an amazing apartment. It was like the security latches for your seat. we feel good about it and the shipment of the starter kit will arrive on wendnesday or Thrusday. and then we will move in and will have to assemble our beds and tables and what not.  should be fun - gettin our fix it skills on! 

I will send you pictures of the new place! its a nice duplex with two bedrooms and a nice big kitchen and living room. and LOTS OF LIGHT!! i am so excited to get out of the cave of the basement!

On Tuesday we had the Sister Training Leaders come for exchanges, but becasue we are so far away from everything they both stay with us, and we have a good time.  It was kind of like the beginning of the ghost rider ride at Knotts berry farm. I was just full of excitement for the week and ready for the challenges, but kind of worried that something would happen. The  ghost rider is wooden and everytime i feel like a part of it will be missing or broken, and we will just go flying off the track... anyways i learned so much from Sister Ferguson, and she helped me to focus on the Why of the gospel.  a lot of the time we focus on the how and what of the gospel but how often do we ask ourselves why we do those things. love, obedience, diligence, charity. etc. 

it was going well. Then some things happened with our landlord. misunderstandings and confusion because she had told us previously that we could use certain things, and so we used them and she got really upset with us when she saw us using them. It was frustrating and confusing. but we have worked it out and things are amazing now. she is sad to see us go, but she knew it was coming. feelings are mutual for our move out. 

The rest of the week was pretty good, kind of like the part of the ride where either you're bored or not having fun, or looking at the scenery around you, kind of like a little kid ride, thats not really entertaining but its not bad either. just floating along. but the weekend, oh! the weekend. that is where it gets AMAZING. 

Friday we had one of the best -if not the best- Zone Conferences Ever.  TALK ABOUT SPIRITUAL HIGH!  President had us prepare papers on the plan of salvation and turn them in. felt like i was in school again it was great. and then we get there and we he picked at random companionship's to go up and teach a principle from the lesson infront of the whole group and then we discussed strengths and weaknesses and things to do better. its was amazing!! then he taught us deeper doctrine about the plan of slavation that just brought it all together! I LEARNED SO MUCH!! and it just makes me so excited to go back to the temple when we get the chance.  (should be soon!!)  He taught us a lot about the doctrine of death and how the creation,fall and atonement all connect and are important.  its amazing! I just love knowledge.

SATURDAY!!  Most amazing day of the week!!  this is like the part of the ride where you realize how great your decision was to actually ride the ride, and you finally enjoy it because all your fears are out of the way and it truly is a thrill.  Kira our lovely investigator and my soul sister, (pretty much) was put on date to be baptized on February 1st!!! WOOTT!!! yeah!! We had the most spirit-filled wonderful lesson with her about the holy ghost and the role it plays in our lives before and after baptism, and it was like everything clicked for her. It was great! and amazing! and she told us of her decision to have this less-active member of the ward baptize her. and It was amazing because i too knew that that is the person we needed to get.  He is so close to being completely re-activated and this is the push that he needs. its awesome!! so we are working with the bishop and other leaders to get that done. :) 

So everything was great! i felt like a truly successful missionary. We put Kira on date, which sister Payne and i had been trying to do since i got to this area. We had a truly inspired lesson with her and the spirit directed us. I felt like i was on top of the world and can now say i know what it truly feels like to be completely happy for someone else. 

- now everyone is waiting for the catch. -

Sunday was the greatest Sunday. The sacrament talks were SO INSPIRED and i learned so much. Kira was there and she posted on facebook later that she was so grateful for church and she loved it. It was great! I loved it too! Then we had a great afternoon and evening we went to the bishops for dinner and helped their daughter make invites for new beginnings- she is laurel class prez. and we are going to deliver those to the less-active YW in efforts to get them and their families to church! yay for less-active work.  We get home about 8:40 pm and we get this text from kira "hey be sure to check your facebook, im sorry."  WHAT!?!? so we get back in the car and go to the church, - most intense car ride of my life- and we get on FB and she tells us that she is upset and she misunderstood  and it was a goal not an agreement to be baptized on the 1st. 

so i feel horrible, a little bit, and just dont know what to do. stuck stuck stuck.  SO PLEASE PRAY FOR HER!! 

It will all work out. i know it will and i still have faith that she will be baptized. she is so ready for this. 

all in all the roller coaster gave us some bumps and bruises that hurt, and kind of like those rides you get off of and you feel sick to your stomach, well that happened! I dont think i will get on that ride again.    its like i got a 18 month long ticket to six flags magic mountain and the requirement that you have to ride every ride over and over. 

but what came free with the ticket is strength from the Lord !!

Its all wonderful

no time!

love you lots

happy birthday!! to Jill and new baby it !!

let me know if im an aunt or uncle!! yay

love love love 

Sister O'Neil