Sister Michelle Clark: 3.3.14 Sunday Blue

So this week was pure craziness. I don't think I’ve had a normal moment of missionary work since I've been in Caldwell ha-ha but it's good. I'm learning to accept the craziness. But the greatest part of this week was DENISE'S BAPTISM.

Denise Is incredible she is a mother of 2 adorable boys. Her husband is not really in the picture right now but she has so much faith and trust in the Lord. There have been so many challenges for her in life. But she has always put the Lord first. On March 2nd 2014 Denise entered into the waters of baptism:) she had so much fellowship and support from the ward it was amazing. I asked her how she was feeling after and she said with a big smile on her face. "Refreshed, renewed" ah I love that woman! She deserves all the blessings that come her way. She for the first time, seemed less stressed:)

Nathan, Denise son who is SO CUTE!!!

Another amazing things and miracles from Sunday. First off, planning and preparing for the baptism was crazy, (always something goes wrong) but it all worked out. For example... as we all sat down to start for the baptism my companion and I realized that we didn't have our music for our musical number. So we ran around the church trying to find it, prayers were answered and we were able to find it and go back into the relief society room right as they called on sister Houser to give her talk. Another miracle.

We've started to take a young 17-year-old returning member out with us as a team up. Her name is Eva, basically she's awesome. She has such a strong testimony and loves coming out with us, as we were driving home she talked with us a little bit about how she wants to serve a mission but there are some things she needs to figure out first.

I had the impression to talk with her about chapter 4 of preach my gospel (amazing chapter about how to recognize the spirit, everyone should read it sometime:)) but as we talked with her we had an amazing conversation about how the spirit doesn't just talk to us in one way, there are many different ways.

President Eying once said "the spirit talks to me in 11 different ways. I'll take whatever way I can get." as we talked with Eva she told us that it was exactly what she needed. And she set up a time for us to come and teach her friend. Can you say AMAZING! It was so neat.

I've been trying to figure out exactly how the spirit speaks to me, sometimes it's a still small voice, or a good thought, sometimes it's goose bumps that start in my heart and spread to the rest of my body, sometimes it's peace, sometimes it's comfort. Sometimes it will be lyrics to a song that come into my head. Sometimes it's a pounding heart, or warmth.

So many different ways. The trick is not discovering if we feel the spirit, it's trying to discern how he speaks to you. As members of the church we've been promised to have that spirit always. We just need to find out and identify the many ways he speaks to us (as long as we remain worthy of him of course).

OK so those were 2 big Sunday miracles.

This week was my first week of exchanges. It was so much fun. Mostly I've just been learning from these sisters and making friends, that's basically what I do. And try to help them in any way I can to become better missionaries. I made the goal to do one random act each exchange. It leads me to sitting on a random toilet in the middle of the street but it relieved some stress so hey, it works! Ha-ha.

I went with Sister Brown and Sister Woodland. The cool thing about sister Woodland's exchange was that I was basically serving in Paterson again:) some of my favorite members came out with us to team up. It was incredible! We had a lot of fun and learned a lot.

Exchanges with Sister Brown

Then also we had Mission leader council this week. Where the leaders of the mission get together and are trained by the assistants and president and set goals for the mission. It’s pretty neat. The spirit was so strong as we talked about the Book of Mormon. Most precious book ever!

OK well in a nutshell that was basically my week. This week will be more normal (maybe) I’ll be going on 2 exchanges. Both of which I will be leaving Caldwell, so hard in the sense of not getting to know my area. But great to be able to serve these other sisters:) OK well I love you all! The gospel is true. I love the book of Mormon.:)

Love,

Sister Clark