12.18.13 Snowed In

Season Greetings family! oh man what an incredible week here in Paterson New Jersey full of adventure and so much snow... so much snow. (like 1 foot) but still it's cold! But full of miracles in discuss and also many spiritual moments.

I'll start with Tuesday

One blistery cold windy day in Paterson. Our mission President banned us from driving so our day took an interesting turn as we geared up our scarfs and hats and headed out into the snow. Sister Jakins and I had a blast as we sung Christmas Carols and talked to everyone we saw. We met some very interesting people. We met so many less actives just walking around it was so interesting! the Lord needed us to find them! so neat.

Then on Thursday

We had our 'Jingle with the Jepsons' where we go and they make us a huge french toast breakfast. we stuffed ourselves full then played with the Christmas bells (just like at home) then President Jeppson shared some deep insights about Christ's birth. as a zone we all wore fake mustaches to the party.. it was just an interesting experience haha. that night I went home and was very sick. but the lord answers prayers, I prayed and prayed to feel better the next morning for the temple and he provided.

Friday TEMPLE TRIP!!! We headed into the streets of time square and walked to the temple. we met a man on the street who randomly stopped us all and started singing "Brigham young Brigham young,," over and over again.. verry interesting people in New York but It was the most wonderful experience to enter into the temple and partake of the spirit there. I learned so much with the new changes. It really opened my eyes. I love the feeling of walking into the temple from new York. the word just stops behind you and it's so peaceful and quiet in the temple.

 We then headed back and One of the sister Trainning leaders came on an exchange with me in paterson. Come to find out we were banned from driving once again. what started out to be a 1 day exchange turned into a 2 and 1/2 day exchange. we had so much fun walking trough the beutiful snow and sharing the gospel.

It was strange to be 'snowed in' as missionaries and got to walk around in a blizzard for 2 days strait sharing the gospel. the funniest situation would probably be jimmy. We met him in a very middle eastern part of our area (yes separate countries in different parts of my area) and we talked to him and set up an appointment. as we attended this appointment we met him in a restaurant, which the title was all written in Aribic (sign number one) as we talked there was some serious language barriers, I picked up bits and peaces, a lot of talk about helping people and his x wife and his girlfriend and his friends (sign number two) but after 20 minutes I realized what was going on. Jimmy is a date doctor (like on hitch) and he was trying to set us up on dates hahah and also he thought Mormon.org was a dating web sight. he wanted to give our number to all his friends to find us someone to date. as we tried to teach him he told us he was Muslim and then we awkwardly left.. haha oh man Paterson.. classic.

We also met a man names Eric who was wearing Pajama Pants with banana's on them, so naturally we had to talk to him. come to find out he's super prepared and he was so excited that we stopped and talked to him. He knows a lot about the church and he's so excited to come to church.

Sunday.. So weird Church was canceled because the roads were so bad. I felt so less active it was so strange. but it just ment that everyone was stuck in there houses. so a great chance to meet people again.

Yesterday we had a choir practice for an English missionary fireside we are doing as missionaries it took most of our day(thus why no e-mail yesterday). but after we arrived home we went and taught Elizabeth. She is a new investigator, we found her name in our area book and thought we'd check it out. when we walked in the house was quiet the spirit was there and we taught her and her 5 daughers and a boy named denise. as we taught they just ate it up. At the end we invited them to be baptized and they all said yes!!! 5 new investigators with a baptismal date! amazing! The Lord has blessed up with so many miracles! at the end of the lesson as Elizabeths family hugged me and commented on my height I just had one of those moments of pure joy and remembering why I'm here on my mission. There are many moments when i meet people and it makes all the home sickness, all the slammed doors, all the hard times worth it.

As a mission we are focusing on remembering the Savior this month. it has been such a wonderful experience for me and will continue to be as I strive to improve more and more everyday. I would like to extend a challenge to everyone this year. for Christmas Give something to the savior, give him your heart. under all the hustle and bussle remember him. He is the center of everything we do. He loves us so much. "This is the Christ the Healer of my soul!" "He knew life from every side and every angle, both above and below, he who was the greatest made himself the least, the Heavenly Shepherd became the Lamb."- Christmas ensign. come let us adore him. I love my savior. HE LIVES! he loves and suffered for every person you pass on the street. Anyone you'll ever meet, all out of love:) I love the Christmas season it is wonderful! I love you all thank you so much for your prayers and love! I pray for you all! Merry Christmas!

Love, 

Sister Clark