Elder D 3.18.13 "Keep Knocking"

Dear Friends and Family,

I wish I could say that this past week has been very successful but sadly I cannot. It was a hard week. We had found many potentials, but one by one our appointments fell through. No one was home for the return appointment or they were home but completely ignored us. We still have a few names to visit but the work is hard here in Darke County. This really is a trial of my faith. Prayer has been a big help for me. It gives me the courage to keep moving forward. To keep walking. To keep knocking. To continue to find that child of God that I was sent here to find. And I wont quit. No matter what Satan throws at me, I will never quit.

I have recently discovered that now I can email my friends along with my family now. If anyone wants to keep in touch with me, PLEASE send me your email address Because I want to keep in touch with you too.

I've learned several new recipes that are super simple and really cheap to make. The Queso-Hot Dog, wich is a quesodilla wrapped around a hot dog in the bun smothered in BBQ sauce. It is so good and very filling. The other is a Tongan Sandwich. This delicious meal is made with toast, Mayonnaise, 1 egg over easy, and Top Ramon. O my goodness it is so good!!!

On Thursday a member of the Quorum of the 70 came to the mission and spoke to us on to concept of "being Saved". Many members of the Church hesitate when asked this question because it seems rather complicated. But it is so simple! We are saved from physical death because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And we are saved from spiritual death because of the Atonement but only if we put forth the effort to do so. I would write more on the subject but I believe a better and better educated explanation is done by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. I can't remember what talk it was but this talk has changed my whole perspective on this work.

And that's all. Your awesome. Your amazing. I love each and every single one of you.

Love, Elder Ephraim Kade DeCoursey

Sister D 3.18.13 "There is a reason..."

Hey home,

I have attached a few photos of the creepiest thing I have encountered on my mission. This is in the house that we are staying in. It sits next to the fridge and it's name is HapHitch. Meaning happy hitchhiker. Seriously, I think it's going to be looking at me one day when I wake up in the morning.

Anyways, things are getting better here in Rochester. There is a snow storm every Monday without fail for the last few weeks or so. So P-day begins with a movie. Today, we watched the Book of Mormon movie like in real life. It was in theaters or something like that. It was horribly awesome. I don't think it was a good idea to let people who weren't members to see this film because it would defiantly turn them off from the Book of Mormon. Oh, well at least they told the viewers to read the book to find out the true account of the story told in the movie. It was still really fun.

(Here is a picture of the meetinghouse in Rochester, MN. )

 

My faith has been put to the test this week and I think that I'm coming out ok. There is a reason that I'm out here. I'm here to help the Lord with His work in saving His children. I have been spoiled in other areas, well maybe prepared is a better word. I know that because I have seen so much success in the other areas that I can take those successes and use the experience that I gained here in Rochester. I'm working for a better cause than I think I can fully realize.

Love to you all from inside a snow bank,

Sister D