Friends and family;

     Hellloooo, I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas :) Our day rocked and I was feeling so so blessed.  We got to go have crepes with a recent convert family in the morning and then skyped our families (s/o to my family that was the best thing ever i love you), I was able to stay pretty pulled together until I realized it was time to say bye hahah but afterwards it kinda just felt like it was a dream, so crazy!  Also it was such a solid day because some members in our ward invited us over because their nonmember friend was there and so we got to go teach him a lesson and it was so good!  So for our Christmas message that we shared with everyone we saw we read the story about the woman who washed the Saviors feet with her hair and tears (Luke 7).  Imagine if you were in her situation, she was a sinner who was getting mocked by a pharisee, yet she was so humble and gave what she had to the Lord.  We definitely went into more detail than that but our invite to everyone and my invite to all of you (such a missionary lol no shame) is to focus on one gift that you can give to the Savior this year, whether that is giving up something, working on something a little better or just giving more of your will to Him.  One thing I am wanting to give up is pride- its something that I know I struggle with and I really am wanting to try and work on that and focus on doing the Lord's will, not my own.  So hold me to it! haha

     So yesterday was honestly the best church experience I think I have ever had- I was able to feel the spirit so strong and it was AMAZING.  Its funny because so many people we meet talk about how they don't need to go to a church to worship God, and I have really been thinking about that a lot lately and why we do go to church.  Not only do we get to partake of the sacrament and start fresh, but it is a time to be united with many others who have the same righteous desires and are striving to  progress towards eternal life.  Its also such a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from others testimonies and experiences.  Aka my experience yesterday- this lady gave a talk and told a story about a lady who thought she had an amazing faithful husband and then later found out after he got arrested that he had been abusing her daughters.  Because of the gospel in her life though,  she did not blame the Lord nor did she allow herself to get bitter.  She relied on the spirit to direct her as she addressed the situation and helped her children and she was later blessed with a wonderful husband and happy family.  After listening to that it really helped me to truly under why I am here on a mission.  It is because our Savior Jesus Christ and this gospel is the source of peace and being okay in the midst of all the pain and the sorrow that comes from the world.  I am SO grateful for that and forever will be for this gospel and my Savior.  I love him!  

     Thank you so much for all the love I have received, especially this Christmas. You are all the best and I hope you have a wonderful week!  Let me know if there's anything I can do for any of you :)

Love,

Sister Paul

Friends and family,

     Hello from Rennooo!  I am back in the big city and it is whack but I love it!  My new companion's name is Sister Beh and she is AMAZING!  She is such a hard worker and so good at talking to everyone no matter what and it's so great because I still need to get over my fear of talking to some people.. everyone deserves to hear about this gospel no matter what!  It's been kinda crazy coming to a new area, especially because I was so comfortable in the last one but I have definitely learned on my mission that the way we grow is by getting put out of our comfort zone.. so yay for that! hahah.  I got here on Wednesday and then we had a West Side Christmas party where I got to see a bunch of the missionaries that served around me before which was the besssttt.

     Life is good.  This week i've been thinking a lot about faith.  Thomas S. Monson said "the future is as bright as your faith", I LOVE that! It is so true.  Sister Beh was reading something the other day too that said "Do you have enough faith to be happy?"  and I was just thinking how our faith seriously is everything.  When we put our faith and trust in the Savior Jesus Christ we are able to do anything and feel okay about any situation.  It was superrr hard saying bye to everyone in Ely- let me tell ya, but one thing that a sister in the ward kept telling us was that I would see all these wonderful people again, whether or not that is in this life, and that fear is the opposite of faith.  So as we put our faith in Jesus Christ we really do not have any need to fear or be unhappy- there is SO much hope that comes from this gospel. I love itttt.

     I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmaassss!  We are going to go ham on sharing the christmas video with everyone that we see this week and we are super excited because it rocks.  Also we get to watch a g rated movie hehe.  There is so much joy in this season and in this life.  Have a wonderful week and never hesitate to share this joy :)

Love,

Sister Paul

Letter from the Mission President...

Friends and family,

     Hellooo!  So we got transfer calls yesterday..  Sister Landgrave and I have said a lot of prayers for comfort and the ability to trust in the Lord and have faith that this is right and will be so good!  We got double transferred out of our area (ahhh) and I will be going to Reno to be an STL.  Hahaha im so nervous..  But it will be good!  It will be interesting being in a big city with normal places like Walmart and Target and stop lights lol.  I am also feeling blessed because it is a little bit warmer down there and my new area has the temple in it!! Grateful for that.  To say that I am sad to leave Ely though would be a large understatement.. I can't even begin to express how much love I have for this place and the people here, it's crazy!

     We had such a great day at church yesterday!!  There were so many less actives and investigators there and I felt so much joy in my heart for all of them.  Let me just paint a picture in all of your head.  We have this couple who are both my age, they both have been fostered all their life and have been through a LOT.  They have 2 kids who they just recently have gotten to have custody over, have had a lot of struggles in their relationship, and have been on drug court for over a year.  Both of them haven't been to church in a loonngg time and they all came yesterday, (gages and tattoos and all).  I was just sitting in the back looking and them all googly eyed because they looked like such a happy little family who I know will one day make it to the temple.  It was amaazzzingg.  

     Also I lovvee this christmas season, especially as a missionary!  We have these #saviorisborn pass along cards that we give to everyone and it is the best thing ever because its an excuse to talk to every person we see and I feel like everyones a little bit more cheery and willing to listen during this holiday season.  It will be interesting going into a new area for christmas, but theres a lot of missionaries there that I know and we get to all watch a g rated movie together! woot woot! Life is good.  I love this gospel and I love my Savior Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for this season to remember Him and to share the wonderful spirit that He has to offer.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and I love you all!

Love,

Sister Paul

P.S. My new address:

6623 Stone Valley Dr

Reno, NV 89523

Send me your family Christmas cards!! :)