and no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Oh sweetest friends,

I love Chee-town, Washington. I am SO grateful the Lord sent me here to this part of the world. Farmland Washington is my very favorite. I just want to stay in the farming community forever. Gratefully, the biggest places in our mission are Spokane and Spokane Valley and even those aren't BIG cities. Since I'm on this side of the mission now I feel like the stability I once might have known is totally gone. Like I used to know the areas that Spanish sisters served: Moses, Othello, Wenatchee, Royal City. But now there is only one Spanish sweet spot and I've already served there and I may or may not return. But I could serve anywhere now. Coeur D'alene, Lewiston, even Montana! I am just so happy that nearly every area in our mission is a good ol' farming community. These are my people. I feel it all through my bones. I belong here.

We had a really good week. We've been visiting all our college kid members and they are the best. They are super willing to invite their friends to come to activities and to meet with us. We've been receiving lots of referrals which is awesome.

We had a lesson with Leslie at our Bishop's house. I could say it like a thousand times, but I REALLY love Bishop and Sister Tait. They are exactly the people I want to be when I grow up. Bishop is a convert. He joined when Sister Tait and him were already married with two kids. The first time he met with missionaries he wasn't ready, and then the second time he really was prepared. His heart was softened. And now look! He was a bishop and stake president and now bishop again. And he is the softest, most gentle and loving man I know. And Sister Tait is as bubbly and fun as they come. They are so different and so perfect for each other. Anyway, Leslie came over and we showed her a mormon message about Christ lifting burdens. We really wanted the lesson to be focused on Christ to help the spirit testify to her. She felt it but I guess it's not the right time for her. I just feel really sad because I wanted to be the missionary to see it through to her baptism, but the Lord knows best. I trust Him and I know that someday I'll be able to recognize the good I did for her.

This is the lesson the Lord wants me to learn over and over. He wants me to trust Him and work diligently even when (and oftentimes) I don't get to see the fruits of my labor. I know I'm obedient and I work hard. Sister Haynes always comes home from exchanges and says, "you are the hardest working sister!" which assures me that I'm where I'm supposed to be, doing what I need to. And when I joked to Bishop that I will probably stay in Cheney for the rest of my mission he responded so genuinely, "oh i wish!"

Five new families started taking the English Daily Dose classes. This is good. Pray for the Spanish work here in Cheney. I have a good feeling. 

Trust God, and believe in good things to come.

well, that's all I've got cause i'm out of time.

love you!

Hermana Em

here's some pictures:

bowling for sister lamb's birthday.

elder molyneaux and elder williams are going home in a week. so crazy! 

these are all the people i came out with. half are missing and in a different mission...super sad.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed

My dearest loved ones,

Last week when Elder Pieper came to visit, Sister Mullen spoke first and talked about change and repentance. She showed us her binder of all the missionaries that have already gone home and their testimonies and she says she loves it because it is full of testimony and change and growth. She loves to ask missionaries what their turning point in their mission was.

For me, this week was a turning point.
The last few weeks actually have meant a lot more to me than all of my mission combined. Maybe it's because I've crossed my halfway mark and I've done a lot of reflecting on these last few nine months but also because these last few weeks have stretched my faith in extraordinary ways.

I told the Lord that I didn't need miracles to happen to prove to me that I was supposed to stay, but if He wanted to give me some sweet assurances, I wouldn't mind. But God is good. And the Church IS TRUE.

On Thursday we sat down with Leslie and read Enos 1 with her and watched Elder Bednar's series "Patterns of Light" which talks about revelation and prayer. We asked her to pray mightily and to fast on Sunday and that we would pray and fast too. I've loved all my investigators dearly and I have prayed hard for them but it's different with Leslie. I desire her eternal salvation as if it were my own. With every fiber of my being I've prayed for her. And then on Friday morning she texted us.

"I recieved my answer and I've never felt so much joy and peace in my life."

I almost cried. But then the text went on.

"I prayed earnestly last night about the things you asked me to and I woke up early this morning and in the stillness God told me 'No' to stop searching and rest in His strength and His comfort. This isn't the answer I desired because I wanted to convert but I trust God and am confident in His leading."

I sat puzzled for minutes. I had gotten ready quickly that day and for the 30 minutes before personal study I prayed. I was so hurt and distraught. How could she receive a "no?" Hadn't I felt confident to extend a baptismal date? I had felt completely assured as I told her she would receive an answer but I never imagined it would be "no". If the church is true for everyone why wouldn't it be true for Leslie?

I couldn't focus. I wasn't ok. My personal study was out of anger and I just felt flustered. I was certain Leslie would be a miracle. How could this happen?

Companion study helped though. We were on exchanges and Sister Tea was with me and we talked it through. We watched some PMG DVD clips and that helped because those always help me to remember my purpose but I still just felt so hollow.

Then during lunch, after I had calmed myself down, I sat in our bedroom and it was still and quiet and I thought about revelation and how it has worked for me in the past. When something was right like when I knew I wanted to study Art Ed, it felt so right, it felt so peaceful and calm. But when I had thought about studying Photo that didn't feel right, it felt wrong. And then I thought some more. When something is right, God will gives us clarity. When something is true the SPIRIT testifies! If the answer is YES, God gives us peace. I read in D&C in section 6:23 and in 9:8-9. It was all making sense. Leslie DID receive her answer. She felt peace and joy. She felt assured and confident. In the moment of her prayers she was heading towards baptism and then she felt good. The Lord does want her to stop searching and just TRUST Him. I felt so comforted and assured and what added more to my joy was that this revelation came not while I was angry but while I was calm and still. That's how the Lord works! So we fasted this weekend, we prayed earnestly, we studied everything we could about revelation, we talked to Bishop and President McCombie and now tonight we are finally seeing Leslie and I am so excited. Replace fear with faith. I know a miracle will take place. I prayed to know if we were doing the right things because I want to follow God's will and I just continually feel happy about it. God is a God of miracles.

20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do ^amiracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should ^btrust.

But I trust God. I'm really learning what that means. I know I can trust my God.

On Thursday night we passed by the trailers where the Fuentes live. They weren't home but as we were walking out of the park, they drove past in their truck. The moment I saw Hermana Fuentes I felt so much love. I felt like I was looking at my mother. They are opening their own restaurant in the Valley and they work so hard and they had just come home and they looked exhausted and I saw them and wanted to cry. My heart was filled to bursting. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. I had been frustrated with them because they have been taught forever and were not accepting a baptismal date. But in that moment, I changed.  The way I felt and the way I taught changed. I shared a quick scripture and then Hermano Fuentes asked me to stop by the next day so we could talk about his baptismal date. I nearly died.

All day I waited in anxious anticipation for our lesson. The Diaz family came. Hermano and Hermano Diaz are from Uruguay and they joined the church 3 years ago. They are saints. I'm so happy they came. The lesson was the most incredible lesson of my mission. Instantly I felt peace and comfort. We read Alma 5 and Hermano Diaz bore his testimony. Then I asked Sister Haynes to bear her testimony. We had practiced all week and all day and every hour. She opened her mouth and my heart was pounding. I was saying a prayer that all would be ok and it was perfect. Every word was perfect spanish. It was amazing. And then I asked Hermano Fuentes about what day he wanted to be baptized and he said, "you tell me." and I said, "July 6th. Next Saturday. Will you prepare yourself to be baptized on that day?" And he said yes. And the room felt warm and good and happy. It was the most marvelous feeling.

I didn't need a miracle to know that I was supposed to stay in Cheney. Sister Haynes has been a tender mercy. Our members have been incredible. Everything about Cheney confirms to me that this is right.

But the moment Hermano Fuentes said yes. I knew I stayed for them.

So we have a baptism this next Saturday! Sister Hayne's first and in Spanish to boot! I feel like this is a huge team effort. Elder Molyneaux and Elder Leake found them a year ago and Elder Saloman started teaching them and Elder Legarra taught them for 6 months. It's just really neat to be part of all of it. Pray for them. It will be a hard week but I know it will be miraculous.

I have so many other miracles to report because this week was truly life-changing for me but this is already getting long. I love you!

Please keep Leslie and the Fuentes in your prayers. I think July we may have a baptism every weekend. The Lord loves His missionaries. This is His work and He wants it done.

Les quiero muchisimo!

Hermana Em