Come What May and LOVE IT....

Sister Herbert, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Hi I'm thankful that I get to hear from you all today because you make me happy, you make me feel like everything is going to be ok, you give me strength for tomorrow so THANK YOU. The last few days have been...interesting to say the least..

I think the fact that I read Elder Worthlin's talk - 

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT 

At the beginning of this week was Heavenly Father preparing me for transfers. My two AMAZING packages came the day before I left and I loved them more than you will ever know. I was so happy and so grateful. 

Packed and ready for my new adventure !?

Then we had to get our apartment cleaned, our area book updated, say our goodbyes and pack up EVERYTHING which was a little stressful but again - 

my prayers were answered and by Thursday morning my bags were packed and we were ready to go. We saw several miracles at the end of our time in Fredericton. I really do miss it there. We worked as hard as we could despite our limited time and we found several promising potential investigators for the new sisters, we still contacted several people and we felt so happy to have Heavenly Father's help. SO this transfer was crazy SO many missionaries were moving around and we got to see many of them which was fun and yes we did get to see Sister Hendrickson - she gave us smart pop and screamed as we came in the door - she is so cute ad I love her and miss her. 

my new companion SISTER DREWS

Then I met my new companion - Sister Drew - she is 20 and also from Alberta. She is hilarious, and fun and I am excited to work with her. We drove to New Glasgow and had no clue what to do, where to go..or even the address to our apartment. This mission is teaching me a lot about going with the flow, and figuring things out on my own. We were just there in a new (tiny) town with a bunch of one way streets, a torn apart map and yep that's it. We drove around for several minutes before finding our apartment - but we found it so we were happy. It was the elders apartment..and basically I was getting flashbacks of apartment #1 in Fredericton. It's dirty and the food in the fridge is OLD and moldy. They didn't leave very detailed notes so it's been an adjustment - plus Sister Drew doesn't exactly know what is going on -  which I don't blame her 

(I don't really either) but the other sisters that are here have helped a lot and I KNOW that Heavenly Father is looking out for us. He is helping us find our way and He is grateful that we are trying. All things get better in time. I was a little stressed out when I finally got to take a minute and read my dear elder's from Sara (they had been at the mission home forever) right then my prayers were answered -Sara wrote - "I felt prompted to tell you that tomorrow will take care of itself." Take no heed for tomorrow or the next day or a month from now. Be happy today - though the letter was written several weeks ago I know that Heavenly Father saved it for me because he knew I would need it right then.

After that I decided to start a gratitude journal -  I really do have so many things to be grateful for so this is what I came up with for the past week:

I'm grateful that even though we drove the WRONG way down a one way street (twice) we didn't crash or die..

I'm grateful that I get to drive a white truck - it's cute and cool (I'm the only Sister in the mission with a truck :) )

I'm grateful that Heavenly Father is helping me find my way around

I'm grateful that I am so tired at night that the fact that I don't have a pillow to sleep on doesn't bother me (the elders took the pillows but I'll get one soon)

I'm grateful that there is a dairy queen here...JK

I'm grateful that we have a pull up bar - to remind me of the glory days. Sadly I can hardly do one..but I made it a goal to be able to do 3 before I leave (I've been practicing every day)

I'm thankful that we have a small map even though it's torn because it helps guide us

I'm thankful that my hair is still blond even though I am living in a never ending winter ;)

I'm thankful for the sweet Branch here who love the missionaries and want to do all they can to help us

I'm thankful for Brother Smith who took us out to dinner the second night we were here..He took us on a tour of Pictou which is the cutest place ever!! We walked past the tiny shops on main street, and we got to see the ocean (Pictou is the first pace the people arrived in Nova Scotia)

I'm thankful for puffy (my coat) who still keeps me warm

And I'm thankful for a Savior who understands everything that I'm going through, who sends help, who is patient, and who loves me for trying.

I love New Glasgow and I know I am supposed to be here. It is small and darling. It smells bad because of the Paper Mill factory but I'll get used to it..Heavenly Father thinks I can do this so I won't let him down - I can't. I feel so much peace despite the responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders and I am truly grateful. 

There are a lot of things that have come my way but I really do love it. I love to laugh at myself and these crazy situations. I love to be challenged because it helps me grow closer to God. And I just love all that I am learning and being prepared for!! I'm becoming an excellent map reader and a crazy driver. 

Thanks mom for telling me that I am a good listener because lately I haven't felt like I am but I am working on it - I'm trying to be better at listening to the Spirit and others to truly discern their needs and their concerns. Your support and encouragement means so much!! Again, you ALWAYS know what to say!! Thank you

My new address is 168 Grant Street #26

                             New Glasgow, NS

                             B2H 3Y5

Happy Day! ALL IS WELL!

Love you and miss you. Good luck with everything this week. You are in my prayers.

xoxo

GG

SAYING GOODBYE TO FREDERICTON, NB

Sister Turner - now in Halifax and Sister AP! LOVE HER!

So grateful for the Heninger's

casual tanks rolling down the street in F-town??

the way I listen to MUSIC - HIGH TECH!

BIG NEWS...

Saying goodbye to Sister Kadish

HELLO PEOPLE - So guess what? 

I'm leaving Fredericton..I will be heading to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia!!! I am going to be training a new missionary in a NEW area. 

It will be the only area with 4 sisters. Our district is composed of 6 sisters and 2 elders - we are taking over!!! But I couldn't be more excited or grateful for this call. I am humbled and a little nervous but I know that President Leavitt is inspired and I am thankful that the Lord trusts me enough to give me this opportunity to learn and grow. Sister Turner is leaving too!! She is going to Halifax to be a sister training leader with Sister Starkie - which is awesome, she will be amazing and I am excited for her. So that's the big news :) we have a lot to do to get ready to leave but it will be great and stressful - nothing new!!

We both had the opportunity to speak in church yesterday so that was a lovely way to end our stay. We spoke on the Savior. Sister Turner focused on grace and the Atonement and I focused more on coming closer to Christ - finding out who he is? What he taught us? How we can be witnesses of Him and show our love? And why we each need a Savior? I will now share a few of my thoughts - and would invite each of you to answer these questions for yourself? ( When you get a minute - or now..personal study woot woot)

Who is Christ? 

Our Savior - 2 Nephi 25:23 - HE SAVES US after all we can do. He makes up the difference. 

Our friend - John 15:13 

He is our light - John 12:46

He is our perfect example - 3 Nephi 12:48 - why does he ask us to be perfect when we are human and so far from perfection? Because he sees our full potential. He knows what we are capable of and so he expects our very best. Even greatness. 

He is our protector, our comforter and our guide.

He is the rock upon which we must build our foundation - Helaman 5:12

He is our advocate with the Father - D&C 45: 3-5

And he is the only one who know EXACTLY how you feel - Alma 7:12

When we come to know Christ we realize that He truly is our everything!!

What can I learn from Him?

HIS GOSPEL. Faith, repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End.

We can learn the importance of doing the little things. Reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, bearing testimony, seeing the good and growth that comes from trials, and coming to know and recognize the voice of the Holy Ghost.

We can learn our purpose in life. We can learn to love unconditionally. To withstand temptation. To be patient and humble and kind. To faithfully endure, to never give up. To forgive. And to serve.

Why do I need a Savior?

Because I make mistakes and I sin and I need to be forgiven.

When we feel weak and inadequate he can strengthen us and save us (Ether 12:27).

We need to feel loved and accepted for who we are.

We need someone to listen.

Someone we can trust.

Someone to stand by us through everything.

Someone to turn to in our darkest hour.

Someone who knows perfectly what we are going through.

We need a path to follow and a way to get back home - He is the way. The path is before us. 

How Can I share my witness and love for the Savior?

Be a missionary - someone once said to me - it is not enough to simply wear Christ's name above your heart. You must PAINT it on your heart. And so it is with each of us. We are members of Christ's church. We must represent Him at all times and in all things. His name must be painted on our hearts. We must also LIVE OUR FAITH. Elder Nelson said this past conference " Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!"

I love my Savior. I am thankful that I get to be HIS disciple. I'm thankful that I can change and become more like Him every day. I'm thankful that through Him and His atonement I can become stronger and greater and happier than I could ever be on my own. I'm thankful that He understands me and I'm thankful that I have trials because they bring me closer to Him. I know this is His church. I know that only through Him can we return to the presence of God. I know that He lives and is mindful of each of us. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that as we study the Book of Mormon we can know perfectly that Christ is our Redeemer. I hope that we can all commit to living like Christ did. Bearing our testimonies and helping everyone around us come unto Him - and feel His Atoning power in their lives. 

I love you all.

Sister Turner and Sister Nash - Love them!

This week was good. The sun came out and we even took our tights off. Our legs are extremely white but that's ok - we are happy (except it's raining today)..

I had a flashback to crazy horse when we tried to ride our bikes up the HUGE hill to our apartment. Such a struggle, in a dress and yeah bad memories hahahha jk

There was a baptism yesterday - Richard is a 13 year old boy with a less active mom who has started coming back to church!! The Heninger's taught him. It was a wonderful day and the Spirit was strong. It was sad saying bye to all the people I love here but I am looking forward to a new adventure, new lessons and trials. Change is so great because it allows us to stretch ourselves so we can grow. 

THANKS FOR BEING MY BEST FRIENDS AND EXAMPLES. I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE WEEK. TELL EVERYONE YOU SEE THAT I LOVE THEM. Wish me luck packing.....bye

Love, Sister G (closer to the sea - in New Glasgow)

What kind of Witness will you be?

HIIIIII PEOPLE!!

I am so thankful and happy for the chance I had to see your beautiful faces and my doggies beautiful face last night. I love you all. You keep me smiling. 

Dad sent me a letter this week that truly inspired me. It was from the talk that President Uchtdorf gave at the MTC around Easter. He spoke of the Disciples before Christ's death, they sort of just followed him around but when he was killed, they were afraid and sad and angry and confused - they felt lost and did not know what they would do. Then they saw the Resurrected Savior. They knew he was alive and from that day on everything changed. They were not afraid any more. They were His Disciples and they did all that they could to stand strong as witnesses of Him and to testify boldly that HE LIVES - they no longer feared man. They gave their lives to their calling. Each day as missionaries and as members we must ask ourselves - what kind of witness will I be? We must be fearless in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every day when I put on my name tag, I am painting the name of Jesus Christ on my heart.

 

We must let our faith show and we must not fear man. He is with us - every moment. He will help us rise up and reach our potential.

Highlights of this week: 

Nothing too exciting or crazy went on..I did meet a Pastafarian (spaghetti worshipper, it's a thing) like I told you - so that was interesting. We also met a man who spent 20 minutes telling us about his potty trained parrot, not the best use of our time because we couldn't even get a word in, and then the potty trained parrot pooped on his shoulder...poor guy. We did some service at an old folks home. But they didn't orient us so we had no clue what we were supposed to do - we lead these old ladies all around the building to their tea party (yes we actually had to serve the tea - that was bad) and we set an alarm off along the way. They gave us lots of hugs and we felt sort of like we were breaking them out of their home but it was FUNNY! This week we also got to visit the Stiles. Brother Stiles has MS, he has been living with it for about 40 years and hasn't been able to come to church but he is the sweetest man. He showed us his crumpled ensign because he was so excited to read it he didn't wait for his wife to turn the pages for him, he was an artist but can no longer paint, he is so full of faith though - despite his trails. There is nothing greater than seeing his smile. He knows what life is really about. He finds joy in the little things. He thinks of others -  and always asks us how we are doing. He loves hearing us bear our testimonies and he is a good listener. I am amazed by his example. I love him a lot.

I was studying the talk President Eyring gave in the women's broadcast - he explains how Heavenly Father sees not only what we are but what we may become. Then he tells how sometimes our earthly parents think that we can be better than WE think we can be - that is why they push us and encourage us. Heavenly Father sees our full potential. That's why he expects each us of us to be great - he knows we can be. I love that thought. I love knowing that I can be more than I think I am or can be when I trust in the Lord..when I lean on His understanding..and when I give him my heart. Let us all strive to reach our full potential!! That's what Heavenly Father expects of us. 

Keep working hard. Know that I love you and pray for you every day. You truly make me want to be better. I can't thank you enough for your support. All you mom's out there - you mean the world to your kids..especially your missionaries - WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Love, Grace Caroline

Thanks to friends who came and said HI!!

Sister Kadish and her chickens

 COUNT DOWN TILL WE TALK TO YOU!!!!!!!!

JUST DO IT!!

STILL SNOWING IN APRIL!!

Hello people!! Hope this week was incredible.  Tell Abby HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! She should be getting something in the mail soon - sorry it's late. LOVE YOU ABS. Have the best day - you deserve it. 

We had such a happy week! I don't even know where to start.. 

I guess the big thing I figured out this week is how to be myself...a vital lesson in missionary work. It's a little sad that I just barely figured it out but you live and you learn..the important thing is that I was called here for a reason. I am ME for a reason. I can't be afraid to share what I know. I can't lack faith. I have to believe in the Lord and in myself. I know this stuff. I have a testimony. And the Lord can only trust us when we open our mouths and share it - so I began exercising my faith. I began speaking with love and understanding. And miracles occurred. My faith was strengthened. I am so thankful to be ME. Now every time I am in a situation where it's awkward or I'm not sure how to approach a person or what I can say - I remember "JUST DO IT" that is my calling and the Lord can only work through me when I GO AND DO. It was a lovely lesson.

Sometimes I get worried that I won't live up to my expectations. That i won't reach my full potential. SO I thought about it a lot this week and "Just Do It" are the words that kept coming to my mind (good old nike). I just have to work and labor with all my might. I don't have to be the BEST. That's not what Heavenly Father expects. He simply wants me to TRY my best!! That's all He expects from each of us. TO TRY OUR VERY BEST. Then to "stand still and know that HE is God"

Last night it was pouring rain - POURING and we were out knocking because we felt prompted to go to a street and we knew that we needed another lesson to reach our goal so we were going to knock in the pouring rain until we found one. It was fun, our hair was slicked back and beautiful (haha..), water dripped down our faces like sweat and we were excited. We went from door to door testifying of our Savior (or trying to) but NO ONE wanted to listen. Sometimes we only had enough time to say "Hi" before they closed the door. Other times we were able to say  "Hi..I'm Sister Gochnour and we are missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" before the door slammed. The fact that we were soaked to the bone and had thus far been unable to invite anyone to change their lives was starting to get to us.. but we still had 45 minutes before we had to leave so we kept going. We were not going to give up. Finally I knocked on a door. Introduced myself and shared a little bit about our message. Sarah let us in. She is about 16 or 17 and just lives with her mom (who was out of town). An hour before we got there Sarah had been watching youtube videos about a Mormon Family in Utah and the particular one she watched told about their son leaving on a mission. SO that was all she knew about Mormons. She said that her mom was Muslim but not practicing and that she was very open to other religions. Sarah told us that she didn't really believe in God but she was open to the idea. We taught her a short lesson and helped her recognize that God loves her and simply wants her to be happy. Sarah prayed at the end of the lesson - though she had never prayed before. It was a beautiful, sweet, miraculous moment for me. She is so prepared and we are so thankful that Heavenly Father led us to her. We are meeting with her again on Wednesday. I know that the Lord answers our prayers and  always provides a way for us to accomplish our righteous desires. Though it was still raining and windy when we left - neither of us had ever been so happy. 

That was just the end of a long week of miracles..sweet and simple tender mercies that we were blessed with. I couldn't be more grateful for this work and for my Savior who never ceases to amaze me. He keeps sending blessings even though I fall short and make mistakes every day. I love Him. We have been listening to the talks from this past conference as we drive in the car and I loved hearing President Uchtdorf's talk again - having an attitude of gratitude. Being grateful NO MATTER WHAT. When we take time to think of our many blessing despite the thunder storms and trials of life - none of us can help but smile and thank Heavenly Father because we are ALIVE and we have so much potential, so much ahead of us. We have the map of life that leads us HOME. In our finding we have started asking people - what makes them happy - I love it. Every time we ask someone that, they smile and then tell us what they cherish, what they hold dear (sometimes we get awkward answers like "my girlfriend" or "food") but every conversation leaves the person feeling a little bit happier and more grateful. Then we have the wonderful opportunity of telling them what makes us happy!! The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the ultimate key to happiness. UGH I'm just SO HAPPY!!!!! I hope you are too. Ask yourselves that today - what makes you happy? Then smile. Then go and thank Heavenly Father for giving you that thing that makes YOU HAPPY!!

Ok know that I love you. That I love this work. That i (now) love talking to strangers. That I love my Savior. That I love the knowledge I can be with my amazing family forever. And that you all make me happy!!

Let us all go and do!! Like Elder Ballard said at the CES devotional last night - Don't worry about the great and spacious building. Put on the whole armor of God. Heavenly Father needs you NOW!! Stand up for truth and righteousness. DO NOT SHRINK.

Wow i love you. Bye

Love, Sister G

PS: Tell the family thank you for the cute easter letters and papa - that i loved his letter. And jaren if you see him that a letter is on its way....THANK YOU!!

still raining!!

easter eggs!!

this is our attempt to get our bikes to the bike shop!!?? hope they stay on!

RAINING TRACKING!!!

YAY - I got the package!!!

HAPPY DAY all is well!

HELLOOO from cold and rainy New Brunswick.......   :)

Hope everyone had a good week and hope that you are all happy and healthy - I AM!!

  This week was hard but good like most weeks. We had the BYU Idaho Sinfonietta come to our church (they are travelling around the maritimes) and it was an amazing concert. Most of the people who attended were either non-members or less actives so it was WONDERFUL! We were able to talk to a lot of people and the music was fantastic. 

  We found one new investigator - her name is Tara and she is friends with one of the young women in the ward. She is 16 years old and asked a lot of great questions during our lesson. She was very thoughtful and thankful for the answers we were able to give her. I love questions because this Gospel really answers all of them. She is a baptist and feels like she is on a spiritual journey (visiting many churches to find out which one is true) but hopefully she will soon realize that her journey has ended and that she has found the truth!! 

  Fredericton is a challenging place, these people don't want to change, so many of them tell us, "I'm good, thanks though" ... and we are like "...uh, no sir you are not GOOD." Sometimes I even feel like saying "Ok good luck - with your life." But I don't. Mostly I just feel sorry for them and wish there was more I could say to help them realize the significance of the message we share. 

  This week we had our first official door slammed in our faces. He literally slammed it shut, all we said was "HI" ..then stood there for a minute, we were actually kind of excited about the experience (sadly). 

  AND our shower is broken so instead of enduring cold showers...we have scalding HOT ones..the cold water faucet is broken so we have been using buckets from the sink because otherwise the water would literally burn our skin off...

  BUT, despite the weird weather, the long hours of tracting, the few investigators, the scalding hot showers, the hard people - I can't be sad or frustrated or discouraged because the Lord is on our side. The words to one of my favorite hymns are - Let us all press on in the work of the Lord, that when life is o'er we may gain a reward...FEAR NOT though the enemy deride, COURAGE for the Lord is on our side. We will heed not what the wicked may say but the Lord, alone we will obey!! That inspires me and help me stay strong. I have so much to be grateful for. So many reasons to live and love and smile. 

This week I also studied faith and in my spare time (during lunch and dinner) I read "Our Heritage" which is a brief history of our church. It tells of the faith and determination of the early saints. I am so thankful that when we put our faith in Jesus Christ - we can overcome any trial or hard day. We can have hope in the future. We can rise up and stand tall. I am so thankful that as we exercise our faith it only grows and deepens. I am so thankful for the example of the early Saints who gave everything, endured unrelenting persecutions for this "glorious cause of truth" and I am thankful that I can be out here today - sacrificing and experiencing just a little part of what they went through, what the missionaries in the Book of Mormon went through and what our Jesus Christ, himself went through. 

Take heart. Fight a good fight. I want to live like Jesus did. After all, my voice is His voice and my acts are his acts. I must do what he wants done and say what he wants said. 

I remind myself of this often - LOSE YOURSELF IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS. IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. I'm so thankful to be a missionary.

Love you all with my whole heart. Have the best week of your lives!

Love, Sister G

LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FIELD...

This week I have been thinking a lot about who I want to become. What I want to make of my mission. When I step off the plane 14 1/2 months from now - who will I be?

In zone training this week President told us that we must 

"leave it all on the field. 

And hold nothing back." 

He said, "your family should have to pick you up in an ambulance because you have worked so hard you are going to die" hahaha he is the best and he very well might end up in an ambulance by the time he is done...

I love that thought and recommitted myself to it - working so hard that I nearly die.  

I must return with no regrets. It is never too late to be who you want to be. It is never too late to be the greatest missionary you can be. SO then my question was HOW?? How do I work that hard? What do I need to change? What more can I do? 

The answer is quite simple - ASK GOD. That's exactly what we need to do if ever we have a question. Ask God - he has all the answers. 

And so I did - I learned 

I must be faithful because that is our only hope. I must put my faith in Jesus Christ.

I must be obedient. There is no other option.

I must be consecrated. Give my heart to the Lord and let him make of me more than I could ever become on my own.

I must be committed, committed to change my nature.

I must have a positive attitude. Then everything will work out, and I know that is true.

I was then lead to a talk called, The Fourth Missionary - it is unbelievable. If possible - all you future missionaries PLEASE find it and read it. It talks about the need to change in order to gain something from your service. We must be the fourth missionary. The missionary who does the hard parts not because he is forced to because he loves it but because he knows that it is the will of our Father and it is "the only logical thing to do". The fourth missionary is overcome with his desire to serve the Lord. The fourth missionary has charity. The fourth missionary's nature is changed and he benefits greatly from his service. As he loses himself in the service of God - he finds himself. His purpose is clearer and greater than ever. I loved it and I know NOW who I need to be and what I need to do to get there. 

I love the Book of Mormon with all my heart. I started reading it again and was so touched by Nephi's willingness to be obedient. He followed every single commandment that the Lord gave him. Even the hard ones and the ones that he probably wasn't that excited to do (like returning to Jerusalem 2 different times with his brothers who wanted to hurt him...) He simply knew his duty was to God and that through obedience he would be blessed. He is an example to me. I also love that he "frankly forgave" his brothers though they sought to take away his life. He is a hero. He had faith, he was obedient, and he worked hard. 

Things are..going..here in good old Fredericton. The river finally thawed and it is gorgeous!! Easter was beautiful. The sun was shining and we handed out Easter eggs with chocolate and scriptures (john 11:25) in them. 

It was fun and a little awkward - some people were frightened. One lady this week told us she was soooo glad that we could get married even though we are "sisters". Another man answered his door with no pants on .. seriously... and yesterday a man asked, "can i like give you a hug" (he had a lot of interesting questions and thought it was cool and admirable what we were doing) - I told him no but that he could shake our hands..hahah so he did and we left. SO many interesting people and experiences. I love it all!

Most importantly I was thankful for the opportunity we had to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior. I am so thankful for Him. I know that He lives and leads His church today. And that through Him we can return and live with our Heavenly Father again.

I love being a missionary. And I love all of you

xoxo

Sister Gochnour

Fearless Heart

HOLA

Hope all is well. Tell abby that I am so so sorry about her loss. That breaks my heart but I am glad that they are supported by such amazing people. Send my love. And if i had money I would send that too. 

I felt spoiled this week, I received letters from papa and nana, emma, sara (adelide), michelle madsen and two from my amazing DAD!! Thank you for all of your love and support. It truly helps me and inspires me. I love you all. 

This week has been TIRING!!! Sister Broadhead came and visited us (which is really an honor, she went home on friday but she spent her last days in the field with US) she was an AMAZING missionary - we called her the SAP .. "sister assistant to President".. she taught us so much. I literally felt like the weird missionary who followed right behind her all day writing her every word in my planner...

The weather was a bit warmer this week - I was able to wear my orange jacket..I put puffy away for a day (but i'm wearing her again today..it's rainy, the coat is like my skin...I have worn it so much) but SPRING is coming so that is happy.

After our mission wide fast on Monday President wrote telling us about a miracle. He decided that he would be exactly obedient that day so that there would be nothing to prevent him from getting better. The next morning he woke and the shakes were gone, his fever was gone, he felt completely healed. It is amazing. I have gained a strong testimony of fasting on my mission. I know that we are rewarded when we sacrifice something as small as two meals - I have felt so much closer to my Savior. 

We talked to 300 people this week which is a record for me. Though we still did not teach many lessons we did our part which is simply to 

Invite ALL to come unto Christ. 

It is not easy to talk to strangers all day when many of them don't want to listen..and it takes a lot of energy but I know that I have the message that all of those strangers NEED. 

I will not slow down or give up. I will preach until all know. I am thankful that we are supported in our trials. That through our Savior we can feel so much happiness and so many blessings simply from opening our mouths and bearing sweet sincere testimonies to our brothers and sisters. BUT we were able to teach a few lessons. Summer and Tanya have been coming to young women's and were finally able to meet for a lesson. We taught simply because their knowledge of the Gospel and even Christ is limited but they listened intently and understanding comes over time. We also taught three sweet men from the Congo. We handed them over to the elders but we were able to teach them the first lesson which went well. They are humble and prepared. They love that we don't smoke or drink and they said they knew our message was different because we opened the lesson with a prayer - that helped Sister Turner and I increase our faith because something we learned from Sister Broadhead and Papa's letter was that we MUST pray as soon as we get into a home. The Spirit NEEDS to be there. And it was :)

The title of this letter comes from something dad said to me. He talked about being fearless. That is a characteristic I want to develop. I don't want to just be brave - I want to be fearless. We must be fearless as we share what we know and as we live our beliefs. We can't worry about what the outcome might be - 

we must chose to be fearless...

And then HEART, 

I finished reading the Book of Mormon and in Moroni 7:47-48 we read, 

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his son, Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." 

SO that is what I have been praying for - with all my heart. That i can LOVE the people. The places and the work - every aspect of it. Dad said "pray to love them and pray that they will feel your love" thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement dad - you really do always know what to say. 

I believe this goes along perfectly with the words of our sweet Prophet who said that "love is the essence of the gospel." Our Savior - he is LOVE. The perfect example of all things. I must show that I love him by loving others. I am so thankful for his life, light and love. Especially with Easter approaching I am thankful for the chance to study and ponder on the life of Christ. Mom you said it best - 

"think of all that Christ had to face - and how lonely he was - in the end - but yet he never gave up - and i am so sorry that we so often turn from him when we really should alway be reaching for him - i think of how he could let all those things happen to him - even though he at any moment in the process could have stopped it- the trials, the torture, the turning of his friends from him, and the garden when he asked his friends to stay up and watch and they were so tired and kept falling asleep and then he would come find them asleep and plead with them to stay awake - he never gave up - he never got angry or frustrated - wow how weak am i to do all of those things but also how awesome that we have Christ as our example of one who did it - and one who is hoping with all of his heart that we can make it through this life and return home to him!!"  

He loves us - that is why he is patient. That is why he pleads for us to come unto him and be perfected in him. I hope you all have a HAPPY EASTER. And never forget that our Savior loves you. 

AND I LOVE YOU TOO

Love, Sister Gochnour

saying goodbye to Elder Hunt but we got some great new missionaries this week too!!

splashed with MUD as cars drive by

there is a lot of SNOW!!