October 15, 2012

Dear Family,

I am amazed at how much the Lord is aware of us, he knows what we need before we need it and knows exactly how to help us.

This last week was a super crazy one, most weeks are but this was crazier than most. Sister Luker and i had two exchanges planned for this week. The first was with sister Johnson and Sister Crandall in Parkway. They're white washing the area and doing an amazing job. I find so much joy in doing these exchanges, and am blessed with being able to recognize the spirit of the lord more and more in the work. I had an opportunity to go tracting with sister Johnson (she's been out as long as Elder Salmon and swears she saw him in the MTC) and we were blessed in being able to find a couple of potentials. At one of the houses we tracted into we found this young teenage girl sitting in her car as her phone charged. We had no parting of the seas experience but, she said she'd be interested in meeting the sisters again. That was how the rest of our day went.

And then on Thursday and Friday we were in St. Charles. as we were driving it felt like i was going home. We worked hard, and spent a lot of time outside knocking doors. Sister Fallentine and sister Dutson are also whitewashing and are having a difficult time finding people to teach as well. But we all made the best of it and recognizing that this is god's work. Thursday night sister Dutson lucked out and was able to contact a referral from their bishop. Becca is marrying a member of the ward in two weeks and the bishop had been asked to marry them at the church. Becca is so prepared for the gospel. She's grown up around members and even has some family who are currently members as well. We shared with her the book of Mormon and why it is so central to our message. We then invited her to be baptized if she found these things to be true and she said yes. This was a reminder that people are being prepared, and sometimes all we need to do is ask and invite. Friday morning for exercise we all rocked out to a Richards Simmons workout video. It really gets your heart rate up! :) One last experience. As sister Fallentine and i  served together Friday we met this one man named Scott. It broke my heart as we talked with him because he shared about a time in his life when he longed for religion, but because he couldn't find truth has turned atheist. Although he didn't accept our invitation to be taught, I knew there would be a day when he would be able to recognize truth and feel the joy the gospel brings to one's life.
Love to all
Sister Salmon