Some things should never change!

AMM Sisters are the best in the world! Full field or VC, it doesn't matter. Beautiful. Virtuous. Faithful. Diligent. Focused. Strong. Everything Sister Beck encouraged women to be during General Conference. They're fantastic, and we love them all.

Look for the photo of two sisters talking to a young man sitting on the lawn outside the temple. Sister Fonbuena and Sister Bustillo were heading to the Udall building for a prepartory meeting with the elders. Their role was to give a few reminders to the missionaries and encourage them to fill their hearts with faith. On the way, I saw as they stopped to talk with this young man. I took a picture and went on to the building. When they caught up with me, they were excited to let me know they'd just had a top box...in Spanish. Sister Fonbuena is an English speaking missionary and only knew the little bit of spanish she had scribbled on a card. It was enough and then some. They were so happy when I told them I thought I had a picture of them in action. (See, sometimes having the camera around is a good thing!)

VC Miracle

Dear Sis Bassett,
Just wanted to share this VC miracle with you.
There was a lady who came in today who wanted to hear the Christus narration.  I thought for sure that she was a member, but as I talked to her, I realized that she wasn't, so I sat down, and started talking to her more.  She said that this morning, when she woke up, the first thing that came to her mind even before she opened her eyes was, "Go to the temple."  She said that she didn't know why, but that she had come.  She said, "They have a zebra in one of the nativities from South Africa, maybe that's why I needed to come in--to see that."  In my mind, I replied, "Oh sista, it's a lot more than the zebra!"  She said that her friend gave her a Book of Mormon, and she had been to church with him, but that she was still confused about some things.  So I gave her the first lesson and when I taught about authority, her eyes really lit up, and she understood.  I answered some of her questions, and we looked up scriptures in the  Book of Mormon (she had hers with her), and we had a great chat.  I was a little sad becuase she declined missionaries even after I promised blessings, and she felt the Spirit, but she said that she has a meeting with the bishop on Sunday, and that she would pray about having the missionaries over before then.
It was so neat to be an instrument in the Lord's hands as she had followed the prompting to come into the VC. She's going to get baptized!
Thank you so much for all that you do, Sis Bassett!  You are awesome!
Love,
Sis Fonbuena

"I Felt the Lord Guide Me"

   We've been anticipating the beginning of the Christmas Season for a long time now. We have so many new missionaries that have never had the 'Christmas Lights' experience-but they are in for a treat! Tonight, as we watched some of them, you could see the worry in their faces. Do you remember how intimidating a large group of people can be? But I have been so proud of them. Despite personal struggles, they go forward. On opening night, one of the new VC sisters that has been shy and hesitant invited a group of over 10,000 to come to the Visitor's Center. She did it. I don't think she thought she could, but she did. I was so proud of her for accepting that assignment and following through. Over the past few days, we've seen other missionaries stepping up and going beyond their comfort zones.
   Even experienced missionaries have struggles. Here's the story of one elder's personal miracle:

My Companion and I are dreaming of a "White Christmas," and that dream kept us going this past week through some difficulties and disappointments.  I am grateful for what you shared after zone leader council; that we must have it in our hearts that the Lord will bless us with those baptisms and that we must pray and work as if it already happened. 

One miracle that I experienced this week was at the opening night of Chirstmas lights.  I was excited for it the whole week, and woke up on Friday morning looking forward to working at the lights that evening.  When we arrived for the meeting, however, I was extremely nervous.  I don't know why, but I was really, really anxious and had trouble keeping still.  I haven't felt that in a while.  With a prayer in my heart, I went with my companion, and we parted to go to our assigned areas.  I did my very best and prayed for the faith sufficient to be able to talk with and invite everyone.  I am sad to say that I did let a few people pass by that I felt impressed to talk with, and will repent of that, but I felt the Lord guide me and help me as I spoke with people.  The nervousness that I had felt so strongly went away as I did my best to put into practice that which I was taught and focus on the message of the Restoration.  We were able to see and feel that we were successful as a group that night, and I am so grateful for the opportunity that we have to serve at the lights.

Missionaries in Action

The Easter Pageant

Do you miss this?

I haven't had a chance to edit this slide show, but I wanted to get some of the pictures up so you could see them. What a great group of missionaries, yeah?! You should be able to click on the slide show and go to Picasa and see full size pictures. It was great to see all of you returning missionaries. We heard we missed a few, but we love you all where ever you are in the world!