En fin se acerca...

It's really strange writing this email, knowing it will be my last one as a missionary. Everyone says that the 18 months will go faster than you think and it's definitely true. I can't believe that my time is coming to an end. It's going to be really really hard for me to leave Seattle. 

Anyways, this was a really good, rewarding week. We had a giant event here in our stake called the Festival of the Nativities. They decorated the church and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE! They had more than 500 nativities from around the world and musical performances going the whole weekend. There was an entire room dedicated to Christ's life and it was like walking through His life and seeing it visually. We had quite a few investigators come, including Cecilia and here whole family. She loved it! It was an amazing way to focus on Christ during this Christmas season. 

I just feel so grateful for my mission. Thinking about the things I've learned and the ways I've grown, I wish I could stay here forever. I'm so so grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me this chance to serve Him, to learn how to truly love others and to rely on Him. I will never be able to repay Him for the many blessings He has given me. Mostly for the relationship that I have gained with Jesus Christ. I know He lives. He loves us so much and is CONSTANTLY there for us. He's there for no matter how insignificant we may feel or how unworthy of His love we feel. I've learned that all I have to do is go to Him and He shows me the way. I love this gospel. It's not just a part of my life anymore, it IS my life.

 

Hasta ver <3

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Pier

  We joined in on the church initiative to #sharethegift

                         Us with Cecilia and family at the Festival of the Nativities

              The beautiful depiction of the tomb in the room dedicated to Christ's life.

He is the Gift

This week was magnificent! We have P-day today instead of yesterday because we had the chance to go to the temple as a mission today. It was WONDERFUL! We've also been doing a lot of family history research so I was able to take 4 family names with me. I LOVE THE TEMPLE!

Thanksgivng was a wonderful adventure. Let's just say that we accidently ended up eating 2 thanksgiving dinners... It was rough. It was a great day though. We had a mission thanksgiving musical talent show which was really wonderful. The whole day was just THE BEST. We got to see a lot of people that really mean a lot to me and I was able to focus a lot on the things that I am grateful for.

As for our investigators, Toni is doing wonderfully. He has came to church twice now and is preparing to be baptized December 13th. Because of his tight work schedule it's hard for us to meet with him as often as we'd like so we're praying that we can help him be ready for that date. Cecilia is also doing well still moving along slowly but surely. 

As for my email title, HE is the Gift, I just wanted to invite you all to watch the beautiful Christmas video that the church has made for this Christmas season. Go to this website: christmas.mormon.org

The video is great and really shows us the importance of focusing on our Savior this Christmas season. I especially love the invitation it gives it. DISCOVER the gift, EMBRACE the gift, and SHARE the gift. I've made the goal to truly do that this Christmas season and grow in the personal friendship that I have with Jesus Christ. I want to invite you all to do the same. I know that you'll see a difference in this time of year, you'll see a new light within yourselves. 

I love you all so much!

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

                      our zones nametags for the video we made for Christmas.

                                                              it SNOWED!!!!!

And the giant piece of cheese steak that was served at the brazilian restaurant we ate at for our member dinner the other night!! They had the strangest meats!

John 14:27

This week I have felt more than ever the help of my Heavenly Father. It's been a time when I'm seen how much He watched over us. I don't know how to put all my feelings into words so forgive me if this makes no sense. 

Firstly, I have been so blessed by President and Sister Choi, the members, missionaries, and people here in my mission. I have hundreds of people who have watched over me and been by my side constantly. I'm so grateful for them and the service they've rendered.

I wanted to share an experience that was one of the moments in my life that I never want to forget. On Saturday morning, the morning of Tyler's funeral, I got a call from President Choi asking me to come to the temple. During Tyler's funeral service I had the blessing of being in the House of the Lord, participating in the sealings of families with President and Sister Choi. The way I felt is something that I can't even describe. I felt a peace that was so strong and I felt so full of hope and just a pressing feeling of calm in my chest. I felt my testimony confirmed once again, this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Sitting there in the temple I had to strongest impression that Heavenly Father needs others to have that testimony as well. I need to go out and help others to learn where they can get the peace that I have had in this trial. 

Also, yesterday Elder Enrique R. Falabella of the 70 came and spoke to our mission. I had the opportunity to be interviewed by him and it really was a tender mercy. He talked with such love and helped me reconfirm that I am where I am supposed to be right now. 

I just wanted to end by sharing the letter that was read at Tyler's funeral. He's taught me a lot. He's been my inspiration during my mission and will continue to be it. I don't know how to fully express my love for him, my family, and the gospel but they truly are my sources of strength.

"As I was thinking about how to express my love and feelings today I decided that the best way was by writing  Tyler a letter with all the things I want him to know and to thank him for the profound impact he's had on my life. I hope this helps show you all how wonderful of a person he is and how strong his love is for his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dear Dad,

It's Me, Mickey Dee. Or I guess that'd be Sister Mickey-d. I really love you and miss you, but I'm also comforted to know that both of us are exactly where our Heavenly Father needs us right now. I've been thinking about you a whole lot and a bunch of memories keep coming to mind. Some are silly and I'm not sure why I keep thinking of them but they make me happy.

Do you remember when I was 12 or so and i decided that I LOVED hunting and that I wanted to go with you? You got me a BB gun and a pocketknife for Christmas and I was so excited. Unfortunately I think that after about a month I went back to not liking hunting. Opps.

Or my first time driving on actual roads after you taught me to drive a stick shift. I'm pretty sure I killed it at least 7 times trying to get moving at that first green light. You had to switch me places and drive because all the cars started going around us. 

Or I distinctly remember having a hard week down at college and you talked with me. I ended up going home and spending the weekend with you, Zachy Doo Dah and Ty Ty; That weekend meant a lot to me.

Your voice keeps playing in my head singing, as you frequently did, "You are my sunshine my only shine..."

I want you to know that I'm the person and missionary I am today because of your influence. Although I wasn't there with you during this fight, your faith, strength and love have been what have pushed me to become a stronger servant of the Lord. And now I have you by my side. Just like you taught me, we're going to give every single day our all. Together we're going to finish our mission strong. 

I want you to know that I know that this gospel is true and that gives me so much home. Because of our savior  this isn't a final goodbye, just a short time for us all to learn and grow before we're together again. One of my all time favorite scriptures, Mosiah 2 :41, has given me a lot of peace.

 It says, " And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

 I'm so grateful for that knowledge. You're in a place of never-ending happiness and all of our family will be with you when we're called home. 

Te amo con todo mi corazón.

Love,

Mickey Dee"

Nov. 17, 2014

As most of you probably know, this week was a tough one. My step-dad passed away after battling cancer for almost the last year and a half. It been a very spiritual experience and I have seen the Lord's help a lot. I'm not going to write much today but I do want to share that I know that this gospel is true and that we do have a way to be with our families forever.

 Last night we had a mission fireside for new converts, members, and missionaries the mission. Near the end President Choi called me up to the stand and asked me to share a short testimony. I have never felt the spirit so strongly in my life. As I had the opportunity to testify of the Plan of Salvation and of our Redeemer, with each word I felt more warmth within me. He asked if he could share with everyone what had happened and as I stood by his and Sister Choi's sides, hearing their testimonies, I felt so strongly of my Heavenly Father's love.

 I know that Tyler is going to be with me this last bit of my mission, serving and testifying with me. He showed the most amazing example of staying strong and having unshakable faith. I just want everyone to have this true. Have this hope that no matter what happens, God is watching over ALL of His children. He gives us the Holy Ghost as a gift so that we can feel of His presence. This gospel bring eternal happiness that can't come in any other way. 

Con Amor, 

Hermana Pier

Nov. 10, 2014

This first week of the new transfer was MARVILLOUS!!!!!

The main miracle was our new investigator Toni! We met Antonio a couple weeks ago when trying to contact his brother Juan. After trying to set up a lot of lessons we weren't sure that he was super interested. So anyways, we had a lesson set up with a man names Augostin that lives in the same apartment complex and we were talking to Toni on the phone he said, "My friend Augostin told me he's meeting with you tonight. Can I come?" Uhhhh OF COURSE! Both came to the lesson and we were able to get a member fellowship there as well. Turns out Augostin isn't super interested but Antonio is! He loved the message of the restoration and said he wants to learn more and come to church. That night after the lesson we texted him and gave him a chapter to read in the Bpook of Mormon. He said that he was going to really it really closely and that he just wanted us to know that he would like to become a member of our church. YAY! Sadly, he ended up not making it to church because he got called into work. Please pray for Toni this week so that he can begin preparing to be baptized!

Cecilia's family is doing well.. still not coming to church. We are trying to get to the root of their problems so that we can help them to become an eternal family. Ronaldo and Bertha both came to church so include all these people in your prays. Oh also I wanted to also shout out to my adorable sister, Gentry and Devbot! They are having a BABY! And Shane, I hope it's actually born on May 11th. Best day ever!

Okay I love you all. Never forget how much your Heavenly Father loves you. So much!!!!! Go to him every day and confide in Him. I know that He will always be there for you because He always is for me. 

Con Amor, 

Hermana Pier

                                              Hermana Brooks, my new comp!

Best week of my mission <3

Sorry time is short today. I had to attend a trainers meeting and P day is coming to a close. Oh, so I'm staying in May Valley for my last transfer and will be finish the training of a new Hermana, Hermana Brooks. She's adorable and we are PUMPED for this transfer. 

The one thing I have to write about was Marco going to the temple <3 It was the most amazing thing. We got to atttend with him and my trainers Hermana Phillips and Hermana Enos were both there. Marco just glowed and looked so happy. He said that he received answers to his prayers there and felt close to God. It was so amazing. It's amazing to have been able to be here with him for the whole process. I've seen this gospel change his life and make him so happy. That's what it's all about. This gospel is the greatest because of how it changes us, how much joy it brings. 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!

 Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

                                  Us outside the temple with Marco

             Hermana Boley and I with some members from shorline and the Chois :)

                           The food a member gave me to eat the other day....

Oct. 27, 2014

Life's good here the Washington Seattle Mission. We are working hard and striving to continue improving and improve our high expectations. 

Cecilia and her family are doing well. They're my favorite. The girls came to young womens this week and also to a giant latino conference and fireside we had. Cecilia has been reading and praying and seems to be progressing. We watched "Find Faith in Christ" and it really helped Cecilia see the need to act on her faith. Only problem, they didn't come to church again. We were super disappointed but we're going to get them there this week. We have a lesson set up with them for tonight and the husband, Carlos, is going to be there for the first time ever. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put him in your prayers that he'll have desires to learn with his family.

Work wise, other than that we're just doing a whole lot of tracting and not finding hispanics. We're trying to think of new things to do and new ways to do the work to find more investigators. We KNOW that the prepared people are here and we're going to do everything that we can to find them. 

The most exciting part of the week was definitely the 3 mission Latino Conference. It was the best. They all went to the temple and had an EFY session and then later when the missionaries got to go there was a fireside, a dinner (they served fried chicken and potato salad... say what?!) and a cultural dance presentation. It was great and I got to see all the Seahurst Branch that I served in for forever. I LOVE THEM!!!!! Man I just love everyone from my mission so much. They were all giving my advice and updating me on the branch. Cecilia's family really liked it and were able to meet a lot of good fellowship. 

OHHH one last exciting this is that the power went out Saturday night because of a wind storm. That night we used a mini flashlight to do our planning and it was so exciting. It was almost like I was in some exotic mission for a minute. 

I'm looking forward to this upcoming week because Marco goes to the temple this Saturday <3. The church is so true!!!! I love you all!

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

Pics- 

                            The seahurst branch after their performance

                             Us and Stephanie and Manuel at the conference

A Great Week!

This was a really good week here. I realized even more how much I LOVE my mission. It's the best!!!!! So to start off I'll talk about Cecilia and the family that we found. We had 3 lessons with them this week and they're so great. Cecilia is still a little doubtful because she's had a lot of experiences in a lot of different churches. BUT we got Ciriana Neri, our recent convert, to a lesson with us and they really got along well. The three kids were even able to come to the ward Halloween party on Friday. Unfortunately having Stake Conference on Sunday and having everything be strange made them unable to come to church on Sunday. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY that they can make it to church this Sunday and feel the love of the ward there.

As of yesterday Marco has been a member for a year!!!! Yay!!!!! And he set a date to go to the temple on November 1st. I get to go and am so excited to be there with him. Also, Hermana Enos and Hermana Phillips, My first companions in the field are going to be coming out and going with us. To say I'm ECSTATIC would be an understatement. Marco has more spiritual power and light than just about anyone I know and I'm so grateful for everything he has taught me. 

The last miracle is that last night we had a Member and Missionary fireside up in Shoreline and I go to see a bunch of people from my last area, including Berenice. <3 It was the greatest thing of my life. The miracle is that a month ago Bere's friend from Mexico moved to Seattle and was baptized a week ago and is a member for the branch now. It made me so happy! Jessica is the greatest and was so prepared for the gospel. Also, Bere's parents are here because of the baby and have been meeting with missionaries, going to church every week, and reading the Book of Mormon, etc. She's so happy for them. Speaking of her baby, baby Michael is doing well. He almost weighs 3 pounds now and is expected to be at the hosital until January of February. Bere has a lot of faith and is staying so strong through it all. Some day I want to be as strong as here. 

It's really amazing that the people I'm teaching here have become my examples. They all radiate light. I know that's because they truly are allowing the Savior into their lives. I want to invite you all to do the same this week. Find ways to let the Savior become more a part of who you are. In the choices you make and in all you do. I love this gospel!!!!! 

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

                                             Us, Bere, Yesenia and Jessica!

                                    Hermana Norton and I with Bere <3

        Hermana Wrubell and I after the halloween party. Note the switch in name tags.

Light!

Sorry sorry sorry I haven't written in forever, life has been getting crazy. Missions consist of so much to do and sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough time to do it all. But this week was a really good week. We had Zone Conference and received really great revelation and guidance on ways to continue improving our areas. 

One great miracle was a family that we met! They're so great. We were leaving from knocking a complex when we saw them getting into their cars. We pulled to car over and started to talk to them and were able to set up a lesson. When we taught them about the restoration they LOVED it! Cecilia, the mother, thought it was beautiful and said she wanted to know if it was true and to prepare to be baptized! They weren't able to make it to church on Sunday but we are going over with a member tomorrow and hope to get them to the ward Halloween Party this week. 

One really amazing tender mercy happened on exchanges this week. A member called us up and invited us to the Relief Society craft night, "Fabulous Friday". She said that she had an investigator of the Elders coming and that if it were possible she's like us to go and meet them. So of course we went and met her and talked for a minute. Another member came up to us and said that they were doing a project of sewing stockings for little kids who weren't going to get a Christmas and that a non member from Peru had shown up to help out. We then got to go talk to her and get to know her and found out about some hard times she's passing through. We were able to teach her a bit about our beliefs and give her a Book of Mormon and share our testimonies of the peace and happiness it brings us. She was so sweet but not interested in us sending the missionaries in her area to visit her. The next day in Sacrament Meeting the member who had introduced us to her bore her testimony and shared the story she also said that after we left she got the chance to talk to Gabriela more and Gabriela kept saying, "Those Sisters were just wonderful. It was so strange, the whole time I talked to them, I felt peace. All the things that have been stressing me out seemed to just leave my mind for the first time." It was a really great experience to one again see the Lord use us to bless the life of one of his children that needed Him. He truly does love us so much. 

This week was a somewhat difficult one in the ward because a missionary that was preparing to leave in a few weeks has decided not to serve a mission. Not only that he has decided that the church is not true and that he doesn't have any desires to be a part of it. This has been hard for his family, the youth, the leadership, and just the ward as a whole. The young man searched out ways that other use to say the church is not true and let Satan step into his life. Instead of going to the Lord he decided to rely on the wisdom of men and it's led him to a dark place. The reason I am sharing this though is because of the way that the amazing members each used it as a time to strengthen their personal testimonies of the Savior and of his church. This Sunday we had the most beautiful testimony meeting as members bore sincere testimonies that there is a God. He loves us and he's there. The younger sister of this young man bore her testimony. She said that she went to her knees CONSTANTLY this week and asked God if it was true. She received answers and helped each of us see the pattern to knowing truth. 

I just wanted to put a little excerpt from President Uchtdorf's conference talked that really shows us how we can receive light. 

Is it possible to find truth?
The purpose of my remarks is to proclaim the joyful message that God Himself—the Lord of Hosts who knows all truth—has given His children the promise that they can know truth for themselves.Please consider the magnitude of this promise:
The Everlasting and Almighty God, the Creator of this vast universe, will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent...
 I suggest that this personal testimony of the gospel and the Church is the most important thing you can earn in this life. It will not only bless and guide you during this life, but it will also have a direct bearing on your life throughout eternity.I testify that this is true. If you seek God’s truth, that which now may appear dim, out of focus, and distant will gradually be revealed and clarified and become close to your heart by the light of God’s grace. Glorious spiritual vistas, unimaginable to the human eye, will be revealed to you.
It is my testimony that this spiritual light is within the reach of every child of God. It will enlighten your mind and bring healing to your heart and joy to your days. My dear friends, please do not delay the moment to seek and strengthen your own personal testimony of God’s divine work, even the work of light and truth.

I want to add my testimony to that of President Uchtsdorf. I KNOW that this church is true. I know that God lives. I know that we have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ today on the earth. I know this because I have put it to the test. I have asked my Heavenly Father and He has answered me. I know because of the true happiness is brings me. When I follow the example of my Savior, I can't help but smile all the time. I invite each of you (no matter how many times you've done it) So go to your Heavenly Father and ask him if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is THE church of Jesus Christ. I promise that as you do it with a sincere heart you will receive answers. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

"Did you turn the font off?"

This was a marvelous week! Firstly I have to send out a shout out to my sister Taylor and her hubby Travis. They were married last weekend and I'm really excited for them. The wedding was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

I am going to skip right to the best part of the week, Jesus and Ciriana were baptized. <3 It was one of the most beautiful, spiritual baptisms that I have ever attended. But to start off we had quite the adventure. Our ward mission leader, the Elders in our ward (the zone leaders), and us were waiting in the foyer for the Neri family to get there when the ward mission leader, Brother Fraser, says, "Did you turn the font off?" The Elders locked eyes with looks of terror and bolted toward the font room. We all ran after to see that the font had overflowed. We spent the next half hour taking water out by the buckets and trying to dry the carpet. I think it's safe to say we'll be the ones filling the font next time. The service was great though and so many people came to support them. We had the program in the chapel and it was so full it seemed like a sacrament meeting. After the baptism we did church tours and each auxiliary was there explaining what they do. 

Sunday we had a New member or Member and missionary fireside and it was so great. Jessica, a recent convert in the ward bore her testimony and I got to translate it for her. It's amazing to get so many recent converts with such powerful testimonies together and to feel the amazing spirit that they bring. It makes me remember my own testimony and how much this gospel means to me. 

With transfers Hermana Wrubell and I are staying here in May Valley together. We are excited for another transfer full of miracles. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

                                the neris

                                                         our district

                                 Naomi neri, the cutest most sweet girl in the world.

El Libro de Mormon!

Hola!!! This was a good week. The entire mission is really motivated and working really hard to make September the best month ever. We have some really great things happening in our area right now that we're really excited about. 

We'll start off with the Neri Family. I just love them. Jesus and Ciriana are going to be getting baptized this Saturday and we're really excited for them. We've been helping them go over their baptismal program, interviews and all else that a baptism entails. Both them and the ward are SUPER excited! Please keep them in your prayers this week as they make this step to their Heavenly Father and to becoming an eternal family <3

Ronaldo is doing really well and is going to be baptized soon. We finished teaching him some of the commandments this week and went over the baptismal interview questions with him and he is definitely ready. He does feel that he still has some doubts so we are going to help him recognize the answers that he has already received and help him feel really for baptism.

This week I found out that Bere, a convert in my last area, had her baby very very early. She was 22 weeks along and the baby was born weight 1 pound. As far as I've heard she and the baby are doing as well as can be expected at this point. Please please put her and the Graham family in your prayers. 

One last great thing this week was church yesterday. The ward has been doing a challenge together to read the book of mormon over the last 9 months and this Sunday was the special Sacrament Meeting to share testimonies of the Book of Mormon. I loved hearing how the Book of Mormon has changed peoples lives. I know that it definitely has done the same for me. I LOVE reading the Book of Mormon and the happiness it brings me. President Marion G. Romney said a quote that I really love, 

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives,bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness." 

What a promise from a servant of the Lord!!! The Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ and shows us how to become more like him <3  

Con mucho cariño,

Hermana Pier

Pics-

       The Marrs!!! I lived with them in my first area and we got to see them this week <3

Sean una luz

Not too much to report on this week so I will try to keep this one short.

We'll start out with Carlos though! He's the son of some formers in Mt Si that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. He's so great. He's been coming to church and LOVES it. We went down this week and taught him and his mom about the restoration. Carlos was just amazed. He said, "Some people don't really believe things like that. Like my parents, it's hard for them to believe. But me, I believe. I know that that happened. I know that this is the church I want to be a part of!" We invited him to be baptized and to ask God if these things are true and if The Book of Mormon is his word.... and he is preparing for the 20th of September! He really is just an amazing. He hungers and thirsts after the truth and know how knows how to find it. Please keep him and the entire Larrios Family is your prayers.

Other than that I just wanted to invite you all to join in in something that we do in our mission. Everyday at 5 o'clock pm every missionary in the mission and members as well kneel down and each say a prayer for the missionary work in our mission but also throughout the entire world. So, I wanted to invite you all to set an alarm on your phone that will go off at 5 everyday and to pray for the missionaries and missions throughout the mission. I know that we definitely feel and are helped through your prayers.

One cool thought from church. One of the members of the stake presidency talked in sacrament meeting on Sunday and he gave a analogy I really liked. He said that sometimes children have this "I can do it alone" mentality and refuse their parents help. This often ends in things such as mismatched and inside out clothing, messes, shoes on the wrong feet, etc. He said how here in the world we have that same way of thinking with our Heavenly Father. He wants to help us out but we are so stubborn and set in our ways that don't let him in. He challenged us to not do it alone, to let the Lord pull us through those trials, to not do it alone. It will make us happier and result in less mishaps along the way. The Lord truly loves us so much and will bless us as we rely on him and learn to trust in his timing and ways.

Les quiero mucho!

Con Amor,

La Hermana Pier

pics

everyone here is pet opsessive. They barely open the door and peep one eye out because they're afraid their animals will bolt out. So funny!

May Valley Miracles!

This week was a week full of MIRACLES! It really was a good week of lots of great things. Hard, trying, but definitely very rewarding. Let's start off with the NERI FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They're the family that I wrote about last week. They're basically members and have been coming to church for a year solid. Guess what?! They're on date to be baptized on the 27th of September. Their little daughters birthday <3 They announced it in church and are really excited to make this life changing step. They realized that they didn't have to know everything and that as they exercised their faith, God would bless them and help them to be even more sure of the decision. So yay!!! They came to the New Member Fireside and really enjoyed it. It was fun to have all the Hermanas together with them since basically every Hermana in the mission has taught them. I'll attach a picture.

Next up is Ronaldo. He's doing good. We had a lesson with him and he put himself on date for September 6th. He could definitely be ready for that day but it may end up being pushed back a few weeks because it's really hard to meet with him very often. He has sincere desires to be baptized and to be a member of the church but is worried with all his work and everything that he couldn't be as dedicated to the gospel as he needs to be. We're going to work with him to help those righteous desires that he has to work to form a testimony. 

Lastly is Luis. To say that we've done a lot of finding this week would be a complete understatement. It's more along the lines of that's all we do. I have probably knocked more doors this last week than my whole mission combined. But we found Luis which made is all worth is. Luis is from Mexico and is super great. He is very open to meeting with us, learning more, and would like to be baptized! The only problem is that he works on Sundays which means he an't make it to church. He's trying to figure out ways to work around it and get the day of. Please keep him in your prayers so that he can find a way to come to church this Sunday. 

That's about all for this week. Miracles are happening here in May Valley and we're ready to work hard and give our all to the work <3 Me encanta ser misionera <3

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

The Harris' left there mission this week. We miss having such great next door neighbors. :(

The Seahurst gang at the fireside. I LOVE THEM!!!! Yared got her mission call to Honduras!!!!!

                                                       Us and the Neri family <3

Home sweet home <3

MThis week was definitely interesting. I think we have this super power to repress any of the hard times on our missions and only the really good ones really stick out to us. So even though I know that I've obviously had some difficult times, the good times seem to far outweigh those times. I think that happened a little bit with this area, haha I remembered all the miracles and good times we had here but blocked from my memory how difficult of an area it is. Nevertheless, I love it so much and am so excited to be here. It's completely different from the other areas I've been serving in for  the past 11 months so it's quite the change; namely because there's no Hispanics here hah.

But we do have a lot of good things happening right now! Not sure where to start so we'll start with down in North Bend. Firstly, Ronaldo. Still haven't met him, well I guess I have once. So my first day in the field at the beginning of my mission we went to visit him. He was leaving right when we got there and we talked to him for a second before he left. We tried to talk meet with him while we were down there but never saw him again the whole time I served here. But the Hermanas started teaching him again and he's great. Super busy but has desires to come to church and to prepared to be baptized. He came to church this week and we have a lesson set up for tomorrow. Please keep him in your prayers so that we can meet with him more often and help him prepare for baptism. 

The other investigator that came to church down in the Mt Si ward was Carlos! He's so cool! Carlos is 15 and is the son of some former investigators. We went to visit the family and Carlos was the only one home so we started talking to him a bit. He has a friend from band who is a member of the ward and we asked him if he's like to go to church with his friend Conner that Sunday. He said yes and so we said that he'd let Conner know and that they'd come and get him on Sunday. After coordinating with the members, Carlos came to church, loved it, is coming back next week, AND is going to high adventure with the scouts this week! SAY WHAT?! We're super excited because he's an amazing kid with tons of potential. He's going to be an amazing example to his family and eventually they're all going to want to come to church.

And then here in the May Valley ward we don't have too much going on. We have the Neri Family who could definitely use prayers. they've been coming to church for over a year now and know it's true. Since meeting the Hermanas they've been married, their son has been baptized, and they even have callings with the cub scouts; only problem, they haven't been baptized themselves. We're not exactly sure what the real reason is that's stopping them but we know that they're SUPER ready for that step. Pray for them <3 Our bishop and Ward Mission Leader are going to meet with them so we are praying that they can help resolve any concerns. Vamos a ver. 

Other than that, things are going great!!!! Marco came out and went tracting with us for a while and it was the best! Haha I can actually really communicate and talk with him unlike a year ago so that's a blessing. His temple prep is coming along and he has such an amazing testimony.

One cool thing I liked about church yesterday was a story we talked about in Relief Society. The lesson was on Eternal Marriage but I think it can be applied to lots of situations. She told the story of a women who took care of a nice set of silverware that she had. She made sure that they were safe and so on and so forth. And something the story said really hit me. "If you want something to last forever, you treat it so." I thought of it in the example of a testimony. If you want to always have a testimony forever, you have to take care of it. You don't just polish the silver once and it's good forever, you don't just go to church on Sunday and you're good for the week. We need so be read, praying, being grateful to God ALWAYS and we can become stronger. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

Pics- 

Hermana Wrubell and me in the basement of a member here. They have a GIANT train thing. It's so cool!!!

Transfers....

It's that time again... Transfers. So exciting! Sadly the Aurora Spanish Hermanas area has been closed for right now :( So the Elders will be taking over all of our investigators and the work there. They're going to be super busy and see lots of miracles. I have been transferred to May Valley Spanish. Which just happens to include none other than... Mount Si! Hahah I'm going back to my greenie/ birth area. We cover a larger area now though. I'm excited! It will be different to go back to where the hispanics are few and far between but God will help us to find his prepared children here. I will be finishing the training of Hermana Wrubell. She's super adorable and an amazing missionary; we're excited to see what miracles are in store for us! 

As for back in Aurora, we had an amazing week.We decided that we were going to have what we called a "semana de fuego". What we did was during our fast last Sunday we prayed that God would help us to know anything that we need to change and how we could become more sanctified. We worked to hard to give the Lord EVERYTHING and miracles followed!

The only problem is... I don't have my planner with me so I can't really remember exactly what it was that happened. So y'all are going to get the watered down, not as cool version. Sorry! 

Firstly, Martin. He's great and I have no doubt that he's going to get baptized soon. We taught him the second half of the Plan of Salvation and he really liked it. He talked about how he feels good at church and he how when he's there, he has this desire to become a better person. When we invited him to be baptized he said that he does want to be baptized but that he wants to be completely sure. Hermana Norton asked him if he felt like he'd received answers from the holy ghost and he said that he knew he had. He just didn't feel like they was a huge flashing sign that says, "GET BAPTIZED!!!!" Part of a talk by Elder Ballard that I had listened to that morning popped into my head so I shared it with him. The story Elder Ballard shared was, 

Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, asthe story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. Hesold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers,which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one couldhardly carry them.

Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river andcame up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouragedand broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experiencedprospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there,my boy.”

The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”

Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there isgold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked tworocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks splitopen, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.

Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, theyoung man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, notjust tiny flecks.”

The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, wholooked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned tosee that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.

The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking forlarge nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these preciousflecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has broughtme great wealth.”

This story illustrates the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son Helaman:

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …

“… And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation ofmany souls” (Alma 37:6–7).

I told Martin that sometimes we look for the giant nuggets of gold when really God has been giving us little flecks all along the way. I know I definitely have been that way before, expecting God to give me huge manifestations in answer to my prayers. Luckily he knows what will really help us and gives us what we actually need. Well Martin really liked the story and told us that he was exactly like the man in the story, neglecting the flecks because he wanted the nuggets of gold. 

I know without a doubt that God answers our prayers. I know it because I have seen so many times in my life the answers to my prayers. Having a hard time? Pray! God knows how to help!

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

Ps everyone should look up this article in the August Ensign! It was written by my Mission President, President Choi. Read it! It's really great!

https://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/08/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage?cid=HPMO081114390&lang=eng