the cold never bothered me anyway: byebye Barbie sister lavery!‏

TRANSFER week!!! sister lavery left me on Saturday. it was a surprise to both of us. we thought she'd leave today but she went earlier so that president burt had enough time to interview the 25 missionaries that are going home this transfer. yes, 25. we're losing so many!!! :( it was so sad. sister lavery taught me so much. she built up this area and did all that she could till the VERY end. that is an enduring missionary if I ever saw one!!

I have to tell you the coolest experience I have ever had. sister lavery and I were having pillow talk the night before she left. it was deep. and the spirit was so strong. we felt like our ancestors and those ancestors of those we met that day were truly there. the spirit kept getting stronger and I was in tears! sister lavery couldn't speak and we were so overwhelmed by the spirit. she looks over at me and said "sister, I seriously feel like heavenly father is here" it was something I will NEVER forget. (I hate sharing those experiences over the computer because its so much more than that. but one day, i'll read you my journal and make it real)

I've been thinking so much about the key to success. how do we find it every day in our lives? how do things actually work out? and how are our prayers actually answered? I have found that it is through our confidence that the lord hears and answers our prayers specifically. the sacrifice he made for us was one by one will never fail us. we all want to "run faster than we have strength" and we are all bound to honor our covenants, but all are asked to carry the same load. we are asked to "magnify" our talents given by the Lord, however large or small it may be.

we must remember who God is. his power and his mercy is beyond us. IF we remember, we will always rejoice and always have a remission of our sins. and then, our knowledge, and the ways we can magnify our talents will grow. I absolutely love King Benjamin. he teaches so many things about the atonement and the blessings that come as we follow his example. he was clear, and he taught of our Duty as disciples to God. and because of the faith the people had in jesus Christ, they were filled with the spirit of the lord and they had strength.

if you didn't know, I love my book of Mormon. I was looking back on my blessing as I got set a part and he blessed me with a love for the book of Mormon and to have the desire to read it. that, my friends, is a testimony of the priesthood if I ever heard one. I love the book of Mormon with all of my heart. and just so you can hold me accountable, I will never go a day without reading it for 30 min.

Tammy is doing so great! this week we got everything she needed to know in for her baptism. it was scheduled for Saturday but.. shes so fantastic she wanted to move it to Friday. WHOO RAH! we watched the Restoration dvd last night and after He has the first vision and hes running home to tell his mother and he says "mother! mother!" and tammy looks at me and says, "I'd be saying HOLY! HOLY!" hahah oh guys, I just love her so much. we had a ward valentines party this weekend and it was so adorable. she was talking to everyone (shes a chatter box) she was talking to Brother Moyah (first nation man that I absolutely love his family) she said to him, "isn't it just amazing how the gospel changes us? im so excited to just have that extra protection."

we are teaching a lot of other people right now but just getting them to start progressing, slowly :) we had 4 come to church so it was a MIRACLE. except I didn't have a companion so it was really hard to juggle between two wards. haha! I cant wait to get my call tonight to see who my companion is or if I am leaving. I love the beginning of new transfers... to START FRESH!

anywho, I hope you all had a happy valentines day! instead of inviting someone on a date I invited someone to be baptized on the street! it ended up being a huge miracle and we're seeing him this week!! I absolutely love this work and I will forever serve my God until the end. I love you so much!!!

xo, sister ovard