YOU HAVE PRETTY EYES

oh dear, here I am again, speechless!

it's been one heck of a week I tell you what. a week of change. do you ever feel like sometimes, its time the atonement pricks your heart and you are OBLIGATED to just change and stop being the "casual" person you are? not that I haven't changed, but there is more to be done.

I've learned a lot about myself, including the savior. because he is in everything. I was imagining him nailed to the cross. what a sight that would have been. I don't know what I would have felt or said, other than I would literally do anything for you. I think of the word "casual" like I stated above, and nothing about that would be casual. yet, we are all so casual in our own lives. even when we think of Him. "casual obedience and lukewarm commitment weaken faith." we need TOTAL commitment to Jesus. what he did wasn't casual, nor brushing over. it is real. and we have to remember it with total commitment! I will serve him until I go to my grave. I know what he did, and that it was for more than 1 purpose. his atoning, cleansing, enabling power works with us every day and that is how we change.

I want to challenge you to STUDY 1 nephi 8. analyze where you are on the rod. and how is your grip on the rod? please, I beg of you, don't be slippery. EMBRACE it with total commitment. knowing that you are going to make it back to the one who allowed you to have life.

I see the atonement with each of our friends. Kurt is STILL changing. I didn't think that was possible since hes already changed his whole nature. last night we called him, (bc u know the drill, then he is obligated to talk to us) we asked him how his prayers were, what he thought about the Prophet Monson, and the book of Mormon. he said he wasn't sure right now. so we prayed. he said it. the most humble and compassionate prayer I have ever heard. then he said. "I feel calm. and chills." my heart felt so close to heavenly father. I know this is one of his divine sons that has a mission here on earth! we then talked about the book of Mormon, and he had it in his hands! he said, "Ive been reading it" that book, that blue book that can be ripped, thrown away, trashed, and bashed is what he holds on to. then I think to myself, do I hold on to it?

he is getting baptized Thursday morning... boy oh boy. I don't think I've ever been so excited for something. we've been counting down. sister Ritchie and I, we really do love him.

Mike was baptized on Saturday!! he is such a funny guy. he said, "sister O, I've known you the longest. youre giving my holy ghost talk!!!!" I've literally spoke at every baptism. trying not to get repetitive here.... hahahah! he quite smoking in 3 weeks. isn't that a miracle? HOLLA!

Michaela is our beautiful friend. we've been teaching her for about a month now. shes getting baptized on the 8th!! we decided to put on a pot luck at her house last night with all the YSA. it was a GREAT turn out. we had 3 less actives there that haven't been to church in years and they loved it and said they'll be coming to FHE tonight too! the spirit, it pierces every one of us eh. Kurt even went, and everyone just embraced him! MAN, I LOVE CANADIAN PEOPLE!

before our pot luck, we were out walking the streets. we had just gotten in our car when a YSA boy passed our car. so I hurried and rolled down my window and said "HEY MAN!" he got closer and his eyes were literally the bluest eyes I've ever seen. he was reading a book about conversing with god. he said "im really interested in who God is and like.. my purpose here on earth ya know?" dude... dude... dude....dude...dude....... do u know who we r? he couldn't believe it. he literally came to the pot luck with us and welcomed himself in with all our friends and it was hilarious. hes coming to FHE tonight too!!!!!!!! HAHA serious miracle. I think I enjoy rolling my windows down to talk to ppl. i'll do that at home too. remind me!

speaking of rolling down windows.. remember DEREK? the guy we did that too a couple weeks ago? HE IS GETTING BAPTIZED TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! we're doing a musical number. pray for us. he wants us to sing. do I sing? no. I didn't make it to Nauvoo. (lol)  but sure, I love you so i'll sing. his son is getting baptized the following week as well. are families forever? yes. where are they forever? in the church of jesus Christ of latter day saints. I love families.

ERIKA- our great relief society president had us over for dinner yesterday. she said "you sisters are so fun. I am going to bring my friend over!!' ha ha ha ha ha... pls.. bring all your friends ;) her friend felt the spirit so strong she began to cry. and said, "my son has been asking where we go after we die. he is 5.. I really need to start teaching him." member work, do you believe in it? don't say you have "no nonmember friends" you do dangit!!!!!!!!! you have no idea how amazing it was to see it increase there friendship. we'll be meeting with her next week too!!

I tell ya. the weeks....... go way too fast. I forgot we get to Skype in literally 2 weeks!!!!! WHAT THE HECK??!?!?! I JUST TALKED TO YOU?????! be ready to have this real organized. im setting up a program. we only have 40 min. so yes, we're going to have this all set up. im all about organization ;) what time would be best for you guys? my church is at 9. and we usually get out about 1.

i really love you all so much. i pray every night that you will all embrace your faith in jesus Christ so much that it will lead you to change. i know that principle of the gospel is true. our whole life is a "return and report" don't forget to report to heavenly father each night. i focused a lot on forsaking my sins and slip ups this week, and i truly felt the atonement overpower me. it isn't a casual thing. USE it every day!!!!!!! i love my mission. i seriously, love. my. mission.

have an awesome week!!

Sister Ovard

pics- beautiful hike last P day!