Another week down!

Its been a really busy week here in Clovis and Sister Oswald and I have been striving to work harder than ever, I feel like its starting to pay off! We started out the week with the nagging feeling that there was something that we weren't doing, that we were missing something, but for the life of us we couldn't figure it out. So we prayed. This experience is just one of many that has helped strengthen my testimony that God is listening and waiting for us to ask for help. Because just the next day was our district meeting and we got the answers we were seeking. Sister Oswald and I are extremely similar, therefore we get along fantastically, but we don't have those opposite strengths to balance eachother out haha. Our weakness has been not being bold enough, and just playing it safe. By being bold, I mean explaining to people our purpose as missionaries, and following the spirit exactly, even if its hard. We have seen incredible miracles since focussing on striving to help people understand our purpose and to show the love we have for others by our words and actions. We have set higher goals, and have faith that Heavenly Father will help as achieve them.

Something I was really concerned with this week, was am I making a difference? I thought to myself about what I am doing, who I am seeing, and if I am leaving an impression. I felt a fear that people wouldn't remember who I am, not because I want to feel important, but because if I am not leaving an impact, what am I teaching, or doing? I prayed for help with this. Low and behold that day a wonderful member of the ward we were visiting was extremely thoughtful and gave me a beautiful scarf to keep! (anyone who knows me knows how much I love scarfs!) it touched my heart that she felt compelled to show me that she appreciated my efforts as a missionary. Later the same day, I had another member tell me that I am making a difference. More and more experiences have occured that show me that its the little things we do that impact people the most. We may not even know that we are affecting others, but we are. I am so blessed to be out on a mission, serving Heavenly Father by helping people come closer to the Savior. I don't feel like I need a constant reminder that I am doing good, but I do think that by being more thankful to Heavenly Father and looking for these miracles that happen everyday, that I can see the good that is around me.

My challenge, remember how God has touched your life each day, look for ways He has helped you, even during a difficult time. See the flowers growing through the cracks in the pavement ( I saw God today). Also, look for ways to help others, and you will ultimately grow in love for those around you, and this will help you find more peace and comfort than you knew you could have.

I wish I could write more, but I am so greatful for all those who are writting me! It makes my Monday when I get to read them : ) Love you all!

Sister Hall

Ps.  Fun note * I saw my first cochraoch this week. sick haha. Well gotta go. Have a great week!!

More pics to come next week.

Time is short in supply, so I decided to start sending out Mass emails...there is just no other way!

Clovis is seriously a wonderful place, I am so enjoying my time here. I am getting a lot of sun and some great tan lines already ( aka burn lines : ( sad haha). The missionary work here is progressing tremendously, our teaching pool has grown so much since I started, and its really incredible to see what hard work and God's Timing can do. We have a HUGE week ahead and are hoping to commit a few families to be baptized, that being said, we have also faced a lot of trials come our way in just the last couple of days. Its been my first taste of struggle. Sunday we were expecting 9 investigators to come to church..and not a single one came. I am not sure why it affected me so deeply, but it did, my heart was full of dissapointment, and was devastated. Something I see is that it isn't enough to be a desciple of Christ, and to invite others to learn about Christ, but in order to be a desciple, you have to be willing to bear some portion of the burden our Savior feels. In that we must feel exquisit sorrow, joy, pain, and excitement. In this, we feel a little as the Savior feels, and it reminds us of why we are here. So its been a bit of a struggle, but I've been learning so much from it.

An exciting note for my mission: we have 50 baptisms as of Jan 1 till Beginning of April, which is incredible! We hope to keep this up, our area too has many potential investigators who we are preparing to be baptized as welll. There is excitement here and we feel like any moment there are going to be many miracles coming. Somthing is coming for sure! A big change in the Mission too, is that there is now leadership opportunity for Sisters, "journal entry days" as my Mission President says. There is a Mission Leadership Council that is being set up, and on it is the MP and his Wife, Zone Leaders and now Sister Trainers. ITs a HUGE change, and one that is causing a lot of excitement too. Don't worry, I think I am safe for now from the calling *knock on wood lol but I keep telling my trainer that she's a shoe in ; )

The members in this area are also incredible. I love them! We have dinner appointments every day next week with either members or investigators, not by our doing lol. People just volunteer and its hard to say no! Oh man, I feel so loved!! I did have some really great enchilada's last week, and have a recipe to make them, its really easy! And the week before, I had a borrito the length of my arm haha it was awesome. Foods good ; ) thank goodness for workouts in the morning and bicycle days!

Well I have 6 min left, better wrap up. I love being out here. Missionary work is HARD! Man you don't know it till you get here, but every night you are exhausted, its awesome! I love every moment being here. I can't believe I"m starting my 5th week. Time flies. I miss you all and am praying for home, thank you for the prayers and support. I feel it strengthen me everyday.

 Love you!

I really can't believe that another week has gone by and I am already into my 4th week in Clovis, I am 1/4 through my training, and one month out on my mission. Stink that is crazy!

 Thank you so much for the thoughtful emails this week, and also for the PARCEL and Letters I have gotten : ) I am so blessed! The first two weeks was pretty dry, but it looks like everything is catching up and I'm getting mail! Its funny how excited you get when there's something in the mailbox : ) Mom I love the family History tidbits, they really pick me up and I feel a growing desire starting to come to learn more about family history. When I come home I think that is something I will really want to get into more! The parcel was seriously loaded! haha my companion and I had a good laugh and I was so tickled! There was brownie mixes and cake mixes and cans of chicken and roast beef. How blessed am I!! I shared the candy with my companion (she says thanks!) but unfortunately we can't eat any of it....we decided to try a spirit experiment where we sacrifice something that we love in order to show God how much we are willing to do for His work...in our case we decided to give up Candy for a month! Little did we know how tempting it would be when Easter Candy rolled around! GAH but oh well, we will be blessed!!

I have seen a lot of neat things this week. We are working with a whole family who want to learn more about the Gospel! They are Golden and so humble! They soak up everything we teach and want to be baptized. Its so humbling to see people have these desires to help there families grow and to learn more about their Savior. I am in awe of how blessed I am to be in such a great area of the world!! Especially as I read about the freak snow storms!! Sorry!! 

I also met a great guy here in Clovis, his name is Mario and yes he has a fantastic mustache. haha, he actually really reminds me of Grandpa Denna,  Well we told him about my bike already having two flat tires, and he said to bring them back so he could fix them!! So we did! He really saved me a lot of time and money which I was so grateful for. I think if we all were willing to give service like He does, then this world would be in a much better state. He also said he's going to fry Sister Oswald and I up some Cat Fish this week!!! haha so I'm seriously looking forward to that! : D

Life out here as a missionary is indescribable. I am so tired everyday, especially after walking and contacting for 3 hours in warm sunshine and high winds! But at the end of the day you know you did good, and you know that Heavely Father is pleased. Nothing beats that! I learn so much everyday, especially from the members. People here in Clovis have hearts of Gold and the members are so willing to help with the missionary work. : ) 

I love having a balanced schedual and taking time to plan the day ahead. But the best time of day is personal study. Holy cow I have been learning so much. Its incredible that if you ask, you really can receive all the answers you desire. James 1:5 Is becoming one of my favorite scriptures.

I have had many incredible experiences, I wish I could share them all. But just know that through faith, and an honest sincere desire, anything can happen. I love you all and am so grateful for the prayers, letters and things people do for me. I am so blessed! Have a great week! 

Sister Hall

Hello from Clovis!

Its been a great week, weather

wise started out chilly (even had to wear a coat ; )...), but grew to a beautiful week with lots of sunshine. I'm glad to hear back home the tempetures are rising finally! We've had a really great week full of trials and miracles both. I have a sunburn, blistered feet and have never felt better!

I don't have a ton of time, but I'm really greatful for the thoughtful emails you have been sending and so greatful for your prayers. I feel them everyday. A downer of mine is that my bike has 2 flat tires already, the thistles an thorns here are wicked bad!! so we've done a ton of walking instead which I don't mind. We've had some really great lessons this week and I"m learning something new everyday. I have never felt happier  in my life : D.

My Companion/trainer is Sister Oswald & right away I knew that we would get along great.

My Address here in Clovis is:

Sister Amy Hall
2100 Mitchell #30
Clovis, New Mexico
88101
USA

I have been so very blessed to be sent to the area of Clovis, New Mexico! the members here are phenomenal and all are so willing to work with the missionaries. Easter supper proved especially so, as we were invited to come to dinner at a members house, and they also invited two non-member families to be there. We got to share a brief Easter message with them, so that was awesome. I am loving my mission so far, and actually haven't had any really terrible moments. If anything, I have felt so happy, an incredible amount of joy being here, feeling the spirit, and doing the Lords work.

I have a great trainer- sister oswald! We are basically the same person haha, its a little bit scary. She's 21, from Utah (bountiful and actually knows Jeremy hall!). She is really great with working with the people here, and I have learned a lot already. My favorite parts of the days include study time (which is a first for me lol) and meeting our new investigators. I just love every second and have a hard time turning in at night, especially writting in my journal, how do you sum up all that happens in a day as a missionary? Oh well, its great and I'm trying!

 Like I said, I'm loving it here so far, the weather here has been so nice! I just missed a crazy dust storm I guess. They get really bad, and its like a wall of red dirt everywhere (or so I am told) but instead all I have seen is spring time and warm weather! I already have my first sun burn! (sorry to rub it in). Its going to get way hot here though, but alls well.

Take care!
Sister Hall