I'm thankful for your emails today, the family has been in my prayers more than usual because of the events of last week. I was definitely sad to hear that Uncle Leland passed away, it was really hard not to be there with you all to help out and be a support. I was struggling the day I found out, trying my very hardest to tuck my feelings away into a corner of my mind, but it was impossible. I finally had to go into my study room in the apartment, and say a prayer. This was what I needed the most. You cannot tell me God does not hear our prayers, I know with all my soul that He heard me. As I poured out my heart to Him, I felt at first all alone, sad, lost, and amid a dark cloud trying to pull me down. But as I spoke I began to feel the cloud disperse and feel a light begin to form. We are not alone, our Savior is with us every step of the way. His condenscention has made it possible for hime to feel everything we feel, both the good and the bad. He had to dip below everything, so that he could raise us up, what a comfort to me that He is with us, and can help us when we ask. In the scriptures we are told to be like a child, humble and submissive, willing for Him to lead us by the hand. Well, I had a neat experience this Sunday that helped me understand this so much better.

The Elders in our Ward brought a wonderful young mother to Church, she's been seeing missionaries for 6 years, but has never been to church until this last sunday. It was Fast and Testimony meeting, and she sat patiently attending to her children until the very last speaker. Then she stood up and carried her 2 year old daughter with her to the pulpit. Her name is Lee Georgia, with a magnetic smile and the brightest eyes you've ever seen. She begin her testimony by thanking the missionaries for all we do, and for being persistant. She expressed her gratitude to the ward for the warmth and welcoming love she felt. The moment she walked in the doors, members left and right were trying to shake her hand and get to know her. In her testimony she explained how she and her little family had next to nothing, other than the clothes on their backs. They had been kicked out of their apartment and couldn't take any of their belongings with them. She also told us how it has been 10 years since she has come to church and that she has never felt more at home. Her sweet sincere testimony touched many hearts today. Later on Her little 2 year old, Zada Rose was walking around the Chappel, I was able to walk beside her and make sure she was safe and that she didn't get lost or into trouble : ) As I walked beside her I watched over her, and followed where she wanted to go, even though I knew she should head back to her mom soon. She then sat down on a bench sighed and looked up at me, I asked her, "are you ready to follow me?" and she smiled grabbed my hand and we walked back. We are much like this sweet daughter, In a way we are all like little toddlers trying to make it through life, we get so busy and stuck doing 'our agenda,' things like work, school, responsibilities..etc that we forget to look to our Savior and see where it is that He wants us to go and where He needs us. We need to remember to look up, and ask where it is we are needed, so that He can reach out His hand to lead us.

This week I'm really excited for. Our Investigator Henoc Mendoza is being Baptised this Friday, I'll include more details next week. We are so excited, there is a lot of good that has happened because of his faith. His family is being blessed every day! I'm grateful to be here and lov emy mission.

Sister Hall