I have definitely neglected sending a thorough email home for the past two weeks, so I will try to make up for it today!

Things have been pretty steady out here, getting busier every day. Missions are great, they push a person beyond what you think you can do, and then push you even further haha. I'll admit, there have been some hard days these past couple of weeks, but I'm grateful for those days, because they showed me a lot. Sunday, July 21, really taught me a great lesson. There was a talk given by Elder Bednar I believe, sorry if I'm wrong, called "that we might not shrink." Man that is a good talk. It hit me for the first time that its not enough to simply survive a difficult time, yes its a good thing to step back and say, well I did it, it wasn't pretty but I'm alive. We need to step back during the trial, and ask, What can I do, so that I don't shrink during this trial, and so I can see what it is I can learn from it. That has changed my perspective entirely. I've thought a lot about the difficulties that have come in my life, and I see that when I turned my sights towards God and my Family, that the challenges were easier to bear. When I depended on my own strenght...I failed miserably lol. Life is to find joy, and not to dwell on the negative, and that is what I want to do better at!

Like I said, this week was tough, but when I applied this to myself, things got a ton better! We've had many miracles come our way here in Clovis, and I'm incredibly grateful for them! we've met two incredible young single parents this week, who have a strong desire to learn more about Christ. They are awesome parents and are some of the most genuine people I have ever met. I love meeting new people, I use to be really intimidated to walk up to total strangers and introduce myself, but now, I LOVE IT! People for the most part are extremely nice out here, and usually have really cool histories, all you have to do is ask, and you can find out a lot about a person. One of the greatest miracles I got to see this week was the return of our dear friend DANNY! Two weeks ago he want AWOL and we couldn't find him anywhere. He moved out of the house he was living at, and we couldn't find him anywhere. We were so worried that we would drive by the places we usually saw him 2 times a day : ( Then Yesterday we were welcoming people to church, and he walks right through the doors! I've never seen such an awesome sight!!! We gave him the biggest smiles we had and shook his hand! Turns out he took a job that made him be gone for 10 days in a row, and he didn't have a way to communicate with us. What a relief!

Some other great moments this week include us getting to make homemade jam with a recent convert in the ward! Jan Finch is the sweetest lady ever! We made homemade strawberry and strawberry kiwi jam and it was to die for! I think when I get home I might try canning, it was a ton of fun! We also were contacting one day and walking up someones driveway by the grass when all of a sudden the sprinklers shot out of the ground and drenched us! It was a Hot day so it felt great, but it was soo funny because it scared the daylight out of us and sister soules screamed and jumped 3 feet in the air! things are really looking up now, and I owe it to Heavenly Father watching out for us, and helping me have a more positive outlook. I still feel like there is so much more I can do, but I am not burdened or worried, because I know as long as I make myself available, and do my very best, all will be well. Sometimes missionary work is like a toddler trying to paint a wall, The father lets them help the best they can, but ultimately we'll just make a big mess, however, he see's us doing our best, and that is all that He asks. So thats what I'm doin, making a mess, trying my hardest, and hoping that the God will help me do all He needs me to do.

I hope you all know how much I love you! 

Sister Amy Hall