I know Christ lives, and I know this because I know Him.

Hello, hello wonderful friends and family!

I feel as though it is necessary for me to apologize for the e-mails I send out, because I realize that I am probably making some of you really jealous... and if they aren't making you really jealous they should be! Because honestly serving a mission is THE BEST thing IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!! I'm so happy my sweet sister Malory joined me today in this awesome work! She will be the best missionary ever! England is so so blessed!!! Sorry, I'm on a super spiritual high right now, I just got back from the temple, oh man do I love that place.

I feel terrible because in years past I have judged the Provo temple immensely, I'm so sorry to say this... but I used to think it was ugly.... and that is not the case at all! The Provo temple is absolutely breath taking! Oh I could just walk around for days and days looking at all the intricate details. And don't even get me started on the spirit that is felt inside this wonderful place! P-days are the best, not because we get to write letters or e-mails (sorry!) but because we get to go the temple! The temple is such a blessing it brings me such joy and comfort. Please attend the temple regularly. I'm so sad I didn't go, as often as I could have when I had the opportunity. Please learn from me and go as often as possible! I know your life will be greatly blessed! One of the sweet Brothers working in the temple today took me by the arm and said "Thank you, thank you. I could not thank you enough for being here today. You know this only takes a few hours of your time, but it changes someone else's eternity." How true is that!? What a blessing it was to hear that. I am so grateful I can do work for those who seriously need it. I always feel their sweet spirits and it is so fun to picture them smiling at me thanking me. Oh I LOVE THE TEMPLE!!!! And I love the blessings of being a missionary! Especially when GENERAL AUTHORITIES COME!!!!

Yeah that's right! None other than the Elder Richard G. Scott was our devotional speaker last night. Such a blessing, and such an answer to my prayers! Every Tuesday the MTC is buzzing about who the speaker is going to be, because Tuesday nights are usually when someone big comes. This Tuesday was no exception, we always try to guess who it's going to be, but usually it just ends up being someone of the 70, which is super great don't get me wrong! But last night was different. Our awesome district, being as awesome as we are, have made the decision to be in every choir (it is such a blessing to have a small break from Russian, the songs are always great, and the choir director=hilarious! Choir is seriously the best!) anyways, as we were rehearsing our musical number for the night, a beautiful arrangement of Nearer My God to Thee (yes my favorite song! :) it was perfect) we see someone going around taking all of these extra security precautions, therefor we really knew it was going to be someone big. When the time finally came for the speaker to take his seat we were all holding our breaths to see who it would be. When Elder Scott walked out, I was overwhelmed. Literally hours before I was reading one of his talks on prayer, totally inspired by how powerful the talk was, I yearned to hear more from him so I looked up another talk and another one, and another one! And then he was our speaker, seriously, my life rocks!

His talk was definitely inspired. It was as though Heavenly Father was literally speaking right through him. ALL of my prayers were answered with just his one talk. He spent a lot of time praising the sister missionaries which was pretty cool, we are so loved. :) He then continued to tell us, though we will have many trials during our time serving and it will not be easy we will NEVER regret this decision. We will do things we've never before done, and we will do them with Lord's help. His talk was based on prayer. And through prayer and faith we can accomplish things unimaginable to man. He reminded us that our Father in Heaven is just that, OUR FATHER, not some scary guy who judges us when we sin or do something wrong, but a father who desires more than anything to hear the thoughts of our heart, our concerns, and our questions. He encouraged us that though sometimes we may feel as though Heavenly Father is not answering our prayers we must give praise and thanks to Him because that probably means that we are in His trust and boy does He got something great in store for us! He sometimes may withhold answers because he desires to increase our faith. Though we may not get answers we must continue our efforts in faith! Our answers may not come at the time and in the way we desire, but it will come. When you don't feel like praying that is probably when you need to the most! In our sincere efforts to give gratitude to our Father in Heaven we will be blessed with great peace and self worth. You know what is so cool to think about? How Heavenly Father is this all powerful being but He still takes the time to listen to us, not only to listen, but to talk back, and He loves doing it! So whenever you feel down on yourself, please I encourage you to keep that in mind!

Elder Scott ended his talk with an Apostolic Blessing. Amazing. He blessed those of us learning a language, that through the power of the gift and tongues we will not only learn the language but master it. He blessed us that we would be strong to over come hard times and trials. He blessed us that we would feel the love of our Father in Heaven and receive peace when we pray to Him. Then he closed his talk with a very sweet and sincere testimony. We sang the closing hymn and the sister who was giving the closing prayer went to the pulpit, but Elder Scott literally jumped out of his chair and ran to the pulpit before she could get there. We were all a little taken back by this because none of us had seen something like this before. He exclaimed "I need to say more!" He then very boldly testified that our calls are inspired. We are to serve in the exact place and in the exact time as we are called. People are there waiting for us and the Lord has prepared them. He urged us to remember the Lord has called us to succeed and not to fail. He then bore the most powerful testimony of Jesus Christ I have ever heard. I wish with all my heart I could remember every word he said though I can't do that I can remember one line which was "I know Christ lives, and I know this because I know Him." How powerful.

I want to end this e-mail with my testimony that I know Christ lives, and I know this because I know Him. He is my very best friend, especially now in times when I am away from all of those I hold nearest to my heart. I know Christ loves each and everyone of us more than we could ever imagine! And Heavenly Father is just the same. Prayer is real! I love having long conversations with my Father in Heaven each morning and each night. The 2nd counselor in my branch presidency told us we can only take one day at a time, and how should you always start your day? Prayer of course! Why would you not? Why would you not seek guidance from the all knowing? That's just silly! 

I love you all so much. I hope you feel my prayers for you. I hope you can see and feel the love of Christ and Heavenly Father
 in everything you do. Oh you all are the best! I am BEYOND blessed!