God's Hand‏

Dear family and friends,

      So, my companion just leaned over to me to remind me that this will be my second to last letter to you all.... Hopefully it is a good one... I may be to emotional to be able say all that I want. But, this week was really good. Sister Perrin and I have been teaching a youth for a while now. I'm sure I have mentioned it to you. But, we have had a hard time getting him to choose a date. Mostly, because his fellowship wasn't sure he could make it down to actually perform the baptism. But, this week Sister Perrin and I fasted as well as our investigator that everything would work out.... And it did! So, now Cameron will be baptized on September 20th. I'm so excited for him. I has been fun to teach him and watch him gain a testimony of this gospel. I know that he is ready for this and that it will make such a huge difference in his life.

      Also, I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. It was a fun week full of brownies and cake... In fact, our Preach My Gospel class was on Thursday so our opening hymn was 'happy birthday' I'm sure my companion got me to turn 22 different shades of red this week. But, such is my life... Sister Perrin and I have been together so long we are more like siblings than companions... In fact, we have had random non-members come up to us and ask us if we were real sisters for about 2 weeks now. Its kind of funny! I will miss her even if she teases me WAY too much!

        So.... This week in church all of the talks in sacrament were on enduring trials and difficulties well. I love this topic because no matter who we are we are all facing some type of trial. So, this is something that can apply to pretty much everyone. Well, there is an example in Helaman where the people of God are being persecuted for being ... Well, for being people of God. So, they are essentially being made fun of for bring righteous and following God. Which I don't know how it is back home, but here in Colorado more and more religion is being looked down upon. There is a church on every corner of the street in the springs but there is a difference between going to church and being righteous. People who are following God not just on Sunday seem to be looked down upon.

       What I like about this example in Helaman is what the people of God do about it. They are being persecuted and made fun of probably by people that they care about. But, instead of doing what a lot of people would have done and just giving in the the pressure and adopting an everyone is doing it attitude they turn to God even more. They become STRONGER. " 35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

       I was thinking a lot in sacrament meeting as they speakers were speaking about how I face my trials. Those both before my mission and after. Do I give up and blame God? Or do I realize that by turning to God and asking for his help I can gain something from the trials I am going through. I know that at times in my life I have been the first one that gives up and doesn't want to read my scriptures or talk to God because I am mad at him. But, I have also seen how when I turn to God I have gained so much and become more able to handle the future trials I will face.

       Honestly, as crazy as it may sound, I am so grateful for my trials! For the times in my life where I struggled and hit rock bottom. Because, those times have made me into who I am today. And I am really glad to be me:) I love watching God's had work not only in my life but in the lives of all those who I teach or even just see. He is present and he is working to make us into the most beautiful masterpiece.  I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you again for the Birthday wishes!

Love,

Sister Bice