A new Week

Hello there,

Yesterday we found out that the valley where I am living has the worst air quality in the whole United States. It is extremely smoky and hot. NOT what I call paradise. 

(Moon was red because of all the fires and smoke)

Well yesterday was transfer calls and I am staying here in Lewiston as well as my companion, Sister Winsor. Unfortunately, we are switching apartments because there are changes. The Lewiston 1st and 3rd wards had one companionship of Elders but now they are going to each have their own.  So instead of having 16 missionaries here, there is going to be 18 and the only sisters are Sister Winsor and I. 

My new address is:

1029 7th St. 

Lewiston, ID 83501

It is close to the college campus and school started today. So we are going to be at the campus a lot! I don't like going up to people. I need to get over it but it is really hard! 

We got an investigator through Craig's List! I thought you guys would laugh at that! A member was looking on Craig's List for a dog and he found one that belonged to our new investigator. He went to get the dog and the member, Brother Dralo, brought his family along.  Greg Peterson, the investigator, noticed how happy the family was. He asked Brother Dralo how does he have such a good life? Brother Dralo testified of the Book of Mormon and how through the Book of Mormon he is the person he is today. Greg immediately asked how do I get a Book of Mormon and Brother Dralo told him that he would send missionaries over and wala! We come in! Greg is an EMT so he is super busy with the fires. But we went over the same day we got the referral and we taught him about the Restoration and we gave him a Book of Mormon!  He said that he will read it and  we can come back. We have yet to get in contact because he is so busy! But we will prevail! 

The self referral, Amanda Pehan, never got back to us so we don't know what to do?  We call her and text her but no response.   

Alma 8 is an amazing chapter and I relate to it A LOT! 

I am so glad to be on a mission!   At times I feel like I am inadequate but I keep telling myself that those thoughts are not from God.  Heavenly Father has called me here for a reason and he knows my weaknesses and my strengths. He knows that this area will turn my weaknesses into strengths and my strengths with be needed here to help people come unto Christ.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way for us to get back to our Heavenly Father and it is so simple. Why is it so simple? Because our Heavenly Father wants us to come back home to him! People say Mormons have so many rules and restrictions. God has given us commandments because He loves us. We need to follow these to come back to Him. But we will also be happy in this life and in the next because we have followed the commandments given to us by God. In my growing up years I have taken the Gospel for granted. It helps people become better people.  It makes them happy and gives them a purpose. Because of the Gospel I know who I am. I am a daughter of God. Heavenly Father is the father of my spirit as He is for everyone who has ever been on the earth, who is, and who will be. The gospel gives me purpose to my life. I am not here to just go through hard things and to live my life until I die. I am here to experience life, to have trials, to learn and grow because this earth life is when we are preparing to meet God. Even though life is hard and difficult the Gospel helps you have a better perspective on life. It gives you peace and strength. I know this church is true and I want others to have this gospel in their lives because I know what it can do for people. It changes people for the better and it has changed me and it is constantly changing me. Everyday I am becoming a better person. I am here to invite others to come unto Christ. I am here to help sons and daughters of God return home to their Heavenly Father. God has entrusted me to help his lost sons and daughters come back to him. I have been called to this mission for a reason and I am looking forward to that reason.  Love you all and miss you!

Sister Schmidt