June 16, 2014

"Our birthdays are feathers in the long wing of time."

- Jean Paul Richter

Happy Father's Day to Papa Gale from Sis. Gale!

I am officially 21... How do I feel? Old. I feel like I am so close to being 29 and then it's just down the hill from there. BUT I am done thinking about it until I turn 22 next year. Then my mom and dad will just have to wipe my old tears away!

DAD: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Sis. Wernli and Sis. Gale on Erin's Birthday

Anyways, we had to return our mini-missionary on Saturday. It was so weird to be in a trio in the beginning, and then after a week it was weird not being in a trio. I find myself looking in the rear view mirrors and freaking out a little bit because no one is back there, and then I quickly remember that it is just back to Sister McIntyre and I. "We're all alone..."

All of the gifts and letters for Erin's Birthday! Thanks to everyone!

I don't remember if I mentioned in my last email that we were teaching this last Sunday. Well, we did, and we had a less-active teach with us. What was so awesome is that our investigator got in from out of town and was only able to come for the 3rd hour. It was perfect because we taught about baptism. It was perfect having her apart of it. We were able to kill two birds with one stone! What was even greater was that we were able to set up a return appointment with her after the lesson. It was a little hard to get an official time, so she went home, talked to her parents, and then texted us, Kristen (her friend), and Saydi (a girl that she knows) to set up the entire appointment. I have NEVER had an investigator set up the appointment and invite everyone to come. It was so funny but so awesome! We are going to extend baptism today for July! :)

Birthday decorations from Mom!

So I know that I am running short on time, but I want to finish with one more miracle that happened this week. We have been working with an individual and his family for a majority of the time that we have been here in Dublin. He has had a hard time feeling the Spirit and had moments where he wanted to feel it and then others where he just didn't care. Well, after a lot of behind-the-back planning, his mother signed him up, packed his bags, and sent him on the mini-mission. Yesterday was the greatest thing I have ever seen: he stood up and bore his testimony at the mini-MTC that some of the youth leaders have been putting on, and he was so different. He had this glow about him. He said that he knew that this was the true church, and he would do anything and everything to prepare now for his mission. Now that is a very short explanation of what he said, but I was almost crying. The promises that we told him came true, and now he knows.

Erin's Favorite Meal for her 21st Birthday at the Wernli's

I completely testify to all of you that this IS the true church! The Spirit is real and can manifest himself to anyone and everyone and bring a change of heart and mind. I testify that we all can promise happiness as we share this gospel because I know that Heavenly Father's desire for us is to "have joy." I know that miracles happen and will continue to happen. I love this gospel so, so much! And I completely love my job!

-- Sister Gale