Letter Dated January 12, 2015 - Love Yinz

Helloo from PA! :)

I don't really know why, but people in Pennsylvania never call it Pennsylvania...they always call it PA. just a fun fact I guess. :)

I hope you all had an awesome week! :)

Sister Kerby and I had a really good week!! We started out by doing service for a former on Monday night after our dinner with the McBrides. :) I seriously love that family! :)) But it was really cool to do service for this former. He was someone I taught the first time that I was here, and he was super awesome the last time I was teaching him! He always had good questions and was engaged in the lessons, but after a while decided that it wasn't quite for him at that point in time. he stopped scheduling appointments and so forth. But this last time we were there helping him paint, he had amazing questions about the Plan of Salvation! he had a really traumatic experience since I had left where a loved one had passed away in a not very good way. And it was amazing to see the change in his questions. They were so sincere, and out of desperation to know what happens to us when we leave this earth, and what happens to them if they died without baptism, or the forgiveness and judgment aspect of the Savior. It was amazing to feel the spirit testify so strongly as we answered his questions! And to see the light in his eyes for the Hope that comes through the Plan of Salvation! I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of the Plan of Salvation and the happiness, and hope that it brings! I am so glad know that death is not the end, but a wonderful step on our way back home!

on Thursday we got to go do service for Delores. :) she's the one that had us over for Pork and Saur Kraut. we had a great time cleaning out a closet she had and seeing all her fun knick-knacks and things. She is the funniest, cutest little lady! She told us that we better not leave the apartment without having our fingernails painted pretty and fresh without any chips in it. :) I guess I needed a little fashion advice. :) haha! Luckily my nails were painted nicely when she told us!

But we got to begin the Restoration lesson with her and her friend Norma. :) It was super great! Norma was so engaged and had a lot of questions about our church and the things we believe and prophets. :) We've started teaching her the lessons and are really excited to see where it goes. She is adorable! :) She is just so sweet!!

Friday we had another cool experience. we went to see a less active sister we don't normally see on Fridays..but felt like we needed to. We went to her house and as we were walking up she was just sitting on the porch..and it was kinda awkward at first. haha! as we made our way into her house she had informed us that we had come just at the right time. She was getting ready to light up a cigarette, and she told us this would have been her first one since she last quit smoking, and she recognized it as a sign from God. :) Seriously, Heavenly Father has perfect timing! :) We had an amazing lesson and really got to know her on a deeper level! it was so awesome!!

and last Night we had an amazing lesson with Alyssa and Yvonne. :) It was so great! the spirit was so strong, and we were able to see a lot we had in common! it was cool to feel such a strong connection to them...we were probably friends in the pre-earth life. :) haha! it was really cool, at one point I was testifying to Alyssa about something and I had the chills like crazy, and I mentioned it to her, and she told me she had the chills as well! It was so cool to be able to recognize the presence of the spirit together! I seriously just love them and I'm so excited to continue teaching them and learning together! :) They are seriously awesome! :) Alyssa also mentioned to us this time that she didn't feel that it was a coincidence that we met! :)
I had a lot of amazing experiences this week...i wish I could mention them all! These are just a few. :) I love you all! and want you to know how true I know this church is! It is the best thing that I could ever have! The gospel makes me so excited, and I love to teach about it! :) My mission has changed my life, and I have had some of the most amazing experiences! keep up the good work and "be loyal to the royal within you" -Sister Dalton

Love yinz always!

Sister Thomas