Of mice, and bedbugs, and frozen pipes, and... yeah.

So. As you can tell by the title... this week was great.

We caught five mice in our apartment. We named them Korihor, Sherem, Gadianton, Amalickiah, and Nehor (affectionately known as Kori, Sherm, Tony, Al, and Nick). They now reside in the trash can in our back yard. Our pipes froze and we were without water in the house for days. Thank goodness for the Cook family! Our house is on their property and they are the sweetest, kindest people in the whole world. They gave us mousetraps and let us use their bathrooms and showers without complaint - EVEN in the midst of their own car troubles and their heater going out! We haven't told them about the bedbugs yet. The work was slow this week as well, and sister Larrabee was WORN OUT!

But. Here is what was wonderful about this week: Sister Ostler. My companion has been so wonderful as she has stayed humorous about our situations. She works hard and she loves me. We were talking the other day about the "love languages" that people have, the different ways people show that they love someone or feel loved. I mentioned that mine was 'touch' and 'service' and even though she isn't really a hugger, she has hugged me so much this week. She is always looking to serve me and helped me through my struggles this week without realizing it.

Our mice are gone, and our water is back, and Sister Ostler and I are closer friends.

God love you, no matter what. Never doubt it. No matter what goes on. If you look at 1 Nephi 1:1, Nephi says that he is highly favored, but also that he saw many afflictions. A blessed life is not affiction free, but as we seek the help and love of the Lord, we can trust that He is there. He will never forsake us.

Love,

Sister Larrabee

Where Can I Turn for Peace?

"Valerie" got baptized.  It was the most beautiful thing in the world. Her grandkids flew in and gave the talks and the Spirit of LOVE was so strong. Valerie is SO HAPPY. I can't even explain how happy she was. She's 78 years old, and finally looked into the church because of her grandson. She's reading the Book of Mormon and knows, KNOWS that she has found the truth. The happiness on her face and on the faces of her family was priceless. Sweetest thing I have ever seen. What an incredible blessing to be a part of that. So that was amazing...

...and there must be opposition in all things. :) We were dropped by 4 investigators this week and our progressing investigators officially stopped progressing. We have also been tracting a little more than normal to try and pick up some more investigators without much success. But the great thing is, that even though things have been a little slow, and a little discouraging, at the end of the day, I can look back and feel peace and joy from the gospel.  Not fake peace. Not a band-aid fix of joy. True contentment and assurady that the gospel is true and I am where I should be. "When other sources cease to make me whole" I can always rely on my Heavenly Father for peace. It doesn't matter what goes on around you - Christ is the Prince of Peace, and He is true to that title. I am so excited for Valerie, and I know that she has found that peace. And that peace is available to everyone. Seek for it  and you will find it. I can promise you that as you learn about the gospel, you will come to know the Prince of Peace more than you ever had before.

Love,

Sister Larrabee