It was so good to Skype yesterday!

Hi mom!

It was so good to talk to you and see you last night! Everyone in the ward kept coming up to us at church yesterday with watery eyes and asking if we've skyped yet. When we said no they got all sympathetic and offered their houses and computers. This ward loves missionaries. I am taken care of so well here! I wish I could stay in this area my whole mission. I hope I stay for a long time like Goodes did in his first area.

I'm super stoked for smellie Stellie's call! Korea! You and John are going to love kimchi together. I eat kimchi here at an Asian members house and it's pretty good so don't fret. 

Not much is new that I didn't already tell you over skype last night but I will tell you of an awesome experience we had with a man named Paul. Paul is the husband of a former less active that we helped reactivate in our ward. A few days ago we took them to the visitors center and had a lesson there. We are so blessed in this mission to have a temple nearby AND a visitors center. We started with the narration of the Christis which was amazing. Paul commented on how seeing the open arms of the savior gives him hope and helps him know that Christ's hands are always reaching out to us, hoping we'll grab on and come to Him. 

Then we watched Gods Plan for the Family, which is the tearjerkingest video known to man basically. Every time I watch it I think of the time cammie and I bawled through the entire thing at the Mesa temple visitors center. Anyways, Paul loved that too! We walked the grounds with him and talked about the sealing power that is only available in God's holy temples. He was so excited to do the work for his ancestors and he isn't even baptized! So, we invited him and he said yes! It was amazing! Leilani was so happy and so was Paul. 

I love this gospel so much and how happy it makes people. I know it's true. I know it's the most important thing in the world. In fact, coming to know God and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent, is THE most important thing we can do in this life. I hope we never hesitate to share it. I love you all with my whole heart! Work hard, pray hard! 

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Cinco de mayo reminds me of Tell

Hola Mama! Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope the high school kids in round valley are doing the cinco de mayo parade tonight! I feel like that should be done every year in honor of its founder, Tell Udall. He is the only person I can think of that would start such a wicked awesome and completely ridiculous tradition like that and have it catch on haha Tell will forever be a hero to me! I am so thankful to know that families are forever. That we are still a family in heaven and he will always be my big cousin. I look forward to the day he leads us all in Telga in its most perfect state!  I'm also so stoked for Kenny Cakes! My companions dad served in that same mission and loved it! He says it's the best mission in the world. I'm in favor of the OPM, but the Dakota's are like a sister to me or something. And I can't believe stellaphants papers are in! What a woman! Portland is my prediction and I'm almost never wrong. Things are going swimmingly here in Sherwood! Riley did not get baptized this weekend because she has decided to wait for her brother that we are working with to get the priesthood so that he can participate in the baptism. I am so excited and I love to see how this gospel brings families closer. This week I went to Portland for the first time and went into the world infamous Voodoo doughnuts. It was wild and semi-satanic but really funny. The people in there hate missionaries, both the employees and customers. The doughnuts are shaped like voodoo dolls and have strawberry jelly in the middle for their blood. They have pretzel sticks stuck in them everywhere too. Creepy right? Portland prides itself on being super freaky weird, but i love it! I never want to leave Sherwood, but if I must, I hope to serve in Portland! There's this family in our ward that has a million kids and they are all the most missionary minded family on earth! They are always finding us people to teach and they call us all the time to meet their non member friends. Anyways, we had the chance to teach one of their friends the restoration this week. She has two small boys and has been struggling. She told us that she wants the light that we have. She wants to know how Mormons can be calm with all that's going on in the world. So we taught her the restoration. About how God loves us so much that he has organized us into families and called prophets to lead and guide those families back to Him. We taught her that God is listening to her prayers and He will answer them, just like He did for 14 year old Joseph Smith. We taught her that through the prophets we've receive the revelation that our families can be forever if we abide by the laws Christ has set. We taught her that she has a savior that has paid the ultimate price because to Him she is worth it. The gospel is so simple, and these simple truths help us as members to be calm despite the chaos around us. We have a hope for brighter days to come and the knowledge that God will not fail us, nor forsake us. "Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend." - Elder Jeffrey R Holland. I hope you all are having missionary experiences! Don't forget, Elder Ballard challenged us all to find people for the missionaries to teach at least four times a year. That was a commandment from God through one of His servants, so it is not to be taken lightly :) I love you all so much! Work hard, pray hard!  Oh, and by the way, the pictures are of me at voodoo and of me lifting a tree out of the road so we could get to our appointment :)

Sister Nicoll came to visit Me!!!

Mom!

 

I had the greatest week! So, as you know, Sister Nicoll came and found me! It ruled! So here's the story.

 

Sister Lawson and I work with a 23 year old girl who is seriously the most gorgeous and hilarious girl ever. Remind you of anyone you know? (Me) anywho, she has been taking the missionary lessons for like 14 years. Her dad is a member, her mom is not, but they are the coolest people of my life. They're the ones that got us the San Antonio shirts. The dad reminds me of a mix between Robin Williams and Clint Eastwood. We absolutely love them! They are family to me! Anyways, sister Lawson and I were doing weekly planning and deciding what we should do to help this girl to progress. We fasted and prayed for 24 hours and studied super hard for the lesson we were planning to teach her that night. We both felt strongly that we should invite her to be baptized this coming weekend. That's nuts right? We were way nervous and rather skeptical but we decided to trust God, who has ALWAYS been a God of miracles. He can part the Red Sea, so I'm pretty sure He can testify to this young woman that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true right? So we taught her lesson one and had the most powerful lesson of my entire mission! She's heard this lesson countless times, but for some reason God had this specific time planned to be a turning point in her life. She accepted to be baptized and is pumped to do so! Her dad was crying, this was a long time coming. It was amazing! After we left we jammed to MOTAB all the way home!

 

As we walked up to our apartment there was a creepy white car parked right outside our door and the lady inside had her phone hanging out the window as if she was recording us. It took awhile for me to recognize that it was Amanda Bedford! Seconds after spotting her I saw sister Nicoll, the worlds greatest young woman's leader/ handbag saleswoman! I hugged her probably fifty six times. It was so exciting to see her! It made me so incredibly happy, especially because I got to tell her about the baptismal date we were able to set with one of my best friends!

 

So many awesome things happened this week, but I have to have a nerd war with my district so I don't have time to tell the rest. I hope Goodes is okay! Oh, and the picture of me in the tree is from when a member was teaching us parcore. It was so much fun! Anyways, I love you all dearly! Work hard, pray hard! 

Sister Udall
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Happy Easter

Hi mama!

Easter was quiet huh? Mine was the exact opposite! I had the best Easter of my life for quite a few reasons! I have zero time to type this because our zone is spending p day together so I am supposed to be leaving for that right now. But they can wait cause I need to talk to my mom! 

So anyways, this week was nuts! Micah and Alex got baptized on Saturday but that was a roller coaster of a day. The baptism was scheduled for 11 for Alex and Micah and their cousin Alec who the elders have been teaching. We told them to gopher at the church by 10:30 to get changed and take pictures and all that jazz. At 9:30 sister Lawson and I both felt we needed to call them and remind them to bring towels, but we couldn't get ahold of anyone! We called the entire family and no one was picking up! Finally at 10:15 we get a call from Crystal, Micah's mom, telling us that Alec's mom came and took him and he is no where to be found! On the day of his baptism! But she said that the show will go on and Alec could be baptized another day. 

So we got everything prepped for the baptism. 10:45 rolled around and they still hadn't showed. We called everyone and finally found out that Alex was now missing too! So we went searching for her. I've never prayed so hard in my life. I kept thinking she's so ready for baptism this doesn't make sense! The entire ward was out searching and so was President and Sister Morby. Finally someone found her walking in the pouring rain with a bunch of grocery bags. I guess she thought the baptism was at 2 not 11 and she went out to get some cat food haha.

So we all went to the church and the baptism proceeded, a little behind schedule, but it happened! Day before Easter, I couldn't think of a better day to be baptized! Easter Sunday would've been their confirmation, but satan decided he wasn't taking the holiday off and caused some real trouble which resulted in Micah and Alex not being able to get work off. We were so bummed! But they're getting confirmed next week :) 

Church was awesome! We had 6 investigators and countless less actives attend one of the most beautiful Easter programs I've ever seen! It was amazing. Our favorite part member family went to Texas this week and got us shirts from San Antonio so that was awesome! It was one of the greatest weeks of my mission by far.

I am so humbled to think of the true meaning of Easter. I am eternally grateful for the atonement and resurrection of Christ. I know that because He lives, we can too. Because of His sacrifice we can be reunited with our families and be cleansed from all sin and heartache. The idea sounds far fetched, but through sincere study and prayer I have come to know that these things are reality. I know that God lives and He loves us enough that He sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins. I know Christ loves us equally and is already preparing a place for us in the Kingdom of God (John 14:2) because He has gone through all we go through and knows we can overcome our trials and shortcomings and make it back to Him. I love you so much family! Work hard, pray hard! 

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Portlandians!

Picture explanation: my ward mission leader lives on Wert st and it reminds me of how Christie always says wert wert. So I took a picture with it

Pride disposal: we all need to dispose of our pride right? 

Weird sign: haha I'm not sure what it means, I just like it. It's right next to the stake center going up to someone's property

Yoyoyo! What's the good word in Eagar, Arizona?! Still windy as ever? People here freak out every time a light breeze sweeps in. They would kill- over if they experienced round valley in the spring!  I can't believe Kate thinks she's big. She's too tiny to be a girls camper! Uncle Jeremy is in the bishopric in Amity and Bishop Lesueur is the Bishop of 2nd ward?! Things have really gone down hill since I left! Kidding, they're both awesome and some of the best men I know. I saw Ryan's awesome high jump picture I'm so proud of baby Boey! He is such a stud! I'm glad he took after me and not Rulon. I'm sorry that dad loves animals more than you mom. I will write him a letter and brag about how athletic you are at doing the dishes. I'm glad everything is going so well back home! Life is awesome here! It has been sunny for the last couple days! Hallelujah! It's given us the chance to walk all over Sherwood and do service. We find a lot of people that way. We met one lady who was out working in her yard and went over to talk with her. We helped her work and talked for a little and as we spoke about the gospel she stopped working and just listened to us. We taught her the entire restoration and invited her to be baptized. She's contemplating baptism now as she reads the Book of Mormon! I am way psyched about that. We had another instance that confirmed the insanity of Portlandians. We saw this lady limping down the sidewalk and carrying like three suitcases so we pulled over and asked if she needed help. She said no just take me to Redmond. Then she tried to get in our car! So we had to lock her out haha. We found out that she had been walking from Portland, which is thirty miles away, and was going all the way to Redmond, another 120 miles, to get to her husband. She was a nut! But we taught her about the plan of salvation and how if we keep the commandments and try our best, we can be with our families forever. It was really cool. We actually taught her that in target to get out of the rain so it wasn't the most spiritual environment, but the spirit was there just the same. She made us help her pick out a phone to buy. She got the most expensive one there! I thought she was too poor to buy a bus ticket and that's why she was walking but nope! She just hates the bus. Haha Oregonians are wild. I am very excited because Alex and Micah get baptized this weekend. They are so strong and dedicated. They both work from sunup to after our bed time so it is very hard to meet with them, so this week we have been teaching Alex at KFC on her lunch break and Micah at 6 in the morning before he heads off to work. It's been a tiring week, but it's all worth it!  I am so excited for them to be baptized on Easter weekend! There is no better time to wash your sins away and follow the Savior! I know that this is Christ's church on the Earth today. When Elder D Todd Christofferson was here he told us that "Christ is more directly and personally involved in the operation of this church that any of you missionaries realize." I know that Christ leads and guides this church from the Heavens until it is time for Him to come and personally reign here upon the Earth. I know that this is His work and His gospel and we are His servants. I know that the prophet and apostles are special witnesses of the Savior. In President Boyd K Packer's talk this conference he quotes D&C 76: 22, Joseph and Hyrum Smiths personal testimony of the savior:  22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! 23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- Then President Packer says "their words are my words." Each of these men are witnesses of the Savior of the World, the Promised Messiah. I know the accounts written of His life are true. He truly performed miracles and established His church. I know that the atonement is real and can change and heal anything. I know He died, but I know that He lives again. I am so thankful for this knowledge and this gospel. Hey mom, I need some bare minerals if at all possible. I hope you got my letters! I love you so much! Work hard, pray hard!

Earthquake last night

Hey mom and Dad!

 

Goodness gracious this has been quite a week! I have been really stressed these last two weeks because Devon and Gerise just got baptized and I felt like we needed to do some serious finding to get more people to accept the invitation to be baptized. Sister Lawson and I have prayed and fasted a lot for specific dates to set with our investigators and that the people will accept them! This week we were able to set 3 baptismal dates!! It was awesome! So first off, Josh is an investigator we started out teaching on Facebook but we now teach face to face. He is awesome and very founded in the bible. This week we taught him at Devon and Gerise's house. It was gold! We taught the restoration and invited him to be baptized on May 10th and he accepted! It was so cool to hear Devon and Gerise bear solid testimony of how they came to know the Book of Mormon is true and how that knowledge helped them make changes in their lives. I feel like a proud mom even though they are both older than me haha.

 

So on Saturday we watched the first session of conference with Josh at Devon and Gerise's and it was crazy when President Eyring said "some of you were invited to watch conference by missionaries. Some of you have baptismal dates set with them." Josh said "he's talking to me!" It was awesome! We also set a date with Alex and Micah, the couple that got married in order to keep the law of chastity, for the 19th of April.
We taught them the law of tithing and they are so pumped to give their ten percent to the Lord! They keep asking when and who they give it to. They are just so prepared. I love this gospel so much. 

 

I loved every bit of conference! It was awesome to watch with investigators and see them gain a testimony of modern day prophets and revelation. I know God speaks to us today. It'd be hard to believe that He loves us if He completely stopped guiding us like He has always done. It was awesome to listen to elder Ballard follow up with the world on our missionary work! That man is super awesome and is so pumped up about the gathering of Israel! I hope his son is just as enthusiastic when he becomes our new mission president.

 

Baby Hunter is so cute! Pinch her cheeks for me! I lover her already!

 

And why did dad have shoulder surgery?! What a nancy!
 

Also thanks for the package! I needed it! And the sugar fast is over!
 

Devon and Gerise are baptized now so that three months of torture has finally come to an end! I love you all so much! I would just like to echo elder Ballards challenge to invite people to go to church and be taught by the missionaries! The joy of seeing the spirit testify to them of the truthfulness of this gospel is unlike anything you will ever experience! And yes we had an earth quake! It was a little sketchy, but it only lasted a few seconds. It was a 3.something.
 

Anyways, love you! My address is 1400 NW Compton Dr ste 250 Beaverton, OR 97006. If that doesn't work, call sister Ferguson and complain!
Give her a hard time. No I'm kidding, she's sweet. But I'm bummed my mail is messed up! Sorry I'm really going now. Love you! Work hard, pray hard!
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I Love Oregonians!

Devon and Gerise got baptized!!! Wonderful, wonderful day! So this was Saturday. It was one of the best days of my entire life! President Morby spoke which was cool because he is definitely going to be a general authority. I was asked to speak about the change I've seen in Devon and I didn't even cry! Which is surprising considering my nickname is Crylie. Devon and Gerise both cried though. I love them so much and I can't even describe how it felt to see them dressed in white and enter the waters of baptism, covenanting with their Father that they will follow the example of Jesus Christ and take His name upon them. I think we sometimes downplay the importance of baptism, or at least I never understood it until my mission.

 

Baptism is the first step to eternal life. Our salvation depends on this thirty second ordinance. It is the promise that we will leave our old life behind and reconcile our desires with the Savior's. Mosiah 18: 8-10

 

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

 

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--

 

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

 

This next part is my favorite, cause these people are pumped! 

11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

 

I wish we could all have the vision of the importance of baptism. Each of God's children need this special ordinance to achieve true happiness, and who are we to hold them back from it? BE BOLD! This is a matter of life or death. "We are ALL enlisted till the conflict is over." It's still not over people. Let's put on the armor of God, join Zion's army, and save these precious souls! It is the single most important thing we can do on this earth. My challenge to you is to have one missionary experience a week. I know you can do it and I would love to hear about them :)

 

On my mission I have acquired a greater capacity to love. I have always been a people person and have always loved people, but the strength of that love has tripled! It's like God has unlocked a chamber in my heart that I never even knew I had and filled it chock full of Oregonians! I love the people here so much. I wanna cry every time an ambulance goes by because I can't stand the thought of any of my sherwoodites getting hurt! I especially love Devon and Gerise. They truly have become like family to me and I know God sent me here at this specific time so I could make this lasting friendship.

 

I'm sad that the letters keep getting sent back! Have you called the mission home? Maybe they know what's going on. I really hope I don't get transferred and I don't think I will. The work is our area is exploding so I would be surprised if I got moved. I love you all so much! Work hard, pray hard! :) oh and mom, in the women's conference, Henry B Irying said to send our moms a smile, so I sent some smily pictures. I love you mom! :)
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