Hello wonderful people!

I cannot believe we are already at another week. I'll be honest I didn't believe people when they said this time flies but boy does it fly. 

So last P day I wont lie was a bit of a rough one. I definitely have felt my age this week. We were having a district activity which was so fun. We played games, didn't sugar scrubs, and face masks. Picture 1 is of sister Garris and I with elder Low and Linford in our face masks. During this activity we had some drama arise that I wont go super into but it was super frustrating. 

Picture 2 is a picture I drew. My creativity has been at an all time high out here. I've been wanting to do this type of piece for some time now. When I'm going through hard times i just imagine myself clinging to that iron rod. That's all we can do in this life sometimes. I refuse to ever let go again. 

Tuesday we got up and deep cleaned our car. It was much needed and so nice to get clean. We went to district council which was okay. We had interviews with the mission president after. Mine was not very long but man was it profound. He has continued to let me know how great of a missionary I am. He slightly mentioned how what I'm experiencing right now will prepare me for the positions heavenly father has prepared for me. So well see what happens after these 12 weeks of training. I got to talk with his wife sister godoy and we talked about family and life before. I am so beyond grateful for where I am and how far I've come. We came home and did some contacting. We had a scare with our sister training leaders wanting to come over and talk to us. It wasn't anything bad just wanting to check in. 

Wednesday we had zone conference. My first zone conference was a bit all over. Picture 3 is of our zone. I would go through everyone but it'll take me forever. Right before that picture though we had an issue with the sister training leaders pulling my companion and I into the girls bathroom. They called her out for her earrings which are within standards for the mission. She got super upset and boy you all know me I got super protective. Luckily sister godoy, the mission presidents wife, walked in and helped handle the situation. The women leaders we have are so awesome and sweet. 

On to a more happy note. We had car inspections and sister Garris and I won one of the gift cards. YAY! We got the opportunity to hear from Elder Gerard of the seventy. As I have been on my mission parts of the blessing I received back in January have been restated which just helps renew my drive for this work. Some notes I made from Elder Gerards address that I'd love to share. I would love to challenge everyone to go reread or listen to Elder Robin's talk "Which way do you face?" From October 2014 conference. This talk is so amazing. Elder Gerard did a lot of talk on focusing on our own conversions which will than help us convert others. Heavenly father helped answer a question I've had but forgot about for a while. I have had many times where people have gotten mad because I am part of the church but why don't we love them like God has commanded? Well this topic is going to be addressed more in October. SPOILER! Haha I loved this though because Elder Gerard touched on it saying how many people focus on that second commandment but forget the first great commandment. Love the lord thy God. If you do that and follow his commandments everything else will fall into place. Such a profound insight. He asked us this question which I loved "why do we spend so much time deciding what team were on when we know who wins?" I challenge all of you to pick the right team today. He finished his address to us by saying "We are spiritual beings having a mortal experience." So so true and powerful. 

We finished that day visiting a few people in the mobile section here. We had a dinner appointment where I shared a dinner thought. I have my great grandmother's scriptures and as I've been studying the scriptures I've kept an eye out for her markings. I found one in Mosiah 2:22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

I love this because my great grandparents were such a big example for me with the gospel. They did all they could to keep the commandments. I know they're proud of me for serving a mission and are helping me everyday. 

Thursday was a great day. We did some visiting with a few members. We stopped at the deremiahs. Picture 4 is of me with them. They are the sweetest couple ever. Extremely spiritual too. We sat and talked with them for a while about family history and the importance of writing our experiences down. Let me tell you I've already been doing this but it's still so important. We talked about history and I might actually look into doing more with history when I get home. I've always had a love for it so well see. Went to dinner at JJ's bbq which was so good. I thought I had a picture but it's missing so sad day. We came home and as we were doing companion study we get a message from the Elders. They had left us cookies! They were so good and hopefully we can get the recipe and make them again. 

Friday we did some tracting in the morning. Helped our sister morrill with her yard sale stuff. I acquired a new dress and star wars shirt. I made French toast for lunch again. I love making food lately. We got a ride out to the trailer section of our area. We met with this cute girl Faith. Picture 5 is of sister Garris and I with her and her brother Billy. I am so excited to announce we put Faith on date for Baptism. She is so excited to be baptized and she has such Faith for her name. Her dad was recently baptized so he's excited for her. Her mom isn't yet but when Billy brought out his ensign about temples she lit up. I was able to share more about temples and my absolutely love for them. We hope we can teach her soon and help her be baptized as well. We visited a recent convert Felicia who is the sweetest old lady. She reminds me so much of my Great Grandma. We had a great discussion about Heavenly Father and his love for us. We had dinner at our apartment and than walked around more. We didn't use our car at all that day. Oh! I forgot to mention that we have limited miles for driving out here so that's fun. Sister Garris and I have been able to save where we can though so that's good. 

Saturday was an emotion filled day. We tried to go to a few yard sales but man they are nothing like Utah yard sales. We went over to Sister Church's house and did foot zoning which helps you to detox parts of the body. I should have taken a picture of the water after mine was done. It was so gross. During that zoning though we sat and listened as sister church vented a bit. Her son committed suicide 2 years ago and she's still grieving. My heart hurts for her and her family as we learned more about what happened. This area I'm in has gone through a lot of heart break. Sister Garris and I hope to help the people find healing. Picture 6 is of the amazing meal we had that night. A cowboy hamburger. Hamburger, chili, queso, and bacon. Oh my gosh it was heavenly. We came home and made Banana muffins to give to a lot of the people who have been helping us out. We shared this with our district and our district leader got in trouble because our group chat is "too casual". My companion ended up breaking down because there has been so much correction over ridiculous things. It's hard because I'm reminded so heavily of my age during these moments. I'm so protective because I'm watching as some of these missionaries are feeling sophisticated when their work is so amazing. In these moments I wish I could share what I have learned in my life to help them. All I can do those is comfort and follow what Heavenly Father tells me to do. 

Sunday morning Heavenly Father helped me to further strengthen myself. I read my patriarchal blessing. I decided to do some research in some terms i wasn't too familiar with. Well i found out a lot of amazing things through the scriptures. This moment definitely further developed my testimony for the scriptures. If you ever have any questions seriously go seek the scriptures. They wont disappoint you. After church we had dinner at the Morrill's which was so good. We delivered the banana muffins and just had a good chance to visit with people in the ward. 

I'd like to leave this very long letter with just some insights from this week. I have been told for so long that missions are not easy. I very well knew this coming into the field, but nothing in this life is easy. The plan Heavenly Father has for us is meant to be so worth it but we have to give it our all. I am so proud of myself for being on a mission and being out here to help these people. I might have been upset at first when I recieved my call but man this is absolutely where I'm supposed to be. I love you all and I am so grateful for this gospel. It is true. He has a perfect plan for us. Don't give up. Keep going, keep trying. Put your trust in him. I know I have. 

Love,

Sister Sydney Hanks ❤