My Last Will and Testament

November 23, 2015

Well, This week has been pretty crazy. My companion had to go home for medical reasons so I get to be with the Ontario Creekside sisters until I go home. I've had my ups and downs but through it all I really felt the hand of the Lord. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would all be but I know that that wasn't anything that I did. He's just helped me through it all. The day she left I also came down with a nasty cold so I'm out of it right now. haha. Sister Moser, one of my comps also came down with a different kind of cold so we're all just a bunch of sickos. keke. I've still been able to work though so it's been nice. It's been good being with those two. They are super good missionaries who know how to have fun and laugh a little. Once again, God always puts so many wonderful things in a hard situation.

This week is going to fly by! I have my departing interview and Temple trip plus Thanksgiving so I have some fun things to look forward to. Life is good 

 I don't even know where to start. To put a whole 18 months into writing is almost impossible. I guess I can't say much more than just that I'm so incredibly grateful for this experience. I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Things I've learned From my mission.

1. The gospel is amazing! The more you learn the more you realize just how perfect and wonderful it is. Every day I connect one more piece to the puzzle. As I do the beauty and purity of the big picture becomes more and more clear and more and more exciting. It is the answer to everything.

2. God loves each one of us! He is so aware of our trials, our hopes,our dreams, and our potential. Even those that look like they have nothing always have something. God is just as much in their lives helping and strengthening them at every corner as any one else. I have only scratched the surface in trying to see others the way God sees us and I can testify with all my heart that He is aware of us and He loves us. 

3. We can love everyone no matter who they are. I've already talked about this several times, but it's so true. We need to look at others through God's eyes if we are to truly love them. The same personality and opinion shouldn't qualify others for our love.

4. The Spirit is the most amazing gift. It will lead us, guide us ,purify us, teach us and lead us back to our Heavenly Father. Nothing is worth not having it's companionship.

5. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. It is only when we sacrifice a part of ourselves that we experience true growth and progression. As we sacrifice for others in our time, word, and deed we come to love them. We have to give or give up something if we want to learn or grow.

6. The Atonement is real! Anyone can change! But the Atonement is not only for the those that have made huge mistakes, it's for the good people striving to be the best that they can be. 

7. Real growth comes through serving others. When we love ourselves, we find ourselves. Nough said.

8. Opposition in all things. We have to experience the bad to appreciate the good. Some of the hardest times in my mission brought the most growth. My mission has been the hardest thing I have ever done. It's been exhausting mentally, physically, and Spiritually, but those trials have refined me and brought me closer to my Savior. We need hard things to stretch us. There is no comfort in a growth zone and no growth in a comfort zone.

9. Humility is key for growth. God can always work with a willing heart. If we want to change, humility is our first priority. God will do as much with us as we let Him

10. Love holds it all together. 

So there you go, this is what 18 months has brought. But the cool thing is you don't have to go on a mission to change, to draw closer to the Savior, or to serve others. Those opportunities abound in everyone's live's. The principles are still the same no matter where we are or who we are. As we serve the Lord and strive to be the best we can, He will be change us.

Everyone says that our missions are for others but I think our missions are totally for the missionaries. God converts you more than you convert anyone else. I can't say that I had any mind blowing experiences, that I baptized a lot of people, or even that I made a 180 degree turn in my life, but I can say that I feel converted to the gospel. I'm the one who was converted. It's almost like missions are inspired or something;)

I love you all so much! Thank you for all that you have done for me. I have felt your prayers and love and they have got me through more than you know. 

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

Have you done any good in the world today?

November 16, 2015

Sorry for being such a slacker the last couple of weeks! I will repent and be sure to write every week for the rest of my mission. haha. ;) 

I don't even know where to start. The last couple of weeks have been pretty hard. My comp is still sick and there is a good chance that she will be going home soon. It has been emotionally exhausting trying to help her, but I know that the Lord has helped me to know what to say and do. It's definitely been a lot harder for her though so I have no right to complain. I've just been talking it one day at a time. I'm good though. Things are starting to get a little better again.

So I have no idea where we left off so I will just write whatever comes to mind. 

On Saturday we had the Mountain View ward annual chili cook-off. We were the official judges so we got to sample all of the chili! I almost killed over with a couple of them though. Apparently it tastes good to have your tastes buds seared off by peppers. haha. I do like spicy but some of the guys got a little crazy with it. My poor comp about passed out haha. 

On Thursday I went on exchanges with Sister Van Heel from Minnesota. It was especially fun because I got to go back to Chino Hills! Ah, it was just what I needed. I didn't get to go to Diamond Bar but I at least got to go back to where we spent most of our P-days. I forgot how hilly that place is! I met so many wonderful people and I left just feeling so inspired. I'm so grateful for my STL's and how in tune with the Spirit they really are. It was the first time I wasn't in charge for like 8 months so it was kind of nice haha. 

Things with investigators have been kinda slow. Our baptismal dates got moved back again:( But we've done all we could for now. The work must go on! Stinken Satan keeps getting in the way! What the meow. 

I have been learning so much the last couple of weeks about selfless service and just how important it is to serve despite inconvenience or circumstances. Christ wasn't lying when He said that we need to have unconditional; love and self less service. In fact, when it's the most inconvenient or hardest is the time when it matters the most. So I challenge you all to go and do one act of service a day, despite inconvenience or personal gain. Got it? cool.

I have to go but I just wanted to let you all know I wasn't dead. Keep being wonderful! and know that I love you.

Sister Prows

Guess what family! I've been adopted!

October 26, 2015

So I finally got my life long dream of being a Poly. We moved in with a Tongan family today and the Elders moved into our old apartment. I'm pretty excited:) I love Polynesians.,...and their food...and I think it will be fun. I wanted to serve in a Tongan ward but instead God just let me live with one. haha. 

This week has been pretty cray cray. My comp deals with stress and anxiety and in turn her body basically shuts down and her head, stomach, muscles and chest all hurt really bad. We had to stay in a couple of days but I did some area book work so it turned out fine. I kinda liked the quiet time to think and focus. It was kinda weird though, not going to lie. I'm going to have companion withdrawals I swear. I'll be in the grocery store and freak out because I can't find my comp and them realize that I don't have one anymore...sad day:(

So I'm super pumped because Valerie and Crissandra have a baptismal date! Woot 

woot! Hallelujah! It's about stinken time. Something always comes up but not today! We were determined not to leave until we set a date....only now our ward council is being difficult so pray it all goes well haha. Miracle number dose: We found a lost member! So it goes like this- We were at a dinner and a member gave us a referral for someone across the street. We tried them but no one was home so we went on with our day, but we both had the feeling like we should knock the neighbors door and ignored it because we were chickens and she was sick so we were heading home. But decided to go back later that day and try again. The referral wasn't home but we tried the neighbor like we had planned. Long story short, she showed up at our ward Halloween party with all her kids and they all loved it! We are hoping to get them involved and active again so we will see what happens. Hurray for the Spirit! 

Miracle number tres. There is a recent convert family that was apparently impossible to get in with and so we took on the challenge to become friends so we dropped of little goodies and notes for them and lo and behold they signed up for dinner! It went so great and they are such a wonderful family. We have been increasing how many people we talk to each day and and have been meeting so many awesome potentials. We get our share of trials and setbacks to counteract it but who needs to focus on those, right? My testimony that this is the Lord's work grows each and every day but I know that we have a huge part to play. He won't force us to do anything but He sure does bless us when we do. 

I have a challenge for all ya'll! Are you so ready for this!? Pick one person that you want to help. Seems simple enough right? Make a little plan of what you will do to help them, whether it is spiritually, physically, emotionally, etc. Remember, missionary work is finding a need and filling it! I think our family could do a little better. Btw, sign up to feed the missionaries and you will totally make their day, just saying. It took going on a mission for me to realize how happy helping others makes me. Try it! And I'll bet you a million bucks that you will see miracles in your life. Actually LOOK for opportunities to help some one out and God will give them to you. I think we tend to get so caught up in our own problems and busy schedule that we forget to reach out to others. I promise! It will be so worth it. Especially you RM's out there:) 

Love ya all! Let me know who did the challenge and what happened!

-Sister Prows

Becoming a Consecrated Missionary

October 19, 2015

Hope you are having a wonderful day! So update- I'm staying in my area! Woot woot. I will also finish training Sister Fawcett in the ways of the Jedi. I feel good about it and I'm ready to tear this place apart and find some new people to teach! I only have 6 weeks to live and I aint wasting it! No way jose. I've got it all planned out. I am determined to finish strong! I have been reading a talk called becoming a consecrated missionary. Best talk EVER! Well, I'm going to become one. I've been working on letting go of any pride or fear and now that I have the area down pat it will be a little easier to focus on training. I know I won't be perfect and progression is a life long thing but I really want to make the most of what little time I have left. 

Well, now that I got that out, I will tell you the happenings of the week. On Tuesday we started teaching a little girl named Sophia. Her mom is less active and her dad isn't a member. She is a little cutie and I'm excited to see her learn and grow. We also did a lot of service for some members. She texted last minute to cancel because she was too tired to help but we went anyway and just did it while she packed for her trip. I am really good at picking weeds now. I should be a professional when I get home. Let me tell you something about people. They need help but they are often too stubborn to ask so you just gotta take the initiative and do it anyway. They are always so relived and appreciate it. So that next time somebody doesn't want to ask but you know they need help just do it. Emkay? Emkay.

We also taught the young women at mutual about the Book of Mormon. We brought a copy for each of them, gave them some scriptures to highlight, and then had them write there testimonies in the front. If they give it out they get awesome points....and blessings of course. We also saw Julia our other investigator. She likes to swear a lot haha. but she is learning to abbreviate for us. keke. I love seeing how she is over coming things one step at time. Satan just throws one thing after another but she demolishes them like Jet Lee. We are still working on finding so nothing much to report. I only have 3 min left on the clock so I have to say good bye but know that I love you all!

Sister Prows

Jose Got Dunked!

October 13, 2015

Hey! It's me! I'm back from the dead. Yesterday was a holiday and last week we didn't have much time, but needless to say, I'm slacking. Sorry :D

Well, the last couple of weeks have been going by way to fast. That's the awe full thing about being busy. I am still loving the area. I know it's October but it was 115 degrees the other day haha. Dang it. But that's okay because when I get back to Rexburg it will be negative 15 so I'm enjoying it while I can.

Jose, the Elders investigator got baptized on Saturday! Only missionaries basically showed up and he had to be dunked 6 times, but other than that it was so wonderful. He is one of those super prepared people that just gives it all he has and never looks back. Needless to say he is a genius! He knows 7 languages, studied physics and math in Europe and is the head chef at a super expensive Italian restaurant, go figure. But he is so genuine and ready to start his new life. He has a cool ponytail too. haha

 We had a cool experience last week. We had tracted a couple of little old houses and met a really cute young lady. She already had a church but was still really kind. That night I had a very distinct impression that we needed to go back and see her. I was kinda hesitant because I knew she wasn't interested but I put it down on the schedule for the next day. Well long story short we didn't get to go back until about 4 weeks later. Finally we caught her at home and we just told her that we didn't really know why we came back but we felt like we needed to tell her that God loved her and was pleased with her efforts to follow Him and strengthen her family. She started crying and said she was pregnant and thanked us for coming back. We left an open invitation to call us if she ever needed anything. I have no idea what will happen but I hope one day she see the missionaries and wants to learn more. I love things like that! I love the Spirit and I'm grateful for experiences like that that teach me how much my Heavenly father loves each of His children.

I only have 5 minutes left but I just wanted to let you all know how grateful I am for such a wonderful and supportive family. It means the world:)

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

Who ever said that Disney Land was the happiest place on earth was lying

October 1, 2015

It's the Temple! Yeah, I just got back. Ya know how sometimes you just need a little pick-me-up, well that was mine. I haven't been since February so it was extra special. I forgot how much I love it there. There is just a peace that I feel there that doesn't come anywhere else, especially in the Celestial room. I'm excited that the Temple is so close up at school. Don't take it for granted people!! Go as often as you can. Remember, put God first and everything else will fall into place. Works every time:) 

I'm freaking out because time is going by way to fast and I don't know what to do with myself. Like, this transfer is almost over! Dahh. So basically it feels like I wrote yesterday. To sum up the last couple of weeks, we have basically been getting to know the members and area. The members are so kind and always let us in and talk with us. We have a lady from the Virgin Islands that taught me how to make curry and all that jazz. It was great! and so tastey.....only I don't think me stomach is used to that kind of food anymore so it came out the same way it went in at 3am that night. Well, it was good while it lasted! I was really really sad that I didn't get to eat all the left overs though haha. 

 It's been a getting harder to fill nights though since it gets darker a lot faster and lets just say that going to some of our areas would be a bad idea after dark hehe. We have met some cool potentials though. Still working on finding families. We're so close I can taste it! I want to find one so so bad. I know that our efforts aren't wasted though an that the Lord will give us one in His own due time. He keeps having to remind me that this is HIS work, not mine. It's hard winding down because sometimes you feel like you're running out of time and you feel like you should be perfect at everything by now haha, but it's about the journey, not the end. I have to remember that. I would always leave an area right when I felt like I knew everyone and what they needed and I feel like I'm finally starting to put it all together and now I'm leaving haha. Dang it! I guess I have other things to learn now. 

We did get a new investigator though! Her name is Sylvia Nightwalker. Her husband who was a member just died of cancer and so now that she isn't taking care of him full time she wanted to start learning more. We helped her clean out her basement yesterday. My comp is terrified of spiders though so she stayed outside and we threw all the garbage up to her haha. One of my favorite parts of missionary work is definitely the service. I love it! While she was cleaning she told us about her crazy background. Oh my goodness, I don't know how she got through it all. You would have never guessed looking at her but she has been through just about anything and everything. She would tell us about her friends that would do drugs and leave their kids and all this craziness. I'm reminded every day just how blessed we are. Like, we are really really blessed! Just having a home with both parents is more than 75% of the people here and that I was never on the streets while my parents did drugs or had abusive parents, etc. I have a wonderful family, I get to serve a mission, and I have the gospel. There is nothing more I could ask for. Count your blessings because we definitely have a lot! But even though people have had really hard things happen to them or they did really bad things I can still see how the Lord was still always there for them. His love really is UNCONDITIONAL. That didn't hit me until the other day actually. I had heard it a million times but it just hit me. We don't earn his love, we accept it. Aint it great!

Well, I love you all and I'm so grateful for you. Let me know how things are going! 

LOVE YA LOTS,

Sister Prows

All You Need is Love

September 21, 2015

Hello Family! 

Sorry for the lack of letters lately. Last week I had to catch up with everything and I didn't have much time so sorry about that. I know, I'm horrible! 

Well, now that I'm done with that little spill, I will tell you about our week. It went by so fast! We are still trying to get to know the area and whatnot which is a little hard sometimes but we are figuring it out. We have a couple of investigators that were ready to be baptized when we got here so we are excited to get them the last little way. We get to visit lots of cute old people and talk to lots of really.... interesting ...people, like Pedro, the homeless guy we met in the park. haha. He decided that he wanted to listen to us practice the Restoration and it ended up that he called the Elders and they taught him, only I don't know how far it will go but ye never know. He was this little old Mexican guy with orange teeth haha. There are a LOT of Hispanics here so maybe bu the time I get home I'll be able to introduce my self and everything! Here I am all excited and pumped to go and talk to this family and get them to church and then the minute they open their mouth all I hear is kjgfhgfiubiusufbubfffthfghfhvtaco, aka no English! Dang it! So then we give them a Spanish card and move on. haha. Yep, that consists of about 90% of our contacts, so needless to say I need to learn some Espaniol. Speaking of families! There has been a big push to find families in the mission so just giving you all a heads up that we are going to baptize like ten families. Do we have any yet, no, but they are coming! Don't you fret. They're out there and we are going to tract them down. 

Training is getting a lot easier as we go. She is getting this whole missionary thing figured out and I'm getting this whole new area thing figured out. Hurray! She is so pumped to do missionary work and I'm grateful for the chance to go back to the basics. It's so easy to get caught up in all the cool tips and tricks that you forget that the basics are the best way and that you never needed all the fluff after all. It has been keeping me occupied and on top of things. Overall, things are getting a lot better and I'm enjoying it a lot more.

I think the biggest lesson that the Lord has been teaching me lately is that I can love and get a long with people that I never thought I could. People like that are constantly put in my path and at first it's hard not to base them off of a stereotype, ya know, but the more I get to know them the more I realize that even though we are totally different we can still love and connect with each other. It wouldn't have been hard for me to love the people of a third world country but it was hard and first to love the stereotypical Americans haha. Like the ones that like to nag, or the "trailor trash" or nerdy or crazy or gang bangers, ya know, those that are just a little rough around the edges. I know that sounds really awful to say that but I just love them all at a level that I never thought possible. Cause not going to lie, I totally thought I was going to be sent foreign and I think you can all figure out why, but God needed me here to learn a more eternal lesson about truly loving everyone, no matter their appearance or behavior. I'm grateful for tender mercies like that. I really am.

I can't really think of anything else to say so I bid thee farewell until next week. Remember, it's never too late to send repentance mail for all you who have been slacking a little! you know who you are. haha. jk

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

I’m a mom…again!

September 9, 2015

Yep! I'm training again. But not only training WHITEWASH training! It's where both of the missionaries are taken out and two new ones are brought in. So to sum it all up I don't know where anything is or what I'm doing but other than that....I'm good. I'm in Ontario in the Mountain View Ward now. It is so cute!!! The houses are all super cute and vintage and everyone that we have met so far is super nice. We are getting it all figured out slowly but surely. And guess what!!! IT'S GREEN! It even rained today. I forgot what trees and grass looks like apparently. 

My new Missionary is from Hurricane Utah. She is a sweet heart. I forgot what it's like to start from square one! I forgot that I didn't know all the simple things that I do now. I can tell that we are both going to learn so much from each other. We are completely opposite but we get along really well. I'm excited to see her learn and grow as a missionary. 

I love it here and I'm excited for what the future brings.

Love ya lots!

Sister Prows

Hey hey hey!

August 31, 2015

Sorry about last week. I was just awful and ran out of time but the Atonement is is real so I will repent and move;D

So we had a sister go home for Medical problems last week which means that we have another companion! Woot woot. Yep, it's been great. Only, this has happened to her twice  in a row so she is kind of sick of it. haha. Poor thing. But we love her and since she is still half covering my old ward I get to go back all the time and see the members! They are always so confused who is where and what is going on. haha. Yep, it's great. Flash back to the good old days of my 2 weeker. 

So between all the craziness with that plus covering two wards, there isn't much to report. Two of our less actives have been coming to church though!!!!! I'm so so happy. One started with a simple question and the other with a simple phone call. Hurray for the Spirit!

Oh, crazy story so we have a less active member who basically the only way to get in is if they have us over for dinner so since we wanted to see her we called our dinner calendar lady and she called them. Of course, they said yes because they are just amazing like that. Only, when we got there you could tell that everyone was just having a super hard time. ...long story short we went back the next day and she had an amazing priesthood blessing that helped her so much. She didn't know if she was going to lose her son to drugs that week or not but she had some good insights given to her so if she applies it I know that it will continue to help so much. We have made great progress with all of them actually. They have been coming to church and everyone has been so grateful for us and it helps when you feel like you don't make much of a difference so it has been a tender mercy. I love it all though but since I have literally 1 minute left before my time runs out I will bid thee farewell and finish next week.

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows 

You know it’s bad when the bishop tells you to go home and sleep

August 17, 2015

 This week was full of all kinds of crazy! I know, what's new? Overall I think I missed out on about 12 hours of sleep! That's super precious out here! So I've been kinda out of it. When My comp and I get tired we act really weird, kinda like drunk people actually haha. That, or we walk around like zombies. We were showing our bishop this cool survey thing that we made to help know the needs of the members and get them talking and he like starts going off on how he thinks it's a great idea and then he stops mid sentence and says " Sister Prows, are you okay?" haha. So we proceeded to do a small recap of our crazy week of emergency exchanges and late nights, after which he commanded us to go home and take a nap.....so we did, and I didn't even feel bad. hehe. When the Bishop speaks, we listen. During sacrament meeting we were literally writing in our notes "STAY AWAKE" and "I will stay awake because......"

So yeah, like I said we had to do like 5 exchanges this week. A lot of the sisters have been having a hard time which means late night talks and getting in late. It's fun though, I love helping out where I can. They all teach me something new and I love them to death. 

We had Zone Conference this week along with a Sisters meeting and GUESS WHAT! We now have little monitors in our cars that yell at us if we speed, turning, stops, and seat belts haha. It's kind of intimidating but knowing some of the Elders.....let's just say it's a really good thing and the church is smart for doing it. I check my speed every 10 sec now haha. The first time it yelled at me my comp said I turned bright red.

Sister Ostlund and I are going to town with member missionary work and finding. I'm so pumped and excited. We have a great week planned. We have the exact same way of thinking and working so it makes it a lot easier and tons of fun. You all would love her. She was supposed to be sent to our family but there was a the angel taking care of who goes where made a mistake. haha. (wow that was cheezy) 

I've been so blessed and happy lately. Our numbers and appointment may not have been too great, but we have felt the joy from just working hard and doing out best. I learn so much every day and I'm figuring out how to be effective with my finding efforts. The members are getting excited and I'm finally feeling a litle bit of progress. 

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

It’s Working. It’s Working!

August 10, 2015

Hope you all had as awesome as a week as I did! Man, I'm so pumped. 

This week we made a lot of progress with the area and have been finding potentials like crazy. Yep, it's great stuff. So I'm just going to list all of our crazy contacts and miracles for the week.

1. Had an awesome Spirit led lesson with one of our LA's. It was one of those times where I couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. I straight up asked her why she didn't come to church and she opened up and committed to come....and she did!! She even brought a friend.

2. Had another lesson with a less active at the park and we talked about laying our burdens at His feet every week during the Sacrament and she said she would....and she came!

3. Cherri, our investigator had some really awesome breakthroughs regarding baptism! She has been studying about it a lot in the Bible.

4. We had a long time less active that moved into our ward and she wants to become active again!

5. Had an awesome exchange with the Bear Valley Sisters. Taught an awesome lesson to a lady that was so out of it that she kept falling asleep. haha. gotta love it.

6. Got yelled at several times by random people. Wahooo!

7. Had the most inspiring MLC meeting down the hill. I learned all about being positive and developing a passion for our purpose.

8. Went on exchanges with a sister from Mexico that I came out with. She is the cutest thing ever. I had the thought to knock on a random door that ended up being their new Spanish investigator!

9 Met Nazreen from Iraq. Her parents fled the country because they were Christian. She has 7 family members that were killed recently over in the middle East for being Christian. We had a really long and really cool conversation

10. Met Carol! When we knocked on her door she opened ....we said we were mormons...she said she likes mormons....then she said she wants to become a mormon.....set up return appointment=pure awesomeness. 

11. We have been trying new door approached where we ask them questions instead of talking and  we have had so much success with it!

12. Got a new investigator named Barbara who is the sassiest old lady that you will ever meet. I think I laugh more than I talk whenever I go over to her place

13. I've had so many people that have helped me to learn a principle that I needed to improve

Overall Heavenly Father has just answered my prayers in so many small and simple ways. I'm learning that there is still so much I haven't even thought of doing and there is still so much to try. My comp has been a big part of that. We have some of the coolest conversations ever and she has helped me to figure out a lot of things that I have been struggling with. Overall, I feel more hopeful and more positive. The area and circumstances haven't changed but I have. I just feel so blessed. 

I've been learning a lot about acting and not being acted upon. We have so much power to impact our circumstances and when our will and His will are aligned miracles happen.

It's hard for me to put this week, or any week for that matter, into words, but I can honestly say that I'm happy.

I love you all! Good luck with the big move Jacob and Julia! Don't die from heat stroke okay! 

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

The Dream Team is on a Roll

Aug 3, 2015

Things here are going great. My companion is like my new best bud. We are literally the same person. She gets all my movie quotes and jokes! that's like the first time ever! I think we laugh more than anything. She is stinken hilarious and so down to earth. We have had a lot of fun. She has also taught me a lot about missionary work and I'm really excited to see what we will do together. I know that she has been just what I needed. She is super good at talking to everyone! even when it's really awkward and inconvenient which is something that I have always struggled with. So she is good at starting the initial contact and I'm good at carrying on the conversation.

We had a really cool experience this week. We found a lost less active. we were just walking down the street to a potentials house and she said"this house looks like someone is home" so we went and knocked and they let us in and she turned out to be a lost member. We told her about the programs for all the kids and she wants to get them into activity days and scouts! hurray for miracles! I've been praying and fasting for the ability to look at the area with a new light and Heavenly Father has really helped me. My hope levels are up and we are finding like no tomorrow! 

Lately I have been praying to feel and recognize God's love for me. I know that He has answered that prayer. I got my new great companion, our investigators and less actives have expressed their love and appreciation for our help and love. Just little things like that add up and I have been feeling so much more hopeful. This week has had it's challenges but my ability to deal with them has been strengthened. I'm kinda to the point where I know that my mish is coming to a close so I'm trying to make the most of every day. My time to work on things and do all my goals is no longer several month:( So I'm going at with all I've got. 

Not much to report this week other than I still love you all and I pray for you. 

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

Look what I grew!

New Companions, New Goals, and Whole Lot of Awesomeness

July 27, 2015

Hope you all are having a fantastic week! I heard that  Jake and Julia had their graduation! Woot woot! Yeah! 

I've had a pretty crazy week but I'm alive. Sister Cromwell my bestist bud was called as a trainer in a different ward so I lost her today:( I will miss her like crazy but I'm super excited for my new comp. Her name is Sister Ostland. She is from Maryland. And  guess what! She is taller than me!!! Yep, now awkward hugs. It's great. It's the first time any of my companions have been taller so it feels nice not to always feel like the giant. We really hit it off and I can tell that we will get along really well. She is super sweet and funny so I'm excited to do great things with her in the area.

I had a couple of neat personal experiences this week that have really been a blessing for me. I was opened up to my Sister Cromwell on some things that I had been struggling with and it was cool to see how the Spirit took over and she was able to tell e the things that I know Heavenly Father wanted me to hear. That has happened several times now so I don't know why I'm so blown away each time, but it's just moments like those that I know that Heavenly Father is so much closer than we could ever know. We are able to bless  those around us if we keep the Spirit with us. I felt so loved not only by her but by God. I also finished the Book of Mormon again this week so I started again, only this time I have been doing a deeper study and I have a scripture study journal that I write in too. Oh my goodness, it makes all the differnce. It's cool to see how you start a thought and as you write the Spirit expounds on it and teaches you so much more. I think I wrote like two pages for only one verse once. We just show faith and willingness to learn and God blesses us so much more than we could ever hope for. I love seeing His hand in my life every day.

In ward council on Sunday we talked a lot about the Sabbath day and it's disintegration even among the church members lately. The first presidency has been fasting and praying for guidance about how to help the church and that was the answer that they were given. They sent all the bishops around the world videos and you could tell that they were very concerned. I have seen first hand just how much it makes a difference and the blessings that come when we treat that day for what it's worth. I remember how hard it was before my mission, especially in school but I know that it is so  important. I just felt like I should encourage you all to reevaluate your view of the Sabbath and maybe find a way that you can make it a "delight" and a truly sacred day. We can all do better. I know that everything else in our lives will improve if we just do that one thing. You got this!

As far as the work goes, it has been going about the same. Not anything new to report other than we have some great potentials and a couple of our investigators are moving slowly but surely. I'm really excited for another restart, new goals, and new ambitions. Hurray for transfers! Fresh starts are always such a blessing and opportunity for growth. 

My testimony that God can use us for great things has grown a lot lately. It's been cool to see how everything has worked out. The dates of exchanges went nothing like we planned but the were always the exact timing when we were needed. I love being able to talk with a sister and knowing that my words aren't from me or when we get done with an exchange and they express how that was exactly what they needed to hear and then they go out and apply it. But I've learned that it's not only for missionaries, it's for everyone. We can all be used to bless individual lives in extraordinary and simple ways. We can each be a blessing every day no matter where you are and what you are doing, because God uses simple things and simple people to do great things. So go do great things!

Make sure to send me lots of pictures from the Lake and graduation! You all are amazing! Keep me updated on all your adventures!

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

 pix

-The only green is the golf course but it makes for a good view

-My bud Sister Brown went home

The only green in this picture is the golf course, but at least it's a good view

My bud Sister Brown went home

You Fired!

July 20, 2015

First Email: We are curently homeless right now because of the fires. It went through Hesperia and burnt down our building along with the other missionaries appartments. About 2 am two days ago we had a knock on our door. We opened it up and there were a bunch of police evacuating the area so we had to grab all our stuff and head out. Only we had like no idea where to go cause our whole area was getting evacuated and the pass down the hill was already on fire. We could already see the flames coming like…

Second Email: Hahaha! I totally didn't mean to send that. haha. I was just joking I promise! I was going to tell you and then my stinken computer sent it. No worries poeple! I was going to be like"...............ha. jk" but then it totally accidentally sent so I this is to tell you that I'm totally ok and nothing happened. It was just a mean prank that went sour. SO NO WORRIES

Third Email: Ok, well now that I just finished laughing my head off from my stupidity and my awful jokes that go wrong I will now tell you about my week. Man, I still feel bad, but anywho! There really was a bunch of fires up here but they didn't get us. We came out of a lesson on Saturday and the whole sky was covered in smoke. It was almost like a rain cloud...but not.The source looked really close but apparently it was on the Cahoon pass coming up the hill. A bunch of cars caught fire and it burned like 3500 acres in just a couple of hours. Then on top of that another one started over in Phelan where we were having exchanges that night. So basically all the roads were crazy, and all the members got rerouted  so it took them all like 6 hours to get up the hill to the desert, but it's all good. You all probably know more than me though. haha. We are kinda out of the loop and only know what people tell us, and even that often contradicts, so yeah. I'm safe. We did end up going to Phelan though, we just took another route instead. But the Elders up in Wrightwood called at midnight and left us a message that they could see the flames from their window and were being evacuated but they are all safe now. We could see the fire coming over the mountains so we were wondering if we would be evaluated the whole day. We have been in a drought but God sent us a huge rainstorm right at the moment we needed it. Hurray for miracles! I think the rain basically put it out so no it's all good now. btw. My comps also decided that it would be really funny to lock me out right when it started pouring rain. But I got them back don't you worry;)

This week was crazy busy with service and exchanges. I went out with the Spanish Sister and the Phelan Sisters. In Phelan we had the truck and since there aren't any paved roads the roads turned to rivers so I had fun blowing through them in the truck. Yep, it was pretty great. We also dropped off our two weeker yesterday:( Man, I love that girl. She made everything so entertaining but she left all pumped up and ready to be a missionary to her family and friends. She is also super excited to put in her papers now. I love that each person influences us in so many different ways. That's why I love being around so many people, because I learn so much from all of them. 

Other than that not much to report. My week was great. We had some good lessons and life is good and I don't really feel like writing anymore. haha. so, with that being said, I bid you all farewell.

Love ya lots, 

Sister Prows

Teaching Primary

Sister Samano! My two week Tongan

The fire when it first started

Abby Got Dunked! We Got Dumped! And I’m Pumped

July 13, 2015

Hope ya'll appreciate my email headings because I put a lot of work into them. haha. jk

So last Monday we got a two week missionary! She is the cutest and I love her to death.It has been so cool to see how excited she is and how much she has learned in just the last week. She is so pumped to go home and apply what she learned with her family. I love love love helping her learn about the gospel and she just soaks it all in. 

My comp and I are super super competitive right. So the other day we had an arm wrestle and we were like blowing our brains out, our faces were cherry red and both of our arms never even moved, so basically neither of us won, so then we tried to arm wrestle Sister Samono. Fail! Man, that women smacked out arm down like they were noodles, and here I am like putting everything I've got into it and she keeps asking me if I'm really trying. haha. It was so funny! So moral of the story-never arm wrestle with a Tongan. You'll lose miserably.

So Abby, Gilbert's daughter, the one I taught in my last ward, got baptized one Saturday! Hooray! She was so happy and so many people showed up to support her. Man, I was smilin up a storm. I love seeing how people change so much as they are taught and accept the gospel, and then to see them make promises with God that you know will bring them so much happiness is just the cherry on top. I just feel so blessed to be apart of it.

 The last week full of lots of ....craziness. We have had three emergency exchanges and one of the sisters actually ended up going down the hill because she was so sick. It's been all kinds of crazy around here, but it's been cool to see how the spirit takes over and helps you know what to do and say. We are the boo boo fixers and shoulder to cry on but it makes me feel needed and like I make a difference. 

The area has been slow so that can be hard after awhile. We have had to drop a lot of people, but it's so cool to see how even through all the craziness and all the hard times God always puts something in there that just brightens your day, or puts us where we are needed. In moments like that you just know that He is watching out for you. He knows exactly what you need and when. I had an experience this week where we had to do a mini exchange, so it was just me and my two weeker for half the day. We were driving and trying person after person with no luck. I was trying to find a street and ended up passing it but as I was about to pull a u turn I had a thought to go visit one of our members who was baptized a couple of years ago. So we did! She was having a really hard day and literally her whole life is in shambles right now. Her house is falling apart, like one thing after another is breaking, her back hurts all day and is causing dizzy spells and her daughter just got molested a couple of months ago, so needless to say, she was having a hard time. So we went to work devising a plan and we are going to go round up a crew and get her life back in order. Yep, it's going to be epic. Just you wait. I'm so grateful for the Spirit that helps us to be led to the right people at the right time. I love it!

Well, I gots to go. Thanks for the emails and pics! I really appreciate you all so much. You da best! 

Love ya lots,

Sister Prows

Crazy People, Old People, New People, No People

July 6, 2015

Hope you all had a fabulous fourth of July! I spent the day planning! Be jealous! Yep, it was pretty great. 

So sometimes you meet a lot of really weird people on you mission. But that's okay because they keep life interesting. I never knew that people could be so crazy. haha. Then you get to meet a lot of old people and believe me, there are a lot of them in my ward. People are dying right and left and I don't know what to do with myself. They are my favorite though because they are always either really crazy and entertaining to listen to or they make us feel like a million bucks. They say the darndest things. Either way, I love em to death.....which isn't too far away. haha! just kidding. just kidding. 

This morning we picked up our two week missionary! We are really excited to have her with us. It will be kinda strange with exchanges now that there are three of us for awhile but it will be good. We'll figure it out. She is from the Tongan ward in Victorville.

Our area is kinda slow as you know, but that's okay because out no people will turn into a billion people by the time this week is out. We went down the hill for MLC and got super pumped to come and turn our area around. We planned like no ones business the other day so we are excited to get out and make miracles happen. Can I get a woot woot?!

Also, we got to teach primary the other day. It was so fun! I love little kids. One of them stuck his head in his chair and couldn't get it out so they had to carry him out after a couple of minutes with the chair still stuck to his head. haha! I was dying....and not being very reverent Anyway, that was super random but stinken hilarious.

Other than that we are working hard and just chuggin a long. Sorry for the short email but I figured that I wouldn't bore you all too much longer.

Love ya lots!

Sister Prows

All of the Sister Training Leaders with Sister Hobbs

Me and Sister Brown. She isn't my companion, but I took a picture with her because she was the only one that was festive.