Mesa Easter Pageant

That's only a tiny portion of the 4 story stage that the Easter Pageant was acted out on.

Also, all of those chairs get filled, people sit on blankets on the grass (just not in the aisles). They also sit on the wall. Apparently about 16,000 people watch it the last few nights (the seats are filled for the 2 weeks of the pageant) if you're ever near Mesa around Easter, it's a must see. Watching it brings the scriptures to life, and the spirit is so strong :)

We are going on exchanges twice a week, it's been really fantastic learning from and working with other companions! We get to see miracles every time! One of my favorite miracles this week sprang from Sister Snyder's sacrifice--while she was serving with another companion in their family ward,  they came across a potential for our YSA-ward (which covers that area)! I know we are blessed as we serve others.

Sister Snyder and I got to teach an investigator's mom while he was getting interviewed for his baptism--it was incredible. This church building is brand new and has amazing paintings in it, so we walked around and looked at them. As we testified of the Savior, her heart was touched by the testimonies of each painting. After the interview, President Jenkins told her that it was no coincidence that so many of her children have become Mormon, and told her that there are probably ancestors tugging from the other side at her family. He told us to look at the paintings of faithful women in the R.S. room. He left because he had to be somewhere. Then after a few minutes, he came back, and burst into the room with tears, and hugged her, and told her he was impressed to come back and tell her it was her time to listen to what we have to say, and to join her family. It was incredible. After we finished looking at all the paintings, she gratefully accepted a Book of Mormon! Later on in the week we went to the Easter Pageant with them, and she loved it! She's also very excited about reading the Book of Mormon, and cannot wait to go back to the temple grounds!!

Yesterday a member brought a friend with him to church, and she is excited to learn more about our church, her whole family has been looking for a new church to go to!!! It was amazing.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I know that as we pray continually, many mighty miracles will happen because of faith. I was studying patience and thought about how sometimes we cast others or ourselves "out" because of exceeding poverty--not only monetarily, but when poor in spirit, emotionally, physically, mentally. See Alma 34:40-41:

40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your  exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions,with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Sister Snyder & I got to see a banana tree!

Antonio got baptized!!! We are so happy for him!

P.S.  this movie is really really good: http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694

General Conference: Great Counsel :)

In General Conference I learned how much Christlike love has the power to change the world for the better. When we love our fellow man with the purest love we can, we love God the most we can. When we love God the most we can, we love our fellow man the most we can. Pure love of God & others are inseparably connected. Christ gave us the example, that which we have seen him do, we get to do also.

Watching it made me reflect on times I have felt the spirit strongly, I felt my faith grow stronger as I remembered & felt feelings of peace and joy.

We got to watch general conference with members, investigators, nonmembers, and less actives (miracles!). Reflecting on the impressions with everyone was an incredible experience for me; I learned so much more. Serving others is when we are most happy, and we see most clearly when we are looking to Heavenly Father.

Our area is improving! When we "whitewash" that means that we are 2 new missionaries in the area, and none of the previous missionaries stayed. The work is a little slow; we are in quite an affluent area filled with rocket scientists, cancer surgeons, etc. (no joke). And the boundaries are 2 neighborhoods... maybe half a square mile? As we filled out the records for our ward mission leaders this week, I realized just how many miracles have been happening! We have been able to meet with nonmembers 3 times in the Miramar ward! (practically unheard of in this area!!--although in my 1st area that took an hour or 2). Getting to know the members has been an uplifting experience, they are incredible.

The Highgroves YSA ward had some miracles with less actives this past week too! And someone we are teaching is excited to be interviewed for baptism on Tuesday--he loved General Conference and felt inspired to "follow the prophet".

I know that our Savior lives, and he laid down his life for us. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Remember him in all that you do, and you will find greater feelings of happiness and joy.
Endure to the end & enjoy the journey :)

Remember who you are!
Sister White

P.S. I'd love to hear what you learned from conference. What inspired you?