Howdy Family.

This week has been alright.. ha we have an investigator that we tracted into a couple weeks ago that wants to get baptized! We picked her up yesterday and took her to church for the first time.. she enjoyed it.. she says she feels like we were sent to her right when she needed us. ha. 

So my birthday is coming up in a couple weeks.. what the? 23.. I am old. so old. oh and when my best friends all get married while I am on my mission it makes me feel older. ha that's alright. If anyone is interested in sending this missionary a birthday package I will tell you a few things I am dying to have. 

1. a mini george forman grill (ok these things are awesome)

2. Music!!! I can listen to anything I feel is spiritual. 

3. Talks on Cd.. any kind of gospel topic, conference, John Bytheway, Truman Madsen, ect.. these come in handy

4. There is this really cheap Camera called a "Diana" and it is rad. I have wanted one for some time now. 

5. Letters.. a simple note will suffice!

6. New glasses. I am blind. 

I love you!

Sister Rachelle

Things that make me happy to be in Montana:

    

 1.My companion

    

 2. The people I have met and the wonderful advice I get from a lady Sister Vonneida   

  

 3. Being able to attend the temple with the Wards and Jane for thier first time     

 4. Knowing I am on the Lords errand    

 5. Seeing people change becuase of the Atonement of Jesus Christ   

    

 6. Finally having the time to complete "Jesus the Christ" by Talmage     

  

 7. Being in the middle of nowhere and walking outside in pitch black to see the MilkyWay (for real)   

   

 8. Buying and wearing lipstick for the first time      

 9. Feeling like I am completely in the "Potter's" hands and being molded into something that won't crack as easily

 10. Understanding the importance of family

Love, Sister Davidson

Let Go. Let God

There are some things.. especially on a mission that make it impossible to "take care" of myself like I normally would. I am starting to try and worry less on these matters and let God take the reins- if you will. It is inevidiable that many personal things must be pushed aside while serving the Lord. .

      When I let God take over and show me the path I find myself to be a much better/happier person than I ever anticipated. God knows us. He knows our weaknesses, strengths, worries.. ect.
     Our life is not just a rote presentation of bliss with hailstorms of unexpected pain and misery. Sure life has valleys of sorrow.. but the gospel gives us the ability to use the Lord's sacrifice to lift our spirits. I am convinced that God recoices when we do.. and cries with us when we feel pain.

 I have had many people on my mission say.. "well if there is a God why would let all these bad things happen in the world"? We have all asked this question to ourselves.. if you think you haven't.. then you are not human. My answer to this would be that of course God has the power to take away all these problems from us.. but how could we grow if everything was perfect? I dont know about ya'll but for me I know that my trials have made me the person I am today. I am more compassionate, understanding of others pain, happier. . ect.

      I have seen many miracles on my mission. . and also many heartaches of those around me. I feel like my mission has been my whole life. I love the people here so much.

Marvin.. the 80 year old man we baptized this summer has been diagnosed with Lukemia.. we have been to the hospital twice this week to sing to him and read him a scripture. He is such an example of faith. The people here have imporoved the quality of my life so much. I would like to think that I am beggining to feel love for those around me as the Savior would. I mean these people in Montana are soo different from me in many ways, yet so similar.. they were strangers at first, but now they have become family.

Love,
Sis Davidson

Aloha

Well this week was good! I love my mission. I have decided that a mission is training for the rest of your life. I get to see soo many different people in their home element.. I get to see how they raise their families, what they love most, what they spend their time on.. how they keep their house.. what their interests are.. what and how they cook..and especially how they view and practice spirituality.

    I consider this a huge blessing because in what other situation can you just go into so many different peoples houses (strangers at first)  to just talk about the gospel, eat, just chat about family.. ect.. it is really odd I think that people just let us into their space! You really get out of your normal life comfort bubble.. I thought I loved people before my mission.. but now I love them EVEN MORE.. 

    I prayed and fasted this Sunday and asked if we could just find some new people to teach... well we did that night! We had been trying to get into this part-member families house forever... the parents were on the verge of divorce and moved into separate houses.. two weeks ago we were walking to an appointment and we saw Sister Bulski.. the mother.. and we were like.. Hey do you need anything? Can we help ya? and she says.. no unless you like cleaning.. Dan and I are moving back in together so I gotta clean the house.  Of course we were quick to jump in and help so we spent the time cleaning and talking.  So anyhow.. they were at church on Sunday and we asked if we could come that night.. they said yes. So we taught them the first lesson and it went great! Dan was catholic in his childhood but has since looked for something else.. He is reading the B.O.M now and since his wife and kids are members he said he may as well investigate. So we are so excited! The Lord answers prayers quickly sometimes.

    Well I love ya!

    Sister rachelle