Faith & Character - 11/4/19

 Hello friends and family!

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween! And hope at least some of you enjoyed my Dads AMAZING set up! It looked so awesome! 😊

Halloween was an interesting day here. We had to be inside by 6 so we didn't have much time for proselyting. We decided to set up a table in front of the church with a map and as kids walked home from the high school have them mark where their ancestors are from and hand out candy for Halloween. We have done this activity before with questions to answer and popsicles but haven't seen many results. That day we had 11 people take our phone number because they got so excited about family history! It was so cool! We were so happy until we went to put our stuff away and grabbed what we could to take in and when we came back our table had gotten stolen.. it was crazy! 

We also ran into a coyote this week which was super awesome. I tried to get a picture but it was too dark. I've now seen a javelina, a scorpion (apparently it was one that could kill you), and a coyote! Next is probably a bobcat, there are a ton in this area. A few families in our wards have had their dogs eaten by bobcats! 

Outside of the crazy and weird things that happened it was a great week. We saw so many miracles and grew as a companionship. We had an experience where an appointment cancelled at 815 and we were stressed on where to go. We cant knock doors past 730 because people go to sleep so early here but we decided to pray about where to go. We both clearly felt the impression to go to an apartment complex were at nearly every day called Array. We felt really peaceful so we started the car and headed there. As we were driving Hope of Israel started playing so we turned up the music. The last line of the first verse says, "And the battle's in array". Right when we heard that we both were overcome by the spirit. We KNOW there is a reason we need to be there. There could be people waiting to hear the gospel and we know as we continue to follow promptings from the Holy Ghost we will find them. God is so good! 

I have decided I am going to send a conference talk in my letter each week that has really helped me learn and grow closer to my Savior. I invite each of you to read the talk I send and find how it can apply to your life! These talks are SO inspired. I know God works through his Prophet and Apostles on exactly what we need to hear.

This week the talk is "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" by Richard G. Scott from October 2010. My favorite quote(s) from it are, " Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith...Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience...We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day."

Be who you want to become! You will fortify and strengthen your character through conscious choices you make each day. CHOOSE to follow Jesus Christ. CHOOSE to follow Gods commandments. CHOOSE to serve others. These are all our choices. 

I love you all so much!! Have an amazing week! Happy November! 🦃🍁🍂

PS I know I am wearing a coat in one of these pictures.... We got so cold in 48 degrees it was ridiculous! But hey, Arizona is weird!