A little bit firmer

 One man repeatedly told us he didn't believe a single part of the gospel, he just knew that it wasn't true. And I asked him why it not being true mattered to him so much that he had repeat it over and over again to us.

Another woman told us that she believed in the Bible. Only the Bible. None of that mormon book. We drove away and I cried because she doesn't even know what it is. A book that means everything to me is what turns people away from the Christ that I've come to know through it. 

Everything that I believe hinges on Joseph Smith's experience in the sacred grove. And I know that it's true. There are people here that are open, there are people here who have experienced the joy of the restored gospel, there are people who's lives have been changed. But in all our experiences with those who don't believe, I walk away with a firmer testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 

What are you going to do to make your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ a little bit firmer? 

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex 

Always freezing our bums off but the work continues

Oh this funny lady, she came around the corner fuming when she thought we stood her up 

Humble, Real and Sunshine

Lost some ceiling in this process 

Pink skies and punk kids 

Listen with your heart

I've spent a lot of time listening on my mission, but this week was a week of listening with my heart.

Little Evan is praying to know if he should be baptized. And to watch this little 10 year old talk out his concerns and come to the realization that he's never asked God a direct question before was a special moment. As he spoke, I felt that warm feeling in my heart that God would answer that sweet little boys sincere desire. I started crying as I told him that and he just grinned and asked:

"Why are you crying?" 

His grandpa laughed as he explained sometimes when we feel the spirit we cry (@ me).

Later that week he caught me crying again after they sang "If I Listen with My Heart." He ran up to me with his bright little eyes and said:

"You must feel the spirit a LOT." 

That is one of the things I love most about being a missionary- we feel the spirit a LOT. And it's when I listen with my heart that "He speaks to me in quiet ways that feel my soul with peace." 

Take time to listen with your heart this week.

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

Byeeeeee party comp!! #makena&elizabeth'spartycomingsoon 

Gary and Todd but sister missionary style

Thanks @ Elder Makalio for the crafty photo 

They always get me tearing up "you must feel the spirit a lot" 

The SWEETEST Sister Webecke 

My England Grandma 

The face of a person who realized this is her last transfer

Palmdale: a less than pleasant place

Nothing like being mocked by children, sworn and yelled at, doors slamming and dirty looks whenever we walk by. Too many times we walked away just shaking our heads and reminding ourselves how much we love Jesus Christ.

And that's how it goes here in Palmdale. We love Jesus Christ and we keep taking one step forward because the moments when you find someone who's heart is open and Jesus Christ becomes real to them make every rejection worth it. 

Talking to a dad in his yard he wasn't looking for religion, but as I talked about the firm foundation that the gospel has given me and my family, I pointed towards his little girl jumping and giggling on the trampoline. There was a still moment as we all watched her and then there was a shift and our conversation became real. "Maybe we should go back to church, I still have one of those books." More than telling us, he was telling himself. 

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is what makes a difference in our lives. I know that there are difficult times, but my heart pleads with you: through all the slams, swears and shakes of life, hold onto Jesus Christ.

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

How this transfer felt 

Ah a palmtree in Palmdale!

•#allaboutthelighting

One day Nancy will make me a quilt

OUR INSPIRATION KIRIN

"I just took my hair off!"

*whips out fancy camera* oh we love the Carters 

The best door knocking contacters

That's one way to pop a back 

sPoOkY mOnTh

#engage

Our running joke is to "engage with as many people as possible" each day and boy oh boy has it given us some stories: 

Sister Hicks rolled my window down for me at a red light and said "engage with that man right now." Palmdale people normally ignore us but this man ripped off his headphones and yelled "my number is 661-501.... my treat my treat!" The light turned green and I was laughing so hard as he chased after us yelling his number hahhaha that's one way to engage while driving 

Walking through a park that's only safe during daylight hours a man hollered us over to his car "Mormons? I used to meet with you... I think you have what I want." He left and then came back completely dressed up in a nice sweater and chains, ready to learn

Daisy told her daughter "just one more lap." On that last lap she ran into us and as we talked, my heart was full because I knew I was looking into the eyes of someone who was prepared. "I look forward to what you have to share, maybe I can come to your church?"

As we've spent all our time outside #engaging with people we received a miracle phonecall. The Harper kids have permission to be baptized!!! 

Engaging = feeling God's love for people. The longer we talk with people, the more love we feel. "The first truth of the gospel is that God loves us with all His heart, might, mind and strength." It's true. I know it and I love Him for it.

Love big! Love hard!

Sister Rex

Always gotta end the night with some self love

Sweater Weather even tho it's still 90

Training up these sisters to be master "engagers" ;)) 

Celebrating 17 or 29 months?

If you knew where these carrots have been 

All day and all night out at the park 

Coming at you from all different angles hahaha "divide and conquer" 

"Engage with that man right now."