August 12

Hello hello!

I'm so glad to hear that the trip was so much fun!  It's great that you guys were finally able to go and see Mt. Rushmore and have that awesome experience.  I love the pictures!  And I totally loved the pink shirt that Levi was wearing as well.  ;-)  

My birthday was great.  A member was very kind and made sure that I was able to have a birthday cake and everything which was great.  Also, the Elders in our ward got wind that it was my birthday and they doorbell ditched us and left a cupcake on our doorstep that morning.  The missionaries who are in my district also all made sure to call and wish me a happy birthday and the Elders in our district who speak Portuguese sang happy birthday in Portuguese as well which was a lot of fun. I enjoyed my birthday a lot.  

But I think that the biggest miracle was the fact that it was just another day!  When I woke up that morning, I knew that I didn't want to make the day all about me.  Usually, our birthdays are all about us and I love that!  But as a missionary, I remembered that August 9th was not a day for me, it was a day for my Savior.  So I asked Heavenly Father to help me to remember that I was not the main focus that day.  I had volunteered myself to serve the Lord full-time for 18 months, and that counted birthdays and holidays and I wanted it to stay that way.  Heavenly Father greatly blessed me because of that.  We recognized people that we could serve and we acted on it.  It's really hard to explain, but I was so grateful to forget myself that day and just serve those around me.  My favorite part of the day wasn't eating cake and celebrating my birthday, it was when we were able to do a small act of service for someone in need.  I loved doing that.

OK here's a funny story of the week.  We got the cops called on us!  We were tracting and I guess that there were a lot of burglaries in the area recently and apparently, we seemed suspicious so a home owner called the police.  They found us while we were walking back to our car actually and they had to stop us and give us a quick background check.  Let me tell you, I was SO grateful to have my proselyting card!  But it was hilarious because the police officer knew from the start that we weren't the burglars, but he had to do the background check anyways to appease the people around the neighborhood.  It was really embarrassing but our District Leader just thought that it was the greatest thing ever.  So, if there are missionaries going out, make sure to carry around your proselyting card even if people say that you don't really need it because you never know if the cops will end up stopping you while you're proselyting!

Yeah Sam just got married on the 10th!  I was so excited for her.  She sent me a letter last month telling me about the postponing of the wedding and I'm glad that they're now officially married!  And Savannah told me about Chloe getting engaged but that's all that I've heard!  I don't even know the guy's name!  My friends are totally FAILING at keeping me in the loop!  But I'm glad that she's getting married and I'm glad that Emily and Ben's baby is cute and healthy.  I'm glad that Landon's getting back into the groove of things and such as well.  How's Katelyn doing?  And Storie?  I should probably write her again.  I do hear from Tyler so I know that he's doing well.

I'm glad that you got the card I sent you mom!  Sorry that it came so early.  I didn't want to risk it not getting to you in time by sending it this week so I sent it last week.  But I hope that you enjoy it.  Also, Grandma and Grandpa sent me a birthday check, is it OK if I send that to you and you put it in my checking account and pay the tithing on it?  I think that I'm going to use some of the money to buy a GPS because the map is just not working.  My poor companion gets car sick really easily and having to look at the map isn't helping her.

I'm so glad that Dad's starting work today!  It's great that he has a job but can still try to work on his business and do tennis and such on the side.  That's exciting!  Good luck Dad!

It truly is a gift to be serving the Lord full-time.  Everyone says that it's a great sacrifice on our part, but in reality, it's more of a gift to us from our Savior.  Going out on my mission, I thought that I was making a sacrifice to the Lord by giving 1 1/2 years of my time.  But actually, He is giving us such a gift!  This is a great opportunity to learn and grow, and then to also bless the lives of the people here!  How wonderful it is to serve the people in Orlando!  The mission truly does teach us so much and it is a miraculous blessing.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my Savior and to wear His name on my chest every day.  There are two names that are big on this name tag, my own, and Jesus Christ.  How wonderful it is to have my name next to His and be able to say that I'm a literal representative of Jesus Christ.  

Thank you again for the wonderful birthday wishes!  You all are just awesome and I am so grateful for you and the love and service that you've given me.  You are all truly blessings and a light in my life.  I love and miss you all!  

Oh, and Mom,  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  I know that it's not until Friday, but happy birthday on Friday!  I hope that the kids treat you well and that they spoil you on your special day.  You deserve to have your day!  Love you lots, and I'm thinking of you!

With love,

Sister Ward