Growing into Allyson

Engaged!

2012-01-06T00:41:00.000-08:00

When I was 16, I fell for this crazy silly kid named Steve. We met at a church swing dancing practice. He told me he liked my eyes. I told him I liked his checkered shoes. We hung out one time after a Bonanza basketball game and went to Macayo's, which is ironically where my parent's first date was. It was history after that. That was 6 years ago. He made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. He sat in my blue ford focus and listened to me cry about my high school drama. He took me to his senior prom. He wrote me love songs on his guitar. We went on the church history tour. He served a mission in Guatemala. We wrote. He came back and we dated for 2 years. He chased me to Utah. I ran to Spain. I chased him back to Vegas. Then I went on a mission to Houston Texas, which was surely the best year and a half for my life. He... kind of wrote. And when I came home, he swept me off my feet again, and convinced me for the twentieth time that he is the kindest most wonderful man I've ever known (besides my Dad), and forever sounds perfect only if it's with him. He asked me to marry him on New Years 2012. And we will be married for time and eternity on March 16, 2012, which is my parents wedding anniversary :). Love, the future-- Allyson Carter.

2011-12-07T10:04:00.001-08:00

I was looking through some of my friends' blogs. I haven't done that in what feels like forever. I found these adorable quotes on my sweet friend, Sierra's, blog. Love her. And these sayings are beautiful.
The first one reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures- D&C 82:10.
Things will be alright.

The Return Home

2011-12-05T15:44:00.001-08:00

I suppose you probably know. I have returned from my mission in Houston, Texas. I wanted to say thank you to all those who have been so supportive. Whether it was through letters or prayers or just helping me make good choices so I could get to this point... Thank You. Thank you for your examples and for your love. I so loved President Monson's Christmas Message from last night's devotional. I agree with him that two very wonderful words are Thank You.

I'll post some pictures of the last week in Texas. My parents came to pick me up, and Oh, it was wonderful. Seeing them for the first time in 18 months was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was everything I ever thought and hoped it would be. We visited many wonderful families who I love so dearly. I will always have a large part of my heart reserved for Spring and Tomball TEXAS.

Now, the next part of this post is going to be rather hard for me. But I want to express my feelings a bit. When I left for the MTC, walking away from my parents was surely one of the hardest things I had ever done. But when I met them again at the close of my mission and we were reunited again, it was surely one of the happiest moments of all time. I kept a picture on my desk my whole mission. It was a picture of my Dad giving me a last hug before leaving for my mission. I kept that picture in such a visible location because it reminded me of how my Father in Heaven must have felt when He sent me here to earth and gave me one last hug goodbye. Surely He knew, as did my Dad, that it was the way I could progress in my journey and it was the best thing for me, but still I'm sure it was hard to let me go. I think of all the joy, now, of that reunion I had with my parents. I think of how wonderful it will be to be back in the arms of our Father in Heaven. And when I think of that. I can't help but feel such peace concerning my sweet sister, Leah. She passed away on November 29, 2011. Just a few short weeks after I returned home from Texas. I got to see her one last time, on Thanksgiving. I will forever cherish that time I got to spend with her. It was a pure gift from God. I feel peace knowing that she felt such joy and peace as she entered into the arms of our Father in Heaven. In the Book of Mormon, in Alma 40:11, I have found a gem. I was touched by this scripture also when both my grandmothers passed away. It says, "Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-- Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." Home to that God who gave them life. Though it was so difficult for my parents to see her go, I believe and know that Leah has gone to her Heavenly Parents now. I like to think it was easier on Heavenly Father sending Leah here because He knew what an amazing father and mother she would have. And now, perhaps it can be ever so slightly more easy, knowing that she is returning to the arms of that God who gave her life and loves her with a perfect love. I know I will be with my sister again. I so look forward to that reuniting. I will live my life preparing for that day. Families can be together forever. I just know it.

Updates from Texas...October 2011

2011-10-30T22:45:00.000-07:00

10/24/11

I can hardly believe I have reached the lastweek of my mission. I sometimes think back and wonder how in the world I madeit all the way through. And my only answer is that my Heavenly Father carriedme through the parts that were too much for me to bare. He let me strugglethrough the parts that have refined me and made me smoother. And He blessed mewith my amazing mom and dad who sent me weekly emails and letters myentire mission. And I have learned that we cannot experience anything inthis life that will really last unless we do it while living and lovingthe gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that makes sense. I'll figure out how toword it better someday.

This week was good. Brandon was baptized. He is a 14 year oldboy. His mom has a lot of addiction problems and his dad isn't really close by.He was permitted by his parents to live with a family in the ward. This familyhas loved him and cared for him and taken him in like he is their own. I hadthe great opportunity of teaching him a couple of times before his baptism onSaturday. He reminds me so much of Kaden, the way that he is so kind and gentleand smart and handsome. Brandon was taught all of the lessons in Utah by somesister missionaries there when he went with the Stephens for a family vacation.We taught the lessons again and he was totally prepared for his baptism. Hisconfirmation blessing was beautiful and I could feel the spirit and I reallycan see how the Lord is sending his finest in these last days for the gatheringof Israel and much more. After the baptism, Sister Roberts and I were puttingaway the picture and easel in the church library and we heard Brandon comingdown the hall with 5 people from his nonmember family, giving them a tour ofthe church. He pointed at where we were and said, "This is the librarywhere children come to get chalk and to borrow scriptures. Aunt, do you wantsome scriptures?" He is such a missionary already. His mom has come tochurch the past two weeks. She doesn't live nearby and will be going back soon,but I have a feeling Brandon's choice to be baptized will not end with onlyaffecting the Windrose ward and the wonderful family he lives with. Hischoice will bless the lives of his whole biological family, and Iam just so excited for him. He is such a stud. I am excited forya'll to meet him at church when you come.

We had a miracle happen this week. Wedecided to contact someone we had talked to in the apartment complex acouple weeks back. His name is Abel. We went up to his apartmentand he and his friend Carlos were there. They said that they wanted tolearn more. We shared with them the restoration. They had so manyquestions for us. It was awesome. They asked about Adam and Eve and why Godwould just let them fail. They asked why hurt and pain and sorrow is onthe earth. They asked what happens after we die and they asked about baptismand they asked us to teach them how to pray. We knelt down with them andtaught each of them how to pray and right there, they both took turns sayingtheir first out loud prayer. Carlos is so sincere. He said that he has beenpraying for help to get away from all the negativity and God just keepssending him positivity to replace the bad stuff he used to be into. Heamazes me. We came back the next night at their request witha priesthood holder from the ward- Brother Dickson. We taught the plan ofsalvation and they loved it. Through the spirit, many of their questionswere answered. Oh yeah. And they both accepted a baptismal date for11/12/11 on the first visit. They came to the second lesson so prepared and haddone their reading and praying assignments. They said that they both feltpeace when they prayed about Joseph Smith. We went back the next night again,at their request. 3 in a row. Carlos came backwith a lot of questions about the temple the third lesson. Bro.Dickson's testimony about his family sealing... His sealing to his wife and twoadopted daughters really touched Carlos and he expressed a desire to have hisfamily be forever. He isn't married and wants to adopt his girlfriend's twosons. We will have some work to do to help him receive all the blessings hecan, but he is so sincere and he knows how to follow the guidance of the spiritand he will be alright.

They weren't able to come to church Sunday, butthey want to come this week. I hope that they can get the courage to come andpartake of the sweet joy that resides in each of the chapels. And the sweet joythat comes from partaking of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We had another miracle this week. We had anappointment with Marcela this week, but when we went over with Emily, she was not there. Her Dad, Manuel, answered and said she was out withher debate team. We asked if we could just come in and teach him. He said yes!We had no idea what to teach him. His English wasn't that fluent and we justdidn't know where to begin. I have learned that if you ever don't know what todo or where to begin, just start with a prayer and the spirit will lead you.After saying the prayer, Manuel said, "It's so interesting that you arehere right now. I have been wanting to get closer to God." He then expressedthe struggles he is having with his role and expectations as a father andhusband. He seemed to have reached a point in hisspiritual development where he needed something more. He turned to the Bible.And it gave us the perfect opportunity to testify of the Book of Mormon. Heaccepted the invitation to read it. We will go by today with his Spanish copy.We testified about the role of the priesthood and Emily, who recently married arockin' priesthood holder, bore her testimony of that divine role and of thedivine role of motherhood. She began to cry as she talked about her husband andthe trust she has in him to always try to do what God would want him to. Shestarted to cry and you could tell it surprised her. She apologized, but thenManuel started to tear up a little and said that he recognized the truth andsincerity through her tears and said that it was a beautiful thing. The spiritwas very present. It was amazing. God knows his children. What an amazingopportunity to meet with him. We talked to Marcela's friend at church Sundayand he said that Manuel is so excited for us to come back. They need the gospelso bad. I pray they will accept it.

Well. Life is good. And I will see my wonderful family so soon. I am thrilled. I am in it to the finish. I love you all so much.

Sister Schlauder

10/17/11

Hello wonderful family. I love you all so muchand am so thrilled to see you all so soon.

Another week has come and by and I find myselfcontinually being the recipient of so much of the Lord's love. I am thankfulfor His hand in my life and the lives of all those around me.

We taught the Richardsons last week on Monday.We have another lesson with them tonight at 6:30pm. We made a Plan of Salvationchart with Sister Robert's awesome drawing skills. We presented it and theyunderstood it so well. We made this clear body to represent our spirit bodies.It was pretty decked out. Brother Richardson's wife came in late and so weasked him to explain the plan to her as far as he understood it. He did abeautiful job and I was grateful she was late so that he could feel the spirittestify of the truth of his own words. Sister Richardson asked where we got thethree kingdoms doctrine. They already have a testimony of the Holy Bible, so wedid like Ammon and taught according to their understanding. We used the versein 1 Corinthians 15 that talks about the celestial terrestrial and telestialkingdoms being compared to the brightness of the sun moon and stars. As soon asI finished reading the verse, they both slid their chairs out and got upsaying, "wait a minute". It was almost synchronized. I was prayin' mylittle heart out. I was hoping I didn't offend them. As they searched the house for their bibles, they said they had neverread that verse before and wanted to see if it was in their bibles. They gotthem and read the verse aloud for themselves and were astonished. The spiritremained there as we were praying that it would. And they said they wouldconsider it and look into it more.

We had interviews with President this week. Itwas my last quarterly interview of the mission. I've been having a lot of'lasts' lately. It's been surreal. Some days, especially being back in my firstarea, I feel like I'm still brand new. I love President Pingree. He is such akind and trusting man. We talked about the Richardsons and other investigators.He is amazing. He knows your name, your companions name, what area you are inand what investigators are in your area and what their names are. At anymoment, even when you see him unexpectedly, he knows all the details of our missions.It is an absolutely incredible gift. I have been blessed with the two greatestmission presidents in the world. I have come to truly love President and SisterPingree. They are divine. During the interview, I expressed some of my fearsabout transitioning into after-mission life. I didn't realize because I try notto talk about it much, that I had some deep rooted worries about it. I askedhim to give me a blessing and I was yet again converted even more deeply aboutthe powers of the priesthood and the connection the priesthood is betweenheaven and earth. I was given many blessings that I will never forget and muchadvice from Heavenly Father that strengthened me. I was filled with the love ofGod and I felt that He is pleased with me and wants me to keep going hard. Goodthing I have the inherited ability from my mother to be an energizer bunny. :).

We prayed with a member one night this week andthen went out knocking doors. The second to last house, a man from Lebanonanswered the door and came out on his porch to talk with us. His name isGhessan. Wetaught about the restoration and about The Book of Mormon. Wesaid a prayer with him before we left and the spirit was totally there. It wasawesome. And we could feel that he had been touched by the spirit. He acceptedan English copy of the Book of Mormon and then asked if we could find an Arabiccopy for him. We said we would. We called the office and Elder Howe (a seniormissionary) said that he had ordered an extra one just a couple days before andthat it would be there within the week. He called us when it came in and wewent to Ghessan's on Saturday. I knew that it was inspired that Elder Howe hadthe Arabic copy of the Book of Mormon. I knew that Ghessan had been touched bythe spirit. I had my hopes soaring. But when we got to the door, Ghessan cameout with the English copy and handed it back. He said, "I don't want thisreligion. I'm sorry." We were both devastated. He could tell. Heapologized again and said that it was really nice to meet us and he wishes uswell but he just said, "I just don't want to change religions. Ijust don't want to change." We said that we would still like to give himthe Arabic copy of The Book of Mormon. At first he didn't want it, but we saidwe would like it to be our gift to him. He accepted. We asked if there wassomething that offended him in the book or about the religion, but over andover, he just said no, that he didn't want to change. I pray someday he willopen the book and read it again. I know God led us to him. I know that thespirit testified of the truth to him. We left with a prayer and hiseyes became softer. But he just went inside and shut the door. It isthe most discouraging part of the mission; to see someone feel the spirit andopen their heart but then reject it. So many blessings are available to thosewho will just put their trust in the Lord and seek after Him and once they findhim, take steps to move towards Him.

That is my purpose. To show people the way tomove, what steps to take. I have been blessed with so much. And I know much isrequired. The war that existed in the pre earth life rages on today. We mustmake our stand. I hope I always am a missionary. I am grateful for my lineageand that my calling is to preach the gospel. That is my prayer. That as I leavemy mission, I will not forget and that I will always preach the gospel.

Brandon is getting baptized this weekend-- Saturday. I am thrilled for him. He had his interview yesterday and is veryprepared. He is such a stud.

I went on exchanges with Sister Pincock thisweek in Katy!!! It was totally awesome. I just love her so much. I can hardlybelieve all that has happened in our missions to bring us to this point, butshe is absolutely one of my very best friends. We had a wonderful time and hada great lesson with the Kirkpatrick family she is teaching. We taught about thespirit and how we learn things line upon line. I was able to talk aboutsomething I've been studying lately. It is this. When we hang out with oneperson for a long time, we start to act like them and talk like them and oftenour attributes start to become like theirs. I realized that when we spend timein the scriptures, with the words of God, it has the same effect. Ourattributes and desires and goals and mannerisms start to become more and morelike His. I have come to know Him more in the last year and half than I canever remember before and I know that I want to be like Him. I want to have Hispatience, His forgiving nature, His charity, His love. And I can think of nogreater way than spending time with Him through reading the words of HeavenlyFather and Jesus Christ while the Holy Ghost teaches us and helps us change. Wehad a great time in Katy. She is an excellent missionary and friend. I learneda lot from her.

We have started teaching two other young men,21 and 20, Jared and Julian. We had a lesson theother day with them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I was able to againextend a baptismal invitation. They said they eventually would be baptized butthat they wanted to know more first. We meet with them again on Wednesday.

We painted with Leesa today! It was a lot offun. I painted the Houston temple. I kind of paint like a 3rd grader. you'vereally got your work cut out for you, Mom, in teaching me how:). ha ha.

Thank you for sending the card. I got itthis morning and the Fed Ex guy said Sister Roberts and I looked like twins sowe decided to dress like twins today. It's humorous. Our hair is the same andeverything. We think we're pretty funny. I'll send a pic. I love you so much.Have an awesome day and week!

Love,

Sister Schlauder

10/11/11

Hello wonderful family!

Just before arriving here to the library toemail, I was putting my clean laundry in the back seat and felt somethingburning on my feet, I looked down at my feet and they were covered with fireants. I freaked out. Perhaps Amy can explain to you how badly I freak out whenbugs are near or on or around me. I still don't know how I survived Taiwan.But, outside of Peri's house, I made quite a scene. I kicked off myshoes and socks and ran around the cul-de-sac while Sister Roberts franticallytried to figure out what could have possibly happened. I finally ran inside theSpeckhard's house in a total panic and Sister Speckhard flew off the couchthinking something had seriously gone wrong. I said that I had gotten bit byfire ants and though her and Leesa stayed very attentive to me and my on firefeet, they were holding back a chuckle. They mothered me though and got my feetsmothered in ice and anti itch cream and I'm doing much better now. Guess themissionary burn comes in many ways. ha ha. I'm so dramatic when it comes tobugs and boys. Glad I'm only dealing with bugs for now.

Anyways! I have this awesome quote I wanted toshare with ya'll. It's from an Ensign I have just been enthralled with the pastcouple weeks- the 1984 October General Conference Ensign. Neil A. Maxwell said,"As to scale what occurred in the gardens of Eden and Gethsemane is ofenormous significance to all mankind, but it was inversely proportioned to thetiny plots of earth on which those eternity shaping dramas were played out.Truth, as Mount Sinai showed, transcends the importance of the terrain on whichit is given. The Holy Land is a comparatively small strip of sand, about 200 by75 miles! Even so, there in occurred the central drama of all humanhistory." I love that. I know that by small and simple things are greatthings brought to pass. In this tiny area of Texas that I have come to love andknow so well between Spring and Tomball, I have seen miracles. I rejoice withAlma when he was confounding Korihor that 'all things denote there is a God.' Iam certain there is a God in Heaven. I am certain He has a body of flesh andbone, perfected and glorified. And I am positive that through His son, JesusChrist, we can return to Him and become like Him. I know He is the Father ofour souls. I know that death cannot separate families sealed in the temple. AndI know that God has a plan for us that we all accepted before we came to thisearth. And I am desperately trying to help people remember the plan theyrejoiced in long ago.

We've been teaching a 14 yr old boy-Brandon. He's an angel and reminds me of Kaden a lot. Just a smart studwho loves the gospel and is just pure and good. I miss Kaden a lot and startedtearing up in the lesson with Brandon yesterday and I had to snap myself out ofit quick. I love you Kadaman! We taught about daily scripture study and thestandards of the Strength of Youth and the promises of the Lord. We also talkedabout following the prophet and it was a joy. The gospel has come into his lifeat an amazing time and he has been saved by a member family from an awfulfamily situation and bad area of town. I'm so grateful for the Lord and Histender mercies and for the times when we are able to be instruments in Hishands like the Stephens family is to Brandon.

We taught a woman named Trish this weekand will teach her again tomorrow. She's from Jamaica and is a mother of 4little ones. She accepted the invitation to be baptized upon finding that allwe are teaching her is true, mainly the Book of Mormon, and I hope shecontinues to follow that spirit that is surely leading her to a happierlife. She said she never had a real family life growing up. She wants for herkids what she never had. We talked to her a lot about temples and about how herfamily can be together forever. She asked all kinds of questions and seemed sointerested in making her family relationships eternal. We teach her the Plan ofSalvation tomorrow and have made a chart just for her to help explain it. Ihope it goes well and she is able to understand how wonderful this plan trulyis.

We had a lesson with the Richardsons last weekon Tuesday and it went well. We wantto teach people and not lessons. Sometimes it is just hard to find the rightbalance of structure. The Richardsons are great and did their reading in theBook of Mormon and seem determined to find out what this is all about. I hopethey follow the spirit because we certainly aren't perfect teachers. I promisedthem last time that we would live worthy of the spirit so they could receivethis message the right way. We have tried our hardest to prepare for tonightand teaching them. I pray it goes well.

We had a great lesson with Marcela. Sheis 17 and so wonderful. She is so smart and such a good listener. She read allthe way to 1 Nephi 3 in the Book of Mormon and said she'll come to church thisSunday. We will teach her in a member's home this Wednesday. I'm just happyto be a small part of it. She is such an angel. I have alove for her already.

We saw Michelle. She is in such a betterposition now. Her baby, Addison, is healthy and happy and itwas a joy to see her. She said she will consider coming to church again andsaid she'd love to meet ya'll when you come out.

We tracted into a woman named Danny. She wascrying pretty bad and said that she had just lost her mother two weeks ago. Wetestified of forever families and tried to share what we could. I resolved tosend her a letter and we are going to put one together tonight to send. We bothfelt inspired to do that. She is too upset to think of 2 foreigners coming intoher home with skirts and black tags, but we feel she may really be touched by aletter. We were contacting in the park the other night and were on the walkingpath. A woman walked past us doin' the power walk. We sped up and asked if wecould join her. For 10 minutes, we zipped around the park with that woman,testifying of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I was out of breath by the end ofthe path and she just laughed and patted me on the back. I learned a powerfullesson. Satan doesn't mind if you know Jesus Christ is the Savior. He justdoesn't want you to do anything about it. This woman knew He was her Savior,but confessed it with her mouth and said there was no more to be done. Indeed.The blessings stop there. So sad. Ah! the comp. is about to turn off. We're outof time. Ahhhh. I'll try to log on later. I love you!!!

Ally

10/3/11

Family! It has been a joyous week back here in Spring, Texas. I have felt much love from the members and have seen howthe Lord has significantly blessed me on my mission. My mission means so muchto me. Matthew O Richardson worded it perfectly yesterday in GeneralConference. He said, “My mission was the best 2 years for my life.” Ican absolutely say the same. My mission has been the best year and a half formy life. I can see growth more clearly being back here in the area where Ibegan. Last night we had dinner with Joseph and Carli. It was wonderful.They made spicy crawfish etufe. Joe's mom, Toni was there with us and Iwas so touched that she remembered me so well. She even had a picture of me andher on her fridge. The Lord has reached out to me and blessed me with manytender mercies. He has helped me see that I can trust Him. I did not know allthat would take place over the course of my mission. But I am starting to seeso many pieces coming together. I feel deeply blessed. If I had any idea howmuch my mission would bless my testimony alone, would have walked from Vegas toTexas to get here. And then on top of that... all these wonderful people andplaces and experiences. There just aren't words to explain it. Carli gave me abig hug yesterday and thanked me for being there to teach Joseph. We laughedabout memories from teaching him and about how Sister Sorensen always made himgo get his scriptures. He misses her and says we'll always be his missionarieswhich was yet another sweet tender mercy. He is so excited about the pieces ofart he is working on to give to you, Mom and Dad. He's working on a watercolorink piece for each of you - Superman for Dad and Wonderwoman for Mom. He's veryexcited to give them to you and has been working on them all week.

We stayed busy all week. We have 2 new investigators in Kleinwood and a wholefamily of new investigators in Windrose. One family is the Richardsons and theyare the Sevy's neighbors. It was wonderful to meet them last week on Mondaynight and they let us right in and we were able to share with them a shortversion of our basic foundation of beliefs. They are a wonderful tight knitfamily. A mother, father, and 3 boys and one girl. One of the sons, DonaldJr. seems pretty interested, especially in the Book of Mormon. And themother and father (Nessa and Donald) watched conference with the Sevy'syesterday. We have our next appointment with them tomorrow. They were reallytouched by Gladys's performance and said that it opened their hearts to thisbeing a possibility for them. We contacted a woman named Chris in Kleinwood.She lives by the Hogans, Bishop Driggs, and Brother Mann (our awesome wardmission leader in KW) and she loved Gladys and said that it opened her mind.She was unable to be there for our appoinment a couple days ago but we will tryto reschedule for soon. She seems absolutely wonderful. She has a husband and 2girls. We also contacted a 17 year old girl- Marcela. She went to the concertwith her friend. She is so pure and smart and seems so ready forthis great message. She committed to reading the Book of Mormon and watchingthe restoration dvd included in the Gladys gift bag. We will begin teaching heron Wednesday this week at Conner's house. The Boyd's are wonderful members.Brother Boyd is in the Bishopric in KW and we are thrilled to be able to teachher. I know Satan is working really hard to get these individuals to closetheir hearts again and to not follow through with these feelings they have tohear more. But I know prayer conquers Satan. And I know that the Holy Ghost hasmuch more power than Satan's tauntings ever have or ever will.

I am noticing a trend with 17-19 yr oldindividuals. The Lord has sent down his very finest for these last days. What ajoy it has been and will continue to be to be apart of teaching them therestored gospel. The gospel they accepted long ago in the pre-existence. I cansense this yearning in each of them. Not sure what this is, but they have thisfamiliar look in their eyes whenever we talk about it. I know the Plan ofSalvation is all true. I know we lived with God, us, His spirit children,before we came to earth. And I know we will continue to grow and progress.

We visited with Venus R. We read a chapterof the Book of Mormon with her and the spirit was there. I am not sure she hasenough of a mental capacity to accept this gospel and act upon it. But Ibelieve that the Lord knows her situation and He will provide for her accordingto her abilities. It was a joy to see her again and visit with her.

We taught a woman named Kathy. Weshared with her the restoration and we kept it to 25 minutes because of herhealth issues. It was so powerful. Brother Brinton just came home from being amission president and he was there with us teaching. The spirit was thick andwhen it came time to share Joseph's words of the first vision, I choked up. Itwas as if dozens of memories flooded my mind all at once of sharing that FirstVision before. My heart was filled with gratitude for all the times I have beengiven the opportunity to say those sweet words and feel that sweet spirittestify of that sweet truth. It has been a great joy of my mission to beartestimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. I think that because of the oppositionand dislike towards him that we hear from so many Texans, it has made myconviction deeper and my conversion of the restoration most sincere. I amgrateful for opposition and adversity. It surely makes us stronger and forcesour roots deeper. I am grateful to be back in my roots of the mission and amovercome with gratitude so much these days for all that my Heavenly Father hasblessed me with. President Monson's talk touched my heart and I know HeavenlyFather has answered so many prayers of mine. More than I can ever remember. Ihope someday to have a perfect recollection of all the prayers He has answeredfor me. I believe I will. And I hope I have followed the answers that havecome. I believe my ability to follow those answers has increased over thecourse of my mission and I am so grateful for that. I am so thankful the Lord answers prayers andin a way that is so personal and direct.

I love you all so much.

All my love,

Sister Ally Schlauder

Updates from Texas... September 2011

2011-10-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

9/26/11

Sister Roberts and I areloving it here in Kleinwood/Windrose. I don't have much time to tell you aboutall the wonderful things that have happened over the course of this week, but Iwill do my best to type my fastest. Sister D. Roberts. She is fromLindon, Utah and everyone says we look like sisters. We have probably beenasked 20 times if we are related. I feel like we are. She is an angel. She hasonly been out 6 weeks, and so I am finishing the 2nd half of her training,although, I don't feel much like a trainer. She's got it all. I just love herso much. We have already laughed a great deal together and had some great experiences.
We went to Chris' baptismon Saturday and it was wonderful. Chris' parents even came! People were verykind to them and I am so glad. The spirit was absolutely present. It wasremarkable. He bore his testimony at the end of the baptism. He spoke straightfrom his heart and did not mince words, even with his parents there. He thankedthem for how he was raised but boldly declared that something was missing andhe has now found it. He bore solemn testimony of the Book of Mormon. And histestimony was confirmed by the spirit to every heart in the room. And I thankthe Lord for this... Carolin was there! She was there for the whole baptism andwas deeply moved by his testimony. We, as God's children, can be such aninfluence for good in each other's lives. That is the beauty of this divinefamily we are all in.

Carolin also came to Gladys Knight. And when I saw SisterBenson, she was so sweet and immediately radioed Bishop Benson and took SisterRoberts and I inside through the VIP curtain and gave us way up front seats. Heasked if I had anyone else, so I went back and found Carolin and her friend Patsitting in the back and brought them up front. Carolin was so sweet and it wasa joy to experience that with her. I prayed that her mother could be there withus, though I know she has long since passed to the other side of the veil. ButI saw Carolin's joy and believe it quite possible that her mother was therewith us and is helping Carolin along in this decision to be baptized. You maynot believe this; I didn't at first. But Carolin is really talking about beingbaptized. In just one week, since the time she offered that most sincere prayerwith us at her home, she has received several answers from the Lord. She toldme this and mentioned a few of them. She said that her husband is usually soagainst religion in general and would be against her becoming a member of thechurch, but that he asked her if she was going to be a Mormon and when she saidshe probably would, he was fine with it and she was shocked. She said to methat it must be right if he was ok with it. And then she said that she ran intoher former co-worker, Bob M., who worked with her at HP and was basicallythe reason she let us in to teach her. She knew he was a Mormon and she also knewhe was the most righteous man in the office and she saw him at the ward thatmeets right before Tomball. She said she was running just a bit late and sawhim out in the hall and could hardly believe it. She has talked about Bob andthe example and spirit he had almost every meeting we've had with her. She saidthat God just keeps sending the signs and Bob asked her why she wasn'tbaptized, knowing all that she now knows about the Mormon religion. She saidthat she should be baptized and he said he wanted to be there for it. She wastelling me these things with such a light in her eyes. And then she opened upher big Book of Mormon triple we got her. She started reading 1 Nephi 1. She said, "Chris inspired me. I'mgoing to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover." She said she now knowsit is the key to having a testimony. She also said that she was going to haveto read the whole thing before getting baptized but that Bob told her somethingthat helped her see that she already knows it's true, and that she can getbaptized before that point. She then was so deeply moved by Gladys and hertestimony. It was truly amazing to be up so close sitting next to her. I can'ttell you what a blessing and miracle it was for Bishop Benson to get thoseseats for us. Carolin has really poor vision because of her cancer and it wasthe extra witness from God she needed. I believe she will have the confidenceto move forward with baptism. I am so excited for her. It has been a long roadand I know there will be challenges ahead, but the God of Heaven speaks and itis evident to me that He answers our prayers. Carolin also said what an honorshe feels it is that I have asked that she meet my parents when ya'll come. Sheis thrilled for that. I just love her. I am so grateful for the concert thatsurely strengthened Carolin's faith and it even softened the heart of herfriend, Pat, who does not like the Mormons. I believe that is one obstacle thatCarolin was recieving opposition from that she will not receive opposition fromanymore. And perhaps Pat will follow after Carolin's example.

Cathy is doing wonderfuland helped set everything up for the baptism and went to a lesson with theSisters and Carolin after the baptism. She wants to come to Vegas soon and sheis just so wonderful.

Anyways. I have to getgoing. Sorry this email is so short. I love Sister Roberts. LIfe is good. I gota very warm welcome from both bishops over the pulpit. And I got several notespassed to me saying how happy they were to have me back and several invites formy parents to stay at their house when they come. ha ha. I was amazed by allthe love they had for me. I was really kind of startled by it. I'm not sure whythey think im so great. It just makes me giggle. I don't feel like I didanything special, but they seem to think I came back to teach and baptize alltheir neighbors. We have been getting lots of referrals from members andalready have a new investigator from the Gladys Knight referrals. Excitingexciting. Now we are off to go paint with Leesa M. I just love her somuch!!!! I love this area! It is so good to be back. The Lord knows what he isdoing. I am in awe at all the miracles he is allowing me to witness.Oh! and I almost forgot.Joseph L. is back! With his wife Carly and she is pregnant and they arecoming to church and it is so wonderful to be here just in time with them. Ilove it. God is good. Heavenly Father's love for us and for me is almostoverwhelming. I just stand all amazed at how my mission has panned out sobeautifully.

I'm ending on a sprint. Ilove you. I'll send pics in the mail. no more time!

love love love

I love you.

Sister Schlauder

9-19-11

This gospel is so sweetto me. I am assured that throughout the course of my life, I will continue tohave this truth reconfirmed to me time and time again. Just looking at thebeautiful pictures of Sadie on her wedding day reminded me of the sweetnessthat is given to the true and faithful. I have been pondering lately on thesweetness of the gospel and yet also pondering on the trials and adversity thateven the most righteous face. I found this quote while reading an Ensignarticle this week that touched my heart.

President Howard W.Hunter said: “If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and hisrestored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, ifour lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other successcan ever be permanently right” (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. Clyde J.Williams [1997], 40). I am a firmbeliever in the safety that is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the safety ofthe ordinances and covenants in the Savior's restored church. And in the safetyof following a living prophet. I so look forward to the Women's GeneralBroadcast this week. With transfers coming, (we find out tomorrow if we areleaving but they don't tell us where to. And then we meet at a chapel on Thursdayin Spring and they will do all the switching there and tell you where you'regetting transferred to) I'm not sure where I'll be for this years GeneralConference, but I look forward to the things in store for me and my missionthis last transfer. And I am certain where I will go or if I will stay will beinspired of the Lord. I have confidence in Pres. Pingree's ability to hear anddo what the Lord wants. And over the last 15 months or so, I have becomeincreasingly convinced that the Lord's will is the BEST way.

This week was good andfilled with many things that will bring success to the area in the future. I amso looking forward to Gladys Knight coming. I believe she is coming just forour investigator Carolin. We taught Carolin this week and watched WilfordWoodruff's conversion story. She totally connected and said that she is on herown search for the truth as well. She is thrilled about Gladys Knight and planson coming Sunday at 4:30 with us and a member. Carolin and her mother lovedGladys and since her mother passed away when Carolin was still pretty young, Ithink this will be a very special opportunity for her. Carolin told us that shewould love to be a Mormon, but she doesn't understand why there is only onepriesthood and one church that's got it. We bore testimony and were able to bebold with love. I told her that all truth and all the things thatGod has blessed us with to access the Savior's grace is all convenientlylocated in one spot- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shelaughed and agreed that that would be nice. We also had the Haws (an awesomemember couple in the ward) print out and enlarge a copy of "The Long Nightof Apostasy"- a chapter from Jesus the Christ to help with Carolin'songoing studies of the apostasy. She loves history and read it by the time wegot there Friday and really enjoyed it. She is such a wonderful woman and saida powerful prayer at the close of the lesson Friday. She asked Sister Cramer tosay the closing prayer and she did. And then Carolin said she wanted to praytoo. In the most sincere way I've ever heard, she prayed to God asking for helpin her search for the truth. She asked if this was the path that she should godown and asked if it would lead her closer to Him.

She has great faith andthough she has members of her family that are of different faiths, trying topersuade her in every which way, she is focused on prayer and trusting in thespirit she feels from God. I feel that she will someday soon accept the gospelin its fullness, as she only now has parts- precious parts- but not thefullness.

We have continuedsearching this week for the tens of thousands that the Lord has promised are inthis mission, prepared by Him and ready for the gospel. We have taught manyindividuals and have seen an increase in openness of the people we talk to.Just last night, we went tracting with Cathy again. Man, that girl is soawesome. And the first door Sister Fonua and I knocked, the lady came out andsaid that she was busy cooking dinner but that she had a couple minutes andwould hear us out. That was unheard of. When people are cooking here, it is asif you had interrupted the most important moment of their week when you knockon the door and attempt to invite them to learn. I was amazed and know that theprayers of members have been helping us so much in our search. We pray with amember family every night before we go out and the head of the house offers theprayer and petitions the Lord for His help for us as we go out knocking doors.More than once, I have seen the head of the household in tears as he pleadswith the Lord for us to find those He has prepared and it is a very humblingand faith building experience. President Pingree is led by the Lord, there isno doubt about it. This woman's name was Jennie, which of course Iautomatically had a love for her because that is my sister's name:)! Wetalked to her about our bold message and declared that Jesus Christ had againestablished His church on the earth, with all the blessings available as if hewere here himself. We talked about families being together forever and shelistened intently. It is so difficult in those 2 minutes on the door step of astranger's home to get across even an ounce of the deep importance and the loveand the gratitude that you have for this gospel and how badly you want them tohave it too.

And yet that 2 minutes isa greater amount of time than the 2-20 seconds that seems to be average here. Ipray this Jennie will recognize the truths we quickly tried to share and thatshe will use the tool of mormon.orgthat the church has provided so that she can learn more and then truly comeunto the Savior. That is what this beautiful gospel is-- it is how wecome unto Him, the Savior of us all.

We had a wonderful lessonwith Cathy at the Speckhard's home, with permission from our Z.Ls. It was greatto be there with some of my absolute favorite people in Texas. Cathy and theSpeckhards. We had a sort of family night lesson and I taught them the song,"I have a little candle light, I'm gonna let it shine. Don’t’ you go andpoof it out. Hide it under a bushel-- NO! I'm gonna let it shine.." It washilarious and we shared Matthew 5 and felt the spirit.

Cathy's example isblessing her family greatly and they have started attending bible studies and aLutheran- non.denom. church on Sundays. I wish they would come with Cathy butthey just haven't really felt embraced by anyone. And since somebody from thechurch they go to now put a lot of effort and friendship and love into theinvitation, they now attend there. But I believe in the Lord's timing and thathe will show them the way in their own way of understanding and willingness. Ido believe that the only thing we really have to give to God is our will.Everything else is His and we just give it back, but our will and submission toHim is what we can give that is ours to Him. That is a lifelong journey, but Iam grateful to know that there is great joy in it.

I have been reading theNew Testament a lot lately and found a scripture in Luke 12:4-5 the other daythat just made so much sense to me."AndI say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that theycan do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after hehath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."

(Ps I'm going to finishthe New Testament by Nov. 1st. That's my goal). It helped me to remember that Ihave no reason to fear what man can do, for God will be with me as I continueto strive and work for Him and towards Him.

We went to the templethis week, and I was again reassured that it is a haven and a safety from theworld. True peace is found there and I know that, for me, answers to my prayersand new perspectives come to me while I am there.

We taught a boy who isagnostic this week. Well, he said he was athiest and agnostic and yet believedin Christ at one point in his life so that he is already 'saved'. He has somuch anger in heart and calls it conviction. He seeks after answers, yet heclaims that he will never accept any answer unless God sends a crater down fromthe sky with the answer written on it and it hovers above him and then goesback up. We tried to speak of faith and he said that he hates faith and onlywants the truth and knowledge and proof. He said that if there is no proof thanhe cannot stand it. I was having a difficult time finding love for this boy (20yrs old) and prayed I would be able to find some. I then had this thought comeinto my head. "He is a son of God." And things fell into place forme. He was not 'misbehaving' because he was a bad person. He was misbehavingbecause he was wounded. And I thought of this picture in my mind of a spiritson of Heavenly Father so excited for His chance to come to earth and find thetruth. And I thought then of how life had turned out for him and the difficultexperiences and abuse he had received from the world. And what we had to offerhim was nothing of this world. And I could see him longing for the peace we hadbut yet determined that it was just not in the cards for him. Sister Fonua borea powerful testimony and so did Sister Cramer and then he just said, "Ihate it when you say 'I know'. You believe, but you do not know! Where is yourproof?" The ironic part about this moment was that he was holding the Bookof Mormon in his hands while he was saying all this. And I just pointed at it.(ha ha. Payback for all the people who have pointed at the Book of Mormon in myhands and told me it was not of God). I pointed at it and then added mytestimony to my companions that that was his evidence that this church was notman-made. That it is not in any way of the world. He had so much confusion andstrife in his heart that we just ached for him, our brother, to have the peacethat he was longing for. And there we were, 2 Spanish speaking sisters and thethree of us English sisters, with the scriptures and the formula for truth andpeace and he wouldn't take it.

He said he would pray,but only once and if the answer didn't come he wouldn't pray again. He thensaid that he wanted to persuade us and convert us to his knowledge. I thoughtof the mansion of peace we were offering to him and the hill of doubt anddisbelief he was offering us. It is so heartbreaking. There is really nothingelse to it than that. But there is hope in Jesus Christ, who knows everythingwe have gone through and will go through because he chose to suffer it all. AndI believe and know that all that is unfair about life can be made right throughthe atonement of Jesus Christ and I hope that the boy will come unto Him and behealed.

Well, pday was real funlast week and I bowled 2 strikes. I haven't been bowling since before mymission and it was fun. I also got last in every laser tag game that we played.It was almost comical how terrible I was at that.

This pday, we'll just bewriting letters and cleaning the apartment. We will meet with Sister Webstertonight for dinner and with Janis later this evening. I am grateful for thetime I have had in Tomball. And I so look forward to the time I will have herewith my mom and dad! yay!! Chris' baptism is still on for this Saturday at12:30. And he'll be going to Gladys Knight with his girlfriend Kelsey on Sundaywith us and Carolin and Janis and a few others. It'll be great. I am thrilled.

This work is sweet above all that is sweet. I love it.

I love you all so much. Ican hardly believe this day begins my last 6 weeks and I will strive tocontinue to make the most of it. I love you so much and am just overwhelmedwith gratitude for all you do for me.

Thank you for your emailsand letters and prayers. See you so soon!

Love,

Sister Schlauder

9/6/11

Hello family! Fall is here. It is chilly thismorning and I am in such a great mood because of that. I am in awe sometimes ofhow alike Dad and I are.

What a joy my mission hasbeen to me and certainly will continue to be throughout my life.

This week we had zoneconference with Elder and Sister Choi from the 70. It was a great experience.Sister Choi talked to just us sisters separately about our role in supportingthe priesthood and our divine nature as daughters of God. At the end of ourvisit with her, she said, "I know each one of your mothers are on theirknees praying for you." Almost every sister in the room lost it. How welove our mothers and miss them so much. It was touching for all of us in thereto think of our mothers and think of their powerful and humble prayers on ourbehalf. The love in the room was tangible. I think it would be fair to say thatthe reason every one of those sisters in that room was able to be there thatday in this mission with the testimonies we had was because of the Christlikelove of each of our Mothers. That came very clear to me as I sat there intears, even watering up now as I think about it. It was a great experience. Wedidn't have time for departing and incoming missionaries to share theirtestimonies, so we will meet together again today to have a testimony meeting.I will have the chance to share my departing testimony. It seems like not toolong ago, I was sharing my incoming testimony and Sister Davis was sharing herdeparting testimony. I am so grateful for my mission.

We gave Sister Pingree aride home after the zone conference and it was a joy to be able to talk withher. She reminds me of Sister Bunker. Sister Pingree is very easy to talkto and just asked us about our lives. I was able to open up to her and trusther honest feedback. It was a cleansing type of experience for me. Iappreciated the time we spent with her very much. When we got to her home, thecar was gone and she needed to pick up her daughter Kate from piano and Josephfrom football and another from soccer. We helped her out and it was veryhumbling to see how much Sister Pingree is doing on behalf of her family andsupporting her priesthood holder. I hope to someday have the same endurance andjoy and willingness to just go and do each and every day. She has 160missionary children and 5 of her own that she is still raising. She has taughtme a great deal from her loving example.

I believe so much, that the Savior's grace issufficient. It is perfect. It truly is accessible and it is applicable for every situation,circumstance, and attitude. I remember thinking that when I came on my mission,things needed to change. That I needed to help others change or at leastbe here so that the blessings could come to some so that they couldchange. It is interesting to me that I forgot to consider that I needed to comebecause I needed to change, not anyone else. That realization has cometo me many times over the last month or two. I know that I still have much tochange and improve and work on, but that is my purpose- to prepare to meet Godby becoming more like He and His son- and I am so grateful to know my purpose.

A couple months ago, ourneighbor ran up to us so excited because he had quit smoking and was so proudof himself. And a couple months ago, a woman we were teaching was so excitedbecause she was working out and becoming more and more healthy. But just in thelast couple of weeks, we have seen several who have made many temporalimportant changes, go back to what they were doing or not doing before. Ourneighbor was out smoking this morning and seemed so sad to see us. Usually heis happy and waves to us every time. It is clear to me that the reason forchange has to be lasting. The meaning has to go beyond this earthly existence.Both of those people I mentioned had motivation and reason that was not rootedwith eternal beliefs, only temporary relief from the bonds of Satan. I havecome to appreciate my testimony so much and to love the understanding we asLatter-Day Saints have of our purpose here on earth. Many here say they havebeen saved and there is no need to do any more or try to be any better or workto be more Christlike. They become stuck in their progression once theygain a testimony of the true fact that they have indeed been saved. And Satanwins because their progression stops. Today, my prayer is that I will helpsomeone to remember their divine nature and potential and help them gain atestimony in Jesus Christ that will allow them to progress and have realhappiness.

We went to Walmartyesterday and waited outside the dressing room as Sister Cramer tried on somenew shirts. We talked with a woman named Tonia. She remembered talking toSister Cramer back in Spring and wanted to let her know she looked at thewebsite and wanted to know more. Sister Fonua and I were able to talk to herabout our beliefs. She asked lots of questions and at the end of theconversation, she just said that we have such a light about us and true joy.She said it must be because we were consecrating ourselves for this time butthat when we go home, we will probably lose the light. I spoke out of realunderstanding as I told her that that was one of my favorite parts about ourmessage; light and joy can be with everyone while they are in their every daylives, in the world but not of it. I really felt the spirit speakvolumes to me in that moment. I realized yet again what a beautiful message wehave to share and realized that it is for every one and realized that I cannotever hide this light, this knowledge "under a bushel, no, I'm gonna let itshine, let it shine all the time, let it shine" :).

We doorbell ditchedflowers and a card on Bernie and Lyle's doorstep. She wasn't wanting anyvisitors, so we just did that. It was fun to me to remember all the times myfriends and I used to doorbell ditch things on the doorsteps of differentindividuals.

Cathy is doing well. I amexcited for ya'll to meet her. She is loving her calling as primary teacher andtruly has the spirit with her. She is strong and is a joy to be around all thetime. I had a cool experience with her this week. Earlier this week, I had theopportunity to share a personal experience about how I was able to findconfidence in the Lord through the Book of Mormon and fasting over my worriesof passing my math classes. I hated math and had failed it a couple times incollege and fasted and prayed and turned to the Book of Mormon and was givengreat help with math. Even to the point that I have been able to offer serviceto several individuals here tutoring them in math, like Carolin's daughterBrittney and Pablo from Kleinwood and Brantley, Cathy's brother. I talked abouthow much I used to despise math but that the Lord was able to help me, and thatI was able to trust in his help through a verse I read in the Book of Mormon. Iasked her to try it out and turn to the Lord for help with a specificchallenge. Last night, she said to us "Well, Sister Schlauder told me thatthe Book of Mormon could give me answers, so I flipped it open the other nightand it did!" She said that she had been praying about whether or not sheshould drop her photography class. She opened up her Book of Mormon to 2 Nephi32 and read the whole thing with us. She said that it was amazing to her to beable to receive that kind of message from God and she said the spirit helpedher decide. She said that it was too much money and that she doesn't need tolearn how to develop pictures and spend so much money on stuff she probablywouldn't use again. She said she felt good about her choice and that herschedule was better now for school. It was a cool experience to see her open upher Book of Mormon to a chapter that was all highlighted and underlined. I lovethe Book of Mormon. I love the scriptures. They really are the words of God andcan provide answers to our questions and prayers.

I am working on finishingthe New Testament before November arrives. I am so grateful for the scriptures.I love the Savior.

I love you all. I am offto do service at T.E.A.M and then to the zone conf. testimony meeting to sharemy 'departing testimony'. I hope I can express my testimony of the Savior andthe Restoration the way the Savior would have me to. I love you all so so muchand am excited to see you soon!

Upward and Onward.

All my love,

Sister Schlauder

Updates from Texas... August 2011

2011-09-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

8/29/11

Hi family. Y'all soundwonderful. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts you sent for my birthday. Thank you thank you all so much. I love you!

I also went out to afamous boot shop in downtown Tomball to get some official cowgirl boots. Theyare totally awesome. They are pretty heavy, and I don't think I can manage thatkind of weight in my suitcase, so it looks like I'll be stepping off the planein true Texas style:). I'm pretty happy about it.

On my birthday, it was apretty normal day in the life of a missionary. Towards the end of the night, wewere knocking doors on Berry Hill Dr, finishing up the last several houses. Wewere tired and not really sayin’ all that much between houses. I got tothinking and starting to pity myself a little. I thought, 'man. If I could haveanything right this minute as some sort of birthday wish, I would love to holda puppy.' And then I got to thinking a little more on my selfish thought streamand realized this was the first birthday in my life that I hadn't had the happybirthday song sung to me. I realized pretty quickly that I was having a pityparty and tried to get out of it, so I said a little prayer and just thankedGod for all the blessings of the day. Dad has taught me that- to think ofall you're grateful for...when you're feeling the opposite. I kid you not.The next house we knocked on, there was a little baby German shepherd puppy, nomore than 7 weeks old, just sitting on the porch. I went over and scooped himup and petted him while we waited for someone to come to the door. No one came,so I put the puppy down and bid farewell. It really is as dramatic of a sceneas I make it sound. I've fallen in love with many a dog on doorsteps.ha ha. I think it has something to do with the psychology of the door to doorrejection, and rarely do dogs ever reject, they just love.

I think dogs havemastered the art of patience. Well, most of them. Catherine told me this weekthat she learned that patience is love without expectations. Dogs just love,they don't expect anything. They are just happy to see you when you're thereand sad when you're not. But they just know how to love. Woo! Anyways. Sorryabout my love confession for dogs. It happens. Back to the birthday story. Westart walking to the next house and I kid you not, an ice cream truck comes outof blue, rollin’ down the street, blaring the happy birthday song. I couldhardly believe it. It was right then when I realized that these twoincidents were no coincidence. They were heaven sent. And I learned a powerfullesson about gratitude and God's love. His tender mercies are all around us. Iam so thankful to know that God is our loving Heavenly Father.

The next day, there wasthe most brilliant rain storm ever, with the most beautiful lightning I haveever seen. I've never seen lightning go sideways. My comps and I brought ourdesk chairs out into the middle of the apartment complex and watched the skylight up as the lightning danced sideways and the rain pour down. It was one ofthe happiest moments for me. I just sat there more relaxed than I've been in ayear and just pondered about the earth's creation and about how safe we are inthe arms of God. We are His. We've just got to ever strive to act like it.

Elder Holland cameFriday. What a joy. Before he got there, all of us missionaries from theHouston mission, the East mission and the South mission were sitting therereading our scriptures. My comps and I came with the district leader and gotthere pretty early so we could get good seats and help set up. It was indowntown Houston, outside of our mission at the Bering chapel. We were in thefourth row. It was perfect. I was sitting there looking at the pulpit thinkingabout how awesome this would be to see him that up close. When all of a suddena foreign idea popped into my head that came in the sound of these words,"You should give your seat to Sister Pincock. She loves elderHolland." I remember being startled at first. Looking around me andwondering if it was somehow an audible voice. But my companions seemedunaffected. I battled with myself and thought that it would be awkward to goall the way back and ask her to switch seats with me. And what about hercompanion? What would she think? And what if he gets here early and I am in theway? And besides I really want to sit in this spot, not clear in the back. Butthe thought wouldn't leave me. It became impossible for me to sit therecomfortably. I recognized the feeling to something I had around a girls campfire when I was 14 when I felt prompted to share my testimony. I still lookback on that simple testimony as the true start of putting my feelings and testimonyinto words. It was much like that feeling. My heart was pounding and I feltconfident this was what I was supposed to do. I knew Sister Pincock had beendeeply touched by the words of Elder Holland in the MTC and that her mothereven wrote a thank you to Elder Holland for his impact on her daughter and hewrote her back. I told mycompanions and received an assuring nod that it would be right. I went back towhere Sister Pincock was sitting and asked if we could trade seats. Shecouldn't hear me at first and it was a tad awkward because she was right in themiddle of a big group of missionaries and they all looked at me like I had lostmy marbles. But as soon as she understood, she quickly switched seats with meand seemed very excited about it. She thanked me later withtears in her eyes and I was filled with gratitude for the gift of the holyghost and the promptings we can receive that will bless the lives of God'schildren. I can't count how many times God has used one of his children to'give up their seat' to bless my life and be the means through which God pouredout a tender mercy. And it was such a great joy to feel like the Spirit trulyspoke to me and for whatever reason, I had the courage to follow it. I think itwas 'heart pounding pestering', but I also think it was the love I have beenblessed with for each of my companions and I felt that love so strongly for Sister Pincock. The Savior's love is amazing and I felt it very tangibly inthat moment. I hope that wasn't braggy or anything. I know that Lord can useall of us to bless the lives of others. Most of the time I probably don'trespond, but I felt the blessings in this case because I did and I have agreater understanding of the Savior's love and perhaps a greater testimony ofit too. What a gift the holy ghost truly is.

Elder Holland camein the room and carried with him such a presence of light and love. He expressedhis desire to shake all of our hands. Over 300 of us. He said to just say ourname and where we were from so we would all have a chance to meet him and do itin an appropriate amount of time. By the time I got there, I guess the trend ofsaying your name and where you were from had stopped about a hundred peoplebefore me, but I didn't notice. He looked me in the eyes, and I in his, and hesaid, "Hi, how are you doing?" and I stuck out my hand to shake andsaid, "Sister Schlauder. Las Vegas!" I felt like doing the KyleSteed- (a four year old in the ward who slams the palm of his hand to hisforehead whenever he sees someone doing something he feels is dumb. ha ha) Butit was a great joy and I felt his love as he chuckled at my response and lookedat me so kindly.

The words Elder Hollandspoke were pure and clear and spoke right to my heart. Just a few things hesaid that I felt a special connection with: "The road to salvation alwaysgoes through the garden of Gethsemane." He spoke about the question hehas pondered 'until [his] thunker is sore'-- 'Why is this sohard?' He talked about how salvation is not a cheap experience and that tounderstand the Savior's love, grace, His Atonement, we must at some point inour missions shed at least one of the tears he shed. We must pass through thesmallest fragment of Gethsemane to really understand- to stand shoulder toshoulder with the Savior. It was beautiful and very sacred the way he talkedabout the Savior. I'm not sure I have the ability with my words to express thatkind of reverence but I'll never forget it. Other things he saidwere: "Imperfection is not withstanding... The Lord will take you fromwhere you are to where you want to be. It will take some tears, but you can doit." I have come to know but also be veryhumbled by the fact that I am a daughter of God, with a divine purpose andresponsibility that God is cheering me on to fulfill. I pray for help to not hidemy light under a bushel, no matter how warm and cozy and comfortable that maybe.

ha ha ha. Listen tome just rambling on like I know something. Ha ha. Forgive me. I've been on amissionary high since the conference on Friday. And I have had missionary workon my mind, and the importance of it, for so long that I can't help but give a"ra ra ra speech" as Dad lovingly calls his insights he shares withme :).

I don't have much timeleft. I'll just quickly tell you of some of the work going on here in Tomball.We talked to a sister who has been less active for some time. She has a 14 yearold son who is not a member. We all connected right off the bat and she wouldlike to start coming to church with her grandma. Her name is Varessa. And we hope to be able to help her come back to thegospel, as she has been away since 16. There are a ton of young men her son'sage, so we are excited for the youth (who are so awesome) to get involved and feelthe joys of missionary experiences.

We took Catherine outwith us all day yesterday after church. It was awesome. We went on splits andher and I got to go tracting. She was on fire. She had the biggest smile on herface and not a single soul was rude to us. No one said yes, but we invited a lot to check out the mormon.org website. Catherine is an angel. She fastedyesterday so she would do a good job on her first primary lesson. She said itwent great and the kids participated so good. She is progressing and doingreally well. ha ha. Sweet. She's here at the library in between classes on herfirst day and just came up and said hi. I love her. She says to tell ya'llhello. And that the letter Dad wrote really touched her mom's heart andher mom says Dad should be a big church leader like a Stake President orsomething. ha ha. Got that covered. Thanks again Dad.

I love you all so muchand have to get going. Thank you again for all the wonderful gifts and birthdaywishes. Have a great week!

Upward and onward

Love,

Sister Schlauder

8/22/11

Howdy ya'll!

Miss Wayne at the Old Folks home last nighttold me this advice and repeated it about 15 times. She said, "Well mymama always said, Pretty is as pretty does." I thought I'd share thewisdom. She said that we were the prettiest girls she'd ever seen. What anangel. I just love that woman.

This week was a bit slower than the last butwas filled with wonderful tender mercies from the Lord. I cannot ever deny thelove I feel from Him. God is my loving Heavenly Father. My testimony has come from that undeniable love Ihave felt from Heavenly Father. My testimony has not come from logicalexplanations or interesting facts or even a very good understanding of gospeldoctrines. Those are great and have added to what I came out on a mission with,but they are not the source of my testimony. I have been soworried lately about how I came out here with just a primary understanding ofthe spirit and just a basic level conversion. I have been beatingmyself up for not taking advantage of the wonderful gospel that I havegrown up in. If my mission has done something for me, it is this- I havelearned how to make the gospel a part of who I am, not just what I do or what Ibelieve. I have learned a little better how to access the healing, cleansing,sanctifying powers of the Atonement. And I am learning every day whatit really means to have faith in Jesus Christ. For that, I willbe forever grateful and hope to never again take forgranted this wonderful privilege I have been born into.

Wooh! Just had to get that out I guess:)

This week, we had our last lesson with Chris at the Howard's house. We had a wonderful Caribbean dinner and a funfamily night. We were in charge of the game, so we created gospelJeopardy to be a review of all the lessons we have had with Chris. We haddaily doubles and the works. It was great. Chris was unstoppable. He knew everyanswer. He was helping his team mates out. It was awesome. Gospel for 400 wasto find a scripture in the Book of Mormon in 60 seconds about Enduring to theEnd. He was so fast and the first to stand up and read the scriptures he had.It was great. He was on a team with Jonathan, who will be going on hismission in a couple months, and it was a great opportunity for Jonathan as wellas Chris and the rest of the family. I love situations like that where everyone involved is so blessed. That means it is being guided by the spirit, whichis always wonderful to be a part of. After the lesson, Chris said goodbye to usand was just so thankful. He said that he couldn't have learned all that he didwithout our help and thanked us and said "now, go find more kids like meto teach" and got in his car and left. I felt a new resolve to find. Tofind individuals like him, so prepared and so hungry for the fulness. We calledthe Bishop out in Dallas and the missionaries yesterday to tell them to lookfor Chris. They had already met Chris at church and were so excited to have himin the ward. What an awesome young man.

We had a wonderful experience with Sister Rossthis week. We recognized that our visits weren't creating any desire to moveforward. The missionaries in the past had done a wonderful job helping them tofeel love and feel the spirit and remember the truths they already treasure.And now it was our job to get them to meet some members of the ward. We hadbeen trying for some time, and finally things fell into place this week. Werealized that Sister Ross likes cats, knitting, and family history and there isa woman in the ward, Sister Brewer, who loves all of those things and is aboutthe same age as Sister Ross. It was perfect. Sister Brewer agreed to have usover with Sister Ross for some desert and to show Sister Ross some familyhistory. (Sister Brewer is the Family History director for the stake). It wasawesome. They totally hit it off and became friends. More progress was made inthat hour than in the past three years of visits building up to it. Yay. I amso grateful for the missionaries in the past who didn't give up on them and whowarmed the Ross' hearts enough to get them to a position today where theycould be truly reached out to. The Lord's timing is beautiful and it is so coolto watch it unfold. It is also amazing to watch the members fulfill theirpotential as they fellowship and love and serve and share their resources andtalents to build the kingdom in their ward. What a blessing the membersare to this work. We cannot do it without them.

We got in with a wonderful family last night.Sister F. is not a member and grew up not believing in God. She got toasking us a lot of questions about God and who He is. She asked us what thedifference is between Mormons and other Christians. And we talked about thedivinity and reality of God the Father, Jesus Christ- His son, and the HolyGhost. We talked about their purpose and their roles and our life on earth. Sheshared an experience she had this past week in London. Her two young boys goton the Metro first and they were following right behind, when the doors shut,with her two boys inside the train. She said she was so scared and was sofilled with shock. Her husband tried to pry open the doorbut nothing was happening. All of a sudden, the doors popped open and theyjumped inside with the boys. She said she believed it was a miracle from God,as there was no sign of any relief from anyone anywhere. This caused her toconsider the possibility of God existing. We talked about Him for a while and Ifelt a deep love from God for her and knew she was His child that He longed tohave return home. She said that she wanted to give the Book of Mormon a try andthat she would begin reading it. There is a genuine desire within her to learn more about this God of miracles,and I pray she will come to know Him. There is no better way than throughprayer and reading the scriptures. And she has agreed to do both. I guessshe said a few prayers with the kids from our visit a few months ago, which wasa great surprise. You just never know..

I'll be 23 when I write next. I'm getting old.My 'golden birthday'. 23 on the 23rd. I'm sure it'll be great. Italready is with all the love I received today in my email inbox and thepackages. Ya'll are so wonderful. Thank you for all you've done for me. I loveeach of you so much. I'm so thrilled to see you all so soon. Thank you thankyou. My last birthday in the mission field. It's cool that my whole 22nd yearwas spent in the mission field. I will always look back on 22 with fondmemories. I look forward to all that 23 has in store. I know it'll be great...because I have the gospel. And because I love to share it. And because my eyesare fixed on the temple.

Blessings this week with all your endeavors.

I love you all forever.

Thank you again for all the birthday wishes.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

8/15/11

That was so fun to look at all the pictures ofya’ll from the beach. It seems like it was a wonderful time and I look back oncountless fond memories from summer beach trips and many family memories. Theyall helped strengthen my desire to live the gospel so the memories never end.Families really can be together forever. I was told differently by many peoplethis week. And I was even told that I was blasphemous for even thinkingthat I could receive such a precious gift. The gospel shines in stark contrastagainst the world and its teachings. Even its teachings about religion and aboutGod. I will explain. But let me start from the beginning and let you know whatI was up to this week.

We picked up Sister Cramer on Tuesday. Westruggled a bit at first, adjusting to the cramped space in the apartment andteaching and planning with three, but the adjustment came rather quickly. Iknow the Lord heard each of our prayers and helped us all to have love for eachother. It seems that Sister Cramer has brought a new peace into thiscompanionship and an excitement for the work. I remember the night before wepicked her up, I was just feeling emotional and wanting to try a new area out.I begged with the Lord that He would E-transfer me or something because therewas no way this could possibly be right. Another transfer in Tomball? I am so gratefultoday that the Lord gives what we need, not what we want. If He had answered myprayers every time I wanted out or I wanted something so bad to work out, I'dbe in a world of trouble. I realize that I am just an infant in learning totrust in the Lord, yet I know that I can completely trust in Him and the bestpossible outcome will take place. The Craminator as we call her, is such agreat blessing to us and we love the spirit she has brought to the work here inTomball. We are having a lot of fun together and I haven't laughed thismuch since I was with Sister Sorensen. I love her. I truly have come to loveeach one of my companions. And I am so grateful for that.

This week we met with Chris and hisDad. He asked us mainly about what we do as missionaries, whatmakes us qualified, and just different myths he has heard about the church. Hesaid that the biggest change he has seen in his son is one that worries him...Chris isn't watching football on Sunday anymore. This really worried hisFather.

And we tried to bring the situation back downto earth and mention that if that was his biggest worry about his son, he's inpretty good shape. Chris said something likethis: "Dad, I know that you don't understand right now what a testimonyis. But when the Holy Ghost tells you something in your heart, you just know itis true. I read the Book of Mormon and I prayed about it and I know it is true.The Holy Ghost can tell you the same thing. Then, maybe you'll understand how Ifeel. Why I am so passionate about this and why I am ready to be baptized. It'snot just joining a church. Being baptized is more than that. It's about mytestimony."

We contacted a referralthis week. His name is Kevin. He came out on the porch with adarkness about him. As we shared our invitation for him to come untoChrist, he said that he would like to come to our church and see, but only ifwe would go to his. We said that we would need our mission president'sapproval, but that we would if we received that approval. President gaveus permission and we felt that someone at that church needed to see us or begiven the opportunity to have the restored gospel, so we went yesterdaymorning. It was a classic Texas church with a Christian rock band forthe opening and closing songs. And one preacher. The preacher saw us comein and it felt like he was rubbing his hands together like he had a sermon forus. He read from Job and talked about how we don't matter. How we are a 'specon a spec on a spec on a floating spec'. He talked about how silly Job was andhow sinful his attitude was. He talked about how families won't be togetherforever but how we are all just individuals alone in our journey to God andthat we can never understand God, yet our life and salvation depends on ourunderstanding of him. He said that God was too big and too glorious to evercomprehend and that heaven will be us praising him all day and all night, withno other purpose or work to do.

He talked about God's grace, yet spoke of us asif we were blasphemous for thinking that He could love us as a father childrelationship. He talked of many other things that were void of the spirit. Theloud music and the passionate voices and sporadic dramatic prayers invokedemotion, absolutely. It even made you think. But the contrast between thespirit and emotion was made so clearly. 'Be still and know that I am God.' Howcan we know him if we are never still? The spirit is not loud and boisterousand charismatic. It is simple and calm and still and pierces you to the verycenter. It is not just a momentary euphoric feeling that is fleeting; it is alasting assurance of what is true. I hope this doesn't sound like I am harpin’on another church. That's not my intention. I know the pastor's intentions wereprobably pure, but I am trying to express the difference between a rock concertchurch and the Lord's church. It was as if youwere to come in wounded with a broken arm and you receive a bandaid. It is aform of relief, but it is not a lasting healing. Lasting healing can only comefrom the true source- from the Savior. I learned a great deal from myexperience there. The pastor came up to us outside and talked tous. He told us we were specs on specs on specs andthat nothing we did mattered and that we should only care about praising God inheaven and if our heaven includes our families, then we are selfish because we don'tdeserve anything because we are nothing. wheew. It was wild. We were kind andrespectful. But, as always happens, he pushed the button. He pointed at theBook of Mormon in my hands and told me it was false. Oh boy. I don't know whyit always happens to me, but they just ask for it. You want the truth, I'llgive it to you. And I won't hold back. At the beginning of mymission, I let it go and didn't stand up for the truth the way I should have. Iwas kind and pleasant, but all my mission I have prayed to be bold and lovingand I think the Lord is helping me to be better. This book means too much to menow. It is true. And I let him know. I said that he could not know of a suretyuntil he had read it and prayed to know. He said that he had once and had flippedthrough it once but found nothing that related to the Bible. Obviously hehadn't read any of it or he would not have said that. He thenexpressed his feeling that we were blasphemers and we were not worshipping hisJesus, but some other Jesus. It sort of felt like a tug of war. Except, we werenot bashing, we were just declaring what we knew to be true, and he wasdeclaring that we were not right. He then said my favorite line, "Well,both of us can't be right. Either you are right or I am right. One of us isdeceived." It's my favorite because finally the methods of man cease andwe both must turn to heaven for answers. We committed each other to pray aboutit and welcomed each other to each other's churches. We thanked him forallowing us to be there and left.

Kevin came to our church. He was prettydisrespectful and had quite an agenda, unbeknownst to us. He was texting his pastorthroughout sacrament and Sunday School and was asking him for Bible scripturesto 'prove us wrong.' His heart was as closed as a Chick Filet on a Sunday. (haha ha. I am so proud of myself for that one. The Chick Filet restaurants are all closed on the Sabbath becausethe people who own them are Christians who are set on keeping the Sabbath DayHoly. Pretty cool.) He is asoldier and is going on his third round to Iraq next week. The meeting wasperfect and many even talked about their respect for soldiers. Yet Kevin'sheart was closed. He was not letting anything in. Kevin reluctantly agreed to at least give it a shot and read theBook of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. That is all we can ask. Itwill soften even the hardest of hearts. I've seen it happen.

There was a missionary fireside at night lastnight, put on by Ethan G, who just got back from Africa on his mission. It mademe realize how short of time I have left. And it made me want to just do all Ican and then not stop when I get home. I always want to be a missionary.This is who I am.

I hope ya’ll have a wonderful week. Youare each in my prayers. I loveyou... my wonderful family!

Love,

Sister Schlauder

8/8/11

Houston, We Have AProblem…

I've been waiting my whole mission touse that in a subject line. This week seems fitting.

Transfer calls came. I'm staying in Tomball. Most likely for the rest of mymission. There is one change though. Sister Cramer is coming here with sisterFonua and I. I'll get to be with my MTC comp again! That'll be cool. It was hysterical when we heard the news oftransfers. All week, Sister Fonua was saying that she would be fine as long aswe didn't get put in a trio. And all week, I was saying how I feelclaustrophobic and I would be fine anywhere but here. ha ha. We both got whatwill make us stretch, I guess. It's humorous, really.

I know there is a reason and a purpose for thisupcoming transfer. I look back at the miracles and lessons of every transferI've had, and I marvel at how the Lord knows me and knows what I need,despite how I weary him with my prayers for what I want.

I love you all so much.

This week was full of ups and downs. And lotsto learn. I am grateful we had the opportunity to go to the temple Wednesday.It was a great experience.

We visited with Lyle this week. He toldus many stories from his past. He invitedus over for dinner at his house in November when ya’ll come out here. I thinkit will be a great experience, and I'm hoping he'll come to church with us theSunday ya’ll are here. That would be a much prayed for miracle. After tellingus many stories from his past, the many experiences and joys he's had and themany jobs and talents he has learned, he got this real somber look on his face.He said that all of that, as cool of stories as they may be, haven't reallygotten him anywhere. He talked about regret.He said, "I used to makefun of goody goodies like you. I used to laugh at them." And then he said,"And now I wish I would have just been good. I wish I would have just madegood choices." He then sat up and redirected the focus to us and said thatwe are so blessed and lucky to just be good people. And all the while that he was talking, Ijust felt a deep love for this man, my brother. I just wanted him to have theblessings that the righteous have. And almost suddenly, it came to me all atonce. And I almost shouted it out as I realized it. "But...Lyle,That's what the Atonement is all about! You can have the same reward asthose who have been good their entire lives!" And I wanted it so badly forhim. And I thought of the story of the Prodigal Son. I had never made theconnection. I never have understood that parable in that way. Until that momentwhen I wanted so badly for my brother to be able to have the blessings that onereceives as a result of living a good pure life, close to the Lord. We talkedabout the son who wasted his inheritance on riotous living, which is exactlywhat he felt he had done. He had it all. And yet, as he makes hisway back to the house of his Father... What joy he will find as His fatherwon't just hire him as a servant, but will embrace him and give him a robe andprepare the finest meal. I wanted that so badly for him in that moment. And Ididn't care that it wouldn’t really be fair. I think that Christlike love isgetting to the point where we stop caring about what is fair; we just wanteveryone to receive the blessings that come as a result of living righteously. Iknow the Atonement is available to him and as he exercises faith and repentanceand remembers his covenants and comes back to his Father through the Savior,eternal joy will be his. All that is unfair about life can be made rightthrough the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I don't know how. I just know that it istrue.

We taught Chris this week. What asharp and elect young man. He is truly a righteous son of God. We taught himmany things this week. He readily accepted themall.

Sister B. made it back to the temple. She's made quite a turn aroundsince January. What a sweet woman.

We met with Stephanie this week. Two of herchildren were in the room when we said the prayer. We re taught all of them howto pray and then asked them to fold their arms and be reverent during theprayer. The little boy had never sat still for that long and it was madeevident because he started squealing like he was going to explode after about10 seconds. It was hysterical. Right when Sister Fonua finished saying theprayer, he ran off yelling about how that was so loooooong. ha ha. Stephaniesaid that she had seriously never seen him stay still for that long withoutentertainment or tv. We have got to relearn how to be still and knowGod. If we aren't still, we can't come to know Him. I know God lives. He is our Father in Heaven. Iknow Jesus Chris is His son and that he came to earth and ministered to thepeople in Jerusalem and also appeared to the people in the Americas. I know theBook of Mormon is true. This church is true. It is for imperfect people. It is forall the children of God striving to come closer to Him and find joy in thislife and joy in the life to come. The Atonement is real.

It is the vehicle to peace and joy. I know it.I feel it every day.

I love you all. My prayers are with you.

Upward and Onward.

Sister Schlauder

8/1/11

Hello wonderful family. My heart is filled withjoy to hear about our family's unity and love. I am so thrilled about how ourfamily continues to extend and grow and become stronger and stronger. Familiesare the most important unit in time and all eternity to our Father in Heaven,and I believe them to be the way that we come to understand the Savior's love.I have sought after feeling that love this week and throughout my mission. I have loved mymission immensely and continue to find new strength I didn't know was inme, but also new weaknesses I didn't know were there either. It seems allmy weaknesses are magnified yet some strengths are magnified too. Isuppose that is what opposition in all things is about. It has been adifficult journey for me, but I have come to know myself deeper than everbefore. And more important than that, I have come to know my Savior better. Irealize I really do not know Him like I wish I did, but it is mylife's goal. I wish I was better at declaring my testimony more boldly and withdeeper love. We knocked on a man's door this week. He came out on the porch andI said who we were and that Christ's church had been restored to the earth andwe were there to share it with him. The look on his face was familiar and Iexpected a lashing to follow quickly after, so I was a bit shakey in my voicewhen I said it. He told me I looked nervous and unsure, and I'm not sureanything has hurt so bad as to hear that. If there is ANYTHING I am sure of, itis this gospel. It is what I am preaching every day as a missionary. As for whoI will marry or what school I will attend or even what career is right for meor any other decision that would seem important to the world-- I am unsureabout all of them. But as for the restored church, as for the gospel of JesusChrist, I am absolutely sure. I wish I could express it better. But then Ithink of Moses and of Enoch and of many others who longed to declare theirtestimonies more powerfully and yet could not. I find solace knowing that theLord knows His children and He always provides what is best. I have learnedthis lesson more profoundly than any other during my mission and that is thatGod loves ALL His children. And He will take one situation and bless as many ofHis children as He possibly can at whatever stage they are at. It is remarkableto watch it happen. In fact, I have a good example I'll share with you. BeforeI do, I'll start from the beginning.

This Tuesday, on our way to do service at theTomball food bank type place, we got a phone call from a number we didn't know.I answered it and a young man was on the other end and said that his name wasChris and that he would like to meet with us missionaries. He told usthat he was interested in learning more and that he knew the Book of Mormon wastrue. I won't lie. I thought some member was pullin a prank on us. But I wastoo excited at the possibility of this being a reality and I asked if he wouldbe free to meet with us the next day in the afternoon. He said, "Well, doyou think you could fit me in today?" ha! Of course we can! We met Chrison Tuesday at the church. This young man is exceptional. He is 19 and is homefor the summer from college. He is dating a girl in the ward and said that hehad no real interest in the church and she didn't push his investigation atall. He said that she had a joy about her that he felt he was missing. When hewas 15, a girl in high school gave him a Book of Mormon. He said it sat on hisshelf for a long time but that just a couple months ago, he decided he wouldtake it down and read it. He said that he began reading it with the intentionof just learning more, not really planning on believing in it or taking anymore action in looking into it. He said he couldn't put it down and that hefinished the entire Book of Mormon in a month and half. He had been attending Institute a few times with his girlfriend and was told that the spirit wouldtell you what was true if you prayed. He said that he applied Moroni's promiseand asked God if the book was true. As he told us what happened, we were alltouched. He was so still when he told us of his answer. I'll never forget thestillness and calmess and surety of his testimony. He said that he was filledwith warmth and light and it was something he knew had to be from God. Hesaid he wasn't really expecting an answer. Yet it came and he could not denyit. He said that he knew without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true. Hesaid that he learned so much of the Savior and loved that all of what he read connectedwith the truths he cherished in the bible. He told usthat he feels a duty to share with others what God has shared with him. He saidthat he is so grateful to God for leading him to this point and he just wantsto share with others whaGod has shared with him. I am amazed at hisconviction and testimony. I feel that Chris is one of the noble and great ones thatAbraham saw. And God has a plan for him that is greater than he could possiblyknow. I suppose that is the same for all of us; God has a plan for each of usthat is greater than we could possibly understand at this moment in time. The best way is always God's way. We taught Chris at the church 3 timesthis week. The first time, we did a church tour with a recently returned missionary andtaught about the restoration of the fulness of the gospel. The next time wemet, we brought Jonathan (who will be going on his mission in a couplemonths)and also Catherine. It was wonderful. We taught the Plan of Salvation. Chris askedquestions and commented openly about his understanding. He seemed to me to be whatI imagine my Dad was like at 19. Still. Smart. And close to the Spirit. He hasbeen talking about the possibility of going on a mission. I have learned a new meaning to the commandment of honoring yourparents. It is bringing honor to them by the way you live your life. And if theway you live your life is in harmony with God's commandments, then there istruly no better way to honor them than by following the gospel of JesusChrist. Chrisis working through the doctrine and covenants and is coming to church every Sunday and going to Institute on Thursdays and is doing all he can tounderstand the doctrines of the gospel. He is humble. And I am just amazedat his commitment and real intent to act on the answers that he has received . I can picture his excitement in the pre-earthlife to come to this earth and find the gospel and share it with his family. Heis so concerned about the welfare and salvation of others. He is truly a nobleand valiant son of God. What a joy and a blessing it is to be teaching him.Although, I know that he is teaching us much more than we are teaching him. Andthus we see that God can bless countless lives with just one simple answer toprayer. He knows and loves each of His children. Ofthat, I am absolutely sure.

I love you all so much. I hope you have a wonderful week. My prayersare with each of you.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

Updates from Texas (July 2011)

2011-07-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

7/25/11

Family!

This week went by pretty fast. It definitely had its ups, but it had its downs as well. I am learning what opposition in all things means. It seems to come so rapidly, the ups and downs. I'll simply try to dwell on the ups. Saturday morning, we picked up Catherine and drove with the Howard family to the Houston Temple. Sister Howard is one of the noble and great ones. She joined the church at around the same age as Catherine and really understands the bigger picture. Her son went through the temple to receive his endowment on Saturday. She could have just made the day about him and that would've been totally understandable and great. But instead, she wanted her girls and for Catherine to also have a great experience. And us missionaries got to be in on the fun too. We took Catherine and the two girls to do baptisms while Brother and Sister Howard went upstairs for their son's endowment. Brother Speckhard works at the temple every Saturday and came into the baptistry. It's always such a joy to see people I knew from Kleinwood/Windrose Wards. I especially love the Speckhards. Sister Fonua got to do a baptism for her great grandma. I didn't have any names with me, so I just helped with towels and shuffling girls in and out of the dressing room and stuff. Serving in the temple is great, whatever the job may be. I was sitting next to Sister Howard's girls and Catherine and Sister Howard came in to the baptistry before the session started. She started talking to me about how happy she was, having her whole family at the temple being a part of the ordinances there. She looked at me and said, "Sister, this is true joy." I felt her joy, and my testimony of the temple and of how the gospel blesses families was strengthened immensely. Catherine was baptized for ten people. She was so happy and said her face hurt from smiling so much. We went to the waiting room while we waited for The Howard's endowment session to be over and Brother Speckhard walked in. He met Catherine and got talking about his conversion when he was 17 years old and how he went on a mission and how he married in the temple even though he didn't have any support. Catherine seemed to really connect with what he was saying and it was a comfort to her. No coincidences. I'm grateful for members. They just follow the spirit so gracefully. Most the time, I don't think they realize they are following the spirit because it is so apart of who they are. Maybe it is a good sign then that sometimes we feel like we don't get huge spiritual promptings. Maybe it is just apart of who we are that we don't recognize the spirit's voice as something new or different. Just an active part of our daily lives and daily choices. Cool.

We visited with a wonderful family this week. Brother F. has been a member since he was ten or so, but neither his wife or three small children are members. Bro. F. hasn't been to church in a long time. We talked about prayer, church, and scriptures. We asked him why he sometimes does those things. His two boys were in the room, 7 and 9. And I saw him look at them and answer real carefully. His oldest son, Zachary claims that he does not believe in God and the last time we were there, we asked if it would be alright if we had a prayer before we left and he said, "No, It's actually not alright. I have a life, you know (as he pulled out his ipad)." We kind of chuckled, but at the same time were sad and wondered what we could do to help this family. After teaching Brother F. and his sons this last time, the spirit was very present. Bro. F. taught his boys the doctrine that we taught him. And we also used some teaching tools to teach the boys which in turn taught their Dad. It was cool. At the end, we asked if we could say a prayer. Bro. F. volunteered his oldest son, Zachary to say it. Zachary listened to his dad and stood up next to him while his dad whispered in his ears what to say in the prayer. He taught his son how to pray and his son repeated the words very carefully. After the prayer, Zachary looked really still, for the first time in the hour we had been there. His eyes watered up and he started to cry. His Dad asked if he believed in God and he nodded his head that he did. The spirit pricked this young boys heart. And in the quiet moment when the ipad and tv were off and he was repeating the words of his father, the spirit testified of the reality of God our Father who hears and answers our prayers.

We ate dinner at the Lamkins last night and their old lab was under the table licking my legs the ENTIRE time. It was the strangest thing. I tried everything I could to move him or get my legs into a place where he couldn't treat them like a lolli pop, but that cocoa butter lotion I put on was just irresistable for that old pup. It cracked me up and I had a difficult time keeping my composure during the dinner. Good times.

So many random experiences on the mission. Funny, Hard, Hilarious, Joyous, Painful, Difficult, Surreal, etc.

We had dinner at Catherine’s with her family. It was good but they all peaced out before the lesson. Catherine is working on her personal progress and prepared a lesson to teach to us and her family but ended up just teaching it to us and her 5 yr old brother, Ashton. It was great. She taught us a lesson on faith with drawings of the seed of faith described in Alma 32. She's excited to meet ya'll. I've told her all about you. Until next week. I send my love. I love you all so much. Love,Sister Schlauder

7/18/11 Hello Family! I send my love. Y'all are amazing. Thank you for your prayers this week. I am certain they were heard and I felt them be answered as I witnessed miracles this last week, with Catherine especially.

On Wednesday, we set up a time for Catherine to meet with Bishop to get to know him and allow her to ask any questions she wanted to before her baptism. Wednesday morning, Catherine called to say that she would be at the appointment but that her mom was going to come with her because she wanted to meet the Bishop too. We showed up at the church just after their appointment started.

Outside, we saw a recently returned missionary standing there with his parents and brothers and sisters waiting to be released. It reminded me again what little time I have left out here. And I said a prayer in my heart that I would be able to finish strong. Anyways... Sister Howard happened to be walking the halls with her son, Jonathan, who recently got his mission call to Tijuana Mexico. She and he were at the church to schedule some appointments. They could have easily done that over the phone but they said they just felt like they should come to the church and talk to the scheduler in person. After talking with them for a bit and wondering how the conversation was going with Bishop and Cathy and Julie, Julie stormed out. She seemed angry or just frustrated. She didn't see us. We gestured to Sister Howard, who understood what was going on and came with us to go sit with and talk to Julie. Julie opened up and laughed as she said, "I'm gonna get myself kicked out of this place!" She said that she was grilling the bishop with all her questions and that she just really wasn't sure about all of this. But she changed the subject real quick and was just friendly to Sister Howard and Jonathan. Cathy has been to their house many times and so it was great for Julie to finally meet them. Sister Howard was able to talk to Julie and immediately her countenance changed. She had questions about the temple and Sister Howard said, "I know that families can be together forever because we have temples." She talked about how much her family meant to her and how she would do anything so that they could be together forever. She bore pure testimony that it is in the temple where families can be sealed for time and all eternity, not just til death do you part. It was amazing to watch it all unfold. Julie's heart softened so naturally as Sister Howard spoke. You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it. But I watched an upset mother go from angry to submissive to grateful with one simple pure testimony from one simple pure woman. Julie said, "I guess I never let these Sisters teach me anything. I always run and hide. I didn't know you believed that. I think I understand now." Then she said, "I think I should listen to Cathy more. She's a good girl. I'm proud of her. She's making the right choice." Just then, Cathy walked out of the Bishop's office with the most beautiful beaming smile. She was radiating pure joy. Julie apologized to the Bishop for grilling him and then he just simply said, "This is us. This is who we are." As he pointed to Jonathan, Sister Howard, me, Sister Fonua, and Brother Gero who was waiting for his appointment with Bishop and was a necessary part of the conversation with Julie. Julie expressed her appreciation and then was just her fun happy self. Before her and Cathy left, she promised that she would bring the whole family to the baptism and support Catherine through the process. Some might say it was just a coincidence that Sister Howard happened to be walking around the church building at just that exact moment when we ran into her. Some might even say that it was just a coincidence that she is the only member of our ward that was once preparing to be a nun and who could relate perfectly to Julie. Some might call it coincidence, but I know better. I know that God, our Heavenly Father, is in the details. He is aware of us. He is mindful of each of our individual journeys back to Him. We are not alone in this work. God is preparing hearts and working out every detail. And sometimes we are blessed enough to see it first hand or even be the instrument in His hand.

Catherine was baptized on July 15, 2011. The Baptismal service started at 6 pm. It was the most amazing baptismal service I've ever been to. It was packed. Members from the ward filled the seats in the Relief Society room. Many of whom were directly involved in Catherine's conversion process. Many who invited her over for dinner or gave her rides to and from church or other places. It unified the Tomball Saints. Catherine has blessed the lives of countless people, including me. I had the opportunity to give a talk on baptism. And after I finished, Brother Steed still hadn't made it there from work. Bishop got up and said that while we waited for Brother Steed to get changed, we could have a few minutes for whoever wanted to get up and bear their testimony. Ethan was the first to stand. He bore a beautiful testimony and it seemed like the room got brighter and brighter with each testimony. Elder Foster also stood up and bore his testimony. He said that he didn't know Catherine very well but every district meeting we talk about how she is doing and he has been praying for her and her family for a long time. It was very tender. I am grateful for the Lord's plans. They are so much better than our own. We could not have done all the planning in the world to have created the situations and experiences that produced the miracles and tender mercies we saw this week, especially for Catherine and her family.

Catherine had to go under the water three times before they were able to get it perfect. At the end, Bishop talked about how the Savior's Atonement covered all of our sins and pains. It didn't just cover some of them or most of them, it covered all of them and because of His perfect Atonement, we can all return to live with God again. Baptism is symbolic of the Atonement and I had never realized that so clearly before.

Catherine was also confirmed on Friday and she was glowing the rest of the day. She is so filled with joy.

This morning she got Sister Fonua and I to go do some family history work at the family history center where she volunteers. She helped me with my family history work! And I found a ton of names on the Schlauder side! So exciting! I so look forward to spending more time with that when I get home. Did you know that my great great great great great Grandpa is Francois Joseph Schlauder and he was born in 1785 in Alsace France. Pretty awesome!

I am so grateful for you being the pioneer in your family Dad. You rock.

Well, I am out of time. There was a bunch more things I wanted to tell you. I'm glad you liked Lyle's song. We visited with Lyle this week and he read my mormon.org profile and is getting a book for me that will teach me how to draw. He swears by it. Ha ha. Now, if I could just help him be as passionate about the Book of Mormon or the Church as he is about music or drawing, he'd be unstoppable. All things in time of course. I have a firm testimony that the Lord is in the details and He is aware of all of his children.

Man. These two guys at the library here just got into this huge fight. And one had to be carried away on a stretcher. That was intense. The world is growing more and more wicked with every day. I feel comfort in doing missionary work and inviting as many as I can to repent and change their lives so they can receive the Father's love more abundantly and share that love with others.

Sacrament Meeting on Sunday was absolutely perfect. Carolin came. And the talks were all about temples. The first counselor in the temple presidency and his wife, both spoke. It was way cool. Word for word, Sister Steward spoke on one of Carolin's biggest concerns and it gave me watery eyes as I sat there just pondering about how much the Lord knows and loves each of His children. Catherine got her temple recommend after church and we plan on going with the Howards and President Pingree's daughter and Catherine to do baptisms while Sister Howard's son receives his endowment on Saturday. That'll be awesome. I love the temple.

Thank you again for your prayers. I know that they were so helpful and necessary in helping Catherine to be able to receive the great blessing of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. She is so happy. She's excited to meet y'all.

I love you. I miss you a ton and am thrilled to see you soon.

You mean everything to me, family.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

7/10/11

Many times this week, I wrote in my journal "It's days like these that I know... my purpose. I know why I'm here. I know that I am a daughter of God. I know that I was sent to serve in Houston Texas for a very specific reason."

On Saturday morning, I had one of the sweetest experiences of my mission. I got to attend the temple to see Leesa M. receive her endowment. I've walked up those stairs in the Houston Temple so many times, but this time, I saw Leesa in her beautiful white dress sitting on the couch at the top with two of her sisters. It was a beautiful sight. One I'll never forget so long as I live. She looked so pure and confident and happy. She understands who she is and on whom she can rely. She has put her trust in God and has given up smoking and time spent working so she could be at church instead. She has exercised faith and that faith has moved mountains in her life. Mountains of pain, of addiction, of loneliness. And she will have the chance to do the work for her husband and to be sealed to him for eternity. It's moments like these that you know why you believe what you believe. I believe in the priesthood power to bind families together forever. I believe in second and third and forth chances. I believe that the gospel has in it all that we need in order to partake of the fullness of joy that Heavenly Father longs to give each one of us, His children. The fullness of joy is felt every time we enter His Holy Temple. That is why I'm here. To invite people to go there (to the temple)-- closer to Him.

Catherine is doing well. She is staying strong in the faith. But opposition has mounted against her and she is being tried and 'proven herewith to see if [she] will do all things which the Lord [her] God commands'. She has so much courage at such a young age. She is determined. Catherine made her own cute invitations and we gave them out at church yesterday. She is determined to go through with it. She said it wouldn't have mattered what missionaries came, the message is the same. It's the doctrine she believes, not the sociality. She knows what is right. She is trying to press forward, but it is hard. What a righteous young woman. I know that she is one of the noble and great ones and that the Lord has a work for her to do. Brother Steed will be baptizing her and the whole ward is so excited to support her. I think the attendance will be high. So many love Catherine.

We had our first lesson with a wonderful girl named Danielle this week. She is 21. She dated a young man who just got back from his mission. We taught the restoration and her brother, who is atheist, asked a lot of questions. He left and it was just Sister Fonua and I with Danielle. We asked her how she was feeling. She goes back to school in Alabama the end of August. I felt the spirit move me to words. I finally got out of missionary mode and got personal. I asked her if she really wanted to know if this was true. She said she did. I then told her how we could give her all the tools she needed to get a clear answer from the spirit. I asked her to do three things. Read the Book of Mormon every day. Pray morning and Night and ask if this is all true. And attend church every Sunday. I said that if she would totally experiment upon the word, that she would be given an answer to her prayers. I felt prompted to promise her as a servant of Jesus Christ that if she would do those three things, she would receive an answer from the spirit that would be clear. An answer that would not only help her with this decision, but it would be an answer that would be so certain that she would have the confidence to move forward in a direction, based off of her answer, having full confidence it was the right one. An answer so strong that when she looked back on that life altering decision, she could know of a certainty that she made the right choice. I know that she can receive that. I know that it will take a lot of faith to read and pray daily and go to church weekly, but she can do it.

We met with Carolin M. this week. It has been a while. She is doing good. She is keeping up on the reading assignments we've given her.Carolin is very close to the spirit. She will be guided. It's when she takes time to read the scriptures on her own that the spirit really is able to speak to her. I'm grateful for the spirit. So grateful. Missionary work would be missionary not-work without the spirit. ha ha. you know what I mean. We are nothing and can accomplish nothing without the spirit as our guide.

We also met with Stephanie W. She is a doll. And she says its like therapy when we come over. We showed her the Mormon message "Voice of the Spirit". It's a great one. And talked about how it is the spirit that she feels when we are over that helps her so much. Then, based off some of the questions and concerns she brought up, we decided to teach her the plan of salvation. It went well and she seemed to gain a bigger perspective. She was told by one of her Christian friends that this life doesn't matter. that we just have to get through it so we can get to the next life. I testify that this isn't a life to just 'get through'. 'men are that they might have joy(2 Nephi 2:25).' She talked about the daily drudery of doing the dishes and cleaning with no gratitude from anybody. She said I just have to remember that none of this matters. I stopped her right there. I was like wait a minute! It does matter. Every dish you do.. that matters. Every load of laundry you do. That matters. Every time you cook your family a meal... that matters. This life matters. You are fulfilling your divine, God given role, of being a wife and a mother. You are growing and bit by bit, piece by piece, you are becoming who God intended you to be. I felt Richard G. Scott's talk from Oct 2010 start coming out as I talked to her about how character is patiently threaded string by string. She is building her character and becoming who God would have her be. She looked a little surprised when I was done with my 'speech'. ha ha. I hope next time she does the dishes, she smiles and remembers that she does matter. She is a daughter of God. She has purpose and a divine calling to fulfill. We all do.Man, isn't this gospel amazing!

We were at Lyle H.'s Friday night for dinner with his wife and his two sisters. One was visiting from Las Vegas where they are all from. Lyle played my mission song for us all. It was fun. Then, we shared a message with them and watched "Voice of the Spirit". (we really like that Mormon message). I turned out that Lyle had written a song that had like the same exact message as the video, so he played it for us. It was way cool. It was totally about an old radio that he had to tune. and it was called "Tune into God." Lyle said he'd make me a cd. His heart is softening and he speaks more highly of the church than he ever has. He also shared with us a song about repentance. We talked about how hard repentance is and he shared with us some of his journey through changing and going through the repentance process.

We had a lesson with Catherine at the Brewers on Wednesday night. Sister Brewer is the Family History Center head person, so she showed Catherine how to do some things online.. She is so excited to be baptized. I pray it will go through. This Friday at 6pm. What a wonderful day that will be!!

I know there are days when we will say, "It's days like these I want to give up." But I know as we turn to the Lord and put our trust in Him, we will be able to say every day, "It's days like these when I know..."

I love you all so much. Have a wonderful week.

All My Love,

upward and onward

Sister Schlauder

Updates from Texas (June 2011)

2011-07-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

6/26/11

Family! This week was a good one. The heat here in Texas makes me feel sluggish when I tract, but I try to pick my feet up and be cheerful. There are so many out there who open the door and instantly hate us and it makes me so sad sometimes, but what I know, I know. And I have a testimony that has been given me by the power of the Holy Ghost through prayer, and it is what carries me through. I would stake my life on the testimony I have received by the Holy Ghost. We tracted an RV park on Tuesday. We ran into some individuals who were wounded. Emotionally. They had dark countenances. One man in particular had an especially dark and sad countenance. I usually just ask them to pray about our message and just ask God. I usually tell them that I'm just 22 and they shouldn't listen to me, but perhaps just listen to James where in James 1:5 he suggests that if a man lacks wisdom, he can ask of God and it shall be given him. There are so many out here that only know not of truth because they know not where to find it. Or if it comes knocking at their door, they do not recognize it. It is my daily prayer that I can live my life in such a way that I can be recognized as a true messenger of Christ the Lord.

It was also raining that day which caused me to get pretty sick for the rest of the week, but I'm a pro at alternating between Advil and Dayquil and so we were able to still work and I was able to rest enough to get almost all the way better. I'll rest more today and I should be over it completely.

We were able to teach Catherine at two member's homes this week. What a joy that is to do that. We had a lesson at the Howard's on Friday where we had a lesson about testimonies and also a testimony meeting. Each member of the Howard family bore their testimony and what a strong spirit filled the room. Catherine talked about how each person's testimony touches us each differently and how God gives us testimonies so that we can share them to help others. She is absolutely amazing. We did an object lesson where we placed an empty tea bag on her hand in the shape of a cylinder. We lit the top on fire and asked her not to move. You could see Brother Howard getting a little nervous. We read a scripture about being still and immovable and trusting in God (Alma 1:25) and as the fire got closest to her hand, the whole thing lifted into the air. It didn't burn her. It got hot enough to where she wondered what would happen. But she has the faith of a child, so pure and simple, and she didn't move an inch. It was amazing. And as we talked about that experience later, we related her trust in us to her trust in God. We talked about staying steadfast and immovable in the testimony that we are given by the Gift of the Holy Ghost. No matter what others say around us, if we can just be still and know that He is God, He will lift our burdens and we will see the beautiful fire of our faith and gain deeper trust in Him. We knew Catherine was facing some opposition from those who are closest to her. We knew that this choice she is making and this desire she has to be baptized is not an easy one. She doesn't have much support and is facing a level of opposition. She came to church on Sunday and when offered a treat in Sunday School, she declined, admitting she was fasting. She is amazing. She knows how to access the powers of heaven and call down blessings and answers to prayers.

We also had a lesson with her at the Steed's home. They are absolutely amazing and it was an incredible experience. Brother and Sister Steed are a dynamic duo. Two of the Lord's finest, no doubt. That's how I want my future husband and I to be. It was, again, totally led by the spirit. We were blessed to be a part of it. We watched Elder Holland's talk - Safety for the Soul- in the Mormon Message version and the spirit was strong. Catherine really loved it. And said he had a powerful testimony. On Sunday, a returned missionary, Elder Grabau, gave his homecoming address. Wow. It was remarkable. The conviction in his testimony brought Catherine to tears and I know she was deeply touched. I was as well and I am so grateful for righteous good missionaries who come home and share their testimony in such far reaching ways. He was so pumped and afterwards introduced us to his non member friends and even pulled out his missionary planner to try to schedule us in to help him with a missionary fireside where he wanted to invite a bunch of people. It was so rad. And Catherine could feel the fire of his testimony. Every one could. Catherine told me at the Howards something that was perhaps the best compliment I've received on my mission. She told everyone in the lesson, as we were talking about testimony that, "Sister Schlauder, the first time she came over to our house, she looked like she was going to burst with joy and it looked like she was literally glowing and that she was going to jump off the couch any second." ha ha. It cracked me up to hear her describe me that night like that. I remember the feeling I had. And it was pretty much right on. I was ready to jump of the couch. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. And Catherine said something like this to me, "I had never seen anyone that excited before about anything. I had never been that excited about anything before, and I wanted to be. I knew there must be something good about what you had to share with us."

Catherine volunteered to help clean the grounds of the temple when they said in Relief Society that they needed volunteers. It was totally unprompted by us. She is having spiritual experiences on her own. She is living the gospel. And I know she will continue to experience blessings because of that.

We have been teaching Tim E. once a week for almost the entire time I've been in Tomball and it has been a great experience. He is doing well and came to church again yesterday. He is praying and though he is in the process of a divorce, he is remaining optimistic and is relying on the Lord more and more. We were able to teach he and his teenage daughter week before last and it was a great opportunity.

There are so many wonderful people here who we work with. Have I told you about Lyle... He served a mission but has been inactive for 20 years or more. He has had some hard experiences in life and has faced real heart ache, but he has a testimony deep down and he'll find relief through the fulness of the gospel someday, I'm sure. He writes and records songs and sings and plays on his guitar. I wrote a song about my mission and asked him to put it to guitar. He said he would, and I'm hoping it rekindles some of the joy he felt at the time of his conversion or if he was never converted that this will help along in the process.

Oh, and we've been working with Sister Burrier. And we did the "fire of faith" object lesson with her and she quit smoking! Yay! We've been reading the Book of Mormon with her and I see it giving her strength.

I love y'all so much. I hope you have a wonderful week. My prayers are with you. Thank you for the prayers I feel from all of you.

Upward and Onward.

All my love,

Sister Schlauder

6/20/11

Transfer calls came a week early this transferbecause President is leaving in just a few days. Sister Fonua and I are stayingin Tomball for at least another 7 weeks. yee haw. I love Sister Fonua and I'mso excited for all that will come of this transfer. I'm staying in Tomball and I have sort of red hair but I'm not quite aTexan-- just a wannabe. But yeah. Last Monday, I went to get my hair done.There were some stripe blond streaks that I was hoping to just turn intothinner blond high lights and put some dark in between to make it blendbetter. Well, to the Chinese woman doing my hair, that translated somehow to'turn my hair brownish red and put four baby blonde high lights in it. ha ha.No worries. It doesn't distract from my calling as a missionary. And eventhough it is rather red, it's fading fast. ha ha.

This week was good. We had an amazing lessonwith Catherine at the Steeds and she loved her bookmark! Her whole family wasin awe that my grandpa made that by hand. We ate dinner at the Steed's and thenafter, we had a lesson that was totally guided by the spirit. We had watched"The Testaments" with Catherine earlier this week and she loved it.She said she could never really picture Christ, but now she could. And we feltlike we needed to teach her more about the miracles of Jesus from the Bible. Soat the Steeds, we were able to talk about some of our favorites. Then, thespirit totally took over and it was amazing to watch the stream of events.Sister Steed related to the story of the woman who touched the Savior's robe.She told about a back pain from some sort of pinched nerve that she had aftershe had her last baby. She told of how she took it to the Lord, and after a lotof prayer and pleading and understanding of the Lord's will and healing, shewas able to be rid of the pain which before that time was only progressing. Shetalked about the power of faith and the priesthood. It was remarkable thespirit that came upon us all as we felt of Sister Steed's faith. Then, herhusband,- who had gotten home from a long day at work and was happy as a lark(as mom would say) and immediately started cleaning up the kitchen and takingcare of the five kids-... popped into the lesson and gave what I like to callhis 'celestial two cents.' He told a story about his mission and how thepriesthood and faith was able to heal a man. He then talked about howinadequate he felt in a foreign country at 19 years old. He said that by thetime he finished with his mission, he was ready to go on a mission. But thatleap of faith to go on a mission provided so many blessings. He talked abouthow he knew he didn't know that much, but he knew God was real and that wasenough. I then remembered the Mormon Message video called "You knowenough" on MormonTV. I asked if we could go into the other room and watchit on their computer. It popped up real fast and we watched as Elder Andersonexplain how we don't know everything, but we know enough. We then talked toCatherine about how it might be scary to take such a leap of faith,not feeling like you know everything yet. We talked about her belief in God andher ability to pray. Her testimony of the restoration and her love for the Lordand willingness to keep His commandments. We told her, you may not knoweverything, but you know enough. The spirit then spoke to her and allowed herto voice her concerns. We promised her that the Lord would provide a way for her family tounderstand who we are and to understand Catherine's desire. Right then, SisterSteed chimed in-- "well, I'd love to meet your family. How bout they all comeover here for dinner some time. Bring the whole family!" Immediately wewatched the Lord's promises that had come from two of his servants be instantlyfulfilled. The way was provided only seconds after we promised it. I know theLord keeps His promises. When Sister Steed took Catherine home, Sister Steedtalked to Catherine's mom for a while and they set something up for in a coupleweeks. So cool. I love these awesome members. Catherine is amazing. I just love her so much. She is one of a kind. I told herI want her to come to General Conference with me next April. We'll have to seeif we can work that out. That would be awesome.

On Tuesday this week, we had made the mostexcellent and thorough plans. Every hour was filled on our little daily plannerpage. And no joke, every single plan fell through within just the first hoursin the morning of trying all of our back up plans and original plans. Itwas crazy. We both looked at each other and said that the Lord must havesomething much better in mind for us. So, we did what we do when everythingelse falls through and started tracting on what I consider to be one of thehottest days in Texas so far. It felt dangerously hot. We were let in by oneindividual who we were able to share the message of the restoration with andthe spirit was there. A lot of her misconceptions about us and our religionwere cleared up and it was for sure no coincidence. Then, after knockingseveral more doors, we saw this teenage boy out on a jog. He was going into thehouse we had just knocked on and he had headphones in. We both felt that weshould talk to him but for some reason or another both justified it and didn'tgo over to him. But I learned that the Lord doesn't just prompt us to talk tothem, he probably always prompts the people to talk to us as well. Most thetime they just aren't able to recognize it. But in this case, the boy runs uphis driveway and then shouts at us and waves. He asked us if we wanted somewater. We of course said yes and chucked the water bottles we had just beengiven behind a planter. He got us glasses of water which was a good sign thathe was willing to chat with us for a minute. He had so many questions and wasso smart. His name is Ryan. It was so cool to talk to him about the gospel. I felt thatso strong as we talked to Ryan. He's for sure a seeker of the truth and we areexcited to try back and see if he's tried out the experiment of reading theBook of Mormon and praying about it. No Coincidences. Then, we went and triedTara and Gage Williams. We haven't been able to get in with their family inmonths. But they let us in and we were able to play a game with cups to teachthe Gospel of Jesus Christ to ten year old Gage and his mother Tara. We alsofound out that Cindy, Tara's Mother, who lives there also, joined the churchabout ten years ago but had gone inactive shortly after her conversion. Cindywas so into the lesson and was remembering. We could see something stirring. Wemade another appointment for later in the week and were able to meet with thewhole family again on Friday night. It was wonderful. Gage remembered everystep in the gospel and also what we've got to do to endure to the end (church,prayer, and scripture study). We taught them the Plan of Salvation on Fridayand it was great. We used these cute cards that depict the steps in the Planthat Sister Fonua had, and then Gage was able to teach us. I remembered aSunday School teacher back when I was learning about the Plan using a glove todemonstrate the body and the hand to demonstrate the spirit. They all reallygrasped onto that well, and the spirit taught the less active Father - Dustin,and Tara's Mother - Cindy. Tara seemed to have her concerns resolved concerningwhat happens after death and she was able to see just how loving and mercifulGod is to give everyone a chance to hear his gospel and accept it. It wasawesome.

We went to the temple this week on Wednesday.Oh, I just love the temple. We helped Sister Steed and Sister Stoll in theiryoung women's classes on Sunday and Sister Steed said that some of the joys shefelt from missionary work have equated to the immense joys she feels frommotherhood. It gave me chills. And while I was in the temple, I was thinkingabout Catherine being there someday. Preparing to serve a mission or even toget married to a righteous priesthood holder. Catherine deserves the very best.And I am so excited to see her progress.

What joys for the future we have as we receive the blessings of the gospel on a dailybasis. It's just amazing.

I truly have felt immense joys in doing theLord's work as a missionary. I know these types of experiences are available tous all as we strive faithfully to endure to the end and just share this greatjoy that we have with all who will hear it. The gospel is a part of who I am.It is a part of everything I talk about. It is everything to me. And I am sograteful for it.

Have a wonderful week, family. I love you.

All my love.

Upward and onward.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

6/13/11 This week was a good one. I had what I like tothink of as a classic missionary experience. We were knocking doors, which canbecome pretty routine after a while. You walk to the next house, up on theporch, ring the doorbell, wait, knock, wait... and then what happens from therevaries. So, we had gotten like 3 no answers in a row and were just in theroutine of things. I noticed the darker shade of the porch step up to the doorand even admired it. Sister Fonua got both feet up and I got one. We sunk intothe freshly laid cement square. It took longer than you'd think for us torealize what had just occurred. I blame the Houston Heat and Humidity. But whatever the reason, we left three deep footprints in someone's front step. Wewanted to laugh and then wanted to cry and then wanted to just fix it somehow,but we knew we couldn't and we used a Book of Mormon and a pamphlet to reachacross the wet cement to the doorbell and we rang and nervously waited. Thewoman opened the door. To make a long story short, I'll just say that shewasn't too happy. We tried to apologize and asked if we could replace it or payfor it. We tried to give her our number so she could call us when she calmed downto have us repair the damage somehow. But all she could say was 'are youblind?' And 'go away.' We walked away and she got one of the workers who waslaying cement in her back yard to come look at it. He fixed it in about 3minutes. It got me thinking a lot about our reactions to trials and problems.It got me thinking about how well my Dad responds to unexpected trouble orproblems, like the famous story of Jennie and the truck through that man'shouse. Thank you for your incredible example, Dad. It also got me thinkingabout how we have total choice and agency over the way we choose to react toany and every situation. We have a choice and I am so thankful for thatprecious gift of agency we have to choose to be happy regardless of whatsituation we are faced with. And when it's hard to exercise that agency to behappy when someone steps in our cement, we can rely fully on prayer and uponour God. Sister Fonua and I both immediately began praying in our heart fromthe moment we realized we had created such a problem and our prayers werequickly answered as a man was able to come fix it in less time than it took forus to figure out how to ring her doorbell and tell her what we had done.Anyways. Just thought I'd share my thoughts on that. I am glad all ended well.God hears and answers prayers:).

We taught Catherine four times this week. Sheis amazing. We had 3 of those lessons in the homes of members. And what aspirit accompanied us there. Catherine always says some thing at the end to theeffect of "I want my future family to be just like this." We taughtabout the law of chastity and other commandments we've been given. And everytime, even with the lesson about tithing last night, she said, "Wow. I wasjust thinking about this earlier today." The spirit is working with her.God's love is so apparent in so many ways for her. She told us, "Wow. Youare good. You always teach me just what I need." We responded by tellingher that that is pure evidence of how much God knows her and is aware of herand loves her... that He knows what she needs and I'm just thankful we've beenable to listen to the still small promptings. And surely they were still andsmall because we can't even really say how we came up with the order of thelessons how we did. I'm learning that the spirit just makes sense. Just be goodand try to do what feels right, and you are good to go.

We went on exchanges Friday night to Saturdaynight. I went out to College Station aka Aggie Land, with Sister Layton. It isthe only sister bike area. I haven't ridden a bike since Sister Davis and I ayear ago, so I was a bit unaccustomed to the difficulties of the Houston heatand the bicycle. But I survived. And Sister Layton and I made a goal at thebeginning of the exchange to make sure we stopped and talked to every one wesaw. We went on a lot of back country roads and she's pretty knew to the area,so not realizing how far it was or how much time we had, we biked for 16 miles.I about died. It was so interesting. Every time I thought I couldn't go on, andmy front tire was swiveling and there was just no way my jello legs could keeppeddling, the Lord would send something. Most the time it was a person to talkto. Three teenage boys were out walking and it seemed like they came out of nowhere. My companion was a ways ahead, but I felt like it was an answer to myprayer and I talked to them. It was interesting. This new fire for missionarywork came over me. This wasn't even my area, but I wanted to make sure thatevery person I talked to felt the spirit. I bore testimony so many times. It was awesome. And I got to tell so manyabout how families can be together forever and about our living prophet today.I got to testify of Jesus Christ and a renewed love for missionary workentirely over shadowed the physical endurance I was undergoing. Iknow I sound dramatic, but it was way hard physically! But my spirit wasrenewed. This gospel is true! I wanted to shout it from the mountain tops. AndI in fact did. Well, minus the mountains. I sang Come Thou Fount and If YouCould Hie To Kolob so loud as I was biking. I mean, no one was around and ifthey were, we stopped and talked to them, but it was crazy how opposite myspirit and body were. My body was beat and tired and drained and seeminglyunable to continue peddling. But my spirit wanted to climb a mountain and tellall the world about the Gospel. About this good news. It wasfun. Exhausting, but so much joy filled me. I have felt joys as a missionary that I never knew I could. Ilove this gospel. I love sharing it. While I was on the exchange, SisterPincock and Sister Fonua tore it up here in Tomball. They took Catherine to theSteed boy's baptism. She felt the spirit strongly and even asked if she couldsee the font closer before it started. They said she knelt down and put herhand in the water. They said the felt the baptismal suit and just said how muchshe was excited for her own baptism. She just wants so badly for her family tohave the joy she is having. She wants their support and wants to prepare themso that they will join her soon after she is baptized. Catherine amazes me. Ijust love her. We got your muffins on Thursday, Mom, and we were on our way toCatherine's house. Her two brothers and her mom and her tried them and lovedthem. Sister Fonua and I did too! Thank you. Catherine's mom, Julie, would like the recipe. They love blueberrymuffins and said they were the best they ever had. Julie invited us over todinner for next week after tasting the muffins. ha ha. Thank you mom!!!!You totally worked that one from afar. Love it. After the baptism Saturday,Catherine and Sister Fonua and Pincock went to the Howard's home for a lesson. They said it went wonderfully. Jonathan is 20 and just got his missioncall to Tijuana, Mexico and was showing Catherine his call and she toldeveryone she really wants to go on a mission. Then Sister Howard shared herconversion story. She's from Puerto Rico. And Brother Howard served his missionthere and actually baptized her. They showed Catherine the pictures and sheseemed so excited. They said Catherine cried as she shared her testimony withthem and Sister Howard did the same as she shared hers. They talked about thespirit and it was such a powerful lesson. I'm so grateful Sister Pincock gotthe chance to be there. She's awesome.

Anyways. I better get going. The work iswonderful. My companion is so fantastic. We are working hard and loving beingthe Lord's missionaries here in Tomball. I know the gospel is the way tohappiness. The way to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. I also know thatthe church is the vehicle that takes us on the gospel path. I know it is our responsibility toshare the great blessings we have with others. I know that Jesus Christ isthe Savior and his grace is sufficient for all. Families are forever.

I hope y'all have a wonderful week. I love you.Thank you for all you do for me. Your love strengthens me daily.

Love

Sister Schlauder.

6/6/11/Wow. This week was another full of greatblessings and miracles. I am in awe every week at the way the Lord's hand ismade so apparent to me in this work and in my family at home. The Lord is atwork in each one of our lives and Oh how he loves us so much. We had a lessonwith Catherine at the Steed's home on Sunday. They are a wonderful, wonderfulfamily. I think I've told you about them before, but I just am amazed at howtrue "The Gospel Blesses Families" principle really is. It is made soobvious in our family and in many others including those I've met out here in Texaslike the Steeds. We taught Catherine about Fasting and Testimonies because FastSunday was coming up. She spoke of her deep desire for her family tobe involved. To just come to church once and to feel what she feels

when shecomes. She said she knows they will love it as much as her if they would justgive it a try. We talked about the spirit and receiving answers to our prayersand fastings. She said she would fast for her family. She said she has fastedbefore because she heard it was something you could do to get closer to God.She was sweet as she expressed gratitude for understanding how to apply thatprinciple in such a simple way. Brother Steed talked about his experience with prayer and fastingin gaining his testimony. The room was filled with the spirit. Of course atthe peak, as is always the case, something tries to distract the spirit. Justfor laughter's sake, I will tell you that a bird crashed into the window andthat their year old daughter got a little too curious about what was in herdiaper and decided to give it a taste test. ha ha. I'll stop there. I'm justglad the fire alarm didn't go off again at church during the high-point of thespirit again. They finally caught the little mischievous 9 year old whokept pulling the alarm. Thank goodness. ha ha. Anyways. Back tothe high point of the experience with Catherine at the Steed's.Catherine said that she woke up at 3 am Thursday and had a real bad migraine.She said she gets those sometimes. She decided to get in the shower andshe started praying. She had decided earlier to read the entire Joseph SmithHistory and while she was in the shower, she decided to pray about it. She saidthat she asked Heavenly Father if Joseph really was a prophet and shesaid that her migraine, which usually lasts all day, was gone and itwas replaced with peace and calm. I asked her what she thought heranswer might feel like. And she said, "Well, I used to thinka sign would pop up on the subtitles of the tv or something" totell her the answer, but then she said that the peace she felt would probablybe her answer. We all got teary eyes as we watched Catherine gaining hertestimony. What a joy it has been to knock onher door, meet her, share with her, teach her, and learn so much from her andwatch how the seed was planted, how she had a desire to experiment upon theword and then she took leaps of faith in coming to church and meeting with us.And now her testimony which started out as a small seed has developed and grownand been nourished so much. She came to church on Sunday and felt inspiredduring testimony meeting by something the bishop said in his opening testimony.She wrote on her little note pad for the next 20 minutes after his talk and wewere curious what she was writing. She then shared it with our GospelPrinciples class. I got a copy of it right after church so I could share itwith y'all with her permission. She also stood and bore her testimony in ReliefSociety and shared this same thing she wrote.

"From the moment I was born toabout a month or two ago, I lived my life as a canoe, lost and alone at seawith no compass, no map and no sense of direction. I was nearly drowned by thewinds, waves and terrible storms that dominated my existence. Every once in awhile I would see a dolphin and try to follow in hope of finding a way homebecause if I only knew one thing, it was that I had a home and that if I keptsearching I would find it. But after following the dolphins a little ways, Iwould look closer and see a shark and I knew of course that I would just be leddeeper into sea. Then one day I saw a large ship and on it were twomissionaries who threw me a map and pointed out a way for me to head in orderto find home. At first I was scared because what if the map only led me furtherout to sea and I was to remain lost. But I saw a flicker in the distance in theway the map was telling me to go, so I just began to paddle, nervously atfirst. But then in the light I realized I was not in a canoe but a bigbeautiful ship. And then I saw to my amazement a large bright light and in thedistance a lighthouse and I realized that home had not been far off the entiretime but hidden by the storm clouds."

After reading this to the Relief Society, she said,"This is the way I feel about this church. Thank you." And sat down.She made us all cry. Her testimony is growing. Theward is embracing her. We love her so much and hope that theward will embrace her even more so that she can feel so apart of the wonderfulblessings of the church.

Alright. I only have time for one more thing totell you. A man by the name of Richard walked into church on Sunday. Hecame to Sunday School and introduced himself. He said he was not a member ofour church but that every time he drove by the church, he felt somethingdrawing him to it. He said that he works for a business that has him travel toSalt Lake sometimes or just work with people in Salt Lake. He said, "Everyone of you Mormons has some kind of light about you. Y'all are so happy. I justwanted to come here today to see if I might find out how I can get that."We were all in awe and I was watery eyed. He then joked and said, "Doy'all take some kind of glow pill every Sunday to make you have this light? Iwant it." After Sunday School, Brother and Sister Steed and SisterSvedin-- all amazing members and missionaries-- talked with him and answeredhis questions. They clarified that the rumors about Mormons having green bloodwere false. ha ha. And many other strange myths that some churches in the arealove to preach about us. Richard is kind hearted and brave and has the light ofChrist radiating from him. Light is attracted to light and that is why he wasdrawn to Christ's restored church. It is true. This really is the Lord's work.This is the Lord's church. It is run by Him through a living prophet who isThomas S. Monson. Joseph Smith really did see what he said he saw. The Book ofMormon is the word of God and it is the evidence that this church is not manmade. What a joy it is to invite all to 'Come unto Him' and do so by learningmore about the restored gospel. I testify that the Book of Mormon changeslives. It has the ability to bring the sincere in heart closer to the Saviorthan they ever have been before. I know that the power to seal familiestogether forever has not only been restored but is available to all who willfollow the Savior's plea to come unto him. I know that the way to come unto himis by having faith that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind, and repenting ofour sins, and being baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority ofGod. And the best part is, it doesn't stop there. Then, you receive the gift ofthe Holy Ghost and endure faithfully to the end by continuing to fix your livesupon the Savior and His teachings. And then, there is the temple where all mayreceive of the joyous blessings of the gospel. I pray I may remain thisimmovable forever because I feel in the deepest part of my heart that all ofthis is true. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I didn'twant to go to sleep last night. I just wanted to keep feeling the joy that thiswork brings. Certainly there are hardships, and I'm sure I've spent too muchtime writing about them in the past and I'm sure I'll probably have them and writeabout them in the future, but the joy that comes from the work of the Lord faroutweighs any trial, hardship, or pain that we are called to endure. I hopethat is the underlying message of my experience here. I hope I have been ableto speak adequately of the joy this missionary work really is. I am happy. AndI hope when even hardships or droughts or obvious miracles come, that I canstill recognize the countless ways the Lord's hand is in my life. Oh man! Thisis just awesome. I don't know why I was one the Lord allowed to be blessed intosuch a wonderful home with the best parents on earth and the restored gospel.But I do know that I love the Lord and I am trying my heart out to make thatlove count and make a difference for others.

I love you all so much. You are each in myprayers more than you know. I love you I love you.

We are playing volleyball today with the zoneand I am so so so excited!!!!! Life is good. Thank you all for your endlesslove and support.

A testimony comes line upon line and preceptupon precept. And oh it is great.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

upward and onward.

Updates from Texas VIII (May 2011)

2011-05-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

5/31/11

I love you, family. Yesterday, the library was closed for the holiday and it about killed me not being able to email y'all and hear from you. You fuel me for the rest of my week. I have the most wonderful family in the world. I have reflected lately on why the Lord has blessed me with such an amazing family and I just can't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude for y'all.

I better get typing. We've had miracle after miracle again, and I am so excited to share them with you.

Last Tuesday, we were having a rough morning. A lady talked our ears off about how we weren't really Christians while we were doing service at the make-shift grocery store. Then, Kristen called and said she was stuck in Heston, Kansas in a broken down car and needed help. It was stressful, but through prayer and faith and the amazing organization of the church, the Lord provided a way for Kristen to be taken care of. Kristen made it all the way to Dew, Texas which is about an hour from Tomball. She called us. We called bishop again. He called a family in the ward who went and picked up her and her two kids and all the luggage. The Lord cares for each of us and is mindful of all of his children. Of that I am certain.

After all that, we went to the church building where we had scheduled a church tour with a woman named Jennifer. Jennifer was referred to us by a member of the church in Utah- a Sister Flowers. Sister Flowers had worked with Jennifer and had shared the gospel beautifully with her. It was sweet to hear the care in Sister Flower's voice as she expressed, "Just please take care of her, Sisters. She's amazing." She trusted us with her friend and with the opportunity to give her the experiences with the spirit that would lead her to great joy, and the Lord was with us as we tried our best. Jennifer showed up to the church right on time. And let me mention that all heck broke loose in the morning before the church tour. Sister Fonua and I looked at each other after a big line of traffic and just threw our hands in the air and said, "Man. Today is gonna be a really good day if Satan is seriously trying this hard." Sure enough. This church tour with Jennifer was the most amazing experience... possibly of my whole mission.

Jennifer walked into the church carrying a car seat with her new baby boy in it. She was so friendly and excited to be there. She's 23 and has 2 kids and a husband. We walked into the chapel so she could set her things down, and we asked her why she came. She told us that she had been told by a friend of hers that the second coming was on May 21st or May 22nd. It got Jennifer really thinking about what she needs to do to prepare to meet God. She got teary eyed and talked about how she had always believed in God and Christ but that no one would ever let her be baptized into their churches because her parents weren't married. She said that she had been the victim of much teasing from other Christians at her school because she wasn't baptized and not saved. She expressed her desire to come closer to God. She said that she's been going through a lot since she had her baby and has been really trying to figure out how to have peace. She said that Sister Flowers gave her a Book of Mormon and she's on page 70. She said every time she reads it, she feels so much peace. We bore testimony of the spirit and promised that that is what she would feel as we went on this church tour. Jennifer said, "My husband doesn't understand why I'm so concerned. He says you just need to be a good person, and you'll be fine. But I feel like there is more than just that. I feel like I am missing something. I feel confused and lost and I just want peace. No one seems to understand." She talked about her desires to be able to stand before God one day and know that she did what He wanted her to. She is a divine daughter of God. She has been prepared. She for sure was one of those who jumped for joy at the chance to come to this earth. And I know that God will continue to lead her by the hand and give her answers to her prayers. The baby was an angel the whole time. We walked up to where the Sacrament is blessed and passed. We talked about the purpose of church and the promise we receive from the Lord about having His spirit to be with us always as we keep His commandments. We talked about the peace that is promised, and the peace that she said she needed. We bore testimony that this was the way to have that peace... by being baptized by priesthood authority and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. She agreed and said that she would like to be baptized. She then paused and her eyes filled with tears. She looked us in the eyes and said something like this, " But what I want more than anything is for my family to be together forever. Like for all eternity. I am so scared of not being with them. I just want to be sure I will be with them forever." Sister Fonua and I were both pretty choked up, but I managed to get out my testimony. It was brief, but I felt the power and depth flow through every part of me. I said, "Jennifer. I know that your family can be together forever. For all eternity. And what we will share with you today will show you the way." We bore from the deepest place in our hearts the power of the Atonement and the beauty of God's plan. I don't think any of us wanted to move. And for me, I felt like I wanted to stay in that moment forever and not leave. The spirit was so present. It was almost tangible. It was peace and joy and happiness. We all felt it. We moved to the next room where the baptismal font was at. We talked about the picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ. We talked about the God given authority John had. Then we talked to her about the restoration. I am so grateful the Lord trusted us with such a precious opportunity. She is an angel and I felt a special connection with her. Jennifer is an absolutely wonderful girl. I am so grateful the Lord blessed Sister Fonua and I with the sacred privilege of knowing her.

On Thursday, it was my year mark! Crazy. A less active lady in the ward took me and my comp. out to Sweet Tomatoes. I love Sweet Tomatoes. It was a way fun treat. I haven't been there since before my mission so it was cool to go there.

Thursday night, we had a lesson with Catherine at the Steed's home. They are a wonderful couple with 5 kids under the age of 9. They met in the MTC and went to different missions and then ran into each other at BYU later on. Sister Steed is absolutely amazing. I just love her. She went to pick up Catherine clear down on Alice Road and brought her all the way up to her house and we met them there. Sister Steed, Catherine, my companion and I had the most amazing time talking about the gospel. Sister Steed shared her experiences with the spirit and how it led her to her husband. She talked about temple marriage and forever families. She talked about covenants with God and the peace that reigns in their family despite the chaos of five crazy little ones because of the covenant they made in the temple. Catherine asked a lot of questions and told us later that that is exactly what she wants. Catherine has been so prepared by the Lord and is being guided right to Him and the most joyous future ever. She keeps saying how much she wants her family to get involved in finding out more about the church. We are working on it. Sister Steed and Catherine became really good friends and after we left they continued to talk about life and about the gospel. Wow. What an amazing member. What an amazing family. We knelt down with them and Brother Steed joined us as the head of the home and asked his wife to say the prayer. He is such a humble wonderful person, and I'm so grateful that all three of us got to see and be a part of a heavenly home. I am so grateful I grew up in a heavenly home. I know the Steeds left a powerful impression on Catherine that will be there all her life to help her continue to the temple. Catherine told me she thinks serving a mission would be great. She also asked if Sister Fonua and I could stay friends with her after we leave our missions. It was really sweet.

Catherine came to church on Sunday... She said she had a good time.

A sweet less active sister- Cory- told us yesterday that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. She said that she is deciding to change and that she is going to start going to the singles ward again and changing her life around. She came to church Sunday and seemed to have a new light about her.

I know God is aware of each of us. I know He loves each of us. And if I have learned anything in the last year... it is that God hears and answers prayers. It is that His will is the best way and that sometimes we just have to let go and trust in Him. I love you all so so much. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Thank you for all you do for me. I love being a missionary. It's the greatest thing in the world. I am very alive. My heart beat is always up and down, but I am truly enjoying the journey, and that is something that I hope I can always remember how to do.

I love you. I love you.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

5/23/11

Hello my wonderful family. This week was absolutely full of miracles from beginning to end. I'm just going to get to writing because I want to have enough time to tell you about how I have truly come to deepen my understanding of tender mercies and miracles this week. And before I start, I just want y'all to know that you are the greatest blessing in my life. I absolutely love my mission. It has changed my life. But you, my family, are my greatest joy and my greatest blessing from the Lord. And Dad. I got to thinking about how I might have been somehow listening or watching or something from heaven while you took your missionary discussions. As I read those journal entries this week, I got to thinking how perhaps my future family is with me somehow or watching or helping. I'm not sure how that could be possible, but it was a cool thought and I've pondered lately on just how many miracles occur every day that perhaps I just simply do not recognize. But that was my hope this week. To be able to recognize more of the Lord's hand in my life and in this work, and I was able to recognize so many wonderful miracles. Here I go:)..

Sister Taylor and I were driving to the mission office. We were on Hafer Rd, only a mile from the building when I went to change the song on the cd player and went a little to far to the right side of the road. Dumb move. I know. It was 6am and I just wasn't thinking all the way. The roads were real narrow and where normally it would have been a quick and easy correction, the road was slim and had no siding, so the right front tire slipped off and when I tried to correct, it slammed into the slant of the road and I could feel the tire doing something it was not supposed to. We pulled into an apartment complex and sure enough, the rim was bent from hitting the road so hard and the tire was blowing out air. We called the senior missionary in charge of cars and he was able to pick us up and get us to the office in time for Sister Taylor to catch the bus to College Station. I said a prayer in my heart, almost in tears, that Heavenly Father would forgive me for not paying close enough attention and not taking care of the mission vehicle like I should've. And I prayed that the church wouldn't have to be burdened with paying for it. That somehow it wouldn't cost any money, that the rim could just be smoothed back out, and that the tire wasn't damaged. I prayed so hard in my head the whole way to the mission office. Elder Stringfellow (senior missionary over vehicle coordination) took the keys and said he was going to go drive it to the shop down the road and get it fixed before Sister Fonua came at 11 am. I received a letter from my close friend that was at the mission office waiting for me, and I was very uplifted by it as I waited. Little tender mercy. I was starting to get discouraged and started thinking that this was just my luck and that I started off this transfer just great and that the rest of the transfer would be awful. I know. I really should know better than to listen to those types of tauntings, and the letter helped me calm down a bit. Sister Stringfellow got talking to me and shared with me some wise insight she had from her youth. I just love the senior missionaries. Then, Elder Stringfellow came back and said with the keys dangling in his hands, "Sister Schlauder. You must be livin' right. They were able to smooth out the rim back to normal, the tire was perfectly fine, and they didn't charge us a dime." My eyes did the super watery thing and they are doing it right now as I type. I know I've said this a million times before, but the Lord hears and answers prayers. There is absolutely no doubt about it.

Then Sister Fonua got there. She is an angel. And her prayers seriously call down the powers of heaven. It is amazing. I cannot begin to explain the kind of things she has taught me as I've been with her this week. She is from Southern California (Rancho Cucamunga) and her family is from Tonga. She visits there every couple years. She is 26 and has sacrificed a great deal in her life to do the right thing always. She amazes me. Her strength is tangible in the way she teaches. I could go on and on. And y'all. Get this. Last night she prayed for y'all, each and every one, by name, in our companion prayer. "President and Sister Schlauder, Amber, Jennie, Leah, Amy, and Sister Schlauder's little brother (Kaden)". My eyes have been watering a lot this week. Sister Fonua is amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better companion. She is so much like Amy. Especially her sense of humor which has just eased all my worries and stresses. One of the Assistants to the President told us that President Hansen felt so good about our companionship being together and that even they all felt most inspired about us. That gave me great confidence and trust in the Lord, and surely it was inspired because countless miracles have come this week.

We taught Tim. We talked a lot about prayer. We read d&c 122:5-end. And we asked him to put all his if statements in there with the promise at the end that all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good. Sister Fonua, at the end, bore her testimony, and then I bore mine about the power of prayer. And I had had the experience just the day before with the tire to know for a certainty God hears and answers prayers. Tim said he felt too guilty to pray and that he just didn't want to be a hypocrite that only prays when things get rough. Sister Fonua asked him to start right then and asked him to say the prayer out loud with us before we left. Standing on his porch outside in a soft misty rain, Tim said a prayer for the first time in a long time. He began his prayer and said, "I know this prayer is from a voice you have not heard in some time..." And then he went on to give one of the most heartfelt sincere prayers I have ever heard. I think that prayer was recorded by angels in heaven. After he finished, he said, "Well, that's a start. First of many." He came to church Sunday with his oldest son, Christian, and he added a great deal to our conversation in Gospel Principles class. The Lord loves him dearly.

The next day, we had many appointments scheduled, including a church tour with a man that Juan had referred us to. A Baptist preacher (Tommy) that was really impressed by Juan's testimony of the Savior and wanted to hear from the 'Sisters' Juan and Kelly were always talkin' about:). But he had to do something with his car and wasn't able to make it. We rescheduled for this Wednesday. We had two other lessons scheduled with less active members, both of which called and canceled right in a row after Tommy called and canceled the church tour. Sister Fonua and I looked at each other and felt like the Lord really must have had something he wanted us to do that was different than our plans. We thought we'd stop by Catherine's house. She is the oldest child of Julie and Tim. She is 18. We stop by, and sure enough, the Lord directed us right to her. Turns out she had read the whole Plan of Salvation pamphlet and had answered all the questions on the back in her study journal and had a few questions for us. Her questions were mainly about the pre earth life. For some reason, we felt impressed to focus on the choice we made to come to this earth. We read in Abraham 3, which is pretty deep, but the spirit was so strong. Catherine is very smart and wanted to be the one to read it so as to comprehend it better. After she read it, she paused and then said, "Why would any one choose Satan's way?" We talked about trust in the Savior. I shared a similar testimony to the one I shared with y'all on Christmas. We trusted that the Savior would do all the Father asked so that we could be saved and return to live with God and our families forever. And the Savior did. Now, it is our job to trust in him again, to pray to know what is the way that would bring us closest to Him. She really seemed to understand well, and the spirit was teaching her way more than we were saying. It was cool. She wanted to meet with us again as soon as possible. So, we said we could come the next morning and we did. We had a wonderful lesson with her. We talked more about the Plan of Salvation and about the gospel. The spirit was present. And there was one time where she asked a question like 'what about those who don't choose Christ's plan while they're here?" And then, she stopped and said, "Oh. They'll have a chance in the spirit world." We hadn't even really gotten into that yet, and it was amazing to watch the spirit teach her and give her answers to her questions. Brother Baldonado picked her up and we went with them in his tiny truck all the way to church Sunday. It was the most uncomfortable ride in my life, but the happiest ride to church I've ever had. ha ha. Catherine came and had a wonderful experience. I learned powerfully yesterday that the Lord is deeply aware of Catherine and her journey to finding the fullness. Catherine said she had a wonderful experience and wants to go with us every week. She raised her hand and offered many wonderful insights in both Sunday School and Relief Society. She also has a baptismal date for June 4th!!!! When asked about it by a member, she said she still has a lot of questions and she's not positive about the date, but she's considering it. Then, the awesome member quickly responded and said, "Oh! Well, I'd love it if you'd come to our home with the missionaries for a lesson sometime and me and my husband both served missions and would love to answer your questions too!" She seemed thrilled by the invite from the awesome Steed family. The Tomball ward is amazing. Catherine is so awesome. After one lesson with her, she said the prayer and asked that her family would be interested in learning again. The spirit is guiding her. She will be the rock that guides her family to the fullness... to the temple. I can feel it. We meet with her again tomorrow. I could go on and on. The Lord guides this work. All we've got to do is share the message and live worthy of the spirit. I love the message we have to share. Sister Fonua does too and we experienced so many opportunities in tracting this week to share more about our message. I have learned how to testify from a deeper place in my heart. Thanks Sister Fonua:)

The Lord is the master planner.

I've noticed a difference in the way I feel this week. And honestly, I should have known how to fix the way I was feeling before. But it was as simple as just having more sincere prayers. And having more meaningful morning studies. I don't know how to explain the joy that I have felt this week as the Lord has poured out his miracles on us. Mosiah 2:24 is my theme this week. Immediately is my favorite word in there.

Oooh. Another miracle this week. I bought a cantelope on Monday. I was craving it. And I cut it up and had it for breakfast every morning. I can picture Taylor's face right now and it just made me giggle out loud. You'd be proud of me, Taylor Slade. I'm gonna go out on a limb and swallow my pride... I like Cantelope. It tastes so good!!!! ha ha. And I'm buying another one today. Next, I'll try to like honey dew. I'm not quite there yet.

I received wonderful letters from home this week. It added such a gratitude to the miracles that were occurring here. I just am in awe at how absolutely amazing the Canyon Gate ward is. At how amazing my family is. I love ya'll so so much.

We stopped by Carolin's on Friday. She let us right in. We had given her a really large font copy of the scriptures to her, and she is so thrilled that she can read them without her glasses. We read 2 Nephi 32 with her and talked about revelation through the spirit. It was a great experience. She told us she knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Nephi is her favorite person. She came to church Sunday and it was a great sacrament meeting. She left right after, as she was tired from her illness and from already having attended her 2 hour church that morning. She is amazing and just has the most open heart. She is trying this out. She said every time we come over, we answer the prayer that she had been praying for since the first time we started teaching her. She said she still can't tell us what that is, but that she wants to keep meeting with us. We listened carefully as she expressed what she believed and what she understood. She then asked about why God's kingdom is said that it will come when Christ comes again, but we're saying it has already come. I didn't really understand what verses she was referring to in the Bible, and I wasn't positive I knew the answer, but I opened my mouth and started talking. I talked about how Jesus Christ will come again to reign and that he will be at the head of the church where His prophet now stands today. And that Jesus Christ is at the head of this church. I just said a couple sentences and didn't feel anything else comin', so I stopped and Carolin did one of her lightbulb moment looks and said. Wow. I think I understand. Let me see if I got this right. You believe that Jesus Christ is at the head of the Church of Latter Day Saints? We said yes. She sat back and said, "Wow. Now, that is bold." She then went on to say that she now knows exactly what she is praying for. It had never occurred to her that way before for some reason. It was again, amazing to watch the spirit teach her the things that she didn't understand. She said she'll be coming to church two weeks from now with her best friend's kids that she's going to pick up in Louisiana this week. Carolin is amazing. I love her. And she expressed her love for us yesterday and the joy she feels when we talk to her. She said her husband doesn't allow any one else to come into the home like us and never has. She said that she always tries to talk with missionaries and preachers at her home, but we are the first that he has allowed in. Pretty cool.

Wow. I am out of time. But I have 5 other stories I still wanted to tell you about all the miracles. I'll just do really short versions.

Cory W. is a single girl-29- and we were able to go to her home just in time to be able to have a powerful lesson. She has been down a bad path for a long time and hasn't come to church in a while. She talked about her heartaches and heartbreaks. I shared with her this quote I put on the back of her planner and we all were watery eyed. " To be in control of your life, to be a success regardless of your situation as a single, I recommend you come to know your Father in Heaven. Come to love him. Always remember that He loves you and will give you guidance and support if you will but give Him the chance. Include Him in your decision making. Include Him in your heartaches and heartbreaks. Include Him when you take inventory of your personal worth..." Marvin J. Ashton. It was just a sweet sweet, spirit filled lesson.

I gotta run. I love you all so so much. Have a wonderful week. You are in every prayer.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

5-16-11

Thank you for all you do for me, family. Your support is my life line and is most often the answer to my most sincere and heartfelt pleas.

Thank you for sending those journal entries by Elder Elder about Dad. It gave me a desire to be more specific in my journal entries each night with all my investigators that we see each day. I didn't know that Dad took the discussions at Mom's house. And I had never realized a few other details that were so cool to hear.

Juan got a kick out of Dad's response on the phone when Juan told him he must be a busy man. Dad said he was no busier than any other person because every one's got 24 hours in a day. He told me at church and I said, "that's my Dad" with a big smile. You're the best, Dad. Your positive humble example strengthens me daily.

Transfer calls came. Sister Fonua is my new companion. I look forward to this new change and hope she will be understanding that we only have one investigator and trust that we have been trying hard. Good things are coming. I've just got to hold out.

I have noticed something about life. There are ups and downs and ups and downs. But it's kind of like the heart rate monitor in that it keeps us alive having all the ups and downs. If we were to flat line, we'd be dead. Hopefully that wasn't too morbid. I guess I just mean that all the experiences of life, good and bad, ups and downs, are for our good. My favorite conference talk is by Elder Nelson called "Face the Future with Faith." He talks about that very thing that all these things shall give us experience and be for our good. We met with brother Estes this week who told us his thoughts on life’s trials and joys. He said that we can pick out the highlight moments of our lives so easily. He said he can remember his first daughter's birth. His high school graduation. And other high moments. He said that most of his life, he has lived, waiting for the high moments and not enjoying the in between. But he said that he is only getting dots of life by doing that. He said he has got to learn that life is in the in between of the high points and the low points. It's about enjoying the journey.

We went to the temple Wednesday. It was wonderful. I love the temple with all my heart. I picture my family, each of your faces and pray for each of you when I am there.

We had a zone lunch after the temple and had hobo stew where everyone brings a can of something and we throw it all together in a big pot and cook it. Hobo stew. Surprisingly enough, It was actually really good.

I shared Alma 17 about no coincidences with Lori. It was tender. I told her that I can picture us one day running into each other at the temple. She just coming out and me just going in, ten years from now, and we would have this same rejoicing as Alma and the Sons of Mosiah. She got teary eyed. I can tell she really misses the temple. Her and her husband will begin attending their new ward they move into starting next Sunday. The Lord has answered all of her prayers. She promised him she would go to church and I know she'll keep her end. He has blessed her with a great job that she loves, an apartment close to her work, and it has a church right next to it. The Lord will help us keep him as our priority if we will just keep Him in our decision process always.

President Hansen shared with me in our last interview an analogy that seems to relate to my life so much right now. It's like the Vegas airport car garage spiral ramp. It's going in an upward spiral. In life, you hit the same issue over and over again. The same problems. The same feelings, but with each time, "your vision is a little higher". That is true. Sometimes I get discouraged and think. 'I have already been through this! I am back here again! Why does this keep happening?' I have revisited many similar trials throughout my mission but I believe president Hansen. Each time, it is like going up the car garage spiral ramp. Your vision is a little higher each time. And then eventually you reach the top and can see the view and rejoice.

I know the gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of us all. I know that He can heal each of our wounded hearts with his power and with His love. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know it helps people come closer to Jesus Christ than any other book. I know I am a missionary for Jesus Christ. I know I was called by His living prophet and set apart by my Dad who holds His priesthood power. I feel it deep within my heart and am grateful to share the message of joy that we have. The Plan of Salvation that has been revealed. I love the temple. I know it is where families can be sealed together for all eternity. And that is made possible by the Savior Jesus Christ and His perfect obedience to His Father who is our Father in Heaven.

I love each of you.

Upward and Onward.

Sister Schlauder

5/9/11

Family!

Thank you so much for all you do for me. I loved talking to each of you yesterday so much. I am so excited to go out and tract today, which is sometimes hard to be excited for. I feel so much joy in sharing the message of the Atonement. And I have learned a great deal from each of you.

Oh man. There are so many good people out here who absolutely love their Savior. They would do anything He would ask. That is what it is all about. Our Heavenly Father loves each of us. And we each take our own journey in this life. But all the blessings He has in store for us are the same... in that it is His fullness of joy He offers each one of us. I know that the fullness of joy and blessings He wants for each of His children are found in His living church through ordinances performed by worthy individuals chosen by God. In Matthew 16, I think, it says, "Ye have not chosen me; but I have chosen you and ordained you..." I love my mission for so many things, but for that especially. I have had a testimony inside me from the time I was young. And now I am understanding the feelings of my heart in a deeper way. I knew that it was good and right. I felt the spirit many times throughout my life telling me that the church was true. And now it's like that testimony is before me and I am examining the hows and whys of that testimony that is engraven upon my heart. Hopefully that makes sense. It's like its under a microscope now. It's already there. It already exists, but now I am diving deeper into the understanding of the details of why I feel the way I do. It's kind of backwards in some ways, but it's perfect to me. We all have our own way of understanding and learning and believing. And I do believe. I believe that all I have grown up believing is right on course with allowing me to receive all that the Father has. And my family is too. And that is the greatest joy.

Updates on a few people. I am almost out of time.

Kristen still hasn't returned from Nebraska, but the priests in the ward decided to go ahead and do some service by cleaning up her yard. Her mom came out and was deeply impressed. She is a former investigator and I think this may have softened her heart and perhaps nourished her seed of faith further. The Tomball ward is awesome.

We have been working a lot with the less actives and have seen much success as they have come to church, some have stopped smoking, and others are working toward going to the temple.

Carolin still has some concerns. She believes that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ and she wonders why just knowing who Christ is and believing in Him isn't 'enough'. Satan has sent some opposition, but it seems to only be strengthening Carolin. Her Baptist bible study preacher was saying negative things about Mormons. He gave her a website she could go to to find out all the bad. She said she'll just stick with the source and go to mormon.org. She told us that the thing that is different about us is that she feels our spirits speak with her spirit. She said she doesn't feel that way with any other preacher or minister. We have planned to teach her about the Holy Ghost and really help her understand all the promptings she has been receiving. I wish I were better about confidently pointing out times when she has experiences with the Spirit touching her heart. I am really trying to work on that.

Transfer calls are this Saturday. I have no clue what will happen. I am up for whatever. Sister Taylor and I could stay together and I would be totally cool with that. Or I could leave or she could leave. I feel like I'm in a good spot for transfers. I'd be a little nervous taking over the area if she left, but that's just always a little scary. Anyways. Life is good. It was wonderful talking to each of you yesterday. I have been blessed with so many tender mercies and so many wonderful people I love so much. I grow from each of you. I miss you. Have a wonderful week.

All my love,

Sister Schlauder

Updates from Texas VII (April 2011)

2011-05-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

4/25/11

My heart is totally full right now. I remember hearing Sister Lords bear her testimony in sacrament meeting several years ago. I remember her saying her heart was full to the brim and even overflowing. I have often heard others say that since, and I have tried to understand how that might feel. Today I know exactly how it feels. I just want each of you to know how much I love you. How yesterday when I was tired and did not want to keep knocking doors to no avail, how it was hot and sticky and I just wanted to be done... I just thought of my precious family, and it was as if someone pulled a string on my heavy heart and just lifted it up. My burdens were made light. Certainly knocking on doors in the Houston heat is really not all that bad. I have good shoes. Good clothes. A full water bottle. A nice companion. Friendly ward members who honk their horn and wave as they drive by. It really shouldn't be, and isn't all that hard, but sometimes when I am in that moment, it is all I can see, and it seems that hard. But I find so much peace from the scriptures. And my 'burdens are made light'. They aren't taken away. But they are made light and totally bareable. I love the story of the righteous people of Alma who endure great hardship and heavy burdens are placed upon their backs, but the Lord made them light so that they could not feel the burdens on their backs. How amazing. If he can do that for people who are seriously burdened, I find strength and faith that he can do that for me and for anyone no matter what burdens are placed upon our backs. And just a few verses after they have these burdens placed upon them, they are experiencing the greatest joy being united with the people of Mosiah- their family. Family, you are my light, my inspiration, and the strings that pull my heart up when I am weighed down. I hope to some degree, I can do that for each of you. Each of you have certainly done it for me. I think I shed about 3 ounces of tears just now after watching that video y'all sent me. Each of you singing "I am a child of God." I thought of all the times Mom and Dad have sung that to us or with us in family night or at church or just in the kitchen on Sunday or singing us to sleep after a bad dream. Watching all of you and all the kiddos singing that song brought more joy to my heart than I could ever adequately express with words. I seriously have the coolest family ever.

The Exchange to my first area went pretty well. I was a bit saddened to see some of the things that I thought would produce great progress and success not be visibly effective at all. In talking to Juan B. the other day, I asked him if he wished that he had found the gospel sooner so that he wouldn't have had to suffer without out it for as long as he did. I was intrigued that his response was not what I thought it would be. He said, sure, it would have been nice, but that he has no doubt that all he learned and all he experienced, though some of it was very painful, was perfect and just for him and he'd have had it no other way. He said he felt like he found the gospel at just the right time that he is now experiencing great blessings from what he learned in his past and especially from the way he is righteously living now. I have thought about that a lot. I have come to the conclusion that God is aware of each one of us so perfectly and individually. He knows the best way. He knows the way for us to experience the greatest amount of joy. He does not however take away our personal responsibility to choose to follow Him. But He always provides a way for us. Opportunities to choose His way... the best way. I know it is through the Atonement that we are able to have all the joy that the Father has in store for each of us. Though many have stopped progressing and some have seemed to disappear all together of the people I was working with in my first area, I have full confidence that none are lost to the Lord. The Lord is aware of us all. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to teach, to plan and prepare lessons for, and to share my testimony with many people out here and back at home. But there was something great that happened on exchanges. Leesa M. fed us lunch. She heard I was coming to the area for the day and asked if she could feed us her yummy lasagna. It was such a wonderful surprise to see her. She has been away on a traveling job since November and I didn't know she was back. She was so excited to tell me that she had an appointment with the Bishop that night to work on getting her temple recommend. She told me that she kept her word to me in getting ready to go to the temple by April of 2011. And here she is. She said that she told her work that she goes to church every Sunday from 9 to noon and would not be able to work then (which is the time they need her the most and the time that she worked at before she left). She was so excited to tell me and seemed still amazed that her boss had agreed. Leesa will be able to go to church every Sunday, and I hope that I will be able to go to the temple with her, her first time through, before my mission ends. She still has the card I made her with the picture of us on her dresser. And she was so kind to me. I just love Leesa. It was a great joy to see her progressing.

Sometimes, at the doors of total strangers, I get so excited about all the blessings of the gospel, that I'll start with a simple testimony of the Book of Mormon and before I know it, I've talked to them about how they can be sealed in the temple for eternity in just a year from the time of their baptism. ha ha. I get some pretty strange looks sometimes, but I hope they can feel my sincerity.

The gospel is here. This is the last dispensation. Christ lives. He will come again.
I realize I have rambled a bit in this email. Sorry about that.

This is the work of God. I am grateful to be a part of it. Thank you for all your love and support. I am being refined and shaped, and I know with out a doubt that I am a daughter of God and that He loves me.

Happy Easter. Have a wonderful week. Until next week... Hasta Luego...I love you all!!

-Sister Schlauder

4/18/11

This week was good. It really was. We had many great experiences.

You are wonderful. Oh and P.S, some people in the ward and a few investigators have been saying I have a twin on American Idol. Lauren? I think that's her name. I'm curious. I've gotten it several times the past few weeks. Random, but do I look like a girl on American Idol named Lauren?

Anyways, Ok. I've got to get to the good stuff. Here I go.

My favorite happening from this week...

Carolin M. She was found by Sister Taylor and her previous companion the week before I arrived here in Tomball. I've told you a little about her before. She loves the scriptures. She also has been battling cancer for 5 years. She is a mother of one 13 yr old girl, Brittney, and has a husband, but we haven't met him yet. She used to be the VP of an HP branch that sounds very important, out here in Houston. She is smart and kind and loves to learn.

We went over there on Thursday with a sister from the Relief Society- Sister Wake (totally awesome). We decided to teach her about the entire Plan of Salvation. We have shared brief parts of it with her before, but we decided to lay it all out there for her. And oh man, the spirit was so strong. We can thank Carolin for that. She was fasting. I'm not sure what for, but I know that when we put off the natural man for more important desires, the Lords blessing seem to be unrestrained. Such was the case with this visit with Carolin. We explained to her how we lived with God before we came here as his spirit children and that we all made the choice to come here. She stopped us and said, "Wait! We made the choice to come here? Did I hear you right?" we said, 'Yes, that's right.' Then she said, "Hold on. Hold on. I'm receiving a revelation here." She then sat and pondered for a minute. She looked up and said, "Yes. I totally believe that. Wow. I made the choice to come here. Huh. I've never thought of that before." It was amazing. The familiarity and peace that comes from simple truths is absolutely beautiful and divine. But it gets even better. We continued to teach her about the plan of our Father in Heaven. About our purpose on earth. She then stopped us again and said, "So. Let me see if I got this straight. Some of the hosts of heaven chose Satan's way. And we chose Christ's way. Then, because we chose Christ's way, we came to earth and our spirit entered our body. But we were born in sin...?" Then she stopped and stuttered for a while and then told us that she had entirely forgotten her train of thought and needed some help for what happened after our spirits came to earth to receive their bodies. We spoke of the fall of Adam and Eve and how it was all a part of God's plan for our happiness. And then we watched the false doctrine of being born into sin entirely disappear. It was gone. I watched the process of stupor of thought and then truth replacing the missing knowledge. It was unreal. I'm not sure how to describe it. But I know that truth replaces doubt. And I watched Carolin's doubt be replaced with certainty and truth, and it was a little tender mercy miracle. I know children are innocent and pure and I know the fall was all a part of God's plan for our happiness. Satan did not pull a fast one. We are children of an all-knowing perfect God who has given us everything we need to return to live with him forever in absolute joy and peace. So, we continued teaching her. We talked about the spirit world and about resurrection, judgement, and the three degrees of glory. She was engaged and used her knowledge from her studies from the bible to relate to much of what we spoke of. After speaking of the three kingdoms and talking about temples and priesthood power, Carolin sat back and seemed relieved. She said, "I am a visual learner. I have been making this chart. It's upstairs right now. You just filled in a huge chunk about this big part that was blank. Wow." She put her two hands out, about 12 inches apart and just said, "a blank this big." I got chills and my heart rejoiced at the joy and peace of the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. And that was just the knowledge of it. She will receive much joy as she enters into these covenants through God's holy priesthood power that will allow her complete access to the Savior's Atonement and grace. I pray she will continue. I know she has been believing one way for a long time. But she has the faith and humility and I know that she can enter into this new and everlasting covenant. I'm just so excited for her. I pray she accepts and feels the spirit testify to her of the truth of the fulness. It was amazing.

Tim came to church again! He didn't come for 6 months, and this was his second week in a row of coming. He is so awesome. He participated a lot in our Gospel Essentials class, and it was so wonderful to see him feel the joy of just being at church and to see him joy in service as he gave his insights on basic principles of the gospel. I think he's in his 40s. He joined the church in his 20s and he has had a rough time the past year with divorce and other struggles. But he is awesome. And he is making it back, and he will be so blessed. What a joy it is to see people come back. To joy in the spirit that comes from serving and blessing and uplifting others. And that is certainly what he did at church yesterday.

Carolina accepted a calling! She is doing awesome. She was inactive for a few years and now she seems to be just diving back in to the complete love and complete access of the Atonement as she remembers her covenants and remembers her Savior. She has had struggles that have made her doubt in her trust in the Lord. But now, as she trusts in Him despite or inspite of those doubts, He is blessing her greatly. She is so much happier.

Juan, who was baptized october 2009 recieved his Patriarchal Blessing yesterday. He had some serious hardships after baptism and lost his way for a time, but he made the choice all on his own to come back, and now he is doing better than ever. He has taught me so much about faith from his example. His situation hasn't necessarily changed, but his attitude and his choices to just trust in the Lord, come what may, has changed. And he has joy and peace and wants to help others all the time. He is wonderful. And is so excited to go to the temple. He said he is for sure coming to my temple wedding and will make sure he is temple worthy and keeps enduring to the end. He's so awesome.

I held a puppy at his house the other day that fell asleep in my arms. His name was Rooster. I'll send a picture. Oh. It was a tender mercy. I love puppies.

Oh! and we have been teaching this other family, the Williams. The father has been less active since he was a teen. And his wife is not a member. We are teaching her. Her name is Tara. And we got their son, Gage, into Scouts in the ward, and it has been the perfect thing for them to get back into church. Gage accepted the invitation to be baptized. He is 10. We will continue teaching him every Tuesday and Thursday. They have a 6 yr old girl and a 6 month old. Taylor and Shelby. We love the Williams. They are very busy and it is hard to keep appointments with them, but all will be well, and I am just so excited to see this family in white at the temple in a couple years. They are great. And at the end of our lesson on Thursday, Dustin (the less active dad) said the prayer. Afterwards, he said, "Wow. I haven't said a prayer in 10 years." What an example he is becoming to his family. And last week, Gage said the prayer and Tara and Dustin coached him through it, and it was such a cool experience to see this family be united and brought closer together through their efforts to draw closer to God.

Ah. One more story. We have been working with Lori M. who hasn't been to church in years. Her and her husband, Bill were sorely offended back in Oregon, and haven't been back since. Lori was in a real tough spot and decided to turn to the Lord. It started by praying every day and night on her knees, then she asked for a Book of Mormon from us, and she is already to Alma. She came to Janice Kapp Perry's devotional and things have just been working out for her. She found a job and went for her first day on Thursday. They loved her! They praised her and she is just amazed at how quickly she is catching on to all the methods of this bank she was hired at. She knows and gives all credit to the fact that this is a miracle straight from her Heavenly Father. It was amazing timing for when we first tried her. We were in the area and just figured we'd knock on her door, despite the bad experiences other missionaries were said to have had in the past. We were let in immediately and she told us to tell the RS President thank you for never giving up on her. We have seen Lori every week since then, and she is doing wonderful. She is being richly blessed. She studies from the scriptures 2 hours a day. She was nervous with her new job she wouldn't be able to, but she said she received inspiration while praying that she can listen to the Bible and Book of Mormon on cd on her hour drive to work there and back. Perfect. She also couldn't wait for the copy of the general conference Ensign, so she just printed out all the talks and made her own. She's awesome. She gave Sister Taylor and I a gift yesterday that made me cry. She gave us "21 days closer to Christ", a book she has been working through the past 18 days or so. She has shared with us things she has learned from it before, and she wanted us to have it. She also printed off all the conference talks for each of us and put them in a folder so we could have the 'Ensign' early. How cool is that? And she gave us 2 gift cards to Chilis. And she gave us a big jar of chocolate covered almonds because we eat the ones in her dish every time we go over. Lori is amazing. And her husband Bill just sits there and praises her and compliments her the whole time we are there. They are giong to try to come to church this Sunday. I pray they come. Oh, and Lori forgot how to spell my name, so she looked it up in the Las Vegas white pages and said, "So, is your dad Allyn and your mom Linda and sisters Jennie and Amber? yep yep yep. It was cool. I told her she should call ya'll. So maybe she will.

Well, my time is up. I love you all so much. Thank you for all you do for me. I'm so grateful for our family.

Have a wonderful week. From Houston to Vegas.

All my love,

Sister Schlauder

4/11/11
So, this week was quite a whirl wind. I have much to tell you and little time to do it. Here I go:)

We have been trying to get a less active couple to their home teacher's house for dinner for quite some time now. We finally got the wife there, Karla. We had dinner and shared a video with them about the Nauvoo Temple. We shared with them our feelings on the temple and it was a great experience. Karla even brought up how she had done baptisms several years ago and expressed a desire to go back. On the way home, she was driving, and she saw her cat lying dead in the road. It was way sad. There is serious opposition in all things. It seems that right when things are going the strongest and the spirit is really working miracles for individuals in great need... opposition and adversities step in. But they have both agreed to come to dinner again tomorrow, so we are hoping to help them get fully active again. And we know that the light far outweighs the darkness. There is nothing more powerful than the Savior's love.

We stopped by Julie and Tim and family's house on Tuesday and were let right in. The whole family joined together in the living room just like the time before. We began reading the Book of Mormon with them - Alma 32 about a seed of faith, and we went in a circle and each read a verse. It was amazing. And the 11 year old, Madison, loved it. After we had finished and were ready to watch the restoration dvd, she said, "Can we please read more from the Book of Mormon when the movie is over." Oh, it was so wonderful. She is a sweet girl who feels the spirit and loves it. We then put in the restoration dvd and everyone was all ears and quite interested in it all the way up to the central part of the movie where Joseph goes into a grove of trees to pray. I kid you not. Every time we get to the sacred grove in any lesson I've ever had... all heck breaks loose. Right when Joseph began to pray, Brantley (13) accidentally pushed a key on the remote that puts a big menu bar box covering the first vision. Then, he gets it off just in time for a large pregnant dog to come bursting in through the side door in an absolute panic. Then the dog goes right to the remote and steps on it and the tv goes off. Sister Taylor and I were just in awe at the whole scene. Expecting a little opposition, but not anticipating a panicked, panting, pregnant, pit bull to burst in through the door and come parading through the room! (Like the alliteration?) The situation returned back to normal and we weren't too worried because Joseph repeats what happened and his testimony while talking to the preacher in the carriage. Well, sure enough, right when it gets to that part, someone steps on the remote again and puts it in fast forward right to the end of the scene. Sister Taylor and I looked at each other and did the smallest version of putting our hands up in total defeat. But it all turned out well. We were able to explain what exactly took place in the sacred grove as Joseph Smith prayed, and the spirit was there to bear witness of the truth. Catherine (18) was moved by it, and asked if we would please keep coming and if she could start coming to church with us each Sunday. We of course said yes. And her mother, Julie, offered to buy her a dress. Then came time for the closing prayer. Catherine said she would try and said a beautiful prayer that touched everyone there. She is a wonderful girl who will surely be the anchor of her family to lead them to the greatest blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for their family. Catherine came to church on Sunday and loved it. She was so welcomed by the awesome Tomball ward and it was great. We were thrilled. I know that this family has been so prepared by the Lord, and I know great blessings are coming their way. I also know that great opposition is sure to come where ever there is a motion of moving closer to Christ. But I know that prayer conquers Satan. Light far outweighs darkness. And all will be well as they and all of us continue to put our trust in the Lord continually.

I love 3 Nephi 17. The Savior asks for those to be brought forth who are lame or halt or deaf or leprous or are afflicted in any manner, and He will heal them.

The Father gave His life for us because He sent His son. We can be with our families forever. The plan of happiness is real. There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved. Only in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are each sons and daughters of a living God who absolutely loves us.

Tim, came to church for the first time in 6 months on Sunday. We were thrilled. The work is moving along. The things God guides us to do each week over the course of each transfer are all adding up to provide great blessings in the Tomball Ward for precious souls. This work is good. I am good. I pray for you always. Thank you for your prayers and love. I feel it strengthen me day to day.

I love you.

Sister Schlauder

4/4/11

Y'all sound so awesome. I'm glad Grandpa got my letter and poem. He's so awesome. I totally thought of him during Elder Scott's talk when he said that because of this time where he and his sweetheart are separated by the veil, they will be that much more in love when they meet again. That same blessing will be Papa Jack's and Grami's- no doubt.

I loved Elder Scott's talk. His talk last conference deeply touched me and this conference was the same. I have been rather worried about my future. During his talk, I had so many emotions, but the overriding message from the spirit calmed my doubts and fears. It was like a promise from God straight to me when Elder Scott said that I will receive all that I live worthy to receive. All I have to worry about is keeping my covenants and everything in my future will work out just beautifully. Many of my prayers were answered and addressed this conference and I gained much peace about so many things that have troubled me the past few months. God is aware of each of us; there is no doubt about that. Elder Holland said it so beautifully in his talk where he said that there is something specific for every person that hears the messages of conference with a broken heart and contrite spirit.

It was when Elder Christofferson quoted the currant bush that I felt God's love the deepest. Tears just started streaming down my face. I got a letter from a friend that included portions of that talk about the currant bush back in December, I have read it over and over. I have shared it with many members, less active members, and my companions and have found a great measure of comfort from it. The second he started to quote Hugh B. Brown, and that talk about the currant bush, I got the most peaceful wonderful feeling that God was aware of me so personally. And that he would certainly continue to guide me through this refining process.

Anyways. I loved conference. It was a great peace to me to know that you were watching it at the same time as me.

Missionary work! It's been good.

This week was good. We did some service at TEAM, which is a great donation service center that provides groceries and other temporal needs for really anyone who needs it in Tomball. I helped the woman (Nell) at the front write out request forms and 'interview' people as they came in. Or rather, assess their needs. Nell broke her arm and needed a scribe. It was a great experience for me, and I was able to share the gospel with many people. I was touched by the story told at conference: "Will this buy me any bread?" And doing service at TEAM this week really helped me appreciate the aid given by the church. I met 2 people that were interested in more than just physical bread and gave them information about the church and where they could go to fill their spiritual needs and perhaps partake of the Bread of Life. I even was able to help out with some Spanish speakers that came in with different needs and was able to communicate with them well enough to get them all set up and given what they needed. Wo! I just realized that 2 years ago today, I was on the plane home from Spain. Wow. What a blessing that experience was for me. It has helped me to help many out here in a way I would have been otherwise been unable to. At TEAM, I even found a man who has been less active for a couple years after his joining the church and wants to get involved again. I was able to give him the information about his ward and some other things. It was neat how many of those humble people recognized my name tag and were excited to be talking to a Latter-day Saint. That's kind of rare out here and it was a real tender mercy to talk to so many kind people who were so humble and sincere.

We found two new investigators this week! Gilbert is one. He's an older man and he walked into a Bishops and Stake President Meeting last Sunday and they jumped right on that and got him all the info he needed and had him stay all three hours of church in the Kleinwood Ward. I love the Kleinwood ward. It was so cool when we got the referral and we called him right up and had the opportunity to teach Gilbert in his home here in Tomball on Wednesday night(after we had gone to the temple, which was totally amazing). Gilbert is searching for something more. He has been reading the Bible, and he looked through the yellow pages for a church. Found ours, that it was pretty close, and went to it. He is so open and pure. And it was a special experience to teach him in his home. Gilbert is awesome.

Saturday night, we were tracting and the last house we knocked on, an older lady answered and let us in. Her name is Helen. We taught her a bit and it turns out she has been looking for a church. It was actually pretty funny what happened. We told her that we were missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she let us in. She got talking to us and said she had studied almost every religion except for the Latter-day Saints. She said she was always curious in what we believed. She said, "The only religion I don't want to hear about are the Mormons. They're crazy." My companion and I weren't really sure what to say next. But luckily, we were tactfully able to first testify the Jesus Christ is at the center of our religion and next of the Book of Mormon which testifies of Christ, and next that some people refer to us as Mormons. She seemed ok with it and satisfied with our explanation. Helen is great. I already have a love for her and hope and pray she will be able to receive the great blessings of the restoration.

I ate craw fish at Juan's this week. It was intense. I'll send you a picture. We got to see the whole process. There was like a hundred craw fish swimmin’ around in the sink when we got there, and then we watched the whole cooking process until we ate them. weird. But it tasted pretty good. Amy would have been proud of me. I have a much stronger stomach than I did when we were in Taiwan and Thailand. That's for sure.

Well, I love you all so much. Thank you for all you do for me. Have an absolutely wonderful week.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

Updates from Texas VI (March 2011)

2011-04-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

3/28/11
Family! Thank you for your emails. I love ya'll so much.

Yeah, so I forgot to tell you about Mike Register's baptism the 19th! It went great. He was baptized and received the Holy Ghost right after. It was so sweet. After receiving the Holy Ghost, he was going to shake hands with those that were standing in the circle, but he busted out of the circle and dove into his mom's lap and gave her the biggest hug. He had tears in his eyes and said whispered something to his mother about how good he felt and then told her he loved her.

That was the perfect example to me of what the spirit does for each of us. It fills us with love. After hugging his mother, who has recently become active again, I watched her sit up a little taller. And it amazed me how the spirit influences so many, whether by the direct feelings it brings to our individual hearts or by the actions of others that are prompted when they have the spirit with them.

We helped Michael's mother, Carolina, mow her lawn and trim her bushes this week. It was way fun. I'm considering taking up the art of bush sculpting. I should have taken a before and after picture. I was pretty proud.

We also went over there for dinner once this week and a vacuum salesman was just finishing up his sermon/demo. I guess he had already been there an hour and Carolina was a bit weary of him. But Sister Taylor and I were the best audience ever. We understood how hard it can be to tell something to someone that can really 'bless' their life and they won't listen. So, we were a very attentive audience for the Kirby salesman. It ended up that the cost was too much, so the purchase went unmade. I thought of the gospel- our message. I thought of all the people I have known out here that have paid a great price for it. I thought of Allen and Brigette. And I thought of many others. I realized that the 'price' was high for them. They had to sacrifice much of what was in their life before in order to receive the great blessings of the gospel. Surely no price is too high for the gospel of Jesus Christ. (subject title connection, here it comes.) The gospel of Jesus Christ is a pearl of great price. It's worth far exceeds the cost.

We had a wonderful zone conference this week. It was a sweet opportunity to see the 'arriving missionaries' and the 'departing missionaries' bear their testimonies. I was touched by the eagerness and fresh commitment of the new missionaries and their bright simple testimonies. But I was moved and changed by the missionaries that were departing. Each and every one of them (about 10) bore a deep powerful testimony of their Savior and of The Book of Mormon. Some said things like, "I have watched many lives change because of The Book of Mormon." "Because I know The Book of Mormon is true, I know what matters and what doesn't." "I have gained a witness of The Book of Mormon that I cannot and I will not ever deny." "If I have learned one thing on my mission. It is that The Book of Mormon is true and it has real healing power." "My testimony of the Book of Mormon is the thing I hold closest to me from my mission." Testimony after testimony was filled with the spirit and with love and appreciation for the blessings of the restoration. And oh, how they had each come to know their Savior. Each had a different experience of a mission. Each tailored to fit every individual missionary. I learned from their deep conviction of the Savior's divinity and reality that our life experiences are custom designed by God for each of us. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows us and gives us all the experiences, situations, people, tools, and love that we need to come to know Him. And as we do, our lives are filled with joy, peace, perspective, and hope.

Sorry. I'm soap boxing again. ha ha. Zest vs. Dove. ha ha. wow. anyways..

Kristen is doing alright. Things are a bit rocky lately, and I have been more worried than ever for her. She is going through a spell of postpartum depression and she's been not wanting to leave the house. We had a few 'surprise attack' member present lessons, as I like to call them, that went pretty well. But they didn't produce any visible success, as Kristen still hasn't come back to church and she went to a festival yesterday instead. I am worried that we haven't done all that we could do. I have studied lately the doctrine of hope. And I have been so grateful for the "all you can do" doctrine. And how blessed we are to know what the 'all you can do' is. Live worthy of having the spirit with you. All the details that compute into that are a part of the restored gospel.

I know I sound like a broken record, but I have just learned the truth so deeply... that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains the 'how to' of the Savior's plea, "Come unto me." I like this quote by Joseph Fielding McConkie in his talk titled, "The First Vision and Religious Tolerance". "No missionary has ever told anyone that in order to join the Church, there were particular truths they would have to surrender in order to be baptized. To the contrary, missionaries tell those they are teaching that anything they have that is 'virtuous, praiseworthy, or of good report' to hold it as tenaciously as they can, to bring it with them and we will add to it but never take from it. By contrast, I have talked to a good number of missionaries from other faiths who sought to put a torch to the house of my understanding as a Latter-day Saint. Having burned it to the ground they have precious little to offer in its stead. To Join this Church is to gain truth. To leave it is to lose truth. There are no exceptions. Indeed, there is not a truth in all the eternities that we can not enjoy in its fullness as Latter-day Saints. One of those truths is that every soul born into this world comes with the light of Christ and the promise that if they follow that light it will lead them to God and the covenant of salvation (D&C88:45-48)."

I just love that. This church is absolutely true. It is the Church of Jesus Christ. How it is is how He wants it. We have a prophet today, led by Christ himself. Thomas S. Monson is his prophet, seer, and revelator. What a joy it'll be to hear from our prophet and apostles and leaders this weekend!

Julie and Tim and their family were really busy this week, and we weren't able to get in to see them. But we will not give up. I'm so grateful for your sincere prayers. And if there is one thing I know for sure. The prayers of the righteous are heard and answered, and so I know those prayers will be answered. Sister Taylor and I will continue to try to set up appointments with them. It is the last week of the transfer and we are determined to sprint to the finish and make this week awesome in case one of us gets transferred.

We will continue to try to help Kristen understand just how important all of this is. When we visited with her this week, I asked, "when do you feel peace?" after she had explained so much of the depression she had been feeling. She said, "Well, I guess it's when I pray." We talked about prayer. And I felt the spirit testify to my heart just how real prayer is. That prayer is so much more powerful and healing than I even understand. I am going to make an effort this week to be more sincere in every prayer I offer.

I love you all. I thank you for your prayers. I know they are heard and they will be answered in the Lord's way, which is the best way. Everything that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Christ.

I love ya'll so much. Thank you for all you do for me and who you are. I have the best family in the world. Have a wonderful day and week.

Love

Sister Schlauder

3/21/11

Family! How are y'all? Y'all are the best. Ok. So Y'all is officially a part of my everyday vocabulary. Goal accomplished. But I didn't expect this one... I now have (not on purpose) said, "I'm fixin' to..." two times. I'm not sure I'm ok with it. ha ha. Texas is awesome. But the summer is comin on fast.

This week was good. I've got to tell you about the most exciting thing first. We found a family!!! Julie and Tim and their four kids: Cathryn, Madison, Brantley, and Ashton. We found Julie when we were tracting on March 2. She said to come back, so we've tried probably ten times with no luck. But Saturday night, at 8 pm, we tried again. It was the craziest thing. On the way over there, I got this huge wave of sadness. It felt like it came out of no where. I missed home. I was tired. I was mad at my companion for who knows what. And I had a bucket of tears just waiting to pour out when we retired for the night, but I had to hold it in. I recognized how strange it was that all of a sudden, I was feeling like my life was a total tragedy. I said a prayer in my heart that I'd be able to get through the rest of the night. 'Only one hour left,' I thought. And then this sentence came into my heart and mind, "It's because something good is about to happen." I pondered on the thought for a moment as we were driving toward Julie's house, and I thought, 'humph, that's interesting', and I started to feel real excited. I know. I'm an emotional wreck. My poor future husband. ha ha. We pull up to Julie's and we are welcomed by a herd of dogs, one massive great dane among them- my favorite. And then one of the children comes to the door and says her mom is comin'. Then, Julie invites us in. Their home is gorgeous. It is in the country, just a normal trailer from the outside, but they have really made it a nice place. So organized and simple. The spirit was there with us all from the beginning. We sat down with Julie, and one by one, every family member joined in, until the whole family was crowded around asking questions, sharing experiences, and talking about the Book of Mormon. Julie is Catholic, and has a deep testimony of God and Jesus Christ. She is amazing. She is very open and said she is very curious by the Book of Mormon and the bold claim for it to be the keystone of our religion. She asked us about the gift of tongues, and asked if we spoke or prayed in tongues. When we explained our beliefs on the matter, she said, "I just got chills. I have always believed that." Even a principle as 'small' (to me) as the truth about the gift of tongues allowed her to have the influence of the Holy Ghost testify of the truth. We talked about many things. They had questions about where we go after we die and Julie talked about her mother's passing and how she had spent many nights wondering where she might be now. We talked about the spirit world and how everyone has a chance to accept the gospel. And I thought of my sweet Grandpa Jack, who has made the opportunity available for so many to receive the fullness of Christ's gospel and thereby have a fullness of joy and all that the Father has. I thought of the peace it'll bring Julie to be able to do the temple work for her mother someday in the future. Cathryn, her daughter, who is 18, had been to church a few times back when she was 15.

This is another evidence of seed planting, and one of those 'you never know' proofs. It probably seemed to the young woman who was inviting her friend to church and church activities that it made no difference in the end, but now, three years later, it could be the very thing that allows the whole family to receive the blessings of the restoration. I have seen the seeds planted by others harvested years later out here in Texas, or just nourished a little more, and I just want to say a little side note for all you awesome member missionaries. Every thing you do helps so much. Every seed you plant. The example you are to your neighbors and friends and associates, it all helps so much. At least 10 out of the 30 people we talk to a day will typically mention a colleague they had who gave them a Book of Mormon or a friend from high school that was so kind to them that was a Mormon. Or a neighbor who was such a good mother who was a Mormon. Or a Mormon congregation that helped a single mother when she lost her job. All of these have been said in the last week, but maybe you members missionaries probably have thought your influence didn't do much good. There is always a sense of gratitude in the people's eyes we talk to out here. Your seeds are good seeds and they grow and they bless and prosper this marvelous work along. Thank you for all you do.

Back to Cathryn. She talked about her good experience going to church and the kindness of her friend. She asked us questions like, "How do I pray?" and "How do I know that Thomas Monson is God's prophet?" and "What about the fall of Adam and Eve? Was that part of the plan?" and "What is our purpose in life?" and "How do we live with God and our families forever?" You can imagine how excited Sister Taylor and I were. We loved talking about the answers to each of these questions. But I think my favorite part was being able to talk about the restoration. At the beginning of the lesson, we talked about the great Apostacy and how the priesthood and Christ's original church was taken from the earth. And then, we got talking about their questions about the Plan of Salvation. So, once we had talked about their questions for a while, Cathy and Julie's questions were more, 'So what do we do now? How do we know all this is true?" It was a special opportunity to bear testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. It always is. But they just seemed so hungry for it. We explained briefly the doctrine of the restoration. And then they asked again how they could know it was true. We gave them the Book of Mormon. And this is my favorite part about being a missionary, lately. I love holding the Book of Mormon in my hands and bearing testimony that all our beliefs rest on this book. It really is the key stone of our religion. And I have total confidence that it is true. So it is so wonderful to put my trust in it and talk about it in such bold terms. "If this book is true, Joseph Smith was a prophet, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. And I know that it is."

Oh man. Even just typing it gets me excited. I love being able to give people such a pure and direct way to finding out the truth of our message. Oh, it's wonderful. No one has to listen to two 22 year old girls try to do any sort of convincing, but every single person can read the book, ponder the message it contains, and then ask God if it is true, and God will tell them by the power of the Holy Ghost if it is.

We had Cathryn read the last two paragraphs of the introduction, and the spirit was there, as the whole family was gathered around listening. We have found one special family. We meet with them again this Thursday night. I so look forward to that visit.

We saw a man jogging the other day with a big sign strapped to his back that said,"Honk for Jesus". My companion and I got so excited. I honked the horn. And then Sister Taylor and I looked at each other and said, "We are missionaries for Jesus!" It was a cool moment. We really are. That's a lot to live up to. But it's more to live for.

Well, I have once again, typed your ears off. I'm so sorry, and now I'm out of time. But I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week.

All My Love,

Sister Schlauder

3/14/11

Family! So wonderful to hear from you this morning. Y'all sound like you're doing fantastic. I love you all so much.

Kristen and Christian are doing awesome. We went over to Kristen's Friday night and we brought Sister Svedin with us. She is an awesome member who is like the Jennie Slade of the Tomball ward. So cool. Anyways. Kristen was pretty sore and tired and out of it. And Sister Taylor and I were pretty much at a total loss of words. She hadn't had time to read any scriptures. She said she was still set about getting baptized April 30. We read Jeremiah 1:5 and related it to how her baby just came straight from God. She just nodded her head and we were at a total loss of words. It wasn't really going anywhere. The white handbook says we can’t hold children, and so we were dying, just not being able to hold Christian. And it was awkward. We felt way bad. But then, our wonderful member, Sister Melanie Svedin, came to the rescue. She said, "So, Kristen, have you got any laundry we could fold?" She did. So we went and folded all her laundry. Then we did the dishes and then we put everything away and tidied up. We all sat down to say a prayer before heading out, and Kristen says, "So, who's pickin’ me up for church on Sunday?" And it was the funniest thing. I just got the biggest grin on my face. But inside, I was cheering. Kristen is awesome. She is being so much more patient with her 3 yr old. And she is just more positive. Sometimes I get stuck in missionary work when I don't see people have been reading their scriptures. I just think, oh no, they're not going to get all of these awesome blessings the Lord wants to give them. But the Lord is aware of each of us and blesses us for even the smallest things. Kristen is a single mother and is doing all of this on her own. But she is not. The Lord is with her and is giving her patience and the strength to move forward. And that is evidence all in itself that God loves her and that she is being blesses and is progressing. The Atonement is working because she is changing. She is becoming who the Lord intends her to be. And I just have to put in a plug for members. You members are awesome. You have no idea how many times us missionaries get in the car after an appointment where a member has come with us and we just say, "wo. We could not have done that without them." And certainly, the visit with Kristen would have just ended pretty awkward without the help and inspiration from Sister Svedin. You members are able to see people's needs and just fill them. I love it. The missionaries need you members and we love you. You make it happen.

Bryant is doing fine. We stopped by and had a visit with him. His wife isn't too sure about us and is worried Bryant is gettin’ into something not good. But we talked with him and he seemed assured that it was a good thing. He read the entire front end of the Book of Mormon up to 1 Nephi 2. He understood the testimonies of the witnesses of the book and seemed to really appreciate the sincerity of it in wanting all who read it to come unto Christ. He has been busy with his cattle lately and hasn't had time to do a church tour, but I believe his reading of the Book of Mormon will give him spiritual strength to press forward in this journey that leads to the tree of life. It's no wonder the iron rod is the word of God. It has power, and it is steady and strong. We've just got to press forward. Someday, when I become an artist, I am going to paint someone clinging to the rod of iron. Just totally wrapped around it. Their whole body. Scooching forward inch by inch, not daring to let go, just terrified of sin. Eyes toward the tree of life.
So, I think I’ve said this before. But I've been getting this a lot lately. People say something like this, "You put too much trust in prayer. You've got to look at the facts. Where's the evidence? Where's the proof? You can’t trust in your feelings." And I've decided that I hope that that is always said of me that I trust in prayer too much. Prayer is real. Heavenly Father hears us. He answers our prayers. The answers do come through feelings a lot, but often they come through tangible evidences that the Lord has in fact heard us. Sometimes its from a mission presidents blessing or the kind words of a father in a letter to his daughter, or the testimony of a total stranger who rejoices in their love of the savior and speaks freely of it on the doorstep.
Answers and tender mercies come from all over.
The pouring rain and thunder and lightning today is a tender mercy for me. I love it.
Well, I'd better get goin’. Mike Register is being baptized this Saturday. It'll be great. Oh. Last Monday I kind of sprained my ankle a little playing baseball, but I got the sickest hit ever! The elders were in awe:) So was I. ha ha. And our car window got smashed by the elders playing catch with the baseball in the church parking lot. It's already fixed though. Today we are just playing volleyball, so I'm sure it'll be a much less crazy p-day. ha ha. Oh, And people were saying something in their prayers yesterday about people in Japan. What happened? I hope they are ok, whatever happened. I'll keep them in my prayers too. It sounds bad. It's interesting being this far apart from the world and what's going on, but I like it. For me, it's quite peaceful.
I love you all. Sounds like you have an exciting week. I pray for you always. I hope you know how much I love you. Each and every one.
Have a wonderful day. And week.
Love,

Sister Schlauder

3/7/11

Thank you for your emails, Mom and Dad. You are both so absolutely wonderful. So many things that happened in your week coincide with things that took place in mine.

I was struggling a bit this week. I think just being an emotional girl that misses life as Ally, was the main gist of my selfish sadness. But in any case, I was having a real rough time. We had such a successful week the other week, and I had high hopes for this one, but it kind of crashed and burned and didn't really produce much 'success', numbers wise. But there were spiritual successes that occurred. There always are. Some of which I'll share with you now.

My companion took a shower at night early on in the week, which is the cue for me to pray out loud. It's the only time I get to pray out loud and just pour my heart out to God. And strange as it sounds, it was a tender mercy. I got to cry to my Heavenly Father and just let it all out. I told him everything I could in the 15 minutes my comp was in the shower. When the shower went off, I realized I hadn't given a specific request that He could help me with. So, I just desperately said, "Just help me. Please, just help me." Certainly we all have cried out to Heavenly Father in a similar way. Well, I didn't know how powerfully and quickly that help would come. And before I tell you the details, I just want you to know that God hears and answers prayers. Our prayers reach the ears of our Father in Heaven. He is so mindful of us. Though, deep down, I figured I was just being an emotional girl and I felt a little silly about the whole episode, resulting in seemingly only a mascara covered pillow... God cared and showed me just how much.

The next morning, we went to a Zone specialized training meeting where President and Sister Hansen spoke to us. My favorite zone leader spoke to us as well and the assistants-- it was a spirit filled meeting. As it was coming to a close, I felt like I was fed and that it was probably all I was gonna get, but I was happy and grateful for the help. Well. I was wrong. I am wrong a lot when it comes to the Lord's mercy. I always underestimate it. President Hansen gets up for his closing remarks and gets this look in his eyes. The look that all missionaries in the Texas Houston Mission know as the look that means he has just been absolutely inspired by God through the spirit. He asks us to open up to Alma 17. One of my favorite chapters (thanks to Uncle James), and he reads Alma 17:17-18. This is where Alma and the sons of Mosiah were about to depart from each other, each man alone, going to preach the gospel to a 'wild and a ferocious people'. They had it kinda rough. But before they departed, Ammon, the chief among them, "blessed them according to their several stations". After reading that, President said that he felt that there was someone in our zone that needed a priesthood blessing. There was a missionary that needed "Help". My heart swelled within me and, goodness, I just knew so firmly that God knew me. I figured I was not the only one, as I looked around the room and saw several elders with their heads down trying to hold back some tears.

President Hansen pulled a chair out in the middle of the room in front of him, asked his assistants to come up and assist him in giving priesthood blessings. Then, one by one, elder by elder, humbly, even with slouched shoulders, got up in front of the group and sat in the chair. President then, one by one, proceeded to give each one a priesthood blessing. It was honestly one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. My soul was filled. We were all fed by the spirit that was so abundantly there. It was amazing. God's love for each one of us was aparant in the most personal of ways. Each blessing was so absolutely unique. And President would get that inspired look in his eye before each blessing began. And afterwards, he even mentioned, that in the walk from our seat to that chair, he had specific thoughts come into his mind as to what the Lord would have him say. If you didn't have a testimony of priesthood power before that day, there was no way you could have come out of that meeting not knowing that President Hansen holds the Prieshood Authority of God.

Each blessing was almost patriarchal in sound and meaning. There were blessings of comfort and protection. To each "according to his several stations." One missionary was told how he was with those who rejoiced in the pre-existance for the chance to come to earth and gain a body, another missionary was told how his family had all gathered together the night previous and offered a kneeling prayer in his behalf. One elder was pronounced forgiveness and another was told of his good standing before God. Another who was approaching the final weeks of his mission was told how he had come to know the Savior over the last two years and how the Savior knew him. Others were given specific counsel, and one was even given a promise that there is a girl who is out there for him being prepared to be his eternal companion and he will be prepared for her too. It was amazing. God was able to speak through his servant, President Hansen, to give each of us a blessing. Out of about 15 missionaries, only four didn't go up. After the Elders had gone, President said, 'anyone else'? My heart raced and I quickly got up. He looked at me with this look as to say 'I've been wondering when you were gonna get up.' Before I even sat down, I felt so much peace. I knew my Heavenly Father knew me and he cared for me.

Then I was given such a wonderful blessing. and guess how it started out, "Sister Schlauder, you have been born of goodly parents." Yes I have. He then proceeded to tell me about what a wonderful family I have been blessed with. He also told me many other things and I felt a sense of understanding and peace. I was amazed. All of us were walking on air, feeling so much of the Lord's love. We then had a kneeling prayer as a zone that was powerful and unifying.

Wow. I am almost out of time! but I want to tell you a bit more about this week. Here I go. Sorry if it's scattered.

Kristen had her baby. 9lbs 9oz... gorgeous baby boy. Christian Tyler Brooks. Sister Taylor and I loved the name because of its connection to Christ. Kristen is doing well. It was March 5th at 8:35 am. She is so happy and I can tell she is just going to be such a wonderful mother to this baby. We got to go to the hospital very shortly after he was born, and it was a sweet, sweet experience. I'll send you a picture today.

Mike Register is still getting baptized March 19th and is doing great. His less active mother, Sister Escobar, is becoming more and more active, and during our lesson on fasting in gospel principles yesterday, she shared a powerful testimony with the class, and I could see the spirit working with her. She is excited about becoming active again. What a blessing the gospel is. That's what it is all about... bringing families together.

Bryant was out of town all week. The rodeo is going on right now, so he was busy with some of that and other things. But he is scheduled to come on a church tour with us tomorrow and we hope it goes through. I hope y'all get to meet him. That'd be great.

On Saturday, we had the women's conference with Janice Kapp Perry! It was so awesome. A less active member, Sister Murphy came, and had a wonderful time. She even got to meet Sister Perry and she told her that she was going to become active again because of some things Sister Perry said and sang. It was cool to hear Sister Murphy say that.

That is cool that ya'll had a great experience with the power of good music this week too! I know good music is so important. And I got chills when we all sang "Love is Spoken Here". I pictured my mother and it brought me to tears. I miss you, Mom.

"I see my mother kneeling, as she bows her head to pray, I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray..." It's officially my favorite child's hymn book song, and it was written by Janice Kapp Perry, which makes it even cooler.

Sister Perry said something so funny that I just had to quote. I could picture Grami Colleen saying it to Grandpa. She, in speaking of her husband who had just stolen the microphone from her and was being hilarious, said, "I know him like a book, but sometimes I don't know what page he's on." That cracked me up. Her and her husband have such a good relationship. I want that. She also said something that really helped me out a lot. She said, "there is a purpose in every season in life." She talked about that for a while, and it helped me see how to better just enjoy the journey. She also spoke of an experience she had when talking to Sister Kimball. She said that Sister Kimball's husband had died, and she was approaching her last days. Sister Perry asked her how she stayed happy, being so alone. And Sister Kimball said, "Oh! I've taken up oil painting!" She had a teacher come to her home a couple times a week and teach her how to paint every season with oil paint on canvas while looking out her apartment window. She told Sister Perry that she isn't very good, but she'll learn what she can, and that'll go with her. I thought that was cool. She's a great example of enduring to the ending and enjoying to the end, just like my Papa Jack.

ps. I've been cooking a ton lately. I've even taken advantage of our crock pot and put together a few tasty entrees.

Things are good. Thank you so much for all your prayers in my behalf and the investigators. I appreciate that so much. I know they are heard and will be answered in the Lord's time.

I love you I love you I love you. Have a fantastic day.

Love,

Sister Schlauder

Updates from Texas V (February)

2011-03-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

2/28/11

Our week was filled with so many opportunities and experiences and tender mercies.

I have been praying for help to recognize the Lord's hand in my life. And oh my goodness, He sure did answer my prayers. Not only did I see his hand in my life, but in my companions, in our investigators', in some less active members' and just in the work here in Tomball in general. Tomball is on fire. And it is such a blessing to be a part of.

The FHE lesson went good with the Gullingsrud family. I so appreciate all your prayers for these wonderful people out here in Texas. God has surely heard and answered them. We didn't know if the FHE lesson would create any lasting results, but we hoped, and yesterday in ward council, we were told that Sister Gullingsrud said that after the FHE lesson, her husband said that he is just going to record his TV shows that he usually watches at night and spend time with his family instead. We gave them a commitment to read the scriptures every night as a family and it sounds like they have been able to do that. We were so excited. And I know that the Lord is so aware of that sweet family, and wonderful Sister Gullingsrud who is spiritually carrying her family through. She is so strong, and the Lord is surely with her.

Kristen Still hasn't had her baby!!! She's a bit overdue and is pretty frustrated, but she has continually been able to get more and more things done and get more and more prepared for the baby to come. Every time we come over, she shows us the new things the ward brought by and the blanket mom made for her is draped over the crib like it is the centerpiece of the room. She always touches the blanket and says how much she loves it and what a wonderful mother I have and how much she wants to be a wonderful mother for her children. Kristen is doing good. She just wants that baby out! Thank you for your prayers for her. She has been so, so blessed. In the past six weeks that I've known her, she has gotten off probation, taken care of all of her warrants or anything like that, she has signed up for school, applied for grants, found a career she wants to pursue in radiology (doing ultra sounds and x rays), she saw her 11 year old daughter which she hasn't been able to see for a year!, she got a stove and a refrigerator and washer and dryer from a member in the ward who had extra, and so so so much more. The Lord has blessed her immensely. She has given up smoking and drinking and lives the word of wisdom. She is getting along much better with her mom. She has come to church 6 times. (she didn't come this Sunday because she thought she would go into labor) And the Lord has just poured out his blessings upon her. Just 6 weeks. Just 6 weeks.

Carolin was out of town, so we haven't heard from her. We hope she stays with it. We have asked the district to keep her a part of their prayers. We are worried she may be 'done investigating' after coming to church. But there are so so so many blessings for her if she'll stick with it. We hope to meet with her Sunday.

There are a few less active members that live in this gated community. Actually, it's cool. It's called Canyon Gate Northpointe. Go Canyon Gate! Anyways, we usually can't get in, but we decided to go Gideon style (Mosiah 22:6) through the back gate which happened to be opened. We knocked on the door of a less active member, Sister Murphy. She let us right in. We talked with her for a bit. She told us how she'd been praying for the past two months more sincerely. She said she had been praying on her knees in the morning and at night and that she was finally starting to feel the strength to come back to church. She and her husband had been sorely offended in a ward back in Oregon. She said they hadn't been to church in years, but that she felt that she will be able to come back with Women's Conference being on March 5th and then starting to come back to church as of March 6th. Janice Kapp Perry is doing a fireside for us on the 5th, and she loves her, so she is going to go and sees it as the perfect opportunity to come back. Through watery eyes, she told us how the Relief Society President sends her an email every week and "won't give up on her". And she said, and kind of whispered like it was a secret, "And I am SO glad she hasn't given up on me."

I gained a much deeper testimony of the power of visiting teaching and of the impact that consistent love can make in people's lives and journeys back to God. Sister Murphy taught me a powerful lesson. One of those "you never know" kind of moments. You may never know what your weekly email will mean to a sister who has said at one time or another that she isn't interested in having you visit. Christlike love is the center of all the programs in the church and those programs help us have greater faith and ability to live other principles in the gospel and those principles help us understand the doctrine and gain peace and perfect hope. It's all connected. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really is Christ's church. I have no doubts. Sometimes I have questions, but I never have doubts.

Ah! I'm running out of time. I've got to tell you about two more people.

Stephanie Wilson. We tracted into her my first week here in Tomball. Actually, I may have told you about her and how I was praying for her. Anyways, we taught her on Friday. And it was a powerful lesson. We talked about prayer and about God and about how we are his children. She asked a lot of questions and her main questions were: "If God really does exist, why does he let so much bad happen in the world?" and "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and "What is real happiness anyways?" She talked about her daily life. Her endless tasks of dishes and laundry and vacuuming and Girl Scout Cookies and picking up kids from school and taking them to sports practices. She said she felt like she doesn't have a purpose in this life. She said that she can't see how it all connects- God and just day to day life. We taught about Adam and Eve and how because they didn't know pain or sorrow, they couldn't experience joy. We talked about opposition and how we learn things in life and how we become stronger. We asked her about times that were hard in her life that she can look back now and see that she is better for having gone through it. She thought about it and told us of lessons she had learned through her life.

She said, "But how strong does He want us to get?" God wants us to have all that He has. And to have all that He has, we must do all that He asks. I guess that means we've got to be pretty strong. We talked about the gospel and how intertwined it is with our lives. She wasn't getting it. The vague sentences of hope and peace were just not sinking in. So, I took the opportunity to talk to her about specifics of how the gospel has blessed my life. And after talking about it, my eyes did that dang watery thing again. It's startin’ to bug me, ha ha. And I said, "I am happy. I am living proof the gospel works." And it was a special moment and tender mercy for me to realize that even though I had a bad headache that day and some guy was a real rudie when talking to us and I was having kind of an ugly day... I realized that I really am happy. And it is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is because I am experiencing the blessings of being a member of the Lord's restored church, namely the Holy Ghost. We talked more to her and plan on going to help her pack up an old book case tomorrow. We gave her a Book of Mormon and told her to exercise a particle of faith and let that small seed work in her. She said she would try it out. I'm excited for her and her family. She said they'll come to our church. We also found out she went to the Houston Temple open house. She spoke of the Celestial room so peacefully and it was cool to me to think that I have been in that same room, just ten years after her, and I hope I get to be there again in ten years or hopefully a lot less... to see her family sealed. I'm a dreamer:). but it's totally exciting. Miracles happen and they are happening right now.

Ok ok. One more!

Yesterday, we found ourselves in this dusty old grassy country setting. The sky had pinks and blues and little rays of sun were shootin’ through the clouds. The air was humid and damp and so fresh. Perfect weather. We walked down a small dirt road and some dogs started barking. A man comes out onto his porch with a real long mustache that went almost onto his neck. He invited us to have a chat on his porch. He had some cattle out back and was a true cowboy. He told us, "I heard the dogs a hollerin' and I told my wife I thought some missionaries were comin’ down the road. I told her I ought to put on my house shoes and go greet y'all. So here I am."

He told us of his beliefs about God and how good God had been to he and his wife over the years. He told of how he knows God hears and answers his prayers. And then, in his perfect Texas Country way, he said, "And I know y'all were sent to me, else y'all wouldn't be here right now on this here porch talking to me about God." It was in this perfect setting that I and my companion had the special privilege of delivering the message of the restoration to this Sweet old cowboy. His eyes were clear and a deep brown, and I would count it as one of the greatest moments of my mission to have born my testimony of Joseph Smith to this dear man on his porch. I looked him in the eyes, and we never broke eye contact as I told him in Joseph Smith's words what happened when that young 14 year old boy went into a grove of trees to ask of God. The man's name is Bryant Osceola. We'll be teaching him again this week, and hopefully his wife, too.

He said he's been like a leaf all his life just blowing from church to church, never gettin' his roots in any place.

He said he has the potential to be an oak tree with his roots deeply dug in truth, but his soul is hungry every time he leaves a church. He said he'd never been to a Mormon church and wants to come see for himself what it's all about. He said he's seen the commercials about Mormons and how peaceful they are and he said that no one had been down that path to his house in months and that surely God must have sent us. If I could pick any moment on my mission to sum up the Texas experience... it would be that one. Wish ya'll coulda been there.

Well, my time is out. I just had to tell you about Bryant. I'd love it if you'd keep him and his wife Stacey in your prayers.

I hope ya'll have a great week! I love you so much. Things in Texas are great.

We have a new investigator who is 10. His name is Mike and he has a baptismal date set for March 19th. His mother is less active and came to church with Mike yesterday. God led us straight there and orchestrated the whole thing. God is so apart of this work. This week was quite a success. Thank you for all your prayers. God hears and answers them. No doubt. I'll mail some pictures to ya. I love you, each and every one.

All my love,

Sister Schlauder

2/21/11

Both our investigators, Carolin and Kristen, came to church! Kristen brought her 12 yr old sister and her friend. Kristen is being a light to her family, just like President Hansen told her in the blessing that she would be. She still hasn't had her baby. I was so impressed that she came to church yesterday, ready to pop. She is committed. She is allowing the gospel of Jesus Christ to become a part of who she is. We were at her house the other day, and her older sister, Wendy, called. We overheard bits of the conversation. We called into headquarters and referred Wendy to missionaries in Nebraska where she's living. She was visited by them and though she didn't tell them to come back any specific time or act all that interested in their message -and it may have seemed like a failed attempt to those missionaries- we heard Wendy tell Kristen that she wants to give up drinking and be better so she is comfortable enough to have the missionaries maybe talk to her more. I bet those missionaries have no clue they even made a difference at all. Sometimes we only see one brief end of what and who is behind all those doors. They are real people, who all have the light of Christ, who all have some amount of longing for their Heavenly Home. And it is us, as missionaries for the Lord Jesus Christ, that can bring these many people the 'how to' of returning to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and living with them and their families forever. And the 'how to' is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His Atonement. We studied the Atonement this morning in companion study. We practiced teaching the truths in each paragraph in the section of the Atonement in Preach My Gospel. It was a great blessing to be able to think of the Atonement at the start of our day. But yeah, Kristen was talking to Wendy and at the end of her conversation, Kristen said, "Alright. I'll pray for you, Wendy." It almost made me cry right then and there. Kristen is kind of like Michelle Hanks and teases us about how we always say that prayer is the solution. But here she was, saying that she would pray to the very God of Heaven for her sister who she loved and cared for so much. That it what it is all about. Bringing families together through the knowledge of God's plan and through the Savior's Atonement which makes that plan possible. I read a talk by Elder Holland this morning that said how Jesus Christ fulfilled the will of the Father in all things. He said that when us missionaries get home from our missions and stand at the pulpit, we should be able to say that we have fulfilled the will of the Father on our missions. I've thought about that a lot (in the last hour ha ha) and I really want to be able to give my all so I can do all the Father wants me to. I am grateful for the Savior and His perfect example. He makes our good works count for something. And everything that is unfair about life can be made right through His perfect Atonement. I love that.

I got a sweet Valentines card from Sister Robertson this week, and I just remembered how she used to always say "I love that!" when she would teach us young women. It just amazes me how little things throughout my life, teachers and influences and friends and testimonies... have provided me with the testimony I have today. I know I go off about how wonderful my young women leaders were, but I just have to put in another blurb. Sister Robertson's excitement and absolute love for the gospel has given me so much zeal when I teach. I think of her often. Sister Dye's way of using visuals and making life connections has helped me in many ways. I still have enter my mind some of her visuals. One that had little clouds over a board, teaching us about having good thoughts. I think of it often as I try to focus on being positive and optimistic in this work. I think of Sister Garrett. She made sure to bring the spirit into her lessons. I remember she used to borrow Sadie's C.D player and would have reverent music playing when we walked in. And often, she would play us songs that related to the lesson she was teaching. "His Hands" played the other day on my ipod, and I thought of her and her goodness and how she taught with the spirit. Often in lessons, though I have a terrible voice, my companion and I will sing to bring the spirit into the lesson. I think of Sister Peterson and her sweet, reverent testimony. I think of her goodness and how she shared personal experiences that she had when she was at college and how she relied on the Lord. And now, I see myself sharing personal experiences in lessons and relating the gospel so directly to life. I have been so influenced by such wonderful women in my life. Such righteous leaders. I think of my mom and my aunts. Aunt Lisa, who at any time, can give you some of the greatest advice and spiritual upliftment. I remember her making french toast for EJ and telling me about a talk she heard at Education Week and how it impacted her. And talking about a religious book she was working her way through that was teaching her how to really trust in the Lord. All of these memories and experiences and lessons others have shared with me have become intertwined with my testimony. I think of my mother and her immense preparation for her callings and her ability to magnify everything she does to the fullest. In primary, when she had lemonaid and all these other cool objects and visuals that went with the song. And in young womens, her beautiful way of telling spiritual stories. I see myself doing both of those things quite often in lessons. All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. It's true. Tonight we are teaching a lesson to the Gullingsrud family for family night. The husband is not a member and so we are hoping to help him have more faith in Christ and thereby create more unity in their family. We came up with an object lesson, story, and scriptures to give them a good family night. I hope it goes well. My mother taught me well. It just amazes me how interconnected my life is to the gospel and the church which espouses it. I am amazed by all the tender mercies that the Lord has given to me throughout all of my life. And He continues to.

Sister Pincock called a couple days ago. She gave me possibly the most genuine compliment I've recieved. She said that no one else could have trained her. That she would like to be my companion again and that she looks up to me. She doesn't say things she doesnt mean. I'm not trying to be vain or pretentious, because I know that absolutely nothing I did on my own produced any good last transfer. The Lord carried me through and it is amazing how much He blessed me for simply enduring. It was a great tender mercy and I really love that girl. Sister Pincock has been a great blessing to my mission, no doubt. It is interesting how you can look back on times in your life and rejoice in remembering them, when in the process, it was difficult to even grin. The Lord knows us and he knows our needs. His will is the best way. The absolute best. All we've got to do is be obedient, keep our coveneants, and keep moving forward, and what is God's will will happen for us.

Wow. I have rambled so much this email. I am so sorry. I just get on these mind tracks and end up running several laps. Sorry about that. I love talking/typing to y'all and I miss you very much. I am so thrilled to hear that Amy had a good time in Paris. And was so happy to see pictures of Grami's hope chest and the contents. How absolutely wonderful. What a treasure. I am so excited to see it all in person someday. We went to the nursing home this week to sing to a couple ladies we visit. One's name is Wayne. She is a doll. I got talking to her about the Plan of Salvation pretty deep. We were talking about what happens after we die. I think I already told you about this, but it was a spiritual experience for me. And I felt like my Grami was close to me. I asked Wayne through tears, "When you go to the other side, will you do something for me?" She said, "Oh anything darlin.'" I said, "Will you tell my Grami Colleen that I love her very much." She didn't hear what I asked her and then the nurse walked in. I was almost troubled for a second, and then I got this calm wave of emotion that my Grami had heard me loud and clear. And it brings tears to my eyes just typing it to you now. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and I know that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we will all live forever, and we will all be given our perfect bodies. I know that our quest in this life is to prepare ourselves to meet God and to live with Him and our families forever. And we do that through making and keeping covenants.

Well, I love you all so much. The work is good. We may have found a family to teach. The mom's name is Stephanie and she named her son after a missionary who taught her in the past. She is Methodist and said we could come back tomorrow. I'm excited but nervous. I don't really know how to teach a whole big family, but the Lord will help us.
Have a wonderful week. Thank you for your emails. I have the best Dad in the world and am so uplifted by your emails Dad. Thank you. I love you more than you could ever know. I needed a Dad hug this week. But I'll be fine and look forward to that hug so much when I return.

Each and every one of you are in my prayers. Thank you for everything. I feel a need to mention each one of you, but I am out of time. I hope you know how much each of you mean to me....
Mom, Dad, Jennie, Amy, Amber, and Leah and Kaden And all the Kiddos and Grandpa. I could go on and on. Thank you for all you do for me. You are absolutely wonderful. I have the best family in the world.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I have been called by a prophet of God to be his disciple. And I glory in His name that I wear it every day. I feel deeply inadequate, but I know that the Lord is on my side and ours.

All my love,

Sister Schlauder

2/14/11 Hello family! Thank you for all of those wonderful Valentines wishes. Ya’ll are awesome. I loved the video. I have the coolest family ever.

I'm so proud to be a Schlauder. Don't worry. It's ok to say I'm proud of that. Refer To Pres. Uctdorf's talk about Pride in the Priesthood session this last General Conference. ha ha.

This week was kind of slow. We all have those weeks sometimes. But there were some great experiences nonetheless. We got to go to the temple on Thursday and it was so wonderful. It always is. I had this weird realization. Transfers calls are Saturday and then I will only have 6 transfers left. Or is it five? I don't know. Some freakishly low number. And I don't know. I guess people are right when they say it goes by fast. I've got to live it up while I'm here, man. I'm trying. Sometimes it's hard though. I guess it's always hard in life to just enjoy the journey and be happy where you're at. I'm working at it though. I have a lot more hope for the future and yet perspective that I can wait and it'll all pan out just right.

The moments I have the best perspective on my life are when I am in the temple.
I love being there.

I'm excited to take ya'll to the Houston Temple. It's like the Waters of Mormon are to the people of Alma. The Waters of Mormon (if I'm getting the story right) are where Alma and his people learned of Christ and found peace and light. And that place meant so much to them. That's how I feel about the Canyon Gate chapel on Oakey and Monte Cristo. And the way I feel about Spring, Texas and the way I feel about my closet in my room at home and the Houston Temple. Just those places where you gain deeper perspective and testimony. Places you draw closer to the Lord. What are the places like that for y'all?

We stopped by Venus Ryan's on the way back from the temple because it was kind of on the way. It was good to see her again. Those people mean so much to me. I was glad to stop and just say hi for a few minutes and let her know she is loved. The ward is doing a great job visiting her and loving her. This church really is headed by Jesus Christ. It is apparant in so many small ways and big ways. I love it. I love the February Ensign- with the theme of "Rescue". I love the three parables in Luke 15 and have really thought abuot those a lot this week. I have thought about how each scenario is so different. A sheep wanders off and is lost, a woman loses a valuable coin, and a son wastes his inheritance in riotous living. And in each of these examples, there are tools used to find the lost sheep- the shephard's shoulders to carry the lamb back to the fold. And to find the coin- the broom in sweeping the floor, and the prodigal son's willingness and humility to walk back to his father and the father running to meet him- I guess legs is kind of the tool for that one. In every case, different things are used to carry or find or embrace those who are lost. I am grateful for all the tools the Lord has given us to help us find our way. The Book of Mormon. "No wicked man could write such a book as this. And no good man would write it" as Elder Holland quoted in his talk "Safety for the Soul." The Book of Mormon is a powerful tool in helping us find our way. It is the convincing evidence that the restoration is real. That Joseph Smith was called by God to head this last dispensation. That President Monson holds the keys and authority and power of Jesus Christ. and that within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all of the tools that help us find our way back to our Father in Heaven. Everything connects. God loves us. And there are evidences everywhere. Not just the Book of Mormon- though I do tend to favor that one in most of my emails. There is the Bible, which I am coming to understand and love more and more. And there are living prophets today. I could go on. And sometimes I do, but I've got to tell you about some cool tender mercies this week before my time is up, so I'll let you finish that thought if you choose. ha ha

Amy. Such a cool experience. Heavenly Father knows your name. He knows where you are and what flights were available to get you to Durango so you could receive that award and have that wonderful experience. I loved the pictures. I wish I could've been there to cheer you on. DHS Hall of Fame.Wow. I always loved cheering you on when we'd go to your volleyball games. I remember one time we were I think in Kentucky for a tournament. Maybe it was Georgia. I can't remember. But you hurt your toe way bad. And I was just praying my little heart out non stop the whole match that you would be ok and that you wouldn't feel the pain. I love you Amy. I hope you know how I'm cheering you on clear from Houston. You're always in my prayers.

Sweet miracles are all around us. It's that opposition that helps us to see the tender mercies. So it always starts with stress or fear but it ends beautifully. Jack Christensen (my favorite speaker that Bradley Allyn introduced me to) always says , "Heavenly Father loves photo finishes." It's true. Toward the end of this week, I was feelin' way down and like just a crummy missionary. This one companionship in our district taught 7 lessons in one day!!!! Every hour was filled with teaching the gospel. Wo. I started comparing myself to other companionships and areas and I got to feelin' pretty down. I don't know why I let those kind of thoughts in. But I let out a small pleading to Heavenly Father to just give us a little push and help us know we were doing all right. Last night we got a call from Juan Baldonado. He's a recent convert of about a year and looks like the big muscle man on "Fantastic 4". (Kaden knows who I'm talkin about. the boulder rock guy that's bald). He's rough and tough but he's got the biggest heart. Well, on Saturday, we went to his work (he trains big dogs. you know I love goin' over there!) and we gave some lab puppies a bath in the sink. It was fantastic. I love dogs. It made my day for sure. But afterwards, I gave him that talk by Jack Christensen called "Healing the Wounded Soul." I kind of felt silly asking him to listen to it, but I felt like I should, so I did. Well, he called Sunday night almost in tears and said that everything in that talk was things he needed to hear. He said that we were doing a great job as missionaries and that the Lord was definately happy with us. It was just one of those moments where you know God heard your prayer and answered it so directly.

The next tender mercy was Carolyn. We taught her more about the Plan of Salvation last night. She liked it. She explained how her mom died when she was in her 20's and how she kind of figured this theory in her mind of what happens after death. She described the spirit world perfectly. And we told Carolyn all about the rest of the Plan of Salvation, and it seemed to really put a new hope and light in her eyes. She is a wonderful woman. She loves the bible. She loves God. She's not a fan of organized religion, but she isn't sure how much longer she'll live since she has cancer, and she wants to know her children will be alright. She is an incredible lady. She is so open and prayerful. Sometimes when she's explaining a doubt or question she has, the spirit just guides her so much and she ends up answering it herself. Her biggest questions are - Why the separate book(BOM) and why the need for prophets today, and why did the Lord wait so long to restore the church? We are working with her and doing the best we can to answer her questions, but the spirit is what's teaching her- not us. It's cool. She told us at the end of the lesson that she had been praying for something very specific and that day we knocked on her door. and she felt like we could help her, so she invited us back. And then she said that every time we come over, we address her concern and what she prayed for. She said that it was quite amazing but that she wasn't going to tell us what she's been praying for. It was wonderful to hear her say that we were helping her with something she was praying for. I know the Lord can use his missionaries as tools to answer the prayers He receives from His children. And I think it probably happens a lot more times in a day than we think. But sometimes the people don't recognize we are the means in which their answer can come.

Anyways... tender mercies are everywhere. The weather has been gorgeous the past couple days. I gave three lab puppies a bath.
Kristen is still pregnant and is still coming to church. We see her every day and read a chapter with her. We helped her clean her house and get ready for the baby. She is due any day. My favorite quote of the week was by this Jamaican woman. She told us that we believed in all sorts of crazy stuff. We told her that we believe in Jesus Christ. After bearing testimony of Jesus Christ for a while. She said, "Are you sure you believe in Jesus Christ?" We said, "Yes of course." And I still have her little Jamaican accent in my head and it makes me giggle. Yes, I am sure. ha ha.

Tell Grandpa thank you for the sweet Valentines card. He's an angel.

Have a wonderful week. I love you. Happy Valentines day!!!!

Love,

Sister Schlauder

2/7/11

It's wild that the first half of my mission has been completed. I'm looking forward to the next

half and what miracles the Lord will bestow on his children here in Houston. Thank you so much for your emails and your love and support. I love you so much.

Oh my goodness. Mom. The package came just in time. We were on our way over to the baby shower Saturday morning. And we saw the mail lady putting stuff in our boxes. She usually never comes until 4pm, so it was weird to see her there. We checked our box, saw a little slip that my package was in the office, and grabbed it on our way out. We wrapped the presents on our drive over and it was just so so perfect. Oh my goodness. Kristen loved the blanket so much. There were a good 20 ladies from the ward that came and supported Kristen. We were really surprised and really grateful to have that much support. It was wonderful. And all the ladies wanted to know if you could make their children blankets. It was funny. I loved showing off my mama. Kristen read the letter right there and I saw tears in her eyes. I told her she could read it later if she wanted, but she couldn't put it down. It was real sweet. She doesn't express her feelings real outward or anything, but she looked at me and said Thank You from a deep place in her heart as she read that letter. She loved the pictures too. And I showed her Amber, who I have told her a lot about and told her how much she reminds me of her. It was a special experience to have my mom so apart of my investigator's life out here on my mission. It was a tender mercy- no doubt.

Ah. I just looked at the clock. I don't have much time, so I'm going to just go at it.

This week was kind of difficult. We had a couple "freezes" where everything looks like an icicle. Kind of random. Everyone was all sorts of stressed about it because the roads freeze too and there is black ice, so President asked us to stay in our apartments a couple nights and not go out. It was supposed to snow, but I guess it just missed us.

But we were able to tract a lot yesterday. And we had quite an interesting experience… Perhaps the most interesting yet on my mission. We knocked into the door of a lady who actually wasn't in her pajamas for Super Bowl Sunday. She was in her Sunday best. We talked to her a bit about our purpose as missionaries and asked her if she'd be interested in learning more. She looked at us real sincere like and then really let us have it. She has the bible memorized, I'm pretty sure. And I guess she is a preacher at a bible church out here. We kindly said we recognized she wasn't interested in our message and tried to leave, but she just kept talking. After about 20 minutes of condescending questions about all sorts of historical facts that neither one of us knew answers to, we decided we needed to get out of there, even if it was rude to walk away. She told us how we were deceived and how babies are born sinners and how we are going to hell because we believe that it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do. She told us that all of the people on earth are scum and that if we could just realize that we are nothing and our works are good for nothing, we could be saved. I've heard this argument several times before in the last 8 months, but boy she was passionate about it. Usually, I try to end on some kind of good note, but with this woman, there was just no way. And then, this next move was the last straw for me. I had been quite calm up until this point, but she pointed at the Book of Mormon and said it was evil and I lost it. I lost all my composure. And I said "with all the energy of my soul" that I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that President Monson is the Prophet today. And I would stake my life on the witness I had received through the Holy Ghost. Unfortunately my eyes did the watery thing until there were tears streaming down my face. Her next words were something of that I had been deceived and so I joined my companion who was already half way down the walk and I turned my back and walked away. I share that story, not to point out the faults in a total stranger who I don't really know much of anything about, but to tell you of the tender mercies I experienced surrounding that experience. Earlier that day (yesterday), we had Stake Conference. It was broadcast to Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Elder Jensen of the 70, Elder Ballard, Sister Dibb, and President Monson all spoke to us. It was a spiritual feast. And talking to that woman, when she was saying her piece about false prophets and how we were following one, I had President Monson's words clear as day in my mind. not only his words, but his face as well. And I knew so firmly that he is God's prophet. And Sister Taylor and I both were immovable because of that and many other tender mercies from the Lord. After leaving her house, we continued. "Next house". We did about five more houses when a man came out of his house running towards us. My first thought is, "He wants to be baptized!" My next thought was, "Oh no. The woman called him to tell him to yell at the Mormons that would be coming by." But it was neither one of those. He came up to us and said, "I'm a Catholic. And our faiths are different, but I just want to let you know that you are good people doing the right thing. And God bless you." Wo. Tender Mercy- again! It was amazing. And it was the answer to the prayers deep within our hearts that is deep within the heart of every missionary "Please let us know that this is true. Please help us know that what we are teaching to people every day is true. Please let us know we are doing what you want us to be doing." And it was an answer to that prayer so personally. This man was one who had said no. He was just like the last few houses who were in their football jerseys watching the Super Bowl and having a good time with their families. And he came out just to tell us that. Just to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Coincidence? Nah. And it prepared us for what happened next. The woman comes running out of her house waving a book in her hands. My first thought was "run!" But reluctantly we turned towards her and let her come to us. She said she wanted to save my soul and that there was still hope for me and that she wanted me to read a book by a bible scholar. She told me to listen to the bible scholars, men who have gained their education in understanding religion. She said that feelings can be deceiving and to gain knowledge for myself by reading this book by some religious scholar. I thought about Joseph Smith. A fourteen year old unlearned boy. I thought about his life, full of persecutions and hardship. I thought of how I believe him. I believe that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to him. And I felt something stir in my heart that was stronger than knowledge that comes from a book. It was the Holy Ghost testifying to me of the truth. And goodness I know it is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And I know I can trust the prophet today. I told her I appreciated her sincerity but I couldn't take her book. She reached out and said, well, I'll take yours, but it'll be so no one else can get it. I quickly snatched it back from her hand. ha ha. I told her again that I appreciated her concern, but that I didn't need to read books from religious bible scholars because I know there is a prophet on earth today who speaks with God. She said, "You would do anything your prophet would ask you to do, wouldn't you?" I said, "Yes, I would." And in my heart, I thought, "I hope some day that I can live up to that. That I get to a point in my life where I can surrender and submit a lot better than I can now. I hope that no matter what the prophet asks, I will absolutely do it. Because I know that what the prophet asks, God asks." We aren't perfect. And sometimes, we don't do what we're asked by God to do and promised in return that He will bless us, but we try. And over my life, I hope to keep getting better and better at following Jesus Christ and following his prophet.

Ah! I'm almost out of time. I hope all that made sense. I have one more tender mercy I want to tell you about. We had an appointment with our investigator, Carolyn, later that night. She is the most sincere and open and wonderful woman. She is trying to put the Mormon stereotypes behind her and just find out for herself what is true. She asked us very honestly, "How would adopting the Mormon faith into my life and my family's life help me follow Jesus Christ better?" Sister Taylor talked about the Strength for Youth and having a living prophet. She understood that, and Sister Taylor was for sure inspired. Then, she asked me, and I said that I know where I came from, where I'm going, and why I'm here. I know that my family can be together forever. She looked at me a little puzzled. And then said, "Where you came from?" I explained to her that we know, through modern day revelation that we all lived with our Heavenly Father before we came to this earth, as His spirit children. She got the biggest grin on her face. She said real quiet like, "I've not told very many people this. But I have always believed we lived as spirits with God before we came here." I told her how that is evidence that our message is true. And that many more things we will teach her will have a familiar ring to them. She seemed excited. She has cancer and said she doesn't know how much longer she has left to live. She has reason to need to know the Plan of Salvation. And she will be so blessed by it.

We will continue to teach her the rest next time. It was such a special experience and a tender mercy and testimony to me of the Plan of Salvation… Of the bigger perspective…

My time is up. I love you all so much. I hope you have a wonderful week. You are all always in my prayers. The church is true. Jesus is the Christ.

All My Love,

Sister Schlauder

1-31-11
Sister Taylor and I have been tracting a ton, lately. The weather has been perfect, too, so it hasn't been bad at all. Tracting can get pretty discouraging, but this week (towards the end of it anyways) I was determined not to get so down about it. So, with Sister Taylor's help, I coreographed us a tracting walk/dance. ha ha. It's awesome. Totally synchrinized, two missionaries walking side by side, every step identical, with some spice like a knee pop, and a skip, a couple head turns, looking at the watch, swinging our arm with Book of Mormon in hand... it's a great tracting dance. Only 2 eight counts, but it's fun. Unity in the companionship... that's what makes the stresses about missionary work and life totally alright.

I don't know if you knew this, but whenever a missionary driver has to back up, the companion has to get out of the car and help them reverse. It can be quite embarrassing, but I've come to love it, and I even have a "back up dance" with my arms for it. It was raining and Sister Taylor was trying to be kind to me by not making me get out and back her up. She did a u-turn, using the grass sides of the road for some room to make the u-turn. We were almost done with the u-turn when the car stopped in the ditch and wouldn't move forward. Sister Taylor pushed the gas real hard to try to get us out, but the tire just dug deeper and deeper in the mud. ha ha. The car was pretty tilted and the passenger's side door was in the mud with the tire. I tried to open the door, but it didn't work. ha ha. So, I climbed through the backseat and got out of the car to attempt pushing it out of the mud. Nothin'. ha ha. Didn't budge an inch. So, we called the zone leaders, who came to try to rescue us. But that tire was in there deep. They were digging with our "Put God First" visual aides. Anyways, they were digging with that and some other church materials that were expendable. But all they did was make a pool for our tire to bathe in. Luckily, a big truck pulled over and the zone leaders tied something under the car to his truck and he pulled us out of the mud. During the mean time, I was quickly writing in the front of a Book of Mormon to give as a gift to him(Chad is his name) for helping us. That's my favorite missionary sly. I wrote, "Sometimes there are muddy situations in life. We know that whatever yours are, the Savior and his gospel can help you. No coincidences. Call us."

So, I gave it to him, and immediately he opened up and told us about how his mother had just been diagnosed with cancer. And how he would like it if we would pray for him. We testified, us four missionaries, that God was aware of him and his mother. And that the Book of Mormon and the gospel of Jesus Christ would help him and his family so much. Coincidence? nah.

Had another opportunity to share the gospel in an unusual setting this week. Sister Taylor got a speeding ticket a while back, and so we went to court to take care of it. I love these new mormon.org pass-along-cards, so I was all sorts of gung-ho about giving them out and sharing the gospel. I talked to this guy, Joshua, for a bit and then invited him to learn. He said he would check out the website. On the back of the card, I wrote our phone number and "No coincidences." That's my favorite line still. Probably always will be thanks to the Dixons. (P.S! Lisa sent me the best MTC brownies ever! My goodness. They were good in the MTC, but golly they were good out here in the field. Tell thank you to Aunt Lisa for me! Anyways, Joshua ended up texting us later and said, "You're a very outgoing person! What do you do besides your ministry?" ha ha. I guess I probably shouldn't write "no coincidences" on pass along cards. All I meant was that it wasn't a coincidence he ran into missionaries at a court house, not that he ran in to me. oops. I figured he got the wrong idea. But it's still my favorite line. I thought he was a goner, but this morning he called and said he was interested in learning more about the purpose of his life and that we could teach him maybe after he checks out mormon.org. I guess he was trying to recruit me to work at his sales company, but when I told him about the mission and my purpose, he understood and even said, "What you're selling helps change lives, what I'm selling doesn't. I might be interested in what you've got." ha ha. We'll see. You just never know.

I still love making creative crafty gifts. It's my favorite thing. Kristen said she wants to start taking notes at church and during our lessons, so we made her a cool journal with Ensign cut outs and favorite quotes and scriptures and her name all mod podged on it. I think she really liked it. I love serving creatively. Her baby shower is this Saturday at a member's house. We're excited. She is too, and I can see that she is just feeling so loved and taken care of. The Lord is helping her so much, and every time we're with her, I can't help but feel the most genuine love for her. She had her interview with President Hansen this week. She had a lot of things to take care of, but goodness the Lord is helping her through it so beautifully. After her interview, President invited us in for her blessing that she had asked for. Mom, Dad... oh my goodness. Tears were streaming down my face. President is such a spiritual man. He is so connected with the Lord. And I could tell that her blessing came straight from Heavenly Father. In it, he said that as Kristen remained faithful, she would be blessed with a righteous man who would love and cherish her and be her husband, and they would receive the blessings of a temple marriage. I just cried and cried with joy. It is so simple.

Obey the commandments, give up the things that keep you from having the spirit, use the tools the Lord has given us- the priesthood power, prayer, scriptures, church, Relief Society, etc- and come back to the Lord and he will forever bless you for it! It is as simple as the Book of Mormon states it. Keep the commandments, and you will be blessed. And there is no limits on the blessings we can receive. Sometimes I put limits on the Lord's blessings, thinking that I can probably only be good enough for getting a kind of awesome husband or whatever you want to fill in the blank. no. He will be so awesome, and so will our lives as we exercise our faith and use the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As I live righteously, as every one of us lives righteously... we will be so, so, so abundantly blessed. As we come unto Christ and perfect ourselves each day, there are no restraints on the Lord's love and blessings.

Now, I say all that and am all sorts of excited, but sometimes there are moments when we forget. I forget that a lot.

I had an experience yesterday with a less active member, Sister Escobar. She opened up and told us about her divorce and how hard it had been on her. She told us how she had been a Primary President and a Sunday School teacher, and she did all the homemaking crafts and her Visiting Teaching. And then, she was hit with this huge trial. She cried as she spoke and she said the same line that Brother Stanley said just a few weeks ago back in Spring. She said, "What is the point?" What is the point of all of it, if things like divorce happen anyways. She said that was why she stopped going to church. And she was in so much pain speaking of it. It hit me all at once, the answer to her question. We go to church, we obey the standards in the Strength for Youth, we fulfill our callings... so that when hard trials come, when the wind comes and the hail and mighty storm beats upon us... it will have no power over us to drag us to the gulf of misery and endless wo because of the rock upon which we are built. Which is a sure foundation. A foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall. When the storms come, you cant just hop off the rock. You have worked so hard to build on that rock.

You have built your faith on Jesus Christ, and you have been exercising it by doing all of those things. That is the point. The point of building our lives on Jesus Christ and his gospel is so that we can know how to access the healing power of the Atonement when we need it most. When trials come, we just have to increase our measure of faithfulness to the Lord so that He can heal us. I felt, and I feel so deeply as I'm writing this, that when trials come, we have got to stay on the rock. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is where we can find rest unto our souls. It is where we can build our faith in Jesus Christ. So that when hard times come, we can know who Jesus Christ is, and we can know how much he loves us, and we can know with all of our hearts that his Atonement can heal us. We just have to hang on. We just have to.

Wow. My fingers feel like they just did a 100 yard dash or something. ha ha. I love it. I love when the spirit teaches you something and you get so excited about it. It's a great feeling. It was great to share that with you. Thank you.

I love you all so much. I hope you have a wonderful week and that the Lord continues to pour out blessings upon you.

That letter I got in the mail from Amber this week made me realize in such a deep personal and real way... that God is aware of all his children and He knows us by name. He knows each one of us.

Well, I have soap-boxed it up for the day. I love you all so much. Have a great day. You are each, always in my prayers. I love you.

- Sister Ally Schlauder

Updates from Texas IV (January 2011)

2011-02-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

1/24/11

I don't have much time, so I better get started. I have much to tell you. Thank you for your letters and support. I can't tell you how much Kristen, our investigator, reminds me of Amber. It is hilarious. All the quirks and craziness and sweetness deep down... teaching Kristen honestly feels like I'm teaching Amber. I have missed her so much lately.

With that little intro, I'll tell you a little about Kristen Brooks. She's had a rough past. …drugs, boys... just being immersed in the world. She has a little girl who is 10 that lives with the dad and she hasn't been with her since she was three. She also has another 3 yr old little boy, David. And she is due to have another little boy on February 21st -- two days after her baptism. She has been on probation since she was 23. And she is just finally coming out of it. She is 30 yrs old. She is beautiful. She is talented and she is really funny. I love this girl. We have visited with her every day this week. And yesterday, she came to church, and after church we went to the Ashmead's for dinner. They are the cutest family in the world. I love Sister Ashmead. She reminds me so much of Jennie. Actually, Mom- she'll probably be calling you soon. She loved my Grandpa Jack- Jewelry, so she wants to call you and talk to you about getting maybe a necklace or bookmark made. She's so cool. Anyways. We had dinner over there with Kristen last night, and it was great. Kristen is just being immersed in good things, in the ward, and in the life style. She agreed to live the word of wisdom and even was making sure it was ok to have Sprite because she is taking it so seriously.

Kristen taught me a valuable lesson on Saturday night. She had just finished telling us about all these stresses she's been dealing with and how she is scared and sad and feels stressed out like she's going to be stuck in that trailer forever and not get to be with all of her kids , etc. She finished talking about all of her struggles, and said, well, let's start the lesson. I just decided to go with the lesson that we had planned, and Sis Taylor and I opened up to 3 Nephi 11 and all of us took turns reading. Kristen was pretty distracted the whole time, and I felt like she wasn't grasping much or getting much from it. Then, after reading all the way through the chapter, she taught me a valuable lesson when she said, "Ok. I need something that talks about faith or hope or something that will make me feel better." I flipped through my scriptures along with Sister Taylor, looking for the perfect remedy, but to no avail. She then says, "Here. Watch this. God will show me where it's at. He does every time." She then flips open her Book of Mormon and it opens to Moroni 7. She started reading. And after just one verse about charity and love, she says, "See, I told ya." She has so much faith. She asked us to read the rest of the chapter with her, and the spirit calmed her and helped her feel peace. It was awesome to see her exercise her faith and receive instant results. The Lord loves her so much.

I had a way cool experience when we went tracting on Saturday! We knocked this gorgeous house and a husband and wife answered. They gave the usual response, that they already had a church they go to but they so appreciate what we do. The door was closing, but I had this feeling I should keep talking, so right before the door shut (and in my mind, I'm thinking, this better be the spirit prompting me or I’m gonna be mad- ha ha) I quickly interjected, "Do you know anyone that would be interested in our message?" They kind of reluctantly opened the door again and said they didn't think so. Then the wife started talking and saying that her brother was engaged to a Mormon and they just moved out to California. Immediately I thought about Joseph Loving, but then I thought- no way. She then talked about how missionaries had visited with her brother and her mom. I just blurted it out, "Joseph Loving?" And her and her husband both rolled back on their heels in awe and just kept saying- “No way! Small world! You were the one who taught Joseph?” I was so excited! Yes! Yes! It was me! How is he? How is Carli (his fiance)? How is your mom, Toni? It was way cool, and we talked about them for a while. It was way pleasant, and I think it planted a deeper seed. They were so excited to meet me. I felt like a celebrity. And they seemed a lot more interested in checking out the mormon.org website on the card we had given them. Coincidence? nah...

Joseph Loving's baptism in California

Ok. So I have to tell you a way embarrassing story. We were at district meeting on Friday morning. And we did a role-play restoration lesson at the end. Elder Anderson (Has been assistant for the past few transfers) and his companion taught Sister Taylor and I. Elder Anderson is way experienced at missionary work and good and goes home end of next transfer. After the role-play, we were asked to evaluate their teaching. Sister Taylor kind of told them it didn't have much unity and it felt like Elder Anderson and his sidekick. I felt bad, and wanted to jump in and save the day with a rockin’ compliment, so I quickly tried. I said, "You know. I thought it was good because, Elder Anderson, I could tell you were looking at me like you really loved me.... umm.... umm... I mean... uhhh... you just had a look of love in your eyes.... ummm... oh shoot..." It was quite awkward. Luckily, Sister Taylor was laughing uncontrollably to soften the awkwardness.

Then Elder Anderson, in his Assistant to the President sort of way, says, "Sister Schlauder, you mean you could tell I genuinely cared for the investigator?" I said yes. And that was that. ha ha. My companion and I laughed about it the whole way home.

Another embarrassing/funny moment. we were tracting on Wednesday, and this guy in his thirties pulls up right as we're knocking at his door. That is always so awkward. I hate it. So, I just put one foot in front of the other and went over to talk to him. I tried to be casual and apologized for the timing. And then I handed him a mormon.org card and said, "If you go to this website, you can order missionaries like us right to your door." He looked at me a little strange, but then let out a loud chuckle and walked inside. ha ha. Sister Taylor and I laughed the whole way to the next house a ways down the road.

Speaking of mormon.org. Family! You've got to make profiles! Amy. Yours would be cool. "I'm a world traveler. I teach psychology. My sister is on a mission. I rock. and I'm a Mormon." I can see it now. As missionaries, we've been asked to spend one hour a week on mormon.org getting familiar with the website, and we have new pass along cards with only mormon.org written on the front with a bunch of faces. We've been asked to really invite people to visit mormon.org every day. So, that's what we do when we tract and invite to learn. It's cool how the church can use what is in the world for the benefit and building of the church and mankind.

We don't have much time left on the computers. We are going to the Natural History Museum today down in Houston. It's going to be great. I'm excited.

I love you all so much. Have an awesome day and week.

Your baby girl and sister,

Sister Ally Schlauder

The Natural History Museum in Houston

1/17/11

I have so much to tell you. Here I go. First of all. I love you so much. I'm glad Kadaman is rockin the MTC shirt. It shrunk in the wash, so that makes it perfect for him. I'm so glad. It's his now, little future missionary. I've been in Texas 7 months as of yesterday. Allen and Brigette called! You won't believe this. Remember how the last I heard was that they were getting a divorce and Allen was homeless? Well. Get this. They got back together. They didn't get divorced. They are working with the Bishop to work things out. They are going to church. Brigette got a job that pays more than her one here in Texas did. She is taking care of her Dad and getting paid by the government for it 12 dollars an hour. It is perfect. And Allen found a good job moving tractors and fork lifts. They seem truly happy. They still have their testimonies, and Brigette is able to take care of her son now too, who stayed in Illinois while they were in Texas. They are doing good. I have struggled so much on my mission because of that promise I made them- that if they would keep the commandments, especially keep the Sabbath holy, they would be blessed. I thought I ruined their lives. At first, they both lost their jobs and had to move back to Illinois where things of their past pulled them down. But the Lord always keeps his promises, and He has again kept his promise and Brigette and Allen are being so blessed. It's a miracle no doubt. I cried. It was one of the happiest moments of my mission.

Carly Williams is doing so good. She wrote me a letter and said that she thinks of me when she reads the Book of Mormon because it's my favorite book. She said her and her dad read it together every day. That is what the gospel is all about.

I said goodbye to Sister Pincock and cried. So much happened in just 6 weeks. And she was strong and taught me a lot(understatement).

Sister Taylor is amazing. She is sweet and kind and loves the people here in Tomball. I am beginning to really love them too. We are teaching a girl named Kristen Brooks. She reminds me a lot of Amber. So my eyes do the watery thing every time we teach her. She came to church for the first time on Sunday! She is 30, has a little boy- David- who is three, and she is 8 months pregnant with another baby boy on the way. She has had a rough past and is looking for something more. I know that in the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no such thing as a point of no return. She can do it. I know she can. And if she can do it, so can Amber. And that gives me all the motive and hope and faith in the world. We are visiting with her tonight. She is on parole, so it'll be a little while before she can be baptized, but that is going to be the sweetest day ever.

Venus Ryan has called a few times since I left Spring. She is just so sad and lonely. I promised her that when my parents come to get me in November, we will go see her and take her to eat. She loves going out to eat. She seemed very excited about that. I don't remember if I told you, but she prayed out loud for the first time a couple weeks ago- the last time we visited with her. It was a sweet experience. I think she is really starting to believe that she is a daughter of God, and it is helping.

We got 85 ITLs this week and knocked hundreds of doors. We are worn out. We found one lady who let us in, but my Spanish only took us so far. We gave her info to the Spanish Elders, and I'm excited to see what happens. I have a good feeling about her. Her name is Monica and she has a husband and two little boys. She had this light in her eyes when I showed her the Book of Mormon. It was exciting to see.

The Tomball apartment is good. We're on the first floor and there is somebody upstairs who I call Sister Phanty. Knew you'd like that one, Amy. Sister Phanty just stomps around upstairs night and day. It's hilarious. It really sounds like an elephant lives upstairs, hence the name phanty. It's good though, it makes us walk that much faster when we're tracting because we want to be as wiped out as possible when we get home so that we sleep through it. It's been workin' out good.

I feel like a new missionary again. I don't know anyone or anything and the lack of my navigation skills has become very apparent all over again. But I'm enjoying the journey and learning much.

Funny quote from Sister Taylor after a long day of tracting and excuse after excuse of why no one wanted to listen to us... she says, "Excuses are like butts. Everyone's got one and they all stink." ha ha.

All is well here in Texas. I love the Book of Mormon with all my heart. I have been paying special attention to what the 'last words' are of every prophet/writer in the Book of Mormon, and it's way cool. They are all writing and just begging all to come unto Christ. I've really identified with their pleadings lately, and it's cool how interconnected the Book of Mormon is with our lives. I guess it's because the gospel never changes. It is the same now as it was in 600 BC - 400 AD. Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and we can come unto him through his perfect gospel. We have a prophet today. And if we will hearken to his words and the word of God in the scriptures, we will be just fine in this crazy world. We will be able to put up our shields against the fiery darts that seem to never cease. 1 Nephi 15:24.

I love you all.

Talk to you next week.

Happy Marin Luther King Day

Love,

Sister Schlauder

Sister Taylor and Sister Schlauder

1/10/11

I'm getting transferred! Leaving my first area. Going to Tomball, Texas. My new companion is Sister Taylor. She's a sweet girl I've met a few times from California. She's been out on the mission just a few months. I'm just so excited to not be in the lead anymore. It can be so stressful. Man oh man. Lately, I have felt like I have a sign on that says "Ask me any question you have about anyone and anything and I'll be able to tell you the answer." It's weird. ha ha. I'm excited to follow for a while. But I see myself doing the whole 'grass is greener on the other side' kind of a thing, and maybe soon I'll be hoping to be the leader again. Who knows.

But I feel way good about getting transferred. The zone leaders met our district at the temple and announced the transfers. I was totally expecting to just stay put. It was a surprise to me, and it instantly felt so right. I know great things are ahead in Tomball. I've been on exchanges there once before. The pictures I sent a long time ago out in the country with sister mullins were from the exchange in Tomball. It rains a lot there and it's real green. It'll be great.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to bear my testimony in the Windrose ward. Looking out over that congregation of people I had come to love so much just totally overtook me with emotion. I have been in this area, serving the people in the Kleinwood and Windrose wards for 7 months. And going no where out of those ward boundaries except to the mission office and to Tomball once for splits my first couple months out here. It's amazing how in such a small perimeter, I have come to know the Savior in a much deeper way than I could have ever forseen. So many members of each of those wards have added to and strengthened my testimony. They have laid the perfect foundation for me for the rest of my mission, no doubt. Tomball is actually the closest sister area to these wards and I've gotten a few calls that the ward members here will take me and my future companion out for lunch on p-days out in Tomball. It's quite a sweet transition. Amy, you were right in your email. I couldn't have said it better. These people in this area will always have a special place in my heart and in my testimony.

Wow. A lot has happened this transfer. It's amazing to look back through my planner over all that has happened and see the Lord's hand in my life just these past 6 weeks. No doubt the hardest 6 weeks of my mission. But goodness, the blessings were almost unbelievable.

Growing pains hurt. I will say that much. The refining process burns. But I know the end result will be beautiful. I tasted a little peice of it looking out over the Windrose congregation and bearing my testimony of Jesus Christ. A testimony that they helped me to strengthen. Heavenly Father has specific purposes for each of our lives and all kinds of people and places that can help us fulfill our divinely appointed missions. The Windrose and Kleinwood wards have been such tremendous aids for me and my testimony.

I have come to know my Savior...here in Spring, Texas, and I'll always love this place for it.

P.S. Sister Pincock loved the bookmark and Carly and Manny and Kissy loved them as well. Manny was so sweet. He said, "This is something very special, I can tell. This warms my heart." He's a sweetheart. He loved how it said his baptismal date on it, too. and just kept rubbing his fingers over the lettering. Everyone is so touched by Grandpa Jack's sweet talent. I've got the coolest Grandpas in the world. I'm way excited to get to know my Grandpa Art someday too.

Thank you so much for the fast, Mom and Dad! How wonderful. I appreciate that so much and definitely have a testimony that fasting is real and it works. I loved the pictures in the snow. How fun!!!! Dad, thank you for your email. It is always so uplifting to me. Thank you all for loving me. I love you all so much. Amy, thank you for the email. I love you and pray for you always.

Thank you all for loving me. I love you all so much.

Love always,

Sister Schlauder

1/3/11
Happy New Year
Well, this new year has started off quite fantastic. Carly Williams and Manny Cosme were baptized January 1st and given the gift of the Holy Ghost January 2nd. The spirit was so strong at both of their baptisms and the wards did a fantastic job of welcoming them and loving them. I had the opportunity to speak at Carly's baptism on the Holy Ghost. I found an interesting connection in the Book of Mormon that I shared with her in my talk. One of the ways I feel the spirit the strongest is when I read the Book of Mormon. So, I figured it would be appropriate to share some things from it to help Carly and those at her baptism to feel the Holy Ghost, the very subject I was trying to teach. The Lord helped me so much and guided my thoughts. I shared 3 Nephi 11:14-15. The people on the American continent had been waiting for the Lord to appear to them. Many prophets had testified that He would come, and so when He did, it was a really big deal (for lack of better words). I like to pay attention to the first words of a prophet and the last words of a prophet. So, with that in mind, the very first thing that the Savior asked of them was, vs.14: "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world." And in vs.15, the people go forth "one by one" and "see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that is was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come." The first thing the Savior asks them to do is to gain a testimony of Him. To know that he is the son of God and that he is their Savior. I know that His plea is the same with us today. That everything we are asked to do as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is for that very purpose... to Arise and come forth unto the Savior and gain a deep and abiding testimony that he is the Christ, the Son of God. But, the Savior is not here. We cannot feel with our hands and see with our eyes the prints of nails in his hands and in his feet. He is not here walking the earth as he once did. But we can know just as surely as they knew then, that He is the Son of God, through the great gift he has given us- The Gift of the Holy Ghost. The last prophet in the Book of Mormon, Moroni, shared with us in his last words, the ability to know the truth. To gain that deep testimony of the Savior. In Moroni 10:5-7, he says, "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost." I love that. Anyways. That was pretty much the talk I gave. Well, While I'm on this subject, ha ha, I may as well share another scripture that I loved this week. In 2 Nephi 2:4, it says this very same thing. "...Thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." We can know today, just as surely as they who felt with their hands and saw with their eyes. And we can know it through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.
Ah. I just love the gospel so much. It makes perfect sense. Now that's not to say there aren't hard times when there are questions and hard things that stretch us and force us to just go back to the basics. It's not easy sometimes, but it is the truth and it is here in its fullness. what a great blessing.
I talked to a man yesterday on the phone who had been taught several years ago. He had so so many questions. And it got to the point where he said, "well either you're deceived or I'm deceived. One of us is deceived." There are points you get to like that... where you are backed up against the wall of faith. And it comes back to prayer and study and acting on the answers and direction you receive with a broken heart and contrite spirit. I know the Lord keeps his promises. I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I know that we lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ before we came to this earth. I know that every person on the earth chose to follow the Savior before this world was. And that is why we are here. Because we chose Christ's plan and so we can learn to choose it again, this time with opposition, which forces our roots deeper. Sister Pincock was reading in Jacob 5 the other day and read verses 21-22 which says "And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground..." She learned in her religion class at BYU that Olive trees grow best in rocky soil because it forces their roots to grow deeper and stronger. I think that's pretty cool. "Olive trees grow best in rocky soil". If we will really trust in the Lord and stay true and faithful to the promises we have made with God, our roots will grow deeper and stronger. Our testimonies will abide the day. This world is rocky. But because of the opposition, we can choose to grow stronger and deeper than ever before.
I got carried away again. I'm sorry. Carly's parents have been inactive for several years. They joined the church shortly after going through the open house of the Houston Temple, but after they were baptized and confirmed, hardly ever went back for some reason. It was a tender, tender experience to see Carly's father baptize her. And her mom and dad and her and her brother - Parker- sitting together at the baptism and at church on Sunday. Families can be together forever. I'm so grateful for Carly's strong example and her goodness. She is destined to do great things. And goodness, she has a gorgeous voice. She sang the song to us the other night "Time to Say Goodbye" and I got chills it was so good.
Manny and his wife Kissy are doing great. They are so excited to go through the temple together in a year and be sealed together forever. I'll definitely have to look in to coming back for that.
Well, my New Years goal is to fully embrace and love the Book of Mormon by studying it every morning. I want to know the timeline better and generally what is going on in each chapter. And of course my other goals that seem to be a stable-- stop biting nails and work out more. ha ha.
We did work out this morning at the high school across the street. I ran the track and did some bleachers and watched the sun rise. It was awesome. That's the cool part about Texas being so flat, you can see the sunrise and sun set really clearly.
We went tracting quite a bit this week. Once in the rain, which I loved. And once on New Years Day, which was absolutely the worst idea I've ever come up with. Everyone was asleep, grumpy we woke them up, or in their pajamas. It was very uncomfortable and we stopped after about five houses. ha ha.
Sister Hansen called me yesterday and said that Sister Judy Wells spoke at a meeting in Katy, Texas. Afterwards, Sister Hansen just went up to talk to her about the 30 day missionary fast they are doing in the Katy Stake, and Sister Wells told Sister Hansen about me and gave a lot of compliments. Sister Hansen and President Hansen called me after they talked to her. It was so cute. They put it on speaker phone driving and both told me how exciting it was to talk to Sister Wells. It reminded me of how Dad puts it on speakerphone when he's real excited to talk while in the car. I love that. They were both so complimentary and told me they were so glad to have me in the mission. For some reason I have been a little down lately. It was a sweet tender mercy. The Lord is aware of each of us. This week will be filled with much finding, as we currently have zero investigators. This Saturday, we get the call for transfers, so we'll see if I stay or go or if Sis Pincock stays or goes. I'm kind of hoping for a change, but I guess no matter what it's a change because Sister Radin is going back to Temple Square Jan 19th. I'm up for whatever.
All is well. A trio is still very hard, but there have been so many wonderful things that have happened this transfer that it doesn't even matter about the difficulties of the trio. We are working hard and trying not to kill each other. ha ha. just joking.We are doing fine. And we are continually being refined.
I love you all so much.
And Ben is going to be fantastic. I love the email Aunt Lisa sent. His companions are going to love him. And he is going to be such a powerful influence for righteousness in his mission and the areas he serves in. Go Ben. I'm so glad we'll be out here in the field together. What a stud.
Have a wonderful week.
Love,
Sister Schlauder