His ways are higher than my ways

The dog post haha...we always saw these signs on our runs in Dyker and
said how awkward the man was posed and how we would need to pose next
to it someday. That day never came and then we saw another one and
thought we had to take the opportunity haha

Buenas :)

Well, family and friends, our three months are up! This has been a fabulous final transfer with my darling hermanita and I am very happy with the work we've been able to do together. It seems the Lord always has something greater in mind when I think I know His plan. I will be staying in Dyker for another transfer and Hermana Voss will move on to her second area! I am so excited for her! Confused, anxious, and a little stressed (I feel like I'm sending off my child or something haha!) but very excited. She will be fabulous :)

This week was very exciting. I'll send my little "notes" email with some additional detail as well (including all the funnies haha!) but I'm gonna highlight a few of the thoughts/experiences of the week. First we have to start with last Thursday. We had planned for some weekly planning this day, but when we got a call from the less active mom of our investigator asking us if we could be at her house in 45 minutes the plans changed! God often works in ways that seem to be mysterious to us at first, but as we look at what He gives us with spiritual eyes, things start to become clearer. That was definitely the case here. Unaware of what we were on our way to do but "urgent and consecrated as we could be" ;) we somehow --through many a tender mercy-- got to her home just as it hit 11:30. We had quite possibly the most beautiful experience I have had on my mission thus far that morning with her. She told us she had been crying that morning and needed comfort but didn't know who she could call that would come. She told us she knew we would "always be disponible" and come "right away". She opened up to us immensely and the Spirit was there so strongly. We are excited to see what changes she will begin to make in her life as she nourishes her testimony again. It'll be marvelous :)

We also had another lesson set but she had to cancel last minute... but then we ended up teaching four lessons that day! We had another with our awesome two sisters-- wait! You don't know about them yet! So we taught them last Monday for the first time, then again Thursday. They are so prepared it is crazy. This, this is how missionary work is supposed to be. This is what a white field looks like. They are the most darling girls. They're sisters of less active parents and in high school. We love them so much. So we got to teach them last week as well!! Twice! After their lesson we went and had a lesson with our favorite family. :) we asked the daughter to prepare a little something to help us and it was amazing. Her testimony is growing every day. It was so awesome being able to visit with their family and help strengthen them. We love them. (Also, I have begun a "people I need to see when I come back" list, they're on it).

We also had the great experience of visiting one of the less actives in our ward with the elders. They were going to give her a blessing at the hospital so we went with and stayed after to talk with her and get to know her. She is so darling. We read the Book of Mormon to her and she said she was remembering everything. She told us it's been six years since she's been to church or read and us reading to her brought back all these emotions and memories, she hopes to be at church next Sunday :)

Just so much joy in the journey. I read a talk yesterday about how much more joyful it will be to rejoice together in the kingdom with those we have helped bring there --who have helped us in return to arrive. I can't wait :)

Also, we had the chance to meet with one of the sisters we have been teaching again this week! She is going to the temple!!! Goodness gracious, seeing the spark in her and the love she has for the gospel...it is just so amazing. She picked this Saturday for the temple (perfect, cause it's also stake temple day!) so we will be going then!! That also means my preparation day will be this Saturday, not Monday of next week, just so y'all know :) I could not be more excited for her. Seeing how far she has come and the joy she has is what it's all about.

This mission. Literally the best thing I could have ever done with my life. One huge tender mercy, for me, thus far has been that God has given me the opportunity to feel and understand maybe just a little of what He feels for us. Let me explain. We will do --and have done-- almost anything for our less actives and investigators. We have and will come running at the drop of a hat when you call, change our schedules to meet you, call you every single day at the same time to read with you, text you to remind you to pray, pick you up, bring you things, take you out, teach to your needs, pray and fast with and for you, we will literally do anything for these people we love so much. Why? Really, why? Because we understand how important this message is. Why are we so persistent? Because we understand the importance of bringing them back or to this gospel for the first time. And that is why we go to these great lengths, because we have something so so precious, perfect, and miraculous we want you to have and are doing everything in our power to help you obtain it.

...this sense of urgency I feel for the work has come with the great blessing my Father in Heaven has given to me to be able to understand a little bit more the real significance of this time now and it's eternal consequences. He has allowed me to better understand the sacrifice of my Savior and the absolute truth that is in the verse that says the thing that will be of most worth unto us is to preach the gospel and cry repentance. I believe that. I know that. I hope all of us can have the fire of the gospel in our lives and act on the desire to share it with others. And if you don't yet have that desire, pray for it! Seek it! Ask God to give you the desire and opportunity to share the gospel and I know He will.  I invite you to look for opportunities to share this gift we have been given and help God in the building of His kingdom. I know there is no greater joy to be found than in this work.  :)

I love you so much! I hope this week is great and that you got pictures of the birthdays!! Until next week when I have my new companion and district...

Muchísimo amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley

Just a little windy...

Sorry Hna Voss :)  #hairprobs