"None but saints can be happy under every circumstance.”

Buenos días from freezing New York, where we go from light jacket to parkas in under 24 hours (sounds a little like home, right?)

This week was pretty good, we started off with service at the home of a family in our ward. This was a lot of fun, we were able to help them unpack and build a stronger relationship with their daughter. She really just needs a friend and some love. We are going out with her tonight to get some hot chocolate and talk. We just love her so much.

Exchanges

The member trust thing was huge this week as we got to see a couple different families and support them and help them any way we could. We love them very much :) They are so fun. It seems like we are finally being able to get somewhere here. We've been given a few less actives as referrals from some of the members and are slowly seeing things pick up. It's nice when we finish a week and feel like we've really done something. I guess that's been the most frustrating part for me - looking back over the weeks and thinking, "what did we even do?" We had exchanges last week and the sister training leaders watched us do our nightly planning and said we literally are doing everything right, but yet we've been so frustrated. So, we had to evaluate a little bit. We decided we really just need to just be happy because we are doing everything right. We are both working equally hard for the same goal and so there is no reason we shouldn't be happy if we're doing that. Therefore, this week really is a choose joy week.

We had a lot of tender mercies and little things this week that helped remind us we really are doing what the Lord would have us do. Friday we had mega zone and a lesson, both of which were awesome joyful times where we got to learn and teach by the Spirit. On our way back to the church after the lesson, we kinda fell into another funk even though we'd just come out of this great lesson. We were heading home via the train and when we got to the bottom of the stairs to wait I kinda subconsciously just said a little prayer in my heart, "Give me someone to help, please. I don't want to focus on or worry about myself. Give me someone who needs what I need where I can give it to them." I looked over and saw this lady sitting at the bottom of the stairs. She was crying and I just walked over and sat down by her and we started talking. We were able to talk with her for probably twenty minutes or so before and on the train. She expressed her gratitude to us and we were really able to help her. We will hopefully be able to see her again this week after getting some of her info.

One of the streets they walk often "Now it's just bare and wet"

This moment was amazing for more than a few reasons, but the biggest one for me was what I saw after when reflecting on that experience. It was incredibly joyous to me to see that God has truly changed my heart --and is still changing it everyday-- where in my time of "need" I instinctively sought to help someone else in need. So, to see that my asking of God to help me develop charity and asking to be guided to do His will has been working is amazing. Haha. I've been asking for this, and now I can see the Lord has been answering my prayers. If we express that desire to Him that we have and truly submit to Him and just try, then He truly does change us and grant unto us the desires of our hearts. I am so thankful for that, and thankful for the opportunity I've had to see how the Lord is changing me and changing my character to become more like His. So that brought me joy :)

Saturday we also got some awesome news: the brother of our investigator (we were with her and the mom while the elders teach the son) is going to be baptized this next Sunday!! We met the dad when they all came to church together yesterday and set up to visit with all of them this Wednesday!! We are so excited. Also, Joshua told us yesterday they picked December tenth with his dad for his baptism! We couldn't be more excited for them.

Just remembered from Sunday, Elder Nielson, my compañera, and Elder Weisler were asked to give talks. Guess who got cold called when there was still extra time. Gosh dang it. It was okay; not the best but not the worst haha. But that was fun. Obispo likes to keep you on your toes.

There is also a stake Christmas devotional on December 11th that we will be singing in as a ward. We got to spend an hour after church attempting to arrange our baby "choir" (don't know if you can even call it that haha) into singing cantan santos ángeles. It will hopefully be pretty good in the end, I think we have enough members that we can make it work ;) it was also a fun throwback to the CCM choir days with Elder Stoker haha.

Anyway, I'm really not sure what else I've got for ya! Really the biggest thing from this week was just...just be happy. Don't lower your expectations, don't blame yourself, and trust in God. That's mostly what I got. If we really are doing everything we can to do His will then it doesn't matter what the outcome is, because that is according to His plan too. Knowing and shifting to believing is really important, I think. I used to feel like they were the same, now I know I need both (throwback to April general conference). I hope we can all trust in God a little bit more and know He is at the helm and remember the truth behind one of my favorite scriptures: "if God be for us, who can prevail against us?" I love you!! Have a great week :)

Mucho amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley

Wait...Is this a serious picture or smiling???? #lovesthesemissionaries

Apparently it was supposed to be a serious picture :)

Finally...Success??? (We don't like serious pictures)