Happy Easter!

So this whole ward splitting thing turned out to not be such a big deal for us. We're still in Magnolia 2nd and we basically just lost the western half of the ward where not that many people live anyways because it's pure Texas boonies. Try to picture it.. it probably looks exactly like what just popped into your head. Anyways, most of our investigators live over on the east side of the ward which is where we live too, so we lost a few people from the ward, but it wasn't too traumatic for us. The Elders we share the ward with may or may not still be in the ward... its still being decided, but they're really sad if they leave because most of their investigators are over on the east side too.

This week leading up to Easter has been great, we've been able to teach and help people keep moving forward. Our neighbor investigator is so sweet and took us to get amazing pizza, and then we talked to her about the Restoration and the conference talk she read. (We were printing one at apartment lobby and she was there and said, "oh print me one too! so we did. and she read it!) She has been talking with a lot of people about religious things, but she loves us and she's excited to read the Book of Mormon. What an incredible woman. And that wasn't even the best part of the week!

Me and my companions in our Easter outfits

Easter Sunday was the day they did the ward split. We actually had an investigator come, which was probably a different experience than most, but it was good to teach her about the organization of the church. We didn't really have an Easter program because of that, so our ward did an evening fireside to replace it. So at 6 we were back at the church, and there was this nonmember family there! My last companion and I had dinner with them a month ago. Their kids have been attending mutual for years, and they've had all the lessons previously, but they said they weren't really interested in joining (well, the dad's a little hesitant, the kids want to serve missions). One of the families in our ward invited them and they came, and although the music wasn't perfect and attendance was a little sparse, they still enjoyed it. We were talking to them afterwards and they said they wanted to start coming to church every Sunday!! ....What!?! Totally caught me by surprise. How exciting!!

As we were talking they said we probably need the help because we're short on numbers because of the split, and they have good friendships with most of the members already. It was such a miracle and it wasn't from anything I had done. It wasn't from the lessons previous missionaries had taught them or our dinner together. This decision came because of the friendships from the members and simple invites.

 My mom shared some experiences she's had recently as she's acted on promptings of the Spirit this week that have allowed her to bless others, she said, "you don't have to be doing some grand and glorious thing that the world considers grand and glorious to take the little steps every day to be a light and a service to someone to 'bring them One step closer to Christ'" As you act on promptings to serve and help and lift and bless others you can be an incredible tool in the hand of the Lord to further His work and His purposes. You can be a part of incredible miracles just by the little things you do. Moroni 7:35-37 says, "has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought." Don't be afraid to exercise your faith and act on the feelings you have to serve and bless others.

Happy Easter to everyone!! What a wonderful time of year to celebrate our Savior and His Atonement and resurrection. May we always remember Him and consistently be doing what He would have us do. Love you all!

Love,

Sister Andreason