Hey all ya'll!

This past week has brought a few new adventures.  First of all, ringworm.  Yeah I actually got it the week before, but didn't know what it was until this last week.  Don't worry, it's nothing really bad.  It's not a worm, it's just bacteria apparently.  It forms a red ring though, so that's where it gets its name.  It's on my right forearm and is the size of a dime.  I've also got a very small one on my chin, but both are healing really well and should be completely gone in the next week and a half or so.  I'll send some pictures so you can see that it's not that bad. :)  Oh yeah, and Sister Walker thinks she got a small dose of it, but you can't see it too well in the picture.

I'm also feeling a little under the weather today as I have caught a wicked cold, but it's all good.  I'll get better :)  In the meantime Sister Walker is taking very good care of me.  She's done some of my laundry, let me take a nap, and tells me to rest.  She's really good to me :)

So, happy news!  [A man we have wanted to work with] came to church yesterday! He is a less active that we have been trying to meet with since I got in the area.  I don't remember if I mentioned him last week, but he came to our ward Halloween party, which was huge!!  He hadn't stepped foot in the church in over 2 years!  And then he came to church on Sunday with his girlfriend!  We were SO happy!! :)  Also, [another investigator] came to church with his kids!  Wahoo!!  He finally was able to make it! And he and his kids loved it and said they'll be back. :)  Also, a lady that the Elders are teaching decided on Sunday that she wants to be baptized this weekend!  I love her!   . . . . She is awesome.  I don't know if her baptism will end up being this weekend or next weekend, but it will be one of them and we're so excited for her!  She actually told all of us Sisters before she told the Elders haha. So Sunday was a happy day! :)

The missionary work here with the ward is increasing.  More members are wanting to come out with us and are getting involved.  Our ward mission leader was also blessed with a new job that enables him to meet with us on a regular basis and be more available!  The ward out here in Florence is being strengthened a little bit at a time and it is amazing to watch.

Also, here is a thought.  Keep praying for those who you know and love and are farther from the gospel than they should be.  There is a less active member in our ward who is married to a wonderful woman who is of the Catholic faith.  He has been going to church with her for about 10 years, maybe more.  His brother is also in the ward.  His brother and his brother's wife have been praying for him for a long time.  A couple weeks ago we gave this less active's wife a Book of Mormon, which she happily accepted.  This last week we were able to visit with this less active and his wife at the church.  We didn't visit for very long, and they did express to us that they were not intending on changing religions, but that they did enjoy talking with us.  Even with that being said, the sister-in-law of this less active talked to Sister Walker and I afterwards and said she was astonished when he told her that they were meeting with us.  She said she would go home that night and thank the Lord for a prayer answered.  I know that their conversion won't be a short one, or one that happens soon, but I do believe that with constant small and simple means, they will believe.

I know that the Lord loves each of us.  He is the good Shepherd and He knows His sheep.  He knows what we need, and listens and answers our prayers.  It is a humbling and joyful experience to be the means that our Heavenly Father answers someone else's prayer.  I know that if we are living our best to follow the Savior, we will find this joy in being "an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance...then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer." (Alma 29:9-10)

I would invite all of you to look for those opportunities to share the love of the Lord and be an instrument in His hands.  If you are down, stressed, or overwhelmed, know that the Lord loves you.  Serve Him and you will see His love in your life. :)

I love you all so much!  Keep the faith my friends and family!  May THE force be with you!