Dear Family and Friends:

So as faithful readers of this site know a theme I've given to my mission is "Prepare to Be Surprised." I thought perhaps with less than two weeks left, all surprises were over and done with. Ha ha

SOPRESA!

Thursday we had Zone Development Meeting and interviews with President Bassett.

During my interview with President he gave me greater confidence that although we've gone through some tough blows this transfer (Barbara not getting baptized, J.C. moving away less than a week before his baptism) that I shouldn't dwell on these set backs.

We also talked about Sister Tanner and her future companion. It was clear that training was no where near the best and she would need a solid companion. He said it would be interesting, but it would work out.

Well I had no idea that it would work out while I was still here.

That evening, Thursday evening, I went down to WAY East Mesa for exchanges. We went into a lesson and had silenced the phone in the early afternoon. Right before dinner, I realized we hadn't checked the phone and saw Sister Tanner had called and President Bassett had called and texted me, both saying I needed to get a hold of him before I left for Payson. I called him back and left a message. I called Sister Tanner and was told we were going to be in a trio...tonight.

President called back shortly saying Hermana Voigt would go back up to Payson with me. I called her and told her we were leaving in 1 1/2 hours. So things were a little crazy that night, but it all came together.

The craziest moment being transporting the mattress from the Zone Leaders house to our when the "boxspring" more like a padded piece of plywood flew out of the truck onto the Beeline and the efforts to retrieve it. No missionaries, animals or Paysonites were hurt in the efforts. Needless to say we were all tired and slept well that night.

So Hermana Voigt who has been out for seven months came up to get to know the area, and prepare to train an English Sister with Sister Tanner in a trio. It's working out really well. I really like Hermana Voigt and am learning a lot.

Plus! We get to do some Spanish! It's been awesome to do that again. Even if it is only for 10 days.

This morning I was reflecting today on my mission. I was overwhelmed by how many miracles I've seen on my mission. It's been amazing to be a part of this great work. It's been humbling to be a part of. This work has shaped me, molded me into who I am today. It has been a joy. It has been hard. There were times where I really did feel the hammer come down as I was being "wrought" into the wrought iron fence the Lord has created of me. I know that my mission is the hinge upon my door of life. Which is now and will forever be committed to my loving Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know that Christ lives, that this is His Church. I know that the Heavens are opened and we can receive direction, counsel, love and answers from our Heavenly Father through revelation.

I know that Christ's church was brought back to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. The priesthood, that power to act in the name of God, was restored to the earth through the laying on of hands. Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet who has and exercises all of the keys of the Priesthood.

I know that God lives. He loves me. He loves ALL of His Children and he wants ALL of us to come home to Him. Of this I bear my witness as a representative of our Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all and look forward to seeing you next week!

'Till we meet, with love,

Sister Sarah Marie Tomoser