So you have heard

Well....until next week i'll get the update I guess,

This week was incredible....we have seen so many blessings in the work as we strive to obey the training we have been given from President for our mission. I know the Lord guides this work. We met a man named Giovanni from Honduras. He came to the states the first time to study to become an Engineer but after two years his step father died so he had to go help is Mom raise his brother and sister ( he never knew his dad) He put his dreams aside and went back to Honduras and worked for 10 years to get his brother and sister through college and then sent his brother off to nashville with 10,000 dollars of his saving to study for his masters degree. After 8 months though his brother was killed in a drunk driving accident but the man was not put in Jail so Giovanni, after taking care of his brother, has returned to investigate the case. He stopped praying to God after his brother's death because he didn't understand why it happened, he knows God is their and has since finished finished school in Boston to become an Engineer and is staying here only to continue to help his family. He recognizes that many intelligent people do not believe in God but he could never deny the veracity of his existence- he once tried to explain to a professor how a pile of wood put on a foundation doesn't not establish itself after leaving it for 10 years and coming back to find a fully built home- there is always a creator.

"Now God who has made us, knows what we are an that our happiness is in HIm. Yet we will not seek in in HIm as long as He leaves us any other resort wherest (happiness) is even plausibly to be looked for. While what we call "our own life" remains aggreable we wil not surrend it to Him. What then an God do in our own interest bu make "our own life" less aggreeable to us, and take away the plausible sources of false happiness." C.S. Lewis [ a quote from my scripture notes- i promise i'm not reading C.S. lewis...it's not in the missionary library :) ]

Giovanni knows you cannot find happiness in money or in what you have, and he is very interested in learning more about the church. He has tried other churches and has not felt included- but he knows he is looking for something and has not filled that emptiness. He is "golden" as we say it.

All is well here in Houston, Life is bliss and Sister Berg and I are loving the work. I'll let you know how Giovanni is doing. I wish I could write about everyone, Gloria, David and Araceli, Carlos, Yasmine, Leonardo, Maria Rivera, .....and many more. Amazing people who want to follow truth.

Jess

Wow, things happen fast!

Buenos Tardes Mi Vida

This week saw many blessings. We had stake conference and the prophet spoke to our region over broadcast. We had a family we have been teaching for over 6 weeks come to church along with a part member family whose son has never come before. I also was able to see everyone from my old ward and my new converts the damian girls!! we all just cried and we were so happy to see each other. I saw Hermana Solis (who is the mom of Elder Solis who is serving where Grandpa saw him) and she is doing well- Has Grandpa met Elder Torres yet? He serves in Arlington. Ruben is doing really well- he will be confirmed next week and is so excited to learn more. The day after his baptism we went by to see him and we realized his tv was gone! we asked what he did with it and he told us he threw it out because it was a waste of time and he needed to study the Book of Mormon!

I recieved a call from President again this morning and he asked me train again this next transfer. Sister Pahulu and I are sad to be separated but we have had an amazing time together and have seen many miracles in the Lord's work. Her name is Sister Berg and she will be coming from the MTC on wednesday. She is from Heber City!

Yes I am officially extended! I am really humbled by the opportunity. I know it is the Lord's will. There was opposition in this process as satan always has his fingerprints on it but all is set and ready to go. I do miss you all very much though and I will still see you soon. Tell Marian thank you for the e-mail I love her so much and she has to be the big girl in the house a little longer since brea left.

One of our Members who has helped us a lot with the work just moved to Sandy this weekend. His name is Samuel Aguilar- I gave him your address and phone number so that he can come visit ya'll. Maybe you could invite him to dinner or something....he has given so much time and effort to missionary work and we want to show him how grateful we are.. Mom your cell number is 801 380 1103 right? I hope so.....

One day as we were sitting at a stoplight I was thinking of some big tasks ahead of us with some of our investigators- I just came to the conclusion, the scriptures and thoughts came to my mind about entering into the Savior's rest, I want to be with him already and have him tell me everything will be alright....the thoughts passed and two days later I was sitting in a zone meeting studying and I read this scripture in Mosiah 3:13 " And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them."

That was my answer, Christ is already with us and that is what we are bringing into the lives of all of these wonderful people. I try everyday to remember that He is always right beside us and that through difficult times we are to maintain that relationship with Him.

President Monson said that we if we do not try, we will not do, and if we don't do- then why are we here? I know his call to find those who are struggling right now is from the Lord and that the work can move forward at an even greater pace as we recognize Christ in those around us and treat them that way.

I Love you all so much!! Thank you for supporting me and the Lord's work. I know as we make our desires the Lord's desires we find real happiness.

Sister Tuckett