MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Ohio. (: (12/20/11)

Dearest, darlingest family,

I said it once, and I will say it again, MERRY CHRISTMAS. (:  I can not believe that Christmas is really here!  For one, I still feel like it is....March?...maybe May?  For two, until Saturday the ground was missing that white stuff that tells us it is winter (which is weird because snow should not affect my view of winter....oh well, things change). 

I love this time of year.  I probably always have.  (You know better than I do.)  I love Christmas music and movies.  I love candy canes.   I love stockings, Santa, and sleighs.  I love Christmas lights and decorations.  I love trees and ornaments.  I love gift getting and giving.  I love spending time with family.  I love eating breakfast casserole and Banana Split Cake.  With all of that aside, take it all away, I still love Christmas because I love my Savior.  That's what this season is all about.  I hope we all take a chunk of time to really think about Him this week.  His birth, His life, and His death.  "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:11-12 The Book of Mormon). 

He came in to the world for us.  He wanted us to never be or feel alone in our trials.  He was sacrificed for our sins and sorrows.  So what?  So what does that mean to each of us?  That's the sometimes tricky part.  How does this all apply to me?  We, like Christs apostles, must take the charge given by Christ to define who He is to us.  The world has differing opinions, beliefs, facts, theories, "But whom say ye who [he is]?" (Matthew 16:15 Bible). 

We all have to study, think about it, pray, define for ourselves.

I love being a "guide" in helping others define who Jesus Christ is in their lives...in their various situations...with their individual struggles and triumphs.

Point:  Let's remember the meaning behind Christmas.

What Shall We Give?

Christmas Spirit

Bible Videos

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VERY VERY VERY much.

Merry Christmas (again).

XOXO

Sister Spring

PS...no pictures.  Please forgive me. (:

(Mom Spring added these pictures.)

Daddy Spring talking to Sis Spring on Skype Christmas Day 2010
We get to talk to her this Christmas too!!

All of us gathered around the computer to talk to Sis. Spring last Christmas 2010
....pups too, but Josie left.

Christmas 2009 at Grandma Aimo's- last Christmas home before mission
...Grandma, Marie, Sis. Spring and Mom Spring

Hello from the land of Lorain...

December 10, 2011

....again. (:

I hope everyone had a good week.  Mine was good!!  Full of emotional highs and lows, of course.

One minor thing...The missionaries in my mission were encouraged to create a mormon.org profile.  So, Sister Schwanke and I took a little time to type out a few words on the computer.  Here it is: my profile on mormon.org.  Pretty lame, but take a few minutes to look around at other people.  They are much more interesting.  Like Sister Schwanke.  or Sister McAlister.  or Sister Hansen. or Sister Manwaring.  or Sister Fotu.

Yes, that brings me to point number two.

My new companion.

Sister Siniteke Fotu.

Tongan.

Amazing.

We get along well.  Laugh.  Work hard. I am really happy to be with her.

Hopefully she is happy to be with me, too!

MEET SISTER FOTUUUU.  Here in the library. (:

Well, there is a TON happening here in Lorain.  Lots of people to teach.  Lots of opportunites to talk with people.  I love my life as a missionary.  To be honest, (most of the time), it is not even awkward to just walk up to someone in the parking lot.  It is just instinctive because of a sincere desire I have to make sure everyone has an opportunity to hear this message of hope and happiness and change and progression and peace and TRUTH. 

We are still teaching Brother Greg.  Have I told you about him?  I think so.  He is married to a member in the ward.  We go over there every Sunday for dinner (meaning we will spend CHRISTMAS with them....I can't believe it is Christmas time?!?!).  He is preparing for baptism on the 31st of December.  I LOVE THEIR FAMILY.  Anyways, it is amazing to see him change, little by little.  He has more confidence. and motivation. 

Yup.  Well...

I love you.

I will TALK to you soon, okayyyy?   Then I will be more descriptive.  Maybe.

All you really need to know is I LOVE YOU.

And I am happy. (:

Really happy.

Sister Spring

ZOO!

  Sister Milledge (an amazing member in the great Lorain ward!),

me, Sister Schwanke.

SCHello. (:

This transfer has been so crazy....it seems like Sister Schwanke and I have been companions forever (not in a bad way) when is reality we have only been companions for four weeks.  And now she is leaving me. 

LAKE ERIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the West Side.

Sister Fotu is my new companion, as of tomorrow.  She is from Tonga. Happy all the time...at least every time I have seen her.  That is really all I know.

Although I am sad to see Sister Schwanke leave (and Sister Hansen...and Sister Manwaring...and Sister McAlister....and all of the other Sisters) I am really excited for the upcoming transfer.  There is still a lot to do here in Lorain.  I know that Heavenly Father is not only aware of me and my needs, but He is aware of those we are teaching and their needs, too.

Sunday night there was a dinner at the Lorain church building preceding the Christmas devotional (watch it here!).  That was such a stressful night for me!!!!  Erica was there with seven of her eight children and her boyfriend.  Along with a man we are teaching who is somewhat skeptical of people.  Another man we are teaching, Brother Greg Slattery( he is getting baptized December 31!!!!), was there with his wife and four children who are members.  A woman who just moved in to the ward and who has not been to church in a while was there, as well.  Plus all of the ward members.  Point:  There were a lot of people there that I felt responsiblity for and I felt like I was running around the whole night!!  It was really good though.

The Thompson family. 
They are members in the ward here. AMAZING people.

The devotional was a Christmas broadcast from the First Presidency of the Church.  I really enjoyed it (at least the portion I watched in between quieting the children with various tactics....we ended up in the foyer.  Seven children who have never sat through church before...yea...just use your imagination.)  This Christmas season is a special time to reflect on the life of our Savior.  Although the world is changing around us, the true significance of Christmas being lost in the process, I will do everything I can to never forget Christ.  Not only at Christmastime

Sorry this is short and scattered.

We are in a rushy rush rush today.

Lots to do...people to see.

BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!! TOO MUCH!

XOXOXO

Sister Spring

The first snow!!! November 30, 2011. Look very closely...there are little white flakey flakes. The weather has been very mild so far!

HI!m

HELLO!

(disclaimer: my brain is hurting.......I apologize for the lack of description in this email.......)

Sister Schwanke and I had a really great week.  Constantly busy.  Time is going fast.  It seems like it goes from morning to night so quickly.  And night to morning even quicker.

This week has been full of finding, teaching, serving, loving.  I love this area.  I love my companion.  I love the people I meet.  I LOVE these people so much.  Let me tell you about one family.  A young  single mom of EIGHT.  Boy (11), Girl (9), Girl  (7),  Boy (6), Girl (4), Girl (3), Gmirl (18months), and boy (7 months). Oh my gosh these kids are so precious.  Oh, did I mention that she is maybe....26?  As you can imagine, she is in a less than desirable situation.  We have been over to teach them a couple of times and what is most amazing is the children's craving for God.  Especially little Aleah.  She is a BEAUTIFUL little angel.  During our first lesson, we watched a movie (http://mormon.org/videos/  Finding Faith In Christ) and talked about why we would want to follow Jesus Christ.  Aleah whispered to Sister Schwanke a request to say the prayer.  Gosh, I just want to do everything for these children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Dad told me about the Flower Mound Thanksgiving.  It sounds like a lot of fun! (:  Mine was quite enjoyable.  After spending some time weekly planning, we stuffed ourselves and then watched a Church movie.  Good day, good day.

Thanksgiving. 
Sister Schwanke, Me, Brother Larry Greenleaf, Elder Lundholm, Elder Rollins

I reallllllllllllllllly LOVE YOU all!!! (:

Thank you for your continual support.  I hope you all are doing well.

Sister Spring

Meet Juan. 24-years-old. Sister Schwanke and I met him last Monday night. He is INCREDIBLE...even though he looks semi-goofy here. We have taught him three times over the last week. He is reading and praying and happy. 31st of December. That is when he is preparing to be baptized

Molly Hoax, the woman we were living with two weeks ago. On our move out day.....): So sad..But we see her still. In fact, they had us over for dinner on Wednesday. 
Yum, Chick-Fil-A.

The End.

LOVE YOU!

Nomadic.

Another move.

Let's simplify this thing 

7800 Kirtland-Chardon Road

Kirtland, OH 44094

Use that address. (: 

They will forward my mail.  If I have mail, that is. ;)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK.  One of my favorites. I hope you all have fun together.  I hear there is a gathering at the Lasseignes.  YUM.  I hope you all have fun.  I know you will. 

Sister Schwanke and I have two feasts lined up for us on Thanksgiving day.  And a long nap planned in the evening.  Thursday will be our PDAY...but we needed to email today because libraries will be closed on Thanksgiving.

We are meeting a ton of people.  I want to tell you about a couple.

Sister Smith and I tracted in to the lady a couple of weeks ago.  Home is Virginia.  Christian.  Young...23ish.  Living with her boyfriend. Anyways, she said we could come back..which we hear all the time without much of a follow through on their end.  That did not stop us.  We went over there last Tuesday evening and sweet, little Tracey invited us right in.  We met her boyfriend, and their twin, infant boys.  Talking with them was a very sweet experience as we discussed the nature of God, our Heavenly Father.  Although I talk about this subject a lot with people, I have yet to become disinterested in the matter.  I am constantly learning more about Him from other people, from Tracey and DJ.  The experience was also tender as I watched them feeding and cuddling their little boys.  At the end of the lesson, we invited the man to pray, and for him and her to begin praying together everyday.  They responded with a sincere, "yes" because they feel it will "bring them closer as a family".  I know it will.  The power of prayer is so real.

Less than an hour after leaving their home, Tracey texted us.  Turns out the man received a call about his portion from his grandmother's estate.  He had just prayed to his Heavenly Father to help him know that everything would be okay (they had previously alluded to some financial struggles).  From this experience I was reminded of a line in the Bible Dictionary under the term "Prayer:

                    "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them."