HELLLLLO (:

Hello my sweet family!

I hope everyone is doing well. It has been a good week...difficult for me personally (just being honest)...but an amazing week still here in the Ohio. Let me tell you a little bit about it. (:

Well, Jason is still preparing for baptism. Everything is set up for him to be baptized this Saturday at four. It is truly amazing to be a part of his life. My favorite thing about being on a mission is definitely the people. Perhaps you already know this, but I love people. I love learning about people and how they live. I love seeing how people think. We are all different...and thank goodness for that.

The other day we were at the home of a woman named Bonnie. I love Bonnie. She is 50 something...Roman Catholic...owner of a Doberman (Max)...slightly depressed...and a sweet, sweet woman. This woman is so selfless and caring. That is another thing I love about people; simply the opportunity to learn from their examples. Well, as we were talking the other day in her living room, I was petting Max. (I miss the pups!! Give them a hug for me!) Next thing I know this HUGE Doberman is sitting on my lap! Oh my goodness I have never seen a lap dog with such large stature. I couldn't help but laugh. And, of course, I loved it!

Another semi-funny story. This weather has been funky. Spring is on its way but is playing a little "hard to get." It will snow six or so inches...then the sun will come out and it will be fairly warm.

Well, a couple of days ago we were walking to the car and the sun was shining. There were not any clouds for as far as I could see. We hop in the car and I exclaim, "Gosh, Sister Manwaring, it is such a warm day!!! (:"...Curiousity hit me and I desired to know the temperature.

I leaned over to look at the outside temperature...THIRTY SEVEN!?

Seriously...who am I?

Well, not too much to report. I'm happy and healthy so don't fret. Make it a great week and always remember that I LOVE YOU!!! (:

XOXO
Sister Spring
PS.....no pictures...Sowwwwy ;)

(This is Sister Spring's mom.  I'm posting a couple pictures she sent us from winter)



Santa's Helpers



Mission President ....Patient Mission President!

hello, hello again. (:

Dearest famfam,


Hello!!! I hope everyone had as wonderful of a week as I did. (:

So many miracles to tell about. I will relay one for now. Perhaps the others will unfold in later e-mail's.

Wellllll, let me start from the beginning. Probably not the real beginning, but the beginning that where I come in at least. Back in late December Sister McAlister and I stopped by a home of a member in the ward who I had not met in my time here in Kirtland. Her name? Danielle Peterson. Sweet, sweet, sweet woman. Married to Jason (not a member of the church). Danielle and Jason have been married for 6 years and dated for 4 or so years before this. (These facts are based on my memory so there could be some error in the statement but you get the general idea...they have been around each other for a while...) Six months ago they had their first baby. A daughter...named Lucy! She is SO cute. (I say that about all babies...but it is true!) Anyways, we stopped by. Talked briefly. Lucy cried. We left. That was my first and only meeting of the Peterson's before this week. So three Saturdays ago (February 26) Sister Manwaring and I were discussing our hair and the need for a trim. I am not sure how or why I knew this, but I knew Danielle cut hair from her home. We called her to set up a time to go over there on one of our P-Days and that was the end of that conversation. The next day (February 27) Jason and Danielle and Lucy were at church. The next week (March 6) they were at church, too! At the following day (March 7) was our appointment with Danielle. Hopefully we are all on the same page I am throwing around a lot of details that probably are not too important. After Danielle had cut our hair, we asked Jason and Danielle if there was a time we could come back and talk with them. That is when Jason expressed his desire to meet with us, hear the lessons (as a formality) and be baptized. Sister Manwaring and I were slightly awestruck...but not nearly as shocked as sweet Danielle. It was apparent that this was an answer to her prayers. They invited us to sit down in there living room for a bit while Jason shared his experience. You see, Jason has been around Danielle and her LDS family for approximately a decade now. He is very very VERY familiar with the teachings. He knows about Heavenly Father and his plan for us. He knows that through Joseph Smith, Heavenly Father again began to communicate with the world through prophets. He knows about temples. He knows these things, and has known them for a while. But these "blanket" statements never had any significance to him because he did not believe in God. It was not until a couple of months ago that he had an experience with Socrates and Plato that things clicked with him, and he realized that there is a God. As he was reading the ideas of these early philosophers, his logical mind could relate. Something in his mind, like I said, clicked. There are more details that I am leaving out that have led Jason to this realization, details dating back to his middle school years. I learn a lot from Jason and his experience. One thing that I "re-learned"...we all have our different paths on how we come to know God. My path is different than Sister Manwaring's...and Sister Manwaring's is different than Jason's....and Jason's is different than Danielle's...and Danielle's is different than mine. While our paths are different, the truth is the same. We all have a Heavenly Father who loves us! We all have a Heavenly Father that we can pray to...we can talk to....Just like I know I have a father here who loves me and wants to hear from me (Right Daddy?! ) Jason will be baptized March 26...just around the corner. One last comment about Jason. Saturday when we were over at the Peterson's we asked Jason what he desires to get out of meeting with us. His response? "Personal salvation....and to be sealed to my family forever." Melt my heart!

This morning we (all of the sites Sisters and Senior couples) ventured to the Johnson Farm in Hiram. The Johnson's were early members of the church who dedicated much to the Lord during the restoration of the gospel. Like most early Saints, their lives were definitely NOT easy. It was interesting to hear more of their stories today.




In order to save the monthly miles alloted to us, Senior couples drove us to the Johnson Farm...Meet the Steele's (again!)...our lovely chauffer's for the morning.


I love my life. The weather is warming up a bit. It is Spring Break time so there are more people coming in on tours at sites...Hallelujah! As much as I love calling people in the phone room, I would much rather give tours! (:

I love you.

Love,

Sister Spring

Remember Sister Carver?  My companion in the MTC?  Well, here she is again.  Look at her cute short hair!

Hiiiiiiiiii (:

Dearest Family,


How are you? I hear there were family gatherings of sorts this past week. Dad, how was your dinner at Stephen's with Hunter and Parker? How are those boys doing? Is Hunter still down at school? What's Parker doing? Too many questions? (more to come)

And mom...you went to Post? How fun! I hope you gave everyone my love. And, of course, took some pictures to share. How's that side of the Texas family? Any news to report on?

Last Sunday at church, a man (Brother Robison) in the ward shared an experience he had with his youngest son, Ira, a sharp 10-year-old. I hope you do not mind if I share this sweet story with you all. You see, Brother Robison had a few people in mind that he wanted to visit on one particular afternoon and found it a good opportunity to also spend time with his boy. When invited to join his dad on this outing, Ira was not exactly excited. There was a little complaining...an eyeroll or two...and very slow steps towards the door. By the end of the visit to the last home, Ira was smiling and happy and walking with a bit more enthusiasm. He even asked his dad, "Who else can we go see?" Serving brings happiness. I was reminded of you, Mom and Dad, from this story of Ira and his father. Service is a trait the both of you posses. It is a trait that I admire in each of you. It's a trait I have watched you two, Stephen, Grand-ma and Grand-pa, and, you know, the whole family put in to action. I am grateful for the example that you have set for me. There is a neat video that relays a sweet story of two young boys. One desired to play a little prank..the other decided on an act of service. I think you would all enjoy   it...Will you watch it? It is a good one. I made it easy this time...just click on the link. (:    Click:       Young Boy's Story
So...the Jones were baptized on Saturday. Oh my lanta...what an amazing day. This is such a strong family. I love seeing how the gospel of Jesus Christ truly aids in "making bad men good, and good men better." After the baptism I was talking with Jordan (15 year old daughter) and I asked her how she was feeling. In her sweet, simple Jordan way she replied, "Good...really, really good." I can't wait to tell you alllll about them! Hopefully you can even meet them. They do have family in Plano. (: PERFECT!

Well...as always...I am sending you all my love!! Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for putting up with me all these years. ;) You're great. I love you.

XOXOX

Sister Spring

We went to an activity with the women of the Church a couple of weeks ago with a girl we are teaching.  Her name is Monique...and I absolutely LOVE her.  (:  Her and her boyfriend, Seth, are preparing to be baptized on April 16.

okay...how precious are they?!?!



JONES all dressed in white!!!!!  back: Bishop Regovich, Joey, Scott, Polly, Jordan, Carl. front: Sister Manwaring, me, and Sister McALISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I missssss her)



Saturdays ago we went to help the Jones with their chores.  Turns out, they have a fun way of doing chores.  Polly makes a list of the things that need to be done.  Then we play a round of cards.  Game of the night...Uno.  Then, the winner stays at the table to shuffle and deal, while the other participants run around to get a chore done.  So fun...and so much was accomplished as well.



Hi!

Hello there Famfam,


Let me start with a story.

Last Friday we woke up to see lots and lots of snow...and still snow coming out of the sky. Good thing we had a meeting to attend...in Cleveland.

We woke up to a flood in our backyard this morning!!! Oh my lanta, lots of water.

The drive which normally takes 35 minutes took us a little over an hour. At this meeting, we were instructed on ways to better ourselves as teachers and to better understand the teachings of Christ with approximately thirty other missionaries and a few of our leaders in the mission, including our Mission President and his wife. Anyways, while at the conference we celebrated the birthdays of missionaries for February and March. The eight or so Sisters and Elders went to the front of the room to retrieve their gifts. One of these Sisters was Sister Manwaring whose birthday is March 8. While doing this they were asked their birthday. Well, when it got to my dear Sister Manwaring she proudly responded "March 5........I mean, 8...my birthday is the 8...the Jones are getting baptized on the 5." It was actually really funny. That Jones fam...always on the mind.




Sister Manwaring and I at the Kirtland Library...thirty minutes ago.  I realized I hardly ever send pictures of the two of us...so here you have it.


Speaking of the Jones baptism, I am so excited for them. They are so excited for them. We were over there yesterday afternoon for Reuben (spelling?) Sandwiches and to discuss the logistics of the actually baptismal service. You know, who will speak, which hymns we will sing, who will say the prayers etc....I love that family so much. They are so great. Just to exemplify a little of how great they are, allow me to share an experiece of Jordan, the fifteen year old. She had quite an experience while babysitting for a neighbor friend the other night. After the parents came home, they completely bombarded her with some common rumors about the LDS faith. She came home to her parents and was not shaken in testimony, rather she was upset that she had been ganged up on by two adults she has been taught to respect. That girl...I learn a lot from her.

I will send pictures of their baptism next week!!! (:

I love you all very very very very much. I think of you often and pray for you every day. Keep doing great things out there in Tejas (or Utah Uncle Joe and family...or Arizona...or Arkansas...or wherever you are actually.)

The diet of convenience rather than nutrition

Loveloveloveyou.

Sister Spring

...And then there were two

Hoooola Familia.

Well, Sister McAlister is gone. It has been a little strange without her here. Luckily, Sister Manwaring is still with me and I love her!! We get along well. Plus, we will get to see Sister McAlister every Tuesday so I will only have detachment anxiety for 6 out of 7 days. Phewf.

Bye bye, Sister McAlister!!

It is interesting to me how the anticipation of change is usually much worse than the actual change. You would think I would learn by now to welcome those changes. I do appreciate it. Change, I mean. How boring would live be if we lived in a constant state of how we are and what we already know? I would say pretty boring.



Thanks for the flowers, Mom and Dad!!! They are beautiful.  (:

 I hear I missed Joseph's birthday...Oops...I thought it was this week! Don't hate me! There is a card coming in the mail. I cannot believe you are twenty!!! Goodness, boy...You are growing up on me.

This week was great. We were able to meet with a couple of people who we thought we had lost contact with for a while there. It is all in God's time. I love seeing how hearts are healed through God's love. His power is real. The Jones are getting baptized in...like....12 days. March 5. 1230pm. They are so great.

So...I have a trillion letters to write this week, I am going to get started on that. I love you all. I miss you. As always, just know that I am happy.

XOXOXO

Sister Spring




We looked out our back window to see some of the senior couples admiring the river.  All of the snow was melting and the river was a-raging!!!  Have no fear....there is, once again, snow on the ground....yipeeee



3

Hi family!


I love my life. This week has been so wonderful. There were definitely a lot of "best days". It is amazing how much our attitude influences each day. We can choose to relish in the bad or rejoice in the good. That is one lesson I am learning here. Hopefully I am improving on this skill of choosing to look for the good in every day.

Can I share a tender story from yesterday? Well, you do not really have the opportunity to decline so here it goes. (:



THE JONES FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They have my heart.  Baptism? March 5th.  We are wearing sweatshirts because they had given us each sweatshirts from the school they attend, Andrews Osborne Academy

 Do you remember Brianna Miller? She is a ten-year-old who was "bathtized" on December 11th. Goodness, she is precious. As a missionary, there are certain lessons that we teach to people learning about the church for the first time (The Restoration, The Plan of Salvation, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Commandments, and Laws and Ordinances) After baptism, these lessons are again taught. Yesterday, we went to the Miller home after church to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel, or good news, entails certain steps on how we over come physical and spirtual death. Physical death is easy. Heavenly Father has given us all, as His children, a free gift. We will all be resurrected, just as our Savior was resurrected. But then there is that spirtual death, or turning away from God. We all turn away from Him at some point (I know I do every day in some way or another), but He has provided us a way to overcome this. I love talking with people about this because it is amazing to see how a knowledge of this changes them. It is amazing to see how this knowledge changes me. Those steps he has given us are faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Let's paint a picture of the atmosphere at the Miller home. In the room there are three pretty big couches. One couch holds Sister Manwaring, Sister McAlister, and I. One couch with Brianna (10) laying on Brother Miller's lap and Brittany(15) curled up in the corner. The other couch has Sister Miller and her son, Joshua (21). And Matthew (19) is sitting on a computer chair. There are four or five cats casually strolling through the living room every so often and one cat that will not leave me alone. (Good thing he is white and I was wearing a black skirt) Every time a question is asked, Brianna's hand shoots straight up. She loves being the center of attention...weird, the baby of the family never likes the attention ;) So we have talked about everything in the lesson except enduring to the end. We talked about the importance of staying true to Heavenly Father's desire each day. We talked about the happiness it brings. We talked about ways that we can continually come closer to Him. And then we read a scripture found in the Book of Mormon. It is in Mosiah 2. "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spirtual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." After we read this scripture, I posed a simple question. "What did you think about as we read those words?" This time sweet Brianna slowly raised her hand and stated, "I was thinking about what it would be like if we actually were with God right now." Come on...Melt my heart. This precious ten-year-old teaches me so much every time we are there. Her innocent thoughts...her curiousity. We definitely can be taught so much by children all around us. I love it.

On a lighter note, I hear the weather has been worse for y'all than it has been for us. After six straight weeks of snow, I walked out of the house Thursday morning to see blue skies and sun shining. AND it was warm...a whole 34-ish degrees. YES! A day with the light jacket. (Thanks, Mandy and Adam!!) To make it even better, the next day was the same way. We have not had to scrape ice off of our van for four whole days now. To be quite honest, I do not even mind the cold nor the snow anymore. It could be said that I have adapted to my new environment. Did Phil see his shadow? Six more weeks of winter? Give me the update.

I hope everyone had a fun weekend with the Superbowl. I was in the call center last night and NO ONE was answering their phone. If they did answer, they would ask for us to call back on a different day. All is well. Have I explained what we do at the call center? I do not think that I have. Well, during the winter there are not very many people who come in for tours of the historic buildings. (Obviously...there is snow everywhere.) So we spend our time scheduled at sites in a room making phone calls all across the country. Visitors who come to the sites leave the names of loved ones who they would like for us to call and offer them a gift from the Church. (Book of Mormon, Finding Faith in Christ DVD, Bible...you know, things that help us learn more about our Savior.) At first, this was really hard for me. A) I do not even really like talking on the phone. B) I felt really invasive. C) I am awkward. D) I could go on...but I will stop. It is amazing how Heavenly Father has qualified me in the calling He has given me. Sometimes I still feel uneasy about it but I have found it quite enjoyable. I love being able to call and talk with peoples loved ones about something so important. It is amazing to see the miracles that come from this. Perhaps I will share some of those miracles at a later date.

I feel as though I am rambling on and on. Sorry if I have bored you.

I love you very much.

Thanks for the letters this week mom and dad. I will write you today. (:

XOXOXOXO

Sister Spring




The first Saturday of every month the Community of Christ holds a pancake breakfast. Yummmmy. This is Elder and Sister Edman, our new sites directors...and, of course, Sister McAlister.

PS. Transfers are NEXT Wednesday, the 16th. It hurts my heart to think about leaving Kirtland. I love it here too much. I love Sister McAlister and Sister Manwaring. I love the Jones family. I love my life...But I will take what the Lord gives me. This is definitely an exciting time! m

Another week full of "best days"

(From Sister Spring's Mom:  She sent this one today and I love this picture.  That really is her blanket her grandmother made her when she was born!)

Baby bottle pop, Baby blanket, Bow

Hola Familia.
I hear congratulations are in order....Stephen...Lauren....Congrats on the twins!!! Good luck with them, too. You sure will be busy ones with the crazy pups. They are mighty cute! How is it going so far?

The "twins" referred to are these puppies, Bella and Hefe.  Her brother had to put down their other dog January 19, due to cancer.  He was just one year old


   Well, I have the best news ever. Yesterday we received a text from Brother Jones reading, "Hey there. Next time you make your way over here, be sure to bring the baptism calender. (: (: (:" In three-ish weeks the Jones family four will be baptized!! I am ecstatic. It has been amazing to see how the coming to know their Heavenly Father really does change people. By no means am I saying that the Jones family was "bad" because they are not even close, nor were they. But their desires are changing. They are more confident and happy and I just love them. Coming unto Christ is for everyone. The Jones family is a testimony of that to me.



Elder Steele, Sister Manwaring, Sister Steele, and me. 



Today we had a "Zone P-Day Activity." A Zone is made up of different "areas" in a mission. Each companionship is assigned to an area. (for example, I am serving in the Kirtland area in the Kirtland zone...got it? goooood) Well today we all got together. Our Zone Leaders designated this activity to be a costume and cooking extravaganza. So we, as companionships, dressed up in costume and brought a goodie to share. We made "Special K Candy." A yummy delicacy that we adopted from Sister Steele. We spent much of our Pday at the Steele's home making our costumes and cooking. It was wonderful to be in their home. Elder Steele made us sandwiches for lunch. You see, Sister Steele and Elder Steele are very precious. Poor Sister Steele took a pretty harsh fall two or three weeks ago which resulted in a bruised face and a couple bruised or broken ribs...I can not remember which...neither one sounds appealing to me. Our "costume" was pretty ridiculous. As missions, we talk with everyone about Christ and invite them to learn more about His church. The majority of the time we get a kind "no, thanks." We give them a card which has faces of different people in boxes with a line in the middle that says "mormon.org." So...we made these "pass along" cards. No worries...I have included a picture. It was a fun time. We played "Knock Out" and Volleyball.     





Sister McAlister, me, and Sister Manwaring as "Pass Along Cards"

Speaking of mormon.org...go look at it...right now. In fact, here is a specific video I would like y'all to look at. I love it so much. It is about the new year and looking forward. Some of the video relays the story of Lot and his family found in the book of Genesis in the Bible. To get to the video go to mormon.org. Then there is a link on the top "mormon TV". Then the videos are in alphabetical order...go to the "L's" and find "Look Not Behind Thee." Will you do that? It really is a great movie. Every time I see it I feel so motivated to, simply put, be better.

I feel so flustered for time with only one hour left of PDay and a million things to do.

The most important things for you to know are that God loves you, I love you, and I am happy.

XOXOXO

Sister Spring

Sister Mayer, me, and Sister Webb.  The three Texans at our Zone P-Day Activity. (:

Sister McAlister, Sister Manwaring, and me at the N. K. Whitney Store.  The other night we went on a "mock tour" together.  This is the first room of the tour...and one of my favorite rooms, too.  (Okay, let's be honest, they are all my favorite.)