LOOK OUTWARD (Katelyn's Letter)

Hey y'all!

Holy guacamole I've literally learned so much at in person missionary training! The Spirit is so strong here and we all can definitely feel all of your prayers!!

Seeds of faith

Where do I even begin?! There have been countless experiences that have brought me closer to my perfectly loving Heavenly Father and understand deeper the complete empathy and light of Jesus Christ! I have felt God speak directly to me at times when my doubts and struggles were stronger than my trust in Him. His love has repeatedly manifested itself to me through scriptures, the Spirit, and the many wonderful people/angels around me! One experience happened during the closing song on Sunday before we went and did an important study focused on feeling God's love for us. We were going to listen to the video of the tabernacle choir singing "I Am a Child of God" but the video's sound wasn't working! Suddenly a brave Sister started singing the song and the whole auditorium filled with voices singing those simple yet powerful words! Never before had the lyrics hit me so hard that I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND SO ARE YOU! Here's some of the lyrics<3:

I am a child of God
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand His words
Before it grows too late.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with Him someday.

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do His will
I’ll live with Him once more.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with Him someday.

**Please Read** Sometimes it's hard to do His will but I promise if you strive to align your will with His that you will 100 percent be happier and the people around you will be too! Look outward not inward-- that is all that Christ did! When He was being arrested at the garden of Gethsemane, with that same power He could have used to fight and escape the guards, He used it to heal one of them. How flippin' selfless is that?! He healed a person that was going to whip Him, spit at Him, and crucify Him! I invite you to pray for your enemies right now and let me know what happens!

Funny Things

-Sooo I pretended to be from England for a new Elder that joined the district yesterday and he actually BELIEVED my awful accent! I felt so badly when I told him I was a lame American haha but it was fun! (Drove my companion and district nuts tho hahaha!)

-Got attacked by a bee while another district was having their prayer so that was loud and pretty embarrassing.

-I am officially in charge of the district quote book... What an honor!  There's some good ones in there that make me giggle every time!

Gratitude

-My superior district and the strength of their testimonies.

-The priesthood! (Got a pretty amazing blessing this week that was just what I needed.)

-NATURE (The elders got some pretty amazing pictures this week!)

Southern Vocabulary

Swamp Cat: another word for alligator because they are either really lazy or really moody.
Ex. "My cat attacked those swamp cats!!!"

Pictures!
1. GORGEOUS NATURE (photo cred: Elder Allred)
2. Elder Allred surfing Moses's massive wave/Red Sea painting
3. THE Elder Holmes: This picture should be on the cover of the Ensign magazine or something
4. RAINBOW (photo cred: Elder Reynolds)
5. AMAZING SUNSET (also Elder Reynolds)
6. Had a fun/violent piñata night with these crazy Sister training leaders!
7. Sister Myers and I are PUMPED for South Carolina!!!
8. We found a lil caterpillar on a rainy day named Owen:)
9. Elder Reynolds gave us all rubber ducks!!! D.U.C.K: Don't Underestimate Christ's Kindness
10. WE LOVE THE TEMPLE:))