SEVERE CHASTISEMENT!

As her sister… may I just say that we had no idea that her P day was a day earlier than the week before… that’s why there were no e-mails!

Dear Family,

I am SOO tempted to not write you toady. Wanna know why? I DIDN'T GET A SINGLE EMAIL FROM ANYONE THIS WEEK! Can I tell you how depressing it is to open my email (its a very exciting time when I get to read your letters) and there is NOTHING THERE?! Seriously I almost cried. I was expecting at least 4 emails just from Saturday telling me how awesome your day was and about a new puppy... It's a good think I got a card from mom this week. And a bunch of letters from friends otherwise it would have been really sad! :-( Okay, now that we have that out of the way...

How is everyone? I hope all is well. Landon, you got to go through the Temple on Saturday! I was thinking about you all day! I'm sure you had an amazing experience! I can't wait to hear about it! Megan and Justin you got a new puppy! I'm so excited for that! What did you decide to name him? Have you been getting any sleep? Send me pictures soon! On Saturday night we were going to sleep and I told my companions I had got a new nephew that day. THey were like... what? I said ya, my sister and brother in law got a new baby today! And they were super confused...until I told them it was a baby puppy! It was funny. I love my companions so much! They are awesome. Speaking of awesome... I was in church yesterday, leaving the chapel after Sacrament meeting and this lady comes up to me and says "I thought I would go to church with you today" it took me a second to realize who she was... ELDEE! That was super exciting! It was awesome to see her and chat with her. And I discovered that her grandson, Ben  was best friends with one Trey . So, Brother Elton if you are reading this, please pass the word along to Brother Sikehema that his good friend Ben is the grandson of my aunt :-) awesome huh?! Also, remember how I was telling you about Brother Lowell (the man from Green River) well he took piano lessons from Aunt DeAnn! and I learned that Buffalo Bill is a Lowell so next time I see him I will be asking if he is related to Buffalo Bill. If he is he'll know who I'm talking about! haha.

Yesterday while we were tracting we knocked this door and a man opened it wearing...nothing but his underwear. It was weird. So he stayed behind the door and we definitely focused on his face. We had a lovey conversation about keeping the commandments and doing what God wants us to do and believing in Christ, the Savior of the world. I felt strongly that we should sing him a song (with the ukelele!) so he went into his apartment and put on a sweater....but still no pants. and we sang him "choose the right" and then we left. It was an interesting experience to say the least. But we'll go back a little later to sing another song (that he requested) and hopefully teach him. Wouldn't he have the best conversion story ever!? ha! Something I have learned is that while we are tractng I have two options. I can get discouraged becasue there aren't a lot of people who want to learn OR I can stay happy and positive and remember that even if they don't accept the gospel now we are planting seeds and they will hopefully be open to the message of the the gospel in the future. Knowing me...which one do you think I choose? The happy one of course! So I have basically been skipping from door to door. I love being on a mission and having the opportunity to teach God's children! It really is awesome. Landon, I'm so excited for you to get out here in less than a month! It's going to be awesome for you! You will love it!

Something I have started doing in my study every day is pick a hero of the day. Someone from the Book of Mormon in the scriptures that I read that day that jumped out at me beacsue of their faith, diligence...whatever it was. I write it in my planner so I can look at it and think about it all day. I also have a special Book of Mormon just for my heros. I mark the passage and the date for everyday and write a list of my hero in the back. The hero of the day becomes my inspiration for the day and I try to remember them and live and do like they did all day. I have had some awesome heros! Nephi, Ahaz, Alma, another Nephi, Zoram (the servant of Laban), the other Nephi... It's super awesome! What are things that you do to help in your study and help you live the gospel? Think about it and if you're not doing anything specific, pick something and do it! Study with a purpose! You will learn so much more! There was something else I wanted to say here but I forget what it is... maybe it will come to me later. C'est la vie. So I will call home on Sunday. I'm not sure what time exactly it will be but I'm thinking around 6 my time... if everyone could be at home that would be great. That way I only have to call one and I can spend more time talking with all of you.

I love you all! Try to repent and improve in your letter writing... ;-) I'll talk to you on Sunday!

Annie

PS keep cold water bottles in your car all the time and when you see the missionaries out and about give them to them.

PSS NEVER go a a whole week without writing ever again. It's sad. I don't like it at all.