"The mom cooked funeral potatoes so I think she is basically a Mormon..."

I have so many crazy stories for this week that I am not sure where to start.  I want to start with the little miracles first, and then tell you about the amazing opportunity I had on Friday.  AH I AM SO EXCITED TO BE EMAILING TODAY!

OKAY! So first off, we found SEVEN investigators this week.  One is a family of four, mom and three kids. The dad is less-active in the church. and let me tell you, they are GOLDEN. They want us to come over every Saturday and teach them and we had dinner with them on Saturday and they are just absolutely incredible.  The mom cooked funeral potatoes so I think she is basically a Mormon.

We went on exchanges this week.  My new sister training leader is a lot like Sister Eyre in a lot of ways so I had a lot of fun on Tuesday.  We taught the ****** and found out a lot about their religious background and how we can best help them.  They have religious trust issues.  They found out that they were lied to as children in the ******** church so they are a bit cautious, which I think is a total blessing because they will definitely recognize the truth when they feel it.  I absolutely adore them.  We went back to see them on Thursday, and they were too busy to meet with us, but ****** said that she read the pamphlets we left with her and she wants to read all the ones we have and do all the cross references for the Bible/Book of Mormon.  She is really trying to learn what is true and what isn't.  I'm really excited to go back and teach her this week.

We got six referrals from the *****.  They are an awesome family!

*****, another investigator, read Alma 32 like we challenged and was amazed when she realized that the Bible and the Book of Mormon teach the same things!  She's another one I have a lot of hope for.

I got the package!  Thank you so so so so so so so much. It came one day before it got FREEZING here! also I got Kenface's (McKenna) letter. Tell her she will have one shortly!

And now for Friday.

Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy came to speak at our half-mission conference.  Three other missionaries and I got to sing in the conference.  I was absolutely terrified, because:  1. I was singing in front of over 100 missionaries, President Killpack and his wife, and his counselors; 2. I learned the song two days prior to the conference; 3. I was singing the 2nd soprano part (alone) at 8:00 in the morning, and had to hit a high E. and THEN to top it all off; 4. a general authority was there.  Surprisingly, I think I actually hit all the notes.  Before the conference started Elder Johnson came around and shook hands with all of us.  I thought that was super cool to get to shake hands with someone who is really close with President Monson.  He was telling us about the last time he got a letter asking him to speak in General Conference and he read, "You will be speaking for 12 minutes, following Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf."  His reaction: "Great.  HOW am I going to follow THAT?!"  Hahah.  I liked him.  He was way funny.

After the conference, we all were eating lunch, and one of the APs came up and said, "Sister Chatterton, make sure you stick around for a bit after pictures.  Elder Johnson would like to have a personal interview."  My first thought, "great. what did I do?!" and then in the interview, he was so laid back and kind and I KNEW that he had such a strong conviction of this gospel and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with him.  Out of over 100 missionaries, he picked me to come and talk to him.

I KNOW that this is the one true church on the face of the earth.  I know that it is Jesus Christ's church; the same one that He set up when He walked this earth.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that we can each receive help and comfort from reading it.  Up until two weeks ago, I wasn't sure why I was really serving a mission, but I know now that there are lives that I need to touch because of my testimony.  I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be serving, and for my amazing, incredible parents who have provided me with the means to come out, not just temporal means but spiritual means as well.  I love this church.  I love knowing who I truly am -- a daughter of a King.  I love knowing who I can become.  I love all of you, so so much.  Thank you for your support and care.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!!!

Sister Chatterton