Rochester 3rd Ward, MN

Hello Oregon snow! What a strange thing you see you all surrounded by white. It looks almost like here! Ha ha.

With my new companion, Sister H.

I love Sister H! She is my new companion and we talk about EVERYTHING together- it's so nice! Even though the Rochester 3rd ward isn't quite what I'm used to- there are wonderful people here and I can't wait to serve them all. Before transfers, I had been praying for a companion and an area that would push me and be the place where I am most needed. Let me just say- Heavenly Father REALLY answers prayers! I have been working so hard here and I've never been more exhausted in my life! The teaching pool here is not very good. This is a very old area and the ward and the people seem pretty worn out :/ It's really too bad. LUCKILY hard work and faith prevail!! 

We did bring a man named S.N., from Liberia, to church on Sunday. Apparently this area hasn't had someone to church for a whole transfer! That is unheard of! We will make miracles happen :) We aren't sure if S.N. fully understood everything at church  because of language barriers, but we are confident that he feels the spirit there. He recently reached out to the sisters again to learn more. Last we met with him, he told us he knows he needs to be baptized but is not ready quite yet. Our ward mission leader has invited him to have dinner at their house along with us to have a lesson. We are so excited to see Brother N. progress!

The brightest of all the many miracles we've experienced this week is being able to see a less active member named Sister S. The sisters here had been trying to talk to her for weeks and we were finally able to see her. She said she wants to relearn everything and start over. After Sister H. delivered a powerful account of Joseph Smith's First Vision, the room was silent and all Sister S. could say was 'Wow.' She thanked us for never giving up on her and coming to see her. She'll be coming to church next Sunday and we'll see her again Tuesday! We also met a sweet 16 year old girl who is so set on being baptized! Her name is T. and she loves how much her life has changed ever since her friends introduced her to the church! She will be baptized very soon :) Count on it.

My ward is also a Spanish ward! You can't tell- but the Elders sit in front and translate the whole meeting into speakers. Sometimes a Spanish-speaking member gives a talk in Spanish and someone has to translate it. It can be a little distracting. The people here are so nice, but it's clear they aren't very missionary minded- YET! Hahaha. They will get there.

I love everyone so much!!

Hurrah for Israel!

LOVE

Sister Dread Pirate Roberts