The Book of Mormon Musical in Milwaukee

The Book of Mormon Musical in Milwaukee

For the past 2 weeks, missionaries in the Milwaukee zones have been contacting theater-goers attending The Book of Mormon musical, offering them the real Book of Mormon. They were able to give out a total of 1,861 copies!  The following article about our missionaries was published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on May 28th .

Theater-goers headed into the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts this week don't quite know what to make of the Mormons doling out copies of the Book of Mormon outside "The Book of Mormon."

Some eagerly accept. Others look away and laugh. Some offer a curt "no thank you," and keep on moving.

"A lot of people think we're part of the cast," said Elder Ryan Haueter, 20, of Utah, whose soft, boyish face defies the honorific bestowed on missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They are not, in fact, part of the cast. Haueter and his white-shirted friends are Mormon missionaries who see the uproariously blasphemous Tony Award-winning musical as an opportunity to spark discussions about their faith.

"I think the play is great," said 21-year-old Zac Hadlock of New Mexico, as he handed out books, and cards with the LDS mobile apps, outside the Marcus Center on Wednesday night. "Whether it's accurate or inaccurate, people have questions. And it's a great chance for us to tell them what they want to know about the church and about us."

The touring production of "Book of Mormon," by the folks who brought us "South Park" and "Avenue Q," winds up a two-week engagement at the Marcus Center this weekend.

The missionaries have given out so many books — 1,300 in the first week alone, Hadlock said — that they were offering mostly app cards by Wednesday.

None of the young men owned up to seeing the show. They live a Spartan existence as missionaries — no movies, no concerts, no news media — during what is usually a two-year stint.

Except for the few hours set aside for prayer, study and meals, they are out until 9 most nights, knocking on doors in a quest for converts to Joseph Smith's uniquely American faith.

But they know enough about the show from snippets they've seen or heard, and the questions on the minds of theater-goers — "So, what's up with those 'magic' underwear and 'eternal marriage?'" — to know it's an outrageous, often vulgar sendup of Mormon theology and the angst and struggles of earnest young believers like them.

They don't appear to take offense. Though some theater-goers clearly do on their behalf.

"We hear it every day, so it's nothing new to us," said Haueter. "It's American to make parodies of things. And it's from the creators of 'South Park.' So, what do you expect?"

It was a grrrrrrrreat week

Dear Family!

It was a grrrrreat week! So we went on exchanges this week, that was an interesting time though. Our poor car. Sister Casas stayed in Racine while I went to Kenosha, so she was driving our car. She may or may not have backed into a parked trailer. So now the front and back of our car is banged up. Our poor poor car. Then a bird flew into our grill and died. That was so sad. Thankfully a very kind man took it out for us :) I am such a killer. Anyways moving on. 

Thursday I did a little family history and I found the link I sent you is not our family but! I found the real one! I will send it to you when I get it more solid! Thursday, the miracles just started pouring out! Kind of how I wish our rain would! We are set out to start giving out a Book of Mormon a day like last year. That is weird that I can even say that. We just have been led to all the right places! We gave one out and then had an appointment with Tessa, she was super distracted so we left earlier than anticipated and went out contacting. We couldn't find anyone in that area, so we walked to our car and saw a couple and talked to them. We got in our car, started driving and we saw this man who the sisters used to teach. Last week when we were driving we saw him and wished we would have stopped and talked to him. Earlier in the day we mentioned him and promised we would stop if we ever saw him again. So what does Heavenly Father do? Place us in his path at the perfect time so we would see him. We stopped and we may have chased him down unknowingly to him (missionaries are not creepy). It was meant to be, He was going through a hard time and Heavenly Father wanted someone to be there for him right at that moment. 

Friday we were booked and didn't have time to go tracting, so as we were walking to our appointment we felt prompted to knock one house. So we did, Wendy answered and she just so happened to be house sitting that house. She used to have really nice Mormon neighbors and had a BOM but lost it in her move and she asked if she could have one! Yes! So we have another meeting with her this week. We have also started teaching the members the missionary lessons at 8 if we have no other appointments during that time. It has helped us improve our teaching and teaching in unity. The Spirit has been so strong in those meetings.

Saturday we had lots of miracles again, I can't even write about all of them. We got invited to the Spanish Branch's Young Women's fundraiser. It was so fun and funny. The Branch President is a hoot! I wore one of the dresses you made me that day and another on Sunday. He is super impressed with your skills. He also likes to sew and their whole family is thoroughly impressed with your skill and fashion. They made sure to make sure I tell you. I would have told you anyways, it is rather funny how much they keep bringing up my awesome family. 

Sunday was a miracle day too! We had our typical Sunday dinner with the Brigg's and the grandkids wanted us to stay but we had to go give out another Book of Mormon. We had them say a prayer with us before we left that we would be able to give one away. We gave away 3 that night! I am just in awe how we keep getting placed in people's paths! And I will keep talking about that! 

Yesterday, Memorial Day was a blast. We helped the Briggs make 6 racks of great-grandma's famous ribs. Yes I wrote that right, 6 racks. I am going to have to get you the recipe dad. They might give you a run for your money. We went to a couple more BBQs a FHE and only had 30 minutes of the night left and still no BOM. So we went to contact a referral and the weren't home. We walked up and down the street trying to find someone out. No one. We didn't know what to do. We didn't know if we had time to go find somewhere else. A little sad we walked to our car and we both looked up and this woman who wasn't there before was sitting on her porch! We went and talked to her and were just praying in our hearts. She was receptive and accepted a copy! It was a miracles. I honestly don't know how He does it, but I know he has such and amazing plan for everyone. We are all placed in certain people's paths for a reason. We just have to look up to be guided. 

Basically I have just been loving my week. So good. I also was blessed to finish the Book of Mormon again and to start again. I am studying the Spirit and how it speaks and what we need to do to be open to the promptings. It has been a rich experience so far and I am blessed to see my studies come to life as I act. There is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father has a plan and is in charge. All things show it, it is just up to us to see it! I love this gospel and I love my Savior. And I love sharing it! And I love you!

I love you more than all the meat in the world!

Anne

Another Day, Another Blessing!

Dear Family!

I don't know where this week has gone! I can't believe I talked to you last Sunday! Because we have the whole ward to cover we have lots of area and I feel like we are just in the car all day! I also fell like I am always full here. I take back what I said about being fed pretty well. I feel like we are being stuffed right now. Lots of good food. I gotta start running..blech. 

Tuesday we went to Sam's club and that was fun. I found a cute dress for only $10 and a shirt for $7 I say great deal. My companion got sent a skirt that didn't fit and she gave that to me too. So I did get a few good summer clothes :) 

We do have an investigator that we were finally able to teach the Restoration to. It just kept falling through but we finally got to. You could feel the Spirit very strongly. It's up to her to act. I really enjoy teaching with Sister Casas though. We mesh pretty well with our teaching I think. We both have the same desires and intents which I feel helps so much. We also got to teach Tessa, the woman with a baptismal date. Her problem last time she almost got baptized was the law of chastity. So we hit that early on and taught it this week and I feel it went really well! Which is a big benefit when it comes to teaching that lesson! So that was a nice tender mercy. 

We didn't have as much luck as I would have hoped finding this week. That is why there is a new week this week! It has been a really hot weekend. We were sweating a lot. Super humid. I keep waiting for my Wisconsin rain storms! I am going to be sad if we don't get a rainy season like last year. Sister Casas and I have been playing Phase 10 at lunch and after nightly planning. It has been pretty fun. I think I am still ahead ;) 

The Briggs are just super awesome. We always eat with them Sunday after church. Their son and his family come too. It's always a nice big family dinner. We had true Wisconsin style with brats and sauerkraut grill out. Everything minus the beer. We had a delicious pineapple too. I think I ate half of it. That is what happens when you have Sister Trent cut it! 

Crazy story! Racine prom is crazy! First off I can't believe it's the time of year. We were driving around and you could see all these super dressed up teenagers. First off this were not normal prom dressed it was like Emmy style. Limos and party buses were driving around all day. We went home and found out more. Racine goes all out. The high schools have the dance at their school and then they all go to this big hall by the lake, all of the schools. It is put on by the city. They have this read carpet, people cheering on the side and photos and it is all broadcast on TV! It is crazy! Then there is another dance and games and laser tag and food and everything until 3 in the morning! Then they all go to the dells in the morning which is a huge resort town thing. It's crazy. Outrageous. The cars pull up to the red carpet then men with white gloves open the door and each couples walks down the carpet and that is what is on tv with the interviews. That's why they go all out with the dresses. Weird.

Anyways that was the bulk of my week! I don't know why I can't think of more. I am still adjusting but I am loving it here more and more. I know the Lord put me here for a reason. I am excited to make this coming week a good week and to serve the Lord in this glorious work!

I love you more than I love last years rain!

Anne

Happy Mother's Day!

Dear Family,

It was a crazy week! A long one! I think the longest one in a while. Let me just tell you, it was crazy packing. All my stuff was in West Allis but we lived in Muskego which made it pretty difficult. But I did it! I don't know how my suit cases were so heavy, it's probably all the books. It was unreal. Everything fit just fine it was just crazy heavy. It was fun though. Thankful Racine is in our stake so I didn't have to travel far and worry about riding the mission bus. So some of these you heard yesterday but I am going to tell you again, you might need it as a reminder ;) So we live with a member. They have housed the Sisters for the past 5 years. So very long term. I was kind of nervous to live in a member's home but it is actually the best. You have a home and a family you live with. A dishwasher and a laundry machine. Lots of dishes. Toliet paper. I am living the life. I will send pics as soon as I get organized! My comp is Sister Casas. She has been out 3 months so it is weird being so much "older". Granted she is older than me. She is 23 I believe. She was baptized 3 years ago. She is super awesome. I wish I was that fearless at 3 months. She has had a crazy life, but she has come out on top. 

We have one investigator named Tessa, she has been investigating for the past 10 months. We set a baptismal date with her this week, I hope that goes well. She has potential she just needs to act. I also told you about Tim who thinks the tree of life represents cannabis... That was great. And a first. Racine can have interesting people. It really is a good place though. We are going to spend a lot of time knocking doors this week! That always brings good stories! 

I do have a funny story. One of our investigators has a son (15?) and he came in to shake our hands and introduce himself. He left and came back and asked if he could ask us something. Of course we say yes. He then proceeds to ask, " Why are Mormons so pretty?" It was quite funny and awkward. We get to work with quite a few people from Spanish branch too so I spent a lot of time in Spanish home where I don't know what is going on. 

Great, I feel like I am all out of stories. Besides me killing a cat...I am not looking forward to getting our car fixed from that. We probably won't have it for several weeks. Lots of walking ahead of us. I was super excited to skype you! I can't believe that is the last time. I think that was the hardest part about saying goodbye. It's my last one. It was so good to talk to you though! I was just crying so hard because I am emotional, not that anything is up. It was just the timing of it being right next to transfers, its an emotional time. 

It is great being a missionary, again thank you so much for all you have done to get me out here. I couldn't have done it without you! I really love this work and love where it is taking my life. A whole different direction than anything I could have done on my own! I never would trade it! I am sorry this letter is short. My brain is short. I can't think of anything else that happened that is notable. I just love you a ton!

I love you more than I love technology!

Anne

I'm going on an adventure

Dear Family!

Wow! This week has been crazy! As you are aware I got a surprise transfer. I was going to stay in West Allis longer but we have a shortage of sisters in our mission and it got surprised shut down for a while. They should have more sisters to cover it in the summer but we will have another dip in the fall. Anyways it was a shock. The hard part was telling everyone that there wouldn't be sisters. Sister Caramia just left 3 weeks ago so everyone was trying to adjust. I think it about broke Tina's heart to hear that. That was the hardest part. I was able to tell her just fine but as soon as I started talking about the people who were going to come visit I just started bawling. It was hard, really hard. I feel like crying just talking about it. We will be having our last supper with her on Tuesday night. Needless to say, I will need some tissues. I have been fine leaving all my other areas, I think it is because it was so unexpected and shocking. I could feel all the other ones. It was hard telling Fred too. He is a returning member and the sisters have just helped him so much. I sure hope the Elders here take good care. We both had full loads of people we were working with and they ride buses. I made a lot of good friends in this ward. I have loved my time in West Allis.

It didn't help that is was fast and testimony meeting. I decided to just not get up. Then, you know the burning started and I had to go up. I barely made it through, but I did it. Actually your words mom rung through my head. Right before we moved from Fox Hollow you said, "Anne, you better bear your testimony, this is your last time here. You'll regret it if you don't!" So I did it here. Granted I did not do it in Fox Hollow and honestly don't regret it :) but maybe you said those words for now ;) We closed with "I am a child of God" I may have cried then too. After people noticed I was crying and came up and asked if I was leaving and I had to explain and cry harder. I have made it clear to this point without crying in church. No shame! Sister Stewart too, I am going to miss her. She is the sister's best friend. I love her. She was like our 4th companion (3rd is the spirit) So many people. I hope you know I am dragging you back here for a road trip next summer. It is also pretty hard to pack considering I don't actually live at the apartment my stuff is at. I have never had this difficulty.

However I do know that the Lord has a plan for me and for the people I am leaving here and the people I am going to. I will work hard to fulfill my purpose in my new area. By the way did I tell you where I am going? I am going to Racine. My mission appears it will stay on the south side of Wisconsin! Which is good because in June I can go to the temple again! I am super happy for that! We can go only every 6 months and if we live within 2 hours driving distance. Racine is pretty close to the border.

I have a funny story for you mom. So Sister Green has been in shock with your sweet sewing skills. She saw my bag matching my pjs and freaked out. Then my gray dress. So the other day I came out in the orange and white polka dot button up dress. She sarcastically said, "I bet your mom made that too, right?" Thinking she got me this time. She admires you a lot mom.

I can't believe it is May. I also can't believe I had to remind you we are skyping Sunday. I hope you two get that worked out with how busy you are. I am in shock with how fast time is going. It is precious. I really love being a missionary. It is hard especially at times like this when you have to leave those you love, but I know I am needed else where. This is such an exciting work to carry forth His gospel. Nothing I would rather do at this time. I love this work and I love this gospel! I love you all so much and I get to talk to you soon! Get some questions ready for me if you want to know anything. I go pretty blank minded!

I love you more than I love technology! Talk to you soon!

Anne

The Sun Will Come Out!

Dear Family!

After a very cold cold week, it finally warmed up yesterday! I love the sun! Sunday after church I just sat on our porch basking in the sun and napping and eating. Mmm, so good! And it is warmer today. I am going to have to re-adjust to not wearing tights however. 

This week went by so extremely fast, I don't even know where the days would go. We would start it and then it would be done! I don't know how missionaries function out west. Doing 2 wards is exhausting let alone 3 stakes. I can't believe May is next week! Ahh! Anyways enough about time, I'm getting old.

So we finally had the break through with Barbara! We figured out her problem with baptism. She had an absolutely scarring experience when she was baptized into a different church then a member may have put false ideas into her head about what our baptisms are like. So she feels a lot better about it! Thank goodness. She has still been pretty sick. We decided that when she comes to church we will show her the font and room and we will set a date with her there. So pray that all works out. So she is doing pretty good! 

I just have been feeling my testimony strengthened so much this weekend! God puts us at the right place at the right time. He is definitely there for each of His children. I love being a missionary and being aware of that. He puts us in the paths of people that need Him. That is how great His love is! We learned even more about that at Stake Conference this weekend. It was so good. I love stake conferences! Especially Saturday night sessions. It's just a hidden treasure! The whole weekend was just a spiritual power house. Elder Ward, our area authority came. He is an amazing man! It is incredible how he can just get up there and go. He doesn't have a talk prepared he just says what needs to be heard. he gave some powerful talks.Saturday he talked about the proximity principle, how we are all placed in our own "field", the Lord places us in specific places for specific people. We are meant to be in their lives! That was cool. He had all of us missionaries stand up and quote D&C 4 from memory. That was cool and nerve racking. I was worried he was just going to call one missionary out and we made way too much eye contact to make me feel comfortable, thankful our mission president suggested all of us! Whew! A huge focus was councils. Family, ward, stake, couple, just every type of council. Then the stake president tied all the counsel of councils to how we need to apply it to our prayers. That is so neat, that we can council with Heavenly Father about our lives. I am just in awe with how aware He is and will help us. It is neat to sit down and ponder what His answers are, you realize He answers more than you can think! 

Cool story! I met Brad and Amber Simmons also at Stake Conference! They are in the North Stake but we had a meeting during their time. Brad is Camille's bro-in-law. Gregg's brother. They just moved out to Waukesha. Small world!

Well it sounds like you have had a fun week with the boys and now with Lindsey! I love you all so much! I am so happy out here! Prayer! It keeps me happy, I am learning how to access the atonement so much more. We can always live joyfully, even with the hard times. I know I probably won't always feel this way, I have got to grow somehow but I love this feeling. This is truly the Lord's work, it's his rescue! It will all work out because He is in charge! I am just so happy, I love it!

I love you more than I love this warm sun!

Anne

Feeling Good!

Dear Famille
\
Life is just good. The gospel is just good. I love it! I do have a bitter sweet relationship with food though. We fasted twice and over indulged twice in four days. Monday, I think I was the most full in my life. We spent the day saying goodbye to people for Sister Caramia. We ate at 2, 4, 6 and 8. I couldn't fall asleep I was so full! But it was good! Tuesday I realized I needed to pack too. So I packed one suitcase to take with me and let me just say, it made me want to get rid of everything because I have been living just fine with that one! We go back to my apartment every couple of days, so you can still send stuff to that one. We went and dropped off the temple square sisters at President Cutler's house and Sister Green and I were sent off home together. It is strange to be in two areas because I feel like I have left and then we just go out.

Sister Green and I are doing really well together. It is kind of difficult to have non-english speaking companions so we are having a very good fresh start together! We both have the same desires to be obedient and just to find and teach. So we are very united which makes a huge difference! It just feels like a perfect fresh start, it feels so good.

Tina is doing fantastic. It was sad for Sister Caramia to say goodbye to her. Tina shared with us what she wrote in her journal about her baptism and confirmation. It was so beautiful! One of the best moments of my mission. This gospel is so real. I cannot deny the Spirit I feel and the miracles I have seen. It is the sweetest of experiences. I brought Sister Green to meet Tina and we taught her the Restoration again. Church this week I think she felt a little stress about being new and not knowing everything, but we pointed her to the Book of Mormon and she felt a lot better.

We got to go to church from 8:30-4:30 yesterday! That was exciting! 2 wards and being in President's ward. His daughter just came home from her mission last week and it was her homecoming talk this week, that was neat. It was crazy to see President Cutler with his family. It is a really good ward! For me church just flew by! And after we got an awesome rain storm! Hours of rain! That is how it is done! I love when Wisconsin does that!

I haven't got to teach in ASL this week sadly but there is a deaf member in our ward so I got to talk to her. It was intimidating signing again to someone who actually signs. We worked really hard to find new people to teach this week. Lots and lots of doors, sometimes it is hard. Which just makes it better sometimes. I learned a lot about grace this week. That enabling power of the atonement. I really just feel a fullness of joy. When times get hard, I always know I can turn heavenward and I just feel buoyed up. I am just so happy, I love being a missionary!  We are working hard and one of the best feelings is when you go home at the end of the day and you know you have done all you can. You are so tired and just sleep like a baby and then it is time for round two! I just want to do this all my life. I love it.

It sounds like you are having a great week with the kids! They look like they are in heaven. Boy heaven. Lindsey and Abe need to go on a cruise again so I can watch the kids. I hope you continue to have fun!

I love you more than all the rabbits in Wisconsin (there are a lot btw)..the whole world...(even more)
Anne

A Wonderful Morning

Dear Family,

It was just a beautiful week. I won't keep you waiting! Tina is officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!! She is baptized! Wow! It was a beautiful day! All week it has been rainy, which I absolutely love and adore, stormy, hailing, you name it. Apparently there were tornadoes down south. In the apartment we are in I am okay with that now, we have a cement basement so if needed we can hide! Anyways, Saturday morning the clouds parted and we just had a wonderful sunny day. I told Tina it was Heavenly Father smiling down on her :) 

She was beautiful! 

We had a really good turn out too! over 40 people came! Tina was so happy! She was talking and laughing and smiling! You could tell she was super nervous though but more excited. One of her biggest concerns was that she would disappoint people with her reaction because never really acts to happy but her happiness was contagious! 

​Sister Askerland is the one who found Tina with Sister Wu and then Sister Caramia and I have been teaching her. 

It was so good! She said she just felt so warm inside and that while she was being baptized it felt like she was in a different world. She was beaming afterwards!

​After! This is with her housemate Robbie! The Sisters actually contacted her but she dogged them! See her beautifully marked Book of Mormon?! It's awesome! Members gave her the pictures! Robbie insisted we hold everything up for the photo! So cute! She loved the scriptures you gave her! She brought them to church and started marking them! While we were waiting for her and Ted to get changed (he got baptized too! double baptism!) We gave each of the members note card to write a testimony and favorite scripture for each of them. Our plan was to make a little book and give it to them but after the baptism everyone came up and gave them the note cards and introduced themselves. It worked even better that way! It made Tina a little emotional! They could just feel the love! Then she said she couldn't wait to get the Holy Ghost! Sunday she was confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost and she just came of the stand beaming! She said she felt hot! Not just a warmth! So happy! So this is Tina! The newest member of the West Allis ward!

Everyone was super sad when they realized Sister Caramia was leaving this week. So we are having a crazy week saying goodbye. We are having a goodbye dinner with Tina tonight. She is sad she is leaving. Sister Caramia is sad. It is strange having this be the middle of the transfer. We got a very good phone call saying we only have to take over two areas and not three after all! So yay! Just West Allis and Muskego Lakes. Muskego Lakes has deaf members so I will be able to do more ASL! That will be exciting! 

More exciting news! I finished my first journal! I have never finished one before! It only took me a year! I thought you would be happy mom! That means I do write in it :)

We had a wonderful missionary fireside last night! I was so nervous but it turned out so well! We talked about non threatening ways to do missionary work and discussed ideas for family mission plans. I just love this ward. I am very happy here! I just really love this work! There is no where I would rather be! The happiness and joy that fills my soul is wonderful! It is all because of Him. On hard days I always have hope in His plan, as Ether says it is in an anchor for my soul. The Savior atoned for us so we don't have to be alone in this world and so we can make it back home! I love it! I love seeing Tina make those steps! She is now on the path! The gate is unlocked!

I love you more than all the rain this week!

Anne

I love Conference!

Dear Family,

This was a great crazy week! We had a lot of planning we had to do! So last transfer there were 6 missionaries in our ward (3 companionships) and 3 of those missionaries were going home so one of the Elder's areas got closed and now we are down to 4 missionaries. Which I might add is the least I have ever served with, crazy! But those 3 Elders thought it would be great to hold a fireside, and they decided it should be held after they left. We tried and tried to meet with them to plan, but Elders :) So we ended up planning that whole thing for the 12th and then Tina's baptism for the 11th. Which it will actually be a double baptism because the Elders are baptizing someone as well. So a lot of planning and calling and asking! I guess I am just preparing for future callings. Props to mom and dad for doing this for years! I bet you are just pros by now! So that was fun, it actually relieved a lot of stress just getting it taken care of and not putting it off until the last minute. 

We finally got to see Barbara this week! We just ended up stopping by because sometime the whole appointment thing doesn't work. She is just having some fears of what the actual baptism will be like so we invited her to Tina's and hopefully it helps calm her fears! We will keep praying about her! But Tina is doing amazing! We watched both Saturday sessions with her at her house because she has BYUTV! Awesome! Hopefully she will stumble on that channel more often! She is just doing so well. It is amazing to just see her testimony grow and grow! I think she is ready for Saturday! I am so excited for her! She knows that this isn't the end, but the beginning of her journey back home. I just love seeing this gospel change people! I would do this forever! I will in my own way when I get back home. Watching conference was so great! It just instilled in me a greater desire to follow our Savior. I loved Elder Bednar's talk about Godly Fear. I can't remember if it was his or someone elses who talked about obeying the commandment's out of a love for God. I think that was Uchtdorf, so good! So many good things. I just downloaded all of conference to listen to at home. 

One of the returning less actives had his mom break her hip this week. I was concerned this would shake his testimony pretty hard, but I think it is doing the opposite. He asked if his mom could get a blessing and he just loved it and held dear to it. He has been sitting in the hospital reading talks and scriptures to his mom too! And just receiving amazing spiritual strength! We just keep seeing the gospel in action everywhere! 

This week will be crazy with everything going on, but it's hard to believe next week will be crazier. Sister Caramia will be leaving on the 15th and then the crazy hits. Our mission president doesn't want to close any sister's areas because more sisters will be coming and he would just have to reopen them. So just how everything is happening and with the temple square missionaries we will be short a few sisters. So me and another missionary will have to take over 3 areas for 3 weeks! Ah! It's crazy! So wish me good luck for next week! I will still be in the West Allis area but we will be covering Muskego Lakes and Oak Creek as well. After 3 weeks I will just be back to West Allis. It is weird knowing what is going to happen before it does, I am positive I will be here until at least the end of June so that is nice! 

I hope you had a happy easter! For us it was good! A nonmember family invited us over for dinner! We have tried teaching them but they wouldn't listen. But, they love the missionaries and feed us occasionally. It was so kind of them! We watched Sunday conference at the church and I just loved it. I loved all of it, I was sad we didn't get to hear the prophet as much so I can't wait to listen to priesthood session.

I am sorry my letter is all over the place, I hope it makes sense. I am just a little tired and all over the place. But I still love you! I am grateful we got to see conference all at the same time! That is cool! All your kids watching at the same time! I enjoyed every minute and I cherish the words said! I am so grateful for this beautiful Easter weekend to remember what the Savior has done for each of us and how we can have His help everyday! 

I love you more than all the Easter feasts!

Anne

I Believe in Miracles!

Dear Family!

Sorry about that! This week was awesome! So Tina is just on fire! I have been so worried making sure she is ready so we have made sure to teach everything! I have never done this before, it's wonderful! 

We had interviews with our mission President this week and he asked what my Preach My Gospel Studies are. I replied it's just been for Tina and Barbara because I have never been able to teach some of these lessons and don't know what I am doing! But it is so good! So we met with her this week three times :) 

We started on Tuesday with the Law of Chastity. We were really straightforward about the whole thing, because there is no other way to do it. After she just had this face that seemed to say, "Why in the world are you talking about this right now? Why would you talk about this?" So we felt a little awkward. 

We came back two days later and talked about temples with Sister Cutler and Tina told us after we left Tuesday she just started laughing about these two 20 year olds talking to a 50 year old about chastity. She remembered teaching her kids and just laughed. She thought it was sweet. But our lesson about the temple was really good! I think she likes that whole idea of being sealed. 

Sister Cutler also left her with the For Strength of Youth because if we live those things we can go in the temple. We saw her again on Saturday with our Relief Society President and went over the baptismal interview questions and she then asked us to teach her about tithing and fasting! We were shocked but realized she read the For Strength of Youth! So we ended up teaching her that on the spot too and she accepted it no problem! It was great! She officially is ready to be baptized. She knows everything and has a testimony! 

We asked if she remembered what visiting teaching was as well and responded with, "It's when two sisters will come into my home and teach me the gospel and then me and and another sister will go into other sisters home and do the same." AHHH! She is ready to do visiting teaching too! Ahh!! I was so excited! So was the Relief Society President! Oh boy! It's music to the ears! 

Also her prayer when we closed was absolutely beautiful! She is so excited to be clean, to have the Spirit and to be a part of this church. She loves the Book of Mormon. She was talking about the Bible and how it is so good but things got lost. And that is why she loves the Book of Mormon because it is 100% true! She has such a strong testimony I feel of everything! Book of Mormon, prophets and baptism! And she quit coffee officially! And she is defending the church! And defending her baptism. I could go on forever about Tina. I just love her and I love how much Heavenly Father loves her. 

She is incredible. I also should mention she finally stayed for all three hours! And she made comments in Sunday School. She is also making friends with the member and even had a member ask if he could baptize her! It warms my heart!

Barbara has been sick this week so there will be more to come. We may have to push back her baptism a little bit, but that will be ok. We have had an awesome crazy week! I got to see Sister Morales before she left. We snuck into transfer point during our lunch hour and saw her. I also got to say goodbye to Sister Homan before she left and say hi to Sister Goldwater my MTC comp. She is training a new missionary now! It is so exciting! I don't know what else to talk about Tina is just a rockstar and has taken up a lot of my thinking space!

It's been cold but now it is warming up! I can't wait for rainy season! It is about to start! It is just a beautiful time of year! It is a beautiful time to be a missionary! I love this work! I don't think I could be happier. This is definitely where I am meant to be! I love it! I love all of you! Thank you for all the support! Easter is this Sunday. 

I am assuming all y'all with Facebook and internet use know all about the He lives video, if not watch it! It's beautiful! I am so grateful for this time of the year to have an extra reminder of the resurrection of our Savior. He is everything! Have a Happy Easter! This is my first second! My second easter away from home! Crazy! I just love my mission and the path it has put me on to my Savior, I cherish this time!

I love you more than I love all the Easter candy in the world!

Anne