Week #8 HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hi guys!

Today has been a very lovely birthday. I feel so loved! Shout out to Bro-in-law Ben for the beautiful rendition of Wonderwall. I loled for a very long time. Thanks for all the gifts and for the Subway gift card (@bowen I see you). You all made me feel so special on my birthday and ya'll are way far away from me! Sister Asay and I went to the Hopewell Mounds Museum today! It was way cool and it was a beautiful day to walk around outside in nature. The mounds were cool.  There is some pretty amazing history in Ohio. I also baked cupcakes from the cake mix mom sent me. HI MOM!! THANKS MOM!! We found these mysterious Australian cupcake foils in our house, (no one knows how long they have been here). They included matching Aussie flags to go with them so we put them on the cupcakes. Which was perfect because I was missing 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer) and real world music today and then I saw these Aussie 5SOS tin foils and I immediately felt better, so BLESSINGS STRAIGHT UP. (:

This week was pretty uneventful. It was a busy one.  Busy is good. We had a lot of meetings that were out of town this week, so we were driving a lot! I went back to OSU for  a four week follow up training! It was lots of fun, and I got to go out and proselyte on OSU campus with my old MTC companion. I have missed her!  (': It was so tender. (': I was pretty proud of myself, four weeks ago I would have been TERRIFIED of walking up to people and sharing the Gospel, but I think I did a pretty good job at OSU. I’m getting a hang of this missionary work stuff.  I'm still an awkward human being but that's okay cause that's how God made me.  I was able to smile and laugh with the students we introduced ourselves to and spoke with.  Hahahaha! President Daines taught all of us as new missionaries about dedicating ourselves to the Lord.  He taught from a really cool talk called "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary." It was about leaving all worldly things and emotions on the "altar." It was a big slap in the face. One of the things the talk is about is negative emotions. You can't be a good missionary with negative emotions, and that's hard for me because I'm literally Squidward from SpongeBob at times, so I'm learning to become more positive in my thoughts.  I think watching the Womens Broadcast and hearing Sister Burton's talk about being a "Certain Woman" really helped.  I think her talk was just for me. “Certain Women” are not grumpy trolls living under bridges!! They are happy and positive and they let their light shine, so that is what I'm trying to do this week, be a “Certain Woman” and be positive and shine. It can be hard to do at times when people slam doors in your face or don’t yield when you are on your bike. Hahaha!

Stephen is still doing “swimmingly” (see what I did there?). He loves the gospel and is still PUMPED for baptism. He continues to study and grow and despite his family’s negativity he is stalwart. He can't wait for next week!!  Remember to give him a shout out in your prayers because he is really awesome! I am learning so much from him.  His testimony is growing day by day.

Thanks for all the love and birthday wishes. Today has been perfect! Love you all and I’m grateful for your support.

"Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep growing. Keep believing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

--Sister Hannah Thomas