Happy New Year!!!!

Hi family!! I love and miss you all! I hope you had an amazing week and that you were able to start off the new year strong!

This week has been another crazy one, like always. We got sick this week, so we didn't do a lot of missionary work, but I was able to do a lot of studying and pondering. My goal was to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, and I did it! I'd fallen behind, but I managed to finish early! I teased my companion that she got sick because I asked Heavenly Father for more time so I could complete it... So sorry, Sister Golding.

But it was actually really cool because I was able to act on Moroni's invitation and ask Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is not true. I've read it before and I knew it was true, but I hadn't actually knelt and asked yet. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father answers prayers, and I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. I know it's true. I know Jesus Christ came and ministered to the Nephites. I'm so grateful for those prophets who carved the letters into metal and for Heavenly Father for preserving the plates and for Joseph Smith for being so willing and determined to obey His commandments. I love the Book of Mormon! I actually painted my copy! I've never done it before so please don't judge too harshly

My mom gave me a puzzle for Christmas, and that's what I've been working on a lot this week when I haven't been reading my Book of Mormon. It's the picture of Christ called "Prince of Peace." I'm not a big fan of puzzles, so I'm not sure why I'm torturing myself with it. It's one of those puzzles where the pieces are the same shape and the same color and they fit in places where they aren't supposed to fit! When I found Jesus's nose, I yelled "Got your konk!" ..... yeah.

But I've actually realized something cool from this puzzle. The only way I've been able to make any progress with it is if I focus on Christ first. The background is too difficult, so I focus on Him. It's really a unique way to learn that the only way we're going to get through this difficult life is if we focus on Christ. I'm grateful that He guided my mind away from "got your konk" to more spiritual matters and that He taught me this lesson.

Another thing I've learned this week is that "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them." Our Heavenly Father asks us to do things that might be hard - like staying off your phone while sleeps all day - but He will help us as we do as He asks. He won't abandon us. He's there, even when we don't feel Him, and sometimes that means He comes in the form of others or an idea of something else to do. I know that this is true, and I'm grateful for this lesson too! I'm sure I'll have to be taught it again sometime, but I will remember it!

I'm sure there's more that I've learned, but I can't think of anything else at this moment. I accidentally drugged Sister Golding. Apparently, she was really out of it. I offered her some Benadryl, and she took it and it knocked her out all day. When she came out of the room at like 5 o'clock, she asked what in the world I gave her... oops. It was the right dosage, so I guess she really needed the sleep.

Last night, we had a silly string fight. We were saving it for the other sisters, but we were bored, and it was just sitting there, waiting to be used. I started it... :)) 

I've had a lot of time to think this week, and although it was hard at times, I'm grateful for it. I'm excited to get back to work though! Please send prayers for us! and emails. I'd love to hear from you! I could use some family. I miss you all.

<3 Sister Davis