I STAND ALL AMAZED!

Mother, Father, Jordan, Cristy, Adri, Tyler and Tucker!

My goodness it sounds like you all had a blast at Lake Powell. Thank you for the pictures Dad. It’s good to see tons of smiles, excitement, joy and fun! Family time is just precious! Glad to hear that all went well and almost everything made it back home safe and sound. The recovery may take some time.

The week at Lake Powell may have flown by but here it feels like it was a month ago that I last wrote to you. It has seemed this way a lot lately and I LOVE it! The mission just never ends and it is so great!

Tuesday we went on exchanges with two outstanding sisters. Sister Johnson and I worked in an area called Merrilltown (just north of Austin Ward). What a fantastic ward. A lady named Brenda invited us in who said, "Before my Mormon friend passed away, she always taught me to let the missionaries in when they come. That was five years ago and I haven't seen any….you are the first!" We also had dinner with their WML who is just outstanding. It was incredible to hear everything he thinks about and acts on to magnify his calling. It inspired me to strive a little harder, to think a little more about how I can more fully fulfill my calling.

Sister Johnson and I saw many examples throughout the day of those prepared and those who are not quite prepared. It was interesting to see that if we had gotten caught up in a conversation with this one particular gentlemen who wasn't quite ready, we would have missed another gentlemen who was fully ready to accept the invitation to be baptized!

There are so many individuals who are on the path to entering the kingdom of God! Let me share with you briefly about them...

Jim: The 80yr old civil engineer Jim) came again to family night! He is so kind he brought the Krispy Kreme's for the treat afterwards. He was also able to come to church again yesterday. It is wonderful because our ward is quite slim on High Priest at the moment. He will be so helpful in building and serving there.

Latecha: came to church on Sunday! She wasn’t going to stay for RS because she felt sick, but she stayed and received  answers to all of the questions she has had lately!

Gianes Family: brought food for the ward activity, cleaned the church and want to provide us with dinner this week. And this is all BEFORE they have promised to serve him and build His kingdom. They are already doing so!

Mitchell: His wife is the only member in their family. He is currently fighting cancer and understanding that he must truly change to become like our Savior.

Jessie: His wife joined the church in December and he has never sat in on a lesson with her. BUT just this past week he listened! When we showed him the picture of the First Vision he said, "God is giving me direction." We asked, "What is He asking you to do at this time Jessie?" Jessie answered, "Find out more about Him by reading His word, praying to Him, and going to church." Jessie will soon be another great help in the Austin Ward Elders Quorum! They need his sweet and tender heart.

Linda: She is the daughter in law of a member. She has five kids right now and is expecting another soon. A quick learner. She understands what choices need to be made to come closer to God and the she immediately changes.

Connie: She is living with a member in the ward and has two little girls. Her daughter has come to primary the past two weeks and LOVES it! Connie will be getting baptized soon!

Janice Family: A member of the ward met them at Walgreens and invited them to "the church on the corner of Oltorf and Parker." They showed up to church yesterday and LOVED the classes. We read a Book of Mormon scripture and the wife asks, "Where did she read that? Can I get one of those?"

Rolle: A friend told Rolle to go check out the church and ask for the missionaries. He came on Sunday! We met with him that evening and he will be getting baptized soon as well!

Brandon and Paisley: Paisley grew up in the church but was never baptized. She saw us on the street once and called out to us. She invited us to come back another evening. As we shared with Brandon about the line of priesthood authority he understood that his baptism a month ago in another church was not valid, that he needed to change his ways and become more like God, and follow the feelings in his heart of what is best for him and his family. He is INCREDIBLE. You can see that he knows and understands.

Gail: He was with a non-profit organization that came to our Pioneer Day activity. Immediately when I said Hi to him we began talking about family history. He has been to Salt Lake. He has gotten stuck with his family history and had been looking for a center and website here to help out.

These are the individuals who are all around us! I just look at everyone (the cash register, the girl opening the door, the man at the gas pump, the apartment manager and on and on) and think they are children of God. The Lord is preparing them, restoring to their minds the knowledge of our Savior. I MUST do my part to bring them in…..and not just now, but next year, and the year after, and when I am 50 and when I am 80 and for the eternities.

I may have already share this with you, but the other day President Slaughter mentioned this..."Many missionaries say, 'When I get home I will do this...When I go back to real life……..' This IS real life…..serving God with all your might, mind and strength, today and always." I have been able to see a glimpse of this here in the Austin Ward. The ward has many temporal needs right and left. The members here serve until they collapse in their beds at night. I am extremely grateful for this. It is the time to build His kingdom with even greater desire and devotion than ever before. I thank each one of you for teaching me this principle throughout life. I am now just seeing bits and pieces of how you exemplified this attribute. Thank you!

I know that these miracles have occurred because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for His strength, His power and His miracles that we have the great opportunity not only witness but to be a part of. The work of salvation is the greatest work we can do on this earth. All other things….. are wonderful things......BUT the work of the salvation is the GREATEST work we can do here on this earth.

Have a wonderful last few weeks of summer! We are lucky here in Texas we have a few more MONTHS of Summer! ;)

I love each one of you so much. Thank you again!   LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!  Sister Davis

Wish You Were Here!

I Love You So Much! The graffiti in Austin is everywhere!

A visit to the Capital!

I found my "goofy" face!

Again!

Our Zone!

The TSAM missionaries are the best!

"I WILL MAKE AN INSTRTUMENT OF THEE IN MY HANDS UNTO THE SALVATION OF MANY SOULS" Alma 17:11

Family! How is the Lake? I am guessing you are all just having the time of your life! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! And let me interrupt by sharing with you some thoughts!

God is preparing people right and left all around us to receive the gospel!

Jim is an outstanding individual! We met him just before we went to dinner one evening. He is about 80 yrs. old and was a civil engineer for a ton of the buildings and bridges here in Austin. He said it is so fascinating to look around at the city and see sky-scrapers you helped construct years ago that are still standing today. He has attended family night a couple weeks in a row, but won’t allow us to meet with him at his home. This past Saturday we left him a message reminding him about church. Just as we pulled in a parking spot we look out our side window and there is Jim getting out of his car, dressed in a nice black suit, white shirt and tie. The ward is incredible here. They introduced themselves to him and offered to have him sit with them, even though we didn't ask them.

Leticha is a mother of two boys who is working as a medical assistant here in Austin. She was homeless about a year ago, and says it was the hardest thing she has been through in her life. She is currently working three jobs to provide for her family and a lot of her motivation comes from her fear of being homeless again. She has an incredible desire to come closer to God, to have her questions answered, and to raise her boys to be great fathers. Last night we learned about the Sabbath Day. She mentioned she misses Sundays, but whenever she has an opportunity to work, she automatically accepts it so she can have the money to provide for her kids. It was a great reminder of how automatic the natural man is to instantly choose the world, when in reality God has all power, all wisdom and all knowledge.

Sister Smith was able to come and help out in the Austin ward this past Friday and Saturday! She is an outstanding missionary from Utah and reminds me a lot of myself sometimes. She has such a desire to learn, grow, progress and grasp a hold of the gospel. We helped the Gianes family clear out a room for their new baby coming into their family!

We had dinner with a family in the ward who are absolutely outstanding! Just a couple of years ago they were a "DNC". However, now they are currently serving in the Relief Society and in the Elder's Quorum. They have five kids and because they were less-active for quite some time none of them were baptized until just last year. One of their daughters is currently the Laurel president. The youngest daughter is 9 and knows all that is going on in the ward, helps her mother with relief society activities and is sharing the gospel with her family and friends like crazy. (even to the point where the parents are a bit overwhelmed because the friends now all want to come to church with her.)

"I say unto you, have miracles ceased, NAY!" Just about every member of the Austin ward are converts to the church! Individuals who did not even know about the church just a few years ago are now leading and directing it and bringing more to the knowledge of the truth.

It is outstanding to see that the Lord's house of Israel is really out there in the world, but we must have the faith to really believe that they are there and that we can find them. We are blinded at times and can't quite see this. I mentioned last week how I drive down the streets and get overwhelmed because of the thousands of people that live within the ground we are to cover. Often times I think I must cover all the ground and knock on every door and talk to every member in order to search and find those who are prepared. However you can clearly see where my faith was placed...in myself. I am gradually learning that it is not my strength and strides that make the difference. If my faith is in God, then HE will guide, HE will lead us to those who are prepared. This is HIS work. We are not preparing HIS children. HE is preparing HIS children.

Be safe at Lake Powell and arrive home safely! Love always, Sister Davis

Downtown Austin graffiti!

Who wears a scarf in the Texas heat? that would be me!

The Gianes Family!

The Montoyas!

TSAM Missionaries!

"...ALL MANKIND WERE IN A LOST AND FALLEN STATE, AND EVER WOULD BE SAVE THEY SHOULD RELY ON THIS REDEEMER..."

DEARIST FAMILY!

I have so much love for each one of you. It was such a long and powerful week it feels like I last wrote about a month ago.

David and Allison and the FAM! They have four kids who are all outstanding. They have been reading the Book of Mormon and praying and participating in lessons. They are so excited to learn about God and all that he has blessed them with. We see so many children out on the streets all day and I just want to grab them all together and teach them. I imagine Christ with all the children teaching them one by one. They are so eager to learn, to feel the spirit, to be happy. Become as a little child!

I have truly felt the spirit guide this week. When a smidgen of anger creeps in or a bit of criticism, you can feel it immediately leave. How devastating that feeling is for just a second. The moments when the Spirit guides us are so powerful. We went to go see a recent convert named Ed on Tues evening. We knocked on the door and another gentleman answered. He had never heard of Ed before. We walked away wondering if we had the address wrong or something. Then, Sister Hansen looks up across the road to see Ed and shouts, "Ed!!" Heavenly Father did not want us to miss seeing Ed. Expect nothing less from Him. He will guide us. And again that evening, we pulled up to a home of a family we have been trying to see, but not been able to. Just as we got out of the car, here comes the family pulling up in the driveway. WOW I can’t even count how many times this happens. And the wonderful thing is, I know this is not just because I am wearing His name on my heart, but it is because He gives each one of us strength and ability to accomplish His work when we do as He asks.

Sister Bills (a new missionary) was able to come see the wonderful Austin ward! She is on fire. WOW! She is from Utah and has already hit the ground running. She has an outstanding memory and knowledge of all that surrounds her. She wants to progress, move forward and never stop learning. She taught me of the great power of silence when teaching,and allowing the spirit to testify and allowing the individuals to understand.

We attended the baptism of an individual one morning. She is the tutor of a little young girl who is a member of the church. I can't say it enough…… There are people all around us who are being prepared and are prepared. We drive down the streets of Austin here and I get a little scared looking at apartment building after apartment building...house after house...neighborhood after neighborhood. There are so many people that need to know about the restored gospel...how are we supposed to teach them all one by one...love and care for them one by one? It makes me just a bit anxious. "I know that I am nothing, as to my strength I am weak...for in HIS strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:12)

Maria: She is doing alright. She has many medications and trying to read so many different books and do different techniques to help with all that is occurring right now. How many different ways can we convey...the Gospel of Jesus Christ is here for YOU! Any time anyone mentions any struggle, whether it be an investigator, a missionary, a cashier, a friend...I listen and then I immediately reach for the Book of Mormon in my bag. IT IS HERE! WE HAVE THE GREATEST GIFT ON EARTH! TO HELP YOU! Now if only it could be known to whole world faster!

I love each one of you. I am so grateful every day for a family who leads me and guides me. I was sharing with Sister Hansen this morning how I always want to be close to someone who is more knowledgeable, more faithful, and more diligent than I am for the rest of my life. I believe Heavenly Father has already blessed me with many who are...each one of you. How grateful I am that it is not just going to be for this life, but for eternity.

Thank you for each one of your examples! Have a wonderful week at Powell! Jump a few wakes and flip a few tubes for me! Love you all so very much!  Always,  Sister Davis

Celebrating the 4th! City of Austin in the background....that's where we work!

We are fortunate enough to be able to go for morning walks along this bridge!

Sister Davis are together again...sort of.... we're in the same district! 

the flag of the great state of Texas!

"COME YE CHILDREN OF THE LORD!"

FAMILY!

The summer fun never ends for each of you! How fun to hear that you all arrived home safely from Yosemite and enjoyed a wonderful July 4th. What a time to celebrate the freedom we have in this country! Oh how grateful I am for freedom of religion! Because of this, the gospel has now been restored to the earth! What a glorious time and place to rejoice and shout this to the whole world.

Elder L. Tom Perry recently said, (referring to the hastening of the work), "This is the most remarkable era in the history of the Church. This is something that ranks with the great events that have happened in past history, like the First Vision, like the gift of the Book of Mormon, like the Restoration of the gospel."

So, Austin is the place to be...let me tell you!

Maria is doing fantastic. Did I tell you how she was found? A "bug boy" (door to door exterminator salesman) knocked on her door! I find this more common than rare. Those that are prepared and ready to hear the gospel are those that we happen to talk and speak with only once. But we were walking in faith as the Lord has commanded. We were ready and prepared to give an answer to any question asked of us.

There is a great power in the youth! They are VITAL in the work of salvation. Esmerelda is a new young woman who just moved into our ward from American Samoa. We took her with us to a few lessons the other day. WOW! Her testimony is a power house. She is 17 and wants to serve a mission when the time comes. I would say she’s already a missionary though. She knows the lessons like the back of her hand and connects everything to the restoration! She loves her Savior, Jesus Christ.

We also had the opportunity to take another young woman out with us, Jessica. Once again, PHENOMENAL! She shared with Will (a new investigator!) her experience with the church and all the many ways it has blessed her family. As we drove from place to place with her in the car she shared with us some special experiences. All I could think of was the hymn, ‘Because I Have Been Given Much’ ...and my eyes teared up some more.

This past week we traveled down to San Antonio for a meeting. One thing I kept wondering and asking myself was, “Why?” “In all that I do every minute of every day...why am I doing it?” “Is it for reputation?” Is it for gain?” “Is it for pride?” “Is it for praise?”, “OR, is it for Love?” “Is it because I LOVE THE LORD?” “What is my motive in all that I do?” This has caused me to take a step back and focus on my purpose.

I love each one of you! Best Wishes in all of your adventures this week!

Always, Sister Davis

Just some fun facts:

Sister Davis lives in my same complex and is in my district!

Picture-Sister Hansen and I! - Yes, Dad we do live on the river. No big deal. We just enjoy a nice stroll every morning on the river walk for our workouts!