Tuesday, January 21, 2014

One year older and wiser too! <-- I hope :)

Hey Everyone! Can you say... one year??? Yup.. I've been out one year on Thursday.. That's. Just. Nuts!

What to know what else is nuts? Mom.. I totally did it. I have beat the odds, and promise to continue to do so :) I have lived in the South for a year and my jeans still fit! And my "fat" skirts have never had the pleat taken out, you know, to make them bigger.. If that's not a mission accomplishment.. I'm not sure what is! 

Sister Harris and I 
I had a pretty good week here in Allatoona, aka Woodstock and Ackworth. It hasn't been too cold which is a blessing :) In fact, we were tracting one day and I was just in a cardigan (no jacket) and this lady goes "Girl! I know Jesus will give you strength and keep you warm but its January.. Get a coat on!" haha Thank you Ms. Rae for your love and concern. :)

Honestly.. I don't really know what to talk about from this week. I know.. shocking.. seeing as I always have so much to say haha. So.. I apologize in advance for this being all scattered and what not. I think I really just want to talk about lessons that I've learned this past year and more specifically this week. We are still teaching the Dixon's, they all came to church again and LOVED it. Sister Dixon says she wants to talk to us about what day she wants to be baptized at dinner this week :) Its amazing how prepared this family is.. I honestly feel like they are teaching us.. when I know we're supposed to be the ones teaching them. What a blessing! 

So.. Once upon a time I used to go on two exchanges a week.. then I got released and only have to go on one a transfer.. So of course the Sister Training Leaders made it so we went on an exchange the first week of the transfer.. haha So now, my exchange breaks really start :) But it was really good. I was with Sister Brienholt, she came out with Sister Beasley. It was super fun! We worked hard and saw so many miracles, it honestly was perfect timing and I'm so thankful for it. 

We got to see a woman named Lisa again this week (I don't think I mentioned her in the email last week) but she was super sweet! The Spanish Elders met her a couple of weeks ago and invited her to read the Book of Mormon. When Sister Brienholt and I went and saw her she had a bunch of questions. One of which was "Okay.. so I read this chapter 11.. and I don't get it.. Who the heck are Nephites.. and why were they in a multitude? And where on earth were they to have the Savior come to them?" haha she is so sweet! So we taught her a lot about the Book of Mormon, why we are called "Latter-day Saints," and why we are called Mormons. She felt so bad that she calls us Mormons. She said "I am so sorry! I've been labeling you this whole time and not knowing it.. you're not Mormon.. You're Christian. I'll call you my fellow Christians from now on" haha oh sweet Lisa!! 

I've had a lot of time to study the scriptures and think this week as Sister Harris hasn't been feeling too well. And I'm so thankful for all of the many things I've learned. Anytime I have a thought or anything while I study I write it down in the margins of my scriptures with the date.. Its really cool to see the impressions that have come to me this past year. Sometimes I'm amazed at the things that I've learned, and other times I want to slap myself for seeming to forget to put it in practice. I also have written peoples names down next to scriptures that mean a lot to them.. or if we have an experience sharing a scripture with them I have their names. For example I have "Rebecca Sinclair" next to the scripture that answered her prayer to know to be baptized.. So this week I went through and read a lot of my notes and scriptures that people have loved, it was so cool! 

Sister Brienholt and I 
There are many scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants which say that the Lord will give His servants (not just missionaries, but anyone who is trying to serve His children) what they need to say when they need it. It also says that what is said, if said by the Holy Ghost, is what He would say to them. Its a beautiful promise, one that has meant so much to me. I remember inviting a boy once to read the scriptures each day that week during a Family Home Evening lesson and afterward his father said "Don't you realize that when Sister Hamilton just invited you to read it wasn't her talking.. It was the Lord speaking through her?" It also reminds me of the first time I knew that I was really representing Jesus Christ, I even said "Hi! We're representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ.." at a door and the woman who answered said "You are!?" I shocked myself when I replied without hesitation "Ya! We are!" Knowing that truth has helped me so much and really helped me this week. 

We were teaching a woman in the congregation named Tracy who has been going through a hard time with a recent divorce. She told us "Its fine. I know what you are saying, but what I really need is for the Lord to sit down next to me, give me a hug, and tell me it will be alright." I had another one of those shocking moments when I responded without hesitation "Well Tracy, why do you think He sent His representatives and missionaries to you?" Tears filled her eyes and I was able to tell her that I knew the Lord loved her and cares for her. That He knows what she's going through and wants her to let Him help. And to finish our visit, I gave her a hug. That hug was so sweet! 

Here's the last thing I want to share from the week.. 1Nephi8 is Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Its one of my favorite chapters to study because each time I learn something new. Lately each time I read it I focus on the fruit of the tree representing the Sacrament. So.. I'm going to read 1Nephi8:11-12 to you replacing fruit for sacrament.. 

11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the [Sacrament] thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the [Sacrament] thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.

 12 And as I partook of the [Sacrament] thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other [Sacraments]."

Can you imagine if each week we had that experience when we partook of the sacrament? If each week it filled our souls with "exceedingly great joy." White is a symbol of purity.. the Sacrament is pure of course, as it represents the sacrifice of the Savior. As I was thinking about this during our Sunday services I realized again that this is it.. I don't want people to come to church so I can tell President Wolfert on Monday that they came.. Its not so that the person speaking doesn't feel bad that no one showed up.. Its so they can feel exceedingly great joy. Its so they can have the possibility of being "purified, even as He is pure" as they are forgiven of the mistakes they have forsaken. Its so in that moment they can fulfill the commandment to "be ye therefore perfect." It so they can better align their will with the Father and continue to walk back to Him. Its honestly one of the greatest gifts we have.. that EACH WEEK we can come closer to the Savior. Each week can be a cleansing and baptizing experience. Then it hit me.. if I want that for everyone, I better be having it for myself. 

I am so thankful for the blessing of the Sacrament and the promised blessings that follow when we partake of it worthily. I'm thankful that the Sacrament, or the fruit is what helps us to fully come to the tree, or the Love of God (1Nephi8). I hope and pray that all of us can have this experience that Nephi had when we partake of the Sacrament each week. 

I know God loves us, and needs us to be His hands to those around us. They need to know of His love and care for them. So whenever you find yourself with some spare time.. do an act of service.. you'd be surprised how quickly it can make you happy to :) 

I hope you don't mind me sharing some of the things I've learned with you. Have a great week! I love you! 

Love,
Sister Hamilton

Now.. It's Everything

Hey hey!
 
I hope you are all doing great and that you had a fun and WARM week! My week was crazy.. seriuosly a whirlwind.. On one hand I feel like so much happened and that it has been a month since I last wrote to you.. and on the other I feel like I blinked and just so happened to be in a completely different library. Darn this whole time-warp thing..
 
Sister Harris and I :)
Y'all are probably all wondering about how I'm adjusting to my new area etc.. I've got 3 words for you.. I LOVE IT! I would say "It's the best" but we all know that saying will always stay in Johns Creek.. But hey! Paper Mill, Coal Mountain, and Allatoona are pretty close! :) My new companion is Sister Harris from.. SANDY UT. Yup, just down the street (or up?) from Mom and Dad. Actually, super close to Paul and Lindsey. Small stinkin' world. Sister Harris is hilarious and we've been having a lot of fun! She's been out 3 months so its pretty exciting, I think it will be really fun to watch as she kind of breaks out of the "i'm being trained mode" and realizes the potential she has. 

So.. Leaving Coal Mountain was rough.. Okay, that was dramatic. But it really was hard. I love the people there so much! The Lord was so good to me last week and blessed me to see so many miracles before I left to go to Allatoona. Here are some of the things that happened before: 
  • Georgia reached a record low temp of 6 degrees.. YIKES! Thank goodness I still had my coat from the MTC which I haven't used since then.. But you want to know what is completely crazy?? 3 days later it was back up to 65. This place is nuts! haha 
  • We taught Misty and her kids about Christ's love. It was so amazing as I told the kids about Christ's miracles and they were just in awe, Jack even said "Wait.. this is real?" haha what a cute 9 year old! We were able to help clear up some of their questions and the whole family said they'll be there at church :)
  • We taught Barbara and Kelsey, it was wonderful. Barbara was NOT happy to hear I would be transfered and she gave me the biggest hug and said "I don't care what anyone else says, your whole mission was to find me, and help me feel hope and love." I love her! 
  • Sister Berg made us breakfast and then drove us to transfers and Jackson came up to eat with us.. so I teased him a bit and said "Jackson.. just admit it.. you loved us teaching you the lessons and you're going to miss me." To which he responded immediately "Yup! But don't think I came upstairs to say bye.. I just came up for breakfast.. Mom doesn't ever make me breakfast anymore." ah HA! I knew it! I knew deep down he liked us coming over and teaching the missionary lessons. :) I'll totally count it as a win! 
Now here's a quick rundown on Allatoona: 
  • This area is seriously TINY! I'm in Woodstock and Ackworth, but the geographic area we cover is so small.. yet is has SOOO many streets.. Its kind of overwhelming to be honest.. Dare I say it? I offically love the country! I miss the farm land, gravel roads, and accent. 
  • One time I made fun of Sister Pabst for not hearing the Southern accent.. Well.. Sister Harris told me before we went into a home "oh he has a super thick accent!" Well.. Ya.. I didn't hear it until I really focused.. I guess I'm so used to it now its just second nature.. Georgia Georgia Georgia.. 
  • We are teaching the Dixons, a super sweet family. Like seriously I love them already! Their older daugther got baptized on the 4th and now the rest of the family (mom, dad, and sister) want to be baptized as well :) So we are teaching them the lessons and helping them pick a date they want to work toward to get baptized. One thing Sister Dixon said that was so cute was this.. "When Emma first started going to the Mormon church 6 months ago I looked into it.. I didn't mind because it taught the same things I believed and just a little more which I figured there was no harm in." We asked how she felt now.. to which she responded after a long pause with tears in her eyes and said "Now.. its everything." I too know its everything.. When we center our life on the Savior Jesus Christ and His teachings.. it becomes everything and we have so much more peace and love in our lives. I'm not sure there are better moments than watching others come to see that too. 
  • President and Sister Wolfert spoke in our church service yesterday. As they were speaking I kept having scriptures and thoughts come to my mind of things I would like to say to the congregation.. Weird right? Well it continued and then I had the thought "You're going to speak next." Which is crazy because they already announced all the speakers and the time was running out.. Well when Brother Collins came to the stand to announce the closing hymn he said "Before we sing, Bishop Hailstone would like Sister Hamilton to come to the stand and address us for a few minutes and share her testimony. Say WHAT?? Did that just happen?? Why yes it did.. Yikes! 
I am so thankful for the whisperings of the Spirit and the peace that they bring to my soul. I am thankful that the gospel has become my everything. I know that when we allow it to be our everything life becomes more JOYOUS! Its a real thing! :) 

Thank you for all that you do to support me. I appreciate all the prayers and letters :) 

Have a great week! I love you!
Love,
Sister Hamilton

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Dare to be Mormon!

Hey Everyone!

Well.. it happened. I got a phone call from President Wolfert this morning thanking me for my 6 months of service as a Sister Training Leader and telling me that he'd give me a break from leadership for a little while. :) I will be leaving this wonderful country land that I love for another place in the country on the west side of the mission that I am sure I will also love. The area name is "Alatoona" but I have no clue what "city" aka town it is in. I know its west of Canton GA and Woodstock GA, and is the border of the mission. My new companion will be Sister Harris, I know absolutely nothing about her besides that she just finished her 3 months being trained. So it should be exciting! 

We had a wonderful week here in Coal Mountain, AH! I am going to miss this cute place. I don't really know exactly what to talk about this week so let me just start rambling and see what comes :) 

A view of the Sunrises that I watch every morning as I jump rope. I'll definitely miss those when I'm not living here with Grandma and Grandpa Goulding anymore!
First let me talk about how New Years was completely uneventful. I was asleep before 10:30 and even slept through the fireworks welcoming in the New Year. And truthfully it didn't hit me until about 10pm New Years day as I wrote Jan 1, 2014 in my journal. How is it already 2014? YIKES! So as I've been thinking of my year I've decided I had a great 2013. Here are some of the things I included on the list I made myself :)

In 2013:
  • I talked to over 5,000 people that I had not known before.
  • I ate some of the weirdest things imaginable.. none of the least of which were cow-intestines as pasta noodles,fish eyeballs, and horse meat. 
  • I saw more miracles than I ever had in my life.
  • I learned what it really meant to feel of the love of God. 
  • I learned first hand that sometimes it would be better if people didn't answer the door.. but then again.. I'd miss too many funny stories if they didn't! :)
  • I served as companions for at least a day with 51 of the 98 sisters in the mission.
Sister Winegar and I at CiCI's ya.. never going there again! haha But hey it was fun to go with those Sisters :)
Here are my top experiences from the week: 
  • Do any of you remember Danny M.? I found Danny tracting with Sister Nielsen back in Johns Creek. We taught him and then he stopped meeting with us.. He was one who called us up one day and said "Sisters, its time. Please come teach me again. I've really been thinking and I need your message." I was able to teach him two more times and see him come to church before I got transferred. I'll never forget the lessons we had with him as they were some of the most spiritual. I'd never before experienced what it was like to promise such specific blessings from the Lord and see them fulfilled as when I taught Danny. Well I saw the Johns Creek Elders this week at some meetings and they were happy to report that Danny has decided to be baptized on January 25th, 2014! They wanted me to know right away because they said Danny still talks about me and how I'm his favorite missionaries. In fact, he asked them if one of them would trade spots with me so I could be there at his baptism! haha..
  • I called the Chris and Kim, my wonderful Seventh-day Adventist that I found tracting a couple of weeks ago, to see if we could come and teach them. They wanted us to come this Friday, but I had a feeling I'd be transferred so I told her that I thought I would be moving on Wednesday and Kim just gasped and said "Well then you better come over Tuesday because we can not have an angel leave without us saying good-bye." It was such a blessing to hear how excited she was when she recognized who I was on the phone. I am so thankful to have learned from their devotion and faith in Jesus Christ and am so glad to be able to share my testimony with them one last time before I leave. 
  • Tracting on New Years day.. NO BUENO! Everyone was either completely hung over or did not want anything to do with us. Why you ask? Oh that's because in the South College Football is more important than anything, and I do mean anything. So hang-overs meet College Bowl games=missionaries worst nightmare. 
  • As we were walking in an older more run down trailer-park we found a young Hispanic family sitting around a camp fire outside their house trying to keep warm. The young father welcomed us over and offered us to stand by the fire and get warm for awhile. As we were talking with them I loved watching his face light up as he introduced us to his family which included his wife, 2 yr old son, and 8 month old son. Once we left I watched as he kissed his wife and kids and went out from the home in search of wood, picking up all the sticks that he could. My heart was so full of love and gratitude yet at the same time seemed to break as I saw this man struggle to keep his family warm, but loved them enough to do anything he could. I am thankful for the many lessons I learned from watching them and pray they will be able to stay warm this next week as Georgia gets temperatures lower than they have had in 30 years. 
  • We went and saw Addie again our 94 year old grandma in the ward, wow I just love her! I learned a lot from our visit with her and the title of this email comes from that experience. At first when we got there Addie seemed very confused and must have thought we were there to rob her or something as she would say "Do you want my money? Well you can have it! I want outta here!" She went as far as to try to punch Sister Pabst (moving her fist about an inch a minute) and tried to kick me. haha Things changed however as we showed her the Book of Mormon and she recognized the Savior and Joseph Smith. Still a little aggravated she asked "Do you believe in this book?" To which we happily replied "Yes we do! Do you?" The Spirit filled the room and I thought I might cry as I watched this sweet 94 yr old fold her arms, bow her head, and pray to herself. She prayed for quite some time but as she looked up she said in the softest and most sweet voice, "Yes. I believe. I believe in the Book of Mormon." The more we talked the more she would blurt out "I believe." "I'm a Mormon." "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!" I loved too that she said "Wait.. I'm a mormon.. so why are you talking to me?" haha She's so cute!
Me at the Shinkles! I will miss that family soo much!!! They are the ones that got me Boudins and always made me feel like a part of their family, they are pretty much the best!! :)
What I learned the most was her devotion to her faith. As I had mentioned before, she was scared when we got there and wanted to leave. Before we left that fear came back to her and she told us that all of her family members were dead. We know her children and so we know they aren't but it broke my heart that she thought everyone was dead and that was why she was in this home. She said "My husband was a Mormon, and he's dead.. the killed him for being a Mormon." and went on to say how she believed all of her family members were killed because of their faith and that she too would probably be killed because of her faith.. Not 30 seconds after she declared again, that she believed in the Book of Mormon and belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now, I know the threat on her life is not real. Yet, I am still amazed at her courage in declaring her faith when she believed her life to be in danger. It reminded me of the primary poem "Dare to be a Mormon, dare to stand alone; Dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known." I am thankful for her testimony and devotion to the gospel, and I pray that I am always willing to boldly declare that "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." 

Overall, it has been a wonderful year. You know, when I was getting my mission call and before I'd spent a long time in Georgia I was under the impression that the Lord sends His missionaries to the place around the world where the people they are supposed to uplift, teach etc live, aka where the missionary was needed. But the longer I am here the more I realize how completely wrong I was. I am sure I could have found people to teach in Argentina, Russia, Oklahoma, Thai Land, etc.. And I probably would have touched their lives for the better. But I wasn't sent to Georgia so I could touch the lives of the people here.. It wasn't because they needed me.. Rather its because I needed them. 

I am now so thoroughly convinced that the Lord sends His missionaries to the part of the world where the people the missionaries need reside. I needed the influence of these wonderful Georgians in my life, and I didn't even know it until I got here! However, the Lord knew that I would be blessed by their experiences and their lives so He sent me here to learn from them and be loved by them. I am so thankful to know that the people I need are here in Georgia, some of which I know are over there in Alatoona. I cannot wait to continue to meet them and be changed by them these next 7 months. I really couldn't be happier to be here in Georgia! 

I love you! And hope you all have a wonderful week! Remember, don't mail anything to my address in Cumming like you were supposed to last transfer. Everything goes back to the mission office now :) Thanks!! 

Love, 
Sister Hamilton

1150 Cole Rd SW
Lilburn GA 30047

Friday, January 3, 2014

"Just tell them you're Catholic and they'll go away."

Oh my! I don't even know where to begin! This week was absolutely wonderful, truly one of the best. It just so happens that it was also one of the hardest, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Let me just start by saying I had a WONDERFUL Christmas! Christmas for missionaries seems to be Magical, and mine wasn't anything less than that! I am so thankful that I got to see all of my brothers/sisters faces on google hangout! I had never heard of that before btw..:) And of course I loved seeing all the little ones!! They are all so big! :) Mom, I'm glad that bruise wasn't real and it was just from a reindeer haha! I am so blessed with a wonderful family! Sister Pabst said "Oh Sister Hamilton, what I am going to do when we aren't companions anymore and I miss my Hamilton updates? I mean when I saw your family I felt like I knew them so much that they were my family." So you should know.. I clearly talk about y'all a lot! haha :) 

Oh speaking of saying y'all.. So once upon a time, aka last week, I was talking to a family at a door and I said "We completely understand, we just hope y'all have a blessed day." Yup.. its happened. Those words officially rolled off the tongue! I suppose I have finally learned the southern language.. A blessed day? That is SOOO southern. YIKES!! haha Its weird when I catch myself using their phrases like "over yonder" "a piece up the road" "cut the lights" and "can you put that in the buggie?" So.. when I come home.. have mercy on my grammar and phrases.. haha :) 

Let me share some highlights from the week:

Sister Pabst and I on Santa's lap :) 
Christmas Eve: After district meeting we had lunch at Panda Express, it was the closest we could get to A Christmas Story.. :) Then we stopped by a senior living center to visit "Addie" Kelly a 94 year old woman, who basically started the church in South Georgia. Each Sunday she reserved the township pavilion and put in the newspaper "Mormons meet here" where she would teach her family.. she did that alone for a couple years, then one Sunday missionaries showed up. And now there is a stake there. So we went to visit her, and due to her dimensea she believed she was in the 11th grade. We helped her make phone calls on her disconnected phone, and then sang her some Christmas songs. It seemed each time we sang she came back to today and would say "Oh i love that song." "My Savior lives." and things of that nature, it was so special to see her. 

We had Christmas Eve dinner with the Hills, it was so fun! And truthfully it didn't feel like Christmas Eve until we were in their home. We finished off the night Caroling with the Johnson family. It was SO fun! We got to meet a lot of people and it was so exciting to see them offer gifts to their friends and introduce us to them. They were so excited to give Joy to the World CD's and be missionaries too, how fun! 

Christmas Day: Clearly Christmas Day was the best, obviously! Santa came to us at multiple houses, including our apartment! :) I got scarves, a knit headband, and lots of treats. This ward really took us in, what a blessing! 

Rest of the week: 
We made crepes for a family in our ward, the Anguianos, from Guatemala. They are so wonderful! Can I just say it was SO fun to make crepes for them in their home and share one of my favorite family traditions with them? Thanks for teaching me how to make them dad! And don't worry, I didn't forget the eggs :) 

I went on Exchange with Sister Perrins (2nd time with her) in Gainesville. Gainesville just so happens to be the poultry capital of the United States, just sayin'. And its true.. I saw a TON of chickens and roosters running loose in the neighborhoods we tracted in. I wanted SOOO badly to just run after them and try to corner one and catch it.. haha Sister Perrins wouldn't let me.. :) I did make a new friend from Rwanda. Her name is Theresea and she is a Rwandan refugee, from the Genocide. Talking to her was amazing! She joined the church 10 or so years ago in ATL and moved to Gainesville recently. We talked about miracles asked if she'd ever seen one.. After a long pause she responded.. "I think I have.. when everyone in my home was murdered.. and I saw.. and I wasn't killed.. The Lord spared me.. I think that is a miracle." Truly it is. I am so thankful for the love that she showed us in her home that night. One miracle in my life is being here in Georgia, I'm certain there is no other time I would have had the blessing and opportunity to meet so many people from around the world than here. The way they have blessed my life, taught me, loved me, and the way I have come to love them in itself is a miracle. I am thankful for their perspectives of life and how they have changed my life. 

That's me with my ice cream truck in chickenville! aka Gainesville!
As we were knocking doors this week we came to a home and I heard someone say "Ughhh, the mormons are coming." I thought to myself, is that Paul Revere in there? The Red Coats are coming! haha Next I hear the response of her friend "Just tell them you're Catholic and they'll go away." HA I thought. We introduced ourselves and immediately she said "You know, I'm Catholic." So I quickly responded "You are? that is so wonderful! I have many catholic friends and I respect your faith. Lets just say I totally caught her off guard :) She responded .. "you don't understand I'm a CATHOLIC. Aka not interested." and shut the door. haha But hey! I got a good laugh out of it! 

Do you remember Misty? She came to church a couple of weeks ago when President Wolfert spoke. Well this week we felt like we needed to stop by to see her and her family again. They immediately welcomed us in and we sat at the Kitchen table where they were about to play apples to apples. Next thing I know their 7yr old daughter has placed some cards in my hand for us to play. After a fun round of apples to apples Misty and Ben asked us to share a message :) As we taught about the Saviors love for us they really opened up and Misty said "you know.. I've been thinking a lot about what that man said at Church.. and I feel so much love and peace when you come over, when you call, and when I go to church. So I've been thinking about who I can share the good news with. And I think my neighbor can use the peace its bringing me. Umm.. did someone we are just starting to teach just say they want to share the message with their friends? Why yes they did! :) It was so neat to see them starting to recognize the joy that comes from the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They told their mother (who is in our ward) that they love us and would welcome us in their home any time to share messages. They also came to church again yesterday. Its a miracle! :) 

Well.. I have officially spent just about all the time I have writing this huge letter.. I hope your eyes don't hurt! :) Honestly, I am doing fantastic. I love being a missionary! I love the scriptures. I am thankful for the revelatory experiences we have as we truly search them. As we apply the scriptures in our lives and look for how the story was placed there for us, we start to see that the Lord answers our prayers through His Holy Word. The Savior lives, I know He does. If there is one thing I have come to know this past year is that God's love for each and every one of us is endless. He knows our circumstances and He knows our potential. If we turn to Him in our trials He will increase our strength, capability, and most importantly our joy. 

I pray all of us have the most joyous year here in 2014! Let the good times, great times, and miracles begin!! I love you!

Love,
Sister Julie Hamilton