LOVE

Feliz Dia del Amor y el Amistad! I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day! Holidays are completely different (ie. really weird) on the mission, but we make the most of every opportunity to celebrate. This was a big week for us... Thursday was my 3rd month birthday, Saturday was Valentine's Eve, Sunday Valentine's Day, and Monday President's Day AND Hermana Wilkins 10th month birthday!

Valentine's Eve we celebrated by moving our mattresses onto our balcony and having a sleepover outside! We looked at the stars and told stories all night... well, OK, until like 10:30, but still! For President's Day (aka. no mail day) we wrote "letters" for the Elders in our district with patriotic pictures so they would get some mail. We also took some pretty amazing pictures of us with "George Washington hair" (evidence to come). We love making memories and taking advantage of every opportunity to make ourselves and others smile.

We have some pretty solid new investigators this week. One guy, Kelvin, is Alma's nephew (his mom, Areceli, is a member too). The Elders called us the other day and told us they had talked to a guy outside his house that was very interested in learning more about the Gospel. They had no idea who he was or that some of his family are members. When they told us his address we realized, and we actually thought he was Areceli's husband, who we haven't ever met. Anyway... we went over to teach him and he is incredible. He is so intelligent, and I can see the wheels turning in his head as he processes the things we teach him. We watched The Restoration video the other day, and after it was over he re-told the story perfectly starting with "Joseph Smith was born in 1805..." We were blown away. Normally people are like, "Umm, Joseph Smith saw God or something right?" We've been teaching him every day and are really excited to see him progressing!

Since it was Dia del Amor this week I want to talk about the power of love. There's a David O. McKay quote that I love that says "True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for one's fellowmen." As representatives of Jesus Christ, it is so important for us to demonstrate this pure form of love for all of God's children. I know that as you do so they will begin to recognize their divine potential and know that they are sons and daughters of God and be able to feel of His love for them. Go out of your way this week to perform an act of true love. It will bless your life as well as the life of those you serve.

I love you all and am grateful for the love you show me,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette