Using Starbucks wifi....

Good Morning!! 

This week has been wonderful. We have gotten so much done and it feels great. When we called out Ward mission leader last night he told us that since Sister Phelps and I have been here the sacrament attendance percentage has gone from 44% to 48%. The Ward councils goal was to get to 49% for the 2015 year. We have just been going through all the Ward list and moving people out! Simple stuff, that makes a huge difference. 

We also picked up 3 new investigators! Miracle week for us. It's funny to hear from missionaries serving in different parts of the world that are teaching 20-30 people and we are jumping with joy when we get 1-2 new a week! The work is picking up in the area and we are starting to see the fruits of our labor! I pray that this week is just as great so that Sister Phelps can go home with a bang!

This week we also had our Zone Blitz. This is a day when all the missionaries in our zone go to one area and do missionary work in that area. We had a great time and met so many awesome people! We had lunch by a stream up in the woods, helped some people move, and of course found people that needed us that day! 

"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers!" I grew up singing and loving that song and I came to gain a testimony this week of praying often. I was sitting in a lesson last night and one of our investigators asked me "Tell me the truth, do you know do you really know that your prayers are answered and God hears them?". I sat there for a few seconds just thinking. Going through my head "well I guess there have been a lot of things that I have wanted and prayed for that haven't happened" and then out of know where I said "Yes, but sometimes God's answer is NO, sometimes God's answer is just to remain silent and let us figure it out!" 

Elder Richard G. Scott said, “It is so hard when sincere prayer about something you desire very much is not answered the way you want. It is difficult to understand why your exercise of deep and sincere faith from an obedient life does not grant the desired result. The Savior taught, ‘Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you’. At times it is difficult to recognize what is best or expedient for you over time. Your life will be easier when you accept that what God does in your life is for your eternal good.”

In the Bible Dictionary it says "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."

These past few weeks I have been on my knees praying and praying for an answer. I had received some inspiration 2 months ago and knew that I needed to make a decision. As I began praying I kept feeling....nothing. I was just more confused. One day I was studying and had the thought come "are you willing to do what God wants you to? If not, He isn't going to answer!" That was it! I was praying just to get it out of my head but I wasn't sure if I really was willing to do what He wanted be to do." I finally made up my decision! And I received my answer. His will was my will all along...BUT He was teaching me a lesson I needed to learn! I know that God answers prayers! Sometimes the answer isn't what we expect, sometimes He lets us make the decision, sometimes it's No and sometimes Yes. Sometimes the answer it not yet. Sometimes it's like a brick hitting us and sometimes it's a little light at the end of a long tunnel. Prayer is answered in different ways, sometimes it's answered through others. There is not one way to receive an answer.(and that's not always easy) The question shouldn't be Heavenly Father will you do this? It should be "Heavenly Father what is thy will for me? And I will go and do it!" 

God is a God of miracles. He hears our prayers, He answers our prayers. We may not know how or when, but I can testify that they will come...at HIS TIME AND HIS WAY. Trials are real, they teach us and are for our good! This gospel is a blessing, a gift, and I am so thankful to be out sharing it. I'm so thankful for the temple and the sealing power. For the knowledge that I can be with my family and future family for eternity! We have a LOVING Heavenly Father and I know He LOVES YOU! This life is wonderful! Enjoy it and cherish it! 

Love,

Sister Reber 

Lovin' Cali!

Good Afternoon!

This week has been great! Things are working out and I'm back to enjoying every moment! Monday started out awesome with p-day and my birthday. We went bowling with the Elders in the zone. Monday night, our dinner appointment(with my companions sneakiness) surprised me with a birthday party. So thankful for awesome people! 

Tuesday was district meeting and of course it was awesome! 

Wednesday was the care center, I painted valentines bird houses with some of the women. We went to go get ice cream, of course because it's $1 ice cram day, and a man bought our ice cream. We started talking to him and he was a member but his friend with him was actually in our Ward, not a member, but his son is. We were able to go over to his house this week and get to know them. 

Thursday was a busy day! We had a meeting with the Zone leaders and President in the morning and then we had our interviews. I just love President! He gives such awesome council and so easy to talk to. When Elder Neilson from the 70 came to the mission he told us that we weren't necessarily called to a mission but to a mission president. I know I was suppose to be under President Marston's direction.  We also went and did service at the local food bank and did some service with a Ward member and took her Christmas tree down. 

Friday was weekly planning. We got a lot done and looking forward to this week. We also we were able to go to the family history center and do some family history for Dave, a recent convert. We went there just expecting to get his parents done so we could get their temple work done, we came out with 22 of his ancestors names. What an awesome experience! Names just popped up! 

This week has been awesome! Miracles in lessons and prayers answered! 

I LOVE MY LIFE! 

"This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

Thanks for all the love and support!  Love,Sister Reber 

Pictures- Bowling

-birthday dinner 

-Today we went to the tallest bridge in California and walked across it....can you say scared of heights. 

Two By Two

Hello Folks!!
What a week!! I must say missionary work has its ups and downs but I've never had such steep up and downs in on week! /\/\/\/
Peaks: We picked up an awesome new investigator! She referred herself and she is golden! She is 20-30 yrs. old and started telling us what she believes....exactly what we believe. We had an awesome lesson with her and she opened up and told us a lot of personal concerns.
I went on exchanges this week. Sister Pulatua, a greenie from Samoa, came to Auburn. What a funny sister! I can't imagine learning a new language. She is doing awesome though and has some much patience with herself. I took her to the care center and somehow.... It ended in her singing and putting on a little concert! Good times!
A lot of service this week....which I love! We also went to the Interfaith Food Closet and filled orders, and moved a lady.
Pits:I am so thankful for trials. Trials are great! As we struggle with missionary work we just keep reminding ourselves that trials are good! That just means we are growing and learning....nothing wrong with that:) One day we will find the rainbow through the storm!
Praises: Thanks to everyone that wished me Happy Birthday! It's been a great day so far! We went bowling with the Elders in the Zone and Sister Phelps made brownies....couldn't have gotten any better!
I'm thankful to be on a mission! So so thankful!
Prayers: I pray and pray to know what God's will is for us in this area. I know we are here for a reason and I know God will tell us.

And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God.

Love,

Sister Reber

Happy New Year!

I am doing great! They finally fixed our heater this week, so we aren't freezing now.

Our New Years was great. We had to be in at 6:30 so we just made goals, read our journals over the past year...crazy that I've almost been out a year! It literally feels like 4 months! New Year's Day we
had MLC in Gridley. Everyone is going home! Said bye to Elder Palmer, what a good friend...kept me sane in Palo Cedro!

Doctrine and Covenants 86, this is a Revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1832. In verse 5 we read "Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto The Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields". WE WERE THOSE ANGELS begging to come to this Earth to share the gospel! We are ALL missionaries! Our purpose is to INVITE others to come unto Christ! Yes sharing the Gospel might be scary, but you were born to do it, you were born on
this earth, at this special time to SHARE to Gospel. How we share the gospel doesn't matter, what matters is that we share it! Whether it's inviting a family over for dinner, whether it's posting something on Facebook for friends and family to see, or inviting someone to meet with the missionaries. It is our, every members, responsibility.

Thanks for everything! I love you all!

Sister Elli Reber
California Roseville Mission