4/18/2022
Last week I had another amazing P-day. We had a super sweet member, Sister Hainsworth, offer to take us and another set of missionaries around downtown Boise. To start off the day and make it interesting, it was pouring rain. That usually would bother me but I actually really enjoyed it. Freak ally was the first place we went. It’s literally this alleyway between two city buildings that is full of amazing artwork! From my understanding they have a weekend a year where they have artist come in and paint it, so it’s always changing! It was so fun to see the different styles of art. We even ran into the Meridian missionaries, guess they had the same idea 
. Then she took us to the capital building. WOWZA! Absolutely beautiful, I was in awe. It was like pure marble all over the place and had pretty lights shining on the Idaho flag. The Anne Frank memorial was outside. The elders were so nice and gave us umbrellas, and we really enjoyed being outside even in the rain. Missionaries really are the best! Right before lunch we decided to stop by the Bosie state football hall of fame and field. A blue football field.. whattt? That was actually kinda cool even for someone who doesn’t watch football. Lastly, we had a delicious lunch at a cute little smoothie place. Besides Elder Steven’s getting car sick on a mini sinic trip, it was an amazing p-day. I am so truly blessed for amazing members who are willing to show us these special places.
“There is a man and a woman, looks like Jahova witnesses.” I have one question who is the man?
We knocked on this door of a part member family. The little boy about the age of 8 answered. We asked for his parents and he said he needed to call his mom. We weren’t sure if he meant call on the phone or go get her. He left the door slightly opened and we could here the whole conversation. Long story short the mom started yelling at him saying, ” Why did you answer the door?” After some talking back and forth she said, ” I’ll just look at the ring doorbell camera.” Akward lol. We said it’s okay we can come back another time. As we were walking away we heard the comment of “There is a man and a woman, looks like Jahova witnesses.” We had a good laugh, and we decided I had to be the man.
Bishop requested that we call him before our dinner appointments to get information so we could teach those families to their needs. When we called him, out of nowhere he asked, “When are you coming to my house?” He then invited us to a bon fire after our dinner appointment. We ended up going. It was not a bon fire rather a mini wildfire. They were buring their leaves and twigs for spring cleaning in the bottom of their pond. They live on a cute farm with pigs, sheep and chickens. The funniest part was bishop wasn’t even there! 
He basically invited us over to do chores with his son. Not really, but it was funny how we didn’t see bishop until we were heading out. I loved this small experience. It made me really feel at home. Sitting around this pond with a dog right next to me was exactly what I needed. I didn’t know I needed a little escape from the world but I did. Heavely Father knew we would enjoy it and that we needed it. I roasted my companion a hot dog and she tried a roasted starburst for the first time! We shared an Easter video and a spiritual thought with bishops son and all the little cousins that were there. It was a super amazing experience.
This week I had another amazing opportunity to have an interview with President Nygaard. He is truly an inspired person. I went in with a question I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask. It was something that was simply on my mind. He first asked me what christlike attribute I was working on. I said knowledge, I really am striving to understand the Isaiah chapters. He asked me what my favorite part is so far and I told him. He looked at me straight in the eyes, smiled, and then said I have never thought of those verses as missionary work. You are so right though. Sister howick you do have knowledge and Heavenly Father is helping you. I can see it! As we continued talking he said I feel like I need to read a scripture for you. I can’t even tell you what scripture it was, it was a blur, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. I immediately felt tears in my eyes and the spirit testify to me that that scripture was true. President Nyguaard didn’t know what was on my mind but he was so in tune with the spirit. What a powerful testimony builder to me. Heavenly Father blessed me through him that day. It was definitely an emotional moment for me.
That afternoon after interviews Sister Schmidt and I couldn’t wait to talk about them. We both shared the Good News and the special moments. Then she stopped and looked at me she said Sister Howick, our area might be getting whitewashed. Before she even finished both of us had tears rolling down our faces. This was the first time I figured out what LOVE the people means. I truly felt heartbroken knowing it’s a possibility that I could be leaving these people. It’s hard to see our area progress so much and we truly get to know the members for us to then just leave. This isn’t for sure but it is a possibility.
Miracles are happening! We found 3 new people who are ready to be taught. That’s pretty huge! The first 2 are the Sheppard kids. We decided that we needed to be bold. We prayed and prayed to know how to further progress with them and this is what we felt was best. They are members in every single way but they just are not baptized. We had a very powerful lesson centered around Christ and Easter then we tied that into the Holy Ghost. We asked them if they are intrested and they said yes! Wheww. We are so excited to teach them. The 3rd friend we found was a miracle. We were out droppimg off Easter gifts and we had Laura Adkins pop into our heads. We were trying to decided if we go to Laura’s house first or to Anthony’s. We decided on Anthony’s. We began riding our bikes but when we got to the turn in the road it was very clear go their first! Sister Schmidt said we need to go to Laura’s. It was about a 20 minute bike ride but soon turned into a 40 minute miserable ride. The wind was horrible. The worst it has ever been while I have been here. I felt like I couldnt breathe and my ears ached. We both had a hard ride but we made it. Because we pushed through, Laura let us in her home and we did an impromptu lesson. She felt the spirit and we were able to teach her nonmember husband who actually participated! What a miracle he was receptive and respectful of us being in his home. He invited us back! Another miracle regarding the friends we are teaching is, we were able to set up teaching appointments with both Addy and Anthony!
Transfer Exchanges! This transfer for exchanges I stayed in my area again but I was with Sister Hardy. I climbed up a ladder and helped a sweet old lady clean out a small section of her raingutter. It was actually kind of fun. Then we weeded her flowerbed. She was so cute and treated us to Reeds dairy. For exchanges we did some visits. We knocked on a less active door and she spilled her entire life on us. We couldn’t even get a word in, it was so bad she made us late for dinner 
. Sister Hardy is a lot of fun and I enjoyed the day with her. She made me laugh so hard in a members house it was crazy.
Lastly to end the week. Easter! We had a super great Easter together. When we woke up Sister Schmidt came and climbed on my bed next to me. We said our morning prayer and then we watched the new churches Easter video “The Good News”. I know that our Savior died for us so that we can live with him again. I know that he love us so much and he will never leave us alone. I hope that we all may share the good news of this gospel. Without this gospel this world would be so scary, this gospel is a gospel of peace love and hope. Exactly what we need in these last days. I hope you all had a great Easter and remembered the true meaning. He lives!
Pictures
– Easter
-campfire( bishops pigs I fell in love with)
– bosie stadium
