1/30/2023
Hello everybody! I hope you have had a fantastic week! Here in Star it has been pretty cold but still hardly no snow. This week has gone by so fast!
This week we had two exchanges! They were both pretty intense to be honest. We had a lead STL take us out for our first Exchange and I got to go to Nampa. This is the first time I have left my area all transfer. I got to serve in a Tongan Branch for a day and I had a blast. They tried to feed me so much food and I didn’t even know what to do lol. They gave me a chunk of meat that looked like a deer foot LOL. I had NO clue how to eat it
At the end of the meal the father told me I didn’t do too bad 
Lastly to end the exchange I got to teach the plan of salvation to a super cool guy named Tj.
Our 2nd exchange was a tough one with some sisters who are really struggling. They have hard personalities and truly aren’t super nice most of the time. I was extremely nervous to go on this exchange to say the least. I was assigned by President to take the tougher Sister… ahhh I was a wreck for a min thinking about it. BUT this exchange taught me a lesson I will NEVER forget. This exchange taught me the power of judgment and the power of humility.
Right from the beginning of the exchange this sister was pretty cold. It took a lot for her to even acknowledge me. I prayed in my heart for strength and for words, God gave them to me. I began asking questions that I thought we could relate to. Slowly she warmed up to me. We had an amazing lesson with a less- active and a non-member couple. The spirit was so strong as we testified of the Atonement. That lesson unified us. When we were about done with our busy day, this sister asked me a question. That question really opened things up for us. We then spent the last 30 minutes of the day in a really good conversation. I learned the pain she was dealing with. People think horrible things about her that are not true. It’s really hard for her to want to see the good when all she can receive in return is bad. When we judge somebody without even knowing them it affects everybody. I was humbled. I knew that God needed me to be with her for a reason. I know that kind words and honesty go a long way! There is true power in charity. Love everyone as God has commanded. I learned a life lesson and have had my eyes opened to the pain that can truly be caused by those around us. I’m grateful she trusted me enough to talk about what’s been happening on her mission and now I can help.
MADI! 
This sweet girl is progressing more and more every time we see her. We invited her to pray about a date for her baptism. She accepted! Please pray she will feel the peace she needs to go through with this big day.
I love you all so much and can’t wait to report on next week. We have MLC, Zone Conference, and our last exchange!
Sister Howick