3.8.13 Letter

Hi people!

I just love Taos. It's gorgeous. Surrounded by beauty which I am so grateful for. It's inspiring!

Last Monday I got to meet Ed Sandoval, a legit artist. I had seen his work many times before. He has his own studio and gallery right on the main street and we see him outside painting almost every day. I went up and started to talk to him and then showed him what I do. He loved it and showed his manager and she loved it. I gave her one of the prints to keep with my name and color.by.hannah email address. Sweet, right? I also got a picture with him and he's a little crazy... but all artists are. :) Last Monday my companion and I also went to our favorite thrift store and I got a tan cord blazer, a bright pink skirt (I know what you're thinking, who is this person?!), a bracelet, and a belt all for $7. LEGIT! I love thrift stores!

So some other highlights from this week have been teaching our investigator and finding a new investigator. Though we have to recommend her to the elders cause she lives on the East side and we're in charge of the West side. But I finally felt like I was able to testify with the spirit when we taught. It felt good. 

Another highlight is spending time with these 3 families that live on the same hill that are all recent converts. They are all such great people, we LOVE their kids and they love us. We're over there at least 3 times a week either because they signed up to feed us or because we have no one to teach and the elders are over there, so they invite us too. We did a fun thing with the older kids the other day. We made conference Bingo cards for them. they had to pay attention for a particular work or colored tie, etc and if they got a Bingo we had a prize for them. Their parents were impressed at how well they paid attention! At least to the first session on Saturday morning. They got Bingo's faster than we anticipated. We didn't have any prized for them yet! So that's one thing we've got to do today. ;) But last night we were at one of their homes for dinner and as we leave we always leave a message. I shared a bit of personal revelation I got during one of the talks on Saturday that didn't even have to do with what they were speaking on. One of my greatest fears is falling away from the church. I've always thought that if any of my sisters were to fall away, it would be me first. Even after a mission, I know it's possible. I've seen it. I had the thought that I made the most important decision already when I chose to join 2/3 of God's spirit children and come to earth. So I need to have more faith in myself that I can make good decisions and remember how hard I worked to get to where I am, to have the testimony that I have. I shared that because this family are all recent converts of the last 5 or 6 years, but have been reactivated or baptized within the last 8 months. One of the dad's shared his experience with me of falling away and what keeps him going is his family, and striving to be worthy of the priesthood. It turned into a really great discussion/testimony meeting that strengthened me and I know strengthened them. My companion and the elders all shared personal experiences of the priesthood and it was such a great message turned lesson for all of us.

Some other random highlights:

-The elder's making us dinner when our dinner appointments fell through. Don't worry, we ate on the porch, not in their trailer!

-FREE ICE CREAM! ALL THE TIME!

-I'm 120 lbs! I think. If the scale I used was accurate. ;)

-watching the little girls that live on the hill play Just Dance and hearing ONE DIRECTION! :D 

-Watching General Conference at the church. We basically had a camp out there cause it was cold so we brought our blankets, lots of food to eat between the session while we were locked in cause we had nowhere else to go, and knowing that my family was watching the same thing I was. :) I loved seeing the Temple, that's my home!!! :)

-Sunday all 3 meals were provided for us. We had breakfast at a recent converts while we watched the morning session. Lunch at another member's home in between sessions. Dinner after the last session. I ate SOOOOO much yesterday!

-Little girls on the hill gave me the stickers they got from the dentist. They were kittens with angel wings that I put in my journal. Those girls are the best! I teach them hand games and Abbi, I taught a 4 year old how to wink and she winks at me every time she sees me! :) 

-I put my markers to use on the outside of a tiny moleskin journal I got. yay!

-Microwaving Peeps is the best thing ever! They get HUGE! We microwaved some and then made smores. :) Enjoy the pictures that will follow. 

A little bit of housekeeping:  

-We DO NOT have a post office box. So continue to send packages and letters to the elder's trailer. 108 Carbajal Road. Taos, NM 87571. They are really good at getting things to us promptly 

Well, I'm so relieved to know that you are being blessed. President Eyring's talk on Saturday morning helped me know too. :) I loooooooooooooove you all and I hope you got my letters this week. and the stickers I sent! Wear them proud!

I also encourage you to read the 4 Gospels. Get to know your Savior. I just finished Matthew today. I loved reading it! It's helped me strengthen my relationship with him. What an incredible blessing scriptures are. Read them, love them. :)

Like I said, OLIVE YA!!!!!!!!!!! Soooooo much! I think of you often. and how grateful I am for the upbringing I had. I'm so blessed it's ridiculous!


MUCH LOVE,

SISTER Hannah Marie Schieving

Pictures to follow!