Learning to Trust the Lord

This week has flown by! Kelli is less Italian (very open) and more stoic, but this week Kelli said she was able to be open with her feelings. She stated that the Lord was with her every minute during this time and that He is amazing. She feels so much better! Another great blessing of missionary work - learning to trust the Lord in all things.

Kelli stated that she and her companion inadvertently dress alike every other day. Fun times! All is well with Kelli!

Heidi states that she is gaining a stronger relationship and trust with Heavenly Father, that He is guiding her and she can feel His guidance so strongly sometimes. She says it is amazing! She also states that she is grateful for this gospel and for the Spirit.

              One particularly long planning session with her companions got the best of them, though.

                                                           When Sisters get bored!

Hugs from the Bonham Sisters!

When P-day, Preparation Day, arrives on Monday, the girls send emails and letters to family and friends. 

Both girls have struggled this week and they both mentioned how they wanted to give me a big hug! Melts my heart!

Heidi said, " Imagine me giving you a BIG hug and just holding it, because that's what I feel like doing right now.  

I love you,

Sister Heidi Bonham"

I did imagine that hug! A GREAT, BIG hug! 

Kelli said, "Hi mom!!  I love you so much, and i miss you sooooooooooo much!!! i'm having the hardest time right now!! I want to come back and hug you!"

Kelli has always been a great hugger and I miss her and her hugs soooo much! I imagined a BIG hug from Kelli. Then I imagined Kelli and Heidi and I in a group hug. Then I imagined Jesus in our hug. Then I imagined Bob with us in a group hug. Then I imagined Dianna in our hug. Then I imagined Todd and the five boys joining our big family hug! It was glorious!

This week both girls mentioned that they had sought out and received priesthood blessings of comfort from their district leaders. "When the going gets tough, the tough get comfort through blessings". Heidi mentioned that she was grateful for growing up in a home where Bob was always worthy and willing to give our family blessings. It is amazing that young people, the age of these missionaries, have learned to put such faith in Heavenly Father. Their experiences and the lessons they learn will bless their families throughout eternity.

On a side note, there was a huge fire near to Palm Springs. Heidi sent  a picture of what the sky looked like where she lives. It was a few days before there was no more ash on the ground.

Kelli and her companion have been 'doubled-in', which means they are both new to the ward. After one week of becoming acquainted with the ward members, Kelli and her companion were 'doubled-in' to a second ward. Many new people and double the opportunity for service! My neighbor's sister and her family live in the ward in which Kelli serves. That sister has just been called to be a Ward Missionary and will work with Kelli and her companion! Small world!

Also, Kelli was thrilled to be able to speak Spanish to a few Hispanic people she met while proselyting. 

These are exciting times!

Redlands and Vancouver

Redlands:

Sister Heidi Bonham is loving Palm Springs. The weather is cooling down from 122 degrees to 113 degrees. Yay!

Heidi was the driver, which she loved, but one sister went home for medical reasons, so there are now three sisters together and Heidi, being the newbie, decided to sit in the back seat. No matter, she loves her companions and is enjoying her time with them!

She met the brand new mission president for Redlands and she said he is awesome!

Exciting for me is that she has met several Sicilian people (my mother was full Sicilian) and they love her! The first woman she met reminded her of my mother and then she found out she was full Sicilian. She wants to feed Heidi spaghetti. Ahhh... A taste of home.

Heidi's love for the Savior has grown, even in such a short time. Being able to devote hours a day to study of the scriptures, prayer to Heavenly Father, service to His children, and doing the work of the Lord brings the blessings of Heaven. She is awesome!

                                          Sister Heidi Bonham

Vancouver:

Sister Kelli Bonham has been in Vancouver for a little over a week.  She is loving it! She has a great companion and brand new mission president.They got a new car with 18.5 miles on it. I have never seen that before. She misses us and she said she does her mission during the day and dreams of us at night. Sweet girl!

Kelli is in the Forest Landing Ward, which is my neighbor's sister's ward and another neighbor's son and daughter-in-law's ward. Small world! She said the ward has been GREAT!

Kelli has had a cold this week, but she is feeling better. She and her companion live in a member's home and looking out the back window of the house, she can see Mount St. Helen's from afar! Beautiful!

A friend of mine from high school, who lives up that way, told me that Kelli will see 'the glory of God' in this beautiful place...in many ways. Wonderful!

Kelli hasn't sent any pictures yet, so I hope we get some on Monday.

Hearing from these girls brings us great joy! 

Package from home!

A friend happened to catch a picture of Sister Kelli Bonham picking up her package from home. Thank you! These are her companions in the MTC. From her letter, Kelli is loving her MTC experience! Sheri Dew came and spoke to the missionaries, which Kelli also LOVED! Tomorrow she flies to her mission in Vancouver, WA. Time is certainly going by so quickly!

P - Day means Preparation Day and emails to home!

Sister Heidi Bonham sent an email on P - Day. It was great to hear from her! She feels the Savior's love for the people in Palm Springs. She is enjoying her experiences. Her life has only been threatened once (she didn't enjoy that!) Weather is 122 degrees this week. HOT! The people at church love these sister missionaries! Party at a member's house - hats included!

KELLI IS AT THE MTC!

Last week, Sister Kelli Bonham entered the MTC and, according to her letters, she is loving it! She is learning many wonderful things, has a great companion, and a beautiful room. We are so happy for her!