Happiness All Around!

Sister Heidi Bonham and her new companion are having a marvelous time! They are teaching a man to pray. Prayer is one of the greatest gifts our Father in Heaven gives us and they are sharing that gift.

They also get many opportunities to teach lessons in church meetings. No wonder returned missionaries, RMs, can be asked to teach, even at a last minute's notice! Talents are blossoming!

Heidi also is realizing how important it is to reach out to others. "I'm also seeing how CRUCIAL fellowshipping in the church is.  Please, if you see someone who is sitting by themselves or who you don't recognize, GO INTRODUCE YOURSELF!!!  There are so many people who don't go to church because they didn't feel welcome."

Also, living in the desert, Heidi has seen some big lizards! Her nephews would love the lizards, but Heidi says, "Bluck!"

Leapin' Lizards!

A new word Heidi has learned on her mission is "Happytired", a true emotion for missionaries. Here's Heidi's happytired face.

Sister Kelli Bonham had a fabulous week! She hit her two month mark a couple days ago. Wow! Also, she was able to go to a mission conference and listen to an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. She was in the 2nd row! He spoke beautifully about missionary work in the Lord's kingdom on earth. All 177 missionaries were there. What a marvelous experience for her!

She is in a tricompanionship for one week. She is loving it! She rarely sends me a picture, but I am so excited that my neighbor, Jill, received this picture of Kelli and her two companions and texted it to me:

The three of them are in two wards and when the fourth Sister arrives, they will divide separate.  

Kelli's advice to me on going back to school: "Be safe and be excited for school!  Work hard and be amazing!! also, this whoooole time I've been on my mission everyone is emphasizing working hard, and it's the truth!  When we work hard, we are blessed and we feel so accomplished!!"

What a marvelous thing to learn! 

We love these young women and are so pleased with their lives!

Some Pictures from Sister Kelli Bonham

When Kelli was at the MTC, she found out about a sweet-smelling tree. There are various names for the tree. The Candy Tree, The Skittles Tree, The Soda Pop Tree. Here is a picture of the tree. It sure looks like it smells good!

When Kelli flew over Washington state, she was impressed with the volcano/mountains that dotted the state. Here is a picture of a large one with a smaller one in the background:

At the home where Kelli and her companion are staying, the Host Dad makes delicious 'green drinks' and Kelli said the drinks remind her of home:

Kelli and her companion have also enjoyed a baptism of a fantastic lady. Kelli serves in two wards and is really loving the people there.

A Ukulele, a Bakery, and a Baptism

SISTER KELLI BONHAM:


Sister Kelli Bonham's mission allows missionaries to have musical instruments, so Kelli wants us to ship her ukulele to her. She is so excited! Now, to figure out how I am supposed to ship a ukulele. Hmmmm...   Kelli loved playing her ukulele before her mission and she will love playing it again - after we ship it!

Kelli also has met an Italian woman who has been learning about the church. She was awesome to Kelli and has promised to make her some lasagna. Yum!

There is a baptism scheduled this Sunday.Kelli asked the woman to be baptized and she said Yes! This will be Kelli's first baptism on her mission. She has loved teaching the gospel. She is really enjoying her time with the people in Vancouver, Washington!



SISTER HEIDI BONHAM:

Heidi, and the missionary district she is in, loves to eat at this bakery. Heidi's two companions have been transferred and she is getting a new companion (not pictured). She has enjoyed her time with these Sisters and she looks forward to meeting the new Sister. Depending on Heavenly Father for every aspect of life, especially missionary life, is a blessing that is being learned.

Heidi had her first baptism! A wonderful woman that these Sisters taught, joined the church. It is a baptism to be remembered as there wasn't enough water in the font and the Elder kept trying to complete the baptism (full immersion). Well, after the third attempt, they added more water and Heidi said she was praying really hard. After the baptism was successful on the fourth attempt, Heidi said she almost clapped because she was so relieved! Heidi is loving this great opportunity to share the gospel. She is loving the people she teaches and the other missionaries.