What a week! Seriously though it has been one of the best I've had!! So first and for most I have to share all my excitement with all of you (even though most of you knew this before I did) but..... MY MOST FAVORITE LITTLE SISTER IS GOING TO KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE ON HER MISSION!!!!!!!! She leaves March 25th!  I am loosing my mind right now thinking about how much fun she is going to have! Missions are the best decisions we can make! I have already learned and changed so much and I still have a good 7 months left to treasure and learn and grow!

So here are the reasons as to why this week was so amazing...

1. I got to go back to my home of Dos Vientos on an exchange. (really cool story with that that I'll write about in a sec)

2. I got to serve with sis Hiatt (I know that sounds really funny but she is my hero and I LOVE serving with her)

3. I had some really deep personal studies and comp studies, which get any missionary excited! (studies set the mood for the day. The better the studies the better the day. The scriptures are important and when we really take the time to study them and learn from then and apply them we are SUPER blessed!)

4. Anthony, one of the people we met last week has been reading the BOM and he LOVES it! Huge blessing and miracle!

5. We met a guy named Diego on sat, invited him to church, and HE CAME!! not only that but he stayed ALL 3 HOURS!! AND LOVED IT!!!! Miracle... I think yes!

So obviously this week was out of this world. We have seen so many miracles this transfer and this week is going to supersede them all! Partially because I get to go to the temple with SISTER HIATT tomorrow!! I am on cloud nine!

Okay so here is my DV story. So first Vikki is doing really good! She had to have surgery and is coming back from that but she will now be meeting with the sisters regularly again! Love that! So when Bishop Jaggi found out that I was coming to DV he made arraignments with one of my old investigators to come for lunch with us. I was excited about this because she stopped meeting with missionaries after I left. (always makes you sad) But here is what I didn't know. She told Sister Jaggi, who is a good friend of hers, that it wasn't a matter of IF she got baptized but WHEN!!! She then said if anyone could have gotten me baptized it was Sister Draney! I was like WHAT??

So I was nervous because I got one more chance to help her understand that it is not who is giving the message but the message that is important. So we got to talking and it was like every word was put into my mouth. I was able to boldly bear my testimony and help her see the tesimony that she already has. She agreed to meet with the sisters once to "try them out" and see if she has a connection with them. But i know that they will because this is the Lords work!

I love this work! More then life its self. I love my companion about as much... she is the best! I am going to work this last week with her like I never have before! So get ready for all the miracles next week!

I love you all. You are always in my prayers! This gospel is true. I know it with all of my heart and if you cannot say the same, find out for yourself. Study and pray. our testimony is the most important thing that we can gain in this life time because without it nothing else matters!

Love sister Draney

This weeks letter is going to have to be short but ill give you the low down.

Derrin: we had a killer lesson with him. and then he came to church! Happy day in Ventura

Tony: Still struggling with smoking but has been reading his BOM everyday. He is going to be baptized in December. Needs prayers.

Bill: Okay I dont know if I have told you about bill yet so I'll give you a little back ground. He had 3 deaths in his fam last year, the last being his mom. He at this point was really looking for God. He is going to 2 church's and doing anything and everything else to help him in his search. His neighbor referred us to him. He is GOLDEN! every lesson that we have with him is GREAT and we leave on a spiritual high. He really wants it and just needs to see that we have all that he wants and could ever need.

Shout out for all the Birthday cards/ packages. I am so blessed! Thank you to all for the love and prayers that have been with me each day! I feel them and they really do make a difference. 

So Sister Hiatt is THE BEST!!! We have so much fun together everyday! She is HILARIOUS to say the very least and love to tell stories (which always have me rolling on the ground laughing). Not only that but she is an INCREDIBLE teacher. She is what I want to be like by the end of my mission. She is always thinking about everyone else and doing little things for them. Then when it comes to spiritual... OH MAN. Blow you out of the water. The spirit that she teaches by is POWERFUL. She LOVES this work and this gospel and you can tell. She is known as a work horse because she is always going. She works me all day and teaches me so much! I feel really blessed to be with her.

this week I have been studying in the BOM (best book ever) i was going into Either 2 and 6. Okay this story is amazing. Sis H and I have been talking about the storms in life that get us to our promise land. How it takes HUGE waves and ROUGH winds to get us where Father wants us to be. We get thrown under the water and only get to see the sun light for but a few moments. But when we reach that promised land the reward is sweet and worth every minute of it. Not only that but He has given us "rocks" that will provide all the light that we need as we are trapped in the waves of these storms.

I love what Father tells us in Either 2: 24-25. He reminds us that He has prepared us for this. "BEHOLD  I PREPARE YOU AGAINST THESES THINGS; FOR YE CANNOT CROSS THIS GREAT DEEP SAVE I PREPARE YOU AGAINST THE WAVES OF THE SEA AND THE WINDS WHICH HAVE GONE FORTH, AND THE FLOODS WHICH SHALL COME..."
We are all boy scouts... prepared for everything that we might face. We are given spiritual and physical tools to use. We have knowledge. We were taught before this life and have gained so much experience from this life. We can do anything! So remember this week when you get tossed by a wave that not only are you prepared to face it but it is going to take you closer to your own personal promised land! (either 6 5-8).

I love you all! Keep on keeping on and share your testimony with someone this week!

Sister draney!

Friends!

What an exciting week it has been here in Beautiful California! Ventura is amazing and I am loving every second learning from my companion. She is incredible! Conference was incredible wasn't it? I am amazed at how the Lord can take the same words and answer each of our questions. His spirit is here to teach us and as we open our hearts to it we will be partakers of His truths.

So I realized that last week I didn't say much about my area or companiono! Ventura is amazing! We are teaching a man named Tony who wants to be baptized and knows that it is true, he is just trying to stop smoking so he can. Prayers for him would be much appreciated. Darrin, also an investigator, knows that it is true and also wants to be baptized but his wife is keeping him from it at the moment. Prayers to soften her heart would be great too! There are so many amazing people to teach here and we are finding more and more each day with the spirit leading the way. *Always follow the spirit. He is the one who will show us all things what we should do.

Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same. How blessed we are to have heard the voice of the Lord this past weekend. What did he say to you? Did you write it down so that you can go back and reflect on it? I loved all that was said in regards to testimonies and the Sacrament. When it comes down to it these are two of the most important things that we have.

Elder Holland spoke to a group of missionaries back in 2001 about the atonement and missionary work. He said that as we (meaning any of us) bear our testimonies that it creates an echo. It echos back the the things that they already know. The things that they learned and agreed with and even fraught for. They get their own testimony from before echoing back as well as so many others. It is so important that we not only bear our testimonies but strive to strengthen them each day.

I hope from the inspired words that you were able to listen to that you will join with me in making goals and game plans to "BECOME". Its not enough just to listen and believe, we must act. The Savior said to follow him. Even if it is crawling until you can walk. Today is your day to BECOME. So I challenge you to do so. There is health, happiness, and peace in doing so.

I love you!

Sister Draney

"ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE WISDOM OF HIM WHO KNOWETH ALL THINGS." -2 Nephi 2:24 

"OH BE WISE, WHAT CAN I SAY MORE?" -Jacob 6:12

"...BE WISE LIKE SERPENTS AND HARMLESS LIKE DOVES..." -Matt 10:16

The first scripture of this email is what I like to call my "TRANSFER SCRIPTURE". I found is sometime last transfer and it just jumped out to me. Father really does have so much wisdom. He has prepared us far in advance and now all we have to do is trust in His great wisdom. (Either 2:23-24) He, through his wisdom, prepares us, directs us, helps us grow, and gives us what we need. So why is it so hard to trust him sometimes? This is a thought I have been thinking on for the past while. Why? We know that he knows all things, has all power, and loves us deeper and more fully then we could ever comprehend. So what is it that we lack yet? 

In the General Womens meeting I loved all that was said about temples. when you watch, listen, or read those inspired talks you get to learn what Father wants you to know. Here are a few things that he wanted to teach me. 

1 Cor 6 we learn that WE ARE TEMPLES. The spirit is in us just it is in the temple. But we must be pure and holy. So with this in mind look at all we learned from our leaders. 

From sister Marriott (who was my favorite from the night) we learned how with every temple the influence of satan is lessened. So as each of us make it a goal to fulfill the scripture in 1 Cor 6 we are helping to rid this world of satans influence. What power we have. We really do have a HUGE circle of influence around us. So how are we going to use that influence? If there are things you could be doing better (and there always are) to make yourself more like a temple, I invite you to make a goal and a game plan.

THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE WAS 40 YEARS AGO, THE 2ND BEST TIME IS NOW. I know that you can do it because you have the power of Christ to make those changes. HE WILL HELP YOU. When we change to be better we change through the atonement. We are changing through Christ. So it only makes sense that He would be there to help us through the whole process. He even prepared us by saying that it may not be easy, but it will always be worth it. 

So I invite you all to close your umbrellas and soak in the blessings that Father has pouring down on you. I know that you will never regret it (Luke 9:62). Put your hand to the plow and don't look back. Look toward the temple. Keep the temple ever in you sights. There is so much power in this. you cant get to the temple if you are looking at the world. I know that to be true. 

I know that God lives. I know that he is my Father and your Father. I know that Christ is His only Begotten Son who died for us but who now lives for us. I know that He Loves YOU. with every imperfection, defect, or flaw. He loves you so much that He made a way for you to over come this world. You can do it now! I love this work. I love this gospel. And I know it to be true.

I say these things in the name of MY Savior Jesus Christ Amen.

"WHEN YE ARE IN THE SERVICE OF YOUR FELLOW BEINGS, YE ARE ONLY IN THE SERVICE OF YOUR GOD."

The antidote for all worry, sadness, pain, anxiety, etc. is service. We were sharing a message with a member of our ward last night. As we were discussing the love of God she told the story of her conversion. It was filled with a lot of mistakes, loss, regrets, pain, sorrow, but ended with hope, peace, fulfillment, and love. After 35 years out of the church she hit rock bottom. She told us she felt hopeless and empty and nothing, that she was trying was getting her out. So she went to God.

She could not find a job as she started her path back to her Father so she spent her time totally immersed in service. "This service" she said, "is what saved me. It healed my deep wounds and brought light back into my life." What a powerful testimony she bears when she talks of the Atonement. When we serve others we serve God. What better way to happiness. 

I can testify to the power of service. I am changed through the service I have been blessed to give. It is all around us and I know that it is one of the tools that Father uses to shape us into the Gods and Goddesses He hopes and desires for us to be. When we throw ourselves into service we are surrounded by His spirit. That is the spirit that brings peace, love, healing, and guidance into our lives and hearts.

We were telling Brita yesterday about the spirit. She is still struggling greatly and could really use some prayers. Brita has a heart of gold but no motivation to kick her desires into action. Because of her present struggles we are meeting in her brothers home. (he is a member of this ward and i LOVE his wife and family!) What a power members bring into lessons. I don't know if you all know this but WE LOVE YOU as missionaries. No joke you make the biggest difference in our lives. 

We were able to share some very powerful scriptures with Brita helping her understand how much she NEEEEEEDS! to be reading her scriptures EVERYDAY. and coming to church EVERY Sunday. It is these little day to day things that help us have and keep the spirit. When we have to spirit Satan has no hold on us. She cried and told us that she knows but it is so hard. So guess what we did... (mom your going to love this part!) We made a schedule with her. We gave her a peice of paper and helped her figure out a time EVERYDAY that she was going to read. And how she was going to prepare to attend church. Then we made a plan on how we as missionaries could follow up daily to help her. There is no point in committing someone to something if you are not going to follow up. #lessonsofmissionarylife.

Family and friends I know that God lives. I know that He loves me and each of you. He has a perfect plan for you that you already agreed to. You said Yes! In the words of Elder Malm of the 70 "we are all yes sayers). And guess what? that also means that everyone you see each day said yes to this plan too. Sadly a lot of them have forgotten this and so we are called to remind them. This plan is the plan of HAPPINESS. This world always needs more happiness so lets teach everyone this plan. As we do we will have Fathers spirit with us to lift us, guide us, and help us all along the way. You are called to serve. Grab your sword (scriptures) and put on your badge of honor and follow the Savior.

I know as you do you will be blesses. I see it everday. I know it, I live it, and I love it with all of my heart and soul. You can do hard things. Live each day on purpose. you will find joy and peace as you do.

I say these things in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Now look at 2 Nephi 2: 23-24! New fav scripture

The transfer is over and changes are coming. I am so grateful to know that my Father is in charge. I have been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader (STL) in the Ventura 2nd ward! I feel at peace which I would have never guessed. This is a something that I know will stretch me and help me grow in ways that I guess I need. My new companion is sister Hiatt who has been a SLT for the past 2 transfers. This is her last transfer and I feel blesses to get to spend it with her. 

So here is are the crazy things to these changes...

#1 Ventura 2nd is where I started my mission.... I GOING HOME!

#2 sister Hiatt was sister Snows trainer! WHAT!!

This last week with my fabulous sister Currie was an amazing one! We saw so many miracles. Because of the flu shots we got (that made me sick) and the zone conference we had with Elder Malm of the 70 (OH THAT WAS AMAZING) we had 3 less days to work. But the Lord will take our all and magnify if to reach all the needs to be reached. We definitely saw this many times throughout the week. 

We had a church tour with Matt and Erica that was amazing. We showed Erica all the different rooms and explained what they were used for. We got to read the YW theme with her and see all of the prophets and apostles from the seminary rooms. Then in the chapel we had a lesson on the sacrament. What a power that fills that sacred room especially as we talk and teach of this sacred ordinance. So long story short there were tears shed and they agreed to come to church. And they did! 

The church is true. I'm out of time! I love you all! I'll send out my new address next week so you know where to the send mail I know you're all dying to send me ;) 

Keep on keeping on and always trust in the Lord.

Love sister Draney

I am going to die with my badge on!:)

HE LIVES! A phrase that has brought a great deal of peace and spirit into my life this week. This is part of our unique message that  we all share. Jesus Christ lives!!!!

Saturday and Sunday we were blessed to have Stake Conference. As a missionary meetings are things that we look forward to. We put them on our calenders in big capital letters and remind each other every time we see an other missionary. I especially love any meeting that has conference in the title. The spirit that is felt and used to teach is always incredible and I learn so much. 

Our stake has been focusing on PMG. Our stake President challenged all of the members to read PMG by this meeting and a lot of them did. It has been so cool to not only hear what members have been learning, but to see it put into action. There was a young man that told of many opportunities that he has had over the past few months to be a missionary. The youth are amazing. My personal favorite part were the talks given on making your home a "Pre MTC"! 

The MTC is POWERFUL. The spirit teaches you in everything you do because that is you focus. You are praying every 10 minutes (either because you are starting a class, lesson, or because you feel like you brain is going to explode). You are constantly talking about the gospel, reading and reciting scriptures, and best of all serving (even if it is just holding the door for someone.) Folks this is how to be happy. This is the most sure formula to do so. 

We had been walking for about 1 1/2 hours and were heading back to our car. We felt like we should turn down one in particular street, not knowing if it would get us back to the street we needed to be on. There was a cute little park path thing that we decided to take (partially because it was shaded and 90 degrees out side.) 

We were walking and stopped to talk to a woman who had to cute dogs. She was so sweet and as we got chatting she told us how her nephew, who she piratically raised, had married a mormon. She told us that she has been trying to learn more about what we believe so she can connect to them better. WIN! We then quickly, without sounding "desperate", explained to her that our purpose as missionaries  is to go and teach people what we believe. Her face lit up! WIN! She gave us her name, number, and address and set up  a time for us to come over. 

The Lord's hand is in this work.

Sue. Man I say her name and just smile. We went into our lesson with her this week really worried because for some strange reason we both felt like she was going to drop us. Quite the opposite happened. We were talking to her and asked her if she believes the bom it true. "Yes" she said. We asked her about Joseph Smith and again she gave us a YES!!! What a relief. She told us how she had read the chapter that we gave her twice because she wanted to understand more and did each time she read it. Folks, The BOM is true! This was a huge testimony builder to me because all week I have been praying extra hard for Sue. I prayed specifically that she would receive answers to her prayers and recognize them. She did.

This is the Lords work. He is my best friend. When the waves seem like they are going to swallow you and you will drown. Remember this, your life guard walks on water. We all face storms in our lives, we need Christ on our ships so that when the storm reaches its high point He can calm our storm and lead us to safety. Each trail that we over come through Christ leaves us stronger and wiser. He is our teacher and friend and HE LIVES. 

I know these things to be true. Study them and ask, and you will to.

Keep on keeping on!

Love you all,

Sister Kate Draney

Friends,

THE CHURCH IS TRUE! THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE WORD OF GOD! AND I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

Yesterday we are out visiting one of our Less active friends. We gave her some homemade cookies and shared a scripture with her. I love leaving knowing that I was able to brighten their day. ALWAYS LEAVE THEM BETTER THEN WHEN YOU FOUND THEM. on our way back to our car we saw a man walking our way so we kept walking his way passing our car. then he crossed to the other side of the road. Great now we get to make things awkward... so we say hello as we cross over to him. This is always a gamble because a lot of the time it is awkward because they just speed up like they didn't hear us or shew us away. (we get some funny stories from that) But Kevin stopped and said hello. HE IS A MIRACLE. This man was so prepared. We had one of the most easy natural conversations with him. He was very religious and shared things with us that we all together connected back to the gospel. He talked about angels always being around us so I shared D&C 84:88 with him and he loved it. later on in our talk we shared a BOM scripture with him. As sis currie read it I gave him a BOM open to that page she he could follow along. 

His comment after went a little something like this... "Wow that was powerful. When you handed the book to me I was filled with this power and happiness." That my friends is the power of the BOM. The field is white. Our friends are prepared. Those who are ready will see the light and know. We didn't have to do anything but hand the BOM to him for him to know that it was true. He felt it because his heart was soft and he was prepared. 

This week has consisted of many visits to a pharmacy because my poor comp has been so sick. We used a little of what all my comps call "My who-do-voo-do" but that only went so far. So she has been sleeping a lot and coughing out a lung or two. And I have been cleaning, studying, and trying to entertain myself. But here is the cool thing. Even though we were only able to go out a little we saw some of the most amazing miracles ever!

 We were having dinner and were finishing up when the neighbor of sister Moobury (who is an elderly widow in the ward) came over to check up on her and see how she was doing before she left for her trip to Hawaii. We invited her to sit down and have some food with us. She did and stayed for the message as well which was us teaching her the restoration. We committed everyone to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. She agreed to do this as well and agreed to letting us come by after her trip. The Lord knows our hearts and how badly we wanted to be out teaching this week so he gave us special miracle to be able to do so.

The other cool part to this story was before dinner I had to thought to EDPEP (role play) teaching the Restoration. Then low and behold.... we got to teach it to someone who needed it. 

We invited 3 of our friends to be baptized this week!... none of them accepted a date but were able to express concerns that they had. From this we will be able to help them come closer to our Father and eventually make those sacred promises with him that will bless them forever! 

SUE AND DANIEL CAME TO CHURCH!!!!! Yeah yesterday was a great day! Deedee is praying about a baptismal date! We have a lesson with Matt and Erica Tuesday and we are going to invite her to be baptized! Prayers would be appreciated! 

Missionary work is the most rewarding work. This church is true. I know it with everything that I am. I know that Father talks to us through the scriptures, so read them. We are so loved and are always enough!

Alma 53:11 is a great scripture I came across today. Take time and make an oath with Father to bring you closer to him. He will help you and it will bless you!

Keep on keeping on in the Harvest!

Love you all so much,

Sister Kate Draney

This week... wow.... it amazes me how I learn so many different things each week, even though I am technically doing the same thing that I have been doing for the last 9 months. I have learned and relearned that Father will always and is always teaching us. it is just up to us to recognize and accept the lessons being taught. 

So first news of the week. The transfer is over but I am staying in Goleta with Sister currie. I am super pumped because she has a unique way of teaching me A LOT of lessons that i REALLY need to learn. What a blessing. Not to mention one of the LA that we are working with told us last week that she hopes that we don't leave of split up soon (not knowing that we would find out if that would happen in just a few days) because she connected better to us and felt so much more comfortable with us. So her prayers were answered. 

So this week was a great one in the work but I feel more impressed to tell you more about my studies this week then the people I talked to. So to start off...

At our missionary coordination meeting this thursday my ward mission leader gave us a quote that has changed my mission. he said "LOOK FOR THE PURPOSE OF EACH DAY". He told us of an experience that he had on his mission. Him and his comp had had a HARD day. They got to thier apartment with 10 min before they had to go it. They had knocked literally every house in thier area and so they decided to go and walk down the street. In doing so they met a really unkind man. this doesn't help the day but they don't let that beat them. So they keep going and a man walks by. he tells them that he is on his way to pick up the body of his daughter that just died. (WOW) they bore testimony about the P.O.S. and he invited them to come later and teach him more. That was the purpose of their day.

Because of the new tansfer I took some time this last week to sit and think about what I learned this transfer. I will admit it has been my hardest one thus far. But "PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY". I had an understanding with Father in which I learned about perspective. This is what I learned... your eyes are the window to your soul. You go where ever you look when you walk and similarly with life and attitude. In every situation there are two perspectives, the optimistic with the half full glass, or the pessimistic with the not enough in the glass. When your dad takes a drink of your chocolate milk you can cry because you now have less then you did before and wont be able to enjoy as much and you were hoping to. Or you can smile, grateful to share and say thanks for leaving that much for me. 

Every day and in every situation we get to choose what glasses we will use to look at the situation. We can wear our "life isn't fair and everything from this person is said to hurt me or make me angry" glasses. Or you can put on your "I love life and nothing is going to get me down" glasses. What I've learned is the second pair make life a whole lot easier and more enjoyable. It really all does depend on how you look at it or choose to take it. There are times when someone might say something to hurt you but that doesn't mean you have to let it. You can look at it with a positive attitude and shake it off. This is what you do when your eyes are set on the Savior. That is where joy comes from. When your sights are set on your self EVERYTHING is going to hurt and you are not going to find that same joy from the same situations. We are in control.

I'm out of time. but I know that I love you all! you are in my prayers. Keep on keeping on in the work!

Sister Kate Draney

Oh my gosh what an amazing week! I don't even know where to start. I feel so blessed and have all everyday for the past 7 days. This week has been a week of miracles, not because I've been doing missionary work different or anything but because I was looking for them. You truly will find what you look for, in people, in situations, in work, in love, in life in general. That is part of the reason that it is so important to look to God in every thought, to keep your sights set on the temple, and to have an eye single to the glory of God. 

When you really think about it you go where you look. I mean you can try to walk with your eyes closed but you aren't going to get anywhere very fast and you will probably end up hurting yourself. If your eyes are looking only at the things of this world how in the world are you going to walk in the paths of God? I think about David. Looking was his downfall. So look to God and see miracles all day everday. 

I wish I had the time to share with you all the amazing miracles that I had this week but I dont so I will give you some of my favorites...

On Wed we had a lesson planned with a woman named Elain. She is a friend of our bishops. He asked us to go and see her so we did. When we went over the first time she was busy but told us that we could come back and talk with her more next week (being this week). She also told us that she was catholic and not planning on changing ANYTIME soon. 

So we go over and talk with her for about 30 min. She is not interested in our message but will sit and talk about life with us. Lucky for us every aspect of life relates back to the gospel. LOVE IT! In talking she told us of some really hard trials that she has had to face and ones that she is facing right now. We asked her if we could share an uplifting message with her, and to that she agreed. Usually I can think of something really quick to share and a scripture to put with it. But my mind was BLANK. Ahhhhh worst moments as a missionary. I was rambling on as I flipped through my scriptures trying to think of something that would connect to her situation. 

Then a thought came to my head that I had had earlier that day at a LA's house. We had been reading with the LA in 1 nephi and I got a thought to leave my book mark where we left off. So now we are at Elains house and I remember that. So I start to tell her about Nephi and his life. We tell her about the family situations that he has and some of the struggles that he goes though. I took her to 1 nephi 17 aka the "good trip" "bad trip" chapter (thank you sister snow) and showed her how nephi and his brothers went through the same things but because of the attitude they say very different things about it. 

Then we went somewhere else showing the faith that Nephi had and I was able to bear my testimony about how amazing it is to get to learn from people like this. I told her how Nephi is my hero and why. She was amazed at how well we knew the BOM and asked us how long we had studied to know it that well.

Okay so pause! At this point in the story the spirit was thick enough to cut. Like I'm talking cutting trough butter. But not butter that has been sitting out and is all soft and delicoiusl and ready to eat. But butter that has been in the freezer. She BOM is such a powerful tool and we are told as missionaries to help people to "feel the BOM". That is what went down that night. She felt the BOM and it changed her. You could see the change and IT. WAS. AMAZING!!!

So by the time that we left she was on a spiritual high that we have all felt at one point or an other in reading the BOM. She told us how she is now going to put her BOM in her bag so that when  she needs strength she can open it up and get some!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THE SPIRIT!!!!!!!!! AND THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has had a BOM for years and admitied to us that she just never wanted to read it (dang satan knew she would love it). So when we were able to read some with her she FELT IT and had a change of heart!

Amazing right?? I thought so.

Oh man I wish I had more time to tell you all about how awesome missionary life it. I is hard dont get me wrong and I can always use prayers and letters, but I can truly testify that it is Gods work. I know it because I see His had in EVERYTHING. I would invite and encourage all of you to pay a closer attention to the little miracles that you have everyday. Do what I did and write them down so at the end of the day you can see how much your Father loves you. These are things that He set into course YEARS ago. He loves you that much! So take some time to recognize that love and to thank Him for it.

I know these things are true! Share the Book of Mormon because it changes lives. Make it a goal to always have one with you so when the spirit promps you can give it or share it with someone!

I love you all! I miss you but not enough to come home any time soon :)

Keep on keeping on in the hastening the work of our Lord!

Sister Draney "Dreamy"

August 20, 2014 Kate's half way mark!:)

Ooooooo I'm 1/2 way there, oooooooooooooo livin' on a prayer.... 

No seriously this song is way to fitting. As a missionary I feel you have to live on a prayer if you want to make it though the day. I am so amazed at how fast time flies and so sad to see that so much of it has gone. It was really motivating to know that I only have x amout of time left so I better jump on that train and get moving. I feel even more motivated to give it my all and not hold anything back. My desire is there and now I just have to act.

In Elder Oaks 2011 april conference talk he explained how improtant a desire is. He said that your desires = your priorities. Your priorities = your choices. Your choices = your actions. Your desires taht you act on = you CHANGING, YOUR ACHIEVING, AND YOUR BECOMING. He talks about the priorities of our desires and how we can over ride our desires with greater ones. ie You over ride your desire to eat with your greater desire to fast. 

Our desires make us. Its like virtue. It starts in our inner most thoughts. I remember a song that I heard a lot as a child, YOU THINK IT, YOU FEEL IT, YOU DO IT. If we can master our thoughts we can change who we are and what we will become. 

This week was a Blow me out of the water week. We had some of the most AMAZING lessons that I have had thus far. Sister Currie and I would leave the lesson with beaming grins and over flowing hearts. When the spirit teaches hearts are touched and changed. Miracles are seen!

Speaking of miracles they have been EVERYWHERE!! I contribute most of that to the 40 day fast that our ward is doing here in Goleta. Last month we started this fast and members have each taken a day to fast for the missionary work, for personal missionary opportunities, and for our investigators. This has changed so many hearts. Each day we are able to make lists of miracles that we have seen and amazing experiences that we have had. There is so much power in giving of your self so that others can have. 

Sorry this one is short and my thoughts are totally scattered, but I encourage all of you to go to Ture to the Faith and study under Fasting. I did this because we taught the YW lesson on it yesterday to prep them for their day to fast. I was inspired to fast more and with a greater purpose. I know that Father has blessing waiting for us. So bring on the blessings!

I love you all! Make it a goal to share the gospel with someone this week! You can do it!

Keep on keeping on!

Sister Kate Draney

Honk if you want to be happy, pull over if you want to know how!:)
So this week consisted of A LOT of tracting. We have people to teach but need more. So we spend the more part of our days finding. This is great because you get to talk to so many people and can try so many different approaches an idea which is a great way to learn new awesome skills. But it can also get very boring and repetative. So one day we were thinking of new things to try to find people because truthfully knocking on doors is not very productive. So sister curries like, "Okay here is what we're going to do. We are going to make a sign that says, 'HONK IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, PULL OVER IT YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW!' and then go and stand on a street corner!" haha I almost died laughing. Can you imagine two young girls holding a pink sign on the street telling them to pull over to be happy. I would probably laugh at them. So we vetoed that idea and decided to try to talk to people more at parks and just street contact.

Talking about street contacting.... we were getting out of the car one day to head into our apartment when we saw a man sitting on the side walk facing a bush and talking. Any normal person would have a red flag pop up instantly but not us missionaries. We get super excited because then its harder for them to run away. So we cross the street not knowing what we are about to walk into! When we get to the other side we see what he is talking to..... it was a SKUNK. seriously. This man was sitting on the side walk talking to a skunk. Granted it was a baby skunk and it looked like it was dying or something but he was sitting there talking to it. Haha greatest experience ever. 

So natually we don't let this stop us and we start talking to him. We had a nice little chat and he told us about these prayer necklaces that he is making with his indian godmother. He was a bit crazy but that is totally normal for the people here! But then as he was walking away an other lady walked our way! and she was the one we were suppose to talk to. Her name is Wanda and she was AMAZING. She asked us where we get such long skirt. She looks so hard because she hates how you can only get short skirt in the mall. She pretty much told us what we tell other people about modesty. Then she said that she loves our church and has been to our services before. She loved the feeling that she got and how nice everyone was. We sat and talked to her for 15 min and it was amazing. Sadly she is going to be gone for like a month, but she gave us her number so we could call her and set something up when she gets home.

I think its so interesting what people will tell you when they feel the spirit. I mean just think about this with me for a min. Some random person comes up and starts talking to you. You talk for like 10-15 min and then they ask for your address and/or phone number AND YOU GIVE IT TO THEM. What an amazing thing the spirit is. Sometimes we have such a limited view of our connection to heaven. But when we do man it is powerful!

I'm out of time but here are two quotes that I liked this week...

"THE SPIRIT WILL DRAW UPON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS YOU HAVE DEVELOPED TO HELP YOU TEACH WITH MORE POWER." 

"IT WILL ALL BE OKAY IN THE END. AND IF ITS NOT OKAY THEN IT'S NOT THE END."

in the end our family, faith, and love of our savior is all that matters. Those are the things that should be the focus and the top of our list. Nothing else really matters!

I love you all! keep on keeping on!

Love Sister Draney

HE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

"I AM PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED. THE DYE HAS BEEN CAST! i HAVE STEPPED OVER THE LINDE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE; I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST. I WON'T LOOK BACK, LET UP SLOW DOWN OR BE STILL. MY PAST IS REDEEMED, MY PRESENT MAKES SENSE, AND MY FUTURE IS SECURE. I'M FINISHED AND DONE WITH LOW LIVING, SMALL PLANNING, SMOOTH KNEES, COLORLESS DREAMS, TAINTED VISIONS, WORLDLY TALKING CHEAP GIVING AND DWARFED GOALS. I NO LONGER NEED PRE-EMINENCE, POSITION, PROMOTIONS, PLAUDITS OR POPULARITY. I NOE LIVE BY FAITH, LEAN ON HIS PRESENCE, WALK WITH PATIENCE, AM UPLIFTED BY PRAYER, AND LABOR WITH POWER. MY FACE IS SET, MY GAIT IS FAST, AND MY GOAL IS HEAVEN. MY ROAD IS NARROW, MY WAY IS ROUGH, MY COMPANIONS ARE FEW, MY GUIDE IS RELIABLE, MY MISSION IS CLEAR! I CANNOT BE BOUGHT, COMPROMISED, DETOURED, LURED AWAY, DIVIDED OR DELAYED. I WILL NOT FLINCH IN THE FACE OF SACRIFICE, HESITATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ADVERSARY, NEGOTIATE AT THE TABLE OF THE ENEMY, PONDER AT THE POOL OF POPULARITY, OR MEANDER IN THE MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY. I WON'T GIVE UP, SHUT UP, OR LET UP, UNTIL I HAVE STAYED UP STORED UP, AND PAID UP OF THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. I MUST GO TILL HE COMES, GIVE TILL I DROP, PREACH TIL I KNOW, AND WORK TILL HE STOPS ME. AND WHEN HE RETURNS FOR HIS OWN, HE WILL HAVE NOT PROBLEM RECOGNIZING ME. MY BANNER WILL BE CLEAR." Henry B. Eyring

 

 This is my war cry this week. Times get hard but guess what? We get stronger. And when we get stronger satan gets crushed. When we get stronger we get closer to our goal of heaven. Eternal life with our families in the presence of our Father. So this week I gave it up. Every time it got hard instead of getting frustrated or upset or sad, I said a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity to grow and asked for strength and guidance on the path. I realized that I was my biggest problem and that 'I' needed to take 'i' out of it. Thinking about others is so much easier then thinking about yourself! I love that Heavenly Father makes the right so much easier to do, once you decideddo it!

 

So there is my spiritual shpeal for the day! So on to the crazy awesome week!!

 

First off I need to make the biggest shot out to all those you made my week with letters and packages! I felt so very loved and now my comp and I are going to get so very fat from all the goodies that I got! This reminds me of a talk I read this week as I studied charity this week. It was President Monsons talk from this last conference. In it he gives a little poem about kindness and how you my regret not doing something, but you will never regret being a little to kind. What a true statement. Its really the little things that mean the most. Like out here I have learned that leaving a little note on a sticky for my comps makes their days as it does mine. I love taking random times thought the week making a compilation of notes of love and encouragement for them and them sticky attacking thier dest while they are in the shower! I have found that when I make the little effort of doing these little acts of love that the day always goes better. So in princess bride with the little man says.... "LOVE, TRUE LOVE, IS WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER TODAY!" He knows what he's talking about. It is that ture love that brings us together and really unites us today.

 

When we have love and charity we have the spirit. When we have the spirit we see miracles. Here is one I had this week. So preface.... One of my goals this transfer is to recognize and follow the spirit exactly! So I am trying, by trial and error, to do so. Friday as we were driving to see someone we had to go on a street that a LA lives on. As we were getting near their house I got a thought to just drop by and say hi! So we did. But they were in the middle of dinner and asked if we could try back another time. Yes I know there is no miracle there, just wait for it. So I was a little bummed but just kept going. So later that night we were walking on a street and I got the same impression to stop at one imparticular house. So we did. The young couple were so cute and had just had a baby. Perfect missionary opportunity. We talked to them for a while and they were so sweet! But in the end they were not interested. Another bummer right. When you follow the spirit you always see miracle right? Haha wrong. But I kept going with high spirits! As we are heading back to the car it happens again and so we go and knock on this random house. A woman answers. We start to talk to her but she tells us that she does not live her and tells us to wait while she gets the owner of the house. He comes and we talk for 15 minutes. He tells us about how he has always loved how the members of our chruch are so polite and kind to everyone. He loves our morals and the service that we give. We love this to and talk about the gospel and asked if we can come back and teach him more about Christs chruch. AND HE AGREES!!!! not only that but he told us that he will get his nephew to be there because he could use some guidance too! Martin is our new investigator! So please pray for him!

 

The Lord will never give us more then we can handle, but to be purified as silver we have to undergo the heat. We have been promised blessings and as we live worthy of them we know that we will receive them, but in the Lords time. I have learned that His time is ALWAYS better then my timing. I am so grateful for a Father who loves me so much. I know that He loves me and you. I want to consecrate my life to Him and His service.

 

"CONSECRATION IS THE ONLY SURRENDER WHICH IS ALSO A VICTORY."

 

So stand tall and remember that you are a child of God. ("A MAN NEVER STANDS TALLER THEN WHEN HE IS ON HIS KNEES.")

 

If you want to study charity this week with me I would love that! If you do please tell me what you learn as you pray for experiences that will help you not ohly learn about this attribute but develop it too. I love you all! Keep on keeping on in the work of the Lord.

 

Love Sister Dreamy