Hola!

I wish I could start one email like everyone does is all Spanish but to be honest I dont actually know enough to do it... I thought that I would get many opportunists to learn it out here but thus far, boy was I wrong. Right now I am in one of the richest wards in our mission. Yes this can be very hard but it is also very cool. Like a few days ago we were talking with one of our Less actives. He came to church for the first time is 6 years 2 weeks ago. We asked him what brought him back and he told us that he had some very hard events happen in his life. He has 2 very close friends die. One being the producer of Star Treck..... no joke he was the person that took him to the hospitable where he died. Yes I know the best friend of the person who produced star treck. Then to add to that I found out this week that the Less active dad (Brother Thyane) who is a pro tennis player has also produced 3 movies and is working on the 4th. WOW I was blown away! There are famous people everywhere out here!!! 

So while were talking about brother thayne Ill give you updates on the fam. So jojo his daughter is the one that we have been teaching along with her dad. She is so cute and so ready to be baptized. So last sunday Bro thayne got the priesthood and then on wed was able to ordain his son Wallie (who is the cutest kid ever.... Bailey I found your future husband;) to the priesthood. The blessing he offered was very short and humble but the spirit that was there was so strong. I was blown away to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for this family. A bit on sister thayne... She to start is an amazing woman. Last year she was reminded in church of a promises that was made. It was that if the members would read their scriptures everyday they would see miracles. So she took the challenge. She shared her special testimony of this truth. She has seen these miracles. Her husband who has been LA since he was 12 now has the priesthood and was able to ordain their son. And he will be baptizing their daughter on the 29th of this month. She expressed her great gratitude for the scriptures. I too know they have an unreal power. Miracles are brought to pass through our faith and work.

Oh also.. remember a while ago when... back in the good ol' days when at the end of Avengers they are eating schwarma and everyone is like... what in the world is schwarma?? Well friends and family I have now eaten this mystical schwarma!!! And it is Delicious!!! Haha when I was told that that is was I was eating I almost choked on my food. I know that this may not be a super cool thing anymore but I was excited so you all get to be excited with me for a min............ okay im good now!! 

So last night we did a crazy and hard thing. We confronted Vikki about her alcohol problem. In church we had a lesson on faith and repentance and the lady in RS said "we all want a friend that would tell us if we have spinach in our teeth." I had to agree and so taht was the extra push that we needed. In the beginning she did not take it well but we were able to help her and we made sure that she knew that we only did it out of love and concern for her. Luckily we have a great relationship with her... we are kind of all that she has. But I love this woman more then I thought possible. I have cried over her well being and been so frustrated that she is not accepting al ot of the help that we try to give. But last night I shared with her Philippians 4:13 which is one of my favorite scriptures. And after being very frank and honest with her about her addiction I was able to do the same thing about the love that Christ has for her. "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENETH ME!" I told her that. I told her that she needs to rely on Christ and that she will be able to over come every hard thing that she has to face.

I know this is true and I love you all. Please remember who you are and be the friend to lovingly tell you friend that they have spinach in their teeth. They may be a little angry or embarrassed at first but in the end they will thank you for it. And more then anything remember that you can do all things through Christ.

I love you and you Father in Heaven loves you even more!

Love Sister Kate Draney