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