Family,

I hear it is frigid in Vernal :/ Well I will not be complaining about how cold and wet it is here in Washington anymore! lol.

I hope you all had a great New Years and week. Sister Nanto made a new years resolution last year not to drink any soda. So guess what we did on new years??? Drank root beer haha. It just so happened that when we went to the island the Higgenbothoms gave us these cool glass mugs with root beer in them. Worked out perfect.

On Dec. 5th Debora was baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was so great. She was so excited and prepared for this. Her husband came and really liked it.

I remember feeling prompted that we needed knock our apt. bldg. Past sisters had told us not to because we couldn't, but I couldn't ignore the constant promptings I was receiving. So we knocked and the last door we knocked on we met Debora. She invited us over the next day and it was only up hill from there. It is so rewarding to hear her bear her testimony to her husband now about how she knows that it is true. Raymond came to the baptism and really enjoyed it.

 I can't even say enough about how influential members are.

When you have new people coming in, they are so scared and out are of there normal surroundings. It is up to us as members to go out of our way to help them feel Christ's love. That is why grandma allowed us to start teaching her. Because when she came to church the warmth and love from all of the ward members softened her heart to allow for the spirit to speak truth to her!

On Sunday it was a bit crazy. We had to be on the Island that Sunday, but because of the time change we were no longer able to go to both. So we went on a split this Sunday. The summit sisters came with us. I prepped Sister Gurr for this Sunday because I knew if we weren't on top of it, it could be a disaster. We had 4 confirmations that morning and by the time they were done it only left about 15 min. for testimonies. It was AWESOME!!!!! Who wouldn't want a whole sacrament full of confirmations, me, me, me!!!! We then had two families came and this is where our ward members become Celestial members. We didn't even hardly have to worry. They took them right under there wing and made sure that everyone got to where they needed to go. It was a beautiful Sunday.

We then went to the Stower's for dinner. They are a really big Samoan family. Sister Gurr didn't eat all of her dinner and one of the kids totally called her out. They made something that is very traditional Samoan food. I didn't think it was bad, but Gurr did not like it. So, if you know Samoans, they will cause a riot until you eat it. Gurr is a very funny person and very strong willed. So she grabbed the whole thing and shoved it in her mouth. She was ready to loose it on the dinner table. And it didn't help that we were all laughing our heads off. But she let it sit in her mouth for a good 5min and then she had to spit it out. I wish I would have had that on video. hahaha. They now respect her!

We then went to the Tacoma fireside and poor Gurr was feeling so sick. I just had to laugh about it. The fireside was amazing. It was great to see some of the ward members from my ward. Sister Weaver gave me the opportunity to share my testimony about Jesus Christ. It was very special to me. I think I needed that more than anyone. I shared a story about my mom and about this beautiful picture of Christ she got for Christmas that is now in our home. When I saw that picture, Christ spoke to me and reminded me of the Love he has for our families and for ALL of his children. Christ came to this earth to be like us, so in return we would one day want to be like him. He asks us to come to know him, then to Do. When you know something you act upon it. Then he asks us to to let him make of us something extraordinary. To transform us, to use his Atonement and BECOME like him, so that we can return home to the live with the father.

I will forever be grateful for Christ. My testimony isn't much, but I am learning and it will continue to grow. I know that his gospel is true. That is the Book of Mormon has power and will soften a heart. I love you all and for all of you examples. Sister Phillips 

At sister Lyles farewell.  She was has been called  to serve in Japan.