such a good week!

Hello sweet family and friends!!

This last week was incredible. There's really no better way to say it. I learned SO much and felt such a lift as we truly worked our hardest. 

On Wednesday we had district meeting and then went on exchanges. I stayed in Garden Ridge and Sister Whittier came here. Garden Ridge was actually her first area so it was so fun for her to be back. I learned a lot from her and her example of diligence. 

After exchanges, Sister Reece and I started talking about how we know we can be better missionaries, and we came up with different goals to get there. We talked about being more united in teaching and giving every ounce of energy to the Lord every single day. And then we went out and put it into practice. On Friday and Saturday, the weather was sooo perfect, and we were on bikes. We spent the whole day talking to literally every single person we saw, even if they were busy or back in their garages. And it was trickier because Sister Reece and I have decided to let go of the phrase "We're sharing a message about...". Haha. But can I just tell y'all that we met some of the kindest people, we got to help one woman with yard work, and it just made us feel good? We shared restored truths with people. We testified to them that families are eternal, that the priesthood has been brought back, and that we have a living prophet on the earth. We gave everything we had, and the Lord blessed us so much! Saturday night we stopped to talk to a woman who was smoking on her porch. We were going to share a 60 second video with her, but that turned into a 40 minute discussion about the Restoration. She invited us back and we're so excited!

Our other miracle this weekend was when we were riding down a street right next to our apartment. There are two people that live on that street that we've met before, but have never been able to catch at home again. We've tried one man, George for about a month now. As we rode by, THEY WERE BOTH OUTSIDE. And we set return appointments with both!! We went back to George's last night, and it was one of the most incredible lessons I've had on my mission. We taught George, his wife, and his mom and they were so accepting of what we shared and their desire to know truth was evident. They asked us about coming to church, and we're meeting with them again this week. They are incredible people. We came out of that lesson SO happy and jumping around because we felt the Lord bless us. When we truly do our part, the Lord will make up the rest and take care of us. 

In the Bible Dictionary under "Miracles", the very last paragraph says, "Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If miracles cease it is because faith has ceased." And that is absolutely true. When God knows our intentions and our desires, and as we truly put in all we have, the reward will be there. 

I've been reading some chapter President Slaughter assigned us, and this morning I was reading in Alma 5, and a scripture hit me hard. Like waaaay hard. Alma 5:15 talks about standing before the judgement of God, and verse 16 says: "I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?"

Imagine how that is going to feel. Hearing the voice of the Lord calling us to Him because of how we have lived and our righteous works. This isn't a blessing for some, it's one for all who do those righteous works and sincerely try, and it's amazing.

I love y'all so very much and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Snyder

greatest week ever

Hi y'all! This week was really good! We had some of the very funniest times yet, and I learned so, so much.

Sorry I didn't send an email last week! Transfers were on Thursday and Sister Reece and I are staying in the lovely Garden Ridge and we're so excited about it! We have lots of work to do here and we can't wait to find those families and people that the Lord has prepared for us to find.

So on Tuesday Sister Reece had a doctor's appointment for an ingrown toenail. It was pretty fun because we had to drive all the way through my last area to get there, so that was fun. So we get there, fill out the paperwork, and then go back, we wait a while, then they numb her, then the doctor and nurse come back and start the procedure. I'm just in there watching this all. Normally I'm totally fine with this stuff and blood and all that doesn't bother me. But as i was watching them cut her toe open and shove wood sticks in there and do all sorts of stuff, I started to feel a little sick. I finally couldn't take it anymore, and I stood up to get some water. At the same time, the other sisters called. I remember answering the phone, walking to the door, and then everything started going black and then...I was asleep. I woke up on the floor with a pillow under my head. I realized I had passed out. HAHAHA. I sat up and Sister Reece is just sitting up there with a bloody toe, laughing. Hahahaah oh man it was the funniest thing ever. The doctor had grabbed me and helped me to the floor, so I was fine, just so ashamed of myself. hahaha oh man we're still laughing about it all! So we laid there for a second, made sure everyone was good, then we headed home. haha. so that was exciting. so we had to stay home for a few days while she recovered, which is torture for a missionary. but our ward took such good care of us. 

This week I've been studying using the scriptures in teaching, and in life in general. There's a section on this in PMG pages 180-182, and it's great. There's a scripture it references, Alma 31:5. It says that the words written, or the scriptures, have a more powerful effect than the sword. Think about that. The words found in our scriptures are much more powerful than any human or physical thing. The scriptures change lives. They guide us, they protect us, they offer us answers that simply cannot be found anywhere else in this world. God's perfect, unchanging plan is clear through the scriptures. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is made known through the scriptures. They mean so much, so please, please keep reading and keep looking for the things you need. Your answers will come, and you will feel of Heavenly Father's love for you. I know that, because I have experienced it. This gospel is the most beautiful, yet most simple thing there is, and it is true. I know that without a single doubt. 

I love y'all tons and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Snyder

p.s. here's a picture of me and Sister Reece during morning studies, and a picture of my district. :)