It's Been Real Idaho.

district, it was a funny group.  The Up River District (the name of our district but the elders just called it the Turd.)  We got the elder on the left that shirt at the thrift store since he is the biggest cowboy and then Sister Norman made him that tie.

Lezlie, LOVE HER so much!!!  Just saying goodbye at her work.

Photos: 

Rachael and Hailee! Said goodbye to them yesterday.  They have been the best! Tuesdays at 4 were always a highlight of the week!

Lynda! Everyone loves Lynda! One day it will be her turn and she will be able to do the work for herself and then her ancestors but until that day comes she just loves every single missionary that comes and adopts them! I am sad to leave for the 4th of July since Sam (her husband) invited us over to watch the fireworks!

The Joslins! My last lesson in Grangeville was with the Joslins.  I love their family so much.  Sister Packer and I went on a hunt for them so many times since they live far away in Whitebird and we had so many different addresses for them.  But one day we just kept trying to find their house.  We went through about 5 private property and do not trespass and as missionaries in the Boone areas you can get pass about 2 with being safe but after that you should turn around but for some reason we kept going. I was terrified pulling up because I didn't know how they would react and we were only shown love by them.  The first lesson, Sister Packer and I came out of that lesson feeling so much love for them.  And last night Ryan prayed vocally for the first time ever.  The first lesson we had there he didn't even know who God was or how to pray.  It was such a simple, heartfelt prayer and the spirit was so strong.  When he closed and opened his eyes he was smiling for ear to ear.  It was such a good moment.  Going to miss the country folk, they sure are different than city and I think I like country people A LOT!  They all have such big hearts.  

And everyone had kittens that we enjoyed in our photos :)

Friday was such a good day!  We had district meeting in the morning and then we helped someone move from Kooskia (in the Kamiah ward).  They are actually moving to Cottonwood so the Grangeville ward!  He is a recent convert and she is less active.  But it was far into Kamiah area so it was pretty to see that part of the district.  Then we got home and said goodbye to Lezlie since we were pretty sure I was leaving since of interviews this week and she was leaving town.  Had dinner with the Peirces which was good.  Then we went to the Domans.  Brother Doman is one of my favorites!  He is such a nice guy.  They live out on the prairie.  They don't come to church that much.  I learned such a valuable lesson from him that night.  We were just talking in his yard.  The sun was going down highlighting the freshly bailed hay and he started telling us about this girl that was working for them.  She is 16 years old and is in a somewhat abusive home.  He wanted us to meet her without "proselyting" to her.  We offered that we could come just do service the same time she was over.  He thought that was a good idea.  But the lesson that I learned that night was that anyone can share the gospel.  No matter how weak or strong, simple or eloquent or testimonies are, we can share the gospel because the gospel is love.  We are commanded to share his life and light and love with others.  We can all show people the love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us.  This sometimes can be a lonely journey but we never have to do it alone because Heavenly Father gave us each other.    It was a good friday night in the Prairie!  I just can't even put to words the many lessons I have learned.

pictures: sister norman and me :)

Nicole's Letter: "It's been real Idaho!"

July 3rd, 2017

This is the best thing ever!  I am so happy and I am just taking in the happiness since change is always a bit hard so I am loving every second I am still in Grangeville.  

I am going to Moran Prairie in Spokane.  My new companion is Sister Madsen and I have sent every companion there.  Sister Lake and Sister Packer both went to here after me...so hopefully she is excited for me to come and not dreading it haha since she definitely has heard of me :)

This week was so good!

Some quotes:

Corlene (a 8 year old in the ward)  We were over at their house for dinner and she has a half brother who is like 22 and isn't a member.  So we were talking to Corlene to see if he would like to meet with us and she was saying how he probably would be okay with it.  Then she said "His temple is not clean yet, he just has to stop smoking and then his temple will be pure"  "Ryan's temple is for sure not clean" (about her other older half brother).  Their family is awesome.  Brother Gi is a convert about 6 years and they have such good and funny kids.  Brother Gi's older son is so sweet.  He is trying to come to church but he works on Sunday so he can give that paycheck to his birthmom who has no money.  People are truly amazing. 

Another quote from Corlene.  We were invited to come into a primary class and talk about missions.  We asked them what they thought we did all day.  Then Sister Norman asked if they knew what tracting was.  All of them said no.  So she said "It is where you go around knocking on strangers doors and talk about the gospel"  Then Corlene said "Wouldn't that scare people?"  Haha yep it does Corlene.  Then she was like "I don't know if I want to go on one" 

Then we went to the Ank's.  Sister Ank is less active and her husband isn't a memeber.  They have two grandkids that they watch during the day.  Piper who is 9 and Renegade who is 5.  

Here is a little funny conversation 

Ren: "Do you have any kids?"

Sis Ank: "They don't have any kids yet"

Ren: "Well, you should buy some."

Then after we taught the plan of salvation with some cut outs, Piper asked "How do you even know all this, research? Or did you come up with it?"  We explained how we know this and then she was like "My biggest question is where do babies even come from?"  It was funny.