So it's been a really really busy week!

We have been all over the place with meetings and the open house and trying to get everything set up in the area because they will be closing it for a month until more hermanas come. The Elders in the ward will be taking over so we have been introducing them to all the investigators and converts here.

my granddaughter and daughter and selfie.

It's been fun to be with Hermana Wilkinson again. I've gotten too know her pretty well the past year and a half and we've had some powerful lessons together this past week. She is an awesome missionary!

with families in Valle. baptism last Sunday

Thursday we had a meeting with Bishop and talked to him about the goals we have for the ward with the results that the temple open house should leave and he asked us two to plan a special sacrament meeting for this past Sunday on missionary work. It turned out really well. We ended up speaking which we hadn't planned but also the ward mission leader and bishop spoke. It was a very powerful service. I spoke of the blessings of the temple and the restoration of the Priesthood and my comp tied it all in to sharing the blessings of the gospel.

another family in Valle

We have been teaching lots and lots of lessons on temples and eternal families and trying to invite everyone possible to the open house that will start tomorrow! This past Monday we had a training meeting with all the hermanas that will be participating. We watched a video that had Megan Nielson and Lenise Volmer in it which was pretty cool. I'm assuming it was filmed when they were on their missions in Provo. They let us go through the temple and gave us a special tour. Elder Valenzuela and Elder Ken Richards and Elder Deoyos gave tours which was pretty sweet. All seventies. It was a really cool experience to be inside with them and the mission presidents from the 3 closest missions.

The temple is gorgeous!! I am so excited for us to come back in September to see it. It was so beautiful even though the Spirit isn't quite the same right now because it isn't dedicated yet.. it's still amazing. After our training and tours Monday we started helping out with the VIP that came that afternoon. The people who live close by the temple got special invitations and came this day as well. Even after just a few hours that afternoon, President showed my comp and I a huge stack of references that we had received. He pulled out one and said "Hermanas how would you like to receive this reference?" They had written on the comment card, "I loved it. I feel like Jesus Christ is here. I would like to be a member." Awesome right?

this is what my area looks like

My health is surprisingly doing a lot better. Last Saturday we had a zone conference and President's wife noticed I was still sick. I hadn't been telling her the past couple weeks because I figured I would just have to work through it and be sick until I got home and figure it out later. She didn't like that plan all that much and had us cancel our citas for the afternoon and come back with them. It was their pday so we went shopping with Pres and Hna Anaya and then back to their house to eat. Gave me some home remedy ish stuff for my stomach and I've been feeling a lot better since. We went to their stake talent show to watch their son that evening too. It was probably the weirdest day of my mission but also really fun to get to know President and Hermana Anaya better. President drove us to the subway Sunday morning because our ward doesnt start til 12. Pretty sweet day. And I was worried about going home and not being able to eat much but I think I will be able to eat good now :) Feel free to make lots of food.

last district class yesterday.

matching yellow shirts.

Today was a crazy day because we had to pack up and move everything to the temple grounds. We are staying in the Visitors Centers sisters dormitories the next few days to be closer to the temple. Tomorrow and Saturday we will be helping at the open house from 9-9 and we just heard that they might open Sunday in the evening as well! Monday we get to help out as well until they take us off to President's house and then take off for the airport around 3 in the morning we heard.

trying to get everything out of the house. all lined up on the stairs.. so much stuff!

I've loved my mission so much and I'm so excited for this weekend to be a part of the temple open house and feel the marvelous Spirit that is there. I have learned so much the past year and a half. My testimony of living the gospel has grown so much. It is the happiest way to live. I understand better the importance of our covenants and applying the Atonement into our lives daily. My faith in the Savior to help us change and become what the Lord wants us to be has grown incredibly. I have seen His power in the my life as well as the lives of many people here. He can make weak things strong. I am so grateful for Christ in my life. He is my Redeemer and King. This is His Church. It has the power and authority to perform the ordinances that will allow us to live with Him, Heavenly Father and our families forever.   

Excited to see everyone soon! Have a good week! :) 

Con amor,

Hermana Rhoten