Happy Valentines Day!

Hi Mama!!

Wow, this week has been amazing. Especially yesterday!! It's funny how there can be lots of ups and downs and bumps in the road throughout the week, but every time I come to email home, the things that stand out in my mind the most are the miracles and the blessings. I can look back and see the hard times from the week, but they don't matter as much anymore because of all the good things that happened. :) 

One of my favorite quotes from the week: "The Lord calls regular people to do holy things." --Elder Sorenson

Some of the miracles that happened this week:

Jason finished the Book of Mormon!!!! He read the whole thing in about 3 months. Isn't that amazing?? We had no idea he was so close to being done--a few weeks ago, he was just starting Alma! He's pretty laid back and reserved, but he said that he gained a lot of new perspective from it, and that he is leaning toward thinking that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. YES!!! We had a great lesson with him at the Winder's home on Friday. They are an incredible young family, always cheerful and so excited about life. And so excited about missionary work! I love them. Brother Winder's mom was visiting, and she sat in on the lesson too. She and her husband were in the Hill Cumorah pageant last summer--so she had some perfect experiences and testimony to share when Jason said he had finished the Book of Mormon. It was an amazing lesson. I love teaching in member's homes, because they are all so wonderful, and the Spirit is always so strong! I think Jason really liked the Winders as well. He had to work at noon yesterday, but he came to the Euclid Ward (meets at 9 at our same building) with us--and stayed for Gospel Principles for the first time ever!! He's really starting to open up, and I think we've become better friends. He seems more comfortable talking and joking with us, and more eager to learn. I'm so excited to keep teaching him. 

We had a great lesson with Laura yesterday. We taught her about prayer and the Holy Ghost, and it was so cool to see the light click on for her. I really love her so much. She reminds me so much of Judi, plus she's the sweetest, kindest, easiest person to talk to. Everytime we teach her, I remember what a miracle it was that we came in contact with her. She's going to come to the mission president's fireside with us next Sunday--yay! 

Also, speaking of Judi......I got to talk to her on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sisters haven't been able to get in contact with her, so President Vellinga gave me permission to call her. We talked for almost an hour, and it was the most amazing blessing.  It was so amazing to talk to her again. I love her so so so much! She and Staci and Bubby haven't been going to church, but she prays every day and feels connected to Heavenly Father. She feels so guided by Him and recognizes His hand better than ever before. She is going through tough things, but her circumstances have softened her heart. :) I'm so grateful for her, and for the wonderful blessing I've had of being able to be a part of her life. :) She said that my letter last month and phone call that day were perfect timing as always, and very impactful and needed. :) I'm so grateful that I could be an instrument in the Lord's hands to make a positive impact on her life. I know that Judi is one of the reasons I was called to the Ohio, and I want to always stay in contact with her. :)

We found a really cute family this week--a mom, Kiesha, and her two daughters, Cheyla and Dazia. We met Cheyla and Dazia awhile ago when stopped by a potential who lives next to them. It was dark and freezing cold that night, but their light was on, so we decided to knock on their door. They let us in for a minute and were so excited when we told them we talk about Jesus Christ! That doesn't always happen, so we were pretty excited about that. We went back last Friday and were able to teach both of them, plus Kiesha, who was home. Kiesha is an ordained minister, but none of them have been to church in awhile. They all have strong faith in God and Jesus Christ, and we're excited to share more with them to help them strengthen their faith.

One of the most amazing miracles was yesterday. Remember when Bob just showed up to church and asked to meet with us?? It happened AGAIN!!! A member invited someone he met to come to church with him, and he accepted. Nitin is his name, and he just arrived in the States from India for medical school studies. He was so interested and excited to learn everything he could about our church! He met the Elders first, and asked them tons of questions. It turns out he lives in our area, so we were able to meet him and tell him more as we went through church with him. He is very bright and curious, and loved learning about our church! The Sunday School lesson was perfect for him--points of the true church--and there was even a baptism after church that he came to with us! I can't believe how prepared he is, and all of the many things that fell into place for him to be at church yesterday. What a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heavenly Father is truly leading His prepared children to us, and I am so awed and grateful to receive so many wonderful blessings. How could Heavenly Father not be a part of His work? This miracle was so obviously done by His hand--there's no way we could have made that happen. I'm so grateful for miracles. :) :) :) 

We had a great lesson with Bob as well. The Staceys are such wonderful fellowship for him. They are arranging everything for him to go do baptisms at the temple with Brother Lavin--I'm so grateful for them!!! And for every single person in the Shaker Heights Ward. They work so hard, are so amazing at missionary work, are so organized, so spiritually solid, and such great examples to me. Sitting in Ward Council, or eating dinner with wonderful members like the Banburys or Clarks (this week), or just seeing the way they teach, serve, and love their children and each other gives me so much inspiration for the kind of wife, mother, and Church member I want to be someday. I love them all. :) There are so many good things happening in the Shaker Heights Ward!! Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf, and for our investigators--it truly makes a difference!! Will you also pray for Ed and Kathy, the Shaker Heights North sisters' investigators? They are working hard to quit smoking so that they can be baptized next month! They are really amazing, and I love them. :)

Speaking of Shaker Heights North...Sister Rigby is training a new missionary! Her name is Sister Hunt, and she is from San Tan Valley, AZ. She is cute, spunky, and outgoing, and I love her already. I'm so glad that we finally got a new sister in Kirtland! We haven't had new sisters come since October--isn't that crazy?

Well, I love you so, so, so much. I'm so grateful for you, and for the shining light and example you are to me. I wish I could fit every experience and everything I want to say into one email, but there's no way I could remember it all or adequately express everything I've learned and am grateful for this week. But know that I am so eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. I know that even though some parts are grueling and hard, Heavenly Father is molding me and shaping me and using me as an instrument in His hands--and that is something I love so much. I love serving in Kirtland, and I know I am so blessed to be here. I love you, and I hope you have an amazing week!!

Love,

Sister Wygant

Decorating cookies for Valentines Day