Hello Family!
We had a good week this week. It is wonderful being a missionary! Worry about the eternal salvation of souls really gives you a purpose for life.

We did hear about the shooting in Geneva, Alabama. It's pretty sad that that happened. Being a missionary you don't really understand what is happening in the world. You only get small snippets of world events. I'm a little nervous about having to come home to 'real life', but I know that with the Lord first in our lives, we don't have to worry about anything.

Jessica Palmer is the sister that is buying my bike. I'm glad you got the check from her because she went into the MTC on Wednesday. She is probably going to be my replacement here in Destin. I'm excited to meet her, because her Bishop in Provo came to visit his daughter who lives in the branch.

I did have my last zone conference this week. It was pretty good. We got to watch "An Ensign to the Nations" and then talked about it. The sisters from our branch made our lunch and it was good. Then at the very end President Summerhays did something he hasn't done really at all. He asked Sister Hartman why she loves me and then had me share with everyone what my mission has meant to me. It was hard because having to put that into words isn't easy. And, just for the record, I cried :) I'm still as soft-hearted as before my mission. I'm really interested to hear what President Summerhays wrote to Bishop McBain. I really love President Summerhays! He is the best mission president ever!

This week we had a really fun opportunity. On Valentine's Day a lady called us saying that she wanted us to come over. She did scrapbooking and she wanted us to come and meet her, and help her find peace in her life. Along with all of this she wanted us to do what else but scrapbook or make cards with her! I was in heaven! She had a ton of scrapbooking stuff. She is an independent consultant for a scrapbooking company, so it was a lot of fun! She has really been struggling with things recently in her life, and so she needs us. She had taken the lessons 20 years ago, and we are now teaching her again. Later on that night was the Relief Society birthday dinner, and she came to that, too! She really enjoyed it and loved the women in the branch.

We had a really great turn out at Sacrament Meeting. All three of our good firm investigators came, which was great! They all loved it and will be regular attendees in the future. However, we found out that one of them is on probation for two more years, so she won't be getting baptized anytime soon. In two years though, there will be a good firm member of the church to be baptized.

I'm looking forward to running some 5ks this summer as well! Janet and I can do them together, but she definitely beat me by a long shot. I'll have to train super hard before she comes home. I can't believe that Afton is turning 1. I can't wait to see her and Ben and Shannon's baby whenever she is born. There are some babies here in the branch and it is so hard not being able to hold them.

Well, I hope that everyone has a good week! I love you all! Thanks for your love and support! Love, Joanna