February 15, 2015

Hello family and friends,

Can I just say, what a week?... It really has been a tuff week. I can
honesty say that it has probably been one of the hardest week of my
mission thus far. Many of you probably have heard but 4 of our sister
missionaries were in a tragic car accident on Tuesday. It was
devastating news to hear that Sister Wells was indeed killed in that
car accident. It has been a trying time but my testimony has grown so
much. We really had to rely on God and know that it is He that really
is in charge and that this truly is His plan. It has been so hard
thinking about all that went on and all the different thoughts that
may come. At one moment it will be good and you are just plugging away
and then all of a sudden you get this thought and your heart breaks
into pieces and you brake down for a minute then you remember that she
is in a much better place, I KNOW that! You have all these thoughts
running through your head and then you just finally have to ask God to
comfort you and help you along the way, and He surely has!! God loves
us so much. He cares about us and He knows what all of us missionaries
and their families are going through. He will give us strength and
guidance to endure through this trial.

The 3 other sisters are recovering. One sister, Sister Young, is in
critical care but is doing better and is on the way to recovery. She
can not talk right now because she has a breathing tube in but she is
able to communicate to her parents by sign language. She is truly a
miracle!! The other sisters are staying with the Nielsens from
Ephrata. Sister Nielsen is Sister Douglas' moms cousin. They are doing
much better and they sure are ready to get back to work. Sister
Douglas was talking to president Johnson and she asked him "can I stay
on my mission?" How awesome!! They are truly amazing examples to me.
They love the Lord so much and are willing to truly do anything for
Him. Many, many, many prayers have been said for them and their
families and they continue to be prayed for. It it a time for growth
for a lot of us and a time for us to really prepare ourselves to meet
our Creator. Sister Wells will always be missed but I am just grateful
that we have the knowledge that we will be able to see her again and
to truly know that she is with our Savior.

So on to the week, Thursday morning we went to JD (Inv) and Amy's (LA)
hearing. It was a lot different then we expected but we were able to
talk to them a little bit. Amy will get out in a couple weeks then go
to rehab, JD will stay in jail at least until April. We continue to
pray for them and hope that they will change by the time they are out.
It is just so hard to see them hurt themselves but it also helps my
testimony grow stronger. Satan is real and he will do anything in his
power to bring us down but we must stay strong and remember that God
is much more powerful!! God is there and will help them progress and
become better. Ether 12:27, our weaknesses will become stronger if we
humble ourselves and through God's grace, which is for ALL, we can be
healed. "It will all be worth it." Bill is still struggling and is not
going to be able to make it by February 20 for baptism. We keep
praying and supporting him. The most important thing we can do is love
him and help him in any way we can.

I can't tell you enough of how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
love us and want the best for us. Today in my studies I came across a
scripture that really was just perfect for what is going on right now.
It is D&C 122:7,9 "all these things shall give thee experience, and
shall be for thy good. Therefore, hold on." Isn't that a great
scripture? I sure did like it. The things we go through in life are
truly for our benefit. We grow from them, we become stronger, which is
turn helps us to become more like our Father in Heaven which is our
eternal goal. I know that things will be ok and that every thing will
work out!!!!

I love you all so much and I hope you are doing well. You are in my
prayers!! Please pray for the sisters who were in the accident and for
their families. :) Have a great week!! Love you to the moon and back!!

Love, Sister Wadsworth