F{Laura}da: It came in like a wrecking ball. 8.5.14

This week was pretty intense and I didn't even realize it until I started to write this. So I apologize in advance for how long this email is.

My awesome face mask whilst listening to transfer calls What? Me? Where?

I'm a firm believer in bad news first, so here it is: I'm getting transferred.... to Lake Butler a.k.a the sticks. It was like a punch in the face. We were just sitting there listening to the transfer call laughing and having a good time when all of the sudden they read my name and it wasn't very funny anymore. I'm so upset. President Craig even told us that this wasn't going to happen, but oh stinkin well. I thought I had at least one more transfer here in the blessed land of Gainesville. But I'm packing up my bags and heading over to Lake Butler where we do all of our shopping at the Dollar General and the nearest WALMART is 20 MINUTES AWAY. Distraught. So in honor of my perilous state I only bought salt and vinegar chips, those delicious pink cookies, and Dr Pepper this week for food. Whoever said you couldn't eat your feelings was a dirty, skinny, liar. Onwards!

We have continued to teach Nick this week. He is moving along so well and is the most prepared soul that I have ever met. Miracles happen, they really do! He came to a baptism that we had this week in YSA and he loved it. He is such a sweet, elect person. I think he was just waiting for someone to invite him.

This week every living thing fled from Gainesville. There is not a creature left in Gainesville. Not even an armadillo. They have all been hit by cars in their haste to get hence from Gvegas. Everyone has moved out and gone on vacation. Because of said moving out we were able to experience I miracle. We got a call from some random number and it turns out that it was someone we had knocked into like 2 months ago and talked with her about family history. She asked if we could help her move, so we said yes. of course. We ended up being the only ones that could help her move her stuff to storage, but that's okay because she had 3 bags of clothes to go to Goodwill and we are exactly the same size. So I gained some new clothes! Hooray! We are also the same shoe size, which is what I'm most excited about. I got a brand new, never been worn pair of limited-edition TOMS. BESSSSTT DAAAAAAAY EVERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! So worth it. We also had to try on all of the ridiculous clothes that she had. That made for fun times.

Speaking of moving we are also moving apartments. We are finally getting out of the hood. I knew this day would come! Sweet goodness!!!... well when I say we, I mean them. BUT I PICKED IT OUT!! Life is seriously unfair sometimes.

But this week I got to go to the temple on Thursday. It was the best day ever! I got to see Sister Blatter, eat chic-fil-a, and go to the temple. What a sacred place temples are. They are truly the house of God. We NEED them in our lives. We need the work that goes on inside them. The work is necessary, not only for the people that we perform these ordinances for but for us as well. We NEED it. We need THEM. How are we supposed to be together forever if we don't even know our ancestors?

Family history is such a vital thing. It ain't for your gramamma. Family history is for NOW. It is for THIS generation. We have the skills and now we have the resources for it. Joseph Smith even had something to say about it. He said, "Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free." That's Doctrine and Covenants 128:22 in case anyone was wondering. Family history. DO IT. It's done? INDEX. There will come no greater joy than redeeming your dead.

There is also a new online missionary event coming up. It's called "I Follow Him" Here is the blurb about this one. It's real simple folks so I expect everyone to do it. Plus we are giving you ample time. I do not think that I ask too much.

"We invite you to share a picture of yourself with a photo of Jesus Christ on your Facebook profile and any social media outlet of choice. Include your testimony of why you follow Him... and use the hashtag #ifollowhim. Add this link about Jesus Christ to the end of your post to welcome others to learn more about Christ -http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ"

I think you can all handle that.

Have a good week!

love,

Sister Perkes