Sister Chelsea Cloward: MTC: April 24, 2013 to May 6, 2013

May 2, 2013...my first blog post. Let's hope I can figure this out! I was so excited to finally get an email from Chelsea and some pictures. She asked that I get with the times and share.

Dear Mama,

Im alive!!!!!

okay mama, so im only allowed to email once a week on pday, thats why i havent emailed you. YES i got your package, but i didnt get it until like tuesday. thank you SO much, i dont need colored pens anymore, rosalie took care of that! but honestly this has been such an amazing experience. i truly feel the Lords hand in my life guiding me with everything. I never want to leave, but unfortunately, i have to MONDAY MORNING AT 4 AM. so, i will call home around 6 am your time to hear the news! i asked about calling home, they sent an email to a president to ask and im waiting to hear back, but if not thats just what we'll have to do. YES my back has been hurting, and i felt like i needed to go get it taken care of before i headed into the field and i prayed so hard for the doctor to be guided. Guess what, you know how my left hip and s1 joint have been such a problem and cause major back pain? ITS GONE. it was completely locked and not moving at all. it feels much better, but it hasnt resolved the constant pain on the left side along my fusion. im trusting Him to carry me, and i know He will. My companions name is Sister Shipley and she is a saint. She's super quiet, and didnt have much confidence in her speaking until now. it;s been hard because we would go into a lesson and it would be all me. Me and the Lord have really been pushing her (you know me, im a talker) and i challenged her to take the lesson into her hands through the spirit, and that i would be there to testify to her words, when i am prompted. We have two investigators named Claudia and Gustavo and we've cracked there Catholic souls! BAM. Well, the spirit did. It's amazing going into a lesson, not knowing what to say and knowing the Lord will say everything for you IF YOU DO YOUR PART.

So guess what. I was made the Senior companion AND Sister Trainer Leader. Basically it's a new calling in the field since sisters are everywhere, and im just the third zone leader and more specifically over the girls. To give you an idea, we have 18 sisters in our Zone and 10 Elders. yep my hands are full but i love them and love getting to know them individually and love teaching lessons to the sisters individually every other day. It takes all of my personal study time, and gym time, but i'm being far more blessed. STL's are the only exception to not be with your companion and be with the two elders, which is super weird to get used to but they're great. The lord is honestly blessing me tremendously. I havent felt homesick, mamasick jakesick, or any kinda sick. I love you ALL but i know i am where i am needed. My heart is so happy and full mom. I have never felt such happiness, such love, and the spirit CONSTANTLY. I am so so so so happy. I feel no matter how prepared i am, i will never be ready enough, but through being humble He will make up for all that i lack. I challenge everyone to just get on their knee's. Ask the Savior and Father for direction, for ways to be converted to ALL things of Him. I love my Savior. He is carrying me through this, and I have a complete testimony that the Lord will never lead me astray. I am His, and He is mine. How great is that to know? WE belong to him. WE are whole when we align ourselves to his plan for us.

one last thing before i go. prepare now. colt, caleb, anyone who is preparing for a mission. prepare now. Mom, prepare now for the challenges of tomorrow. And everyone, prepare this moment to meet god tonight. We do not know when he will come, but we can be ready. Never ever ever let satan have a single moment of your life, and if you do, recognize it as soon as possible, and then tell him to get the heck out of your life. We have the power to tell him to get behind us, to leave us, and he HAS to. Think about that.

I love you guys. i am just amazed at life. my eyes have been opened to a greater cause, and ya sure 18 months is looking like an eternity right now, but what better way to spend an eternity than by bringing others to Christ and the knowledge that He atoned for us.

SERIOUSLY. life is beautiful.

HI SISTER CLOWARDS FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE DISTRICT SISTERS SAY HI ;)

LOVE LOVE LOVE you.

Sister Cloward