Note to Self - don't personalize pass along cards!                                                        June 15, 2015

Hi y'all (gosh two weeks in Indiana and I am already saying this!)

Once again, I don't have a lot of time (the curse of a missionary, but I wouldn't have it any other way), so please note that this doesn't encompass my week in any way, shape, or form. But I'll do my best. Also, I have been told that my emails are a bit confusing, and I have come to realize that I type a lot like I talk: with lots of tangents. So I apologize in advance for that.

Anyway, THIS WEEK HAS BEEN SO AMAZING. I have literally seen God's grace in every minute of my everyday. I challenge all of you guys to look for him in your life, because I promise he is there.

So. This week Sister Mickelsen and I took some time out of our lunch break and wrote the best rap on the planet earth. Maybe if you are lucky you will be able to hear it one day... oh wait, all of you will hear it because once we come home it is going to be blaring out of every car radio ever. So be prepared for Matt-Sizzle and Mickey-Free, cuz "we're two power sisters, who don't need no misters, cuz for 18 months we are serving the Lord." One thing that I don't think I understood before the mission is that it is SO fun. Even when we are out teaching, it is okay to be yourself. Because God called ME, Sister Sara Ann Matthews, to this mission. And it won't do any good if you become a zombie robot. Personalities are important, no matter if you are serving a mission or not. That being said, it still is important to allow the Spirit to be with you always, and there are times that reverence is key. But you can be yourself too :)

For example, my companion, Sister Mickelsen, is just the best. And when we are running in the morning, or walking on the street, or driving in the car, you better believe that there is some serious Disney quoting going on. I was so blessed with a twin soul as a companion.

Okay, contrary to what you have read so far, I promise I actually do missionary work here in the field! And I have seen so many miracles this week! Just like D&C 4 says "the field is white and ready to harvest!" One of these miracles was a man named Steve. Let me try and paint a picture of him for you: He is about 57 years old, lives alone in his apartment, and has no teeth. He was also wearing three shades of pink (sweats, a cut off, and a sweat band) when we first met him, and he was smoking. We talked to Steve for a little bit to get to know him, and then we taught him the restoration lesson, right there on his porch. The Spirit was so strong, and he felt it, I just know he did. Afterwards, we asked Steve if he wanted to be baptized, and he said YES! He turned around, gave us his cigarettes, and said he didn't want to smoke or drink anymore. He was so prepared, and because we followed the prompting of the Spirit to talk to him, we were able to provide that peace that he needed. We are preparing for a baptism on the 4th of July, so keep Steve in your prayers!

As we were walking to an investigators the other day, a man in this very old, beat up truck drove by us. His truck was teal, and it had scriptures spray painted on it!! As we drove by, I smiled and waved, and he yelled out the window "You keep that smile, girl!" and I thought, "Yes Sir!" It is my new mission motto, and I challenge all of you to think about the difference your smile can make in other people's lives. So, you keep that smile (girl, boy), it'll change your life, and the lives of the people around you.

Okay, one more funny story, that will explain the interesting title of this email. So, as missionaries, we pass out a lot of pass along cards right? And these cards are supposed to have "Sister Missionaries ### ### ####" written on the back, so that people can call us if they ever become interested. Well, as we were walking into the library the other day, I gave a guy (he was probably about 24) who was sitting in his truck with the windows rolled down a pass along card! He called us later that night, and I guess I accidentally wrote "Sister Matthews" and then the number on the card, because he asked for me. He started asking me all these questions like "Are you nuns?" "Can you dates guys out here?" "How long are you unavailable?" And such. Sister Mickelsen just laughed as I answered each question, and followed it by saying "and we share a message of Jesus Christ" :D Haha he said he might be interested (in our message of course) and that he would call us when he got back from his army trip thingy. Haha we had a good laugh, and I learned a good lesson!! So take note future or current missionaries!!

Well, I am out of time! I love you all so much, and know that the Lord loves you and is watching over you all individually. So you keep that smile, and don't let the world get you down!!

Love,

Sister Matthews