Ella is "Grace"

It was 4th of July on Tuesday and I was so excited!! I haven't celebrated this holiday in like 5 years because I was in England and you can't really celebrate a holiday to its fullest when you're celebrating your independence from the country you're living in lol. Anyways, we couldn't do much as missionaries because we still had to go out and teach people and be in by 7 pm, but I was still so happy with the tender mercies from God!! Fireworks are illegal in the surrounding areas but they're legal in Gardner (where I'm living) so a lot of people come to Gardner around 4th of July to do fireworks and oh my... it was like world War 3 or something. There were fireworks going off in every direction so my comp and I watched them from our backyard😁😁

We got to meet our new mission president and his wife, the Sommerfeldts, this week and they are so cute!! Right when I hugged Sister Sommerfeldt she was like "oh my you look and sound just like Grace"- so apparently I have a doppelganger and I remind them of this girl they used to teach in Sunday school but they said that's a good thing lol. Overall, they just seem like the sweetest people ever and I'm so excited to get to know them more!

Also we started teaching this awesome lady named Staci and she has the cutest kids ever. I literally almost cry every time I meet someone new because hearing their conversion to Jesus Christ is just so beautiful! This past week definitely had some highs and lows. I've kinda gotten used to rejection when people are quick to tell us no, but it just makes it even better when someone does say yes to hearing our message!! Even when they say no, we try to leave them with our number if they ever do want to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ! I just love talking to strangers and talking about Jesus Christ with them!!

Also I wanted to share this scripture verse because it brought me a lot of comfort this past week:

"Wherefore be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you"

D+C 68:6

Some things are out of our control but when we have a positive outlook and continue to do our best, we can find that comfort even during our trials!

Love and miss you all!!