Sister Ficklin is awesome.

Dear family and friends, Yes, Sister Ficklin is awesome. I didn't know what to put in the subject line so, naturally with every decision I make, I asked her what she thought and that's what she told me to put and so, I did. :) I really couldn't do it without her. She is a trooper! Especially for being out for a few weeks, she goes on as many exchanges as I do, and most of the time she stays in our area and has to work here with someone who doesn't know the area. I know that I couldn't do that when I was out for only 4 weeks. So I know that God sent her to me to be my companion for this transfer. She's amazing and I love her!!! Last Monday we went and had dinner and 'game night' with the Whatcotts and the Crocketts. Bro. Crockett is one of the Elders' investigators and his wife used to be an investigator but she got pushed a little bit and got turned off by it. So the goal of the night was to introduce us to her and hopefully get her a little more interested again, but I don't think that it worked very well. We had a good time trying to do it though. We played this game called "Heads Up." It's a game they had on their iPad and it was like charades (spelling?). It was pretty funny. One of the Elders, Elder Bauer, was with Mark Whatcott and they had to act out "belly flop" and it was so funny because he did it so perfectly! He went up in the air and then down on his belly he flopped! What was even funnier was he was the one that didn't want to play the game. He's the one that got most into it. Anyway, it was fun and I think Sis. Crockett had a good time but I'm not too sure what will happen with her. We want to introduce her to family history and see if that will spark an interest but we will have to see what happens! :) We've started volunteering at a Nursing Home and playing Bingo with them. It is so much fun! I work with this one lady where every day we play, I have to explain to her again how to play it. Then by the end, she doesn't need my help any more. But I just love elderly people. They are so much fun to work with! :) We are still trying to work with the Staton family. I told you that they know Pres. Martin, the Stake President, right? Well, they do. It is pretty crazy! Last time that we met with them, Bro. Staton was giving the girls a bath so we just talked with Sis. Staton. She said that she had read the pamphlet and that she didn't think it was crazy and that it could be possible that it happened. We then talked more about the Book of Mormon and what it is and challenged her to read it. She said that she would read and prayed about it! :) Earlier that day, Pres. Martin had texted us and asked how they were doing so we texted him back and told him that and he said, "Thank you thank you thank you thank you! This is totally in my prayers. Asking for the Lord's tender mercies here!" So Sister Ficklin and I are thinking, "He's the Stake President, God HAS to listen to his prayers, right?" hahah but we're just being funny. We know that the Lord will provide and then they will have to choose for themselves whether they want to accept the message or not. That's what agency does to ya. Sometimes it can be frustrating but we just have to remember that it is a part of the plan. Bro. Henry is still doing great!!! He came to church again yesterday and there's been some people asking us to change his baptism to sunday so that they can just stay after church and so everyone doesn't have to make a big trip on saturday as well as sunday - since we are such a spread out ward. So we are trying to see what we can do! :) He's as amazing as ever. He loves church and he is actually been able to talk to his family about it a little bit. His mom is still not on board with us coming to the house and teaching him but his dad and sister are. We're praying that his mom's heart will be softened! His dad is great though, he tied Bro. Henry's tie for church yesterday! And Bro. Henry said that the other day his dad hugged him and told him he was proud of him because he was going to church. Apparantly that was one of three times he has ever said that he was proud of him so that was a tender mercy right there! :) I went on an exchange this week to Mena, Arkansas. It is such a pretty place!!! They have pretty big hills! They're so big I ALMOST consider them to be mountains. They claim that they are, but I'm not sure if I agree. :) Anyway, I was with Sister Daines for the day. She is so great! She has 9 nieces and nephews!!! Her oldest sibling is 12 years older than her. So it kind of reminds me of Keira and I but we have 5 more years between us. :) I always ask people in that situation how their relationship is with that sibling because I want to have a good relationship with Keira even though we are 17 years apart! I just like to know how people do it. :) Her and her sister have a really good relationship though, so it's doable! :) The Rileys didn't come to church yesterday but they were dealing with a family situation. We were sad because Pres. and Sis. Shumway spoke in Sacrament Meeting and did a fireside after the linger longer we had after the block. :) It was so good!!! Sister Ficklin and I and the Elders did a special musical number for Sacrament Meeting called "How Great Shall Be Your Joy." It is kind of like "A Child's Prayer" where they boys have one part and the girls another. It was so funny because Elder Young was trying so hard not to disappoint us that he came in at the very beginning when he wasn't supposed to. The good thing, he was hitting the right note! So we had a rough start because then Sis. Ficklin was laughing and trying to compose herself. But it ended up being good. Elder Young said, "I was trying so hard not to disappoint you and then I completely messed up!" We felt bad but we had a good laugh over it. It is super interesting serving in the same ward as other missionaries but it's good! :) I love you all so much! Next week I have Mission Leadership Council on Monday again so I won't be emailing until Wednesday. I can't believe a month has already gone by and it's time for MLC again!!! Time goes by much too fast these days! :) I love you and I will talk to you next week!!!! Have a GRRRRREAT week!!! :) See you soon then! Love, Sister Pahl