LES QUIERO HASTA LA LUNA Y DE VUELTA

MIS QUERIDOS,

   Here I am, at the same library I sent my first words to you from Washington!  Funny how the Lord can take us so far in drawing us closer to Him without us leaving one city! Though I have lived in the same city, traveling the same streets, so much has changed in my life. What a journey it has been!

I have made the best of friends.

Between all my amazing companions, the missionary minded members, and all of God's children He gave me time to spend with, I have made connections that will last for the eternities! I have come to completely and absolutely LOVE the people. 

I have made the best of memories.

I will never forget all the miracles I have seen! Every single day has been a miracle. From the best times to the times that really tested my strength I have been grateful for every single moment. I understand more than ever before the strength of the Savior in my life and the difference He is making in my life. The most amazing thing to me is seeing how God's hand has been working in my life and the lives of those around me. It is absolutely amazing how He just perfectly coordinates it all! There might be much opposition, but He is so much greater! I have watched Heavenly Father heal broken homes. He gives an eternal hope and promises that families are forever. I have had some of my most powerful moments in all kinds of places. I have taught on doorsteps, on corners, and in gas stations. I have visited families, in their homes, that I will love forever. All has been so beautiful and I can't wait to always be sharing it with you! 

The Lord has started to help me make the best of me.

The best part is that this journey has started. My mission is memorable beyond belief, but it isn't the end. It is just the beginning that Heavenly Father knew I needed! I can't explain just how perfect this mission has been for me! I am grateful for all the things the Lord has taught me. 

I love this Gospel with all my heart! I know His teachings are available to us so we can find happiness. I know that families are forever and are so important to Him.  

I cannot begin to explain just what my mission has meant to me. It has been my walk with Christ, but I am not going to end this journey upon leaving Spokane. I have started on a new path, a higher path, a path of true discipleship and I can't wait to continue walking with Him everyday of my life! To walk with Him and do His will is all that I want.   

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Love, Hermana Emma Rose Phipps

PICTURE TIME:

TEMPLE TIME WITH MY SISTERS

ONE LAST TEMPLE MOMENT

WITH MY PAST COMPANION

HERMANA BOMAN

HONORING THE TEMPLE & ANGEL MORONI

HERMANA "SAM" AND I

(Everyone calls her that because she looks like

Sam from a TV show called I-Carly)

LAST WEEK AT ENGLISH CLASS

I AM GOING TO MISS THIS!!!

EMMA FOUND A COLORFUL CATEPILLAR

SO BIG &

HIDING FROM THE SNOW!

EMMA WILL MISS ALL THE FUN TIMES IN SPOKANE!!!

BY THE WAY... I am going to read the Book of Mormon in 42 days!!

You should all do it with me! Deal?

[Emma's family is very excited to be doing things with her. Her mama has enjoyed keeping this blog up for her while she has been serving in the Spokane Washington Spanish Speaking Mission. As I type this, we (Emma's father and mother) are in Spokane. We will be hugging Emma in less than three hours and cannot wait to see her again. We have been invited to a Testimony Meeting for those leaving the Mission and a Dinner at the Mission Home. We feel honored to be here. We know it will be a new sacrifice for Emma as she sacrifices the Mission Field to return home to her family. All of us cannot wait to hear more of Emma's experiences!] 

Again...

Emma's Welcome Home will be on February 8, 2015

at 1 pm in the Brigham 23rd Ward Chapel

620 North 300 East Brigham City

You are welcome to enjoy a light luncheon with us at Emma's home:

357 E 765 North - Brigham from 11 am to 12:30 pm

YEAH EMMA!!

TEMPLE TIME & MIRACLES AND JOY CONTINUE!

[On January 5, 2015, Emma sent the following]

Temple p-days are the craziest! 

I only had 20 minutes to email so I am forwarding the email that 

Hermana McDougal wrote to her family.

LAST TEMPLE P-DAY TOGETHER 

FOR HERMANA MCDOUGAL & HERMANA EMMA ROSE PHIPPS 

   Hello Everyone! Time flies by, the transfer is almost over too!! And there will be changes, because Hermana Phipps will be heading home.  Because of short time this week, sadly I won't be able to tell you a whole lot of all the craziness that happened. Its been a week of miracles and not such great things, both ends of the spectrum. We had a miracle happen this week in that our new investigator Ashley came to church!! And she loved it! Leo and Coralia and Leonel came as well, and so we had 4 investigators at church which was awesome and an answer to a specific prayer, which was a big testimony to me that God always answers, especially when we specifically work towards something (in his own will and time of course), but He is definitely in the details of our lives. We had another little miracle, we were able to contact a new Spanish speaking family! They pulled into the driveway just in time for us to talk to them, and she was very nice and accepting. That was another answer to a prayer. 

   Then I spent a day and a half in bed sick with the flu, that was an adventure. But we ended up with a new investigator out of it, so hey, if it works, it works right? 

   But the thing I have learned most this week is that I've learned even more about how to recognize the spirit, when I feel it and especially when I don't. Often times we are like the fish surrounded by water, without recognizing we are even in it. We are feeling the spirit, but don't even notice it, until we aren't feeling it. And the trick is to get rid of whatever it is that causes the spirit to leave as fast as possible. So I've learned even more what little attitudes or behaviors make the spirit leave, and have thus learned more about how to be directed by the spirit in small and simple things. The spirit will always move us to progress, to move forward, to try new things, to overcome old habits, and to be closer to our Heavenly Father. Those things which move us back, stop our progress, or even encourage us to stand still are not of the spirit. Fear, doubt, envy and pride, are a few that I've learned really hinder that guidance from God. What an amazing blessing, to have a member of the Godhead with us always, as we strive our best to live worthy of His guidance. Little by little, I learn more every day about how to receive and act in His way. 

Hope you all have an amazing week! 

I hope you love Hermana McDougal's email!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! 

WE HAVE SO MUCH REASON TO REJOICE!

[On Monday, January 5, 2015 Emma wrote the following. She has many reasons to rejoice, but so does her family... in 21 days Emma will be coming home!!! Color us happy!] ... 8D.

EMMA ROSE PHIPPS' WELCOME HOME

Sunday February 8, 2015

1:00 pm @ the 23rd Ward Chapel

300 East 600 North

Brigham City, UT

You are welcome to visit and enjoy

a bite to eat at our home from

11 am to 12:30 am that day!

[Emma's Home address... 357 E 765 North Brigham City]

Now for what Emma sent:

Welcome to the New Year!! ISN'T IT GREAT!!

Do you have any fun New Year's Goals? Share them with me! The one I am focusing on the most is to write in my journal every single night. I want my mission memories to last forever!

This New Year has been quite amazing actually. I have really seen my Heavenly Father direct the work here. Even more this week than ever before. We have some mountains to climb, but I have no FEAR. As we do the work of the Lord, the POWER behind us is ALWAYS stronger than whatever is before us!

Let's just have a Hermana McDougal moment right now, if that is all right! She is amazing! I have never seen a missionary who has figured out just how to be a missionary so perfectly! Her studies are so powerful. She is an amazing teacher. She is always looking out to make sure all that we do is helping us fulfill our purpose! Also, she is ready to work all day every day! I am amazed by how diligent she is.

3 Miracles from this Week!

1. On Saturday, it was Krystal's birthday! That was just a tender moment in itself. The Lopez family is so dear to me. Heavenly Father has taught me so much during my time with them. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of His children and He is un-relentlessly doing all in His power to help us to return to Him. Lots of our most favorite families are going through a lot of opposition right now. For a good half of my mission, I used to get so upset about opposition. Heavenly Father has taught me so much these last 17 months about having TRUST in Him. I know without a doubt His will is going to prevail. So, we are moving forward with faith and miracles are going to happen! I know that, without a doubt. I have never been so sure of anything in my life!

2. We received permission from our Mission President to Skype Adonay while he is working an hour away in Newport. He goes there for 5 days and he doesn't have a phone with which we can contact him. The Skype lessons have been going really well! He is so excited to be getting Baptized! The only glitch is he needs to get work off on Sundays, so he can keep the Sabbath Day oh so Holy! We are working fervently with him on this!!! I can't wait! 

What I am so perfectly excited about is the fact that I now have a sure way to stay in contact with the Lopez Family for the rest of my life!!!!!

3. Yesterday, during our time at church, it snowed and it snowed really hard! We walked out to a big thick blanket covering the ground. After having a Standing Ward Council with our ward, we were late for the dinner we were going to have with a member. So, we headed up the South Hill as fast as we could. Well... that is until our car got stuck on the snowy hill! Really stuck. Not even 30 seconds later a truck pulled over right in front of us and chained our car to his. WOW!! Heavenly Father has angels here on earth! He told us that only 30 minutes before, he was feeling bored at home and guessed that people were getting stuck on this hill, so he got in his truck and had been pulling people up over the hill over and over again. That was such a miracle for me!! 

• [Mama note: This is so what Grandpa Ernie and Uncle Conrad have done all their lives! We lived on a hill and Ernest would go start up the tractor to help those who were stuck and Conrad still continues to make sure his truck is ready to help anyone in need as he passes them in a storm!! How sweet to have Emma on the receiving end of this Samaritan Type Service!!] 

Le quiero hasta la luna y atras!

(Love you to the moon and back!)

WINTER PICTURE...

SO GOOD TO BE INSIDE & WARM!

FIRST SNOW THAT SISTER SANTIAGO 

HAS EVER SEEN!

She was on Exchanges with me, so I got to

be with her when she saw her first snow fall!

CHRISTMAS WITH THE LOPEZ FAMILY!

Sister Phipps and Sister McDougal ~ right side

CHRISTMAS MORNING IN SPOKANE

DECEMBER 2014

Hermana McDougal & Hermana Phipps

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[On Monday December 29, 2014 Emma wrote the following:]

WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK!

   It was so WONDERFUL to talk with my family on Christmas! My favorite part was when they said that if I am TRUNKY or not it doesn't matter, because they will be TRUNKY for me and come and pack my stuff up if needs be! You bunch are so cute!! It was such a sweet experience to see Kingston! I love being an Aunt. I can't wait to hold him one day. I just have the best 2 nieces and nephews in the entire world. That is because I truly have the best family in the world! 

   I still love being here and working with the people, with my whole heart! We are seeing such great miracles. We have been working on really talking with every person that it is possible for us to talk to. I love speaking with everyone. It really makes all the difference in the work. I have this itch to work every single moment possible and to give everyday my all. I love having the Spirit here always, to drive me to do my very best. I Love the SPIRIT!! 

   Hermana McDougal is beyond amazing!!! I love being her companion. Her personal studies are always so wonderful and I feel like I get to have a mini General Conference session every time she shares with me what she learned. She also has no fear of men and is really doing all she can to teach for understanding. 

   I had a really amazing experience on Saturday. We went to go visit Rose and Julio who have been struggling a bit recently and have had big challenges in their life. Hermana McDougal came up with a plan last week to help them do the small and simple things of the Gospel. What Hermana McDougal shared with them was absolutely perfect! Rose started reading the Book of Mormon over again on Thursday and she has already finished the 1st Book of Nephi! Then as soon as we went in to teach them, both Rose and Julio started talking about how they really want to be sealed in the Temple next September!!! The Lord has been teaching them about high expectations, just like we as missionaries learned about in our last meeting with President Mullen. They are now making such great progress again!

   I love how much the Lord teaches us when we simply just do the small and simple things of the Gospel. 

   I love this work! I have such a huge testimony of Daily Scripture Reading and Prayer! Make sure you keep these priorities of Heavenly Father as your Priorities too during this New Year!!

I LOVE YOU, ....  I LOVE YOU, ....  I LOVE YOU

Love, Hermana Emma Rose Phipps

FOUR SPOKANE HERMANAS

Hma Phipps, Hma McDougal, Hma Boman &

Hermana Robles