MORE PICTURES

Best Signs Ever!

 A little red barn!

 A barn with a sunflower painted on it!

 A BOWL OF PUMPKIN COOKIE DOUGH. These are the best cookies on planet earth.

Sister Helm! She calls us her daughters. What a sweeeeeeet lady

Power pose with M. P!

 M... and our Bishop...Bishop Hampl

World Famous Saunders Cafe...aka FIRST EVER KFC.

The Miracle of M

Well...This week a Baptism occurred! First one that I have had the pleasure of being a part of! And it was with the miraculous M.. P.. I think I have explained a little about the fact that M... found Sister Goodrich and I. And that he was so prepared for the Gospel. Well...Just like anytime something good is about to happen...or if we are about to get on the right path and choose righteousness..something bad nearly always happens. Satan..that sneaky sneaky thing.

So this week Sister Goodrich and I have been walking on egg shells waiting for something bad to happen to M... because it had all gone so smoothly...and then...we get a text from one of our members, and he had heard something about M... from a neighbor and we started freaking out and It wasn't that bad! And we were nervous because we hadn't gotten a long text from him that day that he sends us all the time. So we were out and about worrying about Michael as we go contacting and such and as we are biking back to our apartment from lunch we see a member on the road and we stop  to talk and I check the phone...A MISSED CALL FROM M...! and A VOICE MAIL. We naturally freaked out. So I told Sister Goodrich that we should stop at the corner and listen to it..and she says that we might as well pull into the Library (it was just a little further than the corner) And so we pulled up and there was a Silver car....Was it M...'s!? We continue to have a panic attack as we bike up and peak into the window..there we see a bible with his name on it!! ....NO WAY....HE WAS THERE. We call him and tell him to come out and what had happened?

He had been walking earlier that day on an elevated side walk and was reading something on his phone...when he tripped...twisted his ankle...threw his phone into the road breaking it more than it already was..so much that he couldn't see anything on the screen. Why was he at the library then? He wanted to put something together for the inside of his baptismal program....We had found him by complete chance. He hadn't gotten a hold of us because he got a replacement phone and didn't have our number..then he remembered that he had the card still! So he found the card...called us..and went to the Library.

It was such an amazing miracle. God really has his hand in everything. Sister Goodrich and I decided that we had to have more faith in M... because he really is prepared. And his baptism and confirmation this week was amazing! It was so spirit filled and you could tell that he was just beaming with happiness and appreciation for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. M... said it was cool because we had come full circle...It was a miracle the first time he came up to us AT THE LIBRARY...and it is a miracle when we found him again the day before his baptism...AT THE LIBRARY. The Lord has his hand in everything and for that I am so so blessed.

Speaking of the Baptism! We were able to bring 3 of our investigators. One of them is D.... D... is awesome. He has lots of questions and really wants to learn. We brought him to the baptism...and...HE KNEW M... ....WHAT? They had worked together and had always gotten along! He was able to really feel better and comfortable around people he didn't know because he knew the person being baptized! Miracle? I think yes.

This week we met this man named T.... We actually pulled our car over..and started talking to him. We find out that he has lost everything. And was living with his friend. and he knows that he wants something in his life. At the end of our conversation we set up a time to see him at a park and we said that he was so glad that he got the chance to meet us and he was already looking forward to talking with us. So we get stuck late at the end of M...'s baptism and we had no way of getting to the park. and so we missed our lesson with T...! We were devastated. Well a member gave us a ride back home...and who do we see walking..T.. ...where? AT THE EXACT SPOT WE STOPPED HIM LAST TIME! We jump out and apologize over and over and over for not being there..and he told us that he had waited for us and was worried and was going to call us when he got home to make sure that we were okay and nothing had happened to us. And so we set up another appointment! So we head there yesterday to meet him...and what happened...we couldn't find the right park :/ so unfortunately we haven't had the chance to meet with him yet...but when we do! I will let y'all know because he is a really nice and humble man who could really use the Gospel of Jesus Christ....who am I kidding...we all need the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday as we were walking we saw these two women sitting on a porch and so we stop and say hello! And come to find out they are some of the nicest women ever!!! VERY devote in their own faith..and not interested but they are so sweet and really want to look out for us. J... and B... are their names! B... is completely insane! She is just hilarious and crazy and doesn't care what anyone things! she is just looking for fun! (Mum..she reminds me a lot of you) :) They are just so awesome and they just want to take care of us and they have already threatened to kill anyone who bothers us! haha

This week it is all about the little things. That is one thing that I have really learned, the Lord's hand is in the smallest parts of our lives, and especially this work. Sometimes you don't even notice the things he is doing until one day you wake up and BAM! there is an answer to your prayer. I have been having the hardest time being able to walk up to people and talk to them...let alone talk to them about Jesus Christ when most of the time you will receive and "I'm good, I go to my own church." I have found it really hard to get he motivation to go talk to someone that just wants to shoot me down. So of course I have been praying my heart out because I know the people here so badly need what we have. The other day I woke up..and felt the need and the push...and even the WANT to talk to people..and I did. And I was able to bring up the gospel. Am I perfect at it?..of course not! far from really...but I know that the Lord is helping me and that the faith that I had is what has helped the Lord to help me. Thank goodness for the Lord's hand!

I truly love this work and there is nothing better that I could possibly be doing with my time. I just am so blessed. Being a missionary...is it easy? NO. in fact it is discouraging..tiring...and occasionally full of disappointment...and it also makes you really hungry. (me...hungry...is not a pretty picture as most of you know). But is it rewarding? ABSOLUTELY. There is nothing more joyful...more satisfying...or more filled with the spirit that this work. With every hardship...it makes those times where things go just right that much more sweet...and it makes everything worth it. And with each stomach growl....a delightful lunch break will be just the right "pick-me-up". Missions...they are inspired and beautiful. I wouldn't trade this for the world.

Quotes in Corbin:

"I'll be content with my two best friends, kitties and a bottle of whiskey"
My husband asked me: "What kind of knife do you want?" and I responded with "One i can open with one hand...and one that can kill"
"I'm healthy and mean and I got God and the Holy Ghost"
"There's a family of Peaces..hmm..that does sound like a full body does it?"
"my idea of adventure is changing my brand of tooth paste"
"I wouldn't poison him!!....at least not slowly."
"Ill pray for you as I rip you apart"
"I don't lie...well...I have in the past...but I'm not lying now!"
"What do you like cooked with BBQ? Baptist."
"I've had four years of college...all they taught me is how to be a blabber mouth"
"The walking dead is just a man soap opera"
On a sign: "you"re life doesn't have a remote...get up and change it yourself"
Kolab...that's advanced Mormonism 302
"Honey if you find my belly button tell me...I haven't seen it in 3 years"

I love you all! and I think of you often!!! and you are always in my prayers!! Thank you for your support! If there is anything I could do for you...PLEASE let me know!! KEEP THE MAIL COMING! Don't forget to smile! :D

Love always,
Sister Taylor Wagner

SHOUT OUTS!  (okay this week has been scattered I'm sorry if I have missed anyone!)

SHANNON!! Thank you for your letter! I have been waiting to have your address!! :D

Dad and Brenda! Thank you for sending me a new camera! I needed it!! Turns out I found my crappy one...I needed a new one anyway!

Mum! Thank you for those additional packages I needed and the chocolate...MMMM! Made my day!

And to Sister Meier for your sweet letter I got last Monday! :D
 

I love this mission life

I love this mission life. It is way different from anything anyone could experience ever. I am so out of the world..but in it at the same time..In the world but not of it. And MAN...it is awesome. I think I am loosing my mind though..Because here is the thing.. I wasn't that clumsy when I was home...actually I was pretty graceful....all grace was swept away when I came to Kentucky...It's a little out of hand...but I'm dealing. It is a crazy crazy week! :) it is amazing though! And nothing too crazy like a dog bite or slashed tires happened....oh wait!

I remember now... We are pretty sure that our lock is being picked now. But we have no idea. for a couple days...our key was extra hard to get into our lock...which is a sign that someone might be picking it. And being honest...it doesn't bother me that people are coming into our apartment when we aren't there..because we are just missionaries..what would they steal? a Book of Mormon? my study journal? It is more the fact if they came in the middle of the night and attacked us or something..but who knows! No need to fear though, the Lord protects his servants and plus we have wooden sticks we keep under our beds...and we are getting a dead bolt put in which makes me feel better! Thank goodness for amazing people.

I learned a new skill this week! What is it you ask...what is the coolest thing that is so random to learn? GLASS BLOWING. YUP. I can blow glass. That doesn't mean that I am good...but i know how to make a necklace charm with little mushrooms in it! I have one and it looks a little rough...but I am going to practice and get really good! :) And I definitely think I want to get myself a little torch eventually and then i can have an awesome hobby!

What did I see the other day when I driving down the highway....ONLY AN 18 WHEELER THAT WAS UP IN FLAMES. And later to find out...it was full of tea. Is it a sign that tea (black and green) is bad for us? YES. Luckily we didn't see it blow up...and honestly I don't even know if it did! hopefully all was good!

So this week was amazing! Lately Sister Goodrich and I have felt like we weren't being productive...we had meaningful activities planned for every hour and did them but something just wasn't right...and we prayed...and prayed..and prayed...then Thursday came around. And what happened? We had a district meeting and what was the topic? CONTACTING. We were taught that if we wanted to feel productive that contacting was the Key. and as we contact (talk to) at least 20 people every day we will find more people to teach and we will feel more productive... We left that meeting with a new flame in our hearts to get out and put everything into talking to people. EVERYONE we see. So we did. We talked and talked and talked and we have never felt more productive..and the next day we did it again! The Lord answered our prayers and knew how blessed we would be for talking to all these random..but EXTREMELY prepared people to hear about the restored gospel. People who where questioning some things that they were taught at their church, or were curious about our church. and just were ready! And I am so blessed to be a part of this great work! and I am so grateful for inspired leaders that really listen to the spirit on what we need to improve on!

Remember how last week I talked about M....P...and I told you not to forget his name? Well hopefully you didn't! Because he is getting baptized this Saturday the 27th. it is my first baptism on the mish, but all glory goes to God. One thing I have learned from M... is that I am absolutely nothing in this work. He found us, and he asked us questions...he came to us prepared by the Lord. I am so blessed to be able to see him enter the waters of baptism and come closer to our savior Jesus Christ. This man is just so wonderful and he is going to do great things for the people of our ward. He made sure that I would tell all of you that he was the first person that I helped. so now i have done that :) Pictures hopefully next week of that!!

Lately we have been teaching this couple, M... and C..., and they are BIG smokers. As we went to a lesson with them the other day C... looks at us and goes...I have to tell you all something...when you first started coming I was like pshhh and now I am like...hmm I wonder when the girls are going to come by! haha she is just amazing and expressed to us her desire to quit smoking and I now the Lord will help her over come that!

Last night we went to a fireside up in Lexington (and hour and a half from here) With the Helms(our parents here in Corbin) and M... P.. and he GOT UP AND BORE HIS TESTIMONY! he used scriptures and everything..who does that!? M.. P... does..the most prepared man on earth I swear...me and Sister Goodrich are pretty sure that he will be a Bishop one day! The fireside was amazing though, it is a time where those investigating the church, and those who have recently joined, have a chance to come together and share their stories and strengthen one another and it does that completely :) I am so blessed to see that all the time here, people helping people and lifting one another up! It truly is so special!

Things they say in Corbin:

"you know...when I get old...I am going to grow a mullet and then go to the ponytail store"

"I'm an equal opportunity hater"

"my little dog is a demon"

"He's at a coon huntin' competition" (I didn't know those were real..)


"I needed some soap in my baptismal pool"

"there is nothing hotter than a chick who blows glass"

"everyone always says...baptists make the best Mormons!"

I will leave you with a scripture: Alma 19:32 There where many among them who would not hear their words; therefore they went their way.

This is about missionaries in the Book of Mormon who were teaching, and not all the people wanted to hear the words that were being said to theme because they didn't want to know that they were doing something wrong. So...they went their way. Those people went their way in what they thought was happiness, but what they were missing was a deep happiness, something that could bring them eternal life and joy. Think of all the amazing things in life we walk away from just because of our stubbornness...This Gospel brings me the greatest joy you can imagine so I go out and share it...but so many people turn away. WE need to go the Lords way. Pray and find out that way...because that is the way to eternal life...and joy. Do his will and you will see nothing but blessings.

I love you all and the support you all give..is amazing. Thank you for all you do for me :) I appreciate it more than you know. I pray for you all often.

Love, your eternal friend,
Sister Wagner

SHOUT OUT TO: Mike and Karissa for sending me a card in the mail!

Shout out also to my Nana for the awesome letter as well :)

And Shout out to my mum for sending me some things that I needed in a package!!! :D

Happy Monday!

HOWDY! Happy Monday!

I dont have much to say today..."Oh wow Sister Wagner...that is a new thing for you!" Yeah...I know...I always have a ton to say about my week! But this week was particularly slow. Why you ask? Oh....ya know...

OUR TIRES GOT SLASHED.

That is right. Read it a couple more times if you need to. Someone...who knows who....decided to stick their knife in all 4 of our tires...pretty much making our whole day really slow...and our whole week really chaotic because we have had to go to the library more to fill out incident reports for the church records and going to the Police dept. so we could get the incident number to report and all this craziness. BUT! Nothing is by accident when it comes to the Lord work!

The day that it happened... We had to walk to a car repair place called Owen's to get our car. We didn't use our bikes because how would we get them back home? SO we walked from our house on fourth st. all the way to Owen's on 18th! At least it wasn't too hot that day! Tender Mercy! So as we were walking.. we  saw this man...on a porch...who looks familiar..so we stopped and said hi and asked how we had known him...He proceeds to remind us that about a month ago we met him at a KFC parking lot (not JUST a KFC but the first KFC EVER...Saunders Cafe in Corbin, KY...Look it up) And then we remember OH! Right he said that he wanted us to talk to him but it was a bad time because he had just found out that he had cancer. So when we saw him on the porch he tells us that HE NOW DOESN'T have cancer, and that he wants us to come back and teach him...his wife...AND his daughter!!! The Lord works in mysterious ways my friends. And that would not have happened if our tires weren't slashed.

Not to mention we picked up 2 other investigators due to the incident. B..., who was sitting on a bench on the way to pick up our car...and C... ..one of our neighbors who installed security cameras around his house that point to around where our car is! :D He has SO many amazing questions about religion and said that no one can answer them that he has talked to before....but WE CAN....well the Lord can because of His restored Gospel in it's fullness :) The Lord doesn't slow down due to temporal problems...he takes the problem and makes a miracle!

This week we also met a woman named S.. She is AMAZING! Miracle find for sure. So Sis. Goodrich and I left our apartment looking for some people to visit... all those we went to visit were dropped investigators (those we aren't teaching anymore) that we felt we should stop by and see..NONE of them were home. As we come down some stairs after knocking on this one guys door..we see a lady and we thought...might as well go contact her. We started talking about religion and how we find strength through God and she tells us that she reads her Bible everyday when she drinks her Coffee! And we brought up the restored Gospel...her face went blank...her happy grin went away...OH NO. and then....we ask if we can come back and teach her some more..then she smiles and says sure! And we are going to see her next week after she gets home from a blue-grass gospel festival :) She was the whole reason why we went to go and see those who we had already dropped..She is prepared!!

I need to take my last bit of time to talk about an amazing human being by the name of M...P.... DO NOT FORGET THIS NAME  He is one of our investigators. and he is an AMAZING guy! He is 33 years old.. and he found us. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. He came up to me about a month ago and asked if I was a missionary and we got talking, set up a return appointment and let me tell you ladies and gentleman...this guy has been prepared by the Lord. Sister Goodrich and I were talking and is just shows how we are nothing when it comes to this work. It is the Lords work for sure. Nothing we did got M... to the point that he is at right now...he and the Lord did that. He knows the Bible, recognizes the spirit, and is jumping into this things with too feet. I talked about him I think in my last email...he was the one who jokingly told God to show him a sign and then we biked by...YEAH. This guy is amazing and he is so funny. Sister Goodrich and I can not leave a lesson with him doing anything but smiling and laughing. He is just so quirky. My wish right now is just that I could record one lesson with M... P... so that you all could just get a glimpse at this guy because you would be in a good mood all day. He is just the best! And I am so blessed to be teaching him! The Lord really does prepare people to learn the Gospel. M... just hangs on every word we say and compared it to the bible and everything he knows. And it is amazing! He is great! and he has a baptism date for September 27th :) so be looking for pictures he is hilarious!



Things they say in Corbin:

"Well I liked it when I walked to Florida.."

"Tall women...they freak me out."

"im stoned again, these are my stoned adventures"

"When my Ex dances she looks like a squirell who just stole a nut"

"oh.. I just crafted it up"

(when talking about keeping the sabbath day holy) "So I can go hard 6 days?"

"At my work I pray everyday because those guys are retarded"

"I'll pray for ya, Brother"

"Oh. you think you're miserable now? wait till you're in hell!"

"this is my Clint Eastwood look"

"They (he was referring to the Government) will come after all  the Mormon Children, that is my testimony"

"What do you call a bear with no teeth? a GUMMY bear!"


SHOUT OUT TO: Angie for sending me an awesome letter in the mail this week!

TO Steve who sent me a 2 pound bag of Chocolate Almonds! and for my Mom sending me AWESOME things as well!

TO My dad and Brenda for sending me a very intense halloween package and some letters!

TO My Papa who sent me a letter that always makes me happy!

TO My Nana whose birthday is this week (the 18th)  :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA I LOVE YOU!

and

TO Karissa whose birthday is also this week! (the 19th!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARISSA!!!! :D

Don't look if you're squeamish!

This would be my dog bite!

Isn't it pretty...everything would be in vain if I didn't have a killer scar...right?

 And awesome wooden knife that C.L. made and gave to me!! :O LOVE IT

A get well soon package from M.. a less active member and K... an investigator! green beans for icing...some flowers.. banana nut bread!..peanut butter cups..and there is mint ice cream but it isn't pictured here!

PAIN AND MIRACLES

I HAVE ONE REQUEST. READ THIS WHOLE EMAIL. This week has been more epic than any week of my entire life...And has a story that every missionary wants to tell..

So I hate starting out with the story that makes this email all that it is...but some of the miracles...and some of the quotes...wouldn't make sense unless you knew this:

On Thursday we had a lesson with an Investigator named S.... She is awesome from what I could tell..I just met her briefly! So we ride up to her house which is about a 15 minute bike ride away. When we get there we get of our bikes and we see hear this dog barking..then we see it launch itself at the glass door  (It was a large Boxer)...I say "Uhh...that looks dangerous" (find out later this was the spirit warning me of things to come) as we proceed to go to the door, S... comes out apologizes for her dog and says that he gets scared of hats and bikes! .. our helmets and bikes is what must have spooked him!  and says that she was actually scheduled for work so asked if we could come back another time..of course we say that is fine! We put on our helmets and start walking away as she heads inside and wishes us off...then I hear some growling...look back...and see this dog...CHARGING AT ME..B... S....'s boyfriend running after him... and before I could react..it decides to just CHOMP ON MY FLESH..before beau grabs the dog..

Sister Goodrich is in hysterical laughter as I just look down at the blood running down my leg... We then both, out of shock and disbelief are laughing hysterically as my leg is throbbing. Scarlett is running to us apologizing to me over and over saying she has no idea why the dog did it.. and he wasn't like that or anything! so she asks me to come and let her wipe up the blood and get me a bandaid...and I was just standing there shaking and sister Goodrich still laughing...and then...I am offered water....which is weird because whenever I get hurt and am bleeding a lot the thing people do is offer me water...I AM BLEEDING AND JUST GOT ATTACKED..NO I DO NOT WANT WATER...that is what i was thinking...I didn't say it I promise. but I don't understand why that is...my dry mouth was the least of my concerns. so as I am standing there and S.... is wiping up my blood I keep saying I'm good...and then I started feeling nauseous and had to sit down haha. So we got me bandaged up..and then...RODE OUR BIKES. back home....over steep hills...for 15 minutes. Adrenalin is seriously a God given gift.

 We get home and have to do all this mission medical things and call a bunch of people like the mission nurse and see what we have to do...BUT NO ONE ANSWERED...literally all the people we had to call would not answer....then our Zone Leaders called back and told us to go to a walk in care...we did...and when we got there...they tell us they pretty much don't know how to handle it because it is too deep and I would have to go to the Emergency Room...so off we go...And MIRACLE: we were in and out of the place in ONE hour! That is unheard of people!!! But BLESSING. Sister Goodrich and I were praying SO hard that we would get out of there quick because we were going to frozen yogurt that night with some members.. When we got out the Elders and one of my favorite members Brother Johnson were outside my room waiting just to make sure all was well! :) I love being surrounded by people who care about me so much! :)

Oh! all they did was put a bandage on and rinse it with water and prescribe me antibiotics.. they can't stitch dog bites because if they are infected they don't want to seal it in there ya know what I mean? But it was deep down to my tissue...I was limping for 4 days and have to elevate it all the time. But healing has been so fast! I am just bummed because we used up a lot of miles on our car..(we only get so many a month). But no worries! I get back on a bike tomorrow! :D

I am so blessed that this happened! It makes for a killer story and I have been waiting to tell you all about it! haha I am going to send some pictures of the bloody mess if I can haha It was awesome! so if you have a weak stomach...don't look haha


On a lighter note!!! MIRACLES!

Miracle one:
We are teaching a family..the L....'s! and they are awesome! they are the family where they wrote us a note and left in on the door and came to church! The dad...C.... WILL NOT PRAY... WILL NOT. He called us on the phone the other day and we were talking seeing how is day was and we apologized for not being able to see them due me getting attacked by that dog earlier on the day we wanted to go see them! So we decided to do a family prayer with them over the phone...I asked C..... to pray...he of course resounded with his typical "next time" answer....And I told C... that it would make my leg feel better if he prayed..so what did he do? HE PRAYED! I know I shouldn't use my leg for leverage....(i repented) but HE PRAYED! I am so grateful the Lord has touched him as much as he has. We have seen an amazing change in C.... for sure!

Miracle two:
Here in Kentucky...people like to feed you Hamburger...which is not something I eat....or so I thought...Let it be known that the Lord blesses you with better taste buds on your mission because THIS SISTER can now eat hamburgers...AND LIKE IT.

Miracle three:
We are teaching this couple, J... and K..... Now they have been taught by the sisters for awhile now  which is awesome! But they weren't really progressing as fast as we wanted and weren't reading the Book of Mormon...now if you don't read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask God if it's true... you wont know! So we had been asking them to do that and they were reading but not praying. We had a lesson with them this week..and we were talking about how God answers prayers...and K... goes "Oh I know he does it answered mine!" So of course we ask her what that was...and she goes "well if the book was true" "and?" "OH he said it was. I prayed...and got nothing...waited 5 minutes prayed again and then I felt so good, like I was high for 3 hours" Well then ladies and gentleman...pray about the Book of Mormon and you will get an answer that you can understand!

miracle four:
a little over a week ago we contacted this guy named R.... We set up a return appointment...had an awesome lesson...we made another appointment...asked him to pray...and left... We came back and asked him if he had prayed about everything and he said he had..then he looks right at me..and goes "For some reason....I want to call you Taylor".....WHAT THE HECK? Needless to say I was weirded out. and of course I said uhhh that's my first name. and we were all a little sketched out. And then he goes...well I was sleeping...and woke up in the middle of the night...and thought "taylor....taylor..." and then just fell back asleep.... God talks to people in a way that they can and WILL understand.

miracle five:
We have been teaching this guy named M...! he is awesome and is SO PREPARED to receive the restored gospel. So we were talking to him to see if he had prayed about everything..and then he goes..."well I actually something happened and havent told you..but I was talking to my friend and he asked me if I believed what you were teaching me and I said I had an open mind...he then asked me how I would know if it was right..and I jokingly said that God would show me a sign...and then you two rode by us on your bikes and I had never seen you on your bikes before." (important to note that where we were we dont go too often on our bikes..) M.... then goes on to tell us that he and his friend just looked at eachother and were like...well...I guess that's it! really people..GOD SPEAKS TO US IN A WAY THAT WE WILL UNDERSTAND AND HE ANSWERS PRAYERS.

miracle six:
We are teaching a different M... and C..., and they are awesome...we asked them if they had prayed...C.... goes, yeah! and we asked how that went...and she goes...well I feel good when I read it...and you can cross reference it to the bible...and when I prayed...I woke up after going to bed after praying..I had three bibles around my head" She now knows it's true....I promise this is the last time...but seriously...GOD KNOWS US AND SPEAKS TO US IN A WAY THAT WE WILL UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!!

OH and just to top off the best day week ever....we had dinner at a members house, and they had puppies! Little yorkies and I just held it and loved it and it made everything that much better! AH I love being a missionary!!

QUOTES IN CORBIN:

"I wish I could be paid to kill people who have puppy farms."

"You see this signature?..man..it is awesome!"

"It must have been a baptist dog..."...."or a J'dub"

His name is KYLE"..."what did I say?" "...you said...sinnnnerrrr."

"Good women are like that...they feed men"

SHOUT OUTS:

Congratulations to Sara! (my moms boyfriends daughter) who made A team soccer!

Congratulations to my little bro Matt who got his first car!! and is sending in for his liscence!

Thank you to him as well for a Card! that apparently my mom made him send...REALLY FEELING THE LOVE.

Thank you to Lin Meier who explained religions to me!! :D

------------------------------------------

Really quick scripture!!

Alma 14:12-13
12--Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also.  13--And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.

HEAVENLY FATHER WILL NOT LET US BE BURNED! Those hard times that we face...we must be patient because it will be the will of the Lord..how much do we trust him? We have a work to be doing :) are we doing it? because as we are doing all he asks, we will be okay and nothing will be able to destroy us!

I love you all so much! and I am blessed to know you all!! Keep sending me mail! Seriously..I need more!!

Love always, and God bless,

Sister Wagner

Successful Week!

SOOOOOO! It's Tuesday! Yesterday being Labor day...which is celebrating what exactly? The Library was closed...which is ironic because labor means work...but no one is working...I find that odd. Anyway because it was closed...we got permission to email today! Thank goodness! but apologies for the delay!

What another great week here in the GKLM! I almost died... I jammed out to good music..Got a gallon of milk for 3$... extended a baptismal invitation.. talked to a drunk man on the phone..did the ice bucket challenge.... I would say it was successful wouldn't you?

So! About me almost dying..Sister Goodrich should never have knives. I was laying on the floor this week...I don't remember why...but then here comes Sister Goodrich out of the Kitchen holding a big butcher knife and comes over to me and hold it over me...and then proceeds to almost drop the knife. CLOSE CALL! But No I wasn't rushed the the emergency room for stitches or anything..however that would make a killer story. But either way...lesson learned...Sister Goodrich likes to have butter fingers but only when she is holding a large knife over you.

ALSO! I did the ice bucket challenge...lets just say that is NOTHING compared to the polar plunge in April. But it was still freezing Cold. The Harris Family (members) decided to challenge us to dump a bucket of ice water over our heads.. Being the awesome sister missionaries that we are...we accepted! And it was cold...and we screamed...but it really wasn't that bad in the long run. But It started a long chain of challenges...we have now been issued the Wasabi challenge? I am pretty sure that is a made up thing...but we never back down!

Jammin' to good music....Christmas Music of course! Nothing not allowed :) We don't break rules! But for the first 3 days of last week...Little Drummer Boy my Panatonics (spellings..i really butchered that) And it has some crazy beats and it called for some intense dance sessions in the car.

MILK IS SO CHEAP HERE WHAT IS GOING ON! We were at Walmart..and I look at the milk...It was like $2.90 something. I cant believe that. ALSO! there is a gas station...and they sell gas..naturally of course...but guess what..IT IS SO CHEAP GET READY TO FREAK OUT....$3.19....yeahh that's right...I'm still bitter of how expensive gas is in Maine. I can't handle it. I drive past it and every time I freak out.. I wont even be ashamed to tell you that because it is a BIG DEAL.

THINGS SAID IN CORBIN:

"you are now pronounced husband and stick"
"I go to heaven every night. I go to sleep next to an angel...and wake up to the spawn of satan"
"I am going to wear my tug boat outfit to church...I'm the captain of a tug boat."
(calling for a cat:) LESLIE...LESLIE...( gets the cat, brings it into the house) y'all can come in now....there's a lady in the house..come on in!(talking about the cat)

For those who don't know we as missionaries aren't allowed in a house unless a lady is present :)

SO! the drunk man on the phone, that would be a man named George. He was contacted by the missionaries a couple weeks before I left. And we get this random call from this man who is really distressed and wanting to know what we believe. He had kept the card all this time. We spoke to him for about 20 minutes and prayed with him. and gave him the comfort that he needed. I find it so amazing that God loves us so much that he will direct us to those who can help us. How would drunk George have known who to call if the Lord hadn't directed him to that card that my miracle he hadn't thrown away? I am so blessed to have been a comfort in this man's life!

I extended my first baptismal invitation! How amazing was that you ask? VERY! It was extended to this 15 year old girl named Cierra. She is the sweetest! And her spirit is so strong! The whole lesson was full of teary eyes! The spirit that was there was so greatly testifying of the truth and divinity of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. and I am blessed to have been a tool in the hands of the Lord and invite this young girl to be baptized. She accepted. I am so blessed to be a part of her life!!

I also recited Joseph Smith's first vision for the first time this week! I think I may have messed up one part...but that is okay! The spirit was so strong! I know that Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and Jesus Christ that day. I can't and won't deny it.

I love the scripture 1 Nephi 7:12: "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in Him? Wherefore,let us be faithful to him."

Let us be faithful to him! The Lord can do whatever it is he pleases! And If we just exercise that faith continually..he will do all things and we will see the blessings and miracles in our lives. I have seen that time and time again, He wants me to be successful..and as I have faith in him..be blesses me with that success and for that I am so grateful. He is my savior...your savior...everyone's...and all he asks is that you have faith in him.

I love all of you more than I can tell have an amazing week and keep up the faith!

Love always, miss you tons,

Sister Wagner

SHOUT OUT TO MY PAPA! He sent me a card in the mail this week and it completely made my day! :D THANK YOU!

I CAN FINALLY POST PICTURES FOR SISTER WAGNER

August 11th Email

 Me and the famous map at the MTC

my MTC companion and I

 This painting on the Wall at the MTC reminded me of Lord of the Rings....HALEIGH ;)

There it is people!

My district outside the Provo Utah Temple

 My zone outside the Provo Utah Temple

KENTUCKY Y'ALL

Pictures from Email on August 18th:

BRAD I THOUGHT OF YOU ....Bacon Ave if you cant read it haha

 All that food...thank goodness I bike!

 My amazing trainer Sister Goodrich and I,  LOVE HER SO MUCH we have way to much fun... :)

 Pictures from Sister Wagner's Email August 26th:

Last Monday we rearranged our apartment...we moved the couch..and EW. those black dots...FLIES. and the picture doesnt show all of them either haha

 Me and the note on the door from the L family! :) I was just a little excited...we almost started crying we were so happy!




I am sorry for the delay in getting the pictures up, but I am just glad I finally got it to work.
Hopefully we won't have any more problems from here on out! -Shannon