I miss my mountains... so bad

Teaching the Word of Wisdom.... Sister Astle: "As you get older,
Dulce, your friends will try and get you go against the Word of
Wisdom, they will try to get you to drink drugs... Wait... Eat
drugs?..."
Dulce:"I think it's sniff drugs?"
Oh boy. We are far from perfect teachers.

Hi Howdy Hey. This week was speedy! But let's start off with the good
stuff! A week ago i got to go down to the Manhattan temple! Bahhh! It
was an answer to my prayers to be able to go. A huge thanks to my
friend Sister Davis, for taking us. I feel like I belong down in
Manhattan! My time will come. The Manhattan temple is right in the
middle of the busy city world but as soon as you walk in it is sweet
silence. Being inside the temple felt like home, I felt safe and
secure and emotions ran high. :) The temple is such a good reminder to
me of the big picture, it is so easy to get caught up in the little
things in the now but there is so much more to all of this. It was a
wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back.

I walked in to church and Sister Davis ran up to me and yelled
"Congratulations!! You're and aunt!!" I almost cried. If I was
actually hearing this from HUGE news from someone in Middletown before
a family member I would have flipped. Well turns out I am still just a
cousin. Congratulations Brent and Ann on the new babe, he is darling!
:)

Beryl got Baptized!! It was a wonderful service. It was so good to see
her and her family and to feel of the spirit and to see it brighter
than ever in her face. She will actually be moving back to our area so
we will be able to go visit her and give her the new convert lessons.
Woot.

Sister Astle and I went on splits this past week with the STLs. I got
to go up to Poughkeepsie with Sister Mitchell. It was so exhilarating
to go to a new area! So interesting to see how other missionaries work
and to see the people that they love and have come close to as they
invite them to come unto Christ. Splits are also nice for the fact
that it makes you grateful for what you do have. I LOVE MIDDLETOWN!

Guess who has a baptismal date!? Yup, Tracy! I don't think I told you
about her yet because I'll be honest, I didn't think it would happen.
The Lord proved me wrong. :) She has a lot to change before her
baptism on September 21, but we are working hard, she has a desire to
change and we have The Lord on our side so anything is possible. We
have 1. 2. 3!! Baptisms in the next month, it's crazy trying to
balance who we've seen, who we haven't, what has been taught, what
needs to be taught, ect. I know God is blessing this area, because
it's flourishing more than it ever has. I just hope I can keep up with
all of it.

I got a package from one of my "friends" back at Waterford this past
week [8 year old, I would play with at recess]. It was the best
surprise. What was inside? Oh just a clay made Olaf!! Hahaha my
companion and I had a ole good laugh.

Hey just in case you didn't get the memo... Our Church is awesome.
Have you been on LDS.org recently? It is fantastic. You guys! We have
so many wonderful resources and they are just waiting for us to take
advantage of them. This is the new age! If you have a smart phone and
do not have gospel library downloaded on it I would invite you to
repent and then, with haste, download it. ;) We are so blessed, there
are so many things that God provides for his Church that will help
hasten the work and protect us from the world. Find it and use it.
https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

So... How is your mission going? I love you. I am so grateful for you.
Thank you for your prayers. I'll talk to you next week! XO
Love, Sister Checketts