I can't believe that this day is here..

Where I'm writing my last email home... I have been overwhelmed with all sorts of feelings..... Some I don't even have words to describe. It has been a very good roller coaster to be on... ups, downs, twists turns, and all of it... immense JOY and also sadness. But every time that I feel sad about not seeing people or not being in New Jersey or Pennsylvania ... I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to even be here as a servant of the Lord. I feel SO blessed. The Lord has been so merciful and kind to me. I am grateful that the spirit reminds me that God is aware of my feelings and aware of what is behind me and ahead of me.

I love being a servant of the Lord and I will continue to be one. I have felt these last few weeks of my mission have been some of the best... I feel that I'm continuing to learn and become better at recognizing and following the spirit which has been a goal my whole mission. I am grateful for the love that I feel bursting from me for all the people here that I have met.. I know that it is Charity.. Christ's love for them that he has given me to be able to feel. I have thought at one time or another "What would my life be like if I had chosen not to serve a mission?" and ... I don't ever want to think about it... There are so many people that I have met that I feel were supposed to be apart of my life... So many wonderful children of God.. My brothers and sisters.. I love them so much.. I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA MISSION!!!!

I am so grateful to have a loving Heavenly Father, who has given us all that we have.. our lives, our agency, our families... and especially our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that Jesus really is The Christ, that He lived for US and he died for US. I love my Savior so much.. I love HIS Gospel.. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is His gospel restored to the earth through a Prophet of God, Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith helped restore the authority needed to baptize in Christ's name, God's Authority. I love the Book of Mormon and I know that it is the words of a Loving Father to us to help us have a happy and joyful life.. while being fully confident that He has a marvelous plan for each one of us. I love the Plan that brings peace. I know that we can be with those we love forever and always.. as we do all that we can to live His Gospel..

I love wearing Christ's name over my heart. It is written in my heart.

Ether 12:41 "And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever, Amen."

We are so blessed.

Thank you all for your love support prayers. I love you all.

Sister Pallas

Pictures...LONG OVERDUE!!!

So here are a bunch of pictures from this summer! Can't believe she gets home in a week!!! One last blog will be posted soon!!!

I LOVE RANDOMNESS...

Missionary work is just the best... It is the most exciting thing I have ever done in my entire life.. This week was just CRAZY...

SO last Monday was Transfer Day... We got up early packed up Sister Malaesilia's things.. headed to Broomall.. It's always exciting crossing the bridge from New Jeresy to Pennsylvania.. We were late and when I walked in they had already announced who my new Sister was going to be... So someone whispered to me.. You are serving with Sister Schroeder!!... I was very excited.. Sister Schroeder is a fairly new missionary.. that acts as if she has been a missionary all her life!! She is a great strength to me already! I love her... it does help that we have a lot in common.. like she loves Peter Pan just as much as I do.. and WE came out on our missions One year and ONE day apart.. I came 24 Feb 2010 and she came 23 Feb 2011...

So unpacking and getting settled in is always tiring.. and a MIRACLE... a wonderful member took us grocery shopping.. I hadn't been in 2 weeks.. since we didn't have the car.. and I wasn't quite brave enough to bike a few miles to the closest grocery store and ride with grocery's on my handlebars.. hmm... it was great...

So the exciting and random things that happened this week......

We got our bus passes.. I was a little worried about it.. but it is working nicely... We are able to talk to MANY people while riding the buses.. which is nice... We met a nice man we visited with him while we were making our way down to Millville.. He would introduce himself to all the people that sat near him.. and then turn around to us and say, "Have you met the Mormon sisters from Utah." It was cool... and while we were having a nice conversation with him he happened to mention that he had quit smoking years ago.. and that he had just bought a pack of cigarettes that day..... an amazing thing happened next because these are the words that came out of my mouth... "Can I have those cigarettes?" and he handed them to me... along with his lighter.. I quickly put them in my back pack.. It was crazy.. I know it was the spirit speaking through me .. I don't think I would ever ask for someones cigs.. anyways we said... you have gone so many years... dont' start now! (I ended up destroying them later.. it was pretty empowering:)

So later that day.. we helped a lady we know clean.. found a roach infestation... did our best to get that under wraps..

We met a guy.. he called the number on the Pass a long card we gave him.. We taught him the next day with a sweet sister from our ward... then the next night.. ..... Got a phone call... He said he couldn't come to church because he had feelings for me.. BLAH... So we went from being excited for our new investigator to being sad.. and a little bit weirded out. or a lot a bit weirded out..

ALSO...... WE SAW LIGHTNING BUG... I was waiting and waiting for them to start coming out... they are magical.. Sister Schroeder and I had a lot of fun spotting them out and catching them. (well I didn't touch them.. Sister S did.. )

So.. transfers, lightning bugs, roaches, cigarettes, and stalkers.. Missionary work is so GREAT!

Life is good...

Missionary life is even better..

I love my Savior Jesus Christ with my whole heart.. I'm trying to be like Him.. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ it is the way we can change our hearts..

I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!

Sister Pallas

So.. Yesterday

I was able to go to a baptism, which is absolutely the best part of this work!!! It was for a man in my first area (Pitman)!! He has been going to church for like 8 years and never has gotten baptized... his wife and 2 kids are baptized members.. and his little girl bore her testimony one Sunday and after that he knew he needed to be baptized!! He walked up to the Bishop and also the Stake Pres. (who happened to be there that Sunday also) and told them... I am going to be baptized! There were many tears from them and his family. It was a true miracle that I was able to be there!! We had an investigator that said she would take us because she was anxious to see an actual baptism take place!!! I was SO HAPPY to see my old ward members! :) It was the best.. and to see that brother be baptized.. and know that his family will be able to become a FOREVER FAMILY. That is what we are working for.. we are working to create Celestial families!! Forever Families!!

Also this week we had Zone Conference we were able to watch a talk that Elder Jeffery R. Holland gave at the MTC in January of this year.(I was pretty excited to watch it because I had heard about it already from my little brother ELDER PALLAS)...... WOW that is all I have to say... We are here to save and rescue Our Heavenly Fathers Sheep... IF YOU LOVE ME FEED MY SHEEP! My mission president told us that ... just before he spoke at that fireside he had just returned from a trip somewhere in the world and was so busy and exhausted that he mentioned to someone.. I wish I could have prepared more for this talk.... I thought that was pretty neat because it was an incredible talk... I just knew that what he was saying was just what the spirit was instructing him to say and that He was saying what the missionaries needed at that moment. It made me happy to know that my little brother was able to hear it.. and that my little brother ELDER PALLAS is a missionary of the Lord.. in this great and marvelous work! I hope I remember the message that he shared forever.... It was incredible... I am learning that the MOST IMPORTANT TOOL in this work is THE SPIRIT.. combined with the BOOK OF MORMON... I feel so blessed to be apart of this great work. His message was this.. We are all hear to help each other return to our Heavenly Father.. and how are we to do this... We are to FEED our HEAVENLY FATHERS SHEEP.. Our brothers and sisters.. We are to help them in any way we can... This means helping our families.. helping our friends, helping our wards, helping our neighbors... and then SHARING with them the ONLY way we can return to our LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER... that is... Through the RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

This Work is amazing. IT is the best thing I've ever tried to do in my entire life.. Hard definitely .. but THE BEST.

LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!

Sister Pallas

hmm....

There is never enough time in the world.. ever! But it seems.. this week I may have time to write a little more for you blog people... :) Since I was able to chat with my lovely family yesterday (best thing in the world) I don't have to email them much.. (since I told them everything on the phone)... SO here is a bit of life in NEW JERSEY... or as people here would say... SOUTH JERSEY..

I guess there is a big difference between Northern Jersey and Southern... I have often wondered if people are so specific as to which part of the state they belong to why they don't just make another state.. Like North Dakota.. and South Dakota.. South Carolina and North Carolina... Maybe it's because 50 states is a good number... 51 would just be odd.. I don't know.. But If you are from South Jersey... You are not from New Jersey... hehehe..... So.. I'm now a South Jersey girl... I don't even pump my own gas... haha.. (because is illegal, I hear)

So we cover a HUGE area... Like huge... like just for example. Last Saturday, we had an appointment an hour away from where we live. So far way.. (The appointment went great if any of you were wondering) I can't think of anything better then to teach people more about the great plan that God has for each of us.. That there IS HOPE for a better world.. (Ether 12:4) I love to share about the Hope that can be in our lives as we study and look to our Savior Jesus Christ. He does Bless us when we are doing what we are supposed too...

So... About 10ish days ago we were in missionary meeting.. we like to call it Zone Training... :) Our Zone Leaders gave us a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 29 days.. (20 pages a day) So.. I was thrilled about the challenge.. (really I was) It is so incredible the stories in the Book of Mormon.. I have been learning so much.. I decided to just highlight references to the Atonement of Christ and also verses that show His Love. ( I have a book full of pink highlights.. let me tell you!) It has been a truly wonderful experience... and anytime I have a free minute I just want to pull it out and read! ... So that is from my reading last night..

Mosiah 24:10-16

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.

11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he ^aput guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the ^bthoughts of their hearts.

13 And it ^acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as ^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their ^bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

I love the scriptures... These verses brought me so much comfort.. They were what I needed to hear from my Heavenly Father.. I know He Loves me and each of you so much. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer... the Redeemer of ALL MANKIND. I know the Book of Mormon is the WORD of GOD.. It was written for our day. I know that Joseph Smith was called to be a Prophet to Restore these precious truths to us and to help restore GOD's authority back to the earth that we can receive the ordinances necessary for salvation. I LOVE the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. I'm glad to be His representative here in SOUTH JERSEY... :)

LOVE YOU ALL...

Sister Pallas

Lately

I have been trying to comprehend how our Heavenly Father feels about each of us.. I think that he desires so much that we follow Him and His Son, so that we can enjoy the blessings that he has for us.. He LOVES us SO MUCH, and when we choose to not follow Him... He gets sad. I feel sad often for the welfare of the souls of others...

My favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon lately is in 2 Nephi 2:30 "... I have chosen the good part, according to the words of the prophet. And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen." This scripture was written by Lehi at the end of his life... he didn't care about or desire anything else accept the welfare of the souls of his children and i'm sure his people. I have been feeling that way lately when I look around at the people I see each day.. and all I desire for them is that they will Come onto Christ.

It has been a while since I've "blogged" Sorry about that.. It has been just a whirlwind here in my mission life. There are so many changes in missionary life and I often wonder how we are expected to handle all of it and focus on Our Purpose as missionaries.. But then I realized that ... that this is the way life is... Things for us are always changing, we are changing... and it is SO IMPORTANT... that with all the changes and complications and trials.. and maybe even good things that take up our time.. we don't lose sight of our Saviors Love.. That we don't stop doing the things that are so important... going to Church, Reading our scriptures and saying our Prayers! These are the basics.. and the most important things we can be doing.. These things help us become more like our Savior. If we are doing these things we will be loving and serving those around us and our lives will be filled with happiness.. even JOY.

New Jersey is just a super unique place.. The people here are very special.

I love my mission..

Sister Pallas

I wanted to share an experience I had on one of the last days I had in Valley Forge..

Sister Soolefai and I were walking around in Norristown.. there are always a lot of people walking around so we decided to go stop by some people in the area and "PREACH THE GOSPEL" ... It was fun.. It is always a pick me up for me when we can go and bear our testimonies to people there! (when they listen) So we talked to this man.. He was really excited to talk to us.. He had just gotten into a new apartment after living in a shelter. We gave him a card and said this book will bless your life more than anything else. We invited him to call the number on the card and receive a free copy of the Book of Mormon. So we went on our merry little way.. Then came to a man who had long dreads.. He was so kind to us.. We gave him the card.. talked about where the Book of Mormon came from.. he gave the card back said he wasn't interested.. But asked us if we could all pray together... So we of course agreed.. So... if you can picture it... Sister Soolefai and I and this man.. were holding hands in a little circle on the sidewalk on a fairly busy street in downtown Norristown .... praying. We prayed that we would "be protected from the top of our heads down to the bottom of our feet.. from the crown even down to the soul. " It was SO COOL. He was a really nice man... Then I offered him the card again. He surprisingly took it. I couldn't believe it.. I'm pretty sure that was the only time so far on my mission when someone has retaken a card that they gave back to me. Miracle. SO... then we were walking back to our car.. walked past the man we had earlier talked to.. He called to us from his porch... "I'm on the phone with your people.." He was as we were passing calling to request the Book of Mormon.. :) we later received his information to go give him the BOOK! :) So the final experience I wanted to share as we were walking back to our car.. We were talking to a lot of people.. there was this older man.. walking pretty fast.. Instantly i felt.. a little fear to talk to him. But I immediately recognized that was satan.. so I kicked satan in the face and talked to this man.. he stopped and took a card. It was a card with a picture of Christ.. for a free DVD about Christ. It had the church's name and website.. on it. He looked up at us and said... "Joseph Smith... New York.. Tablets..." I was a little bit in shock... then he said.. "thanks I needed this"... and he walked away. I think i picked my jaw up off the ground. I know that the Lord guides us in this work.. I know I was were I was supposed to be that morning.

Just a cool experience from last week... our appointment fell through so we went knocking. There was someone in the area that the missionaries had taught before so we went there.. then continued to knock on the street they weren't home. There was this women who answered a few doors down. We asked her if we could share a message about Jesus Christ and a special book called the Book of Mormon. She gave us an excuse as to why she wouldn't be able to let us in.. she was on her way out! (wasn't the first time I've heard this excuse) We asked her if we could give her a card. Then she looked at us.. and said.. maybe I have a few minutes to hear your message.. So she invited us in. We talked about the Book of Mormon.. about Christ and how we need to follow is example. It was really cool. We prayed with her. Then she wanted to pray also.. She said some things in her prayer that I LOVED. She said.. I wasn't going to let these girls in .. But the spirit told I might be in the midst of angels.. She said.. I am entertaining angels.. We found out she was from Jamaica. Which.. made me so happy because I just left one of my dear friends from Valley Forge ward that was also Jamaican. Perlena (from VF) taught me and Sister Soolefai this "Jamaican Chorus" So I asked her if she knew this... I started singing... "I love him better every D-A-Y... Close by His S-I-D-E ... I will A-B-I-D-E... I love Him better every day!" She started singing it with me! It was so cool! We are going back to teach this women in a few days and I am SO excited.

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much.. He is in charge of this work!

I know it.

CHANGES....

PA to NJ.

So the inevitable happened.. I knew that they would take me away from the wonderful land a Valley Forge eventually... I was reluctant to go.. not because I don't like the adventure of meeting new people.. figuring out a new area.. or meeting a wonderful new sister. I was reluctant mostly because I had to leave some of my heart in Valley Forge. I loved the time that I have been blessed with to serve there! I love the members, I love my Sister Soolefai, I love the people I taught, the people that got baptized. I love the people walking around the streets of Norristown. I love the BEAUTIFUL Historic National Park. I do have a confession.... a little bit a materialistic.... miss ... I miss the cute red Toyota Carola that I got to zip around in. I now drive a soccer mom's dream vehicle... a silver dodge van. Not sure why... but that is what it is.. I do feel a little weird driving it around! :) But... to bring the spirit back... I am grateful that I even have a vehicle to get around in... because the area I am in now is ... HUGE!! I am now serving in VINELAND NEW JERSEY! Can I tell you how happy I am to be back in New Jersey! I am pretty thrilled about it. About a year ago almost to the date I got off the plane and landed in Philadelphia.. and headed to New Jersey. I am serving right next to the area where I began my wonderful journey of serving the Lord.

I owe a huge thanks to the many people in Valley Forge... for the many meals.. for the many hours of service that were given in behalf of us missionaries serving in that area. They took me in as one of there daughters and sisters. I was so sad to leave because as the same with each area you leave... the possibilities of going back there are less and less.. to be able to be there as a full-time missionary set apart from the world... slips away. My life is forever changed from the many lives that touched my heart while I have been on my mission so far.

I am now serving with a wonderful sister ... Sister Malaesilia. She is from Samoa.. She is wonderful! I get the chance to live with "Gramma" She is an adorable, sweet 94yr. old. She lives in a cute white farm house... We live upstairs from her! The house.. is adorable... something about the glass doorknobs, and old windows excites me! It is always different changing and settling in.. during the changes that I have taken place while I have been on my mission, I always think of a hymn... It has quite become one of my most favorite hymns... it really brings peace to my soul... The line from the hymn in particular.. is .. "In every change he faithful will remain" ... Yes.. Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side... I am learning a valuable lesson on how important it is to seek the Lord's spirit in EVERY change that happens... Those experiences that I feel the spirit and can't deny are the ones I hold on to with all my heart. I can not doubt that the Lord is in control.. He is our Savior... He has a plan for each of us. I will never be able to repay my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ for the many many blessings, experiences, and lessons I am learning while in their service. Lessons from Him, lessons, from my sisters, lessons from dear friends. I recently relearned a very valuable lesson from someone special, I learned.. that I am not in control. I learned that I can't use my agency to change someone elses agency. I learned that this life is not the end. I learned... that Heavenly Father is in control. I trust Him. I love Him.

I am excited about all that happens here in the Lord's Kingdom on the earth.. (The Gospel). I love sharing it... and witnessing people change there lives to be closer to our Savior. I love all of you.. I hope that you all are seeking opportunities to bring yourself closer to Our Savior.. I am reminded of a question I was asked from one of my District Leaders... He said, "Sister Pallas, how are you doing in Coming unto Christ?" I was a little taken back by the question because I was thinking... I'm supposed to bring other people to Christ. I realized... that we first have to KNOW Christ.. then we can better give the Love our Savior has to others. So ALL: ask yourselves... How am I doing in Coming unto Christ?

SEEK HIM....

All my Love: Sister Pallas

Pictures from Baptism

Kaitlyn wanted some pictures added to her blog. So here ya go!! We are sure missing our Kaitlyn! She is doing awesome though.

The Race

The Race

By: Dr. D.H. Groberg

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure's face, my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race. a Childrens race, young boys, young men; how I remember well, excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn't hard to tell. They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place. Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son, and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire, to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy's desire. One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, was running in the lead and thought "My dad will be so proud." But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip, the little boy who thought he'd win, lost his step and slipped. Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace, and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face. As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn't win it now. Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face, which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win that race!" He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that's all, and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall. So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win, his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again. He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace. "I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race."

But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face with a steady look that said again, "Get up and win that race!" So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last. "If I'm to gain those yards, he thought, I've got to run real fast!" Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten... but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again. Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye. "There's no sense running anymore! Three strikes I'm out! Why try? I've lost, so what's the use? " he thought. "I'll live with my disgrace." But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.

"Get up, an echo sounded low, you haven't lost at all, for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. Get up! the echo urged him on, Get up and take your place! You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!" So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit, and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit. So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win. Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he rose again. Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place, head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace. But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place, the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race. And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud, you would have thought he'd won the race, to listen to the crowd. And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well." "To me you won, his father said, You rose each time you fell."

And when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face, the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race. For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all. And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face, another voice within me says."Get up and win that race!"

I was very happy to find this story... It reminds me of a lot of special memories.. I remember the first time I heard this story in a Sunday school class... and also very special memories when I was about to share it with friends of mine that I love. It is always a good reminder to me of Our Heavenly Father's love for each of us. He is cheering us on and hopes that we continue to get up when we fall. I remember sharing this story with my mom... and then through the next few months... she would remind me.. Kaitlyn... Get up and win the race. I love all the people in my life that have helped me continue to get up each time that I fall. In the race I am running now.. my mission.. I've fallen flat on my face.... many times.. but there has always been someone around to pick me up. I have had a lot of memories going through my mind this last week of one year ago.. One year ago on this date I was giving my farewell talk. Getting ready to go to the Mission Training Center... It is incredible to me that I am where I am now.. with only so little time left. I am remembering the many people that helped pick me up along the Journey. I love them.. and I love my Savior and Heavenly Father for allowing them in my path.

I wouldn't trade the race I'm now running for anything. I love my mission. I love the people I have met, and will continue to meet. I love change.... I love seeing the change that comes into peoples lives as they find the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I hope you each remember just how much your Heavenly Father loves you.....A LOT.

LOVE YOU... Sister Pallas

So... I've been thinking..

I've been using this Blog.. to share my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. and to allow myself to think I am keeping in touch with all of you back home..? Which.. I'm not quite sure if anyone reads this.. ;) But I was thinking .. I'm not very good at sharing exactly what is going on in this "...great and Marvelous work.." So here goes my last week as a missionary....

The average Preparation Day...

Get up at 6:15 wash laundry

6:30 - 7 work out at our little gym...(we are spoiled.. we have a gym at our apt...)

7-8 clean a little get ready for the day eat breakfast..

8-10 study study study..

10 - 6 email family, wash car, grocery shop, write letters... Last week we went to Valley Forge National Park again.. because it is such a cool and beautiful place.. it was a little bit cold.. but I was grateful to enjoy the park with all the white stuff all over.. (Snow if you didn't know)

Then we go on to our appointments for the rest of the evening..

Tuesday Night.. can you spell snow...... I CAN S-N-O-W... It was everywhere.. We went to an appointment at about 6:13ish.. and when we came out about 40ish minutes later.. the car was covered with about an inch of snow.. and the lines on the road were nowhere to be seen.. So I did my best to drive home.. I felt like I was in a time warp... all the snow coming at me.. The next morning was fun... I'm not quite sure how much snow fell.. (since we never see the news) but I would guess that it was about 230489'' or maybe like 12'' We have really nice neighbors that brushed off our car.. and then helped us dig out our tires!! Good thing because all we had were our ice scrappers.. (they work good for shovels :) I love our Snow ADVENTURES...

Anyways.. This was the last week of our "Transfer" We call every 6 weeks a transfer.. It is always kinda crazy at the end of a transfer because you find out if you are going to stay in the area where you are .. or go to a new area with a new sister. I was kinda stressed out at the end of this past week.. Transfers were coming .. and I was pretty sure that they would transfer me out of Valley Forge.. (which I was really hoping wouldn't happen) But none the less.. I have been here in this area almost 6 months.. and I was thinking the time was almost up! The call usually comes on Friday night.. well.. it didn't.. So I went to bed at 10:30.. (bedtime!! :0) The next morning our District Leader Called.. said.. "What is your prediction Sister Pallas" I was tired.. as I am most every morning so I replied.. just tell me what's happening.. I don't want to play this game.. hehe.. So he said .. You both are staying! I was so excited and surprised!! But none the less.. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE STAYING HERE! At least another 6 weeks!

Sunday (yesterday) was a really good day! We were very blessed to be able to witness a baptism of a sweet woman we have been teaching for awhile! Her name is Arlene.. She has such great faith in Jesus Christ.. She was recently recovering from a brain tumor when Sister Reynolds and I knocked on her door. We started teaching her shortly after that. She was so prepared to accept the wonderful news of the Gospel. I know that the Lord was preparing her through her life experiences. So .. it was an extremely special day to be able to see her come from the beginning (starting to teach) to the new beginning.. (baptism) She was so excited for her baptism and is excited to have another family in the church.. After her baptism she said "I feel as light as a feather" Which I love because.. that is how we are able to feel through following our Savior and using his Atonement in our lives... Through Him we can be made clean.. and our burdens may be made light! It was an incredible blessing to be apart of this great work.

So now .. I am at the beginning of another transfer with my wonderful and caring sister.. Sister SOOLEFAI.. She is the best.. We are learning a lot together and truly seeing MIRACLES..

I hope each of you are well and that you are... going to CHURCH.. saying your PRAYERS.. and READING your scriptures.. CPR... it saves lives.

LOVE YOU ALL..

Seester.. Kait

There are so many good things happening in the Valley Forge Ward!!

I love serving here. It is such a wonderful place with extremely wonderful people!

I think it is crazy what missions can do for someones life. I have been thinking a lot lately about how much I have learned since I left home. Things that I thought I knew already... I have learned so much more about. The opportunity to increase my knowledge is mine every single day. It has definitely been a huge blessing to learn and grow. To be able to meet people from all over the world and completely enjoy there own unique and beautiful story. I am grateful that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has allowed me to be able to meet these people and feel charity towards them. I love thinking about how the Lord guides us and allows us to be his hands to help others.

We were blessed with the opportunity to attend a fireside last night with Vai Sikahema.. A very well known Sports broadcaster on NBC. He also played football at BYU and for the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a neat experience to hear the way he has shared the gospel throughout his life. I wanted to share with all of you one cool story...

A few years ago... They used to organize church activities for the youth to be able to attend Phillie's games. Brother Sikahema would organize different things to be able to get the tickets.. (for example: He got Andy Reid to throw the first pitch at one of the games) and in this particular experience he gathered about 60 missionaries to sing the National Anthem at the game. The game happened to be with the Chicago Cubs. So during this time at the beginning of the game the players of the teams usually go hang out in the clubhouse... Well there was just one player that stayed back to watch the missionaries perform their song.... Sammy Sosa. After the missionaries were done performing Sammy walked out of the dugout and shook hands with all of the missionaries on the field... Bro.. Sikahema was curious to know why he didn't go into the clubhouse along with his fellow teammates... so he followed him into the dugout.. thanked him for shaking the missionaries hands.. and asked why he stayed. Sammy Sosa answered him... When I was a little boy growing up in the Dominican Republic I played baseball with the Mormon missionaries. He had remembered all those years.. The missionaries had even given him a baseball at one time.

I was so touched by this story.. It is incredible to see how the gospel can be brought into our lives at different time.. Sammy Sosa.. is not a member of the church but he remembered those missionaries. We never know when or how or what will affect others. So we must be kind and loving towards all people.

Because of Love our Heavenly Father created a plan for us to return to Him. Because of Love Jesus Christ volunteered to help Heavenly Father with His Plan. Because of Love Our Savior gave His life for you and me... so that we could return to our Heavenly Father.. SO it will be LOVE that gets us back there as well. We must Love all of Heavenly Fathers children.. that is the way.

Because of LOVE.

Sister Kaitlyn Pallas

Well.. Everything here is just GREAT and COLD and BEAUTIFUL...

I love PA ... I don't really like snow.. (only when I am indoors and it is quietly falling) I don't really like driving in the snow.. But I am surviving! :) Don't worry too much! We are supposed to get a few more storms in the next few days.. I have never quite had the experience of waking up to a lot of snow on the ground.... like I get to experience here..

We had a fantastic week this week! Matt got Baptized!! He was baptized on Saturday! (The snow didn't stop the baptism and didn't keep people from coming either! ) It was a wonderful day! I always love being able to be at baptisms.. it reminds me of the day I was baptized and how important and special the covenant we make is. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon for putting the picture so clear in my head..

We must all get on the path that leads back to Heaven.. How do we do it? But entering in the Gate which is Baptism! How do we unlock the Gate.. with the Priesthood Key.

2 Nephi 31:18 "And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way you should receive."

We must all take this journey in our lives..

We had another women at the baptism that we are teaching her name is Arlene... She is planning and waiting for the day that she too will be baptized!! It is exciting to see people truly feel the spirit of our Heavenly Father and have a deep desire to follow Him and His Son. I love seeing the change in people.. and in myself.

I love my mission and all that it is teaching me!

LOVE: Sister Pallas

Can't believe it is a new year already.

Time is passing by so quickly.. I still have so much to do before I come home. I am very excited about this new year. Our mission president wrote us our weekly letter.. gave us some advice about new years resolutions.. He said make some INSPIRED resolutions.. Not just the same old ones.. make one that will really count. I am excited about the ones of have been thinking about and making. BUT we each have to remember.. that when we don't succeed at what we have made goals to do.. we have a new day.. each day and a new week each week! WE are here to grow and change each day! To do our best to become better. I am learning a lot about that as a missionary..

I just got an email from my little brother Taylor.. (who for those of you who don't know.. is in the MTC.. Write him!! He is getting ready to go to Spain) He was telling me how hard the language is, but how he can't believe how much he has learned since his high school Spanish classes. It's like that for each of us.. We are learning and become better (hopefully) each day and we need to remember how far we have come and how much we have accomplished, and not be so hard on ourselves.

I was thinking about one of my favorite scriptures.. I'm sure I've already shared it with all of you.. but just in case I haven't .. "For with God nothing shall be IMPOSSIBLE." Luke 1:37 When we need help when we don't feel like we are improving.. we must PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY.. Pray always. I love that I can just tell my Heavenly Father exactly how I feel and know that He is listening, that He cares, that He HEARS what I say and He knows that it is important to me, and it is important to Him. He is literally our Father in Heaven.. I think about how much I know that my earthly Father cares and loves me and would do anything for me to be happy and safe... That is how our Heavenly Father is multiplied by a million. That is pretty incredible. He Loves us.. He wants us to have True Joy.

I am so grateful for the experiences I am having as a missionary.. I am grateful I had the opportunity to be away from the people I care about and love so much, my wonderful family.. at a time that is so special and full of the spirit. The Christmas season that i just experienced is once in a lifetime. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.. and that He was born and Lived and died so We can LIVE again.. He lives. I Know that my Redeemer Lives. I know that he loves each of us and provided us the pathway that we can walk to return to live with Him again someday.. and our Loving Heavenly Father.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. truly the Lord's Kingdom on the EARTH... Love it, Live it, Share it! (mormon.org)

Love you all.. Happy New Year!

I am completely overwhelmed..

by the love and spirit of this holiday season... The Season to REMEMBER... remember our Savior Jesus Christ. I have been studying.. In the Book of Mormon recently.. and realized.. the people that were affected by the famines and wars where the ones that forgot there Savior.. Nephi counsels them to never forget the Lord. I was thinking to myself.. "How often do I forget the Lord?" It is a question worth pondering.. "How often do we forget the Lord?" It may not seem very often.. but.. How often do we feel like we can accomplish things on our own, or we are to busy to pray.. or read and study the scripture? It is so important for us to rely on our Savior.. In every thought, in every action. He will lead the way for us.. If we Remember
and follow Him. Those of us who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... even covenanted to ALWAYS Remember Him. This may be my new years resolution.. to Remember more fully my Savior in all things.

So for the Miracles this week:

We had a really good appointment with our investigator Arlene. She is a neat lady and has been reading the Book of Mormon a lot.. every time she talks about it she tears up. She told us she knows it is true and that she wants to be baptized! :) It is so incredible to see the spirit work in peoples lives..

Sally another woman we have been meeting with has been also studying the Book of Mormon a lot as well.. She really desires to come to church.. so first of the year she said she would be able to! We had a member lined up to come teaching with us .. she let us know that her little girl would be coming with her because she forgot that she got out of school early that day... come to find out Sally's grandchildren got out of school early too! The two girls were the same age in the same grade at the same school in classrooms right next to each other! They played and had a good time while we were teaching the lesson! :) It was a miracle.

We stopped by a less-active member of our ward (who I have stopped by at least 7 times since I've been in this area and never found her home) She was HOME! We weren't able to speak to her long but talked to her daughter who lives with her. She was really interested in learning more and so we talked to her all about the BOM and invited her to church! She said she would like to come! I love when I am able realize.... that we are going to places sometimes not for just the people we plan to see.. but for all those in our path.

Also... Yesterday at church there were 4 less-actives and 3 investigators at church! 2 of the less-actives are ones we have been working with! It was pretty great to be able to see them there and I know the spirit was just so strong during the Christmas program.. ... It was the best birthday present ever... :)

I have just recently decided to start reading the BOM over I am excited about it and I am learning a lot.. I got a new blue book.. and Iam highlighting... the verses that have to do with "OUR PURPOSE"... faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, and enduring to the end... I'm also highlighting... warnings, and blessings.. and references to the Atonement... The book is new to me.. I love it! I get excited ever day to read. I was thinking about the things we learned in our Zone Conference this week it was all about the Book of Mormon.. We talked about how it is KEY in our conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how without the Book of Mormon we have no religion! But Luckily we do have it .. and we can read about it ponder and pray about it every single day! So I asked myself the question... "Do I believe that the BOM is true?" YES.. the answer is yes.. So now I am pondering everyday when I read.. "Why do I need this book in my life every day?" "Why is this book true?" It is changing the way I think and they way I study the Book of Mormon. I am on my journey of figuring out why I need the Book of Mormon.. I know that I need it.

I love this Gospel.. Yesterday.. we sang in the choir.. we sang the song "Because I have been given much" Which was the same song that was sung at my mission farewell.. It brought me to tears to think about the words. "Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I'll share thy love again, according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."

That is why we are here... to try our best to show Heavenly Father our thanks to him for all that he has given to us.. Which is so so much. Incredible... So Incredible.

I LOVE YOU ALL! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Sister Kaitlyn Pallas

I am so grateful for you all!

It is quite an experience being away from home around Christmas time. I don't really know how to describe it or explain it. BUT just know that I am learning a lot. There would be no better thing to be doing then serving the Lord, as I am away from my family and friends this year. I have thought a lot about my Savior lately.. about His life, His sacrifice, His example, and His Love. I am so grateful for Him. I am grateful that I wear His name over my heart everyday.

So some updates:

It is really cold in Pennsylvania... mostly lately.. it has been around 35 degrees outside. The humidity makes it like freezing. But.. Luckily I have one of the best dads in the world, he really took care of me while I was preparing for my mission and bought me a giant black marshmallow for a jacket that keeps me so cozy!

It has snowed about 3 times.. little snow flurries.. I really enjoy them a lot... because my companion Sister Soolefai gets really excited! (Being from Australia and seeing snow for the first time)

The other day I was studying about PEACE... It was just what I needed to study that day.. (Everyday I am more and more convinced that Heavenly Father knows exactly what I need and all of us need and will guide our thoughts and our actions... IF we let Him.) I asked myself the question.. How do I gain greater peace in my life? This is what I came up with... keeping the commandments, giving service, caring for family and friends, and sharing the gospel. The last one I liked pretty well... seeing is I'm blessed with the opportunity everyday to do just that... and what is the gospel really? ... GOOD NEWS, PEACE, HOPE.. LOVE. All the good stuff! Just do it... share the gospel of PEACE..

John 14:26-27 "The comforter, which is the Holy Ghost the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

D&C 6:36-37 "Look unto me in every thought doubt not fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of GOOD CHEER; I have overcome the world!"

It is in Our Savior that we find peace in our lives.. in the gospel of Jesus Christ.. we can find real JOY!

Jesus

Others

Yourself (learned this from my mom.. her favorite word is JOY!!)

May we all remember our Savior.. at this special time of year!

Sister Kait Pallas

D+C 78:19 And he who recieveth all things with THANKFULNESS shall be made glorious:

and the things of this earth shall be added unto him even an hundred fold, yea, more.

Doesn't that just make you want to be grateful and thankful all the time! When I was studying about Gratitude this week I happened upon this scripture.. It made me think about how my prayers are with my Heavenly Father.. I asked myself if I was thanking him enough for all the many wonderful blessings and miracles that I have experienced in my life. So.. I challenge you all.. to think about your prayers... are you thanking Heavenly Father enough for the wonderful things in our lives.. and... Then when I looked back at the wording of this scripture.. receiveth ALL things.. The good the bad the hard and the easy. EVERYTHING. Lets just say.. It became one of my goals this week.. to offer more prayers of gratitude. Once you start.. you can't really stop, it is an incredible thing.

Just so you all know.. Pennsylvania.. is really cold in November.. in case any of you were wondering.. but I am surviving the madness of the cold weather. I will just tell you that Hot Chocolate.. is like my new favorite drink, actually hot chocolate and MILO.. (some sort of Australian hot coco.. that is great, thanks to Sister Soolefai!) And.. I love blankets, jackets, thick tights, leggings, thermals.. gloves.. etc.. Thank goodness for them! :) The funny part about this is that.. it is only November.. and there isn't even any snow on the ground yet! :)

I wanted to share just a few quick experiences that happened this week.. So we were walking down this street in Downtown Norristown.. and this little boy walked up to Sis. Soolefai and I.. and he said... "Will you guys give me some Sugar?" Sis. Soolefai said.. "we don't have any sugar.." and then he proceeded to give each of us a hug. So.. we then walked away... and Sister Soolefai said.. I don't have any Lollies.. (candy) ... I was cracking up.. because.. he obviously didn't mean candy.. haha... but he was a sweet little boy. As we were walking back up.. we watched him chase down anyone and everyone in his path to give them.. some sugar.. (Hugs) :)

For a more serious experience.. We went to visit the family .. that we are teaching.. We were asking how they liked church? We asked if anything happened that they weren't expecting if they had any questions.. etc.. The only thing that they said that they didn't expect was to be so welcomed at a church. It was incredible! They said they felt so much peace as they were there! It is just incredible what the spirit can do for our souls! :)

Call me GRATEFUL this week.. because that is what I am! I am so grateful for My Savior Jesus Christ.. and for Our Loving Heavenly Father.. for the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Lords Kingdom on the earth today! I am grateful for my loving family and all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sister Grateful.. Pallas

Psalms 100:3-5 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving and into his courts with Praise: be thankful unto him, and his blessed name. For the lord is Good: his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generations.

And of course I can not forget the most incredible woman I know in my life.. My Mother.. it is her Birthday on Thanksgiving this year so I cannot forget to wish her a Happy Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER! I love you so much!

The miracle I have been praying for...

for a long time happened yesterday.. We were able to have a family that we are teaching come to church!!! It was incredible! They are the sweetest people ever.

This week I have also had my testimony strengthened of planning well, and being at the right place at the right time. We had a referral to stop by, they of course weren't home but, as we were walking down the side walk we started talking to a woman that had met with missionaries about a year ago. It was incredible, we are meeting with her tomorrow night! I just know that Heavenly Father wanted us there for a reason! Another experience this week we were on our way to an appointment.. we were a little bit early so we were just talking to people on that street.. there was a guy sitting on his porch.. we ended up talking to him for quite a while and found out he has been going through some faith trying experiences and he said he felt like he needed to read.. we were able to set up an appointment and I was able to give away the most precious gift ever, The Book of Mormon. After we prayed and left.. we stopped in a little side street and said a quick pray to Heavenly Father thanking Him for allowing us to meet this special person! The appointment we were on our way to fell through... but something I will never forget as we were walking back on the other side of the street, there was the man we had talked to fully immersed in reading the Book of Mormon. A picture in my mind that will never be erased. I know we were there for these people. Heavenly Father is guiding this work. I feel just so blessed that I have the opportunity to be apart of it!

I hope all of you are practicing how to be grateful, this week.. because you know next week .. you'll need to be professionals at being grateful! :)

I am grateful for all you who remember me in your prayers and pray for the missionaries and pray for all of God's children who know not God. (Alma 6:6)

LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Pallas

Norristown: The Heart of Montgomery County.. Where you Belong....

This week.. has been pretty incredible..

It was not a normal week in the mission. Sister Reynolds and I were blessed with the opportunity to attend a Leadership Training for 2 days! It was so incredible. I felt the spirit so strongly, it made me so grateful for the privilege it is to be here in Norristown PA serving a mission! I am grateful to have been called by a Prophet of God to help build up the Lord's Kingdom here. To be able to share with people something that is so special and important .. I am SO grateful for the Book of Mormon.. What an amazing record it is to help us become more like our Savior and help us feel the spirit and love from our Heavenly Father when we faithfully study, read, and ponder with our hearts. It was amazing to be at the training and to learn from our Mission President and other faithful servants here in the PPM (Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission) So.... because of this great training we were able to attend we had to cram a lot of appointments in our week.

As always.. Miracles... So here is the best one..

We were stopping by a woman in the ward and we had been trying to stop by here a few times before but we were never able to catch her at home! ... But third times the charm! We stopped by this past week and we were able to visit with her for awhile! The best part about it was we knocked on her door and she started to cry.. She said I just barely finished praying when you two knocked on my door! It was pretty incredible! She is from Scotland and is such a sweet woman. It really showed me that Heavenly Father is in charge of this work.. and we will be where we are supposed to be if we are in tune with the spirit.

So many changes as well.. they come with missionary work.. Transfers were this week and Sister Reynolds had to leave me. It is amazing to be able to learn so much from the different sisters that are here and to be able to become such good friends.. so.. on the bright side of things.. the good ones have to go so you can continue to meet those wonderful people. So now I am blessed with the opportunity to serve with Sister Soolefai. She is from Australia, born in New Zealand, and is Samoan. She is fantastic already!

Another great thing we were able to do this week was spend our P-day in Valley Forge Historical National Park! It was incredibly beautiful and I enjoyed the day very much.. me and my camera had a party! It was amazing to be there. So much history took place.. we are so blessed to be in this country!

I love you all .. I am grateful for all your prayers and support!

also.. I am a good pen pal.. 124 Mill Grove Dr. Norristown, PA 19403

LOVES.. Sister Kait Pallas

PICTURES!!!

Sister Soolefai and I! :) (new companion)

Elder Belnap and sisters :)

Pictures taken at Valley Forge Historical National Park. SO BEAUTIFUL!!!