"Because of Him!"

Elder Zwick, Sister Platero, Me, Sister Dill, Sister Grayson, President Duval (stake pres)

 Hello everyone! How was Easter? Mine was so good! I love Easter because everyone focuses on the Savior all day! We had a real treat, Elder Zwick from the Seventy came up to Fairbanks and spoke both at our Stake conference on Sunday and also at the Saturday night adult conference. If anyone remembers the story at General Conference where he mother jumped from the truck, that was him that told it!  It was really awesome because he is the head of the missionary board or something, so all he talked about was missionary work Saturday night and it really got everyone revved up! And his teeth are really really white!!! Like whoa! We got to see him a lot as missionaries and by the end he said to my companion and I "These sisters have been great all weekend" Pretty awesome :)

I didn't mention last week, but there was a lady we were working with and that we loved a lot who passed away and her funeral was this week. I was able to sing at that and it was a very moving experience. I feel so honored to have had the opportunity :)

The beelseys were up this week as well and it was just so good to have them here in Fairbanks. Anytime I get to see them, I am just overwhelmed with happiness! It's probably the closest I feel to home and comfort when I have them with me. :) I will be SO sad when they leave next transfer! I'm sure I will love the new mission president and his wife, though. :)

I am so grateful for all the love, support, and prayers from everyone. :) My testimony of the Savior is increasing day by day. It's become very personal and real. I love my Savior so much. I know he loves us...and I know he knows us. :)

Love you all! Have a greeeeeeat week!

Love, Sister Hallmark

 

For a while there was seriously a lake a the bottom of the driveway....all the snow is melting! And this, my friends, is what they call "break up season" :)

We found a little mouse outside our window...we named him Jack. He keeps us entertained. I feed him trail mix. :)

Opening my package Easter morning :)

Enjoying the sun!

Count your blessings!"

 I don't have much to say this week.

The sun is out and it's wonderful and warm today! 

Also, a nice man just gave us a quarter in the gas station so we could have enough for the parking meters on campus to get on the computers. I'm trying to count all my little blessings! I loved President Uchtdorf's talk on gratitude! We have so many things to be grateful for!

Another blessing was that Darci was online today at the same time as me so we were able to talk for a bit. That was an answered prayer! :) I love tender mercies. Heavenly Father is always aware.

No huge incredible happenings this week, just tender mercies. :)

I love my Savior. He completely fills me. I grateful to know I can turn to him and he is always there. He comforts me and gently guides me. He knows my name and my circumstance. When I pray, I feel His presence so strongly that I cannot deny. He hears me. I can't wait to see my Savior again and hug Him.

I love you all so much!!! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Hallmark

ATRINA WAS BAPTIZED!

So exciting. We've been working with them for so long, it makes me SO happy to see them on the right path. Right after when we asked her how she felt she said "I just feel refreshed" :) I love her SO MUCH! There are people here in Fairbanks that will always have my heart. 

We had a HUGE miracle thing week. There's a lady we've been working with named Paula. She is an investigator, knows everything is true, has been taking the discussions for a really long time, but just lives with her member boyfriend. That's been the only thing holding her back. Well directly after planning and talking in depth about her during weekly planning, we got a text. She said "I want to be baptized May 13th" we were so shocked. We asked her how we could help and she told us that she just needs to get interviewed and plan her baptism. She said she asked her boyfriend to move out at the end of the month so that she can get baptized. I am SO proud of her!!! I can't wait for her to finally get baptized. She's been waiting to so long. 

Man I love it here in Fairbanks, things are going great. Except it's just snowing and snowing and snowing and snowing and all I can see is white. Will it end? Who knows. Rumor is there's been snow storms in July. I might be seeing white the next 8 months. 

Alaskans are seriously hilarious. Yesterday, we saw a man shoveling snow from his driveway in basketball shorts. The day before that, we saw a man going for a jog shirtless...it was 40 degrees outside. THAT IS NOT OKAY. Everyone here is cracking me up...they are so ready for spring. 

Well love to all!!!! I hope everyone enjoyed conference! I sure did!

Love, Sister Hallmark

Queen of the ice castle :)

 

Got to volunteer at the world’s largest ice sculpting contest, Kind of a big deal :)

"No, no, no, elder!" Saying our goodbyes to the departing elders. :)

Me: "Ohymygosh you're going to SITKA!" 

Sis Harrison: "I know I'm freaking out!"

I'm gonna miss her!

Here for Spring!"

Guys this week we got the call. Guess what? I'm staying. Going on 6 months here in Fairbanks! Loving it! I am seriously so happy I don't have to say bye yet. I seriously love everyone here so much. I am still staying as a sister training leader with Sister Platero and Sister Hewitt is heading off to Wasilla to train a new sister! 

Things are going good, Atrina is getting baptized this Friday!!!! I can't wait! Seeing her whole family in church on Sunday warms my heart. I love that family SO MUCH!

At sacrament meeting yesterday the cutest little girl got up and said "I know that Jesus bled from every pore. He just kept bleeding and bleeding and I bet that really hurted." How cute!

Guys I love being a missionary it's seriously just who I am, I feel like. I can't imagine NOT being called Sister Hallmark. I love it. I love my name tag. I love being a representative of Jesus Christ. I just love who I get to be. It's cool! I'm really cool, guys!

I love you all like alot! Don't stop being awesome! 

Love, Sister Hallmark