General Conference was amazing.

All is good here in Washington! We are continuing to search for new investigators. Some of our investigators are harder to get to these days. But we still continue to work with them. Soo Dylan up and moved to Iowa momentarily without telling us! So that was pretty surprising to us. He was progressing so well! But we found two new investigators this week. Ones name is Christine, she has been reading the Book of Mormon to her daughter every night before bed, for quite some time! We were so overjoyed when we had heard that news! Where do these people come from!? WOW. But for the most part we are just continually working hard and trying to spread the word that He lives, that the truth is once again restored, and God works through a living prophet today!

General Conference was amazing. I got such a renewed sense of my purpose as a daughter of God who has the knowledge of the truth, my purpose as a missionary, and my duty to tell others of the truths that I hold so precious as both a missionary and a daughter of a king! I am so blessed to be a part of this church, of the church of Jesus Christ. To be a part of such a wonderful work! We are blessed to have Prophets and Apostles who love us dearly, and give us direction that comes directly from our Father in Heaven! How incredible that God loves us enough and is willing to help us out as much as possible on our life here on earth! He has not deserted us! He will never leave us comfortless.

President shared a thought from conference in his weekly email that I thought was incredible, he quoted Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Don't Sleep through the restoration"

In President Uchtdorf's talk in the Priesthood session of General conference he told the story of Rip VanWinkle sleeping through the American Revolution and how we should not miss the "Restoration". He says that many of us see the restoration as something that has already passed, but that is untrue! We are still living in it.

He stated Article of Faith 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

WE ARE LIVING IN THE RESTORATION! Kind of cool to think about.  Ask yourself the questions President Ucthdorf asked priesthood brethren "Are you sleeping through the restoration?" When we are done with our period here on earth, what will we be able to say that we contributed to this significant part of Human History, and to the furthering of the Lord's work? Uchtdorf then asks will you be able to say that you rolled up our sleeves and labored with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength in the Lord's vineyard? Or will you have to claim your roll as an observer?

President then went on to say "As missionaries I could not help but also think of "Don't sleep through your mission" only to wake up down the road and realize that it has passed you by. May I suggest to all if you have not done so already, place both feet solidly on the ground, work hard and become a missionary. Make the most of this time here in the mission field so that you don't wake up to the feeling that some how you missed this great opportunity."

President Uchtdorf then mentions three reasons why we might get a little bit sleepy when building the kingdom of God. My favorite part is that he does not just go into the three major reasons right away, he pauses, and invites us to "ponder if any might apply", and asks if we see need for improvement we need to consider what needs to be done to "improve for the better". WOW. This is an apostle of the Lord speaking to us. If he takes the time to stop in his talk and invites us to consider what we can take from his talk, we definitely need to be listening. God not only wants us to hear this, but we NEED to hear it. The three reasons he gives are:

1. Selfishness

Do not have the attitude of "What is in it for me?". Stop right there. This attitude is completely contrary to everything this work, God's work, is about. If we seek self service over selfless service we are only handicapping ourselves and our own progression.

He also tells us that "selfie" was proclaimed as word of the year by Websters dictionary. That's embarrassing. (Good thing our family uses the word "facie"). But how self conceited are we!? How wrong are we, this life is NOT about us, this life is about us helping God build his kingdom up on earth. Its about us helping God's children to progress and come unto Christ. He says that the remedy is found in the Words of Christ. (Matt 16:25-29)

 25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.

 26 And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments.

 27 Break not my commandments for to save your lives; for whosoever will save his life in this world, shall lose it in the world to come.

 28 And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my sake, shall find it in the world to come.

 29 Therefore, forsake the world, and save your souls; for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Those who serve others will not sleep through the restoration.

2. Addiction

Negative habits have the capacity to become huge addictions. We have a divine destiny that only we can fulfill and through falling into Satan's trap, we cannot fulfill that roll, especially the priesthood brethren, who hold the power of God. We are not meant to be "imprisoned in straight jackets of our own making". He asks us to keep in mind that addictions are easier to prevent than to cure. For those who are struggling now, remember that there is always hope found through the Savior's atonement. Seek help from the church, and from your family. Keep trying, don't give up, don't loose faith, He will give you the power of deliverance, he will set you free!

Men, and Women, who realize the importance of not falling into the traps of Satan, or that there is a way out through our Savior and his atonement, "Will not sleep through the restoration".

3.  Priorities!

Put family first, Put God first! Remember our purpose here on earth. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind! Love thy neighbor as thyself. Everything else in life should be secondary to these 2 commandments. We have committed to demonstrating our love and devotion to these 2 commandments. Always remember that.

There is to much at stake for us to give only a half-hearted effort to this sacred work! Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is an effort that is made once and for all!

I love you guys! You are the best! Don't give up and never loose faith! Keep your heart close to the Lord! ALWAYS work hard to further the work so that we can stand before God together and say that we rolled up our sleeves and worked with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength! DO NOT SLEEP THROUGH THE RESTORATION!

Love, Sister Izzy Haderlie