Dear family and friends,

I hope that you are having a great day!!

I am, like my brother, finding myself thinking of home more often lately. Missing it a little more. But there is always so much to do and so many people here to think of that those thoughts don't linger long. I'm really glad to be here in Napa still, to be serving among so many that I have come to develop ties with and to also be meeting lots of new people here. We've been making a special effort to talk to more people lately and I've been impressed by how many are willing to talk with us and even express interest and desires in meeting with us or other missionaries again to learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday we had a really great experience: 

 We had an appointment for a second lesson with a woman we started teaching this week. We'd invited the branch president to come with us and he was there. Well, she wasn't home! But we asked him if he would visit some other people in the area with us...he agreed and we called a lady that lives down the street from where we were. She was home, said we could come by, we got there, and....it was amazing. She felt the Spirit so strongly that she was weeping before we even started the lesson, and President Ceballos being there was perfect because he was able to reassure her about problems she is having in a way that we couldn't have done ourselves. Later in the lesson she accepted a baptismal date, a goal that she can start working toward to follow the example of Jesus Christ and make a covenant to serve God for the rest of her life...she wants to make those changes in her life, and Heavenly Father knew just when the time would come that she would be ready to open up to us. Then he sent us at that time with the help that she needed.

I know Heavenly Father loves His children and am grateful for opportunities like that one to help them feel His love and learn how to come unto Christ. 

Experiences like that make missed appointments and cold, rainy days seem like no disappointment, no sacrifice at all. It's wonderful to see the light and relief and peace that comes into people's countenances as they learn and begin to live the way Heavenly Father intends us to.

I know God our Father lives and loves each one of us. I know He sent Jesus Christ His Son to suffer for our sins and sorrows and through Him comes all the peace and joy we need and want.

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

Love,

Hermana Brighton