ya know you have been in an area for a while when you are walking down the street and you hear someone yell "hey it's Oswald!" and then you walk further down the street and you know everyone's name and they all know you!

So it is out....I AM IN FOR THE LONG HAUL! what do you think of spending half of my mission in Kalamazoo? The members know me and we are besties...

so this week has been crazy! I can't even remember what has happened....

We had a lesson with Bernie and he is the very sweetest guy you have ever known!! He always takes us out to lunch at denies and we have a lesson with him there. he keeps all the drawings and things we write on napkins and remembers all the sisters! We are trying to commit him to baptism but he is a truck driver and we meet with him once in a blue moon! but I love Bernie so much! I would send you a picture but I look like a chunk in it sooo.....maybe when I get home :)

also Lindsey has been SUPER DUPER sick lately so she hasn't been able to meet with us much and that has been super sad but she has been feeling a bit better so we will be getting back on track! she is the sweetest thing I have ever met! she has got to be 5'1 and 70 pounds....no joke! but we were teaching her about covenants and about how the Book of Mormon can really solidify her testimony and she said okay well I am planning on having the whole Book of Mormon read by May 31st....so not a big deal....SO AWESOME! Lindsey is the best investigator....

alrighty soooooo the wallers....I LOVE THE WALLERS! we went to dinner at their house and they are so funny!! sister savage (s. wallers mom) was there and she is talking and there is a spider web with a little spider on the end so naturally I freak out and say oh my heck sister savage you have a spider on you!!!! and....the reaction....was....amazing! she stood up and started screaming ahhh ahhh ahhh ahh! and smacking her husband! Oh man if you only knew sister savage she is a very out spoken lady with a strong German accent! she is so honest...no matter what! it is kinda awesome...

so this  sunday we were talking about the roles of the mother and Brother Hampton asked a question (I don't remember what is was) but my answer was welll being out on my mission I have really found how I am exactly like my mother...I find myself cleaning things, saying things, doing things exactly like her! But I love it because I want to be exactly like her! so shout out to my mom in Kalamazoo!

We have been teaching Doug also...he has had a hard life but he is soo super sweet!! We are helping quit smoking and we may are may not have stuck sticky notes everywhere in his house saying I can quit with all of his goals to start quitting! and also HE CAME TO CHURCH AGAIN!!! welll quick side story...he was supposed to go last week but didn't wake up on time and so his room mate Michael had the member who was there take him to the liquor store....TWICE...because he forgot his wallet the first time! I was a little bit annoyed...I was like Michael if you want to go to church then our member can take you to church NOT THE LIQUOR STORE!!! We are still apologizing for that one...

BUT on the other hand Doug has really liked church and he is just so happy to be there! He is sad all the time but when he is at church he perks up a bit! :)

Well this week I have learned so much!!! I can tell this next transfer will be a bit hard just because I was ready for a change I will be honest! but this is the Lord's work not mine and I am needed here so I guess I will stay! :) also no pain no gain! so with that challenge comes new understanding and strength! so I guess I will say challenge accepted! but I am also getting a new companion her name is Sister Jensen and I am so excited! she is transferring from St. Johns! She was companions with Sister Frei crazy how that works out! :) 

well fam...I almost forgot I get to talk to you this week....but I have decided that it would be best if I didn't call soo...I am really sorry! hope you understand! :)

 I know this church is true with all my heart! This church brings so much hope and peace into our lives! I would probably be crazy if I didn't have this gospel in my life! I am grateful to be a missionary and have the opportunity to share this wonderful truth with others! It truly is the greatest thing! I can't even believe I have been out for 6 months that is crazy! We were at church yesterday and someone asked me how long i had been out and i had to count to make sure because I didn't know! I used to have it down to the weeks....this past six month has been everything I needed and everything i could have ever asked for! This is Jesus Christ church restored on the earth. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and Heavenly Father loves us with every fiber of his being and with every strength he can exert. This I know to be true! 

have a blessed week,

Sista Oswald!

random facts:

1. the guy at the stained glass store is making me something REAL NICE :)

2. I FOUND MY FIRST GREY HAIR!!!! Don't worry I kept it and taped it in my journal

3. My mom is the MOST AMAZING WOMEN EVER...I really truly know that she is the best mom ever...sorry all other moms....

4. amanda is my favorite investigator and she has six kittens that we get to hold while we teach her (her crazy boyfriend gets out of jail today...I am not happy)

5. We took diamond out to dinner and had a girls dinner :) she is having a really hard time with everything so keep her in your prayers! 

6. yes...there really are cops that ride horses....

7. I LOVE STUDYING THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL! thanks grandpa and grandma! and also I don't think you two know how inspired you are to send it at that time! I needed that real bad that day! so thanks for being real in tune with the spirit! :)

8. yoga is the best thing that has ever happened in my life (besides the restored gospel and my mom) 

9. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!