Sometimes kids say the deepest things. We were door knocking on a really nice day and came upon an open door. Before we could say anything other than a friendly hello, a young woman curtly told us "no thank you." We were walking back down her driveway when we heard her boy ask, "why are they walking?" from his doorstep. Good question, kid.

This is our second week without a car, which means we've been doing a lot of that walking thing. (Aware that returned missionaries from foreign countries are mocking this, but it's a big deal in a big area!) When we can't get a ride, we walk. And walk. And walk. Most people would think we're crazy. (Actually, I'm sure most people do.) Why would three young women spend all their time on a weekend walking up and down neighborhood streets sharing the same message about some religious book?

It's a question I've been thinking about for a while, and one even brought up in General Conference (check out Uchtdorf's talk on lds.org!). Why would so many young men and women give 18-24 months of their lives working, on their own dime and their own time? There are a lot of restrictions on a mission that even some members aren't aware of (only hymns for music, only shop on Mondays, sleep from 10:30-6:30, assigned study hours, etc). It seems like a lot of work, and that's because it is. But you know what? We do it because it's worth it. It is so worth it.

We walk and knock bearing one unique and important message to the world: the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored on the earth in it's fullest. Everything, from the Priesthood and temple work to an ordained Prophet and apostles, has been restored. Sister Dixon likes using this visual: the Church that Christ established in Jerusalem is like a mirror. When the people killed him and his apostles, the mirror shattered. People picked up the pieces of truth they remembered, but it wasn't complete -- and glueing them back together still produced cracks. That's why we needed a restoration, not just a reformation.

We aren't here to change people's faith, but to add to it. Our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come unto Christ. They can't take our word for it, which is why it's important for them to ask God if these things are true, as proposed in the introduction and final chapter of the Book of Mormon. It's such a personal experience, and that's what I love.

I love this message. I love my Savior and I love this church. The more I share the gospel, the more I understand and gain from it. I know this is Christ's church on the earth. It makes sense in my brain and it feels good in my heart, which is one way of discerning truth from the spirit! I know it and I love it and I'm out here to share it.

I hope you are all doing great things!

Muito amor,

Sister Kaegi