Catey's latest update - August 26, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,
So... I got to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication on Sunday. It was AMAZING... beyond words. Like... I literally can't explain it. It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my entire life. My testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ was strengthened so much. We sat in the room next to the Celestial room, where the prophet was. President Eyring gave the dedicatory prayer. I got tears in my eyes as he blessed the missionaries around the world... and their families, and as I felt my Savior's love. After the dedication, they had all of the children, teenagers and sister missionaries (there were 4 of us) go out of the room and into the hallway. President Monson, President Eyring and Elder Ballard stood right across from us... Like they were standing 5 feet in front of me. President Monson then serenaded us with a song ... about a tangerine. :) He is soooo hilarious! Chills ran through my body as I realized that I was standing in front of a prophet of God, in the House of God. It was quite the experience. He has the best sense of humor. He was cracking us up. We were standing on the second floor of the temple, so you could see down onto the first floor, and President Monson came out of the Celestial Room and said to us, "Don't jump!" We all started cracking up. Oh man President Monson ... :)

We have also been talking to Elder Zwick of the Seventy. Actually, we have gone over to his house a couple of times. He is in one of our stakes. We met him in the temple, and he was like "Come over to my house any time." He is an awesome man. He is really down to earth. His wife is really sweet too. :)

We do have quite a few baptisms coming up. Acutally ... the Holy Ghost has quite a few baptisms coming up. We are just the Lord's instruments in inviting these elect sons and daughters of our loving Heavenly Father to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ by entering into the waters of baptism. The Spirit does everything. We just have to listen. I am really excited for these baptisms. So far in our zone, whe have had 23 baptisms in the month of August! It has been the most amazing experience to watch the hand of the Lord in our lives as well as in the lives of these people. It is amazing to see their lives change for good...the light that comes to them as they accept the Savior in their life.

I know that this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the way to true happiness. As we follow the example of our Savior, we will feel the peace and joy that He has promised us as we strengthen our relationship with Him. I LOVE this gospel, I LOVE being on a mission, I LOVE the Book of Mormon. I know that it is truly God's word. I pray for a confirmation of it every night, and every night I get the feeling of peace to know that it is true, and that it is because of our Heavenly Father's love for us, His children, that we have this amazing book. I LOVE President Monson. Heavenly Father truly does reveal His will for us through a living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I LOVE the Savior. My relationship with Him has been strengthened so much since I have been on a mission. I can see His hand in my life and in the lives of others on a daily basis. I know that He lives and that He loves us. I pray that we will all put our trust in Him. He wants us to ask for His help in our lives. He is waiting for us, all we have to do is ask. We never have to feel alone when we make the Savior the central part of our lives. As we seek first the kingdom of God, all other things will fall into place in our lives. This I promise you.

I love you all. I pray for you. You have all played a part in making me the person I am today. For this, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Heavenly Father loves you more than you will ever know. He wants us to return to live with Him again. I want us all to return to live with Him again. Please... never forget that you are a child of God. In the name of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Sister Catey Stroud

Update and new address

Sister Stroud left for her first area last Thursday, July 30, 2009. She first went to the Mission Home to meet her Mission President, President Sonne and her trainer. Her trainer is Sister Kalolo from Samoa. Because Sister Kalolo doesn't drive, Catey will do all the driving. Her first area is in Salt Lake. We found out that she will not be serving in Wyoming or Nevada. They only send the Elders there. Last week she worked at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House for two days. She also was able to attend a baptism and is teaching a man named David who was a referral. According to Catey he is "Golden." She has already had a great experience teaching a women named Corie. The following is in Catey's words: "She (Corie) has a three year-old son, who is just as cute as can be. We taught her about having hope, and pressing forward with faith. I know the Holy Ghost was with me, and that He was the one teaching her. It was a really awesome experience. She wants to be baptized and is praying about August 23rd!"

Sister Stroud lives in the basement of a Muslim couples home which is very spacious. Even though they could each have their own room, according to mission rules they have to share a room. One interest of note is that Catey's Mission President informed her that her hair has to be cut even shorter. Before her mission she had 5" cut off. She said she didn't mind though as she loves to be pampered with a haircut.

Please keep Catey in your prayers and if you can write to her. She may not always be able to write back, but she would love to hear from you. Her new address is:

Utah Salt Lake City Mission
West Entrance
3487 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84106-2951

Love,
Momma Stroud (Catey gave me this wonderful name- isn't she great :) )