November 29, 2011

So...yesterday was a weird p-day...and hence I am writing today during our lunch break. Anyways, how was your thanksgiving? Dad said it was good, so hopefully every else had a good one. Ours was....rather boring. It was suppose to be a p-day spent with members...but we only had one dinner appointment, so we were rather bored in our apartment since we didn't want to crash anyone else's. And the ward didn't do anything fun, probably because they are all old... Anyways, we did heart attack our ward mission leader’s door. That was fun. Um... so last week we had a really good lesson with our 2 golden investigators. We taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We were able to both teach the lesson well together. At the end of the lesson I actually was able to extend them the baptismal commitment. It was kind of funny though. I was really nervous, so usually you're suppose to say: "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by the proper priesthood authority of God?" Instead I said, "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by the proper priesthood authority of God...and be baptized?" Haha, Sister McKellar said she got really scared that I forgotten to say the word "baptism." But at least I remember and got it out! :D That was fun...but they still don't have baptism dates. The husband said yes, but first he would like to read all of The Book of Mormon. The wife said probably, but she's still not sure; mainly she just wants to make sure it's right for her; she doesn't want to be one of those members who fall away later, she wants to be completely converted. We also talked about how they would like to be baptized together, so I think for now during the lessons we are going to try to focus more on her since we're not really worried about him. We were able to meet their children during the thanksgiving week, the children that converted a few years back. They mentioned how they hoped to see us again at their parent’s baptism:) Besides that, we've been struggling to meet with our other 2 investigators. But we've been visiting lots of the older less active women in the ward and inviting people to our Christmas activities which happen to be happening all this weekend. Thursday is our relief society party, and Saturday is the ward party and there are other random activities among that. Anyways, I love you all so much! I am so thankful to have all of you part of my life. :D Thanks for being so awesome and amazing and for love and support.

November 21, 2011

I can't believe this week is thanksgiving...my days are no more normal. Time just flies. No day seems like a regular day, they are all missionary days. But Happy Thanksgiving!!! It is a full p-day for us. All we have planned is going over to a member's home in the afternoon for dinner. So... this last week...was some kind of a week. Um... we did tracking, visiting..., we had a couple lessons with our golden investigators. They came to church and loved it. They know they are getting baptized. Just "when" is the question. Yeppers. One of my zone leaders is going home tomorrow. It's transfers again. And my companion and I are staying put. I'm the first companion she will have had for more than one transfer and she's been out for 10 months. It will be good. Actually my entire district is the same. And the other sisters are staying the same too, so I get to keep Sister Withers in my zone! So, this morning I read President Monson's talk about "Standing in Holy Places." I loved the part where he said, "communication with our Father in Heaven - including our prayers to Him and His inspiration to us - is necessary in order for us to weather the storms and trials of life." That is so true! I really feel as though my prayers have strengthened my relationship with Heavenly Father. I pray almost constantly. I know that without Him I am nothing. Through my prayers I am strengthened and able to do anything He has set before me to do. I know and trust in Him. I've been reading a lot of articles from the Conference ensign. I love our leaders. They truly are inspired! I also read something that President Uchtdorf said which I just love. "Love should be our walk and our talk." It all comes down to our choice. We can choose to be loving to others and be happy. Or we can choose to be irritated and annoyed at others and be unhappy. Life is about choice. It's an important element to our becoming better. Anyways, that's my spill for the week. But I love you all so much!!! And I am thankful for all of you!!!! You all are so wonderful and I am so grateful to have all of you in my life!

November 14, 2011

So... where to start. Last week on Tuesday we had zone conference. It was really good! I was really sad to leave it. President Weston is amazing. So in preparation for zone conference we were to study the Christ-like attributes in PMG. And then prepare a short talk on one of them. Funny thing, when I was told that I knew I was going to have to speak, so I prepared well. Tuesday came and time for the talks came. I was not called on at that time. Phew...a relief. I could enjoy the talks. Then we had a break. During the break President came up to me and said that all morning he felt impressed that I should share my talk on the Christ-like attributes and asked me if I would after we started again. So, I did get to give my talk about being humble after all. It was scary! But I'm glad I got it over with. Sometimes I wonder what I look like when I give talks... I always feel so scared and scattered-brained during them...oh well. But when I sat down Sister McKellar and Sister Withers told me I did a good job. I really enjoyed zone conference because President Weston focused on the importance of The Book of Mormon. And how we should read it daily and make sure that our investigators understand it's importance. We also broke into our separate zones and our zone leaders talked a lot about having faith that things can happen. I really think faith is an amazing power. Faith can do anything. It can move mountains. I know that if I have enough faith, things that I desire in righteousness can happen. I have so much faith in the Lord that he can help me through anything. Lately I have been realizing how much I depend on the Lord, but that's because I know that I can't do anything without Him. He truly is a great source of strength. This week we were able to pick up 2 golden investigators. Their daughter and her husband converted to the church about 4 years ago and have been a great example to her parents. The parents - our 2 new investigators - have already been reading from The Book of Mormon, Gospel Principles, Our Search to Happiness, and different Ensigns. They truly are prepared and are searching to find out whether this is the true church. It is amazing. Also, they had just come back from their 8 year-old granddaughter's baptism, which they said was a special experience. We first spoke to them on Thursday, setting up an appointment for them on Friday. Saturday we gave them a tour of the church. And Sunday they came to church. And they really enjoyed it. And we have an appointment with them tomorrow. They are great people. Also, yesterday we visited a less active, older lady. We weren't quite sure what she wanted until she said the closing prayer...after I said the first closing prayer. In her prayer she thanked God for sending us to her and for instilling a desire in her again to come closer to Him. That was another special moment. Also we found another less active, young lady to work with. She has a testimony, but struggles coming to church. She doesn't really know why, but could be do to that fact that her husband is not a member. Anyway, it was mostly a very good week. One more week of the transfer left! And next week we'll see what happens.
Love you all so much!

November 6, 2011

So this last week... I had fun playing soccer last week. For Halloween we had to be in by 6, so I wrote letters. That was nice. Wednesday I spoke during district meeting, that was kind of scary, but at least it's over now! Also that day as we were tracting, we ran into this young man that was really hoping to learning about the gospel! It was really cool! But he didn't live there (it was his parents house) and he was singles ward age, so we referred him on to the Zone leaders who are in charge of the singles ward. Lucky them! It was really cool to be able to refer him over to them. Thursday night we were able to pick up an investigator. She is a former investigator and wants to continue learning, but our lesson with her wasn't much of a lesson... her son (he's in his 40s) is a less active member and pretty much an atheist now. He had to let out all his reasoning... we kind of tried answering his questions, but he really didn't care to hear them even though he acted like he did. He was nice, just very atheist. The new investigator though, his mother, does believe in God. So hopefully next time he's not there and we can really teach her and find out more what she needs. Saturday we had exchanges! I was with Sister Withers for the day back in the Woodside ward! It was fun to be there again with her. I love Sister Withers. She is such a good friend to me. I was able to have breakfast with the Clarks again and say a real goodbye to them. And also, the night before Sister Withers told me we were going to pick up 2 new investigators. I believed her. And guess what... it happened!!! That was so cool!!! It was such an awesome day. We picked up 2 former investigators that I had briefly met with before. Apparently Saturday was the day and this is the time that they are finally ready to learn more. One of the ladies actually had prayed that someone would come and read from The Book of Mormon with her. It was such a wonderful experience. I was glad to be there that day. While I was gone Sister McKellar and Sister Crossely were able to pick up an investigator here as well. It's a young man who is 17 years old. Yep. Last night we were able to go to a performance that the youth from our stake put on: Savior of the World. It was a beautiful performance/play/musical. The main actress, Mary (the mother of Jesus Christ) was a young lady from my ward...except for the fact she's actually not a member. Her dad is Catholic and won't let her join until she is 18, which is in February. It was so powerful to me. This young girl has a strong testimony and it showed in the play. It would have been hard to believe that she's not a member if I had not known before. Anyways. That was awesome. We were also able to sit by a 12 year non-member. She is so sweet! And her member friend is awesome! The member friend had just given her a Book of Mormon! Anyways, that was my week. I am constantly being reminded of things I need to improve on. It really kind of humbling. This transfer I've really been learning that. Today I started taking the attributes quiz and.... I'm a terrible person...haha, lots to improve on. But I know that if I pray to work on the certain attribute I need work on that I can learn to be more Christ-like. Anyways, that's my life. Continually trying to improve. Tomorrow we have zone conference! That'll be exciting. Well, I love you a lots and lots, bunches and bunches. Have a great week! Until next time.

October 31, 2011

Hello, hello. How are things going for everyone there? And there must mean where I am not. :-) I love getting all of your letters. They do make me happy. This last week has been a long one. I am constantly learning and trying to figure out what the Lord wants me to learn from all my experiences. Yep. There's always a learning moment from everything we experience. By the way, Happy Halloween!!! I'm sure the nephews are having fun with this holiday. I'll probably be playing soccer today. And then by 6 o'clock we must be inside our apartments. They want to keep us safe. We still have no new investigators. Still lots of potentials. A couple of our lessons got canceled, but we rescheduel for this week. So hopefully if all works out. So last night my district leader asked if I would speak 5-10 minutes during district meeting on Wednesday about recognizing the prompting of the Holy Ghost. At first I wasn't too excited, but I now I am grateful for the chance I have to study more about the Holy Ghost. It's making me think back to the times I was greatly influenced by the spirit to say things to investigators. It also is reminding of how I need to be constantly aware of the Holy Ghost and always striving to have it's countenance with me. I really do wish to be worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is a grand gift that God has given us. And I am very grateful for the gift. Well, I am also learning other things from my experience here. Some of the lessons I am learning are very humbling... It's good to be humbled. It also makes you more teachable. Anyways, not a whole lot has happened this last week. We are struggling to find people to teach. It's kind of hard because everyone in the ward is saying how the work is dead. But I know this area has LOTS of potential. Plus it doesn't help that 70% of the ward is 60 or older... haha, yeah. Our primary and young mens and young womens is really small. It's different. But I we can overcome these challenges and the others that face me. Well, I love you family lots and lots. Have a happy halloween!!! :D And a happy Dio De Los Muertos!