As usual, I love seeing and hearing from all y'all at home! Family- have fun at the tournament! I am always routing for who ever may be competing!
This week has been pretty solid- car week!!!! Yes! And GREAT weather- March is definetely the time to visit Florida! Less cockroaches! Ward conference! General conference approaching! Everything is just dandy here in DeLand :) I have felt very close to my Savior this week as I have prayed for guidance in word and deed. When I initially realized that we pray before and after everything we do in the mission field, my honest reaction was- how in the world am I going to find new things to pray for? But after getting some pretty good practice in, I just find myself conversing all the time. I feel very close to my savior, and feel of his guidance in my work and his love for the people I serve and serve with.
Just a couple cool experiences we had this week-
P- a new gator! We met him biking two weeks ago- we were biking down a hill and he was coming up and rockin it! But we stopped him in the middle of his mojo and ended up having a really great conversation with him and got his number. We were able to teach him this last week. He was a big ex-military guy all tatted up, but he had a very soft heart and was very willing to hear our message. We taught a great lesson together. And when the time came for a closing prayer, he ended up giving it (with some pursuasion :) ) on his knees on a cement ampitheater. Because this man had humbled himself to try something knew in a unsual setting we were blessed with the feelings and promptings of the spirit that confirmed our words and his questions. It was really neat. We will see him again on Tuesday!
S- This sweet girl has been falling, but by some miracle she consented to see us (she cancelled last week). She was very stand-offish (is that an actual word?) with us initially, and I didn't see much hope for the spirit to touch her heart. We tried to keep a conversation going that she was trying to shut down. But things didn't get really rolling until we showed her the Patterns of Light (revelation) video. She teared up and expressed the fear she has been living in because she knows that she hasn't felt the influence of the spirit for quite some time. We taught her a lesson on Faith, and left amazed and so touched and also pretty confused at how she had finally admitted to herself her need to feel the influence of the spirit again in her life.
Exchanges and Air Dropping #BecauseHeLives Video at the Library- While on our exchange with our Sister Training Leaders this week (one happens every transfer), I went with one sister to the New Smyrna Beach Area to their Library. With the recent release of the Easter video (if you haven't seen it- you NEED to- anyone can enjoy it), we have been pushed to show it to everyone! I think it is such an excellent video- I have seen it so many times already but just can't get tired of it! We felt pretty witty when we thought to air drop the video to others using ipads in the Library- but we changed our Ipad name from "Sis Earl" to "God". No one ended up accepting the video- but we felt pretty creative.
Some items for home:
I am going to begin sending stuff home- it's collecting quickly. And, with the weather changing I am really seeing what I can and cant use.
Dad, you mentioned that you have been listening to Homeward Bound- Is there anyway to send that my way? Also, I LOVE listening to the EFY music- could you send me the one the new one they will release for this new "Embark" theme when it comes out?
I didn't end up sending that letter because something came up- BUT I will send it today.
Well, I am loving being a missionary. Lately I have had the question that Elder Zwick of the 70 posed to us- what am I willing to give up to me a more effective missionary? I feel so blessed to have allotted time to devote myself to this week. am becoming very comfortable in my area, and loving my sweet ward members. Can you believe it is almost April?! Time is flying by.
Until next week Familia! #YOFLO (you only florida once- haha)
Monday, March 30, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Week full of biking, miracles, and cockroaches
I am so grateful for the consistent letters- it's a relief to know that every week I can count on emails from home. And also I have received many letters from a variety of family members- I feel bad that I am so behind in responding to people, but know that I have appreciated every gesture and prayer!
Well it was the first day of spring this week! Though it's pretty much sunny, and humid all year round, there is definitely an increase in pollen, sweat, heat, and bugs. Hence the frightening title. MORE cockroaches. Good heavens, I hate those things. They are big, crunchy, and creepy. This last week Sis Y woke up at night with 2 on her face- she swung out of bed, turned on the light and turned over her sheets to see if there were more. The next night she woke up again and we both found them on our beds. Needless to say we have a couple techniques- 1. Slamming every surface possible with a shoe, 2. Spearing the ones that get in the corners of cabinets and the space between wall and carpet with the end of a broom, 3. Sweeping them out using the really long outdated Joseph Smith pamphlets. When I say that we have killed too many this week, I am really saying that Sis Y did. But we have had our dear Sis Boynton (the senior couple that serves in our ward and lives In our apartment complex) come and spray our apartment. I have never prayed so hard to sleep well than this week- she is so good to us! I love and admire our senior couple- they would do anything that we needed whether we ask or not. But seriously, for the whole rest of the week I have been tip-toeing and looking around every corner around the apartment. Haha, I am so grateful for fearless fellow missionaries :)
This week we had a fantastic zone conference where half of the zones in the mission get together and have an all day training. I love being with other missionaries. The night before they asked if I could put together a musical number- because I was concerned about throwing a piano part on somebody, I played an arrangement of I Need Thee Every Hour and the 3 sisters in my district sang. It really turned out, and the spirit was very evident. We got out new iPads this week and got to see again the new Easter initiative- it amazes me to see all the money, energy, time, and resources that have been dumped into hastening this work- I feel so deeply grateful to be apart of this trusted group of missionaries!
This week! Here are some of the results of really hard prayers and effort this week:
We just happened (muhahah) to see this really cute less active girl in our ward (Jordan) as she came outside to switch her laundry. She probably wouldn't have let us in had we not seen and approached her in that moment. We had a great lesson win her. We left having extending her really inspired invitations, and she had a new resolve to meet with us. She even asked to come out and spend time seeing people with us!
We had really been really anxious about a meeting that we had set with a recent convert of ours that in recent months has turned to really poor sources for information, and I turn has questioned ever having faith and found more disturbing questions. This meeting was supposed to happen the morning after our zone conference when we got our new iPads. However when we came home from zone conference all of our plans that we had saved in our data base were deleted. We went to so much effort to figure everything out again, find rides etc.,and right before the time we were about to leave to meet Sarah, she cancelled. Well the Lord had a different plan in mind. We ended up going to visit with one of our progressing gators (Brenda) instead, and a had a great lesson in which we committed her to baptism on May 2nd! Such a miracle that she was able to meet with us on such short notice, allow the spirit to enter her heart to accept the date, and give such a fluent heart felt prayer afterwords.
We just had a really great lesson with a new gator of ours (destiny). She was vey inquisitive and open. But by the time we were able to answer all of her questions and invited her to baptism as well, we had 10 min to bike a 30 minute bike ride in order to get to our next appointment (Glase girls). We were cruisin'!!! Seriously, we had all these over passes to climb over but we still made it in 15 minutes. When it comes to heavenly fathers children hearing the message of the restored gospel, he finds a way to make it happen. In that moment it felt like super strength and tenacity.
I love you all! I am so grateful for your support and strength. I am finally going to send a letter that has been in the works for the last couple months TODAY. So be keeping an eye out for it!
Also, something that I have discovered this week is that if I have a spiritual question the answer will not be factual- it will be a spiritual one as well. It's hard to describe what these answers may feel/look like, but the more we want and try to recognize them, the more prevalent they will be. Also with conference approaching (!!!), I have been pondering over what revelation I actually need. I know that I order to receive an answer, we also must ponder and decide our questions first. Food for thought! What revelation are you in need of? What question are you expecting to be answered as you watch conference?
Love you! Godspeed!
Well it was the first day of spring this week! Though it's pretty much sunny, and humid all year round, there is definitely an increase in pollen, sweat, heat, and bugs. Hence the frightening title. MORE cockroaches. Good heavens, I hate those things. They are big, crunchy, and creepy. This last week Sis Y woke up at night with 2 on her face- she swung out of bed, turned on the light and turned over her sheets to see if there were more. The next night she woke up again and we both found them on our beds. Needless to say we have a couple techniques- 1. Slamming every surface possible with a shoe, 2. Spearing the ones that get in the corners of cabinets and the space between wall and carpet with the end of a broom, 3. Sweeping them out using the really long outdated Joseph Smith pamphlets. When I say that we have killed too many this week, I am really saying that Sis Y did. But we have had our dear Sis Boynton (the senior couple that serves in our ward and lives In our apartment complex) come and spray our apartment. I have never prayed so hard to sleep well than this week- she is so good to us! I love and admire our senior couple- they would do anything that we needed whether we ask or not. But seriously, for the whole rest of the week I have been tip-toeing and looking around every corner around the apartment. Haha, I am so grateful for fearless fellow missionaries :)
This week we had a fantastic zone conference where half of the zones in the mission get together and have an all day training. I love being with other missionaries. The night before they asked if I could put together a musical number- because I was concerned about throwing a piano part on somebody, I played an arrangement of I Need Thee Every Hour and the 3 sisters in my district sang. It really turned out, and the spirit was very evident. We got out new iPads this week and got to see again the new Easter initiative- it amazes me to see all the money, energy, time, and resources that have been dumped into hastening this work- I feel so deeply grateful to be apart of this trusted group of missionaries!
This week! Here are some of the results of really hard prayers and effort this week:
We just happened (muhahah) to see this really cute less active girl in our ward (Jordan) as she came outside to switch her laundry. She probably wouldn't have let us in had we not seen and approached her in that moment. We had a great lesson win her. We left having extending her really inspired invitations, and she had a new resolve to meet with us. She even asked to come out and spend time seeing people with us!
We had really been really anxious about a meeting that we had set with a recent convert of ours that in recent months has turned to really poor sources for information, and I turn has questioned ever having faith and found more disturbing questions. This meeting was supposed to happen the morning after our zone conference when we got our new iPads. However when we came home from zone conference all of our plans that we had saved in our data base were deleted. We went to so much effort to figure everything out again, find rides etc.,and right before the time we were about to leave to meet Sarah, she cancelled. Well the Lord had a different plan in mind. We ended up going to visit with one of our progressing gators (Brenda) instead, and a had a great lesson in which we committed her to baptism on May 2nd! Such a miracle that she was able to meet with us on such short notice, allow the spirit to enter her heart to accept the date, and give such a fluent heart felt prayer afterwords.
We just had a really great lesson with a new gator of ours (destiny). She was vey inquisitive and open. But by the time we were able to answer all of her questions and invited her to baptism as well, we had 10 min to bike a 30 minute bike ride in order to get to our next appointment (Glase girls). We were cruisin'!!! Seriously, we had all these over passes to climb over but we still made it in 15 minutes. When it comes to heavenly fathers children hearing the message of the restored gospel, he finds a way to make it happen. In that moment it felt like super strength and tenacity.
I love you all! I am so grateful for your support and strength. I am finally going to send a letter that has been in the works for the last couple months TODAY. So be keeping an eye out for it!
Also, something that I have discovered this week is that if I have a spiritual question the answer will not be factual- it will be a spiritual one as well. It's hard to describe what these answers may feel/look like, but the more we want and try to recognize them, the more prevalent they will be. Also with conference approaching (!!!), I have been pondering over what revelation I actually need. I know that I order to receive an answer, we also must ponder and decide our questions first. Food for thought! What revelation are you in need of? What question are you expecting to be answered as you watch conference?
Love you! Godspeed!
Dun-Dun-Daaaa! ... A New Comp! Busy Week!
Familia!
Sounds like your all doing great! It sounds like an exciting time at home- isn't change great?! Change in seasons, change in baseball, change in jobs, change in school, changes in teaching- change makes work rewarding. I am so glad that I'd experienced the cost of working hard before I came out- it makes all the changes easeir to cope with, and I am able to better recognize the Lord's hand in my day when I am not wieghed down with all the tasks that need to be completed. I love staying active- I have realized that if I slow down when I am tired, its very hard to start up again. I love hearing that it sounds like everyone is pressing on at home as well!
Weeellll, my companion's name is Sis Young! She is super sweet. She is from a ranch in Nebraska- a greal cowgirl! She has been out for 13 months! The trasnfer meeting always takes place on tuesdays. Transfer meetings are a blast! It's like a big draft. When we enter in the chapel they divide all the missionaries first by if they are staying or being transferred, then by zone. They have a little spiritual thought, introduct the new missionaries entering the field using a presentation and announce who their trainers will be, and then they have whoever is staying in the area stand as thier name is called by President, and then meet who's ever name is called after yours- announcing that your are now companions. It's very exciting. There are a lot of "ooo's" and "aaa's" from the audience of missionaries and members that come to the Orlando chapel. And MOM- Sis. Lewis was assinged to my district! Though she is not my direct companion, I see her at least 3 times a week- pass by each other at church on Sundays, have P-Days together, and interact at District Meeting. I am so impressed with her. She is such a sharp addition! We were wondering if you could send some stories of your own mission days when you were "Sis Vance and Call"?! SO Fun- RIGHT?!
Well, I have been leading the area! We have been so lost a couple times- but for the most part we have gotten right along. With this next week being bike week though, I am really considering buying a GPS. In the blink of an eye, with Sis A leaving, I had to direct everything! Making introductions, planning, copying maps, calling, texting, teaching- it's been a busy week! Nevertheless, we have been able to teach many of our gators this week! One particularily neat experience we had though was with a new gator we got this week. We actually approcahed the house trying to see someone that we had contacted a week before. But as we came up to the house, her mom told us that she wasn't home. We ended up talking to her mom though for about an hour! We taught her a lesson on faith, extended invitations to read the BOM, and prayed with her and now have a return appointment to follow up and continue to teach- I love meeting and teaching people! It always feel like a successful day when we have found someone new to teach!
Also another good experience we had this week, was at one of our "Why I Believe Firesides" last night. These Firsides are organized by President, and aimed for those who are investigating the church and are new members. We (almost applogetically) invited one of our gators whose boyfriend is a returning member to this meeting not expecting them to go because it was in Rockledge (an hour and a half away). But she wanted to come really badly! It was such a great meeting. Elder Kopishke (?) from the 70 came and organized a Q and A with a crowd 400+ people. Brenda (our gator) was so engaged. At the end of the meeting she saw people approaching Elder Kopishke to shake his hand, and she elbowed me and said "I have to ask him a question!". She started to make her way forwards while I tried to push my way through people to tell her that she could try but he is very busy. But once he saw her he pulled her aside and they had a 15 minute chat! I don't know what was said, but it just made my heart grow to see that such a special, busy, important representative would recognize the concern of my dear Brenda! It certianly has made me think of the people I bike past when I am in a hurry to get to an appointment- if a general authority can pull aside one woman amongst a crowd of 400+ people trying to snag a moment to shake his hand, then I can contact everyone I pass by to give them the chance they need to feel of the Light of Christ!
Yesterday was Missionary Sunday, where one missionary from each companionship was asked to speak. In sacrament, I was asked to speak on charity. I felt so guided and inspired as I was looking into the faces of my ward members. So many of them are recent converts. In the moment of teaching I realized that my soul has never been so heavy than to see some of them fall, but my joy has never been so great to see them teach, serve, and build up one another.
Mom- can you send me Jenny's email address- I have been thinking so much about her!
Sounds like your all doing great! It sounds like an exciting time at home- isn't change great?! Change in seasons, change in baseball, change in jobs, change in school, changes in teaching- change makes work rewarding. I am so glad that I'd experienced the cost of working hard before I came out- it makes all the changes easeir to cope with, and I am able to better recognize the Lord's hand in my day when I am not wieghed down with all the tasks that need to be completed. I love staying active- I have realized that if I slow down when I am tired, its very hard to start up again. I love hearing that it sounds like everyone is pressing on at home as well!
Weeellll, my companion's name is Sis Young! She is super sweet. She is from a ranch in Nebraska- a greal cowgirl! She has been out for 13 months! The trasnfer meeting always takes place on tuesdays. Transfer meetings are a blast! It's like a big draft. When we enter in the chapel they divide all the missionaries first by if they are staying or being transferred, then by zone. They have a little spiritual thought, introduct the new missionaries entering the field using a presentation and announce who their trainers will be, and then they have whoever is staying in the area stand as thier name is called by President, and then meet who's ever name is called after yours- announcing that your are now companions. It's very exciting. There are a lot of "ooo's" and "aaa's" from the audience of missionaries and members that come to the Orlando chapel. And MOM- Sis. Lewis was assinged to my district! Though she is not my direct companion, I see her at least 3 times a week- pass by each other at church on Sundays, have P-Days together, and interact at District Meeting. I am so impressed with her. She is such a sharp addition! We were wondering if you could send some stories of your own mission days when you were "Sis Vance and Call"?! SO Fun- RIGHT?!
Well, I have been leading the area! We have been so lost a couple times- but for the most part we have gotten right along. With this next week being bike week though, I am really considering buying a GPS. In the blink of an eye, with Sis A leaving, I had to direct everything! Making introductions, planning, copying maps, calling, texting, teaching- it's been a busy week! Nevertheless, we have been able to teach many of our gators this week! One particularily neat experience we had though was with a new gator we got this week. We actually approcahed the house trying to see someone that we had contacted a week before. But as we came up to the house, her mom told us that she wasn't home. We ended up talking to her mom though for about an hour! We taught her a lesson on faith, extended invitations to read the BOM, and prayed with her and now have a return appointment to follow up and continue to teach- I love meeting and teaching people! It always feel like a successful day when we have found someone new to teach!
Also another good experience we had this week, was at one of our "Why I Believe Firesides" last night. These Firsides are organized by President, and aimed for those who are investigating the church and are new members. We (almost applogetically) invited one of our gators whose boyfriend is a returning member to this meeting not expecting them to go because it was in Rockledge (an hour and a half away). But she wanted to come really badly! It was such a great meeting. Elder Kopishke (?) from the 70 came and organized a Q and A with a crowd 400+ people. Brenda (our gator) was so engaged. At the end of the meeting she saw people approaching Elder Kopishke to shake his hand, and she elbowed me and said "I have to ask him a question!". She started to make her way forwards while I tried to push my way through people to tell her that she could try but he is very busy. But once he saw her he pulled her aside and they had a 15 minute chat! I don't know what was said, but it just made my heart grow to see that such a special, busy, important representative would recognize the concern of my dear Brenda! It certianly has made me think of the people I bike past when I am in a hurry to get to an appointment- if a general authority can pull aside one woman amongst a crowd of 400+ people trying to snag a moment to shake his hand, then I can contact everyone I pass by to give them the chance they need to feel of the Light of Christ!
Yesterday was Missionary Sunday, where one missionary from each companionship was asked to speak. In sacrament, I was asked to speak on charity. I felt so guided and inspired as I was looking into the faces of my ward members. So many of them are recent converts. In the moment of teaching I realized that my soul has never been so heavy than to see some of them fall, but my joy has never been so great to see them teach, serve, and build up one another.
Mom- can you send me Jenny's email address- I have been thinking so much about her!
Monday, March 9, 2015
transfers! Keep praying!
Wow, everyone sounds amazing. Mom, I am so sorry to hear you have felt so sluggish. I am so grateful to have such a supportive, productive, goal oriented family. I haven't felt very surprised out here, and I owe that a lot to the home I have grown up in. FYI, I haven't gotten a letter yet, but tomorrow at our transfer meeting (yes, Sis Arsenault is being transferred) they will give us our mail so I’m, assuming will get it then.
Well, Sis Arsenault is being transferred. It really wasn't a surprise. It really is good timing. I finally feel like in the last couple weeks, ward members have begun to trust me. 5 of our 10 gators have been referrals- it's really a big deal. We recently had a stake meeting with all bishops and ward mission leaders invited to be trained more in the significant role the ward play in gaining and retaining converts. One thing President Berry mentioned. was that missionaries will be in areas longer to gain the trust of those they interact with- and in looking at how long sis a and her own trainer were in Deland before, I ink it's safe to assume I will be here for a while- good thing I love it here!!!! Nevertheless, Sis A and I have become best friends. We work so hard! My heart is heavier than I thought it would be- but I am ready to embrace whatever wonderful sister may be mine tomorrow!!!!!!
This week has been so fast- because we were pretty confident that sis a would be leaving, we made sure to go out with a bang. We had many neat experiences. One in my mind that sticks out is with Stephanie. For a whole bunch of different reasons, we haven't been able to see her for the last 2 and half weeks- but before then had been teaching her for about a month and a half. However despite our frequent and good visits, she is always stumped with who God is and his nature- but wouldn't pray to find out. And right after coming from our ZTM (aka Zone Training Meeting- also where I was asked to do another training!) we felt determined and prompted to go to her home right after and invite her to pray, or else we weren't sure if we would be able to see/teach her any time soon because she wouldn't be progressing. We just dropped in, she was pleased to see us, and when we asked her if we could open with a prayer she cheerfully said “oh yes! Can I say it?" We were floored. She said a beautiful, natural flowing, sincere prayer. Then she told us that she has prayed every day since we last saw her and she feels like that is why things have just been working out for her lately. Her countenance looked lighter as well! After that we had a great discussion about the characteristics of our Father in Heaven and the order of prayer.
Also this week, we both sang in church as a farewell- actually it was just a sneaky way to get a lot of people who really love us to church :) We sang "In this very room". It was really beautiful and there was a wonderful spirit. Yesterday was a busy day (Sunday's always are as we always feel like chickens with their heads chopped off), but especially so because of sis a leaving. In case you haven't noticed- everyone loves her! Our last visit was to a family that we love so dearly, but would also like to strangle for not making any changes. The spirit was incredible- now for anyone reading this I want to give a disclosure that missionary work invites a constant spirit if your living worthy of it- but is very still and simple- even when amazing things were happening. I have found that it's very rare to feel a powerful and obvious manifestation of the spirit- it has happened to me on a literal handful of occasions ON MY MISSION but I have still had many spiritual experiences. And interestingly, this visit was one of those times when the spirit was so obvious. But it was different, it felt like amazing energy Turing inside me but it also felt very uncomfortable. As a missionary on the Lords errand, I was terrified because I knew I my heart that it was time to testify and to chastise. I didn't know how to say what I knew I needed to out of fear to offend, but knew that the spirit felt so discomforting because some members of that beautiful family weren't living up to the covenants that they have knowingly made. However, as the words spilled from me I was assured that they were not offended, but being affirmed of the changes they need to make.
It's been so nice if there was ever a moment when I didn't know an answer to something to reassure myself with “it’s okay- I'm training right now" BUT today's the last day I can say that! The longer I am put I am realizing how really there isn't one missionary who knows how everything works. We are all always training.
I know that my father in heaven is a living magnificent all-knowing God. I am so grateful to know that despite his power and glory that I can't even begin to comprehend; he has still asked us to address him as Father. Every night, in some form or another, it is my prayer that others come to this same incredible understanding!!!! If someone is doubting at home, PRAY. In my mind, The fact that to prayer is a commandment tells us much more about who god is. He wants to hear from us. Our prayers will not change gods mind or influence his plan- his plan is already set. Its simple- he wants us to become like him, and to be as happy as he is. As we pray we will fell strengthened, we will have mysteries unfolded to us, we will feel loved and understood, and we will hear him speak to us. Pray pray pray!!!!!
Love us, gotta go! Decide to pray is week, and stay strong!
Also this week, we both sang in church as a farewell- actually it was just a sneaky way to get a lot of people who really love us to church :) We sang "In this very room". It was really beautiful and there was a wonderful spirit. Yesterday was a busy day (Sunday's always are as we always feel like chickens with their heads chopped off), but especially so because of sis a leaving. In case you haven't noticed- everyone loves her! Our last visit was to a family that we love so dearly, but would also like to strangle for not making any changes. The spirit was incredible- now for anyone reading this I want to give a disclosure that missionary work invites a constant spirit if your living worthy of it- but is very still and simple- even when amazing things were happening. I have found that it's very rare to feel a powerful and obvious manifestation of the spirit- it has happened to me on a literal handful of occasions ON MY MISSION but I have still had many spiritual experiences. And interestingly, this visit was one of those times when the spirit was so obvious. But it was different, it felt like amazing energy Turing inside me but it also felt very uncomfortable. As a missionary on the Lords errand, I was terrified because I knew I my heart that it was time to testify and to chastise. I didn't know how to say what I knew I needed to out of fear to offend, but knew that the spirit felt so discomforting because some members of that beautiful family weren't living up to the covenants that they have knowingly made. However, as the words spilled from me I was assured that they were not offended, but being affirmed of the changes they need to make.
It's been so nice if there was ever a moment when I didn't know an answer to something to reassure myself with “it’s okay- I'm training right now" BUT today's the last day I can say that! The longer I am put I am realizing how really there isn't one missionary who knows how everything works. We are all always training.
I know that my father in heaven is a living magnificent all-knowing God. I am so grateful to know that despite his power and glory that I can't even begin to comprehend; he has still asked us to address him as Father. Every night, in some form or another, it is my prayer that others come to this same incredible understanding!!!! If someone is doubting at home, PRAY. In my mind, The fact that to prayer is a commandment tells us much more about who god is. He wants to hear from us. Our prayers will not change gods mind or influence his plan- his plan is already set. Its simple- he wants us to become like him, and to be as happy as he is. As we pray we will fell strengthened, we will have mysteries unfolded to us, we will feel loved and understood, and we will hear him speak to us. Pray pray pray!!!!!
Love us, gotta go! Decide to pray is week, and stay strong!
"DeLand of Promise"
Another week gone by!!!
Dad, it is so wonderful to hear that you have a new job! I am so glad to hear everyone's excitement over it- I have been praying for you. And Baseball is full time! Sis A and I often talk about how baseball was the name of the game at home and have tried to see if there was some game going on on a P-Day. Though I see tournaments going on, nothing happens on Monday nights yet- I miss being watching it! Play hard boys- I can't wait to see you all dominate the feild when I get home! And Miss Ellie May. I have thought about you so much this week- just finish girlfriend! There are so many fun things around the horizon- just a couple months away and you'll be on a college campus and the home will be full of smelly boys ;). So many changes- and yet, they are all good and exciting! I also am so jealous that Sherri Dew spoke at our stake. Mom, I love that you said there is nothing to hide about our faith- because there isn't! I have found that when I am approached by people that are trying to be contentious and bring up things that can be controversial, the best thing to do is to own whatever history in our church that they are referencing and testify- no use in trying to explain things that we don't fully understand, or try to make reason for God's mind. The church is always true!
This week so many wonderful things have happened this week. Sis Arsenault and I have had many choice experiences where we have seen several people that we have interacted with for quite some time (members, nonmembers alike) finally take a step this week. We FINALLY gained have a new progressing gator named Brenda! She is the girlfriend of one of our ward members and loves the sisters (we have visisted her for about the last year), but never wanted to really discover anything for herself. Angelica Delgado (daughter of our recent convert Diane) experienced the spirit touching her heart this week! It was such a frustrating experience, because we went to her home with another spanish family in our ward, and the whole time the two moms were gabbing in spanish and the kids were running around. I couldn't even hear the own message I was trying to share. Yet, we continued on TRYING to help Angelica recognize the need for a Restored Gospel. However, there was a moment where we shared the first vision (a shoe-in for inviting the spirit), and her eyes widened. Things seemed to stop just for that one moment- I know she was pricked. YES! Another members of our Ward, Anthony Sanchez (P.s. you can delete these names, I really only put them in because my journalling is lacking (despite my effort to keep up) and I want to remember all these people and their experiences), who is preparing to prepare for a mission was able to bless the sacrament.
Also this week, we got a call late Wednesday night saying that one of the sisters in our Zone had to go to a meeting in Orlando so her comp, Sis Quinton (my MTC comp), would need to tag along with another companionship for the next day- and that she would be coming the following morning! WAHOO!!! Reunited with my only two companions every- it was such a fun day. One neet experiences we had that day, was we finally extended a baptismal date to Kim, a lady who (like Brenda) we have been non-commitally seeing over the last 6 months. We got a firm maybe. Haha, but the spirit was so powerful. We were all teaching in unity. I felt super silly as she opened her door and saw three girls on her door step, but between the three of us the spirit generated so much energy in her home.
To answer some questions- getting sick. Well, if your too sick to go out, then you can stay home. But it is such a hard thing to do when you have pain-stakingly scheduled appointments with other people- making them ASSURE you that they will be there. If I can help it, I never want to have to miss a day of this work- it's so exciting and always changning- I would feel so behind if we had to cancel plans for a whole day! Also, can you tell me what money I have on my personal card? Sometimes I try to use it and it won't work on certain occassions. I think I am okay on money right now, I just want to know how much I have, so I can be aware and smart. LOVE YOU ALL.
P.S. A little somethin' something' that I learned this week:
D&C 4:3 "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work" I wish that I hadn't spent so much time trying to figure out when God wanted me to go on a mission- because I wanted to go on a mission. This week I have considered the question Elder Zwick asked each of us- "What am I willing to change in order to become a more effective disciple of the Lord, Jesus Christ?" I want to invite whomever may read this letter the same question- What are you willing to change in order embrace whatever calling or responsibility you hold? Just act! Act with purpose!
Seriously- Love each of you!
Dad, it is so wonderful to hear that you have a new job! I am so glad to hear everyone's excitement over it- I have been praying for you. And Baseball is full time! Sis A and I often talk about how baseball was the name of the game at home and have tried to see if there was some game going on on a P-Day. Though I see tournaments going on, nothing happens on Monday nights yet- I miss being watching it! Play hard boys- I can't wait to see you all dominate the feild when I get home! And Miss Ellie May. I have thought about you so much this week- just finish girlfriend! There are so many fun things around the horizon- just a couple months away and you'll be on a college campus and the home will be full of smelly boys ;). So many changes- and yet, they are all good and exciting! I also am so jealous that Sherri Dew spoke at our stake. Mom, I love that you said there is nothing to hide about our faith- because there isn't! I have found that when I am approached by people that are trying to be contentious and bring up things that can be controversial, the best thing to do is to own whatever history in our church that they are referencing and testify- no use in trying to explain things that we don't fully understand, or try to make reason for God's mind. The church is always true!
This week so many wonderful things have happened this week. Sis Arsenault and I have had many choice experiences where we have seen several people that we have interacted with for quite some time (members, nonmembers alike) finally take a step this week. We FINALLY gained have a new progressing gator named Brenda! She is the girlfriend of one of our ward members and loves the sisters (we have visisted her for about the last year), but never wanted to really discover anything for herself. Angelica Delgado (daughter of our recent convert Diane) experienced the spirit touching her heart this week! It was such a frustrating experience, because we went to her home with another spanish family in our ward, and the whole time the two moms were gabbing in spanish and the kids were running around. I couldn't even hear the own message I was trying to share. Yet, we continued on TRYING to help Angelica recognize the need for a Restored Gospel. However, there was a moment where we shared the first vision (a shoe-in for inviting the spirit), and her eyes widened. Things seemed to stop just for that one moment- I know she was pricked. YES! Another members of our Ward, Anthony Sanchez (P.s. you can delete these names, I really only put them in because my journalling is lacking (despite my effort to keep up) and I want to remember all these people and their experiences), who is preparing to prepare for a mission was able to bless the sacrament.
Also this week, we got a call late Wednesday night saying that one of the sisters in our Zone had to go to a meeting in Orlando so her comp, Sis Quinton (my MTC comp), would need to tag along with another companionship for the next day- and that she would be coming the following morning! WAHOO!!! Reunited with my only two companions every- it was such a fun day. One neet experiences we had that day, was we finally extended a baptismal date to Kim, a lady who (like Brenda) we have been non-commitally seeing over the last 6 months. We got a firm maybe. Haha, but the spirit was so powerful. We were all teaching in unity. I felt super silly as she opened her door and saw three girls on her door step, but between the three of us the spirit generated so much energy in her home.
To answer some questions- getting sick. Well, if your too sick to go out, then you can stay home. But it is such a hard thing to do when you have pain-stakingly scheduled appointments with other people- making them ASSURE you that they will be there. If I can help it, I never want to have to miss a day of this work- it's so exciting and always changning- I would feel so behind if we had to cancel plans for a whole day! Also, can you tell me what money I have on my personal card? Sometimes I try to use it and it won't work on certain occassions. I think I am okay on money right now, I just want to know how much I have, so I can be aware and smart. LOVE YOU ALL.
P.S. A little somethin' something' that I learned this week:
D&C 4:3 "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work" I wish that I hadn't spent so much time trying to figure out when God wanted me to go on a mission- because I wanted to go on a mission. This week I have considered the question Elder Zwick asked each of us- "What am I willing to change in order to become a more effective disciple of the Lord, Jesus Christ?" I want to invite whomever may read this letter the same question- What are you willing to change in order embrace whatever calling or responsibility you hold? Just act! Act with purpose!
Seriously- Love each of you!
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