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Katie
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
quote of the week: "innie-turning-to-outie!"
thats right. sister porath quoted the simpsons at our dinner appointment on sunday. we had chicken enchiladas at the robersons. we were all so so so full and couldn't move. she was on one that afternoon and thats what she said. the elders were there too. it was ridiculous, and i'm still laughing about it.
so, this week has been the kind where you plan everything out, and every single one of those plans falls through and you just have to make things up as you go. its been interesting. but things are good. we had an exchange with the sisters up in toms river. let me just tell you how sketchy the living situation is up there. there is one door with two numbers on it. you open it, and there is a set of stairs with a door at the top, and a door just to your left. the spanish elders live in the door to the left, and the english sisters live in the door up the stairs... you do the math... BUT! the exchange was good. i had some great experiences with one of sister porath's old companions.
transfers are next week. we will be getting phone calls this weekend about who goes where and what not. we both really really want to stay. we've told president. and he said he can't keep all of his good eggs in one basket... we are afraid something drastic will happen. like one of us leaving. i really don't want to leave. i can't imagine not working here. if i do leave, it will be tough, but good too.
now, i don't really remember what i said in that letter to alexa... but i know i was encouraging her to love the mtc. cus its an amazing place. other than that i have no clue.
ummm, things are good. OH! i went shopping last week and got 5 shirts at kohls! awesome. lowest prices of the season. what a bargain. and now i have clothes!!! summer time clothes at least, i'm not worried in the least about winter. and it will be coming up surprisingly fast. when you measure in transfers, nothing seems long. seriously. cus i've already been here for 3. and that just seems preposterous. the time really and truly does fly.
people need to email me more and tell me what the heck is going on in their lives. i know abby is working as a lifeguard, and most everyone else is in the market. i hope everything goes well with the searches! i'll keep praying for your success. also, enjoy your time at the swamp. thats coming up right? i hate to say it, but i look forward to the day i can lie in that hammock and read my books and get eaten alive by deer flies. the weather here is surprisingly similar to northern woods, and when we tract we wear mass amounts of bug spray, so i just get taken back to the old days at trout lake. its nostalgia at every door. haha. i really do love it here. i can't wait until you all get to see this place and meet the incredible people here.
i love you all! i'm assuming all is well! keep praying for missionary opportunities!!!
love love love love love
sis m
so, this week has been the kind where you plan everything out, and every single one of those plans falls through and you just have to make things up as you go. its been interesting. but things are good. we had an exchange with the sisters up in toms river. let me just tell you how sketchy the living situation is up there. there is one door with two numbers on it. you open it, and there is a set of stairs with a door at the top, and a door just to your left. the spanish elders live in the door to the left, and the english sisters live in the door up the stairs... you do the math... BUT! the exchange was good. i had some great experiences with one of sister porath's old companions.
transfers are next week. we will be getting phone calls this weekend about who goes where and what not. we both really really want to stay. we've told president. and he said he can't keep all of his good eggs in one basket... we are afraid something drastic will happen. like one of us leaving. i really don't want to leave. i can't imagine not working here. if i do leave, it will be tough, but good too.
now, i don't really remember what i said in that letter to alexa... but i know i was encouraging her to love the mtc. cus its an amazing place. other than that i have no clue.
ummm, things are good. OH! i went shopping last week and got 5 shirts at kohls! awesome. lowest prices of the season. what a bargain. and now i have clothes!!! summer time clothes at least, i'm not worried in the least about winter. and it will be coming up surprisingly fast. when you measure in transfers, nothing seems long. seriously. cus i've already been here for 3. and that just seems preposterous. the time really and truly does fly.
people need to email me more and tell me what the heck is going on in their lives. i know abby is working as a lifeguard, and most everyone else is in the market. i hope everything goes well with the searches! i'll keep praying for your success. also, enjoy your time at the swamp. thats coming up right? i hate to say it, but i look forward to the day i can lie in that hammock and read my books and get eaten alive by deer flies. the weather here is surprisingly similar to northern woods, and when we tract we wear mass amounts of bug spray, so i just get taken back to the old days at trout lake. its nostalgia at every door. haha. i really do love it here. i can't wait until you all get to see this place and meet the incredible people here.
i love you all! i'm assuming all is well! keep praying for missionary opportunities!!!
love love love love love
sis m
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
quote of the week: "DRUGS!"
good ol' sister porath didn't know about the tennis shoes on the telephone wire thing and when we told her that meant there was a drug dealer nearby, we kept our eyes out for the several pairs hanging in our area. we were driving to little egg the other day and there is a pair right over route 9. she points her finger straight in the air, and with a great big grin on her face says, "DRUGS!" its was classic.
this week has been really really great. we have 3 new investigators. they are amazing. and quite a few potentials. when we tract, we always meet people that want us to stop back, and after we do that a few times they either send us away, or let us in. its been pretty effective.
we had an exchange with the sisters serving in cape may this week. cape may was nice, sister porath went there and one of the sisters stayed with me. she had already served in this branch and all she wanted to do was stop by people she knew. but we had work to do, and i was very glad that i got to go back to my dear sister porath. i love her. i honestly could go another transfer here and with her. we want to. but four transfers is a little outrageous. but transfers aren't for another 2 weeks. lets not get ahead of ourselves. back to the exchange, there was much to be discussed about the exchange, and sister porath and i had a solid hour drive back to our area, so we kinda got right into it. we lost track of where we were, and ended up in toms river. its only the next ward north of us, but still, it took us probably an extra hour to get home... a little embarassing, but probably necessary. it had been an eventful day.
lets see... things are good here. OH! i have to appologize apparently. several people have mentioned my comment about the "man's club" thing. listen, a mission is totally different for sisters. TOTALLY! we don't get to have as many "mission buddies" as the elders. and it was a comment in the heat of the moment. at that time i emailed right after zone conference. so, enough about that. get over it.
i don't have many letters to write this week. but i got a great letter form grandpa owie [thatcher- for all you non-family members]. the beginnings of the little moss lake chronicles. he is such a great writer. and to be honest, i'm a little sad to be missing the action. i do love the northern woods, and i'll miss the vacay, even if it does take place at a swamp. i also got a letter from grandma. haha, i sure hope everyone is aware of the fox living in her backyard. hahaha, apparently it hunts under the window sills for birds that "commit suicide" by flying into the windows, even if grandma has a black hawk taped up on the window to scare them away... it was an entertaining letter.
i love you all so very much. thank you for your support and love. i hope to hear from you soon. thank you for the journal and the COOKIES! what a joy. very simple pleasures in missionary life.
keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
this week has been really really great. we have 3 new investigators. they are amazing. and quite a few potentials. when we tract, we always meet people that want us to stop back, and after we do that a few times they either send us away, or let us in. its been pretty effective.
we had an exchange with the sisters serving in cape may this week. cape may was nice, sister porath went there and one of the sisters stayed with me. she had already served in this branch and all she wanted to do was stop by people she knew. but we had work to do, and i was very glad that i got to go back to my dear sister porath. i love her. i honestly could go another transfer here and with her. we want to. but four transfers is a little outrageous. but transfers aren't for another 2 weeks. lets not get ahead of ourselves. back to the exchange, there was much to be discussed about the exchange, and sister porath and i had a solid hour drive back to our area, so we kinda got right into it. we lost track of where we were, and ended up in toms river. its only the next ward north of us, but still, it took us probably an extra hour to get home... a little embarassing, but probably necessary. it had been an eventful day.
lets see... things are good here. OH! i have to appologize apparently. several people have mentioned my comment about the "man's club" thing. listen, a mission is totally different for sisters. TOTALLY! we don't get to have as many "mission buddies" as the elders. and it was a comment in the heat of the moment. at that time i emailed right after zone conference. so, enough about that. get over it.
i don't have many letters to write this week. but i got a great letter form grandpa owie [thatcher- for all you non-family members]. the beginnings of the little moss lake chronicles. he is such a great writer. and to be honest, i'm a little sad to be missing the action. i do love the northern woods, and i'll miss the vacay, even if it does take place at a swamp. i also got a letter from grandma. haha, i sure hope everyone is aware of the fox living in her backyard. hahaha, apparently it hunts under the window sills for birds that "commit suicide" by flying into the windows, even if grandma has a black hawk taped up on the window to scare them away... it was an entertaining letter.
i love you all so very much. thank you for your support and love. i hope to hear from you soon. thank you for the journal and the COOKIES! what a joy. very simple pleasures in missionary life.
keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
Thursday, June 18, 2009
can't think of anything funny to say
this week wasn't too eventful. we taught a part member family on sunday. he is a returned missionary from blanding, ut. he served in finland. she grew up in brooklyn and they have 4 beautiful kids. pretty much the most beautiful kids ever. we are hoping to teach them all. should be good.
we had 3 less actives at church on sunday. hallelujah chorus. 2 of them stayed all 3 hours. it was a miracle.
ummmm.... lets see, we had dinner with another less active couple named the Wiggins. they are so entertaining. brother wiggins, "wiggy" was in the military and was all of the place growing up and just says, "you'd be surprised the things i did..." and won't say anything past that. he is almost fullblood native american. his name used to be raincloud but changed it to john. why- i have no idea... sister wiggins, adele, is the funniest lady. in the middle of a conversation she will just burst out in some funny sing songy type sound. it makes you smile.
really truly... we don't have too much going on. lots of tracting and finding. we've got our work cut out for us but things are going well. we had interviews again this week. it seems crazy that we had them already. time stinkin files.
all is well on the missionary front! i love you all so so much! let me know if there is anything i can do for you! keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
we had 3 less actives at church on sunday. hallelujah chorus. 2 of them stayed all 3 hours. it was a miracle.
ummmm.... lets see, we had dinner with another less active couple named the Wiggins. they are so entertaining. brother wiggins, "wiggy" was in the military and was all of the place growing up and just says, "you'd be surprised the things i did..." and won't say anything past that. he is almost fullblood native american. his name used to be raincloud but changed it to john. why- i have no idea... sister wiggins, adele, is the funniest lady. in the middle of a conversation she will just burst out in some funny sing songy type sound. it makes you smile.
really truly... we don't have too much going on. lots of tracting and finding. we've got our work cut out for us but things are going well. we had interviews again this week. it seems crazy that we had them already. time stinkin files.
all is well on the missionary front! i love you all so so much! let me know if there is anything i can do for you! keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
Thursday, June 11, 2009
helping people?!?!
okay, funniest door response ever...
we were tracting, and Sister porath introduced us as missionaries hoping to do some service, this lady is smiling dumbly and says," nnyah i don't believe in that..." again, goofy smile. sister porath replies, "helping people??!?!" with the most surprise i've ever heard in her voice and the lady says, "right." as she closes the door. i think it hit her a few seconds after we left what a fool she made herself look like by not listening to us. in this life and the next. it was entertaining. but sad at the same time.
anyway! life is good. the work is going. we have been activating this woman named December Robinson. She's great. she came to book club and the lunch bunch. stafford is very social oriented. and she told us she'd come to church. she grew up in the branch, and people will recognize her, so that will be good. she is super sassy and i think she and mom would get along well. she used to sell pampered chef too! she's into cooking and kitchen gadgets, so you know they'll get along.
zone conference yesterday was the best one i've been to. so amazingly uplifting. there was the doctor that covers our mission there and he went to stanford so he knows where my home is. that was a cool connection. but his wife came up and talked to me after. i bore my testimony at the end and i had sung a musical number with two other sisters that went pretty well. she asked me how long i had been out and was surprised to hear how short it had been. it was pretty flattering. but i was very surprised to calculate in my head and say, "almost four months'!!!! what the what? that is ridiculous! i still have a year and a half left! but i don't. i'm running out of time.
actually, i think the time that i have been a missionary i have felt better about myself than ever before. Heavenly Father is blessing me so much. I'm hoping to lose weight and inches, but if i don't i know that I will be blessed later if i don't have the time to think about it now.
sister porath and i were at the Rasmussens house on monday for dinner and michelle gave each of us a little gifty. a very heartfelt card and she gave us each a necklace. i'm wearing it right now. its been hard for her moving from idaho to jersey and i think the both of us helped her out a lot. i love her so much and i'm hoping we'll keep in touch for a long time. my necklace has hearts and doodles on the front and on the back it says "dear friends are always close to the heart" she told me she would be proud to have a daughter like me and it almost made me cry. it was quite the little pick-me up after a long day of work.
side note: a mission is such a different experience for sisters than elders. its just a little mans club with sisters doing all the work. thats what i felt like yesterday anyway. elders do great work, and the work couldn't go on without them... but some of them take this opportunity for granted. and i don't like that. they are all just trying to be goofy and silly and spiritual and sometimes its hard to balance, i guess.
ummmm, what else. pray for betsy and her children, that we will be able to see them and teach them. they need the gospel. also pray for howard farkas to see the need for baptism, and pray for the woman living on midship that we have seen twice. we need to teach her. we don't know her name.
i love you all so much! keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
we were tracting, and Sister porath introduced us as missionaries hoping to do some service, this lady is smiling dumbly and says," nnyah i don't believe in that..." again, goofy smile. sister porath replies, "helping people??!?!" with the most surprise i've ever heard in her voice and the lady says, "right." as she closes the door. i think it hit her a few seconds after we left what a fool she made herself look like by not listening to us. in this life and the next. it was entertaining. but sad at the same time.
anyway! life is good. the work is going. we have been activating this woman named December Robinson. She's great. she came to book club and the lunch bunch. stafford is very social oriented. and she told us she'd come to church. she grew up in the branch, and people will recognize her, so that will be good. she is super sassy and i think she and mom would get along well. she used to sell pampered chef too! she's into cooking and kitchen gadgets, so you know they'll get along.
zone conference yesterday was the best one i've been to. so amazingly uplifting. there was the doctor that covers our mission there and he went to stanford so he knows where my home is. that was a cool connection. but his wife came up and talked to me after. i bore my testimony at the end and i had sung a musical number with two other sisters that went pretty well. she asked me how long i had been out and was surprised to hear how short it had been. it was pretty flattering. but i was very surprised to calculate in my head and say, "almost four months'!!!! what the what? that is ridiculous! i still have a year and a half left! but i don't. i'm running out of time.
actually, i think the time that i have been a missionary i have felt better about myself than ever before. Heavenly Father is blessing me so much. I'm hoping to lose weight and inches, but if i don't i know that I will be blessed later if i don't have the time to think about it now.
sister porath and i were at the Rasmussens house on monday for dinner and michelle gave each of us a little gifty. a very heartfelt card and she gave us each a necklace. i'm wearing it right now. its been hard for her moving from idaho to jersey and i think the both of us helped her out a lot. i love her so much and i'm hoping we'll keep in touch for a long time. my necklace has hearts and doodles on the front and on the back it says "dear friends are always close to the heart" she told me she would be proud to have a daughter like me and it almost made me cry. it was quite the little pick-me up after a long day of work.
side note: a mission is such a different experience for sisters than elders. its just a little mans club with sisters doing all the work. thats what i felt like yesterday anyway. elders do great work, and the work couldn't go on without them... but some of them take this opportunity for granted. and i don't like that. they are all just trying to be goofy and silly and spiritual and sometimes its hard to balance, i guess.
ummmm, what else. pray for betsy and her children, that we will be able to see them and teach them. they need the gospel. also pray for howard farkas to see the need for baptism, and pray for the woman living on midship that we have seen twice. we need to teach her. we don't know her name.
i love you all so much! keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
anyone reading?
I wanted to check to see if anyone is reading this or if you are getting most emails forwarded from Madeline's parents. Let me know. If you are, I'll keep posting!
-- Katie (Madeline's sister in law)
-- Katie (Madeline's sister in law)
an email in three parts this week...
bad news: today will not be a long email.
good news: i will email again tomorrow.
Sister Porath was invited to go to the temple this transfer. they make one trip per transfer and they usually take missionaries at their half way mark. at the end of this transfer it will be 9 months for her. crazy. so, i am in lindenwold. with the hermanas. just for the day. its real close to camden. they actually go to church in camden. but! i'm here until tonight and then we'll be back in manahawkin. so... i won't be emailing much right now. but tomorrow, when s. porath and i go email, i will write you all. i love you all so much! crazy news about kat colby. but thats awesome. also good news about daniel and his new found love for slo. hope all is well!
email me some more, just for fun.
love love love love love
sis m
---
so, as i said, yesterday i was in lindenwold with Hermana Guenter and Hermana Leonard. Both are amazing missionaries. they live in this awesome complex with a pond and a little bridge. there are these ducks and frogs and we saw a midsize snapping turtle! it was cool. but the funniest thing was the geese. there was a little gosling and the mama goose was really protective. we were trying to run in the morning and the mama goose started hissing at us. since when do geese hiss???? it would scrunch up its neck, and then straighten it out real tall and open its beak and hiss with its tongue sticking out. it was bizarre. so i imitated it. and H. Guenter cracked up. so, they kept asking me to do the goose face all day. and because i was in a spanish area they were calling me hermana. and i'm pretty sure H. Guenter won't remember anything other than the goose face. hence, hermana goose face. it was a fun day.
Sister Porath got to go to the temple. so jealous. i'm running out of time... i may not be able to write much more today. but i'll try. i love you all!
sis m
---
sorry, this week has been a little weird, but good.
we had this less active lady at church this week. her name is terie. short for teruko. she is the most amazing lady i've ever met. she is hilarious. she's from japan and acutally understands more english than she lets on. but she is my favorite person to visit. its like having a 3rd grandma. she's 88 though. but she doesn't look it at all! she's phenomenal. and she loves me back. i sat next to her during sunday school and she turned to me when she couldn't understand what was being said and said in an almost whisper, " i don't know nothing!" it was classic. she left before rs but it was worth having her there. she lives in a nursing home so she doesn't get out much. it was lovely having her at church and letting her get to see all the people she knows.
we found a new investigator on tuesday. her name is chelsey. she's only 16 but it was amazing when we met her. we were tracting, and i had picked the streets out the day before and we were just trying to get as many houses in before we went to our dinner appointment and she came to the door. i asked her if she would allow us to share a message about Jesus Christ and we ended up talking about prophets. i asked her what it would mean to her to have a prophet on the earth today. she said it would answer a lot of questions she had. we commited her to pray and ask God if there indeed was a prophet on the earth and i bore testimony that there was and s. porath gave her the restoration pamphlet. we have an appointment with her tomorrow and i am way excited. the best part was that i felt like the whole situation was guided by the spirit. i felt the holy ghost speaking for me. i had no inclination of talking about prophets, but it was amazing for me to re-realize that God has a mouthpiece on the earth today. President Monson guides us as children of our Heavenly Father. What an incredible thing to know. i can't wait to tell chelsey more.
work in the stafford branch is going right along. they are still as crazy as ever, and the missionaries are working hard to help them get excited about our work and calling as members of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the people here, and I can't wait for you all to meet them.
President Winegar changed around our key indicators this transfer. we no longer count other lessons. we are just counting member lessons and new investigators. i think he wants to motivate us to have member present lessons. so, i guess thats what we'll shoot for. we also count hours tracted. we have a required 5 a week. about 1 a day not including pday and sundays. but we tract on sundays anyway.
the work is going. i love being a missionary. time goes by so stinkin' fast its not funny. its not fair that i'm already in my 3rd transfer. s. porath and i were reading the white handbook today and it says on page 13, "time is one of the most precious resources Heavenly Father has given you. the period when you are able to serve the Lord with all your time and all your efforts is extremely short. Use it fully and wisely. Such an opportunity is a priviledge." how true?! Sisters only get 12 or 13 transfers. and unfortunately they make us choose. Hermana Guenter goes home after this transfer and because she was spanish in the mtc, she only gets 11!! its so scary! my time is running down! there are people that need me to teach them and i have yet to find them! I'm so grateful for modern revelation and the prophet's and apostles' guidance and the motivation i can get from their words.
being a missionary is the best thing i have ever done. i love it with all my heart. it has its downfalls, but the pay-offs are 10 fold.
I'm grateful for such a wonderful Gospel to share and that it makes sense and adds up. not like some other ones i've learned about. Heavenly Father is exactly that. Our Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ is His only begotten son. His only son in the Flesh. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit who speaks to us through thoughts and feelings. All of them help and guide and create. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. i'm so grateful i have this knowledge and the priviledge of sharing it with others. I have been set apart as a missionary of the Church, and as such, i have authority to preach the principles of the true and everlasting gospel. what a blessing!
i love you all so very much! keep praying for the work and the Stafford Branch. and keep praying for missionary opportunities.
love love love love love
sis m
ps- melia, if you read this, do you remember a michelle leonard from the colony? she's here on a mission and she's amazing. thought i'd ask.
good news: i will email again tomorrow.
Sister Porath was invited to go to the temple this transfer. they make one trip per transfer and they usually take missionaries at their half way mark. at the end of this transfer it will be 9 months for her. crazy. so, i am in lindenwold. with the hermanas. just for the day. its real close to camden. they actually go to church in camden. but! i'm here until tonight and then we'll be back in manahawkin. so... i won't be emailing much right now. but tomorrow, when s. porath and i go email, i will write you all. i love you all so much! crazy news about kat colby. but thats awesome. also good news about daniel and his new found love for slo. hope all is well!
email me some more, just for fun.
love love love love love
sis m
---
so, as i said, yesterday i was in lindenwold with Hermana Guenter and Hermana Leonard. Both are amazing missionaries. they live in this awesome complex with a pond and a little bridge. there are these ducks and frogs and we saw a midsize snapping turtle! it was cool. but the funniest thing was the geese. there was a little gosling and the mama goose was really protective. we were trying to run in the morning and the mama goose started hissing at us. since when do geese hiss???? it would scrunch up its neck, and then straighten it out real tall and open its beak and hiss with its tongue sticking out. it was bizarre. so i imitated it. and H. Guenter cracked up. so, they kept asking me to do the goose face all day. and because i was in a spanish area they were calling me hermana. and i'm pretty sure H. Guenter won't remember anything other than the goose face. hence, hermana goose face. it was a fun day.
Sister Porath got to go to the temple. so jealous. i'm running out of time... i may not be able to write much more today. but i'll try. i love you all!
sis m
---
sorry, this week has been a little weird, but good.
we had this less active lady at church this week. her name is terie. short for teruko. she is the most amazing lady i've ever met. she is hilarious. she's from japan and acutally understands more english than she lets on. but she is my favorite person to visit. its like having a 3rd grandma. she's 88 though. but she doesn't look it at all! she's phenomenal. and she loves me back. i sat next to her during sunday school and she turned to me when she couldn't understand what was being said and said in an almost whisper, " i don't know nothing!" it was classic. she left before rs but it was worth having her there. she lives in a nursing home so she doesn't get out much. it was lovely having her at church and letting her get to see all the people she knows.
we found a new investigator on tuesday. her name is chelsey. she's only 16 but it was amazing when we met her. we were tracting, and i had picked the streets out the day before and we were just trying to get as many houses in before we went to our dinner appointment and she came to the door. i asked her if she would allow us to share a message about Jesus Christ and we ended up talking about prophets. i asked her what it would mean to her to have a prophet on the earth today. she said it would answer a lot of questions she had. we commited her to pray and ask God if there indeed was a prophet on the earth and i bore testimony that there was and s. porath gave her the restoration pamphlet. we have an appointment with her tomorrow and i am way excited. the best part was that i felt like the whole situation was guided by the spirit. i felt the holy ghost speaking for me. i had no inclination of talking about prophets, but it was amazing for me to re-realize that God has a mouthpiece on the earth today. President Monson guides us as children of our Heavenly Father. What an incredible thing to know. i can't wait to tell chelsey more.
work in the stafford branch is going right along. they are still as crazy as ever, and the missionaries are working hard to help them get excited about our work and calling as members of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the people here, and I can't wait for you all to meet them.
President Winegar changed around our key indicators this transfer. we no longer count other lessons. we are just counting member lessons and new investigators. i think he wants to motivate us to have member present lessons. so, i guess thats what we'll shoot for. we also count hours tracted. we have a required 5 a week. about 1 a day not including pday and sundays. but we tract on sundays anyway.
the work is going. i love being a missionary. time goes by so stinkin' fast its not funny. its not fair that i'm already in my 3rd transfer. s. porath and i were reading the white handbook today and it says on page 13, "time is one of the most precious resources Heavenly Father has given you. the period when you are able to serve the Lord with all your time and all your efforts is extremely short. Use it fully and wisely. Such an opportunity is a priviledge." how true?! Sisters only get 12 or 13 transfers. and unfortunately they make us choose. Hermana Guenter goes home after this transfer and because she was spanish in the mtc, she only gets 11!! its so scary! my time is running down! there are people that need me to teach them and i have yet to find them! I'm so grateful for modern revelation and the prophet's and apostles' guidance and the motivation i can get from their words.
being a missionary is the best thing i have ever done. i love it with all my heart. it has its downfalls, but the pay-offs are 10 fold.
I'm grateful for such a wonderful Gospel to share and that it makes sense and adds up. not like some other ones i've learned about. Heavenly Father is exactly that. Our Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ is His only begotten son. His only son in the Flesh. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit who speaks to us through thoughts and feelings. All of them help and guide and create. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. i'm so grateful i have this knowledge and the priviledge of sharing it with others. I have been set apart as a missionary of the Church, and as such, i have authority to preach the principles of the true and everlasting gospel. what a blessing!
i love you all so very much! keep praying for the work and the Stafford Branch. and keep praying for missionary opportunities.
love love love love love
sis m
ps- melia, if you read this, do you remember a michelle leonard from the colony? she's here on a mission and she's amazing. thought i'd ask.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
investigators and their double lives
i swear, everyone we teach has a double life. its ridiculous. we just keep on finding out new and PREPOSTEROUS[sp?] things from our investigators. namely Howard. we dropped by yesterday, we hadn't scheduled anything with him, but... it was awkward. and hilarious. and extremely memorable. and i will most likely tell you all the whole story in a year and a half. but its not for email... just know that i am safe and wise and glad i have the gospel. :)
this week hasn't been too bad. we had dinner at our investigator, Carolsue's house on saturday night. on LBI. Long Beach Island for all you west coasters. its was a mad house. there were people everywhere. apparently thats what every weekend is going to be like from now on. anyway, dinner was really good. and her friend and our friend Nancy came too. it was them and their husbands and us. for mom: Nancy made something called "Katie Dip" and you will love. you mix marmalade, or any kind of jelly or jam. she used orange marmalade and i would highly recommend it. you miz the marmalade with powdered mustard and HORSERADISH and pour it over a block of soft cream cheese and dip crackers in it. really good. you should make it. anyway, we had a nice dinner with them and then we told them transfer calls would possibly be coming that evening. they told us we had to call them and let them know if we were getting transfered. they both work at St. Stephens episcopal church where we work at the food bank. so, we called them after President Winegar called us. He called to tell us we were staying the same and Sister Porath was made training sister. awesome. now i get to go on exchanges more than once a transfer. it will be fun. Sister Porath is totally right for the job. she'll do great. also, elder pena is leaving this area and we are getting elder Staker. who is funny/awkward, apparently. i'm excited to stay. i love this place.
the work is moving along. our teaching pool is low again, and stafford is still crazy. but we are working with the less active members of the branch a lot so we can get a bigger congregation. we have committed a few people to come this week and next and we are having a fireside this sunday evening at 6. so that will be good. president and sister Winegar are coming to speak. quite the honor.
i love you all so much! nothin much new out here. just keep sendin' the love. i hope all is well out there. happy birthday to daniel! 25, thats a biggy. hope its a good one for yous.
we'll be seein yous guys. jersey talk is infectious. happy memorial day. i'm doddling...
keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
this week hasn't been too bad. we had dinner at our investigator, Carolsue's house on saturday night. on LBI. Long Beach Island for all you west coasters. its was a mad house. there were people everywhere. apparently thats what every weekend is going to be like from now on. anyway, dinner was really good. and her friend and our friend Nancy came too. it was them and their husbands and us. for mom: Nancy made something called "Katie Dip" and you will love. you mix marmalade, or any kind of jelly or jam. she used orange marmalade and i would highly recommend it. you miz the marmalade with powdered mustard and HORSERADISH and pour it over a block of soft cream cheese and dip crackers in it. really good. you should make it. anyway, we had a nice dinner with them and then we told them transfer calls would possibly be coming that evening. they told us we had to call them and let them know if we were getting transfered. they both work at St. Stephens episcopal church where we work at the food bank. so, we called them after President Winegar called us. He called to tell us we were staying the same and Sister Porath was made training sister. awesome. now i get to go on exchanges more than once a transfer. it will be fun. Sister Porath is totally right for the job. she'll do great. also, elder pena is leaving this area and we are getting elder Staker. who is funny/awkward, apparently. i'm excited to stay. i love this place.
the work is moving along. our teaching pool is low again, and stafford is still crazy. but we are working with the less active members of the branch a lot so we can get a bigger congregation. we have committed a few people to come this week and next and we are having a fireside this sunday evening at 6. so that will be good. president and sister Winegar are coming to speak. quite the honor.
i love you all so much! nothin much new out here. just keep sendin' the love. i hope all is well out there. happy birthday to daniel! 25, thats a biggy. hope its a good one for yous.
we'll be seein yous guys. jersey talk is infectious. happy memorial day. i'm doddling...
keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"Jesus? I love Jesus. He's my favorite guy in the whole world!"
we were tracting and talked to this kid on the street. it was just a "hi", but then sister porath and her inspired self crossed the street and said we were missionaries and gave him a ffic card. [finding faith in Christ] it was pretty funny and just made me giggle a little.
so, it sounds like everything is so good out there. the regional broadcast from salt lake was really good. President Eyring and Elder Hales spoke. both grew up in the east. that made me feel good. cus i feel like i did too a little bit. I feel like i've done more growing up here than i ever did back in california. but i still love CA. anyway, it was really cool to think that cam and kate were watching that too. and yes, katie, the s zoomie brooch was HILARIOUS! i felt like i was the only one laughing though. and that was maybe the fastest i've ever sang hymn 193. hahaha, i was laughing about that for a long time.
life here is good! our teaching pool is shrinking a little. we had to drop a pair of investigators yesterday, but it went well, and i feel relieved. but it was definitely one of the harder things i've done. i just felt like crying because when you leave someone alone, without the Gospel, you just desire their salvation and you worry about them. but these were the kind of people who really didn't want to learn by the Spirit. it became a discussion, and thats not what we're called to do. as soon as a teaching situation turns to discussion, you have to get out. so it was sad, but practical. life goes on.
we've had a lot of stop backs recently. just people with a little bit of interest, but we're hoping to add them to our teaching list soon. keep praying for the people out here to lose their inhibitions and just listen.
mom, i can't wait to read the sequel. i was actually going to ask if you would make me a list of good things to read for when i get back. after this Book of Mormon challenge, i've realized what a decent reader i really am. and i would love to be as well read as you and Grandma.
what else.... i got a letter from aunt barbara this week with some really pretty earings and an amazing card from the wexner center. i think i want to live in columbus some day. unfortunately, she sent it from the wexner center so i don't have any idea how to get a letter to her... but hopefully we can figure that out.
OH! something i figured out last week! i have some cd's called hymns made of string. and the name of one of the artists on there seemed really familiar to me. the last name is brallier and that is melia's stepdad's last name.... and then i looked at the picture and it was totally melia's brother! hahah! crazy! i didn't even know he had albums made and now i listen to them daily. so funny. he was there the weekend of melia's wedding and i babysat his kids during the sealing and everything. he thanked me for everything i'd done that weekend to help and it was nice. but its cool that i have his album. superly small world.
hmmm. transfers are next week. i really hope i stay. i'm pretty sure sister porath is leaving. but we'll see.
ps for cam! we are planning on teaching this lady named robin who doesn't actually believe in Christ as the Savior. and we're planning on helping her understand that through teaching the plan of salvation. you have lots of experience helping people come to know Jesus Christ without any background and i was wondering if you had any tips or anything important to share. just thought i'd ask.
things are going good. the work is moving along. Stafford Branch is still crazy as ever. but i love it to death. i'd be totally fine serving here the rest of my mission.
i love you all! keep me updated! keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
so, it sounds like everything is so good out there. the regional broadcast from salt lake was really good. President Eyring and Elder Hales spoke. both grew up in the east. that made me feel good. cus i feel like i did too a little bit. I feel like i've done more growing up here than i ever did back in california. but i still love CA. anyway, it was really cool to think that cam and kate were watching that too. and yes, katie, the s zoomie brooch was HILARIOUS! i felt like i was the only one laughing though. and that was maybe the fastest i've ever sang hymn 193. hahaha, i was laughing about that for a long time.
life here is good! our teaching pool is shrinking a little. we had to drop a pair of investigators yesterday, but it went well, and i feel relieved. but it was definitely one of the harder things i've done. i just felt like crying because when you leave someone alone, without the Gospel, you just desire their salvation and you worry about them. but these were the kind of people who really didn't want to learn by the Spirit. it became a discussion, and thats not what we're called to do. as soon as a teaching situation turns to discussion, you have to get out. so it was sad, but practical. life goes on.
we've had a lot of stop backs recently. just people with a little bit of interest, but we're hoping to add them to our teaching list soon. keep praying for the people out here to lose their inhibitions and just listen.
mom, i can't wait to read the sequel. i was actually going to ask if you would make me a list of good things to read for when i get back. after this Book of Mormon challenge, i've realized what a decent reader i really am. and i would love to be as well read as you and Grandma.
what else.... i got a letter from aunt barbara this week with some really pretty earings and an amazing card from the wexner center. i think i want to live in columbus some day. unfortunately, she sent it from the wexner center so i don't have any idea how to get a letter to her... but hopefully we can figure that out.
OH! something i figured out last week! i have some cd's called hymns made of string. and the name of one of the artists on there seemed really familiar to me. the last name is brallier and that is melia's stepdad's last name.... and then i looked at the picture and it was totally melia's brother! hahah! crazy! i didn't even know he had albums made and now i listen to them daily. so funny. he was there the weekend of melia's wedding and i babysat his kids during the sealing and everything. he thanked me for everything i'd done that weekend to help and it was nice. but its cool that i have his album. superly small world.
hmmm. transfers are next week. i really hope i stay. i'm pretty sure sister porath is leaving. but we'll see.
ps for cam! we are planning on teaching this lady named robin who doesn't actually believe in Christ as the Savior. and we're planning on helping her understand that through teaching the plan of salvation. you have lots of experience helping people come to know Jesus Christ without any background and i was wondering if you had any tips or anything important to share. just thought i'd ask.
things are going good. the work is moving along. Stafford Branch is still crazy as ever. but i love it to death. i'd be totally fine serving here the rest of my mission.
i love you all! keep me updated! keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
Sunday, May 17, 2009
tick season
okay, sorry this one has to be short.
we went to the bay today with bro. roberson. it was awesome. he brought us lunch and everything. we fished for a while and just sorta chatted. the elders were there too. didn't catch a thing. but, it was nice. ps for cam- bro roberson welcomes you to the barnegat bay at any time. but know that he owns a sailboat. not a little fishing boat. but, he said you can fish off of it. so, whatever. i'll maybe send you his phone number or something.
we found a kajill ticks on the way back to the car and it was really gross. i don't like those creatures. but, because they're out it means its getting nicer. anyway. thats that.
so, i lied on the phone. i need summer shirts. i wear all of two shirts. the two exact same ones from the gap. mom, if you remember them, the white one and the pinkish flowered one. both button only halfway down and they are amazing. so, if you find anything like that thats cheap... send it on over.
by the way, talking to you all was wonderful. i fully appologize for getting teary at the end, and mom, i heard that! haha, i laughed, so it was good. also, it was really great to hear uncle bradley and i didn't hear much of aunt elizabeth but i heard her laugh, and that was really nice. i feel like i haven't seen them in forever. but it was nice to hear that familiar, contagious laugh.
i hope all is well out there in the real world. on paper this week was not so hot. but we found some amazing people to teach. and i am very excited to get to know them. the work is moving along, with or without the stafford branch! haha. it is a great place and i can't wait to introduce everyone to everyone!
love love love love love
sis m
ps- transfers are coming up and sister porath and i think there is going to be a change.... who knows! i don't! but we'll see in a couple weeks! also, remind me to tell you all about sister michelle rasmussen next week if i haven't already. loves!
we went to the bay today with bro. roberson. it was awesome. he brought us lunch and everything. we fished for a while and just sorta chatted. the elders were there too. didn't catch a thing. but, it was nice. ps for cam- bro roberson welcomes you to the barnegat bay at any time. but know that he owns a sailboat. not a little fishing boat. but, he said you can fish off of it. so, whatever. i'll maybe send you his phone number or something.
we found a kajill ticks on the way back to the car and it was really gross. i don't like those creatures. but, because they're out it means its getting nicer. anyway. thats that.
so, i lied on the phone. i need summer shirts. i wear all of two shirts. the two exact same ones from the gap. mom, if you remember them, the white one and the pinkish flowered one. both button only halfway down and they are amazing. so, if you find anything like that thats cheap... send it on over.
by the way, talking to you all was wonderful. i fully appologize for getting teary at the end, and mom, i heard that! haha, i laughed, so it was good. also, it was really great to hear uncle bradley and i didn't hear much of aunt elizabeth but i heard her laugh, and that was really nice. i feel like i haven't seen them in forever. but it was nice to hear that familiar, contagious laugh.
i hope all is well out there in the real world. on paper this week was not so hot. but we found some amazing people to teach. and i am very excited to get to know them. the work is moving along, with or without the stafford branch! haha. it is a great place and i can't wait to introduce everyone to everyone!
love love love love love
sis m
ps- transfers are coming up and sister porath and i think there is going to be a change.... who knows! i don't! but we'll see in a couple weeks! also, remind me to tell you all about sister michelle rasmussen next week if i haven't already. loves!
Monday, May 11, 2009
mother's day
We talked to Madeline for a little bit last night and she sounds great! She had some funny things to say about Jersey folk. We love her and are so proud of her!
quote of the week: never order chow mein in New Jersey! NEVER!
this weeks quote is by yours truly. i hate to be vein, but let me explain.
sister porath and i went to a chinese place a while ago. it looked pretty legit, and i ordered chow mein. i most definitely did not get chow mein. it was the grossest thing i've ever eaten. awful.
i really should be smarter.
sister porath and i went to a different chinese place yesterday and i ordered... chow mein! maybe this place actually knows what chow mein is. noodles with good stuff in it and the works. NOPE! they don't know what chow mein is. maybe cam can help me understand why i always get soggy cabbage and sprouts and onions with nasty mc nast nast stringy chicken. i don't get it. but no more chow mein.
all this just made me think of the wonderful food that would be waiting for me at home at the end of a mission... yum. mom, i can't wait to eat your food again. and i was thinking about the pork with the apricots thing, and i was craving it. so so good. i love you for making up recipes.
okay! this week has been a little difficult. the hardest part about missionary work for me is seeing the people who know what its like to feel the spirit, and feel the peace that comes from reading the Book of Mormon, but continue to do the same old things and just won't follow through with their commitments. extremely hard for me to see happen.
we met this amazing woman named Robin this week. she is the most prepared person i've ever met. we were with her for quite a while, and invited her to church, she said she's come. this was friday night. she told us to call her saturday, and we did, and she had been reading and on sunday morning she would come. we had to meet her and show her the way, but it was set. sunday morning she called and cancelled on us. it was the hardest thing for me to deal with as of yet. i feel extremely connected to her and it just hurt my heart. its been an up and down week, but such is life.
what else... i started driving yesterday. sister porath just wants to see if her headaches come back. she's been driving since week 4 of her mission. so now i'm driving for a bit. and its nice to have a little bit of control.
things are well. i'm so excited for alexa. i'll have to get her address on sunday so i can write her.
sunday! i'll probably call around 7pm my time. 4pm your time. we're supposed to keep it to about 30 to 40 minutes. sister porath is calling her family at 8:30. we'll be at the branch mission leaders house and it will be great. sorry, but no skype. our district leader asked President Winegar and its not approved. but i think it will be better cus then we can just talk. and it will be nice. so, we'll talk to you then.
dad, yes, brother weaver is a teacher in the mtc.
i gots to go. love you all!
keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
sister porath and i went to a chinese place a while ago. it looked pretty legit, and i ordered chow mein. i most definitely did not get chow mein. it was the grossest thing i've ever eaten. awful.
i really should be smarter.
sister porath and i went to a different chinese place yesterday and i ordered... chow mein! maybe this place actually knows what chow mein is. noodles with good stuff in it and the works. NOPE! they don't know what chow mein is. maybe cam can help me understand why i always get soggy cabbage and sprouts and onions with nasty mc nast nast stringy chicken. i don't get it. but no more chow mein.
all this just made me think of the wonderful food that would be waiting for me at home at the end of a mission... yum. mom, i can't wait to eat your food again. and i was thinking about the pork with the apricots thing, and i was craving it. so so good. i love you for making up recipes.
okay! this week has been a little difficult. the hardest part about missionary work for me is seeing the people who know what its like to feel the spirit, and feel the peace that comes from reading the Book of Mormon, but continue to do the same old things and just won't follow through with their commitments. extremely hard for me to see happen.
we met this amazing woman named Robin this week. she is the most prepared person i've ever met. we were with her for quite a while, and invited her to church, she said she's come. this was friday night. she told us to call her saturday, and we did, and she had been reading and on sunday morning she would come. we had to meet her and show her the way, but it was set. sunday morning she called and cancelled on us. it was the hardest thing for me to deal with as of yet. i feel extremely connected to her and it just hurt my heart. its been an up and down week, but such is life.
what else... i started driving yesterday. sister porath just wants to see if her headaches come back. she's been driving since week 4 of her mission. so now i'm driving for a bit. and its nice to have a little bit of control.
things are well. i'm so excited for alexa. i'll have to get her address on sunday so i can write her.
sunday! i'll probably call around 7pm my time. 4pm your time. we're supposed to keep it to about 30 to 40 minutes. sister porath is calling her family at 8:30. we'll be at the branch mission leaders house and it will be great. sorry, but no skype. our district leader asked President Winegar and its not approved. but i think it will be better cus then we can just talk. and it will be nice. so, we'll talk to you then.
dad, yes, brother weaver is a teacher in the mtc.
i gots to go. love you all!
keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love love love love love
sis m
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
quote of the week: can you see thru my skirt?
as sister porath and i were walking out to our car, from a rest home, she went to the back of the car and turned around and asked me this question. i said, "yes, i can!" haha! she has been hearing tiny rips all day, and when she turned around, i looked at the back of her skirt, and the black liner of her skirt at ripped at the seam all the way up to the waistband!!! i could see much to much of her! it was hilarious. i compared it to daniel's chaps experience. haha. fortunately we had some safety pins in the car and we fixed her up for the day, but it was definitely funny. and even funnier when we told a member from the branch about it. oh heavens. really really funny.
so! things are good! Howard Farkas is coffee,tea and alcohol free! he stopped it cold turkey. he is really doing great. but he has a concern about priesthood and relief society and the separation of the sexes. he went to ya shivah university in nyc and he is really against separation of the genders because of it. he is one hilarious person. he doesn't believe in satan, which is probably beneficial but we're not sure if thats a requirement for baptism yet... i can't wait to see him get dunked. but it will take a while i think.
have i told you about the rasmussen family yet? they are amazing. sister rasmussen has come to some appointments with us. and she is one of the most normal people in the branch. she always gets us treats after the appointments too. its awesome. we're going over there today to hang out and help her move in some more. but that will be fun.
so, i feel like i haven't really talked about sister porath at all. but here are some basics.
i study with bare feet, she's already got her nylons and shoes on.
we both have curly hair. hers isn't as tight, but apparently people are jealous of the pair of us.
she went to u of u for pyschology for 2 years.
we laugh about a lot. we love our investigators.
she loves practical jokes. i don't so much. but she loves it. april first was interesting.
she doesn't really like opening up about feelings and personal things. so its been interesting getting to know each other. i'm essentially an open book. i don't hide a lot, but she keeps a lot to herself. but i'm slowly breaking her out of that habit.
when her family gets together, they all dress up nice and have nice dinners and things. and apparently there is not one single "junk drawer" in her house. i don't believe it. not for single second.
she has lived at home, in holladay, ut, since she graduated hs. so the mish is her first away from home experience.
she's very bright, and she knows how to just talk to people. she is a great companion and a great trainer. we have our own way of doing things but we are great friends. and getting to be greater. i love her.
thanks for all you do, family!
i love yas! [jersey talk]
i hope everything is going well! keep me updated on the haps! and keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love,
sis m
so! things are good! Howard Farkas is coffee,tea and alcohol free! he stopped it cold turkey. he is really doing great. but he has a concern about priesthood and relief society and the separation of the sexes. he went to ya shivah university in nyc and he is really against separation of the genders because of it. he is one hilarious person. he doesn't believe in satan, which is probably beneficial but we're not sure if thats a requirement for baptism yet... i can't wait to see him get dunked. but it will take a while i think.
have i told you about the rasmussen family yet? they are amazing. sister rasmussen has come to some appointments with us. and she is one of the most normal people in the branch. she always gets us treats after the appointments too. its awesome. we're going over there today to hang out and help her move in some more. but that will be fun.
so, i feel like i haven't really talked about sister porath at all. but here are some basics.
i study with bare feet, she's already got her nylons and shoes on.
we both have curly hair. hers isn't as tight, but apparently people are jealous of the pair of us.
she went to u of u for pyschology for 2 years.
we laugh about a lot. we love our investigators.
she loves practical jokes. i don't so much. but she loves it. april first was interesting.
she doesn't really like opening up about feelings and personal things. so its been interesting getting to know each other. i'm essentially an open book. i don't hide a lot, but she keeps a lot to herself. but i'm slowly breaking her out of that habit.
when her family gets together, they all dress up nice and have nice dinners and things. and apparently there is not one single "junk drawer" in her house. i don't believe it. not for single second.
she has lived at home, in holladay, ut, since she graduated hs. so the mish is her first away from home experience.
she's very bright, and she knows how to just talk to people. she is a great companion and a great trainer. we have our own way of doing things but we are great friends. and getting to be greater. i love her.
thanks for all you do, family!
i love yas! [jersey talk]
i hope everything is going well! keep me updated on the haps! and keep praying for missionary opportunities!
love,
sis m
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
quote of the week: "I know nephi! I read about him in the comic!"
our investigator, Howard, has been assigned reading in the children's Book of Mormon. He has most definitely been reading. and when we called him up to check on his assignment we mentioned Nephi and thats what he said. its not scripture, its comics. i wish i could have you all present at his lessons. the are a crack up.
so, this letter may be a little short. just cus i took some time to write some personal emails. but i just want you all to hear about some really amazing things that happened this week.
we gave TWO referrals to the spanish elders and i, ME, talked to them in spanish and understood what they were saying to the elders on the phone! it was awesome! augustine and carlos. [not the catfish] i hope to keep in touch with the elders so i can keep updated on their progress. and i felt totally blessed when the people i was talking to could understand me. amazing.
yesterday, sister porath and i were on our way to contact a referral and we passed our investigators house. i had thought about him earlier and she asked if we should stop by. we hadn't met with him in a while and i said yes. we pulled over and went to his house. he told us he had given up and we both thought we were going to have to drop him on the spot. you have to understand that this investigator has so much weighing on him that i can feel the sorrow he feels for hours after our appointments. its really hard for me to be with him. so it was going to be even worse having to drop him. he started talking about prayer and how he gets on his knees occasionally and asks God for help. and then i went on a rant. i told him everyone has those prayers, and that when we feel down its not because of God at all. that satan knows how to get him down. but that Heavenly Father is looking out for him and sending him help. that we pulled the car over in order to come see him. i testified that when we feel we're at the bottom of the barrel and there is no hope, and that not even the missionaries or our family can help us, there is one person that knows exactly how we feel and He's the one that can help us. long story short, we left him with the commitment to read every day from the Book of Mormon and pray for the strength to make the right decisions. i told him not to give up and we didn't have to drop him.
this is why i am here. there is absolutely nothing better in the world for me to be doing with my life at this time. i love being a missionary. i was meant to do this work. Heavenly Father knows who i am and He knows what I'm feeling. and He knows what i'm capable of. I have experienced the blessing of being a messenger of glory and an angel of the Lord multiple times this week. So many people are in need of the Gospel. and sometimes, missionaries are the only people looking out for certain people. if any of you need my help, you have it. whatever i can do, i will do. absolutely everyone that asks for my help will get it. i can say it lots of ways, but please know that if there is anything i can do to help you, i will do it. i love you all so so much. thank you for being supportive to me.
new jersey rocks. its full of nuts, but i love them all.
i love you all forever, keep praying for missionary opportunities!
Heavenly Father will bless us for our efforts.
love,
Sister McNeil
so, this letter may be a little short. just cus i took some time to write some personal emails. but i just want you all to hear about some really amazing things that happened this week.
we gave TWO referrals to the spanish elders and i, ME, talked to them in spanish and understood what they were saying to the elders on the phone! it was awesome! augustine and carlos. [not the catfish] i hope to keep in touch with the elders so i can keep updated on their progress. and i felt totally blessed when the people i was talking to could understand me. amazing.
yesterday, sister porath and i were on our way to contact a referral and we passed our investigators house. i had thought about him earlier and she asked if we should stop by. we hadn't met with him in a while and i said yes. we pulled over and went to his house. he told us he had given up and we both thought we were going to have to drop him on the spot. you have to understand that this investigator has so much weighing on him that i can feel the sorrow he feels for hours after our appointments. its really hard for me to be with him. so it was going to be even worse having to drop him. he started talking about prayer and how he gets on his knees occasionally and asks God for help. and then i went on a rant. i told him everyone has those prayers, and that when we feel down its not because of God at all. that satan knows how to get him down. but that Heavenly Father is looking out for him and sending him help. that we pulled the car over in order to come see him. i testified that when we feel we're at the bottom of the barrel and there is no hope, and that not even the missionaries or our family can help us, there is one person that knows exactly how we feel and He's the one that can help us. long story short, we left him with the commitment to read every day from the Book of Mormon and pray for the strength to make the right decisions. i told him not to give up and we didn't have to drop him.
this is why i am here. there is absolutely nothing better in the world for me to be doing with my life at this time. i love being a missionary. i was meant to do this work. Heavenly Father knows who i am and He knows what I'm feeling. and He knows what i'm capable of. I have experienced the blessing of being a messenger of glory and an angel of the Lord multiple times this week. So many people are in need of the Gospel. and sometimes, missionaries are the only people looking out for certain people. if any of you need my help, you have it. whatever i can do, i will do. absolutely everyone that asks for my help will get it. i can say it lots of ways, but please know that if there is anything i can do to help you, i will do it. i love you all so so much. thank you for being supportive to me.
new jersey rocks. its full of nuts, but i love them all.
i love you all forever, keep praying for missionary opportunities!
Heavenly Father will bless us for our efforts.
love,
Sister McNeil
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