This upcoming week is a big one for us here in Shreveport. Gladys Knight and her SUV Choir are coming Thursday evening. This event is going to change the work here. I can feel it and know that many are going to come to the knowlegde of the truth and where to find it because of this special devotional of music and testimony. We have had so many people request tickets that all 2600 of them had been reserved about 2 weeks ago. They do have a stand-by line that they say has always gotten in over the past 12 years that they have done this, and I pray and hope that that holds true this Thursday. Next week I will update you on how it all goes! Hopefully I'll be alert enough to remember it all since we will be up until about midnight the night of the devotional deviding out referral cards and gift packages after the last show that will end about 10:30. :) Also, I might be emailing on Tuesday instead of Monday next week because we have interviews with President McDonough on Monday, but we'll see how it all pans out :)
So this last week was a great prep week for Gladys Knight. We contacted 6 referrals and had some great lessons! [Our investigator couple is] doing well. I don't know if they will be baptized on the 4th like we had planned, but we will see what happens. [The man] is all on board and loves learning, reading the Book of Mormon, and coming to church. He is definitely ready for baptism. [The woman] is struggling with something that is holding her back, but we don't know what. She doesn't open up very much about personal feelings or even a whole lot about the gospel when it's relating to her personal feelings on something. So we have had to completely rely on the Lord to solve her concern.
While all four of us sisters were at dinner with some of the women of the ward on Saturday, one of them made a suggestion. She has come with us quite a few time to visit [this couple], as has one of the other sisters of the ward who was there. Both have made great interest in befriending [them]. [This ward sister] said she had been thinking about [the woman] and thought about fasting. My heart melted as soon as she said that. Sister Boehula and I had talked about fasting for them, but to hear it come from a member, who was truly a friend to them, made my heart swell so much. I could tell that she really cared, that we as missionaries weren't alone in our efforts, and that there were others who wanted to help share the gospel and care for these people that we had found. It brought me so much comfort. [These two ward sisters] and the four of us [missionary] sisters all fasted for [this dear woman] yesterday. After church we had a lesson with them at their house. [The man] was once again all ready and just full of peace. I could tell something was weighing on [the woman's] mind, but I felt that I shouldn't ask about it or press for answers. However, I also noticed some good changes. She seemed to have more personal desire to read from the Book of Mormon. She also seemed more comfortable at church and even volunteered to read a scripture in the gospel principles class. Something is changing within her, and only her Savior and Father in Heaven know what it is and how to help her. She is excited for Gladys Knight and has invited 2 friends. And yes, they all have tickets. :) I hope that the ultimate healer will continue to work with her and help heal her wounds or fears. I know that she loves the Lord and wants to follow Him. I know that He loves her and wants to help her. And I believe that miracles are going to happen.
[The other woman investigator that we caught up with again last week] is also doing well. She didn't make it to church because she ended up having to watch her grandson, but she has set another baptism date for May 25th. She is loving learning with us and is also a wonderful woman.
[We have another man investigator that] is fantastic too! He is one of my heros! We've been teaching him for a couple of weeks and have invited him to church the past 2 sundays (3 including yesterday). Yesterday he came! He was a little late, but after sacrament meeting we talked with him and found out that he had walked there....almost 4 miles for about an hour and 15 minutes. Our Gospel Principles lesson was on sacrifice, and I couldn't help but think of him the whole time. What dedication to seeking out the truth and desiring to know what the Lord wants you to do! He also found out about the Gladys Knight devotional and wanted to come. We told him about the stand-by line since all of the tickets had been claimed. Then miraculously our ward mission leader had one ticket left over from some that had been given back to him. He gave it to [this man] and it made my heart warm. :) This man is so good and humble. He is in his 60's and has so much good. We talked with him about baptism this last week and should be setting him with a date this week.
What a blessing it has been to see the gospel bless the lives of so many- including me and my companion. Some of the best moments I've had are those when the four of us sisters are all talking about gospel doctrine, or laughing at funny experiences we've had, or when Sister Boehula tries to teach me Bislama and I speak it with a Spanish Accent. :) It's also been when I've felt my heart warm with the spirit as I bare my testimony, or as I see Sister Boehula share her experiences and ask inspired questions. It's when I feel the love of my Savior as I decide to change and give more of myself to Him. It's when I look back and realize that I am who I am today because of Him. I know that this church is the true and living church of Jesus Christ because Christ is true and living today. He is the light, the truth, the way. He is my brother and friend. He is the one I serve and the one I serve with. He is with us. He knows us and loves us. He will help us as we sacrifice ourselves for Him - for He sacrificed His all for us.
Don't forget who you are. You are a child of God. He has sent you here at this time and place for a reason. You are a missionary because you are a disciple of Christ. You were sustained to that calling after you were baptized and confirmed. That is when you took His name upon you and joined His mission - "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)
So continue on! Go forth with so great a cause to do His work! I know He lives! I love you all and hope that you will feel your Heavenly Father's love for you as you serve Him and His Son this week. May THE force be with you as you do!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Know Him. Love Him.
Hello friends and family!
What a wonderful week leading up to the Easter celebration of our Lord and Savior's sacrifice and resurrection. It was a wonderful time of learning and teaching once again. We got in contact again with [a woman] who Sister Benjamin and I had found about a month ago. She had set a baptism date and then after a couple of lessons wasn't home for our appointments. This last week we stopped by and she let us right in. She told us she had been thinking about us and felt bad for not contacting us. She has been going through some tough stuff and just got overwhelmed. But we had a great couple of lessons this week, and then she came to church on Sunday! She looked so happy and really clicked with one of the members! I'm excited for her!
Transfer news also came this last Friday! Sister Sellers and Elder Jones [the district leader] are leaving to Mississippi. . . . Everyone else in our district is staying. We are sad to see them go, but they will do well in their new areas. I've loved living as 4 sisters in an apartment. Sister Sellers is amazing and has taught me a ton. She also blessed me with her services by trimming up my hair a couple inches last night before she left early this morning. We sisters will miss her! We are, however, excited for the sister coming in, Sister Anderson! I've never met her, but I've heard great things about her, so it will be fun to get to know her! Our new District Leader is actually one of our Elders already here, Elder Joseph. So he will just be switching areas within the ward and will now be serving as our District Leader. Now his old companion, Elder Muhile (moo-hee-lay), is going to be training a brand new missionary! So we will have two missionaries in our district and ward being trained! (Sister Boehula and Elder Muhile's companion) I'm super excited for this upcoming transfer! Gladys Knight is coming a week from Thursday (May 1st), and so many people are coming! I know that she, her husband, and her choir are going to change so many hearts and lives of the people living here in Shreveport. Over 2200 people have said they are coming. I'm so excited to see it all pan out! It's going to be a crazy time (kind of like being a hostess at Rodizio Grill on BYU graduation Day (; ), but it is going to be amazing! At the event they will be handing out papers for the people to request more information/a missionary visit. They want us to contact all of them within a week...wow. :) Like I said, it will be crazy, but it will be so amazing!
The last couple of weeks we've also been teaching a man [and the couple we've been teaching]. We've also received so many referrals! I think it's prep for the Gladys Knight Devotional coming up! [The couple we're teaching is] doing well. Sister Boehula and I felt prompted to let them have a few days to really pray, ponder, and read the Book of Mormon. So we told them Sunday and are giving them their own time until Thursday when we will visit them again. It was so hard to do that! I actually shed a few tears as I bore testimony and just listened to them. It felt like I was saying good-bye or something, even though it's just a few days. I guess it feels like a lot when you're used to seeing them 4 times a week. I know that this personal time for them is important though, as it is for each of us. It hit me the other day that in order to place ourselves under the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit, we need to give ourselves personal time with the Lord - to pray, ponder, and read. That alone time with the Lord is crucial for our growth and our conversion. It is a must for our understanding.
Easter Sunday was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a lot of time to study and ponder on the Lord Jesus Christ. We were blessed to be fed by two member families, and also to see the special experience of the Elders giving the sacrament in someone's home. This sweet, strong sister in our ward is basically home bound because of medical challenges, but she has one of the strongest spirits I know! It was such a blessing to see the simplicity and power of the atonement in the personal administration of the sacrament to this wonderful and mighty woman of the Lord. I am so grateful for her example. I am grateful for the power of the Savior, our Savior and brother Jesus Christ. I love Him and know that He is risen! He lived and died for us, and now ask that we live for Him too. I know Him, and come to know Him a little bit better every day. I look forward to the day when I can see Him again and let Him know face to face how much I love Him!
Know Him. Love Him. Seek to have His love in your heart and you will have joy! He loves you! May you all have a very joyful week! Love you all!
P.S. Here is a picture of our District Easter Sunday, yes some of us can be goof balls at times :)
What a wonderful week leading up to the Easter celebration of our Lord and Savior's sacrifice and resurrection. It was a wonderful time of learning and teaching once again. We got in contact again with [a woman] who Sister Benjamin and I had found about a month ago. She had set a baptism date and then after a couple of lessons wasn't home for our appointments. This last week we stopped by and she let us right in. She told us she had been thinking about us and felt bad for not contacting us. She has been going through some tough stuff and just got overwhelmed. But we had a great couple of lessons this week, and then she came to church on Sunday! She looked so happy and really clicked with one of the members! I'm excited for her!
Transfer news also came this last Friday! Sister Sellers and Elder Jones [the district leader] are leaving to Mississippi. . . . Everyone else in our district is staying. We are sad to see them go, but they will do well in their new areas. I've loved living as 4 sisters in an apartment. Sister Sellers is amazing and has taught me a ton. She also blessed me with her services by trimming up my hair a couple inches last night before she left early this morning. We sisters will miss her! We are, however, excited for the sister coming in, Sister Anderson! I've never met her, but I've heard great things about her, so it will be fun to get to know her! Our new District Leader is actually one of our Elders already here, Elder Joseph. So he will just be switching areas within the ward and will now be serving as our District Leader. Now his old companion, Elder Muhile (moo-hee-lay), is going to be training a brand new missionary! So we will have two missionaries in our district and ward being trained! (Sister Boehula and Elder Muhile's companion) I'm super excited for this upcoming transfer! Gladys Knight is coming a week from Thursday (May 1st), and so many people are coming! I know that she, her husband, and her choir are going to change so many hearts and lives of the people living here in Shreveport. Over 2200 people have said they are coming. I'm so excited to see it all pan out! It's going to be a crazy time (kind of like being a hostess at Rodizio Grill on BYU graduation Day (; ), but it is going to be amazing! At the event they will be handing out papers for the people to request more information/a missionary visit. They want us to contact all of them within a week...wow. :) Like I said, it will be crazy, but it will be so amazing!
The last couple of weeks we've also been teaching a man [and the couple we've been teaching]. We've also received so many referrals! I think it's prep for the Gladys Knight Devotional coming up! [The couple we're teaching is] doing well. Sister Boehula and I felt prompted to let them have a few days to really pray, ponder, and read the Book of Mormon. So we told them Sunday and are giving them their own time until Thursday when we will visit them again. It was so hard to do that! I actually shed a few tears as I bore testimony and just listened to them. It felt like I was saying good-bye or something, even though it's just a few days. I guess it feels like a lot when you're used to seeing them 4 times a week. I know that this personal time for them is important though, as it is for each of us. It hit me the other day that in order to place ourselves under the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit, we need to give ourselves personal time with the Lord - to pray, ponder, and read. That alone time with the Lord is crucial for our growth and our conversion. It is a must for our understanding.
Easter Sunday was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a lot of time to study and ponder on the Lord Jesus Christ. We were blessed to be fed by two member families, and also to see the special experience of the Elders giving the sacrament in someone's home. This sweet, strong sister in our ward is basically home bound because of medical challenges, but she has one of the strongest spirits I know! It was such a blessing to see the simplicity and power of the atonement in the personal administration of the sacrament to this wonderful and mighty woman of the Lord. I am so grateful for her example. I am grateful for the power of the Savior, our Savior and brother Jesus Christ. I love Him and know that He is risen! He lived and died for us, and now ask that we live for Him too. I know Him, and come to know Him a little bit better every day. I look forward to the day when I can see Him again and let Him know face to face how much I love Him!
Know Him. Love Him. Seek to have His love in your heart and you will have joy! He loves you! May you all have a very joyful week! Love you all!
P.S. Here is a picture of our District Easter Sunday, yes some of us can be goof balls at times :)
Monday, April 14, 2014
The Lord Lives!
While we were tracting this last week I was talking to a man and was sharing my witness that Christ not only died for us, but that He lives again for us. An overwhelming feeling of the spirit came over me, a special witness that Jesus Christ did rise again. I felt with all of my heart that my Savior lives. I have grown in my gratitude and testimony of the Savior's resurrection. Without His rising from the dead, his sacrifice would not have done what it needed to do for us. His resurrection completed His atonement that enables us to not only be cleansed from sin, but live again. I know that is true.
Yesterday our Bishop taught the lesson in Relief Society. It was another answer to many prayers, pondering, and even fasting. I know that the Lord knows my needs and my desires. He knows me and He listens every time I pray, and even when I don't. I have learned so much over this last transfer about love, meekness, and humility. I have grown in my love for the Savior and in my desire to be more like Him. The Bishop talked about the priesthood and how the men need our help and support as women to honor their priesthood and fulfill their priesthood duties. He talked about treating them as they should and can be. That we are all potential Gods and Goddesses. Men need love just as much as women do. I was so grateful for his words, especially coming from a man who is strong in his faith in the Lord and commitment to follow Him. I felt such power in my heart as the spirit spoke to me through him. I'm so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies and our Father's loving and watchful care.
Last Tuesday we visited [the couple we've been teaching] and again invited them to be baptized. We had a little discussion first, but then they did say yes! They are preparing to be baptized on May 4th, the Sunday after the Gladys Knight Devotional. My heart swelled with joy! When we visited them again on Thursday [the man] was so much more at peace. It's hard to really describe, but it was amazing how you could see that the spirit had worked with him to know that this is what he needs to do. Then yesterday we also visited [them] after church (yes they came again!). One of the first things [the man] told us was that he had talked to the Bishop's secretary to set up a time to meet with the Bishop about getting married! I couldn't believe my ears!! I had to contain myself from jumping out of the chair! I thought we were going to have to bring up marriage again, but he did it all on his own! I know that this gospel is true. It is changing lives, including mine, and I am so grateful to see that. I love seeing those I love come closer to Christ and happier because of their decisions to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through faith in Him and change. This is a marvelous work, and it is moving forward in so many different ways.
I love you all and am excited to be serving the Lord! Keep pushing forward and upward! You are special to the Lord and He wants you to know Him. Come to know Him and I know that you will know that this life is full of joy. You will see Him and have His help. Love you all!
Yesterday our Bishop taught the lesson in Relief Society. It was another answer to many prayers, pondering, and even fasting. I know that the Lord knows my needs and my desires. He knows me and He listens every time I pray, and even when I don't. I have learned so much over this last transfer about love, meekness, and humility. I have grown in my love for the Savior and in my desire to be more like Him. The Bishop talked about the priesthood and how the men need our help and support as women to honor their priesthood and fulfill their priesthood duties. He talked about treating them as they should and can be. That we are all potential Gods and Goddesses. Men need love just as much as women do. I was so grateful for his words, especially coming from a man who is strong in his faith in the Lord and commitment to follow Him. I felt such power in my heart as the spirit spoke to me through him. I'm so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies and our Father's loving and watchful care.
Last Tuesday we visited [the couple we've been teaching] and again invited them to be baptized. We had a little discussion first, but then they did say yes! They are preparing to be baptized on May 4th, the Sunday after the Gladys Knight Devotional. My heart swelled with joy! When we visited them again on Thursday [the man] was so much more at peace. It's hard to really describe, but it was amazing how you could see that the spirit had worked with him to know that this is what he needs to do. Then yesterday we also visited [them] after church (yes they came again!). One of the first things [the man] told us was that he had talked to the Bishop's secretary to set up a time to meet with the Bishop about getting married! I couldn't believe my ears!! I had to contain myself from jumping out of the chair! I thought we were going to have to bring up marriage again, but he did it all on his own! I know that this gospel is true. It is changing lives, including mine, and I am so grateful to see that. I love seeing those I love come closer to Christ and happier because of their decisions to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through faith in Him and change. This is a marvelous work, and it is moving forward in so many different ways.
I love you all and am excited to be serving the Lord! Keep pushing forward and upward! You are special to the Lord and He wants you to know Him. Come to know Him and I know that you will know that this life is full of joy. You will see Him and have His help. Love you all!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Our load to carry :)
Hello everyone!
What an empowering weekend of General Conference we had! I LOVED all of it and tried to soak it all up! It was wonderful and filled my heart with love, peace, gratitude, and committment. I am so grateful for how the Lord works with us and that our Heavenly Father uses the pattern of prophets and apostles to lead us and guide us. What a blessing!
This last week was good, and I feel that I am learning and growing. There were struggles and disappointments, but we were blessed. I feel that I am learning how to manage time and plan better. It's been humbling to me to learn how much physical and mental things affect our spiritual things. They are all connected. It's important to not let the physical and mental things become higher priority than spiritual things, but it is important to take care of them to the best of our ability.
[Our investigators couple] have helped me learn a lot. I shared last week how I felt I had been too bold with some of our investigators. Specifically I felt that way with [this couple]. I was getting frustrated that they weren't learning what I wanted them to learn as fast as I wanted them to learn it. I have learned patience, love, meekness, and creativity. I've learned the importance of simplicity. One of the quotes in Preach My Gospel is, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it." (President John Taylor) That is what I have been learning.
I loved the message from Elder Bednar about the load in the truck enabling his friend to get the traction he needed to move forward, back to his family and loved ones. It taught me that it is ok and in fact necessary for us to carry loads. The scripture goes, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." It does not say "my load is light." I loved that analogy so much! That gave me such comfort, that if we feel we are carrying a load, we are doing what's right. It will teach us humility (and meekness), and it will lead us home. It does not have to be burdensome, but if we are not involved in taking the Lord's yoke upon us - meaning we want to work and carry the load - then we are not following a path that will lead us back to our Heavenly Home.
I know that our Heavenly Father loves us. I had the special and touching experience of teaching a 16 year old young man how to pray this last week. I was so humbled by his simplicity, sincerity, and specifics. I know that our Father in Heaven hears our prayers and answers them. I know that as we seek His spirit - the comforter promised to us by the Savior - He will give it to us to bear the load He has given us. I love my Savior and hope to love Him even more as I continue to study His word and follow Him.
I love you all! May you know that you are not alone as you carry your load this week! It is a blessing! :)
What an empowering weekend of General Conference we had! I LOVED all of it and tried to soak it all up! It was wonderful and filled my heart with love, peace, gratitude, and committment. I am so grateful for how the Lord works with us and that our Heavenly Father uses the pattern of prophets and apostles to lead us and guide us. What a blessing!
This last week was good, and I feel that I am learning and growing. There were struggles and disappointments, but we were blessed. I feel that I am learning how to manage time and plan better. It's been humbling to me to learn how much physical and mental things affect our spiritual things. They are all connected. It's important to not let the physical and mental things become higher priority than spiritual things, but it is important to take care of them to the best of our ability.
[Our investigators couple] have helped me learn a lot. I shared last week how I felt I had been too bold with some of our investigators. Specifically I felt that way with [this couple]. I was getting frustrated that they weren't learning what I wanted them to learn as fast as I wanted them to learn it. I have learned patience, love, meekness, and creativity. I've learned the importance of simplicity. One of the quotes in Preach My Gospel is, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it." (President John Taylor) That is what I have been learning.
I loved the message from Elder Bednar about the load in the truck enabling his friend to get the traction he needed to move forward, back to his family and loved ones. It taught me that it is ok and in fact necessary for us to carry loads. The scripture goes, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." It does not say "my load is light." I loved that analogy so much! That gave me such comfort, that if we feel we are carrying a load, we are doing what's right. It will teach us humility (and meekness), and it will lead us home. It does not have to be burdensome, but if we are not involved in taking the Lord's yoke upon us - meaning we want to work and carry the load - then we are not following a path that will lead us back to our Heavenly Home.
I know that our Heavenly Father loves us. I had the special and touching experience of teaching a 16 year old young man how to pray this last week. I was so humbled by his simplicity, sincerity, and specifics. I know that our Father in Heaven hears our prayers and answers them. I know that as we seek His spirit - the comforter promised to us by the Savior - He will give it to us to bear the load He has given us. I love my Savior and hope to love Him even more as I continue to study His word and follow Him.
I love you all! May you know that you are not alone as you carry your load this week! It is a blessing! :)
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