Wow, here I am again on another P-Day! This week felt like forever ... but flew by so quickly! Conference was amazing! I really enjoyed it! I had planned to write down my highlights, but I forgot my journal - it's already packed away as I prepare for our transfer tomorrow! Something that stood out to me the most was how most of the talks on both days focused on raising a righteous family unto to Lord. I had so many fun ideas of how to raise my future children - then I realized that doesn't apply to me right now as a missionary ... oops! :-D So, it is my responsibility as a missionary to help our investigators see the importance of raising their children in righteousness.
Something that makes me so excited is that the Florida Orlando ASL Program is starting on April 6, 2010!! Isn't that the best date ever! I love the little tender mercies I see in my life! Tomorrow, we will be talking to President Darrington about the details of our area. We will be living in Windermere (the biggest Sister's apartment - it has two bathrooms ... Pres. Darrington knows that is important for four Sisters to have), focusing on the Hunters Creek Stake (at least 20 miles away from our apt), but also working with the Orlando and Orlando South Stakes. We're excited to see the full extent of our area. It's weird to think that we are starting a NEW area. It's not just going into something already set up, area book present, phone and car there, member and investigator teaching records organized, etc. Nope, this is all new! I'm excited because I love to organize!! Yay! Sis. Homer and I are up for the challenge. We hope all goes well!! Already, we've had missionaries give us deaf referrals and we are excited to see how many more we receive this first week of the official ASL program. We will keep busy meeting the members and contacting the referrals we receive. So much to do, so little time - but with the Lord's time, all will continue forth as He knows it should.
I am so excited to hear that Jeff and Sherry are expecting a baby boy!! Yay!! I'm going to have a nephew!!! I am so jealous. Seriously, the only thing that makes me homesick is not being able to see any nieces and nephews that will be growing up these eighteen months I am gone... send me pictures! :-D Lots of Love!
(Written to Hna. Nori in Argentina)
You reminded me of the Work, Work, Work quote that we recite once a week. In this mission we recite a scripture or quote each day:
• Monday: D&C 88:123-124
• Tuesday: The Standard of Truth
• Wednesday: D&C 4
• Thursday: Work Work Work
• Friday:3 Nephi 5:13
• Saturday:Alma 38:12
• Sunday: Our Purpose
"The Standard of Truth has been erected: no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth, boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
"Work! Work! Work! One of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work. If a missionary works she will get the spirit; if she gets the spirit she will teach by the spirit; if she teaches by the spirit she will touch the hearts of the people and she will be happy! There will be no homesickness, no worrying about family for all time, talents, and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. That's the secret! Work! Work! Work! There's no satisfactory substitute especially in missionary work!
This week, we start the ASL program on April 6th. YAY!!! I'm senior companion and we will be working with three stakes, but focusing on the Hunter's Creek stake, were there is the greatest concentration of the Deaf. We're excited to get to work!
Have a great day! You will be in my prayers. Hope things continue to go better for you! Yay for missionary work!
Onward and Upward we go!
Sis. Ellsworth
‘Make no small plans: They have no magic to stir man’s souls.’ This is the vision I have for the South. I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together. There are great hosts of marvelous Baptists, and members of the church of Christ, Methodists and Catholics who are honorable people, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love him. As they see their church veering off to the right or to the left of these basic teachings, they will begin to search for the truth. And as pivotal teachers come into the church and have influence, we will see the time when we baptize hundreds and thousands, tens of thousands. In your day you will see a million members of the church in the South. There will be Temples plural in the Southern States. What a great call you have to serve with these marvelous people. ~Spencer W Kimball (1974)
