SURPRISE!!! I'm getting transferred! And, that wasn't only a surprise for me and my companions. It was a surprise to President as well! The Lord decided to move me last minute. Fun!
For my last transfer, I will be serving in the Waterford Lakes area with Sis. Snyder. It's going to be a blast! The area is hard - because it's another rich area with a lot of gated and No Trespassing neighborhoods. But we will also help with ASL work when needed and also assist at the Office. For Sundays, we will attend Oviedo at 9am (they no longer have ASL missionaries in the area), then go to Waterford at 11am. Fun, huh? It's going to be crazy, and the Deaf members are surprised at it, but things should work out well. It is the Lord's work. We all know this was decided by the Lord, not by anyone else. I have gained a strong testimony that the mission president truly receives revelations from the Lord. We've seen it time and time again.
My new address:
3821 Avalon Park East Blvd #418
Orlando, FL 32828
Also, did you get the white envelope I sent to you? I'm worried I put it in the wrong mailbox, and that had our Christmas gift and Picture CD and FOM Messenger, etc. Hope it made it to you in one piece!!! Also, I will be mailing out a large flat rate box today. It's full of randomness. No need to open it. Sorry it's so heavy - it seems I really am a collector. Hope it gets to you :-D
Well, this email was going to go on about the stupid German roach infestation in our apt, but since its transfers, it won't matter anymore. Plus, we just got a bait program started and it's killing them off pretty well - too bad it flushes them out before they die. Every time we do something different to kill them, they start showing up in more places more frequently. Roaches are my LEAST favorite insect. Ug! But they are really small, so not as bad. And I got use to it from the ones we see in AZ. It's my companions who freak out and think they are huge! They've never seen a roach before! Weird, huh?
The hardest part about this being the last transfer is the fact that I have finally started to really understand the full meaning of missionary work! I've gained that much needed faith that we not only can, but we will accomplish a baptism from each companionship each month. The mission is making new changes to double our baptisms, and I am so excited for them. They will bring about amazing miracles! I'm finally in the spirit of missionary work after trying to get here for the last year and a half. But now I'm about to leave!!! WHY!?!?! It's frustrating! But at least I have this last transfer to put my all into the work. It will be great!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Email home on Jan. 19: "Short but Sweet"
It's been an interesting week. This weekend was very rainy. Florida weather has been quite peculiar with freeze warnings and really cold, windy days. But, it was nice to see the rain - good ol' Florida thunderstorms!
Yesterday, we cleaned the baptismal font for about two hours and it looks so much better now! People say it hasn't been cleaned ever. Can't say if that is true or not, but what we thought was permanent yellowing of tile was really just layers of dirt and grime that easily washed off with some Clorox spray and elbow grease.
Last Sunday, we asked our Bishop for a blessing to help us in our missionary efforts in the ward. It was a great experience, and interesting that the blessing focused on continuing to show faith and confidence in the work, which seems to always come up again and again. But it is true that the Lord has faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we do. We are instruments in His hands. He has called us to this work, at this time, in this place. That is truly a sign of His faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we are performing.
Many changes seem to be coming to the mission soon. The focus of finding is being put on the member's shoulders. Missionaries are teachers, not finders. Therefore, new programs are being put into place to make sure the members realize their responsibility to bring their friends to the missionaries. We have seen that the door to tracting is closing, so it is exciting to see the start of new changes. Pres. Hall is doing a wonderful job at helping this mission grow and adapt.
Transfer calls are this weekend, so next email may have new changes. We'll see.... til next time! Lots of Love!
Yesterday, we cleaned the baptismal font for about two hours and it looks so much better now! People say it hasn't been cleaned ever. Can't say if that is true or not, but what we thought was permanent yellowing of tile was really just layers of dirt and grime that easily washed off with some Clorox spray and elbow grease.
Last Sunday, we asked our Bishop for a blessing to help us in our missionary efforts in the ward. It was a great experience, and interesting that the blessing focused on continuing to show faith and confidence in the work, which seems to always come up again and again. But it is true that the Lord has faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we do. We are instruments in His hands. He has called us to this work, at this time, in this place. That is truly a sign of His faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we are performing.
Many changes seem to be coming to the mission soon. The focus of finding is being put on the member's shoulders. Missionaries are teachers, not finders. Therefore, new programs are being put into place to make sure the members realize their responsibility to bring their friends to the missionaries. We have seen that the door to tracting is closing, so it is exciting to see the start of new changes. Pres. Hall is doing a wonderful job at helping this mission grow and adapt.
Transfer calls are this weekend, so next email may have new changes. We'll see.... til next time! Lots of Love!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Email home on Jan. 10th: "A Wonderful Baptism"
Yesterday, we had a wonderful baptism for one of our Deaf investigators! We had a great attendance from the ward - which was a relief because it seems the past few baptisms weren't so good. It was also a great opportunity for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing members to get together to welcome him into the ward. It is such a great opportunity to be back in the Oviedo ward! The people here are amazing! Although missionary work in the ward as a whole seems to be limited, the friendship and fellowship is wonderful. There are a lot of amazing and nice people here! We all love the Relief Society President, and our new Ward Mission Leader is great! We also are impressed with our new Bishop. It is so great to see the potential in this ward! We are trying to help our members see that potential themselves so they can realize the great good they can do for the missionary work. It's not only what the missionaries can do; it's a great part of what the members are doing for the work. The ward will get there!
Thank goodness, our bike week is over! We've been biking a lot! One night, we biked the four and a half miles from the church back to our apt at 9 pm in the bitter cold wind (humid cold is awful)! Yesterday was so hard to bike, but we survived - barely. Now, we will be in the car for the week to prep ourselves for bike week again next week. Sigh... car share is awful! But it builds up muscle and perseverance. There is always something good learned from every experience.
All is well! We continue in the work with a smile on our face and always find things to laugh at. It helps get through the long hours of tracting and the constant rejections we face. The Lord has truly blessed us with this great companionship! Onward and Upward!
Thank goodness, our bike week is over! We've been biking a lot! One night, we biked the four and a half miles from the church back to our apt at 9 pm in the bitter cold wind (humid cold is awful)! Yesterday was so hard to bike, but we survived - barely. Now, we will be in the car for the week to prep ourselves for bike week again next week. Sigh... car share is awful! But it builds up muscle and perseverance. There is always something good learned from every experience.
All is well! We continue in the work with a smile on our face and always find things to laugh at. It helps get through the long hours of tracting and the constant rejections we face. The Lord has truly blessed us with this great companionship! Onward and Upward!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Email home on Jan. 3rd: "A New Year"
A new year keeps arriving before we've even got use to the past year. It'll take a while before it sinks in that we've already arrived at 2011. It's funny because it doesn't seem like that long ago when it was high school graduation or college graduation. Wow does time fly by quickly!
We have a new goal in the mission that we have been asked by our mission president to follow. It has always been a pet peeve when people would call us and ask for a specific missionary or when we would speak in a singular form. This is a companionship, so we should be united and not singled out in the work. So, today we received an email from our mission president asking us to "not use the pronouns I or me as we verbalize to each other, ward members, to our companions, letters home, and to the mission president. Our communications and thoughts should be directed to we, us and them." This sounds like a wonderful idea because it really will help us focus on missionary work being a unified program. So, until Pres. Hall clarifies this new goal, we'll see if we can actually write home to our families without using a singular pronoun. Let's just say, it will be hard and/or really bad grammar. :-D
This past week, as a companionship, we have been tracting a lot. We have two deaf investigators right now who we are helping prepare for baptism. These are the only investigators in our teaching pool. No matter how many people we talk to in a day, we aren't finding anyone interested in listening to us. It is hard to understand how people can be so satisfied with their life and closed off to the opportunity to learn more. If only they could understand all the "light and knowledge" they are missing. They say they are content with what the Bible is teaching them, but don't they realize that with the fullness of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost that the scriptures will bring even more understanding? Every time the Bible is studied in the perspective of the restored gospel, things seem to fall into place perfectly, and past confusion is clearly shown. It's awful how Satan has muddled things so well that people are afraid or unwilling to listen. They say they are Christian, but isn't it a part of being Christian to be willing to discuss about our faith and belief in Jesus Christ? It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that if a person approaches us wanting to discuss our Savior that our response should be, "We already believe in Jesus Christ [slam door]." It is such a relief to be a part of this church and already have the truth laid before us. We are taught from infancy the importance of learning, growing, asking questions, sharing testimony, etc. There is no "satisfied." We learn that with the help of the Holy Ghost, diligent prayer and scripture study, and faith to receive an answer, the Lord will guide us to wisdom. Why would anyone be content and satisfied with limited knowledge? That makes no sense. What are other religions teaching that make people pull away from the opportunity to share their testimony about Christ when they have two missionaries knock at their door. One experience this week may seem funny to us, but it was an example of at least bearing testimony in their understanding of the word. We were tracking in a neighborhood with little luck when we knocked on a door. This woman answered, found out we were Mormon, and excitedly welcomed us into her living room. We were surprised and curious as what she would say next. She went to the table and took something from her Bible. Oh dear.... then she read to us a Catholic creed or something. Honestly though, it sounded like a testimony, even if it was a rote speech. She was at least willing to welcome us into her home and share with us what she believed. Sadly, she didn't allow us to speak and share our own testimony, but it is progress from others who claim to accept Christ in their hearts then refuse to talk of Him.
So, things are a bit slow here in the English work, but we should have a Deaf Baptism next Sunday that we are really excited about. The Lord is blessing us; and with the new year, there are wonderful and endless possibilities on the horizon. It feels like a great month to work some miracles. They are out there; and if we continue forth, improve ourselves, and act in faith, the Lord will bless our area and we will find those "Elect Saints" ready to hear and accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever onward!
We have a new goal in the mission that we have been asked by our mission president to follow. It has always been a pet peeve when people would call us and ask for a specific missionary or when we would speak in a singular form. This is a companionship, so we should be united and not singled out in the work. So, today we received an email from our mission president asking us to "not use the pronouns I or me as we verbalize to each other, ward members, to our companions, letters home, and to the mission president. Our communications and thoughts should be directed to we, us and them." This sounds like a wonderful idea because it really will help us focus on missionary work being a unified program. So, until Pres. Hall clarifies this new goal, we'll see if we can actually write home to our families without using a singular pronoun. Let's just say, it will be hard and/or really bad grammar. :-D
This past week, as a companionship, we have been tracting a lot. We have two deaf investigators right now who we are helping prepare for baptism. These are the only investigators in our teaching pool. No matter how many people we talk to in a day, we aren't finding anyone interested in listening to us. It is hard to understand how people can be so satisfied with their life and closed off to the opportunity to learn more. If only they could understand all the "light and knowledge" they are missing. They say they are content with what the Bible is teaching them, but don't they realize that with the fullness of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost that the scriptures will bring even more understanding? Every time the Bible is studied in the perspective of the restored gospel, things seem to fall into place perfectly, and past confusion is clearly shown. It's awful how Satan has muddled things so well that people are afraid or unwilling to listen. They say they are Christian, but isn't it a part of being Christian to be willing to discuss about our faith and belief in Jesus Christ? It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that if a person approaches us wanting to discuss our Savior that our response should be, "We already believe in Jesus Christ [slam door]." It is such a relief to be a part of this church and already have the truth laid before us. We are taught from infancy the importance of learning, growing, asking questions, sharing testimony, etc. There is no "satisfied." We learn that with the help of the Holy Ghost, diligent prayer and scripture study, and faith to receive an answer, the Lord will guide us to wisdom. Why would anyone be content and satisfied with limited knowledge? That makes no sense. What are other religions teaching that make people pull away from the opportunity to share their testimony about Christ when they have two missionaries knock at their door. One experience this week may seem funny to us, but it was an example of at least bearing testimony in their understanding of the word. We were tracking in a neighborhood with little luck when we knocked on a door. This woman answered, found out we were Mormon, and excitedly welcomed us into her living room. We were surprised and curious as what she would say next. She went to the table and took something from her Bible. Oh dear.... then she read to us a Catholic creed or something. Honestly though, it sounded like a testimony, even if it was a rote speech. She was at least willing to welcome us into her home and share with us what she believed. Sadly, she didn't allow us to speak and share our own testimony, but it is progress from others who claim to accept Christ in their hearts then refuse to talk of Him.
So, things are a bit slow here in the English work, but we should have a Deaf Baptism next Sunday that we are really excited about. The Lord is blessing us; and with the new year, there are wonderful and endless possibilities on the horizon. It feels like a great month to work some miracles. They are out there; and if we continue forth, improve ourselves, and act in faith, the Lord will bless our area and we will find those "Elect Saints" ready to hear and accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever onward!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas Dinners
Well, since we talked on Saturday, there really isn't a lot more to say. With Sis. Davis and Sis Miller sick, we haven't really done a lot these past few days. So, I guess the most to report was the events of our Christmas dinners.
Well, we had three dinners planned, at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. We thought it would be fine, but most of them started an hour late so we felt a bit rushed to not miss the next appt. and each of them served us a big turkey dinner. Wow, do we feel stuffed!! It was a lot of fun though! Each family was different in style, so we were able to get a different taste of Christmas from each family. The more I have holidays here on my mission, the more I want to make sure I invite people over whenever I prepare a holiday meal in the future. It means so much to us as missionaries when families invite us over to share in their holiday traditions. Also, I've seen how it blesses members, less-active, recent converts, and investigators to have a home to spend the holidays.
Another blessing we received was having one of our investigators text us last night to tell us that he wants to be baptized in two weeks! Yay!! We are all really excited!! That was the perfect ending to our Sunday evening!
Thanks so much for emailing a tender mercy a week! I look forward to reading them when I sign on to email. I'll be sending off an envelope today that has my Christmas card scrapbook pages, our mission Christmas gift, and a photo cd. Enjoy!
Well, we had three dinners planned, at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. We thought it would be fine, but most of them started an hour late so we felt a bit rushed to not miss the next appt. and each of them served us a big turkey dinner. Wow, do we feel stuffed!! It was a lot of fun though! Each family was different in style, so we were able to get a different taste of Christmas from each family. The more I have holidays here on my mission, the more I want to make sure I invite people over whenever I prepare a holiday meal in the future. It means so much to us as missionaries when families invite us over to share in their holiday traditions. Also, I've seen how it blesses members, less-active, recent converts, and investigators to have a home to spend the holidays.
Another blessing we received was having one of our investigators text us last night to tell us that he wants to be baptized in two weeks! Yay!! We are all really excited!! That was the perfect ending to our Sunday evening!
Thanks so much for emailing a tender mercy a week! I look forward to reading them when I sign on to email. I'll be sending off an envelope today that has my Christmas card scrapbook pages, our mission Christmas gift, and a photo cd. Enjoy!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Email Home: The First Week
Let me introduce you to our "treesome". That is our new nickname from the Elders in our district. We have some funny and interesting facts about each other.
Sis. Davis is from Pocatello, ID. Sis. Miller is from Orem, UT. I am from Mesa, AZ. Straight line ID, UT, AZ. It's funny! Also because Sis. Davis is always cold, Sis. Miller is typically cold, and I'm rarely cold. Odd because of our hometown typical weather.
Sis. Davis has three siblings, I have five sibling, and Sis. Miller has ten siblings. It's fun to answer people's question about how many kids in our family. Start with 4, then to 6, then to 11! It's fun to watch the shock on their faces!
We have very similar hair color, I'm the tallest, Sis. Davis is the shortest. We all are laughing 24/7 about the randomest things. Tracting is quite fun!
I am the oldest mission age at 15 mo, Sis. Davis is next at about 12 mo (I think), and Sis. Miller is a greenie at 2 mo.
Sis. Miller knows very basic signs, Sis Davis knows a little more than Sis. Miller, and I am the ASL missionary for Oviedo. But Sis. Miller wants to learn, so we will be doing 5 min. teaching each day during my language study.
Sis. Miller is a 1st grade assistant teacher, Sis. Davis is a Special Ed. teacher, and I'm just trying to learn how to be okay with teaching people.
Sis. Davis is 22 yrs old; I am 23 yrs old, and Sis. Miller is 24 yrs old.
The companionship is going great! At first, it was a huge struggle for me because the transfer started awkward with everything coming out of my mouth making me feel like a complete idiot. For some reason, last week was a bad self-criticism week. But, I'm getting over it. I think it's because I have no idea what my purpose is for the ASL program. It always throws me off when I'm at a loss of what to do. I'm still confused, but I'm working it out.
I'm not sure if I am going to "die" here in Oviedo. Sis Davis has only been here for one transfer and Sis. Miller just came to the mission last transfer. I'm not sure what Pres. has planned because he said we'd only be in a threesome for one transfer. It just seems weird to move any of us out so soon. It's not typical. So, who knows if I'll be here for my last two transfers or if he'll move me again.
Our apt is so cool! Sis. Lovejoy's mom had sent her a tree that she left in the apt, and Sis. Davis had hung Christmas lights all over the place. Also, Sis. Davis' mom sent each of us stockings so they are hung on the wall next to the tree. It's very festive in our apt. We're always playing Christmas music and each of us have a lot of gifts under the tree (thanks to Sis. Davis' mom). Sis. Miller is still waiting for her family package, but it'll be here soon enough. My gifts from you are still wrapped and also under the tree. I love it! I'm glad to have decorations! Also, we have a Christmas Eve dinner w/ members and three members we will be visiting on Christmas day. It's going to be a great holiday!
For phone calls, Sis. Davis' family is going to do a conference call w/ her and her brother who is serving a mission as well. They haven't confirmed when yet. She just told them that it can be any time except 3pm and 5pm our time. We have dinners planned for those time. So, I don't know when I'll be calling. But thanks for reminding me of my home phone number. I do actually remember it. Randomly, I've accidentally given out my old cell number to people, except I'd put the 407 Florida area code on it. Weird.
All is well here in the mission. We're continuing ever onward. I'm glad the whole family can be together for Christmas. I want pics of my nieces and nephew! Totally jealous! Lots of love!
Sis. Davis is from Pocatello, ID. Sis. Miller is from Orem, UT. I am from Mesa, AZ. Straight line ID, UT, AZ. It's funny! Also because Sis. Davis is always cold, Sis. Miller is typically cold, and I'm rarely cold. Odd because of our hometown typical weather.
Sis. Davis has three siblings, I have five sibling, and Sis. Miller has ten siblings. It's fun to answer people's question about how many kids in our family. Start with 4, then to 6, then to 11! It's fun to watch the shock on their faces!
We have very similar hair color, I'm the tallest, Sis. Davis is the shortest. We all are laughing 24/7 about the randomest things. Tracting is quite fun!
I am the oldest mission age at 15 mo, Sis. Davis is next at about 12 mo (I think), and Sis. Miller is a greenie at 2 mo.
Sis. Miller knows very basic signs, Sis Davis knows a little more than Sis. Miller, and I am the ASL missionary for Oviedo. But Sis. Miller wants to learn, so we will be doing 5 min. teaching each day during my language study.
Sis. Miller is a 1st grade assistant teacher, Sis. Davis is a Special Ed. teacher, and I'm just trying to learn how to be okay with teaching people.
Sis. Davis is 22 yrs old; I am 23 yrs old, and Sis. Miller is 24 yrs old.
The companionship is going great! At first, it was a huge struggle for me because the transfer started awkward with everything coming out of my mouth making me feel like a complete idiot. For some reason, last week was a bad self-criticism week. But, I'm getting over it. I think it's because I have no idea what my purpose is for the ASL program. It always throws me off when I'm at a loss of what to do. I'm still confused, but I'm working it out.
I'm not sure if I am going to "die" here in Oviedo. Sis Davis has only been here for one transfer and Sis. Miller just came to the mission last transfer. I'm not sure what Pres. has planned because he said we'd only be in a threesome for one transfer. It just seems weird to move any of us out so soon. It's not typical. So, who knows if I'll be here for my last two transfers or if he'll move me again.
Our apt is so cool! Sis. Lovejoy's mom had sent her a tree that she left in the apt, and Sis. Davis had hung Christmas lights all over the place. Also, Sis. Davis' mom sent each of us stockings so they are hung on the wall next to the tree. It's very festive in our apt. We're always playing Christmas music and each of us have a lot of gifts under the tree (thanks to Sis. Davis' mom). Sis. Miller is still waiting for her family package, but it'll be here soon enough. My gifts from you are still wrapped and also under the tree. I love it! I'm glad to have decorations! Also, we have a Christmas Eve dinner w/ members and three members we will be visiting on Christmas day. It's going to be a great holiday!
For phone calls, Sis. Davis' family is going to do a conference call w/ her and her brother who is serving a mission as well. They haven't confirmed when yet. She just told them that it can be any time except 3pm and 5pm our time. We have dinners planned for those time. So, I don't know when I'll be calling. But thanks for reminding me of my home phone number. I do actually remember it. Randomly, I've accidentally given out my old cell number to people, except I'd put the 407 Florida area code on it. Weird.
All is well here in the mission. We're continuing ever onward. I'm glad the whole family can be together for Christmas. I want pics of my nieces and nephew! Totally jealous! Lots of love!
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