tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63486114038718482852024-03-13T07:51:33.689-07:00sister oberfieldAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-66593017221460616712015-01-21T08:21:00.000-08:002015-01-21T08:21:00.105-08:00 flashbacks and God's hand - 1/20/15<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280960" style="text-align: center;">
wow you guys. this week was
nuts. so much happened and I just hope I can relay all the amazing
experiences. I think we should refer to last week as the week of all
weeks.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280976" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280978" style="text-align: center;">
TUESDAY:
we had #zoneconf! all the missionaries in O'Fallon Illinois and Cape
Girardeau Missouri gathered to experience probably the best #zoneconf
in the history of the GMSLM (great Missouri st Louis mission). okay that
may have been exaggerated, but it was so so great! We focused a lot on
achieving this years goal of 453 baptisms! and how we each play a very
specific and important part in this work. because what we do impacts our
companion, which impacts our district, then our zone, then the mission,
which ultimately is changing the world. (wow that escalated quickly).
but it's so true! we are apart of something so great that has an
eternal imprint on people's lives. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280980" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280982" style="text-align: center;">
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY: we
had exchanges with a few different sisters! which required a lot of
traveling. it's totally cool though, what better time to get to know
someone than on a road trip, right? I love being able to spend time with
the sisters. they each have such a unique story about how the came on a
mission or how they joined the church. and I love learning from
them because they each have amazing spiritual gifts. I really do look up
to each of them.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280984" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280986" style="text-align: center;">
FRIDAY-SATURDAY:
I went back to the homeland! aka Salem!!!! yayayay! wow so to be honest
I was a bit nervous about it at first. driving through the town I was
having major deja vu. I saw houses that I vividly remember talking to
those people about the gospel, and there were things in the apartment
that were mine. and I just kept thinking about how Salem was my life a
year ago. I grew so much in that area and I learned so much. We were
able to see some people that mean a lot to me when I was there. we
traveled with the mills, and I remembered all the nights they took us
out to dinner and all of brother mills' crazy jokes. we had a
lesson with the hays family and I was reminded of the times we practiced
teaching to them. and then we say the martins. a family that sister
huppi and I found that got baptized shortly after I left. they were
quite surprised that I was back for the day and the girls went crazy. I
wanted to scream along with them because I was so excited but I
contained the excitement. but when we were at the martins we read
scriptures with them as a family and Alexus, the oldest
daughter, sat next to me. as we were reading in 3 nephi 17 (my
favorite chapter) alexus just started reading when it was her turn. I
don't know what it was, but the spirit was just so strong. it was
probably the fact that at that moment I realized how far they had come
and how eternal this work really is, it really does change the world!
They told me about how much better life has been since they joined the
church. it hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. I'm so grateful that I
was able to play such a small part in their conversion. I love them, so
so much. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_281002" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_281000" style="text-align: center;">
I love you all! you are da best. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280988" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280998" style="text-align: center;">
sister oberfield</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280996">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-16331043646250599812015-01-21T08:19:00.003-08:002015-01-21T08:19:46.404-08:00one year? srsly? - 1/12/15<div class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280239" role="presentation">
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280245" role="gridcell" style="text-align: center;" tabindex="0">
<div class="email-wrapped" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280244">
<div id="yiv3301254091">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280243">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280256">
that
may or may not be all I'm going to say about that. because I'm having a
really hard time accepting that I only have 6 months left. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280254">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280252">
okay
anywhoooo! THIS WEEK WAS AWESOME! I love glen carbon so much. you guys,
I'm serious when I say my heart belongs in the mid west. We saw so many
miracles this week.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280250">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280242">
so
when I was in Salem there was a family there who had a daughter who was
ex-communicated that I met and got to know pretty well last mothers
day. but she lived in Belleville with her husband who also was no longer
a member. I wanted to teach them so badly, but they weren't in our
boundaries and then I left like right after that so I never heard from
or about them again. but we were on exchanges this past week and I was
in Columbia with sister Esterholdt and she was on the phone while I was
getting ready for bed and then she came in the room and told me about a
referral that the ward mission leader had just given her for a couple
who was ex-communicated and had family in the Centralia ward! I freaked
out and guessed their names and probably scared sister esterholdt. but
it was amazing! It's amazing how great things like that happen daily. I
just love it. ahh!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280265">
also
we are teaching a way awesome family! The mom is a member and the three
boys aren't, but they have been meeting with missionaries for a loooong
time. they have never really come to church in the past though. so we
challenged them to come to church every week in the month of January.
and so we have a system with them of doing family night on Saturday and
then church on sunday. they have made so much progress in the past two
weeks! they have come to church on their own! like without their mom!
they actually want to be there! it's been so amazing watching them grow.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280267">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280269">
Also
yesterday after church a lady walked up to us and asked us if we could
start teaching her son who is 11 and ready to be baptized! yay
covenants! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280271">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280273">
Alright
here's another cool thing. so my first day here we decided to go visit a
lady that the sisters had briefly talked to before. we met her and
asked her about her holidays and she told us that her sister had passed
away and so we immediately started testifying of the plan of salvation
and asked her if we could come back to share more. So we went back this
past week and OH MY GOSH. she is so great! She has been doing family
history work for a long time. Her reason for doing it has been because
she feels like God needs her to do it, even though her family thinks
it's dumb. She also told us about how she has ancestors that were
pioneers! what the. craziness. She also told us that she believes in
continuous revelation even though her church doesn't. I just love our
new friend.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280275">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280277">
I
am amazed about how many miracles I have been able to see the past
year. I've come to see that someone even being on a mission is a
miracle. and people accepting to meet with us is a miracle. there are so
many to see in the mission field. I'm so thankful for the past year. I
have learned things that have changed my life forever. I don't know how I
would have learned most of these lessons if I didn't serve a mission, I
know God loves me enough that I would learn them. I just don't know
how. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm grateful for:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-a family that supports me so very much.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-companions that have each changed my mission for the better</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-members that have showed me how to be a good member missionary when I'm home</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-times when I have felt that prayer was the only solution (because most of the time it is)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-people that I've been able to teach that have come to love the gospel</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-the clarity of mind that I've had because I'm focused on the work</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-days when I've felt that I just couldn't do it anymore, and the strength that I'm given</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-taking the sacrament each week and having a chance to be better</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-opportunities to face my fears (talking to strangers, big dogs, walking on ice)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-chances that I've had to see people discover that God does love them</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280303">
-fully relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ because most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280301">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280299">
-being exactly where I'm needed at exactly the right time</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280281">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280279">
-recognizing my weaknesses and having that resources to fix them </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280283">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280285">
-being able to see people for their true potential</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280287">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280296">
-feeling the love of Heavenly Father and The Savior on a daily basis</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280294">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love this work. so so much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you guys!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280292">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421778829699_280290">
sister oberfield </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-41777489259010610172015-01-05T15:00:00.001-08:002015-01-05T15:00:13.394-08:00My Heart - 1/5/15<div class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103298" role="presentation">
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103297" role="gridcell" style="text-align: center;" tabindex="0">
<div class="email-wrapped" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103296">
<div id="yiv5906003770">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103295">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103358">
guys
holy cow, can I just tell you how much I love the mid west? who
would've thought that I southern Illinois would end up being my most
favorite place. okay maybe I just love the Midwest in general. or maybe I
just love my mission, I don't know I don't make the rules.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103354">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103353">
but this past week was awe$ome. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103375">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103300">
-leaving
O'Fallon was bitter sweet. those people are amazing and I love them, so
I was sad to leave. but just so grateful that I was able to see the
area grow so much when I was there. I was content with leaving it, happy
with what had happened there. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103299">
<br /></div>
<div>
-transfer meeting. I'm slowly realizing all the friends I've made on my mission are going home. it's actually super sad. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103294">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103376">
-MLC.
wow okay, this was probably my favorite part of the whole week. we met
together as mission leadership in st Louis. Last year our goal for the
mission was 521 baptisms, sadly we fell short. and so we were counseling
about a new yearly goal. and we came up with the goal of 453. seems
random, huh? well guess what, it's totally not because it was so
inspired! So we had come up with 450 initially because it seemed like a
pretty safe number. but something just didn't feel right about it. so an
elder pulls out the suggestion of doing 453 because of what is said in
Alma 45:3</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103377">
<span id="yiv5906003770chunk20001">"And </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20002">Helaman </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20003">said </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20004">unto </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20005">him: </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20006">Yea, </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20007">I </span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20008">believe</span><span id="yiv5906003770chunk20009">."</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103379">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103378">lkdshfofids
oh my gosh. 453 is so right. I'm so excited for this year in the
mission. So many miracle are going to be happening. They've already
started!</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103380">
<span></span><br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103382">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103381">I
said goodbye to sister Huppi at MLC, she'll be leaving in about 5
weeks. I'm so grateful for everything she taught me over the past year.
She taught me to be fearless. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103383">
<span></span><br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103384">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103385">-Glen
Carbon, IL (everytime I say this I think of Glen Coco) is the best. I'm
loving it so far. Sister Bailey is great, I'm convinced that we were
friends before we came to earth. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103387">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103386">We
are teaching some amazing people here. one of them is a young couple,
they are expecting their first baby in May and want her to have a good
foundation. The husband, Brent, didn't grow up in the best circumstances
and neither of them grew up believing in God. They actually really only
believed in some kind of higher energy. But since they've been meeting
with the missionaries the past few weeks their faith has grown so much.
now they're praying to God to help them find their wallet! ah so
awesome. I love seeing how people change their lives for God. How they
strive to get rid of old habits and make new ones. I love seeing people
figure it out for themselves. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103388">
<span></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span>my
heart is just over flowing this week. I'm so grateful for my mission,
it truly is a miracle. I've learned so much in the past 3 months that it
is a miracle for anyone to come on a mission. Heavenly Father is so
aware of each of our circumstances, I have a firm testimony of that. His
hand is in each of our lives.</span></div>
<div>
<span></span><br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103398">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103397">I
could never deny the truthfulness and the power of this gospel. It has
changed so many lives, I've been blessed to see just a glimpse of that.
one of my favorite moments as a missionary is when you're talking to
someone and you have the overwhelming feeling of love for them. and you
know nothing about them, you just love them right then and there. that
love comes from Heavenly Father. I know it does.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103396">
<span></span><br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103395">
<span>my heart is happy, full, and hopeful.</span></div>
<div>
<span></span><br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103394">
<span>love </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103392">
<span>sister oberfield</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103392">
<span> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103392">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103392">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103392">
<img height="401" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_104815" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f11783085%5fALjmjkQAABLHVKrvswrwyOy5Uqg&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="535" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_103392">
<span><img height="399" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420482972861_104957" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f11783085%5fALjmjkQAABLHVKrvswrwyOy5Uqg&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="535" /> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-42084972326736563892014-12-30T09:28:00.002-08:002014-12-30T09:28:28.474-08:00Santa is Coming - 12/22/14<div style="text-align: center;">
hi guys! guess what!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44961" style="text-align: center;">
SANTA IS
COMING!!!! SANTA IS COMING!!! okay i just really wanted to quote elf,
but I promise i understand the real meaning of Christmas. and i hope all
of you do so i won't go on a rant and rave about it. just know that i'm
grateful for the love of our Father in Heaven so that we are able to
enjoy the blessings of the birth of the Savior. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44960" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44959" style="text-align: center;">
okay
but i don't even know how another week has passed and i'm already
emailing you guys again! This past week was amazing! we had so many
opportunities to help people prepare their hearts for the Christmas
season! He is the Gift is the best thing ever! I'm so grateful for how
many people are prepared to receive this message. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44958" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44954" style="text-align: center;">
We
have been able to see the hard work of so many other missionaries and
people before us pay off this transfer. Most of the people we are
teaching were either taught by missionaries before or someone in the
ward has been working on sharing the gospel with them for a long time.
The area has just been growing so much in the past few weeks. O'Fallon
has been like a sleeping giant for a long time and is now just taking
off! We have been consistently finding people to teach and helping them
progress in the gospel! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44963" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44964" style="text-align: center;">
I
don't have much to say in this email because i'll be able to talk to
you all on Thursdayayayyaya! it's going to be so good! This is the best
Christmas season ever. I'm so grateful to be a missionary right now, so
many great things are happening and i don't know how i got so lucky to
be apart of it. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44965" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44966" style="text-align: center;">
i love you guys and i'll see you in a few days!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44967" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44968" style="text-align: center;">
loves from st louis</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_44969" style="text-align: center;">
sister oberfield</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-71207109867764825302014-12-30T09:26:00.001-08:002014-12-30T09:26:42.747-08:00& a happy new year - 12/29/14<div style="text-align: center;">
hello!!! long time no see! or talk i guess. but really, talking to you
guys made this the best christmas! I loved seeing you and all your happy
faces. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16568" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16567" style="text-align: center;">
There isn't much to say since we were able to talk a few days ago but i do have wonderful news! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16566" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16560" style="text-align: center;">
I'M
GOING BACK TO ILLINOIS! the state that holds my heart (besides az and
where i began my mission so many months ago (12..)!!! and guess what, it
gets even better. I'm going to be with Sister Bailey! she's from
Gilbert! anddddddd!!!! I get to go on exchanges back to Salem! oh man,
this has been the secret with of my heart this transfer and it's
happening!! it's going to be so good. so so good. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16434" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16565" style="text-align: center;">
I'm
sad to be leaving O'fallon, but content with it at the same time. I've
been able to see amazing things happen here and I'm so grateful for the
time that i've been able to spend here. but i guess change is the only
thing that is consistent on the mission. i love it though. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16569" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16570" style="text-align: center;">
I
love the Missouri St Louis mission so so much. my heart is just so full
of love and sometimes i don't know if i could love it even more, but i
do. each day it grows.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16571" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16572" style="text-align: center;">
and
i love you guys! you are a huge help each day. i don't know how i could
fully explain how much the prayers, words or encouragement, and love
helps. i love you!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16562" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16573" style="text-align: center;">
love </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16574" style="text-align: center;">
sister oberfield</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16575" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16576" style="text-align: center;">
christmas breakfast!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16564" style="text-align: center;">
<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16563" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f11044604%5fACnmjkReuK7yVKGZ6%2fjcDBA7mHo&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16578" style="text-align: center;">
sister fernandez!<br /><img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16577" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f11044604%5fACnmjkReuK7yVKGZ6%2fjcDBA7mHo&m=YaDownload&pid=4&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />presents at the bowmans! Their daughter asked their elf of the shelf if santa could come visit us too. i love her</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16590" style="text-align: center;">
<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16589" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f11044604%5fACnmjkReuK7yVKGZ6%2fjcDBA7mHo&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CHRISTMAS JAMMIES!!!!!!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419960034934_16583" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f11044604%5fACnmjkReuK7yVKGZ6%2fjcDBA7mHo&m=YaDownload&pid=5&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-3995491262369856512014-12-30T08:59:00.005-08:002014-12-30T08:59:57.324-08:0011/18 - 12/15/14<div style="text-align: center;">
yupp. that number is getting up there. raise your hand if you're
starting to freak out? just kidding, i told myself i can't freak out
about it until it starts to get warm again. (we'll see how that goes).</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102562" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102564" style="text-align: center;">
Hey
thank you guys so much for everything you did for my birthday. it was
such a good day and i'm so grateful to have so much love and support
from such an amazing family. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102530" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102521" style="text-align: center;">
so
this past week was one of those blur weeks. We had a few exchanges! I
was able to go to Parkway with sister Robertson. She is amazing! You
know those people who just radiate love and charity? That's sister
Robertson. She never missed an opportunity to tell someone she loved
them! and here's the great thing, she truly means it! She didn't just go
around throwing i love yous on people, but she just served so many
people in small ways and then she would express he love for them. I
learned a lot from her. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102566" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also had a great Sabbath yesterday! There was so much focus on the spirit of Christmas. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102569" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102568" style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8999996185303px;">"We
all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a diffrence
between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of
ourselves-giving of the riches of the heart and mind-and therefore more
enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at a store,"</span><br style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8999996185303px; outline: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8999996185303px; outline: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8999996185303px;">-James E. Foust</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102572" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102575" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102574" style="color: black;">President
Morgan sent us this quote and i just love it. I love this time of year
when people are seeking to give good gifts and just express their love
to others. i am constantly reminded that the gift of the restoration of
the gospel is the greatest gift we could give another person, and the
gift of the Atonement is the greatest gift that we've been given. So
many opportunities are unfolded to us because of them. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102578" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102581" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102580" style="color: black;">Since i've been out for 11 months I wanted to tell you about 11 people who have changed my mission.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102584" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102587" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102586" style="color: black;">1.
Sister Huppi- my trainer! She set the tone of diligence and relying on
the spirit for my whole mission. Those two things have changed the
outcome of many situations out here, including the love i have towards
my mission. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102589" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">2.
The Martin Family- they are a family we were able to teach in Salem.
They are still going to church and their oldest daughter is getting
baptized soon and Brother Martin will be the one who baptizes her! I
only hear great things about them now, how they are striving to live the
gospel and become an eternal family.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102527" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">3.
Sadie Leavitt- my second companion! and one of my best friends. She
continues to be a huge support even though she is home. We had such a
fun time together and were able to see many man miracles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">4.
The Beganovic family- a family i was able to teach in St Louis Hills.
Oh man, teaching them was the best. We had so many laughs and
spirit-filled lessons. It was amazing to watch the spirit teach them
with the language barrier. They are still doing super great, and their
kids are now being taught!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102592" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102591" style="color: black;">5.
Leona- oh man. Leona is a huge miracle on my mission. it was when we
were in a lesson with her that i just knew without a doubt in my mind
that i was supposed to teach her. she isn't one who just rushes into
things, especially making a promise with God. She truly understood the
doctrine and loved it. She was baptized a few weeks ago and i was so
blessed to be able to go back to see it, her husband was able to baptize
her and she was just glowing. Next step: eternal family! yay!</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102528" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">6.
Sister 'Alofaki- with her i learned the real meaning of humility. she
was so willing to learn, from the second she got there. Watching her
grow has been so great.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">7.
Sister Christenson- the mission nurse! She has been one of my best
friends out here. Her husband passed away last year and she came on a
mission shortly after. She helps the missionaries so much, and we all
love her. She has such a sweet spirit and is such a good example of
righteous living.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">8.
President and Sister Morgan- part of the reason i was called to serve
here in St Louis is so i could serve with them. They have so much love
for the missionaries and they help us so much to live to our potential.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102529" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">9.
Sister Scott- well now she's Brooke. We had so much fun and she taught
me a lot about the process of progression and how everything we go
through in life is a part of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">10.
B & W Brown- they have a special place in my heart. Teaching
families has been the biggest blessing as a missionaries and i'm so
grateful for this family. they are so ready to make the right choices
for their little boy. i love them.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102593" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102596" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102595" style="color: black;">11.
Jesus Christ- more than anything i've come to know and feel what it
means to have a Savior. There have been times where I've wished more
than anything for someone to progress in the gospel or for someone to
just listen to what we have to say, it doesn't always happen in the
timing that i want, but i've come to know that there is a time for
everyone and a specific love that He has for each of us. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102598" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">I'm grateful for that.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419818158159_102609">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-68645554422264165202014-12-14T21:17:00.001-08:002014-12-14T21:17:23.963-08:00Happy, Happy, Happy - 12/8/14<div style="text-align: center;">
that's the only way i can describe how i feel! just so happy! This past
week was AMAZING. no seriously guys, miracles happened every day. just
small and simple miracles that have just made me so grateful to be here
and to have you guys as my family. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234532" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234571" style="text-align: center;">
We
were able to get a referral from a missionary who used to serve in this
area last week for the smith family. holy cow! talk about being
prepared. They took the discussions for a while and were working really
hard to all be baptized together but then they moved to Texas on what
has supposed to be their baptism date.. Things didn't work out in Texas
and so they came back to Missouri to the same house they lived in
before. We would have never gone back there because on their teaching
record it said they had moved, but because the sister who is home now
kept in contact with them we were able to know that they are back! they
are super excited to have sisters be teaching them again and i'm so
grateful to be teaching another family! Teaching families has been the
greatest times of my mission. I never realized how big a blessing it was
until i was talking to a missionary about the Smiths and he said that
he has always wanted to teach a family. I thought about it for awhile
and realized that i've been able to teach atleast one family at all
times on my mission. whether it be the parents, the child in the family
who wasn't baptized yet, or the spouse who wasn't baptized yet. and then
i remembered about how before my mission i would just always say how i
was excited to teach families like how the missionaries had taught mine.
That was definitely a wish of my heart that I've been so so blessed to
be able to do. I'm excited to be able to help the Smiths and for the fun
memories that are ahead of us!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234572" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234573" style="text-align: center;">
other
miracles we saw this week are mostly about the sisters that we get to
go on exchanges with. They all have been working so hard and been
striving to be diligent and the Lord is just pouring out blessings to
all of them! and also with the ward members here in O'fallon! They all
are such amazing people and really strive to share the gospel with their
friends. The He is the Gift video has been a huge help, it has helped
them be more comfortable with sharing their beliefs with the people
around them. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234574" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234575" style="text-align: center;">
This
is an exciting time to be a missionary and to be sharing the gospel!
The Lord has prepared soo many people to accept the gospel at this time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234576" style="text-align: center;">
I'm
so grateful for all of you guys and all of your love that i feel every
week out here! This past week i just have been overwhelmed with love for
all of you! you guys are the best and we make a pretty good family.
even though we're a different one, i think we're pretty great.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234586" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234577" style="text-align: center;">
love</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234587" style="text-align: center;">
sister oberfield</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234585" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_234588" style="text-align: center;">
ps still a little weirded out that i'm 20 now. what the</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-88008152232699780812014-12-14T21:16:00.001-08:002014-12-14T21:16:15.035-08:00December 1 - 12/1/14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223205" style="text-align: center;">
holy c*w you guys! it's already december! Before you know it it's going to be Christmas! okay, i'm getting ahead of myself. <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223352">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223204">
but this past week was one of those "little bit of everything" weeks. We laughed, we cried, we were happy. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223358">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223368">
The laughs:</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223369">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223370">
Guess
who i got to see on Thanksgiving? It starts with a sadie and ends with a
leavitt!! Sister sadie leavitt! crazy that we were companions when i
was a little baby missionary. but she came to st louis for thanksgiving
and we got to spend time together at the mission home! We had lots of
laughs just like we did back in Salem, Illinois! </div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223371" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Inline image 1" height="480" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223372" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f142805%5fALjmjkQAABEWVHyqHQRNkO0BLOY&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="480" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223394" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223397" style="text-align: center;">
i love her.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223398" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223399" style="text-align: center;">
The
cries: Okay i don't want to dwell on this one but it was challenging
this week to be away. but once again, there's nothing that prayers,
working and a priesthood blessing can't fix! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223400" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223401" style="text-align: center;">
The
happies: is happies even a word? well it is now! but seriously, even
though this was one of the harder weeks of my mission, we came out of it
so happily! Sister fernandez and i are both certain that we are here
for a certain reason. and together for a specific reason, also. This
work is happy, this gospel is the gospel of happiness. we have happy
endings and we are promised them! I love this work.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223402" style="text-align: center;">
A
part of why it's been so happy this week is because we have been
working so hard and more importantly we're taking the time that we have
to study every morning to really know the Savior. I've seen the direct
connection between knowing the Savior and being happy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This
past week we have been going crazy with He is the Gift! We gave a
training at ZLT on Tuesday and it was all about He is the Gift. and then
we had to go to some district meeting on Wednesday and gave it again 3
more times! We learned soo much by doing this! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223379" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223393" style="text-align: center;">
I
was also able to go on exchanges with a wonderful sister from Gilbert!
She just graduated from Highland in May. I love being able to spend time
with other sisters and hear their stories and help them.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223391" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_223390" style="text-align: center;">
i love you guys! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-20534409822439514932014-12-14T21:14:00.001-08:002014-12-14T21:14:19.130-08:00a happy heart and a soon to be full belly - 11/24/14<div style="text-align: center;">
hi guys!!! this past week was so good! I was kind of all over the place, location wise and mentally. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211091" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211092" style="text-align: center;">
Monday
and Tuesday i was in Frontenac with some sisters there because sister
scott went home! It was fun to be there because the houses are soo
pretty. seriously, google them. It reminded me of St Louis Hills with
all of the brick and just everything being a little busier. i sure do
love the city. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211093" style="text-align: center;">
Wednesday
we had transfer meeting! my favorite meeting!! I love seeing the new
missionaries coming in and all the friends i've made out here! well
anyway i have to tell you guys something that happened in the mission on
wednesday. So two elders were coming into St Louis from Farmington, MO
to get a new car and they were driving north and a semi was driving
south and the semi's front left tire blew out and jumped over the middle
thing and flew over the elders car. it took off the top of their car.
One of the them, Elder O, had to get surgery to stop the bleeding in his
brain. But they both were in ICU. So of course at this point all we
could do was pray for them and pray that the doctors would know how to
help them and that their families would be okay. The power of prayer and
fasting is so real. By Friday they were both out of ICU and Saturday
they were both released from the hospital. They aren't back to working
in their area but they are resting well at the mission home. It really
is a miracle that they are alive, and even more of a miracle because of
how well they are doing. but just because they are doing so well now
doesn't mean we can stop praying! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211094" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211095" style="text-align: center;">
Thursday
was the first day that we were really back in our area to work! We had
district meeting and then we tried to see some people, but no one was
home. and when i say no one, i mean it. so we decided that we'd do some
transfer planning and then go back out and work. and the second time we
went out was so much better! We had a lesson with our investigator, B.
Her husband is a member but hasn't been to church consistently in a long
time. But they just had a baby and are so ready to come to church! we
invited her to pray about when she should be baptized and we're going to
be setting a specific date with her this week! They also came to church
on Sunday again! The O'Fallon ward has welcomed them so much, it's
great to see these friendships being made. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211097" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211098" style="text-align: center;">
On
Friday we were BACK in st louis for MLC. And guess what?!!??! Something
great is coming! (i'm not talking about the second coming) But there is
a super awesome video for christmas that the church released! It's
called "He Is The Gift" </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211099" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211100" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watch it! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
discover it, embrace it, and share it. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211101" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(side note: i didn't go on youtube to get the link, i got it from mormon.org:))</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211102" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211103" style="text-align: center;">
This
is going to be a big focus of our transfer! The video is estimated to
have about 22 million views and is going to be in times square, and the
main ad on youtube on december 7th *cough*the day before my
birthday*cough* </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211104" style="text-align: center;">
it's going to be huge! and so many people have been prepared to accept the gospel through this video!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211105" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sister
Fernandez and i are doing great! She's so sweet. and we just both love
to do missionary work so we have been working like crazy with the time
that we've had in our area this week. She is from utah and has been out
for about 16 months! i love her.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211115" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211113" style="text-align: center;">
have
a good week fam bam! I love you and i'll be thinking about you! We have
a full day on Thursday, we'll be with members and then at the mission
home, so i will be well fed and taken care of! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_211111">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-18370016963730444922014-12-14T21:12:00.004-08:002014-12-14T21:12:55.285-08:0010 - 11/17/14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195007" style="text-align: center;">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195006">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195005">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195004">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195003">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195002">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195001">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_195000">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_194999">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_194998">
so this week was.... very... eventful. and that's not even sarcastic, it was crazy busy. <br /></div>
10.
it happened. it snowed. okay let me rephrase that, it hasn't stopped
snowing since like saturday night. its crazy, i'm still trying to get
used to the fact that it's going to be this cold for a few more months.
but the snow is so pretty when its falling. Sister Scott and i were
doing some planning for the week when it started snowing and we ran
outside and played in it. the child in me just couldn't be contained. I
finally get a white christmas!<br /></div>
9. We are teaching a lady
whose husband is a member and who just had a baby! She is so awesome, i
think i may have told you about her in past emails but i'm not too sure.
she didn't grow up in a church or anything but has loved how her
husbands family took her in. She loves the church and wants to raise the
baby in the church. But anyways. They told us they would be coming to
church this week and we were super excited. but then we got to church
and it was snowing so we weren't sure if they would be taking the baby
out in that weather. but guess what.. they totally did! and he was even
dressed in his little church outfit! The best part about this whole
thing is that his parents are in the ward that we share the building
with and his dad said that they have just been praying for the right
missionaries to come and help them come to church. i love knowing that
when we follow the promptings of the spirit, we can be instruments in
Heavenly Father's hands. <br /></div>
8. I finished the Book of Mormon
this week! woohoo! I know it's true! Reading it this time i marked all
the times it mentioned language (said, command, words, etc.) and it was
soo good! I love reading the Book of Mormon with a question or just
something to look for. Reading it looking for language has just
strengthened my testimony that God still speaks. He's guides us by
calling a prophet and by giving us personal revelation. <br /></div>
7.
i hit 10 months. hurrah for isreal! there were definitely times when i
never thought i'd make it, where i have really felt the prayers of you
guys and when i really just had to square my shoulders and just say
"i'll do it." thank you for everything! and here's to the next 8 months!
<br /></div>
6. So we got transfer calls.. and of course i knew i was
getting a new companion because sister scott went home this morning. But
my new companion is Sister Fernandez! She's great, well i've actually
never had a conversation with her but she's serving in the #gmslm (great
missouri st louis mission) so she has to be great, right?<br /></div>
5.
Yes, Sister Scott went home this morning. It was sad, we cried. and so
weird at the same time. We dropped her off at the mission home this
morning and I was talking to some missionaries that i've served around
that are going home and it just hit me that i have made some really good
friends on my mission. It's not really something that i expected to
gain on a mission, but there are so many people her (members,
investigators, other missionaries) that i just love. a whole lot. Sister
Scott and i had fun together, there wasn't a day that went by where we
didn't laugh. She's a great missionary, and she's going to do some great
things!<br /></div>
4. My goal for this past transfer was to finish
the Book of Mormon, but my goal for this transfer is to memorize The
Living Christ! It was talked about in conference how a group of young
women in Alaska memorized it, and i want to do it too! I'm pretty sure
they did this in Young Women's years ago, but I didn't do it then and so
i'll do it now! <br /></div>
3. O'Fallon is doing great! We have been
getting so many referrals and really focusing on helping members with
their missionary work and it's been going great! Some of the members are
helping a lot of Less Actives which is so good because helping people
come back to the gospel is just as important and helping them come into
the gospel. <br /></div>
2. we made cookies&wore cute aprons<br /><img height="303" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f559488%5fALjmjkQAABDyVGosvQ2oGNml%2fo4&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="404" /><br /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. so remember when i was in st louis hills and we taught a lady named Leona the whole time? well guess what. <br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHE GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and guess what else<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE GOT TO GO TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my
heart was bursting the entire time. During it she bore her testimony
and in it she thanked all the missionaries who had taught her and never
gave up on her. She was sitting with her husband, who baptized her, and
she daughter and during it all i could think about was how they will be
an eternal family. <br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being there and seeing them made
all the hard times worth it. there is no greater joy that has come to my
life than that of helping families become eternal. I love them, and I
love this gospel and what it can do for us. and i love you guys. a lot a
lot a lot a lot. <br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
never forget it.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-46708429282661470862014-12-14T21:11:00.004-08:002014-12-14T21:11:35.572-08:00Novemberrrrrr - 11/10.14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178947" style="text-align: center;">
hey
guys! so this week went by crazy fast! Which was good because it was a
pretty tough week. not very many people were wanting to meet with us,
but thats okay because this next week is going to be a lot better! <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178956">
<br /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178955">
So
this email has to be so short because i've been using my (very little)
sign language skills the past 30 minutes to help a lady change her phone
number. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178982">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178957">
its
getting cold here! super super cold! but i'm trying to stick it out so i
am not so cold when the snow comes (which could be at the end of this
week). I can't believe that it's about to snow again! it feels like it
was just snowing but i guess seasons change here or something? it's not
like arizona where its just hot and hotter. haha</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178989">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178990">
lots
of big things will be happening this coming week! Sister Scott is going
home on monday so this will be our last week together. Sad, i know. But
18 months is a long time so there is some excitement. She has been an
amazing companion and i'm so lucky that i was able to be with her. She's
going to do some great things! I'm excited to know who my new companion
will be, and to see how Ofallon does next transfer. We have some great
things coming up and i'm excited.</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178981">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178958">
So
the post office is no longer forwarding mail or something like that and
so the mission office will no longer be able to forward the mail so all
the mail will have to be sent to my address which is </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178980">
7103 Huzzah Dr.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178974">
Lake St Louis, MO 63367</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178975">
If i get transferred I'll let you know what the new one is but I don't think i'll be leaving!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178979">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178959">
Thank
you guys so much for everything you do! It was a pretty tough week with
the work which made me miss home a bit but I know i'm supposed to be
here and your support makes it so much easier. I have been thinking
about the phrase "be the missionary your family thinks you are" and that
gives me lots of motivation everyday! Motivation to work hard and to be
obedient!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178991">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178960">
oh
and here's a big surprise! I'm going back blonde! A member in the ward
did my hair last week and because it was so dark we were really only
able to get it to a carmel color, but it's making its way back!! and i
chopped it! crazy, but i'm loving it. </div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178992" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178967" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178993" style="text-align: center;">
love</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178961" style="text-align: center;">
sister oberfield</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Inline image 1" height="404" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_178962" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f685627%5fALjmjkQAABd8VGEH7QPcSOtcy4I&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="538" /></div>
<span class="addconvtitle"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-55725234135711965262014-12-14T21:07:00.001-08:002014-12-14T21:07:11.728-08:00Happy Halloween - 11/3/14<div class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163392" role="presentation">
<div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163391" role="gridcell" style="text-align: center;" tabindex="0">
<div class="email-wrapped" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163390">
<div id="yiv3204933219">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163389">
Hii
guys! I hope you all had a happy halloween! I wish you could see the
way people decorate out here. It's a little scary. I've decided my
favorite halloween decorations are lollipop ghosts that you put on the
tree. <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163540">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163539">
This
past week was really really good! It's been great to see how the area
is improving. It just reminds me that we won't always see how much good
we do. missionaries have been working really hard here for a long time
and it's all paying off! A lot of really cool things happened this week!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163388">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163534">
1. a member of the 70 came to our stake conference</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163538">
2.
the member of the 70 asked sister scott and i to do a role play (or
demonstration) of how to help members with their missionary work</div>
<div>
3. it was terrifying</div>
<div>
4. afterwards we received 5 referrals</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163546">
5. one of the referrals is actually very interested</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163548">
1.
Elder Martino from the 70 came to the stake because the stake president
here was released! Elder Martino is super nice and we actually had a
chance to talk to him for a little and he gave us so many tips and ideas
of how to get members more involved with the missionary work here.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163549">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163550">
2.
President Morgan called us Friday night and told us that Elder Martino
needed to missionaries to help him during the saturday night session of
stake conference. We were called up in the middle of the meeting with a
family from the ward to basically demonstrate how missionaries should
help members with the missionary work.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163551">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163552">
3.
i normally am pretty fine with speaking in front of people, a little
nervous but it's all good once i get up there. but this time was a bit
different. not going to lie i had nervous butterflies up there on the
stand. and do you know how hard it is to stand naturally in front of 300
people?! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4. After the meeting and on Sunday
morning some members came up to us and gave us some referrals of friends
and family that they know that they feel are ready to hear about the
gospel! It was so cool! Sister Scott and I were just amazed! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5.
We got one referral from the stake president, he wants us to see a lady
who is going through some really hard times. She is a newly single mom
of 4 kids all under the age of 6, both of her parents are religious but
she doesn't have a church that she attends right now, her dad actually
asked the stake member if he could send missionaries to see her so she
had no idea that we had been asked to visit her and so when we knocked
on her door we didn't know how she would react. We told her that we
share a message of happiness and she asked us if we could come back! We
left her porch feeling overwhelmed with the love that Heavenly Father
has for her. So many prayers are being said for her.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163553">
This
week was great and we have another one coming up! It's getting pretty
cold here, cold enough that i rolled out my winter suit case. We had
daylight savings yesterday and of course i was confused beyond belief
(arizona problems). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
loving missionary life</div>
<div>
loving sister scott</div>
<div>
loving missouri</div>
<div>
loving o'fallon</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163560">
loving the lord</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
sister oberfield</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163555">
<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_163554" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f2%5f53663%5fADLnjkQB3v%2f4VFfH0tAwDrc8OFM&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Sent&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
<div>
this happened also.. i promise i'm a good driver, i really did try to avoid it.<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span class="addconvtitle"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-20107923583280172392014-12-14T21:05:00.001-08:002014-12-14T21:05:34.655-08:00Service Project - 10/27/14<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi guys! another great week here in the Missouri St Louis mission!
Seriously, I love this place. I've been experiencing my first fall and
i'm just loving it. all these different colored leaves are so pretty.
Things have been looking up in Ofallon! We had the best week yet this
past week! We were able to meet with all but 2 of our investigators and
find two new investigators!!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148685" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148686" style="text-align: center;">
the people:</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148650" style="text-align: center;">
So
the Ofallon ward is great. They are all so willing to help out and we
have a dinner appointment every night until the 17th of November.. once
again, you don't have to worry about me going hungry. Every time we had
an opportunity for a member to be with us at a lesson this week there
was no trouble trying to find someone. Everyone has been very kind to
us! Even the ones who don't want to listen to us! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148651" style="text-align: center;">
One
really cool thing that I saw this week was how people respond
differently when you just love them. We we tracting a few days ago and
an older lady opened the door and she was pretty determined to let us
know she was catholic right away. We introduced ourselves and i saw that
she was wearing a super pretty ring, so i commented on it and we ended
up having an entire conversation about rings, then we ended up talking
to her about the gospel. she still wasn't interested, but I walked away
feeling a love for this lady and I'm pretty sure she felt loved also.<br /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148652">
So
we are teaching a lady named Jennifer who is sosososo awesome! She is
so sweet and loves the message we share. basically everything we teach,
she already believes in. We've only been able to meet with her twice
this week, but hopefully this coming week we will be setting a baptism
date with her!</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148653" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148657" style="text-align: center;">
the learning: </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148658" style="text-align: center;">
"love the people, work hard, and be<b> obedient</b>"
emphasizing the be obedient part! I have gained a HUGE testimony of
obedience over the past 9 months. Obedience to the Lord's commandment
gives us freedom. I've seen how true this is this past week as i've been
able to directly relate miracles and tender mercies that we've seen
back to being obedient. The times that i've been the happiest out here
have been when i've been exactly obedient. I wish this was something
that was just understood, but i've seen that it's something that has to
be learned by experience. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148659" style="text-align: center;">
here's my motto: </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148660" style="text-align: center;">
obedience: just do it. *insert nike swoosh*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148661" style="text-align: center;">
Well
you guys, I love you lots! Thank you for everything you do and all your
support! Have fun on Halloween and be safe! I'll be in the apartment at
5, so you don't have to worry about me! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148662" style="text-align: center;">
love</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sister oberfield</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148663" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh. p.s. i got interviewed at the ofallon day of service! so here's that #awkward picture (do people still hashtag?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148665" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Inline image 1" height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148664" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f857533%5fAIQaDUwAAA%2fCVE6GEAaAENGlBAg&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Inline image 2" height="544" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_148672" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f857533%5fAIQaDUwAAA%2fCVE6GEAaAENGlBAg&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="408" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-68396214654920940252014-12-14T21:03:00.006-08:002014-12-14T21:03:47.969-08:00Other funnies that didn't make email - 10/20/14<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="544" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134317" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f901069%5fAGgaDUwAAA%2b3VEVPWAdTAJlr31Y&m=YaDownload&pid=4&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="408" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134373" style="text-align: center;">
me being brave. there was a spider in the apartment and so i vaccumed it up. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134372" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134335" style="text-align: center;">
<img height="544" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134334" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f901069%5fAGgaDUwAAA%2b3VEVPWAdTAJlr31Y&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="408" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how i really felt </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134351" style="text-align: center;">
<img height="544" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134350" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f901069%5fAGgaDUwAAA%2b3VEVPWAdTAJlr31Y&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="408" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<br /></div>
me </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lol</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_134349" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-26693957287054874582014-12-14T21:00:00.004-08:002014-12-14T21:00:34.962-08:00A week worth writing about - 10/20/14<div style="text-align: center;">
if i could even remember what happened. i don't know why it's so hard to
remember. and you would think i would start making note of these things
considering how often i do this. maybe one day i'll get the hang of it,
i don't know i don't make the rules. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120480" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120476" style="text-align: center;">
This week was busy, it was full of talking to people, getting to know then area and talking to people.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120351" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120482" style="text-align: center;">
Last
Tuesday (last time i talked to you guys) we had service in the middle
of our pday and ending up just going out and working after we did
service.. but we were able to talk to people and see some people who
haven't been visited in a long time! and that night we had to prepare a
training for ZLT (a meeting with all the missionaries in the zone)
(sorry i feel like i need to write a missionary lanuage dictionary). so
that day was super off, but it was a good day!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120483" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120484" style="text-align: center;">
Then
we had two ZLTs this week (because we are in one zone and are over
another zone) kind of confusing. That we were able to give a training on
prayer and finding people to teach. it was good. i really love
teaching, and even more than that i love teaching the gospel. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120485" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120487" style="text-align: center;">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120486">
So
here's a goal that sister scott and i have for this transfer: 350
street lessons. a street lesson is when we talk to someone and invite
them to do something (go to <a href="http://mormon.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mormon.org</a>,
meet with us, take a book of mormon, etc.). but this goal has been one
of the greatest motivators i've had my whole mission! it's awesome to be
able to see the Lord's hand in this work by talking to as many people
as we can. since none of our investigators were able to meet this past
week we were in finding mode like this entire week, visiting potentials,
formers, just basically anyone we felt we needed to see we did. and i'm
going to be honest sunday afternoon i started to get a little
frustrated. Melissa, a little girl i taught in St Louis Hills, got
baptized yesterday and we were close enough to be able to go to it. It
was so good to see her make that promise and see people in the ward that
i had come to love and see sister 'alofaki! but it really made me miss
it, and miss the area. and it kind of made me frustrated that it's been
so hard to find people to teach. We were driving back to our area and i
was thinking about it and praying (in my mind) and just telling Heavenly
Father that i was a little flustered and i didn't want to be. like who
wants to be flustered when on the Lord's errand?! no one. but i just
kept getting the feeling to be patient, because good things are going to
happen. well i didn't have to be patient for long because we went and
visited a potential that we have been trying to see all week and she was
finally home! (tender mercy number 1) then she told us that she has
been going through a super hard time and has been waiting for us to come
over! (tender mercy number 2) so we sit down with her and start telling
her what we do as missionaries and how our message will help her if she
chooses to accept it. The spirit was there and i know she felt it, she
told us she feels like this is something she needs to do. We left her
with a Book of Mormon and she told us that she'd start reading tonight. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120488" style="text-align: center;">
Heavenly
Father has been so so good to us this week. I think about the times
when i was discouraged, frustrated and maybe even a little teary eyed
this week and it was all worth it last night at 7pm when we met with
Erin. How great it is that we have a Heavenly Father who is so patient
and listens to our prayers no matter how imperfect we are. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120494" style="text-align: center;">
I'm grateful. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120492" style="text-align: center;">
<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120489" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f902203%5fAGoaDUwAABHrVEVOwwVbGMB3tXI&m=YaDownload&pid=4&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120535">
sister scott! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120536">
(yes i drive safely)<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120527" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f902203%5fAGoaDUwAABHrVEVOwwVbGMB3tXI&m=YaDownload&pid=5&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120547">
Elder Tindell, Elder Spencer, Sister Scott, me at ZLT!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120547">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120549">
<img height="408" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120555" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f902203%5fAGoaDUwAABHrVEVOwwVbGMB3tXI&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120562">
a missouri sunset. i love this place.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120562">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120563">
<img height="544" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120570" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f902203%5fAGoaDUwAABHrVEVOwwVbGMB3tXI&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="408" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_120563">
Melissa's baptism!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-68944182308391050492014-12-14T20:56:00.001-08:002014-12-14T20:56:28.337-08:00The glass is half full - 10/14/14<div style="text-align: center;">
WOAH WE'RE HALFWAY THERE! WOAHH LIVIN' ON A PRAYER! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107183" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107189" style="text-align: center;">
yes
it's true. i've been a missionary for 9 months. which means i hug you
guys in 9 months! and that i get 9 more months to give the Lord and the
people of Missouri everything i have. exciting stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nine things i've learned so far:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-a good day is when you talk to everyone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-when you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to His help</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107196" style="text-align: center;">
-you're given certain companions for certain reasons</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-missionaries are able to function on a heavenly capacity </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107197" style="text-align: center;">
-this work is about the souls and the love, not the numbers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-there are people prepared to hear the gospel every where</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107198" style="text-align: center;">
-the scriptures help us learn the language of the spirit</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107199" style="text-align: center;">
-the atonement is real.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-i've never been happier before in my life. i'm supposed to be here.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107200" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107202" style="text-align: center;">
okay
well enough trunkyness. this past week was crazy. crazy busy. and i
don't even know if i'll be able to give details that will do it
justice. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107203" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107204" style="text-align: center;">
My
last two days in St Louis Hills were great. I was able to see the
people that i was able to love for the past 4 and a half months! They
are so amazing and people that I hope to stay in contact with for a long
time. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107205" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107206" style="text-align: center;">
Then
we had transfers! and I'm not with Sister Scott! She goes home in six
weeks and is from Laguna Hills (she doesn't know the laguna beach cast
though, i already asked) She's great though! So laid back and just ready
to work. The area is great too! The ward is amazing! They feel like
home, so welcoming and so much love. I haven't been able to meet many of
our investigating friends so i'll share more about them next week!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107207" style="text-align: center;">
since
this week was so crazy i'm only going to tell you about two suuuuper
cool things. so Elder Sitati (a member of the 70) was out here
reorganizing a stake and so he came to talk to us too! We were lucky and
got to hear from him twice! once and MLC (mission leadership council)
and mission conference!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107222" style="text-align: center;">
MLC:
he talked to us specifically as leaders and how if anything is going to
change in the mission for the better it's going to start with the
leaders because president Morgan can't be in every district meeting or
study session. He also talked about how there is no such things as a
lost soul. just a soul who doesn't understand their potential. and he
gave us advice on how to help those around us who may not understand:
just love them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MISSION
CONFERENCE: wow so great! the entire mission was there! which is a big
deal. 100% chance that it'll never happen again. I got to see all the
sisters i came out with and sister huppi and everyone else that i love
lots. elder and sister sitati talked to us again on the driving force
behind our purpose. which is to share the happiness we have felt from
the gospel. and how humility qualifies us to receive help. wow is was
just so good. i wish i could have bottled it up and shipped it home so
you could take a sip. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107219" style="text-align: center;">
so
yeah, lots of crazy stuff! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, so pray
for us! it's going to be a good transfer though! we have great faith in
the area and awesome members! what more could we ask for?!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107218" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_107217" style="text-align: center;">
love you guys!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-54169198667036167272014-12-14T20:54:00.000-08:002014-12-14T20:54:06.803-08:00Long live General Conference - 10/6/14<div style="text-align: center;">
wow! okay what an awesome weekend! actually, what an awesome week! I
wish you guys could have seen all the good things that happened this
week. I love being a missionary.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94586" style="text-align: center;">
Monday:
so we have a new rule in the mission where elders and sisters can't
have p-days together. So last week we had a sisters p-day! We practiced a
song that we are singing for mission conference next week (yes i'm
participating. pray for me plz.) but it was great spending time with the
sisters! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94587" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94588" style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday:
We had district meeting! We talked about a talk Elder Holland gave in
the MTC back in 2000 called "The Miracle of a Mission" it's one of my
favorites that really changed the way i serve my mission. Rereading it
is a good reminder of the things I know Heavenly Father wants for me
(us). He wants us to work hard! "if you work really really hard and are
kind, amazing things will happen." There was also a relief society night
that night that we were able to go to because one of our investigators
was speaking at it! She did so good! The theme was joy and she gave a 5
minute presentation of how her gardening brings her joy! She's so great!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94589" style="text-align: center;">
Wednesday:
I GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE! I can only sum up that day in one word:
peaceful. the temple really is God's house here on Earth, the temple
standard is God's standard. It was great to go back, i've missed it.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94590" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94591" style="text-align: center;">
Thursday-Friday: normal work days! We have been working on finding people who are prepared.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94592" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94593" style="text-align: center;">
Saturday: okay so i'll talk about my highlights from general conference after i tell you the transfer news we got on saturday!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94594" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94595" style="text-align: center;">
So
Sister 'Alofaki will be staying here in St Louis Hills. It's sad
leaving her and the ward, but we have had amazing transfers together.
and the time i've spent in this area on my mission has been so great. I
love this ward, my companion, investigators and just the people that are
here. But just as always, when we get comfortable somewhere the Lord
gives us something else that will help us grow. and oh man, i've got
some growin' to do! i'm going to O'Fallon, Missouri! I'll be joining
Sister Scott to be an sister training leader (STL)! so to explain what
that is (in the best way that i can), Sister Scott and i are the sister
Leaders for the sister missionaries in two zones, or stakes. We'll go on
exchanges with them and help them with their sister missionary needs.
I'm excited for this opportunity to serve the Lord by serving the
sisters here! A little nervous, but it's going to be a fun transfer!
Sister Scott is great, i've met her before just briefly! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94596" style="text-align: center;">
okay, conference!!!!!!!!! it was so good! if you didn't get a chance to watch it you can on <a href="http://lds.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lds.org</a>!
it's worth it, my pinky promises! so it's going to be hard for me to
pick favorites and only tell you about those so i'm just going to write
the main points of what i got. WARNING: it's a pretty long list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-His mercy is the mighty healer to the wounded</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-each member of the church has a part in the body of the church, what you do does matter!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-we need everyone to join in the cause of Christ if we are going to succeed</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94597" style="text-align: center;">
-"Which way do you face?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-the Savior is our greatest example because he never forgot which way He faced</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-the sacrament is a spiritual experience that is to be had each week</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-obedience bring the power of the gospel into our lives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-to assist the Savior, we must work together to bring souls to him</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-freedom comes not from resisting but from applying</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94598" style="text-align: center;">
-take responsibility & go to work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-if we want to recognize truth, we must use the right instruments</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94599" style="text-align: center;">
-gaining a testimony is a quest of a lifetime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-if we do our part, it [truth] will come. and it will be glorious.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-the light that comes from living the gospel brings healing to our hearts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-we cannot lift others if we don't seek them</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-covenants cast us as combatants in the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-loving kindness is required, but like Christ, we must always be bold.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-avoid contention by approaching things as Christ would</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-adjust and secure our own spiritual oxygen masks (like on an airplane)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-enjoy the power of prayer, not the routine of prayer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-How is my confidence before God?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-when we allow Satan to feed us negative thoughts we are distancing ourselves from God</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-take responsibility for spiritual and temporal well being</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-embrace obedience</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-"When i do good, i feel good. when i do bad i feel bad" abe lincoln (my fav)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-become really really good at repenting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-be good at forgiving others</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-except trials trials. they are a time to improve.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-acknowledge our weaknesses, but don't let them control us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-the Savior is anxious for our confidence</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-marry someone (not that i think about marriage) who makes following the Savior easier</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-The Savior guides the footsteps for those whose steps are not sure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-knowing truth will not help us until we act upon these sacred invitations</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Christ's duty was to help the poor, even the poor in spirit. He has called us to help in this cause</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-"This
work is about love, not statistics" "what we do is a drop in the ocean,
but if we didn't do it, the ocean would be one drop less" mother
theresa</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-"who can put a price tag on the influence of a mother?" pres hinckley</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-don't take lightly the love i have for the prophet and for the Savior</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-we sustain the prophet by living the gospel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-unified in faith, purified in Christ</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-we take the sacrament to progress</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-decisions determine destiny</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-walking where he walked isn't as important as walking as he walked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-STAY IN THE BOAT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Be faithful to the captain of our souls</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-stay focused on the simple truths</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-faith welcomes the Atonement into our lives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-family prayer and scripture study is non-negotiable</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-we must not sacrifice our exaltation for the things of the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-"he who serves for some thing is good for something, he who serves for no thing is good for nothing"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- observe, then serve!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-seek heavenly help, not secular sources</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over all: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
be a more valiant disciple of Jesus Christ. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wow
okay that's a lot of notes and i'd be really shocked if any of you read
all of that. but i just loved conference! It truly was what the Lord
needed us all to hear!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94610" style="text-align: center;">
but
here's the catch, conference doesn't end with Amen! just like our
prayers shouldn't! we have to apply it! otherwise we really just watched
10 hours of tv over the past two weeks. I know i need to work on
acknowledging my weaknesses, but not letting them control me! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94609" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94608" style="text-align: center;">
I love conference, and i love this church. I love you guys and I love being a missionary. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94607" style="text-align: center;">
Most of all, I love the Savior. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94606" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94605" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94605" style="text-align: center;">
<img height="348" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94600" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1058171%5fAHIaDUwAABGDVDLKNgu0GK3ZeUo&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
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<img height="348" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94600" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1058171%5fAHIaDUwAABGDVDLKNgu0GK3ZeUo&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="544" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_94634" style="text-align: center;">
Temple trip with Sister Richardson! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-70303209727658489142014-12-14T20:48:00.002-08:002014-12-14T20:50:53.111-08:00The 3 b's - 9/29/14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291788" style="text-align: center;">
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<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291911">
So
i am seriously at a loss what to tell you guys because this week was so
fast and so good! So I'll just tell you about the b's of this last
week:</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291910">
baptisms</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291777">
bosnian</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291922">
broadcast<br />
<br />
and maybe some other things that have nothing to do with the letter b.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
BAPTISM</div>
-NURDIN
AND NAZA GOT BAPTIZED!!! and it was so great. The spirit was there,
they were there (kind of an important part), they were excited, and
everyone's heart was so happy!!! After they got baptized Naza was
talking to us and she said, in very broken english "i know i made the
right choice." Teaching them really has been a huge blessing and
highlight of my mission. They were so prepared to hear the gospel.
Really though, they're one of those families that Heavenly Father has
been preparing for years! This past week we taught them about temple and
eternal families, and with tears in their eyes they told us that they
want to be an eternal family. (who wouldn't want to live with their
family forever in the presence of God?) </div>
-one of our
investigators is sososososososo close to getting baptized! no seriously,
like she asked us if she could get baptized this next saturday. so keep
praying that the people here will be lead to the gospel because she is
definitely receiving inspiration to get baptized soon! We have been
working with her for a longgg time. months and months. and she won't
ever set a solid date.. but yesterday she told us she might want to this
weekend! so it could happen! it would definitely be a miracle, but i
don't doubt that she could feel ready and all the preparations could be
done this week. keeeep prayin'!!!!<br />
<br /></div>
BOSNIANS</div>
-so
this one isn't spiritual or anything but i'm just here to tell you guys
that bosnians make the best dessert. we brought a huge bosnian dessert
to district meeting. it was a hit. </div>
BROADCAST</div>
-on
Saturday we got to go to the mission home for dinner and then to the
broadcast with Sister Morgan! I forgot my notes but i remember three
major things from the broadcast.</div>
<br />
1. The temple is God's
house here on the Earth. They contain light and truth. And as children
of God we contain light and truth. Our bodies are literally temples of
God, we must do allll we can to keep them clean physically and
spiritually. I love the temple, and i love how all of what happens
inside reflects our Heavenly Father, just like how our homes reflect who
we are! </div>
2. Our actions reflect our priorities. This one
stuck out to me a lot because i feel like i'm constantly trying to put
the Lord first in my life, i haven't always done this and i'm no where
near perfect at it. But I'm grateful for the things that i've learned
that have changed my priorities over the past 8 months. </div>
3.
Heavenly Father is constantly pouring His blessing out to us, but we
often have umbrellas of doubt, fear, or pride that keep us from
receiving these blessings. </div>
This week was a good
one and this coming week is going to be super great because of.....*drum
roll*..........GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!! if only i had emoji's,
then i might be able to convey how excited i am. No seriously, it's
going to be awesome. okay i'll be serious now, i really encourage all of
you who are going to watch it to have a question in your heart as you
do so. Something one of these inspired speakers will say will be what
Heavenly Father wants you to hear. i promise. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love you
all and love all the support you give me. Thank you for being the family
that you are and helping me even when we're 2,000orsomething miles
away. I don't know if you guys know how much you help. i love you all
sososo much!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="398" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291923" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1104898%5fAGoaDUwAABBYVCmP5gAAAEf6AHA&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="530" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="398" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_291938" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1104898%5fAGoaDUwAABBYVCmP5gAAAEf6AHA&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="530" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shoutout to Naza and Nurdin Beganovic for literally glowing with the spirit!<br />
<br />
<img height="398" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_82314" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1103805%5fAHIaDUwAABJqVCmSSgAAAIWUIYU&m=YaDownload&pid=5&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="530" /><br />
<img height="398" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_82488" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1103805%5fAHIaDUwAABJqVCmSSgAAAIWUIYU&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="530" /><img height="398" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_82489" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1103805%5fAHIaDUwAABJqVCmSSgAAAIWUIYU&m=YaDownload&pid=4&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="530" /><img height="398" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418587895120_82495" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1103805%5fAHIaDUwAABJqVCmSSgAAAIWUIYU&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="530" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-89478885876616682162014-12-13T15:31:00.001-08:002014-12-13T15:31:27.215-08:00So much light - 9/22/14<div class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_255903" role="presentation">
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hi
fam bam! i feel like i just sent an email yesterday but i guess it has
been a week! This past week was really good! I don't think there was one
moment of "well what do we do now" we always had something to do this
week! which hardly ever happens, so i'm very grateful for it!<br /></div>
so here are my 3 highlights of the past week:<br /></div>
1.
Nurdin and Naza are getting baptized this Saturday! We thought we were
going to have to change it but then when we met with them and talked to
them about changing it, they looked heartbroken. we took it to Heavenly
Father because He knows them soooo much more than we ever will and we
felt so strongly that they're ready. yes, they don't always understand
perfectly what we're saying. but they feel the spirit. and they read the
Book of Mormon daily. and they LOVE the gospel. what more could we ask
from someone? none of us are ever perfect before we get baptized, or
even after. i'll be the first to stand up and say that i have a lot of
work to do until i become perfected. but that's okay because there is a
way provided for us to become perfect. Nurdin and Naza are on that path.
I'm so excited for them to receive the blessings of baptism. how great
is this gospel!<br /></div>
2. we had interviews with president morgan!
it was so nice to talk to him for a little bit! i told him all about
you guys, hope you don't mind, i just really love you guys. and he
assured me that i was doing a great job with training and the work,
which was exactly what i needed. sometimes i feel like i have no clue
what i'm doing (most of the time i don't), and so it's nice to know that
i'm doing okay and what the Lord needs me to be doing right now.<br /></div>
3.
so we visit a lady in the ward pretty often to read scriptures with her
and practice teaching. She's from Russia and is so sweet, she has had a
really hard life; he husband died in a war, her son also died, and her
daughter stole her identity (right? our problems probably aren't too big
anymore..) but anyways, she is the most honest, loving person i've met.
Well we went to go have a visit with her and got something we weren't
really expecting.. we were outside her house about to knock on the door
and we hear her frantically screaming inside. my heart dropped. i knew
something was wrong, and i was scared. so we decided to knock on the
door because leaving definitely did not feel right. So we knock.. and
she opens the door absolutely hysterical. screaming in russian and
falling all over the place. we walked in her house and everything seemed
normal, but she was still screaming trying to tell us what happened but
of course we can't understand her. we had no idea what to do.. and i
just kept thinking in my panicking mind "what would the Savior do? how
are we going to help her? what the heck even happened?" eventually we
got her to semi-settle down and said a prayer with her, and read some
scriptures. she told us that she had just been mugged and the police had
just left her house and she was so scared because they took her purse
and she had her keys and all of her cards in there. you're probably
wondering why this is a highlight, but i promise there's a reason! we
eventually called her visiting teacher who let her stay with her for a
few nights, who called her home teacher who changed the locks on the
house, who called the bishop who made sure all her cards were
deactivated. all through this i kept thinking "why would someone hurt
her? are people really that mean?" but then i stepped back, and i saw
the ward help, i saw the prayers being said, i saw the hugs, i saw the
service. i saw the good in this very chaotic world. there is still so
much good here. It reminds me of the mormon message when Elder Bednar
talks about light and says that even in a room that is pitch black, the
smallest amount of light will still be seen. <br /> "<span class="yiv5513020211"><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230000">t</span></span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230001">hat </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230002">which </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230003">is </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230004">of </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230005">God </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230006">is </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230007">light</span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230008">; </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230009">and </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230010">he </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230011">that </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230012">receiveth</span><span class="yiv5513020211"> </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230013">light</span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230014">, </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230015">and </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230016">continueth</span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230017"> in </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230018">God, </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230019">receiveth </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230020">more </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230021">light</span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230022">; </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230023">and </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230024">that </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230025">light </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230026">groweth </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230027">brighter </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230028">and </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230029">brighter </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230030">until </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230031">the </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230032">perfect </span><span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230033">day."</span></div>
<span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230033">D&C 50:24<br /></span></div>
<span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230033">Light is so interesting! Christ is light. He is the light of the world. <br /></span></div>
<span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230033">i love that light.<br /></span></div>
<span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230033"></span></div>
<span class="yiv5513020211" id="yiv5513020211chunk230033">p.s. don't be worried about my story, i promise i'm safe! :)</span></div>
</div>
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</div>
</div>
<span class="addconvtitle"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-76154315814326580112014-12-13T15:22:00.003-08:002014-12-13T15:23:47.699-08:008/18 - 9/15/14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232315" style="text-align: center;">
i'm excited today because i
can officially say i've been a sister missionary for 8 months! and that i
get to see you guys in 10 months! and that i still get to be a sister
missionary for 10 months! ahh! i love my life. i'm so blessed.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232328" style="text-align: center;">
well this past week was so good! so fast, and so good!</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232329" style="text-align: center;">
Monday:
we went to the arch! there was lots of construction and we didn't go
up, but there's an awesome park under the arch that's fun to walk
around. And then that night we got to meet with our super awesome
Bosnian investigators. We taught them the law of chastity and word of
wisdom. good news: they're already living it! woohoo! so we basically
just helped them recognize the blessing they've had from living it. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232341" style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday:
*sings the Tuesday song* we found a new investigator! his name is
Randy. He is meeting with us mostly because he "always hears such
negative things about Mormons and so he wants to hear what we're
actually about". and that's perfect because testimonies begin with
curiosity! He's agreed to read the book of Mormon and to continue to
meet with him! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232342" style="text-align: center;">
Wednesday:
hmmm... well we picked up two new investigators that day! they're
pretty interesting.. they're names are Don & Karen. Don is 80 and a
retired oncologist. Karen is 60 and is a retired lawyer. and boy howdy
do they know the bible. you can seriously ask them anything and they
know the background story, the verse and all that jazz. but here's the
twist. they're atheist (i talked about when we found them in an email a
few weeks ago). sorry not so much atheist but "Diestoid Agnostic"
meaning: they can't literally prove that God is real so they just don't
know what to believe. They have lots of questions about what we believe
in, so many in fact that it's hard to teach the doctrine in full to
them. At one point in the lesson they asked me how i came to know these
things we're true. So i explained and at the end i said something about
faith... they told me faith didn't count. They were never rude during
the lesson and they were actually very sincere about the comments they
made, which made me sad. Don and Karen really believe that faith doesn't
count. I thought about this A LOT that day and it made me realize why
faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. without it,
everything else would fall. we would fall. many of us probably wouldn't
be here with out it. i surely wouldn't be on a mission, maybe not even a
member of the church. Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of our
lives. it's plain and simple. We can get places on our own, but never as
far as we're able to get with faith in Christ. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232343" style="text-align: center;">
Thursday:
exchanges! I went to Fenton for the day with Sister Limas! She's so
fun. We talked a lot about how positive thinking and positive actions
play a role in missionary work. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friday: ...............i don't remember</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232351" style="text-align: center;">
Saturday:
We went to the temple with Leona! of course she's an investigator so
she couldn't go in. so we just had a picnic with her out side of the
temple. oh goodness, i miss going to the temple. I have had a hard time
relaxing the past few transfers and i think that was the most relaxed i
have felt in weeks. i loved it.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232344" style="text-align: center;">
Sunday:
We had to do a lot of planning after church so we only got to work for
about 3 hours. We only had two of our investigators at church, mainly
because the other 3 that were planning on coming all had family in town.
so instead we went over to their houses and had lessons with them! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_232350" style="text-align: center;">
so
yeah, this week was good! sorry i feel like i don't have much to tell
you guys.. just know that i'm happy and healthy (spiritually and
physically). have a good week!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
work hard. be happy. & do good!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-61630650900987805872014-12-13T15:19:00.006-08:002014-12-13T15:20:21.220-08:00 "Love is spelled t-i-m-e" - 9/8/14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191595" style="text-align: center;">
hey guys! how are you?!
things are going good here! they're actually going great! we have some
really good things happening in the next few weeks! i don't want to jinx
any of it, but just know that Heavenly Father has prepared St Louis to
receive the gospel. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this past week we had Zone Leader
Training! It's a meeting where the missionaries in our zone get together
and they give trainings on what we can do to help our areas and just
how to become better missionaries. they talked about how when we meet
with investigators we ALWAYS leave a commitment. Like reading the
scriptures, praying, following the word of wisdom, stuff like that. but
we talked about how to support our investigators more we need to be
keeping the same commitment. of course we don't need to quit smoking or
start coming to church, but when we ask them to read the Book of Mormon,
why wouldn't we be doing the same? so we have started to get "yoked"
with our investigators. The Saviors yoke is easy and His burden is
light. We experience that promise when we keep commandments and do what
He's asked. This whole thing we talked about at ZLT has kind of changed
the way Sister 'Alofaki and i have been working. I feel like instead of
just pulling investigators out of a hole, we're helping them. side by
side. the way it should be. after all, we are brothers and sisters. it's
also made me think a lot about our baptismal covenant. the mourn with
those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. i don't
know if we realize it but so many people are broken around us. </div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191624" style="text-align: center;">
<i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191623">Savior, may I learn to love thee,<br />
Walk the path that thou hast shown,<br />
Pause to help and lift another,<br />
Finding strength beyond my own.<br />
Savior, may I learn to love thee—</i></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191625" style="text-align: center;">
<i>
Lord, I would follow thee.</i></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191626" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Who am I to judge another<br />
When I walk imperfectly?<br />
In the quiet heart is hidden<br />
Sorrow that the eye can't see.<br />
Who am I to judge another?</i></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
<i>I would be my brother's keeper;<br />
I would learn the healer's art.<br />
To the wounded and the weary<br />
I would show a gentle heart.<br />
I would be my brother's keeper—</i></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191627" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Savior, may I love my brother<br />
As I know thou lovest me,<br />
Find in thee my strength, my beacon,<br />
For thy servant I would be.<br />
Savior, may I love my brother</i>—</div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
"in
the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see" this line gets
to me. it makes my struggles seem small, probably because they are. it
reminds me of the compassion the Savior has for each of us. My favorite
chapter in the Book of Mormon is 3 Nephi 17, i think it's the perfect
example of compassion. Probably because it really shows us how the
Savior had compassion and He is our perfect example. but my FAVORITE
part is when Christ is about to leave and he tells the Nephites to go
home and think about what he's taught, talk about it in their families,
you know that kind of stuff. Then He looks at them. The Savior has
different eyes than we do, He sees the hurt and just everything they're
feeling. After all, he did experience it in Gethsemane.</div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077para4" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="yiv2908089077" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5" rel="nofollow"> </a><span class="yiv2908089077"><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40000">5 </span></span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40001">And </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40002">it </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40003">came </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40004">to </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40005">pass </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40006">that </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40007">when </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40008">Jesus </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40009">had </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40010">thus </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40011">spoken, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40012">he </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40013">cast </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40014">his </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40015">eyes </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40016">round </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40017">about </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40018">again </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40019">on </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40020">the </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40021">multitude, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40022">and </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40023">beheld </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40024">they </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40025">were </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40026">in </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40027">tears</span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40028">, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40029">and </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40030">did </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40031">look </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40032">steadfastly </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40033">upon </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40034">him </span><b><i><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40035">as </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40036">if </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40037">they </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40038">would </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40039">ask </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40040">him </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40041">to </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40042">tarry </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40043">a </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40044">little </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40045">longer </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40046">with </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk40047">them.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077para5" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="yiv2908089077" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6" rel="nofollow"> </a><span class="yiv2908089077"><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50000">6 </span></span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50001">And </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50002">he </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50003">said </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50004">unto </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50005">them: </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50006">Behold, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50007">my </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50008">bowels </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50009">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50010">filled </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50011">with </span><u><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50012">compassion</span></u><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50013"> towards </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk50014">you.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077para6" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="yiv2908089077" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7" rel="nofollow"> </a><span class="yiv2908089077"><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60000">7 </span></span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60001">Have </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60002">ye </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60003">any </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60004">that </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60005">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60006">sick</span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60007"> among </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60008">you? </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60009">Bring </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60010">them </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60011">hither. </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60012">Have </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60013">ye </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60014">any </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60015">that </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60016">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60017">lame, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60018">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60019">blind, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60020">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60021">halt, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60022">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60023">maimed, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60024">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60025">leprous</span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60026">, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60027">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60028">that </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60029">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60030">withered, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60031">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60032">that </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60033">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60034">deaf, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60035">or </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60036">that </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60037">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60038">afflicted </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60039">in </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60040">any </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60041">manner? </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60042">Bring </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60043">them </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60044">hither </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60045">and </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60046">I </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60047">will </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60048">heal</span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60049"> them, </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60050">for </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60051">I </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60052">have </span><u><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60053">compassion</span></u><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60053"> </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60054">upon </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60055">you; </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60056">my </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60057">bowels </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60058">are </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60059">filled </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60060">with </span><span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60061">mercy.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077para6" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
Can
you imagine what it must have been like to be there? would we be among
those who the Savior heals? I would think in some way we would each be
healed because we all are a little bit broken. That's okay though, God
loves broken things. President Uchtdorf said "love is spelled T-I-M-E"
it's so important that we take the time to help others. Have compassion
on them. Serve them. Just love them. I'm not perfect at this, none of us
are. But we are all kind of a work in progress in terms of becoming
like our Savior. </div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191634" style="text-align: center;">
I
don't know where i'm going with this whole thing. I just know, with all
my heart, that the Savior lives. I know he healed the sick, suffered in
Gethsemane, and was resurrected. I know that he did visit the Nephites
and that he did look at them with compassion. If i were to say that any
of this weren't true it would be like saying that disneyland churros
aren't the most delicious things ever. basically is what i'm getting at
is the Saviors love is real. and we should all try a little harder to be
a little better. and through Christ, it's possible because His yoke is
easy and His burden is Light. </div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
I love you all! </div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
hugs and kisses all around! (not real kisses though i'm a sister missionary)</div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191633" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="yiv2908089077" id="yiv2908089077chunk60061"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2908089077" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_191631">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-69666248029270803452014-12-13T15:17:00.000-08:002014-12-13T15:17:03.430-08:00Success - 9/2/14<div style="text-align: center;">
hi hi hi! sorry i wasn't on yesterday, it was labor day. you guys probably already knew that though... oh well. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172248" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172245" style="text-align: center;">
Well anyways, last week was awesome! this transfer definitely started on the right foot and i'm so excited for the rest of it! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172244" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172243" style="text-align: center;">
here are some pretty awe$ome happenings from the past week:</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172242" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172241" style="text-align: center;">
-Nurdin
and Naza have a baptism date! yayay! for September 27th! They both know
Joseph Smith was a prophet, so that was awesome to hear. Since Naza
can't read we were worried about how she was going to even read the Book
of Mormon, so Nurdin reads to her! That was cool to see how that over
came that with their own faith. But then Naza got a job this week... a
job that she'll work 8-5... on sundays.. when they told us i could feel
all of the happiness just leaving my face. so they quickly reassured us
that she is going to ask for Sundays off and if she doesn't get them off
then she'll have to find a new job! seriously, this family is amazing.
Their faith, ah it inspires me. i love them.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172253" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172254" style="text-align: center;">
-
we have had lots of help from the ward members recently. from becoming
friends with our investigators, to offering for us to do laundry at
their homes. I love seeing the selfless service of members all over,
because i know it just doesn't happen in the St Louis Hills Ward.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172240" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172225" style="text-align: center;">
-
Leona told us that she knows that she'll be getting baptized soon.
Hearing this was music to my ears. Then she started asking questions
about getting a calling and when she'll be able to go to the temple. she
is so so close! but we just have to be patient with her and let her
know that it's all up to her from here.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172255" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172256" style="text-align: center;">
I
know some other cool things must have happened but i really can't think
of them right now. I have been thinking a lot about success lately. In
the world it can be easy to measure success, as in how much money you've
made or what position you hold in your job. But i was thinking about it
in more of a heavenly aspect. Most the question that i thought of was
"how will i know if i really am a successful missionary?" we can't
measure it in number of baptisms because that doesn't always qualify
someone as successful. *cough* abinidi *cough* but really! how will i
know if i was a successful missionary. I think it starts with first
identifying what the word success even means. Even though it will be
different to everyone and different in every situation I think in a
mission aspect success means becoming the missionary the Lord wants us
to be. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172257" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT?! <------ my impulsive thinking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i
was then rebuked with the thought that the Lord wants us to succeed. He
wouldn't prompt me to come on a mission and just let me fall on my face
(even though i have literally fallen on my face out here but that's a
story for a later time). Well anyways, my conclusion came to this.
Success will come </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
IF I:</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172258" style="text-align: center;">
- follow the spirit </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- work hard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- apply Preach my Gospel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(here's my hardest one)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- forget about myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
will be a successful missionary. I have been working my way towards
success for the past 8 months and will continue to do so until the Lord
has come and says well done that is the hope i hold on to (hahah okay
thats a cheesy <a href="http://lds.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lds.org</a>
youth song that we listen to on p-days). Okay I'll be serious now, this
work isn't possible without the Lord. I'm grateful for the knowledge of
God's plan of salvation so that i can have more of an eternal aspect on
success. He love us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"success"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to laugh often and much</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to win the respect of intelligent people </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and affection of children; to earn the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
appreciation of honest critics and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
endure the betrayal of false friends;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to appreciate beauty, to find the best</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in others; to leave the world a bit better,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
whether by a healthy child a garden patch</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172272" style="text-align: center;">
or redeemed social condition; to know even</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172271" style="text-align: center;">
one life has breathed easier because you have lived.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172270" style="text-align: center;">
this is to have succeeded."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-ralph waldo emerson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172278" style="text-align: center;">
those
are beautiful words. i love them and have read them lots in the past
week. Thank you for being the best family to help me succeed as a
missionary! the love and support i feel from all of you is amazing. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172268" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_172266" style="text-align: center;">
keep on keepin' on.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-32640483993568211342014-12-13T15:11:00.002-08:002014-12-13T15:11:29.372-08:00"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" - 8/25/15<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="401" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_100748" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1771175%5fAGoaDUwAABAiU%2fI7aQAAAOdup3A&m=YaDownload&pid=1.2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="534" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="401" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_134407" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1771175%5fAGoaDUwAABAiU%2fI7aQAAAOdup3A&m=YaDownload&pid=1.3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="534" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152069">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152068">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152067">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152066">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152065">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152064">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152063">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152130">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152130" style="text-align: center;">
Welp.
another week in the bucket! and this one was a good one! We finished up
a transfer, Sister 'Alofaki's first transfer! wasn't it just yesterday
that i was finishing my first transfer? obviously not, but it sure does
feel like it. It's been a great transfer, but this next one is going to
be even better! we are hoping to have a few baptisms and of course we
have general conference to look forward to at the very end! <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think the biggest theme we saw this past week was how the
spirit taught people. It's always so humbling to see that, it reminds me
that i really cannot do this work without the spirit.<br /><br />-We had a
lesson with a couple that we're teaching, they're from Bosnia and the
dad speaks pretty goos english, but the mom has a little bit of a harder
time. We've been teaching them very slowly so they can really
understand what we're teaching. This past week we talked about the Plan
of Salvation and the Atonement. We had no idea how we were going to
explain this with the language barrier that's there.. We prayed about it
and talked about it a lot and finally decided that we should show a
video called "Finding Faith in Christ". As we watched the movie they
kept saying how Christ was such a good person and how we all need to
follow in His example. Then at the end when it's showing Christ in
Gethsemane, everyone was silent. I looked at Naza (the mom) during it
and she just had tears in her eyes. A lady who doesn't speak English,
could very well not even know what we're talking about half the time
felt the Spirit confirm the truth of Christ's Atonement. No words needed
to be spoken, no translations needed to be done. All that was needed
was the spirit, and it was there. <br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-So it has been dreadfully hot here. I thought i knew heat,
being from Arizona and all, but i had NO idea what Missouri had in store
for me. it's only about 100 degrees. but the heat index is about 105..
not too bad either. IT'S THE HUMIDITY. I live in a dishwasher, i'm sure
of it. i was sweating the other day, guess what i was doing? throwing
the trash out! we've been really lucky this summer though because it has
come soo late, and so i'm just praying it leaves really soon. but
anyways, the other night we were out tracting it was getting a little
late and so people weren't too responsive (as if they ever are with
tracting). Well we knocked on one door a lady answered by opening the
little window some people have on their doors here and Sister 'Alofaki
introduced us and this lady quickly told us that she was Atheist. Trying
to keep talking to her i asked her how she came to be Atheist, she said
"oh you really want to know how i came to be atheist?" and then closed
her little window and unlocked the door, i started to get a little
nervous because i really thought she was going to yell at us, tell us
we're crazy (the usual). She opened the main door and stood behind the
screen and started opening up to us about her experiences with religion.
Experiences where she's felt forces, or has felt that people don't
really LIVE their religion. We explained the message we share and how
our purpose is to invite everyone to hear the message we share and to
really try to see if it can change their lives. I really don't remember
the exact words that were said. But i remember praying during all of it
and i remember seeing her slowly open her doors and have her heart being
soften towards the idea of there being a God. The spirit is so
powerful. <br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently i've been learning how important planning is and
how closely related it is to following the spirit. Every night from
9:00-9:30 we plan for our day the next day and we go over what we did
that day. This is slowly becoming one of my favorite parts of missionary
work. We always pray and try to feel where Heavenly Father wants us to
be and who He wants us to be seeing but at the end we pray and tell Him
where we'll be and ask for Him to prepare people in our path. We have
seen soo many miracles of how the Lord is placing people in our path!
Heavenly Father truly is soo loving, He wants us to succeed and so when
we turn to Him and say "okay we're being obedient and trying really hard
to follow the spirit and this is the plan we've come up with" He
blesses us. not just us but He blesses the people we meet. Planning,
preparing, following the spirit, and praying have been my focus this
past transfer and I've been blessed to see the Lord use us an
instruments in His work. When i've thought about the importance of being
prepared i'm reminded of the Savior, </div>
<div class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339para4" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="yiv9743660339" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5" rel="nofollow"> "</a><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40001">Or </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40002">in </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40003">fine, </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40004">in </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40005">the </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40006">first </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40007">place </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40008">they </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40009">were </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40010">on </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40011">the </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40012">same</span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40013"> standing </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40014">with </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40015">their </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40016">brethren; </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40017">thus </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40018">this </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40019">holy </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40020">calling </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40021">being </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40022">prepared </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40023">from </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40024">the </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40025">foundation </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40026">of </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40027">the </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40028">world </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40029">for </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40030">such </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40031">as </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40032">would </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40033">not </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40034">harden </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40035">their </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40036">hearts, </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40037">being </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40038">in </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40039">and </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40040">through </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40041">the </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40042">atonement </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40043">of </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40044">the </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40045">Only </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40046">Begotten </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40047">Son, </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40048">who </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40049">was </span><span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40050">prepared—"</span></div>
<div class="yiv9743660339" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_152160" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40050">alma 13:5</span></div>
<div class="yiv9743660339" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40050">the
Savior was prepared from the beginning. Could you imagine what it would
be like if He wasn't? God's entire plan wouldn't be possible without
preparation. Joseph Smith even gives us a great example of preparing! He
prepared his heart to pray to God for answers, and God prepared him to
be the prophet of the Restoration. God has prepared all of us actually,
He's prepared us to come to Earth at this time. He wants us to prepare,
and as long as we follow the gospel of Jesus Christ (the answer to the
question of the universe, 42) He'll make sure we're okay. If we prepare
we have no need to fear, preparing unlocks the power and influence God
has in our lives. He loves us so much.<br />
</span></div>
<div class="yiv9743660339" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="yiv9743660339" id="yiv9743660339chunk40050">so
yeah that's my rant on preparing and following the spirit. sorry i get
so carried away sometimes, i could actually still go on because i
haven't even mentioned the ten virgins and how being prepared correlates
with a stronger testimony. <br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How great it is that I've been given the opportunity to
serve a mission. I hope you all have felt the assurance that I'm
supposed to be here as much as I have. <br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
okay here's a funny
story. So we visit a lady in the ward who is less active, she's a
little bit older and has lots and lots of spunk. hahah she always tells
us how she loves to dress like a teenager and about the funny jokes she
(still) plays on her husband.. shes like 70. but anyways, the other day
we went over there and she said i could sit in a rocking chair, of
course i jumped on this opportunity because it looked REALLY comfy. well
about 10 minutes later she walks by me and starts to brush off the
chair and then she goes "oh this still looks dusty, i still haven't
gotten around to cleaning it after getting it out of the dumpster"</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-_- wut. ew. <br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love you guys! remember to read the
scriptures and to be nice to each other! my motto this week has been "if
you work really really hard and are kind, amazing things will happen" </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
work hard. be kind. and you'll be happy! xoxoxoxoxoxoxox times infinity</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-58302031913907119552014-12-13T14:57:00.005-08:002014-12-13T14:57:56.345-08:00Safe & (getting) happ(ier)y - 8/18/14<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi family! okay. i know there's a lot of stuff about St Louis on the
news right now, but just know that I'm safe! Keep praying for the people
in Ferguson, they need lots of it. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84912" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84932" style="text-align: center;">
This past week was really
good! The weeks are just going by so quickly i don't always know what to
say. We have been doing a lot of finding, and strengthening our
investigators that we already have. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84960" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84937" style="text-align: center;">
This past week we were
drawing the plan of salvation on the sidewalk with some chalk and we met
a really awesome guy named Bill! It was cool because at the end he told
us that he needed to hear the message we share and he asked us (that
never happen) to come visit him! We stopped by and invited him to church
but he wasn't able to make it, so we have an appointment with him on
Wednesday and that will be way good! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84938" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84939" style="text-align: center;">
We
also made huge progress with another investigator who has been thinking
about getting baptized for months! and guess how it happened?! FAMILY
HISTORY! crazy huh?! It was cool to see how she just jumped right into
it. Family history is sosososo important. We have the greatest gift of
having the gospel and temples and so we should always be seeking to
share that with others, even if they are our relatives who have passed
on.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84940" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yiv2936588847chunk210001">"Brethren, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210002">shall </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210003">we </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210004">not </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210005">go </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210006">on </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210007">in </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210008">so </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210009">great </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210010">a </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210011">cause? </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210012">Go </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210013">forward </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210014">and </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210015">not </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210016">backward. </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210017">Courage</span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210018">, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210019">brethren; </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210020">and </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210021">on, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210022">on </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210023">to </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210024">the </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210025">victory! </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210026">Let </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210027">your </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210028">hearts </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210029">rejoice, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210030">and </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210031">be </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210032">exceedingly </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210033">glad. </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210034">Let </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210035">the </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210036">earth </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210037">break </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210038">forth </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210039">into </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210040">singing</span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210041">. </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210042">Let </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210043">the </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210044">dead</span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210045"> speak </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210046">forth </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210047">anthems </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210048">of </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210049">eternal </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210050">praise </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210051">to </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210052">the </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210053">King</span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210054"> Immanuel, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210055">who </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210056">hath </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210057">ordained, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210058">before </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210059">the </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210060">world </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210061">was, </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210062">that </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210063">which </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210064">would </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210065">enable </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210066">us </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210067">to </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210068">redeem</span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210069"> them </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210070">out </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210071">of </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210072">their </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210073">prison</span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210074">; </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210075">for </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210076">the </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210077">prisoners </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210078">shall </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210079">go </span><span id="yiv2936588847chunk210080">free." </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84942" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84941">This
has been my favorite scripture this week. D&C 128:22. SO powerful.
The gospel has the ability to do so much. Following the gospel of Jesus
Christ is literally the answer for everything. For the prisoner shall go
free. i love it. i love the power of the message that I'm able to share
everyday.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84943" style="text-align: center;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84945" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84944">Recently
i have been throwing pity parties for myself, no streamers of balloons
just murmuring and comparing. But I know Heavenly Father has things for
me to learn right now. A lot of that could be patience.. let's be honest
most of it is patience. but I'm doing better. I've been leaning on my
Heavenly Father a lot this transfer and I'm grateful for it. Its sooo
easy to get frustrated because we think we're not doing good enough, but
He doesn't want that for us. He doesn't want us to think we're not good
enough, or that we can't do it. Because we are good enough, and we can
do it. I am good enough to be the Lord's missionary, and I can do this. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84968" style="text-align: center;">
<span>He trusts us, He loves us, He helps us. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84967" style="text-align: center;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84959" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84958">This
email is turning more into a self pep talk, but I'm totally cool with
it. Hope you guys are too! There are so many great things happening in
this area and in my life right now that i need to focus on that.
positivity is key! ya! </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84966" style="text-align: center;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84965" style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84964">okay
but really, I'm doing better. Sorry this email probably makes NO sense
whatsoever. but bottom line, just know that i love you guys. A lot. You
know that one song by Chicago, "you're my inspiration"? well that's my
song to you guys.. haha okay that's cheesy. and that's a love song (ew)
but you get the idea. Keep being awesome and happy. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84961" style="text-align: center;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>endure and save yourself for days of happiness ahead.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84963" style="text-align: center;">
<span>i love you. & so does Jesus.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84963" style="text-align: center;">
<span> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84963" style="text-align: center;">
<span><img height="401" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84962" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1773467%5fAGoaDUwAABCMU%2fIyhgAAAJqb0IA&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="534" /> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_84951">
<span><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348611403871848285.post-75623590386829431792014-12-13T14:46:00.001-08:002014-12-13T14:54:31.815-08:00Press Forward Saints - 8/4/14<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36458" style="text-align: center;">
hiii guys! I hope you all
enjoyed your last full week of summer! I feel like summer didn't even
exist in my life this year because I think the closest I came to a pool
was about 15 feet. but its totally fine because "sacrifice brings forth
the blessings of heaven" </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36623" style="text-align: center;">
We had such a good week this past week! </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36622" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36621" style="text-align: center;">
MONDAY: I took a nap. this was awesome.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36620" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36615" style="text-align: center;">
TUESDAY-FRIDAY:
pretty much we just tried to find people to teach all day. We have
something call a "teaching pool" which is just all of our investigators.
and this week we looked at it, and realized two things:</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36648" style="text-align: center;">
1. no one is really progressing in the gospel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. the ones that are are getting baptized on Saturday (basically just Kaia)</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36649" style="text-align: center;">
So
we spent a lot of time finding new people this week and asking people
if they know anyone who is interested in the gospel! we didn't find too
many people to teach like we were planning on doing but we have lots of
people who we are going to visit this week that seem really interested
in the gospel. So that's really exciting! It's so cool to see how the
Lord is preparing people everywhere we go. so keep praying that the
people in St Louis will be prepared! prayers work! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36616" style="text-align: center;">
SATURDAY &
SUNDAY: Kaia got baptized and was confirmed a member of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! yayyyayay! Her baptism was soo good. I
love this family so much. Kaia's dad lives in Canada and wasn't able to
come to her baptism but her wrote a letter that was read and let's just
say everyone was in tears. This little girl is sosososo loved! She bore
her testimony and shared how she knows that God answers prayers and
that the Book of Mormon is true. I'm so glad she has found that truth
because it will carry her throughout her life. Those simple truths can
carry all of us actually! I feel so blessed to have been one of the many
missionaries to teach Kaia, she always teaches me how to be more
submissive and humble and how to just have a positive attitude. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36650" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36617" style="text-align: center;">
sorry
not much happened this week to share! Everything really is going to
good over here though! I'm loving this city, the people, and just being a
missionary overall. This time in my life is such a blessing. I think
back to when I first came out and I totally had a deer in the head
lights look because I had NO idea what was going on. Really though. But I
wonder how I was able to overcome all those trials and think about all
those nights I just laid in bed and prayed. What I think helped me so
much was prayer, actually I know that's what helped me so much! Heavenly
Father really did answer so many of my prayers from helping me love the
people and to know that my family was being taken care of to helping me
feel not so bad about burning 90% of the food I tried to make (funny
side story: I made noodles for dinner last night and had some butter on
them, I didn't understand why the butter wasn't melting until I realized
I had put crème cheese on it instead). He really does listen, and
answer. And I love Him for that. </div>
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I love you all
and hope you have a good first week of school! Look for the people who
seem a little nervous or sad and be their friend!</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36655" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Kadin, me, Kaia & sis 'alofaki!</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36654" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.me/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2.me</a> and kaia being photo ready</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36653" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.me/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3.me</a> and kaia getting photo ready</span></div>
</div>
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</div>
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<img height="449" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36618" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1982498%5fAHYaDUwAABJNU9%2byf%2fC9wI9vBuE&m=YaDownload&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="337" /> </div>
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</div>
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<img height="449" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36670" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1982498%5fAHYaDUwAABJNU9%2byf%2fC9wI9vBuE&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="337" /> </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="449" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418509538587_36785" src="https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1982498%5fAHYaDUwAABJNU9%2byf%2fC9wI9vBuE&m=YaDownload&pid=4&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" width="337" /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867553804525102235noreply@blogger.com0