Sharon Springs-Week 8

Christmas week is here! I hope you all are having a wonderful time with family and enjoying the Christmas season.

A lot of people are focusing on their families this time of year, so it makes missionary work a little tricky. But the ward I'm in is so amazing. The ward made sure we had a little tree in our apartment and they're taking care of us.  

We were able to go to the temple on Thursday. Our assigned session was at 7:30 am, so we had to wake up at 4:30 to get there on time. It was an early morning, but definitely worth it. Afterwards we drove to our mission offices to have lunch and to practice for the mission Christmas program. The choir (consisting of almost all the missionaries in the mission) sang several songs, a sister played a beautiful arrangement of silent night, and I accompanied the last piece-Oh Holy Night. It was a crazy day, but it was good to be with the other missionaries.

It is really beautiful to step back and at this time of year and realize that Christ really did come to this earth for us. That was the purpose for his birth, his life, his death and his resurrection. We can let him into our hearts and he will expand our capacity to love and trust and grow. It all starts with faith in Christ. In knowing that he came for us. And knowing that because of his sacrifice, we can be saved. I know that Christ is my Savior and that he came for me and you and each of us. Merry Christmas everyone! 

​

Sharon Springs - Week 7

Hello everyone!

1st transfer is complete! I'm staying in the same area and with the same companion for the first 12 weeks at least. 

We are going to the temple this week on Thursday! I am so very, very excited! Later that day there will be mission activities. There is a missionary choir concert. I'm singing in the choir and also accompanying 'O Holy Night' on the piano, with a cello and a few singers.

This ward is amazing. I'm touched every time I hear someone pray for the missionaries. Apparently, in primary, they have the children pray for us by name. As we coordinate with the ward mission leader and ward missionaries, it is amazing to realize that we are all in this together. We're all here to support and encourage one another in the Lord's work. 

I hope everyone is feeling the spirit of Christmas! College friends, I hope you are having a great break! 

Thank you, thank you to all my family and friends who are part of my Christmas calendar. Your scriptures and thoughts uplift me, and heaven knows I need it. So thank you so, so much!

A couple P-days ago, the sisters in our zone went to the mall and took a picture with Santa. We even got him to hold a Book of Mormon. :) (My companion, Sister Storrs, is above me praying. Two sisters from my MTC district, Sister Davenport-bottom right, and Sister Johns-2nd from the right, top row. It was great to see them and talk to them. They are amazing.)

Having lunch at IHOP with Eliza. Such a cute girl! She and her family are just amazing members that take care of us.
​

Sharon Springs - Week 6

Hello everyone! It's so crazy to know I've been here for a transfer period! Because I am in training, I'll be here at least for another 6 weeks. I can't believe it's December already! I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season so far. 

We were able to watch the Christmas Devotional last night. Such beautiful messages were shared. I was impressed with the idea of the Light of Christ. That light continues to grow brighter and brighter, just like our faith. It doesn't have to stop. There is not a maximum amount of light and faith that we are allowed to have in this lift. It is limitless and endless. I'm sure most of you have already heard about this, and I might have mentioned it before, but the church has produced a video called He is the Gift. You can find it on YouTube or at Christmas.Mormon.org. The church produced this beautiful message of centering our focus back on the Savior (The music alone makes me tear up) Because he truly is the most amazing gift that we have. And it is our choice to accept and to share it. It is always there for everyone. It is a fact. He is the center of our lives. He has overcome the world. Faith in Christ is so important. It is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ encourages us to act, to repent, to see the good, to appreciate the good, to love. It all starts with faith. And it will always grow, if we want it to. Through our obedience and diligence, that faith will grow, enabling the power of God to bless our lives and the lives of others. What a beautiful thought.

Thank you to all my family and friends who have sent me little notes and letters! They uplift me and truly give me a source of comfort when I need it. Thank you all so much! Have a wonderful week everyone and remember that Christ has overcome the world. We can find peace in him. 

Sharon Springs - Week 5

Hello again family and friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This week has been great. The weather here is chilly, but it's still basically Fall. This winter will definitely be different from any I've experienced. If it snows though, the whole state basically shuts down. And people say that that might happen again this winter. So we'll see. I wouldn't mind the snow.

Sister Storrs and I had Thanksgiving dinner with a wonderful member family, the Hiltons. That is also the family that has really opened their home to one of our investigators. Member missionary work is the best. Honestly. The members can relate and teach and share and just connect in a way with investigators that we as missionaries can't necessarily. Plus they have experience in the gospel and amazing testimonies.

And this week I want to focus on the importance of the Spirit in teaching. And not just in missionary work. In everything. When the spirit is present, relationships are formed stronger and deeper than in any other setting. And the amazing thing is, when that happens we are actually building our relationship with Christ, not just the other people involved. I really feel that I can not teach people anything. All I can do is create and environment where the Spirit can teach them. Our purpose is to present information clearly and fervently, and then let the Spirit work in peoples' hearts. It is a beautiful thing. 

 

And every time we teach, my testimony is strengthened. I know that we have the true, restored gospel of Christ today. I know that we are led by a man called of God to be an anchor in these chaotic times. Hold fast to the truths we know. And we will find peace.

I love you all! And hope you have a wonderful week!

In the Hiltons home with their daughter, Delaney and JB, our investigator. 

Doing service for a couple. They gave us cool hats. Love it. 

One of our investigators picks up the extra/older food items from local grocery stores and then takes them to charities. Sometimes we help her by taking the stuff she can't fit in her car. We had no clue what to do with it. So we've been passing it out to members for a couple of days. Haha! Crazy stuff.