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! 

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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.
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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.

Sharon Springs - Week 4

Hello again!

Sister Storrs and I have caught the stomach bug and I'm still recovering and my head is kind of foggy, so this post will be rather short. But all is well! The Lord takes care of his servants.

So this week has been great. We had Zone Conference. President Bennion and his wife spoke. They are fairly new. They've only been out 4 months. And they are amazing examples of faith in Jesus Christ and trusting in him. It is amazing to see that we are all in this work together; the mission President and his wife, companions, the members. We are all one in purpose in bringing others closer to Christ.

Something that stuck out to me during Zone Conference is that our faith is powerful. When we increase our faith, we increase the power that comes through us. Our personal faithfulness and righteousness can and does affect those around us. A very inspiring and intimidating thought. But the amazing thing is that the Lord is there. He is always, constantly there for us and we wants us to increase in faith. All we need to do is show our desire and take steps of faith. 

​A bridal shower we were able to visit.

Maybe next week I'll have more pictures! I keep forgetting to take pictures. 

Thank you for your prayers and support! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Sharon Springs Week 3

Hi again!

Sorry for the generic blog/email titles. Not much time and thought for creativity on P-day. 

Sorry for the picture in the last email! It must not have been uploaded all the way before I sent it. I'll send it today. 

I can't remember what I've written in the past emails, but I'll just jump right in and write what comes to mind. 

My companion, Sister Storrs is great. She's from Louisiana. She graduated from BYU in exercise and wellness. So we definitely exercise in the mornings. Which is awesome. We wake up at 6:15 and usually go on a run. Sometimes there are sprints involved. Sometimes we stay in the apartment and do a workout. Tricep dips kill me. This morning we were able to run in the rain and that was my absolute favorite!

Georgia is gorgeous. When it rains, it seems to mist up from the ground. It's beautiful. So many trees and I love it. 

We've really been working with the ward with missionary work. It is amazing to see the ward get so involved. Members are always coming with us to lessons, or letting us teach at their home. It is so important for investigators to form that connection with a member and not just the missionaries. And eventually, we want to help them for their own connection with God so they are able to stand on their own and say 'I know this is true, no matter who or what tells me otherwise' It's been very sad to see people fall away from the church because of something somebody did a long time ago and they can't let go of it. It reminds me to constantly be aware of what I say and what I do and just who I am, because it truly does affect others around me in ways I do not know. And especially at this time, when I have been called as a representative of Jesus Christ. Amazing responsibility, but such an amazing privilege and blessing. Remember that you are an example and your faithfulness and righteousness does influence others.

I love you all! I love hearing about how you are doing.
Until next time!

​This was the picture that was supposed to send last week.   

​Sister Storrs and I contacting in a little park down our street.

​First exchange with Sister Paulson from the Coal Mountain area

                                                                                                       

         ​​Sister Storrs and I on our first P-day

Tree-lined streets of Georgia. So beautiful.

Sharon Springs Ward - Week 2

This week has been great. It has consisted of teaching lessons, and visiting potential investigators, visiting members and tracting. There are so many amazing people here. Good christian people that are trying to live Christlike lives and teaching their family to do so, which is so great to see. And we, as missionaries, just want to add to that light and share the fullness of the gospel.

The restoration is an amazing thing. What a blessing it is in our lives to have the full truth and power of God on the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was not reformed, is not a break-off, it is not a man-made religion. It is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We truly do have a prophet that has been called of God, just like Joseph Smith was, to lead this church, and the world, through these latter days. Having the importance of the restoration reiterated in my mind makes me want to cherish it. It really is a blessing from our Father in Heaven, because he loves us and wants us to return to him, and we can only do that through the gospel of Jesus Christ.