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.

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.

Georgia-Week 1

'So here I am, safe and sound in Georgia! I've only been out for less than a week and I already love everything about it. My trainer/new companion is a hardworking, bold-talking girl from Louisianna. She is so great. My first area is amazing. The ward is very much involved in missionary work, more so than any other ward I've lived in. The members are wonderful, always feeding us and driving us around. We've been contacting and met some wonderful, interesting, sweet people. Our investigators are beautiful people that are searching for truth. And it makes me so happy to share the truth with them.

Our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come to Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. But this is not just a purpose specific to missionaries. It is for every single member. Two words that really stick out to me are 'invite' and 'help'. It's an interesting connection to make to realize that we can best HELP people by INVITING them to accept the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is where true happiness can be found. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for EVERYBODY. When I'm teaching investigators, I wish I could just open my heart and let them feel what I feel about this gospel. But agency is a very important part of God's plan for us and they have to decide for themselves. So all I can do is teach the principles with clarity and simplicity and let the spirit speak to their hearts. This gospel is a beautiful gift. For everyone who reads this post, please just realize how happy this gospel has made you. Please recognize the gravity of bringing souls to the truth and to Christ. I'm so grateful for all of you and for your wonderful examples and influences on my life. Keep strong and carry on my friends.'

Okay, so there's a change with sending letters and packages in this mission. They would like everything to be sent to the individual addresses of the missionaries, including packages (before, it's they've always had packages sent to the mission home/office). And then they'd like all letters and packages to be held for a week or two before transfers. So my current address for the next 6 weeks is...

4123 Preston Pointe Way

Cumming, GA 30041

Sister Newman with President & Sister Bennion

New Arrivals

Flying out of the SLC airport. What a beautiful morning.

All the missionaries from our MTC zone going to Georgia.

Pic #3-I found my favorite painting in one of the buildings at the MTC! 

This is my MTC companion, Sister Barnard.

Look who I found! (Tell his mom and family hi for me!)

I have the best Aunt ever. Thank you Aunt Lynette. I love you!

MTC district