Week 30

I will be going to St. Louis!! i will be in the Union Ward and my companion will be Sister Snyder. We are only 1 transfer apart. We are going to be co-senior companions. Sister Nordstrom is leaving too. No sisters are replacing us. They will be putting our area to sleep. We will basically have to prepare our apartment for a future white wash. And in the mean time, the zone leaders will take over the whole ward. Next Monday I will fill you in on my address and all the other details. Don't send anything to the Champaign address anymore!

My week with General Authorities was amazing!!!! It was a big drive to get to St. Louis but it was good. We pulled into the parking lot at the chapel Saturday morning. As we were getting out of our car, another white car pulled next to us and out came, Bishop Stevenson (presiding Bishop), Elder Hintze, Elder Juarez and Elder Quentin L. Cook!!!!!!!! Sister Nordstrom and I got to shake their hands before they walked into the building. When we all were in the chapel, we all stood up when they walked in. One of the sisters was playing prelude music and she didn't know what to do when they came in. It was funny to hear the music abruptly stop so that she could stand too. They stood at the front and they had all the missionaries walk around to we could all shake their hands (I got to shake their hands twice :). President Morgan and Sister Morgan shared their testimonies and then Elder Cook talked to us about being more courageous missionaries. They then opened up the meeting to us. They said that we could ask them any questions. And each general authority took a turn to answer the question. One of the questions that an  Elder asked was as an apostle, how often do you see Jesus Christ. Elder Cook carefully answered by saying that we shouldn't confuse ourselves and think that they see Him on a day to day basis. Most of their direction and inspiration comes form the Spirit. Then he added, but I cannot deny that "I know what He looks like." That hit me really hard. I knew that Christ leads our church but hearing an apostle say that they know what he looks like made a big impact on me. I took a lot of good notes and i wrote about it in my journal. I could spend an  hour just talking about it, but for now I will just say that it was AMAZING. 

Elder Bednar was great too. Sister Nordstrom and I were manning the doors to the chapel to make sure that everyone was being reverent. I have never seen a ward to quiet before the meeting. I looked over to my left and saw Elder Bednar come out of the bishop's office. He walked right past to his spot on the stand. No one stood up because he was so quick. Also, he has been to this ward so often that he doesn't expect anyone to stand. We had a shortened testimony meeting and then he stood up to talk. The first thing he said was "Charolette, (his daughter-in-law) this is not a command but an invitation: Do you want to come up and share your testimony?" She did and it was a beautiful testimony. Elder Bednar then said to the bishop "I am not trying to make a new trend but when there is a baby blessing I think that the first person who should get a chance to share their testimony after a baby blessing, should be the mother." It is amazing at how much authority he has just when he speaks. You can definitely tell that he has the authority as  an apostle of the Lord. Elder Bednar talked about the reality of the truthfulness of this church. He said what produces a people like you? -a people who will go through so much persecution and trial? No human mind can create something like this. Satan has a bulls-eye on this church for one simple reason: it's true. 

Then during the second hour, we met in the high council room. The people in there were Investigators, recent converts, less actives, and non-members. He said that he would promise to answer any questions we have as long as we promise to help by asking questions. Us missionaries ended up standing in the back and I was directly across from him on the other side of the room. The questions that people asked were great. He answered them so well with no hesitation and in such unique ways. I asked him "How do you apply the Atonement more in your life? -Not just in response to the repentance process but in your everyday life?" He quoted some of the articles of faith and his basic answer was that the Atonement cleanses and strengthens. As we make covenants and are a part of sacred ordinances, the Atonement unlocks the blessings that give of strength to do what we alone couldn't do. He said that the gospel isn't hard. It is so easy. Living without the gospel is hard. If you live the gospel, you will have the strengthening grace of the atonement with you every day. I loved it. One of the investigators that was there asked him how can you have an assurance that this gospel is true? the investigator said that he thinks he feels the spirit when he comes to church and when he reads the Book of Mormon but how does he start to live it. Elder Bednar explained a beautiful analogy of faith. There was so much else that he said and did. I loved the spirit that I felt as I was there. After every question he answered, he would ask the person "Did that answer your question?" he was so kind and genuine but at the same time so bold and fearless. At one point, he asked "can I be a little more candid with my answers?" With the wide array of people in that room he was careful on how he answered them. Even afterwards he told me, "I am sorry for soft balling your question." After the prayer was said, he told us to move our attention to two pictures in the room. They were a picture of Christ giving the Priesthood Authority to His apostles, and the other was of Joseph Smith receiving the priesthood from Peter James and John. He said that he bares witness that those two events really did happen. he shook all of our hands. Our investigator Tanya was in there and afterward we asked her what she thought. She said I'm ready to get baptized!! It was such an awesome moment!!!! I could keep talking about it forever!!! There was so much that happened and so I feel like I am just dumping a bunch of stuff on you haha :)

I feel very blessed to have met Elder Cook and Elder Bednar. They are such kind men and I love their strong testimonies. I got to shake both of their hands twice. Being able to share in the spirit that they give was amazing. I KNOW that they are true apostles. I can feel their power and it was such an honor to be right across from Elder Bednar looking him in the eye as he answered my question. I feel SOOOO LUCKY. I could say more but I don't know what to say!!!!

Love you all!!! I will update you on more details next week. I have LOVED serving in the Mohamet ward. It was such a blessing to have been here for so long. I will be sending a lot of pictures!!!

Companion inventory on the lake!

My trainer Sister Gunter!! I love her!

The elders!

Sister Porter! I worked with her at hobby lobby!

The St Louis Temple

The arch behind the baseball stadium

Week 29

This week has been great! We have seen many small miracles throughout the whole week. Monday we were able to pick up one of our former investigators again. It was a blessing. Right at the end of the day we decided to drop by and she was so happy to see us. 

Tuesday we had dinner with a young family. They are so missionary minded. We shared a thought about missionary work after dinner and without being asked, they started to make a list of neighbors and friends that they want to share the gospel with. They gave us a list of them as well so that we can pray for them too. It was a great moment that touched me. For so many people it seems like sharing the gospel is a burden or a scary thing. But I love seeing those people who understand the call of missionary work. Being members of this church, we are obligated to share this wonderful gift. It doesn't have to be scary or hard. JUST DO IT! And the best part is that we will have the Lord on our side to help. He will bring the spirit, He will verify your words, He will help you know what to say. Just share the gospel, and the blessings will flow.

On Wednesday we spent about 7 hours in the car. In the morning, we went to District Meeting and it was so great. We talked about the importance of missionary work and having courage. After the meeting, we drove to St. Louis for a doctor appointment for Sister Nordstrom. It was a long drive full of road construction, but it was good. We didn't get home until 9 pm. We had to go to St. Louis because there is a doctor there that will meet specifically with missionaries. He is such a wonderful man. He will even meet after hours for missionaries. 

Thursday we had a great lesson with Tanya. We went over the Gospel of Jesus Christ and she took it all in. She is hesitant to set a date for her baptism but she is strong in her commitment to keep learning. She is great.

Friday we had dinner with the Randall's. We had duck for dinner. It wasn't too bad. I was surprised. They are such a great family. They always feed us almost every week. I love them. 

Saturday we were able to do a lot of tracting. We even met the  husband of one of the potential investigators we met the week prior. HE seemed interested and I shared a Book of Mormon with him. He was grateful for it and said he was looking forward to our appointment next week. he and his wife have been meeting with Jehovah Witnesses. Hopefully we can change that . . . . . :)

Saturday was also the day that Virginia went to the temple for her endowments!! It was an all day event because the St, Louis temple is 3 hours away. there were many members of the ward that went to support her and we went over to her house that night to see what she thought. She said that if she could sum up the whole experience in one word, it would be JOY. The bishop had her share her testimony at church the next day. Vriginia is a beautiful example of what it means to fully embrace the gospel. She lets nothing get in her way and I love seeing the support that the ward gives her. You can't help but love her. 

I am also grateful for the example of Brother Winkler. He is a member of the bishopric and he is a perfect example of charity. He will pick up Virginia to take her to church every single week. I love seeing him push her wheelchair into her spot in the front left corner of the chapel. He always has a smile on his face and he goes above and beyond to reach out to members in love. 

Love you all! I should be getting transfer call this Saturday. I will find out if I will be leaving or staying. Don't send me anything until I let you know of any changes that will happen. If I leave, I will let you know of my new address as soon as I can. Love you all!!

Here are a couple of pictures from our drive to St Louis. I have gotten accustomed to seeing the wide open fields. I love seeing the clouds go on forever.

There are some people who get really into their religion here. This cross stands at least 100 feet tall off the side of the freeway.

Week 28

Sunday was great and the second hour we learned about exhalation. I love learning from Brother Allan. He is a great teacher and he prepares so well. 

This week was great. Our numbers are a little harder but there is still good work being done. On Tuesday we visited Robin one of the recent converts at the police department. She works as one of the secretaries. Brother Carter is also one of the police chiefs. Sister Nordstrom insisted on tazing herself. It was funny. We got a video of it. It wasn't a very strong tazer. It just hurts a little. It was a fun mission memory. 

Wednesday we went to a bible study class of someone that we met while tracting. They agreed that if we went to their bible study that they would come to our church. (They didn't end up coming :( ). The bible study was quite interesting. It was a non-denominational church. Most of the time the pastor preached about his ideas and threw in some scriptures that didn't' make very much sense, and the audience would yell and clap when they liked what he said. It was interesting . . . . . It definitely strengthened my testimony of Priesthood power. I am so glad to know that this church is led by people who are TRULY CALLED OF GOD and who hold THE TRUE PRIESTHOOD POWER. It is a comfort to know that we will never be led astray by our leaders for they truly teach the pure gospel and don't throw in their own ideas and interpretation. 

Thursday we had a great lesson with Tanya. We talked about the whole plan of Salvation. We had the lesson in the Relief Society Room and so I drew it on the board. I love teaching someone who truly has a desire to learn and who asks significant questions instead of questioning the doctrine. She is doing great and I hope that we can continue bringing her toward baptism. 

Saturday we did a lot of yard work for Virginia. She had some piles of dried up rose bushes that we cleaned up. It was nice to be able to do some meaningful service. She is preparing to go to the temple this week. I am so happy for her and I am excited to hear all about it. 

This week was good and I can't believe that there are only two more weeks left in the transfer. I am looking forward to seeing what next transfer will bring. Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look what I found in Virginia's flowers!! :)

Sister Nordstrom, Rachael Bundy and me. Rachael just got home from her mission to Brazil. She came out with us to help us with our missionary work.

Week 27

Wow! This week was wonderful. Each day had a highlight to it. There have been some crazy storms this week. It will be interesting how tornado season will pan out. There are some nights where sister Nordstrom and I will open the blinds to our porch and watch and listen to the thunder and lightning. 

Monday we had a lesson with Minnie. She brightens up my day. I love her so much. She has had a hard time coming to church. She said that her family doesn't want her to go to our church because they feel like they are losing her. She said that she cannot deny her testimony though. She is so strong in what she knows. When we met with her she had read nearly all of 1 Nephi!! She didn't end up coming to church but I am hoping that we will be able to help her tonight. We are going to have a member come with us so she can meet more people.

Wednesday we picked up one of our former investigators. She has been super busy with her work so hopefully we can meet with her again on a regular basis. We decided to drop by and we dropped by on the one day that she had off in 2 weeks. it was definitely the spirit. 

Thursday we had a wonderful lesson with Tanya. We went over the importance of baptism and confirmation and also over a bunch of other commandments. We ended up talking for almost 2 hours. She just kept asking great questions and wanted to learn. She says that she feels like she has been led to the Mormon church and she wants more happiness in her life. She even said joining the church may ruin her marriage but that what the church has to offer is so much more important. it was amazing to hear her testimony. We asked her to pray during the lesson and ask God about being baptized. After the prayer she was so overwhelmed and happy. She said she almost cried during the prayer she was so happy. It was really neat to see that experience. I love teaching her. We are going to see her today and Thursday. I hope that all goes well.
Friday was exchanges. I went to Springfield with Sister Biddle and Sister Herdman went to Champaign with Sister Nordstrom. My favorite moment was when we went to visit a less active member named Linda. She was baptized about 5 years ago but she has struggled ever since. She has had many health problems and she has picked up smoking again. Most of the lesson was spent listening to her pour out her  sorrows and how much she is desperate to get back to church. We gave her the stop smoking program and she was so grateful. Before we left, she broke down crying and as she hugged Sister Biddle she said "You don't know how much you ladies are saving my life." It was so touching to hear her say that. I love when people really understand the importance of the gospel and see how it can make their life better. 

Saturday there was a women's conference. They gave us lunch and then we went into the chapel to listen to Brother Brinley. He is a mission president in Nauvoo. I think he was  a counselor or professor at BYU at one point too. He focused on the importance of marriage and family. He showed some statistics and went over the importance of marriage in the plan of salvation. It was really neat how he showed the purpose of having a strong marriage. I loved it. Later, the Holmes family took us out to dinner. It was really good. They even took us out for ice cream afterwards. the members in this ward are so great.
Sunday was wonderful. The testimonies that were shared were great. Sister Williamson went up and shared her testimony of missionary work. She comes out with us to many lessons and it was so great to hear how much she loves missionary work. She was like our personal advertisement to get more members involved in missionary work. :)

Thank you everyone for all your love and support. Love you all!!!!!!!!!!

There is a huge mural of President Lincoln in Springfield. It is a pretty awesome work of art

We went to Custard Cup during our dinner hour. You can see the two huge lines out both doors. It is the best Custard!!!!!! yum!

This is Virginia. She is one of the most amazing recent converts. She has been in and out of the hospital but still has a smile on her face. She is preparing to go to the temple to receive her endowments by the end of this month.

Sister Nordstrom and Sister Herdman on exchanges

These trees are everywhere here! I love them.

Can you guess which apartment is ours? Look closely!!

Week 26

This week was good! We had Zone Conference. They asked me to play the piano. I stumbled through the songs but it was nice to be able to share my talents. At Zone conference our zone leaders had a great object lesson. They had us blindfold ourselves. The elders used their own ties and they had a bunch of extra for the sisters :). We were then led into the cultural hall. They had turned off the lights and they spun us around, then told us to find Christ. It was difficult. We were just wandering around in a dark room with table and chairs to get in the way. After a few minutes, someone whispered to me if I wanted to find Christ. I said yes and they asked me if I would be baptized. I said yes and he led me out of the room where a picture of Christ was. They congratulated us few missionaries who found Christ and they helped us to realize that the only way we were able to find Christ was through and invitation to be baptized. And now that we had foudn Christ ourselves they told us it was now our duty to help others find Christ. We were instructed to go back into the dark room and find someone and ask them if they would find Christ by being baptized. It was a neat object lesson. After we did this we turned on the lights and asked the remaining missionaries to take off their blindfolds. Some were sad that they didn't find Christ. This really hit me. in the next life there are going to be people who feel left out that they weren't able to get to Christ. They will be some who feel left out because no one came to them and helped them find Christ. I helped me understand the importance of reaching out to everyone in helping them get to Christ. And in order for us to help someone find Christ, we must have found Christ in our own lives. 

During the conference they put black boxes into our cars. Their true names are TiWi boxes (sounds a lot less intimidating than 'black box'). They told us that it will monitor our driving and tell us to slow down if we are speeding and warn us if we are being to aggressive in driving. It talks to us when we need to change. It is a little weird to get used to but it is neat. I think it will be a great way of preventing accidents and protecting missionaries from being careless. 

Conference was amazing!!! I loved every session. Some of my favorite talks was the one with the music analogy and Holland's talk. Those were so powerful. I am listening to Holland's talk right now :). Easter Sunday we had lunch with our ward mission leader's family and dinner with the Goodrich's. They are originally from West Jordan. It was a great day and I was so grateful to be able to have a memorable Easter. 

I know that Christ lives. I feel His love as I think of His wonderful victory over death and I am so grateful for His sacrifice. Because He lives we will all live again. Because He lives, my life has purpose. Because He lives, my future has hope and I can rely on Him to be by my side every step of the way. #BecauseHeLives

HeLives.mormon.org

Our neighbors had an Easter Party. There were sooooo many shoes outside their door!

We felt like rebels as we wrote the Easter initiative on a chalkboard wall in the city

Thanks to my parents for the Easter package! I will have candy to last me a while!

Week 25

This week was a challenge. With Sister Edgel leaving we had to do a lot of cleaning and packing. The weather this whole week was overcast with some snow flurries and rain. But today is sunny. :)

Transfer day was hard. We took Sister Edgel to the church at 7 am with all the other missionaries that were going to transfer meeting in St. Louis. I was asked to take two other sister for the day to do work in my area. I kind of felt alone trying to uphold the work with two other missionaries and me trying to stay productive. But it worked out. We were able to see little miracles happening. And a shout out to sister Williamson who came to the rescue. Since we have been pretty tight on miles, she picked us up to go back to the church and get the new sisters and their luggage. Then she drove us to the store to get groceries. Then to top it off, she took up to Jarling's Custard Cup - the best custard in the whole world!!!!! There was a huge line because they just opened up again from the winter and everyone loves that place. It was yummy and a much needed treat from the long day.

Our new district is huge. We gained a couple set of missionaries and Sister Nordstrom and I are the only sisters. Sister Nordstrom is great. She is from California and she originally started her mission in England. Isn't that cool? She has been out for 14 months. 

We picked up 4 new investigators this week. We have had to drop some but there are promising investigators in our future. One of the people that we picked up is Tanya. One of the members, Sister Springer works with Tanya and got her interested in the church. Tanya says that she is really looking for happiness in her life and she wants to go to a church. Sister Springer took us all out to lunch and we talked about the whole Restoration and she even came to the women's broadcast the next night!!!!! Afterwards, Tanya said that she received some answers to her questions and she said she felt "at home" when she was listening to the speakers!!!! We have another appointment this week and I really hope that she come to one of the sessions of conference. I love her desire to learn about the gospel. :) I really think she feels the spirit and is guided toward the church. :)

Virginia, one of our recent converts is in the hospital. We went to visit her a couple of times. The last time we went in, they said she was in quarantine so we put on the yellow robes and gloves to visit her. Sister Nordstrom said that we look like Yellow peeps :) It was nice to see Virginia and she said that she knows the spirit is right on her shoulder taking care of her. She said that she has felt spoiled with all the visits from members that she has gotten. I love her strength. It seems like satan is putting a lot of things in her life to try and keep her from going to the temple but she said that she is determined to go. I love her.

Women's conference was wonderful and I loved the story that President Eyring told. "Joy always comes after sorrow." My favorite quote. 

Sunday was good. We didn't have any investigators come to church which left gospel principles class pretty small. it was Brother Allan, The missionaries, Brother Bates and Brother Sutoyo. The lesson was on the millennium and it was so awesome to dive into deep conversations about the millennium. I love the wealth of knowledge they have and it was really neat to just talk about the future.

This week brought a lot of challenges but I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for us!! Prayer works!! Love you all!!

 

Week 24

We got our transfer news and i will be staying in Champaign! Sister Edgel will be leaving me and going to Webster Groves. She will be companions with Sister Adams (one of my MTC companions). My new companion will be Sister Nordstrom. I have never met her before so it will be an adventure with a new companion. 

On Monday we had an incredible lesson with Minnie. She was so great. She told us how she is going to start a study pattern and get a study journal as she reads the Book of Mormon. I think she really understands how the Book of Mormon has helped her these past few months. We asked her if she would come to church and she said she would. She picked a date to come to church. I thought it was cute. Normally we only set dates with baptisms but she told us that she would try to come to church the second week of April. Fingers crossed! She also told us something that really touched me. She said that we were the only people of our race that have ever loved her. It is sad to see that there still is some racial discrepancies here, but I am glad to know that we have helped Minnie see that we love her no matter what. 

This week we have done a lot of walking. A Lot! We got news that we will have to make a trip to Springfield at the very end of the month and we wont be reimbursed for the miles that we spend. So we have to save about 200 miles so we can drive to Springfield. They will be putting black boxes in our cars. I guess these boxes will track our driving habits and monitor how well we drive. Hopefully we will adjust well. My feet hurt some days with all the walking. There was one day where we walked about 6 miles. I am sure that it will get easier the more I walk. 

We had to drop a lot of our investigators this week. I is so crazy to see how much of a roller coaster mission work is. Last week we picked up 5 and this week we dropped 4. Sometimes it is hard having to make such big changes like that but I know that Heavenly Father is in control. With having a missionary mind, I find myself wanting instant change from people we meet, but that is not how the world is. The world is slow to change and it takes time to help someone change to a different religion. Even our perspective of time is different. As a missionary. A week is a loooonnnggg time, but to the world it is not. I have to keep reminding myself that the people we meet look at the world a lot differently.

Cool moment. We tracted into a Jehovah Witness and we introduced ourselves and she was hesitant to take anything from us. Then Sister Edgel started talking about family history and she opened right up. We were able to give her a family history card. I don't know if we will ever see her again. But it was really cool to see how there are so many ways that we can reach out to everyone regardless of their religion. 

I am looking forward to this new transfer. Hopefully I will be able to see some positive changes in this area. I can't believe that I will celebrate my 6 month mark tomorrow. Yay! It has gone by so fast. I am 1/3 of the way through. I love you all! Thanks for your love. If you have sent any mail the past couple weeks it has probably been held at the office because transfers are so close. They like to hold onto the mail until all the changes have been made. So hopefully I will get any mail this week after District Meeting. 

Beautiful sunsets that fill the whole sky!!