This week has been lovely.
We had several lessons with Kenny. We extended a baptism date to her, which
she is praying about. The language barrier has been brutal still, but we're
working hard to figure out ways to get past that.
She says she feels the Spirit when she reads the Book of Mormon, and she
made it to our Gospel Principles class yesterday. She's really progressing
well, despite the difficulties.
We also started teaching the sister of a recent convert in our ward.
She's seen big changes in him since he's found the church--he's more
selfless and compassionate, calmer, etc--and so she's very interested in
learning what brought that about. She's super open, and her boyfriend is
also interested, although he had to spend most of the time herding their
child around, so we need to figure out how we can help him listen too).
And so on. We've got some really wonderful people in our teaching pool, and
we're optimistic about the future. We're consistently meeting great people,
we're building member trust, and it really feels like this area is ready to
just explode. It's a great time to be here! Hope y'all are doing well--have
a great week!
Monday, March 19, 2012
There's Room for Everyone on the Nice List!
This was a great week (we learned that the Pizza Fairy visits NH too!). We
got perhaps our second real snowstorm of the season on Thursday, which meant
our cars were grounded, consequently forcing us to cancel all of our
appointments. It was very sad. So we planned, and ate, and studied, and
tried to contact some people in the apartment building. And ate. I
remember snow days being much more fun as a child.
Anyway, during the second half of the week we got to teach many lessons,
which was great. One exciting development is that we began teaching Kenny,
a woman from the Marshall Islands whose sister, brother-in law, and daughter
are all LDS. She's wonderful--super nice, loves to read (and in fact was
already reading Daughters in my Kingdom); the only problem is that her
English is not the best. We tried to have her daughter translate, which was
rather rocky business.
Nevertheless, we're thrilled to be teaching her, and she seems eager to
learn.
Almost all of the lessons we taught this week were first lessons, meaning we
got to teach all about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I
love teaching that lesson. It's wonderful to hear people ask us, "So why
are there so many churches today? How are we supposed to know which one is
right?" and be able to answer, telling them about Joseph Smith, and how he
saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's marvelous to share with them
that we have living prophets and additional scripture, and that we want them
to find out that it's true for themselves. This is such a special message
that we share, and I'm so glad I have the privilege of doing so. Missionary
work is sublime.
Have a superb week!
got perhaps our second real snowstorm of the season on Thursday, which meant
our cars were grounded, consequently forcing us to cancel all of our
appointments. It was very sad. So we planned, and ate, and studied, and
tried to contact some people in the apartment building. And ate. I
remember snow days being much more fun as a child.
Anyway, during the second half of the week we got to teach many lessons,
which was great. One exciting development is that we began teaching Kenny,
a woman from the Marshall Islands whose sister, brother-in law, and daughter
are all LDS. She's wonderful--super nice, loves to read (and in fact was
already reading Daughters in my Kingdom); the only problem is that her
English is not the best. We tried to have her daughter translate, which was
rather rocky business.
Nevertheless, we're thrilled to be teaching her, and she seems eager to
learn.
Almost all of the lessons we taught this week were first lessons, meaning we
got to teach all about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I
love teaching that lesson. It's wonderful to hear people ask us, "So why
are there so many churches today? How are we supposed to know which one is
right?" and be able to answer, telling them about Joseph Smith, and how he
saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's marvelous to share with them
that we have living prophets and additional scripture, and that we want them
to find out that it's true for themselves. This is such a special message
that we share, and I'm so glad I have the privilege of doing so. Missionary
work is sublime.
Have a superb week!
The Pony in my Soul goes Clip Clop Clip Clop
This has been another great week. We've seen several miracles,
especially through service. Early last week, we met Christine while
knocking on doors offering service. She didn't need anything, but she
referred us to her friend Sandy whose mother just passed away. We
called Sandy, who promptly invited us over and said, "I have one
question: where is my mother now?" We read from Alma 40 with her and
were able to answer her question, and she's invited us back to teach
more, and she referred us to her father. We'll be teaching both
Christine and Sandy this week, and we hope to get in touch with
Sandy's father today. Yay!
On Saturday we went to the home of Jane--a returning member--and her
daughter Amanda--who belongs to a different church but is very
supportive of her mother--to do yardwork. We were raking leaves on
what might have been the windiest day of the year when we met Andy,
who lives in the apartment in their home. We chatted briefly and
invited him to church, which he said he'd consider. A bit later as we
were leaving we saw him again. Jane offered a ride to church, and he
readily committed to come. Sure enough, he was there yesterday and
stayed for all 3 hours! He's been religion hopping for a while, and
is curious about what we believe, so we hope to start teaching him
this week.
Alas, time allows only such a a small sampling of the great things
that are happening here, but we are truly seeing miracles. I love it
here; we're working hard, we love the people, and there are great
things in store. Have a great week!
especially through service. Early last week, we met Christine while
knocking on doors offering service. She didn't need anything, but she
referred us to her friend Sandy whose mother just passed away. We
called Sandy, who promptly invited us over and said, "I have one
question: where is my mother now?" We read from Alma 40 with her and
were able to answer her question, and she's invited us back to teach
more, and she referred us to her father. We'll be teaching both
Christine and Sandy this week, and we hope to get in touch with
Sandy's father today. Yay!
On Saturday we went to the home of Jane--a returning member--and her
daughter Amanda--who belongs to a different church but is very
supportive of her mother--to do yardwork. We were raking leaves on
what might have been the windiest day of the year when we met Andy,
who lives in the apartment in their home. We chatted briefly and
invited him to church, which he said he'd consider. A bit later as we
were leaving we saw him again. Jane offered a ride to church, and he
readily committed to come. Sure enough, he was there yesterday and
stayed for all 3 hours! He's been religion hopping for a while, and
is curious about what we believe, so we hope to start teaching him
this week.
Alas, time allows only such a a small sampling of the great things
that are happening here, but we are truly seeing miracles. I love it
here; we're working hard, we love the people, and there are great
things in store. Have a great week!
I'm a pilgrim, I'm a stranger cast upon the rocky shore
So you may not have heard, but I'm in Maine. It's
pretty sweet. We finally are getting some snow--not the great Maine
snow I was promised, but at least now I don't feel ridiculous wearing a
down coat, so that's good. And it looks like it may snow today as
well--not that I would know; I don't get the weather or anything, I just
look at the sky. At any rate, in consequence of the snow and
accompanying ice, I am now quite well bruised and I think I lost two
toes. Good times.
So this week Sister Page and I got 4 new investigators. 3 are actually formers--a couple called us out of nowhere and asked us to come visit, and then we tracked down this man who'd been dropped because he left town for a while, and we are now teaching them again. Our last new investigator we met at the home of a lady we were teaching (and have since had to drop, boo), and they are all pretty sweet. The week prior we got a new investigator, and then she dropped us the next day, but we're not thinking about that anymore. This is all very exciting to me, but I think it's losing something in the telling. Hmm.
And missionary life rolls on. Met some mean people, met some nice people. Walk in the snow a lot. Eat Ramen and rice (my companion doesn't even believe in the pizza fairy; my faith too is waning). Go share the gospel. It's pretty rad. You might notice I cannot think of anything to say--I think the library has that effect on me. It takes away all my good stories. Nevertheless! Still enjoying the work, still plowing onward. Have a great week!
So this week Sister Page and I got 4 new investigators. 3 are actually formers--a couple called us out of nowhere and asked us to come visit, and then we tracked down this man who'd been dropped because he left town for a while, and we are now teaching them again. Our last new investigator we met at the home of a lady we were teaching (and have since had to drop, boo), and they are all pretty sweet. The week prior we got a new investigator, and then she dropped us the next day, but we're not thinking about that anymore. This is all very exciting to me, but I think it's losing something in the telling. Hmm.
And missionary life rolls on. Met some mean people, met some nice people. Walk in the snow a lot. Eat Ramen and rice (my companion doesn't even believe in the pizza fairy; my faith too is waning). Go share the gospel. It's pretty rad. You might notice I cannot think of anything to say--I think the library has that effect on me. It takes away all my good stories. Nevertheless! Still enjoying the work, still plowing onward. Have a great week!
There are no flowers, no not this time
So this week was a bit underwhelming in the way of
the work. One of us (me) may have become ill on Monday night, resulting
in us staying in all week. Well, not quite true--we had a specialized
zone meeting on Tuesday, so I go to go party (sleep) in the nursery room
all day while my companion went to all the meetings. It was weird to
be alone. Beyond that, we did not leave the apartment until Friday to
see a doctor (prognosis: I'm not dead yet), and finally Saturday
afternoon we were able to get back to work. In case you were wondering,
being sick as a missionary is no bueno. You can only watch Together
Forever so many times before you go crazy.
Nevertheless, a good weekend. We had a great turnout at church on Sunday, which I think is helping some of our investigators to really start progressing. We also got several members who haven't been in a long time, so that was great. And yep, Bill continues to be solid and awesome. Now that we're back in action, this week should be great.
So, Topsham is awepsome, and hopefully I'm not infecting everyone by being out. Have a great week!
Nevertheless, a good weekend. We had a great turnout at church on Sunday, which I think is helping some of our investigators to really start progressing. We also got several members who haven't been in a long time, so that was great. And yep, Bill continues to be solid and awesome. Now that we're back in action, this week should be great.
So, Topsham is awepsome, and hopefully I'm not infecting everyone by being out. Have a great week!
I'm at the Pizza Hut! I'm at the Taco Bell!
First things first: my eternal gratitude to the
Pizza Fairy this week. Sister Page is now a believer, and we have
enjoyed our feasting. Also, your timing was impeccable because
Second: Saturday night transfer calls came, and I'm out of here! Doesn't the exclamation point make me sound enthusiastic? That's weird, because I'm sort of bummed to leave. I know that I have grown in surprising ways here, as I've come to fall in love with the work and increase my own faith, and I've seen incredible growth in others here--Bill, for example. I will always treasure the time I've had here, but I'm sure that wherever I'm ending up next will be similarly wonderful. Really, I'm fine going somewhere else--I just wish it didn't mean leaving here. But it does, and it's going to be great. Tomorrow I find out where I'm going (almost certainly either New Hampshire or Vermont), which means that I'm in the process of putting all my worldly possessions in my two suitcases and a carry on (no easy feat).
Well, aside from the news that I have to leave Topsham, this week was marvelous. I suppose that if I have to leave this area, it's good to go out on a high note. It really was a great week. We had excellent lessons with Jeff and Joanne, and Sharon suddenly surprised us all by actually keeping her commitment to read and offering to pray and saying she wants her sons to watch the Restoration DVD. We also had an incredible lesson with Jim and his wife Lois (who is now our new investigator) in which she essentially taught us the Plan of Salvation, saying she knows there's levels to heaven and a pre-earth existence and so forth, despite having never been taught it at any church. She was floored to discover that's exactly what we believe, and it was all rather wonderful.
I know I've said it before, but missionary work is really great. This gospel is just so beautiful, and I'm so grateful for the time I've had to share it with the people of Topsham and that I get to go share it with people somewhere else.
Have a great week!
Second: Saturday night transfer calls came, and I'm out of here! Doesn't the exclamation point make me sound enthusiastic? That's weird, because I'm sort of bummed to leave. I know that I have grown in surprising ways here, as I've come to fall in love with the work and increase my own faith, and I've seen incredible growth in others here--Bill, for example. I will always treasure the time I've had here, but I'm sure that wherever I'm ending up next will be similarly wonderful. Really, I'm fine going somewhere else--I just wish it didn't mean leaving here. But it does, and it's going to be great. Tomorrow I find out where I'm going (almost certainly either New Hampshire or Vermont), which means that I'm in the process of putting all my worldly possessions in my two suitcases and a carry on (no easy feat).
Well, aside from the news that I have to leave Topsham, this week was marvelous. I suppose that if I have to leave this area, it's good to go out on a high note. It really was a great week. We had excellent lessons with Jeff and Joanne, and Sharon suddenly surprised us all by actually keeping her commitment to read and offering to pray and saying she wants her sons to watch the Restoration DVD. We also had an incredible lesson with Jim and his wife Lois (who is now our new investigator) in which she essentially taught us the Plan of Salvation, saying she knows there's levels to heaven and a pre-earth existence and so forth, despite having never been taught it at any church. She was floored to discover that's exactly what we believe, and it was all rather wonderful.
I know I've said it before, but missionary work is really great. This gospel is just so beautiful, and I'm so grateful for the time I've had to share it with the people of Topsham and that I get to go share it with people somewhere else.
Have a great week!
Rococo!
So Tuesday was transfer meeting, and after a great deal of
anticipation and wondering, it was revealed that Sister Walter and I
would be opening the area of Methuen 2. Methuen, you might know (if
you are from the area), is in Massachusetts. Oh snap! So it actually
turns out that I'm living in New Hampshire (approximately a mile from
the Mass border), and our area is about 75% NH and maybe 25% Mass.
Being Methuen Dos, we are sharing the ward with the Methuen 1 elders,
which is a very different experience. Opening an area is also a new
and stressful (but exciting) experience, as we're trying to build a
teaching pool and get to know the ward without the help of someone
who's been here for a while. New! Intense!
But really, it's great down here. We're smack dab in the middle of
civilization--they have malls here!--so yes, pizza delivery is still
an option. Everything is very close, we still have a car, and the
ward has been amazingly friendly and welcoming. It's a whole new
world.
What with learning our way around and me getting sick again, this week
hasn't been the most productive, but we've got a few investigators
that we're really excited about (and we have members willing to go
teaching with us all the time!), so I think we're going to see great
things happen as we get to know the area better and really settle in.
By way of introduction, my new companion is Sister Walter. She's
been out a little over a year, and she is tall. Perhaps taller than
me--though these reports are as of yet unconfirmed.
And thus it is! Have a great week.
anticipation and wondering, it was revealed that Sister Walter and I
would be opening the area of Methuen 2. Methuen, you might know (if
you are from the area), is in Massachusetts. Oh snap! So it actually
turns out that I'm living in New Hampshire (approximately a mile from
the Mass border), and our area is about 75% NH and maybe 25% Mass.
Being Methuen Dos, we are sharing the ward with the Methuen 1 elders,
which is a very different experience. Opening an area is also a new
and stressful (but exciting) experience, as we're trying to build a
teaching pool and get to know the ward without the help of someone
who's been here for a while. New! Intense!
But really, it's great down here. We're smack dab in the middle of
civilization--they have malls here!--so yes, pizza delivery is still
an option. Everything is very close, we still have a car, and the
ward has been amazingly friendly and welcoming. It's a whole new
world.
What with learning our way around and me getting sick again, this week
hasn't been the most productive, but we've got a few investigators
that we're really excited about (and we have members willing to go
teaching with us all the time!), so I think we're going to see great
things happen as we get to know the area better and really settle in.
By way of introduction, my new companion is Sister Walter. She's
been out a little over a year, and she is tall. Perhaps taller than
me--though these reports are as of yet unconfirmed.
And thus it is! Have a great week.
This is Very Short and Stupid
Sorry about the silence of the last two weeks--holidays and all that
have shut the libraries. And yes, next week is also a holiday. Yes,
yes this would be a good time to send me real mail to mitigate the pain
of an email-less week! How did you know, you clever person you?
Okay, but really, life has been good. Sister Holyoak and I had a wonderful Christmas (I got two My Little Ponies--what more could you want?), largely due to Bill's absolutely wonderful baptism and confirmation. He continues to be solid, and we even got his wife to sit and watch the Restoration DVD with us this weekend.
And when I say us, I no longer mean Sister Holyoak and I. Transfers came, and BAM I have a new companion! Sister Page has decided to join me in Topsham, and we've had a lovely two weeks thus far. Yes, she's pretty rad (and she likes the Vampire Diaries). We've been doing the worky thing--tracting, walking everywhere (we didn't use our car at all the first week as we'd run out of miles; I must say, my legs are looking good), hunting people down and preaching the good news. It's good stuff.
Alas, this is brief, but I hope that you all had wonderful holidays, and that you send me mail, because that is what kind people do. Later!
(Also, thank you to everyone from the Woodland Park ward for the wicked card and for feeding me! I don't know where specifically to direct a thank you note, so this is it. You're all great! My companions and I love you!)
Okay, but really, life has been good. Sister Holyoak and I had a wonderful Christmas (I got two My Little Ponies--what more could you want?), largely due to Bill's absolutely wonderful baptism and confirmation. He continues to be solid, and we even got his wife to sit and watch the Restoration DVD with us this weekend.
And when I say us, I no longer mean Sister Holyoak and I. Transfers came, and BAM I have a new companion! Sister Page has decided to join me in Topsham, and we've had a lovely two weeks thus far. Yes, she's pretty rad (and she likes the Vampire Diaries). We've been doing the worky thing--tracting, walking everywhere (we didn't use our car at all the first week as we'd run out of miles; I must say, my legs are looking good), hunting people down and preaching the good news. It's good stuff.
Alas, this is brief, but I hope that you all had wonderful holidays, and that you send me mail, because that is what kind people do. Later!
(Also, thank you to everyone from the Woodland Park ward for the wicked card and for feeding me! I don't know where specifically to direct a thank you note, so this is it. You're all great! My companions and I love you!)
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