Dear Family and Friends,
An era is coming to an end as I send my two companions home this week. My
district leader gave me a nickname, but I 'll have to wait until I am at home
before I tell y'all what it is. It is hard sending companions home. Everybody
talks about them going home and what they'll do when they go home and how it
will be great being with their families. I don't think they realize that it has
an impact on the companion not going home. There has been a lot of opportunity
for me to dwell on what I'm missing out on at home, or how it will be a while
until I go home, but I have worked really hard to stay focused on the work. We
have been doing a "30 days of sanctification" this month as a district and I
have worked really hard on being completely focused. It has been hard, but also
very rewarding, as well. Anyway, my new companion will be Sister Leafa, from
American Samoa. She has been out over a year (I think she goes home in
September). Sister Chadwick and Sister Osburn have both served with her. I am
really excited for her to come. She is really nice.
Yesterday at Church they had a surprise dinner for my companions. I was just
like one of the branch members. In fact, when the Branch President was saying
that they were having the potluck he said it was for three honored guests, my
two companions and the investigator we had at Church. I got to bless the food.
But, it was good. Our investigator loved Church! She was a little apprehensive
at first because it was different, but by the end, she loved it! They had
mentioned food storage, and she was amazed by it and really loved the idea of
it. She had a good time at the dinner after Church, and she left with some of
the members. She is going to go somewhere, I can feel it.
We had some really powerful lessons with several people this week. I just
remembered I forgot to write about them in my President's letter, but maybe I
wasn't supposed to. We are going back to all three of them this week.
Ken, our recent convert, came with us to a lesson with Donnie, and it was
perfect. He got to bear his testimony about being baptized and how it has been
the right thing to do. He is great! He siad he would like to go with us more
often. Somehow we'll work it out so he can.
It sounds like things with the family are exciting. It is so good that Casie is
almost done with the Book of Mormon. Only one of our investigators has made any
real progress with the Book of Mormon and he is in the middle of Alma. Do you
think that I could get Casie's address. I've been thinking about writing her a
letter. Oh, I got a letter from Holly Beck and the YSA Newsletter today. I
haven't looked at either, but it is exciting to receive mail from people in
Wausau.
So, we did not do good on our miles at all this month. We have about 25 for
three more days, but it is good because then we can get members to take us
places, which is always good. The reason why I bring this up is because we go
to our District meetings every Tuesday and it is about a 100 mile round trip
journey each week. We talked to the Branch President and he said that he could
take us. And, he wants to take us to lunch at . . . RYAN'S!!!!!! I am so
excited to go to Ryan's. I'll let you know how good it is next week.
Well, we have lots to do, so I better get going. I love you all. Oh, Mom, my
inbox probably won't have room for any more pictures to be sent this week. The
ones from Sarah took a lot of room, just so you know. Oh, on Mother's Day I
don't know when I'll be calling. We haven't found out any information about
calling home, but next week I will let you know. If there is anyway possible, I
would really like to talk to Sarah as well, but only if that's is do-able.
Well, I love you all! Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement!
Love, Joanna
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
We had an amazing week! I hope I can remember all the highlights. It sounds like everything at home and with everyone is going well. I am excited for y'all. Keep encouraging Casie. This is such a great opportunity to be able to have the lessons with her at our house.
So, Stake Conference was really good and two of our investigators and our recent convert came. It was good. Bishop Edgely spoke directly to the youth, recent converts, investigators, and less-active members about strengthening their testimonies. It was also really good for the unbaptized members of the branch we have. Pretty much everyone in the branch came, so that was good.
Zone Conference was really good, too! We had an amazing opportunity as we talked about prayer from Elder Bednar's talk in Conference and then we all joined in prayer for our areas. It was very spiritual. The whole meeting was perfect for where our Zone is at right now. There is so much happening missionary work-wise. At the last Zone Conference President Summerhays told me who my new companion would be, but it isn't going to be her anymore. I'm not sure at all who it will be. I guess I'll find out next week.
We had a miraculous Saturday last week. Most of this all happened Saturday as we tried to apply the Zone Conference training from Friday. As we went out, we spent most of the day tracting. I will be the first to admit, it is not my favorite finding method. I did not let that deter us. I know we had done our part and had prayed for the Lord to consecrate the work we did. Well, we only got one person to who wanted us to come back. We caught her at a very inconvenient time, so we didn't even get to really teach her anything. She just said we should come back next week. I wasn't going to get discouraged though. That afternoon we went to visit a les-active member, but he wasn't home so we tracted in his apartments. That is where it all began. We talked to two ladies who didn't have time to listen to us then, but we could come back and talk to them. Then we met Shawanda. We taught her a basic lesson one and about how we have a prophet and the restored gospel and how it can help her be happier in her life. She said that we could come back next Saturday. Then we went to try and get into a referral's home, but she wasn't home. We tracted her neighborhood and met Caroline. She, too, was busy, but we taught her and she said we could come back next Saturday as well. We continued on our tracting efforts. In that neighborhood, there was a friend of Sister McDaniel who had taken the lessons before but becuase of pressure from her family, she stopped. We decided we would just tract around her neighboorhood until we found her. On our way we met Dorothy. We finally found Lola, Sister McDaniel's friend, and taught her. She was excited to see us and wanted us to come back. She just didn't know right then what time would be best. As we continued tracting we met Reginald who also wanted us to come back.
Saturday night we met with Donnie. We even got Melissa to come out for the lesson. Towards the end of the lesson Donnie began telling us that after work he was going to walk home becuase he was feeling lazy and knew that once he got home he wouldn't want to exercise or go back to pick Melissa up from work. So he walked home. About 15 minutes later someone picked him up. It was his brother, Charles's neighbor. As she was dropping him off, she told him that she wanted things to be more stable in her home. She has a lot of people come and go, and it didn't bring the best attitude into her home. She also wanted her children to learn about Jesus. Donnie said he thought it would be alright for us to just stop by, but he wasn't sure. We planned to go see her on Sunday if any of our appointments cancelled, and sure enough, one did. We went to see Lisa and when we got there she greeted us warmly. We had met her at WInn-Dixie a couple of weeks earlier! We went in and got to know her and there were two other men there. They both were lkiving there for the time. As we started talking to one, he asked about if we went to Stake Conference and he talked as if he was very familiar with the Church. Sure enough, he was a less-active member who is going through a divorce with his wife right now. So, we taught Lisa and TJ (the other non-member) and are going back next Friday. She told us she wanted to be part of the true Church and she hung on every single word that we said. She was thrilled to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. I'm excited for it. And, it was a referral from Donnie! That is probably one of the highlights of my mission!
Things are going very well. Sister Mickelson and Sister Osburn are going home next week. I will still be here in Andalusia :) I'm happy for that. It is fine for President Pleshek to use part of my letter. That is kind of intimidating to know that he will be quoting me in training meetings. During some extra time that we had this week, I was looking through my missionary training packet. There are some talks included about involving members in doing missionary work. I realized that one of the reasons why I needed to come on a mission was so that I learned that missionary work really is a responsibility of members. I guess being at BYU where everyone I knew was a member kind of made me forget that. When I get home I will try to do better at being a member missionary.
Well, I love you all! I hope you all have a good week. Isn't this the week that you are going to see Afton? Take lots of pictures for me.
Love, Joanna
We had an amazing week! I hope I can remember all the highlights. It sounds like everything at home and with everyone is going well. I am excited for y'all. Keep encouraging Casie. This is such a great opportunity to be able to have the lessons with her at our house.
So, Stake Conference was really good and two of our investigators and our recent convert came. It was good. Bishop Edgely spoke directly to the youth, recent converts, investigators, and less-active members about strengthening their testimonies. It was also really good for the unbaptized members of the branch we have. Pretty much everyone in the branch came, so that was good.
Zone Conference was really good, too! We had an amazing opportunity as we talked about prayer from Elder Bednar's talk in Conference and then we all joined in prayer for our areas. It was very spiritual. The whole meeting was perfect for where our Zone is at right now. There is so much happening missionary work-wise. At the last Zone Conference President Summerhays told me who my new companion would be, but it isn't going to be her anymore. I'm not sure at all who it will be. I guess I'll find out next week.
We had a miraculous Saturday last week. Most of this all happened Saturday as we tried to apply the Zone Conference training from Friday. As we went out, we spent most of the day tracting. I will be the first to admit, it is not my favorite finding method. I did not let that deter us. I know we had done our part and had prayed for the Lord to consecrate the work we did. Well, we only got one person to who wanted us to come back. We caught her at a very inconvenient time, so we didn't even get to really teach her anything. She just said we should come back next week. I wasn't going to get discouraged though. That afternoon we went to visit a les-active member, but he wasn't home so we tracted in his apartments. That is where it all began. We talked to two ladies who didn't have time to listen to us then, but we could come back and talk to them. Then we met Shawanda. We taught her a basic lesson one and about how we have a prophet and the restored gospel and how it can help her be happier in her life. She said that we could come back next Saturday. Then we went to try and get into a referral's home, but she wasn't home. We tracted her neighborhood and met Caroline. She, too, was busy, but we taught her and she said we could come back next Saturday as well. We continued on our tracting efforts. In that neighborhood, there was a friend of Sister McDaniel who had taken the lessons before but becuase of pressure from her family, she stopped. We decided we would just tract around her neighboorhood until we found her. On our way we met Dorothy. We finally found Lola, Sister McDaniel's friend, and taught her. She was excited to see us and wanted us to come back. She just didn't know right then what time would be best. As we continued tracting we met Reginald who also wanted us to come back.
Saturday night we met with Donnie. We even got Melissa to come out for the lesson. Towards the end of the lesson Donnie began telling us that after work he was going to walk home becuase he was feeling lazy and knew that once he got home he wouldn't want to exercise or go back to pick Melissa up from work. So he walked home. About 15 minutes later someone picked him up. It was his brother, Charles's neighbor. As she was dropping him off, she told him that she wanted things to be more stable in her home. She has a lot of people come and go, and it didn't bring the best attitude into her home. She also wanted her children to learn about Jesus. Donnie said he thought it would be alright for us to just stop by, but he wasn't sure. We planned to go see her on Sunday if any of our appointments cancelled, and sure enough, one did. We went to see Lisa and when we got there she greeted us warmly. We had met her at WInn-Dixie a couple of weeks earlier! We went in and got to know her and there were two other men there. They both were lkiving there for the time. As we started talking to one, he asked about if we went to Stake Conference and he talked as if he was very familiar with the Church. Sure enough, he was a less-active member who is going through a divorce with his wife right now. So, we taught Lisa and TJ (the other non-member) and are going back next Friday. She told us she wanted to be part of the true Church and she hung on every single word that we said. She was thrilled to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. I'm excited for it. And, it was a referral from Donnie! That is probably one of the highlights of my mission!
Things are going very well. Sister Mickelson and Sister Osburn are going home next week. I will still be here in Andalusia :) I'm happy for that. It is fine for President Pleshek to use part of my letter. That is kind of intimidating to know that he will be quoting me in training meetings. During some extra time that we had this week, I was looking through my missionary training packet. There are some talks included about involving members in doing missionary work. I realized that one of the reasons why I needed to come on a mission was so that I learned that missionary work really is a responsibility of members. I guess being at BYU where everyone I knew was a member kind of made me forget that. When I get home I will try to do better at being a member missionary.
Well, I love you all! I hope you all have a good week. Isn't this the week that you are going to see Afton? Take lots of pictures for me.
Love, Joanna
Monday, April 14, 2008
Dear Family and friends,
This week was good. Here is a brief summary of what has been going on in Andalusia.
Ken was baptized and confirmed this week. It was really good. He originally wanted to be baptized at the beach, but we couldn't do that. So, he decided that it would be fine in a lake. Brother Youmans has a house on one of the lakes so we got it all ready, cleaning for about half the day Wednesday with Sister Youmans. When Saturday rolled around, it was storming so we ended up having it at the Church anyway. Friday night when we talked to Ken making sure everything was fine, he told us that whatever would be fine, "just as long as I get baptized!" His baptism went very well as well. Yesterday in Church they confirmed him and also ordained him to the priesthood in Sacrament Meeting so that he would be able to pass the sacrament. He is such a good kid, and he is ready for the journey through the gospel that life has in store for him. When he was confirmed and ordained, he got two very amazing blessings telling him that he has great things in store. It pretty much said that words can't describe everything that Heavenly Father has in store for him. And, I got to help him come to Christ so he can receive those blessings? WOW!
We have been meeting with a less-active member, Sister McSwain. She moved into our area several years ago, and didn't come to Church. Three years ago her daughter was killed and no conclusion came from the investigation into the case. She turned very bitter against God. Three years later the sister missionaries in Andalusia had a little extra time to kill so they headed out to find her. She wasn't very friendly at first, but Sister Mickelson needed to use the bathroom and we were able to get into her house. She told us she didn't want anything to do with the Church and she was angry at God. We went on our merry way and left her our number if she ever needed anything. A week or two later Sister Mickelson felt the need to go back, so we went. I was scared to death, but Sister Mickelson was right. When we got there she greeted us very friendly. Our visit went well and she said she knew she needed to get her life turned around and so she would let us come and teach her. When we went back the next week, Sister Galinski came and we taught the Restoration. It was one of the most powerful lessons I have taught. Almost everyone was in tears at the end of the lesson. The Spirit was very strong. Sister McSwain told us she knew she needed to get back to living the gospel and coming to Church, this time 100% instead of the "just going because I am supposed" way she had been before. It was a great lesson. Because of her work schedule and our schedule we didn't get to see her for quite a few weeks. This last week we went back. As we pulled up she came out and said she had been having a horrible time. Things just kept going wrong and all these things were falling apart. We taught the first part of the plan of salvation as best as we could, but then we talked with her about her concerns. By the time we left we had been able to get her back positive. She said that our visit was exactly qwhat she needed. We also had talked about making changes in her life. She knew what she needed to be doing and needed to make that change. She told us her one big problem would be letting people in. For so long she had shut people out so that she wouldn't get hurt and by going to Church she would have to let people in. It scared her, but we reassured her that we could ease her into that. I have so much love for Sister McSwain. Even though I was scared to go back the second time, my heart has been opened so much and I feel the greatest love I have for her. She truly is amazing, and I know as she gets her life turned around she will be able to put things in the past behind her. I am excited to see her progress.
I think we were saved by a Baptist preacher this week. It really didn't do much for me except help me know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it true. And, it gives me a really good mission story.
Donnie is good. So that we can keep teaching him, we are starting to teach out of the Gospel Principles manual and we told him that he can go into Gospel Doctrine class and learn more about the Book of Mormon. When we told him what we were going to do, he was relieved because he thought we were going to ask him to teach Gospel Principles class! What a good investigator! On Saturday, Melissa's brother-in-law was there and he participated in the lesson. We talked about faith in Jesus Christ, which was perfect because we knew that he had had questions about "the Mormons" before and what we believed. Melissa wasn't there. We are hoping that we will be able to have both Donnie and Melissa at the meeting before Stake Conference this weekend with Bishop Edgley.
I have been working to be truly consecrated and dedicated to the work, which has been a task in and of itself, but I have also been working to be more humble. I know that I have a lot of pride, so I have been studying different aspects of humility. Today my Book of Mormon reading placed me in Helaman 3, which contains that great verse that says they did fast and pray oft and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility and firmer and firmer in the faith of Jesus Christ and they were purified and sanctified through yielding their hearts to God. Heavenly Father knew that I needed to read that today (I was supposed to read it yesterday, but instead I read 3 Nephi 18) because I would have more time to study it and let it sink into my heart and mind.
Even though it hasn't been a cake walk, I am so glad I am here. Having Ken's baptism gave me such great joy and hope to carry on the work. I really feel honored to know that I am part of God's work to bring people to Christ and the marvelous blessings that are part of the gospel. I know it is true. I have had so many little experiences so far on my mission to reconfirm the truth to me. I love it!
I did get the curling iron and the family paper. I'm glad I'm not in Brazil going through what Jeff is going through. It makes Andalusia look like paradise. We don't have to worry about bank robberies or the police chasing us. All we have to worry about is making sure our apartment stays bug free and our car is clean and we don't go over miles. It has been a little cooler with the storm that moved Ken's baptism to the Church. I still miss the snow though. And, I don't get my tax rebate? I'm bummed. Now I will be a poor returned missionary when I get home. Oh well. And what is up with everyone getting engaged and married? That is crazy. We have Zone Conference again this week, so next week I'll tell you all about it. We might be going to Target afterwards. That will be nice. We also have Stake Conference and Bishop Edgley will be there. He wants to meet with all the investigators and recent converts before the Sunday Morning session, so that will be good. Hopefully, we can get people there.
I guess that is all. I love you all! Thanks for all of your prayers and the support you give. Oh, to Ben and Shannon, it has been two weeks since you mentioned my birthday package, and there has been no sign of it in the mailbox. Maybe since it is now posted on my blog it will give you more motivation to send it to me :) I hope you all have a good week.
Love, Joanna
This week was good. Here is a brief summary of what has been going on in Andalusia.
Ken was baptized and confirmed this week. It was really good. He originally wanted to be baptized at the beach, but we couldn't do that. So, he decided that it would be fine in a lake. Brother Youmans has a house on one of the lakes so we got it all ready, cleaning for about half the day Wednesday with Sister Youmans. When Saturday rolled around, it was storming so we ended up having it at the Church anyway. Friday night when we talked to Ken making sure everything was fine, he told us that whatever would be fine, "just as long as I get baptized!" His baptism went very well as well. Yesterday in Church they confirmed him and also ordained him to the priesthood in Sacrament Meeting so that he would be able to pass the sacrament. He is such a good kid, and he is ready for the journey through the gospel that life has in store for him. When he was confirmed and ordained, he got two very amazing blessings telling him that he has great things in store. It pretty much said that words can't describe everything that Heavenly Father has in store for him. And, I got to help him come to Christ so he can receive those blessings? WOW!
We have been meeting with a less-active member, Sister McSwain. She moved into our area several years ago, and didn't come to Church. Three years ago her daughter was killed and no conclusion came from the investigation into the case. She turned very bitter against God. Three years later the sister missionaries in Andalusia had a little extra time to kill so they headed out to find her. She wasn't very friendly at first, but Sister Mickelson needed to use the bathroom and we were able to get into her house. She told us she didn't want anything to do with the Church and she was angry at God. We went on our merry way and left her our number if she ever needed anything. A week or two later Sister Mickelson felt the need to go back, so we went. I was scared to death, but Sister Mickelson was right. When we got there she greeted us very friendly. Our visit went well and she said she knew she needed to get her life turned around and so she would let us come and teach her. When we went back the next week, Sister Galinski came and we taught the Restoration. It was one of the most powerful lessons I have taught. Almost everyone was in tears at the end of the lesson. The Spirit was very strong. Sister McSwain told us she knew she needed to get back to living the gospel and coming to Church, this time 100% instead of the "just going because I am supposed" way she had been before. It was a great lesson. Because of her work schedule and our schedule we didn't get to see her for quite a few weeks. This last week we went back. As we pulled up she came out and said she had been having a horrible time. Things just kept going wrong and all these things were falling apart. We taught the first part of the plan of salvation as best as we could, but then we talked with her about her concerns. By the time we left we had been able to get her back positive. She said that our visit was exactly qwhat she needed. We also had talked about making changes in her life. She knew what she needed to be doing and needed to make that change. She told us her one big problem would be letting people in. For so long she had shut people out so that she wouldn't get hurt and by going to Church she would have to let people in. It scared her, but we reassured her that we could ease her into that. I have so much love for Sister McSwain. Even though I was scared to go back the second time, my heart has been opened so much and I feel the greatest love I have for her. She truly is amazing, and I know as she gets her life turned around she will be able to put things in the past behind her. I am excited to see her progress.
I think we were saved by a Baptist preacher this week. It really didn't do much for me except help me know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it true. And, it gives me a really good mission story.
Donnie is good. So that we can keep teaching him, we are starting to teach out of the Gospel Principles manual and we told him that he can go into Gospel Doctrine class and learn more about the Book of Mormon. When we told him what we were going to do, he was relieved because he thought we were going to ask him to teach Gospel Principles class! What a good investigator! On Saturday, Melissa's brother-in-law was there and he participated in the lesson. We talked about faith in Jesus Christ, which was perfect because we knew that he had had questions about "the Mormons" before and what we believed. Melissa wasn't there. We are hoping that we will be able to have both Donnie and Melissa at the meeting before Stake Conference this weekend with Bishop Edgley.
I have been working to be truly consecrated and dedicated to the work, which has been a task in and of itself, but I have also been working to be more humble. I know that I have a lot of pride, so I have been studying different aspects of humility. Today my Book of Mormon reading placed me in Helaman 3, which contains that great verse that says they did fast and pray oft and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility and firmer and firmer in the faith of Jesus Christ and they were purified and sanctified through yielding their hearts to God. Heavenly Father knew that I needed to read that today (I was supposed to read it yesterday, but instead I read 3 Nephi 18) because I would have more time to study it and let it sink into my heart and mind.
Even though it hasn't been a cake walk, I am so glad I am here. Having Ken's baptism gave me such great joy and hope to carry on the work. I really feel honored to know that I am part of God's work to bring people to Christ and the marvelous blessings that are part of the gospel. I know it is true. I have had so many little experiences so far on my mission to reconfirm the truth to me. I love it!
I did get the curling iron and the family paper. I'm glad I'm not in Brazil going through what Jeff is going through. It makes Andalusia look like paradise. We don't have to worry about bank robberies or the police chasing us. All we have to worry about is making sure our apartment stays bug free and our car is clean and we don't go over miles. It has been a little cooler with the storm that moved Ken's baptism to the Church. I still miss the snow though. And, I don't get my tax rebate? I'm bummed. Now I will be a poor returned missionary when I get home. Oh well. And what is up with everyone getting engaged and married? That is crazy. We have Zone Conference again this week, so next week I'll tell you all about it. We might be going to Target afterwards. That will be nice. We also have Stake Conference and Bishop Edgley will be there. He wants to meet with all the investigators and recent converts before the Sunday Morning session, so that will be good. Hopefully, we can get people there.
I guess that is all. I love you all! Thanks for all of your prayers and the support you give. Oh, to Ben and Shannon, it has been two weeks since you mentioned my birthday package, and there has been no sign of it in the mailbox. Maybe since it is now posted on my blog it will give you more motivation to send it to me :) I hope you all have a good week.
Love, Joanna
Monday, April 7, 2008
Dear Family,
We had a pretty good week and it was topped off by a great General Conference. I love the quiet succession that goes on in the leadership of the Church as time goes by and leaders pass away. As I was listening to President Monson speak, I thought back to President Hinckley's birthday when we made the lunch. As they walked through to the ballroom their power that comes from the calling to be a prophet, seer, and revelator was very strong. Even though they are just men who have the same struggles and difficulties we have, the Spirit of their calling I felt that day was also very apparent when President Monson, President Eyring, and President Uchtdorf spoke, as well as the other Apostles. How I love the knowledge I have of the Restoration that makes life so simple and easy to follow Christ! We even had investigators come to some of the sessions. I really enjoyed both Elder Bednar's and Elder Holland's talks. They would be great members to have go with us to teaching appointments!
Last week I told you about Zone Conference and the talk we got by Elder Holland. Here is a little part of it that really struck me hard. President Holland was speaking about how missionaries ask questions like, "Because this is the truth, why aren't people flocking to the baptismal font?", "Why do people not understand?", "Why do they reject us?" Then Elder Holland says,
"[These] are things I have asked. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. It is not Church doctrine, per se, it's just my feeling to you as you prepare to go into the mission field. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, He is our Great Eternal Head. Why would we believe, why would we think, that it would ever be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? In turn, how could we possibly bear an moving, lasting testimony of the Atonement if we have never known or felt anything of such an expereince? As missionaries we are proud to say we are disciples of Churst-and we are. But mark my word. That means you must be prepared to walk some of the path He walked, to feel some of the pain He felt, to at least occasionally sometime suring your mission shed one of the tears of sorrow He shed."
I think this applies to not just missionaries, but all members everywhere. To truly come to know (as well as we can here in this life) what Christ suffered during those last days of His life, we have to bear some of the burden ourselves. This is how we truly can come to know our Savior and know how He can help strengthen us through the amazing grace He offers to us. How grateful I am for that! The Atonement has strengthened me remarkably in my life.
Even though this work can be heart wrenching at times, I love it. I love the people that I am working with and around. I know that even though it is hard and that at times I have to give everything I have to not give up, it is the Lord's work and that through Jesus Christ ALL things can be accomplished, even seeing the Andalusia ward be formed. I am so grateful that I came on my mission!
This week we had a sad experience with one of our investigators. We called her Thursday evening, and she told us that her Mom doesn't want us to come over anymore. Her mom has leukemia and does not have very good health, so she gets stressed when people come over. We suggested having lessons at the Church just across the yard, but she is concerned with leaving her Mom for a long period of time. Her Mom is supposed to go to her brother's for the next couple of weeks, so we are going to find out if that happened for real. Hopefully, we can keep teaching her. She can feel the peace that the restored gospel has to offer her.
I'm glad Sarah got to the MTC all safe and sound and that Janet's soccer is going well.
We are going to putty and paint at a part member's home this week. It will be fun. She grew up in the Church and is so enthusiastic to have the missionaries around. Her brother served a mission several years ago, but she is always asking us about missions and missionary work. We are hoping that we can get her to come with us sometime to a teaching appointment so she can see what it is like. If she didn't get married, she probably would have served a mission. She is great!
We didn't have any really severe weather, just some rain and thunder. The weather is getting warm and the missionary tan is starting to come.
I guess that is all for this week. I love you all! Thank you so much for all of the prayers and support that you give me. I can feel the blessings that are coming from them.
Love, Joanna
We had a pretty good week and it was topped off by a great General Conference. I love the quiet succession that goes on in the leadership of the Church as time goes by and leaders pass away. As I was listening to President Monson speak, I thought back to President Hinckley's birthday when we made the lunch. As they walked through to the ballroom their power that comes from the calling to be a prophet, seer, and revelator was very strong. Even though they are just men who have the same struggles and difficulties we have, the Spirit of their calling I felt that day was also very apparent when President Monson, President Eyring, and President Uchtdorf spoke, as well as the other Apostles. How I love the knowledge I have of the Restoration that makes life so simple and easy to follow Christ! We even had investigators come to some of the sessions. I really enjoyed both Elder Bednar's and Elder Holland's talks. They would be great members to have go with us to teaching appointments!
Last week I told you about Zone Conference and the talk we got by Elder Holland. Here is a little part of it that really struck me hard. President Holland was speaking about how missionaries ask questions like, "Because this is the truth, why aren't people flocking to the baptismal font?", "Why do people not understand?", "Why do they reject us?" Then Elder Holland says,
"[These] are things I have asked. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. It is not Church doctrine, per se, it's just my feeling to you as you prepare to go into the mission field. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, He is our Great Eternal Head. Why would we believe, why would we think, that it would ever be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? In turn, how could we possibly bear an moving, lasting testimony of the Atonement if we have never known or felt anything of such an expereince? As missionaries we are proud to say we are disciples of Churst-and we are. But mark my word. That means you must be prepared to walk some of the path He walked, to feel some of the pain He felt, to at least occasionally sometime suring your mission shed one of the tears of sorrow He shed."
I think this applies to not just missionaries, but all members everywhere. To truly come to know (as well as we can here in this life) what Christ suffered during those last days of His life, we have to bear some of the burden ourselves. This is how we truly can come to know our Savior and know how He can help strengthen us through the amazing grace He offers to us. How grateful I am for that! The Atonement has strengthened me remarkably in my life.
Even though this work can be heart wrenching at times, I love it. I love the people that I am working with and around. I know that even though it is hard and that at times I have to give everything I have to not give up, it is the Lord's work and that through Jesus Christ ALL things can be accomplished, even seeing the Andalusia ward be formed. I am so grateful that I came on my mission!
This week we had a sad experience with one of our investigators. We called her Thursday evening, and she told us that her Mom doesn't want us to come over anymore. Her mom has leukemia and does not have very good health, so she gets stressed when people come over. We suggested having lessons at the Church just across the yard, but she is concerned with leaving her Mom for a long period of time. Her Mom is supposed to go to her brother's for the next couple of weeks, so we are going to find out if that happened for real. Hopefully, we can keep teaching her. She can feel the peace that the restored gospel has to offer her.
I'm glad Sarah got to the MTC all safe and sound and that Janet's soccer is going well.
We are going to putty and paint at a part member's home this week. It will be fun. She grew up in the Church and is so enthusiastic to have the missionaries around. Her brother served a mission several years ago, but she is always asking us about missions and missionary work. We are hoping that we can get her to come with us sometime to a teaching appointment so she can see what it is like. If she didn't get married, she probably would have served a mission. She is great!
We didn't have any really severe weather, just some rain and thunder. The weather is getting warm and the missionary tan is starting to come.
I guess that is all for this week. I love you all! Thank you so much for all of the prayers and support that you give me. I can feel the blessings that are coming from them.
Love, Joanna
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