Dear Family,
It is an extremely beautiful day here in Alabama! It is hard to believe it
is March and the weather is 80 degrees! It is also hard to believe that
next week will be my six month anniversary! We tried to go to the museum
this morning, but it is closed on Mondays! We were disappointed, but we did
take pictures outside. I'll actually send you some real ones this next
week. I know you'll like them :)
Well, here is the update on everyone:
Donnie, Melissa, and Austin did not get baptized this week. We still haven't
set a baptism date with them yet. However, yesterday when Donnie came to
church he told us that he has been talking to Melissa about why she won't
get baptized. Apparently, it has something to do with her mom and grandma
being baptized (I believe in a baptist church) and they have both died. She
is afraid they are in a horrible place and doesn't understand why their
baptism doesn't count. We might be seeing them more than we had planned on
seeing them this week. The McDaniels are possibly having them over for
family home evening this week and we'll be there as well. Donnie, however,
is great! He understands it so well.
Barbara is doing well. Her mom was in the hospital, and when we went and saw
her on Saturday she told us she really wanted to stop smoking. Of course, we
threw our planned lesson on keeping the Sabbath Day holy out the door and
taught her the word of wisdom. She said she would live it, but it would be
hard when her mom came back from the hospital. President Newton said he
would get some people to give her a blessing to help her live it. It would
probably help out.
Betty was a media referral for the Bible and when we got there we told her
we also wanted to give her a Book of Mormon. She told us that she would
start reading the Book of Mormon before she went to bed that night! We
haven't been able to go back because something came up and then she had a
migraine. Hopefully, we can see her this week again. She is a great lady!
She used to work at a nursing home or assisted living facility and she loved
this old man there named Kermit Brown. She kept telling us "I loved me some
Kermit Brown!" She was pretty excited about it.
Jane had met with the missionaries a little bit before when the elders were
here. She wasn't feeling very good either, sut she did say that we could
come back. She said she had a Book of Mormon, but didn't know where it was.
She told us she would look for it before we came back. Then we went off to
tract her next door neighbor. As we were getting ready to go on to the next
house Jane came running out of her house waving the Book of Mormon. She was
so excited that she had found it that she wanted to let us know! That was
fun! It was kind of cold tracting that day, but it felt good. I love cold
weather! I better live somewhere where it snows :)
Tony was completely found through inspiration and the Spirit. We were kind
of stuck with about half an hour before dinner. We prayed to know what to do
and Sister Mickleson said that we should go back to take a Book of Mormon to
a little girl and her family we had met the week before. I think I told you
about Heather last week. Well, we took her a book about Jesus. When we got
there, there were two houses in one building and so we didn't know what door
to knock on. We took our chances and found Tony, Heather's uncle. He seemed
to be sincerely interested. He has read from the Book of Mormon before. He
asked good questions. We are going back this week. Heather lived next door
and Tony said we should teach them. Heather's mom didn't really want to
learn anything, but she was nice. She had a friend who was a member.
I did get the box of contacts and they are the exact ones I wear. Thank you
so much! Thanks for getting the bank stuff taken care of. I can't believe
they were doing that. I thought they had to ask first.
Congrats to Janet on her awesome game! I'm so proud of my little baby
sister! Oh, while I am thinking of it, I'm going to need Sarah's addresses.
Lots of people are sick here. I doesn't make it easy befcause no one wants
us to get sick so they don't want us to come over or go inside when we are
tracting. Luckily, I have missed all the sickness so far. I hope I keep
missing it. We helped a lady in the branch clean this week and her house
reminded me of Grandma Allred's a little bit. She has lived there for 56
years, so it is a pretty old house.
Well, I guess that is all. We just keep working here. I love you all!
Love, Joanna
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
About the weight gain. I haven't gained any. In fact, I think I've actually lost a little since I've been out. I guess it was just the picture making me look like I've gained some weight. It sounds like things just keep on going at home. I'm glad it has warmed up to 35, because it has been in the 70s lately.
Well, on to the real stuff. We had a really good week even though p-day was on Tuesday and we had Zone Conference as well. We have really seen the Lord bless us as we get out and work work work. I know it is because we are being obedient and giving our whole heart might mind and strength to the work. It has been lots of fun. Our investigators are doing well. Melissa however, is still a little hestitant about being baptized because it would change everything that she had been taught in her past. She hasn't told us that yet, but Donnie let us know.
Zone Conference was about Elder Bednar's talk he gave at BYU in 2001 (I think) called "In the Strength of the Lord". He talked about how we can use the Atonement to not only redeem us from our sins but to strengthen us to be able to meet the challenges that come from enduring to the end. I had read it last year in the fall and I really realized it was true. I tried it out because at the time I was really tired and having a hard time getting up in the morning, so each night I prayed for Heavenly Father to help me have the strength to get up when my alarm went off. It really worked. I have also seen it here. I'm not one who normally talks to people, but the Lord has strengthened me to meet the demands of talking to everyone. I am so grateful for the Atonement that helps us in that way as well.
I was going to send you pictures, but I don't have my cord. Next week I will. But, we stopped to take a picture of a church sign and met Heather. She lives next door to the church. She just started talking and we became pretty good friends. I was thinking we were stopping to fulfill my own selfish desire to take a picture by the sign, but we gave her dad a Finding Faith in Christ video. She told us she wants us to bring her some books about Jesus. We told her we would be happy to do that :) so next time we see her and her dad we are planning on taking them the Book of Mormon. Heather happens to be 5 and really like the color pink and princesses, so we had a lot to talk about. She is perhaps one of the cutest girls I have met so far. I'll remember to send pictures next week.
I love you all! Thanks for everything you do for me!
Love, Joanna
About the weight gain. I haven't gained any. In fact, I think I've actually lost a little since I've been out. I guess it was just the picture making me look like I've gained some weight. It sounds like things just keep on going at home. I'm glad it has warmed up to 35, because it has been in the 70s lately.
Well, on to the real stuff. We had a really good week even though p-day was on Tuesday and we had Zone Conference as well. We have really seen the Lord bless us as we get out and work work work. I know it is because we are being obedient and giving our whole heart might mind and strength to the work. It has been lots of fun. Our investigators are doing well. Melissa however, is still a little hestitant about being baptized because it would change everything that she had been taught in her past. She hasn't told us that yet, but Donnie let us know.
Zone Conference was about Elder Bednar's talk he gave at BYU in 2001 (I think) called "In the Strength of the Lord". He talked about how we can use the Atonement to not only redeem us from our sins but to strengthen us to be able to meet the challenges that come from enduring to the end. I had read it last year in the fall and I really realized it was true. I tried it out because at the time I was really tired and having a hard time getting up in the morning, so each night I prayed for Heavenly Father to help me have the strength to get up when my alarm went off. It really worked. I have also seen it here. I'm not one who normally talks to people, but the Lord has strengthened me to meet the demands of talking to everyone. I am so grateful for the Atonement that helps us in that way as well.
I was going to send you pictures, but I don't have my cord. Next week I will. But, we stopped to take a picture of a church sign and met Heather. She lives next door to the church. She just started talking and we became pretty good friends. I was thinking we were stopping to fulfill my own selfish desire to take a picture by the sign, but we gave her dad a Finding Faith in Christ video. She told us she wants us to bring her some books about Jesus. We told her we would be happy to do that :) so next time we see her and her dad we are planning on taking them the Book of Mormon. Heather happens to be 5 and really like the color pink and princesses, so we had a lot to talk about. She is perhaps one of the cutest girls I have met so far. I'll remember to send pictures next week.
I love you all! Thanks for everything you do for me!
Love, Joanna
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hi Family,
This week was exciting! I hope I can share some of that excitement in this weeks email.
Donnie and Melissa are doing very well. President Newton gave us a couple of old sets of scriptures and so we gave one to Donnie. He loves it. Yesterday he read Moses and Joseph Smith-Matthew out loud to Melissa. He told us that when he was reading in Moses he came across a really powerful scripture about repenting and being baptized. Both he and Melissa agreed that it was really powerful. They have come so far in their progress. It makes me so happy. We were a little worried about them getting married before their baptism interview this upcoming weekend. Donnie had told us that Melissa was still a little hesitant, but when we were with them Saturday they were really excited. Melissa even said, "What if we went and got married without telling you?" I think we were all taken aback, but whatever they want to do to be living the law of chastity I am fine with. Seeing them realize the truthfulness and reality of the gospel is great. It helps me appreciate what I have more.
Ken is also doing great. We gave him a set of scriptures as well this past week. He told us he would give them back to us when he bought his own ones from the Distribution Center. We were also talking about people being "blinded by the subtle craftiness of men". Ken definitely recognizes that that is true. He told us that he doesn't understand why people who are miserable don'teven look for or think that turning to God could help them in their lives. They don't make an attempt to even 'try' religion. He also told us he knew the Church is true! We were a little scared because his baptism date was set to be the Saturday of Stake Conference and we wanted to move it up a week. He was perfectly fine with it! We will, however, have to tell him that he can't be baptized in the ocean like he wants to be. I don't think he will have too much of a problem with that.
We have also been working with some of the new investigators that Sister Mickelson and Sister Osburn found while I was in Troy. Some of them are very aware of the Spirit and can definitely recognize the promptings of the Spirit. After leaving all of our teaching appointments I feel so good about everything and everyone here! Now I realize why the mission president was so excited about sending missionaries to Andalusia when I got here. Satan is definitely trying to mess with all our efforts, but is not going to stop us from working. Sunday we had an amazing afternoon of work planned out and had members lined up with us to go and see some of our investigators, but the weather changed our plans dramatically! It didn't make that much of an impact because we were able to have a really productive day yesterday.
This week in our companionship we are working on being happy and enjoying our work. I have noticed the difference between missionaries who are happy and enjoying the work they are doing and those who are not. I have even found that when I am happy even the disappointing things are enjoyable and I'm not miserable. As I read Aubrey's email and looked at the pictures she sent as well, I could see that happiness and joy in her face as well. We were visiting a lady yesterday and she told us that she could see the joy and happiness in our faces.
To answer your questions, yes, please order my contacts. I could really use them as soon as possible :) I do like my music player a lot. If you do get one like it, make sure that you get it in enough time to put as much music on as you can and in an organized fashion, too. I really like it and everyone that has seen it is really impressed with it, too. Speaking of music, Janet, where is mine? I know you have been sick and not at school so you should have had some time to work on it :) Just as long as I get it before I come home.
Here are some pictures:
1. The Church building here in Andalusia. It really is tiny! 2. My birthday with my comps, a week and a half late. 3. WE have some pretty rural parts in our area. We love the dirt road days:) 4. Sister OSburn and I outside the Evergreen City Hall. It isn't in our area, but we got permission to go. Really, Evergreen isn't in any area. It is a highly disputed area. 5. I have a hot dog stand!
Well, I better go. I love you all. Thanks for the letters I got this week. Oh, and do I get to see any pictures from Christmas or anything? I think I was promised Scoresby Scamper Pictures once upon a time. I hope everyone has a good week! Love, Joanna
This week was exciting! I hope I can share some of that excitement in this weeks email.
Donnie and Melissa are doing very well. President Newton gave us a couple of old sets of scriptures and so we gave one to Donnie. He loves it. Yesterday he read Moses and Joseph Smith-Matthew out loud to Melissa. He told us that when he was reading in Moses he came across a really powerful scripture about repenting and being baptized. Both he and Melissa agreed that it was really powerful. They have come so far in their progress. It makes me so happy. We were a little worried about them getting married before their baptism interview this upcoming weekend. Donnie had told us that Melissa was still a little hesitant, but when we were with them Saturday they were really excited. Melissa even said, "What if we went and got married without telling you?" I think we were all taken aback, but whatever they want to do to be living the law of chastity I am fine with. Seeing them realize the truthfulness and reality of the gospel is great. It helps me appreciate what I have more.
Ken is also doing great. We gave him a set of scriptures as well this past week. He told us he would give them back to us when he bought his own ones from the Distribution Center. We were also talking about people being "blinded by the subtle craftiness of men". Ken definitely recognizes that that is true. He told us that he doesn't understand why people who are miserable don'teven look for or think that turning to God could help them in their lives. They don't make an attempt to even 'try' religion. He also told us he knew the Church is true! We were a little scared because his baptism date was set to be the Saturday of Stake Conference and we wanted to move it up a week. He was perfectly fine with it! We will, however, have to tell him that he can't be baptized in the ocean like he wants to be. I don't think he will have too much of a problem with that.
We have also been working with some of the new investigators that Sister Mickelson and Sister Osburn found while I was in Troy. Some of them are very aware of the Spirit and can definitely recognize the promptings of the Spirit. After leaving all of our teaching appointments I feel so good about everything and everyone here! Now I realize why the mission president was so excited about sending missionaries to Andalusia when I got here. Satan is definitely trying to mess with all our efforts, but is not going to stop us from working. Sunday we had an amazing afternoon of work planned out and had members lined up with us to go and see some of our investigators, but the weather changed our plans dramatically! It didn't make that much of an impact because we were able to have a really productive day yesterday.
This week in our companionship we are working on being happy and enjoying our work. I have noticed the difference between missionaries who are happy and enjoying the work they are doing and those who are not. I have even found that when I am happy even the disappointing things are enjoyable and I'm not miserable. As I read Aubrey's email and looked at the pictures she sent as well, I could see that happiness and joy in her face as well. We were visiting a lady yesterday and she told us that she could see the joy and happiness in our faces.
To answer your questions, yes, please order my contacts. I could really use them as soon as possible :) I do like my music player a lot. If you do get one like it, make sure that you get it in enough time to put as much music on as you can and in an organized fashion, too. I really like it and everyone that has seen it is really impressed with it, too. Speaking of music, Janet, where is mine? I know you have been sick and not at school so you should have had some time to work on it :) Just as long as I get it before I come home.
Here are some pictures:
1. The Church building here in Andalusia. It really is tiny! 2. My birthday with my comps, a week and a half late. 3. WE have some pretty rural parts in our area. We love the dirt road days:) 4. Sister OSburn and I outside the Evergreen City Hall. It isn't in our area, but we got permission to go. Really, Evergreen isn't in any area. It is a highly disputed area. 5. I have a hot dog stand!
Well, I better go. I love you all. Thanks for the letters I got this week. Oh, and do I get to see any pictures from Christmas or anything? I think I was promised Scoresby Scamper Pictures once upon a time. I hope everyone has a good week! Love, Joanna
Monday, February 11, 2008
Dear family,
I thought I sent the email, but I didn't. Luckily, I remembered before we left the library. I didn't really take pictures in Troy and am still trying to process what all went down while I was in Troy. I'll figure it out and write as i get it figured out.
I am so happy to be back in Andalusia! Going away for two weeks and then being able to come back here, I have seen how great this area really is. I loved being in Troy on campus, but it just doesn't compare. I was really excited to hear that Sister Mickleson and Sister Osburn had done so much while I was gone. I am excited to keep having such great success and seeing miracles happen here. From what my companions told me and what I hear from the members and our investigators, I'm apparently not allowed to ever leave Andalusia :) I'm not sure what I've done to gain that trust, but I hope it has been an example to them of what we need to do in missionary work and how we need to be committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lessons that we have had since I've been back "home" have been really great! This gospel really is true and really does change lives!
Now, about Troy. I liked being there. Missionary work there was different than missionary work here. Now with my hindsight I would have done things a little differently on my part. Maybe I'll get a chance to fix it in the future.
I feel that I really needed it. I can't really say that I did much while I was there, but I learned a lot while I was there. You could kind of say it was therapeutic for me to go. I absolutely loved working with Sis. Colvin! We had such a great time together, and I felt like I really could work hard while I was serving with her. I was physically worn out after serving with her. I was also happier working with someone who knows that we have to give it all we've got to do missionary work. The branch leaders are really dedicated to missionary work there. I was a little intimidated by their 'weekly teaching records' and how intense the branch mission leader was. It was fun to see how they went about missionary work there.
Here is missionary update for the ward. Lately, my Book of Mormon reading has been in Alma 26-29. The amount of joy that Alma and Ammon experienced was so great that it overwhelmed them. As I thought about this and how it all came about because of their missions, I likened it to myself. Up until I went to Troy I was okay with being a missionary and serving a mission. Of course, I wasn't the number one thing I wanted to do, but I knew the Lord wanted me to be serving a mission, so out of obedience I am serving a mission. I never really felt an over abundance of joy because I was serving a mission. Since I came back to Andalusia, I have really been thinking about Alma and Ammon and the other sons of Mosiah's missions in regards to mine. Now I can really say that I have found great joy in being here on a mission. After this transfer I will be done with 1/3 of my mission! There is no way that I really will only have a year left! I have found perhaps the greatest happiness I've experienced so far in my life in serving the Lord full-time as a missionary. Yes, there are discouraging days, but the joy of doing missionary work so greatly over shadows all the not fun parts of missionary work.
Thanks for all the support and prayers! I got the Valentine's day package today and letters from Uncle Paul's family as well. They were great! I love you all!
Love, Joanna
I thought I sent the email, but I didn't. Luckily, I remembered before we left the library. I didn't really take pictures in Troy and am still trying to process what all went down while I was in Troy. I'll figure it out and write as i get it figured out.
I am so happy to be back in Andalusia! Going away for two weeks and then being able to come back here, I have seen how great this area really is. I loved being in Troy on campus, but it just doesn't compare. I was really excited to hear that Sister Mickleson and Sister Osburn had done so much while I was gone. I am excited to keep having such great success and seeing miracles happen here. From what my companions told me and what I hear from the members and our investigators, I'm apparently not allowed to ever leave Andalusia :) I'm not sure what I've done to gain that trust, but I hope it has been an example to them of what we need to do in missionary work and how we need to be committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lessons that we have had since I've been back "home" have been really great! This gospel really is true and really does change lives!
Now, about Troy. I liked being there. Missionary work there was different than missionary work here. Now with my hindsight I would have done things a little differently on my part. Maybe I'll get a chance to fix it in the future.
I feel that I really needed it. I can't really say that I did much while I was there, but I learned a lot while I was there. You could kind of say it was therapeutic for me to go. I absolutely loved working with Sis. Colvin! We had such a great time together, and I felt like I really could work hard while I was serving with her. I was physically worn out after serving with her. I was also happier working with someone who knows that we have to give it all we've got to do missionary work. The branch leaders are really dedicated to missionary work there. I was a little intimidated by their 'weekly teaching records' and how intense the branch mission leader was. It was fun to see how they went about missionary work there.
Here is missionary update for the ward. Lately, my Book of Mormon reading has been in Alma 26-29. The amount of joy that Alma and Ammon experienced was so great that it overwhelmed them. As I thought about this and how it all came about because of their missions, I likened it to myself. Up until I went to Troy I was okay with being a missionary and serving a mission. Of course, I wasn't the number one thing I wanted to do, but I knew the Lord wanted me to be serving a mission, so out of obedience I am serving a mission. I never really felt an over abundance of joy because I was serving a mission. Since I came back to Andalusia, I have really been thinking about Alma and Ammon and the other sons of Mosiah's missions in regards to mine. Now I can really say that I have found great joy in being here on a mission. After this transfer I will be done with 1/3 of my mission! There is no way that I really will only have a year left! I have found perhaps the greatest happiness I've experienced so far in my life in serving the Lord full-time as a missionary. Yes, there are discouraging days, but the joy of doing missionary work so greatly over shadows all the not fun parts of missionary work.
Thanks for all the support and prayers! I got the Valentine's day package today and letters from Uncle Paul's family as well. They were great! I love you all!
Love, Joanna
Monday, February 4, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
Well, we didn't get a p-day this week, so I'm writing today. Next week I'll be back in the normal swing of things in Andalusia. I'm going back on Wednesday. I will really miss Troy, and I hope I can come back here in the future. We had a really good week and saw lots of miracles. When we heard that President Hinckley died, we were sad but knew that there was nothing to worry about. The Lord has everything figured out when it comes to calling a new prophet. We were instructed to watch the funeral, so we went to a members home and watched it there. I will always remember all the things that he did as the prophet especially the Columbus Temple.
I guess I'll write more next week or sometime in the future about my time here in Troy. Mom, I did get the package and the letters you sent. In fact, I am wearing the jumper and the sweater right now. Thanks to everyone else who sent me birthday emails. It made me feel so loved! I love you all!!!
Love, Joanna
PS-Scott Thacker is in the Troy branch. I think he is Leah Thacker's son. So, this has been like a big family reunion with people I haven't ever met--my companion is my cousin and I have a cousin in the branch. Who can ever say that has happened to them?
Well, we didn't get a p-day this week, so I'm writing today. Next week I'll be back in the normal swing of things in Andalusia. I'm going back on Wednesday. I will really miss Troy, and I hope I can come back here in the future. We had a really good week and saw lots of miracles. When we heard that President Hinckley died, we were sad but knew that there was nothing to worry about. The Lord has everything figured out when it comes to calling a new prophet. We were instructed to watch the funeral, so we went to a members home and watched it there. I will always remember all the things that he did as the prophet especially the Columbus Temple.
I guess I'll write more next week or sometime in the future about my time here in Troy. Mom, I did get the package and the letters you sent. In fact, I am wearing the jumper and the sweater right now. Thanks to everyone else who sent me birthday emails. It made me feel so loved! I love you all!!!
Love, Joanna
PS-Scott Thacker is in the Troy branch. I think he is Leah Thacker's son. So, this has been like a big family reunion with people I haven't ever met--my companion is my cousin and I have a cousin in the branch. Who can ever say that has happened to them?
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