Hello family and friends,
We are supposed to get our brakes fixed today, and I thought I would have to handwrite this week's letter, but we haven't gotten the authorization to get anything done yet. So, for everyone's enjoyment, here is the weekly email.
We had a really good week. We had so many people at Church yesterday. That is one of the hardest things that we have faced. But, yesterday we had two of our investigators and their families there! I'm hoping that we'll be able to teach all of their families. One family really loved it and the mom said that she would love to come to enrichment meeting this week. She would just have to get the dad to watch the kids.
This week I realized that Satan works in the craziest ways to stop or distract people from learning about the gospel and progressing towards getting baptized. The first instance starts with the desire to get married. Donnie and Melissa said that they wanted to just get married at the court house and even talked about doing it this last Tuesday. It was almost a for sure thing, so when we went to our appointment with them on Wednesday, we asked them if anything exciting had happened the day before. They said no, and Donnie told us that something had come up to stop them from getting married. I was horrified and every reason why started running through my mind. Donnie told us that the probate judge here in town, which is the one they have to see to get married, got arrested for embezzlement and was in jail. So, there was no probate judge. Luckily, there has been a new one appointed, so they can still go see the judge and get married. The second case was a little bit worse. One of our investigators who is making great progress found out last week that their family was going to get evicted this next week. Because of hospitalizations and disabilities which have made it hard to pay rent, they are several months behind and have no way to pay rent. It has been really hard on them. Satan works so hard to stop people from enjoying the blessings of the gospel. It is so frustrating. In 1 Nephi 22:15, it talks about how Satan will be bound and have no more power over us and that will come by our righteousness. It would be so great if that could happen now. It would make missionary work so much easier.
I also, once again this week, was reminded that I have the greatest family in the world. Yesterday we were teaching one of our investigators who has been feeling pretty upset about her family. I was thinking about our family and how everyone talks about how perfect our family is, and I realized that it is pretty good. I was feeling a little discouraged because how can I sympathize with people who come from crappy family situations when mine has been so great? I'm not sure yet, but I'm not going to complain. Seeing how hard it is to raise a righteous family today, I am reassured that it is still possible. Even though we have our moments, it is still possible to raise a righteous family. So, thanks Mom and Dad. Oh, yesterday we also spent a little bit of the afternoon with an elderly relative of some members and played Rummikub. I felt like I was at home playing games on Sunday. And, the good news is--I won three of the games! I would feel worse, but I hear that she is a really competitive player, so I gave her a run for her money.
We are having Zone Conference this week. I'm looking forward to it. Even though we have to leave our apartment before we would normally get up, it is great to receive the strength and training that President Summerhays and our Zone Leaders have for us. It will be great!
Yesterday I spoke in Sacrament meeting again. After Church, we were talking with the branch mission leader and he was surprised to realize that I had been here for over half my mission. And the branch president said that I could probably claim residency and vote and maybe even run for office. WOuldn't that be exciting? I could have filled in for the probate judge while she was still in jail.
Well, it sounds like everything is good at home. I love the picture of Afton. I'm so glad I have a cute niece I can brag about. I hope she knows that I'm her favorite aunt.
Well, I guess that is it. It was a little bit cooler this week and rained, which made me really happy. We'll see what happens this week.
I love you all!
Love, Joanna
Monday, June 23, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
Well, usually I write to President Summerhays first, but the computer keeps pulling up a reply to to Mom's email. It must mean that I am supposed to write home first today.
Well, Sister Johns joined us on Wednesday. It was really hot when we went down to Florida to pick her up, so I'm glad I'm in Alabama. Not that it is a lot cooler here, but it just seems that it isn't quite as hot. Sis. Johns is from Turlock, California. She has wanted to serve a mission since she was 7. Kind of a different story than me. She is really good. Being able to train has helped me refocus on what I should be doing as a missionary. It isn't that I have forgotten, but there are certain things to focus on more and it has been good to go back to that point. I have decided that I am going to retrain myself. Since it has been nine months, I need a refresher course.
We had a pretty normal week. We have been able to have good lessons with Donnie and Melissa, and they have even talked about how they know they need to get married before anyone can get baptized. I was so shocked when they brought it up themselves. But, it is such a great thing.
Our other investigator, George, finally made it to Church this Sunday! He has been wanting to come for so long, but things have happened to stop him from coming. He loved it and said he would be there every Sunday if he can make it. He is also doing so well with the Word of Wisdom. He has recognized the Lord's help to overcome his smoking.
People keep telling me that there has been flooding and stuff in Wisconsin, but I figured things would be okay at home. No one ever knows where exactly the flooding is taking place, so I figure since we live up on the banks of the river, home is safe. People keep telling us that the end is near. It is interesting to hear their perspective on the end and you can tell those who are a little afraid of what might happen. I love that it is called the great and dreadful day because it will be great for the righteous, but dreadful for the wicked.
I'm glad everything at home is good. I will have to say, though, my mail has finally slacked off to the point of almost being non-existent. I did, however, receive the package in the mail today. It was a nice surprise. I haven't opened it yet though. I don't really know how much longer I'll be in Andalusia. President Summerhays said that he was going to keep me here at least one more transfer so I can see the fruit of the work I've been doing. Everyone has their own idea about what is going to happen with me. One of the elders in my district had been in his area for 9 transfers and everyone thinks that I am going to break his record. I don't think I will. We'll see what happens. President Summerhays said that I would get lots of warning before I would be transferred so that I could help the branch cope with me leaving. I think it would probably be healthy for me to be transferred. It is hard to stay in one area for such a long time and still work with 100% of your effort and heart.
Oh, the letter I received from Sister Young was from the Primary. It was some letters from the primary activity that they had, but they sent me Elder Huckbody's instead of mine. I wonder if we could swap so that I could have mine and he could have his. :)
Well, I love you all! We were a little late getting going with p-day because we had to get our brakes checked and found out they'll have to be replaced. I'm sure the vehicle coordinator will be happy to hear that. I hope you all have a good week!
Love, Joanna
Well, usually I write to President Summerhays first, but the computer keeps pulling up a reply to to Mom's email. It must mean that I am supposed to write home first today.
Well, Sister Johns joined us on Wednesday. It was really hot when we went down to Florida to pick her up, so I'm glad I'm in Alabama. Not that it is a lot cooler here, but it just seems that it isn't quite as hot. Sis. Johns is from Turlock, California. She has wanted to serve a mission since she was 7. Kind of a different story than me. She is really good. Being able to train has helped me refocus on what I should be doing as a missionary. It isn't that I have forgotten, but there are certain things to focus on more and it has been good to go back to that point. I have decided that I am going to retrain myself. Since it has been nine months, I need a refresher course.
We had a pretty normal week. We have been able to have good lessons with Donnie and Melissa, and they have even talked about how they know they need to get married before anyone can get baptized. I was so shocked when they brought it up themselves. But, it is such a great thing.
Our other investigator, George, finally made it to Church this Sunday! He has been wanting to come for so long, but things have happened to stop him from coming. He loved it and said he would be there every Sunday if he can make it. He is also doing so well with the Word of Wisdom. He has recognized the Lord's help to overcome his smoking.
People keep telling me that there has been flooding and stuff in Wisconsin, but I figured things would be okay at home. No one ever knows where exactly the flooding is taking place, so I figure since we live up on the banks of the river, home is safe. People keep telling us that the end is near. It is interesting to hear their perspective on the end and you can tell those who are a little afraid of what might happen. I love that it is called the great and dreadful day because it will be great for the righteous, but dreadful for the wicked.
I'm glad everything at home is good. I will have to say, though, my mail has finally slacked off to the point of almost being non-existent. I did, however, receive the package in the mail today. It was a nice surprise. I haven't opened it yet though. I don't really know how much longer I'll be in Andalusia. President Summerhays said that he was going to keep me here at least one more transfer so I can see the fruit of the work I've been doing. Everyone has their own idea about what is going to happen with me. One of the elders in my district had been in his area for 9 transfers and everyone thinks that I am going to break his record. I don't think I will. We'll see what happens. President Summerhays said that I would get lots of warning before I would be transferred so that I could help the branch cope with me leaving. I think it would probably be healthy for me to be transferred. It is hard to stay in one area for such a long time and still work with 100% of your effort and heart.
Oh, the letter I received from Sister Young was from the Primary. It was some letters from the primary activity that they had, but they sent me Elder Huckbody's instead of mine. I wonder if we could swap so that I could have mine and he could have his. :)
Well, I love you all! We were a little late getting going with p-day because we had to get our brakes checked and found out they'll have to be replaced. I'm sure the vehicle coordinator will be happy to hear that. I hope you all have a good week!
Love, Joanna
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
I think I just found out that I am training a new missionary :) I'm not really sure because the transfer information is really confusing. But, I'm pretty sure we'll be in a three-some again. Interesting. I don't really know what to say. I guess we'll see how things go.
Well, this week was pretty good. It is hot here! Everyone tells us it normally isn't this hot and this is what it is like in August, so I guess we'll see what August is like. We had a really good lesson with Donnie and Melissa. She has had some concerns for a long time, but we were able to clear them up and she said she feels much better about things. That makes me very happy.
We also went to the primary activity on Saturday. It was a swimming/water activity so we just sweated the whole time. It was LIKE swimming, but we just had our clothes on and were sitting in camp chairs. We went because it was at a part member's home and we wanted to get the husband feeling more comfortable around us.
I wish I could tell you all everything. There just isn't enough time and it would take forever to tell everything. You know how it is for me to tell stories. Oh, I got a wedding announcement from RAchel Wade and also a letter from the Youngs in Wausau. I don't know who they are, but I'm glad I got it. Oh, and the pictures from this weekend were great! I was really confused about why Janet's cake had green frosting all over it, but then I realized that she is graduating from DC Everest not MVHS.
Tell Casie I say congratulations. I haven't sent her letter yet, but I will this week.
I love you all!
Love, Joanna
I think I just found out that I am training a new missionary :) I'm not really sure because the transfer information is really confusing. But, I'm pretty sure we'll be in a three-some again. Interesting. I don't really know what to say. I guess we'll see how things go.
Well, this week was pretty good. It is hot here! Everyone tells us it normally isn't this hot and this is what it is like in August, so I guess we'll see what August is like. We had a really good lesson with Donnie and Melissa. She has had some concerns for a long time, but we were able to clear them up and she said she feels much better about things. That makes me very happy.
We also went to the primary activity on Saturday. It was a swimming/water activity so we just sweated the whole time. It was LIKE swimming, but we just had our clothes on and were sitting in camp chairs. We went because it was at a part member's home and we wanted to get the husband feeling more comfortable around us.
I wish I could tell you all everything. There just isn't enough time and it would take forever to tell everything. You know how it is for me to tell stories. Oh, I got a wedding announcement from RAchel Wade and also a letter from the Youngs in Wausau. I don't know who they are, but I'm glad I got it. Oh, and the pictures from this weekend were great! I was really confused about why Janet's cake had green frosting all over it, but then I realized that she is graduating from DC Everest not MVHS.
Tell Casie I say congratulations. I haven't sent her letter yet, but I will this week.
I love you all!
Love, Joanna
Monday, June 2, 2008
Dear Family,
We had a pretty good week. Our Zone Conference in Marianna, Florida was really good. We had some excellent training from Brother Droubay about what we can do to increase our effectiveness as missionaries. He also gave us some really important insights on Preach My Gospel and how to use it and what the Apostles had to do with it being how it is. It was really good. Listening to Brother Droubay talk about how Preach My Gospel came to be, you can definitely tell that this Church is lead by prophets and apostles. It really is an inspired manual. Sister Leafa and I went to Marianna Tuesday night so we wouldn't have to get up so early in the morning. It was really nice. We got to stay in a hotel, which isn't something most missionaries get. The sisters in Troy also came down. In the morning we helped SIster Summerhays with some things she needed to do.
We went and saw George this week. We talked about getting baptized and he said he knew it was what he should do. The next time we went to see him, he told us he had something he wanted to talk to us about. He said that his niece and nephew also wanted to get baptized! We were afraid that he was going to drop us and not want to learn more, but what he said was so much better! We were really excited. He is so eager to learn and has such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. That was perhaps the highlight of my week. We are going to try and get in contact with his niece and nephew this week.
Other than that it was pretty much missionary work all week. It was kind of a strange week with p-day on Tuesday and then being in Marianna, but we made it through. It is getting pretty hot. It was 97 degrees yesterday afternoon. It makes it really uncomfortable to tract and teach lessons in homes where they don't have air conditioning, but it is manageable. We just always crank the air conditioning up really high when we get into the car and carry lots of water.
I'm sorry I don't have any pictures. I thought for sure we would take some on Wednesday, but we didn't. We are going fishing this afternoon, so I'll probably take some then. And, I got a wedding announcement from Jason. I can't believe that Katie is getting married, too. It's crazy to think of everyone that is getting married. Soon, I'm going to be the oldest one not married. Oh well.
I hope everything goes well with Casie's baptism. You'll have to tell me all about it next week. Soon I should be able to tell you about one of our baptisms, too.
Well, I love you all! I hope everything goes well this week at home and with everyone.
Love, Joanna
We had a pretty good week. Our Zone Conference in Marianna, Florida was really good. We had some excellent training from Brother Droubay about what we can do to increase our effectiveness as missionaries. He also gave us some really important insights on Preach My Gospel and how to use it and what the Apostles had to do with it being how it is. It was really good. Listening to Brother Droubay talk about how Preach My Gospel came to be, you can definitely tell that this Church is lead by prophets and apostles. It really is an inspired manual. Sister Leafa and I went to Marianna Tuesday night so we wouldn't have to get up so early in the morning. It was really nice. We got to stay in a hotel, which isn't something most missionaries get. The sisters in Troy also came down. In the morning we helped SIster Summerhays with some things she needed to do.
We went and saw George this week. We talked about getting baptized and he said he knew it was what he should do. The next time we went to see him, he told us he had something he wanted to talk to us about. He said that his niece and nephew also wanted to get baptized! We were afraid that he was going to drop us and not want to learn more, but what he said was so much better! We were really excited. He is so eager to learn and has such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. That was perhaps the highlight of my week. We are going to try and get in contact with his niece and nephew this week.
Other than that it was pretty much missionary work all week. It was kind of a strange week with p-day on Tuesday and then being in Marianna, but we made it through. It is getting pretty hot. It was 97 degrees yesterday afternoon. It makes it really uncomfortable to tract and teach lessons in homes where they don't have air conditioning, but it is manageable. We just always crank the air conditioning up really high when we get into the car and carry lots of water.
I'm sorry I don't have any pictures. I thought for sure we would take some on Wednesday, but we didn't. We are going fishing this afternoon, so I'll probably take some then. And, I got a wedding announcement from Jason. I can't believe that Katie is getting married, too. It's crazy to think of everyone that is getting married. Soon, I'm going to be the oldest one not married. Oh well.
I hope everything goes well with Casie's baptism. You'll have to tell me all about it next week. Soon I should be able to tell you about one of our baptisms, too.
Well, I love you all! I hope everything goes well this week at home and with everyone.
Love, Joanna
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