**Note from Tiffany: As always, please write to or email Sister Prenatt. That is so important to missionaries, to know that their friends and family back home love them and are thinking about them.**
Hey friends and family!!!
I hope everything is well with all of you. Let me start by telling you about a companion exchange that I went on last Tuesday. My companion stayed in our usual area, and I switched with a sister missionary in the River Ridge Stake. My temporary companion and I were at the house of an investigator who was having some new furniture delivered that day. When the truck showed up, I heard one of the delivery men saying that he is from Hawaii. I immediately asked him what town, and when he answered, I said "That's where my companion is from!" I told him her name, and it turns out that they went to high school together! What a SMALL world!
On Wednesday, I was back in my usual area with my regular companion. That night, we had the opportunity to teach Hula to the girls at Activity Days (my companion has been dancing Hula since she was very young). The girls loved it and had a lot of fun.
When Friday came along, it turned out to be very eventful. We got to go to a nonmember's house and help her feed her goats. It was super fun! There were 22 goats, 30 chickens, and 4 horses. We fed them, cleaned out their water bins, and pulled weeds. One of the goats tried to eat my companion's pants. There was a boy goat who was in a pen and trying to get out while we were cleaning his water bowl. The owner was in the pen with him, and the goat kept trying to rear up and head butt her. It was really exciting to watch.
My favorite thing about doing service there was that there was dirt under my nails by the time I was done. That's how you know you have been working hard :) Before we left, the owner let us wash our hands with goat's milk soap. Goat's Milk SOAP!! How cool is that?!
Later on that evening, we had the chance to have a lesson with a couple of recent converts who got baptized in January. The Spirit was so strong in their home that I felt completely at peace. We watched a video about a man named John Tanner, and talked about the faith that he had that lead to many blessings in his life.
On Sunday, we got to sing with the 9th ward choir. It was so much fun to sing with that congregation. I've really missed singing in choir.
The thing that I learned the most about this week is how we should speak to ourselves. Generally, when we make a mistake, we are very hard on ourselves. But, that's not how the Saviour would talk to us. He would comfort us and use loving words to encourage us. That's how we should talk to ourselves and each other.
Love,
Sister Prenatt
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Be A Friend
Hey all!!! I hope that life is treating you all well!! I especially hope that you all in West Virginia are enjoying all the green and hills.
This morning, as my companion and I were heading out the door at 6:30am for morning exercise, the sun was peeking over the mountains, and it's light caught on the cumulus clouds that were also moving west, tinting them each a light shade of pink undermined by dark orange right at the mountain peak. It was beautiful.
This past week has been busy. On Monday, we were privileged to meet with an 8 year old who is preparing to be baptized this upcoming week. It's amazing how someone so young can already know and understand so much about the gospel!
On Tuesday, we got to meet with a less active sister in our stake who has such a testimony of the importance of family and studying scriptures. Never lose that. She continues to develop her testimony, and she does that by reading the scriptures and applying those principles to her daily life. That's the key. What good is all that precious guidance without applying it?
On Wednesday, we spent about an hour in the morning pulling weeds, which I now have a respect for and really enjoy. It's crazy how fast weeds grow and how big!
On Thursday, we were honored to hear from Elder Don R. Clarke of the Seventy in a meeting at the mission office. He spoke mostly about what our purpose is and how we can be better by helping everyone deepen their faith, no matter who they are. After our meeting, we went to meet with a less active sister in our stake only to find out that she was having a horrible day. We talked with her about how her washer had broke, she dropped her phone into water and it stopped working, and how everything seemed to be going wrong. We knew that God loves her, so we immediately got a hold of some members who would be able to help her out. The greatest gift that we can offer one another is our individual love and support. Sometimes people just need someone to care and be there.
On Friday, we had companion exchanges. I love exchanges! It gives the missionaries an opportunity to work in another area with another companion for 24 hours so they can see what things work in other areas, then apply those things in their areas. It is also really helpful in developing a fresh view. I got to be with Sister Ngauamo, who is from Tonga. She taught me a little Tonga while I was there. :) We also got to meet with a family who has been less active, but their children are wanting to become active again and be baptized. It's amazing how much children can influence us. They have such an innocent faith in God that He loves them and will provide. If only we could all be like that.
While I was with Sister Ngauamo, she gave me some very good advice. She said, "The strongest person is not the one who shows it physically, but the strongest person is the one who can control her heart and her thoughts, and control her eyes and lips, and can control her ears to hear. That is the strongest person."
On Sunday, we had a miracle. We had invited a less active sister to church, so we went and knocked on her door at 8:30am. She felt too sick to go to her ward's sacrament service at 9am, but she came to another ward's sacrament service at 11am. Also, the less active sister who was having the trouble with her washer earlier in the week also came to church. Immediately, she became friends with members in the ward.
I cannot stress to you enough how important it is to be friends with people, and I mean everyone you meet! Think about how you would feel is every person you ran into just passed you by. You'd be lonely! Don't let it be that way. Be a friend. Matthew 24:12 talks about what happens if we stop being a friend. Let's not let that happen.
P.S. It is my brother's birthday this Saturday (August 23), so if you see him, wish him a very happy birthday!
This morning, as my companion and I were heading out the door at 6:30am for morning exercise, the sun was peeking over the mountains, and it's light caught on the cumulus clouds that were also moving west, tinting them each a light shade of pink undermined by dark orange right at the mountain peak. It was beautiful.
This past week has been busy. On Monday, we were privileged to meet with an 8 year old who is preparing to be baptized this upcoming week. It's amazing how someone so young can already know and understand so much about the gospel!
On Tuesday, we got to meet with a less active sister in our stake who has such a testimony of the importance of family and studying scriptures. Never lose that. She continues to develop her testimony, and she does that by reading the scriptures and applying those principles to her daily life. That's the key. What good is all that precious guidance without applying it?
On Wednesday, we spent about an hour in the morning pulling weeds, which I now have a respect for and really enjoy. It's crazy how fast weeds grow and how big!
On Thursday, we were honored to hear from Elder Don R. Clarke of the Seventy in a meeting at the mission office. He spoke mostly about what our purpose is and how we can be better by helping everyone deepen their faith, no matter who they are. After our meeting, we went to meet with a less active sister in our stake only to find out that she was having a horrible day. We talked with her about how her washer had broke, she dropped her phone into water and it stopped working, and how everything seemed to be going wrong. We knew that God loves her, so we immediately got a hold of some members who would be able to help her out. The greatest gift that we can offer one another is our individual love and support. Sometimes people just need someone to care and be there.
On Friday, we had companion exchanges. I love exchanges! It gives the missionaries an opportunity to work in another area with another companion for 24 hours so they can see what things work in other areas, then apply those things in their areas. It is also really helpful in developing a fresh view. I got to be with Sister Ngauamo, who is from Tonga. She taught me a little Tonga while I was there. :) We also got to meet with a family who has been less active, but their children are wanting to become active again and be baptized. It's amazing how much children can influence us. They have such an innocent faith in God that He loves them and will provide. If only we could all be like that.
While I was with Sister Ngauamo, she gave me some very good advice. She said, "The strongest person is not the one who shows it physically, but the strongest person is the one who can control her heart and her thoughts, and control her eyes and lips, and can control her ears to hear. That is the strongest person."
On Sunday, we had a miracle. We had invited a less active sister to church, so we went and knocked on her door at 8:30am. She felt too sick to go to her ward's sacrament service at 9am, but she came to another ward's sacrament service at 11am. Also, the less active sister who was having the trouble with her washer earlier in the week also came to church. Immediately, she became friends with members in the ward.
I cannot stress to you enough how important it is to be friends with people, and I mean everyone you meet! Think about how you would feel is every person you ran into just passed you by. You'd be lonely! Don't let it be that way. Be a friend. Matthew 24:12 talks about what happens if we stop being a friend. Let's not let that happen.
P.S. It is my brother's birthday this Saturday (August 23), so if you see him, wish him a very happy birthday!
Monday, August 11, 2014
A quick, busy week!
Note from Tiffany: PLEASE take the time to write Amy a letter. Missionaries absolutely love letters, more than emails, because they can keep them with them all week and remind themselves of the love people have for them. If you don't have time for a handwritten letter, please send her an email. Here is the link to the post with that information.
The past two weeks have gone by like a flash! Here are a few highlights from this past week.
At the beginning of the week, my companion and I visited one of the ward mission leaders to talk about the progress in his ward. We mentioned a name that we had felt lead to visit, and we discussed what happened when we visited that family. The ward mission leader smiled and began to tell us what he had been praying about the past week. He said he prayed to know what family he needed to visit and invite to come back to church. He said this same name kept coming to his mind, but he assumed that it was his own mind that kept bringing up that name and he wasn't sure that it was the Holy Spirit leading him to that family. He asked God to confirm that it was the Holy Spirit prompting him to visit that specific family. He said "If I am supposed to visit them, then when the sister missionaries come to talk to me, let them bring up that name." We had never discussed this family before, so there was no reason we would mention them the next time we talked with him. But there we were on his doorstep telling him about that family! Miracles like this happen all the time, we just need to recognize that they are miracles.
A few days later, we were walking down the road when we saw a sign that said "T-shirts for sale" outside of a member's home. We stopped by and chatted with the member who was selling these shirts. It turns out that he produces themed shirts for schools all over the nation. He gave me and my companion a free t-shirt! Mine is black with gold splatter in the shape of an eagle. It was a joy in my day. :)
On Thursday, we were meeting with a less-active member who hasn't gone to church in over 20 years. The sister missionaries here have been meeting with her since May, and she has always refused to give the closing prayer at the end of the lesson. We've been focusing on studying the scriptures with her, and studied 3 Nephi 11 and 27 with her on Thursday. After we were done with the lesson, she said the closing prayer! The little things like studying your scriptures and praying can have such a huge impact on your life.
On Tuesday night, we met with a man who is investigating the church, but is very active in his own religions. Since Tuesday would be our last lesson with him, he showed us his room for Masonic rituals, as well as an Alchemy lab. He makes various medicinal products and sends them to Free Mason hospitals all over the U.S. He gave my companion and I a jar each of Arnica salve, which is used for pain relief in muscles and joints.
Yesterday, my companion and I decided to join one of the wards for choir practice. We sang a medley arrangement of "Be Still My Soul" and "Come, Come Ye Saints". I was overjoyed to see that half of the song was in compound meter, and it had a lot of syncopation and dotted eighth-sixteenth combinations. If you know me, you know that I am a music geek. I was so excited about this arrangement! We get to sing with that ward in sacrament meeting in two weeks!!
The other day, I was eating lunch and came across a fantastic article in the August edition of the Ensign magazine. It was titled "Taming the Media". If you have not read it, I encourage you to read it. If you don't have the Ensign delivered to your home, you can access this article at Taming the Media on lds.org/ensign. It has great suggestions of how to keep your media use in control, both for yourself as well as for your family. I especially like the idea of setting your smartphone/tablet to airplane mode with using it at church. I don't know how many times I've been in Relief Society (before my mission) and following the lesson on my Gospel Library app when suddenly a text or e-mail would disrupt the Spirit. Brilliant idea!
I love each and every one of you that reads this blog. I keep all of you in my prayers daily. If you ever want to know something specific about how my mission is going, or you have a question about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, please don't hesitate to send me a letter. My address is posted here on my blog, but you can also ask anyone that knows me, and they'll tell you the address for my mission. Keep praying with real intent, and your Heavenly Father WILL answer you.
The past two weeks have gone by like a flash! Here are a few highlights from this past week.
At the beginning of the week, my companion and I visited one of the ward mission leaders to talk about the progress in his ward. We mentioned a name that we had felt lead to visit, and we discussed what happened when we visited that family. The ward mission leader smiled and began to tell us what he had been praying about the past week. He said he prayed to know what family he needed to visit and invite to come back to church. He said this same name kept coming to his mind, but he assumed that it was his own mind that kept bringing up that name and he wasn't sure that it was the Holy Spirit leading him to that family. He asked God to confirm that it was the Holy Spirit prompting him to visit that specific family. He said "If I am supposed to visit them, then when the sister missionaries come to talk to me, let them bring up that name." We had never discussed this family before, so there was no reason we would mention them the next time we talked with him. But there we were on his doorstep telling him about that family! Miracles like this happen all the time, we just need to recognize that they are miracles.
A few days later, we were walking down the road when we saw a sign that said "T-shirts for sale" outside of a member's home. We stopped by and chatted with the member who was selling these shirts. It turns out that he produces themed shirts for schools all over the nation. He gave me and my companion a free t-shirt! Mine is black with gold splatter in the shape of an eagle. It was a joy in my day. :)
On Thursday, we were meeting with a less-active member who hasn't gone to church in over 20 years. The sister missionaries here have been meeting with her since May, and she has always refused to give the closing prayer at the end of the lesson. We've been focusing on studying the scriptures with her, and studied 3 Nephi 11 and 27 with her on Thursday. After we were done with the lesson, she said the closing prayer! The little things like studying your scriptures and praying can have such a huge impact on your life.
On Tuesday night, we met with a man who is investigating the church, but is very active in his own religions. Since Tuesday would be our last lesson with him, he showed us his room for Masonic rituals, as well as an Alchemy lab. He makes various medicinal products and sends them to Free Mason hospitals all over the U.S. He gave my companion and I a jar each of Arnica salve, which is used for pain relief in muscles and joints.
Yesterday, my companion and I decided to join one of the wards for choir practice. We sang a medley arrangement of "Be Still My Soul" and "Come, Come Ye Saints". I was overjoyed to see that half of the song was in compound meter, and it had a lot of syncopation and dotted eighth-sixteenth combinations. If you know me, you know that I am a music geek. I was so excited about this arrangement! We get to sing with that ward in sacrament meeting in two weeks!!
The other day, I was eating lunch and came across a fantastic article in the August edition of the Ensign magazine. It was titled "Taming the Media". If you have not read it, I encourage you to read it. If you don't have the Ensign delivered to your home, you can access this article at Taming the Media on lds.org/ensign. It has great suggestions of how to keep your media use in control, both for yourself as well as for your family. I especially like the idea of setting your smartphone/tablet to airplane mode with using it at church. I don't know how many times I've been in Relief Society (before my mission) and following the lesson on my Gospel Library app when suddenly a text or e-mail would disrupt the Spirit. Brilliant idea!
I love each and every one of you that reads this blog. I keep all of you in my prayers daily. If you ever want to know something specific about how my mission is going, or you have a question about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, please don't hesitate to send me a letter. My address is posted here on my blog, but you can also ask anyone that knows me, and they'll tell you the address for my mission. Keep praying with real intent, and your Heavenly Father WILL answer you.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
July = Non-Stop Fireworks!
For the record, the entire month of July is FILLED with fireworks!!! All the time.
Monday it started raining, and then it just kept raining straight into Tuesday!!! On Monday night, I had zucchini bread, which I didn't realize was a thing. I don't think I ever realized that you can make bread out of a vegetable, especially not one as icky as zucchini. But it tasted amazing!! Also, a ward mission leader's wife made a beet smoothie for me and my companion. A beet smoothie! It had beets, coconut water, strawberries, and carrots. It was amazing!!! And very healthy. ;)
On Wednesday, we had a Zone conference. A few zones met at the mission office to receive instruction and training. It was really inspirational, and I came to the realization that serving a mission is like being in a huge, long refiner's fire. Everything we learn here helps us to be better people.
On Thursday, my companion had a mission leadership conference meeting at the mission office, but I got to join the sisters in a neighboring stake for the day. And guess who I ran into?! Elder DeGooyer's family!!! It was AWESOME! I got to meet the mother and siblings of a missionary that served in my area back home!! I told his Mom how wonderful of a missionary he is and how he helped my family and the ward. The world is so small sometimes!
On Friday, my companion and I went on companion exchanges. I went to the South Jordan River Stake, and the sister there came to my stake for 24 hours. I got to be companions with Sister Hinkle! She and I are from the same stake back home, so it was great to reminisce about our "home among the hills". :) I had lots of fun being in a walking area, since my assigned area is a driving area. The sun was really bright and I got sun-burnt, but that evening we got to help a member pack to get ready to move.
On Saturday, Sister Hinkle helped me to understand the simplicity of the gospel. All that Christ teaches really is simple. Have faith in Christ, repent of your wrong-doings, come unto Him and be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and follow the commandments until the end. It's that simple, folks. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to do everything we can to return to him. That's why Jesus Christ came to earth and suffered the punishment for our sins, as well as suffering EVERY pain and temptation that EVERY person has every felt.
Fast Sunday was awesome! Since we cover 11 wards and 1 branch, we got to bare our testimonies multiple times. Each time, the Spirit was so strong. One of the wards here is fasting for missionary opportunities. It's amazing to me how sincere and dedicated members are to spreading the gospel and sharing God's love with ALL of his children. This message is not limited to certain people. The gospel of Christ is for EVERYONE. Also, we got to teach Relief Society, which is one of my favorite things to do!
After all our church meetings, we went to Mission Prep at one of the wards. There, we saw a video on Mormon Messages titled "The Hope of God's Light". If you have not seen this, I implore you to watch it. It is a true story about a man who thought there was nothing left in his life, but he went out on a limb and showed the smallest mustard seed of faith by fasting. It's an amazing story, so I won't ruin the ending for you. Just go watch it. It's only about 7 minutes long.
I love each and every one of you, and I hope your lives are going well. Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to see you succeed. Trust Him. Talk to Him. Listen for the Spirit.
From Tiffany: Here is the video that Amy (Sister Prenatt) was referring to.
Monday it started raining, and then it just kept raining straight into Tuesday!!! On Monday night, I had zucchini bread, which I didn't realize was a thing. I don't think I ever realized that you can make bread out of a vegetable, especially not one as icky as zucchini. But it tasted amazing!! Also, a ward mission leader's wife made a beet smoothie for me and my companion. A beet smoothie! It had beets, coconut water, strawberries, and carrots. It was amazing!!! And very healthy. ;)
On Wednesday, we had a Zone conference. A few zones met at the mission office to receive instruction and training. It was really inspirational, and I came to the realization that serving a mission is like being in a huge, long refiner's fire. Everything we learn here helps us to be better people.
On Thursday, my companion had a mission leadership conference meeting at the mission office, but I got to join the sisters in a neighboring stake for the day. And guess who I ran into?! Elder DeGooyer's family!!! It was AWESOME! I got to meet the mother and siblings of a missionary that served in my area back home!! I told his Mom how wonderful of a missionary he is and how he helped my family and the ward. The world is so small sometimes!
On Friday, my companion and I went on companion exchanges. I went to the South Jordan River Stake, and the sister there came to my stake for 24 hours. I got to be companions with Sister Hinkle! She and I are from the same stake back home, so it was great to reminisce about our "home among the hills". :) I had lots of fun being in a walking area, since my assigned area is a driving area. The sun was really bright and I got sun-burnt, but that evening we got to help a member pack to get ready to move.
On Saturday, Sister Hinkle helped me to understand the simplicity of the gospel. All that Christ teaches really is simple. Have faith in Christ, repent of your wrong-doings, come unto Him and be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and follow the commandments until the end. It's that simple, folks. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to do everything we can to return to him. That's why Jesus Christ came to earth and suffered the punishment for our sins, as well as suffering EVERY pain and temptation that EVERY person has every felt.
Fast Sunday was awesome! Since we cover 11 wards and 1 branch, we got to bare our testimonies multiple times. Each time, the Spirit was so strong. One of the wards here is fasting for missionary opportunities. It's amazing to me how sincere and dedicated members are to spreading the gospel and sharing God's love with ALL of his children. This message is not limited to certain people. The gospel of Christ is for EVERYONE. Also, we got to teach Relief Society, which is one of my favorite things to do!
After all our church meetings, we went to Mission Prep at one of the wards. There, we saw a video on Mormon Messages titled "The Hope of God's Light". If you have not seen this, I implore you to watch it. It is a true story about a man who thought there was nothing left in his life, but he went out on a limb and showed the smallest mustard seed of faith by fasting. It's an amazing story, so I won't ruin the ending for you. Just go watch it. It's only about 7 minutes long.
I love each and every one of you, and I hope your lives are going well. Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to see you succeed. Trust Him. Talk to Him. Listen for the Spirit.
From Tiffany: Here is the video that Amy (Sister Prenatt) was referring to.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Apricots and Flat Hills
Hey everyone! Life as a missionary continues to be GREAT! Yes, it is hot and brown and dry here, but if I stand at a certain spot in my area, I can see my entire mission. It's beautiful. Plus, I can see all three temples in my mission! Oquirrh Mountain Temple is to the west of my area, while both Draper Temple and Jordan River Temple are to the east. I haven't had an opportunity to attend any of these temples yet, but it makes me feel peaceful when I see them. They are very beautiful with the mountains behind them.
A few days ago, in the morning when we were exercising, we decided to take a bike ride through our area. My companion informed me that the incline of our ride would be when we headed west up a hill. Let me tell you: that "incline" was flatter than the road in front of my house in WV! Biking here is WAY easier than it is back home. It's been nice, though, when I run into people who used to live in WV. They totally understand how much I miss the green and all the hills.
If there is one thing you should know about the area in which I'm serving, it's apricots. Tons of apricots. People pick them, eat them, can them, jam them, and turn them into fruit leather. I didn't know there were that many things you could do with apricots. Our landlord has at least two apricot trees out back, and the branches were so heavy with fruit that they began to break! By the way, I'm not sure if I wrote it in my last entry or not, but my companion and I live in the furnished basement of an elderly sister in our stake. She is super sweet and has a great sense of humor.
Also by the way, HAPPY PIONEER DAY!!! (July 24) I didn't know that this day is a holiday. When I got to my area, I kept hearing people talk about how they wouldn't be home July 24th, or they already had plans that day, and I was getting really curious about why it was so special. Turns out that July 24th is the day that the pioneers came into the Utah Valley.
One of my favorite things about missionary life is getting to serve others by weeding their gardens. I know that sounds silly, but it's just nice to be able to do something so small that makes a huge difference to some people. Since I've been out, I've studied the scriptures a lot more and prayed more frequently than before. And you know what that has brought me? Peace and calmness. Try it out and see if it works for you.
A few days ago, in the morning when we were exercising, we decided to take a bike ride through our area. My companion informed me that the incline of our ride would be when we headed west up a hill. Let me tell you: that "incline" was flatter than the road in front of my house in WV! Biking here is WAY easier than it is back home. It's been nice, though, when I run into people who used to live in WV. They totally understand how much I miss the green and all the hills.
If there is one thing you should know about the area in which I'm serving, it's apricots. Tons of apricots. People pick them, eat them, can them, jam them, and turn them into fruit leather. I didn't know there were that many things you could do with apricots. Our landlord has at least two apricot trees out back, and the branches were so heavy with fruit that they began to break! By the way, I'm not sure if I wrote it in my last entry or not, but my companion and I live in the furnished basement of an elderly sister in our stake. She is super sweet and has a great sense of humor.
Also by the way, HAPPY PIONEER DAY!!! (July 24) I didn't know that this day is a holiday. When I got to my area, I kept hearing people talk about how they wouldn't be home July 24th, or they already had plans that day, and I was getting really curious about why it was so special. Turns out that July 24th is the day that the pioneers came into the Utah Valley.
One of my favorite things about missionary life is getting to serve others by weeding their gardens. I know that sounds silly, but it's just nice to be able to do something so small that makes a huge difference to some people. Since I've been out, I've studied the scriptures a lot more and prayed more frequently than before. And you know what that has brought me? Peace and calmness. Try it out and see if it works for you.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Out of the MTC and into the field!
This is Amy's first post from the mission. I was getting worried I hadn't heard from her yet. She amazes me more and more. Please feel free to leave comments here, and I can forward them to her. Also see her first post for her contact information.
~Tiffany Thomas
Being a missionary is the best! =D Honestly, it is such a blessing to have time set aside every day to study the scriptures and pray almost constantly. Heading out the to MTC, I really didn't expect it to be such a huge difference from regular life, but it's so different. I had a great companion at the MTC named Sister Harward. She's from North Carolina and she has been raised in the church her whole life. She was such faith and sincerity in her desire to spread the gospel and help others develop a closer relationship with Christ. I absolutely enjoyed spending 16 hours every day studying, learning, doing service, and practicing how to be a great missionary. I know that sounds geeky, but it was awesome! There is no where that I have felt the Spirit stronger and more pervasive, except for the temple. I will admit, however, that I did pick up a sinus infection while I was there. :( I ended up going to the doctor on campus who sent me across the street for antibiotics. Thank goodness for modern medicine! I'm feeling a ton better now.
I'm in my first area and first transfer. My companion is from Hawaii, and her name is Sister Olszowka (which isn't pronounced evenly remotely like it looks). She is fantastic and really all I could ask for in a companion and trainer. She's super patient and understanding, and she is so hard working. In our area, we are in charge of an ENTIRE STAKE! We have 11 wards and 1 branch. There are so many people here!
My very first day here we had a miracle. A woman who has recently returned to the church and who has been struggling with severe depression called us up and asked us to meet with a friend of hers. Her friend is currently homeless and is having a rough time. She told us that she knows how much living the gospel has helped her in her life, and she knows it can help him. We taught him the first lesson, and he seems to have the desire to learn more. Let me tell you right now that the Atonement changes lives. A good friend of mine once told me that there is never ever anything that is so bad that you can't change your life around. This only happens through the Atonement.
So if you are reading this and wondering how you can obtain happiness and peace in this life, I urge you to pick up a Book of Mormon and start reading it. I'm not kidding. But don't just read it, ponder it. And after you ponder it, pray to your Heavenly Father and ask him if the things and teaching contained in it are true, if they are good and right. (Moroni 10:3-5). And after you do that, when the Holy Spirit gives you that peace, apply the teachings that you've read and pondered. Our Heavenly Father loves you more than you will ever know.
By the way, if you read my blog, feel free to write or e-mail me at any time. I love questions and I love helping people develop a stronger and deeper relationship with our Saviour Jesus Christ. I know that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, and I know that we have a God who is our father and loves us. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that we can become closer to God by following the teachings in it. I know that there is no other way back to God than through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all very much. Search, ponder, pray.
~Tiffany Thomas
Being a missionary is the best! =D Honestly, it is such a blessing to have time set aside every day to study the scriptures and pray almost constantly. Heading out the to MTC, I really didn't expect it to be such a huge difference from regular life, but it's so different. I had a great companion at the MTC named Sister Harward. She's from North Carolina and she has been raised in the church her whole life. She was such faith and sincerity in her desire to spread the gospel and help others develop a closer relationship with Christ. I absolutely enjoyed spending 16 hours every day studying, learning, doing service, and practicing how to be a great missionary. I know that sounds geeky, but it was awesome! There is no where that I have felt the Spirit stronger and more pervasive, except for the temple. I will admit, however, that I did pick up a sinus infection while I was there. :( I ended up going to the doctor on campus who sent me across the street for antibiotics. Thank goodness for modern medicine! I'm feeling a ton better now.
I'm in my first area and first transfer. My companion is from Hawaii, and her name is Sister Olszowka (which isn't pronounced evenly remotely like it looks). She is fantastic and really all I could ask for in a companion and trainer. She's super patient and understanding, and she is so hard working. In our area, we are in charge of an ENTIRE STAKE! We have 11 wards and 1 branch. There are so many people here!
My very first day here we had a miracle. A woman who has recently returned to the church and who has been struggling with severe depression called us up and asked us to meet with a friend of hers. Her friend is currently homeless and is having a rough time. She told us that she knows how much living the gospel has helped her in her life, and she knows it can help him. We taught him the first lesson, and he seems to have the desire to learn more. Let me tell you right now that the Atonement changes lives. A good friend of mine once told me that there is never ever anything that is so bad that you can't change your life around. This only happens through the Atonement.
So if you are reading this and wondering how you can obtain happiness and peace in this life, I urge you to pick up a Book of Mormon and start reading it. I'm not kidding. But don't just read it, ponder it. And after you ponder it, pray to your Heavenly Father and ask him if the things and teaching contained in it are true, if they are good and right. (Moroni 10:3-5). And after you do that, when the Holy Spirit gives you that peace, apply the teachings that you've read and pondered. Our Heavenly Father loves you more than you will ever know.
By the way, if you read my blog, feel free to write or e-mail me at any time. I love questions and I love helping people develop a stronger and deeper relationship with our Saviour Jesus Christ. I know that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, and I know that we have a God who is our father and loves us. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that we can become closer to God by following the teachings in it. I know that there is no other way back to God than through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all very much. Search, ponder, pray.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Amy's Mission Contact Information
Sister Amy Prenatt
8060 South 615 East
Sandy, UT 84070
amy.prenatt@myldsmail.net
8060 South 615 East
Sandy, UT 84070
amy.prenatt@myldsmail.net
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