Hey Everyone! I hope everything is going well with all of you!
Yesterday was AWESOME! We got to attend the Ogden Utah Temple Re-dedication via satellite broadcast. It was wonderful. Temples are so special and the things that we do there are important to our lives eternally.
Since our stake was included in attending the temple re-dedication, they cancelled regular Sunday services. As missionaries, we were a little worried because it's important for people to be able to attend church on Sundays. So, our Zone Leaders talked to the mission president and received permission to hold a devotional meeting in lieu of a regular church meeting tomorrow so all the people whom we are teaching could still attend church.
I was asked to speak at the devotional. While I was studying for my talk, and during my studies this morning, a few verses stood out to me. In Isaiah 54 (and 3 Nephi 22 ), it talks about how sometimes we have trials and we feel like God is far from us. As you read on in the chapter, you find out about some of the MANY promises that God has made to us, like protecting us and always being there for us. I really loved reading these chapters because it helped remind me that I am not alone in this world, even when things seem crazy and frustrating and way more than I can bare. And neither are you. The promise that God made to Noah (mentioned in these chapters) is available to ALL people, as long as they are willing to accept it. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to help us.
Also, I was reading Alma 7, verses 23 and 24. This couple of verses helped me to realize that I need to be more patient! Life gets crazy sometimes, and things happen, and people do things that are annoying or hurtful, but it isn't my place (or anyone else's) to become angry and bitter. Instead, we can be submissive, gentle, humble, patient, long-suffering, temperate, etc. See a pattern here?
Most of those are also fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Exemplifying these characteristics can help us bear the burdens of our lives, no matter how much we feel weighed down. You can do it. Though I can't be there physically next to you to help you (since I'm on a mission), I do support you and love you and pray for you. Every one of you is deeply important to me, as well as to your Heavenly Father.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Oquirrh Mountain Temple
Today is a super short entry! We got to go to the temple today, so our Preparation Day activities have been shortened. We got to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, and it is beautiful! If you stand in front of the temple, you can see the whole mission PLUS downtown Salt Lake City!
This past weekend, we had a baptism for a girl whose family isn't active in the church. She is such a wonderful example of faith and diligence. She is the oldest child, so her younger siblings are watching her example. I am grateful and humbled to have helped teach her about the gospel and help her make the covenant of baptism. It isn't just getting into water: it is taking upon yourself the name of Christ, promising to keep His commandments, and promising to always remember Him. When you keep that promise, you are promised the companionship of the Holy Ghost. That's a fair trade.
Heavenly Father loves you and wants to help you make the choices that will help you be happy and eventually live with Him again. I love and miss you all! Hope everything is going well. :)
This past weekend, we had a baptism for a girl whose family isn't active in the church. She is such a wonderful example of faith and diligence. She is the oldest child, so her younger siblings are watching her example. I am grateful and humbled to have helped teach her about the gospel and help her make the covenant of baptism. It isn't just getting into water: it is taking upon yourself the name of Christ, promising to keep His commandments, and promising to always remember Him. When you keep that promise, you are promised the companionship of the Holy Ghost. That's a fair trade.
Heavenly Father loves you and wants to help you make the choices that will help you be happy and eventually live with Him again. I love and miss you all! Hope everything is going well. :)
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Pictures, Blisters, and the Noodle Company
What a wonderful week!!!
This week, my companion and I started riding bikes as our mode of transportation. As much as I love walking everywhere and stopping to talk to people as we pass by, the blisters on the bottoms of my feet weren't liking it as well. We were both really excited to start riding our bikes, especially since it'd make it a lot quicker to ride from one end of our area to the other. Instead of it being a 25 minute very brisk walk, it is now a relaxing 5 minute bike ride.
However, riding bikes is not without its dangers. My companion and I were riding to an appointment with one of our ward mission leaders when we decided to pop up onto the sidewalk since his driveway was ahead on the left. I didn't turn enough, and my bike hit the lip of the driveway, causing it to tip over and causing me to fall off my bike. It was super embarrassing since there were some people driving down the road who stopped to ask if I was alright. I was fine, though a bit bruised and scraped.
It was a learning experience for me, though. As we continued to our appointment, I was feeling upset that I had fallen and mad at myself for looking like I don't know how to ride a bike. But as I was thinking about it, I realized that it really isn't that big of a deal, and it in fact would make a good story. I have some really gnarly-looking bruises now on my shins and knees, the kind that are dark purple and still a little red.
On a side note, there is a fantastic restaurant out here called "Noodles and Company". Can you guess what they serve? NOODLES!!!! It's amazing and fantastic and my new favorite restaurant. :)
In other news, we are teaching a girl who is being baptized THIS SATURDAY!!!!! I am super excited for her and her family. Also, the Ogden Temple is being rededicated on September 21. I'm really excited about this because I've never had the chance to go to a temple rededication before. Though we won't actually be in Ogden, we do get to participate via satellite, which is awesome.
There is a lot of work here in West Jordan. I absolutely love talking with people, helping them with their concerns, and being a source of encouragement and inspiration. Yesterday was Fast Sunday, so we got to hear several people bear their testimonies of the restored gospel and how it has affected their lives. There is nothing better to let you know you are doing the right thing than to hear people testify of how much their lives have been improved and changed by the things you teach.
I want to leave each of you with my testimony that I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us uniquely and individually; I know that He has revealed the gospel, His plan for our salvation, to His prophets since the beginning of time; I know that following His gospel is the only thing that will truly bring lasting happiness in this life, as well as bring eternal life. I know that God, our Heavenly Father, loves each and every one of you - don't you ever forget that!
This week, my companion and I started riding bikes as our mode of transportation. As much as I love walking everywhere and stopping to talk to people as we pass by, the blisters on the bottoms of my feet weren't liking it as well. We were both really excited to start riding our bikes, especially since it'd make it a lot quicker to ride from one end of our area to the other. Instead of it being a 25 minute very brisk walk, it is now a relaxing 5 minute bike ride.
However, riding bikes is not without its dangers. My companion and I were riding to an appointment with one of our ward mission leaders when we decided to pop up onto the sidewalk since his driveway was ahead on the left. I didn't turn enough, and my bike hit the lip of the driveway, causing it to tip over and causing me to fall off my bike. It was super embarrassing since there were some people driving down the road who stopped to ask if I was alright. I was fine, though a bit bruised and scraped.
It was a learning experience for me, though. As we continued to our appointment, I was feeling upset that I had fallen and mad at myself for looking like I don't know how to ride a bike. But as I was thinking about it, I realized that it really isn't that big of a deal, and it in fact would make a good story. I have some really gnarly-looking bruises now on my shins and knees, the kind that are dark purple and still a little red.
On a side note, there is a fantastic restaurant out here called "Noodles and Company". Can you guess what they serve? NOODLES!!!! It's amazing and fantastic and my new favorite restaurant. :)
In other news, we are teaching a girl who is being baptized THIS SATURDAY!!!!! I am super excited for her and her family. Also, the Ogden Temple is being rededicated on September 21. I'm really excited about this because I've never had the chance to go to a temple rededication before. Though we won't actually be in Ogden, we do get to participate via satellite, which is awesome.
There is a lot of work here in West Jordan. I absolutely love talking with people, helping them with their concerns, and being a source of encouragement and inspiration. Yesterday was Fast Sunday, so we got to hear several people bear their testimonies of the restored gospel and how it has affected their lives. There is nothing better to let you know you are doing the right thing than to hear people testify of how much their lives have been improved and changed by the things you teach.
I want to leave each of you with my testimony that I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us uniquely and individually; I know that He has revealed the gospel, His plan for our salvation, to His prophets since the beginning of time; I know that following His gospel is the only thing that will truly bring lasting happiness in this life, as well as bring eternal life. I know that God, our Heavenly Father, loves each and every one of you - don't you ever forget that!
Me and my MTC companion
Me and me first companion in the field
Me and a sister from Tonga
The Noodles and Company sign
Me and my new companion
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Transfers and a New Companion
Happy Labor Day!!!! This is my favorite holiday. I hope all of you are out there having picnics and remembering the services that are provided everyday by those who labor.
In this past week, WONDERFUL things have happened, aside from finally getting blisters on my feet and a sunburn on my neck/shoulders.
This past Wednesday was transfers, and I am now in West Jordan, UT in the Park Stake. And you know what is even better? I have the BEST companion in the whole mission!!!! She is absolutely amazing. We have a billion things in common, but even more than that, she is one of the kindest, most loving, most devoted to the mission, most patient, most encouraging missionaries that I have met thus far. Having an awesome companion definitely makes a transfer (6 week period) a great experience. Her name is Sister Johnstone (pronounced Johnson), she is from Indiana, and she has a degree in technical theatre with a minor in linguistics. How cool is that?
Even cooler than that, she is super motivated and excited for all the things that are happening in the Park Stake. Right now, we have an investigator who is on date to be baptized September 13th. I'm so excited!
I love seeing how the gospel can help people come closer to Jesus Christ, as well as how the gospel helps strengthen families. The things that we as missionaries teach people are things that have an eternal impact. This life certainly does not end at death. We are bound for so much more.
Speaking of that, and in the context of Labor Day, Alma 34:32 tells us that this life is a time for us to prepare to meet God, and to perform our labors. You may wonder what that means to perform labors. I wondered the same thing. My curiosity lead me to Alma 12:31,32, which, paraphrased, states that our labors are to fulfil the commandments that God has given us. I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel the commandments are overwhelming and are just too much. But that's not the case. In 1 Nephi 3:7, it clearly states that the Lord will provide a way for us to keep the commandments that He gives us. These labors that we have been given to do while here on Earth are things that are completely possible and will help us become more like our Heavenly Father.
In this past week, WONDERFUL things have happened, aside from finally getting blisters on my feet and a sunburn on my neck/shoulders.
This past Wednesday was transfers, and I am now in West Jordan, UT in the Park Stake. And you know what is even better? I have the BEST companion in the whole mission!!!! She is absolutely amazing. We have a billion things in common, but even more than that, she is one of the kindest, most loving, most devoted to the mission, most patient, most encouraging missionaries that I have met thus far. Having an awesome companion definitely makes a transfer (6 week period) a great experience. Her name is Sister Johnstone (pronounced Johnson), she is from Indiana, and she has a degree in technical theatre with a minor in linguistics. How cool is that?
Even cooler than that, she is super motivated and excited for all the things that are happening in the Park Stake. Right now, we have an investigator who is on date to be baptized September 13th. I'm so excited!
I love seeing how the gospel can help people come closer to Jesus Christ, as well as how the gospel helps strengthen families. The things that we as missionaries teach people are things that have an eternal impact. This life certainly does not end at death. We are bound for so much more.
Speaking of that, and in the context of Labor Day, Alma 34:32 tells us that this life is a time for us to prepare to meet God, and to perform our labors. You may wonder what that means to perform labors. I wondered the same thing. My curiosity lead me to Alma 12:31,32, which, paraphrased, states that our labors are to fulfil the commandments that God has given us. I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel the commandments are overwhelming and are just too much. But that's not the case. In 1 Nephi 3:7, it clearly states that the Lord will provide a way for us to keep the commandments that He gives us. These labors that we have been given to do while here on Earth are things that are completely possible and will help us become more like our Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Chickens and goats and horses.....Oh my!
**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
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 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.
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