The End is Near :) :(

Wow... Just writing that subject line seems almost unreal. How did these months go so fast?! My time began in Dalton, GA then on to Oak Ridge, TN. Next was to Johnson City, TN and then to the mountains of Murphy, NC! And I am now finishing up in Knoxville, TN. It's been a wild, wonderful journey full of growth and strengthening with a variety of amazing companions who I absolutely LOVE!! Every single one of them. I met so many people who have changed my life forever:
members, investigators, random people on the street, other missionaries, etc. these will be days that I will never forget.

This past week seemed to be one of the hardest - no surprise. It seems whenever a good, big, change is about to happen, more trials seem to come.

One trial that became a miracle was when nearly all the missionaries were "excused" from the adult session of stake conference by ELDER ZWICK!!! Not too many people can say that they have been kicked out of Stake Conference by a General Authority! I won't go into all the details, but the major factor was that we didn't have any investigators there.
So it very quickly became a Zone Conference on the lawn of the stake center. We were all a little frazzled, but settled down enough to say a prayer and organize ourselves and go out to work. Because our area was close, we brought one of the sisters who was an hour away from her area, and began to drive to Hardin Valley. We didn't know what we were going to do (we didn't think to have a backup plan to stake conference!), but as we were driving, Sister Parry was inspired to go caroling and share "A Savior is Born." We started and had good success, but the miracle was when we found Jennifer. Her neighbor we had just visited suggested that we visit her. We shared the video and began to testify of the restoration. I love being in a trio because you have 3 people to receive revelation at once! We all worked in unison to invite her to learn of the truths that have been restored through Joseph Smith and she accepted saying that she had been having a hard day and she needed the message that we shared. We came at the time she was ready and in need.

 We also had a Zone Conference with him which was amazing. He talked a lot about simplifying and intensifying our lessons and teaching. As we applied that the next couple days we found the power in that principle. We also learned how applicable that is in our lives. To simplify our lives by prioritizing and then intensifying those things that are most important.

We met with Saeed yesterday and he has finished the Book of Mormon, Doctrine &Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price! Our lesson yesterday was incredible. We had Brother Kramer with us as an excellent addition to our companionship and we discussed receiving an answer through the Holy Ghost. Perfectly, the lesson was led by the Holy Ghost. He still is praying and looking for an answer and trying to stay open about receiving an answer in his heart & mind.

Experiences like these I am going to miss. I still plan to continue this work in Utah, but Tennessee will always hold a large place in my heart. I experienced a lot of change here. My testimony has been refined and deepened. My relationship with Christ is more personal and a lot stronger. I love Him. My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost have led me and guided me the entire way!

I can't wait to see everyone in a couple days. I am short on email time today, so I am sorry to everyone that I didn't get to respond to, but we can continue our conversation face to face, yes?
I love you all!
-Hermana Rachel Rose Trommlitz

Definitely fitting for Rachel to send this as her last mission picture! HA!

A Savior is Born

This has been the first week with the release of the video, "A Savior is Born." We have LOVED using it and have found great success. It has helped us to get into homes where I don't think we otherwise would have. One of those was Billy. She was a former investigator, but we didn't have any record of why she was dropped! We had an mere 25 minutes before we had to go somewhere, but we stopped by. She had previously felt pressured by the missionaries, but loved the idea of a Christmas message for her and her kids! 

 https://www.mormon.org/christmas

Ward Christmas Parties look the same everywhere! 

A Missionary VAN?! Lookin' like a coupla future moms!!

The Miracle Phone!!

Miracles--Even at the End of a Mission!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

We had a great miracle happen this week. With moving apartments, that meant that we were starting from scratch with food. We took a few things from the last house, but it wasn't much. We basically needed to restock our whole kitchen!

I left Murphy right after a big pday. We had bought groceries that would last us through the month and it seemed like it was the week that everything ran out! So it was a big shopping trip. Not knowing I would be transferred to Hardin Valley, I was low on funds. Sister Parry was in the same boat. We had no idea how we would have enough money to stock a kitchen, we wondered if we would even have enough money for the basics! As we were shopping, a random woman came up to us and held out a Walmart gift card and said, "Hi missionaries, this is for you. It has $25 on it." We didn't know what to say. She said that she just had a son return from a mission and wanted to help out. That gift card saved us! It helped us buy the essentials that we needed! Then this week we were fed nearly everyday with members providing leftovers for us to take home afterwards! It got us through until our monthly allowance came in for December. I wish I could express my thanks even more fully to this lady. Truly a miracle.

Things are Never Quite What They Seem...

Nov. 23rd, 2015

It all started at 7:30 on Monday. P-day was over and we had just finished a lesson and dinner with one of our recent converts. We pulled out the phone and saw several missed calls from President Griffin including a text that said, "Hi sisters, call me ASAP." That doesn't worry you at all... ha! We called back and that was when I was told that I was needed in Knoxville to be in another trio to help out with a sister who was very sick. I am so grateful for the spirit because I think I would have broken down right then, but I simply felt peace, with a reassurance that it was right. I was absolutely still sad though! I loved Murphy! And my companions! And the branch!

This area is VERY different. I am serving in a ward that is one of the smallest areas in the mission. It is a strong ward! I went from the mountains, to the city (we actually get cell service here!) and I now have any store I could possibly need within 10 minutes. I have now served in every stake in the mission though! But I am still living out of my suitcases, because tomorrow we are moving apartments! A mission presents a lot of change. Even with all the differences, I LOVE IT! 

The sisters that were already here were Sisters Winter and Parry. I have known sister Winter for most of her mission, but when I saw her as I arrived, it was obvious that she was sick. She was small already, but you could tell it was now at the point it was unhealthy. She hadn't eaten in over a week besides maybe a spoonful of applesauce a day. She wanted to stay the week and see how things panned out, but that wasn't able to happen. She went home Friday morning. I remember when we had to take her home to pack, she just crumpled. She was devastated about going home early. That was heart-wrenching. 

I am now here with Sister Parry who is a great missionary and simply a great person. With this situation and packing up the apartment to move, we haven't been able to see too many people, but from what I have been able to participate in, they have a great teaching pool with great ward support! The church has put out a new Christmas video titled, "A Savior is Born" which will be found at Christmas.mormon.org on November 28th. We had the opportunity to see it this week and it is amazing as it focuses on the need for a Savior. We shared it with a couple of families and they accepted it right away and made plans to share it with their friends! It is a great tool to use for missionary work!

But yes, I know that Thanksgiving is first. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so thankful for my mission and for the opportunities that I have been able to participate in. I am thankful to be a member of this church and have the knowledge of the full Plan of Salvation. I am thankful for my family who has played a central role in who I am and in preparing me for the life I am living. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and his atonement.

Have a great week! Make the most of every opportunity!

Sunday Meetings Can Change a Lot

Nov. 16th, 2015

Yesterday was fabulous - Sabbath days always are! Sister Jorgensen spoke in church and did amazing! The branch already loves her. Church was full yesterday - and not with summer visitors! We had many less-actives members and returning members there. For Shirley and Eve, it was their first time back. Shirley was nervous, but as she was sitting in her car, Jack (the husband of Julie who was recently baptized) knocked on her door and said,"It's too cold for you to be sitting out here! Come on in. I'll show you where to go." He then told her that he too was just coming back to church. That helped Shirley feel more comfortable and she loved her experience. I don't think she would have come in had it not been for Jack being friendly and a good missionary!

We have been working with Eve for several months now. She loves the gospel and has fond memories of relief society, church and going through the temple but she had a couple of obstacles of overcome before she came. But yesterday was the day! To see people come back to church is truly one of the most fulfilling experiences of a mission!

On Tuesday we taught a portion of the relief society activity. The theme was "The Harvest" so we talked about missionary work and related it to the harvest. We adapted our mission calls to them by changing the names, dates and details. It was nice to review my original mission call.

One day we knocked on Katherine's door. As we began talking to her, we learned that she was just overcoming cancer and the next day she was going in for the final say of whether or not the cancer was fully gone. We set-up a return appointment and that was a great lesson! She said that she felt we were sent by God because after we left, she felt peace about her cancer situation even though she previously had been very nervous and anxious. God sends us where he needs us at the perfect time.

Billy and Sarah are doing great! Billy enjoys the Book of Mormon saying that, "it just makes sense! Especially about the Lamanites being the ancestors of the American Indians!" They both have been prepared in many many ways. They are ones to keep on your radar because they are very excited to be baptized!

Ending little thought: the 5th Sunday in November is missionary Sunday and I have been asked to speak. I am so grateful that they have given me a long period of time to reflect on what I want to speak about and then study and apply it better in my life. I figured that anything can apply to missionary work so I really could choose any topic that I wanted. I feel like I have been led to talk about sacrament meeting and I have loved the study that it has created! In a stake conference in Chattanooga about a year ago, I remember a speaker saying, "It is the responsibility of the members to create an environment at church where an investigator cannot deny the spirit." Sacrament Meeting is the only meeting where everyone is together - children, men, women, active members, less-active members, new members, returning members, investigators, etc. As we come prepared to partake of the sacrament and create a feeling of reverence, the spirit will be there. All will feel it. Yesterday was my first Sunday after this themed study I've had and I felt the difference. I, personally, came prepared in all aspects and then really focused on remembering the Savior during the sacrament. I feel like i had done that in the past, but just putting a little more effort into it made the difference. 

 

Trio's are Tremendous!

Nov. 9th, 2015

New Companion! Sister Jorgensen joined Hermana Kivett and I on Wednesday. and you guessed it! She's from Idaho! from a little town called Grace. And we love her!! We've had to learn to work in a trio, but it has been sooo good! It's another person to receive revelation and bounce ideas off of. She is a great missionary and adds a lot to our companionship.

This week was an interesting week. We had record low numbers! We taught hardly any lessons and didn't find the usual amount of new investigators. It is hard to look at and see, however, we still had a lot of good happen! We would look back on our day with no lessons, but feel very accomplished in what we did. We find a miracle every day and often times there would be several that we couldn't choose between. It felt a little bit like a scripture story that we, as a companionship, have been studying recently: Abinadi. Abinadi was a prophet who was called to share a message with a group of people who didn't want to hear it. Abinadi was confident that he was called of God and that it was extremely important that he share this message of repentance. He had faith in God and trusted him in all things - even his life. The people rejected him and eventually killed him. And that was all Abinadi saw - the people rejecting the message he shared. He never saw that Alma, one in the crowd listening to him, had been converted and then converted thousands, eventually becoming one of the greatest missionaries, high priests, and father that the world has ever seen! Sometimes we don't see immediate results of our obedience to God. We have faith that he is using us as an instrument for Him and we are being led my Him, but we may not know why. (check out: Words of Mormon 1:7 - my ponderize scripture last week) That's kind of what our week felt like. We felt a lot of direction from God and confident that we were where we needed to be, even though we didn't have actual, official lessons or anything to immediately influence our numbers.

One experience was at 8:30 at night. Our appointment canceled, our backups fell through, and we were tired. It was dark, so we didn't want to knock on anyone's door that we didn't know, for safety reasons. We didn't know what to do or where to go. But way too often than not, we have found that those are the times that God works miracles. We said a prayer and sat for a minute. We both felt to visit Ben, a less-active, young guy who had moved from Utah about 6 months ago. We went to his home, knocked on the door and nothing. We wrote a lil' note and then walked away, unsure of why we were directed to go there. As we were walking away, we hear someone calling to us in the distance. It was Ben! walking home from town. We had a great talk with him and learned a lot more about him. We found out that he was moving! and had we not found him then, he likely would have moved without anyone knowing and he would have been lost. God truly does lead us where he needs us. A great testimony building experience that prayer is essential to know God's will.

I think i just want to end by saying that I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!! I always have, ever since I was young. Throughout my life it has never failed me. I can always turn to it to find specific answers to my questions and ways that I can improve. I provides comfort when I need it and it puts the gospel so simply. We are currently reading it with a new member and her husband and trying to finish it by the end of the year. It is faster than I normally have read it on my mission, but I love reading it quickly once in a while. It's easier to see the big picture and how things relate to each other - more of the cause and effect. I know that it is all true - 100%. and ANY question can be answered by it. I could go on forever, but I truly LOVE the Book of Mormon and know that it is the word of God. I am so grateful for it.

Fulfilled Promises (of course!)

Nov. 2nd, 2015

Nathan's baptism was a fun way to celebrate Halloween! Everything went great! and we all had a lot of fun with the themed refreshments. We had mummies, witches hats and pumpkins for Halloween and Bagels because it's a Jewish tradition! (Nathan was Jewish and another member of our branch was Jewish and insisted on having bagels! ha!) He truly has come a long way. His wife was told that it would be a long time until her husband joined the church, but it happened! It was a great day for both of them.

Remember last email when I talked about President's Promise of a baptismal date and being led to those who are prepared? It was fulfilled this week! We did just as he asked. We each said a companionship prayer and asked to be led to those who are prepared and need our specific personalities. Then we fasted for it and worked for it!

First, we were led to find Billy and Sarah. We were trying to contact a member that no one knew anything about. As we pulled up to the house, a young man walked out. We began talking with him and then his girlfriend came out as well. We introduced ourselves and Sarah said, "I've been looking for a church!" We set up a time then to teach them Sunday and that lesson was amazing! They are soooo prepared. They said that after we left the first night they had talked about how it wasn't a coincidence that we had come to visit them. They connected with the whole message of the restoration! Sarah even said that she felt it was right. We set a baptismal date of December 5th!

Then, today, we met David. We have started doing our laundry at the laundromat and today David was there at the same time. We began talking to him and he opened up about how his wife had passed away only 2 weeks earlier. We testified of the Plan of Salvation and he wanted to know more! He then left for a minute and came back and told us, "I was just on the phone with my brother. He wants to come to our lesson too!" We are excited! We couldn't set up a time because he didn't know his work schedule, but he asked us to call back on Wednesday. As he left he pleaded, "Please call me. I want to hear this message."

God really is preparing people for His gospel. What a privilege to be his instruments in gathering them!

We had the transfer call on Saturday. Sister Kivett and I will be staying in Murphy AND receiving a 3rd companion!! How exciting!! We pick her up on Wednesday :)

Love you all! have a great week!

Sister Trommlitz

Nuggets of Wisdom

Oct. 26th, 2015

Hello Everyone! and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! :) :) :)

What a happy time of year. The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and cool, everything is flavored Pumpkin. we get to carve pumpkins and dress up! I love the fall!

This was a nice week.

On Saturday we had Zone Conference. It was motivating! But the best was at the end when President Griffin spoke. That's always the best part :) He wasn't originally going to talk, but we were all glad he did. He talked about 8 points to become a better missionary/person. 

1. Cynicism creates numbness toward life.

2. Instant gratification is counterfeit happiness.

3. Commandments/Laws/Rules help you learn.

4. Your not the exception to the rule.

5. It’s the daily little decisions in life that determine our 

destiny.

6. Surprise! Every person or missionary is not yet perfect.

7. You get as much out of something as you put in it.

8. Working in the Lord’s vineyard is AWSOME!!! 

He then gave us a promise that if we would each say a companionship prayer to be led to those who were ready for the gospel, but needed our individual personalities/strengths, fasted for it and then worked diligently for it, that a baptismal date would come. The spirit was strong and you could see the whole zone committed to it. We took his promise to heart and have begun to put it into action! We'll update you on the success :)

We had an experience where we again were able to see how God aligns our days perfectly so that we can be where we need to be at the time we need to be there. We had an investigator who we had taught once - a really good lesson! He asked all the right questions. But we hadn't been able to get in contact with him since. It has been about a month. We decided we would stop by one more time, but if he wasn't there, we would drop him. Beforehand we had felt directed to take time to contact a group of referrals we had received from an investigator. It was out of our way, but we did it. No results. All of them were not happy to see us and slammed the door in our face. That was when we went up to see Jay. If we had come 5 minutes earlier he would have been our working or in the shower. If we had come later, he likely would have been in bed! Good thing God knew that and led us there in the perfect window of time. We had an excellent lesson with him! He had thought a lot about our last lesson and had been reading the pamphlet that we left. He has had many experiences that have prepared him for the gospel and I believe he will happily embrace it.

Happy fall and halloween to everyone! Keep on moving forward :) "His Work, His Way by His Power" - Our mission motto from Preach My Gospel :)

Love, Sister Trommlitz

The Parable of the Lost Keys

Oct. 19th, 2015

Big fish there in North Carolina???

What a week!
We created FHE games for all the families in the branch (there aren't too many of them) and have been sharing it with them this week. They involve getting to know each family member better and encourage them to be a happy family :) We have been able to see the power of FHE this week as we have been in their homes. It unites families- even if the childrens' ages are spread apart! It brings in the spirit and helps them to have it more throughout the week. FHE is a way to work miracles in the family. 

They made a "Barbie" cake (sort of :)) for Sister Newton's birthday.  Ha! 

Nathan is really looking forward to his baptism! And his wife is simply giddy with excitement. She has waited for years for this day to come. As we have been teaching him she has begun to come to church more regularly.

 
The spirit has been really strong this week. I think it is because we have tried to listen better - listen to our investigators, the spirit, and each other! Empathetic listening. It has helped us more ways than one! We have greater love towards everyone, we are better led to do the will of Heavenly Father, our lessons have more power to them, etc. What a difference a little thing makes. 

Some fun pday stories for y'all: Last week we wanted to take pictures to put on little cards for everyone! So we drove out to a place with the beautiful fall colors and started our little "photoshoot" :) We ended and began to walk back to the car, but couldn't get in! I didn't have the keys.... I looked through the window at my bag sitting on the backseat. It had to have my keys in it! I must've left them in there when we made a split-second decision to leave our bags in the car!
Ugh.... Luckily, we were within a 5 minute walk to a member's home, so we walked over there and they called the locksmith. The locksmith came, unlocked the car, and I reached in to grab my bag. The keys weren't in there!! Where could they be?! So we retraced our steps, and there they were. On the ground where we were taking pictures... So we just rolled our eyes and laughed. What else could we do?!

Sister "Utah" and the internal spiritual battle

One of the members made chocolate e'clair cake!  A family favorite!  Made her feel right at home! 

From Oct. 12th, 2015

Fun Story: Hermana Kivett and I subbed for the music during sacrament Meeting yesterday and right after church ended, one of the returning members raced up to me and said, "so..... me and the spirit were having a little battle. He told me to go up and bear my testimony and I said no, but then the spirit asked, "what's it going to take to get you up there?!" and I responded, "if 'sister Utah' goes up, I will." He said it wasn't 2 seconds later that I (Sister Utah) stood up to bear my testimony. ha! He said he had to apologize cause it was his fault that I had to get up and speak. :)

I love you all! Have a great week!

We were driving back from Robbinsville and sister Newton lets out a little squeal. "I just saw a black and yellow turtle climbing a telephone pole!!" we didn't believe her. No way! But she insisted! So we turned around to see what this was all about. To our surprise there WAS a turtle on the telephone pole! but it wasn't climbing. in fact, it wasn't even moving! It was just a wooden turtle! hahaha! but when you're driving 55 miles/hour and get a brief glance at it, it sure does look real! :) 

And the Rains Came Down and Floods Came Up...

This is from her Oct. 5th email.  I'm a little behind...hoping to get caught up!  

The morning run that ended in rain! A good drying mechanism!

There was some worry, due to the hurricane hitting the east coast, that, here in Murphy, there would be terrible flash floods as well as trees falling over due to saturated soil combining with heavy winds, but all is well. We sure did get a good amount of rain which did cause a little bit to find its way into our apartment! But no severe flash floods. We were told that we were not allowed to drive over rivers, gorges, canyons, or standing water. Let me describe Murphy to you: Rivers, gorges canyons, dirt roads.... I think you get the picture. We were stuck inside for a good while :)

For only getting 4 days to work (one of them being pday...) we still got a lot done and saw many great things.

In conference, President Monson told a story about building the BYU Jerusalem Center and an Israeli Official making a comment about the light that is in the eyes of the students that would be attending there. That light comes as we embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and we saw that in Ashley and Eve this week. They are currently less-active members, and we have been working on helping them to start reading the Book of Mormon and now doing it on a more regular basis. Right when we walked into their home, we saw it. We saw the light in their eyes because they had been reading the Book of Mormon. We didn't even have to ask, we knew that they had been reading! And sure enough, they were happy to report that they had been in the Book of Mormon several times this week and they too noticed a difference in themselves.

Any step we make towards God, he blesses us for. He blesses us way beyond what we sacrificed to get there. What a blessing it is to have commandments.

Julie and Jack are soooo happy. As they have fully jumped back into the church we have seen them completely change. We brought a member to our last lesson with them who asked if they had felt any change in their life after being baptized and returning to the church. They both delivered beautiful testimonies about how Jesus Christ and his gospel had changed their lives. One of the most powerful things that I have ever heard. The atonement is real. It is there to help us and I can testify that it does. It allows us to overcome things and is also the thing that gives us the strength to do so!

There is a family that is coming back to church after 7 years - a strong family. They had forgotten that it was General Conference and had woken up late, but the young 6 yr. old was devastated that she was going to be missing church! so She convinced her parents that, even late, they should still go to church. It worked out great because they got there right in time for General Conference! They were surprised, but also very thankful. As I thought about that, I recognized how much God will help people come back to church. He wants them back. He NEEDS them back. And he will orchestrate events in their life so they can grow closer to Him, if they choose. It was a small act that many could call a mistake or coincidence, but I truly felt that God had led them to the church to watch General Conference because He knew how much it would strengthen them. God is continually working with all of us. God will help those that we love to return to full activity (aka full joy) in the church. He will also direct us, his servants, on how we can help those that we love. 

It's so fluffy I could die!!

 

 

 

General Conference is the Same Everywhere!

I absolutely love it here in Murphy however, with it being so tiny and spread out here, sometimes I forget how big the church is everywhere else!  But on Saturday at the women's conference I was reminded that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints really is a worldwide church. I felt so unified with all of the different Sisters around the world and also with my Savior. So much direction from our leaders during that session of general conference.

This week was great! We starting teaching many new investigators who all seem to be interested and have a lot of potential. Nathan is still doing great! Because of past religious background, he didn't know what baptism was or the importance of it. The pure doctrine of baptism really is so hopeful and exciting! It was fun to teach it to someone who has a fresh sheet of paper.

Exhausted hard-working sisters

I know, this picture is rotated weird, but we can't fix it for some reason and I had to include it!  It captures the missionary life so perfectly! 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is my favorite lesson to teach. I love them all, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the core of this life. By living His Gospel we can find joy during times of trial, hope in times of despair and the satisfaction of continually being able to improve and progress. It applies to everyone at all times of their lives, in all aspects of their lives. I forever, through eternity, am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.

I know, it's groce!  But I had to at least do a small picture of their sewer backing up!  Memories of mission life...

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition!

A highlight: Julie was baptized. It was a wonderful baptismal service with the spirit very strong throughout. The best part was after the service she said, "I just feel good and happy. I feel clean." She has the temple in her sight! This was not only a great experience for her, but also for her husband who, after a little journey, was able to baptize her. Everyone in the branch is thrilled to see him coming back to church, this time with his beloved wife.

Nathan is the husband of a member and as we teach him, he is making great progress. This past week we extended a baptismal date and accidentally said the wrong month, which just so happened to be the weekend he was planning a surprise trip with his wife. So he had to spoil the surprise just for us to tell him we were talking about the month before! whoops...... But he still accepted! ha! He has begun to notice all the blessings God is giving him. When we asked why he thought God was blessing him, he said well, "my wife would say that it's because I am reading the Book of Mormon and meeting with you." We laughed a little and said, "no no...,. why do YOU think he is blessing you?" He got quiet and then said, "the same reasons. Because I am reading the Book of Mormon and going to church and meeting with you." He has recognized a very important principle of the gospel. God gives us commandments to bless us. It's a blessing to have commandments!

This week was also monumental because I completed a bucket-list item that I have had for several years! I washed my hair in the rain! I just doesn't rain in Utah like it does here. You can truthfully say, "when it rains, it pours!" One night this week was one of those occasions. As soon as we noticed that it was raining that hard, we changed as fast as we could into clothes that could get wet, grabbed the shampoo and out we went! We changed so fast I forgot to take out my earrings! (as you can see in the picture :))

Change...the name of the game

One of the best parts about serving a mission is seeing change, especially in people. You see change in the people you work with, in the branch/ward, and yourself. But another change we have seen is the change in this area! From the time sister Cameron and I got here, we have seen it grow from a unstable near nothing teaching pool to now a strong teaching pool that continues to grow! It is so exciting to see that change. Yes, at first it was discouraging. I can't lie about that. But now it is so fulfilling. After hard work we are seeing great miracles in Murphy, North Carolina! 
This week sister Cameron was transferred. She is an amazing missionary and friend and a loved serving with her. Hermana Kivett is the newest missionary in Murphy and I am looking forward to spending the next several months with her. She is incredible! She is from Rexburg, ID (continuing my streak of only Utah and Idaho companions 😀) and I love her!

This week was the first week using our area book and planner on our iPad which was quite the adjustment, but SOOO convenient.

Julie is still working towards being baptized in the next couple weeks! She is so receptive to the spirit which makes our discussions wonderful. In so many ways she motivates her less-active husband to come back to church and get his life where it needs to be. She sees the difference that it makes in him and enjoys the blessings it brings into their lives.

We also saw a change in heart of a less-active member who happily welcomed us into her home. When we have met her at her mother's house, she was normally very closed and not willing to listen to us and if she had the choice she wouldn't have let us in. But we stopped by her home this week and were shocked when she smiled and welcomed us in! We had a quick lesson with her and said a prayer with her and her children who also were interested in the lesson. We are excited to continue working with her and strengthening her family.

Change can happen to anyone at anytime; for good or for bad. Never become content with where you are. Continually strive to improve. make a vision for yourself, set a goal, make a plan, then go achieve it!
Through the Savior we can always change and that's the good news of the gospel.

I love you all! Have a great week!

The Life of a Missionary is Living on Cloud 9!

It's been really humid and foggy this past couple of mornings! It is like we are living in a cloud! :)
We had a day this week when all 5/5 appointments canceled. Yes, at first we were discouraged and a little frustrated if I do admit. We had great backups! But there where not enough of them to fill the entire day. After running through our backup list we did a quick re-plan and felt inspired to go to a specific area and contact a variety of people. One of them was a less-active member that neither of us knew. It was the last stop of the day (that's always the phrase for a really good story ;) ) and we worried it might be too late with the pitch black sky above us. (They don't light their roads... Even the main highways...!). We finally found her home and were welcomed in. As we talked with her we found that she had a great love for the church and simply needed to be invited back. She was excited to hear about the activities and was eager to go! So if all our appointments canceled just so we could meet this sister, it was all worth it. God does seem to work in mysterious ways, but His plans are always better than ours!