Thanksgiving Temple Trip

Wow!! Sooo cool! 

With this week being thanksgiving, I have reflected on how much I truly have to be grateful for. The Lord is so merciful to us!

Some crazy news for the week.... I'm getting transferred. I never knew it would be so hard to leave this area, but I am really struggling thinking about all the people I am going to miss here. One of the hardest things is the fact that I didn't expect it at all. I had great visions for this area and was really excited about the potential of all the people we were working with. I don't know where I am going yet, and won't know until Wednesday. I know that the Lord's plan is always better than what we might want and I am trying to look forward with optimism, but for now I am still really sad. I am ready for growth and I know that is what this change will bring.

Not sure what all this means, but looks fun :)  I had to laugh at the elder in the back on the left wearing Rachel's       "cheetah-themed" Santa hat! Guess I sent those for a reason! 

Before I knew I was being transferred I was asked to sub for the youth speaker and speak in sacrament meeting. So inspired. I was so grateful to speak my last Sunday here.

White shirt, tie, temple recommend in hand...so prepared for the gospel!

Joseph went to the temple this past week and loved it!! He was so excited the days leading up to it and when he was there he said he felt the spirit very strongly. He said it is one thing to talk about the temple, but a completely other thing to actually go inside. He is so right. The temple is the Lord's house and a place where one can feel the spirit unlike anywhere else.

The ward is really working well with Joseph. Yesterday was our last ward council and you can see the ward really feeling the responsibility of helping him stay strong in the church and become more converted to Jesus Christ. I am excited for him and for the ward. I think that seeing Joseph be baptized has excited the ward about missionary work.

This past week we were introduced to the "He is the Gift" initiative and are very excited about it!! If you haven't seen the video yet, go, RIGHT NOW, to christmas.mormon.org and watch it and then go share it on your facebook and everywhere else! It is a touching video which helps us to focus on the Savior this season. The church is putting a HUGE emphasis on it right now, so catch the vision and share this video with everyone. It is a really easy way to share the gospel and about Jesus Christ.

Another push lately has been for families to have their own mission plans and I encourage all that read this to do the same. It helps to keep a focus and a goal for missionary work. It also unifies the family on missionary efforts and gets everyone involved in the hastening of the work.

Look at that... 2 FHE's for ya! :) Mission plan and He is the Gift :)

I watched the video this morning.  It is wonderful!  As is everything the church puts out.  I'm excited to share it with everyone!  In our ward, our bishop has also invited us to council in our families about our personal and family preparedness, so we have 3 family home evenings ready to go for us!  YEA!!  

I love you all!! I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love this gospel and I love Jesus Christ. I love having the opportunity to share my testimony with everyone I meet. Happy December everyone!!

Missionary Christmas Tree :)

From Mormon.org to Baptism!

We've been following the ups and downs of Joseph, her first investigator that she's been privileged to teach from start to finish.  We've been praying for him and hoping he would come unto Christ by being baptized into His church.  Here is her email from this week:

 Joseph was baptized!! It was absolutely incredible. The spirit was so strong and simply got stronger and stronger as the service went on. The best part, beside the actual ordinance, was when Joseph bore his testimony. It was simple, but powerful. And coming from Joseph who has doubted the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and modern-day prophets, it was huge. He was honest and sincere and made several people in the room cry! His parents were able to come and support him and his friend (who Joseph gave a Book of Mormon to earlier) came as well. There were many ward members who came to support him and he was happier than I have ever seen him before.

Sunday was equally as incredible. He was confirmed a member of the church and received the Holy Ghost. Then during the 3rd hour, he received the Aaronic priesthood! (We were able to sit in for that!) and then after church, he was interviewed and received a temple recommend!!!! :) :) :) And what perfect timing the Lord has, because the ward has a temple trip planned for adults and youth this coming Saturday! He is really excited to do baptisms for the dead. I am really excited to teach him family history this week :) :)

Even before he was baptized, we had kinda teased Joseph with the idea of going on a mission. We asked him after his baptism and he said the would really like to go, but will probably finish his degree first. We'll see what the Lord has in store for him, but he would be an incredible missionary. 

 I feel so blessed to be on a mission, serving here in Dalton, Georgia. I thank my Heavenly Father that I had the opportunity to be a part of Joseph's conversion. This church is truly Jesus Christ's church restored on the earth. This knowledge has brought direction and joy into my life. "My life has a purpose, my life has a plan..." 

I don't know how to read her words without crying every week.  It is such a blessing to be able to be a small part of everything she does in her missionary labors.  I hope our family can have at least one missionary out at all times for the next 20 years!!!  (I have 3 more of my own future missionaries and 11 nieces and nephews spanning age 4 months-17 years!) Go Elders and Sisters!!  

"Frozen" and CITH Festival of Trees :) 

  

       

The Rewards of Serving

  I decided to put out her whole email this week because it is short, but awesome!  Things are fantastic there in Dalton and the work is moving forward!  

Hola!

JOSEPH IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!! We went from him nearly dropping us last Sunday, to setting a baptismal date for November 22nd! Ever since he has set that date, he has been so happy and seriously a changed person. He said that after we dropped him off after stake conference last Sunday, he sat in his car and pleaded with the Lord whether or not it was worth it to continue meeting with us. He said he started noticing all the benefits he has received from studying with us - specifically improving his character, and he remembered Mosiah 5:2-5 and D&C 11:12-14 and felt that was how he felt like Heavenly Father chose to answer his question about whether or not to continue. So in his words he said, "I'm just going to go with the spirit on this one." He is recognizing and acknowledging the spirit.

And then, get this, the day after, he gives a Book of Mormon to his friend. What a missionary. We seriously hope he goes on a mission. He would be an incredible missionary.

We are beginning to teach the friend of a youth in the ward. He comes to church, mutual and even early morning seminary with his friend! We are also starting to teach Haley who is the friend of another youth who also comes to church and mutual. These youth are simply bringing their friends to the things they love and participate in. Not only will us teaching their friends be great for their friends, but also for the youth. Those lessons are powerful, and the principles taught in them are true and the spirit testifies of that. It is the gospel right down to the basics which we all need to start from and build upon. It helps us all to be reminded of the simple things. The stronger our testimony of the foundation is, the better we can build upon it.

I also want to testify the priesthood of God has been restored on the earth. It is powerful and truly is God's power. We had the opportunity to meet a new couple who just moved into the ward. They were at the hospital where they needed a blessing. It was their first night in their new house and didn't know anyone or anything about the ward. They somehow got the number of the missionaries and so we and the elders went to meet them. They said they had been less-active for the past little while, but yesterday (Sunday) they came to church. It was wonderful.

Hermana Horrocks and I sang in church. They haven't had any musical numbers since we have been in the ward, so we took initiative and prepared one!

Anyways, what a week!! I love you all! :) :) Stay warm!!

Love,

Hermana Trommlitz

It's Official...

We'll start with the news that is bursting to get out. MY MISSION PRESIDENT CHANGED MY CALL TO SPANISH-SPEAKING!! Last Friday was our zone meeting and President Griffin came to do Hna Horrocks' departing interview. :( When he was done, he came out and said, "Sister Trommlitz, could I talk to you for a minute?" and pulled me into the room. I sat down and he asked, "How would you feel about becoming a Spanish-speaking missionary?" I smiled and said that I would like that. He said he would order my tags and materials and that this new call would enable me to continue to study Spanish each day and he could now put me with Spanish-speaking companions and in Spanish-speaking wards and area. So my study of Spanish has now gone from casual and no pressure, to a whole new level of responsibility! But I am really excited. I have learned a lot by being with a Spanish-speaking companion and associating with the Spanish-speaking ward. It's wild! 

 

On Tuesday we pretty much set up a whole library for an elementary school. It was a real test of my alphabetical skills :)as we organized books! It was so fun to see all the books I read as a kid and it felt great knowing that I was a part in helping kids learn to read! woo!

A couple of P-days ago, I had talked to a guy in Wal-Mart who wanted to learn more about our message, and we were finally able to meet with him this past week. We met him and his wife. A sister from the ward came with us and having her as a team-up was so inspired because her husband in a retired Vietnam veteran and so was this new investigator. They were able to connect on that level and develop a friendship. We taught the restoration and then left. The next day we get a text from the ward sister saying that the wife had called her and asked when and where church was. It was stake conference the next Sunday, so they said they would wait a week and come the next Sunday. It shows how important members are in developing friendships with investigators.

A brother in the ward also called us and told us about a friend he had invited to meet with the missionaries. His wife has recently passed away. We went over with the ward member and taught the restoration to which he kept saying that we had so much more knowledge and he wanted to know it. The ward member set him up with listening to the Book of Mormon because he is old and has a hard time reading fine print. Another example of how great members in the area are and the big effect they can have on the success of the Lord's hastening of the work of Salvation.

Winter and Watchful Teenagers

It sure got cold this week and it is totally a different kind of cold! No snow :( but the humidity makes it cut right through you! But I love winter clothes, so there is always something to be happy about! Even if there isn't snow ;)

 The "Hayless" Hayride

We have had a lot of success and see future success through the youth of the ward.

We had received a referral from mormon.org from Thelma who had requested a Book of Mormon. We went to deliver it and a teenage girl opens the door in nothing but a towel! "Are you Thelma" we ask. She says yes, so we explain who we are and excuse her to get dressed. She comes back out and apologizes. She had just gotten out of the shower and thought it was her parents coming home and couldn't get in.

She said she knew one of the youth in the ward and that was why she requested the Book of Mormon. She didn't want her parents to know she was "interested in it" so we weren't able to teach her, but we hope to work through the youth to be able to teach her. As we are driving home, we get a text from one of the yw who was going to go out with us that day, but got sick. She asked if we had visited a Thelma. When we told her yes, she said, "That's my best friend!" If she hadn't been sick, she would have been with us when we met her! Bummer, but she knows two of the youth in the ward!

We also have a few youth who are bringing their boyfriends to mutual. One is interested in being taught and the family is part less active which would be awesome to teach him in their home! Another ym brings a friend to church, mutual and even early morning seminary! We talked to him on Sunday and he is willing to be taught the lessons in his friend's home.

When we first came to the ward, we tried to create friendships with the youth by attending yw on Sunday and mutual on Wednesday. By gaining their friendship and trust, they are now more willing to introduce us to their friends. 

Having the great privilege and opportunity to work with the youth in own ward, I know exactly of what she's speaking.  We have many youth in our ward who are sharing the gospel with their friends every day through word, testimony and action.  The Gospel is certainly rolling forth throughout all the earth.  Youth ...saved for the last days...

And a good reminder for us all:

Yesterday, I had prayed and asked the Lord to show me what I needed to do to become a better servant for Him. Revelation through church attendance works! We had a whole lesson on gratitude and I felt strongly that I need to be more grateful. Hma Horrocks and I made little turkeys that we are going to put on the door. One for each day saying what we are thankful for :) But during this next month, especially in prep for Thanksgiving, take a little time to slow down and be grateful for all the Lord gives us. As members of the church, we are incredibly blessed.

Pumpkin Carvin' and Gospel Preachin'

Even the little things our Heavenly Father makes room for in our lives!  So good to remember that :)

Sounds like some missionaries have been going home, so not as many in her area. Good thing there are always more going out!

Tuesday was saying goodbyes to everyone that was leaving. it was so sad! This week it was weird only having 3 sets in the area. Church was even more weird with us being the only missionaries in the ward.

Our last dinner all together was at the Beasley's. As we were finishing dinner, one of the sisters said, "so.... before you all leave, could you help me with a little service project? I have these pumpkins that need faces on them." :) I was sooooo excited! I have been wanting to carve pumpkins as a district for over a month!! and no one wanted to do it all together for a p-day..... so we never did :( but the desires of my heart were answered!!!

Our 2 young adult investigators are coming along and progressing. It is scheduled for one to be baptized in 3 weeks, so we have been working with him. The biggest thing for him to overcome is smoking. He has been wanting to quit for a while now and has once before, so it is absolutely possible to overcome this struggle (as is everything with the Christ).

The other one struggles with feeling lonely. He is 26, living alone, no girlfriend, not involved in anything, playing video games all the time, and about to graduate college. He accepts most everything we teach him and wants to be baptized as he comes to a knowledge that it is true. The gospel can change his life! It can give purpose and direction to him. 

Isn't this true of us all?  When we feel lonely, direction-less and unloved, the gospel of Jesus Christ changes our lives.  As we focus more on serving Him and His children, we forget ourselves.  There are so many out there who need the Savior.  It is so very exciting to see so many young members of the church go forth and serve in all the world.  They can teach and help to alleviate pain and suffering for so many.  I feel proud of our wonderful daughter today!  And grateful for all who have had an influence in her life!  

There Are No Coincidences

 Having Fun in the District

This past week, Felicia (our recent convert) went out on several team-ups with us. One of them, Scott, is her neighbor whom we have recently begun teaching. She has been a good example to him as she has stopped drinking coffee. He has noticed the change in her since she started meeting with the missionaries. Scott came to church for the first time yesterday and has been continuing in the missionary lessons with a curious attitude.

Felicia also came with us to visit Richard. I don't remember if I have or have not written about Richard yet, but he is the son of a less-active member we were introduced to as we were with a member doing visiting teaching. We were teaching the Plan of Salvation and when we invited him to be baptized, he responded, "you want ME to be baptized?" It was as if we had invited him into the coolest, most prestigious club - and in a way, we have. :) He said he would really like to be baptized, and so we set a date to work towards. As we were there, we were talking about jobs, because the restaurant he was working for just shut down. Felicia suggested that he could apply where she worked and she could put in a good word for him. It seemed like a great idea. THEN, she mentioned that they pay for tuition at the online university he had been attending, but he had had to stop due to financial reasons. I couldn't believe it! Hma. Horrocks looked at me and said, "Wow... I felt the spirit really strongly as she said that." I could feel it too. Heavenly Father truly organizes everything in our lives perfectly so we are in the right place at the right time, just like Felicia was at that lesson. As long as we are living righteous lives, he will use us as His instruments to do His work.

I don't think I need to say anymore.  That entry says it all.  Other than to add that our Heavenly Father loves ALL of us and wants us to be happy!

 The church building--Missionaries' home away from home!