I Am An Ipad...

 

Love the picture of Jesus in the corner of the littlest window! 

The news you've all been waiting for...... drumroll please! I'm in MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA! and it is very very different from anywhere else that I have served. Look it up - I'm totally in the mountains. Every time we make a call, we are roaming just cause we never get service up here! It's also my first time in a branch! I love it. Our branch boundaries cover 3 counties and is one of the biggest in the mission. There are a bunch of little towns all over and in between is just a bunch of trees. ha! We live in a castle!! in the dungeon.... seriously. We barely have windows, and white cement walls.

 
My companion is Sister Amber Cameron from Pocatello, ID (first one NOT from Utah, ha!). We already get along great! She is such a prepared missionary that I don't even feel like I'm training her. We haven't done much here yet, but one of the biggest blessings are Elder and Sister Newton: a senior couple also serving in the Murphy Branch. They have done so much already and are so excited for us to be here! Their enthusiasm is contagious. We have already found success with working with the members and we see a lot of potential.

We replaced 2 elders here so you can imagine all of the fun that that brings! Some quick funny things - they left us with 1 lil' roll of toilet paper... for 5 days. They left us with close to 0 food, minus all the canned food and other sodium packed quick meals, but Jellybeans and popcorn were the highlight. 

The elders must have been excited for Ipads! We have a training this Thursday and then we get them June 16th!

The branch is older (60% are 70+) I am already in love! We were welcomed with open arms and lots of love. One lady already introduced herself as our grandma!

We are so excited to be here and get the missionary spirit rolling in the Murphy branch!

A focused lesson, changing of hearts, and prayer. It's been a good week :)

It has been so fun to teach Jordan! He is, like any 9 yr old boy, very active and distracted, but we had a miracle lesson this past week where he sat through the whole thing and listened intently to the plan of salvation. We tried to make it interactive, and he was very open and honest when he didn't understand things. The biggest thing that he understands is good and bad and Jesus Christ. We ended up relating much of the lesson back to those 3 things which essentially are the main focus of the Plan of Salvation anyway. Our team-up, who translates in ASL for us, brought her children with her to the lesson who are the exact same ages as Jordan's siblings! This fellowshipper has worked miracles for this family. Those kids needed a friend and loved playing with someone, if even for just an hour.

Jordan came to church yesterday with his family, and we found out that the Primary secretary speaks a little sign language! So she was able to walk Jordan to class and translate a little for him. Little miracles are happening for this boy. He was thrilled to know someone who could speak to him!

The gospel can change a person's life - often from the inside out. It changes their heart which will change their lives. We have seen that in Linda's life and so have her kids. Matt, her 29 yr. old son, had never wanted to join us for any of Linda's lessons despite our invites, but recently, he asked for a Book of Mormon, and his own lesson! Your example of a Christlike life is a great missionary tool! We taught him this week, and hope to continue helping him to more fully access the blessings that Christ can bring into his life.

I just want to take a quick couple sentences to testify of the miraculous power of prayer. God has so many blessings that he is waiting to give us, but are conditional upon us asking for them. Prayer is a game-changer. We all need the spirit with us. Jesus Christ can help us overcome our weaknesses so that we can be better servants for Him. We need to feel His love. All of that happens through prayer: sincere prayer. As talked about in last general conference, feel the music of the gospel: the spirit. Don't just go through the motions. It is the same way with prayer. Let the spirit direct you prayer and gain the spirit through prayer. Don't just go through the motions of what you know needs to be said. Heavenly Father want' to hear from His children. He wants to hear from you. He wants to hear from your heart.

Small and Simple Things...

I am very passionate about the Book of Mormon. If I had to pick an area that my testimony is the strongest in, it would probably be the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true and that by reading it, Heavenly Father will answer your prayers. The witness of the Holy Ghost that I received after praying and pondering is something that I can never deny. A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to teach YW's about the role of the Book of Mormon. At the end, we challenged them to ask a question to Heavenly Father and then look for the answer in the Book of Mormon promising them that they would find an answer. (which I also challenge anyone who reads this to do. It works!) We followed up with them last week and a few of the girls had really neat experiences! One of the leaders told us yesterday that she had asked if she should move to California and read the scripture that said something like, " return swiftly to the land of your inheritance." It was a big answer for her. Teaching YW's was just another thing that we were asked to do and didn't think much of that one either, but it make a big impact on a few people. Hearing that made it all worth it!

We had an Less-Active member call us asking to pray for them as they drove to Knoxville because they needed new tires and couldn't find a place to get them and they were currently driving on a mini replacement tire and were worried they wouldn't make it. We said a prayer right there on the phone and again, didn't think much of it. She later reported to us that right after we prayed, they found a police officer who escorted them to a tire place where they could then buy 2 tires for the price of one! They made it to Knoxville safely :)

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." These were little things that we just did because of who we are: as people, and as missionaries. The little things that you may do in your life just because it is who you are - it's natural, it's just what you do - they make a difference! As we have a change of heart and continually become more and more what God needs you to be through his gospel, then you will do so much good for people just because you are Christ-like. Don't underestimate the little things. They go a long way. 

 Last night Hna. Fowers mom called me from Farr West, UT!  These 2 funny girls had sent our Mother's Day gifts in the one box they had, to one house!  They just figured we could meet up and get it and meet each other :)  It was a wonderful conversation.  The youth who are going out to serve missions have been tried and proven and are strong and loving and capable and trusting in their Savior.  It makes me feel so good that they have each other to preach the gospel with in the gathering of the House of Israel. Lasting memories...lasting relationships...lasting testimonies...  
 

Multi-Lingual Missionaries!

Jordan is preparing to be baptized May 30th! We are both slowly learning basic sign language so that we can communicate with him even when we don't have a translator. He is such an energetic, happy boy who loves sports. His understanding of the gospel comes in small steps, (but doesn't all of our understanding?) and teaching the gospel so simply can be a little bit of a challenge. It almost seems as though he has a built-in understanding of Jesus Christ though. His parents have taught him and we have taught him, but when we talk about Jesus, he just gets it and you can tell he understands it in his heart. We have learned a lot about becoming as a child as we have taught him. 

 A big focus this week has been on the temple. We are planning a temple trip for Tori, Linda, a returning family, another recent convert, Tina, and the YSA's! Baptism is great and an extremely necessary part of one's eternal progression, whether in this life or the next. It is also more likely that a person will stay active throughout his/her life if they go through the temple and make those additional covenants with God. Even if we already have, if we go regularly, it can greatly influence our spiritual growth and expedite change in our life. Starting these recent converts out by doing baptisms for the dead in the temple will, first off, get them to feel the spirit of the temple and then to look forward to the day that they can go in for themselves to make more covenants with God. 

Remember Jon that we were working with a couple of months ago?? He went to Utah, but things didn't end up working out. Which is actually an understatement. His life really took a hit from a whirlwind! But he is back in Tennessee for the summer. We are going to begin meeting with him again which we are all very excited about. It is interesting to see how the difficult events in his life could actually be springboards for progressing in the gospel. As long as he lets them become such. Some of the temptations that he had, have been removed. It is hard to have a dramatic lifestyle change, but if it helps him to better keep the commandments of God, then it is all for the better. 

Linda was able to go to the Family History lib. where her Home Teacher was able to set her up with an account and get her started! Each time we go over for a lesson, she shows us new family history that she found. She may have just found a new hobby ;) But It's true. Once you get started, it can be kind of addicting! ;) She is reading her scriptures everyday and is slowly getting her family involved with her. Because she is reading her scriptures daily, it brings a whole new spirit into the house and into her life. There have been other people that recognize it by saying, "Linda, you look really good lately." or "There is something different here than your old house." It is all the spirit. Living worthy of the spirit improves all areas of your life: physically, emotionally, spiritually, in every way. 

2,179 miles of Missionary Labor

Quick update on last pday. We went hiking with our Aunt Ruth (She is my aunt, but Hermana Fowers adopted the name and began calling her Aunt Bailey too :) ha!) up on Roan Mountain. We were literally hiking in a cloud. At times we couldn't tell if it was raining, or just incredibly humid, but that just added to the experience.

We hiked a part of the Appalachian trail and met 2 hikers who were hiking the whole thing! 2179 miles from Georgia to Maine. whew! Maybe one day when I have 6 months of my life to put on hold and a friend who is willing to hike it with me I'll take on that adventure ;) (Knowing Rachel, it won't surprise me at all when she actually does this!) It was neat to see that part of the area where we are serving and learn that it was there that the missionaries of long-ago walked and taught. Although, I am so glad we live in the city with cars and phones and (soon!) Ipads :) 

The Saturday before I came to Johnson City, there was a girl named Kricket who was scheduled to be baptized, but felt pushed and so she backed out. Since that time, we have been trying to get back into contact with her, but to no avail. This past week, she contacted us and told us that she was ready to come back into the church saying, "my life desperately needs it." We had our first lesson with her, and she has been through a lot! It truly is by the hand of God that she is investigating again. She is a friend of Tori and Sydney's and is involved with the YSA program here. She set a date to be baptized June 6th and will simply review the lessons until that point. 

There seems to be a recurring theme in Rachel's emails.  Because they are working really hard to be obedient, investigators and those wishing to return to church have been coming to them.  The Lord knows who is ready to embrace the gospel in their lives and He will put them in the path of members and missionaries who will open their mouths and invite.  Our responsibility is to be spiritually prepared all the time, and pray for those opportunities to come our way.  Having a missionary out is the most wonderful motivation of all!!  

 

They FINALLY got their car back, but it STILL was having problems, so they couldn't use it after all :(

The Future is Bright!

I'll start with the baptism first :) :) Linda made it! It has been a year of missionaries, and she is grateful for every one of them. I feel so blessed and privileged to have been with her in her final weeks before baptism and then for the actual ordinance. She said she was nervous, but very excited! It will be so good for her grandkids to have the gospel in their home now.

At one point, Hermana Fowers mentioned that it was the best day on her mission thus far!

 

Later that day, we found a Spanish investigator! Our first one for this area. We were at a YSA activity at the park, and stopped to talk to him. One of the YSA members served his mission Spanish-speaking, so he jumped right in and they are around the same age. Immediate fellowshipper! :)

At that same activity, we found a group of girls from Saudi Arabia who are at ETSU to learn English! I think they just wanted to practice their English with us, but we were happy to talk to them! They even fed us lunch! But we asked them all about their religion (Islam) and were able to connect on a couple different points.

We have had quite the variety of cultures and languages this week! There is a less-active family in the ward that has recently started coming back to church. They have a 9 yr. old son named Jordan who is deaf, but his parents want him to be baptized, and know why he is getting baptized. There is a sister in the neighboring ward who knows ASL and came with us for our first lesson with him. He was sooooo excited to talk to someone that could understand him! His parents are trying to learn, but since he learns mostly in school, it is hard for them to keep up. So this will make a huge difference for their family, and for him. We are going to try to learn a little bit so that we can talk to him, but we mostly will just teach and be translated.

I love you all and wish that I knew a better way to express that to you, but those words will have to suffice :) We feel the work hastening. It's exciting! Catch the wave! :) 

 

Bikes and Beekeeping!

Happy Easter with Family on a mission!  YEA!!

What a weekend this past one was! General Conference was INCREDIBLE!! I am sure that everyone looks forward to conference weekend, but for us missionaries, it is like gold! And not just one piece of gold, but a whole treasure chest full! Like the ones pirates find in the stories! Everything about it is just the best! Revelation for us and for our investigators as well as direction to go with the ward and the area. 
 

        Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the

            Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

April 4th also marked a very special day for me. Exactly a year ago I went through the Bountiful temple to receive my endowment: 4/4/14! (That means this that I've been doing this blog for exactly 1 year too!  Wow!  I stuck with it!  A miracle :) 

As I reflected on that event I was overcome with gratitude for my Savior and His atonement, for those covenants I was able to make, for parents who prepared me well, and for the opportunity that I have to be a member of Jesus Christ's restored church. It's hard not having a temple in our mission, but one day, I know that there will be. And what a day that will be! The saints here deserve one and I want to play a part in making that happen. It also helped me to remember how important a goal the temple is for so many people we work with: essentially for everyone that we work with! 

 

Bountiful, UT Temple where Rachel received her endowment 

                                          last year.  

Nashville, TN Temple, her mission temple district (I think:))

Above: An adventure!  Below: I think these are Linda's grandkids.  She is getting baptized this Sat.