Alrighty! What a week this has been.
A lot of miracles have happened, but a really sad a tragic thing occured. We went over to our recent converts house on Thursday the 29th of October and she plays on facebook a lot. There's a young couple in our ward who has 2 kids, 8 and 5, and he's a WONDERFUL musician!! He's so talented. Well he posted one of his songs on facebook and Tammy, our RC, showed it to us. We were all a little confused because the song sounded like him and his wife were gonna be seperated. But I knew that they were very happy and that they weren't getting a divorce. It was still a great song either way. His wife actually was diagnosed with Kromes disease (or something like that, I don't think that's how it's spelled) but she turned out to over come it and all is well. So Justin (the husband) has a great websight that tells about all of this and posts a lot of his music on there, WWW.JustinYoung.com, So please go and check it out. Well his wife went to a Halloween party on Friday with her two children, and at about 11 at night, a younger boy who was about to turn twenty one on Halloween day, volunteered to take her to the gas station to pick something up. She couldn't find her keys. Pulling out of the subdivision, they were hit by a car, she was thrown out of the back window and on to the road, and the car ended up in a ditch. She was instantly killed but no one else was even hurt. This has been a really hard for all of us to face. They are highly liked in the ward. GREAT FAMILY! So it's been a really sad and hard time. He funeral and viewing is this Friday and us missionaries have been asked to attend. Of course we would anyways, she was a friend of ours. The family is doing as well as they can. Their out look on it all is, "At least we know the truth and where she is." That gives them great comfort. Tears filled my eyes as I heard this aweful news. Brought back some sad times in my life, but also helped me to have joy becaue I too know and feel the comfort of our Heavenly Fathers plan for us. So that's the sad news that has happened. Please keep them in your prayers and definately check out his web sight. Things are posted on my facebook account as well. I had a friend do it for me out here.
On a brigher note, the work is great! We've found several new investigators to teach, which had been great because we haven't had much success in that department. We taught a lady named Juanita on Sunday and she was just so receptive and prepared to hear the gospel. We only had about 20 minutes to talk to her, but we shared a basic overview of our beliefs and the spirit was just so powerful! Many questions aroused in her mind, and she kept saying how she couldn't wait for us to come back.
We've had 2 experiences like that this week! The Lord is blessing us for our efforts!
We had a lot of fun last week carving pumpkins with the Elders! We had to be in at 6 on Halloween night, so we got to party it up a few days before.
Today Elder Lowry and I will be practicing for our musical number on Monday. We haven't had time to work on it much at all so I hope we can pull it off. He's VERY talented, so I'm sure he'll figure something out. I'll just be the annoying voice in the back round that no one wants to hear. LOL We're doing a remake to "I Feel My Saviors Love" We did it in a different key and tempo. It'll sound good if we have time to practice.
We're also teaching Melissa Cassavaw, the Schoppauls referred her to us. She's doing great! I think she'll probably be out next baptism. Her interest in wanting to learn has struck their daughter who is less active so hopefully we can get her active again as well. Tristen, there son, is doing really well. He's a less active we've been working with. We have it to where he'll teach us a lesson. So he has to spend a week preparing it then teach us about it. We really enjoy it, as does his parents! It's been great!
We're going on sister exchanges for the next couple of days. Sister McFarland is coming here with me and Sister Whetstone is going to Glouster with Sister Hiles (her MTC companion) So that should be fun. Well transfers are in 2 weeks. I have no idea what'll happen. Some think I'm leaving and others think I'm gonna stay and train. We'll see. Well I love you all! Have a great week!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 21st 2009
Alright, lets get ya'll a bit of an update on how things are out here in the WONDERFUL VRM Mission!
Last Friday we had a big zone confrence and Elder Kenneth Johnson from the quorm of the 70's came and spoke to us. He pretty much spoke the entire time! He's such a great man! VERY KNOWLEDGABLE! He's was busting scriptures out like crazy an from Preach My Gospel. His wife came as well. They have English accents, they're so funny! I receieved A LOT of spiritual upfliftment and enlightment! It was such a blessing to have him there! A lot of my questions were answered plus some! Sister Millburn was also there which was great! Sister Kim and her two companions came and stayed with us Thursday night. They came and spent the day with us (thursday) then we all drove up together on Friday to New Port News. My first area! It was SO GREAT to be back there! I was able to see a few of the members because of early morning seminary! They all remembered me. I couldn't believe it. It was a blast! We had to get up at 3 in the morning though so we could be there by 7. So we left at 5:30. Talk about a long day. We were all pretty tired. It was GREAT to see sister Kim again though! We were glued to eachother the entire time. People made fun of us! But we don't even care!
We're working with a new investigator named Danny. He's so great!! He's 45 years old and is very open and willing to learn. The first time we met him he was quiet and standoffish but last week he opened write up to us. We have another appointment with him today at 12. I CAN'T WAIT! I love teaching! Our teaching pool isn't the highest, but that just gives us the opportunity to go out and find more and get more doors slammed in our faces. Which is GOOD because it keeps us humble!
Next P-Day we're going to go carve pumpkins with the Elders! I'm super excited about that. I LOVE Halloween! I can't believe its here again already though.
Things are great! I love being a missionary! Thanks for all your love and support!
Sister Orawiec
Last Friday we had a big zone confrence and Elder Kenneth Johnson from the quorm of the 70's came and spoke to us. He pretty much spoke the entire time! He's such a great man! VERY KNOWLEDGABLE! He's was busting scriptures out like crazy an from Preach My Gospel. His wife came as well. They have English accents, they're so funny! I receieved A LOT of spiritual upfliftment and enlightment! It was such a blessing to have him there! A lot of my questions were answered plus some! Sister Millburn was also there which was great! Sister Kim and her two companions came and stayed with us Thursday night. They came and spent the day with us (thursday) then we all drove up together on Friday to New Port News. My first area! It was SO GREAT to be back there! I was able to see a few of the members because of early morning seminary! They all remembered me. I couldn't believe it. It was a blast! We had to get up at 3 in the morning though so we could be there by 7. So we left at 5:30. Talk about a long day. We were all pretty tired. It was GREAT to see sister Kim again though! We were glued to eachother the entire time. People made fun of us! But we don't even care!
We're working with a new investigator named Danny. He's so great!! He's 45 years old and is very open and willing to learn. The first time we met him he was quiet and standoffish but last week he opened write up to us. We have another appointment with him today at 12. I CAN'T WAIT! I love teaching! Our teaching pool isn't the highest, but that just gives us the opportunity to go out and find more and get more doors slammed in our faces. Which is GOOD because it keeps us humble!
Next P-Day we're going to go carve pumpkins with the Elders! I'm super excited about that. I LOVE Halloween! I can't believe its here again already though.
Things are great! I love being a missionary! Thanks for all your love and support!
Sister Orawiec
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 7th 2009
So TRANSFERS!!! AHHH!!! I really don't like transfers. It's stressful. Well as far as what's going on with them... I'm staying here in Salem and getting a new companion. Her name is Sister Whetstone. She's been out about 10 months or so. She seems nice. Sister Silotti is going to Smithfield with Sister Hallady (One of my first companions) And my Sister Kim is going back to her old area in a three sum. One sister has been out one transfer and the other two transfers. So she'll have her hands full. She's really nervous but she'll do great! She's a rock solid missionary! Very GOOD!!
This week has been kinda a bust. Sister Silotti has been sick since LAST Tuesday night and we've been inside for the past week. In and out of the doctors offices as well. So it's been kinda a drag. So there's really not much to update ya'll on.
I'm really sad about transfers. I feel bad for the sister coming in because there's not much going on right now. A LOT of potential, but since we've been in for so long our teaching pool dropped a ton. But we'll get things up and rolling again quick I'm sure! This area is great! I love it here! I'm sad because Sister Kim is leaving. We just got along so great! Very easy companionship, fun, and UNIFIED! But the Lord know's what he's doing and he has an inspired mission president who guides the work, so I wont question it. Just make the most out of every situation.
I think that's about all. I LOVE YOU ALL
Love
Sister Orawiec
This week has been kinda a bust. Sister Silotti has been sick since LAST Tuesday night and we've been inside for the past week. In and out of the doctors offices as well. So it's been kinda a drag. So there's really not much to update ya'll on.
I'm really sad about transfers. I feel bad for the sister coming in because there's not much going on right now. A LOT of potential, but since we've been in for so long our teaching pool dropped a ton. But we'll get things up and rolling again quick I'm sure! This area is great! I love it here! I'm sad because Sister Kim is leaving. We just got along so great! Very easy companionship, fun, and UNIFIED! But the Lord know's what he's doing and he has an inspired mission president who guides the work, so I wont question it. Just make the most out of every situation.
I think that's about all. I LOVE YOU ALL
Love
Sister Orawiec
September 30th 2009
What a great week! Of course it's a great week! I'm a missionary! But this one was really wonderful! So last Wednesday we had an awesome lesson with Eric Morris, the less active Marine. The sisters and I felt that it went pretty good, but just didn't know how well he was receiving it all. He had it in his mind that he "knew all the basics already" but yet he didn't know the gospel was true yet... So obviously there was something basic missing! So we scheduled for another time to meet him. But the I get a call from him the next day, Thursday! OH MAN!! The phone call! Are you ready for this???
I answer the phone
ME" Hello, this is Sister Orawiec
Eric: Hey, you're just the person I wanted to talk to!
ME: Good, what's up?
Eric: IT's real!
ME: What? What's real?
Eric: Everything, it's all real!!
ME: UMM... ok, what are you talking about? Do you want to give me a littl more detail?
Eric: Everything that you've been teaching me! It's all true. I was reading the scriptures last night and the words just started floating off the pages and it all just made sense! IT's really real! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TELLING YOU?!
ME: ( I was at a loss for words. This hard core marine who always has something to argue about, all the sudden knows that this gospel is true)
ME: That's so great!! How do you feel??
ERIC: I feel great. I'm not confused. I finally feel that there's a purpose for me
ME: YAY!!! I'm sorry I'm kinda at a loss for words right now. You caught me a little off guard.
ERIC: I have a hard time believe that YOU are at a loss for words Sparky
ME: I'll just go ahead and take that as a compliment!
ERIC: Ok, in all seriousness... (long pause) Thank you so much! Thank you so much for putting up with me, being persistant and bold, and making me do things I didn't want to do.
ME: HA, anytime!
ERIC: I talked to the bishop last night and he wants me to start preparing myself to go to the temple in January... And I want you to help me! If I don't feel like doing something, you gotta keep doing what you're doing and make me do it! Will you help me prepare to go?
ME: Are you commiting me?
ERIC: Yes, I am. You do it to me all the time. So will you do that?
ME: HECK YEAH I WILL!!! I'd love that job!!
Anyways, that's the jist of the story. Of course it was a longer more detailed conversation, but that's about it. HE KNOWS ITS TRUE!!! AHH!! It totally made my day! And not only that, he ASKED me to bug him and keep pushing him! Usually I have to persuade people LOL And not only that, he's doing his missionary work already. So many of his friends have seen the difference in him and asked him what was up. He told them all about his experiences with the missionaries and commited them to read the Book of Mormon, to pray about it, and to meet with the missionaries! So he calls all the areas that his friends live in and sent the missionaries out there!! AND, that's not all!! He bore his testimony in church on fast sunday!!! AHH!!! Talk about miracles! And not only that, he wants us to go to the temple with him in January when he receives his endowments! We'd have to try and get that approved by the mission president, but how sweet is that? MIRACLES!!!
Yesterday kinda sucked... We had to tell Casandra Deck and her parents that she couldn't be baptized. They were not happy. They did all kinds of yelling at me. My companions just sat there and left me to break the bad news by myself LOL BUt I think I handled it really well. They just weren't happy. BUt I was calm, bore testimony and then they kicked us out. They weren't showing the commitment to come to church and what not. Took things the wrong way and that was that. Long story. But now we have no baptism on Saturday. BUt I'm still SUPER STOKED about general conference. The relief society broadcast was really good! I LOVE President Eyring!
WE've done a lot of service for a less active in the ward, Sister Tweedy. Met many of her friends and they all want to come to church with us on Sunday and many more after that. I felt like Ammon, serve and win the hearts of those around you! TOTALLY WORKS!
Transfer calls are next Tuesday. It'll be interesting to see what happens. I hope S Kim and I stay. I LOVE THAT GIRL! We have so much fun together
I LOVE YOU ALL
The GOSPEL is true!!
I answer the phone
ME" Hello, this is Sister Orawiec
Eric: Hey, you're just the person I wanted to talk to!
ME: Good, what's up?
Eric: IT's real!
ME: What? What's real?
Eric: Everything, it's all real!!
ME: UMM... ok, what are you talking about? Do you want to give me a littl more detail?
Eric: Everything that you've been teaching me! It's all true. I was reading the scriptures last night and the words just started floating off the pages and it all just made sense! IT's really real! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TELLING YOU?!
ME: ( I was at a loss for words. This hard core marine who always has something to argue about, all the sudden knows that this gospel is true)
ME: That's so great!! How do you feel??
ERIC: I feel great. I'm not confused. I finally feel that there's a purpose for me
ME: YAY!!! I'm sorry I'm kinda at a loss for words right now. You caught me a little off guard.
ERIC: I have a hard time believe that YOU are at a loss for words Sparky
ME: I'll just go ahead and take that as a compliment!
ERIC: Ok, in all seriousness... (long pause) Thank you so much! Thank you so much for putting up with me, being persistant and bold, and making me do things I didn't want to do.
ME: HA, anytime!
ERIC: I talked to the bishop last night and he wants me to start preparing myself to go to the temple in January... And I want you to help me! If I don't feel like doing something, you gotta keep doing what you're doing and make me do it! Will you help me prepare to go?
ME: Are you commiting me?
ERIC: Yes, I am. You do it to me all the time. So will you do that?
ME: HECK YEAH I WILL!!! I'd love that job!!
Anyways, that's the jist of the story. Of course it was a longer more detailed conversation, but that's about it. HE KNOWS ITS TRUE!!! AHH!! It totally made my day! And not only that, he ASKED me to bug him and keep pushing him! Usually I have to persuade people LOL And not only that, he's doing his missionary work already. So many of his friends have seen the difference in him and asked him what was up. He told them all about his experiences with the missionaries and commited them to read the Book of Mormon, to pray about it, and to meet with the missionaries! So he calls all the areas that his friends live in and sent the missionaries out there!! AND, that's not all!! He bore his testimony in church on fast sunday!!! AHH!!! Talk about miracles! And not only that, he wants us to go to the temple with him in January when he receives his endowments! We'd have to try and get that approved by the mission president, but how sweet is that? MIRACLES!!!
Yesterday kinda sucked... We had to tell Casandra Deck and her parents that she couldn't be baptized. They were not happy. They did all kinds of yelling at me. My companions just sat there and left me to break the bad news by myself LOL BUt I think I handled it really well. They just weren't happy. BUt I was calm, bore testimony and then they kicked us out. They weren't showing the commitment to come to church and what not. Took things the wrong way and that was that. Long story. But now we have no baptism on Saturday. BUt I'm still SUPER STOKED about general conference. The relief society broadcast was really good! I LOVE President Eyring!
WE've done a lot of service for a less active in the ward, Sister Tweedy. Met many of her friends and they all want to come to church with us on Sunday and many more after that. I felt like Ammon, serve and win the hearts of those around you! TOTALLY WORKS!
Transfer calls are next Tuesday. It'll be interesting to see what happens. I hope S Kim and I stay. I LOVE THAT GIRL! We have so much fun together
I LOVE YOU ALL
The GOSPEL is true!!
September 23rd 2009
Alright! Here we go!
So Cory's baptism is TOMORROW!! SO EXCITED for that! Miracles are happening like crazy out here! Like they always do :) Cory is so prepared and things are going smoothe! Finally :)
Last night I got the best phone call! So we're working with this less active named Eric Morris. I think I mention him in my last bulk. He's a great guy. Stubborn, but great! So he had a meeting with the bishop last night "to confess" things and what have you. So he gives me a call and he says "sister Orawiec, this next month I really want you to push me and do what ya gotta do to get me on the right track and help me to know that these things are true." I kinda just sat there and I said "what? say that again?" " You WANT me to actually bug you and push you?" "Hold the phone!" Who asks that? People usually try to get rid of us if anything! He said "I met with the bishop and there's a temple trip coming up in January and he wants me to prepare myself to go. And since you're a little fireball (he calls me sparky) I know that you can get me there. But I need your help. If i'm feeling lazy and not wanting to do things, you have got to push me! You're so passionate and DON'T take no for an answer. So will you do that?" I was in shock! I said "Heck yeah! I'd love that job!" Best phone call! You WANT me to bug you? You WANT me to push you? You WANT to go to the temple? You WANT to know these things are true!? HECK YEAH I'LL HELP YOU!! It was the coolest thing ever! He says that "you just don't find Mormons like me" Ha, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But whatever helps him. I'm here to serve! So that was a cool miracle.
Casandra Deck is getting baptized on October 3rd in between conference sessions. So we'll have 2 baptism in a week and a half! Sweet! I love being a missionary! That's the most exciting things that are going on. I played a little trick on one of my Zone Leaders. Elder Lowry. He has a great singing voice but he's really shy about it. He always likes to give me a hard time about things so I thought I'd pay him back. So I got Cory in on it. I had Cory ask him to sing a solo at his baptism HAHAHA The look on Elder Lowry's face was priceless! Right after Cory asked him, he looked right at me and glared. He said "this is your doing isn't it?" I said "Why would you assume that" Then I of course started laughing. At first it was a joke, but now he's really going to do it. We all have to intertain ourselves somehow. He'll get me back I'm sure.
Well I love you all!
Sister Orawiec
So Cory's baptism is TOMORROW!! SO EXCITED for that! Miracles are happening like crazy out here! Like they always do :) Cory is so prepared and things are going smoothe! Finally :)
Last night I got the best phone call! So we're working with this less active named Eric Morris. I think I mention him in my last bulk. He's a great guy. Stubborn, but great! So he had a meeting with the bishop last night "to confess" things and what have you. So he gives me a call and he says "sister Orawiec, this next month I really want you to push me and do what ya gotta do to get me on the right track and help me to know that these things are true." I kinda just sat there and I said "what? say that again?" " You WANT me to actually bug you and push you?" "Hold the phone!" Who asks that? People usually try to get rid of us if anything! He said "I met with the bishop and there's a temple trip coming up in January and he wants me to prepare myself to go. And since you're a little fireball (he calls me sparky) I know that you can get me there. But I need your help. If i'm feeling lazy and not wanting to do things, you have got to push me! You're so passionate and DON'T take no for an answer. So will you do that?" I was in shock! I said "Heck yeah! I'd love that job!" Best phone call! You WANT me to bug you? You WANT me to push you? You WANT to go to the temple? You WANT to know these things are true!? HECK YEAH I'LL HELP YOU!! It was the coolest thing ever! He says that "you just don't find Mormons like me" Ha, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But whatever helps him. I'm here to serve! So that was a cool miracle.
Casandra Deck is getting baptized on October 3rd in between conference sessions. So we'll have 2 baptism in a week and a half! Sweet! I love being a missionary! That's the most exciting things that are going on. I played a little trick on one of my Zone Leaders. Elder Lowry. He has a great singing voice but he's really shy about it. He always likes to give me a hard time about things so I thought I'd pay him back. So I got Cory in on it. I had Cory ask him to sing a solo at his baptism HAHAHA The look on Elder Lowry's face was priceless! Right after Cory asked him, he looked right at me and glared. He said "this is your doing isn't it?" I said "Why would you assume that" Then I of course started laughing. At first it was a joke, but now he's really going to do it. We all have to intertain ourselves somehow. He'll get me back I'm sure.
Well I love you all!
Sister Orawiec
September 16th 2009
WHAT A WEEK!! (Exhale)
Things are great! Lots of opposition that we're facing, but it's all good. When opposition occures, it just means that something GREAT is about to happen! I'm just ready for the great thing right about now LOL Opposition is exhausting.
Last Wednesday we had a GREAT lesson with a less active at a active members home. His name is Eric Morris. Great kid! He's a former Marine so nice and prideful. JK! He's amazing! We're working on humility with him and patients. He really wants to find the truth. We had a great conversation with him on Monday after FHE and discussed what his disires are. He actually came to church on Sunday as well. I didn't see him there so I of course gave him a call. He answers the phone and I said "Hi, is this Eric?!" He responds, "Yeah..." I said "hey this is Sister Orawiec, where are you??" He was at home watching a football game! To make a long story short, I LOVINGLY rebuked him for not being here and told him to get his butt to church, or else!! So he came. And not only that, he said he was only going to stay the hour but I got him to stay ALL THREE!! HA It was so great!! He made the comment that more missionaries shoould be like me (which I don't think is true) I just don't put up with his crap and give him a hard time LOL It works though. He's now reading the Book of Mormon and praying. We have a lesson with him tonight and I'm super excited for it!
Cory is doing really well! He's set for baptism on September 24th. He's really excited and really preparing himself to enter into a covenant with the Lord. He's understanding things really well and is very active in participating in ANYTHING in the church as long as he is able to. If he's not at work, he's with the church. SOLID!
We met a new member of the ward last week, the Masons! They are amazing! Very cute younger couple. They LOVE FRIENDS -the TV series- and play the trivia game. And whoever knows me knows that I LOVE FRIENDS! So they make it on the cool list of people out here. They invited us back over for dinner this Friday...
We got a new ward missionary leader :( SAD DAY!! Bro. Nielsen got release and Bro Kellis (new member of the ward) is the new one. He's cool and all, and he'll do great, I just love Bro. Nielsen! I'll still bug him though I'm sure :) Or he'll bug me, either way.
We had a BBQ at President Thomas' house on Saturday for all the Recent COnverts and investigators. It was a lot of fun. I played a game that I don't know how to spell the name, and ping pong. I got beat by Elder Lowry but it's ok, I'm not bitter! He only won by one point!
We performed a musical number in the Singles ward on Sunday! It turned out SO GOOD!! Elder Lowry and Elder Fairclough (his greenie) sang and sister Silotti played the piano and I signed. It was SO GOOD!! the Elders did a harmony with it. We've been practicing all week. OH MAN IT WAS GOOD!!! So much fun!
We went and had dinner at the Kruta's on Sunday. It's been a long time since I've seen Bro. Kruta. We of course gave eachother a hard time and had our arguments/discussions. I love that guy! He thinks he's so hard core and he's not LOL just a big teddy bear!
Our companionship is a little rough right now. Just lots of opposition. We had to stop working for 2 days because we just didn't have the spirit with us. Sister Silotti is really struggling with depression and we're trying to all be patient. It's hard but we'll make it through.
We did a cool activity for FHE on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We made footprints to follow a path and went to all different places in the church and taught a short powerful lesson for each topic. We ended at a picture of Jesus Christ (his second coming) and I read a few verses when He speaks Inviting all to come unto Him. The spirit was so strong and powerful! I loved it.
Well I think that's good for now. I love you all!
Sister Oreo
Things are great! Lots of opposition that we're facing, but it's all good. When opposition occures, it just means that something GREAT is about to happen! I'm just ready for the great thing right about now LOL Opposition is exhausting.
Last Wednesday we had a GREAT lesson with a less active at a active members home. His name is Eric Morris. Great kid! He's a former Marine so nice and prideful. JK! He's amazing! We're working on humility with him and patients. He really wants to find the truth. We had a great conversation with him on Monday after FHE and discussed what his disires are. He actually came to church on Sunday as well. I didn't see him there so I of course gave him a call. He answers the phone and I said "Hi, is this Eric?!" He responds, "Yeah..." I said "hey this is Sister Orawiec, where are you??" He was at home watching a football game! To make a long story short, I LOVINGLY rebuked him for not being here and told him to get his butt to church, or else!! So he came. And not only that, he said he was only going to stay the hour but I got him to stay ALL THREE!! HA It was so great!! He made the comment that more missionaries shoould be like me (which I don't think is true) I just don't put up with his crap and give him a hard time LOL It works though. He's now reading the Book of Mormon and praying. We have a lesson with him tonight and I'm super excited for it!
Cory is doing really well! He's set for baptism on September 24th. He's really excited and really preparing himself to enter into a covenant with the Lord. He's understanding things really well and is very active in participating in ANYTHING in the church as long as he is able to. If he's not at work, he's with the church. SOLID!
We met a new member of the ward last week, the Masons! They are amazing! Very cute younger couple. They LOVE FRIENDS -the TV series- and play the trivia game. And whoever knows me knows that I LOVE FRIENDS! So they make it on the cool list of people out here. They invited us back over for dinner this Friday...
We got a new ward missionary leader :( SAD DAY!! Bro. Nielsen got release and Bro Kellis (new member of the ward) is the new one. He's cool and all, and he'll do great, I just love Bro. Nielsen! I'll still bug him though I'm sure :) Or he'll bug me, either way.
We had a BBQ at President Thomas' house on Saturday for all the Recent COnverts and investigators. It was a lot of fun. I played a game that I don't know how to spell the name, and ping pong. I got beat by Elder Lowry but it's ok, I'm not bitter! He only won by one point!
We performed a musical number in the Singles ward on Sunday! It turned out SO GOOD!! Elder Lowry and Elder Fairclough (his greenie) sang and sister Silotti played the piano and I signed. It was SO GOOD!! the Elders did a harmony with it. We've been practicing all week. OH MAN IT WAS GOOD!!! So much fun!
We went and had dinner at the Kruta's on Sunday. It's been a long time since I've seen Bro. Kruta. We of course gave eachother a hard time and had our arguments/discussions. I love that guy! He thinks he's so hard core and he's not LOL just a big teddy bear!
Our companionship is a little rough right now. Just lots of opposition. We had to stop working for 2 days because we just didn't have the spirit with us. Sister Silotti is really struggling with depression and we're trying to all be patient. It's hard but we'll make it through.
We did a cool activity for FHE on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We made footprints to follow a path and went to all different places in the church and taught a short powerful lesson for each topic. We ended at a picture of Jesus Christ (his second coming) and I read a few verses when He speaks Inviting all to come unto Him. The spirit was so strong and powerful! I loved it.
Well I think that's good for now. I love you all!
Sister Oreo
September 9th 2009
So it's been a crazy week! Lots of cool/weird/fun stuff happened. Well, I hit my 1 year mark on September 3rd! Crazy weird! Time sure flies. We had a meeting with our ward mission leader the next day and they suprised me with a birthday cake and sang happy birthday to me. It was the nicest thing ever! I love that family. The Nielsens! It seriously made my day. I wasn't expecting it at all. It was a random call we got from him. We usually meet on Thursdays and he couldn't. So it was a really nice suprise.
We tracted around the head quarter referrals that we got last week and we found a family to teach. A mom, Veronica, and her two foster sons Anthony and Orlando. They are a way nice family. They let us in and invited us so come back on Friday. The spirit was really strong and the seemed to really understand.
We had our mission president interviews on Saturday. Those are always nice! I love meeting with him. We've been doing the Book of Mormon challenge where we read it in 146 days and get quiver scriptures for topics he assigns, and we share one with him in our interviews. Miracles have been happening since we've been reading and applying the book of Mormon in our teachings. We actually discussed my release date and I'll be coming home February 9, 2010. I thought I'd be staying longer but I guess the Lord says other wise. I'm good with that though. I'll continue to serve the Lord even after my mission!
We had a crazy experience on Sunday before church. We met a girl named Mary who holds a "bible study" in her home. Or as she calls is a "fellowship." She's a very nice lady, loves God, and wants to help others find there way. So she invited us to go to this thing she was having. The spirit wasn't very strong there but she's a good teacher and is trying. But at the end the did what they call a "Manifestation Prayer" where anyone can pray if the feel inspired to. So she prayed to start it off then her friend Steven followed her. They called God "Dad" and "Daddy" They talked to him so casually. Then after they got done it was silent for awhile and so she decides she was going to end it. So she starts praying again and then COMMANDS Steven to speak in tongues and then translate what he says. After he got done, she COMMANDED another guy named Robert to "Prophecy" And they were speaking like they were God. It was the craziest thing ever! I can't even explain it! The spirit was FAR from that place. We had never felt so empty! The sisters and I just sat in the car after for a second to ponder on WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED! He immediately prayed for the spirit to be back with us. Not a good feeling. Crazy weird experience though.
Last night was really sweet. We had a lesson with Cory at the Schoppauls home and the spirit was so strong! I taught baptism and confirmation and had the impression to recommmit him for baptism. The last time he was commited it was a soft commitment, kinda fluffy. So I felt the spirit really strong and hard core committed him. I talked of Jesus' baptism, authority, and the gift of the Holy Ghost and committed him to follow Christs perfect example and be baptized by the proper authority and prepare himself to enter into that covenant on September 24th. Tears filled his eyes and he said, OF COURSE!! It was a great experience!!! The spirit changes lives!! I love it!
Then their Less Active son we're working with had us try this really weird food that he likes. It's pork boiled in pigs blood and has like seasonings and what not, and you eat it on top of rice. I can't believe I tried it, but everyone was doing it :) HeHe just kidding. Sister Kim and I tried it at the same time. It wasn't bad. Not something I'd eat everyday. We took pictures. It had the texture of dirt almost. HA it was fun.
But things are going great! I love being a missionary! Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement
Hurray for Israel!
Sister Oreo
We tracted around the head quarter referrals that we got last week and we found a family to teach. A mom, Veronica, and her two foster sons Anthony and Orlando. They are a way nice family. They let us in and invited us so come back on Friday. The spirit was really strong and the seemed to really understand.
We had our mission president interviews on Saturday. Those are always nice! I love meeting with him. We've been doing the Book of Mormon challenge where we read it in 146 days and get quiver scriptures for topics he assigns, and we share one with him in our interviews. Miracles have been happening since we've been reading and applying the book of Mormon in our teachings. We actually discussed my release date and I'll be coming home February 9, 2010. I thought I'd be staying longer but I guess the Lord says other wise. I'm good with that though. I'll continue to serve the Lord even after my mission!
We had a crazy experience on Sunday before church. We met a girl named Mary who holds a "bible study" in her home. Or as she calls is a "fellowship." She's a very nice lady, loves God, and wants to help others find there way. So she invited us to go to this thing she was having. The spirit wasn't very strong there but she's a good teacher and is trying. But at the end the did what they call a "Manifestation Prayer" where anyone can pray if the feel inspired to. So she prayed to start it off then her friend Steven followed her. They called God "Dad" and "Daddy" They talked to him so casually. Then after they got done it was silent for awhile and so she decides she was going to end it. So she starts praying again and then COMMANDS Steven to speak in tongues and then translate what he says. After he got done, she COMMANDED another guy named Robert to "Prophecy" And they were speaking like they were God. It was the craziest thing ever! I can't even explain it! The spirit was FAR from that place. We had never felt so empty! The sisters and I just sat in the car after for a second to ponder on WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED! He immediately prayed for the spirit to be back with us. Not a good feeling. Crazy weird experience though.
Last night was really sweet. We had a lesson with Cory at the Schoppauls home and the spirit was so strong! I taught baptism and confirmation and had the impression to recommmit him for baptism. The last time he was commited it was a soft commitment, kinda fluffy. So I felt the spirit really strong and hard core committed him. I talked of Jesus' baptism, authority, and the gift of the Holy Ghost and committed him to follow Christs perfect example and be baptized by the proper authority and prepare himself to enter into that covenant on September 24th. Tears filled his eyes and he said, OF COURSE!! It was a great experience!!! The spirit changes lives!! I love it!
Then their Less Active son we're working with had us try this really weird food that he likes. It's pork boiled in pigs blood and has like seasonings and what not, and you eat it on top of rice. I can't believe I tried it, but everyone was doing it :) HeHe just kidding. Sister Kim and I tried it at the same time. It wasn't bad. Not something I'd eat everyday. We took pictures. It had the texture of dirt almost. HA it was fun.
But things are going great! I love being a missionary! Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement
Hurray for Israel!
Sister Oreo
September 2nd 2009
2Ok, what an amazing week! It has been a week of miracles. Its been fun being in a three sum again. We've been praying for headquarter referrals and sure enough we got one the other day, the members are getting active in missionary work and the coolest thing is WE SET CORY FOR BAPTISM YESTERDAY!!! YAY!!! Oh man, it was a power house! The spirit was so strong. The Lord sure is blessing this area. He's so solid and commited! He loves it all. We were a little hesitant on when we should set him, but we were at the Schoppauls house, and Bro. Schoppaul just flat out said "pray about a baptism date" or something along those lines. Cory said "ok I will!! How about tonight?" LOL funny kid. He's so ready.
I just found out that a guy in my last area, H-Burg, is getting baptized as well!! OH MAN!! That was so good to hear! Harrisonburg is growing so much now! It was so dead when I got there and now look at the miracles that are happening! I love it!!! The Lord ALWAYS provides away.
Sister Kim is great. She's actually been out 5 months. I was told I was step training, but I'm not :) She has such a great attitude and is ready to work all the time. Her and me together sure keeps sister Silotti on her toes LOL We're all getting along really well. We found 5 new investigators in 2 days and the work just keeps growing. I love it!!
Well I love you all!! Thank you so much for all your love and support. Let me know if there's anything I can do for yoU!
Much Love
Sister Oreo
I just found out that a guy in my last area, H-Burg, is getting baptized as well!! OH MAN!! That was so good to hear! Harrisonburg is growing so much now! It was so dead when I got there and now look at the miracles that are happening! I love it!!! The Lord ALWAYS provides away.
Sister Kim is great. She's actually been out 5 months. I was told I was step training, but I'm not :) She has such a great attitude and is ready to work all the time. Her and me together sure keeps sister Silotti on her toes LOL We're all getting along really well. We found 5 new investigators in 2 days and the work just keeps growing. I love it!!
Well I love you all!! Thank you so much for all your love and support. Let me know if there's anything I can do for yoU!
Much Love
Sister Oreo
August 29th 2009
Hey Everyone! Aug 29
Well I'm sorry I have been lazy at writing. But I totally forgot to mention a few things that happened two weeks ago.
Most importantly, my recent converts from Harrisonburg, Angie and Garol Harris, came to visit me for the weekend! It was SO GOOD to see them! It totally made my week. I love them so much. They took us out to lunch and even came to a teaching appointment with us. I wish I could've spent more time with them, but of course, we still need to do our missionary work. But it was so sweet of them to come all the way down here to see me. LOVED IT!!
We also had the opportunity to go to a service at the "Church of Christ." Our District leader and his comp were invited to go, so of course the call me up and aske if we wanted to go with them. It was a crazy experience. I've never been to another church service. It was interesting. I had a headache by the end because of how loud the preacher was yellling... in the microphone... Maybe he thought we couldn't hear him. But her for sure didn't need the mic. It was a fun time though. Very different. I think I'll stick to the Mormon faith :)
Joseph passed away two weeks ago and they finally had a memorial for him this past Saturday. It was good to meet some of his family and say our last goodbye's.
The work it going great. We got transfer calls last night and sister silotti and I are staying and we're getting a third companion. Her name is Sister Kim and I'll be step training her. It should be a lot of fun. I liked being in a threesum.
Cory came to church on Sunday!!! YAY!!!! we actually went to the Sandbridge ward because its at 9 and that's the only time he could go to just attend sacrament meeting. it was a GREAT SPIRITUAL meeting. The bishop and one of his councelors spoke and it was AMAZING!!! what a great service to introduce someone to the church!!
This past sunday Sister Sweet, Sister S and I performed "His Hands" for the Salem ward. It was a rock solid spiritual experience. They all LOVED it. People were crying all over the place. I love making people cry :) In a good spiritual way that is :) We've been asked to perform it on September 13th for the singles ward as well. Sister Sweet (the Lambornes daughter) has an AMAZING singing voice. OH MY GOODNESS is she good! It all just flowed really well. I loved it!! So much fun!!
That really about all. we had to reset Margie for baptism. The advisary is working his magic and pulling her down hard, but she'll fight through it. It just takes time.
I love you all very much
Love Sister Oreo
Well I'm sorry I have been lazy at writing. But I totally forgot to mention a few things that happened two weeks ago.
Most importantly, my recent converts from Harrisonburg, Angie and Garol Harris, came to visit me for the weekend! It was SO GOOD to see them! It totally made my week. I love them so much. They took us out to lunch and even came to a teaching appointment with us. I wish I could've spent more time with them, but of course, we still need to do our missionary work. But it was so sweet of them to come all the way down here to see me. LOVED IT!!
We also had the opportunity to go to a service at the "Church of Christ." Our District leader and his comp were invited to go, so of course the call me up and aske if we wanted to go with them. It was a crazy experience. I've never been to another church service. It was interesting. I had a headache by the end because of how loud the preacher was yellling... in the microphone... Maybe he thought we couldn't hear him. But her for sure didn't need the mic. It was a fun time though. Very different. I think I'll stick to the Mormon faith :)
Joseph passed away two weeks ago and they finally had a memorial for him this past Saturday. It was good to meet some of his family and say our last goodbye's.
The work it going great. We got transfer calls last night and sister silotti and I are staying and we're getting a third companion. Her name is Sister Kim and I'll be step training her. It should be a lot of fun. I liked being in a threesum.
Cory came to church on Sunday!!! YAY!!!! we actually went to the Sandbridge ward because its at 9 and that's the only time he could go to just attend sacrament meeting. it was a GREAT SPIRITUAL meeting. The bishop and one of his councelors spoke and it was AMAZING!!! what a great service to introduce someone to the church!!
This past sunday Sister Sweet, Sister S and I performed "His Hands" for the Salem ward. It was a rock solid spiritual experience. They all LOVED it. People were crying all over the place. I love making people cry :) In a good spiritual way that is :) We've been asked to perform it on September 13th for the singles ward as well. Sister Sweet (the Lambornes daughter) has an AMAZING singing voice. OH MY GOODNESS is she good! It all just flowed really well. I loved it!! So much fun!!
That really about all. we had to reset Margie for baptism. The advisary is working his magic and pulling her down hard, but she'll fight through it. It just takes time.
I love you all very much
Love Sister Oreo
August 19th 2009
So much has gone on this past two weeks. I was a little lazy and didn't write much last week. I didn't even take the whole hour :) Last P-Day we went to a baseball game, the TIDES AAA team. It was a lot of fun. We switched P-Day to Thursday. Our investigator Cory came with us and seemed to have a GREAT time. He was able to meet the Stake President and the High Counselor over missionary work, President Thomas. The are both incredible men! The day sure went by fast. Last Wednesday, Joseph Pencinse died. That was really hard. There still hasn't been a funeral service for him. His daughter and niece are not on good terms and are making things a lot more difficult then needs be. They might not even let the church be a part of it. I'm sure the bishop will work something out though. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. My companion got sick again this past weekend. Saturday-Monday. But she was able to suck it up for Monday so we could go to our Zone Conference. Those are always GREAT to go to. A good spiritual boost and modivator. Our Mission President is the best! He tells us straight up how it is and how he wants things to be and what we can do to improve. He doesn't beat around the bush. I love that. President Millburn actually came to our Sacrament meeting with his wife. It was good to see them there. Which reminds me, I was asked to perform a signlanguage song in my ward and in the Young Single Adults ward. I'm doing the Salem ward this up coming Sunday and YSA on September 13th... If I'm still here that is. Transfer calls come next Tuesday!! The transfer has just flown by!We had a cool experience the other day. We had 2 appointments fall through and are back up plans were way out of our way. So sister Silotti and I both got a prompting to go see a less active that no one knew. To make a long story short, we stopped by and it turns out that her husband is not a member and is very interested in the church. They are wanting to start a family and he wants to take the lessons as does she because she has lost her testimony and don't know if this is the TRUE church. So now we're teaching that family. It was turning out to be one of the worst days of my mission, but then the Lord blessed us and made it a GREAT day!! It was fantastic! I guess she was watching TV just before we came over and she landed on the BYU channel and it was a womens conference... then shortly after we came by. The Lord works in mysterious ways.The work it going great and i"m loving every secondThanks for all your love and support!!!-Sister OREO
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
August 5th 2009
Hello everyone!
This week has been pretty crazy. Bro. Schoppauls father passed away on Sunday so we'll be attending the funeral today at 6 to support them. It's been really hard seeing them go through such a sad time. On top of Joseph (a member of the ward) being in the ICU because he had lung cancer and had to get it removed and he's just not recovering from it well. There's drama going on between his niece and son. Who gets what and all that stupid stuff. The man is still alive for heavens sake! But Joseph was one of the first people I met out here. I love him to death. It's really hard to see him in this condition. My companion and I were able to witness him getting ordained to a High Priest on Friday which was AMAZING!!! It was very spiritual. We went with Bro. Schoppaul to go and see him in the hospital and he got permission from the Stake President to ordain him. Pretty cool huh? Then on Saturday, we got together with Bro. and Sis. Schoppaul and we put Joseph's testimony in 13 Books of Mormon and put them in his room as a gift for all the nurses and doctors who have been taking care of them. So far, many have taken them. It's been great!
Cory is still doing great! He's a trooper! Loves to learn and ask questions. His job has got to change so he can make it to church. That's the hold back pretty much. We really want to set him for baptism. He comes to FHE every Monday and the Schoppauls on Wednesdays and meets with us on Thursdays. FHE has been a lot of fun. It kind of died just before I got here so we're trying to start it back up and make it fun and spiritual so people will come. Or Recent converts seem to enjoy it and Cory as well.
Margie's baptism had to be rescheduled for September 5th. she's doing really well though! Loves having us over. We go about 2 or 3 times a week to teach her. She's like a spunge, just soaking it all up! It's fantastic.
Bro Kruta is out of town for awhile so we wont be able to teach him anytime soon. It's gonna take a lot of work and time to get him baptized but I have the faith that it WILL eventually happen.
We had our mission president interviews on Monday. Those are always nice to go to. We have had Flavia (YSA) coming on exchanges with us quit often and she came and met President Millburn. she's preparing to go on a mission herself, so she comes with us a lot. We love her!
Then yesterday, we went to a members home, the Rodriguezes, and she taught the 3 of us how to Hula dance! It was SO MUCH FUN!! Man I felt awkward, but it was totally worth is. I couldn't cordinate all the hip movemnt and hand motions. We all were trying so hard. But by the end of the lesson, we done pretty good if I don't say so myself! maybe she'll teach us more every wednesday :)
Next week we'll be having our p-day on Thursday because the stake is having a "party" thing for our investigators. We're giong to a triple A (AAA) Baseball game and they are providing a air conditioned room and lunch. It should be a lot of fun. President Thomas and President Lambourne will be there. I'm REALLY excited. I love baseball games! It wont be the same with out my Dad yelling at "BLUE" But I'll be thinking of him the whole time.
Well, my time is about up. I love you all! The gospel is IN FACT TRUE!!! I love being a missionary!!!
Much Love
Sister Oreo
This week has been pretty crazy. Bro. Schoppauls father passed away on Sunday so we'll be attending the funeral today at 6 to support them. It's been really hard seeing them go through such a sad time. On top of Joseph (a member of the ward) being in the ICU because he had lung cancer and had to get it removed and he's just not recovering from it well. There's drama going on between his niece and son. Who gets what and all that stupid stuff. The man is still alive for heavens sake! But Joseph was one of the first people I met out here. I love him to death. It's really hard to see him in this condition. My companion and I were able to witness him getting ordained to a High Priest on Friday which was AMAZING!!! It was very spiritual. We went with Bro. Schoppaul to go and see him in the hospital and he got permission from the Stake President to ordain him. Pretty cool huh? Then on Saturday, we got together with Bro. and Sis. Schoppaul and we put Joseph's testimony in 13 Books of Mormon and put them in his room as a gift for all the nurses and doctors who have been taking care of them. So far, many have taken them. It's been great!
Cory is still doing great! He's a trooper! Loves to learn and ask questions. His job has got to change so he can make it to church. That's the hold back pretty much. We really want to set him for baptism. He comes to FHE every Monday and the Schoppauls on Wednesdays and meets with us on Thursdays. FHE has been a lot of fun. It kind of died just before I got here so we're trying to start it back up and make it fun and spiritual so people will come. Or Recent converts seem to enjoy it and Cory as well.
Margie's baptism had to be rescheduled for September 5th. she's doing really well though! Loves having us over. We go about 2 or 3 times a week to teach her. She's like a spunge, just soaking it all up! It's fantastic.
Bro Kruta is out of town for awhile so we wont be able to teach him anytime soon. It's gonna take a lot of work and time to get him baptized but I have the faith that it WILL eventually happen.
We had our mission president interviews on Monday. Those are always nice to go to. We have had Flavia (YSA) coming on exchanges with us quit often and she came and met President Millburn. she's preparing to go on a mission herself, so she comes with us a lot. We love her!
Then yesterday, we went to a members home, the Rodriguezes, and she taught the 3 of us how to Hula dance! It was SO MUCH FUN!! Man I felt awkward, but it was totally worth is. I couldn't cordinate all the hip movemnt and hand motions. We all were trying so hard. But by the end of the lesson, we done pretty good if I don't say so myself! maybe she'll teach us more every wednesday :)
Next week we'll be having our p-day on Thursday because the stake is having a "party" thing for our investigators. We're giong to a triple A (AAA) Baseball game and they are providing a air conditioned room and lunch. It should be a lot of fun. President Thomas and President Lambourne will be there. I'm REALLY excited. I love baseball games! It wont be the same with out my Dad yelling at "BLUE" But I'll be thinking of him the whole time.
Well, my time is about up. I love you all! The gospel is IN FACT TRUE!!! I love being a missionary!!!
Much Love
Sister Oreo
July 29th 2009
What a week! I LOVE being a missionary! LOVE IT!!!
Cory is progressing really well. We are now seeing him 3 times a week and keeping dailey contact with him. He comes to FHE on Mondays, we teach him in a members home on Wednesdays, and we meet with him at his house on Thursdays. We had a sweet FHE just this last monday. We did "The Armor of God" and had a video and popcorn and had some visuals and shared scriptures and insights. It was a lot of fun. We had to push Margie's baptism back to September 11th because of her living situations. So it's no longer on August 8th. But Casandra's (unbaptized youth) is still set for August 22nd. We have been working a lot with less active members and trying hard to get the reactivated. We've actually had some pretty good success with that. We are solidly teaching 3 LA families and 2 Part members families.
The weather is getting super hot! the humid is KILLER! Oh man, you walk outside and you are just wet with sweat. Pretty sick I know. When we tract it makes for long days. WE're all sweaty and stinky, who in their right mind would want to talk to us LOL
This morning we went rock climbing with the stake president for a work out. He was a rock wall in his back yard. It was sweet! I felt like spider man and climbed right up that wall! Piece of cake LOL
We had a dinner appointment with one of my favorite families, the Justesens! on Monday night. She has 4 little ones. Between the ages of 12 and 11months. We had breakfast food and the set it up like it was a restaurant. So they made us menu's and what not and let us order. It was the cutest thing seeing them in their aprons and what not. I love that family. She is so strong. she's going through some CRAP with her "husband" but she's so strong and solid and is a GREAT mom and person. I really admire her. I love her!
There's an older lady in the ward and her birthday was yesterday. She turned 84!! That's old. But she's still kicking around like she's 20 LOL Her name is Sister Verboom. She's dutch and can speak like 5 or 6 different languages. I can't understand her on the phone most the time. LOL she talks so fast!! I love her though! and she sure loves the missionaries.
Things are going great here though! I love this area. Things are still continuing to look up and improve here. People are starting to open their minds and hearts some and we just bare good strong heart felt testimonies!
Thanks for all your letters and support. I'm sorry if I dont' write back very fast. I'm sure you all understand though
I love you
-Sister Oreo
-A new nick name one of the Young single Adults gave me
Cory is progressing really well. We are now seeing him 3 times a week and keeping dailey contact with him. He comes to FHE on Mondays, we teach him in a members home on Wednesdays, and we meet with him at his house on Thursdays. We had a sweet FHE just this last monday. We did "The Armor of God" and had a video and popcorn and had some visuals and shared scriptures and insights. It was a lot of fun. We had to push Margie's baptism back to September 11th because of her living situations. So it's no longer on August 8th. But Casandra's (unbaptized youth) is still set for August 22nd. We have been working a lot with less active members and trying hard to get the reactivated. We've actually had some pretty good success with that. We are solidly teaching 3 LA families and 2 Part members families.
The weather is getting super hot! the humid is KILLER! Oh man, you walk outside and you are just wet with sweat. Pretty sick I know. When we tract it makes for long days. WE're all sweaty and stinky, who in their right mind would want to talk to us LOL
This morning we went rock climbing with the stake president for a work out. He was a rock wall in his back yard. It was sweet! I felt like spider man and climbed right up that wall! Piece of cake LOL
We had a dinner appointment with one of my favorite families, the Justesens! on Monday night. She has 4 little ones. Between the ages of 12 and 11months. We had breakfast food and the set it up like it was a restaurant. So they made us menu's and what not and let us order. It was the cutest thing seeing them in their aprons and what not. I love that family. She is so strong. she's going through some CRAP with her "husband" but she's so strong and solid and is a GREAT mom and person. I really admire her. I love her!
There's an older lady in the ward and her birthday was yesterday. She turned 84!! That's old. But she's still kicking around like she's 20 LOL Her name is Sister Verboom. She's dutch and can speak like 5 or 6 different languages. I can't understand her on the phone most the time. LOL she talks so fast!! I love her though! and she sure loves the missionaries.
Things are going great here though! I love this area. Things are still continuing to look up and improve here. People are starting to open their minds and hearts some and we just bare good strong heart felt testimonies!
Thanks for all your letters and support. I'm sorry if I dont' write back very fast. I'm sure you all understand though
I love you
-Sister Oreo
-A new nick name one of the Young single Adults gave me
July 22nd 2009
Hello all!!!
Things are going really well here! Man do I love being a missionary. The area is continuing to grow little by little. We set Casandra Deck for baptism yesterday. So now we have 2 people set for August! SWEET! And we hope to set Cory soon as well. He is now attending the FHE on Mondays and a Bible study on Wednesday nights along with meeting with us every Thursday. He's keeping commitments and is really progressing well!
We taugth the Deck family yesterday (Less active Part member) and taught the kids about the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom. It was a little awkward because the parents don't follow the WofW so the kids were pointing fingers and the Mom got a little mad. But she knows what she is doing is wrong and just trys to justify things. But we're working on it and hoping to set their ways straight again. GREAT FAMILY! I love them. They all came to church on Sunday as well. Along with another LA Rachel Davis. Crazy thing about Rachael, she looks SO much like my Aunt Angie that was killed in a car accident. And man does she remind me of her. She's so sweet and loving. Her eyes are just like Angie's. When I saw her at church on Sunday and spent all 3 hours with her, tears kept filling my eyes because of the remeberance of my Aunt that I love so much. It was a strange and NEAT experience. I just felt really close to Angie again, and I haven't for a VERY long time.
My companion was sick for 3 days, which was a bummer but I made a CUTE scripture case/purse. I of course studied and got other things done, but that was a highlight for me because i am not sewer. But I sure am proud of it.
I love the area. I love the family I live with. THings are just going so well for me! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!
Thanks for all your love and support
Things are going really well here! Man do I love being a missionary. The area is continuing to grow little by little. We set Casandra Deck for baptism yesterday. So now we have 2 people set for August! SWEET! And we hope to set Cory soon as well. He is now attending the FHE on Mondays and a Bible study on Wednesday nights along with meeting with us every Thursday. He's keeping commitments and is really progressing well!
We taugth the Deck family yesterday (Less active Part member) and taught the kids about the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom. It was a little awkward because the parents don't follow the WofW so the kids were pointing fingers and the Mom got a little mad. But she knows what she is doing is wrong and just trys to justify things. But we're working on it and hoping to set their ways straight again. GREAT FAMILY! I love them. They all came to church on Sunday as well. Along with another LA Rachel Davis. Crazy thing about Rachael, she looks SO much like my Aunt Angie that was killed in a car accident. And man does she remind me of her. She's so sweet and loving. Her eyes are just like Angie's. When I saw her at church on Sunday and spent all 3 hours with her, tears kept filling my eyes because of the remeberance of my Aunt that I love so much. It was a strange and NEAT experience. I just felt really close to Angie again, and I haven't for a VERY long time.
My companion was sick for 3 days, which was a bummer but I made a CUTE scripture case/purse. I of course studied and got other things done, but that was a highlight for me because i am not sewer. But I sure am proud of it.
I love the area. I love the family I live with. THings are just going so well for me! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!
Thanks for all your love and support
July 8th 2009
What a super fantastic week! Man do I love Salem! The advisary sure is trying to tear us down, but I just have to sit back and laugh at him because I know that when such opposition occurs, it just means that something GREAT is about to happen. And man are great things happening!!
I had a great fourth of July. We of course can't see fireworks or play but we were able to go to the Kruta's for dinner. That was a blast. I bonded with Brother Kruta SO much. I love that man so much. I made him go and play catch with me (baseball) after dinner. When we walked out in the garage, he has a Harley Davidson and this sweet vest that he wears when he goes riding. So while he was looking for the mits to play, I see the vest and of course I had to put it on. He thought it was the coolest thing ever. He had fun dressing me up in his whole "get up" I wore a bandana, his vest, a helmet, sunglasses, the whole shabang! He laughed so hard and took so many pictures of me. Then he pulled his bike out of the garage and let me sit on it, start it up, honk the horn, and rev is up!! It was sweet! I tried to make him get on back and get a picture with us together but he wasn't having that idea. he said to his wife "tell that girl who belongs on the back of motorcycles" LOL Women of course. We had a lot of fun. Then playing catch in the road. We were having a compition throwing it over eachother and making eachother chase it down the road. I think I put up a pretty good fight. It was almost like we were playing fetch instead of catch. But we just had a ball.
In sacrament, Sister Kruta got up and bore her testimony. That was powerful. She made me cry. She got up there and expressed her thanks for me... For helping teach her stubborn husband. Brother Kruta hasn't let any missionary REALLY teach him. And she said, if anyone, sister Orawiec will be the one to get my husband baptized, and not just my husband but my daughter Sam. Just the look in her eyes, made me tear up. She just has this sincere look of hope!! Hope that her husband will see the light. HOPE that they'll be sealed in the temple. It's just been so amazing getting to teach them and gain that certain bond. SO AMAZING!! I can't even express it in words. I LOVE THIS WORK!! I LOVE THE PEOPLE!!!
Satan has really been working hard on our recent converts as well. But we're pulling through it. My companion struggles with depression so it's taking a tole on her. BUt the more positive I stay, the better she seems to be.
I did something kinda funny last week. I'm evil. But there's an Elder out here, Elder Beams, who found out that I hated Kangaroos and likes to make fun of me for it. So of course I had to put him in his place. I had one of his companions find out what his biggest fear is. Which is spiders. So I went and collected 7 Daddy Long Leggs and put them in a box and told him on the phone that I got a little gift for him. He got all excited thinking it was something great. So we had to meet with them to go over what we did that week and when he opened the box all the spiders came out at once all over him!! hahaha I'm so evil but MAN was it funny!! GOOD TIMES
Well, I love this gospel so much! I KNOW it to be true! The happiness is brings to the lost soul is well worth the opposition that we have/get to face as missionaries. I'll do anything to help others find their way to the truth! Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement!
Much Love
Sister Spark Plug
I had a great fourth of July. We of course can't see fireworks or play but we were able to go to the Kruta's for dinner. That was a blast. I bonded with Brother Kruta SO much. I love that man so much. I made him go and play catch with me (baseball) after dinner. When we walked out in the garage, he has a Harley Davidson and this sweet vest that he wears when he goes riding. So while he was looking for the mits to play, I see the vest and of course I had to put it on. He thought it was the coolest thing ever. He had fun dressing me up in his whole "get up" I wore a bandana, his vest, a helmet, sunglasses, the whole shabang! He laughed so hard and took so many pictures of me. Then he pulled his bike out of the garage and let me sit on it, start it up, honk the horn, and rev is up!! It was sweet! I tried to make him get on back and get a picture with us together but he wasn't having that idea. he said to his wife "tell that girl who belongs on the back of motorcycles" LOL Women of course. We had a lot of fun. Then playing catch in the road. We were having a compition throwing it over eachother and making eachother chase it down the road. I think I put up a pretty good fight. It was almost like we were playing fetch instead of catch. But we just had a ball.
In sacrament, Sister Kruta got up and bore her testimony. That was powerful. She made me cry. She got up there and expressed her thanks for me... For helping teach her stubborn husband. Brother Kruta hasn't let any missionary REALLY teach him. And she said, if anyone, sister Orawiec will be the one to get my husband baptized, and not just my husband but my daughter Sam. Just the look in her eyes, made me tear up. She just has this sincere look of hope!! Hope that her husband will see the light. HOPE that they'll be sealed in the temple. It's just been so amazing getting to teach them and gain that certain bond. SO AMAZING!! I can't even express it in words. I LOVE THIS WORK!! I LOVE THE PEOPLE!!!
Satan has really been working hard on our recent converts as well. But we're pulling through it. My companion struggles with depression so it's taking a tole on her. BUt the more positive I stay, the better she seems to be.
I did something kinda funny last week. I'm evil. But there's an Elder out here, Elder Beams, who found out that I hated Kangaroos and likes to make fun of me for it. So of course I had to put him in his place. I had one of his companions find out what his biggest fear is. Which is spiders. So I went and collected 7 Daddy Long Leggs and put them in a box and told him on the phone that I got a little gift for him. He got all excited thinking it was something great. So we had to meet with them to go over what we did that week and when he opened the box all the spiders came out at once all over him!! hahaha I'm so evil but MAN was it funny!! GOOD TIMES
Well, I love this gospel so much! I KNOW it to be true! The happiness is brings to the lost soul is well worth the opposition that we have/get to face as missionaries. I'll do anything to help others find their way to the truth! Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement!
Much Love
Sister Spark Plug
July 1st 2009
Hello ALL!!
What a great week. The best part about it was what happened yesterday. We taught Kevin Kruta!!! OH MAN!! It was so sweet. He is a hard headed Marine but man do I love him. We started to teach him the Plan Of Salvation and he was acting "not interested." And when I was teaching the Atonement, the spirit was so strong and tears filled his eyes. I dont' think he knew the spirit could touch him so strongly. And he actually agreed to meet with us again. Ok, well he said maybe, but I KNOW he will. He said maybe last time, and look what happened. That's right, we taught him. Just so ya'll know it's pretty much impossible to teach this man anything, so that's why I'm so happy about it. Him and I get along great though!! And his wife who is a member said "If anyone can convert him, you can sister Orawiec." What a complement that is. I just kill him with love is all. Stomp all over his concerns and help him to recognize and feel the spirit. So simple. I'm not saying I'll see him get baptized or anything, which of course, that is my HOPE and PRAYER, but I feel he'll see the light soon. Sister Kruta got all teary eyed as well, and when we were leaving she gave me a BIG hug and said "If you can get him to be taught again, I'd be the happiest women ever." I gave her a wink and told her we'd make it happen. But I'm not cocky, just confident. that's ok right? As long as it's humble:)
We are still striving to find people to teach, but we have a guy named Kory who will come a long great I think. We're meeting him again on Thursday. All your prayers really help. He needs them. He's willing to learn, just accepting is the problem.
We had our Big Mission Conference on Friday and it was so amazing! I love seeing all the missionaries. I performed "His Hands" in signlanguage, Sister Silotti (my comp) played it on the piano and Elder Smith (I came out with) sang it. It turned out SO GOOD!! Everyone loved it. The spirit sure was strong. I got chocked up at the end. So powerful.
Sister Silotti and I get along great. There's a lot of work that needs to be done here and MANY things that need impoving, but hey, that's what we're here for. The Mission President has committed all of us to read the BofM in 146 days and choose 5 specific scriptures for principle he picked out so we can know where they are and the stories behind them. We're well on our way of becoming master teachers. It'll be a 146 never to be forgotten.. As the MP would say... I'm really excited to try my hardest to follow in the ways of my savior and at least STRIVE to become a master teacher as he is. I know I wont ever reach that point, but its a good goal to shoot for I think :) I love this work! I love my mission!!!
May the Lord bless you all and continue to pour out His spirit upon you
much love
Sister O
What a great week. The best part about it was what happened yesterday. We taught Kevin Kruta!!! OH MAN!! It was so sweet. He is a hard headed Marine but man do I love him. We started to teach him the Plan Of Salvation and he was acting "not interested." And when I was teaching the Atonement, the spirit was so strong and tears filled his eyes. I dont' think he knew the spirit could touch him so strongly. And he actually agreed to meet with us again. Ok, well he said maybe, but I KNOW he will. He said maybe last time, and look what happened. That's right, we taught him. Just so ya'll know it's pretty much impossible to teach this man anything, so that's why I'm so happy about it. Him and I get along great though!! And his wife who is a member said "If anyone can convert him, you can sister Orawiec." What a complement that is. I just kill him with love is all. Stomp all over his concerns and help him to recognize and feel the spirit. So simple. I'm not saying I'll see him get baptized or anything, which of course, that is my HOPE and PRAYER, but I feel he'll see the light soon. Sister Kruta got all teary eyed as well, and when we were leaving she gave me a BIG hug and said "If you can get him to be taught again, I'd be the happiest women ever." I gave her a wink and told her we'd make it happen. But I'm not cocky, just confident. that's ok right? As long as it's humble:)
We are still striving to find people to teach, but we have a guy named Kory who will come a long great I think. We're meeting him again on Thursday. All your prayers really help. He needs them. He's willing to learn, just accepting is the problem.
We had our Big Mission Conference on Friday and it was so amazing! I love seeing all the missionaries. I performed "His Hands" in signlanguage, Sister Silotti (my comp) played it on the piano and Elder Smith (I came out with) sang it. It turned out SO GOOD!! Everyone loved it. The spirit sure was strong. I got chocked up at the end. So powerful.
Sister Silotti and I get along great. There's a lot of work that needs to be done here and MANY things that need impoving, but hey, that's what we're here for. The Mission President has committed all of us to read the BofM in 146 days and choose 5 specific scriptures for principle he picked out so we can know where they are and the stories behind them. We're well on our way of becoming master teachers. It'll be a 146 never to be forgotten.. As the MP would say... I'm really excited to try my hardest to follow in the ways of my savior and at least STRIVE to become a master teacher as he is. I know I wont ever reach that point, but its a good goal to shoot for I think :) I love this work! I love my mission!!!
May the Lord bless you all and continue to pour out His spirit upon you
much love
Sister O
Thursday, June 25, 2009
June 24th 2009
Hey All!Sorry its been a little while since I've written a bulk... To be honest, not too much is going on. I'm loving it here in Salem though! So beautiful! It has been raining quit a bit though. And I don't mean sprinkling, I mean full blown fire hose affect! It's crazy! You step out for one second and it's like your jumped in a pool. Who needs a baptism font?We don't have many new friends (aka investigators) Well we have a few potentials but no one is really solid yet. When we go tracting the people are really nice, but not interested. They'll talk and discuss things with us though. We went and visited a former MEMBER a few days ago. That was interesting... Really sad actually. She was nice and all but she kept saying that the Mormon church just wasn't true and it sadened her to see that we were being deceived like she was in her past. She sad that she was almost mad at her parents for raising her in the Mormon faith. That just broke my heart. I can't even express in words the gratitude I have for being brought up with the FULNESS of the gospel. It just really made me see how tricky the advasary is. Man is he good at what he does. She's now a "born again Christian" so its not like she following a BAD thing per-say but its not the fulness of truth. We of course discussed concerns and other things she had, but it wasn't going anywhere. Before we left, I just poured out my whole heart and soul to her in testimony and that made her shut right up. She actually had tears in her eyes, so I KNOW she felt something as the spirit was confirming my testimony to her. She's just had a hard life and is confused and the born again religion is just "easier" for her a guess. Man does it sadden me. Emotions go crazy out here. Just the love you have for ALL those around you, even if you don't know them personally, it's draining. BUt man do I love it!!!There's a family that I absolutely love out here.. along with MANY of course. But it's the Kruta family. She's a member but her husband and kids are not. She's a convert and just got called to be a member missionary. She's our "Go TO" girl. She's SO great!! Her husband Kevin is in the Marine Corps, which is sweet in itself. He's Catholic, but not practicing and missionaries have been so determined to get him baptized. To some he's intimidating, but to me, he's just a big teddy bear. I love him so much. We went and visited them last night and I got him to commit to seeing us next week and letting us teach him about the Plan Of Salvation. He agreed!! That never happens I guess. On top of that, he gave me a few of my favorite flowers he's growing in his yard, Daisey's, and is gonna get me a Marine Corps flag "Mess with the Best, Die Like The Rest" I'm so excited. When we left, my companion was just in AWW that he agreed to meet with us and buy me my very own flag LOL It was great. I just think he's the coolest person ever. We mess around and joke with each other. Give each other grief of course. :) It's a lot of fun.We had a Sisters Meeting on Friday, the 19th, which was a lot of fun. It's where all the sisters in the Virginia Richmond Mission get together and have our own little conference together with the MIssion President and the Assistants. I performed "His Hands" in signlanguage while sister Mills sang and my companion sister Silotti played the piano. It was a lot of fun. We're performing it again at our BIG zone conference this coming Friday. But Elder Smith will be singing instead. I'm excited. Its such a beautiful song and the spirit is so strong.My back has been hurting me for the past few days to where I could barely walk, so I went to a Chiropractor, who's a member, and she fixed me right up. I've never been to one before and it was the coolest thing EVER! I've always been afraid to get my neck popped fearing they'd break it and kill me, but it felt so unbelievably good! She was amazing! I get to go again next monday. I just still suffer from back injuries from when I got in a car wreck when I was 17. Gotta love that. I'm already falling apart and I'm only 22. That is pretty old though :)Well I love you all! Thanks for all your letters and words of encouragement. It's always so great to hear from you!!I LOVE AND MISS YOU-Sister Spark Plug :) The one and only
Sunday, June 14, 2009
June 10th 2009
WEll, I absolutely love my new area. The bummer part is, that we dont' have any people to teach LOL. The sisters just baptized 3 people but they were so focused on getting them baptized that they didn't focus on finding more people to teach. So now we have to do a lot of finding. It's all good though. I really like all the members and people I have met so far.We are living at a members home again, the Lambournes. They are AMAZING! IT's an upstairs apartment thing. We go down and have breakfast with them almost every morning and have a nice visit. They are sure good to the missionaries. It was my birthday yesterday so sister lambourne made me breakfast and they got me a card and a few little gifts. IT was really nice of them. Then when we got home at night, she had a strawberry shortcake for us. All in all it was a really good birthday. What better birthday to have then once serving the Lord all day trying to find His elect? The best if you ask me.There isn't too much going on yet. We did have a baptism on Saturday, susan. Who the sisters have been teaching for a few months. So it was nice to come right into an area and already have a baptism to prepare for. I loved it! We've been doing a lot of service for a few members. One has to be moved out of her house in 90 days and her husband is deployed in Iraq so it's been really hard for her (The Betke) We went there last night and I entertained her kids while they packed. They are out of control LOL It was a lot of fun though.One of the recent converts Joanna is getting really into missionary work. She went on exchanges with the Elders last night and before she went we had a lesson with her and she was trying so hard to prepare herself to go and teach this lady. Joanna was once a Jehovah Witness and the lady they are teaching is currently one, so Joanna can really relate to her. I guess the lesson turned out GREAT and all went well.Other then that, not too much to say. i love my new companion Sister Silotti. She's such a sweet girl. She's been out just over 4 months but she is on top of things. I really love her already. We are getting a strong relationship.Well I love you all!-Much LoveSister Orawiec
June 3rd 2009
What a week! Tons has happened. A bit overwhelming but it's been so great! So last week Angie called us up and asked her to come and teach her husband Garol the Word of Wisdom. He'll come to church but he hasn't had much interest in letting us teach him. He'll let us share a 15 minute spiritual thought and what not, but not the discussions. So we set an appointment with them for Friday to teach him. We get there and sit down and Angie says "I have a present for you sister Orawiec" I was like, SWEET!! I love presents. So she gives me this hi-tech type writer!! I have a hard time writing so she gave me it. I was in AWW It's so awesome! She's had it for a very long time but hasn't used it in like 10 years. It was her mom's but since she wasn't getting any use out of it, she gave it to me. AND she gave me 2 boxes of gum. So at this point I was in heaven!! or on cloud 9 ya might say. I was so grateful. Then we were about to start the lesson and Angie said she wanted to read us a letter that Garol wrote her the other day. I dont' remember all it said but it was something on the lines of "I am so in love with you and I want to be with you for Eternity. i want to become a member of the church because I know that that's the only way possible that we can be together Forever." My mouth dropped. He said "When the sisters first knocked on the door I thought to myself "oh no! here we go with the God people." "But they have blessed our lives so much and showed us the way possible to be together after this life." It was something along those lines. My eyes started to fill with tears. It was a lot to take in in 5 minutes. first the type writer, then the gum, then him wanting to get baptized, then them wanting to work towards getting sealed! HOLY COW it was amazing!!! One of the best experiences on my mission yet! I was just in aww. So he will be getting baptized June 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm!! How fantastic is that.Angie spoke in church on Sunday and it was so wonderful. She told her conversion story and told everyone about Garol and the letter. People just started to cry! It was great!Then came MONDAY. Crazy day. So transfers were this week and we usually get the calls Tuesday, pack on Wednesday, and leave Thursday. BUt not this time. We got a random call from the Assistants to the President and told us that Sister Zwang and I were BOTH being transfered. Me to Salem Virginia Beach, and Sister Z to Smithfield. I was in total shock!! And on top of that, we left yesterday morning!! So I am already here and working! It was fast, quick, and in a hurry. It was really hard to leave especially since we didn't get to say good-bye to many. Not good!We did go out to breakfast with a few people at 7 before we left. it was really nice to say good bye to at least a few. Angie was so great to help us pack and we got to have one last lessone with Garol Monday night. My new companion is Sister Silloti. She's been out about 4 months. We're in a 3- sum until Sister Miller goes home. I love this area so far and have heard many great things!!Sister Z had a VERY hard time leaving but she'll be great. She's with one of my first companions, Sister Halladay who sleep walks and talks :) Fun!Well I love you all. thank you so much for all your love and support.The Church Is TRUE
New Address:1204 HeathCliff DrVirginia Beach, VA23464
New Address:1204 HeathCliff DrVirginia Beach, VA23464
May 27th 2009
Ok, I have a lot to write and not a whole lot of time to do it.So, Sister Kohlman, the lady we taught when we had 1st ward got baptized on May 9th!!! I was so excited to hear that. We had been working with her since I came here. So that was SUPER exciting. Also we had Scott's baptism on the 23rd. We moved it up a week and it turned out AMAZING!! The whole relief society room was packed with people. Members, both from first and second ward, less actives, him non member family. It was so great. Me and Rebecca Walker spoke and then we had a testimony meeting after the baptism ordinance and one of his little sisters got up and bore her testimony and thanked us all for being there for him and being such a great support. He has 2 little sisters and one of them wants to be taught and baptized! It was just such an amazing day.On Monday, we drove out to West Virginia and Blue Grass to contact a headquarter referral and we met a less active who is very sick with cancer. They asked me to say a prayer and of course I did. The spirit was so strong and by the time I was finished we were all crying. They lady with cancer is so sweet but has a lot of problems. She was so touched that we came to see her. I felt so drained after that for some reason. The spirit was seriously so unbelievably strong.Last Thursday was a really neat experience as well! (Sorry I'm bouncing around dates a bit) We had a lesson with Scott at the church and while we were waiting for him, there was a lady, Nancy, that came up to us and was looking for a meeting that was being held at the chaple for those who have lost their spouses. She had just lost hers in February and as she was asking she just started to cry. I gave her some words of comfort and let her know that there is a way for her to see him again and ultimately be with him FOREVER! She was just in aww as we spoke and testified and invited us to come by the next day and teach her more. So we went back on Friday and shared more with her and she just loved it all. I'm not sure how dedicated she is to commit but I have high hopes for her. She's an older lady. We went to her house again yesterday and provided her some service. She needed help cleaning her house and putting away his things. She gave me a bran new cell phone through verizon- which my parents use the service- so now I can have it when I get home. SCORE!We are also teaching the Armstrong family. I know I have talked about them before. She's a member but questions it all and he's a non member. They have happily accepted to meet with us once a week. He's so solid and seems so intregred when we teach. They both always have great questions and we're hoping to set him for baptism within the next month and help strengthen her testimony.ALSO Garol, are recent convert Angie's husband, is now taking the lessons and is considering being baptized! The miracles just keep coming! Angies ultimate goal is to get sealed to Garol in the temple. She's such a great example and support for him. He comes to church every week and attended Scott's baptism.There's a really cool book fair that they have around here a few times a year and Angie took us to it, BAD IDEA, but yet a good experience. As a missionary I can't read anything but I got like 9 books for 25 bucks. My Mom's probably gonna kill me :) I'll be sending them home though. What a deal though! Some of them were like 6 bucks which were regular 25! That's my kind of shopping!We also met with a less active family on Sunday which was sweet! We've been trying to meet with her forever! Sister Conis. She was married to the Conis' son that is active in the ward but they got divorced like 5 years ago. They both served missions and are now both inactive. Its so sad to see. But we're hoping to baptize her 8 year old boy Urie. He comes to church with his grandparents (the Conis')Well my time is about up. Sorry I couldn't write more!I'm loving every second of my mission and am growing in ways I didn't know was possible. I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven!
-Sister Orawiec
-Sister Orawiec
May 13th 2009
Well the YSA's are gone!! SAD SAD DAY!!! They have only been gone a few days and I'm already freaking out! We were able to hang out with a few of them on Wednesday last week which was a lot of fun. We played sand volleyball, had lunch, threw the frisby around, then it started raining on us so we went back to Matt's apartment and played some games and visited.We had a great lesson with one of our investigators, Stan, on Thursday. His old teaching record said he had been taught the first three lessons and apartently he hadn't because I was saying things that he had NEVER heard of before. We planned on reviewing the first lesson, but got into the second instead and talked about the plan of salvation. The thought of our spirits living here before we came here just blew his mind. He absolutely loved it all and soaked it all in. He called me a half an hour later after the appointment and repeatedly thanked me for all my insights and "words of wisdom" and thanked me for dedicating my life to teach him these things he had never heard of before. He loved that we could show him all the things in the scriptures and proving that is wasn't our words, it was the Lords and the prophets. It was a really neat experience.On Friday we had a great lesson with Scott. We are reviewing all the lessons to get him ready for baptism. He LOVES Nephi. After we got done with the lesson he wanted to share some of the things he learned this past week. We read from the Bible and BofM. He is on his 4th time round reading the BofM since last August!!! How amazing is that? He's read it almost 4 times in less then a year. I was blown away! He's so solid.Saturday was fantastic as well!!! I had the opportunity to go to a stake relief society enrichment in Waynesboro and the speaker was a lady named Barbara Barrington Jones. If you haven't heard of her, set up an activity where she can come and speak! She was AMAZING!! She's been doing it for 25 years and is a convert to the church. She has a web sight (it's her name I think) She has several inspirational books out as well. OUr recent convert Angie wanted to go to it and so we went with her and it was VERY spiritual AND entertaining. FANTASTIC experience.Sunday I got to call home for mothers day. It was great to talk to everyone. I'm a horrible daughter and didn't even wish my Mom a happy mothers day or birthday... I got too caught up in talking to her I guess. So Mom, I'm sorry, and I love you and Happy Mothers day and BIRTHDAY!! We said our good-byes to Bobby on sunday as well, he left to go home that night. Sunday morning we did service for him and helped him clean and pack all of his stuff up to go home. It was fun spending some extra time with him. Later on after church we met up with him and matt at a park and had a discussion and said our good-byes. Sad sad.We did get to see Matt on Monday though and Emily!! We went and had lunch with Emily and Dan. I can't tell you how many times I kept having to say good bye to all of them. It just sucks not having them around!!!Today we're gonna go hang out with our recent convert Allie and her sister. I'm not sure what we'll be doing but I'm excited. So once again I'm sorry if not a whole lot of you get letters from me this week :) I'm a slacker I know.Well I hope all is well, I love you all very much!!The Gospel Is TRUE!!!-Sister Spark Plug
May 6th
What a great week! I had the best experience of my mission on Saturday. Sister Zwang and I had tracting planned for a good chunck of the day and Emily and Matt wanted to come with us. So we walk to our chosen street and split ways. Two of us did one side, while the other two did the other side. As sister Z and I were doing doors together I just watched Emily and Matt (who are not even missionaries yet) knocking on peoples doors and trying to talk to them about the gospel. The were so up beat and positive about it. Matt and Emily walked by while we were at a door and he says "Sister JJ, guess what?!! I got my first door slammed in my face." Cute kid, it was the greatest thing to hear. He was so excited to get that door slammed in his face. Then I had the opportunity to do a few doors with Emily and she was more then willing to talk and do the door approach. She was so nervous but did SO GREAT!! I tell you what, the YSA's out here are so fantastic! I can't even express it enough. They are going to be the best missinonaries. Bobby Kuhn is so smart and just has the funniest personality, Emily is a firecracker and just wants to go get em all, Matt has the sweetest heart and love for the gospel, Will loves everyone no matter what, Josh is so eager to learn and the list goes on and on. They all have such great Christlike characteristics! They will be leaving this week to go home for the summer! I'm freaking out a little... ok I'm freaking out A LOT! I love them all so much and will miss them terribly. Sad to say, but Matt is gone for good. He graduates on Saturday! Sad Day!!! But I don't wanna talk about that anymore, it gets me all emotional. I LOVE THE YSA'S!!!We set Scott for baptism last night and his date will be May 30th. He's so solid and excited to enter into the gate on to the straight and narrow path. He just loves the scriptures and thinks Nephi is the top dog! It's so great to see his excitment when he talks about the words of the prophets and God's love for all of us. He read 3 chapters out of Psalms yesterday to us and just expressed the power that those words held. It was such a neat experience. And of course Emily was more then will to come with us and Bobby showed up a little bit later.We had a Zone Conference yesterday which was pretty cool. My mission president had called me a few days ago and asked me to come earlier so him and I could have a "talk." That's usually not a good thing, or so I take it to be that way. So I showed up early and we had a GREAT visit. In one of my President Letters I had asked him to pray about giving us both of our wards back and letting us be the only missionaries out here again. I miss the first ward so much but don't wanna give up the 2nd ward either. So we discussed if it would be a good idea or not and I hope he grants me my wish. I also brought up the thougth of keeping me in Harrisonburg for the rest of my mission. The goal right now is to keep missionaries in areas for longer anyway, so I told him I had NO problem staying in H-Burg seeing as how I only have about 9 months left. He seemed to be good with that idea. We'll see...The Zone Conference was really amazing! It was a lot better then the last one we had. It really helped give me that boost and modivation I needed. Our mission president is so amazing! I know that he is called of God and receives revelation for this mission. I have witnessed many occasions to where I've seen miracles happen because of the promptings he gets. I'm so grateful to have him as my leader for my enire mission. We received a lot of counsel about being bold and being excellent at the basics. Its the same stuff we've been counseled on before but we're obviously not doing it if he keeps talking about it. But I came up with many things I'm going to be working on to try and improve my missionary efforts. I really feel that I can be so much better of a missionary and am going to strive my hardest to fulfill the potential that my Heavenly Father sees in me. I don't see it for myself, but I know HE does, and with His help I will accomplish that which He has asked me to do.We met with the Demastus' last night. I love that family so much. They are less active still and I'm still determined to help them in anyway that I can. Bobby and Emily came with us to that as well. Thank heavens they did! I was having a hard time... Some of the things they were saying really hurt me and Bobby and Emily were there to talk to them while I gathered myself together. Sometimes as a missionary you put your ALL into someone to help them become happy, and when you see it's not going anywhere after a long period of time, it really tends to get to you. They feel like they are having charity work done to them, while as a missionary you consider them to be great friends and love them so much and don't think that way at all! Because you love them so much and consider them you're close friends, you want more then anything for them to be happy. Its just hard when they start giving up and not taking any action. They've been wronged, I know it's hard, but it's just one of those pit falls that we have to live and learn from... I hope and pray whole heartedly that I can make a difference in someones life... That's why I came...Today for P-Day we're getting together with a bunch of the YSA's to play some Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee!! I'm super stocked about it and can't wait! I love having that opportunity to just play! Especially with all of them. They're my best friends!! (Besides my Becki of course) It's their last Wednesday here so I'm glad we get to spend it with them. So I'm sorry in advance for not writing any letters to anyone this week, I'm gonna go do some playin :)Well I'm excited to call home on Sunday for Mothers Day and talk to my family. I'll only be talking to them one more time after this before I come home! I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!This Gospel IS TRUE!!
-Sister J.J.
-Sister J.J.
April 29th 2009
Well, this past week has been pretty interesting. After we went hiking last Wednesday, we went to I HOP with the YSA's and had two non members there. There was about 11 of us there sitting around the table talking about the Bible and Book of Mormon. It drew a lot of attention... Not in a bad way. We actually had people that started to talk to us and ask questions. Picture it... 11 people that are the ages of 19-23 talking about God... You don't see that everyday. It was sweet. Good finding activity :) It was so great. There's a guy named Richard that was there that we are currently teaching. He's fantastic. He likes to test my knowledge I think. He asks amazing questions that honestly, I didn't really think too much about. We taught him yesterday at Bobby Kuhns apartment with Matt Himelright and Josh McConchie. Richard really seemed to enjoy the discussion and have everyone there. He wants to do it again SOON. We have also been teaching a guy named David. We taught him 4 times last week! Ya don't find a person like that everyday who wants to meet with you that frequently. We just found out on Saturday that he is BARELY out of our area so we had to pass him off to the Elders. Stupid Elders :) David called us yesterday announcing that he wants to be baptized! So that was great news. I'm just sad we had to pass him off. We're all in the work together though.The YSA's will be done with the semester this next week and moving back home. I am so NOT happy about that! They are the ones who support us the most and help us get by day to day. Emily will come with us for like 6 hours a day or however long she can. Bobby, Matt, and Josh are always willing to help us out as well. I'm so sad to see them go. It's totally not going to be the same. NOw we'll have to start bugging the old farts in the ward to help us out. :) Totally kidding. They're a great ward! I just like people my own age too.Other then that, nothing else really comes to mind on what else is going on.My testimony of this gospel is so strong. I love it all so much! For those of you who have served missions, you can understand that this time in life is the most rewarding, yet the most difficult thing you have faced yet. You have your sad days and your cloud 9 days. THe only thing that really makes me sad is loving the people so much and then seeing them make wrong choices in life that keep them from progressing. But like my Dad has told me, they still have their agency. Alls I can do is continue to love them, support them, and bare testimony frequently. I love my mission so much!
April 22nd 2009
Man, what a day! We went and hiked the Appilation Mountain today. It was an 8 mile hike! We went with the Waynesboro Elders, Simmons and Mcentire, and a member from their ward. It was a blasty blast! We hiked up to this AMAZING waterfall. It was GORGEOUS. And of course I'm clumsy and totally fell in the water trying to jump over part of the river. I got soaked! It wasn't the warmest day ever. Then Elder Mcentire stayed close by because I scared the crap out of him when I fell so he made sure I was kept safe. We left at 830 and got back at about 230. I though sister zwang was gonna die LOL She got really tired but did good!OH as far as transfers go, we are both staying in the area another transfer. To be honest, I'm SO grateful I am staying! I did NOT want to leave the YSA'S! They are so fantastic! I love them all so much. We did take some fun pictures last night just incase we got transfered, but thank heavens I am not. Sister Zwang wanted to go, but I think she's ok to stay anther transfer. She says she's ok with it because she didn't want to get another companion :)Currently we're teaching a guy name David Wadford. On Monday we had a 2 hour discussion with him and then yesterday a 3 hour. Bobby and Emily came with us both times. They were intense conversations. He has A LOT of great questions. He's just really lost and confused. But is very opened minded and LOVES the things we share with him. I hope and pray he continues to progress. I know that he would give it his all when he joins the church. He really likes having us teach him and actually wrote our mission president and begged him not to transfer us. It was pretty sweet! We have another appointment with him tomorrow as well, so it'll be interesting. He's good and keepping all of his commitments we leave with him and is just doing so well. I love it. It's nice to FINALLY be teaching someone. The work has seem to be going pretty slow, but I love it out here. It'll be interesting to see how long I will stay. I think I'll be with Sister Zwang until she dies. She goes home in July, so at least till then if not longer. It seems that once you get called to harrisonburg, you stay in harrisonburg. GREAT AREA THOUGH> I'm just going to be sad when all the YSA's graduate and leave in 3 weeks. Totally lame. But at least I get another 3 weeks with them. They keep me in line and modivate me :)We'll be doing some hard core tracting this transfer I think to find us some more gators. I determined to find MANY. I love the work so much! Talking to people is a blast! They probably think I'm crazy, but that's ok. I just speak the truth ;)Other then that, not much going on. I'm really sad to see the changes that will be made in our zone and district, but i'm sure it'll all work out great. I'll miss the Elders that are leaving but they are excited for some changes.Well I love you all! The Church IS TRUE!
-JJ
-JJ
April 15th
Well, I am finally writing a bulk. Sorry it has been so long. Last Wednesday was a lot of fun. We went to the college campus JMU and played Beach Volleyball with the Elder in our district. I totally won of course :) And Will Davis (one of our YSA's who's leaving on a mission soon) came and played with us for awhile as well. He's a great kid and is going to make a fantastic missionary. He's getting really excited to go. Funny story though... So after we get done playing volleyball, we all decided to go get something to eat on campus. We were still in our PDay clothes and I didn't have any pockets to put my keys in. But Elder Mcentire did so I asked him to hold my keys for me until we got done eathing so I wouldn't lose them. Well, the Elders got done before us and left. About 5 minutes after they left, it hit me. ELDER MCENTIRE STILL HAS MY KEYS!!! Our phone was locked in our car and we knew no ones number by heart. The Elders live all the way in Waynesboro so we wanted to get a hold of them as soon as possible so they didn't make it all the way back. My first and only thought was to call my Mom to get the mission offices number so they can get me the Elders number. Well my Mom didn't answer! CRAP! So we had to hike awhile to Will's home, he was the closest member to where we were. So we finally got a hold of the Spanish Elders who gave us the Zone Leaders number who then gave us our District leaders number. Well by the time we got a hold of them they were already back in waynesboro and had just discovered they had our keys! Well to make a long story short, they had to bring our keys back and we had to walk to our appointments in our P Day clothes because our missionary clothes were in the car. Fun times! Well we had Allie's baptism on the 11th and her confirmation! It was the best baptism I have been to yet. It was so fantastic! She asked me to speak and I spoke on Eternal Life and tied it in to Enduring to the End and Christ of course. It was the most spiritual baptism. Her boyfriends family came from Fredricksburg to support her which was great. And of course a few of the YSA's made it. They are soooo good to support people we are teaching. Only 3 members from the ward showed up though. That was disappointing... For Easter we went to the Reed's home and taught her non member cousin. We shared a really spiritual thought about Christ and the Atonement and Resurrection of course :) They fed us dinner as well. Yesterday was an interesting day. I got Sister Zwang out of her comfort zone big time. :) She'll thank me later. She really struggles talking to people and tracting. So whenever we go and I see her struggling I just automatically jump in and talk. But she needs to learn. So 2 YSA's Emily and Josh came tracting with us and Emily went with Sister Zwang and Josh and I stayed back and listened to them do it all. I wanted her to learn how to have confidence in herself and not rely on me so much. She got pretty frustrated but the last door they knocked on they got a return appointment and she was on cloud 9. She was so proud of herself as was I. It was great. We're hoping to set 2 for baptism soon. The work is a little slow right now but we're staying strong and doing all we can do. Thanks for all your love and support.I love you allThe Church Is True!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
March 25th 2009
We had a pretty great couple of weeks. Hard but good. We have two set for baptism, Allie and Scott. Allie will be baptized on April 11th and confirmed Easter Sunday the 12th. She's ready! I love the change that I see in people when the accept the gospel. We'll be working with Scott for awhile though, he has some things he needs to overcome but he's doing GREAT and progressing really well. He announced in church on Sunday that he was ready to be baptized. Unfortunately he wont be able to be baptized as soon as he wanted to, but we'll get him there as quick as we can. He's starting to rely more on the Lord for help to overcome challenges... As all of us should...We had to get our car fixed Monday and Tuesday from the wreck that we were in awhile back so we were out a car for 2 days which was not a fun thing. We live in NO MANS LAND now and its a good 8 miles to just get into town. So we did some walkin! It was a waist of time but there wasn't much we could do about it. I know the Lord blesses us for our efforts.The new place we are living in is nice though. I don't like how far away it is from things for miles sake, but the members we live with are so great and willing to have us in their home. Members out here really like the missionaries living with them.We are getting more ward support little by little. I just have to do a little rebuking now and then and cry people unto repentance :) Fun stuff. But I'm getting to REALLY love this area. I'm getting attached to a lot of members, ESPECIALLY the YSA group. They are all fantastic. Miracles are happening and we plan to see many many more.I love my mission so much.SO MUCH!!I love you all
-Sister Fluffy
-Sister Fluffy
Thursday, March 12, 2009
March 11th 2009
Well we got our transfer calls last night. Me and Sister Zwang will be staying here in H-Burg and we're getting 2 new Elders in who will be covering the first ward and Franklin. I'm pretty excited about that. 3 wards was A LOT! Not that I minded, it's just going to be a little less stressful now :) Maybe... Our District is also staying the same (thank heavens) and just getting the 2 new Elders in. I'm excited for this next transfer. We plan to tear this place apart and baptize like crazy. As the Elders would "sing" .. "Dunk slash, a dunk a dunk splas." Ok it's more funny when you hear them sing/rap it. That's a story that'll need to be told when I get home :)These past 2 weeks have been pretty good. Especially at church. Last Sunday the teacher was a no show for our Gospel Principles class so they all asked me to teach it. Great! So I taught on eternal families. One of the most powerful lessons I have EVER taught in church (man, I really do say that A LOT) But it really was. There is an "eternal investigator" there that attented the class. She just wont get baptized and no one knows why. Sister Kohlman. We've been working with her for quit some time now. Long story short, something really touched here when I was giving the lesson and she was crying. Now she wants to meet with us, get baptized, and sealed to her husband that passed away about 3 years ago. HOLY COW!! I was blown away! It's a bummer though because she's in the first ward so the Elders get to do all that :( That's ok though. At least something got to her!Then this past Sunday, I taught the lesson in relief society on MISSIONARY WORK! It was sweet! I had about 10 minutes to prepare for that lesson! I committed ALL of them to pass a book of mormon out to someone this week. I wrote all their names down so I can hold them accountable when I see them this Sunday. I put the rath in them to do their missionary work. It was sweet! LOL I love making things awkward :)Other then that, things are great! We're still striving to find more peopel to teach but all is well. They are out there and we've promised to find them and WE WILL!I love you all
-Sister Spark Plug
-Sister Spark Plug
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
