8-26-13

Hey, hey, hey,

 Niagara falls was fun, but we only did the America side, which isn't quite as cool. When I come back  one day, I’m going to go to the Canada side again. It's nice to get out and walk around in nature anyhow. 

So, this week was great! So many miracles happened, seriously. I can't believe how much God rewards our efforts when we just have a little faith and trust in His timing. We started the week with a great FHE with the B____s, and sister B___ finally spoke to us. She said she read the Book of Mormon and felt peace again, which is a relief, because she gets her results about her cancer this week. Their family has sooo much on their plate, but they are pushing through and I think our presence is making a big difference. So at first, this week seemed like it would be a disaster, because every one of our appts were falling through. Mary literally just went A-wall and didn’t show up or respond to anything for a few days. We were facing serious rejection, and I couldn't figure out why we were so epicly failing. So, we decided to try a former investigators house, and he and his wife were really interested. It was such a strange lesson though, because they have a hobby of ghost- hunting....literally. they started to tell us about a suicidal ghost they found with an "i-phone app" (seriously?) but he ended up haunting them and then they had to get their witch ant to cast a spell that nailed his soul to his grave......soooo I was racking my brain to bridge the topic back to the gospel of Jesus Christ, because the Spirit was loooong gone. We ended up talking about life after death and bearing testimony about God's eternal plan of mercy for us. It clearly brought great peace to the wife, because she had just had a friend who committed suicide and was worried he would go straight to hell. We explained that the Atonement covers everyone, and everyone will have a chance at Salvation. I could see a weight come off her shoulders. 

   So, the week went on and we had more miracles. D_______ has started to really open up to us and finally explained that she hasn’t been reading the Book of Mormon on her own because she doesn't even know how to read scriptures in the Bible, and it's too overwhelming. We are going to start having scripture study with her, which should really help. Even more, she really considers us dear friends, which is great, because it got her to come to church this week. We told her we wouldn't be able to see her til next Thursday, and she was like "that's too long. I' think I'll come to church so I can see you guys". Then at church, we got to have some scripture study with her and  bring her some peace regarding her family situation. 

   So, back to Mary. We had visited 3 times and called a bunch and I was scared it was all over, but sis A  wanted to swing by again. I was like "she is Not going to answer", but sis A had more faith than me. When we got to the door, we could hear voices inside, which meant she was at least alive (for a bit, we were scared she was dead and her birds and hamsters were eating her in her apt, sorry if that was gross haha). I knocked on the door, and lo and behold, Mary answers with a big smile like nothing happened. Turns out her phone has died and she had totally forgotten us due to a rough week. We got to teach her a lesson about forgiveness and the importance of the priesthood and we have two more appts with her this week! It was perfect that she didn’t show up for her other appt too, because we have a potential investigator from that open time slot where we talked to random people on the street. 

 There were even more miracles, but Im all outta time :( 

I love you all and this gospel is true! Do your visiting and home teaching please!! And learn as much as you can about the sacrament. It is powerful and sacred and beautiful and I had no idea. 

Okay, love love love yall

Keep in touch.

Oh yeah one more thing. I am loving it here and I know I’m fulfilling a purpose, but I’m starting to feel like I need to get to Brazil. It's weird. I am feeling a bit of a pull. I don't know what that means, but if you all could please pray for my visa, it would be much appreciated. Prayers are powerful, and I really want to fulfill whatever purpose I have in Brazil. Thanks!! 

8-18-13

Alrighty, hello hello. I'm going to be honest, this week was hard. We had to dump someone. she is this old lady who pretends to forget her commitment, but then slips up and tells us she remembers and we finally just flat out had to tell her that if she never intends to go to church, then we cant keep coming. She was fine with that and said it was understandable haha, so I guess that's the easiest breakup Ill ever have. Also, I never realized how crucial the ward is!!! You guys, anyone who is reading this, church is not about showing up on Sunday for a few hours and half-way doing your calling and then going home and forgetting about everyone you saw and everything you heard. Church is not about going to a building and having someone entertain you and make you feel like youre the greatest and don't need to change anything because Jesus has it covered. To be honest, this church is hardly even about going to church. We call it a "ward family" for a reason. The gospel of Jesus Christ must exist within the hearts of the members. Our church is only as strong as the members, and we MUST be continually working to be knit together with love. I'm sorry if this is coming off as brash, but we are just pretty frustrated with our ward. They don't care about one another. Sure, they will make a lasagna if someone breaks their leg, but they don't want to listen to someone rant about their life problems (which New Yorkers love to do haha). That's what family is for right? Wrong. If you are in a ward, they are your family, okay. We call eachother Brother and Sister for a reason. Our Heavenly Father has asked us two things: love Him and then love one another. When we leave the church building, our work has only begun. We don't have to do big things, we just have to be there for one another. My comps and I are desperately trying to think of ways to unify the ward, because if they can't support one another, then how can they support investigators? I love the families in our ward, but I'm starting to wonder if they even realize how awesome their "ward family" could be. there are so many families that have so much potential, but they are struggling, and nobody is showing up for their brothers and sisters. They just tell us about it, and expect us to fix it. This church is more than a church. It is a lifestyle. It is a state of mind. It is a family under one God and of one heart. Let's act that way and care for our brothers and sisters. On that note, I am soooo grateful for the ward that I grew up in that set such a wonderful example to me. I am using the family feeling I had growing up in my ward as my vision for what this ward could be. Keep that going. It is SUCH a blessing to the youth. It is essential for the success of the members and missionaries.

On another note. I ate at the BEST BBQ place of my life. Yes, Amanda, it was even better than Smoking Apple, which I feel guilty even saying, but it's true. also, we are going to Niagara Falls today. Woot! Oh, and it's a miracle! I got some shoes that dont kill my feet. I can walk pain-free!!! seriously such a miracle.

I hope I didnt sound too negative. There are some progressing investigators that are doing great and really are learning so fast. They answer our questions before we ask them. I love so many of the people here so much. I just wish they could have a more eternal perspective. I wish I did too. I am working on trying to leave things in God's hands and letting Him work in His own timing. We truly are His children and we are cradled in His loving hands. If we could only see how much He cares for us and protects our little hearts, I think our trials wouldnt seem so tough. I KNOW that God only gives us as much as we can handle. I know He loves us more than we comprehend. I know that everything that happens is for our good, even if it is soooo hard to see in the moment.  I love you all. Keep writing. I really appreciate the letters. :)