News from Durham!!

Downtown Durham

Updates:

I tried grits and liked them. The consistency is almost too much for me to handle, but they taste pretty good. I defffffinitely wouldn't choose them to eat, but they really don't taste bad.

I like sweet potatoes now. I think it was all that conditioning Jenna and I did at BYU. She would tell me how many sweet potato fries I had to eat. So yes, I now like the state vegetable of North Carolina. But I realllyyyyyyyyyyy don't like them plain. But we had this souffle and it had pecans (argument's arise here: pee-can vs. pecon for pronucniation... it's pretty funny). Anyway, I like them a lil lil now.

Sister B & I in front of a house collection

GUESS WHAT? I PLAYED PIANO AT DISTRICT MEETING. Yes. It was fantastic. For any of you who know me, I cannot play the piano. I took one year and then broke my finger playing soccer. Anyway, Julieann taught me one song that I still remember. I bet she knows EXACTLY which one it is. Yes. Angels We Have Heard on High. I made the mistake of playing the piano for two seconds before district meeting. I only know the right hand of it. But, I played anyway. It was hilarious. Our district isn't the most musically blessed, so I fit right in. It was a blast haha. The things you do as a missionary.

Now about missionary work... since I am a missionary...

Quotes that helped me this week:

"God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ, and our families." Elder Russell M. Nelson

I really like how motivating this quote is. We have the power and the responsibility to change and better ourselves each day. We need to be constantly re-evaluating our lives so that we we can become more like our Savior. :)

"When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to His help." President Monson
I love how much this applies to my life right now. But, I also love how it applies to everyone. Whether we are full-time missionaries or member missionaries, we can have the Lord's help in figuring out the best way to share what we know. We need to always be looking for more opportunities to share the gospel.

"As [missionaries] act on their vision to serve, they bless the lives of many and, in the process, change their own lives." Elder Haleck
I actually read this quote earlier this morning. I love how when we are serving God, we really have a vision to help others. But every time we do anything to honor God, He blesses us more than we can even describe. I know that I am changing and improving the quality of my life by being out here serving the Lord. I have gained such a deep love for the scriptures and I have learned how to follow the Spirit much more. While I still have sooooo much more to learn, I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with the capacity to be one of His many missionaries.

"Our missionary experiences have to be current. It is not enough to sit back and ponder former experiences. To be fulfilled, you have to continue to naturally share the gospel." Elder Evans
I LOVE THIS QUOTE. It is not enough to recall inviting friends to young women activities and church. It is not enough to remember inviting team members from high school to seminary. And when I get back from my mission (hahhahahah that seems like three million worlds away), it will not be enough to think about the amazing experiences I am having here now. As members of this Church, we need to be current in our missionary opportunities. Take the time to figure out how you can do a better job of reaching out to others in love to share the gospel. Pray about it. Then.... ACT on your impressions. If you promise to the Lord that you will do His will, He will grant you the strength and courage to do that. I see it here EVERYDAY. A scripture to back me up: Mosiah 4:10 "And now, if you believe these things see that you do them."

Stories from this week:

 We finally got in contact our investigator with a baptismal date. It was amazing how that happened. Our ward mission leader had us over to eat dinner with his family. After we shared a spiritual thought and committed them to invite someone to our ward Christmas party, they asked a great question. They followed the advice given in General Conference to ask the missionaries the names of their investigators so that they could pray for them. Sister B mention that he could pray for this specific investigator. While I didn't deny the power of prayer, I admit it was hard for me to have enough faith that the investigator would finally reciprocate communication. Their daughter prayed in faith for our investigator. By the families' strength and commitment to missionary work, I assume more prayers followed. A few days later, we were able to contact her and set up a return appointment. I am so grateful for the power of prayer. My testimony grows daily as I pray with more real intent.

Yesterday was a day full of miracles. We had the chance to teach a lesson alongside our new ward missionaries, with a progressing investigator. This lesson was just last night after the beautiful fast Sunday yesterday. We had an amazing lesson. The Spirit was there. She is reading the Book of Mormon and feeling the Spirit. She has not committed to baptism yet, but she will be attending church this Sunday. I am so grateful to be a missionary at this time of the Hastening of the Work of Salvation. We continue to pray for more faith to find the elect. 

Sister B & I getting ready!