We had a women's stake basketball tournament. It was so funny. A sister in the ward asked us to participate and we were like... uhhh... if an investigator or less active or recent convert goes, then we will. haha. So we took E and it was so fun. Prior to the big day, Sister E and I tried on our "uniforms" (black t shirt and some of my coordinating basketball shorts- [same style, different color]) and I did this lil thing called dance around and sing songs from Like Mike. "Basketball is my favorite sport. I love to dribble up and down the court." Lol. It was laughable. I pretended to play air basketball with Sister E and we laughed and laughed. It only lasted for about five minutes but it reminded me of when Sierra and I would play air volleyball and it would get really intense. But... back on track... we went to the tournament and we DOMINATED! haha just kidding. But we did win our first game. And guess what... I SCORED! I won two points for the team. It was such a good moment. LOL. But then I missed my second and only other shot. But... get this... we did, however, win by only 2 points in the first game, so that means... I WON THE GAME FOR US ALL. Totally kidding. But it was way fun. Then, we had another game scheduled for like two hours and here was Sister E and I getting all anxious because missionaries NEED to fill their time in the most productive way. So, we gave E a church tour had a little lesson. It was great. We got to clear up some things about the basic doctrines of the restoration and we were on our way to our second game. We lost. Big time. But that's okay... I was just kinda on the bench though and that's probably why. Just kidding... I was just sooo tired. You have to really get into it to play basketball.
Okay...enough about that any more about my actual week. Oh wait, one more thing, I wanted to quote a few portions from my journal.
This was written in quite a state of grief. Shake my head. "The biggest stress in life is the overwhelming task of finding members to go to every lesson that we have scheduled in the upcoming week. I guess if that's the hardest task that lie ahead of me, it isn't that bad. Aren't I just a lil sister missionary?" YUP. I write this for anyone who might read this (MOM AND DAD) to offer yourself to be a "member present" at the lessons the missionaries teach. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal.. but it is. Not only do we have to account for how many lessons we have with a member present, (and we missionaries love reaching our goals...) but... when a member is at the lesson, they can bring such a different spirit to the lesson. They can share their real life examples of living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it can reside with the investigators and less-active members more fully. They can bear testimony and strengthen not only the other person, but also themselves. And... the members can invite them to church or into their home and then they make friendships! Yay! Two things that lead to lasting conversion: Friendships and frequent gospel conversations! I heard that in stake conference yesterday. I really liked that.
"'Can you please stop that annoying typical sister missionary voice?' Oh wait... that's me talking.. yes... I hate to admit it.. but sometimes you can't help but fall into the trap and you hear your voice and it sounds like that." I really hate to admit that, but it's true. Sometimes, when you teach, you have heard so many other people teach in the voice and you can't help it. I am trying to keep myself in line for what is best for me... if ya know what I mean.
Okay...enough about that any more about my actual week. Oh wait, one more thing, I wanted to quote a few portions from my journal.
This was written in quite a state of grief. Shake my head. "The biggest stress in life is the overwhelming task of finding members to go to every lesson that we have scheduled in the upcoming week. I guess if that's the hardest task that lie ahead of me, it isn't that bad. Aren't I just a lil sister missionary?" YUP. I write this for anyone who might read this (MOM AND DAD) to offer yourself to be a "member present" at the lessons the missionaries teach. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal.. but it is. Not only do we have to account for how many lessons we have with a member present, (and we missionaries love reaching our goals...) but... when a member is at the lesson, they can bring such a different spirit to the lesson. They can share their real life examples of living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it can reside with the investigators and less-active members more fully. They can bear testimony and strengthen not only the other person, but also themselves. And... the members can invite them to church or into their home and then they make friendships! Yay! Two things that lead to lasting conversion: Friendships and frequent gospel conversations! I heard that in stake conference yesterday. I really liked that.
"'Can you please stop that annoying typical sister missionary voice?' Oh wait... that's me talking.. yes... I hate to admit it.. but sometimes you can't help but fall into the trap and you hear your voice and it sounds like that." I really hate to admit that, but it's true. Sometimes, when you teach, you have heard so many other people teach in the voice and you can't help it. I am trying to keep myself in line for what is best for me... if ya know what I mean.
If you don't have the Spirit, missionary work can seem cliche, it can seem monotonous and repetitive. But... if you have the Spirit, you will never have to worry about those things. Sometimes I have to take a step back and say... Why do I love the Book of Mormon? Not just because it is "convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a prophet" (which it is), but I love the Book of Mormon because when I read it, I feel happy. When I read the Book of Mormon, I know that it is real. I know that God loves me and I learn SO much. That's why I love it.
Sister E and I presented a brief 5 minute thing for a departing missionary from our ward. I was to teach about how I prepared to serve a mission. So many of the things I was saying were true in preparation for that talk on preparation. But... nothing felt right to say until it came from my own personal experience and from my own wording. Once she was able to help me understand that, I was able to teach with worlds more of conviction and power.
Now on to how amazing that missionary farewell open house was. It was wonderful, to say the least. J is going to Mexico, the same mission as Breezy! I hope they get to meet! Anyway... she had us speak about how we decided to serve a mission and how to prepare. The Elders talked about what they do on a day to day scale. Then, a short film, from the introduction to the church video (which is sooo good) and two testimonies of returned missionaries. One was her brother in law (who reminds me kind of Ken [but maybe that's because all brother in laws remind me of Ken]) who served in France and one was a ward member (sister) who served in Mongolia. J gave a simple and brief testimony about how she felt so loved and she has never questioned feeling loved by her family and her Heavenly Father. It was amazing. There was a great mix of less active members, active members, and non members there as well. It was so fun. And there was good food too. haha :) Gotta love it.
Our investigator, A, went to both Stake Conference, and the missionary farewell. A is the light of my life right now. I have said it many times and I do not fail to say it now. I LOVE HER. Which... leads to the sad point to say...
I AM GETTING TRANSFERRED ON THE 25 of March! I will have to leave behind A and all of our amazing investigators but I know she will be in good hands!
Anyway... back to the point... A is going to strengthen the ward so so much! She reads from the Book of Mormon multiple times a day and has so much trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She is patient and kind and she is always wanting to learn more. She has invited her fiance to take the discussions as well and we are soooooooo excited to meet him. I have high hopes for them! AH. I just love her so much.
Okay. Longest email in the history of time. And I didn't even get to tell you about the most nerve-wracking time I have bore my testimony yet. I bore testimony of Joseph Smith and his first vision to a relaxed and "cool" black firefighter. On his porch. After we met him playing bean bag toss. haha He said he would listen to us because we "made an effort" and we were like YES. We'll take that! haha He gave us the whole "no promises" talk but we know that the Spirit can work on him. He has a female firefighter co worker who he talks to sometimes about the church so she can work with him as well. haha
I LOVE DOING THIS MISSIONARY STUFF.
BYE!
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| Well remembered from family & friends on her birthday! |
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