Mission Transfer #11, Still in Shallotte :)

A NEW TRANSFER! Transfer #11. 11 is my lucky number so I have a feeling this is going to be the best transfer ever! I spilled water on the first page of my planner yesterday and Sister B said, "I hope that isn't a foreshadowing of the transfer." #loosequote She makes me laugh a lot. Which is good. She makes me laugh more than I make her laugh so that's interesting... haha but I'll take it.

The theme scripture for this transfer is Dopctrine and Covenants 127:4, "... be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts."

Sister B (comp) & Sister Kriz

I really want to work extra hard this transfer and be SUPER diligent! Even redoubling my efforts! So that's our goal! And we are going to focus on the people we are becoming, through the Christlike attribute activity in Preach My Gospel. Sister B and I will stay together another six weeks (which was expected) and we are really excited about. Only one person in our district is changing, so it will be a fun 6 weeks here in Shallotte! We have interviews, zone training, Halloween, and the leadership meeting! We sure have a lot to look forward to! I am enjoy every day here (sincerely) and loving the people we are teaching.

We really have a good group of people we are teaching right now. We have C and her daughter, M, and J, and E. They all have such different needs and struggles, backgrounds and insights, and it has been a miracle teaching them. :) I LOVE MEMBER REFERRALS!!!

Best experience yesterday. Haha jk, not best, but it was so funny. We went to visit this member in a nursing home and this 84 year old lady was in there in her wheelchair. She was just moving around and "all like that" and she said once, or maybe twice, how much she loved people. "I just love people. I love people." And it reminded me of myself in 9th grade and it was soooo funny. But no one knew that I used to say that so I couldn't really explain how funny it was to me. And the even funnier part was when she talked about how everything she ate was grits. "Grits, grits, grits. All I eat is grits." hahahaha it was sooo funny and it reminded me of myself too. It was just so funny and I love her. I hope I get to see her next time too.

Another scripture I liked in my study this morning was Psalm 34:14. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE BIBLE! Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Everyone is going through trials! Even the righteous! If you find yourself in a situation that seems to hard to bear, do not think that you are unworthy! While it is good to check to see where you can improve upon for your obedience, it is sooo important and revitalizing to realize that trials come to the people who are righteously living their lives as well. 
Now this is on double space and weird font and I DO NOT LIKE IT!

Sister Bee (Kriz's trainer), post mission,
in Kriz's room with her dad & brother

So, I don't know if any of you knew this already, but my trainer visited my family in Las Vegas. When I saw the picture I was SO SHOCKED! It just confirms my testimony of the phrase people tell you before your mission... that you will make meaningful and lasting connections and friendships. I know that is true! I absolutely love these people I am meeting out here and they are making such a difference in life. I just hope I am making some small impact on my areas, even if it is not as much as they have made on me.

I have had my testimony confirmed this week that forgiveness is real. Every day we sin. I know that we can have our burdens lightened and feel the Spirit more as we truly and humbly repent. Repentance is such a humbling process, but when it is applied, it can change the night to day. I absolutely love the opportunity and privliege I have to pray to my Heavenly Father. Do not take your prayer life for granted. Really just that there is an all loving and all knowing Heavenly Father above who can guide and direct your life. I have found that out for myself and I joy in telling others about the miracles God blesses me with daily.

The gospel is the way to happiness. Living the gospel is difficult at times, but it is the best way to live here in this earth.

I absolutely LOVE and adore my family and I think about them every day. I have the best immediate family in the world. They mean everything to me. I know that I have not always showed that through my actions (especially in high school), and I know I will not do a perfect job of when I return home. But, I do know that I have been strengthened by their testimonies and examples in a way that is unparalleled in my mind.

Sister Kriz & Sister J

The missionaries out here do the same for me, in a much less grand way. They are truly called of God. I love them. I have so much respect for the amazing things they have given up and sacrificed to be here. I truly have had some of the most outstanding missionary leaders. I wish they could know how much I look up to them. It is amazing to be here seeing the Lord qualify those whom He has called.

Us missionaries do this work in a marvelous and simple way. We do it through His Spirit. Without the Spirit, we can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. One of the greatest things I have learned in my 14 months out here is how to follow the Spirit. I am still not perfect at it but I recognize the constant need to be aware of His promptings.

I love my mission. I love my family. I love the people here. LOVE LOVE LOVE! (Grits, grits, grits... see what I mean? ;D)

Until we meet again in 4.5 months time, 

Sister Ray