Letter from April 29th, 2013 (with photos!)

Welp, this week was a LOT better than last week! Homesickness is really the only thing I have to deal with, now.

We've been working really hard, but things just haven't seemed to be working out the way they normally do for Sister V.

It makes it a little bit hard for me, but we're going through it. I've seen a lot of miracles this week. The Lord has truly been strengthening me and uplifting me. We were supposed to have two baptisms this weekend, but only one was baptized - John. Chris, who is one of my favorite people to teach, ended up having some emergency with his tooth, so he wasn't able to have his interview, and thus wasn't able to be baptized. He still hasn't found a dentist, and we still haven't been able to meet with him! Super frustrating, but I know it's because he is such a strong guy, with such great faith, that Heavenly Father just wants his resolve tested. I know Heavenly Father only allows things like this to happen to strengthen faith and testimony. It's hard for us - mostly Sister V - though, because goals aren't being met. I take it as, we're working hard! Sometimes things just don't work out! But meeting goals are very important to her - as they should be - and suddenly, the goals she normally can meet just aren't being met. It's putting a little bit more pressure on me, especially since I still am struggling to get a hang of this whole "I can receive inspiration in order to help these people" thing. It's something that I lack confidence in, so I stay silent a lot of the time. Sister V talks A LOT and, it's not necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes I just get used to it, and stop actually trying to listen to the spirit for what I might be able to say.

Friday, though, I had some amazing experiences, because I truly tried to do this. I started focusing everything I could on what the people of the Shelton 1st area might need. And, I saw miracles. It was a much needed respite. Oddly enough, this day was really hard on Sister Villatoro, because things were falling through and not working out the way she wanted. But, seeing the Lord bless me helped me know that we were still working in a manner that pleased him, that are "unsuccess" wasn't because we weren't working hard or being obedient.

Friday evening, I experienced, for the first time since being out here in the field, the feeling of being an actual missionary. The past almost two weeks, I feel like I just kinda trail behind Sister V. Friday, I spoke up a little bit more, and when I had the impression to visit a young girl, Ashley, I spoke up and drove us there. (One of the benefits of being the one driving. Even if I do hate it. Driving is probably one of the most stressful parts of my mission right now! Ridiculous, right?!) And, we visited her. She really was just a potential investigator that Sister V hadn't been able to get in contact with again, but her name was familiar to me, and I knew the area that she lived in. So, this time, she was home! And we talked to her about the Book of Mormon. As we started teaching her, I felt an intense love for her, and a need to testify of the Book of Mormon, and not only that, but why I was there, on her doorstep (we taught her outside.) The spirit was SO strong, and I knew she felt it. And, for the first time, I felt like I was fulfilling my purpose as a missionary (I even invited her to be baptized! she didn't actually say yes, but, I have hopes for her.) and I felt like I was actually using that authority - and the power - that I was given when I was set apart. It felt really good, and it was definitely what I needed.

Oh! We're finally moving today! My address is (and I expect letters! haha I FINALLY am going to be getting my mail that has been sitting at the mission office this wednesday!) 126 E. C St Shelton, WA 98584

Oh. And finally. Some pictures. I know...there aren't a whole lot. I'm a bad picture taker. Pictures on here are weird. Maybe I'll figure it out better later.

The first one: Sister Chatterton! She's super cool. She was one of my MTC teachers. I would have gotten a picture of Bro. Palmer too, but I didn't have my camera on me. But, seriously. She's kinda the reason why I actually have fond memories of the MTC.

The second one: the Provo temple! It's awesome. Oh! When I was doing initiatories there, I ran into a friend of Lisa's. Don't remember her name though...

The third one: Just something I thought Leigh might appreciate.

The fourth one: the standard MTC map pic.

Well, I love you all so much! Again, thank you so much for the prayers and support. I can feel the prayers, and they uplift me. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers. I have seen that countless times in just the past almost month of being on my mission.

Sister Beth Ann Root

Photo!

A photo of Beth with President Weaver and his wife on her first day in the field!

Letter from April 22nd, 2013

Hey all! It's been kinda crazy here. I'm in Shelton, which is in the Elma Stake, serving in Shelton 1st ward. First things first. I told Leigh in a letter - that she might be getting today - my address. Well...we're moving probably this week, so I'll have a different address. So, just keep sending things to the mission office. I don't know how often I'll be getting mail from there, though. I haven't gotten anything since Leigh's last letter in the MTC, and that, honestly, has been pretty rough. I've gotten more homesick than I thought I would. The mission office is about an hour away from where I am, so getting things form there just probably won't happen very often. It, truthfully, has been a very rough week. People tell you that a mission is hard...but no one tells you just how brutal that first week can be. But...I think I've gotten over most of it. My companion, Sister Villatoro, is a fiery Hispanic - from Maryland! This is her last transfer, so she's throwing herself into the work even more, which is great, but President Weaver said that might be why this adjustment was so hard for me. I called him yesterday - I don't know if Mom remembers, but in my setting apart blessing, I was told to counsel with my mission president. So, I did! We talked for about 20 minutes, as I tried sorting through everything. He is a wonderful and loving man, one that I feel will grow close to over the next several months. He said that the jump from normal life - even from MTC life - straight into hardcore mission life is, of course, extremely hard, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

And...it was really, really hard. It was really discouraging with how hard it was! It was taking its toll on me. But, President Weaver called again this morning, just to say hi and to check on how I was doing. He said the worst week was over! Which, I hope is true - I'm pretty sure it's true. Yesterday afternoon, I took the time to calm myself down, to kind of figure things out, and to go to the Lord. It's something that I have a hard time with, relying solely on the Lord. Because, in the past, He's sent people like Sister Ferrell or Sister New to help pick me up when I was falling apart, so learning to put everything on the Lord, placing everything in front of Christ is really, really, hard. It's been a humbling week. One that I will not soon forget.

Something that I read this morning - Sister Thomas, the sweet member that we live with right now, printed off some talks for me. I asked her to look up a talk about the enabling power of the Atonement. The phrase had been bouncing around in my head, and she was kind enough to print off several talks and articles from lds.org without me asking. In one of them, it said, "The belief that through our own 'sheer grit, willpower, and discipline' [quoting Elder Bednar] we can manage just about anything seems to be widespread these days. This simply is not true. Heavenly Father and the Savior can inspire, comfort, and strengthen us in our time of need, if we remember to cast our burdens at Their feet."

This is absolutely a beautiful thought. And it's a reminder to me that, my own stubbornness and own strength will not get me through this mission. In fact, it didn't get me through the week. That was much of my problem. I was struggling, and I was trying to hold myself together by sheer grit. But, then I feel apart, and I placed everything in front of the Lord and...it's all a little bit better. In fact, last night, I felt really in tune with the spirit, and I feel like a REAL missionary in the three lessons we taught last night. We worked together, I felt I was led by the spirit, and I felt like I was doing exactly what I have seen sister missionaries do in front of me. I think I'm becoming like those I admire most.

We're teaching some awesome investigators. My favorite is this man named Chris Sherwood. I met him after Sister V and her previous companion taught him the Word of Wisdom. He has been smoking for YEARS. Now, it's been over a week, and he hasn't smoked once. It's a miracle. His faith and trust and knowledge absolutely astounds me, and I love teaching him and seeing him take to heart the words of the Gospel. (Ok, real quick, if you get two emails from me, it's because I'm on a half an hour computer right now, so I'll get on again, and finish the email because I didn't finish.) He's getting baptized this Saturday, and I just can't wait! I can't wait to continue teaching him - and I can't wait to teach him about the temple! His mind is going to be blown!

Our teaching pool is slowly dwindling, which is a struggle, because Sister V has recently tracted most places in this area. Tracting is SUPER hard by the way! Sister Chatteton, if you're reading this, THAT'S something that should be taught in the MTC! Door approaches! Super scary! My tongue gets tied every time!

I truly do love this work, and I'm working hard. Me and my companion have had our little tiffs, but we're working them out. I miss home, I miss everyone, I miss Flagstaff, I miss playing the piano, but, hey. It's all worth it, right? That's one thing I learned from Sister Ferrell and Sister New. It's so totally worth it!

Say hi to the sisters in Mesa for me - if one of them have been transferred...that's sad...But, I love you all. Thanks for your support and prayers - please keep them coming! Boy, I need them lots!

Love, Sister Beth Ann Root!

Letter from April 13th, 2013

Thanks for your emails, you guys! If I get the chance, I'll respond to them personally. And, there's been a policy change! I can email friends AND family! So I've put Staci on the list. If there's anyone else who wants an email from me, let me know, I'll put them into my addressbook. But, I'm only going to send personal responses to family. If friends want a personal response from me, I'm gonna need letters...:). no, but really. I only have an hour. I don't have time to email famiy AND friends, besides the mass one!

This week has been pretty good - there have been a few rough spots. Mostly with people around me not being focused, which makes it SO hard for me to focus. I've discovered that I can sit and focus on the scriptures and Preach My Gospel for two hours, no problem, but if people around me are talking, there's no way. My district is very boistrous, so it's hard to focus. They haven't quite seemed to grasp the concept that our time is meant to be productive, that we are on the Lord's time. I hope they get it soon.

Monday was really, really rough. We met with an investigator (pretty sure she wasn't a real one) and the lesson went into chaos. My companion jumped ahead, and then the investigator started asking questions, and then I didn't know how to get everything back on track. It was rough. We met with her again on Wednesday, though, and it was pretty solid. I even was able to invite her to be baptized! She said yes - but like I said, I'm pretty sure it wasn't real. We also met with a less-active - though I KNOW he was just acting. We saw him later in the MTC, all dressed up. Turns out he works there, but his story was true. We were able to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, because his wife had passed away and he was really, really bitter. It was so amazing to see the spirit that was in the room, and see it working upon his heart. It may have not been real...but it WAS. That's the thing about these lessons we get to teach. The majority of them are not with real investigators and everything...but it's still a real experience. They do their best to make it appear as real as possible. It was such a wonderful experience, and I felt such an intense love for that man. It was incredible.

There was another person that we taught. She was a volunteer, and I'm pretty positive that this one was legit - because there are a few people who come in as volunteers who are not members. How she came to volunteer is through her neighbor - and her neighbor, Kacee, actually sat in on the lesson! Kacee is preparing for a mission and leaves in about a month. It was a really good experience, for her, and it made me so happy that she was there. But, Sue, the woman we taught, had a lot of questions. We didn't really know what we were going to teach her as we went in, so it was like a real referral or tracting experience. But, we went in, and followed the spirit. It was so neat to see Sue go from skeptical curiosity to a mild desire, to a great need to know what we're about. All in about 40 minutes! It was awesome! She had so many questions at the end, I invited her to read 2 Nephi 31, which is about the doctrine of Christ - the Gospel, essentially - and she enthusiastically accepted. It was so awesome to be able to include Kacee in on the discussion, and to see Sue's genuine interest. I'm sure she'll end up actually meeting with the Provo missionaries - which is what happens when volunteers go to the MTC and they become interested in actually being taught.

We had one last investigator. This is someone that I truly have come to love a lot. Which has been kind of an interesting experience. The teachers pretend to be one of the investigators they taught on their mission - and they actually become them. They pray and work hard to not be the teacher. My investigator was Pat - Sister Chatterton is the teacher. I seriously LOVE Sister Chatterton!! - and Pat was a bit..stubborn. She has met with tons of missionaries before. We could only meet with her for 15 or 20 mintues at a time, so it was hard to try to get pieces of doctrine in. But, we slowly started making progress. We met with her almost every day. She was stubborn at first. She would pray, but said she wasn't getting an answer. She didn' treally see how it all applied to her. She didn't see the need of it. Sister Chapman and I were slowly able to identify her needs, and were able to figure out how to meet them. We invited her to fast in order to get an answer to her questions. Last night, she said she was ready to be baptized!! It was AWESOME!! It was sad, though, because that was our last meeting with her. But, I cant wait to have an actual experience like that. To see the progress someone makes and see them change, and see them be willing to give things up and change the way they live. Pat is an incredible person. Haha I kinda wish I knew the REAL Pat!

I seriously am SO ready to get out of here. I know there's much to learn, but I know that much of it will be best learned out in the field. I am so excited to get a trainer of my own. I'm just so ready to have these experiences for real. I know it's going to be hard. I've experienced glimpses of it in the past week and a half. We're heading out on Tuesday morning. I'll be in Washington by about 9 or 10 in the morning. I don't know if I'll get the chance to call anyone - there's no layover.

To answer some of Mom's questions: flying on a plane was pretty cool! There were a lot of missionaries with me, though only 2 sisters. The Millers were wonderful. It was great getting to spend some time with them. Of couse I thanked them a lot! I truly am grateful for them. We were able to eat at that Navoo Cafe place, and the car was fixed while we were eating, so it wasn't too bad. My health has been good, no problems there - though I'm actually getting tired of the food here!! I didn't think that would happen!!

I have learned a lot here, and I'm SO grateful for this expereince. This is the Lord's work, I know it! I have already seen miracles! Say hi to the sisters there in Mesa for me. Let them know I'm doing well and that I'm going to kick butt - uh, do awesome. I guess kick butt isn't exactly appropriate missionary lingo - in Washington! :)

I love you all. Thanks for your support. I'm grateful for the Rogans, too. Can you get me their address? Maybe I''ll write them when I get the chance. And, Sarah! I'm planning on writing Alyssa today.

Sister Beth Ann Root!

PS It for some reason didnt like Amy's or Michael's email. I don't have time to fix it, will you forward it to them? Thanks!

Letter from April 6th, 2013

MTC is GREAT!! I LOVE it here! It makes me miss Sister Ferrell, though. Although the MTC is cram-packed full of fantastic misisonaries, I'm still kinda a nerd in the sense that, sometimes, I just get so super excited that all I want to do is talk about the Gospel and missionary work and I get all happy and energized, and everyone else is just like..."cool." Sister Ferrell had the same enthusiasm, and I miss having someone to be that enthusiastic with me. My companion, Sister Chapman is great. She works really, really hard. I actually knew her little sister up in Flagstaff. We were in choir together. So, it was neat to have that connection. The rest of my roommates and my district are great as well. We have a hoot of a time and laugh a lot. We also have some great spiritual discussions. One sister in my district, Sister Langi (She's Tongan. AND going to Tacoma!) has a great desire to learn. She's so open to learning and what people have to say to her, which makes her very receptive to the Spirit. I love seeing how earnest she is in trying to learn the most she can.

I'm definitely getting well fed - though I haven't been gorging myself. So maybe I won't gain weight!! haha. Oh, Mom. while I'm thinking about it. I forgot to bring a blanket!! Ridiculous, right? It's not a big deal right now, since the MTC provides bedding, and I'm sure I'll get the chance to buy one when I get to Washington, but it still was a bit of a bummer to realize. I also never received a Ministerial Certificate. I don't know if that was necessary, but it's mentioned in Preach My Gospel, and I think I might have been supposed to receive it when I got set apart. Would you be willing to talk to President Johnson about that? Just to make sure. Also, when you email me next, will you let me know the balance of my bank account? I just want to know when my Federal return gets to me. It's not a big deal right now, but I just would like to know.

Leigh and Robert sent me letters the day before I left, so I was lucky enough to have mail Thursday. It was wonderful to have that. I've been learning SO much!! It is fantastic. Sister Hamstead compared the MTC to Hogwarts. I kinda have to agree with her. It is the most magically spiritual place ever! Except for the temple of course! Speaking of the temple, I miss out on my temple trip today, since my Pday is during General Conference. It's a bit of a bummer, but you know, not much I can do about it. Sister Remington also compared to the MTC as a fire hydrant, and you just kinda have to sit there, trying to drink as much as possible, but there's no way you can get it all. It is SO true! I am learning SO much, but there is so much more I can be learning. I have, once again, felt the importance of love. There is no way you can effective teach the Gospel if you are not expressing love for those you teach, as well as the love Heavenly Father has for them. In fact, in Preach My Gospel, it states that this is an expression of the power one has been given. It is something I have a desire to gain, and I am striving to do. There is a great need for me to gain a huge amount of humility in order for me to do this, though. It is very hard, but I am willing to do what is necessary.

The past few days have been hard, but rewarding. It's hard adjusting to the insane schedule, and it's sometimes hard having to work around other sisters! I have to work on compromise with my companion. But, it's all worth it. I KNOW that. I know this Gospel is so, so beautiful. I am filled with a great joy and excitement being here, but I can't wait to get out in the field. This truly is a great blessing in my life. Thank you for all you sacrifice in order for me to be here. I love you so much! The Gospel is true! I know it.

Sister Beth Ann Root! :)

I'll Bring the World His Truth

So, this is my first post on my mission blog! I know I should have made this sooner...but let's face it. I'm a procrastinator! My sister-in-law, Leigh, will be taking care of this blog over the next 18 months, posting things I send in emails and letters. Maybe I'll finally get into the habit of taking pictures so you all can see the beauty of Washington!

This post will be pretty much the same as the last post on my original blog, bethnotbethany.blogspot.com but there will be a few differences.

Last Sunday was the beginning of a lot of...thoughts. And feelings. All of which have helped me make realizations that are very beneficial. The start of this? I was listening to my InsideOut playlist before church. We'll Bring the World His Truth came on and...I was filled with an incredible spirit.

We have been born, as Nephi of old,
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.

We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."

We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries
To bring the world his truth.

We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.

We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries
To bring the world his truth.

I don't know if there are words to express exactly what I felt that morning, or the feelings I feel now in reading these words. It struck me with great force that this, this is what I'm doing. I am, now, joining the army of Helaman. I am making a stand. When I put that name-tag on tomorrow, I will be flying my banner. It is a banner that, not only the world can recognize, but Heavenly Father will recognize.

The third verse is very powerful to me. For...I know his plan and I have - prepared, increased my knowledge through study and prayer. Daily I learn for I have been called to take the gospel to all the world. I am a part of the army of Helaman. I have been taught in my youth. And I am the Lord's missionary to bring the world his truth. Words cannot describe what I feel when I think this. This is real life!! It's not something I'm looking forward to, hoping for, talking to people about, but this. Is. Happening. Tomorrow. I get set apart in just over 2 hours. Haha I'm kinda freaking out mentally about it!!

But, I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. And I know that this Gospel is so, so, SO good!! I wish I had the ability to write everything that I have experienced and gone through the past...almost 6 months, now. A lot has gone on in my life. But, it's been good (mostly) and what hasn't been good has been worth it. Or will be worth it, in the end.

Things I've learned:

*Heavenly Father's timeline is perfect. He sees things that we can't, so we need to just trust in Him!!

*Because Heavenly Father's timeline is so perfect, He also provides us with experiences, blessings, and people in order to help us to get to the point that we need to be at for things to happen in the way He needs them to.

*When we put our faith in Christ and trust Him, He will bless us and give us little tender mercies that can end up being miracles.

*Love is so, so, SO important. As well as humility. One cannot fully and completely love God and others without humility in their hearts.

*It is always worth it. I promise you that. It is ALWAYS worth it!! Doing the right thing, being obedient, following what Heavenly Father has asked you to do, everything will be worth it, because Heavenly Father will bless you immensely. And you life will be so much better than you ever thought! And you will experience a happiness you could never imagine.

*I have a duty. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have made covenants - especially after going through the temple - and I must uphold and keep them. I must be an example of Jesus Christ, and I must strive to bring others closer to Him - through love.

I'm gonna be a missionary, you guys. With all the feelings this arises in me, ultimately...this makes me so happy. More happy than I could ever express. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know it with all my heart and with my whole being. I love it! This truly has been the best almost 6 months of my life so far, and I know the next 18 months will be the same! I urge you all, whether or not you are a member of this church, strive to build a relationship with the Savior! He wants you to come unto Him! He wants to be a part of your life! And the best thing you could ever do is let Him into your life. I promise you that it will make your life better - maybe not easier, but better, happier. It's the best!