Hey, all!
It's been an...interesting week. Lots of ups and lots of downs. One of the best ups was getting to see Dawn and Robert baptized! They were baptized on Thursday. It's been so amazing to see them cling to the Gospel, and to see it light up their lives. They have a very hard life. But they have found joy in the Gospel, and it's the best! And, it was amazing to see the ward step up and welcome them. The Bishop and his wife have done a lot for them, making sure they have food and everything. Bishop Taylor is the best! I have come to love him greatly. I hope I get at least one more transfer here in Shelton - and one more transfer with Sister Douros! It's crazy for me to think that this is our 5th week. The transfer is winding down!
On Thursday, we also had the privilege to have mission tour conference. Elder Pieper of the Seventy, with his wife, came to tour the mission, to make sure everything is going the way it should. On Thursday, we met together as the southern half of the mission to hear him speak to us. It was AMAZING! I have several pages of notes written from it. I was able to learn a lot about how I need to be teaching, and what I need to be learning and improving upon as a missionary. One of my favorite things he said - mostly because it made me laugh because of my companion - was that a mission just prepares you for marriage; that marriage requires more faith than a mission. Sister Douros is kinda anti-marriage, so I looked at her and laughed while she just glared at me. But it is really neat to think of it in that way. He also talked about the Priesthood, and how is works in both the man and woman's life. The only difference between the two? Men are ordained. Women receive all the men do, are privileged to all the same things. We just aren't ordained; we don't place our hands on heads. But, essentially, everything else is the same. In fact, Elder Pieper made the comment that, since men have to be ordained to go to the temple, it must mean that they need something more than women do! Haha I don't know if that's actually true...but it made me smile.
We've begun teaching a young man, Jared Foss. We hope to officially teach his wife, Marissa as well, but Jared is GOLDEN! Sister Douros and I are both convinced that he's going to be a bishop. And more! He's super awesome and really sweet. He and Marissa are going to be sealed in the temple. I know it! I see it happening! Marissa is just going to take a little work. But, we definitely can get Jared on date in the next week or two. Hopefully next week I'll have happy news about them! :) We're teaching a few others with a good solid potential, and I'm hopeful! President Weaver is very pleased with the work that is going on, and I'm grateful he is able to say so. It's been hard work. It's been a very hard week; but it makes it worth it to see the light in people's eyes grow, to see the fire of missionary work grow in members' hearts, to see people cling to the Gospel.
This Wednesday was particularly hard. We were fasting with John Silberman, a recent convert - the first one who was baptized while I was here - because he hasn't been able to go to church, because of work, and we want him to go to church, so he can get the priesthood and go to the temple! So, we were tired. A little bit cranky. And to top it all off, NOTHING was going through! People weren't home, appointments fell through, and halfway through the day, we were stuck. Lost. It was really really hard for me, and really frustrating. We were coming up with nothing. So, Sister Douros took a 5 minute nap - she was exhausted and couldn't keep her eyes open - and I knew a nap wouldn't be a good idea for me. I wouldn't be able to motivate myself to get back to work. So, while we sat in the car, I just looked at the area map, wondering and praying where the heck we needed to be. Sister Douros woke up and we went to a spot that stuck out to me. I'm always really hesitant to go after the impressions I have, when it comes to that map. More than once I've picked a spot that led to a dead end, with no houses! But, we went. And, while we didn't get any new investigators, we didn't get anything that would add to our numbers, we found an opportunity to serve. We were where we needed to be. Then, that night, I picked the finding spot again. I had written in my planner a miracle at 6:03 - Sister Douros has taught me to expect miracles, and even to go as far as to write them down, sometimes! - and so, that was my hope. And, as we were knocking doors, we came across someone at right around 6:03 - I wasn't looking at my watch right at that moment, but I had looked at it a few houses earlier - who welcomed us into their home, and we were able to share a message with him that he needed to hear, and that we needed to give. It was a miracle and it was amazing!
As hard as this week has been for me, I see the miracles, I see the results of this work that we do, I see the beauty of everything, and it becomes worth it. I'm grateful to be out here, to be growing and progressing, and to have this opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I'm so grateful for all of you who are supporting me in whatever way you do - love, letters, money. I appreciate it SO much! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Letter from June 17th, 2013
Hey all!
Things are going great here in the WA-TAC! Sister Douros and I have been working as hard as ever, and now, not only are we seeing miracles, but we are seeing RESULTS! We have two people on date for this Thursday. Dawn Penoyer, and her son Robert. They are a miracle, truly, for we really haven't had to do much for them. The came into Shelton, ready to be baptized! We just have to teach them. :) We also have finally started getting some new investigators! Our teaching pool is beginning to grow, and it's exciting to see. I'm hopeful for these new investigators we have found, and I think we will see success through them. It's amazing to see how the Lord places people into our path, so perfectly! This work truly is His!
I also have come to feel myself growing and progressing as a missionary. I still have been having problems, well...speaking. Haha talking to people has never been my forte, and talking to strangers is still awfully hard for me! Sister Douros has been working with me. She's as stubborn as I am awkward and shy. She compared me to those fainting goats (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go look it up on youtube!) because I literally just freeze and don't say a word. She, lovingly, gets frustrated with me, so she's been working with me to help me get better. My biggest worry is that I'm going to be training next transfer, and I can't freeze at the doorstep with a little greenie with me! I'm praying that Sister Douros and I stay together another transfer, though. This transfer has just breezed by, and I can't believe that we are in our 4th week! It will make me SO sad to say goodbye to Sister Douros, when that time comes. She has been a huge blessing in my life. Every time I get overwhelmed, or stressed, or I feel inadequate or incapable, she uplifts me, and then laughs or does/says something to make me laugh, and we move along. She reminds me that this work is a serious work, but we're definitely meant to have tons of fun while doing it!
Saturday, we had the awesome experience of seeing Ann and Joe get married. They're Elizabeth's parents - well, Mom and sorta step dad. It was awesome to be there...but in reality, Sister Douros and I walked away from that wedding with broken hearts. It was SO hard to see those two get married, only until the end of this life on earth, instead of for time and all eternity! I have such a great amount of love for that family. I pray so, so, SO hard that one day I will be able to see them sealed in the temple. Elizabeth deserves it! Through a member getting on the LDS Bookstore online, I ordered them a plaque that says "Families are forever." I did it because I want them to be forever! And, Joe is less active. He has such a strong testimony - especially of the temple and of families being together forever - he just isn't changing his lifestyle to fit his testimony, which is so hard to see! But, I'm hoping that seeing that plaque might prick something in his heart. I know he wants his family to be eternal. He has so much love for Ann and her two daughters. Very rarely will one see a man have that much love for his family - especially when those daughters aren't his own by blood. If they make it to the temple after I get off my mission (which is probably how it's going to happen) I will literally do everything within my power to make it back up here to see it. They are so special to me! Elizabeth is coming to Arizona at the end of this week to visit her dad for a month. I told her if she's in Mesa at all, she should visit my parents. Maybe a little bit silly, but I would love it. :)
As always it's been a really hard week, especially ending it with seeing that wedding, and having our hearts just ache. But, it's been rewarding. I feel like that's been this entire transfer. We end each day completely drained. We work so hard, and we have different sorrows because of things that happen. Yet, most of the time, we go to bed with smiles on our faces - sometimes in laughter - because we find the joy. It's something that Sister Douros has helped me with a lot. Gah. I seriously am going to be so bummed if one of us gets transferred from Shelton this next transfer! It's gone by WAY too fast! We definitely are going to be friends for life! :)
Well, I hope you all are enjoying your summer! Summer here is kind of like summer in Flagstaff. It's really nice - though it sometimes is a tad bit uncomfortable when we're out knocking doors. Not too much rain, yet. But I know it'll come in a few months! Play hard! And, please, please, PLEASE go to the temple! Sister Douros and I talk about all the time how we hate that we can only go once a year. It kills me that I didn't go that often when I was in Mesa - or even Flagstaff! It's so worth whatever sacrifice to get you there! I would be there in a heart beat if I had the chance. The peace and the solace found there is priceless and precious. Keep it in your sights, and make sure you go!
I love you all. Thank you for your support and love! I'm loving it here in Washington, and I'm learning and growing tons! Don't forget to send a letter if you can...;) no, but really. Letters are the best. They always make a hard day better. And most days are hard! But it's worth it. It's always worth it! I love you!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Things are going great here in the WA-TAC! Sister Douros and I have been working as hard as ever, and now, not only are we seeing miracles, but we are seeing RESULTS! We have two people on date for this Thursday. Dawn Penoyer, and her son Robert. They are a miracle, truly, for we really haven't had to do much for them. The came into Shelton, ready to be baptized! We just have to teach them. :) We also have finally started getting some new investigators! Our teaching pool is beginning to grow, and it's exciting to see. I'm hopeful for these new investigators we have found, and I think we will see success through them. It's amazing to see how the Lord places people into our path, so perfectly! This work truly is His!
I also have come to feel myself growing and progressing as a missionary. I still have been having problems, well...speaking. Haha talking to people has never been my forte, and talking to strangers is still awfully hard for me! Sister Douros has been working with me. She's as stubborn as I am awkward and shy. She compared me to those fainting goats (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go look it up on youtube!) because I literally just freeze and don't say a word. She, lovingly, gets frustrated with me, so she's been working with me to help me get better. My biggest worry is that I'm going to be training next transfer, and I can't freeze at the doorstep with a little greenie with me! I'm praying that Sister Douros and I stay together another transfer, though. This transfer has just breezed by, and I can't believe that we are in our 4th week! It will make me SO sad to say goodbye to Sister Douros, when that time comes. She has been a huge blessing in my life. Every time I get overwhelmed, or stressed, or I feel inadequate or incapable, she uplifts me, and then laughs or does/says something to make me laugh, and we move along. She reminds me that this work is a serious work, but we're definitely meant to have tons of fun while doing it!
Saturday, we had the awesome experience of seeing Ann and Joe get married. They're Elizabeth's parents - well, Mom and sorta step dad. It was awesome to be there...but in reality, Sister Douros and I walked away from that wedding with broken hearts. It was SO hard to see those two get married, only until the end of this life on earth, instead of for time and all eternity! I have such a great amount of love for that family. I pray so, so, SO hard that one day I will be able to see them sealed in the temple. Elizabeth deserves it! Through a member getting on the LDS Bookstore online, I ordered them a plaque that says "Families are forever." I did it because I want them to be forever! And, Joe is less active. He has such a strong testimony - especially of the temple and of families being together forever - he just isn't changing his lifestyle to fit his testimony, which is so hard to see! But, I'm hoping that seeing that plaque might prick something in his heart. I know he wants his family to be eternal. He has so much love for Ann and her two daughters. Very rarely will one see a man have that much love for his family - especially when those daughters aren't his own by blood. If they make it to the temple after I get off my mission (which is probably how it's going to happen) I will literally do everything within my power to make it back up here to see it. They are so special to me! Elizabeth is coming to Arizona at the end of this week to visit her dad for a month. I told her if she's in Mesa at all, she should visit my parents. Maybe a little bit silly, but I would love it. :)
As always it's been a really hard week, especially ending it with seeing that wedding, and having our hearts just ache. But, it's been rewarding. I feel like that's been this entire transfer. We end each day completely drained. We work so hard, and we have different sorrows because of things that happen. Yet, most of the time, we go to bed with smiles on our faces - sometimes in laughter - because we find the joy. It's something that Sister Douros has helped me with a lot. Gah. I seriously am going to be so bummed if one of us gets transferred from Shelton this next transfer! It's gone by WAY too fast! We definitely are going to be friends for life! :)
Well, I hope you all are enjoying your summer! Summer here is kind of like summer in Flagstaff. It's really nice - though it sometimes is a tad bit uncomfortable when we're out knocking doors. Not too much rain, yet. But I know it'll come in a few months! Play hard! And, please, please, PLEASE go to the temple! Sister Douros and I talk about all the time how we hate that we can only go once a year. It kills me that I didn't go that often when I was in Mesa - or even Flagstaff! It's so worth whatever sacrifice to get you there! I would be there in a heart beat if I had the chance. The peace and the solace found there is priceless and precious. Keep it in your sights, and make sure you go!
I love you all. Thank you for your support and love! I'm loving it here in Washington, and I'm learning and growing tons! Don't forget to send a letter if you can...;) no, but really. Letters are the best. They always make a hard day better. And most days are hard! But it's worth it. It's always worth it! I love you!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Letter from June 10th, 2013
What's going on, my peeps? Now that summer has hit Arizona, what are you all up to? Washington has been nice and sunny, and I've been working on my tan! It actually has been really nice - it hasn't been as warm as it was a month back, which is good. I don't think I can go out knocking doors when it's in the upper 80's and 90's. I don't know how the sisters there in Mesa do it! It makes me want to die! But, I hear the rain is about to hit again, so Sister Douros and I are soaking up the sun while we can! We have plans to play ultimate Frisbee with the Elders today, which I'm super excited about. I also plan on playing some racquetball here pretty soon. I know there are some courts, but I just don't know how expensive it would be to rent equipment and to get it...but I'm pretty sure it'd be totally worth the money!
This week has, again, been full of miracles. A small family just moved into our ward - it's a really sad situation. They're from Prescott, and the husband/dad was abusive, so they fled, and he doesn't know where they are - and the 15 year old son is actually on date! For this Sunday! So, we have to check still if he's actually ready, but he's super excited to get baptized, so it WILL happen this month, for sure. It'll be fun!
Yesterday I was having a hard time. I began to get really overwhelmed. I was feeling like people were falling through the cracks, and things were getting neglected, despite the fact that Sister Douros and I have been working SO hard! But, Sister Douros sat me down and let me know that we HAVE been working hard, and the things we have been doing have been productive. She then suggested that I get a blessing from one of the elders, so I did. Can I just say, the priesthood is amazing? It is SUCH a blessing in our lives, and I'm grateful that I am able to work with such fine young men who wield their priesthood authority with power and with righteousness. It's going to change the world! But, I was able to go out the rest of the day yesterday, and the Lord blessed us with several miracles.
We have been told that we need to be filling our planners out COMPLETELY when we do weekly planning - which is really hard to do, if you don't have set appointments! But, we were told to fill everything out with what you want to happen. They're tentative plans, but you fill them out in faith. Yesterday, we stopped by a less-active's house that we've been asked to see. We have never been able to set up an appointment with her, so we thought we'd stop by to see if we could. We were actually able to see her; she said she wasn't feeling well, so she said we could meet with her on Thursday. I looked down at my planner. That was the day we had written her in. And then she said at 3:00. And I looked at Sister Douros in amazement. It was 3:00 that we had written her in for. Just a small miracle, but it reminded me of what the Lord does for us. He loves us and when we act in faith, He will provide miracles! This is HIS work after all!
We had another miracle, as well. We have been praying SO hard to find a couple that we can teach and see baptized. We wanted it because we have found absolutely no new investigators. Also, we want to see a couple accept the Gospel and be blessed with the eternity of family! We have been praying and looking, and yesterday while knocking doors...we might have found that couple! It's this old couple, Jim and Mary. They are absolutely adorable! They're super funny. Jim swears he isn't going to get baptized, but it was interesting, because he had some misconceptions about the church that we were able to correct, and they shocked him! Like how we're baptized - we're born again through Christ! That baffled him, because he didn't think we believed in that. They're super sweet, and within the first like 10 minutes of talking with them, they were like, "Oh, we're going to take you to lunch this week!" and we have a lunch date set up for tomorrow. I think they might be our couple. Sister Douros said that when we were talking, she saw them in white. They are an amazing couple, and I WANT to see them go to the temple! I want to see them sealed together! It would be absolutely amazing! They might be our miracle couple.
We have been working hard, as always, but we're always having fun. It's a blast being with Sister Douros, and I think she's one I will be friends with for forever. She's hilarious, and she thinks I'm pretty funny too. There's times where we end up just laughing hysterically for several minutes. She's really easy to work with, and it's fantastic to teach along side her. When she testifies of truths, she works the power of the spirit, and it's absolutely amazing. You can just tell that she gets it, and she loves it, and she wants all to know. She testifies with such sincerity that I'm amazed that everyone doesn't just jump up and say they want to be baptized! Haha! But, it's a great work, and I'm grateful to be here, especially with Sister Douros. She's been a great blessing and strength to me in the past 2ish weeks.
I love you all. Thank you for your support and your love! As you continue to support me - and the missionaries around you in any way you can - I promise blessings! The Lord will pour forth His blessings upon you for your faithfulness. I have been promised that He will do that for you, so I promise it to you, as well. Stay true to the Gospel, and stay true to who you are. This work is amazing, and so worth it! It always is! I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
This week has, again, been full of miracles. A small family just moved into our ward - it's a really sad situation. They're from Prescott, and the husband/dad was abusive, so they fled, and he doesn't know where they are - and the 15 year old son is actually on date! For this Sunday! So, we have to check still if he's actually ready, but he's super excited to get baptized, so it WILL happen this month, for sure. It'll be fun!
Yesterday I was having a hard time. I began to get really overwhelmed. I was feeling like people were falling through the cracks, and things were getting neglected, despite the fact that Sister Douros and I have been working SO hard! But, Sister Douros sat me down and let me know that we HAVE been working hard, and the things we have been doing have been productive. She then suggested that I get a blessing from one of the elders, so I did. Can I just say, the priesthood is amazing? It is SUCH a blessing in our lives, and I'm grateful that I am able to work with such fine young men who wield their priesthood authority with power and with righteousness. It's going to change the world! But, I was able to go out the rest of the day yesterday, and the Lord blessed us with several miracles.
We have been told that we need to be filling our planners out COMPLETELY when we do weekly planning - which is really hard to do, if you don't have set appointments! But, we were told to fill everything out with what you want to happen. They're tentative plans, but you fill them out in faith. Yesterday, we stopped by a less-active's house that we've been asked to see. We have never been able to set up an appointment with her, so we thought we'd stop by to see if we could. We were actually able to see her; she said she wasn't feeling well, so she said we could meet with her on Thursday. I looked down at my planner. That was the day we had written her in. And then she said at 3:00. And I looked at Sister Douros in amazement. It was 3:00 that we had written her in for. Just a small miracle, but it reminded me of what the Lord does for us. He loves us and when we act in faith, He will provide miracles! This is HIS work after all!
We had another miracle, as well. We have been praying SO hard to find a couple that we can teach and see baptized. We wanted it because we have found absolutely no new investigators. Also, we want to see a couple accept the Gospel and be blessed with the eternity of family! We have been praying and looking, and yesterday while knocking doors...we might have found that couple! It's this old couple, Jim and Mary. They are absolutely adorable! They're super funny. Jim swears he isn't going to get baptized, but it was interesting, because he had some misconceptions about the church that we were able to correct, and they shocked him! Like how we're baptized - we're born again through Christ! That baffled him, because he didn't think we believed in that. They're super sweet, and within the first like 10 minutes of talking with them, they were like, "Oh, we're going to take you to lunch this week!" and we have a lunch date set up for tomorrow. I think they might be our couple. Sister Douros said that when we were talking, she saw them in white. They are an amazing couple, and I WANT to see them go to the temple! I want to see them sealed together! It would be absolutely amazing! They might be our miracle couple.
We have been working hard, as always, but we're always having fun. It's a blast being with Sister Douros, and I think she's one I will be friends with for forever. She's hilarious, and she thinks I'm pretty funny too. There's times where we end up just laughing hysterically for several minutes. She's really easy to work with, and it's fantastic to teach along side her. When she testifies of truths, she works the power of the spirit, and it's absolutely amazing. You can just tell that she gets it, and she loves it, and she wants all to know. She testifies with such sincerity that I'm amazed that everyone doesn't just jump up and say they want to be baptized! Haha! But, it's a great work, and I'm grateful to be here, especially with Sister Douros. She's been a great blessing and strength to me in the past 2ish weeks.
I love you all. Thank you for your support and your love! As you continue to support me - and the missionaries around you in any way you can - I promise blessings! The Lord will pour forth His blessings upon you for your faithfulness. I have been promised that He will do that for you, so I promise it to you, as well. Stay true to the Gospel, and stay true to who you are. This work is amazing, and so worth it! It always is! I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Letter from June 3rd, 2013 (with photo!)
Hey all!
It's been insane here in Shelton! Me and Sister Douros have been working our tails off! (Sorry, Leigh, I haven't gotten the chance to write you yet...I've been trying! It's been crazy!) We have been working SO HARD! Last week, I would get home so tired that I wasn't able to walk straight. The last time I've been that tired was my first week here. I'd get into bed and be out the minute my head hit the pillow. P-day is much needed!
Sister Douros is the best!! It was so easy to come to love her. She's from Draper, Utah and has been out for almost a year - she'll hit her year mark near the end of this transfer. She's absolutely hilarious, but a hard worker. She loves the Gospel, and she loves the people - pretty much the best combination. She's made this last week easier on me. I've been overwhelmed and stressed, and every time she can tell I'm beginning to freak out, she just looks at me and tells me to breathe. She's been a huge support and has helped me to relieve some of the stress I've been feeling.
It's been a hard week, though. Our teaching pool has shrunk - which is what happens when you're blessed with baptisms! - and near the end of last transfer, Sister V and I were having trouble finding new investigators, so we've been having a hard time with finding people to teach. Plus, because of a number of things happening, we lost contact with practically all of our investigators. We have zero progressing investigators. It's just really hard. So, this week, we've worked SO HARD. But, our numbers are not quite up to par. At least, not up to Sister Villatoro standard, which is still what I'm used to. It's been a little bit discouraging, which I know is normal, but I also know is NOT how a missionary should feel. Discouragement is a tool of Satan's. I've been trying hard not to focus on our numbers, because Sister Douros and I have been working so hard. It goes back to what Preach My Gospel says about what a successful missionary is. It's based off of the missionary's commitment and dedication.
President Weaver has set the goal for every companionship to get a baptism this month. We've set our own personal goal for baptisms this month as 3. Sometimes when I think about it, I get a little stressed. It feels a little hopeless with the way things have been going. (and I know! It's only the first week of the month! I know I'm just being silly.) And every time, Sister Douros can tell and just looks at me and says, "It will happen." She's very sweet. When I was expressing some of my discouragement and worries one night, she, with conviction, told me that, because of my faith and dedication, we would see baptisms this transfer. They were very comforting words, and they caused me to kind of sit back and think, because if I DO have faith, then I'll trust that God will cause things to happen, and that it will be good!
We have seen several little miracles the past week, and one in particular kind of put some things into perspective for me. We were out knocking doors, 5-7 on Friday. (President asks us to do this everyday, except P-days, when we knock 6-7.) It was getting pretty close to 7:00. 6:58, to be exact. We had looped around, so we were pretty close to the car. I really don't like knocking doors...which makes sense to anyone who knows me...talking to strangers is NOT my forte. We were both pretty tired, and we knew it only left time for one more door, so it would be pretty easy to justify just going back to the car. But, President Weaver always talks about the 6:58 or 6:59 miracles, so I said, "Shall we work for a 6:58 miracle?" and Sister Douros pointed to a house - which was the house I was eyeing, as well. So, we knocked it.
A woman answered, came out, and was like, "Well, I'm Baptist, my husband is Catholic. We're not really interested, but we appreciate what you do." Sister Douros asked if there was anything we could do for her. She responded that she has some family in Oklahoma, near where the tornado was, and she was worried about them, and asked if we could keep them in our prayers. As she asked us, she got a little emotional. We said we could pray with her right then, and she accepted. (In order to count lessons when we're tracting, we need 3 of 4 things. An opening and closing prayer, testifying of a principle, and an invitation to do something. So praying on people's doorstep isn't TOO weird for us.) After we prayed, she was a little emotional again, and thanked us.
As I walked away, I thought about how we were led there. It was our last door. If we had called it quits early, we would have missed it. We couldn't even count it as a lesson, because we didn't testify of anything or invite her to do something. But, we uplifted her. We brought her comfort. As a missionary, I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and as such, I should NOT be focused on numbers. Yes, numbers help motivate. Numbers help keep us focused on goals. But, the most important thing, is to be doing as Christ would - if one gets too caught up in the number aspect, then we lose sight of the precious experiences and miracles, such as being able to pray with someone who needed some comfort and to feel God's love. At that instance, even without a lesson, even without inviting someone to be baptized, we were able to fulfill our purpose as missionaries. It was a sweet, tender mercy from the Lord, for me.
I'm so glad to be out here, no matter how exhausted I am, no matter how hard it is, no matter how stressed I may become. Because it is so worth it! Those are words that Sister New spoke to me once, and they have resonated within me ever since entering the MTC. It's all worth it! It sounds like a trite little phrase, but it means the world to me. I testify, with all my heart, that no matter how hard things get, no matter how hard it is to do what you're supposed to, no matter what goes on in life, it will ALWAYS be worth clinging to the Gospel, sharing the Gospel, living the Gospel. Because the reward is eternal, the joy is pure, and the spirit is strong enough to overcome anything you feel at the present. This is the best! Thank you for all of your love and support! I love you all! I'll write back to the people who sent me letters as soon as possible! It's been a crazy time! Love you!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Elizabeth's baptism!
It's been insane here in Shelton! Me and Sister Douros have been working our tails off! (Sorry, Leigh, I haven't gotten the chance to write you yet...I've been trying! It's been crazy!) We have been working SO HARD! Last week, I would get home so tired that I wasn't able to walk straight. The last time I've been that tired was my first week here. I'd get into bed and be out the minute my head hit the pillow. P-day is much needed!
Sister Douros is the best!! It was so easy to come to love her. She's from Draper, Utah and has been out for almost a year - she'll hit her year mark near the end of this transfer. She's absolutely hilarious, but a hard worker. She loves the Gospel, and she loves the people - pretty much the best combination. She's made this last week easier on me. I've been overwhelmed and stressed, and every time she can tell I'm beginning to freak out, she just looks at me and tells me to breathe. She's been a huge support and has helped me to relieve some of the stress I've been feeling.
It's been a hard week, though. Our teaching pool has shrunk - which is what happens when you're blessed with baptisms! - and near the end of last transfer, Sister V and I were having trouble finding new investigators, so we've been having a hard time with finding people to teach. Plus, because of a number of things happening, we lost contact with practically all of our investigators. We have zero progressing investigators. It's just really hard. So, this week, we've worked SO HARD. But, our numbers are not quite up to par. At least, not up to Sister Villatoro standard, which is still what I'm used to. It's been a little bit discouraging, which I know is normal, but I also know is NOT how a missionary should feel. Discouragement is a tool of Satan's. I've been trying hard not to focus on our numbers, because Sister Douros and I have been working so hard. It goes back to what Preach My Gospel says about what a successful missionary is. It's based off of the missionary's commitment and dedication.
President Weaver has set the goal for every companionship to get a baptism this month. We've set our own personal goal for baptisms this month as 3. Sometimes when I think about it, I get a little stressed. It feels a little hopeless with the way things have been going. (and I know! It's only the first week of the month! I know I'm just being silly.) And every time, Sister Douros can tell and just looks at me and says, "It will happen." She's very sweet. When I was expressing some of my discouragement and worries one night, she, with conviction, told me that, because of my faith and dedication, we would see baptisms this transfer. They were very comforting words, and they caused me to kind of sit back and think, because if I DO have faith, then I'll trust that God will cause things to happen, and that it will be good!
We have seen several little miracles the past week, and one in particular kind of put some things into perspective for me. We were out knocking doors, 5-7 on Friday. (President asks us to do this everyday, except P-days, when we knock 6-7.) It was getting pretty close to 7:00. 6:58, to be exact. We had looped around, so we were pretty close to the car. I really don't like knocking doors...which makes sense to anyone who knows me...talking to strangers is NOT my forte. We were both pretty tired, and we knew it only left time for one more door, so it would be pretty easy to justify just going back to the car. But, President Weaver always talks about the 6:58 or 6:59 miracles, so I said, "Shall we work for a 6:58 miracle?" and Sister Douros pointed to a house - which was the house I was eyeing, as well. So, we knocked it.
A woman answered, came out, and was like, "Well, I'm Baptist, my husband is Catholic. We're not really interested, but we appreciate what you do." Sister Douros asked if there was anything we could do for her. She responded that she has some family in Oklahoma, near where the tornado was, and she was worried about them, and asked if we could keep them in our prayers. As she asked us, she got a little emotional. We said we could pray with her right then, and she accepted. (In order to count lessons when we're tracting, we need 3 of 4 things. An opening and closing prayer, testifying of a principle, and an invitation to do something. So praying on people's doorstep isn't TOO weird for us.) After we prayed, she was a little emotional again, and thanked us.
As I walked away, I thought about how we were led there. It was our last door. If we had called it quits early, we would have missed it. We couldn't even count it as a lesson, because we didn't testify of anything or invite her to do something. But, we uplifted her. We brought her comfort. As a missionary, I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and as such, I should NOT be focused on numbers. Yes, numbers help motivate. Numbers help keep us focused on goals. But, the most important thing, is to be doing as Christ would - if one gets too caught up in the number aspect, then we lose sight of the precious experiences and miracles, such as being able to pray with someone who needed some comfort and to feel God's love. At that instance, even without a lesson, even without inviting someone to be baptized, we were able to fulfill our purpose as missionaries. It was a sweet, tender mercy from the Lord, for me.
I'm so glad to be out here, no matter how exhausted I am, no matter how hard it is, no matter how stressed I may become. Because it is so worth it! Those are words that Sister New spoke to me once, and they have resonated within me ever since entering the MTC. It's all worth it! It sounds like a trite little phrase, but it means the world to me. I testify, with all my heart, that no matter how hard things get, no matter how hard it is to do what you're supposed to, no matter what goes on in life, it will ALWAYS be worth clinging to the Gospel, sharing the Gospel, living the Gospel. Because the reward is eternal, the joy is pure, and the spirit is strong enough to overcome anything you feel at the present. This is the best! Thank you for all of your love and support! I love you all! I'll write back to the people who sent me letters as soon as possible! It's been a crazy time! Love you!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!