Hey all!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I know I did. It was great to be able to talk with some family, and then spend time with some members. I appreciate the letters that I received from people. It really helped to make the day special for me, and I plan on writing everyone back - it'll just take a little bit of time! I have a LOT of letters to write, and so little time! And my companion likes to play hard on our preparation day (me too) so, with getting ourselves ready for the week, and then trying to play, finding time to write letters is really difficult. But, they'll get written, I promise! :)
We were able to see Lorna baptized this Saturday, and then be confirmed on Sunday. It was absolutely beautiful! She just absolutely glows with the Spirit, and it's so evident to me that she has a sincere desire to follow her Savior, and to do what's right. I love her! She is so precious. That's really the only word I can think of to describe her.
We visited with Sally this week - I think I've mentioned her before. Her husband is actually a less active member; we just don't have his records in our ward. Sally is genuinely interested in learning more; she implied that she's content with where she is at, that she's comfortable with her relationship with God, but she keeps asking questions and is curious. She has commited to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it. She is seeking answers, and she expressed that sometimes she feels bad that her children never were baptized. So, we're hoping we will be able to continue teaching her, and that we'll have the opportunity to teach her children as well. I really would love to teach a family; it's why I'm out here, really. To help families to be eternal! By teaching this family, there's the chance that the husband will then become active again. They will all be able to progress together, and then they all can be sealed together in the temple. That's truly the ultimate goal: the temple! Baptism is great, but it is not all there is. Just as the scriptures say, it is the gate to the straight and narrow. Once we enter that gate, we still have to endure to the end, by keeping on, working hard, keeping the commandments, and making MORE covenants with God - like the covenants we make in the temple! They are SO important! I can't wait for the day where I will get to see someone I love - even someone I taught - go to the temple to make those sacred covenants. It would make my heart sing!
New Years is coming up in just a couple of days. I've been thinking a lot about goals. Yesterday, I read this wonderful talk that was given a few years ago at General Conference; it was titled, "What manner of man ought ye to be" or something like that - based off of the scripture 3 Nephi 27:27 (scripture mastery, yo!) that talks about not only "to do" lists, but also "to be" lists. I've been thinking about that a lot. It's a really good talk, that I think all of you should read. In fact, I'm going to give you a missionary promise (missionary promises are legit. You can bank on this happening.) That talk is all about how we can become more like Christ. It gave me a lot to think about. It openned my understanding. It helped the spirit to teach me things and bring things to my awareness that I needed to know. I promise, each and every one of you reading this, that if you read that talk, with a prayerful heart, with a sincere desire to know what Heavenly Father would have you know, you will be given knowledge that will help you know Heavenly Father's plan for you. You will know what you need to become - and how you can become that. You will know not only what you should do, but who you should be. It definitely was the case for me.
You know, that's the crazy thing about being on a mission, is that I'm so aware of WHO I am. Of who I am becoming. Of who I was before. Being is as essential as doing. You need both. You need to do, and you need to be, and then you reach your potential. And it's a constant process. Instead of making my goals this year simply a "to do" list, it's really more of a "to be" list. And then, I make plans on what I can do to help me become that. Set goals and then make plans to reach those goals. Two things I was always really bad at. Suddenly, it's all I do! Crazy stuff.
Anyway. I feel like I'm rambling now. But, you guys. Make this New Year matter. Make 2014 significant! How? By becoming! Make plans and set goals to become who Heavenly Father sees you becoming over the next year. As we do this, it is essential to pattern our lives after the Gospel. After all, it is through applying those 5 simple steps - faith in Christ, repentance, baptism (or making and renewing covenants), the gift of the Holy Ghost (and keeping ourselves worthy of its influence), and enduring to the end - that we are able to access that power of the Atonement. The redeeming power and the enabling power. I've felt both those powers often in the past 9 months of my life. It's the best! I love it! I love the Gospel! I love my Savior. I love that He's my brother and best friend, and He sees my potential in me, so I can go to Him, and be reminded of it.
I love you all. Thank you for all you do. Being out here is the best. I love it!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Letter from December 23rd, 2013
Hey all!
Merry Christmas! ah, man, I'm so excited for Christmas! It's gonna be the best! Sorry this email is later than normal; we were having adventures with the sisters in our zone. AKA, we went to the mall that's here in Silverdale. It wasn't exactly super fun for me...but I tolerated it on Sister Bevan's behalf. And it's nice to pretend to be social and stuff. By teh way. Sister Bevan is NUTS! She's super hilarious, and we just have a ball, every single day! But, not only is she absolutely crazy, she also is a really solid missionary, and I love being able to serve with her. It's going to be a really awesome transfer, and I know I'm going to learn and grow a lot.
It's funny what having a new companion can do; Sister Bevan entered the area with enthusiasm and optimism, and it helped get me more pumped up than I had been. We both have this vision for the area, and we're willing to work our behinds off to see it fulfilled; Sister Stokes is a great missionary. I'm bagging on her, but she had been in this area for awhile, and sometimes in slower areas, you kinda get inthe mindset that it's not going to be different. I started sinking into that, so it's great having a companion who isn't ok with thinking like that. As crazy as she is, she truly is focused on the work; she wants to do what the Lord desires, and she wants the success that the Lord has planned for this area. It's going to be a bomb transfer, and I can't wait to see what happens!
We officially have Lorna's baptism set up for this Saturday. She's so amazing! she is so ready; her testimony is beautiful, and her gratitude for us is humbling. She asked me to give the talk on baptism; I've never been so touched to be asked to do something. Lorna literally was just dropped into our laps. All we've done is teach her, which is never the hard part of missionary work. Yet, she thanks us all the time for what we are doing. She even prays for us! Sister Bevan and I are also singing a musical number for the baptism. Much to Sister Bevan's dismay, but she's good, so I convinced her to sing with me. :)
Well...I realize this is pretty short. I don't know what else to say! My heart is filled with gratitude, this week. Heavenly Father makes evident His love for me, every day. I just have to open my eyes to see it! And, honestly, it is hard being away from home, this time of year. But, I'm surrounded by people who love me, even if they aren't my family. I have this wonderful opportunity to be serving the Lord, this Christmas season. And, most importantly, I am growing in understanding of who my Savior really is. He is real. He really lives. He loves me. I love Him.
This really is the best. Missions are the greatest! I love being out here! I get to learn so much, and I get to see my potential more fully and completely than I think I would have in any other way. Christ lives. He really does. He loves me. He loves you. I know this. I feel it. It's true!
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Merry Christmas! ah, man, I'm so excited for Christmas! It's gonna be the best! Sorry this email is later than normal; we were having adventures with the sisters in our zone. AKA, we went to the mall that's here in Silverdale. It wasn't exactly super fun for me...but I tolerated it on Sister Bevan's behalf. And it's nice to pretend to be social and stuff. By teh way. Sister Bevan is NUTS! She's super hilarious, and we just have a ball, every single day! But, not only is she absolutely crazy, she also is a really solid missionary, and I love being able to serve with her. It's going to be a really awesome transfer, and I know I'm going to learn and grow a lot.
It's funny what having a new companion can do; Sister Bevan entered the area with enthusiasm and optimism, and it helped get me more pumped up than I had been. We both have this vision for the area, and we're willing to work our behinds off to see it fulfilled; Sister Stokes is a great missionary. I'm bagging on her, but she had been in this area for awhile, and sometimes in slower areas, you kinda get inthe mindset that it's not going to be different. I started sinking into that, so it's great having a companion who isn't ok with thinking like that. As crazy as she is, she truly is focused on the work; she wants to do what the Lord desires, and she wants the success that the Lord has planned for this area. It's going to be a bomb transfer, and I can't wait to see what happens!
We officially have Lorna's baptism set up for this Saturday. She's so amazing! she is so ready; her testimony is beautiful, and her gratitude for us is humbling. She asked me to give the talk on baptism; I've never been so touched to be asked to do something. Lorna literally was just dropped into our laps. All we've done is teach her, which is never the hard part of missionary work. Yet, she thanks us all the time for what we are doing. She even prays for us! Sister Bevan and I are also singing a musical number for the baptism. Much to Sister Bevan's dismay, but she's good, so I convinced her to sing with me. :)
Well...I realize this is pretty short. I don't know what else to say! My heart is filled with gratitude, this week. Heavenly Father makes evident His love for me, every day. I just have to open my eyes to see it! And, honestly, it is hard being away from home, this time of year. But, I'm surrounded by people who love me, even if they aren't my family. I have this wonderful opportunity to be serving the Lord, this Christmas season. And, most importantly, I am growing in understanding of who my Savior really is. He is real. He really lives. He loves me. I love Him.
This really is the best. Missions are the greatest! I love being out here! I get to learn so much, and I get to see my potential more fully and completely than I think I would have in any other way. Christ lives. He really does. He loves me. He loves you. I know this. I feel it. It's true!
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Letter from December 16th, 2013
Hey all!
Well, it's been another typical week in Silverdale. We saw a few miracles, did some service, went to a couple Christmas parties, and got our tranfer call - this transfer is a week shorter, because of Christmas. Next transfer will be an extra week.
Tuesday was our mission Christmas "celebration" (we can't call it a party...haha!) and that was awesome. Last preparation day was so much fun, because I spent all of it just putting stuff together and wrapping gifts, mailing gifts, and everything, getting ready for Christmas and for our "celebration." I love Christmas! :) It was fun to be able to be with all of my mission peeps, and talk with friends I don't get to see very often. It truly is incredible the friendships you make while on a mission. Some people you just have to go on a mission to meet!
Thursday evening, we went on a few visits with Sister Noble, a member of the primary presidency. (You know what's weird? She reminds me of Lisa. She participated in a musical number on Sunday, and even when she was singing, I was like, "Dude. She sings like Lisa! It was weird.) She's the one who is in charge of the baptisms for the 8 year olds, so we were visiting families with children who she hasn't seen in awhile who are 8 or will be turning 8 soon, in an effort to get them prepared for baptism. We planned it so we could invite them to the ward Christmas party, as well. So, we went out, and one of the families we visited just kind of...made everything worth it. It was AWESOME! We knocked on their door, they openned it, and Sister Noble started talking (she's really good at talking) and mentioned the Christmas party, and that she was the counselor over baptisms, and she was there to help plan and coordinate for the time their daughter was prepared to be baptized. The parents were like, "Yeah, we totally need to start going to church! That needs to happen...like immediately." So, the father pretty much committed himself, without us even extending and invitation - which...pretty much never happens - that they were going to start coming back to church that very Sunday. He said that if they came to church for the next 4 weeks, they'd invite us over for dinner - that was their incentive. They have a very busy life, and the mom has some back problems, so it's really hard for her to sit for an extended period of time. And, it's really hard to make the decision to go, when it's so easy just to stay home. So, I invited them to read the scriptures as a family, every single day, promising that it'd give them the strength to make the decision Sunday morning to go to church.
Saturday, we saw them at the Christmas party.
Sunday, they were at church. They told us they had read scriptures and prayed as a family every single night since we've been there. They said we had come at the right moment, when hearts were softened, and it made all the difference.
The humbling part...we didnt' even do anything. Their name was on a list that Sister Noble made. We went. We were just...there. The Spirit did all the work. You guys...this is the Lord's work. It's HIS. All He asks of us is to listen to the Spirit. He will work through us. And, where it started from? Us, a couple weeks ago, struggling to find something to do, so we openned up the ward directory, and there was teh Noble's name, righ thtere, on the street that we were on. We showed up, and things happened where we planned these visits. And, we went out, working with a member of the ward council. It was AMAZING! God put forth all that work, laid out all of that, to bring one family back to church. How incredible is that?! It was a good reminder for me that it's not all about baptisms. Baptism is SO important. As it says in John 3:5, "Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." So, it's something Heavenly Father wants to see. But, He wants ALL of His children to be with Him - including the ones who are baptized, but have forgotten what that means, or maybe have gotten a little bit lost. He wants ALL of His children to feel His love. To grow closer to Him. And that also is my role, is to help Him in all of these things. I needed that reminder.
Then, we got transfer calls. I'm staying, but Sister Stokes is heading up to Port Angeles. It's a zone up from Silverdale, and about as far north as you can get in our mission. My new companion will be Sister Bevan. She'll be hitting her year mark in January (when I'll be hitting my halfway mark. I haven't been out that long, have I?!) so I guess President Weaver likes to put me with seasoned missionaries. All but two have been out a year or longer! She also will be coming from just being an STL for the past 4 transfers - the sister training leader. Kinda like a district/zone leader for sisters, since we can't go on exchanges with elders. So, she's a pretty bomb missionary. I'm excited, but also a little bit intimidated to be working with her. Everybody loves her, and she seems like a ball of energy. She'll be fun to work with. I'll definitely learn a lot this next transfer! Maybe I'll actually stay with her a second transfer, instead of getting another new companion AGAIN! Haha!
It's going to be a good transfer. It's going to be a good Christmas - 9 days, you guys! 9 days! YAY!! (be sure you're extra nice to missionaries. It's the time for getting homesick, after all! Give them candy canes or something! Or peppermint ice cream...I might have to buy some...) Remember, Heavenly Father loves you! Jesus loves you! I've begun reading Jesus the Christ, for the second time, during lunch and decompression time, as well as the New Testament. I am loving it, because my mind is just being openned, and I'm gaining new understanding for all that our Savior has done for us. I love Him so much. There are no words to describe the feelings I feel for Him. The gratitude; the love; the overwhelming desire to become like Him - I've got a long ways to go! But, that's what I'm working towards!
I'm not going to lie...it's been a bit of a rough transfer for me. But. It's worth it. It's something Sister New taught me - just over a year ago, actually, when I was in Flagstaff. It's ALL worth it. SO worth it! I love it! I love this work. I love being able to put that nametag on, every single morning. I love being able to bear my testimony of my Savior. I love seeing the spirit touch someone's heart, so that, even if at that time they are not ready, I can tell they are going to be ready in the future. Although, it's hard to have people reject this wonderful message, it's a joy to be able to talk with people who ARE ready. To be able to see people's faith strengthened. There is no better feeling in the world than feeling the Savior work through you to do His work. It's a very humbling feeling, because you understand it has nothing to do with you. I love it. I love being here. Despite the trials, the cold, the wet, some people's rudeness. There is nothing better than being able to participate in God's work.
I love you all. Thank you for all you do for me, and for all you have done. I love being out here. It's the best! I love the WA-TAC!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, it's been another typical week in Silverdale. We saw a few miracles, did some service, went to a couple Christmas parties, and got our tranfer call - this transfer is a week shorter, because of Christmas. Next transfer will be an extra week.
Tuesday was our mission Christmas "celebration" (we can't call it a party...haha!) and that was awesome. Last preparation day was so much fun, because I spent all of it just putting stuff together and wrapping gifts, mailing gifts, and everything, getting ready for Christmas and for our "celebration." I love Christmas! :) It was fun to be able to be with all of my mission peeps, and talk with friends I don't get to see very often. It truly is incredible the friendships you make while on a mission. Some people you just have to go on a mission to meet!
Thursday evening, we went on a few visits with Sister Noble, a member of the primary presidency. (You know what's weird? She reminds me of Lisa. She participated in a musical number on Sunday, and even when she was singing, I was like, "Dude. She sings like Lisa! It was weird.) She's the one who is in charge of the baptisms for the 8 year olds, so we were visiting families with children who she hasn't seen in awhile who are 8 or will be turning 8 soon, in an effort to get them prepared for baptism. We planned it so we could invite them to the ward Christmas party, as well. So, we went out, and one of the families we visited just kind of...made everything worth it. It was AWESOME! We knocked on their door, they openned it, and Sister Noble started talking (she's really good at talking) and mentioned the Christmas party, and that she was the counselor over baptisms, and she was there to help plan and coordinate for the time their daughter was prepared to be baptized. The parents were like, "Yeah, we totally need to start going to church! That needs to happen...like immediately." So, the father pretty much committed himself, without us even extending and invitation - which...pretty much never happens - that they were going to start coming back to church that very Sunday. He said that if they came to church for the next 4 weeks, they'd invite us over for dinner - that was their incentive. They have a very busy life, and the mom has some back problems, so it's really hard for her to sit for an extended period of time. And, it's really hard to make the decision to go, when it's so easy just to stay home. So, I invited them to read the scriptures as a family, every single day, promising that it'd give them the strength to make the decision Sunday morning to go to church.
Saturday, we saw them at the Christmas party.
Sunday, they were at church. They told us they had read scriptures and prayed as a family every single night since we've been there. They said we had come at the right moment, when hearts were softened, and it made all the difference.
The humbling part...we didnt' even do anything. Their name was on a list that Sister Noble made. We went. We were just...there. The Spirit did all the work. You guys...this is the Lord's work. It's HIS. All He asks of us is to listen to the Spirit. He will work through us. And, where it started from? Us, a couple weeks ago, struggling to find something to do, so we openned up the ward directory, and there was teh Noble's name, righ thtere, on the street that we were on. We showed up, and things happened where we planned these visits. And, we went out, working with a member of the ward council. It was AMAZING! God put forth all that work, laid out all of that, to bring one family back to church. How incredible is that?! It was a good reminder for me that it's not all about baptisms. Baptism is SO important. As it says in John 3:5, "Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." So, it's something Heavenly Father wants to see. But, He wants ALL of His children to be with Him - including the ones who are baptized, but have forgotten what that means, or maybe have gotten a little bit lost. He wants ALL of His children to feel His love. To grow closer to Him. And that also is my role, is to help Him in all of these things. I needed that reminder.
Then, we got transfer calls. I'm staying, but Sister Stokes is heading up to Port Angeles. It's a zone up from Silverdale, and about as far north as you can get in our mission. My new companion will be Sister Bevan. She'll be hitting her year mark in January (when I'll be hitting my halfway mark. I haven't been out that long, have I?!) so I guess President Weaver likes to put me with seasoned missionaries. All but two have been out a year or longer! She also will be coming from just being an STL for the past 4 transfers - the sister training leader. Kinda like a district/zone leader for sisters, since we can't go on exchanges with elders. So, she's a pretty bomb missionary. I'm excited, but also a little bit intimidated to be working with her. Everybody loves her, and she seems like a ball of energy. She'll be fun to work with. I'll definitely learn a lot this next transfer! Maybe I'll actually stay with her a second transfer, instead of getting another new companion AGAIN! Haha!
It's going to be a good transfer. It's going to be a good Christmas - 9 days, you guys! 9 days! YAY!! (be sure you're extra nice to missionaries. It's the time for getting homesick, after all! Give them candy canes or something! Or peppermint ice cream...I might have to buy some...) Remember, Heavenly Father loves you! Jesus loves you! I've begun reading Jesus the Christ, for the second time, during lunch and decompression time, as well as the New Testament. I am loving it, because my mind is just being openned, and I'm gaining new understanding for all that our Savior has done for us. I love Him so much. There are no words to describe the feelings I feel for Him. The gratitude; the love; the overwhelming desire to become like Him - I've got a long ways to go! But, that's what I'm working towards!
I'm not going to lie...it's been a bit of a rough transfer for me. But. It's worth it. It's something Sister New taught me - just over a year ago, actually, when I was in Flagstaff. It's ALL worth it. SO worth it! I love it! I love this work. I love being able to put that nametag on, every single morning. I love being able to bear my testimony of my Savior. I love seeing the spirit touch someone's heart, so that, even if at that time they are not ready, I can tell they are going to be ready in the future. Although, it's hard to have people reject this wonderful message, it's a joy to be able to talk with people who ARE ready. To be able to see people's faith strengthened. There is no better feeling in the world than feeling the Savior work through you to do His work. It's a very humbling feeling, because you understand it has nothing to do with you. I love it. I love being here. Despite the trials, the cold, the wet, some people's rudeness. There is nothing better than being able to participate in God's work.
I love you all. Thank you for all you do for me, and for all you have done. I love being out here. It's the best! I love the WA-TAC!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Letter from December 9th, 2013
"And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul." Alma 26:30
Hey all!
It's been just another typical week, here in Silverdale. In other words, a slow week. We've been out working hard, of course, and we've had the chance to see a few miracles and Heavenly Father's tender mercies, showing that He loves us! And showing that this is really HIS work, not Sister Root's or Sister Stokes' work. It's been absolutely freezing here. 5-7's have been brutal, but we've come across nice people who have let us in and given us hot chocolate or hot cider. Most don't want to listen to us, but their kind enough to talk with us a few minutes so we can warm up. It's been pretty dry, though. I think we're going to get a little bit of rain this week, which means it will be a little bit warmer. I don't know if I'd prefer being dry, or a few degrees warmer...either way...it'll be pretty rough!
One tender mercy we had this week happened Saturday afternoon. We had a few people cancel on us, so we were trying to figure out what we needed to be doing at that time. We went back to the car, I sat down, openned up the ward list, and the first name I saw happened to be a family who lived on the street where we were at. This family had signed up to feed us on Wednesday, but because of some things coming up, they had to cancel - of course, apologizing. We understood, of course. We weren't upset. But, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go visit them! So, we went over to their house. About 30 seconds after we got there, they pulled up in their car - perfect timing! It just so happened that the wife is in the primary presidency, over the child of record baptisms. She had expressed concern that she didn't know a lot of them or their parents - because they were less active - and she felt like it was her responsibility to know them, but she didn't know how to go about that. We were like, "Hey! You can just go with us! Then we can meet them and do our missionary thing, and then you can get to know them!" It was kind of perfect, and we have a time set up where we're going to do that. IT was just really nice, because we've been struggling to fill our time with product things to do. But, this way, we are able to help the ward, and try to meet some less actives we haven't had the chance to talk with yet.
Then, Sunday morning, we receive a call from someone, asking the church's address, what time church was, and if we could meet with them before church. It was this sweet Philipino lady named Lorna. Her fiance is a member, and she wants to get baptized - her choice. She had been to church twice in the Philipines, and was looking forward to coming to church here. We met her, set up a time to meet with her again, and we're making plans for her to be baptized this month, if all goes well with her fiance (Who currently lives in Oregon.) It was a HUGE miracle! We are so pumped, so excited.She is totally prepared.
You know, the past few weeks have been really hard. We've been working super hard, trying to find people to teach. I know in some missions, you're lucky to find people in teach. But, in the WA-TAC, there are people prepared EVERYWHERE! It just happens to be one of those places. So, I was really struggling with the idea that we weren't finding poeple who were prepared. In fact, we - and the elders in this ward - have been losing investigators. I couldn't figure out what was going on, and it was really hard for me. Still is, a little bit. But, by Heavenly Father placing Lorna in our path - really, it has nothing to do with our own efforts, - it reminded me that this IS the LORD'S work, not mine. I cannot prepare people. It's just not going to happen. I just have to work my hardest and follow the spirit, so the Lord can trust me with His elect. I can't do it my way, I have to do it His way. And sometimes His way means a lot more work with a lot less immediate results, which is a hard pill for me to swallow, sometimes. But, that's ok! Because, I'm learning. I'm meant to learn. And we're working hard, trying to follow the prompting of the spirit.
It's so incredible to be out here. I have my struggles and my trials, my bad days. But, there has not a day gone by that I wish I had decided to stay in Flagstaff. There has not been a minute or a second where I have wanted to be home. Yes, I've missed my family and friends, but every fiber of my being desires to be here, doing this work. It's the best! There is a great amount of joy to be felt. I love it. I Can't express that love enough!
I love you all! Thank you for everything you do. Stay happy. Remember the reason for the season, and how amazing Christmas is. Keep Christ the center of it all, and it won't be a stressful time - instead, it will be a time of peace. Love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Hey all!
It's been just another typical week, here in Silverdale. In other words, a slow week. We've been out working hard, of course, and we've had the chance to see a few miracles and Heavenly Father's tender mercies, showing that He loves us! And showing that this is really HIS work, not Sister Root's or Sister Stokes' work. It's been absolutely freezing here. 5-7's have been brutal, but we've come across nice people who have let us in and given us hot chocolate or hot cider. Most don't want to listen to us, but their kind enough to talk with us a few minutes so we can warm up. It's been pretty dry, though. I think we're going to get a little bit of rain this week, which means it will be a little bit warmer. I don't know if I'd prefer being dry, or a few degrees warmer...either way...it'll be pretty rough!
One tender mercy we had this week happened Saturday afternoon. We had a few people cancel on us, so we were trying to figure out what we needed to be doing at that time. We went back to the car, I sat down, openned up the ward list, and the first name I saw happened to be a family who lived on the street where we were at. This family had signed up to feed us on Wednesday, but because of some things coming up, they had to cancel - of course, apologizing. We understood, of course. We weren't upset. But, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go visit them! So, we went over to their house. About 30 seconds after we got there, they pulled up in their car - perfect timing! It just so happened that the wife is in the primary presidency, over the child of record baptisms. She had expressed concern that she didn't know a lot of them or their parents - because they were less active - and she felt like it was her responsibility to know them, but she didn't know how to go about that. We were like, "Hey! You can just go with us! Then we can meet them and do our missionary thing, and then you can get to know them!" It was kind of perfect, and we have a time set up where we're going to do that. IT was just really nice, because we've been struggling to fill our time with product things to do. But, this way, we are able to help the ward, and try to meet some less actives we haven't had the chance to talk with yet.
Then, Sunday morning, we receive a call from someone, asking the church's address, what time church was, and if we could meet with them before church. It was this sweet Philipino lady named Lorna. Her fiance is a member, and she wants to get baptized - her choice. She had been to church twice in the Philipines, and was looking forward to coming to church here. We met her, set up a time to meet with her again, and we're making plans for her to be baptized this month, if all goes well with her fiance (Who currently lives in Oregon.) It was a HUGE miracle! We are so pumped, so excited.She is totally prepared.
You know, the past few weeks have been really hard. We've been working super hard, trying to find people to teach. I know in some missions, you're lucky to find people in teach. But, in the WA-TAC, there are people prepared EVERYWHERE! It just happens to be one of those places. So, I was really struggling with the idea that we weren't finding poeple who were prepared. In fact, we - and the elders in this ward - have been losing investigators. I couldn't figure out what was going on, and it was really hard for me. Still is, a little bit. But, by Heavenly Father placing Lorna in our path - really, it has nothing to do with our own efforts, - it reminded me that this IS the LORD'S work, not mine. I cannot prepare people. It's just not going to happen. I just have to work my hardest and follow the spirit, so the Lord can trust me with His elect. I can't do it my way, I have to do it His way. And sometimes His way means a lot more work with a lot less immediate results, which is a hard pill for me to swallow, sometimes. But, that's ok! Because, I'm learning. I'm meant to learn. And we're working hard, trying to follow the prompting of the spirit.
It's so incredible to be out here. I have my struggles and my trials, my bad days. But, there has not a day gone by that I wish I had decided to stay in Flagstaff. There has not been a minute or a second where I have wanted to be home. Yes, I've missed my family and friends, but every fiber of my being desires to be here, doing this work. It's the best! There is a great amount of joy to be felt. I love it. I Can't express that love enough!
I love you all! Thank you for everything you do. Stay happy. Remember the reason for the season, and how amazing Christmas is. Keep Christ the center of it all, and it won't be a stressful time - instead, it will be a time of peace. Love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Letter from December 2nd, 2013
Hey all!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was pretty fun, here. The relief soctiety president had us over - and by us, I mean ALL the missionaries in the ward. Which is 8. There are two sets of missionaries - elders and sisters - and then the spanish missionaries in the stake (which is a recent thing) have kind of joined themselves to our ward - there isn't even a spanish branch, so they need kind of a place to actually bring investigators, when they have them - and then, there's a senior missionary couple that also lives in our ward boundaries. So, there was a lot of us, and that was fun! We came home stuffed! And then, as a treat, I let myself go to bed an hour early. I've been super tired all this week, so it was just a nice little thing to do for myself. We weren't allowed to proselyte Thanksgiving; we just went around a visited a few members, so we got home a little bit early, and planning went quick...so I just went to bed! It was nice.
Not much is really going on here. We're struggling to find new people to teach, and we just dropped an investigator. It was really hard to do, but he had pretty much said that he wasn't going to change. He just liked learning new things. Unfortunately, that's not our purpose! He has been taught for a year, so it's kinda past the missionaries teaching him just so he can learn new things. He wasn't progressing, which, unfortunately, meant that by spending time with him, we weren't able to fulfill our purpose as missionaries. It was really hard. I hate dropping investigators.
The highlight of the week: Friday, I was able to go to Port Orchard again! It kind of was a suprise to me! Aydan Summers' baptism was Friday night, and I had originally been asked to sing at it, but then I got transferred. I didn't think President Weaver would let me go back AGAIN since I had already been back for one baptism, but, through a member calling him, and then Sister Johnson convincing me to call him, too, he said I could go. It was such a treat for me to be able to sing If the Savior Stood Beside Me with Sister Johnson - the last time I sung that was at a baptism with Amy! It was pretty cool. And, Aydan's baptism was just so very sweet. As he came up out of the water, he had the biggest grin on his face. He was just glowing! Aydan is a very special kid. I can't wait for him to get the priesthood in a few years. He's going to be amazing. It was nice to be able to participate in a baptism the same weekend Elena was baptized. Sweet tender mercies from the Lord! :)
It's kind of odd. It hasn't really been too rainy. It's been cold, for sure, but not much rain! Someone said it was the driest November ever! I know Washington needs its rain...but it'd sure be nice if it wasn't too rainy when we're out tracting, 5-7 each day! I've liked the weather, mostly. It's just cold. But, that's ok. There are worse things!
Sorry, I don't have much else to say...there's not much going on, though we're trying! But, I truly am glad to be out here. Even as I think about what might be going on back home, and I might get a little bit sad, I still think of how there is no where else I would rather be. I can't even fathom being home right now. I love it here in the WA-TAC, even when it's hard! I love the people here, I love being iwth missionaries, and it's truly a joy to be serving the Lord in this capacity. I am so blessed! Thank you all for doing what you do to make it possible for me to be out here. I love you all! Remember that happiness comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because it's through living it, that we gain access to the Atonement. And the Atonement brings us happiness; it doesn't necessarily mean that we will have our sorrows or hardships taken away, but that we can be lifted up to find joy in the journey - as well as joy in the destination. Both are important!
I love you all! Have a fantastic week! Happy December! Christmas is coming!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was pretty fun, here. The relief soctiety president had us over - and by us, I mean ALL the missionaries in the ward. Which is 8. There are two sets of missionaries - elders and sisters - and then the spanish missionaries in the stake (which is a recent thing) have kind of joined themselves to our ward - there isn't even a spanish branch, so they need kind of a place to actually bring investigators, when they have them - and then, there's a senior missionary couple that also lives in our ward boundaries. So, there was a lot of us, and that was fun! We came home stuffed! And then, as a treat, I let myself go to bed an hour early. I've been super tired all this week, so it was just a nice little thing to do for myself. We weren't allowed to proselyte Thanksgiving; we just went around a visited a few members, so we got home a little bit early, and planning went quick...so I just went to bed! It was nice.
Not much is really going on here. We're struggling to find new people to teach, and we just dropped an investigator. It was really hard to do, but he had pretty much said that he wasn't going to change. He just liked learning new things. Unfortunately, that's not our purpose! He has been taught for a year, so it's kinda past the missionaries teaching him just so he can learn new things. He wasn't progressing, which, unfortunately, meant that by spending time with him, we weren't able to fulfill our purpose as missionaries. It was really hard. I hate dropping investigators.
The highlight of the week: Friday, I was able to go to Port Orchard again! It kind of was a suprise to me! Aydan Summers' baptism was Friday night, and I had originally been asked to sing at it, but then I got transferred. I didn't think President Weaver would let me go back AGAIN since I had already been back for one baptism, but, through a member calling him, and then Sister Johnson convincing me to call him, too, he said I could go. It was such a treat for me to be able to sing If the Savior Stood Beside Me with Sister Johnson - the last time I sung that was at a baptism with Amy! It was pretty cool. And, Aydan's baptism was just so very sweet. As he came up out of the water, he had the biggest grin on his face. He was just glowing! Aydan is a very special kid. I can't wait for him to get the priesthood in a few years. He's going to be amazing. It was nice to be able to participate in a baptism the same weekend Elena was baptized. Sweet tender mercies from the Lord! :)
It's kind of odd. It hasn't really been too rainy. It's been cold, for sure, but not much rain! Someone said it was the driest November ever! I know Washington needs its rain...but it'd sure be nice if it wasn't too rainy when we're out tracting, 5-7 each day! I've liked the weather, mostly. It's just cold. But, that's ok. There are worse things!
Sorry, I don't have much else to say...there's not much going on, though we're trying! But, I truly am glad to be out here. Even as I think about what might be going on back home, and I might get a little bit sad, I still think of how there is no where else I would rather be. I can't even fathom being home right now. I love it here in the WA-TAC, even when it's hard! I love the people here, I love being iwth missionaries, and it's truly a joy to be serving the Lord in this capacity. I am so blessed! Thank you all for doing what you do to make it possible for me to be out here. I love you all! Remember that happiness comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because it's through living it, that we gain access to the Atonement. And the Atonement brings us happiness; it doesn't necessarily mean that we will have our sorrows or hardships taken away, but that we can be lifted up to find joy in the journey - as well as joy in the destination. Both are important!
I love you all! Have a fantastic week! Happy December! Christmas is coming!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!