Hey all!
So...it's been another insane week. I'm pretty sure this has been the craziest transfer of my mission. I'm trying to figure out what Heavenly Father is trying to teach me! Monday night, we get a call telling us that we have to move...the next day. The zone leaders had to leave their apartment before the next month - so Tuesday was the final day - so they moved into our apartment and we moved in with the 3rd sisters, Sister Brewster and Sister Olson. I was a little bit wary of it, because I started having flashbacks to college. I loved living with 4 other girls, but I also had the tendency to turn anti social and cranky. It just goes to show how much I've changed on my mission...because it's been nothing but a party! Especially since I served with Sister Brewster and Sister Olson came out with me. It's been a fun time! But, moving wiped out pretty much an entire day of proselyting.
And then we still had to do another exchange...so we crammed one in after district meeting on Wednesday through Thursday afternoon, and then we had Mission Leadership Council on Friday...and then with General Conference on the weekend, I feel like Sister Fowkes and I haven't had much opportunity to be companions while out proselyting this week. It's put a huge strain on me, because all I want to do is throw myself into the work, yet things seem to keep getting in the way...so it's been interesting.
General Conference was a special one for me, though. Because it was 2 years ago that the age change announcement was made. In fact, 2 years from TODAY!! I've been thinking about that a lot. It's been 2 years! And I look back and reflect on all that has happened to me in 2 years. Before my mission, I had to learn how to receive revelation and how to trust the Lord, in order to actually make it on a mission. And then, while on my mission, I've learned SO many things. I've met so many people who I needed to meet. I've learned skills that will help me in life and gained strengths and attributes that will, hopefully, help me continue to serve the Lord and my brothers and sisters when I'm home. I've had the opportunity to be an instrument in God's hands. I've served and loved and grown, and now the WA-TAC is become holy ground.
In reality...I don't really have words for anything. General Conference was great! I truly learned a lot. I loved Elder Chi Hong Wong's and Elder Jorg Klebingat's talks as well and Elder Bednar's! They were definitely powerful. And I loved that there were talks in different languages. That was so neat! But, all that is in my heart right now are the feelings to gratitude, love, sorrow, and joy that pertain to my mission. I don't think there are words that can fully express what it means to me to be out here. Ever since I was super little, I've wanted to serve a mission. The past 18 months, I've literally been living my dream! It hasn't always been easy, and there have been several rough patches, but I wouldn't trade any of this for the world. I'm so grateful I still have a week left. I hope to serve my hardest this last week. I love this work. I love being able to serve the Lord in this capacity. I love being able to proclaim the Gospel. I love being able to testify to strangers - and to feel love for these strangers - about the goodness of the Gospel. I love being able to share something with people that they legitimately need. I love being able to share the message of the Restoration with people. I love reciting the first vision, and feeling the spirit that just overwhelms when you do. I love it!
I'm so grateful to be here, and I'm so grateful for all that has been done to help me be here, to support me here. I love you all! Thank you for everything!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, October 6, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Letter from September 29th, 2014
I'm pretty sure this was the craziest week of my mission. Because of that it went by WAY too fast!! We did an exchange from Monday night to Tuesday night, went to Zion's Camp as an MLC on Wednesday and then went to Zion's Camp on Thursday to lead it, and then after Zion's Camp through Friday afternoon we did another exchange. Saturday evening was the Women's Conference. SO. CRAZY.
I feel like I just blinked and the week was over. But, it was a really good week. I loved the exchange at the beginning of the week. The companionship is a trio, so I went to their area with two of the sisters, Sister Liao and Sister Sorenson. Sister Liao is from Taiwan and Sister Sorenson is a visa waiter going to Taiwan, and it was her second week in the mission. My favorite exchanges are the ones where I get to help the sisters see that they are good missionaries. For the vast majority of the day, I just sat back and let them work, because Sister Liao has never taken the lead, and Sister Sorenson was not confident at all. There were a few times I had to take control of a situation, simply because sometimes investigators get sidetracked...but for the most part, I was able to just kind of help them do their thing. At the end of it, Sister Liao was like, "I learned that I can do it!" That's probably my favorite part of being an STL is helping sisters see what they can do when they are put out of their comfort zone. I love it!
Zion's Camp was really neat, as well. The ropes course that we did involved one of two things: trust in the Lord or trust in companionships/people. God places people in our paths for a reason, and we have to trust those people. We have to trust leaders, we have to trust our companions, our spouses, our co-workers, our friends. If we can't trust them, we will be leading a very lonely life, and we will not get very far. And, most importantly, we MUST trust in the Lord. My favorite task was the cable walk. There were two cables that reached the same destination, set at different angles. The point was to walk across them as a companionship - one on one cable and one on the other - and reach the end at the same time. It was, in reality, an impossible feat, unless you had incredible upperbody strength. To get the furthest, though, it was necessary to face your companion and you push against each other. You hold the other person up. The key to success is not worrying about if you are staying up, but if your companion is staying up. and you move along, until the cables spread too far across, and you literally would be parallel to the ground if you continued. The moral of the story: you can' tmake it across, without a third party. And that third party is Jesus Christ. But, you MUST be putting forth all of that effort for Him to help you. You put forth that effort, knowing you can't do it alone, trusting that with His strength and His help you will be able to make it to the end. I love it! We cannot reach salvation on our own. We cannot reach salvation with the combined efforts of us and our loved ones. We only reach salvation by relying on our Savior Jesus Christ. I just really loved that lesson.
Women's Conference was another highlight. I loved all of it! I was able to receive a lot of insight. I loved the emphasis on the temple. So much of the work being hastened has to do with our ancestors passed away, as well. We must hasten the work on both sides of the veil! and we have to be doing both!
More than ever, though, this week I have been filled with gratitude. Gratitude to be here. Gratitude for this experience. I cannot say what this means to me, or what it feels like to be realizing that it's coming to a close. But, I'm so grateful. There is nothing better I could have done for my life. I love you all! Thank you for all that you do to help me and support me out here. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
I feel like I just blinked and the week was over. But, it was a really good week. I loved the exchange at the beginning of the week. The companionship is a trio, so I went to their area with two of the sisters, Sister Liao and Sister Sorenson. Sister Liao is from Taiwan and Sister Sorenson is a visa waiter going to Taiwan, and it was her second week in the mission. My favorite exchanges are the ones where I get to help the sisters see that they are good missionaries. For the vast majority of the day, I just sat back and let them work, because Sister Liao has never taken the lead, and Sister Sorenson was not confident at all. There were a few times I had to take control of a situation, simply because sometimes investigators get sidetracked...but for the most part, I was able to just kind of help them do their thing. At the end of it, Sister Liao was like, "I learned that I can do it!" That's probably my favorite part of being an STL is helping sisters see what they can do when they are put out of their comfort zone. I love it!
Zion's Camp was really neat, as well. The ropes course that we did involved one of two things: trust in the Lord or trust in companionships/people. God places people in our paths for a reason, and we have to trust those people. We have to trust leaders, we have to trust our companions, our spouses, our co-workers, our friends. If we can't trust them, we will be leading a very lonely life, and we will not get very far. And, most importantly, we MUST trust in the Lord. My favorite task was the cable walk. There were two cables that reached the same destination, set at different angles. The point was to walk across them as a companionship - one on one cable and one on the other - and reach the end at the same time. It was, in reality, an impossible feat, unless you had incredible upperbody strength. To get the furthest, though, it was necessary to face your companion and you push against each other. You hold the other person up. The key to success is not worrying about if you are staying up, but if your companion is staying up. and you move along, until the cables spread too far across, and you literally would be parallel to the ground if you continued. The moral of the story: you can' tmake it across, without a third party. And that third party is Jesus Christ. But, you MUST be putting forth all of that effort for Him to help you. You put forth that effort, knowing you can't do it alone, trusting that with His strength and His help you will be able to make it to the end. I love it! We cannot reach salvation on our own. We cannot reach salvation with the combined efforts of us and our loved ones. We only reach salvation by relying on our Savior Jesus Christ. I just really loved that lesson.
Women's Conference was another highlight. I loved all of it! I was able to receive a lot of insight. I loved the emphasis on the temple. So much of the work being hastened has to do with our ancestors passed away, as well. We must hasten the work on both sides of the veil! and we have to be doing both!
More than ever, though, this week I have been filled with gratitude. Gratitude to be here. Gratitude for this experience. I cannot say what this means to me, or what it feels like to be realizing that it's coming to a close. But, I'm so grateful. There is nothing better I could have done for my life. I love you all! Thank you for all that you do to help me and support me out here. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Letter from September 22nd, 2014
Hey all!
This week was a good one! Of course. :) Probably one of the coolest things of my mission happened this week. And it may not seem like a big deal, but it seriously was just a wonderful manifestation of God's love for His children.
A few weeks ago, Sister Fowkes had lost a necklace. It's one that means a lot to her, and she had worn it every day of her mission. It had somehow fallen off of her neck and fell down underneath the deck of some random door we were knocking, one evening. She was super bummed about it - more bummed, I knew, than she let on. We actually stopped by one other time. No one answered the door, so we got down on our hands and knees in the yard to see if it would be possible to get it; it seemed impossible.
Friday, I was on exchange with Sister Olsen - a sister who came out with me and, exactly a year ago, was Sister Fowkes' companion. Everything had fallen through, and I was scrambling through my brain to think of people we could visit or places we could go. we went to go visit a less active who normally is home on Fridays...but she wasn't home. So we sat there in the car, seeking for something productive to do, when suddenly I remembered that we were in the neighborhood where Sister Fowkes had lost her necklace. And I had the crazy idea that maybe we'd be successful in getting it this time. I threw the idea out to Sister Olsen, and then prefaced it with, "It's probably a lost cause." But for some reason I just couldn't let it drop. I needed to go find out if we could get it!
So, we go and knock on this guy's door - his name is Ralph - and you could tell that he kind of was like, "Weren't you guys here like 2 weeks ago?" But then we were like, "So, last time we were here, a necklace fell off and fell through your deck...do you think there would be any possible way we can see if we can find it?" His demeanor instantly changed, and he was so very concerned, and agreed. He ran inside and grabbed a flashlight and was out there with us, scanning underneath the porch for any glimpse of the necklace. I was praying with all my heart that we could find it, but I knew I probably was just nuts thinking that we could get it. Then, Ralph is like, "I think there is enough room for me to climb under" and proceeds to army crawl, through the dirt and cobwebs, 10-12 feet, searching for the necklace. He was nearly to the end, and was like, "Man, I don't see it! I'm so sorry!" Inside I was just begging that he would just look one more time, hoping beyond all hope God would perform a miracle. Then he's like, "Ok, there is just one more section that I can't see. I'll move just a little bit forward to check it out." He crawled forward, and there, at the very end, reached forward, and picked up the necklace.
I cannot express to you how incredible this is. God cares about us enough that he will pull out all the stops to cater to our smallest, earnest desires. That necklace means a lot to Sister Fowkes, therefore it meant a lot to me and Sister Olsen. As we sent up our prayers, pleading that there would be some way we'd be able to retrieve it, He listened. There have been few moments where I have felt God's love so strongly. I know that may sound super silly, but really! God cared enough.
Yesterday I read in Lamentations 3:58 which says, "O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." As we plead the causes of our soul - small and big, life changing or not - our Brother, Jesus Christ, will then plead them to our Father. And they will provide.
This was not the only miracle we witnessed this week. Among other things - and just as joyous as finding Sister Fowkes necklace - was that Jerry Whitman was baptized. He is SUCH a miracle! He is so excited and happy, as well as his wife Jeannette. I am so incredibly humbled by their love and their insistence that we were sent from God. I think THEY are sent from God to bless my life and the lives of those in the Lacey 5th ward. I am so incredibly grateful.
I'm so grateful for this work! I am constantly learning. And God is constantly teaching me. And I am always seeing miracles. Miracles that are wrought to bring forth the salvation of His children - and miracles to make manifest His love for us.
Haha I know this email is super random and focused on such a small thing, but I really don't know if I've had a greater example that God answers prayers. It was so neat! And I know He cares, and as we send up prayers of faith, He cannot withhold His blessings.
I love you guys! I hope all is going well! Keep living the word, keep on keeping on, and never forget that God is listening to the cries of your heart, no matter how small they may be. Love you all! Thanks for everything!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
This week was a good one! Of course. :) Probably one of the coolest things of my mission happened this week. And it may not seem like a big deal, but it seriously was just a wonderful manifestation of God's love for His children.
A few weeks ago, Sister Fowkes had lost a necklace. It's one that means a lot to her, and she had worn it every day of her mission. It had somehow fallen off of her neck and fell down underneath the deck of some random door we were knocking, one evening. She was super bummed about it - more bummed, I knew, than she let on. We actually stopped by one other time. No one answered the door, so we got down on our hands and knees in the yard to see if it would be possible to get it; it seemed impossible.
Friday, I was on exchange with Sister Olsen - a sister who came out with me and, exactly a year ago, was Sister Fowkes' companion. Everything had fallen through, and I was scrambling through my brain to think of people we could visit or places we could go. we went to go visit a less active who normally is home on Fridays...but she wasn't home. So we sat there in the car, seeking for something productive to do, when suddenly I remembered that we were in the neighborhood where Sister Fowkes had lost her necklace. And I had the crazy idea that maybe we'd be successful in getting it this time. I threw the idea out to Sister Olsen, and then prefaced it with, "It's probably a lost cause." But for some reason I just couldn't let it drop. I needed to go find out if we could get it!
So, we go and knock on this guy's door - his name is Ralph - and you could tell that he kind of was like, "Weren't you guys here like 2 weeks ago?" But then we were like, "So, last time we were here, a necklace fell off and fell through your deck...do you think there would be any possible way we can see if we can find it?" His demeanor instantly changed, and he was so very concerned, and agreed. He ran inside and grabbed a flashlight and was out there with us, scanning underneath the porch for any glimpse of the necklace. I was praying with all my heart that we could find it, but I knew I probably was just nuts thinking that we could get it. Then, Ralph is like, "I think there is enough room for me to climb under" and proceeds to army crawl, through the dirt and cobwebs, 10-12 feet, searching for the necklace. He was nearly to the end, and was like, "Man, I don't see it! I'm so sorry!" Inside I was just begging that he would just look one more time, hoping beyond all hope God would perform a miracle. Then he's like, "Ok, there is just one more section that I can't see. I'll move just a little bit forward to check it out." He crawled forward, and there, at the very end, reached forward, and picked up the necklace.
I cannot express to you how incredible this is. God cares about us enough that he will pull out all the stops to cater to our smallest, earnest desires. That necklace means a lot to Sister Fowkes, therefore it meant a lot to me and Sister Olsen. As we sent up our prayers, pleading that there would be some way we'd be able to retrieve it, He listened. There have been few moments where I have felt God's love so strongly. I know that may sound super silly, but really! God cared enough.
Yesterday I read in Lamentations 3:58 which says, "O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." As we plead the causes of our soul - small and big, life changing or not - our Brother, Jesus Christ, will then plead them to our Father. And they will provide.
This was not the only miracle we witnessed this week. Among other things - and just as joyous as finding Sister Fowkes necklace - was that Jerry Whitman was baptized. He is SUCH a miracle! He is so excited and happy, as well as his wife Jeannette. I am so incredibly humbled by their love and their insistence that we were sent from God. I think THEY are sent from God to bless my life and the lives of those in the Lacey 5th ward. I am so incredibly grateful.
I'm so grateful for this work! I am constantly learning. And God is constantly teaching me. And I am always seeing miracles. Miracles that are wrought to bring forth the salvation of His children - and miracles to make manifest His love for us.
Haha I know this email is super random and focused on such a small thing, but I really don't know if I've had a greater example that God answers prayers. It was so neat! And I know He cares, and as we send up prayers of faith, He cannot withhold His blessings.
I love you guys! I hope all is going well! Keep living the word, keep on keeping on, and never forget that God is listening to the cries of your heart, no matter how small they may be. Love you all! Thanks for everything!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Letter from September 15th, 2014
Hey all!
Well, this is the transfer of miracles! Every transfer, and every day we are blessed with miracles. But, this transfer in particular, Sister Fowkes and I have already been blessed with many mighty miracles. Last email, I had said that Susan had fasted for a baptismal date, and the answer she received was, "Soon." So, Monday night, we go and visit her, and she starts looking at her calendar and asks us, "can we do it this Sunday? Is that allowed?" Susan Emory was baptized Sunday, September 14th at 6:30 in the evening. My heart was so full, and the spirit was so strong. Susan is on fire and full of the spirit. I've never seen someone so excited for baptism - or seen someone who worked so hard to be baptized. She worked against the spirit for a little while there, but once she started stepping in sync with it, she progressed quickly, overcame many challenges and addictions, and just blossomed. She was glowing last night! I literally don't have words to express the feelings in my heart, to express the incredible joy to know that Susan has chosen a more excellent way, as Moroni puts it. Susan makes my heart happy!
And Jerry is still so excited for his baptism! He just glows with excitement and loves to study the scriptures. He expresses his gratitude each time we see him for the fact that he has a group of people he can now worship with and whose views are aligned with his. And his wife, every time we come over says how it was such a miracle that we knocked on their down. Jerry is SO elect. God truly prepares His people. He just expects us to be in the right place at the right time. He expects us to be worthy of those promptings and to act quickly on them. Because by doing so, we become worthy to receive miracles - not that we ever do anything to earn miracles, but He expects us to be worthy to receive them when He sends them down to us.
It's been humbling to work with Sister Fowkes, and to see her constant positive attitude, her hope, and her drive to always do what the spirit prompts her to do. We had about 15 minutes before an appointment and she was like, "let's go knock a few doors on this street!" and I wasn't too thrilled by this idea. The 3rd house we come to there was a less active member who had just days before been talking to his girlfriend - who was there as well- about how they should start going to church. His girlfriend has a daughter who has been considering going to church with her Mormon friend. God's timing is perfect, and there are no coincidences.
Sister Fowkes wanted to knock this apartment complex that was full of cranky people last time I knocked it, and I didn't really want to knock it. But, we grudgingly went, and we found multiple new investigators that night. I'm learning a lot about just doing things, even if it doesn't seem appealing, or if it doesn't seem fruitful to you - because if the spirit prompts it, nothing else matters!
I love this work. I love being here! God continues to bless me so much with things to learn! thank you for all that you do to support me here! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, this is the transfer of miracles! Every transfer, and every day we are blessed with miracles. But, this transfer in particular, Sister Fowkes and I have already been blessed with many mighty miracles. Last email, I had said that Susan had fasted for a baptismal date, and the answer she received was, "Soon." So, Monday night, we go and visit her, and she starts looking at her calendar and asks us, "can we do it this Sunday? Is that allowed?" Susan Emory was baptized Sunday, September 14th at 6:30 in the evening. My heart was so full, and the spirit was so strong. Susan is on fire and full of the spirit. I've never seen someone so excited for baptism - or seen someone who worked so hard to be baptized. She worked against the spirit for a little while there, but once she started stepping in sync with it, she progressed quickly, overcame many challenges and addictions, and just blossomed. She was glowing last night! I literally don't have words to express the feelings in my heart, to express the incredible joy to know that Susan has chosen a more excellent way, as Moroni puts it. Susan makes my heart happy!
And Jerry is still so excited for his baptism! He just glows with excitement and loves to study the scriptures. He expresses his gratitude each time we see him for the fact that he has a group of people he can now worship with and whose views are aligned with his. And his wife, every time we come over says how it was such a miracle that we knocked on their down. Jerry is SO elect. God truly prepares His people. He just expects us to be in the right place at the right time. He expects us to be worthy of those promptings and to act quickly on them. Because by doing so, we become worthy to receive miracles - not that we ever do anything to earn miracles, but He expects us to be worthy to receive them when He sends them down to us.
It's been humbling to work with Sister Fowkes, and to see her constant positive attitude, her hope, and her drive to always do what the spirit prompts her to do. We had about 15 minutes before an appointment and she was like, "let's go knock a few doors on this street!" and I wasn't too thrilled by this idea. The 3rd house we come to there was a less active member who had just days before been talking to his girlfriend - who was there as well- about how they should start going to church. His girlfriend has a daughter who has been considering going to church with her Mormon friend. God's timing is perfect, and there are no coincidences.
Sister Fowkes wanted to knock this apartment complex that was full of cranky people last time I knocked it, and I didn't really want to knock it. But, we grudgingly went, and we found multiple new investigators that night. I'm learning a lot about just doing things, even if it doesn't seem appealing, or if it doesn't seem fruitful to you - because if the spirit prompts it, nothing else matters!
I love this work. I love being here! God continues to bless me so much with things to learn! thank you for all that you do to support me here! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Letter from September 8th, 2014
Hey all!
Man oh man, it has been the week 1 to trump all week 1's! I have seen more miracles than I can count. The Lord has been so good to me. As I went to bed last night, I couldn't comprehend all that has happened in the last 7 days. This last transfer is going to be AMAZING!
First, I have to say, Sister Fowkes is exactly what I needed to finish off my mission strong. Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. We are a lot a like in many ways, but we also have different strengths and weaknesses, and I have already learned a lot. I'm excited for what the next 5 weeks will bring!
Jerry Whitman is just as awesome as ever! They are going out of town next week, and Jeanette, his wife, was saying that they might have to push back his baptism, but Jerry started shaking his head the minute she suggested it. He is SO excited, and SO prepared! I'm so incredibly grateful that we were able to find him.
And Susan Emory is doing so good! We invited her to fast yesterday to ask God when He wanted her to be baptized. At church, she said, "There's no date coming to my mind, but I just keep feeling soon!" She's working on quitting smoking and is just trying so hard! Her attitude is much better than it was before, and she actually made it a couple of days before she slipped up. But, she picked herself up and is trying again. She'll be baptized either at the end of September or the beginning of October, I'm sure of it! Regardless of when, though, she is going to be baptized, and that brings my heart such joy! Everyone at church keeps saying how much she has changed, and that is just a testimony to me that her change is real, and that the spirit has truly worked within her heart. Getting to teach her and see her change has been one of the sweetest experiences of my mission!
We have been blessed to find several new investigators this week, and I'm so excited to see what will happen. I can't remember the last time my planner was so full with actual set appointments - before the week actually began!
It actually is such a testament of the truth that this is GOD'S work. Because the past 4 transfers, I haven't been doing things much different. It's not like I've been disobedient or lazy, or doing things I shouldn't have. But, at the beginning of this 5th transfer her in Lacey, Sister Fowkes just bringing a little bit of difference in, the Lord has suddenly caused things to happen. And there hasn't been much difference in the way we work - although, Sister Fowkes has helped me to see a lot of little things I need to work on. Not because she's called me out, but just by her example. It's actually a little bit exciting, because I've already seen the growth in me as I've focused on improving. -
You guys. This is God's work. Never miss an opportunity to participate in it! Because even if you extend an invitation and someone turns you down, that is NOT a failure. Because this is His work, and He prepares people in His own way. There is nothing that we can do or say that will make the difference. But, if we open up ourselves, He will allow ourselves to be in the right place at the right time - but only if we continue to follow every prompting. With promptness. That is the meaning of the Lord hastening His work.
Oh man, I love this. I'm so grateful to be here. As Ammon says, "my heart is brim with joy" because of this work. I can't help but be happy! Thank you for all that you do to help me and support me out here. I'm grateful to each of you and the love you have for me. I love you guys!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Man oh man, it has been the week 1 to trump all week 1's! I have seen more miracles than I can count. The Lord has been so good to me. As I went to bed last night, I couldn't comprehend all that has happened in the last 7 days. This last transfer is going to be AMAZING!
First, I have to say, Sister Fowkes is exactly what I needed to finish off my mission strong. Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. We are a lot a like in many ways, but we also have different strengths and weaknesses, and I have already learned a lot. I'm excited for what the next 5 weeks will bring!
Jerry Whitman is just as awesome as ever! They are going out of town next week, and Jeanette, his wife, was saying that they might have to push back his baptism, but Jerry started shaking his head the minute she suggested it. He is SO excited, and SO prepared! I'm so incredibly grateful that we were able to find him.
And Susan Emory is doing so good! We invited her to fast yesterday to ask God when He wanted her to be baptized. At church, she said, "There's no date coming to my mind, but I just keep feeling soon!" She's working on quitting smoking and is just trying so hard! Her attitude is much better than it was before, and she actually made it a couple of days before she slipped up. But, she picked herself up and is trying again. She'll be baptized either at the end of September or the beginning of October, I'm sure of it! Regardless of when, though, she is going to be baptized, and that brings my heart such joy! Everyone at church keeps saying how much she has changed, and that is just a testimony to me that her change is real, and that the spirit has truly worked within her heart. Getting to teach her and see her change has been one of the sweetest experiences of my mission!
We have been blessed to find several new investigators this week, and I'm so excited to see what will happen. I can't remember the last time my planner was so full with actual set appointments - before the week actually began!
It actually is such a testament of the truth that this is GOD'S work. Because the past 4 transfers, I haven't been doing things much different. It's not like I've been disobedient or lazy, or doing things I shouldn't have. But, at the beginning of this 5th transfer her in Lacey, Sister Fowkes just bringing a little bit of difference in, the Lord has suddenly caused things to happen. And there hasn't been much difference in the way we work - although, Sister Fowkes has helped me to see a lot of little things I need to work on. Not because she's called me out, but just by her example. It's actually a little bit exciting, because I've already seen the growth in me as I've focused on improving. -
You guys. This is God's work. Never miss an opportunity to participate in it! Because even if you extend an invitation and someone turns you down, that is NOT a failure. Because this is His work, and He prepares people in His own way. There is nothing that we can do or say that will make the difference. But, if we open up ourselves, He will allow ourselves to be in the right place at the right time - but only if we continue to follow every prompting. With promptness. That is the meaning of the Lord hastening His work.
Oh man, I love this. I'm so grateful to be here. As Ammon says, "my heart is brim with joy" because of this work. I can't help but be happy! Thank you for all that you do to help me and support me out here. I'm grateful to each of you and the love you have for me. I love you guys!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Letter from September 2nd, 2014
Hey all!
Don't know how cohesive this letter will be. Emailing on non-pdays is always a weird thing. Transfer news: Well...Sister Bayles is going home. And so I get to stay in Lacey! And, my new companion will be Sister Fowkes. Oh man, I am SO excited about that! She is stellar and we are good buddies. We served in the Bremerton zone and Silverdale zone together. We followed each other. It's going to be a good way to end this transfer!
It's very much a surreal feeling to realize that this is my last transfer. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my most emotional transfer. But, I anticipate it being one of the most joyous as well. Jerry Whitman is on date for September 20th. Keep him in your prayers, please! He was totally and completely elect, and it was SUCH a miracle to find him. He picked his own date to be baptized, and he is excited and totally on board. His wife is also very excited.
Susan Emory is also doing a lot better. She is much more focused and much more determined. She made the statement that she keeps trying to push the truth away and deny God's commandments, but the spirit keeps drawing her back to us. So, she knows she needs to start living God's commandments and has a desire to draw closer to God. And she WANTS to be baptized. So, instead of picking her baptismal date this time, we are having her pray and ask God when He wants her baptized. This way, she has more of a reason to work towards it, because she knows that it's what He wants, not just what the missionaries want. I'm not sure if it'll happen while I'm still here, but I have high hopes, and I'm confident that she will get baptized.
We also found a couple pretty sweet new investigators, Kevin and Raul. Hopefully you'll end up hearing more about them, because we really need new investigators! We only have a handful of people we're teaching, and really Susan and Jerry are the only solid ones. But, the good news is that they are SUPER solid.
Life is good. I've got nothing to complain about. My heart is full at the thought of all that I've been able to experience here, and I'm so incredibly grateful that I have 6 weeks left to serve my God in this capacity...but I'm also incredibly sorrowful that I only have 6 weeks left. But, I know this will be a great 6 weeks, and I'm determined to do all that God requires of me.
I love you all! Thanks for everything you do and for the support you give me. I feel the prayers and appreciate them. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Don't know how cohesive this letter will be. Emailing on non-pdays is always a weird thing. Transfer news: Well...Sister Bayles is going home. And so I get to stay in Lacey! And, my new companion will be Sister Fowkes. Oh man, I am SO excited about that! She is stellar and we are good buddies. We served in the Bremerton zone and Silverdale zone together. We followed each other. It's going to be a good way to end this transfer!
It's very much a surreal feeling to realize that this is my last transfer. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my most emotional transfer. But, I anticipate it being one of the most joyous as well. Jerry Whitman is on date for September 20th. Keep him in your prayers, please! He was totally and completely elect, and it was SUCH a miracle to find him. He picked his own date to be baptized, and he is excited and totally on board. His wife is also very excited.
Susan Emory is also doing a lot better. She is much more focused and much more determined. She made the statement that she keeps trying to push the truth away and deny God's commandments, but the spirit keeps drawing her back to us. So, she knows she needs to start living God's commandments and has a desire to draw closer to God. And she WANTS to be baptized. So, instead of picking her baptismal date this time, we are having her pray and ask God when He wants her baptized. This way, she has more of a reason to work towards it, because she knows that it's what He wants, not just what the missionaries want. I'm not sure if it'll happen while I'm still here, but I have high hopes, and I'm confident that she will get baptized.
We also found a couple pretty sweet new investigators, Kevin and Raul. Hopefully you'll end up hearing more about them, because we really need new investigators! We only have a handful of people we're teaching, and really Susan and Jerry are the only solid ones. But, the good news is that they are SUPER solid.
Life is good. I've got nothing to complain about. My heart is full at the thought of all that I've been able to experience here, and I'm so incredibly grateful that I have 6 weeks left to serve my God in this capacity...but I'm also incredibly sorrowful that I only have 6 weeks left. But, I know this will be a great 6 weeks, and I'm determined to do all that God requires of me.
I love you all! Thanks for everything you do and for the support you give me. I feel the prayers and appreciate them. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Letter from August 25th, 2014
Hey all!
It has been a wonderful week! It's been super weird for Sister Bayles and I. As we were doing our weekly planning, Sister Bayles realized she was planning her last week in the mission...which made me realize that in 6 weeks I'd be doing the same thing. It's so odd for me to think about. I can't believe that it's ending for her and then soon after it ends for me...it makes for odd musings when I start to think about things. But it's helping me to make resolutions and decisions about the future.
Other than the annoying thoughts of going home soon, we've been greatly blessed. We had a way awesome exchange last week! Sister Bayles went with Sister Rea (I was a little bit jealous. Sister Rea has become one of my favorite people ever) and I went with Sister Liao. Sister Liao is from Taiwan, and she's in her 3rd transfer here. She speaks pretty good English, and she was way excited to hear that I had a brother who served in Taiwan! We talked about it for a little while. It was really neat to get to be with Sister Liao, though. She is probably one of the happiest and most optimistic people I know, and it helped to remind me the power of expectations. Elder Holland has said that we need to expect miracles to happen. And that's what Sister Liao does! A couple things fell through that day, and she was just like, "It will all work out!" It made me smile, because it's so true. It was a really good reminder for me to be a little bit more optimistic and positive about things. I love it when I get to learn and be reminded of things on these exchanges - and I love it most when it's from young missionaries, because it just goes to show that every missionary, no matter how young or how old, has something to offer, and has something we can learn from.
We've been teaching Isabel, a friend of a member who is visiting from Spain. She actual goes back today, but the past month that we've had to teach her have been very special to me. She said she was willing to meet with the missionaries in Spain, so we're super excited to give that referral. But, it was such a sweet tender mercy teaching her because of her openness to learning, and her sweet spirit. She never has been able to recognize the spirit, but it's been neat to see how it is still working within and even changing her, though she's not recognizing it. Teaching Isabel has also been a wonderful example of one of my favorite things of being a missionary: being able to feel the love that God has for people. I have felt such an incredible amount of love for Isabel. It's been such a treat to teach her, because of the feelings I feel as we are there. It still dumbfounds me to think how the spirit can fill me with such love for a person that I barely know. I love it!
Susan Emory, who decided she didn't want to get baptized is slowly changing, again. Her heart is softening. I have to keep reminding myself that it's God's timing and now ours. But, she came to church this week, and even told us she felt the spirit - it's good that she's recognizing it on her own! She's been reading and has been a lot more...mellow, I guess would be a good word. Last week, she was really...aggressive when we met with her. Pretty much refusing the spirit. Now, she is listening and accepting, again. I'm confident she'll get baptized, still, but we'll just have to be patient with her. I'm hoping she'll get baptized before I leave...but I'll just be happy to know she actually gets baptized.
And THEN! The highlight of the week. :) Jerry Whitman! He has decided to be baptized! He's not on date, yet, because apparently he made the official decision after we left the lesson, but his wife at church said she was talking to her sister on the phone and she told her Jerry was getting baptized, and Jerry just sat there with a big grin on his face! So, the next time we meet with him, we'll get a solid date set - and make sure he actually is committed and converted. But, we are so excited!
Things have been going well. And I think week 6 will be a week of miracles. It's gotta be, because it's Sister Bayles' last week! I love you all! Thanks for all that you do to support me and all you do for me!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
It has been a wonderful week! It's been super weird for Sister Bayles and I. As we were doing our weekly planning, Sister Bayles realized she was planning her last week in the mission...which made me realize that in 6 weeks I'd be doing the same thing. It's so odd for me to think about. I can't believe that it's ending for her and then soon after it ends for me...it makes for odd musings when I start to think about things. But it's helping me to make resolutions and decisions about the future.
Other than the annoying thoughts of going home soon, we've been greatly blessed. We had a way awesome exchange last week! Sister Bayles went with Sister Rea (I was a little bit jealous. Sister Rea has become one of my favorite people ever) and I went with Sister Liao. Sister Liao is from Taiwan, and she's in her 3rd transfer here. She speaks pretty good English, and she was way excited to hear that I had a brother who served in Taiwan! We talked about it for a little while. It was really neat to get to be with Sister Liao, though. She is probably one of the happiest and most optimistic people I know, and it helped to remind me the power of expectations. Elder Holland has said that we need to expect miracles to happen. And that's what Sister Liao does! A couple things fell through that day, and she was just like, "It will all work out!" It made me smile, because it's so true. It was a really good reminder for me to be a little bit more optimistic and positive about things. I love it when I get to learn and be reminded of things on these exchanges - and I love it most when it's from young missionaries, because it just goes to show that every missionary, no matter how young or how old, has something to offer, and has something we can learn from.
We've been teaching Isabel, a friend of a member who is visiting from Spain. She actual goes back today, but the past month that we've had to teach her have been very special to me. She said she was willing to meet with the missionaries in Spain, so we're super excited to give that referral. But, it was such a sweet tender mercy teaching her because of her openness to learning, and her sweet spirit. She never has been able to recognize the spirit, but it's been neat to see how it is still working within and even changing her, though she's not recognizing it. Teaching Isabel has also been a wonderful example of one of my favorite things of being a missionary: being able to feel the love that God has for people. I have felt such an incredible amount of love for Isabel. It's been such a treat to teach her, because of the feelings I feel as we are there. It still dumbfounds me to think how the spirit can fill me with such love for a person that I barely know. I love it!
Susan Emory, who decided she didn't want to get baptized is slowly changing, again. Her heart is softening. I have to keep reminding myself that it's God's timing and now ours. But, she came to church this week, and even told us she felt the spirit - it's good that she's recognizing it on her own! She's been reading and has been a lot more...mellow, I guess would be a good word. Last week, she was really...aggressive when we met with her. Pretty much refusing the spirit. Now, she is listening and accepting, again. I'm confident she'll get baptized, still, but we'll just have to be patient with her. I'm hoping she'll get baptized before I leave...but I'll just be happy to know she actually gets baptized.
And THEN! The highlight of the week. :) Jerry Whitman! He has decided to be baptized! He's not on date, yet, because apparently he made the official decision after we left the lesson, but his wife at church said she was talking to her sister on the phone and she told her Jerry was getting baptized, and Jerry just sat there with a big grin on his face! So, the next time we meet with him, we'll get a solid date set - and make sure he actually is committed and converted. But, we are so excited!
Things have been going well. And I think week 6 will be a week of miracles. It's gotta be, because it's Sister Bayles' last week! I love you all! Thanks for all that you do to support me and all you do for me!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, August 18, 2014
Letter from August 18th, 2014
Hey all!
Well...I don't really know what to even think about this last week. I feel like I blinked and it was over! By the time it was Saturday, I was completely shocked, and I didn't know where the time had gone. We did two exchanges and had a zone conference, which is why it went by so quickly.
The first exchange was with Sister Brewster. It was odd to go with her, since we were companions a few transfers ago. It was neat though, to see the little ways she has already begun to change. They were very subtle changes, but I feel like that's generally the changes we make on the mission. Definite changes, for sure, but not outside changes. Enough change that most people who know you will notice, but may not be able to put their finger on, unless they look a little bit more on the inward character.
Then we had zone conference. It was way good! The Blatters did it a little bit differently; we had breakout sessions where we broke into the three zones and went to different little workshops. Sister Bayles and I were asked to help with one of the workshops, so we didn't get to actually receive the training that everyone else did...which was a little bit sad, but it was fun all the same! The training was on open your mouth...so it was a little bit ironic that Sister Bayles and I were put in charge of that one. We all know how shy I am, and I still will sometimes struggle with it. But, it was really fun. We did some roleplays, and it was a good time. It mostly was just hilarious to see the interactions between the missionaries.
Then, right after zone conference, we did another exchange. I went with Sister Rasmussen. She's a little greenie, who has been out for about 4 weeks. It actually was the first time that I've worked with someone who had been out for less than a transfer! It was a really neat experience, though. She's got the makings of a really good missionary - in fact, she already is. I loved getting to work with her, though; I made the point to trust her. I expected things of her, which I know a lot of greenies don't always get. And it was always really neat that, as I would pause in my teaching or in my talking, she would always step up and speak. It was really cool to see the way she taught, too. She is definitely putting thought into what she is saying; you can tell that she is thinking. She'll take the time to pause and anybody who is listening to her can see that it's not just some rote presentation, but that it's meaningful. Her trainer, Sister Allred, does the same exact thing. I think it's a very important thing to do as we talk with people in any situation. We don't just talk and talk and talk, or recite a memorized idea; when we respond to people, do we just plow through without taking the time to take in their thoughts and the things they say, so that we can give a proper and thoughtful response. I hope to be able to apply her example into my teaching, because that is the way for people to trust you, and I want people to trust me! I want people to be able feel that they can trust me with their thoughts, as well as trust the things that I say.
Susan Emory is no longer on-date - she's not quite sure she wants to be baptized anymore. That was a rough blow. She essentially said that she didn't want to live the commandments. It made me so sad, because she was on fire! It was such a drastic change! And it makes me sad because she is never going to find happiness in the life that she is leading. We had stake conference this week, and Elder Richard Hansen from the Seventy came. In the Sunday morning session, he made the statement, "The secret to happiness is to keep the covenants which you have made." If Susan never makes those covenants, she is never going to experience a fullness of joy. there is happiness to be found, but there is so much more. And the making and keeping of those covenants is what is necessary for experiencing that! That's why there are missionaries! To help people perform ordinances that signify that those covenants have been made.
Man. It's been quite a week. But, it's been a week of mostly good things. :) There are just two more weeks of this transfer, and that is so odd to me! Just two more exchanges. Haha, I've come to measure my time in exchanges more than weeks. They often are the highlight of my week. :) I have loved this time of being an STL. I think these last transfers will be the highlight of my mission, because of being an STL. It's brought a different element to my work. It's so different have responsibility over more than just your area. I have 12 extra sisters that I have stewardship over. And man, do I love those 12 sisters! IT's such a joy to see them progress, so see THEM have success, to see the joy that they are experiencing, to see the love they have for their missions, and to gain these friendships that I know will last longer than just my time in the WA-TAC. I love it!
I love you all! Thanks for everything that you have done for me! The love and the support! I'm so grateful that I am able to be here, and I'm grateful for those of you who have made it possible for me to be here. I hope you all have a great week! Notice the miracles, and don't forget to thank God for them. they happen each and every day, if you keep your eyes open! Love ya!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well...I don't really know what to even think about this last week. I feel like I blinked and it was over! By the time it was Saturday, I was completely shocked, and I didn't know where the time had gone. We did two exchanges and had a zone conference, which is why it went by so quickly.
The first exchange was with Sister Brewster. It was odd to go with her, since we were companions a few transfers ago. It was neat though, to see the little ways she has already begun to change. They were very subtle changes, but I feel like that's generally the changes we make on the mission. Definite changes, for sure, but not outside changes. Enough change that most people who know you will notice, but may not be able to put their finger on, unless they look a little bit more on the inward character.
Then we had zone conference. It was way good! The Blatters did it a little bit differently; we had breakout sessions where we broke into the three zones and went to different little workshops. Sister Bayles and I were asked to help with one of the workshops, so we didn't get to actually receive the training that everyone else did...which was a little bit sad, but it was fun all the same! The training was on open your mouth...so it was a little bit ironic that Sister Bayles and I were put in charge of that one. We all know how shy I am, and I still will sometimes struggle with it. But, it was really fun. We did some roleplays, and it was a good time. It mostly was just hilarious to see the interactions between the missionaries.
Then, right after zone conference, we did another exchange. I went with Sister Rasmussen. She's a little greenie, who has been out for about 4 weeks. It actually was the first time that I've worked with someone who had been out for less than a transfer! It was a really neat experience, though. She's got the makings of a really good missionary - in fact, she already is. I loved getting to work with her, though; I made the point to trust her. I expected things of her, which I know a lot of greenies don't always get. And it was always really neat that, as I would pause in my teaching or in my talking, she would always step up and speak. It was really cool to see the way she taught, too. She is definitely putting thought into what she is saying; you can tell that she is thinking. She'll take the time to pause and anybody who is listening to her can see that it's not just some rote presentation, but that it's meaningful. Her trainer, Sister Allred, does the same exact thing. I think it's a very important thing to do as we talk with people in any situation. We don't just talk and talk and talk, or recite a memorized idea; when we respond to people, do we just plow through without taking the time to take in their thoughts and the things they say, so that we can give a proper and thoughtful response. I hope to be able to apply her example into my teaching, because that is the way for people to trust you, and I want people to trust me! I want people to be able feel that they can trust me with their thoughts, as well as trust the things that I say.
Susan Emory is no longer on-date - she's not quite sure she wants to be baptized anymore. That was a rough blow. She essentially said that she didn't want to live the commandments. It made me so sad, because she was on fire! It was such a drastic change! And it makes me sad because she is never going to find happiness in the life that she is leading. We had stake conference this week, and Elder Richard Hansen from the Seventy came. In the Sunday morning session, he made the statement, "The secret to happiness is to keep the covenants which you have made." If Susan never makes those covenants, she is never going to experience a fullness of joy. there is happiness to be found, but there is so much more. And the making and keeping of those covenants is what is necessary for experiencing that! That's why there are missionaries! To help people perform ordinances that signify that those covenants have been made.
Man. It's been quite a week. But, it's been a week of mostly good things. :) There are just two more weeks of this transfer, and that is so odd to me! Just two more exchanges. Haha, I've come to measure my time in exchanges more than weeks. They often are the highlight of my week. :) I have loved this time of being an STL. I think these last transfers will be the highlight of my mission, because of being an STL. It's brought a different element to my work. It's so different have responsibility over more than just your area. I have 12 extra sisters that I have stewardship over. And man, do I love those 12 sisters! IT's such a joy to see them progress, so see THEM have success, to see the joy that they are experiencing, to see the love they have for their missions, and to gain these friendships that I know will last longer than just my time in the WA-TAC. I love it!
I love you all! Thanks for everything that you have done for me! The love and the support! I'm so grateful that I am able to be here, and I'm grateful for those of you who have made it possible for me to be here. I hope you all have a great week! Notice the miracles, and don't forget to thank God for them. they happen each and every day, if you keep your eyes open! Love ya!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Letter from August 11th, 2014
Hey all!
Well, the transfer is officially halfway over...and it's really hard to wrap my head around. But, the Lord has blessed us tremendously! Tuesday we did an exchange, and it was the exchange of miracles! Sister Chipman came here with me, and we had a hoot! She been companions with several of my dear mission friends, so we had a good chat about how much we just love people. Sister Chipman is the epitome of sunshine and happiness. She is the color yellow! So we had a good time!
While with Sister Chipman, we visited Susan Emory. She is very determined to give up her addictions, and she set for her quit date for August 18th. As we were talking with her, we were able to put her on date for the 23rd! She is working towards it, is nervous, but just wants to be able to be baptized, and is diligently working towards it!
Then, while knocking doors, we knocked into a part member family. A couple who is about in their 70's. They moved into this apartment about 2 weeks before. The wife, Jeanette, is less active, but as we talked with them, she was like, "Yeah, I just kind of stopped coming to church, but I know it's the right thing to do, and I need to start coming back." Then, the husband Jerry, who isn't a member, talked about how when he was in his 20's he met with missionaries and the only reason why he wasn't baptized was because he didn't receive an answer that Joseph Smith was a prophet. We talked about that for just a little bit, and then invited him to take the lessons again, and he agreed. we invited them to church, and Jerry excitedly agreed to come - and came! During sacrament meeting, he asked me a couple of questions. I love when people ask questions, because it means they are thinking about things. We are now teaching them; SO cool!
One last miracle of the exchange really had nothing to do with anyone that we taught or that we found, but some of our conversations. We talked a little bit about love and charity. and the spirit was able to then teach me a lot; he opened my eyes a little bit. President Weaver used to say that the mantle of missionary work is love. I believe that is true. Actually, of any calling you receive, the mantle is love. I've begun to notice this especially as a Sister Training Leader. I am SO grateful I have been able to have this calling. It is the perfect way to end my mission, because I feel my heart changing the most, as I have the privilege to work with these sisters. My heart is filled with such great love. After each exchange, I come away have made a new friend, a friend whom I love and care for deeply. I want to help them, I seek for ways to serve them. It is so much deeper than many friendships I've had before. I just love these sisters! And I love my investigators, and the ward members we work with! I just love! I've made the decision that for these last couple of months, I want that to kind of be my theme. Just...love. I want to love a new person each day. I want to feel love for deeply for people each day. I just want to be able to love people stronger and more deeply.
I love this work. I'm so grateful to be here! I'm grateful for this opportunity I have to serve, and learn and change. It's so much more than I ever imagined. I will never be the same!
Thank you all for the things to do to help me and support me. I love you! Remember what is most important!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, the transfer is officially halfway over...and it's really hard to wrap my head around. But, the Lord has blessed us tremendously! Tuesday we did an exchange, and it was the exchange of miracles! Sister Chipman came here with me, and we had a hoot! She been companions with several of my dear mission friends, so we had a good chat about how much we just love people. Sister Chipman is the epitome of sunshine and happiness. She is the color yellow! So we had a good time!
While with Sister Chipman, we visited Susan Emory. She is very determined to give up her addictions, and she set for her quit date for August 18th. As we were talking with her, we were able to put her on date for the 23rd! She is working towards it, is nervous, but just wants to be able to be baptized, and is diligently working towards it!
Then, while knocking doors, we knocked into a part member family. A couple who is about in their 70's. They moved into this apartment about 2 weeks before. The wife, Jeanette, is less active, but as we talked with them, she was like, "Yeah, I just kind of stopped coming to church, but I know it's the right thing to do, and I need to start coming back." Then, the husband Jerry, who isn't a member, talked about how when he was in his 20's he met with missionaries and the only reason why he wasn't baptized was because he didn't receive an answer that Joseph Smith was a prophet. We talked about that for just a little bit, and then invited him to take the lessons again, and he agreed. we invited them to church, and Jerry excitedly agreed to come - and came! During sacrament meeting, he asked me a couple of questions. I love when people ask questions, because it means they are thinking about things. We are now teaching them; SO cool!
One last miracle of the exchange really had nothing to do with anyone that we taught or that we found, but some of our conversations. We talked a little bit about love and charity. and the spirit was able to then teach me a lot; he opened my eyes a little bit. President Weaver used to say that the mantle of missionary work is love. I believe that is true. Actually, of any calling you receive, the mantle is love. I've begun to notice this especially as a Sister Training Leader. I am SO grateful I have been able to have this calling. It is the perfect way to end my mission, because I feel my heart changing the most, as I have the privilege to work with these sisters. My heart is filled with such great love. After each exchange, I come away have made a new friend, a friend whom I love and care for deeply. I want to help them, I seek for ways to serve them. It is so much deeper than many friendships I've had before. I just love these sisters! And I love my investigators, and the ward members we work with! I just love! I've made the decision that for these last couple of months, I want that to kind of be my theme. Just...love. I want to love a new person each day. I want to feel love for deeply for people each day. I just want to be able to love people stronger and more deeply.
I love this work. I'm so grateful to be here! I'm grateful for this opportunity I have to serve, and learn and change. It's so much more than I ever imagined. I will never be the same!
Thank you all for the things to do to help me and support me. I love you! Remember what is most important!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, August 4, 2014
Letter from August 4th, 2014
Hey all!
Oh man, this week. It's been one heck of a week. Quite frankly, I'm very grateful that it's p-day. It wasn't a BAD week. But it was a hard week. Why? Because disasters happened to nearly everyone we are teaching. It took a toll on my heart. From the possibility of cancer, to someone's cancer getting worse, to someone giving in to her addictions, thus losing all of her money and her self-esteem crashing, to someone being in an abusive relationship and not knowing what to do, to one of the sisters we're over having health problems and she nor the mission president are quite sure if she can remain out - and she just return to the WA-TAC after being home for 8 months because of her health and all she wants to do is serve a mission. Man. My heart couldn't take it. I guess this is what I get for praying for charity...
But, in reality, it has been so neat to see how ALL of these events have been a blessing. I know. Weird. But, it's true. God is working on these people. He is humbling them. Because each and every person, whose lives have turned into disaster, has turned to God for support. In fact, Susan Emory, who has been struggling with her addictions, in a prayer said, "Thank you for letting me hit rock bottom so I can be built back up again." And then, going to a baptism with us on Saturday, talked with our mission president and said, "I liked the baptism. I hope mine can be soon!" Her heart is softening, and her determination is growing. She is seeking - and receiving - strength through studying the scriptures. She is truly becoming converted, and all she wants to do is do what God wants her to.
The one who is in an abusive relationship came to church - chose to come to church, out of everything she could have done. She's been praying fervently, and after I showed her a couple verses during sacrament meeting, hoping they might give her some comfort, she texted after church asking where those verses were. She is now seeking solace and strength and answers in the right places, whereas a few months ago, she'd probably just looking for some alcohol or some easy way to escape her feelings.
And more and more! Despite how my heart aches for these people, despite the helpless feeling I felt, each day, when some new person told me how their life has turned for the worse, I am lifted by hope as I recognize the hand of God, touching the lives of these people. Not causing things to happen, but allowing these things to happen, so that they might turn towards God. So that they have another opportunity to make a right choice - and that they ARE making the right choice. And we get to be here, supporting them, encouraging them, guiding them so that they know what the right choice is.
It's just as Mormon tells his son in Moroni 9:25 when he says, "My son, be faithful in Christ, and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." There is always hope to be found. There is always good to be seen. And there is always happiness to be felt.
I've been exhausted this week, because of how emotionally draining it has been for me, but it has been incredible to see how I truly have been given the grace to continue on - just as it says in Jacob 4:7. I've been given the power to do "these things" because of God's grace!
I'm so grateful for the things I am able to learn and experience out here. And I'm so grateful that I can be someone that people trust and confide in - not really because of me but because of who I represent. I'm grateful I can represent my Savior, and that I can, in some part, minister grace to these people whom I love dearly.
I love you all! Thank you for all you do for me and the support you give me.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Oh man, this week. It's been one heck of a week. Quite frankly, I'm very grateful that it's p-day. It wasn't a BAD week. But it was a hard week. Why? Because disasters happened to nearly everyone we are teaching. It took a toll on my heart. From the possibility of cancer, to someone's cancer getting worse, to someone giving in to her addictions, thus losing all of her money and her self-esteem crashing, to someone being in an abusive relationship and not knowing what to do, to one of the sisters we're over having health problems and she nor the mission president are quite sure if she can remain out - and she just return to the WA-TAC after being home for 8 months because of her health and all she wants to do is serve a mission. Man. My heart couldn't take it. I guess this is what I get for praying for charity...
But, in reality, it has been so neat to see how ALL of these events have been a blessing. I know. Weird. But, it's true. God is working on these people. He is humbling them. Because each and every person, whose lives have turned into disaster, has turned to God for support. In fact, Susan Emory, who has been struggling with her addictions, in a prayer said, "Thank you for letting me hit rock bottom so I can be built back up again." And then, going to a baptism with us on Saturday, talked with our mission president and said, "I liked the baptism. I hope mine can be soon!" Her heart is softening, and her determination is growing. She is seeking - and receiving - strength through studying the scriptures. She is truly becoming converted, and all she wants to do is do what God wants her to.
The one who is in an abusive relationship came to church - chose to come to church, out of everything she could have done. She's been praying fervently, and after I showed her a couple verses during sacrament meeting, hoping they might give her some comfort, she texted after church asking where those verses were. She is now seeking solace and strength and answers in the right places, whereas a few months ago, she'd probably just looking for some alcohol or some easy way to escape her feelings.
And more and more! Despite how my heart aches for these people, despite the helpless feeling I felt, each day, when some new person told me how their life has turned for the worse, I am lifted by hope as I recognize the hand of God, touching the lives of these people. Not causing things to happen, but allowing these things to happen, so that they might turn towards God. So that they have another opportunity to make a right choice - and that they ARE making the right choice. And we get to be here, supporting them, encouraging them, guiding them so that they know what the right choice is.
It's just as Mormon tells his son in Moroni 9:25 when he says, "My son, be faithful in Christ, and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." There is always hope to be found. There is always good to be seen. And there is always happiness to be felt.
I've been exhausted this week, because of how emotionally draining it has been for me, but it has been incredible to see how I truly have been given the grace to continue on - just as it says in Jacob 4:7. I've been given the power to do "these things" because of God's grace!
I'm so grateful for the things I am able to learn and experience out here. And I'm so grateful that I can be someone that people trust and confide in - not really because of me but because of who I represent. I'm grateful I can represent my Savior, and that I can, in some part, minister grace to these people whom I love dearly.
I love you all! Thank you for all you do for me and the support you give me.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Letter from July 28th, 2014
Hey all!
It's been a good week here in Lacey! Week one of a transfer is always exciting. We weren't able to go to transfer meeting, again, since we weren't exchanging companions, and with the new rule instituted of not going to transfer meeting if you're not being transferred. In all reality, it was way hard not to be there. I missed the chance to say farewell to some dear friends, and I missed their final testimonies. It made me so sad!
We also heard from Rainy. It turns out that she's out of state until September...which is SUCH a bummer. BUT! She took her Book of Mormon with her and said she'd come back with questions to ask us. :) I definitely believe that she is elect, and I'm hopeful for when she comes back. The spirit will work on her while she's away, and she'll be even more ready to hear the Gospel when she's back in town!
Susan Emory is doing amazing! She warms my soul! She went to Addiction Recovery, and there she talked about how she is planning on getting baptized, and how she knows the Book of Mormon is true, and that she knows when she reads it, it helps her have the strength that she needs. She working hard at overcoming her plethora of addictions, but she is focused and has such pure desires! I'm so excited for her! We saw her on Friday, and she had written out a list of things to be doing in order for her to be baptized - on it were things like praying and reading the scriptures, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and going to church! It was so cool, because these are things that we teach investigators before they get baptized, but we haven't taught them to her, yet. But, she's been studying, she's been searching, and the spirit has been teaching her. She is on FIRE!! I love visiting her, because she always has something new she learned, she is eager to learn from us, and she recognizes that this is where God is leading her. Her desires are so pure! It seriously fills me with such joy! I love witnessing the power of the spirit, and the change of heart it works in people. I'm constantly reminded that I truly have nothing to do with these people's conversions. I'm just here to help them recognize God's hand and to point them in the right direction. God does everything else.
We've had a few other sweet tender mercies that have just helped us to feel God's love for us, and to be given the knowledge that we're doing what we're supposed to. It's humbling to realize that God truly does listen to the cries of our heart, and to our silent pleadings - so we must be careful for what we are crying out, because we need to remember His goodness and be grateful, instead of crying out in frustration.
All in all, it's been a good week. It's been interesting dealing with the realization that I'm going home soon. Sister Bayles is leaving at the end of this transfer, so it's not something I can just ignore...it's kind of constantly prevalent. It fills me with sorrow to think about leaving. It fills me with desperation, because I want to work as hard as possible, I want do work as hard as I can, I want to help the people I'm supposed to, and I want to become the person I'm meant to become. Above all else, it fills me with joy and gratitude. There is no greater work. There is nothing else better for my life than what I could be doing right now. And I'm so grateful I still have time left! It's not over today! I still have time!
This seriously is the best. I love it! Thank you to all of those who support me and help me. I'm grateful for your efforts and willingness to help me. I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
It's been a good week here in Lacey! Week one of a transfer is always exciting. We weren't able to go to transfer meeting, again, since we weren't exchanging companions, and with the new rule instituted of not going to transfer meeting if you're not being transferred. In all reality, it was way hard not to be there. I missed the chance to say farewell to some dear friends, and I missed their final testimonies. It made me so sad!
We also heard from Rainy. It turns out that she's out of state until September...which is SUCH a bummer. BUT! She took her Book of Mormon with her and said she'd come back with questions to ask us. :) I definitely believe that she is elect, and I'm hopeful for when she comes back. The spirit will work on her while she's away, and she'll be even more ready to hear the Gospel when she's back in town!
Susan Emory is doing amazing! She warms my soul! She went to Addiction Recovery, and there she talked about how she is planning on getting baptized, and how she knows the Book of Mormon is true, and that she knows when she reads it, it helps her have the strength that she needs. She working hard at overcoming her plethora of addictions, but she is focused and has such pure desires! I'm so excited for her! We saw her on Friday, and she had written out a list of things to be doing in order for her to be baptized - on it were things like praying and reading the scriptures, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and going to church! It was so cool, because these are things that we teach investigators before they get baptized, but we haven't taught them to her, yet. But, she's been studying, she's been searching, and the spirit has been teaching her. She is on FIRE!! I love visiting her, because she always has something new she learned, she is eager to learn from us, and she recognizes that this is where God is leading her. Her desires are so pure! It seriously fills me with such joy! I love witnessing the power of the spirit, and the change of heart it works in people. I'm constantly reminded that I truly have nothing to do with these people's conversions. I'm just here to help them recognize God's hand and to point them in the right direction. God does everything else.
We've had a few other sweet tender mercies that have just helped us to feel God's love for us, and to be given the knowledge that we're doing what we're supposed to. It's humbling to realize that God truly does listen to the cries of our heart, and to our silent pleadings - so we must be careful for what we are crying out, because we need to remember His goodness and be grateful, instead of crying out in frustration.
All in all, it's been a good week. It's been interesting dealing with the realization that I'm going home soon. Sister Bayles is leaving at the end of this transfer, so it's not something I can just ignore...it's kind of constantly prevalent. It fills me with sorrow to think about leaving. It fills me with desperation, because I want to work as hard as possible, I want do work as hard as I can, I want to help the people I'm supposed to, and I want to become the person I'm meant to become. Above all else, it fills me with joy and gratitude. There is no greater work. There is nothing else better for my life than what I could be doing right now. And I'm so grateful I still have time left! It's not over today! I still have time!
This seriously is the best. I love it! Thank you to all of those who support me and help me. I'm grateful for your efforts and willingness to help me. I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, July 21, 2014
Letter from July 21st, 2014
Hey all!
Guess who gets to stay in Lacey 5th? THIS girl!! Sister Bayles and I are staying together a 3rd transfer! So, in mission life, this means we're getting married. AND I get to kill her (this is her last transfer) as well. Which means I will more than likely stay here next transfer, and that I'll get to end my mission here. I'm so grateful! :)
This week has been an...interesting one. I'm not quite sure how else to explain it. We had our last exchange of the transfer - it was AMAZING! - and then things went kinda funny after that. Week 6 is always an odd one. I feel like Satan likes to mess with things to try to keep things from rolling on as usual, and to prevent things from being a smooth transition.
So, I go on exchange with Sister Rea - she was trained by Sister Bevan, so I heard a lot about her while I was companions with Bevan. Sister Rea is her favorite child :) - and am just absolutely blown away. Sister Rea is one of those missionaries who literally talks to everyone she sees and will somehow manage to invite them to read The Book of Mormon or at the very least to check out Mormon.org. Everyone. Every time. I felt like she was being my STL, instead of the other way around...though, granted about 3 months ago she WAS an STL.
Anyway, it was a dang good exchange. I learned a lot. But it kind of was the cause of some of the weirdness that ensued further on in the week. In my few conversations with Sister Rea previous to this exchange, I've discovered that she has this uncanny ability to get me to spill my guts to her. It's odd, because I've learned to cope with things by, not exactly ignoring them. I don't ignore my problems, but I acknowledge them and then push them to the side, because dwelling on them just seems to make my thoughts go negative, so I just acknowledge them and then push them to the side, because eventually, through studies and whatever, God ends up fixing them/giving me the revelation I need to deal with it. Anyways...to make a long story short...I make some comment, where I was mostly kidding, and then she asks, apparently seeing through the sarcasm, "Is that weighing you down?" And the sincerity of her question forced me to answer with a yes. And now the problem was no longer pushed to the side, and I was faced with it again. And...it didn't go away. I couldn't push it to the side anymore. It was just...there. In my face. In my mind.
In reality, it was a beautiful experience...not the negative thoughts that rolled through my mind the next couple of days. Not the feelings of discouragement and questions of why things were happening in certain ways. Those led to a couple of rough days - made rougher by plans falling through and having no one to see - but it was incredible to see how, as I took those things to God, not knowing the answers, not knowing how to handle things, not really understanding, He addressed my needs and gave me the grace I needed. He didn't give me the answers I was looking for, but He filled me with His love and helped me see how it's His plan, not mine, and that He would give me what I needed. And that I was fine!
It was an interesting week, but one where God made His love known for me. I'm grateful for it. And I'm so grateful I have the chance to share it! Especially that I get to share it here in Lacey!! I love it! So much!
I love you guys! Thanks so much for everything you all do for me.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Guess who gets to stay in Lacey 5th? THIS girl!! Sister Bayles and I are staying together a 3rd transfer! So, in mission life, this means we're getting married. AND I get to kill her (this is her last transfer) as well. Which means I will more than likely stay here next transfer, and that I'll get to end my mission here. I'm so grateful! :)
This week has been an...interesting one. I'm not quite sure how else to explain it. We had our last exchange of the transfer - it was AMAZING! - and then things went kinda funny after that. Week 6 is always an odd one. I feel like Satan likes to mess with things to try to keep things from rolling on as usual, and to prevent things from being a smooth transition.
So, I go on exchange with Sister Rea - she was trained by Sister Bevan, so I heard a lot about her while I was companions with Bevan. Sister Rea is her favorite child :) - and am just absolutely blown away. Sister Rea is one of those missionaries who literally talks to everyone she sees and will somehow manage to invite them to read The Book of Mormon or at the very least to check out Mormon.org. Everyone. Every time. I felt like she was being my STL, instead of the other way around...though, granted about 3 months ago she WAS an STL.
Anyway, it was a dang good exchange. I learned a lot. But it kind of was the cause of some of the weirdness that ensued further on in the week. In my few conversations with Sister Rea previous to this exchange, I've discovered that she has this uncanny ability to get me to spill my guts to her. It's odd, because I've learned to cope with things by, not exactly ignoring them. I don't ignore my problems, but I acknowledge them and then push them to the side, because dwelling on them just seems to make my thoughts go negative, so I just acknowledge them and then push them to the side, because eventually, through studies and whatever, God ends up fixing them/giving me the revelation I need to deal with it. Anyways...to make a long story short...I make some comment, where I was mostly kidding, and then she asks, apparently seeing through the sarcasm, "Is that weighing you down?" And the sincerity of her question forced me to answer with a yes. And now the problem was no longer pushed to the side, and I was faced with it again. And...it didn't go away. I couldn't push it to the side anymore. It was just...there. In my face. In my mind.
In reality, it was a beautiful experience...not the negative thoughts that rolled through my mind the next couple of days. Not the feelings of discouragement and questions of why things were happening in certain ways. Those led to a couple of rough days - made rougher by plans falling through and having no one to see - but it was incredible to see how, as I took those things to God, not knowing the answers, not knowing how to handle things, not really understanding, He addressed my needs and gave me the grace I needed. He didn't give me the answers I was looking for, but He filled me with His love and helped me see how it's His plan, not mine, and that He would give me what I needed. And that I was fine!
It was an interesting week, but one where God made His love known for me. I'm grateful for it. And I'm so grateful I have the chance to share it! Especially that I get to share it here in Lacey!! I love it! So much!
I love you guys! Thanks so much for everything you all do for me.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Letter from July 14th, 2014
Hey all!
This week was another good week. We had some really good lessons, we had another investigator at church, and we had an AWESOME exchange!
I think the exchange was my favorite part...so I'm going to save that for last.
We met with Susan Emory this week. She's been really hard to actually meet with. She has all sorts of heath problems, and she's been out of town (the curse of summer, for missionaries) and just super super busy. So, we finally meet with her, and she opens up her heart. She tells us about all of her addictions, and how she wants to start going to the church's addiction recovery program with us, so she can overcome these addictions. She had quit alcohol before, but she relapsed in recent months, and she knows it's possible to quite again, but she knows she needs to change, first. The entire time she was talking about her desire to change. It was so cool, because that is the message that we share - that the Gospel is the Gospel of change. Conversion IS change. The purpose of life is to learn and gain experience that will help us to change to become more like our Heavenly Father. To end it all, she talked about how she kept getting drawn back to us - she's dropped us once, ignored us, all sorts of things - but how, recently, she just can't seem to stop coming back to us. It was amazing! The Spirit of the Lord has been working with her, much more than WE have been working with her. Which is the way it usually goes. The Lord works the change of heart, not the missionaries. That's why it's HIS work!
We also had another really good lesson with Luis. He actually read the Book of Mormon! And he understood it! And he liked it! We taught him the Plan of Salvation, and the spirit was so strong! We had a member with us, and she commented on it, afterwards. His favorite parts of it were the spirit world and the three degrees of glory. Which is what most people kinda struggle with. It was so cool! Definitely a tender mercy. He wasn't able to come to church, again, but he told us he would come next week - and we're pretty sure he's not just bailing on us, because he lets us know ahead of time.
We weren't able to meet with Rainy this week - she got called into work - but she promised us she would be at church, but she didn't show up, and we haven't been able to get in contact with her...we're a little bit worried she's been anti-ed, but we're keeping our hopes up. She probably just got caught up with something!
Our exchange this week was with Sister Crosby and Sister Allred. Planning this one was actually a little bit stressful! We kept changing it, and we just couldn't seem to get a solid confirmation. But, we went for it! I went with Sister Allred, and I went to their area, and I had one of the best exchanges ever! A few days before the exchange, I had the prompting that I needed to start praying for that exchange right then! Which was weird. I normally don't start doing that until maybe the day of. So, I started praying that this exchange would be exactly what Sister Allred needed. The minute I get in the car with her, and we start driving to Lakewood, she just opens up, with some of the things she's dealing with; she just has been having a hard time mentally/emotionally with something. Pretty typical, for a missionary. Often times you just need a little reboot. but, because of everything, she just would become so exhausted all the time. I immediately was grateful that I had been praying days before.
So, we go throughout the day, and we just have a blast. The entire time, I'm just thinking about her and how I can help her, and what she might need. When I went home the next day, I was just so happy! I spent that time trying to help Sister Allred have more energy, more motivation, and to just be happy, and it ended up helping ME, and it ended up boosting me the rest of the week. It was just a really neat experience, and I realized that I was helped a lot by that exchange too. Man...I don't even know if this even expresses how much that exchange impacted me...I don't think it does. But it was just really neat to learn how, by me thinking and focusing totally on Sister Allred, I was helped, myself. It's true that when you lose yourself in service, you find yourself! It also is really neat just to see how the Lord brings people into your life. This is the second exchange I've gone on with Sister Allred - I went with her last transfer - and I've never served around her before being an STL. But, we've become really good friends, just from 48 hours of working together. We didn't need to be companions to become friends, but we needed to become friends, so the Lord just allowed us to go on exchanges.
Anyways, it's been a good week. I've learned a lot! I hope everything is going well back home and that you're happy and enjoying the summer! I love you all! Thank you so much for everything you guys do for me! LOVE YOU!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
This week was another good week. We had some really good lessons, we had another investigator at church, and we had an AWESOME exchange!
I think the exchange was my favorite part...so I'm going to save that for last.
We met with Susan Emory this week. She's been really hard to actually meet with. She has all sorts of heath problems, and she's been out of town (the curse of summer, for missionaries) and just super super busy. So, we finally meet with her, and she opens up her heart. She tells us about all of her addictions, and how she wants to start going to the church's addiction recovery program with us, so she can overcome these addictions. She had quit alcohol before, but she relapsed in recent months, and she knows it's possible to quite again, but she knows she needs to change, first. The entire time she was talking about her desire to change. It was so cool, because that is the message that we share - that the Gospel is the Gospel of change. Conversion IS change. The purpose of life is to learn and gain experience that will help us to change to become more like our Heavenly Father. To end it all, she talked about how she kept getting drawn back to us - she's dropped us once, ignored us, all sorts of things - but how, recently, she just can't seem to stop coming back to us. It was amazing! The Spirit of the Lord has been working with her, much more than WE have been working with her. Which is the way it usually goes. The Lord works the change of heart, not the missionaries. That's why it's HIS work!
We also had another really good lesson with Luis. He actually read the Book of Mormon! And he understood it! And he liked it! We taught him the Plan of Salvation, and the spirit was so strong! We had a member with us, and she commented on it, afterwards. His favorite parts of it were the spirit world and the three degrees of glory. Which is what most people kinda struggle with. It was so cool! Definitely a tender mercy. He wasn't able to come to church, again, but he told us he would come next week - and we're pretty sure he's not just bailing on us, because he lets us know ahead of time.
We weren't able to meet with Rainy this week - she got called into work - but she promised us she would be at church, but she didn't show up, and we haven't been able to get in contact with her...we're a little bit worried she's been anti-ed, but we're keeping our hopes up. She probably just got caught up with something!
Our exchange this week was with Sister Crosby and Sister Allred. Planning this one was actually a little bit stressful! We kept changing it, and we just couldn't seem to get a solid confirmation. But, we went for it! I went with Sister Allred, and I went to their area, and I had one of the best exchanges ever! A few days before the exchange, I had the prompting that I needed to start praying for that exchange right then! Which was weird. I normally don't start doing that until maybe the day of. So, I started praying that this exchange would be exactly what Sister Allred needed. The minute I get in the car with her, and we start driving to Lakewood, she just opens up, with some of the things she's dealing with; she just has been having a hard time mentally/emotionally with something. Pretty typical, for a missionary. Often times you just need a little reboot. but, because of everything, she just would become so exhausted all the time. I immediately was grateful that I had been praying days before.
So, we go throughout the day, and we just have a blast. The entire time, I'm just thinking about her and how I can help her, and what she might need. When I went home the next day, I was just so happy! I spent that time trying to help Sister Allred have more energy, more motivation, and to just be happy, and it ended up helping ME, and it ended up boosting me the rest of the week. It was just a really neat experience, and I realized that I was helped a lot by that exchange too. Man...I don't even know if this even expresses how much that exchange impacted me...I don't think it does. But it was just really neat to learn how, by me thinking and focusing totally on Sister Allred, I was helped, myself. It's true that when you lose yourself in service, you find yourself! It also is really neat just to see how the Lord brings people into your life. This is the second exchange I've gone on with Sister Allred - I went with her last transfer - and I've never served around her before being an STL. But, we've become really good friends, just from 48 hours of working together. We didn't need to be companions to become friends, but we needed to become friends, so the Lord just allowed us to go on exchanges.
Anyways, it's been a good week. I've learned a lot! I hope everything is going well back home and that you're happy and enjoying the summer! I love you all! Thank you so much for everything you guys do for me! LOVE YOU!!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Letter from July 7th, 2014
Hey all!
It's been another good week in the WA-TAC! It actually was a terrific week! We had some pretty solid lessons, and some pretty neat experiences this week. All of it just kind of confirmed to me the reality of God's hand in this work.
Monday night, we have a lesson with Carlos Llamas. He STILL hadn't really read any of the Book of Mormon, so we talk a little bit more about it, and why it's so important. We bore testimony of it and shared sacred experiences with it, and then read the first chapter. The spirit was there and was powerful. Carlos is getting more and more real intent and true desire - he just actually has to start DOING! haha that's kind of the hardest part! He wasn't able to come to church this weekend, because his brother is in town, and they were spending time together, but we have a lesson with him on Wednesday, and I'm excited to see how the spirit has been working with him.
Tuesday morning, we had another pretty awesome lesson with this kid named Luis. Sister Bayles had met him on exchange, and she wasn't too sure how interested he was in learning more...she thought he was just flirting with the sister who was with her. Sister Gehring is a babe, so it's an understandable concern. So, we go, and we have a really, really good lesson! He's not like super into it, but he has a desire to learn more about God - and to find out if God really is there and really cares about him. He's pretty uncertain about it all. He said he would definitely read the Book of Mormon, and said he couldn't come to church this week, but would next week. It's been a struggle to get people to come to church - or even say they're going to come to church - so responses like that just get me super pumped. Really, though, it was a much better lesson with him than we both were anticipating. It was another one of those moments where the spirit was present and quite strong. Heavenly Father uses those moments to remind us to not question Him or His children, because WE don't know who is ready to receive the Gospel, but HE does! So we just have to trust!
Another pretty cool experience was Saturday night. We go to visit Mary Turley, a less active we've been working with - she came to church two weeks ago, because we were singing. She lets us in, and immediately starts talking about family history, and how that's all she's been doing for like the past week. Then, out of the blue, without us even mentioning church, she asks, "So, what are the Sunday School classes after Sacrament meeting? I think I want to start going to those, too." She then talked about how she was wanting and planning on coming to church regularly - she didn't actually end up coming yesterday; she probably freaked herself out and convinced herself to not to. She kind of has anxiety problems/social fears. But, change takes time, and the spirit works on people subtly and gradually, often times. It still was a huge change in her, to be so sure and so committed. I'm excited to keep working with her! But, that whole experience was just a wonderful example of how important FAMILY HISTORY is! Because it's still a part of God's work, and the spirit that such things bring are so powerful! The spirit of Elijah is working across the world. It's something that we can foster and encourage to help become even more involved in God's work, to help it progress even further!
Last but not least, my favorite thing that has happened this week: Rainy. Rainy is an investigator we found last week. I think I mentioned her! Her friend had given her a Book of Mormon, and when we knocked on her door, she wanted us to come by to help explain it and to help her understand it. So, we come back on Thursday, and teach her the Restoration. You guys, the spirit was SO strong. I can't remember the last time I had the spirit that strong and that evident in a lesson, here in Lacey. Her eyes lit up as we told her and testified of Joseph Smith. She eagerly committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We invited her to church, and she was very hesitant - she is very involved in her church. In fact, she has done a mission trip to Juarez, and is planning to go on another one, soon. So, she was kind of hesitant. Sunday morning, we get a text asking us to save her a seat in church. She leaves after sacrament meeting, but not without saying," Maybe I'll stay for the classes next week!" Implying she was planning on coming next week - we didn't even ask her if she wanted to come again. Rainy is open, interested, and has a true desire to come closer to God. All of these things lead to the spirit working powerfully within people. I have high hopes for Rainy. I'm not expecting super fast results, but I'm SO certain that she will find the truthfulness within this Gospel. She is SO ready and SO close to the spirit! I love it! I love seeing Heavenly Father place people like her in our paths, blessing us with the opportunity to see miracles, and experience the spirit changing people's lives. Please keep Rainy in your prayers - as well as everyone else.
It has been a wonderful week. I've been so uplifted, and it's making me want to stay in Lacey even more! Man. I love it!
I love you guys! Thanks for everything you do! Thanks for the prayers and the support! I love it out here! Life is fantastic, even when there aren't lessons like the ones with Rainy. Those are just very special gifts from God, given to remind me of how sacred and special this message is, that I get to share. I'm so blessed to be here. I'll never regret this time. I love it!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
It's been another good week in the WA-TAC! It actually was a terrific week! We had some pretty solid lessons, and some pretty neat experiences this week. All of it just kind of confirmed to me the reality of God's hand in this work.
Monday night, we have a lesson with Carlos Llamas. He STILL hadn't really read any of the Book of Mormon, so we talk a little bit more about it, and why it's so important. We bore testimony of it and shared sacred experiences with it, and then read the first chapter. The spirit was there and was powerful. Carlos is getting more and more real intent and true desire - he just actually has to start DOING! haha that's kind of the hardest part! He wasn't able to come to church this weekend, because his brother is in town, and they were spending time together, but we have a lesson with him on Wednesday, and I'm excited to see how the spirit has been working with him.
Tuesday morning, we had another pretty awesome lesson with this kid named Luis. Sister Bayles had met him on exchange, and she wasn't too sure how interested he was in learning more...she thought he was just flirting with the sister who was with her. Sister Gehring is a babe, so it's an understandable concern. So, we go, and we have a really, really good lesson! He's not like super into it, but he has a desire to learn more about God - and to find out if God really is there and really cares about him. He's pretty uncertain about it all. He said he would definitely read the Book of Mormon, and said he couldn't come to church this week, but would next week. It's been a struggle to get people to come to church - or even say they're going to come to church - so responses like that just get me super pumped. Really, though, it was a much better lesson with him than we both were anticipating. It was another one of those moments where the spirit was present and quite strong. Heavenly Father uses those moments to remind us to not question Him or His children, because WE don't know who is ready to receive the Gospel, but HE does! So we just have to trust!
Another pretty cool experience was Saturday night. We go to visit Mary Turley, a less active we've been working with - she came to church two weeks ago, because we were singing. She lets us in, and immediately starts talking about family history, and how that's all she's been doing for like the past week. Then, out of the blue, without us even mentioning church, she asks, "So, what are the Sunday School classes after Sacrament meeting? I think I want to start going to those, too." She then talked about how she was wanting and planning on coming to church regularly - she didn't actually end up coming yesterday; she probably freaked herself out and convinced herself to not to. She kind of has anxiety problems/social fears. But, change takes time, and the spirit works on people subtly and gradually, often times. It still was a huge change in her, to be so sure and so committed. I'm excited to keep working with her! But, that whole experience was just a wonderful example of how important FAMILY HISTORY is! Because it's still a part of God's work, and the spirit that such things bring are so powerful! The spirit of Elijah is working across the world. It's something that we can foster and encourage to help become even more involved in God's work, to help it progress even further!
Last but not least, my favorite thing that has happened this week: Rainy. Rainy is an investigator we found last week. I think I mentioned her! Her friend had given her a Book of Mormon, and when we knocked on her door, she wanted us to come by to help explain it and to help her understand it. So, we come back on Thursday, and teach her the Restoration. You guys, the spirit was SO strong. I can't remember the last time I had the spirit that strong and that evident in a lesson, here in Lacey. Her eyes lit up as we told her and testified of Joseph Smith. She eagerly committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We invited her to church, and she was very hesitant - she is very involved in her church. In fact, she has done a mission trip to Juarez, and is planning to go on another one, soon. So, she was kind of hesitant. Sunday morning, we get a text asking us to save her a seat in church. She leaves after sacrament meeting, but not without saying," Maybe I'll stay for the classes next week!" Implying she was planning on coming next week - we didn't even ask her if she wanted to come again. Rainy is open, interested, and has a true desire to come closer to God. All of these things lead to the spirit working powerfully within people. I have high hopes for Rainy. I'm not expecting super fast results, but I'm SO certain that she will find the truthfulness within this Gospel. She is SO ready and SO close to the spirit! I love it! I love seeing Heavenly Father place people like her in our paths, blessing us with the opportunity to see miracles, and experience the spirit changing people's lives. Please keep Rainy in your prayers - as well as everyone else.
It has been a wonderful week. I've been so uplifted, and it's making me want to stay in Lacey even more! Man. I love it!
I love you guys! Thanks for everything you do! Thanks for the prayers and the support! I love it out here! Life is fantastic, even when there aren't lessons like the ones with Rainy. Those are just very special gifts from God, given to remind me of how sacred and special this message is, that I get to share. I'm so blessed to be here. I'll never regret this time. I love it!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 30, 2014
Letter from June 30th, 2014
Hey all!
Well, this week, we officially have a new mission president. I'm way sad to see the Weavers leave; I learned a lot from them. I definitely needed them to be here as my mission president. But, I'm also very excited to see what the Blatters bring into the mission. Sister Bayles and I had the chance to talk to Sister Blatter this week - we did TWO exchanges this week (that makes for a long and exhausting week, let me tell you!), and since we normally reported them to Sister Weaver, we called Sister Blatter. She's very sweet, and is absolutely thrilled to be here.
We've seen a lot of miracles across the mission the past week, and I think it's because of the Blatters. Heavenly Father is blessing the mission - it's like greenie faith! Incredible things happen with greenie faith, and this time it's the mission president who has the greenie faith, and it has the power to effect the entire mission! We're going to have a special zone conference this week where we get to meet them. Ours is tomorrow. I'm pretty excited about it.
Some of our miracles for the week though:
We found a new investigator, named Rainy! (Really, that's her name.) She's way cool. Probably in her early 20s. She said her friend had recently given her a Book of Mormon, and she read the introduction. She said it was a lot to take in, and very different from what she believed. She said she would love to have us come back and we can explain more about the Book of Mormon, why we have it, and answer her questions. She was very sweet, and I'm way stoked to teach her! That is proof that no effort is wasted! Her friend gave her a Book of Mormon! And then missionaries happened to knock on her door! I bet her friend wasn't expecting that! Follow the promptings to do missionary work, and you'll be blessed, yo! It's way cool.
We also were able to meet with Carlos Llamas a couple times this week. And he went to church! It was awesome! He seemed to enjoy it - he's kind of hard to read, but he's definitely interested! And he told a member that he was planning on coming back next week. His heart is slowly opening up to the spirit. We're super excited for him. He made the comment to us that his Mormon friends back home seemed "So alive" and he wanted to figure out why. I love that description! I think it's so true, because, especially since being on a mission, I FEEL so much more alive. Like I have greater purpose, and that gives me greater joy and confidence, and I just want to live life to the fullest - in the best ways!
Another way cool miracle has to do with Nicki, an investigator who moved into a different ward. She moved into American Lake, which is where Sister Brewster - Sister Brewster and I originally started teaching Nicki. Thursday, we got a text from them saying that Nicki believes Joseph Smith is a prophet, and is on-date to get baptized on July 18th. I'm SO happy for that! It's way awesome! And I can definitely say that most of Nicki's process happened when we were not with her. The spirit definitely worked with her a lot. It was awesome to read the Book of Mormon with her, and to see, each time, how her heart was changing, and that she could see the light and truth within it, and within the messages that we shared. I love it!
Yup, so life is pretty great. I'm excited for this upcoming week, and for the next few weeks! I love being here and doing this week. I think the exchanges I did this week helped me to just be filled with an increasing love for this work. I'm so grateful I have this opportunity to do this. It's the best! My study this morning ended up kind of being centered on the idea of doing God's work. The thought that I had, while reading somewhere in Doctrine and Covenants 88 was that we receive our glory as we defend God's glory. So, by doing His work, fighting against the enemy, and defending His truth, we gain our glory. I love it!
I love you all! Thank you for all you do to support me and help me out here.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, this week, we officially have a new mission president. I'm way sad to see the Weavers leave; I learned a lot from them. I definitely needed them to be here as my mission president. But, I'm also very excited to see what the Blatters bring into the mission. Sister Bayles and I had the chance to talk to Sister Blatter this week - we did TWO exchanges this week (that makes for a long and exhausting week, let me tell you!), and since we normally reported them to Sister Weaver, we called Sister Blatter. She's very sweet, and is absolutely thrilled to be here.
We've seen a lot of miracles across the mission the past week, and I think it's because of the Blatters. Heavenly Father is blessing the mission - it's like greenie faith! Incredible things happen with greenie faith, and this time it's the mission president who has the greenie faith, and it has the power to effect the entire mission! We're going to have a special zone conference this week where we get to meet them. Ours is tomorrow. I'm pretty excited about it.
Some of our miracles for the week though:
We found a new investigator, named Rainy! (Really, that's her name.) She's way cool. Probably in her early 20s. She said her friend had recently given her a Book of Mormon, and she read the introduction. She said it was a lot to take in, and very different from what she believed. She said she would love to have us come back and we can explain more about the Book of Mormon, why we have it, and answer her questions. She was very sweet, and I'm way stoked to teach her! That is proof that no effort is wasted! Her friend gave her a Book of Mormon! And then missionaries happened to knock on her door! I bet her friend wasn't expecting that! Follow the promptings to do missionary work, and you'll be blessed, yo! It's way cool.
We also were able to meet with Carlos Llamas a couple times this week. And he went to church! It was awesome! He seemed to enjoy it - he's kind of hard to read, but he's definitely interested! And he told a member that he was planning on coming back next week. His heart is slowly opening up to the spirit. We're super excited for him. He made the comment to us that his Mormon friends back home seemed "So alive" and he wanted to figure out why. I love that description! I think it's so true, because, especially since being on a mission, I FEEL so much more alive. Like I have greater purpose, and that gives me greater joy and confidence, and I just want to live life to the fullest - in the best ways!
Another way cool miracle has to do with Nicki, an investigator who moved into a different ward. She moved into American Lake, which is where Sister Brewster - Sister Brewster and I originally started teaching Nicki. Thursday, we got a text from them saying that Nicki believes Joseph Smith is a prophet, and is on-date to get baptized on July 18th. I'm SO happy for that! It's way awesome! And I can definitely say that most of Nicki's process happened when we were not with her. The spirit definitely worked with her a lot. It was awesome to read the Book of Mormon with her, and to see, each time, how her heart was changing, and that she could see the light and truth within it, and within the messages that we shared. I love it!
Yup, so life is pretty great. I'm excited for this upcoming week, and for the next few weeks! I love being here and doing this week. I think the exchanges I did this week helped me to just be filled with an increasing love for this work. I'm so grateful I have this opportunity to do this. It's the best! My study this morning ended up kind of being centered on the idea of doing God's work. The thought that I had, while reading somewhere in Doctrine and Covenants 88 was that we receive our glory as we defend God's glory. So, by doing His work, fighting against the enemy, and defending His truth, we gain our glory. I love it!
I love you all! Thank you for all you do to support me and help me out here.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Letter from June 23rd, 2014
Hey all!
It's been a pretty good week! We've been able to see a handful of miracles. Not too much with people actually progressing, but that's ok, because the miracles show that God is blessing us and that it's His work and His timing. It's funny. I think my time here in Lacey has been to help me relearn that.
Probably the biggest thing of this week was last night. We had our last fireside. Probably ever - because the Weavers are going home, and firesides are a Sister Weaver thing. It was a roller coaster of a night. I had a lot of emotions inside of me, and it made me think a lot about that past year or so of my life, and the next few months I have left here in the WA-TAC. I'm not an overly emotional person. I haven't cried much since the beginning of my mission. I cried more last night than I think I have in the past 6 months. And I'm not really exaggerating. The testimonies given, through word and song, pierced my heart, and then thoughts of the Weavers going home also took a toll on my emotions. But, throughout the evening, as I was filled with sorrow for the Weavers going home, and all the wonderful missionaries I've grown so close to that are going home in a few weeks - Sister Bevan, Sister Crosby, and like a bajillion others - and the thoughts of me going home in a few short months, my thoughts turned towards my Savior and the powerful testimonies that were being shared. I am SO grateful that I have 18 months to devote all of my time to just sharing about Him! To just express my love and my gratitude. To help people understand Him better. To help people grow closer to Him, to use His Atonement and form a true relationship with Him. How lucky am I to have 16 weeks left to do this. I'm so lucky! I get 16 weeks more! I'm not going home today! What reason do I have to sorrow? And then, when I go home, that's not going to stop my testimony. That's not going to stop my ability to share. It'll just not be so....all the time. I don't need the nametag or the calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. That's just who I am all the time. And I'm so lucky for that.
I really don't know if I can share much else...that pretty much has enveloped everything I think and feel right now. There is nothing else I'd rather do or rather be than to be a missionary, doing God's work. Because as often as we call it missionary work, it's not! Proof of that was all this week!
We went on exchange this last week with Parkland sisters. I went with Sister Bishop, again, except this time I stayed in Lacey. We went to go check up on a less active to recently moved into the 5th ward from the 2nd ward. a member from the 2nd ward asked us to check up on her, but he didn't have her exact address, just the building she lived in. So, remember how Sister Bevan and I found Linda and Jim back in Silverdale (don't know if you remember that way cool story. The relief society president asked us to find a less active. She knew what building she lived in, just not the actual apartments number. So, we looked for her, didnt' find her, but found Linda and Jim, who wanted to learn more what we were all about!) I decided that Sister Bishop and I would just knock on each door. Lo and behold, did we find this less active woman? No. Instead, we found a girl named Nicole, who had just moved in a week ago, who said she would love to learn more and accepted a Book of Mormon and told us when we could come back. That wasn't missionary work. That had nothing to do with anything Sister Bishop or I did. That was God placing Nicole in the right place at the right time so she could accept and invitation to learn more.
A similar thing happened a few days later. We were looking through some old potentials lists. We found a name that we thought looked pretty promising. We knocked on her door, but she had moved. The lady there, though, when we asked if she and her family would be interested in learning more, invited us in right then and there! She's a nurse, so she is really busy, but she showed true interest - she was intently listening and wants us to come back - and this gives us the chance to teach a whole family - her husband and her two kids. Again, not because of our work, but because of God's work, and us and them just being in the right place at the right time.
Man. I just love it here. I love doing this. It's hard, often, but it's never too hard. And I always have my Savior to rely on. In the words of Nephi, "I glory in my Jesus." MY Jesus. As I've been on my mission, He's become my PERSONAL Savior. And it can be the same for anyone else. I'm so grateful for Him and who He is and what He's done. Truly, I would have gone home a long time ago, if I didn't have the grace of God, given to me through Him, to rely on. I love Him!
I love you all! Thanks for all you do to help me out here and to support me in the work. This pretty much is the best decision I could have ever made, to come out here, and to accept my call to the beautiful WA-TAC.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
It's been a pretty good week! We've been able to see a handful of miracles. Not too much with people actually progressing, but that's ok, because the miracles show that God is blessing us and that it's His work and His timing. It's funny. I think my time here in Lacey has been to help me relearn that.
Probably the biggest thing of this week was last night. We had our last fireside. Probably ever - because the Weavers are going home, and firesides are a Sister Weaver thing. It was a roller coaster of a night. I had a lot of emotions inside of me, and it made me think a lot about that past year or so of my life, and the next few months I have left here in the WA-TAC. I'm not an overly emotional person. I haven't cried much since the beginning of my mission. I cried more last night than I think I have in the past 6 months. And I'm not really exaggerating. The testimonies given, through word and song, pierced my heart, and then thoughts of the Weavers going home also took a toll on my emotions. But, throughout the evening, as I was filled with sorrow for the Weavers going home, and all the wonderful missionaries I've grown so close to that are going home in a few weeks - Sister Bevan, Sister Crosby, and like a bajillion others - and the thoughts of me going home in a few short months, my thoughts turned towards my Savior and the powerful testimonies that were being shared. I am SO grateful that I have 18 months to devote all of my time to just sharing about Him! To just express my love and my gratitude. To help people understand Him better. To help people grow closer to Him, to use His Atonement and form a true relationship with Him. How lucky am I to have 16 weeks left to do this. I'm so lucky! I get 16 weeks more! I'm not going home today! What reason do I have to sorrow? And then, when I go home, that's not going to stop my testimony. That's not going to stop my ability to share. It'll just not be so....all the time. I don't need the nametag or the calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. That's just who I am all the time. And I'm so lucky for that.
I really don't know if I can share much else...that pretty much has enveloped everything I think and feel right now. There is nothing else I'd rather do or rather be than to be a missionary, doing God's work. Because as often as we call it missionary work, it's not! Proof of that was all this week!
We went on exchange this last week with Parkland sisters. I went with Sister Bishop, again, except this time I stayed in Lacey. We went to go check up on a less active to recently moved into the 5th ward from the 2nd ward. a member from the 2nd ward asked us to check up on her, but he didn't have her exact address, just the building she lived in. So, remember how Sister Bevan and I found Linda and Jim back in Silverdale (don't know if you remember that way cool story. The relief society president asked us to find a less active. She knew what building she lived in, just not the actual apartments number. So, we looked for her, didnt' find her, but found Linda and Jim, who wanted to learn more what we were all about!) I decided that Sister Bishop and I would just knock on each door. Lo and behold, did we find this less active woman? No. Instead, we found a girl named Nicole, who had just moved in a week ago, who said she would love to learn more and accepted a Book of Mormon and told us when we could come back. That wasn't missionary work. That had nothing to do with anything Sister Bishop or I did. That was God placing Nicole in the right place at the right time so she could accept and invitation to learn more.
A similar thing happened a few days later. We were looking through some old potentials lists. We found a name that we thought looked pretty promising. We knocked on her door, but she had moved. The lady there, though, when we asked if she and her family would be interested in learning more, invited us in right then and there! She's a nurse, so she is really busy, but she showed true interest - she was intently listening and wants us to come back - and this gives us the chance to teach a whole family - her husband and her two kids. Again, not because of our work, but because of God's work, and us and them just being in the right place at the right time.
Man. I just love it here. I love doing this. It's hard, often, but it's never too hard. And I always have my Savior to rely on. In the words of Nephi, "I glory in my Jesus." MY Jesus. As I've been on my mission, He's become my PERSONAL Savior. And it can be the same for anyone else. I'm so grateful for Him and who He is and what He's done. Truly, I would have gone home a long time ago, if I didn't have the grace of God, given to me through Him, to rely on. I love Him!
I love you all! Thanks for all you do to help me out here and to support me in the work. This pretty much is the best decision I could have ever made, to come out here, and to accept my call to the beautiful WA-TAC.
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 16, 2014
Letter from June 16th, 2014
Hey all!
Well, it was a great start to a new transfer! We were able to get a few new investigators. One of them already dropped us...but that's ok, because the other 2 are pretty solid! We're really excited! One of them is Carlos Llamas. I can't remember if I've talked about him before. He's the nephew of a nonmember family in the ward. The ward council asked us to visit them one week, so we did! Lo and behold, they have a nonmember nephew living with them. Who knew?! We asked him if he wanted a Book of Mormon, and he said sure! Then we asked him if he would like us to come back and teach him more about what we believe, and he said sure! We're pretty stoked. We taught him the Restoration this week, and it was way cool. He's open, but is a little bit timid. It's ok, though, because his family is getting pretty pumped about it. We're hoping it will encourage them to come back to church, as well. We're seeing them again on Wednesday, and we're pretty excited for what's going to happen.
Our other new investigator was Levi. I can't remember if I've talked much about him, either. Sister Bayles and I found him and his fiancé, Alyssa, accidentally! We were trying to contact a less active in the ward, who apparently has moved. So, instead, Alyssa answered the door! she let us know that she was a convert, but hasn't really been back to church in awhile - her life took a turn for the worst, and she just kinda started living a way different lifestyle. she's living with her fiancé, Levi, and she would love for him to be taught, and she wants to be taught, as well, because she doesn't really know/remember a whole lot. So, for the past month or so, we've been struggling to get in touch with her - she did just have a baby, so that always complicates things. So, I decided to buy some diapers (diapers soften hearts faster than any other gift, I've discovered) and we left them on their doorstep. A couple days later, Alyssa texts us, thanking us for the diapers, and asking if we can stop by that week. We did, and Levi officially agreed to have us teach him! We're teaching them tonight. We're so excited! They're at a really tough place in life, right now. They have a lot of stress, and a lot of hardship, but I just KNOW that if they start aligning their life to the gospel, it will bless them and make things better for them. I'm so excited to see what will happen!
We also found out that a couple of our investigators might have cancer...it's humbled them, but they're terrified. Please keep Susan Emory and Karen in your prayers!
Because of the scare, though, Susan, who has been INCREDIBLY flaky, lately, finally set up a time to meet with us and didn't bail on us. She wanted the extra boost. It was really cool, because we asked her if she's been reading the Book of Mormon, and she hadn't. So, we read a chapter with her, and encouraged her to read everyday, even if it's just a little bit. After we read, she was like, "Yeah, I'm really going to make the effort to read everyday." It was really neat, because it truly was because the spirit touched her and she recognized it, and she WANTS it. She wants that in her life! I have high hopes for Susan; the trick with her is just getting to actually see her and teach her...but we're being patient and relying on God's timing.
It really was a good week for us. A great start to the transfer! We just hope we can carry this enthusiasm throughout the rest of the transfer and actually get things moving here!
This week really has helped me to remember how important it is to trust in God's timing. We've been working and working so hard, lately, and there seemed to be nothing going on. But, this week is just proof that God is working on these people, and we just have to be here to facilitate it and help them recognize it. These people are going to get baptized, I KNOW it! It's just up to God when it happens - it's His timing, not Sister Root's timing. Because He obviously cares about their salvation so much more than I do, because He loves them so much more than I do. He knows when they're ready, when they understand, and when they're truly making changes that lead to true conversion. I've just gotta trust Him!
Man, this work is so awesome. I love it! Sometimes I begin to panic to think about how time seems to be rushing by so fast. But then I just think about how lucky I am to actually be serving! I love it! I'm so grateful to be out here!
Thank you all for what you do to support me and help me out here. I love you all! SO much!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, it was a great start to a new transfer! We were able to get a few new investigators. One of them already dropped us...but that's ok, because the other 2 are pretty solid! We're really excited! One of them is Carlos Llamas. I can't remember if I've talked about him before. He's the nephew of a nonmember family in the ward. The ward council asked us to visit them one week, so we did! Lo and behold, they have a nonmember nephew living with them. Who knew?! We asked him if he wanted a Book of Mormon, and he said sure! Then we asked him if he would like us to come back and teach him more about what we believe, and he said sure! We're pretty stoked. We taught him the Restoration this week, and it was way cool. He's open, but is a little bit timid. It's ok, though, because his family is getting pretty pumped about it. We're hoping it will encourage them to come back to church, as well. We're seeing them again on Wednesday, and we're pretty excited for what's going to happen.
Our other new investigator was Levi. I can't remember if I've talked much about him, either. Sister Bayles and I found him and his fiancé, Alyssa, accidentally! We were trying to contact a less active in the ward, who apparently has moved. So, instead, Alyssa answered the door! she let us know that she was a convert, but hasn't really been back to church in awhile - her life took a turn for the worst, and she just kinda started living a way different lifestyle. she's living with her fiancé, Levi, and she would love for him to be taught, and she wants to be taught, as well, because she doesn't really know/remember a whole lot. So, for the past month or so, we've been struggling to get in touch with her - she did just have a baby, so that always complicates things. So, I decided to buy some diapers (diapers soften hearts faster than any other gift, I've discovered) and we left them on their doorstep. A couple days later, Alyssa texts us, thanking us for the diapers, and asking if we can stop by that week. We did, and Levi officially agreed to have us teach him! We're teaching them tonight. We're so excited! They're at a really tough place in life, right now. They have a lot of stress, and a lot of hardship, but I just KNOW that if they start aligning their life to the gospel, it will bless them and make things better for them. I'm so excited to see what will happen!
We also found out that a couple of our investigators might have cancer...it's humbled them, but they're terrified. Please keep Susan Emory and Karen in your prayers!
Because of the scare, though, Susan, who has been INCREDIBLY flaky, lately, finally set up a time to meet with us and didn't bail on us. She wanted the extra boost. It was really cool, because we asked her if she's been reading the Book of Mormon, and she hadn't. So, we read a chapter with her, and encouraged her to read everyday, even if it's just a little bit. After we read, she was like, "Yeah, I'm really going to make the effort to read everyday." It was really neat, because it truly was because the spirit touched her and she recognized it, and she WANTS it. She wants that in her life! I have high hopes for Susan; the trick with her is just getting to actually see her and teach her...but we're being patient and relying on God's timing.
It really was a good week for us. A great start to the transfer! We just hope we can carry this enthusiasm throughout the rest of the transfer and actually get things moving here!
This week really has helped me to remember how important it is to trust in God's timing. We've been working and working so hard, lately, and there seemed to be nothing going on. But, this week is just proof that God is working on these people, and we just have to be here to facilitate it and help them recognize it. These people are going to get baptized, I KNOW it! It's just up to God when it happens - it's His timing, not Sister Root's timing. Because He obviously cares about their salvation so much more than I do, because He loves them so much more than I do. He knows when they're ready, when they understand, and when they're truly making changes that lead to true conversion. I've just gotta trust Him!
Man, this work is so awesome. I love it! Sometimes I begin to panic to think about how time seems to be rushing by so fast. But then I just think about how lucky I am to actually be serving! I love it! I'm so grateful to be out here!
Thank you all for what you do to support me and help me out here. I love you all! SO much!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Letter from June 9th, 2014
Transfer happenings: Sister Bayles and I are both staying put! We're both super excited! We're really excited for this upcoming transfer, and the companionships that we're over have some AMAZING sisters! Two of them (the two most solid ones) stayed together, and we're pretty stoked about that, and there are some other amazing sisters coming. I'm way excited for these upcoming exchanges! The elders in our ward, though, are getting doubled out. Well, Elder Meyer is going home. His time is up! And then Elder Taylor is getting transferred as well, so the elders that are coming are Elders Olmstead and Sharp. I served with Elder Olmstead in Silverdale for 2 transfers, and he's a good missionary, so I'm excited to be able to work with him again. It'll be a fun time!
This week has been pretty good. We had a miracle with this woman named Karen. She had been taught several months ago, but kinda fell off the grid; I don't know if it was the missionaries who dropped her or if she dropped the missionaries. It's still kinda fuzzy to me. But, Sister Bayles and I tracted into her at the beginning of the transfer. Ever since, we've been trying to see her and teach her, but we've never been able to catch her at a good time, even when we set up appointments. So, things fall through one day, so we decide to try to check up on Karen. She's frantically cleaning, clearly a little bit stressed and worried. So, we offer to help her. She finally accepts our offer, and we start cleaning. We get done, and we're about to head out, and she's like, "Wait! Do you want to share something with me or read something from your book?" Totally not even what we were expecting! So, we just share with her a little bit, and at the end, she was like, "I just want to learn more! I'm not exactly religious. I don't like organized religion, but I want to learn more about God and stuff." It was way cool, because she was way more open to having us stop by again. Answer to prayer! It was way awesome!
We went on our last exchange for the transfer, and it was pretty awesome. I went with Sister Sandau again - she was my STL last transfer - and it really was jjust a lot of fun - she also was able to trim a few inches off of my hair, since it's been several months since I've gotten it cut. She about panicked when she heard how long it had been! haha - and we had several miracles. We were able to talk to several people while tracting, and actually had a lot of good discussions. It was something both of us needed, because I guess in both of our areas, tracting has been a little bit slow. It was pretty cool.
We also had MLC - Mission Leadership Council - this week. It was a special one, because all of the former STLS and zone leaders came, as well. Pretty much, President and sister Weaver were just prepping us for the coming of the Blatters. It happens June 26th. They were just emphasizing the importance of us being a good example to those around us, and of the willingness to do the things they ask of us, and respecting and loving them. It was really hard for a lot of missionaries, because most of us are older and nearing the end of our missions, so the realization that the time has finally come for the Weavers to leave, just makes the reality of the end of our missions even greater. I was ok. A little bit more solemn, but there were a lot of sisters who, this is their final transfer, and they were pretty distraught. Sister Bevan - since she was there, and a former STL - even got a little emotional, which was way weird, because Sister Bevan doesn't get emotional...haha! But, it was a really good meeting, and it helped me just kind of put my mission into perspective. There's a lot I have learned, and a lot that I don't think I would have learned any other way - at least, not nearly as quickly. It makes me grateful for my time here. It makes me grateful for the time I have left.
It also just got me way pumped. I don't know why I've been called to be an STL. But, I'm striving to be open to the Lord, so He can use me to do His work. I've been given the chance to get to know sisters more intimately than I normally would have. It's weird, because they just automatically trust you, simply because of the title STL, so they word vomit all their problems. They hold what you say and advice that you give as words of importance. Which means, I have greater responsibility with the things I say. I have the responsibility to be obedient and willing, because they are looking at me - whether I really believe they are or not. I just hope I'm doing things right, and I'm doing what the Lord wants me to! Especially with the Blatters coming in! I want them to be able to trust me!
Anyways. I think I've word vomited a little bit...haha! But, I love you guys! Thanks for everything! Thanks for all you do to help me out, for the prayers and support. I love being out here, and I'm going to work my hardest these last few transfers, to make sure I get the most out of it! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
This week has been pretty good. We had a miracle with this woman named Karen. She had been taught several months ago, but kinda fell off the grid; I don't know if it was the missionaries who dropped her or if she dropped the missionaries. It's still kinda fuzzy to me. But, Sister Bayles and I tracted into her at the beginning of the transfer. Ever since, we've been trying to see her and teach her, but we've never been able to catch her at a good time, even when we set up appointments. So, things fall through one day, so we decide to try to check up on Karen. She's frantically cleaning, clearly a little bit stressed and worried. So, we offer to help her. She finally accepts our offer, and we start cleaning. We get done, and we're about to head out, and she's like, "Wait! Do you want to share something with me or read something from your book?" Totally not even what we were expecting! So, we just share with her a little bit, and at the end, she was like, "I just want to learn more! I'm not exactly religious. I don't like organized religion, but I want to learn more about God and stuff." It was way cool, because she was way more open to having us stop by again. Answer to prayer! It was way awesome!
We went on our last exchange for the transfer, and it was pretty awesome. I went with Sister Sandau again - she was my STL last transfer - and it really was jjust a lot of fun - she also was able to trim a few inches off of my hair, since it's been several months since I've gotten it cut. She about panicked when she heard how long it had been! haha - and we had several miracles. We were able to talk to several people while tracting, and actually had a lot of good discussions. It was something both of us needed, because I guess in both of our areas, tracting has been a little bit slow. It was pretty cool.
We also had MLC - Mission Leadership Council - this week. It was a special one, because all of the former STLS and zone leaders came, as well. Pretty much, President and sister Weaver were just prepping us for the coming of the Blatters. It happens June 26th. They were just emphasizing the importance of us being a good example to those around us, and of the willingness to do the things they ask of us, and respecting and loving them. It was really hard for a lot of missionaries, because most of us are older and nearing the end of our missions, so the realization that the time has finally come for the Weavers to leave, just makes the reality of the end of our missions even greater. I was ok. A little bit more solemn, but there were a lot of sisters who, this is their final transfer, and they were pretty distraught. Sister Bevan - since she was there, and a former STL - even got a little emotional, which was way weird, because Sister Bevan doesn't get emotional...haha! But, it was a really good meeting, and it helped me just kind of put my mission into perspective. There's a lot I have learned, and a lot that I don't think I would have learned any other way - at least, not nearly as quickly. It makes me grateful for my time here. It makes me grateful for the time I have left.
It also just got me way pumped. I don't know why I've been called to be an STL. But, I'm striving to be open to the Lord, so He can use me to do His work. I've been given the chance to get to know sisters more intimately than I normally would have. It's weird, because they just automatically trust you, simply because of the title STL, so they word vomit all their problems. They hold what you say and advice that you give as words of importance. Which means, I have greater responsibility with the things I say. I have the responsibility to be obedient and willing, because they are looking at me - whether I really believe they are or not. I just hope I'm doing things right, and I'm doing what the Lord wants me to! Especially with the Blatters coming in! I want them to be able to trust me!
Anyways. I think I've word vomited a little bit...haha! But, I love you guys! Thanks for everything! Thanks for all you do to help me out, for the prayers and support. I love being out here, and I'm going to work my hardest these last few transfers, to make sure I get the most out of it! I love you all!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Letter from June 2nd, 2014
Hey all!
This week has been a bit...rough. But, ya know, just a day in the life on the mission. It can't all be upbeat and fantastic! Otherwise, it'd just be boring! :)
We had a couple pretty cool things happen, though. Heavenly Father definitely blesses our diligence. Often this week, after a whole day of struggling to see ANYTHING happen, after appointments falling through, no one being home, people being awkward (more awkward than me, and we all know that says A LOT) and cranky, He would bless us with a wonderful tender mercy. Tuesday, we went on exchanges. I stayed here and Sister Johnston came - I was companions with her my 4th transfer, when I got transferred to Port Orchard. It was WAY weird to spend a day with her. It was like a blast to the past, but it was really neat to see all the changes the two of us had made. She was way surprised to hear that not only were we going to be walking around nearly all day, but that we were going to be doing extra knocking as well. I kinda fought pretty hard against two of those things at the beginning of my mission...haha! I don't think it was an exchange of great learning - or really of great miracles - but just a fun time, where we were able to reflect on the past year of our lives.
Thursday was our park day. Since we've been walking around so much, we didn't really dread it like we normally do. It pretty much was like a normal day! Until: Sister Bayles has started having some MASSIVE back pains. She has some struggles with her back at the beginning of the year, but she thought she had gotten past it, but it flared up again. So, it was way hard for her to just walk around all day. Then, literally everything fell through, and NO one was home, except for a few cranky people who told us we weren't allowed to solicit in their community. Good thing according to state law we're proselyting! But, that evening, we went to go visit a less active family. Lo and behold, their non-member nephew was home, and sat in. We gave him a Book of Mormon and invited him to learn more. He isn't sure yet, but he said he'd read it for sure. He's about 18 and has lots of Mormon friends. I'm pretty confident we'll hear from him, soon. If not, we always have an excuse to visit his family!
Another pretty cool experience that we had happened on another night where we were just fed up. We visited everyone that we could think of visiting, and it was that awkward time of 8:40, when it's still to early to go home, but too late to just knock on someone's door who isn't expecting you. Sister Bayles just starts driving somewhere, not really with any specific direction, and I'm just absolutely fed up with not talking to anyone all day. We see someone and I turn to her and say, "We're going to car contact that guy." She says, "I've never done that before." I tell her I've only done it twice before and I hated it. So I roll down my window as we pull up next to him and I'm like, "Hey! I've got a question for you. Do you know anything about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?" He says not really and then we proceed to give him a Book of Mormon, tell him a little bit about it, exchange numbers and then drive away, with our minds blown that something like that just happened. Just the fact that I did that just blows my mind. It just goes to show that Heavenly Father convinces us to do things we normally wouldn't when we are desperate. That was purely led by the spirit! Car contacting is not something I do just for fun...in fact I hate it. But, that was a pretty cool thing that happened from it.
We've found a couple of other pretty hopeful potential investigators this week, so we're hoping something good will come from that.
I'm not going to lie, it's been a little bit of a difficult transfer for me, but it's comforting to still see the tender mercies from God and the signs that He is doing His work, even if it seems like nothing is happening from what we are doing. And that's what matters! God is going to use our efforts, as long as we remain diligent. We have to do, in order for Him to use us.
It blows my mind that this transfer is coming to a close. It's the last week! transfer calls come this weekend! I think I'd take a few more difficult weeks if it meant I could prolong this transfer. Next transfer, a lot of sister missionaries that I've grown close to are going home. President and Sister Weaver are going home. There's just a lot of change going to be happening...and we all know I don't like change! haha
But, it'll be good. And things will still be awesome! Another really cool thing that happened this week: we got to teach mission prep yesterday! It seriously was just the biggest pump up ever! I loved it! I loved to just be able to express my love for the Gospel and for missionary work to youth preparing for a mission. Just a year and a half ago I was in their shoes. Crazy stuff! I now want to teach mission prep when I go home (mom, dad, you should tell President Johnson! haha!) But it just helped to just fill me with an intense desire to just finish my mission strong. To just go out and work till I drop, each and everyday. Because I'm so lucky! We are so luck to have the Gospel. It's the best! I love it!
Thank you for all you do to help me out, out here. Know that I'm so grateful, and that I'm loving my mission. It's the best thing ever! Love ya'll!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
This week has been a bit...rough. But, ya know, just a day in the life on the mission. It can't all be upbeat and fantastic! Otherwise, it'd just be boring! :)
We had a couple pretty cool things happen, though. Heavenly Father definitely blesses our diligence. Often this week, after a whole day of struggling to see ANYTHING happen, after appointments falling through, no one being home, people being awkward (more awkward than me, and we all know that says A LOT) and cranky, He would bless us with a wonderful tender mercy. Tuesday, we went on exchanges. I stayed here and Sister Johnston came - I was companions with her my 4th transfer, when I got transferred to Port Orchard. It was WAY weird to spend a day with her. It was like a blast to the past, but it was really neat to see all the changes the two of us had made. She was way surprised to hear that not only were we going to be walking around nearly all day, but that we were going to be doing extra knocking as well. I kinda fought pretty hard against two of those things at the beginning of my mission...haha! I don't think it was an exchange of great learning - or really of great miracles - but just a fun time, where we were able to reflect on the past year of our lives.
Thursday was our park day. Since we've been walking around so much, we didn't really dread it like we normally do. It pretty much was like a normal day! Until: Sister Bayles has started having some MASSIVE back pains. She has some struggles with her back at the beginning of the year, but she thought she had gotten past it, but it flared up again. So, it was way hard for her to just walk around all day. Then, literally everything fell through, and NO one was home, except for a few cranky people who told us we weren't allowed to solicit in their community. Good thing according to state law we're proselyting! But, that evening, we went to go visit a less active family. Lo and behold, their non-member nephew was home, and sat in. We gave him a Book of Mormon and invited him to learn more. He isn't sure yet, but he said he'd read it for sure. He's about 18 and has lots of Mormon friends. I'm pretty confident we'll hear from him, soon. If not, we always have an excuse to visit his family!
Another pretty cool experience that we had happened on another night where we were just fed up. We visited everyone that we could think of visiting, and it was that awkward time of 8:40, when it's still to early to go home, but too late to just knock on someone's door who isn't expecting you. Sister Bayles just starts driving somewhere, not really with any specific direction, and I'm just absolutely fed up with not talking to anyone all day. We see someone and I turn to her and say, "We're going to car contact that guy." She says, "I've never done that before." I tell her I've only done it twice before and I hated it. So I roll down my window as we pull up next to him and I'm like, "Hey! I've got a question for you. Do you know anything about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?" He says not really and then we proceed to give him a Book of Mormon, tell him a little bit about it, exchange numbers and then drive away, with our minds blown that something like that just happened. Just the fact that I did that just blows my mind. It just goes to show that Heavenly Father convinces us to do things we normally wouldn't when we are desperate. That was purely led by the spirit! Car contacting is not something I do just for fun...in fact I hate it. But, that was a pretty cool thing that happened from it.
We've found a couple of other pretty hopeful potential investigators this week, so we're hoping something good will come from that.
I'm not going to lie, it's been a little bit of a difficult transfer for me, but it's comforting to still see the tender mercies from God and the signs that He is doing His work, even if it seems like nothing is happening from what we are doing. And that's what matters! God is going to use our efforts, as long as we remain diligent. We have to do, in order for Him to use us.
It blows my mind that this transfer is coming to a close. It's the last week! transfer calls come this weekend! I think I'd take a few more difficult weeks if it meant I could prolong this transfer. Next transfer, a lot of sister missionaries that I've grown close to are going home. President and Sister Weaver are going home. There's just a lot of change going to be happening...and we all know I don't like change! haha
But, it'll be good. And things will still be awesome! Another really cool thing that happened this week: we got to teach mission prep yesterday! It seriously was just the biggest pump up ever! I loved it! I loved to just be able to express my love for the Gospel and for missionary work to youth preparing for a mission. Just a year and a half ago I was in their shoes. Crazy stuff! I now want to teach mission prep when I go home (mom, dad, you should tell President Johnson! haha!) But it just helped to just fill me with an intense desire to just finish my mission strong. To just go out and work till I drop, each and everyday. Because I'm so lucky! We are so luck to have the Gospel. It's the best! I love it!
Thank you for all you do to help me out, out here. Know that I'm so grateful, and that I'm loving my mission. It's the best thing ever! Love ya'll!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Letter from May 27th, 2014
Hey all!
Just another typical week in the WA-TAC. I always feel like my emails are way jumbled when they're not sent on preparation days...so who knows how this one is going to be! We did some walking, door knocking, teaching, had a zone conference, did an exchange...yeah, pretty much normal.
We've been doing a lot of walking lately, in an effort to save miles, and in an effort to talk with more people. It's really funny to see people walk towards us, make eye contact with us, and then do all they can to avoid us completely. It doesn't happen too often, but it's just funny when it does. It's really sad how, in society now, people just don't talk to teach other! They're so...suspicious or so wrapped up in their own little world, that if someone walking by waves and says hi, they just look at them, shocked, or just completely ignores them. What happened to friendliness? But, even if we don't get to talk with people, we know it's good to be out looking, because people will at least see us walking about. We actually had a member comment about how happy it made him to see us out and about. I know it's also showing the Lord our willingness and diligence, and I just keep hoping that one of these days we'll come across someone walking who will actually listen!
We've gotten a few new investigators these week, two of which were actually taught before! It's really neat to see how the Lord gradually prepares people - that's why it's important to talk with everyone and invite everyone. Even if they don't listen now, it might be preparing them for a later time in their life where they WILL listen!
We had another pretty neat miracle - well, it was a series of little things that just showed me that the Lord is the one doing this work, and His hand is in everything! We had stopped by a potential investigator's house, to see if she was home. She wasn't, so we decided to try to visit Sue Carson, one of our investigators. Except, we remember that we hadn't brought the Restoration DVD, and we wanted to watch that with her. But, it turns out that they neighborhood we were in was right across from the elders' apartment, so we ran over there to see if they were home and if they had an extra dvd we could use. They WERE home - they had just gotten home - and they gave us one. so, we go to Sue's, and she wasn't home. In my mind, I was like, "That's way weird. well...maybe we'll need the dvd for something else, because that totally was a tender mercy from God that we got ahold of one!" So, we try to visit a few more people. Our list of people to see runs out and we don't really know what else to do. Then I thought of one more person we could visit, Mary Betheson! I think I've mentioned her before. She's a single mom of three kids, working full time, going to school full time, and interested in learning more...just doesn't have time! So we stop by, and she's actually home! She's never home. I grab the dvd, thinking maybe she's the reason why we have it. she says she's been reading the Book of Mormon when she has time, and is wanting to come to church - when she has a weekend where she's not working. We give her the dvd, and tell her it will explain a little bit more about Joseph Smith and what he did, and why the Book of Mormon is so important.
It was such a little thing, but it truly was a miracle and tender mercy. We can't really get in and teach Mary - I'm hoping her life will slow down it the summer - but we can create ways where she can still learn and the spirit can work with her.
Anyways...I don't have much else to say. I hope everything is going well for ya'll! I love you lots, and I'm so grateful for all that you do! I haven't gotten to many emails sharing missionary experiences for my birthday...so I'll just expect them for next week! But, really. go search for a missionary experience. I only ask because it blesses your life, and it allows you to be an instrument in God's hand.
I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Just another typical week in the WA-TAC. I always feel like my emails are way jumbled when they're not sent on preparation days...so who knows how this one is going to be! We did some walking, door knocking, teaching, had a zone conference, did an exchange...yeah, pretty much normal.
We've been doing a lot of walking lately, in an effort to save miles, and in an effort to talk with more people. It's really funny to see people walk towards us, make eye contact with us, and then do all they can to avoid us completely. It doesn't happen too often, but it's just funny when it does. It's really sad how, in society now, people just don't talk to teach other! They're so...suspicious or so wrapped up in their own little world, that if someone walking by waves and says hi, they just look at them, shocked, or just completely ignores them. What happened to friendliness? But, even if we don't get to talk with people, we know it's good to be out looking, because people will at least see us walking about. We actually had a member comment about how happy it made him to see us out and about. I know it's also showing the Lord our willingness and diligence, and I just keep hoping that one of these days we'll come across someone walking who will actually listen!
We've gotten a few new investigators these week, two of which were actually taught before! It's really neat to see how the Lord gradually prepares people - that's why it's important to talk with everyone and invite everyone. Even if they don't listen now, it might be preparing them for a later time in their life where they WILL listen!
We had another pretty neat miracle - well, it was a series of little things that just showed me that the Lord is the one doing this work, and His hand is in everything! We had stopped by a potential investigator's house, to see if she was home. She wasn't, so we decided to try to visit Sue Carson, one of our investigators. Except, we remember that we hadn't brought the Restoration DVD, and we wanted to watch that with her. But, it turns out that they neighborhood we were in was right across from the elders' apartment, so we ran over there to see if they were home and if they had an extra dvd we could use. They WERE home - they had just gotten home - and they gave us one. so, we go to Sue's, and she wasn't home. In my mind, I was like, "That's way weird. well...maybe we'll need the dvd for something else, because that totally was a tender mercy from God that we got ahold of one!" So, we try to visit a few more people. Our list of people to see runs out and we don't really know what else to do. Then I thought of one more person we could visit, Mary Betheson! I think I've mentioned her before. She's a single mom of three kids, working full time, going to school full time, and interested in learning more...just doesn't have time! So we stop by, and she's actually home! She's never home. I grab the dvd, thinking maybe she's the reason why we have it. she says she's been reading the Book of Mormon when she has time, and is wanting to come to church - when she has a weekend where she's not working. We give her the dvd, and tell her it will explain a little bit more about Joseph Smith and what he did, and why the Book of Mormon is so important.
It was such a little thing, but it truly was a miracle and tender mercy. We can't really get in and teach Mary - I'm hoping her life will slow down it the summer - but we can create ways where she can still learn and the spirit can work with her.
Anyways...I don't have much else to say. I hope everything is going well for ya'll! I love you lots, and I'm so grateful for all that you do! I haven't gotten to many emails sharing missionary experiences for my birthday...so I'll just expect them for next week! But, really. go search for a missionary experience. I only ask because it blesses your life, and it allows you to be an instrument in God's hand.
I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Letter from May 19th, 2014
ey all!
It's been a pretty good week. I ended up catching another cold. I just can't get away from them! And, just like last time, I ended up starting to get sick right at the end of an exchange; this time, though, I didn't give it to the sister I went with. I would have felt way bad, especially since we had another fireside this weekend, and singing with a cold is miserable. I pretty much shot my voice for today, but it was a miracle that my voice lasted the entire fireside! I was able to participate in my musical number good and strong!
It was a pretty rough week for us; investigators were dropping us left and right (ok, so...just a couple) and none of our appointments went through, and no one was home or wanted to talk to us when we stopped by. We were just struggling! Karin sent us a text and said that she wanted to continue to learn more, but was too busy with school and getting ready to move to Colorado at the end of this month. She'll continue to seek it out there, and that's AWESOME, but it was hard to lose such a promising investigator. So, we were going through the week, just kind of struggling for positive things, but then Friday was FILLED with miracles!
WE ended up finding a part member family, by trying to visit a less active on our ward list, who apparently has moved. But, that's ok, because we found Alyssa and Levi! They are looking for a church, because they've been through a lot the past couple years of their lives, and they recognize that they've been in bad places, doing bad things (for example...they're living together right now, engaged, but not married...but we'll work on that...:) ) but they want to overcome and turn to God. They recently moved in a couple months ago, and where they were living before, they were kind of casually talking to missionaries. It was a huge miracle for us, because Alyssa - who is the one who is a member - is way sweet, and just let us in immediately and wants to dive in with all of this.
we also heard back from Kathleen, who we haven't heard from in like a week and a half. She said she had been out of town, and wants to see us on Tuesday! And then we proceeded to schedule two other appointments with some flakier investigators. It was just a much needed boost to us. The work...slower, and we're not discouraged, we're just trying to figure out what we're supposed to be doing to be effective! We just keep putting ourselves out there, and hope something will come of it! And we keep seeing miracles, no matter how small they may be, so we know the Lord is working with us.
We went on another exchange this week - of course! :) - and I went with Sister Bishop. She's a greenie, and this is her second transfer. Oh my goodness, I've never met a greenie like her! I would have guessed she's been out 9 months! She was so composed, knew what she was doing, and just approached everything and everyone with confidence. It was kind of funny. At the end of our companionship study the next morning, right before we exchanged back, she was like, "So...is there anything else with this exchange?" It was like the only greenie thing to come from her mouth. It made me laugh. I was like, "Yep! It's pretty much just like any other day! I'm just hear to make sure you and Sister Cassell are doing ok!" It's nice; there's not much correction that I have to do. And I think that's what I like about exchanges, is that it really isn't different; it just gives the other sister - AND me, of course! - the opportunity to learn more. I love it!
Well...that's all I really have to say! It wasn't a too exciting week, until the weekend. But, that's ok. It can't all be exciting, or even that would get boring! Thanks for what all of you do for me! I love being out here, and the things I get to do and learn. I think that's one thing exchanges do for me, is that they remind me how awesome it is to be a missionary! Because I get to go with so many sisters who love this work and are here to serve God. It's the best! I love it! And I love you! Thank you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
It's been a pretty good week. I ended up catching another cold. I just can't get away from them! And, just like last time, I ended up starting to get sick right at the end of an exchange; this time, though, I didn't give it to the sister I went with. I would have felt way bad, especially since we had another fireside this weekend, and singing with a cold is miserable. I pretty much shot my voice for today, but it was a miracle that my voice lasted the entire fireside! I was able to participate in my musical number good and strong!
It was a pretty rough week for us; investigators were dropping us left and right (ok, so...just a couple) and none of our appointments went through, and no one was home or wanted to talk to us when we stopped by. We were just struggling! Karin sent us a text and said that she wanted to continue to learn more, but was too busy with school and getting ready to move to Colorado at the end of this month. She'll continue to seek it out there, and that's AWESOME, but it was hard to lose such a promising investigator. So, we were going through the week, just kind of struggling for positive things, but then Friday was FILLED with miracles!
WE ended up finding a part member family, by trying to visit a less active on our ward list, who apparently has moved. But, that's ok, because we found Alyssa and Levi! They are looking for a church, because they've been through a lot the past couple years of their lives, and they recognize that they've been in bad places, doing bad things (for example...they're living together right now, engaged, but not married...but we'll work on that...:) ) but they want to overcome and turn to God. They recently moved in a couple months ago, and where they were living before, they were kind of casually talking to missionaries. It was a huge miracle for us, because Alyssa - who is the one who is a member - is way sweet, and just let us in immediately and wants to dive in with all of this.
we also heard back from Kathleen, who we haven't heard from in like a week and a half. She said she had been out of town, and wants to see us on Tuesday! And then we proceeded to schedule two other appointments with some flakier investigators. It was just a much needed boost to us. The work...slower, and we're not discouraged, we're just trying to figure out what we're supposed to be doing to be effective! We just keep putting ourselves out there, and hope something will come of it! And we keep seeing miracles, no matter how small they may be, so we know the Lord is working with us.
We went on another exchange this week - of course! :) - and I went with Sister Bishop. She's a greenie, and this is her second transfer. Oh my goodness, I've never met a greenie like her! I would have guessed she's been out 9 months! She was so composed, knew what she was doing, and just approached everything and everyone with confidence. It was kind of funny. At the end of our companionship study the next morning, right before we exchanged back, she was like, "So...is there anything else with this exchange?" It was like the only greenie thing to come from her mouth. It made me laugh. I was like, "Yep! It's pretty much just like any other day! I'm just hear to make sure you and Sister Cassell are doing ok!" It's nice; there's not much correction that I have to do. And I think that's what I like about exchanges, is that it really isn't different; it just gives the other sister - AND me, of course! - the opportunity to learn more. I love it!
Well...that's all I really have to say! It wasn't a too exciting week, until the weekend. But, that's ok. It can't all be exciting, or even that would get boring! Thanks for what all of you do for me! I love being out here, and the things I get to do and learn. I think that's one thing exchanges do for me, is that they remind me how awesome it is to be a missionary! Because I get to go with so many sisters who love this work and are here to serve God. It's the best! I love it! And I love you! Thank you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Letter from May 12th, 2014
Hey all!
I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day, full of either spoiling or being spoiled. It was really nice to be able to talk with Mom and Dad yesterday. Haha definitely not nearly as emotional as last Mother's Day, and not nearly as distracting as Christmas. In fact, afterwards, I was way pumped as we went out to do some work. We weren't able to do much work, because it was at the end of the day, but people weren't nearly as cranky to have us knock on their door on Mother's Day as we were expecting!
This week has been a pretty good week! The Lord is blessing us with new investigators to teach, and we are SO grateful! We still often to struggle to find things to do, so we often will just get out of the car and just walk around. We had a pretty neat experience doing that, the other day. It was 8:30 (and it's getting to the point where it's not completely dark at 8:30 anymore) and we literally had no where to go, and with all these exchanges that we have to do, our miles are pretty tight. So, I was kind of fed up and was like, "well, let's just get out and walk around! We have no one to visit this late, anyway, so if there's someone Heavenly Father wants us to talk to, we're not going to find them sitting in the car!" So, we park the car, and start walking around. And, of course, no one is out. But, we end up running into this man, and we start talking to him. Turns out he's from Germany and is just visiting. He wasn't fluent in English, so he didn't understand much, but we gave him a Mormon.org card, and told him they had it in German, and he seemed pretty excited about that. He was the only person we talked to, but we both felt like that was ok. Heavenly Father does His work in His own way, and all we have to do is get out and work. Whether or not he actually looks further into, we still were able to extend that invitation, and we were where we needed to be, when we needed to be there. Remember that! To have missionary experiences, you don't need to see the fruits of your labors! You just have to follow the spirit and be where you need to be, when you need to be there, and, as the spirit directs, open your mouth and testify and invite. I know it sounds scary, but, trust me, once you actually do it...it's not so bad! Because it's God working through you!
Anyways, one of our new investigators is Karin (not like Karen, but like car-in. As in the car that you drive.) and she's way awesome. We found her earlier this week while knocking and set up an appointment for Thursday. I ended up not being there, because we were on exchanges, but Sister Bayles called me that night and was way stoked because the lesson was so amazing! We're meeting with her again tomorrow, and I'm way excited for it! She's definitely elect and prepared by God.
A couple of other investigators who seemed promising we haven't been able to get in contact with, for awhile. I'm a little bit worried about one, Kathleen, but I'm trying to stay optimistic. The other ones have either been sick or WAY busy, so I'm not too worried. We just need to work at getting to talk with them again. Things are beginning to happen, here in Lacey 5th. I'm excited!
The exchange that we did this week was amazing. I went with Sister Graves to the Lacey 3rd area, and Sister Palmer came here with Sister Bayles. Sister Graves and Sister Palmer have been having some...personality conflicts, as well as Sister Palmer seems to be quite passive and timid by nature, and Sister Graves is not. This sometimes isn't an issue in a companionship, because the one who isn't timid is okay with just taking the lead. Sister Graves doesn't like that. She wants to be working in tandem and in unison. The only problem was that she's been letting irritations and frustrations get in the way of her helping Sister Palmer, instead of just focusing on her weaknesses. I knew Sister Graves when she first came out; we were in the same zone in her first transfer. We became kinda buddies, so Sister Graves was able to open up to me during the exchange. We had several good, long, heart-to-heart conversations, and it was very good for the both of us. It was SO neat to see Sister Graves change over the past 9 months! she is a wonderful example of a missionary who strives to change and to do the work. I tried to show her that and turn her efforts to not only helping herself and her investigators grow, but also her companion. It was so neat to just talk with her, and to fully recognize that the words I was say were NOT mine. I literally had no clue what to say, but as I listened and then opened my mouth, words came out. I'm very optimistic about how this transfer is going to turn out for Sister Graves and Sister Palmer. I think it will be one of great growth for the both of them.
Welp. It's been a great week! I'm excited for what this one will bring! I love you all, and I'm so grateful for all that you guys do for me, so support me and keep me out here. I really can't express the gratitude. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
PS my birthday. May 28th. The best birthday gift you could give me? Go and pray for a missionary experience, diligently seek one out, and then tell me about it. It doesn't have to be some grand thing like inviting someone to be baptized! That's the missionaries job! :) It can be as simple as giving someone a Mormon.org card, just as we did that one night. Or giving someone a Book of Mormon, or inviting someone to church, or ANYTHING! just helping. Bearing your testimony of a gospel truth. you will be so blessed for doing it. There is a spirit, a peace, and an excitement that comes from having these experiences. and you will never regret asking for one and having one.
I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day, full of either spoiling or being spoiled. It was really nice to be able to talk with Mom and Dad yesterday. Haha definitely not nearly as emotional as last Mother's Day, and not nearly as distracting as Christmas. In fact, afterwards, I was way pumped as we went out to do some work. We weren't able to do much work, because it was at the end of the day, but people weren't nearly as cranky to have us knock on their door on Mother's Day as we were expecting!
This week has been a pretty good week! The Lord is blessing us with new investigators to teach, and we are SO grateful! We still often to struggle to find things to do, so we often will just get out of the car and just walk around. We had a pretty neat experience doing that, the other day. It was 8:30 (and it's getting to the point where it's not completely dark at 8:30 anymore) and we literally had no where to go, and with all these exchanges that we have to do, our miles are pretty tight. So, I was kind of fed up and was like, "well, let's just get out and walk around! We have no one to visit this late, anyway, so if there's someone Heavenly Father wants us to talk to, we're not going to find them sitting in the car!" So, we park the car, and start walking around. And, of course, no one is out. But, we end up running into this man, and we start talking to him. Turns out he's from Germany and is just visiting. He wasn't fluent in English, so he didn't understand much, but we gave him a Mormon.org card, and told him they had it in German, and he seemed pretty excited about that. He was the only person we talked to, but we both felt like that was ok. Heavenly Father does His work in His own way, and all we have to do is get out and work. Whether or not he actually looks further into, we still were able to extend that invitation, and we were where we needed to be, when we needed to be there. Remember that! To have missionary experiences, you don't need to see the fruits of your labors! You just have to follow the spirit and be where you need to be, when you need to be there, and, as the spirit directs, open your mouth and testify and invite. I know it sounds scary, but, trust me, once you actually do it...it's not so bad! Because it's God working through you!
Anyways, one of our new investigators is Karin (not like Karen, but like car-in. As in the car that you drive.) and she's way awesome. We found her earlier this week while knocking and set up an appointment for Thursday. I ended up not being there, because we were on exchanges, but Sister Bayles called me that night and was way stoked because the lesson was so amazing! We're meeting with her again tomorrow, and I'm way excited for it! She's definitely elect and prepared by God.
A couple of other investigators who seemed promising we haven't been able to get in contact with, for awhile. I'm a little bit worried about one, Kathleen, but I'm trying to stay optimistic. The other ones have either been sick or WAY busy, so I'm not too worried. We just need to work at getting to talk with them again. Things are beginning to happen, here in Lacey 5th. I'm excited!
The exchange that we did this week was amazing. I went with Sister Graves to the Lacey 3rd area, and Sister Palmer came here with Sister Bayles. Sister Graves and Sister Palmer have been having some...personality conflicts, as well as Sister Palmer seems to be quite passive and timid by nature, and Sister Graves is not. This sometimes isn't an issue in a companionship, because the one who isn't timid is okay with just taking the lead. Sister Graves doesn't like that. She wants to be working in tandem and in unison. The only problem was that she's been letting irritations and frustrations get in the way of her helping Sister Palmer, instead of just focusing on her weaknesses. I knew Sister Graves when she first came out; we were in the same zone in her first transfer. We became kinda buddies, so Sister Graves was able to open up to me during the exchange. We had several good, long, heart-to-heart conversations, and it was very good for the both of us. It was SO neat to see Sister Graves change over the past 9 months! she is a wonderful example of a missionary who strives to change and to do the work. I tried to show her that and turn her efforts to not only helping herself and her investigators grow, but also her companion. It was so neat to just talk with her, and to fully recognize that the words I was say were NOT mine. I literally had no clue what to say, but as I listened and then opened my mouth, words came out. I'm very optimistic about how this transfer is going to turn out for Sister Graves and Sister Palmer. I think it will be one of great growth for the both of them.
Welp. It's been a great week! I'm excited for what this one will bring! I love you all, and I'm so grateful for all that you guys do for me, so support me and keep me out here. I really can't express the gratitude. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
PS my birthday. May 28th. The best birthday gift you could give me? Go and pray for a missionary experience, diligently seek one out, and then tell me about it. It doesn't have to be some grand thing like inviting someone to be baptized! That's the missionaries job! :) It can be as simple as giving someone a Mormon.org card, just as we did that one night. Or giving someone a Book of Mormon, or inviting someone to church, or ANYTHING! just helping. Bearing your testimony of a gospel truth. you will be so blessed for doing it. There is a spirit, a peace, and an excitement that comes from having these experiences. and you will never regret asking for one and having one.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Letter from May 5th, 2014
Hey all!
Man, oh man, it's been a crazy busy week! I'm so completely exhausted, but it's so good to feel this way! We had transfer meeting, which was a little bit rough. It's the last transfer meeting where ALL of the missionaries could be together. Now transfer meeting is just going to be for the missionaries getting transferred. I had to say good bye to some peeps, and I only have a small handful of transfers left, so, I just kinda freaking out. But, it's ok, because I had A LOT to do right now, so I don't have to worry about it!
Wednesday, we ended up seeing SO many miracles! We found two new investigators, found several potentials, and passed out a lot of Book of Mormons. One of our new investigators, Kathleen, seems way interested. We met with her on Thursday and taught her the restoration, and she seemed to love it. We invited her to be baptized, and her response was, "Well, I've never been baptized before!" We're hoping when we meet with her again, we'll be able to get a solid date for her to work towards. It's exciting! We also met Leyna, who, literally opened the door, and was like, "Oh! Hi! Come on in!" She says she doesn't really know anything about the church, but that she and her family moved in about two or three months ago (her husband is in the military) and they haven't been able to find a church, yet. We're seeing her tomorrow, and we're excited to see what happens! Throughout the week, we've found a lot of other potentials that seem promising, and we're just really excited to see what's going to happen this transfer.
It's just incredible to see the blessings of the Lord. We haven't been doing anything different, or anything special, but the Lord has decided that it's time to just pour out His blessings. I can't wait!!
We also went on our first exchange as STLs. It was SO much fun! It was way last minute, but it was prompted by the spirit, and it all worked out. On Friday, we went on an exchange with Sister Crosby and Sister Allred. Sister Crosby was my STL for two transfers, when I was in Port Orchard, so it's kinda odd being her STL, now. So, Sister Bayles went to Lakewood with Sister Crosby, and Sister Allred came with me. Sister Allred came out a transfer after me, and she just got released from being an STL. She is way awesome, and I think I made a new eternal friend. I think this exchange - and probably all of them - was more for me than for Sister Allred. I learned a lot about what it means to be an STL, and I learned a lot just about being a missionary! Sister Allred is a WAY good missionary, and she inspired me.
I've decided that I have 3 goals for these exchanges that we're going on. 1: I want these sisters to know that I love them with all my heart, and they can trust me and Sister Bayles. 2: I want to inspire these sisters to be the best missionaries - and person - they can be - and to help them see that potential. and 3: I want them to come to love their missions even more.
Welp. Life is great. I love it! And we're going to be SO busy! It'll be awesome! I love you all! Thanks for everything you do! To all you mothers, have a happy Mother's Day!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Man, oh man, it's been a crazy busy week! I'm so completely exhausted, but it's so good to feel this way! We had transfer meeting, which was a little bit rough. It's the last transfer meeting where ALL of the missionaries could be together. Now transfer meeting is just going to be for the missionaries getting transferred. I had to say good bye to some peeps, and I only have a small handful of transfers left, so, I just kinda freaking out. But, it's ok, because I had A LOT to do right now, so I don't have to worry about it!
Wednesday, we ended up seeing SO many miracles! We found two new investigators, found several potentials, and passed out a lot of Book of Mormons. One of our new investigators, Kathleen, seems way interested. We met with her on Thursday and taught her the restoration, and she seemed to love it. We invited her to be baptized, and her response was, "Well, I've never been baptized before!" We're hoping when we meet with her again, we'll be able to get a solid date for her to work towards. It's exciting! We also met Leyna, who, literally opened the door, and was like, "Oh! Hi! Come on in!" She says she doesn't really know anything about the church, but that she and her family moved in about two or three months ago (her husband is in the military) and they haven't been able to find a church, yet. We're seeing her tomorrow, and we're excited to see what happens! Throughout the week, we've found a lot of other potentials that seem promising, and we're just really excited to see what's going to happen this transfer.
It's just incredible to see the blessings of the Lord. We haven't been doing anything different, or anything special, but the Lord has decided that it's time to just pour out His blessings. I can't wait!!
We also went on our first exchange as STLs. It was SO much fun! It was way last minute, but it was prompted by the spirit, and it all worked out. On Friday, we went on an exchange with Sister Crosby and Sister Allred. Sister Crosby was my STL for two transfers, when I was in Port Orchard, so it's kinda odd being her STL, now. So, Sister Bayles went to Lakewood with Sister Crosby, and Sister Allred came with me. Sister Allred came out a transfer after me, and she just got released from being an STL. She is way awesome, and I think I made a new eternal friend. I think this exchange - and probably all of them - was more for me than for Sister Allred. I learned a lot about what it means to be an STL, and I learned a lot just about being a missionary! Sister Allred is a WAY good missionary, and she inspired me.
I've decided that I have 3 goals for these exchanges that we're going on. 1: I want these sisters to know that I love them with all my heart, and they can trust me and Sister Bayles. 2: I want to inspire these sisters to be the best missionaries - and person - they can be - and to help them see that potential. and 3: I want them to come to love their missions even more.
Welp. Life is great. I love it! And we're going to be SO busy! It'll be awesome! I love you all! Thanks for everything you do! To all you mothers, have a happy Mother's Day!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Letter from April 28th, 2014
Hey all!
Well, it's the start of a new transfer. Time is beginning to tick even faster to a close. I'm just freaking out a little bit. Transfer call: Sister Brewster is going to the Lakewood zone. It's a sweet area and it's busy. I'm excited for her! I'm staying in Lacey 5th and getting Sister Bayles. I'm WAY stoked, because Bayles is a beast of a missionary. I'm excited for what I'm going to learn from her. Other less exciting news with transfers, President Weaver has decided to make Lacey 5th a Sister Training Leader area. So, Sister Bayles and I have been called to be STLs. It's typically a 4 transfer call, which means I'm probably going to die as an STL, which, honestly, is a great relief! I'll be focused on other sisters and helping them, so I won't be so caught up in the hubbub of going home and stuff. It'll be a nice way to keep me good and focused until the very end!
This week was pretty good. Lacey 5th had a baptism! It was the elders', but we helped teach him. His name is Sovec Valencia. He's been taught by many, many missionaries. Sisters Brewster and Wilcox actually were the ones who re-found him. Then, with transfers, Elders Miller and Meyer came over one time, and they connected with him and were able to be exactly what he needed, so we handed him over to them and let them take the lead. Though, Sovec loved having all four of us over, so we would all come, and Sister Brewster and I would just support the elders in their teaching. He's made a lot of changes, so it was really neat to be a part of it. Haha I made the mistake of singing at his baptism, and now the whole ward (which doesn't have too much musical talent) has cornered me! But, it was a very sweet and tender baptism. Sovec has such a tender heart and he has a lot of sincere desires, and he just wants to do what's right!
We had a sweet tender mercy at the beginning of the week. I was kind of having a rough day, and then, of course, during our 5-7s, it was pouring pretty hard. Which, doesn't really bother me much, anymore, but it definitely wasn't helping my mood that day. So, I kind of took it to Heavenly Father and was like, "So, I'm here. I'm trying hard. You know I'm not feeling the cheeriest right now. And, we haven't really been seeing much success or much positive reception from anyone. So...can you give us something? just to help me out." The next door we knocked on (after about 7 minutes of walking, because we were out in the sticks) this nice lady named Beth (go figure!) opened the door, was very sweet, accepted a Book of Mormon, and said she'd call us when she knew her work schedule. Well...who knows if she will actually call...I'm hoping for it, but it was just clear evidence that HeavenlyFather just listened and answered my prayer, because I was feeling pretty glum.
I love how Heavenly Father does that. He really does listen, you know! You just have to be paying attention to His answers. She wasn't a new investigator. She didn't invite us in. But she was kind, she listened, and she expressed interest. Which was really all I needed. just a sweet tender mercy. :)
There's not really much else to share, except to express the humility and gratitude I feel towards my calling as an STL. Please say a few extra prayers for me, as I try to figure out how the heck to actually do this! Sister Bayles and I are both new to this. I'm grateful to be trusted with this, but I know I can't do this on my own. But, I'm excited to see what will happen because of it! I'm excited to see who I can become because of it, if I let myself.
I love you all! Thanks for all that you do! Remember how amazing this Gospel is! It's the best! I finished the Book of Mormon again, yesterday, and it was incredible as I got down on my knees to test out Moroni's challenge, yet again, and I can say that I received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true. No doubt, you guys, no doubt! Every time I read it, the spirit fills me, and I'm so happy! It excites me to be able to read the Book of Mormon every day! Read it everyday, you guys! It's worth it! It's so incredibly worth it! I love it! I love the Gospel, and I love the WA-TAC. Thank you guys for everything. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, it's the start of a new transfer. Time is beginning to tick even faster to a close. I'm just freaking out a little bit. Transfer call: Sister Brewster is going to the Lakewood zone. It's a sweet area and it's busy. I'm excited for her! I'm staying in Lacey 5th and getting Sister Bayles. I'm WAY stoked, because Bayles is a beast of a missionary. I'm excited for what I'm going to learn from her. Other less exciting news with transfers, President Weaver has decided to make Lacey 5th a Sister Training Leader area. So, Sister Bayles and I have been called to be STLs. It's typically a 4 transfer call, which means I'm probably going to die as an STL, which, honestly, is a great relief! I'll be focused on other sisters and helping them, so I won't be so caught up in the hubbub of going home and stuff. It'll be a nice way to keep me good and focused until the very end!
This week was pretty good. Lacey 5th had a baptism! It was the elders', but we helped teach him. His name is Sovec Valencia. He's been taught by many, many missionaries. Sisters Brewster and Wilcox actually were the ones who re-found him. Then, with transfers, Elders Miller and Meyer came over one time, and they connected with him and were able to be exactly what he needed, so we handed him over to them and let them take the lead. Though, Sovec loved having all four of us over, so we would all come, and Sister Brewster and I would just support the elders in their teaching. He's made a lot of changes, so it was really neat to be a part of it. Haha I made the mistake of singing at his baptism, and now the whole ward (which doesn't have too much musical talent) has cornered me! But, it was a very sweet and tender baptism. Sovec has such a tender heart and he has a lot of sincere desires, and he just wants to do what's right!
We had a sweet tender mercy at the beginning of the week. I was kind of having a rough day, and then, of course, during our 5-7s, it was pouring pretty hard. Which, doesn't really bother me much, anymore, but it definitely wasn't helping my mood that day. So, I kind of took it to Heavenly Father and was like, "So, I'm here. I'm trying hard. You know I'm not feeling the cheeriest right now. And, we haven't really been seeing much success or much positive reception from anyone. So...can you give us something? just to help me out." The next door we knocked on (after about 7 minutes of walking, because we were out in the sticks) this nice lady named Beth (go figure!) opened the door, was very sweet, accepted a Book of Mormon, and said she'd call us when she knew her work schedule. Well...who knows if she will actually call...I'm hoping for it, but it was just clear evidence that HeavenlyFather just listened and answered my prayer, because I was feeling pretty glum.
I love how Heavenly Father does that. He really does listen, you know! You just have to be paying attention to His answers. She wasn't a new investigator. She didn't invite us in. But she was kind, she listened, and she expressed interest. Which was really all I needed. just a sweet tender mercy. :)
There's not really much else to share, except to express the humility and gratitude I feel towards my calling as an STL. Please say a few extra prayers for me, as I try to figure out how the heck to actually do this! Sister Bayles and I are both new to this. I'm grateful to be trusted with this, but I know I can't do this on my own. But, I'm excited to see what will happen because of it! I'm excited to see who I can become because of it, if I let myself.
I love you all! Thanks for all that you do! Remember how amazing this Gospel is! It's the best! I finished the Book of Mormon again, yesterday, and it was incredible as I got down on my knees to test out Moroni's challenge, yet again, and I can say that I received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true. No doubt, you guys, no doubt! Every time I read it, the spirit fills me, and I'm so happy! It excites me to be able to read the Book of Mormon every day! Read it everyday, you guys! It's worth it! It's so incredibly worth it! I love it! I love the Gospel, and I love the WA-TAC. Thank you guys for everything. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!