Hey all!
This transfer is coming to a close, and it's kind of freaking me out. I'm hoping I'll stay another transfer with sister Bevan...because things are moving a long, and I want to stay! In fact...my dream transfer call is to train WITH Sister Bevan. It's not a very frequent occurance, but it's been happening more and more often. Sister Bevan feels like she's going to train soon, and I REALLY want to train, so it's like the best solution! :) It hurts me heart to think that this transfer is almost over, though. It's gone by WAY too fast! Pretty soon I'll hit my year mark, and then I'll be an emotional wreck! Haha not really, but sisters tend to get a little crazy when their year mark happens. They get a little bit more emotional, a little bit more urgent, and a lot more worried if their doing their best.
We had exchanges this week. IT was fun! We're buddies with our STLs - in fact, their in our zone, so we get to hang out with them every preparation day, and Sister Bevan is best friends with both of them - so we knew it was going to be a good time. Sister Peruch came to 6th area with me; she's a lot like me, in a lot of ways. It was keird. She's been out for awhile - she goes home in April (my year mark...shudder...) - so she has a lot of experience. And sheShe was able to teach me, through her example, that it's ok to be shy and a little bit quiet - the Lord doesn't expect us to become completely different people. We are who we are for a reason! BUT. We have to be constantly going out of our comfort zone, trying to improve and grow, and we have to open our mouth. If the spirit tells you to open up your mouth and say somethings, then open it up and say something! It was a comforting lesson to know, that it's ok to be me, but also motivating, because I know I need to still step out of that comfort zone a lot more than I do.
We had a wonderful miracle last night. We really wanted to go to a baptism that was happening in our zone, but to do that, we needed to bring an investigator. We werne't having much sucess in finding someone to go with us, so we prayed and told HeavenlyFather that we really watned to go, and that we knew there was someone who would benefit from going, so we asked for help finding that person. So, we started visiting people that we had talked to this past transfer, and then, suddenly, this woman, Paula, popped into Sister Bevan's head. She was a referral from the Spanish Elders, and we had just met her on Friday. So, we texted her (texting is more her style of communication. We weren't be lazy, promise, Dad!) and asked if she wanted to come. She said sure! So, we went to her place a little early, so she could follow us there. We had to help ehr clean a bit, and get her kids ready, and by that time, we were going to get there a little late. But, every time we hit a stop light, it turned green (literally, we would start approaching one, it'd flip to green) and we got tehre right on time.And, she enjoyed it. And her 6 year old daughter totaly enjoyed it too. IT was awesome! IT's so incredible to be able to call upon the Lord to provide these miracles. I've learned that it's not selfish to ask for miracles. In fact, Elder Holland TELLS us to call down miracles. Now, they don't always come in the form we expect, but if we're doing what we're supposed to, all we have to say is, "This is may goal. This is what I'm trying to do. This si what I want. Here is what I'm doing to acheive it. Can you put someone in my who is ready?" Because He WILL provide. He is preparing His people, and if you show you are willing and able, and worthy, He will place those elect people in your path, and you will experience wonderful joy!
I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you all! Alos, if you could keep Bart Lawrence in your prayers, I would really apreciate it. I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Letter from January 21st, 2014
Hey all!
Happy Civil Rights Day - one day late. Libraries were closed yesterday, so, obviously, I didn't get to email. It's been a good week! Although, one filled with opposition. We were anti-ed just about every single day this week. But, it was filled with a lot of good things, too! We had interviews with President and Sister Weaver (oh man, I love them SO much!), I spoke in church - and we had 5 investigators at church! - and we had one of our musical firesides that we were able to participate in.
Things are still moving along pretty well. We're working hard, and seeing miracles - even the smallest of miracles make a HUGE difference in this work! It was a blessing to see so many people at church, and all of them are progressing. IT truly is a joy to see each of these people learn and desire to learn more, and begin to make changes in their lives. Because that's the whole point of the Gospel, is change!
Interviews were wonderful, as always. Presdient Weaver is just filled with the spirit, and it exudes from him. He always says the most perfect things, and they are always filled with great amounts of love. I love people with him. He is alwyas so encouraging, and helps me know how to improve, and helps me understand how Heavenly Father feels about me.
The fireside this Sunday was absolutely beautiful. The spirit was so powerful. I can't even describe the feelings I felt. It made me so grateful to be a missionary. IT helped to renew that fire that drives me to share the Gospel. Music is such a powerful tool, adn mixed between the songs were testimonies of missionaries, sharing their testimony of the Savior. Few experiences are sweeter - except, maybe hearing the testimonies of investigators or converts and seeing people you love get baptized. But, as we sang, the spirit filled me. I couldn't help but be grateful that I made the decision to come on a mission. 9 months have gone by so fast. I'm on the downhill slide. I'm going to make every moment count, and I'm going to leave Washington - or, in missionary terms, "die" with the words on my lips, "I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints IS His church!" Because it is this knowledge that can change lives, among many of the other things we teach. It is a Gospel of change, which means that every person who walks the face of this planet CAN CHANGE! It's the whole purpose of teh Atonement, is to give us the ability and the power to change to reach our fullest potential, to become like our Heavenly Father. IT is the purpose of His amazing grace. I am so grateful for it!
something else I have to share. Like I mentioned before, we have faced a lot of anti and a lot of oppositon this week. It is SO frustrating to have anti thrown at your face, or to talk with people who just want ot bible bash. Sometimes it's absolutely ridiculous, like someone saying the Book of Mormon isn't true because, obviously, hippotamouses never were on the american continent! Which...the Book of Mormon doesn't mention! So...clearly that person hasn't actually read what he's speaking so forcefully about. Many of the other things, I could show why we believe it and where the doctrine is taught in teh Bible, but I don't, because they won't listen and aren't ready for the information. And, occasionally, the come up with something that, I don't have words for. Whether they are lies, truths, things I know nothing about, it doesn't really mantter. It's really frustrating for me, because they tell me these things, expecting me to be shaken by the knowledge given to me, and are even concerned when I'm not shaken, but they don't listen to why, or they interrupt, because they clearly are feeling the spirit and want to deny it.
So, I have some advice. For everyone and anyone. When faced with anti, with ideas opposing what we believe and stand for, don't you dare start doubting! In the words of President Uchtdorf, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." Go back to that moment when you received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true. How do you know it is the truth? That is the key! It is the formula for not being swayed. Because teh Book of Mormon, if it's true, reveals three things to you: That Jesus Christ is our Savior, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that tha Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's church. So, how do you know the Book of Mormon is true? Did the spirit reveal it to you? Then that answer came from God, and you don't have to doubt it. Nor should you doubt it. And it is true, then, through patience, study, and faith all other things will come to your understanding. Everything else will fall into place. Cling to that knowledge! Please! It breaks my heart to come across people, who are so sweet, so nice, and who have fallen away, who say they no longer believe it's true, because they read somethings, or heard something, and no one could explain it. Is teh Book of Mormon true? Then have faith that everything else will fall into place. Trust God, not the words and precepts of men.
Ok. My rant is over. I just really hate anti. But, it gives me greater conviction in my testimony. Every time I'm faced with it, my testimony is strengthedIt does the opposite of what it is designed to do. And I'm grateful for that.
Anyways. I love you all! Thank you for all that you do. Remember how worth it the Gospel is. I love it! And I love all of you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Happy Civil Rights Day - one day late. Libraries were closed yesterday, so, obviously, I didn't get to email. It's been a good week! Although, one filled with opposition. We were anti-ed just about every single day this week. But, it was filled with a lot of good things, too! We had interviews with President and Sister Weaver (oh man, I love them SO much!), I spoke in church - and we had 5 investigators at church! - and we had one of our musical firesides that we were able to participate in.
Things are still moving along pretty well. We're working hard, and seeing miracles - even the smallest of miracles make a HUGE difference in this work! It was a blessing to see so many people at church, and all of them are progressing. IT truly is a joy to see each of these people learn and desire to learn more, and begin to make changes in their lives. Because that's the whole point of the Gospel, is change!
Interviews were wonderful, as always. Presdient Weaver is just filled with the spirit, and it exudes from him. He always says the most perfect things, and they are always filled with great amounts of love. I love people with him. He is alwyas so encouraging, and helps me know how to improve, and helps me understand how Heavenly Father feels about me.
The fireside this Sunday was absolutely beautiful. The spirit was so powerful. I can't even describe the feelings I felt. It made me so grateful to be a missionary. IT helped to renew that fire that drives me to share the Gospel. Music is such a powerful tool, adn mixed between the songs were testimonies of missionaries, sharing their testimony of the Savior. Few experiences are sweeter - except, maybe hearing the testimonies of investigators or converts and seeing people you love get baptized. But, as we sang, the spirit filled me. I couldn't help but be grateful that I made the decision to come on a mission. 9 months have gone by so fast. I'm on the downhill slide. I'm going to make every moment count, and I'm going to leave Washington - or, in missionary terms, "die" with the words on my lips, "I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints IS His church!" Because it is this knowledge that can change lives, among many of the other things we teach. It is a Gospel of change, which means that every person who walks the face of this planet CAN CHANGE! It's the whole purpose of teh Atonement, is to give us the ability and the power to change to reach our fullest potential, to become like our Heavenly Father. IT is the purpose of His amazing grace. I am so grateful for it!
something else I have to share. Like I mentioned before, we have faced a lot of anti and a lot of oppositon this week. It is SO frustrating to have anti thrown at your face, or to talk with people who just want ot bible bash. Sometimes it's absolutely ridiculous, like someone saying the Book of Mormon isn't true because, obviously, hippotamouses never were on the american continent! Which...the Book of Mormon doesn't mention! So...clearly that person hasn't actually read what he's speaking so forcefully about. Many of the other things, I could show why we believe it and where the doctrine is taught in teh Bible, but I don't, because they won't listen and aren't ready for the information. And, occasionally, the come up with something that, I don't have words for. Whether they are lies, truths, things I know nothing about, it doesn't really mantter. It's really frustrating for me, because they tell me these things, expecting me to be shaken by the knowledge given to me, and are even concerned when I'm not shaken, but they don't listen to why, or they interrupt, because they clearly are feeling the spirit and want to deny it.
So, I have some advice. For everyone and anyone. When faced with anti, with ideas opposing what we believe and stand for, don't you dare start doubting! In the words of President Uchtdorf, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." Go back to that moment when you received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true. How do you know it is the truth? That is the key! It is the formula for not being swayed. Because teh Book of Mormon, if it's true, reveals three things to you: That Jesus Christ is our Savior, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that tha Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's church. So, how do you know the Book of Mormon is true? Did the spirit reveal it to you? Then that answer came from God, and you don't have to doubt it. Nor should you doubt it. And it is true, then, through patience, study, and faith all other things will come to your understanding. Everything else will fall into place. Cling to that knowledge! Please! It breaks my heart to come across people, who are so sweet, so nice, and who have fallen away, who say they no longer believe it's true, because they read somethings, or heard something, and no one could explain it. Is teh Book of Mormon true? Then have faith that everything else will fall into place. Trust God, not the words and precepts of men.
Ok. My rant is over. I just really hate anti. But, it gives me greater conviction in my testimony. Every time I'm faced with it, my testimony is strengthedIt does the opposite of what it is designed to do. And I'm grateful for that.
Anyways. I love you all! Thank you for all that you do. Remember how worth it the Gospel is. I love it! And I love all of you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Letter from January 6th, 2014
Hey all!
Well, it's been a really good week, full of lots o fmiracles! Lots of things are about to go down in the Silverdale 6th ward! It's exciting to see the Lord prepare this area and the people here to accept the Gospel. It's been a little bit of a bittersweet week; Friday was hump day for me. It's all on the countdown from here on out - and that's really weird. Friday morning, I got a call from President Weaver. He told me he and Sister Weaver had been planning on coming up to Silverdale to talk wiht me, but it just wasn't working out. They informed me that Grandpa Root had passed away. Those two things made Friday a little bit of an odd day for me.
But! Miracles! New Years day, President sent out a text, telling us to go find a new investigator that day - when President tells us things like that, we know it's possible. It's kind of his way of promising us blessings. He wouldn't tell us to do something if it wasn't possible. And...we didn't exactly find a new...but what happened was really neat. We had gone out all day, with really no success. No one was home, things fell through. We went out tracting from 5 -7 like normal, and nothing. But, we still were hoping for a new investigator! We decided to go try to find a less active lady. We have the apartment building she lives in, but not the apartment number. We were asked to try to locate her. So, we just knock on doors and ask,"does so-and-so live here?" It's a little bit of a less agressive door approach, and people are generally a lot more open. So, we knock on a door, and a women opens the door, and we ask if Elizabeth lives there. She says no, and we say we're missionaries, blah blah blah, adn the next thing we know, we're inside her home, talking to her and her husband. They accept a Book of Mormon, wnat to learn more, and have been looking for a church to go to since they moved in, about a month ago. They were a miracle. They didn't become new that day, but we were able to set up another appointment, later on in the week.
We visited them yesterday, and they are asking questions, seeking knowledge, and it is evident that they are elect. The Lord has been preparing them to recieve the gospel, and they are absolutely a miracle! It was awesome!
We've also begun teaching a few more people. We're now teaching all of Sally's kids - and she and her son came to church on Sunday, and she totally felt the spirit! I'm setting my sights on helping them become an eternal family. It truly is on eof the most amazing things, to see a family progress together towards eternity. Because families are meant to be eternal. I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and that I know families are forever, and that I can have an eternal family. It's my goal for myself, and everyone!
We also have begun teaching a boy that Sister Bevan had taught in her first area, so like a year ago. We tracted into them a few weeks ago; THAT was a miracle! I guess the reason why he didn't get baptized then, was because of his mom; but, his mom's attitude has changed. They're in a really rough spot. She is way open, and we believe we can start teaching her. This excites me, because it means we might be able to teach another family. I really want to see a family baptized! Because then they can work together towards being sealed in the temple! And that's the best! IT's what I'm hoping for, but it's going to be a lot of work, because there's A LOT going on, in that home. But, I'm excited. Sister Bevan, after that lesson was like, "I feel like we were just asked to build a boat, and we're like, 'Ok. Where's the ore so we can make the tools?'" Which just pumped me up and I responded, "Dude! We're going to build a boat!" It's exciting, because in moments like that, you realize how little it is of your own doing that things happen. It's all based off of the spirit, and following promptings and seeing guidance. You guys. We're going to build a boat. And it's going to be awesome!
So. Things are good. It's still rough...but that's because missions always are. But, things are good. We're teaching people, we're working hard, and we're trying to find more people. We're following the spirit, and we're loving the area. I love it! I love doing this!
I love you all! Thanks for all you do to support me and keep me out here. The Gospel is true and the Atonement is real! I love it! I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
Well, it's been a really good week, full of lots o fmiracles! Lots of things are about to go down in the Silverdale 6th ward! It's exciting to see the Lord prepare this area and the people here to accept the Gospel. It's been a little bit of a bittersweet week; Friday was hump day for me. It's all on the countdown from here on out - and that's really weird. Friday morning, I got a call from President Weaver. He told me he and Sister Weaver had been planning on coming up to Silverdale to talk wiht me, but it just wasn't working out. They informed me that Grandpa Root had passed away. Those two things made Friday a little bit of an odd day for me.
But! Miracles! New Years day, President sent out a text, telling us to go find a new investigator that day - when President tells us things like that, we know it's possible. It's kind of his way of promising us blessings. He wouldn't tell us to do something if it wasn't possible. And...we didn't exactly find a new...but what happened was really neat. We had gone out all day, with really no success. No one was home, things fell through. We went out tracting from 5 -7 like normal, and nothing. But, we still were hoping for a new investigator! We decided to go try to find a less active lady. We have the apartment building she lives in, but not the apartment number. We were asked to try to locate her. So, we just knock on doors and ask,"does so-and-so live here?" It's a little bit of a less agressive door approach, and people are generally a lot more open. So, we knock on a door, and a women opens the door, and we ask if Elizabeth lives there. She says no, and we say we're missionaries, blah blah blah, adn the next thing we know, we're inside her home, talking to her and her husband. They accept a Book of Mormon, wnat to learn more, and have been looking for a church to go to since they moved in, about a month ago. They were a miracle. They didn't become new that day, but we were able to set up another appointment, later on in the week.
We visited them yesterday, and they are asking questions, seeking knowledge, and it is evident that they are elect. The Lord has been preparing them to recieve the gospel, and they are absolutely a miracle! It was awesome!
We've also begun teaching a few more people. We're now teaching all of Sally's kids - and she and her son came to church on Sunday, and she totally felt the spirit! I'm setting my sights on helping them become an eternal family. It truly is on eof the most amazing things, to see a family progress together towards eternity. Because families are meant to be eternal. I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and that I know families are forever, and that I can have an eternal family. It's my goal for myself, and everyone!
We also have begun teaching a boy that Sister Bevan had taught in her first area, so like a year ago. We tracted into them a few weeks ago; THAT was a miracle! I guess the reason why he didn't get baptized then, was because of his mom; but, his mom's attitude has changed. They're in a really rough spot. She is way open, and we believe we can start teaching her. This excites me, because it means we might be able to teach another family. I really want to see a family baptized! Because then they can work together towards being sealed in the temple! And that's the best! IT's what I'm hoping for, but it's going to be a lot of work, because there's A LOT going on, in that home. But, I'm excited. Sister Bevan, after that lesson was like, "I feel like we were just asked to build a boat, and we're like, 'Ok. Where's the ore so we can make the tools?'" Which just pumped me up and I responded, "Dude! We're going to build a boat!" It's exciting, because in moments like that, you realize how little it is of your own doing that things happen. It's all based off of the spirit, and following promptings and seeing guidance. You guys. We're going to build a boat. And it's going to be awesome!
So. Things are good. It's still rough...but that's because missions always are. But, things are good. We're teaching people, we're working hard, and we're trying to find more people. We're following the spirit, and we're loving the area. I love it! I love doing this!
I love you all! Thanks for all you do to support me and keep me out here. The Gospel is true and the Atonement is real! I love it! I love you!
Sister Beth Ann Root!