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!
Monday, June 30, 2014
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!