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!
Monday, August 4, 2014
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!