From March 30 email: Luckily we haven't had any snow lately...just a lot of rain! Friday evening we got to experience eating lobster for the first time. The Hobsons (she's active, but he's not) always invite the new missionaries over for a lobster dinner. When she plopped that red monster on my plate, I didn't think I could go through with it. First we had to yank off it's "arms" with the claws & then carefully crack open it's shell to reach the meat. It didn't taste near as bad as I thought it would. Sister Mortimer could hardly keep it down because she's not a fan of sea food, but as missionaries, we need to eat all that's placed in front of us! That was quite the experience. But I don't think I'll ever be completely converted to lobster.
Yesterday during the combined Priesthood/Relief Society meeting, Sister Mortimer and I had to give a little talk on missionary work & why we were out. Sister Mortimer also played "Come Thou Fount" on the violin. She's so talented! The ward just introduced a new ward mission plan which includes the 21-day member missionary prayer program and 2 special fasts during the year. If the members put forth that faith, we'll see miracles happen here in Groton. I've started my own 21-day prayer sheet for family members/friends/investigators. I'll send you a copy so that you can join in on the fun.
Yesterday we had a lesson with Ryan. We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" and talked a little bit about what Christ did for each one of us. He doesn't have much knowledge of what Christ did for him exactly. He hasn't had that "change of heart" that comes from the realization that Christ suffered and died for each one of us and that it is only through him that we can receive salvation. So we're working with him to develop that relationship he needs with Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ. This got me thinking about my knowledge of the Atonement. I remember a while back that my testimony of it was very weak. I knew that Christ had done something important, but it didn't have a place in my heart. But now I've felt the redeeming power of the Atonement in my life. I don't know how people can survive the world without Christ. I have truely come to know who Christ is and what he has done for me. It's life changing! Now that it's getting close to Easter, I'm going to focus my studies on the Atonement so that my testimony can be strengthened even more and so I can more effectively share that with others. I love this gospel! I've wholly and completely had a change of heart.
I'll start working on my journal. I keep waiting for the time to open up to do it, but I guess I'll just have to make time. It's very important to remember these wonderful missionary experiences! I'm getting very excited for conference this weekend. I remember back to my younger years when I couldn't sit through a single session of it. But now I love to hear the words of the prophet & apostles. They do know of a surety that God lives and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. They know that true happiness comes from living the gospel. And I want to follow their examples.
From March 23, 2009 email:
We finally feel like we have a handle on the area! We haven't been able to get in contact with a few of the investigators as of yet, but we're not giving up on them. Apparently they aren't as solid as the Elders led on. We'll just have to go find our own! Wednesday afternoon we went with Gloria (an investigator with great potential) around to some historical places & also a library in Stonington to look up some ancestors. She showed us some of the Miner homesteads. Sadly enough, they aren't part of our direct line. At the library we were able to look up a few books specifically written on the Minors and the Palmers. I was able to fill in a little more of my pedigree chart and find some long-lost ancestors! I forgot my notes today so I can't give you the names of the ancestors or the books right now. But I believe that there is a website: www.tmsociety.org. We also ran across a question on Deborah Minor--I was hoping you could find more on her. She doesn't appear in the Minor book, but there is a female listed under another name with that same birth date. That could possibly be her, but it needs investigating. Gloria said she would check it out also. She volunteers her Thursday nights at the family history center at the church. This time with her we were able to figure out some of her concerns & draft a plan on how to help bring her to Christ.
Thursday and Saturday we met with another investigator, Ryan Taylor. His girlfriend is a member and currently attends BYU. He's in the Coast Guard so he lives across the river from us in New London. He is an engineering student there so he is a very logical thinker. He truly has a desire to know if the things we teach are true. He thinks them out and weighs every possibility. He had lots of good questions on prophets so we answered them the best we could. On our meeting on Saturday, we gave him a stray copy of "Our Search for Happiness" that was wandering around our apartment. He called Sunday night & said that he LOVED the book and it all made sense to him. We were definitely inspired to give him that (and so was the Elder who left it at the apartment...haha). So there will be some great things come out of this!
We also met with Margo this week. We found her contacting and have had a few lessons with her. Our first lesson this week was somewhat of a disaster. She has the tendency to talk a lot and we didn't take control of the situation. So we didn't get much taught. We left discouraged and worn down, but as a missionary, you can't let it get to you. We decided to stop by on Saturday and watch "The Restoration." Throughout the movie she said that she could relate to Joseph Smith. And she has a great desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true. After we watched the movie, we knelt down in prayer and each gave a heartfelt prayer that she would receive answers. That was probably one of the most spiritual experiences I've had out here. She came to church on Sunday for the first time and had great fellowship from the ward. More great things are happening here!
Saturday we helped out at the stake youth volleyball tournament since we didn't have any service for the week. I got to oil my very squeaky volleyball officiating skills. Sister Mortimer worked out her arm muscles as she flipped the score. We had a blast with the youth and they enjoyed themselves. I love working with the wards here...they're so willing to help out with missionary work! That was my week in a nutshell. So much happens that I can't seem to fit it all in one hour and one email. I need to start writing in my journal more so I can remember the wonderful experiences I've had here. Then I can share them all with you when I get back. I remember Adam telling me to write in my journal as often as possible...I've failed at that! That's the lovely thing about the Atonement: I can repent! I'm glad to hear that Dad got to experience a bit of member-missionary work & help bring the light of the gospel into someones life. "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father." I did that from memory so that probably isn't perfect. But think of that perfect joy you will have with that one person...maybe more. That's why it is so important to share the gospel! I encourage everyone to make an effort to do that this next week. I'll be doing it all week long!
It's funny that you should ask if I had met any relatives out here. The Groton ward had a community History Expo on Saturday so I got to find out a little bit about the area. I ran into a guy who is a decendant of Thomas Minor and Grace Palmer...so we're practically cousins! But a long ways back. Apparently the Minors and the Palmers were & are huge names here in Stonington. I even have a huge surprise to show you, but I can't send pictures at this library so you will have to wait.
Our area covers Groton, Mystic, Stonington, North Stonington, and a little bit of Westerly, RI. It's a huge area & we haven't ventured too far from Groton. It's a little like Canton (sticksy & in the middle of nowhere) but it definitely has a different feel. The ward here is AMAZING! It's a very transient ward with the Naval base nearby, but most of the members are missionary oriented. We have a pretty good-sized teaching pool & most came from member referrals. It's great to see a ward actually being involved in missionary work.
My new companion/greenie is Sister Mortimer from SLC, UT. She is great! She knows why she's here & teaches so well. She's already a really good missionary. This training business has been less stressful than what I thought it would be. We had a rough couple of days trying to figure out the area & what we should do there. But we are starting to get a feel for it...now we can put full attention to our work! Luckily we have good members who are willing to show us around & take us places. It was hard to say goodbye to East Providence, but I know the Lord wants me here to do a great work! I'll give you more details about the area and investigators next week.
From email of March 9, 2009:
Last night we got the dreaded phone call from President Pehrson. Transfers! We were shocked to hear that we were getting doubled out of East Providence. Sisters haven't been here very long and we just barely built up our teaching pool! Sister Jones and I are super sad about leaving. I've grown to love this area so much. She is headed to Fairfield, CT, with Sisters Timothy & Glenn. And as for me...I'm getting doubled into a new sisters area....AND TRAINING! Agh! I don't feel ready for both at the same time!
I'll be serving in Groton, CT, which is interestingly enough the land of our ancestors. I'll also be covering Stonington, which is a big hot-spot for dead relatives. Now isn't that interesting? I don't know who I'll be training yet since there are two new sisters coming in. Last night I could hardly sleep because I was so nervous. The Lord and President Pehrson knows that I'll grow the most when thrown into a situation like this. So I'll need some extra prayers!
Last Monday we had a fun preparation day activity with a member from Guatemala. We learned the secret of making corn tortillas & homemade refried beans. YUM! I'll be an accomplished chef by the time I go home. :)
We had a lot of good lessons with our investigators this week. When we finally get to the point where they are progressing well, we have to leave. But I know that they are in good hands with the Elders coming in. One is Elder Park, who came out with me. I've grown to love the Central Falls ward so much! I'm sad to leave. We had a wonderful church yesterday & the building was almost bursting out of its seams with people. The ward has made leaps and bounds even since I've been here & I'm excited to see how it turns out in the next few years. A lot of the members are sad to see us Sisters leave...they were quite partial to us!
On Sunday we started a member missionary program in which the members write down the names of non-members or less-actives & pray for them morning & night. The promise is that if we do not miss a day of praying, at least some of the people on the list will be receptive to hearing the missionary lessons. I've heard good things about it already. I decided to join in on this because I want my family members and friends back home to receive the blessings of the restored gospel. I'll send you a copy so you can check it out and maybe start your own list! Well, I've got to get back to packing & cleaning. Hopefully I'll survive this next week so you can hear from me then!
From March 2, 2009, email:
We've just about had all four seasons here in Rhode Island this past week. First we had the bitter wind of fall, then springtime rain, afterwards sunny weather in the 50s (that feels like summer), and now today...a couple of inches of snow! I thought we were done with all this white stuff! I guess not. (Ironically, our apartment complex is called the "Four Seasons".)
I'm excited to see the [DVD of] the Youth Cultural Celebration when I get back. It sounds like it was very good. I remember when President Monson talked about it in conference. Of course I had to share with other missionaries that he was talking about "my temple." I bet it's handy to have a temple so close. Are you keeping up with your monthly temple attendance? Speaking of President Monson, Sister Pehrson told me of an experience they recently had at the Canton/Avon Wards. She & President Pehrson were making their usual rounds to the different wards. When they pulled into the parking lot, they saw a lot of parking spaces blocked off by traffic cones. They wondered what could possibly be going on at the Canton/Avon building. But they caught wind that President Monson was visiting his granddaughter & her family who lives in the Avon ward. He was able to attend his great-granddaughter's baptism & then attend the Avon ward that Sunday. He spoke a little bit in sacrament meeting, say that he had many talks to prepare for before conference so he didn't have a specific topic to speak on that day. All the missionaries stayed to meet him...I missed meeting the Prophet by a few months! I'm glad that the Prophet isn't too busy to attend special family functions!
Tuesday we had interviews with President Pehrson. He said he didn't have any specific plans for transfers just yet. Sister Jones has just one transfer left before she "dies" but she's been in East Providence for six months. So basically we have no idea where we could possibly end up next week. Anything could happen!
Saturday we participated in a move for a lady who is a non-member. It's an interesting story as to how the church got involved. This lady is a member of an on-line quilting group & had made it known to other members of the group that her apartment was being foreclosed & she was getting kicked out. Someone in the quilting group was a member of the church in Florida & contacted the Central Falls bishopric to help out. We brought along an investigator (so he could get to know other members of the ward) and the Portuguese Elders brought an investigator also. A couple of young men & some of the Elders quorum showed up & we created a pass-along train down the stairs & into the truck. We moved TONS of boxes in a matter of minutes. Then we delivered them to her new apartment. Everyone enjoyed the selfless act of service for someone who couldn't do it on their own. The next day, Seth, one of the young men, bore his testimony about how much he enjoyed the move. He's a recent convert of just one year. Actually tomorrow will be his one year mark. We're having a party on Friday for him. He's such a wonderful addition to the ward!
This is a portion of the happenings this week. I hope everyone had a great week! Always remember that obedience + diligence = blessings! Keep doing what's right & keep that firm grip on the iron rod.
From Feb. 23, 2009 email:
I'm not surprised that Dad is watching "Errand of Angels." Doesn't it make you want to serve a mission? I hope so because it's a wonderful experience. Tell Cherry Ward congratulations for her mission call. The same mission as Shilo, eh? Maybe she can carry on with the work that Shilo left there. Sounds like you've all had a busy week. Mine has been likewise. We've been doing a lot of finding, teaching...and eating! Four members have invited us to dinner this week, three of which were Cape Verdian. There was LOTS of delicious food. Someone just about had to roll Sister Jones and I out the door. I felt like the blueberry girl on Willie Wonka. I learned the secret to making the best beans & rice. I'll have to share my mission cuisine with you all when I get home.
We have picked up two new investigators this week. They actually came to us. Mary & Thomas saw us at the bus station & told us that they had met with missionaries in Fall River, Mass. We dropped by their apartment Saturday night & had a very good lesson in which I could feel the Spirit very strongly. They love the Mormon religion, but had lost contact with the missionaries for a while when they moved over to East Providence. Thomas had attended the Central Falls ward once, but didn't have a very good experience. We convinced him to try it again so hopefully they will be there next Sunday!
During church on Sunday I had an interesting spiritual experience. I was sitting there through the talks & lessons, & I had this flood of the spirit wash over me. There wasn't one specific time, but all throughout the meetings. I sat back and thought, "I love this ward." The first few weeks I was apprehensive about it because it was nothing like I had ever experienced. But now with time & getting to know the members, I absolutely love it. Most members are converts & have had their share of struggles in their lives. But they all come together as one. I was beaming like a mom listening to her child speak when Sister Fortes gave her talk in sacrament meeting. She did such a great job & I'm so proud of her. She joined the church about a year ago and she's come so far. Thanks for all of your love & support. Your prayers help me through the tough & disappointing times. Keep all the missionaries in your prayers, not just me!
And how is your Preach My Gospel study coming? I know that as you study it, you will gain a greater understanding of the gospel & you will have opportunities to share your testimonies with others. Now who wouldn't want that?!
From Feb. 18, 2009 email:
Sorry for the delay in e-mailing. Monday the libraries were closed for the holiday and Tuesday we had zone conference. Better late than never, I guess! This week we've been very blessed by Heavenly Father. Miracles are happening here! Our teaching pool had been dwindling quickly, but we were able to pick up 3 new investigators this week. Obedience and diligence brings great blessings. Luiz is from Brazil & is in his 50s. We met him here at the East Providence library last week. He saw the missionaries in Brazil...the "men in suits on bikes." He has a great desire to learn about the church & already said he would be baptized if he received an answer to his prayers. Yay! The only problem is that he lives in Fall River, Mass. (not in our mission, but just over the border) but works most of the time here in East Providence. We're working with the Elders in Mass. to see what we should do, but obviously we're taking advantage of the fact that we can teach him now.
Cal is another new investigator. Sister Jones & Sister Lambertson tracted into him a few weeks before I got here. He's originally from Korea, but has lived in the US for a while. He knew a lot of Mormons while going to dental school. He's married and has the cutest little boy, so hopefully we can get the whole family involved in the gospel. We just had him down as a potential & our other plans fell through so we decided to stop by. It just happened to be the WINDIEST night ever, so he let us in because it was so cold. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways. I was despising the wind earlier, but now it was a real blessing! We were able to teach a lesson on the Restoration, and I can see that he is being prepared to receive the gospel. We aren't too sure about the potential of our other new investigator. We'll see how it goes this week.
Last night we met with Topper, which went very good! He'd be an awesome, stalwart member if he could accept it completely. We found out what he wants: knowledge on how to have a good family. He's seen how LDS families stay together & have close relationships & he wanted to know the secrets of it. Of course I shared my experience of family prayer, FHE, Church, and being taught correct principles. I'd like to thank Mom & Dad for all that you have done. Thanks for your love and sacrifice. Everything I am is because of you. Your examples have taught me that living the gospel brings true happiness. Thanks for teaching me the importance of family. Hopefully someday I'll be half the parents you are.
I found out Friday that my MSF account had been hacked along with a couple thousand other missionaries. Apparently someone higher up has been fishing account numbers from the church finances. Even some gas cards have been hacked. So I've been without MSF since then & another card should get here in 8-10 days. I've been trying not to use my debit card much, but this occasion calls for it. Never a dull moment in the mission field, eh? Luckily the members have been feeding is pretty well. You don't have to ever worry about us starving. Sometimes we get sent home with the leftovers and that lasts us the rest of the week.
Monday we took a break from the usual sports-related preparation day & took the bus down to Newport. We walked around the cliff walk which goes right around the ocean. It had to be over 4 miles long and we walked every inch of it. We didn't have time to go into the infamous mansions, but we saw quite a few from the outside. They're unbelievable! Then we headed to a local dive for some real East Coast fish & chips. Yum! I definitely want to check Newport out in the summertime. Maybe I'll come back after my mission is done. (pictures below)
Like I said earlier, we had zone conference yesterday in Manchester, CT. We got up at 5:15 AM, was out the door by 6:30, and was bright eyed & bushy tailed when we arrived in CT an hour and a half later. Elder Madsen from the seventy was our general authority speaker. He gave a superb training on the Atonement. He's such a great speaker & brought the Spirit in very powerfully. So many aspects of the Atonement finally clicked in my brain. Everything in the gospel...and I mean EVERYTHING...is centered around the Atonement. Jesus came to earth because of the Atonement; the Plan of Salvation is brought about because of the Atonement; we make sacred covenants in the temple because of the Atonement. Of course we got the whole "marriage talk"...I thought we would get away from that on a mission! I wish that we could have a general authority speak every week. It's such a spiritual experience!
