Monday, April 25, 2016
Why did the Rooster cross the road?
Hello all!
This week was crazy busy. Probs the fastest week of my mission. It started out being on exchanges with Sister Wilcox! I have a very strong testimony in exchange miracles. We had a very good day of proselyting, found a new investigator and everything was just going so well. We had about 30 minutes before dinner so we went to see a former. We did not have a house number so we had to guess what house. We knocked on this door and it was not her. He was very uninterested in our message but he told us that a couple just moved in down the street so to try them. SWEET! So we walked over and lady was standing outside with her baby. She immediately asked us to come in and offered us water. We are thinking "This is great! Family to baptize and everything." We get inside she identifies herself as a member that just moved into the ward. Both her and her husband are recent converts of 5 years. Sweetest little family. But its a miracle because we didn't have records of their move in or anything yet. So really Heavenly Father just guided us to them at that moment and it was great.
We also had to take a sister to the airport. She was having medical problems and had to go home early. I want you to know, being in the airport was the saddest thing ever. She wanted to stay so bad and it was a testimony to me of what this work really is about. Im grateful for the time I have been able to serve. I surely have loved it.
We were able to go see a woman named Kim. She is a person that I have really had to learn to love. Every time we have gone over in the past, I felt like all I heard were excuses and I didnt want to hear them. Well for the past two months we have been going over weekly to serve her and help her with her home. I have made special effort to understand her so I can love her. Well this week we washed some walls and sat down and started talking. The dog was being really loud so Sister Simpson got up to keep him quiet giving me the opportunity to listen to Kim. She expressed the real reasons why she doesn't care about coming back to church and for the first time, I didn't hear an excuse, I heard concerns. I gained that love for her. I understood for a moment Christs love for all. I can just say that I love her now! She will be a person in my life forever!
We had baptism at Fort Jackson. Amazing day! It was really cool. I really don't think there wasn't anyone there that their heart strings didn't get pulled. They all came up out of the water smiling. So good. We also spoke in Sacrament meeting and it was so spiritual. I love talking about missionary work and getting members pumped for work.
THEN! The rooster crossed the road to chase me. You guys, I cant even with things flying at me. We went to leave a note for a less active and I got out of the car and there was a rooster on the other side. You know, no big deal. I started walking towards the door of the house and that rooster charged me and flew at me. I ran and screamed. What else do you do? I got into the car and I was laughing so hard at what just happened, I was in tears. I think one of the funniest moments in our companionship. Sister Simpson took this picture right before it charged me. Good times.
So this week for my sacrament talk, I studied a lot about Peter. He is my favorite apostle. The interaction he has with the Savior after His resurrection is my favorite. Go watch this video and just feel the love of the Savior. He lives! He loves you and you and you! Feel your worth and know that you are everything to Him.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/bible-videos/feed-my-sheep
The Rooster
Private Morin, one of my favorites who graduates this week
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Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, April 18, 2016
Hello everyone!
This week FLEW!
So we went to some nature trail last Monday. I may or may not have caught a turtle :) I love them!
Tuesday we had MLC which was great! I love being with the leadership of our mission and learning of how we can be better representatives of Christ. Then on Wednesday we prepared for our Zone Meeting. I gave a training with Elder Lino. We also had Chick-fil-a. Really my favorite place ever so I will be thoroughly disappointed if Reno still doesn't have one.
The most ridiculous moment this week was yesterday. We went to a members house and taught the restoration. We were sitting on his patio which was COVERED with pollen. Knowing, that I have allergies (but not too bad in the south) sat and didn't really move the entire time we were there. Sister Simpson said later "I looked over as you were testifying of prophets and your eyes were red." I could feel a sting to my eyes but it didn't feel that bad. Well when we go to the car, my face was swollen to the max and my eyes were nothing but little slits. So Sister Simpson drove us home and and we didn't have ice packs so I laid on my bed with two hot pockets on my face and with allergies meds. I never want to experience that again. Who am I? Hot pockets? My goodness.
Then the BEST part was Alex's baptism! He just loved every minute of it. In the picture, his daughter looks like she is crying but she just yawned at the perfect moment. Alex was one of the most prepared people I have ever met. He cant wait to get to the temple to be sealed to his wife and daughter. Its moments like this, that makes everything worth it. And when he got confirmed!? Oh my goodness. The blessing was so simple, direct and full of the Spirit. He said he loved it. This is what the gospel is about. My favorite scripture is Alma 26:5. We have to gather them to temples or its only part of the equation. I love being a missionary! We also had Private Brooks baptized at the Fort. He stuck out to me because when he first came he claimed himself as Atheist. And then through the Spirit was converted to know the true character of His Father in Heaven.
This week I had an interesting experience relating to truth and to doctrine. I want to bear my testimony that Heavenly Father's gospel is plain and simple. If he called a prophet who held the priesthood power anciently, He would do it today. We have to have faith that God would call another prophet to bring His FULL truth to the earth. When we have faith, we will come to know that Joseph Smith is the prophet that restored the gospel. I know he is the prophet of the last dispensation. I know that revelation is given to our current prophet President Thomas S Monson. I testify that Christ lives and He is our Eternal head.
I love you all and I want you all to go read this talk because it is life changing! Actually watch it because it means more.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, April 11, 2016
"Z" is for Zoo :)
Hello everyone!
So much this week and my mission just keeps getting better and better. This week I feel like Heavenly Father just wanted to test my patience. With everything. Whats a mission without some refinement. But seriously such a good week!
So first off our golden investigator Latracia isn't making contact with us. We cant get a hold of her and Sister Simpson and I are just really sad because we love her so much! When we went on exchanges this week, Sister Lewis was in Hopkins with me. We saw so many miracles! Our evening plans had fallen through and we felt really inspired to go see a less active named Sonya (who is moving by the end of April). Well when we got there, the house looked vacant so we called her and asked if she was still there and would like a visit. She said yes to both. We went in and had a great visit and helped her out a ton. Really a tender mercy because we rarely get into this lady's house. We also had a lesson with Dianna and Bishop and his secretary came with us. Bishop share a very personal story and I now have a new level of respect for him. Another lesson learned. We dont know the stories of people we meet.
We had the most AMAZING lesson with Alex and Nita. So Alex is on date for April 23 to be baptized. And he is so solid, he cannot wait. Well we taught them at the church about the gospel of Jesus Christ and all that it entails. We also took him into the baptismal font and he said he could feel the Spirit so strong and thought it was great. We sit back down and finish our lesson. Well that the end, he looks at us and says "Is there anyway that I can get baptized sooner?" Um.... YES! So now he is getting baptized this Saturday. I can see the change that is taking place in his life because of the gospel. Its true! Gah!
Really that's the highlight of the week. We went to the Zoo!
I want to bear my testimony this week of the prophet Joseph Smith. I want to be fully clear that he is a prophet of God. He restored the gospel to the earth. We worship Jesus Christ. He is our head and our chief cornerstone. I know the Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. This is the good news that I as a missionary get to share with the world. We have a prophet on the earth today! I love this gospel.
Really have a good week and know that God loves you. Go watch this video because its one of my new favorites!
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Monday, April 4, 2016
The firework effect......
Its back! The firework effect! General Conference was this weekend and it was amazing! Let me just tell you that my favorite talk was Elder Hollands because he pretty much described what the firework effect is without calling it that.
The firework effect is in essence the desire for General Conference to never end. When I was a kid, I always looked forward to fireworks on 4th of July and when they ended I would cry and cry because they were over. As an adult, after General Conference, I just never want it to stop.
I invite all to go watch General Conference because it will change your life!
This week was amazing! So on Monday night we had a lesson with Nita (member) and Alex(investigator). One of the most prepared people ever! We shared the Restoration and invited him to baptism. He agreed and wanted to pray about it. He knows the priesthood is real. We have been relating everything back to the priesthood. Flash forward to Thursday and we taught the Plan of Salvation. I have never had a lesson where I felt so inspired to share something than in this lesson. We got to judgement day and I felt prompted to share a story that is in Preach My Gospel. The story is about a man who saw that Heavenly Father was very proud of His son Jesus. He wanted his Father in Heaven to be that proud of him and decided to get baptized. Very moving story. Sister Simpson then bore powerful testimony of how Heavenly Father is so proud of him for his desire to find truth and be baptized. On Saturday, he told his wife Nita that getting baptized on the 23rd is what he wants. Its not just a goal anymore but that it will happen. Sister Simpson and I were excited beyond all measure. He is the way, the truth and the life.
The other very spiritual part of this week was the sacred privilege it was to clean the temple. We were assigned to help clean on Tuesday. I have never been so excited to clean. The greatest thing about the temple is that it is already clean, so by cleaning it, we just maintain the cleanliness. I love the temple so much. The blessing it is to be within those sacred walls is indescribable. I echo the words of President Russell M Nelson: "Anyone is welcome to the temple, as long as they prepare well." That preparation includes the sacred covenant of baptism and continued faithfulness. The greatest thing ever.
We went on exchanges with the Hermanas this week and I went Spanish. It is so much fun! So we were in this park walking to our appointment. I love collecting pretty leaves! So I saw this leaf and picked it up. Next thing I know I have this little girl running to me yelling at me saying, "Youre stealing my leaf! You cant take something that isnt yours." I was so thrown off that I put the leaf back and a little boy came up and said, " Since she wont let you have that one, here is this one." So cute and kind. He handed me a brown leaf. I guess there is beauty in all things and I kept the leaf. We also went to this family whose 12 year old son has low functioning autism. We sat and sang songs from Mulan. Its always a tender mercy because you can feel the Love of God flow from those who have challenges. I love them!
I bear testimony this week that President Monson is our prophet! I sustain him as prophet, seer and revelator. He is called of God to be the prophet for the world! The Holy Ghost is the way we know truth. I love this gospel and invite everyone to partake of its fruits.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Btdubs, they have caterpillars here! Oh its like Im a kid all over again!
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