Monday, July 25, 2016
This week was all about Sherrie. She got baptized! She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have never seen more opposition against a person in my entire life. The adversary was working so hard against her. But she did it. She did it. The baptism was so beautiful and so spiritual. The ward has just welcomed her in like family. She has become one of my truest friends.
Our Father in Heaven in real. This is why. When I came on my mission I was told my last day in the field would be July 19th. Well over the course of my mission, the Missionary Training Center extended training time from 2 weeks to 3 weeks. Because of this change, missions were also extended a week. If this change did not happen, I would not have been able to see Sherrie baptized. This was a tender mercy from the Lord. I love her and I love being a missionary.
I really want this email to mean something. Words are sometimes just words but I mean them. This gospel is true. Jesus Christ is over Savior and Redeemer. I plead with those who want to grow closer to Christ to meet with missionaries. They can help. We have a living prophet on the earth today who leads and guides us. He is the only person authorized to say "Thus Saith the Lord" The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.
Overall, the biggest thing I have gained a testimony of is change. There is a reason why missionaries gain testimonies of the Atonement more fully. It carries all of us and it strengthens us. But I know that anyone can change. And we need to keep in mind that the Atonement fully applies to other as well. Sherrie was the biggest change Ive ever seen anyone go through because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are just so many things I can say about my testimony or about things that my mission taught be, but it sufficeth me to say that this is Gods work and His glory and He wants nothing more than us to return home.
This is not the end of my mission. I will always be on a mission.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
WATCH THIS VIDEO. ITS LIFE CHANGING!
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Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, July 18, 2016
Changes...................
This week I was so happy to experience before I go home. We had a HUGE stake meeting to change ward boundaries. The Cowpens branch was dissolved and was placed in the surrounding three wards. With that we have a huge part of Cowpens in Gaffney now. AND we have the Elders back. Sweet. That will be interesting. It kind of stings that I wont be part of it :(
Sister Morris and I took a trip to Columbia to get our black box fixed in our car. That was fun .Great road trip and Ill be back there next week. Sad face. Sherrie was interviewed for baptism and she is getting baptized on Saturday! We cant wait! Mission life is the best! :) She is a walking miracle and the ward is just reaching out to her so great and just taking her in as family. It is going to be so great because you can see that she has been so prepared for this.
So really this week was trust that Heavenly Father knows best. Trust in His inspired servants. This is His true church. His gospel has been restored to the earth today. It has changed my life and it can change anyones. Please see for yourself.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
And we had exchanges this week! Amazing one with Sister Hill.
My district had an amazing dessert party for my death!
My favorite grumpy grandpa!
Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, July 11, 2016
This week was on fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello!
Where do I even start this week? Sister Morris and I have been applying Faith as a Power to see someone be baptized on the 23rd. Well on Tuesday Sherrie came to the Relief Society activity. We met Sherrie when we first got to Gaffney but she was very active in her own church but loved Mormons. So we only saw her every once in a while to say hello. Well she came to the activity and told us she quit her church because her preacher started saying things that aren't true. So she came to us and wants to learn more. Well we had an appointment with her on Saturday and put her on date for baptism on the 23rd. She is so excited and we went to ward council yesterday and everyone already knew about it. Her baptism hit facebook and spread like wild fire. One of her old missionaries is flying out to see her be baptized. She cannot wait!!!
She is so prepared because God has been preparing her for years. I have a testimony that conversion does not come all at once. But planting seeds is SO important. My mom and dad have told me that I always need to be planting seeds because we don't know when they will be nourished and harvested. We just know that they will be. When we are examples, when we are honest, when we are true, when we stay true to our covenants, we are always planting seeds. We are all in this work together.
Sherrie was the highlight of the whole week. So my testimony is this regarding my experiences and lessons this week. This church is the same church that Christ had when he was on the earth. The foundations and the principles are the exact same. The thing I have learned the most on my mission is this statement: Divine truth is absolute reality. Everything that God had asked us to do is for our benefit in the hereafter. He loves us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son. How blessed are we that our own Deity has asked us to call Him Father. I know this gospel is true. I will never be able to adequately express in words the love I have for this gospel.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Are you ready? Read the talk and see where your confidence is!
Here is Sister Morris and I for a Zone Meeting
My kiddos of Gaffney who all call me Sister Brownie because my hair is brown.
Then the best person ever Taylor who I will miss dearly!
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Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, July 4, 2016
Happy IndepenDANCE Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just kidding I cant dance! But really its so good to be able to celebrate liberty and freedom! I hope you all have a splendid holiday! :)
This week the greatest lesson I learned is that we are all children of God. I constantly learnt his over and over again but I guess I always need to be reminded. We were teaching our returning less active family the Abercrombies. Cassie (the mom) has 6 kids and she is just blossoming with the gospel. We had a lesson with them and we were going to committ them to have daily family scripture study. Cassie goes on to say at the beginning of the lesson how hard she is trying so she has started reading with the kids daily. BEFORE we even mentioned anything about scriptures. In that moment I recieved a glimpse of the love that Heavenly Father has for his children. He loves every single one of us so much. I am just so grateful for His plan for us!
He has a plan for YOU! Please learn of that plan and why He wants us home! I love you all and God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Two of the Elders I came out with!
Monday, June 27, 2016
Dear friends and Family
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This week was going and going and going. Really the whole thing was very normal and nothing crazy exciting happened with investigators. We are still working with Buck. We found service opportunites this week and had a good time with that. We went through tons of clothes and folded them for a lady in a ward. So simple but Sister Morris and I jsut had a blast.
We went to go see a new move in this week and my GPS takes us the shortest way. Well mind you, the darn thing took us to North Carolina. Going into North Carolina and then down to the house saved us maybe 100 ft. It was priceless but it was fun. Then we got on with our day and did our misionary thing.
On Saturday I got bit by fire ants. I dont know if I wasnt paying attention but when it happened it didnt bother me much ( I get bitten by ants all the time here) Im used to the sting. Well come yesterday morning, my foot was swollen and I could barely fit my shoe over it. I know why they are called fire ants now. YOUR FOOT IS ON FIRE and itches so bad. With that being said, we went to the Martins to get some medicine for it. Well she went online and she started reading the abnormal symptoms which means you are over allergic to the bite. Well she started reading them and most of them fit me. So really the swelling should not have been that bad and or the itching. I want to make it clear, bugs and I on the East coast do NOT get along. So fun experience.
This week I have pondered so much about our identity. We are literally Gods children. He made us in His image. He is not just some cloud in the air or a personage of Spriit. He is our Father in Heaven of flesh and bone. We knew Him and we walked with him. We have merely forgotten in this life that we used to dweel with him and we knew him as our friend and Dad. We try so hard in this life to become acquainted with Him and His plans when in reality, we knew of this before we got here. I know my Savior lives. He is my best friend and He lifts me when I am down. This life is about BECOMING like him. What can we do to become more like him? We can start by knowing our true identity. He is our perfect brother; an example to us.
Im not sure if I have shared this video before but President Uchtdorf nails it with who were are!
God Be With You Until We Meet Again.
Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, June 20, 2016
Another week in paradise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This week can only go by days because it went by so fast! I love the gospel.
Monday consisted of going to the mall and it was just a nice day of relaxation. We went over to the Bishops house and played a game with them about testimony. Ive mentioned it in past emails but "The Important Game" It got so heated but right when we pulled out the testimony card, the Spirit swept in. We all bore testimony of what we know and it was just so great. I cant tell you how important your testimony is because everything else happens because you know that its true!
Tuesday we had a day completely full of appointments. We went to the church and I noticed our black box wasn't working. So that put a dent in our day because we aren't allowed to drive without it. Well a little while later we got permission to drive without it. Let me tell you, sweet freedom not having a box yell at you all the time. It poured rained and what did we do? Well we danced in it of course! Went home soaking wet and it was just sucha tender mercy.
On Thursday I started my plan. I wanted to cry. It is the post missionary guide that helps us keep the things we have learned and such close to us. I wanted to cry because it doesn't seem real!
On Friday, we went to see Buck (who also came to church this week!) Well he told us how his neighbors dog died and how distraught she was over it. So we went over to her house two days later to offer support and love. Well we walk in and she invites us to sit down. So we do... and then all of a sudden on the couch across from us...the dead dog is laying there! She acted completely normal and there we are sharing a message about the gospel with a dead dog staring right at us. Easily the weirdest moment of my entire mission. I don't know how her house didn't smell but it was weird.
Back to Buck.. We had a lesson with him and he wants to be baptized! He said it is going to take a long time because he has to fix a lot of things but the fact that he recognizes that it will change his life is a HUGE step. He is such a good guy.
With that being said the thing that has stuck out the most to me this week is all found in President Monson's talk "See Others as They May Become." We truly do see ourselves for the most part in the terms of yesterday and today, but our Father in Heaven sees us in the exspanses of eternity. When we sees others for what they may become and who they can be, it gives us greater capacity to love them as our brothers and sisters.
I have a testimony that this statement by President Monson, who is Gods chosen prophet is true. "We need to bear in mind that people can change." How vital it is to realize that not only you can change but they can too!
I love this gospel so much and bear testimony that it is true! Please go read or watch this talk. It is one of the best.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/see-others-as-they-may-become?lang=eng
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Pray always,
Sister JordanTuesday, June 14, 2016
Transfers are here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im staying in Gaffney! That was a given! The lasts of everything are happening and it is sad.
With that being said, this week was abnormal and weird.
I dont have anything super special to say about this week except this.
We visited a "family" with some kiddos that I fell in love with immediately. Well my heart just breaks for them. Their mom and her boyfriend yell at them all the time and just do not very good things. I have a strong testimony that the gospel blesses families. Just because you have kids doesnt mean youre a parent. Being a parent comes with love, patience, forgiveness and kindness. The gospel teaches that. Children are truly a heritage from the Lord. Those who neglect this fact will reap the consequences.
I know the family is of God. He love all His children. Please be kind to your families. They are there to bless your life if done in the Lords way.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
The video from when it flooded! I know these missionaries! :)
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Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, June 6, 2016
What a week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear everyone!
This week was intense! We got so many new investigators! So I just have to tell you all about it!
We met Juri who is a referral and she just loves Christ. She wants to grow closer to him. After our first visit she told us that she knew we were sent of God at this time to help her in her journey. She has a whole family. We told her about the goal of the temple and how we take certain steps to get there. She told us she wants to go so she will do whatever it takes to get there.
Then there is Nisha who is the girlfriend of a less active we are starting to work with. So we went over to see Heanon, the less active and our member invited Nisha to stay. So she stayed and our member bore the most powerful testimony of the restored gospel and her conversion story. Nisha was crying and said she was so glad she stayed and she wants to hear more.
Then we actually met a man named Joseph Smith and he loves Mormons because of the prophet Joseph Smith. He showed us his facebook and how he is following anything that has to do with Mormons or Joseph. It was awesome and he wants to learn more.
Then there is Buck. We met him as he was sitting outside and first words outta his mouth were "If you wait for me at the doors, I will come to church this Sunday" And guess what? He came to church yesterday! He is the sweetest. Baby steps but he wants to get his life in order.
This week was just so good. The thing that I learned the most this week was about Charity. When we become strong in the gospel it is our opportunity and RESPONSIBILITY to lift those who are not as strong. This is the pure love of Christ. The biggest blessing ever. I know that Christ wants us to serve others and to help them!
I know this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We are commanded to become as He is. Do not procrastinate but start now!
I love being a missionary so much and I know this is His plan!
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Go watch this video! Kids are so cute!
Monday, May 30, 2016
Dear loved ones!
The end of May cannot be here! Its goes so fast!
This week I want to testify of the promptings of the Spirit. 3 occasions this week.
1) I don't know if I mention Vince in last weeks email. Well when he first called us back to tell us he was interested in learning more, I had an uneasy feeling. I thought it was doubt so I just pushed it aside and wanted to go forward with faith. Well little to say that he was not interested in the gospel but interested in us. So it was a prompting.
2) We went to go see a member that we hadn't yet met and frankly didn't know if she lived there any more. Well we knocked on the door and we heard voice but couldn't make out the words. We yelled "Its the missionaries!" Same thing, voice but couldn't understand it. I had a prompting to just walk in the house. (Whats the worst that can happen?) The lady that lived there had fallen on the floor. She had been stuck on the ground for about an hour and had been calling for help. We helped her up and chatted with her. She didn't break anything she just couldn't get up. We learned that she was Judy (not the lady that we were looking for) but just a miracle because the Spirit prompted us to just walk into the house. We did and that happened!
3) We went to see a less active named Thomas that we have been trying to get ahold of. We went to his house. No answer. We started driving and I saw a man that was walking and I got the prompting "Ask if he is Thomas" So I drove to turn around and ask and before I got to him, he went into the house we just knocked at. Would you believe that it was Thomas!
I just bear my testimony that the gift of the Holy Ghost is real. In the words of one of favorites.Elder Busche says: "The greatest achievement one can have in this life is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost, then he can teach us what is really good and necessary to do." This is true! We must do the things that will make us worthy of the Spirit. This gospel is true and I say again and again,Christ is our Eternal Head.He guides this church.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/voice-of-the-spirit-1
Puppies are like the greatest thing ever, especially when they yawn.
We love days with messy buns and the gospel!
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Pray always,
Sister JordanMonday, May 23, 2016
Hello everyone!
Training in Gaffney is going so splendidly. We have seen so many miracles since we took over the area. We went on exchanges this week and Sister Johanson came to Gaffney. We had such a good exchange. I love my STLs. We got new investigators and had so many lessons. The highlight was Saturday when we received two phone calls from people who we met earlier declined our offer to learn more. They called us and one wants to learn more and the other wants us to help her organize and plant flowers. We just had such a fun week! The Lord truly is preparing this area.
So on the spiritual note... The Book of Mormon is true. I love the pink sticky note because the Book of Mormon connects with the Bible. It shows that Jesus is the Christ and that His gospel is true. The Book of Mormon does NOT add to the truth already in the bible but compliments it and gives us His gospel in full. I know that as one takes the time to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, they will come to know the power that can flow into their life from it. They will also come to know how much it truly adds to their faith in our Savior.
Watch this video because Elder Holland can say it better than me. Also here is the talk the video is from. He lays the law down. It is one of my favorite talks ever. And I add my testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is true.
I love you all and hope all is going well. Know that Father in Heaven loves you so much and is so aware of everything you are going through.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/testimony-of-the-book-of-mormon-2
P.S. A giant Peach... We live right next to it.
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Pray always,
Sister JordanTuesday, May 17, 2016
Hello!
This week was insane as always! Every investigator that the other sisters were teaching fell off the face of the planet. Natural. So we are building up our teaching pool. We met this lady named Sherri this week who was so excited to see us. She saw our name tags and grabbed our hands and pulled us in her home. I couldn't tell if I should be worried or excited that we got into a home so fast. Very pleasant lady and she invited us back this week!
Also we went to see a less active and he has a sheep farm. He went on to tell us we could put them and feed them. We were so excited! And then after it dawned on us... "Feed my sheep" Guys, we LITERALLY fed His sheep. It was hilarious. The greatest thing about this week was Stake Conference. We went to Greenville and Elder Dube of the Seventy was there. His remarks were so great! The Spirit was so strong. With that being said, we also learned at this meeting from our mission president that they are closing the Elders area and we are taking over all of Gaffney. For reals!? The whole thing is huge! This week I was constantly reminded of patience. Patience stuck out to me for everything. We all need to learn patience and this girl needs a lot of it.
This week was really quick and really short. I hope all is well. My invitation to all is to go watch this video. Really a single step makes all the difference.
I know this church is true. The is the restored church of Jesus Christ. He is our eternal head. The Book of Mormon is His word. I know my Savior lives!
God Be With You Until We Meet Again
Monday, May 9, 2016
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