What an incredible week of...weirdness. I don't think I know how much
time it will to take to tell you of this week. There were so many
events going on this week. Lets start shall we? So, it was the week of
Steve's Baptism and for some reason it is always the hardest week for
the investigators. So, monday after I wrote to you all, we get this
call from steve and I answered it and it was the worst news in the
world. He says, I don't think that the book of mormon is true and you
should cancel the baptism. I was...sad yet I knew that this might
happen. I asked why he thought the BOM was not true and he gave not so
good answers. He said something about horses and something else.
Anyway, I asked if we could still meet with him the next day and
discuss what he was wondering about. So, we were waiting for tuesday
to come around. Tuesday was prehaps the longest day on the mission. It
felt like a whole week. We tried to tract that day for about an hour
but for some reason, we did not feel like we should tract any area. We
parked on the side of the road, it was off the road but on the side,
and made a few phone calls. When we were done we were going to turn
around and this guy appears and he is a little less than pleased. He
says, you can't be here. this is private property. We didn't know it
was so we went and I had to back up a little to pull forward and he
started to go crazy thinking that I was going to go into the ditch.
Haha. I would not do that though. It just was not a good day for that
guy.
SO the time comes to visit with steve and we take him to the
riverside and sit at a bench. It was the perfect spot. Right in the
creation of God. I don't remember all that was said. He did say that
it seemed like satan was getting at him because he didn't want to come
at that time and his car was having troubles, which it never does, and
that his phone was acting up. So, satan was getting at him and he
noticed it. We sang Be still my soul to him as he reflected on his
past month and a half. We read moroni 7:13-17. We got him to think.
The spirit got him to think. All things that we said, were from the
spirit. We did not say it. I gave a closing prayer and I, with the
help of the spirit, said a real good prayer because when I was done, I
don't remember what was said, but steve gave me an extra handshake and
thanked me for it. He said that he would take two hours or more and
pray about his decision. I believe he realized that what he said about
the BOM was silly and did not make any sense. Actually, he really did
not make any sense at all when he was trying to explain something. It
was pretty funny.
The next morning we waited for his phone call. We were doing
Companion study and all of a sudden the phone rang. Our hearts just
dropped and I was to chicken to answer it so Sister Mikami answered
it. :) One of the first things that he said was, "I want to go through
with the baptism." WHOOHOO!!!! That night we had a lesson and we
watched a movie about Joseph Smith and he has a strong testimony. I
proceeded afterward to ask him the baptismal questions. I asked if he
knew JS to be a prophet. He said yes. Then I asked if he thought
Thomas S. Monson was a prophet and he said, no. Sorry, you are just
going to have to prove it to me. So, then we get into a lengthy
conversation about authority and priesthood and thomas s. monson. We
told him to go to LDS.org and watch President Monson durning
conference. then to call us the next day. He agreed. So, the next day
(thursyda) he calls us and tell us, HE BELIEVES!!!! Woo hoo.!!!!! On
friday, we met with him again and watched a couple conference talks
and guess what? He is back! He was excited again, and the light
returned to his eyes. After the lesson he asked what he needed to
bring to his baptism the next day and we said white undergarmemts and
he said he did not have any so he said he would go to lexington (45
min away) and get some and get some church clothes as well. Amazing.
So the next day Saturday he came to his interview and President Sproul
did it and steve was so nervous. But it was great. Steve was able to
be baptized. It is pretty funny because after he came out he looked at
me and said, See? I told you you didn't have to be nervous. hahaha. I
laughed at that. We went out to lunch with steve and then it came time
to his baptism. I was still a little bit nervous that he would all of
a sudden not want to be baptized but he came and he looked real nice
because he wore his new curch clothes. Sister Mcintosh said, "Well,
don't you just clean up real nice." We took some pictures and I did a
talk on baptism and sister mikami sang a song while I accompanied her
and then he entered into the waters of baptism. brother roberts
baptized him. They both are very short men so it was funny to see
them. After the blessing, it was time to get immersed and I believe
steve was excited because it seemed as if he forgot. He forgot to bend
his knees and plug his nose and it seemed as if he just jumped
backwards. Brother Roberts struggled. He barely got steve under and
had a struggle to bring him up and steve almost hit his head on the
font wall. haha. It was a close call but they did not have to baptize
twice. Phew. Wanda Prescott (investigator) came and she said it was
beautiful and she can't wait to be baptized.
Steve came to church and got confirmed and you should have seen
the look on his face. He was beaming! He loved it. The funniest thing
he said that day...i will give background on this. he was surrounded
by sisters, just talking to them and we went up to him and commented
on that. He said, "yeah. It must be the spirit just bursting forth out
of me and people can tell." haha. He is a funny man. He wore a suit
and looked real nice in it. He is going to make a great member. I
think the best part is that he does not want to sit next to us anymore
in church. He has taken flight and is a new member. I am so happy for
that.
So wanda scared us on wednesday. This is a phone call we go after
steve said he still wanted to get baptized. The voiceamil said, "hi.
this is wand. we are gonig to have to cancel the meeting today. My
daughter is taking me out to lunch. we can reschedule later." The
weird thing was, that it was not wanda's voice. It was her daughters.
We got an eerie feeling. We hoped and prayed that she didn't just tell
us to go away. We didn't think if would have been her nature to do so.
But, later that night we went to go see her and all is well. she is
still excited. She just had her daughter say the message for some
reason.
Gladys...We talked about the word of wisdome and she agreed with
it. She drinks coffee but she said that it would be no problem to give
that up. So that was a blessing. But, we got another surprising
phonecall from her on friday. We called her to see how she was doing
and she says, "i don't think i ought to be baptized into this church."
I wanted to be sad at first but then something told me to not give up
hope quite yet. I asked why. She read something and got confused by
it. She read mosiah 15 where is says Jesus is the father and that god
and jesus christ are one god. It does say that in general but what we
know it to be is not what she thought it was. We know it to be that
when it says they are one god that is means one in purpose and that
Jesus Christ acts through the Father. What she thought it meant is
that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one person. When I
told her that, she said, really? And I explained how Jesus Christ got
baptized. I asked if we could see her again and she never did give us
a strong, i want you to come over, answer. So, we went the next day
and she didn't answer her door. We thought she may have been ditching
us. We went over yesterday though and such a relief! One of the first
things she says is, "I have started back up reading the book of
mormon." Then later she says, "i don't know what to do with myself
when I don't read the BOM. I am bored and I am sad again. I am
depressed. But when I picked up the BOM again, I was happy and I don't
know why. I am very happy that you came by today." She wants to read
the whole BOM before she is baptized which won't take long becuase she
has only had the book of mormon for two weeks and is already in Alma
and she is half blind. I just look her determination and her
willingness to recognize the spirit and when satan is attacking her.
We did not ask her about her W.O.W. but we did notice that there was
no more coffee on the kitchen table. What a relief.
So, all in all, what a tuff week. :) However, we did make it and we
laughed alot through it all. I am glad that is done and over with. Now
it is on to Gladys' baptism and getting her more ready. We both got so
exhausted. I have not been this tired in on my mission. It has been a
very trying time but I AM A SURVIVOR!!!! haha.
we had a real good sunday and I want to write down what all I
learned but I don't have the time. I love you all very very much
though. "No matter what happens, the lord is in it." I forget who that
quote is from but it is good. I love you all. I hope you have a great
week! Stay away from branches mom. :)
Love, Amanda
Our Wonderful Life Together
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
February 14, 2011
Phew. I made it through this week and all of its craziness. I don't
even know what happened really. It was alot though. I will go through
my journal of what happened this week. Okay.
Monday: We went to visit Irene Noble. We have been going over everyday
for the past two weeks. She is 93 years old and she had a nasty fall
and got put into this nursing home. She is a member and we have
learned alot from her. We usually go and sing a song to her and then
we teach her a simple lesson. It is pretty funny because she is hard
of hearing and sometime she can hear me and sometimes she cannot. When
she can't hear me, she can hear sis mikami so that is good. And vice
versa with sister mikami. When she can't hear sis mikami, she can hear
me.
Tuesday: It was a surprise day that day. We had an "official" lesson
with Gladys Bellamy that day. She is a new investigator we found about
two weeks ago. We went in the lesson to teach the restoration but she
kept talking and I thought it would not be applicable. So she talks
about her son and his difficulties in life and then she talks about
all the religions and what they always said about heaven and hell. She
got the impression from all the other churches that if you made one
simple mistake then you would go to hell and you would have no chance
to go to heaven. She was very much grieved with this. But guess
what??? We had the answer for her concern. We talked about the spirit
world and read in Alma chapter 40. She totally agreed with us. And I
thought we were not going to get anywhere with her. Silly Amanda. I
need to trust more. But we then transitioned into the restoration a
bit and watched the restoration movie and it went great. She kept
saying that she agreed and she felt more at ease. It was time for us
to ask her. We asked, "Gladys, will you follow the example of Jesus
Christ and be baptized by one holding the priesthood authority of
god?" Immediatly she said, Yes I will. And that was it. She is dead
and determined to be baptized. I love her so much. We are her adopted
grandchildren. She is so funny and so cool and has so so so much
faith. She knows where she is going in the past life now and she has
no more worries. She is happy. Her baptism date is March 12th, 2011. I
am very much excited for it.
Thursday: We made up a song and I will write down the words to the
song. It is inspired by the singing bass. SR= sister Ralph SM= Sister
mikami
SR: Will you take this book of mormon? and read it and believe it?
will you pray to know the truth? of the prophet Joseph smith.
SM: I've took this book of mormon- I've read it and believe it- I've
prayed to know the truth- that he's a man of God
SR: Will you be baptized- and follow the example- of our savior jesus
christ- by the authority of god
SM: Take me to the font- immerse me in the water- take me to the
church- confirm me a member
BOTH: oh i'm so excited- 'bout baptizin' in beattyville- the field is
white and ready- so lets go out and find 'em- in the GKLM
Friday: MY BIRTHDAY!!!! It was a good day. We went to district meeting
that day. it was real fun. We had interviews with President Glende
that day. I brought everyone some cookies and they all wanted one real
bad but I was not going to let them have one until after DM. How rude
am I? haha. We had to drive ourselves down there this time because
Elder and Sister Lloyd wanted to go to the Valentine Dance that night.
So, we are on our way to richmond and I am doing pretty well at
remembering where it is. Until...I get to richmond and then I don't
remember where the church is at. I must have missed a turn or
something. So we get to this street called Main Street and it sure was
the main street because there were
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
many cars!!!!!!! Can I tell you that ever since I have moved to
Kentucky, I have become a country girl and now I can't handle that
many cars without freaking out? Hahaha. But I just laughed my way
through it all. SO, instead of wasting miles, we stopped the car and
we called the Zone Leaders because this was their area. I asked, could
you help me find myself? I am lost. So, they helped me. He told me to
go to the city hall which is on main street and he would come save us.
I turned the wrong direction and so I had to make a u-turn and then I
was going in the right direction and then...i found city hall!!! I was
never so excited to find something. haha. Then we parked the car and
waited for them to take us to the church. So, then after DM we went to
walmart to get some groceries and that was good and dandy but
again...so many people. I really do not know what I am going to do
when I get home and see all the cars. It is going to be crazy. I am
just hoping my last area has a little more cars than Beattyville. We
went home after walmart and that was not as hard to get home. I was
surprised because it was dark. But it went smoothly. Just missed one
turn off and that is it.
The interview with President Glende went well. I passed. I was
told that sister Mikami and I will not be seperated for a long time.
So, I have another transfer with her. Maybe even two more. I am so
excited for that. He said that he is not going to seperate and good
thing. :) President Glende also played Happy Birthday for me on the
piano and all the elders gathered in a half circle to sing to me. I
felt special. I feel like I am 22 however that feels. :)
When I got home we had a funny experience. There was some magical
flowers on the porch as well as a box. We figured they were for me
since it was my birthday. The flowers were from Mom and Bubba.
(Thankyou for them. They are beautiful.) and then I started to open
the box. When I did it didn't make any sense. There was an envelope
that said Kimi on it. (that is sister mikami's first name). I was
thinking, "hmmm, how did she do that. Maybe the letter was for me and
she just put her name on it for me." Sister mikami was thinking, "oh,
how nice. Sister ralph's parents thought of me." Then we both came to
the realization...this package was FOR HER and not for me. hahaha. I
enjoyed opening her box. There were some fun things in the box. There
were these small packets that you can punch and then there is a
balloon that inflates and then it pops out. It is crazy. So that was
funny. :) My birthday was great. I bought Mint Icecream and had that
and on saturday we had brownies. :)
I have been so tired lately. My mind is not functioning all that well
because of two incidents. I totally forgot where Cathy Johnson lived.
I was driving and I just could not remember. And then last night.
Elder Platter (Distict Leader) called to get our numbers for the week.
He asked me a question at the same time I was looking at friday and we
forgot to plan something into our schedule. Well, my brain didn't know
what to do. I was wanted to answer the question at the same time I
wanted to tell Sister Mikami what we forgot to plan. I think I waited
for about 20 seconds to answer his question. I was not a very good
double tasker at that time. haha.
Steve came to church on sunday so guess what that means? HE CAN GET
BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND!!!! I am so happy for him. It is going to be
great.
I am so excited for the future events that are going on. It is going
to be fun. So, we have three baptisms coming up.
Steve Gay: February 19th
Gladys Bellamy: March 12th
Wanda Prescott: March 19th.
THe kingdom is moving forth. It is great. Teach all that you can and
you will find success. I love being a missionary and learnign alot. It
is the best. I love you all. I hope this week is great for you. Happy
Birthday Tessa and Toby!!!!
Amanda
even know what happened really. It was alot though. I will go through
my journal of what happened this week. Okay.
Monday: We went to visit Irene Noble. We have been going over everyday
for the past two weeks. She is 93 years old and she had a nasty fall
and got put into this nursing home. She is a member and we have
learned alot from her. We usually go and sing a song to her and then
we teach her a simple lesson. It is pretty funny because she is hard
of hearing and sometime she can hear me and sometimes she cannot. When
she can't hear me, she can hear sis mikami so that is good. And vice
versa with sister mikami. When she can't hear sis mikami, she can hear
me.
Tuesday: It was a surprise day that day. We had an "official" lesson
with Gladys Bellamy that day. She is a new investigator we found about
two weeks ago. We went in the lesson to teach the restoration but she
kept talking and I thought it would not be applicable. So she talks
about her son and his difficulties in life and then she talks about
all the religions and what they always said about heaven and hell. She
got the impression from all the other churches that if you made one
simple mistake then you would go to hell and you would have no chance
to go to heaven. She was very much grieved with this. But guess
what??? We had the answer for her concern. We talked about the spirit
world and read in Alma chapter 40. She totally agreed with us. And I
thought we were not going to get anywhere with her. Silly Amanda. I
need to trust more. But we then transitioned into the restoration a
bit and watched the restoration movie and it went great. She kept
saying that she agreed and she felt more at ease. It was time for us
to ask her. We asked, "Gladys, will you follow the example of Jesus
Christ and be baptized by one holding the priesthood authority of
god?" Immediatly she said, Yes I will. And that was it. She is dead
and determined to be baptized. I love her so much. We are her adopted
grandchildren. She is so funny and so cool and has so so so much
faith. She knows where she is going in the past life now and she has
no more worries. She is happy. Her baptism date is March 12th, 2011. I
am very much excited for it.
Thursday: We made up a song and I will write down the words to the
song. It is inspired by the singing bass. SR= sister Ralph SM= Sister
mikami
SR: Will you take this book of mormon? and read it and believe it?
will you pray to know the truth? of the prophet Joseph smith.
SM: I've took this book of mormon- I've read it and believe it- I've
prayed to know the truth- that he's a man of God
SR: Will you be baptized- and follow the example- of our savior jesus
christ- by the authority of god
SM: Take me to the font- immerse me in the water- take me to the
church- confirm me a member
BOTH: oh i'm so excited- 'bout baptizin' in beattyville- the field is
white and ready- so lets go out and find 'em- in the GKLM
Friday: MY BIRTHDAY!!!! It was a good day. We went to district meeting
that day. it was real fun. We had interviews with President Glende
that day. I brought everyone some cookies and they all wanted one real
bad but I was not going to let them have one until after DM. How rude
am I? haha. We had to drive ourselves down there this time because
Elder and Sister Lloyd wanted to go to the Valentine Dance that night.
So, we are on our way to richmond and I am doing pretty well at
remembering where it is. Until...I get to richmond and then I don't
remember where the church is at. I must have missed a turn or
something. So we get to this street called Main Street and it sure was
the main street because there were
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
many cars!!!!!!! Can I tell you that ever since I have moved to
Kentucky, I have become a country girl and now I can't handle that
many cars without freaking out? Hahaha. But I just laughed my way
through it all. SO, instead of wasting miles, we stopped the car and
we called the Zone Leaders because this was their area. I asked, could
you help me find myself? I am lost. So, they helped me. He told me to
go to the city hall which is on main street and he would come save us.
I turned the wrong direction and so I had to make a u-turn and then I
was going in the right direction and then...i found city hall!!! I was
never so excited to find something. haha. Then we parked the car and
waited for them to take us to the church. So, then after DM we went to
walmart to get some groceries and that was good and dandy but
again...so many people. I really do not know what I am going to do
when I get home and see all the cars. It is going to be crazy. I am
just hoping my last area has a little more cars than Beattyville. We
went home after walmart and that was not as hard to get home. I was
surprised because it was dark. But it went smoothly. Just missed one
turn off and that is it.
The interview with President Glende went well. I passed. I was
told that sister Mikami and I will not be seperated for a long time.
So, I have another transfer with her. Maybe even two more. I am so
excited for that. He said that he is not going to seperate and good
thing. :) President Glende also played Happy Birthday for me on the
piano and all the elders gathered in a half circle to sing to me. I
felt special. I feel like I am 22 however that feels. :)
When I got home we had a funny experience. There was some magical
flowers on the porch as well as a box. We figured they were for me
since it was my birthday. The flowers were from Mom and Bubba.
(Thankyou for them. They are beautiful.) and then I started to open
the box. When I did it didn't make any sense. There was an envelope
that said Kimi on it. (that is sister mikami's first name). I was
thinking, "hmmm, how did she do that. Maybe the letter was for me and
she just put her name on it for me." Sister mikami was thinking, "oh,
how nice. Sister ralph's parents thought of me." Then we both came to
the realization...this package was FOR HER and not for me. hahaha. I
enjoyed opening her box. There were some fun things in the box. There
were these small packets that you can punch and then there is a
balloon that inflates and then it pops out. It is crazy. So that was
funny. :) My birthday was great. I bought Mint Icecream and had that
and on saturday we had brownies. :)
I have been so tired lately. My mind is not functioning all that well
because of two incidents. I totally forgot where Cathy Johnson lived.
I was driving and I just could not remember. And then last night.
Elder Platter (Distict Leader) called to get our numbers for the week.
He asked me a question at the same time I was looking at friday and we
forgot to plan something into our schedule. Well, my brain didn't know
what to do. I was wanted to answer the question at the same time I
wanted to tell Sister Mikami what we forgot to plan. I think I waited
for about 20 seconds to answer his question. I was not a very good
double tasker at that time. haha.
Steve came to church on sunday so guess what that means? HE CAN GET
BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND!!!! I am so happy for him. It is going to be
great.
I am so excited for the future events that are going on. It is going
to be fun. So, we have three baptisms coming up.
Steve Gay: February 19th
Gladys Bellamy: March 12th
Wanda Prescott: March 19th.
THe kingdom is moving forth. It is great. Teach all that you can and
you will find success. I love being a missionary and learnign alot. It
is the best. I love you all. I hope this week is great for you. Happy
Birthday Tessa and Toby!!!!
Amanda
Monday, February 7, 2011
February 7, 2011
oh man. I just love my family. I read your letters and they brought so
much happiness to my life. I just love it when you all make me laugh.
I faer that my kentucky accent is getting stronger. haha. I am
speaking with more of a twang now. It is going to get crazy in the
next couple months. :)
So, this week was a bit crazy and I loved it. It went by so fast! We
had zone conference this week and it was great. I got to stand up and
tell what area I served in before I went to this zone conference (tell
city) and then my new area I was serving in. My companion did as well
before me and she said it like "normal" americans says it. But I said
it in southern ways. President Glende commented on it how I was
turning Kentukyian. haha. Zone conference was great and I learned
alot.
This week was great as far as teaching investigators. On saturday and
sunday it was the best. We got home from mission conference (which I
will tell you about later) and we get a message on the phone that
steve gay had canceled our appointment. I was a little less than
pleased. we tried to call him back but he was a work. So, we finish
getting home from Lousiville and we go and try to see ruby. Before we
even try we were both just sitting in the car and not moving. Just
thinking. I was thinking about steve and she was as well. THen we both
came to the conclusion that we needed to go visit steve at work and
not visit ruby. So we went to steve's work. We got told he was on
break and so we were stalking him. We went to one of the building
outside to find his car. no luck. Then we went to the other side of
the building and there he was. He jumped out of his car and greeted
us. His back was feeling better (he threw it out at work) and we
started talking about what was going on. He told us nothing much and
then said he would be coming to the meeting tonight. Phew. SO we had
the meeting and we were going to watch the movie Testaments. Before we
did, he opened up about what was going on in his life. He had some
family problems going on at home and he needed to fix them. But then
he said it really didn't matter and that visiting with us mattered
even more. So we then had an amazing experience watching the movie. It
was great.
Then yesterday we went to go visit Wanda Prescott. I don't think I
really told you much about her. She is 77 years old and she is
searching what she needs to do in her life. So we have been teaching
her about 2 weeks now. We have gotten far with her without even really
teaching any of the lessons. We have been focusing on the first
lesson. The restoration. Well yesterday, we had plans to watch a movie
about the plan of salvation but that changed. We went over the
scripture 2 nephi 31 that we asked her to read. She read it 4 times to
really understand it and she bore her testimony. We asked her what she
has learned about baptism ever since we have talked to her about it.
She answered us perfectly. She said something along the lines of this.
"I know that there is only one way to be baptized and you have to be
baptized the proper way. THe way is through the authority of god. I
know i need to be baptized in order to fulfill my purpose on this
life. I know that is why I have not been taken yet to heavenly
father." Wanda has been searching for a reliegion her whole life and
she has not felt right about a particular one. She has never been
baptized. She wants to be. She really connected with the prophet
Joseph Smith. After she said that about baptism how perfect it was to
extend a baptism date for her. So we did. We asked "Will you follow
the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by one holding the
authority of god on March 19th?" Wanda said, "Why yes. Yes I will. But
how do I prepare myself?" then we explained that she needed to come to
church three times and then we said we need to explain a couple other
principles of the gospel before she could get baptized. She is so
excited. She feels the spirit everytime we come in her home and she
wants that. She said, "you just bring him (god) with you everytime you
come." I am grateful to have known her. I am grateful to get to know
her more. She really feels like a child of god and she is going to be
my kentucky grandma. I love her. She cuts hair too and so I may get a
haircut from her soon. because i need it. :)
Katie bowman is coming around. There is a couple other events going on
that I cannot say at this time because not many people know. I am
nervous for her future though. I love her and she will come around all
the way I hope. But great news on Chris Bowman. He is getting baptized
on march 19th as well! I am so excited for him for sticking it out. He
is very excited.
Mission conference was just the best ever! I got to play piano for one
things. I was playing prelude and I just fell in love with playing all
over again. I shore do miss playing alot. But I got to shake hands
with ELDER BEDNAR and also Elder Snow and Elder Posey from the quaram
of the seventy and also Bishop Burton of the presiding bishopric. We
got 3 hours of enlightenment from 4 very great people. I loved the way
we were taught. There were no talks given. Just feedback that was lead
by the spirit. The first thing that Elder Bednar said was to not take
any notes on what he said. However take notes on how you feel and what
the spirit has taught to you. Then he said something funny. How many
of us take notes? What do you do after you take notes? I know that
many many many of us never go back and look on the notes that we took.
Infact, how many of us can even find the notes a week later? Haha. it
is true. I never look back on the notes that I take. haha. Execpt this
time. I learned that when you write down what you learn by the SPIRIT
you retain a lot more and you will look back on what you want to do
after.
I learned that we are Agents and not worthless objects. Many
times a teacher teaches a class of objects. They often ask question
that require them to guess as to what is on the teachers mind.
However, we need to ask questions that have mulitple answers to them.
We also need not be afraid of silence. I have a testimony of this.
Oftern times the teachers get to nervous about silence. Whenever they
ask a question they don't wait long enough for the pupils to answer
the question. They are searching in their heart what the answer is.
When they have the time to search they come up with great answers that
come becuase of the spirit. I learned that THE SPIRIT TEACHES AND NOT
US.
I learned many other things that are of great importance and I
wish I had the time to list them all but I don't. YOu will just have
to ask me when I get home.
I am going to answer all of your question that you asked me
(Especially moms). I love you all very very much. You are the best
ever!!!! This week is going to be great because of the investigators
and becuase...it is my birhtday. :) 22 years old and I am getting
wiser. :) I love it.
Love amanda.
much happiness to my life. I just love it when you all make me laugh.
I faer that my kentucky accent is getting stronger. haha. I am
speaking with more of a twang now. It is going to get crazy in the
next couple months. :)
So, this week was a bit crazy and I loved it. It went by so fast! We
had zone conference this week and it was great. I got to stand up and
tell what area I served in before I went to this zone conference (tell
city) and then my new area I was serving in. My companion did as well
before me and she said it like "normal" americans says it. But I said
it in southern ways. President Glende commented on it how I was
turning Kentukyian. haha. Zone conference was great and I learned
alot.
This week was great as far as teaching investigators. On saturday and
sunday it was the best. We got home from mission conference (which I
will tell you about later) and we get a message on the phone that
steve gay had canceled our appointment. I was a little less than
pleased. we tried to call him back but he was a work. So, we finish
getting home from Lousiville and we go and try to see ruby. Before we
even try we were both just sitting in the car and not moving. Just
thinking. I was thinking about steve and she was as well. THen we both
came to the conclusion that we needed to go visit steve at work and
not visit ruby. So we went to steve's work. We got told he was on
break and so we were stalking him. We went to one of the building
outside to find his car. no luck. Then we went to the other side of
the building and there he was. He jumped out of his car and greeted
us. His back was feeling better (he threw it out at work) and we
started talking about what was going on. He told us nothing much and
then said he would be coming to the meeting tonight. Phew. SO we had
the meeting and we were going to watch the movie Testaments. Before we
did, he opened up about what was going on in his life. He had some
family problems going on at home and he needed to fix them. But then
he said it really didn't matter and that visiting with us mattered
even more. So we then had an amazing experience watching the movie. It
was great.
Then yesterday we went to go visit Wanda Prescott. I don't think I
really told you much about her. She is 77 years old and she is
searching what she needs to do in her life. So we have been teaching
her about 2 weeks now. We have gotten far with her without even really
teaching any of the lessons. We have been focusing on the first
lesson. The restoration. Well yesterday, we had plans to watch a movie
about the plan of salvation but that changed. We went over the
scripture 2 nephi 31 that we asked her to read. She read it 4 times to
really understand it and she bore her testimony. We asked her what she
has learned about baptism ever since we have talked to her about it.
She answered us perfectly. She said something along the lines of this.
"I know that there is only one way to be baptized and you have to be
baptized the proper way. THe way is through the authority of god. I
know i need to be baptized in order to fulfill my purpose on this
life. I know that is why I have not been taken yet to heavenly
father." Wanda has been searching for a reliegion her whole life and
she has not felt right about a particular one. She has never been
baptized. She wants to be. She really connected with the prophet
Joseph Smith. After she said that about baptism how perfect it was to
extend a baptism date for her. So we did. We asked "Will you follow
the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by one holding the
authority of god on March 19th?" Wanda said, "Why yes. Yes I will. But
how do I prepare myself?" then we explained that she needed to come to
church three times and then we said we need to explain a couple other
principles of the gospel before she could get baptized. She is so
excited. She feels the spirit everytime we come in her home and she
wants that. She said, "you just bring him (god) with you everytime you
come." I am grateful to have known her. I am grateful to get to know
her more. She really feels like a child of god and she is going to be
my kentucky grandma. I love her. She cuts hair too and so I may get a
haircut from her soon. because i need it. :)
Katie bowman is coming around. There is a couple other events going on
that I cannot say at this time because not many people know. I am
nervous for her future though. I love her and she will come around all
the way I hope. But great news on Chris Bowman. He is getting baptized
on march 19th as well! I am so excited for him for sticking it out. He
is very excited.
Mission conference was just the best ever! I got to play piano for one
things. I was playing prelude and I just fell in love with playing all
over again. I shore do miss playing alot. But I got to shake hands
with ELDER BEDNAR and also Elder Snow and Elder Posey from the quaram
of the seventy and also Bishop Burton of the presiding bishopric. We
got 3 hours of enlightenment from 4 very great people. I loved the way
we were taught. There were no talks given. Just feedback that was lead
by the spirit. The first thing that Elder Bednar said was to not take
any notes on what he said. However take notes on how you feel and what
the spirit has taught to you. Then he said something funny. How many
of us take notes? What do you do after you take notes? I know that
many many many of us never go back and look on the notes that we took.
Infact, how many of us can even find the notes a week later? Haha. it
is true. I never look back on the notes that I take. haha. Execpt this
time. I learned that when you write down what you learn by the SPIRIT
you retain a lot more and you will look back on what you want to do
after.
I learned that we are Agents and not worthless objects. Many
times a teacher teaches a class of objects. They often ask question
that require them to guess as to what is on the teachers mind.
However, we need to ask questions that have mulitple answers to them.
We also need not be afraid of silence. I have a testimony of this.
Oftern times the teachers get to nervous about silence. Whenever they
ask a question they don't wait long enough for the pupils to answer
the question. They are searching in their heart what the answer is.
When they have the time to search they come up with great answers that
come becuase of the spirit. I learned that THE SPIRIT TEACHES AND NOT
US.
I learned many other things that are of great importance and I
wish I had the time to list them all but I don't. YOu will just have
to ask me when I get home.
I am going to answer all of your question that you asked me
(Especially moms). I love you all very very much. You are the best
ever!!!! This week is going to be great because of the investigators
and becuase...it is my birhtday. :) 22 years old and I am getting
wiser. :) I love it.
Love amanda.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
January 31, 2011
Well well well. this week has been super busy. I don't think we ever
stopped. It was pretty crazy. I will tell you about it I think. :) The
first thing I will tell you is...I went to jail....Scary huh? Don't
worry though. I didn't get arrested or anything. I went because we
felt like it. haha. We got a referal from Church Headquarters and it
was the craziest feeling ever. Remind me that I never want to go to
jail. WE went to the entrance where it said visitor only it was still
outside. So you call in and say who you want to visit and then they
unlock the first door and you go into this cage with another door.
Once the first door closed and locked, the second door unlocked. we
went through the second door and waited for that to lock to unlock the
third door. Then we went through the third door and showed our i.d.
and then we finally went through the fourth and final door. We get
through only to find out that it was not visitation hours and that in
order to visit the person we needed to call the champlain. So it is a
huge ordeal but president addison was there and he said that if there
was a minister from a church that they HAD to let us in to talk to
them. There should not be any waiting. So, it is just a long process.
Today, this morning, we got another referal at the jail. I guess all
these jail people really want to talk to us. Don't worry though.
President addison will always be at our sides. We actually told Steve
Gaye that we were going to the jail to talk to some people and he got
so worried. He thought we would be proselyting going cell to cell. I
could understand why he thought that. But we are only going to visit
these people in the visitor center with guards all around us.
on tuesday we had a whole bunch of surprising lessons. All the lessons
we had planned stayed but the outcome of the lessons were
unpredictable. Lola Mayabb, the crazy false doctrine lady, had a real
good lesson. We were able to keep on tract with the lesson we wanted
to do. WE read moroni 7 with her and toward the end of the lesson, she
was asking us a whole bunch of different questions. It got her
thinking. We see her tomorrow and we shall see what happens. Doug,
went well. The moment we got there he put tobacco in his mouth. Gross.
but toward the end of the lesson we were able to extend a soft baptism
date with him. The perry family, was great. We just had a great
awkward at the beginning and not awkward toward the end lesson. They
are getting more used to us. It is good. The jess and steve. Steve is
paralyzed from the chest down. He said the best prayer there ever was.
I just wish that he would come back to church and fulfill his
potnential. One day he will.
One day, we went back to visit with Allan hogan. We found out that his
father did pass away. We asked if there was anything we could do. He
said no. THen we decided to go down his street and contact people. All
of a sudden we started running into his whole family. The funeral
visitation was that night and they were all just real sad.
Donny(allans brother) is who we got to talk most to. I pray that we
will be able to convert all of Allan's family. That would just be so
cool.
Guess what? I get to start a new journal! I have gone through my past
journal real fast and now I need a new one. I am excited to start a
new one. It is great.
Steve Gaye is just the best. He is just a missionary at heart already.
He was at work and a minister from another church came in and asked,
"when are you coming to church again son?"
Steve: well, I already found a church sir
Minister: what church is that?
Steve: the church of jesus christ of latter day saints
Minister: well son, the light of jesus christ is the only way you can be saved.
Steve: um, sir, that is what they believe
Minister: (the minister looks at him unbelieving) light of jesus
christ is the only way
Steve: And actually sir, it is more that the light of jesus christ
that saves you
GO STEVE! sharing his testimony already. I would have loved to see
that conversation take place.
My talk went well on sunday. I did the talk I did for my farewell but
with a couple different scriptures and stories. Overall, it was the
same.
Cool experience yesterday. All the plans that we had planned changed
because god wanted it to. We went to alot of members houses to almost
rebuke them for not coming to church. It was kind of crazy because it
was a beautiful day and tons of people should have been to church. So
we went to go investigate. The johnson family had a good excuse. Steve
was sick and the previous weeks they just could not get out because of
the silly snow. Then we went to valerie burnett. We didn't even have
to say anything about not coming to church. She made herself feel
guily that she did not even come. We got this cool idea though after
valerie. Because alot of people know what to do but there needs to be
action. So we are going to try to put together a lesson or activity
that says, "You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?" It is an
idea in process. On the way to valerie's I had this distinct
impression that we should go to betty johnson's soon. I was debating
on doing tonight but then I got the impression that we had to do it
that night. So, we did. We had a busy crazy schedule but we did. And I
am glad that we did. Betty has not been feeling all that great lately.
She has had to go the hospital for quite some time. Most of january
actually. SO we go over and she needed the comfort. She was in her
favorite place...the kitchen...(she is a baker) and she started to
talk about how she needed to go to the doctor tomorrow and how much
she does not want to go back to the hospital. Then she started to cry.
WE asked if she wanted a blessing. THen she said, Yes yes I do. I am
grateful for willing priesthood holders who come right away when
people are in need. I love it. Betty got a blessing and she felt tons
better after ward. Betty is not an investigator and not a member. She
is just a friend we keep up on because one day she will be a memeber.
I love her to death. She ended up giving us 5 jars of jam that night.
Haha. it was great. I love her food. :)
that is it in a nutshell. We have another busy week ahead. Zone
conference and a special Mission conference where an apostle and three
members of the seventy are coming. So I am pretty excited. :) It will
be fun. :)
I love you all very much. Have a safe week. :) Amanda
stopped. It was pretty crazy. I will tell you about it I think. :) The
first thing I will tell you is...I went to jail....Scary huh? Don't
worry though. I didn't get arrested or anything. I went because we
felt like it. haha. We got a referal from Church Headquarters and it
was the craziest feeling ever. Remind me that I never want to go to
jail. WE went to the entrance where it said visitor only it was still
outside. So you call in and say who you want to visit and then they
unlock the first door and you go into this cage with another door.
Once the first door closed and locked, the second door unlocked. we
went through the second door and waited for that to lock to unlock the
third door. Then we went through the third door and showed our i.d.
and then we finally went through the fourth and final door. We get
through only to find out that it was not visitation hours and that in
order to visit the person we needed to call the champlain. So it is a
huge ordeal but president addison was there and he said that if there
was a minister from a church that they HAD to let us in to talk to
them. There should not be any waiting. So, it is just a long process.
Today, this morning, we got another referal at the jail. I guess all
these jail people really want to talk to us. Don't worry though.
President addison will always be at our sides. We actually told Steve
Gaye that we were going to the jail to talk to some people and he got
so worried. He thought we would be proselyting going cell to cell. I
could understand why he thought that. But we are only going to visit
these people in the visitor center with guards all around us.
on tuesday we had a whole bunch of surprising lessons. All the lessons
we had planned stayed but the outcome of the lessons were
unpredictable. Lola Mayabb, the crazy false doctrine lady, had a real
good lesson. We were able to keep on tract with the lesson we wanted
to do. WE read moroni 7 with her and toward the end of the lesson, she
was asking us a whole bunch of different questions. It got her
thinking. We see her tomorrow and we shall see what happens. Doug,
went well. The moment we got there he put tobacco in his mouth. Gross.
but toward the end of the lesson we were able to extend a soft baptism
date with him. The perry family, was great. We just had a great
awkward at the beginning and not awkward toward the end lesson. They
are getting more used to us. It is good. The jess and steve. Steve is
paralyzed from the chest down. He said the best prayer there ever was.
I just wish that he would come back to church and fulfill his
potnential. One day he will.
One day, we went back to visit with Allan hogan. We found out that his
father did pass away. We asked if there was anything we could do. He
said no. THen we decided to go down his street and contact people. All
of a sudden we started running into his whole family. The funeral
visitation was that night and they were all just real sad.
Donny(allans brother) is who we got to talk most to. I pray that we
will be able to convert all of Allan's family. That would just be so
cool.
Guess what? I get to start a new journal! I have gone through my past
journal real fast and now I need a new one. I am excited to start a
new one. It is great.
Steve Gaye is just the best. He is just a missionary at heart already.
He was at work and a minister from another church came in and asked,
"when are you coming to church again son?"
Steve: well, I already found a church sir
Minister: what church is that?
Steve: the church of jesus christ of latter day saints
Minister: well son, the light of jesus christ is the only way you can be saved.
Steve: um, sir, that is what they believe
Minister: (the minister looks at him unbelieving) light of jesus
christ is the only way
Steve: And actually sir, it is more that the light of jesus christ
that saves you
GO STEVE! sharing his testimony already. I would have loved to see
that conversation take place.
My talk went well on sunday. I did the talk I did for my farewell but
with a couple different scriptures and stories. Overall, it was the
same.
Cool experience yesterday. All the plans that we had planned changed
because god wanted it to. We went to alot of members houses to almost
rebuke them for not coming to church. It was kind of crazy because it
was a beautiful day and tons of people should have been to church. So
we went to go investigate. The johnson family had a good excuse. Steve
was sick and the previous weeks they just could not get out because of
the silly snow. Then we went to valerie burnett. We didn't even have
to say anything about not coming to church. She made herself feel
guily that she did not even come. We got this cool idea though after
valerie. Because alot of people know what to do but there needs to be
action. So we are going to try to put together a lesson or activity
that says, "You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?" It is an
idea in process. On the way to valerie's I had this distinct
impression that we should go to betty johnson's soon. I was debating
on doing tonight but then I got the impression that we had to do it
that night. So, we did. We had a busy crazy schedule but we did. And I
am glad that we did. Betty has not been feeling all that great lately.
She has had to go the hospital for quite some time. Most of january
actually. SO we go over and she needed the comfort. She was in her
favorite place...the kitchen...(she is a baker) and she started to
talk about how she needed to go to the doctor tomorrow and how much
she does not want to go back to the hospital. Then she started to cry.
WE asked if she wanted a blessing. THen she said, Yes yes I do. I am
grateful for willing priesthood holders who come right away when
people are in need. I love it. Betty got a blessing and she felt tons
better after ward. Betty is not an investigator and not a member. She
is just a friend we keep up on because one day she will be a memeber.
I love her to death. She ended up giving us 5 jars of jam that night.
Haha. it was great. I love her food. :)
that is it in a nutshell. We have another busy week ahead. Zone
conference and a special Mission conference where an apostle and three
members of the seventy are coming. So I am pretty excited. :) It will
be fun. :)
I love you all very much. Have a safe week. :) Amanda
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