Hello Everyone,
The holidays are here, and it's time to think of our blessings. We should count our blessings every day! But what a beautiful time to focus on what matters most. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Here's what I did!
Monday: We had a lesson with our 13 year old investigator. She's doing great. We're finally figuring out how to teach at her pace and in her way! Other than that we did some work inside because it was snowing like crazy and our appointment for 8 fell through. She didn't think it was safe to drive out to her place in the snow.
Tuesday: We had a wonderful opportunity to do service at a local place called "The Gathering Place" I'm not sure exactly what it is, but we served meals to some elderly people. They were all so cute and friendly! We got to eat with them and just talk about life. There was one old man who had a birthday and so we all got cake! Someone in his family brought it, and because he loves cherries he went around with a little bottle of marichino cherries and and offered each person one. it was so sweet!
When we were street contacting that morning we met two girls! They were really friendly and open. Sister Fenn asked them if it would be important to know if there was a prophet on the earth and she said, "Hm, Yeah! It actually really would be important!" And so we got their information and set up an appointment to teach them more in a warmer place (it was freezing out, my whole face was numb!) It was such a wonderful tender mercy.
Wednesday: We had a district meeting in Caribou. Even though we are in an area with Elders and Sisters, we actually have four other missionaries in our district! They serve in Houlton and Woodstock. so I lead the Doctrinal Discussion, and we talked about having faith. We studied out the scripture Moroni 10:7. We really can know through faith and the Holy Ghost that Christ lives and this is his church. It's amazing. That night we went over to a members home for a lesson with her boyfriend and they surprised us by feeding us dinner! That was so great :) We had a brief lesson because of the dinner but we were able to teach about the Word of Wisdom, it is a principle which is easy to get confused about. But it is so essential!
Thursday: We met again with our teenage investigator. We taught her the end of the Plan of Salvation lesson, and it all made sense! She loved it. I know that learning how we can follow Christ and what his plan is for us is so important. We volunteered that morning at the local humane society. It is a lot of fun to play with the cats and help out. I always remember how precious God's creations are. (Even when they do shred your fingers with their claws. Ooohh it hurt so bad)
Friday: We had our typical weekly planning, and then met a very sweet lady who lives way out on the edge of Caribou. She sadly is not coming to church regularly any more. But she had a wonderful story of how she met the missionaries! When she was learning about the church she said her neighbors would spread rumors about her being brainwashed by two young men! We are going to go over this week to help her set up a facebook account. We have been working a lot with facebook because it is a great way to connect with people. Also it is way easier to send links to videos and things that way.lds.org and mormonchannel.org have some great content that we love to share with people. We a had interviews with President Leavitt that evening. He taught us a little more about using facebook and the importance of taking thought in our planning!
Saturday: We had some wonderful plans set up for saturday but out of the four appointments only one did not fall through! It is hard not to get discouraged, but we try to keep a positive attitude. Sister Fenn and I always have fun though, so it's not too hard to brush off the disappointments and look forward to the next thing!
Sunday: I love this ward! We had 178 people at church on sunday! There was a moment when people are trying to come in and sit down but everyone's talking and it's so congested that you just can't get anywhere. And I just felt right at home! I like I was back in Utah. It was just a happy moment, of what church should be like. You should be surrounded by those you love, and have so many friends you can't even move! It was great.
We knocked a little after church and had some great conversations. The people in Maine definitely aren't as door-friendly as the Canadians I have met. Who knew? Then we had a great experience! A couple of weeks ago we met this lady in the post office, she heard us talking to the cashier and she called us over. It turns out she used to be a member of the church. she asked us for some help moving and we had the Elders call her to see what they could do. She told them she was actually fine (she just had like one or two boxes) and that was the last we heard of her. Then! Last night she called us, she said she just thought we were the nicest "ladies" so she wanted to have us over for supper with some catholic friends of hers and their chinese exchange student! Their student is thinking about going to BYU for school and wanted to meet with us. We are really excited to see what comes from this!
I know the Lord is so aware of all of us. He wants the best for us and will bless us when we are diligent and obedient! I love being a missionary.
I am thankful for so much in my life! My family, friends, this mission! I am thankful for the letters of support I get, I am thankful to live in this time where we want so little and can give so much! I am thankful for the smiles I get from strangers, from the simple acts of kindness, like holding a door. I know there is good in this world! And I am thankful for everyone who makes a difference.
Love,
Sister Smith
The holidays are here, and it's time to think of our blessings. We should count our blessings every day! But what a beautiful time to focus on what matters most. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Here's what I did!
Monday: We had a lesson with our 13 year old investigator. She's doing great. We're finally figuring out how to teach at her pace and in her way! Other than that we did some work inside because it was snowing like crazy and our appointment for 8 fell through. She didn't think it was safe to drive out to her place in the snow.
Tuesday: We had a wonderful opportunity to do service at a local place called "The Gathering Place" I'm not sure exactly what it is, but we served meals to some elderly people. They were all so cute and friendly! We got to eat with them and just talk about life. There was one old man who had a birthday and so we all got cake! Someone in his family brought it, and because he loves cherries he went around with a little bottle of marichino cherries and and offered each person one. it was so sweet!
When we were street contacting that morning we met two girls! They were really friendly and open. Sister Fenn asked them if it would be important to know if there was a prophet on the earth and she said, "Hm, Yeah! It actually really would be important!" And so we got their information and set up an appointment to teach them more in a warmer place (it was freezing out, my whole face was numb!) It was such a wonderful tender mercy.
Wednesday: We had a district meeting in Caribou. Even though we are in an area with Elders and Sisters, we actually have four other missionaries in our district! They serve in Houlton and Woodstock. so I lead the Doctrinal Discussion, and we talked about having faith. We studied out the scripture Moroni 10:7. We really can know through faith and the Holy Ghost that Christ lives and this is his church. It's amazing. That night we went over to a members home for a lesson with her boyfriend and they surprised us by feeding us dinner! That was so great :) We had a brief lesson because of the dinner but we were able to teach about the Word of Wisdom, it is a principle which is easy to get confused about. But it is so essential!
Thursday: We met again with our teenage investigator. We taught her the end of the Plan of Salvation lesson, and it all made sense! She loved it. I know that learning how we can follow Christ and what his plan is for us is so important. We volunteered that morning at the local humane society. It is a lot of fun to play with the cats and help out. I always remember how precious God's creations are. (Even when they do shred your fingers with their claws. Ooohh it hurt so bad)
Friday: We had our typical weekly planning, and then met a very sweet lady who lives way out on the edge of Caribou. She sadly is not coming to church regularly any more. But she had a wonderful story of how she met the missionaries! When she was learning about the church she said her neighbors would spread rumors about her being brainwashed by two young men! We are going to go over this week to help her set up a facebook account. We have been working a lot with facebook because it is a great way to connect with people. Also it is way easier to send links to videos and things that way.lds.org and mormonchannel.org have some great content that we love to share with people. We a had interviews with President Leavitt that evening. He taught us a little more about using facebook and the importance of taking thought in our planning!
Saturday: We had some wonderful plans set up for saturday but out of the four appointments only one did not fall through! It is hard not to get discouraged, but we try to keep a positive attitude. Sister Fenn and I always have fun though, so it's not too hard to brush off the disappointments and look forward to the next thing!
Sunday: I love this ward! We had 178 people at church on sunday! There was a moment when people are trying to come in and sit down but everyone's talking and it's so congested that you just can't get anywhere. And I just felt right at home! I like I was back in Utah. It was just a happy moment, of what church should be like. You should be surrounded by those you love, and have so many friends you can't even move! It was great.
We knocked a little after church and had some great conversations. The people in Maine definitely aren't as door-friendly as the Canadians I have met. Who knew? Then we had a great experience! A couple of weeks ago we met this lady in the post office, she heard us talking to the cashier and she called us over. It turns out she used to be a member of the church. she asked us for some help moving and we had the Elders call her to see what they could do. She told them she was actually fine (she just had like one or two boxes) and that was the last we heard of her. Then! Last night she called us, she said she just thought we were the nicest "ladies" so she wanted to have us over for supper with some catholic friends of hers and their chinese exchange student! Their student is thinking about going to BYU for school and wanted to meet with us. We are really excited to see what comes from this!
I know the Lord is so aware of all of us. He wants the best for us and will bless us when we are diligent and obedient! I love being a missionary.
I am thankful for so much in my life! My family, friends, this mission! I am thankful for the letters of support I get, I am thankful to live in this time where we want so little and can give so much! I am thankful for the smiles I get from strangers, from the simple acts of kindness, like holding a door. I know there is good in this world! And I am thankful for everyone who makes a difference.
Love,
Sister Smith