Hello! I'm loving the work, we have been having so much fun! Every day I can see my testimony grow stronger. And that is something that I have learned, following Christ is a daily exercise. You have to "take up your cross daily" or you lose your strength and your faith. I believe that I am here for a reason. I know I am! And that knowledge provides me with enough strength to continue each day. As long as you are doing your best you cannot fail. The Lord will provide a way! (Nephi 3:7)
Monday: A calm day as usual, we were able to work on some of our organizational issues for the area. (there have just been a lot of missionaries in the past, elders-sisters coming in and out and the area book and etc hasn't been correlated correctly. So we are cleaning things up) Why does any of that even matter? "Information proceeds revelation" we know that in order to work as effectively as we can, in order to receive direction from God, we have to be informed! That's the basis of missionary work! Even for our investigators, we have to teach them truth so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not they want to be baptized. the Lord's house is a house of order.
Tuesday: District meeting! We had a drive with the Lockhearts, the new senior couple, and we got to know them a little bit better. They are very sweet and incredibly dedicated. I am so excited to serve with them! We were able to get a lot of finding in, before our supper at a members house and young womens. Institute was cancelled. So we continue in the work any way that we can. I just love it when Members have us over for meals! We really do appreciate the sacrifice. And there is something special about dining in someone's home. You get to know them so much better, and you can "be the message" and show them that you really are dedicated to the work, no matter what you are doing.
Wednesday: What a twist! We received the news Tuesday night that one of our Sister Training Leaders, Sister Burton, was to be coming to stay with us for two weeks! First of, we get to be in a tri-companionship! Secondly, this doesn't happen too often. But due to the circumstances in their area, we get Sister Burton! So we picked her up and had a great day in Springhill (which is in our area) meeting new people in an area where missionaries aren't as common.
Thursday: We always try to have a healthy mix of volunteer work, finding, and lessons. So we were able to go to the library, meet with less active, and with an investigator (who we finally had to drop) and then we knocked! The Lockhearts had us over for supper which was very delicious. I just love talking with the Senior Couples!
Friday: Weekly planning with three people was definitely a change! Sister Burton has a lot of experience (she is from Roy, Utah and has been on her mission for 11 months) and so she is great to give us advice and let her perspective and experience help us where we might be a little clueless. I really have been learning so much! We had two other lessons with 4 friends, but we had to drop two of them after that, which was really sad. Two of our friends are doing pretty good. They are still on track. That evening we had a really fun games night!
Saturday: What a crazy day. We worked with some of the less-actives. They are such good people, why don't they come to church!!! The branch needs every one of the members. And they are so good and have huge hearts. I do love how friendly everyone is up here. They love us almost as much as we love them. We also did a lot of contacting. Who knew it was so awkward to street contact with three people? We're still figuring that out.
Sunday: We had a fun experience when this former from previous missionaries showed up at church! He told us he wanted to start having missionaries over again. And so we went and had a lesson with him and his grandson. What a neat experience. God really does know who he wants in His Church! And he will provide a way.
Life is always full of crazy things. You just have to enjoy it. When you are showed your weaknesses you have to embrace it and change. Life is meant to be enjoyed! It is a time for us to be tried and tested, and a time for us to learn how to love!
CHALLENGE: I encourage each of you to share with someone your love this week. Just let them know what they have done for you, and why you appreciate it. It is amazing how much the little things help. It really is "by small and simple means are great things brought to pass."
Love,
Sister Smith
ps. To my fans, hold off on sending letters this week, because transfer letters are coming next Sunday and I can let you know then if I am staying in Amherst for another transfer!
Monday: A calm day as usual, we were able to work on some of our organizational issues for the area. (there have just been a lot of missionaries in the past, elders-sisters coming in and out and the area book and etc hasn't been correlated correctly. So we are cleaning things up) Why does any of that even matter? "Information proceeds revelation" we know that in order to work as effectively as we can, in order to receive direction from God, we have to be informed! That's the basis of missionary work! Even for our investigators, we have to teach them truth so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not they want to be baptized. the Lord's house is a house of order.
Tuesday: District meeting! We had a drive with the Lockhearts, the new senior couple, and we got to know them a little bit better. They are very sweet and incredibly dedicated. I am so excited to serve with them! We were able to get a lot of finding in, before our supper at a members house and young womens. Institute was cancelled. So we continue in the work any way that we can. I just love it when Members have us over for meals! We really do appreciate the sacrifice. And there is something special about dining in someone's home. You get to know them so much better, and you can "be the message" and show them that you really are dedicated to the work, no matter what you are doing.
Wednesday: What a twist! We received the news Tuesday night that one of our Sister Training Leaders, Sister Burton, was to be coming to stay with us for two weeks! First of, we get to be in a tri-companionship! Secondly, this doesn't happen too often. But due to the circumstances in their area, we get Sister Burton! So we picked her up and had a great day in Springhill (which is in our area) meeting new people in an area where missionaries aren't as common.
Thursday: We always try to have a healthy mix of volunteer work, finding, and lessons. So we were able to go to the library, meet with less active, and with an investigator (who we finally had to drop) and then we knocked! The Lockhearts had us over for supper which was very delicious. I just love talking with the Senior Couples!
Friday: Weekly planning with three people was definitely a change! Sister Burton has a lot of experience (she is from Roy, Utah and has been on her mission for 11 months) and so she is great to give us advice and let her perspective and experience help us where we might be a little clueless. I really have been learning so much! We had two other lessons with 4 friends, but we had to drop two of them after that, which was really sad. Two of our friends are doing pretty good. They are still on track. That evening we had a really fun games night!
Saturday: What a crazy day. We worked with some of the less-actives. They are such good people, why don't they come to church!!! The branch needs every one of the members. And they are so good and have huge hearts. I do love how friendly everyone is up here. They love us almost as much as we love them. We also did a lot of contacting. Who knew it was so awkward to street contact with three people? We're still figuring that out.
Sunday: We had a fun experience when this former from previous missionaries showed up at church! He told us he wanted to start having missionaries over again. And so we went and had a lesson with him and his grandson. What a neat experience. God really does know who he wants in His Church! And he will provide a way.
Life is always full of crazy things. You just have to enjoy it. When you are showed your weaknesses you have to embrace it and change. Life is meant to be enjoyed! It is a time for us to be tried and tested, and a time for us to learn how to love!
CHALLENGE: I encourage each of you to share with someone your love this week. Just let them know what they have done for you, and why you appreciate it. It is amazing how much the little things help. It really is "by small and simple means are great things brought to pass."
Love,
Sister Smith
ps. To my fans, hold off on sending letters this week, because transfer letters are coming next Sunday and I can let you know then if I am staying in Amherst for another transfer!