Our Privilege

Being out of miles, we were required to walk to the stake center today for emails. It was brisk and lovely (: Please forgive the delay!

Yesterday, I let myself be frustrated with one of the less active couples we are working with. They are Gramma and Grampa's ages, and they do not come often to church. They were baptized over 30 years ago, but they refuse to stay for sunday school or relief society/priesthood, and they make endless excuses not to do their visiting and home teaching. I am EXASPERATED. And humbled. How blessed I have been to have great examples of sacrifice and commitment to the Lord in my life. We all make dumb choices; we must strive for the understanding to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

I love Elder Ballard's wisdom in explaining how sharing the gospel is not a burden, it is a privilege!

“It is the business of those who profess to be engaged in [God’s] work to move on, to go forward. … So long as there remains a step forward to be taken, that step should be taken.” - Lorenzo Snow

In a typical day, we rise and do our little stretch and flex/cardio work outs for 30 minutes. We sometimes go to the church gym, where I can be seen zipping around the perimeter trying to run a 7 minute mile (that's the goal... nowhere close yet...). Sister Hardy has a bad knee, and can't handle long periods of biking or running, so we do pilates together.

For breakfast, I sometimes eat a baked potato, other times a bowl of steaming oatmeal. We shower and get ready and begin study at 8:15. Study time is focus time. We try to take it very seriously, and treasure up the words we will need for our investigators.

At 11, we finish study/training, and eat lunch.

We hit the road and start teaching.

This week, we met three new investigators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hoorah hoorah! It is joyous to teach people who want to listen! His sheep hearken to His voice. We try to do half hour to an hour intervals of facebook daily.

This week, we were visited by Elder Zwick, and Elder Pino of the 70. Their messages to us were powerfully uplifting and strengthened our faith. We were taught to sanctify ourselves and become fully consecrated to the work of the Lord. To "be as wise as you are pure," and that "you must allow the Lord to enlarge your capacity. And He will."

I know that my Father in Heaven loves me. He has a plan for each of us to have happiness in this life and joy eternally, if we hearken to His commandments, and believe in Christ. Let us have faith in Him, and press forward, cheerfully sacrificing all that is needful. There is no greater work. He loves us.

Justine is planning to be baptized in three weeks! Hooray! Pray for her!

Love,

Sister B

Joy

My dearest, darlingest Momsy and Popsickle and other loved ones,

 

Here amidst the towering pines, Sister Hardy and I continue our quest. We laugh, we cry, our joy is full. Our great joy comes from growth and light - in ourselves and those around us - as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Truly there is no way to feel this joy without the gospel of Christ. Not to say lots of people aren't happy. Lots are. They tell us: as we stand, smiling, on their porches, "Not Now," and "No," - and keep leading the lives they have chosen. Yet the great joy we feel comes only by living in His light.

 

We have dinner with members pretty much every night. How good that is for my health is yet to be seen. (Don't hesitate to feed your missionaries a mere salad. They'll thank you for it later.) The military aspect of my current area provides an eclectic assortment of cultures and foods. Mostly, we eat good ole American food-- lots of tacos, meat, pasta, the occasional hotdog albeit distressingly boiled :(. The southern food found in most other areas of our mission is legendary- the pork is quite vinegar-ie.

 

My favorite meal this week was with Sister Campos. She is from Chile, and serves currently as a ward missionary (with impressive vigor and vim I might add). The food, needless to say, was superb. She made us beans! and fajitas! and flan! Her son, Marcos is an inactive member and decided to sit in on our lesson. I was pleased to learn that he is a rapper. His rapper name is "knifestar". (first question I asked him (:) Though he isn't ready to come back to church, he committed to write Sister Hardy and I an edited rap per request. I'm pretty excited.

 

We love strengthening our members! Yesterday we were asked to share messages in primary in both wards we serve in. Definately the highlight of my week. The children were beautiful! Their spirits shine so purely. I can't help but think about how Juniper will be there soon! I am so glad she will know that her Heavenly Father loves her.

 

On another note, there have been several murders in Fayetteville this month. Eeeek. Not in our neighborhood, thankfully. Secret combinations and abominable sins are tearing lives apart. Satan is really working on people to destroy their potential and it's working. It is cause for great sadness in our hearts. The call in general conference for every person to stand for truth is needful, not only for our salvation, but for the salvation of our brothers and sisters. I want to testify that I now know that the commandments we have been given by the Lord are for our safety and joy. There is no other way to experience peace and joy in this life, other than living the commandments of Jesus Christ.

 

We battle each day to consecrate our thoughts, wills, appetites, and strength to the Lord. How I wish that all members were equally committed to serve Him! We live far below our potential for great happiness, miracles, revelation and joy.

 

I desire that all may receive this joy. It's so good. I am happy and humbled. Read the Book of Mormon daily, study the scriptures, listen to conference, pray unceasingly, go to church, honor your covenants, love your neighbors: in other words, I love you all. D&C 18:14, 17-21

 

Sister B

Another Note from Sister B

Dear folks back home,

 

How are you?

 

We are feeling very blessed. There is lots of wonderful rain, and it is sweater season in North Carolina (:

 

We are loving the people of North Carolina (: Yesterday, the faith of members in our meetings and classes helped me feel the Spirit so strongly. I cannot deny that God lives and this is His work.

 

Now that Sheri is baptized, we meet with her much less. Every time we get to see her, at church and for new member lessons, her light is powerful and glorious. Her smiles and closeness to the Spirit remind us of the blessings of living the gospel.

We have seen many miracles in the past two weeks. Gracie was blessed to run into some of our Spanish speaking Elders and is now meeting with them and understanding so much more! We see the light growing in her as we continue to see her at church.

Ashley is so stubborn and intellectual. It is fun teaching her, because she comes up with theories and asks lots of questions. I have to be careful not to philosophize with her and forget my purpose. The Spirit of Christ testifies in plainness and truth. It is simple and exquisite. Far beyond our mortal understanding are the works of our Father in Heaven. It is beautiful how gospel truth completes our human aspirations; through the Spirit, our efforts are sanctified, and we become enlightened! It is humbling to realize I can teach nothing without the Spirit.

Two weeks ago, our investigator, Maryann, decided that God did not want her to go to our church. When she told us, my heart broke. She was so convinced that the Spirit was telling her that she did not belong at the Mormon church, I nearly believed it was true! She is a devout Catholic and grew up in the Bronx with the Catholic church as her source of light and feeling God's love. It is so hard for her to accept greater light and love and change. We are still meeting with her though. She still wants us with her, which is good (:

This Sunday, some of our members brought some friends to church- a family. The wife is from Germany!!! Her name is Julike. I was very excited, but didn't get a chance to meet her after class. I hope I get to speak with her, even if she doesn't want to learn about the Church.

 

The faith of our members strengthens me. Your faith strengthens me! There is magnificent strength in the faith of many.

 

Something that touched me this week in my study was how the Lord's plan for us is designed to bless and uplift all of His children. The experiences each of us have when we make mistakes and bad choices can be turned to our good as we use them to help and lift others.  I was reading about the sons of Mosiah who repented of the most vile sins, and then desired to bring all others the Savior's peace and forgiveness.  In Alma 26, Ammon asks, "why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?..." He then explains in verse 22 how anyone who repents and exercises faith and prays and does good things will be able to go forward in the Lord's work, "to bring thousands of souls" to Him. No matter what trials we face, the Lord can consecrate them for our gain. Especially the trials that the Lord sends us that don't make any sense in the eyes of the world. Think of Job! The Lords means them to enable us to bless and help others and increase our faith: "for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6) Yet knowing that miracles and blessings come after our faith doesn't exactly make trials painless.

 

We can do it with the Savior (: I have a greater testmimony, because of my experiences, that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. They love us, every one.

 

I love you.

Sister B

 

p.s. I am never sure what to tell you about, so shoot me some questions if you have any curiosities!

Isn't Life Wonderful!

I LOVE EVERYONE! Hearing from you all is one of the best parts of my week! It's like a mini general conference (;

 

This week we got to go to the temple, and the spirit there just about bowls me over. I felt a new depth of trust in our Heavenly Father and His plan for us. He is full of wisdom, power, glory and goodness. Study the Book of Mormon and all other Scriptures to learn about His plan and to be filled with the love of Jesus Christ. These small steps we take to come unto Christ make life a miraculous and fulfilling experience. He is truly the light and LIFE of the world!

 

Caroline sent me this little poem, and it tickled me so thoroughly, I had to re-post it (:

 

Isn't life glorious! Isn't it grand!

Here take it-hold it-tight in your hand,

Squeeze every drop of it into your soul,

Drink of the joy of it, sunsweet and whole,

Laugh with the love of it, burst into song!

Scatter it's richness as you stride along!

Isn't life splendid-and isn't it great,

we can always start living-it is never too late!

It is never too late to partake of the pure love of Jesus Christ and LIVE!

 

I want to know what messages from general conference touched your hearts and are moving you to act and change? Do not wait to repent and come closer to Him! Alma 34:37-41.

 

The words of our Prophet, President Monson uplifted me so much! I honestly think and believe that He is called of God to lead us back home to Heavenly Father. I hope everyone got to watch all of General Conference! (If not, make time to do it!) I hope to hear from all of you and know that I love you and miss you so! Pray for the people of the world, and in North Carolina that their hearts will be softened to receive the truth.

 

Love,

Sister B