The Frenchies

We are welcoming to Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, Sister Arave. (Pronounced R.V.) No, she is not a motor home; Yes, she is a vehicle for recreation in the figurative sense. Now, we have a full set of Sisters from French heritage! The looks on peoples faces as they try to pronounce our names is delightful. (: We just smile and say Bonjour! (jk)

Sister Arave is from Clinton Utah. She played division one volleyball at Weber State and worked as a CNA in the OB-GYN unit at the hospital up in northern Utah. She is full of energy and has a strong commitment to serve the Lord with all her heart, might, mind and strength!

This past weekend, we received a visit from Quentin L. Cook! He came to reorganize the Fayetteville West Stake. The most powerful part to me was when he testified of his special witness of Christ. He then invited us to sing "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" along with the video of the Tabernacle Choir singing it. Sister Arave and I couldn't hold back the tears. We are so grateful to be where the Lord wants us to be!

On Saturday, we went to visit a former investigator. She used to live in a trailer park out off Pritchett Road, but the old investigator had moved. We ended up knocking doors in that area and met three people, all neighbors, who took time to listen to our message. In all areas that day, we felt the guidance of the Spirit, and were impressed by the reality of the Spirit. He truly testifies of Christ.

We had a similarly miraculous experience last Friday when we went to the Fort Bragg Military Center to get renewed I.D.'s to get on post. The lines were incredible, and we had been struggling all week to obtain passes. We settled on going to the center, and waiting patiently for the anticipated 4 hours. While we waited, we met a girl named Carrie who wanted to learn about the gospel, and to read the Book of Mormon. I am constantly overwhelmed by the Lord's wisdom and trust in us.

I testify to you that I know our Savior lives. We are children of God. He has a plan for each of our lives. Through obedience to His commandments, we are blessed and protected, and shown the way to obtain Eternal Life. I want to see each of you in heaven some day! Don't get discouraged, but "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men."

I challenge each of you to invite a non-member or less active friend over for dinner this month. Share with them your testimony of the Atonement of Christ, and invite them to come to church with you. As you pray and seek to know whom to ask, names and faces will come to your mind.

I pray for you all. 

Love,

Sister B

Feeling the Love

“Faith is the first principle of the gospel. Repentance is the number one doctrine of the kingdom. Obedience is the first law of heaven. And happiness is the object of our existence. But of all things in the gospel, in the scriptures, and in the plan of salvation, that which is  most important of all is the love of God.” (Kelly Ogden-Mighty Changes)."

~ Letter from President Bernhisel

Last week, we were visited by Elder Baxter of the 70. He is from Scotland (Could not stop thinking of Sean Connery.) His focus for us was on the Love of God. It is the motivating force behind everything we do as missionaries. I volunteered to do a role play with him (scariest moment of my mission so far). It was incredible. The love of God was so evident in the things he said to us, and the way he taught us. I learned that this love is what overcomes our fears to act and be bold in our faith.

This week, my heart is especially full of love for Justine. She is choosing to be baptized on Friday! She was so prepared by the Lord to accept the gospel, meeting her has increased my faith and testimony. I will send you pictures of our baptisms soon! I have been entirely forgetful of pictures, but I am getting better, and beginning to take more.

We found out at interviews on Friday that Sister Hardy is being transferred. My new companion will be a brand new little missionary, straight from the MTC. I get to train her!!! I am so excited for her to experience the mighty power of the Spirit and of the Love of God. Too often we wait for special callings to experience His love. Do not wait. Seek Him now and always.

I am just so happy! I want everyone to be this happy! Pray to be filled with the pure Love of Christ and then study the scriptures, ancient and modern - SOAK THEM UP - and I promise, you will feel His love. He loves you. He has a plan for each of us. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Now, it seems my last letter to you all didn't go through! I am so sorry if any of this info is a repeat. I usually glance over last week to make sure I don't repeat stories. Tell me about how you feel God's love in your life! Tell me all about your scripture studies! Know I love you all. Let me know what I can do for you.

Love,

Sister B

Snapshots

Waking up in the morning goes something like this: beeeep beeeeep beeep snooze beeeeep beeeep Sister Hardy stumbles out of bed. I peek over, crumple up into prayer pose, and beg for the energy to get out of bed: Heavenly Father answers prayers (:

Driving onto Fort Bragg, we have to go through inspection every day. We have come to know our soldiers at the checkpoint, and always chat and see how they're doing. On one particularly cloudy day, I was feeling extremely happy to have the gospel, I was smiling and happy. I turned to one of our soldiers in response to his obligatory question: "How are y'all today?" And said: "Best day of my life." Somewhat taken aback, he responded, "Why??" I quickly bore my testimony that I know God lives and loves us. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the source of my joy. One of the other soldiers happily chimed in with his joy in the Savior, and Sister Hardy and I drove off with sunshine in our souls.

Smokers love to chat while they smoke. I guess smoking alone is pretty lonely. Recently, we have embraced Elder Ballard's directive that "If [we] want to teach more, [we] must talk to more people." Obviously. So, I make it a point to chat with smokers in passing. Recently, we met Kenny outside the library, doing his daily. I was touched by the light in his eyes as we helped him feel the Savior's love in his life. Hopefully, he remembers the Lord when he is more ready.

Missionary work is all about preparing others, and preparing ourselves, for the right time and the right place to allow the Spirit to testify of truth. I can't describe the feelings of peace and love as we prepare and prepare others, and finally find those moments. Those are the miracles. They come through obedience, patience, and faith. What miracles are you all seeing in your lives? They surely are cause to rejoice and feel gratitude to our Lord.

I love you all, and miss you! We are all important instruments in hastening the work of Salvation! Go get 'em!!!

Love,
Sister B

[This pic is of our District. Sister Shaum, to my left, was making me laugh quite a lot.]

Blessed Days

In North Carolina, when people say goodbye, they like to say: "Have a blessed day!" I have taken to saying this wherever I go. It reminds me that the greatest days and the most wonderful experiences are gifts and blessings from God.

 

We have our whole world to be thankful for!

 

Our week has been a series of disappointments and miracles... I guess that sums up missionary work. Tori, one of our less active sisters, is very young and newly married. She is quite bubbly, and trying to nag her non-member husband to church. On our weekly visit, we happened to arrive when one of her good friends was there. Her friend, Regina, was intrigued to meet missionaries, and listened to the message of the Restoration curiously.

 

What a testimony to us, and Tori, that the gospel is not an "awkward" conversation! Neither is it detrimental to friendships to simply share what we know and have found to be true. I am grateful for the missionaries who shared the gospel with our family. Can you imagine if they had been scared of being awkward, or that people would think they were weird??

 

We must have faith. I believe the song, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," should be changed to, "Because the Savior Stands Beside Me." He truly does. As we walk with His Spirit, He stands among us. D&C 6:32 Sharing the gospel is a gift of love. Sharing our testimones is the best way for us to develop the pure love of Christ. Good news is: we can share them every day!

D&C 88:81

 

I Love the hard days. Somehow they turn out to be the most blessed. Sister Hardy and I definitely find loads to laugh about. And we constantly remind each other that everything happens for a reason, and God has a plan, and do excuse my multiplicity of run-on sentances. (:

 

I hope and pray y'all's days are blessed as you live and keep your covenants. There is no trial or obstacle that will not be helped as we seek the Lord. I know that Jesus Christ lives. "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16:9

 

Remember to thank our Veterans and Service Men for their service to our country today!

 

I LOOOOOVE YOU FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your letters mean so much to me! I feel your prayers each day!

 

Love,

Sister B