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

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!