How do I love thee let me count the ways?
I think that is somewhat what Heavenly Father is saying to me and Sis. Mosley! He is showing us how much he loves us and believe me there are too many ways to count! We have been blessed to find so many ready and willing to hear the gospel. Let me briefly go through each one:
Seth Barlow- He is the father of 5 kids and he is not a member. He grew up in a polygamist community but left 14 years ago. Right now his wife is in jail (she's a member) but we don't know all of the details with that. The kids though are so cute! We're teaching all of them but only two are able to be baptized. Daniel (11) and Alice (9) and then when things settle down we'll figure out how to teach Seth on his own. He already has a pretty good knowledge but our lessons will consist of more in depth things that he might have questions on. So we're excited. He made us dinner after our first appointment. He's such a patient person...I don't know how he does it. I have much to learn from him. (In that way he reminds me of Steve Allred... :) )
The Arnold Family- the parents are members (the mom is a convert of about 7 years or so) but they have been LESS ACTIVE for 6 years. Something that happened in Illinois with a Bishop. Not sure of the details there either but the mom wants to come back and we can see a little bit of a desire in the husband (a life long member) but we're hoping to strengthen that desire. They have 4 girls ages 9-15...and they don't know very much about the gospel...so it's starting from square one on a couple things...but I think as they learn they'll feel more comfortable at church. :) They seem really excited so we'll have fun! The dad actually invited us over for dinner as well!
Gina- We've been trying to meet with her for a long time. We would go over and set something up and then we'd go over and she'd want to reschedule. We were wondering how serious she was. But finally we were able to sit down with her and say "Do you want to meet with us?" and she just opened up. She was a drug addict for 12 years and has been 4 years clean. She has a new out look on life and she said "I like when you come around...I know you're good....I know you know what scriptures I should read...I know this gospel is true...no one can tell me that it's not." We are like YESSS but her problem is she feels like she's looked down on because of her past...and she has tattoos and she smokes. So we're going to work with her. She said "don't expect me to be someone I'm not..." Well Gina we can see your potential...so we're not going to force you to do anything we're going to stretch you so be able to gain the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
Amazing times in the mission. Sis. Mosley and I hope to stay another transfer together. I'd love to just stay her comp forever...but we'll try not to push it. Missionary work really does bring such great joy! I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've been able to take this time to learn and grow...and stretch!
Love,
Sister Page
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Spiritual Guidance
Okay so this week to put a little umph in my email I brought my journal to the library! I mostly brought it with me because of all of the spiritual experiences we had this week that I didn't want to forget to tell everyone about: (LIST TIME!)
#1. Direct from Sister Page's journal account:
January 27th 2010
Talk about most spiritual transfer ever...it's only been a week and so much personal revelation has poured out upon me than I scarcely have time to write it down! Here is my example and testimony builder of the day: We have to back track a little to show how the Lord prepared us to recieve this revelation. Last night at the VC Sis. Mosley was talking to a girl named Valerie about how she knew she needed to go on a mission. She said, "I didn't aboslutley know until May when I could actually put my papers in...until I could do something about my answer." Interestingly enough that's the same with me...I didn't get my answer about going on a mission until I could actually put my papers in! Then the night before we were pre-setting (introducing) the Joseph Smith Movie to this couple (the man was not a member) and I said "Ask yourself if you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet...and if you know he is...what are you going to do about it?" (just to conclude...the nonmember man was not impressed with the movie and had a hard heart!) So TONIGHT we went on splits and S. Mosley had come back and used those exampled with an investigator (Tim) who doesn't feel like he's getting answers to his prayers...and she said "Tim, no on will recieve answers to prayers UNLESS they're ready to ACT on it!" It is sooo true!!! We might want the answer to our prayers but Heavenly Father is not ready to give it until He knows what we're going to DO with the answer. Amazing! It's like my answer to go on a mission. I didn't recieve my answer for until Heavenly Father KNEW I was ready to accept and act upon it. So S. Mosley asked Tim, "When you pray...if you recieve and answer are you ready to act on it?" Tim never had thought about that. SO POWERFUL...
#2. Zone Conference!
Febuary 1st 2010
Of course spiritual nourishment there! I looove it. Probably one of the things I will miss MOST about the mission. :) Our scripture theme was D&C 58:27. We talked about free will...agency...and how we can choose liberty and eternal life or capitvity and death. How it's sometimes fogged on which one it which...we don't always see capitivity as a consequence...but that's what Satan wants you to think...that everything is "okay" until BAM...it's too late. We talked about daily repentance! I never really had known how to go about doing that....but Pres. Pitts (LOVE HIM!) said we should review our day and go through all the things we've done and find places we need to thank Heavenly Father for...and places we know we need to improve. I've applied this...and my prayers have not only become more meaningful...but much longer...and it's not repetitious! Try it! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father!
#3. Baptisms
January 30th 2010
Okay so I'm not going in order...but you get the idea. We had two baptisms this last weekend. Dausi was 12 years old and had met with missionaries for YEARS. Her mom is not a member but allowed her to get baptized. I wasn't really involved too much because I just came but it was a great day to see her take that step. Steve is the other bapitsm. I got to know him really well because we had daily contact with him the week and a half before his baptism. That's pretty hard to do since we have so much going on...but we did have daily contact. He's 44 and was taught for only a month or so before he was ready to be baptized. He truly had a change of heart. I didn't know him before but I heard about who he was and his attitude and it had totally changed. Every time he thought about his baptism or how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed him...he'd get a little weepy. He's so happy...he's one of those people that you can see the fruits of your labors with. It's going to be hard when we have to stop teaching him and let him go on his own!
Well that's the spiritual knowledge I gained this week. Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me. I love Him and how much He cares about me and the work S. Mosley and I doing together in our stakes. This is the best work in the world...I can't wait to be that support for the missionaries when I get back...i'm going to find them 1000 people to teach! haha Love, Sister Page
#1. Direct from Sister Page's journal account:
January 27th 2010
Talk about most spiritual transfer ever...it's only been a week and so much personal revelation has poured out upon me than I scarcely have time to write it down! Here is my example and testimony builder of the day: We have to back track a little to show how the Lord prepared us to recieve this revelation. Last night at the VC Sis. Mosley was talking to a girl named Valerie about how she knew she needed to go on a mission. She said, "I didn't aboslutley know until May when I could actually put my papers in...until I could do something about my answer." Interestingly enough that's the same with me...I didn't get my answer about going on a mission until I could actually put my papers in! Then the night before we were pre-setting (introducing) the Joseph Smith Movie to this couple (the man was not a member) and I said "Ask yourself if you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet...and if you know he is...what are you going to do about it?" (just to conclude...the nonmember man was not impressed with the movie and had a hard heart!) So TONIGHT we went on splits and S. Mosley had come back and used those exampled with an investigator (Tim) who doesn't feel like he's getting answers to his prayers...and she said "Tim, no on will recieve answers to prayers UNLESS they're ready to ACT on it!" It is sooo true!!! We might want the answer to our prayers but Heavenly Father is not ready to give it until He knows what we're going to DO with the answer. Amazing! It's like my answer to go on a mission. I didn't recieve my answer for until Heavenly Father KNEW I was ready to accept and act upon it. So S. Mosley asked Tim, "When you pray...if you recieve and answer are you ready to act on it?" Tim never had thought about that. SO POWERFUL...
#2. Zone Conference!
Febuary 1st 2010
Of course spiritual nourishment there! I looove it. Probably one of the things I will miss MOST about the mission. :) Our scripture theme was D&C 58:27. We talked about free will...agency...and how we can choose liberty and eternal life or capitvity and death. How it's sometimes fogged on which one it which...we don't always see capitivity as a consequence...but that's what Satan wants you to think...that everything is "okay" until BAM...it's too late. We talked about daily repentance! I never really had known how to go about doing that....but Pres. Pitts (LOVE HIM!) said we should review our day and go through all the things we've done and find places we need to thank Heavenly Father for...and places we know we need to improve. I've applied this...and my prayers have not only become more meaningful...but much longer...and it's not repetitious! Try it! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father!
#3. Baptisms
January 30th 2010
Okay so I'm not going in order...but you get the idea. We had two baptisms this last weekend. Dausi was 12 years old and had met with missionaries for YEARS. Her mom is not a member but allowed her to get baptized. I wasn't really involved too much because I just came but it was a great day to see her take that step. Steve is the other bapitsm. I got to know him really well because we had daily contact with him the week and a half before his baptism. That's pretty hard to do since we have so much going on...but we did have daily contact. He's 44 and was taught for only a month or so before he was ready to be baptized. He truly had a change of heart. I didn't know him before but I heard about who he was and his attitude and it had totally changed. Every time he thought about his baptism or how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed him...he'd get a little weepy. He's so happy...he's one of those people that you can see the fruits of your labors with. It's going to be hard when we have to stop teaching him and let him go on his own!
Well that's the spiritual knowledge I gained this week. Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me. I love Him and how much He cares about me and the work S. Mosley and I doing together in our stakes. This is the best work in the world...I can't wait to be that support for the missionaries when I get back...i'm going to find them 1000 people to teach! haha Love, Sister Page
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bad Internet...
Okay so the internet is being really weird...and slow. I'm sorry my emails have been kind of lame lately. There so much to share this week. Let me go through the week:
Tuesday of last week: I went up to Provo because I had to attend the trainers meeting to gain guidance for follow up training Sis. Mosley. It was great. The car ride up was so fun...it was all sisters in the little minivan and we were so hyper by the end of the four hour car ride. The meeting was great and I decided that this transfer was the start of the many amazing transfers. I want this transfer to be the most spiritual transfer I've ever had. That's the inspiration I gained from the trainers meeting. So I'm striving to keep the spirit with me more! I stayed that night in the mission home and then left the next morning.
Wednesday: I drove back down to St. George. We drove to Cedar City with some Elders...dropped them off and then I had to drive the rest of the way to St. George. It was fun. Then I met up with Sis. Mosley and we served at the VC the rest of the night. That night we didn't get much sleep because we were talking a lot. Sis. Mosley said "this is hard because it feels like we have 22 years of catching up to do!" We feel like were friends before...it's amazing.
Thursday: My YEAR MARK! I can't believe it. We went out in the area that day and I can tell you that I already love it. The stakes we cover have a place in my heart already! The leadership is ready and willing to help us in anyway and we have people who are truly ready for the gospel! We have a lot baptisms planned for this transfer it's exciting.
Friday: We had District Training Meeting (DTM) and that was good. We have a lot of new faces but Sis. Harwood is in my district! WOOT! We had the VC that night and let me tell you when you're LOOKING for more spiritual experiences they happen. Sis. Mosley and I have had more nonmember tours together than any of my other companionships! It's amazing. (btw I told her I wanted this transfer to be the most spiritual...so we're working on that together.) Saturday: We had a baptism of a 65 year old guy. It was amazing and I didn't really know him. But he was so ready. But I'm running out of time before I lose this email completley. So..to be continued!
Love Sister Page
Continued:
I just wanted to say sorry that my letter was so hurried...the internet was going really slow...but my week with Sis. Mosley has been amazing and I'm so happy that Heavenly Father knows who I need and what area I need to be in. I just wanted to leave you with my testimony that I know He is truly mindful of us! He cares. He loves me...yes He loves everyone but I know that Heavenly Father knows us individually. It's amazing. I wish everyone could recognize that love...keep praying and reading your scriptures and the doors of Heaven will be opened up to you! I love you all and I'm so thankful for the people in my life that have shaped an molded me into the person I am and the person I'm becoming. There's always progression...it's part of His eternal plan.
Love, Sister Page
ps. Sis. Mosley and I have been singing "Be Still My Soul" a lot...I don't think it's coincidence...I need that song.
Tuesday of last week: I went up to Provo because I had to attend the trainers meeting to gain guidance for follow up training Sis. Mosley. It was great. The car ride up was so fun...it was all sisters in the little minivan and we were so hyper by the end of the four hour car ride. The meeting was great and I decided that this transfer was the start of the many amazing transfers. I want this transfer to be the most spiritual transfer I've ever had. That's the inspiration I gained from the trainers meeting. So I'm striving to keep the spirit with me more! I stayed that night in the mission home and then left the next morning.
Wednesday: I drove back down to St. George. We drove to Cedar City with some Elders...dropped them off and then I had to drive the rest of the way to St. George. It was fun. Then I met up with Sis. Mosley and we served at the VC the rest of the night. That night we didn't get much sleep because we were talking a lot. Sis. Mosley said "this is hard because it feels like we have 22 years of catching up to do!" We feel like were friends before...it's amazing.
Thursday: My YEAR MARK! I can't believe it. We went out in the area that day and I can tell you that I already love it. The stakes we cover have a place in my heart already! The leadership is ready and willing to help us in anyway and we have people who are truly ready for the gospel! We have a lot baptisms planned for this transfer it's exciting.
Friday: We had District Training Meeting (DTM) and that was good. We have a lot of new faces but Sis. Harwood is in my district! WOOT! We had the VC that night and let me tell you when you're LOOKING for more spiritual experiences they happen. Sis. Mosley and I have had more nonmember tours together than any of my other companionships! It's amazing. (btw I told her I wanted this transfer to be the most spiritual...so we're working on that together.) Saturday: We had a baptism of a 65 year old guy. It was amazing and I didn't really know him. But he was so ready. But I'm running out of time before I lose this email completley. So..to be continued!
Love Sister Page
Continued:
I just wanted to say sorry that my letter was so hurried...the internet was going really slow...but my week with Sis. Mosley has been amazing and I'm so happy that Heavenly Father knows who I need and what area I need to be in. I just wanted to leave you with my testimony that I know He is truly mindful of us! He cares. He loves me...yes He loves everyone but I know that Heavenly Father knows us individually. It's amazing. I wish everyone could recognize that love...keep praying and reading your scriptures and the doors of Heaven will be opened up to you! I love you all and I'm so thankful for the people in my life that have shaped an molded me into the person I am and the person I'm becoming. There's always progression...it's part of His eternal plan.
Love, Sister Page
ps. Sis. Mosley and I have been singing "Be Still My Soul" a lot...I don't think it's coincidence...I need that song.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Birthday, Transfer Calls, Year Mark!
So much has happened this week that I can't even think of where to start! You will notice that I am emailing on Monday instead of Tuesday...this is because it's TRANSFER WEEK! Yep...and I have to go up to Provo...I'm not being transfered up there but I have to go to a trainers meeting. I'll be back on Wednesday! I'm follow up training a sister that just came down here last transfer. Her name is Sister Mosley and she is childhood friends with our very own Staci (Aci) Place!!!! We had talked about it already and Staci had told me to look for her..but what are the odds that I'd help to train her. She's super cute and excited. I think this will be a great companionship. I'm moving to her area, Washington and Buena Vista Stakes.
So I'm in the process of moving. I have 1000 journal pages (it's like writing in a yearbook...we give them to missionaries who are leaving and stuff...it's just for fun but sometimes there's no time!) to write and I'm writing my whole MTC district for my year mark. So I have some things to get done.
Let's talk about my brithday! It was awesome. We got up and played basketball...(I heart basketball!) and though I wasn't too good it was fun. Then right before we were leaving one of the Elders said "hey we need to talk to you." and he's a zone leader so we thought something was wrong...and then all of a sudden the Elders sing "Happy Birthday" to me. :) It was nice of them, plus they're pretty good singers. Then I get back to my apartment and find sisters decorating it! It was so nice and one of my really good friends (Sister Jensen) made up a song for me to the tune of Ladies Choice on Hairspray! It was cute.
Then we got ready and studied. We went and did some contacting and talked to a lot of people and set up appointements. Then at 12 we went to The Olive Garden for my bday lunch. Sister Harwood, Havron, Dunn and Morris all were there. We had a lot of fun. Then the people came and sang Happy Brithday to me too...because Sis. Morris sneak-ily told them and they gave me a little cake thingy with a candel in it...so I was able to blow out some bday candels. We went to an appointment we had after that...and contacted some more people and then have the VC in the evening. So it was awesome. Sis. Prince (a senior sister) made me my very own ICE CREAM CAKE! (Ash, Arin, Andrew..SPICY COW!) It was so good. I got a lot of cards. And my Narnia CD came that day along with my mom's letter! Woot. Good brithday..I'd say. I'm offically 22 and counting! haha It's hard to believe I'm in my 20's ...heck it's hard to believe Ashleigh's in her 20's.
I got a little book from Valerie (my former roomie) and it has Mickey Mouse on it...I don't know why but I felt compelled to do something special with it. (you know how I love paper). So I made a new "fun book" with a couple of different sections! One is "things I want to do before I die"...or my offical TO DO list...they are things that I could actually accomplish...so I'm really going to work on it when I get home. Should be fun...if any of you want to join me in my list...help me add things!
I'm so happy to be here on my mission...among people who care about me and really show that charity that I came searching for in the first place. They're such great examples to me.
I have learned more about the Atonement then I ever thought possible in this transfer...I keep thinking of a song from the Nashville Tribute to Joseph:
"And how could He know the heartache I feel when He lived a perfect life. From Gethsemane to Calvary was it really for me that He died? Then the Spirit whispers these words ringing true..from the garden to the cross..He walked a mile in my shoes!"
He truly did! I love Him for it. I love this work. It has taught me so many amazing things. I will continue to serve Him for all of my heart, might, mind and strength for the next 6 months! I can't believe a year has passed. What an amazing year it has been.
Love, Sister Page
So I'm in the process of moving. I have 1000 journal pages (it's like writing in a yearbook...we give them to missionaries who are leaving and stuff...it's just for fun but sometimes there's no time!) to write and I'm writing my whole MTC district for my year mark. So I have some things to get done.
Let's talk about my brithday! It was awesome. We got up and played basketball...(I heart basketball!) and though I wasn't too good it was fun. Then right before we were leaving one of the Elders said "hey we need to talk to you." and he's a zone leader so we thought something was wrong...and then all of a sudden the Elders sing "Happy Birthday" to me. :) It was nice of them, plus they're pretty good singers. Then I get back to my apartment and find sisters decorating it! It was so nice and one of my really good friends (Sister Jensen) made up a song for me to the tune of Ladies Choice on Hairspray! It was cute.
Then we got ready and studied. We went and did some contacting and talked to a lot of people and set up appointements. Then at 12 we went to The Olive Garden for my bday lunch. Sister Harwood, Havron, Dunn and Morris all were there. We had a lot of fun. Then the people came and sang Happy Brithday to me too...because Sis. Morris sneak-ily told them and they gave me a little cake thingy with a candel in it...so I was able to blow out some bday candels. We went to an appointment we had after that...and contacted some more people and then have the VC in the evening. So it was awesome. Sis. Prince (a senior sister) made me my very own ICE CREAM CAKE! (Ash, Arin, Andrew..SPICY COW!) It was so good. I got a lot of cards. And my Narnia CD came that day along with my mom's letter! Woot. Good brithday..I'd say. I'm offically 22 and counting! haha It's hard to believe I'm in my 20's ...heck it's hard to believe Ashleigh's in her 20's.
I got a little book from Valerie (my former roomie) and it has Mickey Mouse on it...I don't know why but I felt compelled to do something special with it. (you know how I love paper). So I made a new "fun book" with a couple of different sections! One is "things I want to do before I die"...or my offical TO DO list...they are things that I could actually accomplish...so I'm really going to work on it when I get home. Should be fun...if any of you want to join me in my list...help me add things!
I'm so happy to be here on my mission...among people who care about me and really show that charity that I came searching for in the first place. They're such great examples to me.
I have learned more about the Atonement then I ever thought possible in this transfer...I keep thinking of a song from the Nashville Tribute to Joseph:
"And how could He know the heartache I feel when He lived a perfect life. From Gethsemane to Calvary was it really for me that He died? Then the Spirit whispers these words ringing true..from the garden to the cross..He walked a mile in my shoes!"
He truly did! I love Him for it. I love this work. It has taught me so many amazing things. I will continue to serve Him for all of my heart, might, mind and strength for the next 6 months! I can't believe a year has passed. What an amazing year it has been.
Love, Sister Page
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Happiness Runs in a Circular Motion
Wow this week went by fast....so fast I don't even know where to begin or what happened. Last Tuesday night we had our investigator Kim Nagy...get baptized! I think Ashleigh and Arin and her could be really good friends...she's 19 with a little baby who's almost a year old. She fits in her ward so well too. Her friend Anna (that we introduced her to) sang "Baptism" but couldn't get through it because she was so emotional. It was pretty amazing. She also was given her own quad! She was so excited. The whole thing was really awesome and the spirit was so strong. Her parents aren't members and her dad's really not that into her joining the church but BOTH of them came to the baptism.
Then we have been receiving a ton of referrals this week! I think we had 14 last week and are still getting more this week...the problem has been we have lessons all night or day when we're not at the VC and have no time to contact them..so we're going on splits. We did it once last week and I got 2 return appointments with people we talked to...it was really cool because both people I talked to were really nice and willing to set something up. I get worried about how people will receive us..but I find if you're just genuine with them and talk to them like a normal person...they will be more comfortable.
We have transfer calls coming up this Saturday...MY BIRTHDAY! Well I'm going out to lunch with some of my good friends on the mission at the Olive Garden. Then we're in the Visitor Center that night with some of my friends too. So it's going to be amazing. But Sis. Morris and I got a call from the Assistants (APs) yesterday and we think they're going to split the area...so Sis. Morris and I probably won't stay together. We're both sad to leave any of our stakes...we have such good people we're working with in all three places.
This morning we went to the temple...I just love that place! It's so peaceful and I truly can tell that I'm happy! I am so happy. I don't want anyone out there to doubt that Sister Page is a happy missionary! The gospel brings such love and comfort...I'm happy I have it in my life.
Love, Sister Page
*Read Mosiah 24!
Then we have been receiving a ton of referrals this week! I think we had 14 last week and are still getting more this week...the problem has been we have lessons all night or day when we're not at the VC and have no time to contact them..so we're going on splits. We did it once last week and I got 2 return appointments with people we talked to...it was really cool because both people I talked to were really nice and willing to set something up. I get worried about how people will receive us..but I find if you're just genuine with them and talk to them like a normal person...they will be more comfortable.
We have transfer calls coming up this Saturday...MY BIRTHDAY! Well I'm going out to lunch with some of my good friends on the mission at the Olive Garden. Then we're in the Visitor Center that night with some of my friends too. So it's going to be amazing. But Sis. Morris and I got a call from the Assistants (APs) yesterday and we think they're going to split the area...so Sis. Morris and I probably won't stay together. We're both sad to leave any of our stakes...we have such good people we're working with in all three places.
This morning we went to the temple...I just love that place! It's so peaceful and I truly can tell that I'm happy! I am so happy. I don't want anyone out there to doubt that Sister Page is a happy missionary! The gospel brings such love and comfort...I'm happy I have it in my life.
Love, Sister Page
*Read Mosiah 24!
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