August 29, 2016

week 44: skunky town

Monday, August 29th, 2016

TEN MONTHS. I've made it to the double digits. I still feel like I just got here though. It's funny though cause when I tell someone how long I have been out, they tell me I am just getting my feet wet. Maybe true but I am over half way done with my mission and that makes me sad! So yeah Eagar is pretty much skunk central. it's so weird. I've never seen so many skunks. And when you come out at night from an appointment and smell skunk you pretty much just run to the car in fear🙊

Monday we had a lesson with a potential investigator, her name is Naomi. Cody Garcia came with us. Her husband was getting ready for a hunt (everyone goes hunting here!) so he didn't listen in. But it was really good. She really does seem interested but her husband doesn't. She said she would talk to her husband about it and let us know. Which makes total sense cause we don't want to cause conflict. We saw Dave & Haley and they are doing good. Haley signed up for seminary and that was a miracle!!!

Tuesday we got special permission to go to the temple. Sister Chausow's anxiety was bad so we got to go! It was really great, I think I needed it too. There is such a special spirit in the celestial room. We then got Taco Bell afterwards and ahh I missed tbell. We then went to Jerry's and he was outside with a friend. Jerry is awesome and talks to him about the gospel. Long story short we gave him a Book of Mormon and restoration pamphlet! I love giving out book of Mormons on the street. He isn't in our area but the sisters are going to go see him! We then had a relief society activity in third Ward. That was really fun. We then did service for Stacy (former investigator) and helped her cut out things for her class. We then went and saw Haylie. She is just so solid and awesome. I love lessons with her.

Wednesday we had district meeting, wahoo! We saw the Tisdells, they are doing good. We then had our last lesson with Gaylon before his baptism!! We read 2 nephi 31 with him and he was just so ready for baptism. I don't know how he handles us because we were SO excited for his baptism. The activity for the yw in 1st Ward was to come on splits with the sister missionaries! Yay! That was so good. I went with Ashton and Abby and we went to the Rivera's. I was pretty bold with them. She isn't paying her tithing and I told her that she isn't receiving specific blessings because of it. She said that she hasn't had anything bad happen to her the last few years so she things it is fine, I'm like that's not how it works! Haha but anyways it was good. We then had a lesson with Daryl. We have been sending him scriptures/ stories on repentance and it has been really good for him. I can't put into words how much I love that man, AND he was at church today! Also Cody Garcia sat by him. I'm trying to play match maker. It's my favorite thing to do on a mission. Since I can't date, I make others do it.

Thursday we saw Cyndie! I really just love her and her sweet spirit. We went to the Shupes, they are an older couple so they can't make it to church. We always have to yell in their lessons so that's entertaining. We then found a less-active named Marilyn. She is also old. Yeah we visit a lot of old people. Probably cause they are always home and easy to see! Haha but she is funny and stubborn and says she doesn't like church. We had dinner with the Gleaves, I love that family!! I wish I could just live with them. No joke. They are a hoot. During dinner their neighbors across from them had a million cop cars and ambulances so that was entertaining. Dinner & a show. It was so intense. We then had a hand off lesson with the other sisters but Wes didn't answer his door! We then went to see the Armijos! Brylee was there so we had a lesson with her. I really do love the Armijos, they just need to get their act together. I think when church is at 11 they will go more.

Friday was weekly planning and DQ, the usual. We helped Sister Pulsipher with her classroom at the middle school. We then saw Sister Markley. She is doing so good. She isn't really less active anymore but our visits are really good for her. I don't know but like no one was home but we didn't get to talk to a couple people.

Saturday Gaylon got BAPTIZED!! Ahh it was the best day ever. I seriously have never been so excited for a baptism. He shows up and forgets his extra clothes and towel of course! So he runs home to get it haha. Everything went really well though. The Spirit was sooo strong. He was pretty nervous before but when he came back out, I asked him how he felt and he said "I don't feel nervous no more." Haha. The talks were amazing and there were so many less-actives and nonmembers there! In fact we might even start teaching this one girl who was there. Gaylon said she felt the Spirit! How cool! Gaylon's already an excellent missionary. Gaylon was crying throughout the whole thing. It never felt like the day was coming but I know without prayers of you, the Ward, and our zone (missionaries), Gaylon would not be a member of the church right now. I know that prayer works. And I know that we have to have faith along with prayer. It was just an amazing baptism and Lenna brought SO much food! He then texted us last night, "I have never felt like this before," so cute! We went to this volunteer thing at the dome to look for service projects. There were so many! But I love service! Angie Nelson (less-active) was sick and needed her bathroom painted before Tuesday, so we said we would help her. We got it done in three hours and I am really impressed with myself! It looked way good. We had a lesson with the Powers (potential investigators). Alissa came with us and it was pretty good. We taught them the plan of salvation. They go to their own church but let us come over. He seems more interested than her but we will see! She was asking us pretty hard questions so good thing for the Holy Ghost! It was cool though cause you could tell he really liked our message.

Sunday was good! Gaylon got confirmed!! I love sitting by him at church & listening to him sing hymns. It's the cutest. He said that during the prayer in priesthood he felt a hand on his shoulder. I thought that was really cool. Ah I love being a missionary! Sally brought Quincy (investigator) to church and it was the cutest thing ever. We saw Dave Jr and the fam, I love them so much. We then had dinner with all the hamblin gang. There are so many of them but it was so fun. We saw Dave Sr and he is doing good. We talked about getting the Melchezidic priesthood. I just love him. We saw Erin Cordova. Dakota was there! He is dating Erin's daughter Megan. Haha he is kind of our investigator, well we tried to give him to the elders but the elders haven't taught him yet. So we might just keep him cause I think he wants to go to a family ward anyways. But I asked him how he is feeling about the Book of Mormon and he says he knows it's true! I'm like sweet when do you wanna get baptized? Haha we asked him to pray about September 24th. So that was a good surprise lesson with him.

I have finally made it to Alma in the Book of Mormon! I was reading in chapter 7 this week and it says, "11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Ah I love this scripture! He has felt EVERY pain, and because of that He knows how to succor us. Elder Holland said to succor also means to run to and I love that. He will immediately come to us. One of my favorite quotes is "when you feel you have hit rock bottom just remember Christ is still the rock below you because He descended below all."

I read the September Ensign this week and it was way good! There is a talk in there that was a byui devotional called Can we live after the manner of happiness? By Elder Nielson. He says, "We profess a belief in the Savior and in His Atonement, but we may have doubts that the Atonement will actually work for us. So we carry our own sins. We worry, we doubt, and sometimes we despair. That is not God’s plan for us. From the very beginning, the Father told us the Savior would atone for our sins if we would repent. Let Him do it. There is no reason for you to carry your own sins. If you will allow the Savior to do this, you will be free to act for yourself. Why do you want to pay for your sins when the Savior has already paid for them? He is standing at the door knocking. He is inviting you to come and partake of the fruit of His Atonement. Turn it over to Him. Let it go. Let Him take it." I love this, I think a lot of the time it is hard to forgive ourselves and let go of the past and still feel guilt. Forgiving ourselves can sometimes be the hardest part. But I know that our Savior wants us to turn it all over to Him and use His Atonement. I'm so grateful for the peace Christ gives me.

I also love this quote in the Ensign that President Boyd K Packer says, "The thought is this: the Atonement leaves no tracks, no traces. What it fixes is fixed. … The Atonement leaves no traces, no tracks. It just heals, and what it heals stays healed." When we get a deep cut, we get a scar. But repentance is not like that. Repentance and the atonement heals all. No scars. Just a fresh start.

OKAY & also I love this quote from the ensign and then I'm done. Elder Maxwell says "As you submit your wills to God, you are giving Him the only thing you can actually give Him that is really yours to give. Don’t wait too long to find the altar or to begin to place the gift of your wills upon it! No need to wait for a receipt; the Lord has His own special ways of acknowledging.” I'm constantly trying to submit my will to Him & trust Him. Cause He knows best!!

Well we are gonna go fishing at the Hamblins and then watch price of Egypt! Gonna be a good day! I hope you all have an amazing week!! LOVE YOU ALL😘

--xo: sista fisha


TEMPLE

Practicing dunking


Riveras!

john&chris
Gaylon's baptism!!





dat dome doe


I made a mug

Colin is a cool cat
Sister Israelson came for the night

Fishing












Mark made us wear cowboy hats


Movie party



August 22, 2016

week 43: all you need is love

Monday, August 22nd, 2016

Wadupp everyone! Hello yes I'm alive. Still a missionary, still preachin the word. Everything is good. This week was good. Did lots of service! Yay service!

Monday we saw Chelsea. It was a fast visit but she is doing well. We then saw the Pinckards. They are somewhat less-active. He goes sometimes but she doesn't. It is strange because they both went on missions. They are very nice, they are those that don't know they are less-active.

Tuesday I went on exchanges with Sister Kamalu in her area. I love going to other areas. It's just nice to have a change sometimes. But we had lots of lessons and it was a good day. We all went to The Living Hope and helped them send their newsletters. Gaylon had a meeting with Bishop that night and I talked to both of them after and it went well!

Wednesday was interviews so we drove down to Show Low for that. We also had district meeting so we were there so long. But interviews was good! We also got to talk to Sister Robinson and that was good. She is so cute! I love both of them a lot! I can't even imagine what they are going through right now. And their son gets home from the Seattle mission tomorrow! (Represent!) We then went to Jalepenos for lunch and members bought our food. Living in Arizona is the best haha. We then saw Erin Cordova and her kids. That was really good. They said they would be at church on Sunday but they didn't come because they were sick. We then saw the Riveras and talked about temples. It's crazy how one thing keeps someone from the blessings of the temple. We then saw Daryl and read Alma 32 & talked about faith. I love that family so much. Macy is gone though so that's weird.

Thursday we saw Cyndie, she isn't doing so well but she is staying strong with everything that is going on. There is a new family that moved into third Ward, the Harris'. so we went over and helped them unpack! We then saw Sally & read the Book of Mormon with her. I love reading the bom with people because I learn so much from it as well! We then went and saw Dave Sr. I love him, he is so funny. We talked about conversion with him. We then went to the Armijos for dinner. It was really good. We resolved some of her concerns about the church and it made sense to her. They do want to get back to church so yeah I hope they do what they say. We then went to do service for a former investigator named Stacy. We helped cut out stuff for her preschool starting up soon. That was way fun & felt like a girls night.

Friday we had a lesson with Gaylon and the Cricks came. We went over the baptismal interview questions and he did so good! He is so ready! He is nervous it is cute. He is getting baptized this Saturday! It always felt like a dream because of the smoking but he hasn't been smoking this past week! Just pray he stays strong this next week!! We saw Sister Markley and I just love her. She is like our grandma and she loves it when we come over. We then went to see Kenny and Teri! They are back together! They seem a lot happier! Kenny isn't drinking anymore and is going to his recovery program. I love those two a lot.

Saturday was Gaylon's baptismal interview! He passed!!! Wahoo!! He is so cute. He is inviting lots of people to his baptism and it's so good. Ah I'm so happy for him! We then went and helped Teri make some quilts! We then saw the Tisdells and some family friends were over and that was fun. Colin was there & he is getting work off to go to Gaylon's baptism!! He is also saying one of the prayers. We then went to see Dollie, only John was there which is Dollie's daughter's boyfriend who lives there. He is 20 and we had a really good lesson with him. He got baptized when he was ten and I can just see how much potential he has. It's cool how much people open up to you as a missionary. We then had dinner with Cody Garcia. She is awesome and had three nonmembers over for dinner! Her two teenagers are less-active and they weren't there which was sad. But Cody is awesome and we had such a fun time. I have laughed that hard in a while. We then went to the stake primary activity and helped out with them. It was called reading under the stars and we did a skit, Daniel and the lions den and that was funny. And then all the kids and their families went and read books together! It was really cute.

Sunday was way good! Haylie got her temple recommend! So now she can go do baptisms! She is so awesome. She showed up to church and said I'm ready to pay my tithing! So many of our people came to 1st Ward! It was so good! Normally like no one comes to 1st Ward. The Riveras came and sat in the chapel! Sally came. Kenny came and stayed for gospel principles. The Lesters came! And Gaylon came all three hours! Ah he is so awesome and was answering questions in Sunday school. I am just so excited for his baptism! It was a weird day cause we didn't see anyone and had meetings and such. President Hamblin wanted us to go to mission prep & that for some reason made me more excited about missionary work! Pauly pockets you should take mission prep at byui just sayin. I wish I had but I also just decided I was going on a mission a year ago. I can't believe that was already a year ago!

I was reading a talk this week called The Love of God by President Uchtdorf. He said, "God the Eternal Father did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are--and who we will become. Since “God is love,” the closer we approach Him, the more profoundly we experience love." Everything we do should be centered on love. I have been thinking about love this week. It really is amazing being a servant of the Lord and getting just a taste of that love God has for the people we teach & even meet on the street. I've never loved this much. I do love is work and I love my Heavenly Father.

I'm reading d&c and continually throughout it, it says "for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end". So true, He is always with us. We are never alone. He loves us. ❤

Thanks for reading my boring missionary emails! U da 💣

--xo: sista fisha

Gaylon showed up to his baptismal interview like this
(hot chocolate and a sucker) 😏

Daniel and the lion's den 🦁



🐠+🍜

August 15, 2016

week 42: feed his sheep

Monday, August 15th, 2016

Shalom it's Monday again. How did that happen. The kids here are already starting school! Really weird so it's not summer here anymore. It went by so fast! At least the weather is still nice. Ah I'm just so glad I'm not in the valley, I am a blessed soul. Well this week was swell. I'm gonna try to remember what happened.

Monday we went to the Henrie's block party. That was really fun. We then saw the Eagars. I really love them. They said they were coming to church but they didn't! Ugh so sad. One day though one day.

Tuesday we saw Haylie in the morning. She signed up to do seminary this year! Yay I'm so happy for her!! She is such a solid convert. We then had our last lesson with Donna. She taught us a lesson and it was really good. She knows the gospel really well. She is so prepared for baptism but she still doesn't know if she wants to be baptized. Even though she knows the church is true. She doesn't want to meet with the missionaries in the valley cause she doesn't want to waste their time. So that worries me but she says she is gonna go to church and possibly institute. We then had lunch with her after. Gonna miss that girl! We then saw Teri. We talked about grace and it was really good. She was at church on Sunday! We then did service for a former named Rachelle. We helped her make meals for a hunting trip. We were there for a while and it was really good getting to know her. She talked about her concerns about the church. Basically she just hasn't had a knowing feeling yet. I think she is expecting a big revelation or something. We then saw Gaylon. It was the first lesson that he didn't cry at! It was good though cause we talked about the priesthood. We then saw Dave and Haley. Haley isn't doing seminary and I am really upset about it...that stubborn girl.

Wednesday was ZTM! It was a really great ZTM! And I got to see my baby Sister Gulley! I gave the scripture & I wanna share it with y'all cause I just like it. I hadn't noticed it before and it stood out to me (probably cause I'm a missionary, that happens a lot). It's Jacob 5:21-22 "And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit." Ah so good right?! Basically we can never judge someone on the way they look. We don't know their potential. Looking around we don't know who is prepared. I know there are people that God has been preparing for a long time. Sometimes these people need a lot of nourishment and time and attention. But they are the ones that produce the best fruit! We then saw Jerry, oh Jer bear. He is doing well. He will never let us help him though. He comes every Sunday so that's really awesome! This work is so special! We have been trying to see this less-active family named the Taylors. We finally got to see them and share a message! Not all of them were there but it was good. I'm excited to start working with them. We then saw Daryl and talked about being converted to the Lord. Oh Daryl he is so cute.

Thursday we saw Cyndie. She talks a lot but I love her. We then had a brief visit with Chelsea and her kids. We then had a last minute lesson with Brylee at the Armijos. It was really good cause we hadn't seen the Armijos for a while. Brylee's mom had her baby. We then had a lesson with Sally. She is doing a lot better but she wasn't at church :( then we saw the Tisdells. They are pretty much our grandparents. We then saw Sister Markley. I love seeing her! She is so cute. We then had a lesson with Gaylon and were really bold with him. We committed him to throw away all his cigarettes before next time!! And we made a new baptismal date for August 27th!! It's an act of faith and it's really soon but we know he is prepared. Our zone leaders committed each companionship to a have a baptism this month. We both knew it could be Gaylon. Please he needs a lot of prayers this week to stop smoking!

Friday we helped paint the cricks room. It was really relaxing. I love painting! Especially on the mission. It's weird cause things that would be a chore in real life are fun on the mission. We then did weekly planning. Yay. We went to lunch with Bro Ayres. And luckily dinner canceled cause sometimes you just need a break. We saw Dave and Haley and talked about them getting their temple recommends. We then went to see the Armijos and it was really good! We didn't have a lesson but we talked and it was what was needed. And they invited us to help Marty make tortillas this week and for dinner! So that's a miracle, Heather mentioned that she needs to get back to church and that she needs us to motivate her. We also got a referral for Seth's dad. Sister Garcia felt prompted to tell us about him and she didn't know why. Anyways I finally made the connection that it was Seth's parents. Seth is dating Daryl's daughter. And he is always over there when we are over so we know him pretty well. I actually asked Seth last time if his parents would ever want to be baptized and he and all the Gilliams were like noooo. But we got this referral so we knew we had to go. Anyways we go and Seth is like why are you here...and we're like to see your dad. Haha it was awk and he looked scared. His dad was getting ready for work but we met his mom and she was nice and said we could come back tonight! So we are going tonight! Wish us luck!!

Saturday was a long day. They normally always are. They said it's a good proselyting day but that's a lie! No one is home and if they are with their families they don't want to talk to you. But we went by the Armstrongs and they were painting wine bottles for the wedding and so we got to help! It was fun. We then had a lesson with Tyric about missionary work. I told him to pray about a mission. He is a senior this year. Sadly he isn't going to seminary though. I told him I would bring him cookies if he went to church and he did!!! And he helped prepare the sacrament! It was a miracle! We owe him cookies. We then saw Dollie and Sister McCall came with us! It was really good and we talked about temples. I love bringing members with us and when they get excited about doing missionary work! And Dollie got the cutest kittens!! We then had dinner at the Wiltbanks. Dallas is my favorite. We get a text from Gaylon saying he is coming to church tomorrow and that he needs a white shirt, so we get one from Wiltbanks. Ahhh we were so happy!! There was a stake talent show thing that night but like no one showed up.

Sunday Gaylon came to church!! He stayed for just sacrament but it was still good! And he says he threw away all his cigarettes! Natasha and her kids came again as well! We saw Dave jr, he is sassy as ever. We then saw Camri Beard finally! Her husband is a less-active. He wasn't there but we asked her if he would meet with us and she said probably so that's good! We then saw Matt Larue. I love teaching him. And they said they have been praying for Gaylon, too sweet! All us missionaries then went to President Hamblins for a "meeting."

I read a talk this week called sheep, shepherds, and sheepherders by Jame R Moss and he is talking about rescuing the lost sheep. He says, "It is not enough to simply hope and pray and plan and worry. These are necessary, but if a sheep is lost it will not find its way back to the fold unless someone actually goes out to help it. The thickets and canyons in which sheep and people are lost may be spiritual, physical, intellectual, or social. The successful shepherd finds out, goes out, stays out, and brings back the lost sheep." I love this. I've always liked the parable of the lost sheep but this makes it more real to me. We need to go where the sheep is. If we are lost the Savior wouldn't just tell us how to get out of he mud, but he would help us get out and even carry us. We need to be like the Savior. The lost sheep isn't going to be in a field of daisies. They are going to be in the thickets, mud and canyons. They need us, all of us. 


I'm grateful to be apart of the most amazing work on the earth! 🌎❤

Have a fab week 💁

--xo: sista fisha

Saying bye to Donna :(

MACY

Tisdells