week 66: 15 months down - 15 weeks to go

Monday, January 30th, 2017

Hello again!

This week was really good & really cold. But I think I am just used to the cold so it doesn't bother me anymore. There is still tons of snow on the ground. It was just another busy week!

Monday we went to the Hill's to set up an appointment cause they keep canceling. The mom is way less-active and does wicken. So there are like potions in her house and a witches broom. So that's a little strange, but she is normal and I really like their family! Ah I just want to start teaching them!

Tuesday we had a lesson with Jesse. We talked about the Holy Ghost & receiving revelation, asked him lots of questions. I actually tried to put him on date. He wasn't having it. He is so stubborn. He thinks we were being pushy...even though I cried in the lesson...oh Jesse. Sister Hitchcock did text us after and said that he is praying more sincerely before they read so that's good. We taught Noah. He is so cute.

Wednesday we had the missionary broadcast!! It was really good. I felt like they actually talked a lot about what our mission has been talking about - our mission President is so inspired. I learned a lot how to become a better missionary. One thing that did stand out to me that Elder Oaks said was that we are called to establish the church. And when we teach the doctrine of Christ & are doing all that we can - that is assisting to establish the church. And that our plans for the day isn't my agenda - it's the Lords agenda. They talked about how we have similar callings to Apostles - we both are witnesses of Christ. I want to try my best to represent the Savior in all I do - thoughts, words and actions. That is how I can be a witness of Christ. Oh and the brethren also announced the new schedule! So my apartment has been doing it this whole transfer - President waned us to trial it. I really like it! Basically it gives us more agency & rest as well. Oh and we have longer pdays! So some pdays I might email later so don't be surprised if I email at night. And they also got rid of 5 key indicators! - now we only have 4 #blessed. It will help us focus more on our purpose. And we don't have to do daily goals. Weird. We went to Sister Gentry's house & made snow ice cream, like ice cream made out of snow. So that was pretty cool. All 3 of our appointments canceled...sad. But we did see a less-active couple, the Shields. And she is starting to work for the Moores!

Thursday I was on exchanges with Sister Lawrence! It was a fun exchange - love her. We had a lesson with Tewana and Shenia on missionary work. It was good. We met a less-active family named the Raymonds. They are awesome & want to come back to church. It was cool cause she said that we came at the perfect time - the Lord's timing is perfect. We had a lesson with Zach. We had him teach us the plan of salvation - he got it mostly right... haha.

Friday was MLC! It was a really good MLC. We talked a lot about repentance and how to teach it. I realized that I think my favorite thing to teach is repentance. We talked about how we need to be repenting ourselves. President at the end gave a powerful testimony. Love that man. So that took all day cause we went to Payson. We did ZTM planning with the Elders then. We had a lesson with a less-active family, the Williamsons. Their son isn't a member so we are starting to teach him, he is 10 & cannot concentrate. So that's rough haha.

Saturday we had breakfast at President William's with all the missionaries in the stake. Love that family. AND Molly got baptized!!! We was such a great day! Lots of people from the ward came. Even the stake president! It was funny cause an hour before the baptism she called us and she was like "don't worry I am not canceling!" The talks were good and Joanna (investigator) came with her boys! Us and Molly walked to the baptismal font & Molly was literally jumping with joy she is so cute. The water was so low...cause it was also the 8 yr old stake baptism day. And so she had to get dunked twice. In the missionary broadcast they said "when standing in a baptismal font - we are looking at the temple." I love this. That's what I was thinking when she was standing there. I'm excited to go to the temple with her! Sister clipp & I taught the restoration while she was getting ready & we did an awesome job, just saying. We have cookies &milk afterwards. It was a good day, the Spirit was strong. The Moores bought her scriptures which I was so happy about! We had two dinners that night, the second one was with Daniel & Teara. She is not a member, he is a less-active. Anyways we asked her if she would be interested in meeting with us & she was really hesitant. She started opening up when we asked her questions. Her brother was murdered 6 months ago & it felt right to teach the plan of salvation instead of the restoration so we did. The Spirit was so strong the whole time and Teara's face was lighting up more as we taught. When we told her she chose Christ before this life, she smiled big. The truths we speak really do touch their heart to help them remember from earlier days. At the end we asked if she wanted to meet with us and she said yes 

Sunday was good, Molly got confirmed!! We went to Show Low Ward right after cause the Raymonds were coming and we wanted to be there for them. We also taught sharing time in primary. That was fun. Noah had his baptismal interview & totally passed! Noah was sooo loud and outgoing in primary, which was good cause normally he is quiet. We contacted the Munoz-Arroya family. They are a PMF. We are going to start teaching them! 

I read a book this week called Power to Become by Elder Bednar. It was way good. He got the phrase from D&C 11:30 that says, "But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen." Elder Bednar at the missionary broadcast actually said some things that were also in his book. He said "The power of godliness is manifest by priesthood ordinances. Get this in your head and you will not be scared to invite someone to be baptized." I loved reading this chapter. I know that we do need to enter into the gate of baptism to really gain full access to Christ's atonement & to press forward in life, having joy.

The Book reminded me of a couple quotes:

"The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts--what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts--what we have become." - Elder Oaks

“It is one thing to know about God and another to know him. We know about him when we learn that he is a personal being in whose image man is created; when we learn that the Son is in the express image of his Father’s person; when we learn that both the Father and the Son possess certain specified attributes and powers. But we know them, in the sense of gaining eternal life, when we enjoy and experience the same things they do. To know God is to think what he thinks, to feel what he feels, to have the power he possesses, to comprehend the truths he understands, and to do what he does. Those who know God become like him, and have his kind of life, which is eternal life.” - Elder Mcconkie

I know we wouldn't be able to become like God if it wasn't for the Atonement. Elder Scott said, "He gave His life so that you can change your life." so true so true.

And Elder Holland says it best, "however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made. I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

Remember you CAN change. Choose to change & let the Atonement change you. Have an awesome week! Love all of you!

--xo: sista fisha

Zone conference

icicles

snow ice cream

Exchanges with Sister Lawrence

Molly's baptism!!

week 65: I MET AN APOSTLE OF THE LORD

Monday, January 23rd, 2017

Hello Everyone!

Oh man this week has been amazing...definitely one of the most memorable weeks on my mission cause I got to meet Elder Dallin H. Oaks!!!! It's been a crazy week so here we go.

Monday we had dinner with the Ruberts, they aren't in our ward anymore but they wanted to feed us. I love them. We then saw the Slade kids. We had a good lesson with them and brought a laurel with us. They just need to come to church! The kids prayers are always the best. We got a call from Jessica and basically she went to the valley for a bit because her husband is in jail...so that's sad.

Tuesday was good. We had a lesson with Tewana and Shenia on ways to study our scriptures. I totally made Shenia cry. We went tracting in the apartments because my companion needs practice with TTIs and such. She hates talking to people, it's actually pretty funny. We did meet a potential and we also met a less-active that wants to meet with us! We then went by some less-actives to make an appointment.

Wednesday we saw Jesse. I don't know how to get through to him! I asked him a lot of questions and he gets defensive and stubborn fast. I feel like he is fighting the Spirit or something. We had a lesson with Joanna and she read some of the Book of Mormon! We taught her the plan of salvation. She is progressing but her husband is totally holding her back which is sad. Molly then had her baptismal interview and totally passed!! She is awesome. She is keeping all of her commitments and even paid tithing on Sunday and is doing laundry and other things on Saturday to keep the sabbath day holy! She is such an example to me.

Thursday we drove to the valley a couple days early because show low was going to get a huge snow storm so President wanted us to leave early. And it's true they got like 10 inches I think. So we drove down there - & went straight to chick fil a duh! And then we had an amazing opportunity to go to the Gilbert temple!!!  it was so beautiful and amazing! The temple was just what I needed. But really I felt like a queen in that temple because it looked like a castle. Then we went to get cafe rio with some sisters. Then we went proselyting with some sisters that we were staying with - Sister Johnson & Woolbert. They were great hosts. They are serving in Scottsdale YSA. It was weird going to nice houses & apartments again! I feel like I'm just so use to trailer parks now.

Friday we had zone conference! It was really good & I learned/ was reminded a lot. We practiced teaching the restoration & it was helpful. We also talked about the Holy Ghost. What would we do without the Holy Ghost, I am not sure at all. President read John 14:16 & it stood out to me. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." Abide means to continue without fasting or being lost. We can have the influence of the Spirit to be with us always & to not fade but be there just like He was the day we got confirmed. It rained like all Friday which I loved. At night we contacted in old town in the rain. It was a lot of fun, I was with Sister Woolbert. She is also from Seattle area!

Saturday the whole mission got together to meet Elder Oaks! Note that this is the first time our whole mission has been together since I have been out so it was really exciting. Elder Wickman of the 70 also joined him. So we were all in the gym waiting for him to come in to take a picture with him. We were singing songs to prepare. As we were singing "Called to Serve," Elder Oaks walks in & I just felt the Spirit his me so hard. I could believe there was an apostle of the Lord standing right in front of us! We then all got to shake his hand! I was smiling so big when I did! He later told us that as he did that he was looking into our eyes and that there is something in us that shines into our countenance that shows our obedience and dedication. I thought that was really cool & a huge compliment to our mission. We sang "How Firm a Foundation" to him & I could see him the whole time singing a lot with us. He was so cute! It was truly an amazing experience being able to receive counsel from an apostle. It was so inspiring. I can't put into words everything he said but I want to share some of the most inspiring for me! First he did talk about religious freedom & that if we don't have democracy then we don't have religious freedom. He talked about how this is not our mission but His mission. It's so true, it is His work according to His own time table. I know that God has been preparing me to serve His mission to help His children. He left 45 minutes for questions. Something that stood out to me is how simple the gospel is; Elder Oaks made it so simple. I think we were all looking for huge insights & answers but they were all so simple. God doesn't keep mysteries for us. He doesn't leave us alone in the dark. He said to keep your covenants and keep the commandments & you'll grow into what He wants you to become. He told us to partake of the sacrament worthily and humbly. And I love that he said love overrides everything. Charity is not what we do but what we become. Elder Oaks is so converted and dedicated. You can see & feel it. I could feel His calling & that he was a man called by God. Also I didn't realize how funny Elder Oaks is. Here are some funny quotes I have to share:

"Bald is beautiful"

"Make your questions general because I am a general authority"

"Psalm of Solomon is biblical trash"

"I can't hear women, don't put that on the internet!"

Later that day we contacted at the lake. It was such a nice day. The valley is so nice. Also I tried running after a goose - I don't recommend doing that because I almost died! I had to literally run for my life! We then went to dinner at Lo Los and had chicken and waffles. And Kari from Jerusalem ate with us! It was so fun seeing her!! We then went all the way to cave creek to proselyte.

Sunday was awesome because Sister Gulley and I got to go to our old ward for sacrament - Larkspur Ward! It was so fun seeing everyone! It honestly didn't even feel like I had left. And it was a total miracle because the Debeckendorffs were there!! We used to teach them. I guess they moved away but just moved back & they decided to come to church. It's no coincidence that we were both here! We introduced them to the missionaries serving there. God's timing truly is perfect. We drove back up the mountain & it is such a pretty drive! We had a lesson with Molly on temples. She is so cute and wants to get endowed in the salt lake temple - I'm totally going to be there. We also found 3 new investigators last night, the Martinez family! They are pretty solid & we are excited to start teaching them!

In D&C 88:67 it says, “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.” To have your eye single to the glory of God means to have your focus completely on God's purpose. This is also my purpose as a missionary which is pretty cool.

Oh & I finished the New Testament last night!! I have come to know my Savior more & I am so grateful for Him. Brother Ashton said, "The doctrine of Christ on the other hand is the means--the only means--by which we can obtain all of the blessings made available to us through Jesus’s Atonement. It is the doctrine of Christ that allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected like the Savior." The doctrine of Christ is how we can access the atonement fully & to eventually live with Heavenly Father again which is the greatest gift.

I'm grateful for my mission. Every day on my mission is a monumental day. There is nothing I'd rather be doing. I hope you all have a blessed week!

--xo: sista fisha

Gilbert Temple

Elder Oaks & whole mission

Contacting around a lake

chicken & waffles w/ kari

racing a lamborghini

Scottsdale sunrise

Reunited with the Debeckendorffs

week 64: i literally can't think of a subject

Monday, January 16th, 2017

Hello FRIENDS.

holy guacamole. Have I been so busy & stressed. I forgot how hard training is haha. But my trainee, Sister Clipp is awesome!! We get along great. It's just crazy cause we have been so busy that we barely have time for studies. Oh and I am STL again so yeah it's crazy. Nothing too exciting has happened and I didn't take very many pictures but I'll try to catch you up.

Tuesday we met with Trista who is a less-active 13 year old. We had a short lesson on the new year. We asked her mom who isn't a member if she would be interested in meeting with us. She wasn't oh well. We are seeing Trista again tonight and want to get the ward more involved with her. We had a relief society activity in paloma ward & it was way fun. The women are hilarious.

Wednesday we had district meeting and it was good cause we had Brother Kai, a high counselor over missionary work come and train us. It was awesome. We then had a lesson with Molly, and women from the ward came. She is in 2 Nephi! She is amazing. We then had a lesson with Christine Bottoms and then Tewana. They are both good and have been coming to church! We met with Bishop Lofgreen to get his vision. We had a lesson with Emma and very simply went over who God and Jesus are. We had our first lesson with a guy named Chris Fisher, we had it at the Ramirez house who are recent converts. It went really well!

Thursday we had a lesson with Jesse. He is the most stubborn man and idk how to get through to him. We just need to be really bold with him. He didn't come to gospel principles...he says he isn't ready but I don't believe that. He has been going to church for 20 yrs! Molly then made us lunch, she is so cute. We taught about the word of wisdom and she has already kept it for a month! Like whatttt. She is so amazing and so prepared. We then had a lesson with Zach, he is doing good. He asked for a priesthood blessing so that's pretty cool.

Friday we had a lesson with Jessica. She is doing okay but isn't reading every day but she is coming to church so that's good. We had a lesson with Joanna & taught the restoration. It went well and we brought Sister Lewis. She says she will start reading the Book of Mormon. It's sad cause her husband is holding her back. We then had a lesson with Noah and had talked about prophets. We talked about Noah & the ark. His only concern "how did all the animals on the ark not kill each other?" Haha he is so cute.

Saturday we went to Sal & Teresa's for lunch with Brother Moore to have correlation. We had another lesson with Noah. He is doing good and reading his Book of Mormon. We brought two others eleven year old boys from the Ward and they are so cute. We then had dinner and correlation with brother Willis. We visited some members and then I really felt like we should visit the hill family, pmf. They let us in & it was really good, the mom is less-active and the 3 teenagers are not members. Anyways they are open to listening and we are seeing them on Friday!

Sunday morning we met with Bishop Genet. We revised the ward mission plan. We had two ward councils & I had to leave my trainee. She was so nervous but she lasted all of church without me. I went to Paloma Ward. A YW that lives next to the Hill family & is friends with the son. She gave a talk and said how someone told her to pray for the Holy Ghost to soften the Hill boys heart & then talked about how the missionaries went over last night to his house and invited him to meet with them & he was open to it. So that was cool. We told some members about us meeting with them and they got so excited. Just pray for them please! I hope it goes well. I love getting members involved in missionary work though. We had a lesson with Molly at the Moores and it went well. It was on keeping the sabbath day holy & today when we had another lesson with her she said she didn't finish her laundry yesterday to keep it holy. So proud of that girl. We then visited some members on the ward council.

A quote I read this week that I like...

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable” - Elder Orson F. Whitney

& REMEMBER "we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience."

I'm grateful for my experiences because they have brought me to have a stronger testimony & love of my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm here because of Him. I love testifying of Him every day! I love my mission & all the amazing people I have met. I'm so glad I still have four more months.

2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

It's all about Him. I hope you have an amazing week! I know I will! Dallin H. Oaks is coming to our mission Saturday!! Imma pee my pants. 

--xo: sista fisha

Sister Clipp

I got these shirts at the thrift store cause she is in TRAINING