week 25: "satan is the worst!"

Monday, April 18th, 2016

hello my friends!

This week was good. same old same old. We have about a week and a half left of the transfer!! wowzassss. I'm going to get transferred...noooo but I am probs going to the mountains!! hallelujah!

Monday we saw Sister Terry, she is such a sweet lady. Sometimes it's crazy to think about all these amazing people who left the church. The adversary is real but Christ has overcome the earth so there really is no need to fear. Sister Terry did her reading assignment and she was so happy about it. We then had a lesson with the Rossi family. Sister Ransil came with us. Jenn is having a hard time again, it goes up and then down all the time, in this cycle. We got some good advice from President and are excited to meet with them on Thursday.

Tuesday was good. We had a yw come with us to see a potential that we met in his complex. His name is Vernon. so we knock on his door and his dad answers who's name is also vernon (yeah confusing). His son wasn't home so I pretty much am bold and ask him if we can come and share the message with him and his wife that we were going to share with their son. They said okay. They were really nice people. We shared a message with them and we are going to go back to teach them more! We saw Sister Holdiman and she made us muffins :) Brother Bentley called us and said he had a referral for us so we went over there. There was a woman visiting in January who was visiting her non-member sister. She came to Sacrament and Brother Bentley was speaking and she really liked his talk and found him some how and asked him for his talk. She then gave him her sister's information to give to us. We haven't seen her yet, she is never home. But it is still really cool cause you never know who you impact! I actually did meet the woman when she went to church to visit, she was very nice. We had a lesson with the Luongs and Charlie was there and he really liked it! We got a sad text from Tayllor this week. We hadn't seen her in about almost a month because she was sick and busy. And she texted us she needed to take a break from the lessons. It really was like getting broken up by with a boyfriend. Sister Gulley then yelled "satan is the worst!" idk it was funny but we are easily entertained here on the mission. We went by to give her a journal we bought for her before conference and some cookies. She wasn't home so we left it on her doorstep.

Wednesday we had a lesson with Fred. We taught him the restoration and it went well. It's hard to tell whether he understands everything, cause he agrees with a lot of things and gives vague answers back. We went to the Ross home, they are having a hard time with Adam's dad but are in good spirits. We had a good lesson with Joy Christensen that night, we were really bold with her. They are having a hard time. We then saw Vicki Baab and she gave us a referral! She is going to set up the appointment though. We had a lesson with Zach at the Henrie's. It went really well! I love teaching him! He is back on date for April 30! I sadly won't be there though, its the day AFTER transfers. But I am so excited for him!! 

Thursday we had interviews and district meeting!! I love President! Him and his wife are the most sweetest people ever. And so easy going, which is just what I need. We are getting ready for a new president so it's going to be crazy! We saw the Luman's and it was good. I taught them about prayer and they said they are going to say their nightly prayers this week! We had another lesson with Zach in the Tunneys home. We watched the restoration. Even though I have seen it so many times I love it more and more each time I watch it. I am so grateful we have the restored gospel here on earth. We then saw George and his grandson Nick, so it happens to be that Nick is not a member. We are going by tomorrow to teach them. I pretty much was really bold with them and asked when they could meet. I love being bold with people.

Friday we went to the Seminary class and it was like teaching zombies, I think karma came around. oops. We got a lot of referrals from them! We had a miracle and a less-active called us to set up an appointment so we saw him that morning. It's so interesting getting to know different people and stories. We saw Constance but made it short cause she had a migraine. I asked her if she wanted a priesthood blessing and she said yes! Which is a miracle! Yesterday we went over with some priesthood holders in the ward to give her a blessing. It was wonderful, I have come to love the priesthood power on my mission. I know it is real and that it is the same authority Christ had while on earth. We got a sad call from a less-active, Emily, that night so we were trying to help her out. It was pretty crazy. We then saw the DeBenckendorffs and they are doing well. Sister DeBenckendorff came to church on Sunday!!

Saturday was a longgg day. We woke up at 4:30 to go do volunteer at a bike race for MS. It was really fun! We got to cheer for them and hand out food and such. Worldy music was blasting and it's the funniest thing to watch missionaries listen to music for 4 hours straight. We are were trying not to dance. We then met Emily at a park and brought Sister Bentley. She was perfect for Emily and could really relate and give her counsel. It's hard as missionaries cause we can't be their counselor or just a friend. Members help soooo much. Especially the RIGHT member. We then met at a park with Charlie Luong with Brother Vallejo. We read the Book of Mormon with Him and it went very well. The Spirit was there testifying to him that this book is the word of God. The Holy Ghost really is the best teacher, we are the conduit.

Sunday was good. We taught Young Women's about the Restoration. We had a lesson that night about the Atonement with Zach in the Palmer's home. It went really well. Zach is so ready for baptism. 

Today we got to go hike tom's thumb! It was a really fun hike, no sisters wanted to go so we went with elders. it was the most beautiful weather, we went early though of course. It really hasn't been too hot yet though. 

This work is so important, in fact it's the most important thing I will ever do. This is His work. I have never worked so hard in my life. One quote that I have loved on my mission and has kind of kept me going is this by Elder Holland "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy." It's not easy but I can do it and we CAN and WILL do it because we have him on our right and on our left to bear us up and angels are helping us with the work. We are not alone. I am so happy to be a part of this amazing work!

hurray for israel!

xoxo

sista fisha

Love Sister Gulley

Adam

Adam and Donna Ross

Joy Christensen

Me

MS RACE

I put my sunglasses on the baby // so cute

TOMS THUMB

week 24: feeding lemurs

Monday, April 11th, 2016

Another week another email. Let's see here. It was a good one. Here's the recap:

Monday we got to see Weston! He is a less-active that is coming back to church! We had a good lesson with him. He came to church and stayed for 2 hours:)

Tuesday we went to see Constance. She is doing so well. We brought Sister Wynn with us. She hadn't read the Book of Mormon so we read with her. Sister Wynn is the best member present and told her she would pick her up for sacrament meeting. Constance was like I'll go all three hours! And she went to an empty nesters FHE and seemed to really enjoy it. Constance always makes us food when we go over, she is so sweet. We saw Stephanie who is active but lives in an assisted living home so she doesn't come to church. She really needed our visit so it was cool that we were inspired to see her. We then saw Sue and taught her a lesson. We saw Mike again, he told us he is gay and atheist. We tried to share with him a mormon message but he didn't really watch it. He really opened up to us though. It sounds like he has had a rough life. And then he was talking about how much he loves marijuana. And then I think Saturday he calls us telling us how much he appreciates us coming by. He said even though you don't always convert people you might change their life. It was so cute and he was saying how much happier he is. He says he is being healed. He is using the Atonement even though he doesn't realize it! But it's amazing to impact people's lives even though you don't really think you are. We then saw the Luongs that night. They are so good, Linh bore her sweeet testimony in sacrament meeting. I mean my heart literally melted.

Wednesday we had ZTM, which was good. They pretty much told us all the things that we are doing wrong, but it is motivating us to be better. Sue called us during the meeting and told us she found a tumor on her thyroid, that is why he voice has been gone for over a month, it's pressing on her vocal chord. She was really upset about it and asked us to come over. We read a talk with her. They told her she won't get her voice back :( pray for her! We then saw the DeBenckendorffs and Sister Pruel came with us! It was really good. Their resident that lives in one of their rooms, his name is Carlos, came and sat in on a lesson! It was really cool. We planned on teaching the Word of Wisdom and I was a little hesitant because Word of Wisdom isn't normally the first lesson we teach people! But Carlos had some cool comments. As well as Amelia. She bore her testimony about it and has some personal stories about the Word of Wisdom. Oh and their daughter MEGAN got BAPTIZED in new jersey on Saturday :))) oh my heart. 

Thursday we volunteered at Amber Creek Inn, my fav. We then saw Sister Holdiman and she was so happy. Sister Chase came with us. Brother Holdiman found out this week that he has skin cancer on the back of his head so he was bummed about that. And then we got a referral for a guy named Fred and he has cancer too. So it has been a week full of cancer, no fun. But Fred is really amazing. He has been going to church for a while and moved from Biltmore. There is a member there that was a really good fellowshipper. We went over on Saturday and brought the Elders and they gave him a blessing. He was told he only has 6 months to live, I can't even imagine. He is from Germany so he has a real cool accent.

Friday we had a lesson with Zach! Finally! We had it at the Lesueur home and it was really good! Kaytie Kerr came with us. He didn't read his Book of Mormon...so we read with him. It was really good and we got to talk about revelation. He said he wants to get baptized May 7, but we will probably move it to the Saturday before to April 30. Some members took us out to red robin, yum so good. and then we had a miracle! We knocked on a less-active door, her name is Tawni Price and she answered and was so nice and totally let us in! (which pretty much never happens). Her husband is not a member and she has an almost 8 year old son. We got to share a message with her and leave her a Book of Mormon. We are excited to get to know her more! 

Saturday we had a lot of lessons in active members home which was so good! You could tell they all needed a visit. We didn't get any referrals but we got some names of some less-actives they told us to see! I love the members here because they are so willing to help. We saw the Pavlicks and it was probably the best lesson with them we have ever had. We talked about temples and invited them back to the temple. She says she doesn't go to church because after sitting for the one hour she is down for 2 days later...lol she is very dramatic. but we love her anyway. Brother Pavlick said the closing prayer which was good because he never talks. We then went to see Karen Cummings (the one with ALL the animals). Like I can't even describe to you how many animals she has. Like she used to own camels and BISON. She has all these licenses to own all these animals. She has a pet skunk and he is so cute. I got to hold a skunk. What. And all these exotic animals I had never heard before. And its spring so she has all of these babiesssss. The puppies and baby goats were to die for. She let us feed the lemurs haha. Her grandkids were there so they gave us a whole tour. 

Sunday was good. We taught relief society in Larkspur ward. It went really well for not really preparing anything. haha I have definitely learn to wing things on my mission...We then went Brother Newman's. He doesn't go to church because he has severe depression so it is pretty sad. We had a good lesson with him. Then there was a missionary fireside. Grace and Nate brought Zach and he fell asleep in the middle of it! baha. So they all left during it...haha awkward. I guess he worked until 2 last night. And the fireside was music and the spoken word so it was all singing.

A quote that I really like is "perhaps at no other time do we feel the divine love of the Savior as abundantly as we do when we repent." All repentance is is change and love. The Savior not only cleanses us when we sin but he strengthens us! He gives us strength to overcome temptation to stay on the straight and narrow. Remember no sin is ever too big that the Atonement cannot overcome. Jesus Christ loves you and is cheering for you!

until next time

xoxo

sista fisha

Bike week in Scottsdale

Blue chick

4 day old puppies

Skunk

I don't even know what that is called

Bunnies everywhere

Feeding the exotic animal

Lizards everywhere grossss

Feeding lemurs

Free froyo cause a member works there

Hiked pinnacle peak!

High school musical 3 part 2

week 23: april rules

Monday, April 4th, 2016

it's APRIL! where is time going? New months are great for missionaries because 1 more money on our card and 2 more miles for the car. General Conference was so good, as you all already know. It really is the super bowl for missionaries.

Monday we had a lesson with the Luongs and then we went over to the Browns for FHE. It's been really good getting into homes for FHE and getting to know the members better. members trust is SO important!

Tuesday we went to see Frank, he is a man living in an assisted living home. He was the one we met on the street. He bought us lunch and he is so nice. Assisted living homes are just the cutest. Frank has such a crazy life. His wife passed away, he got shot in the side, and his daughter was murdered. We talked a lot about faith. We don't know how interested he is but he is pretty religious. We then found out he is just outside our area so we sent him to the elders. We saw Mike Gonzales and he is doing well. He listened to conference which was great. We then saw Sister Holdiman, we brought Sister Rogers with us and it was really good. I hadn't seen her that happy for a while! She was less-stubborn when we brought someone. We then met with Bishop Jorganson and went over the Quorum of the 12 plan with him. We are trying to implement it and get him excited about it.

Wednesday we had exchanges! I was with Sister Israelson in Cave Creek! I just love her. We get along so well. She is just such a down to earth missionary. I love being in different areas and meeting the people they teach. You always learn a lot of exchanges! We ate dinner at Elder Morgan's house so that was fun (that's Stephanie Myer's dad btw, he works at the office). Oh and side note I guess one of our investigators Jackie yelled at us and dropped us. They had a member with them and I guess it was just bad. Pray for Jackie!

Thursday we went to have lunch with Jenn and we got there and she canceled on us :( She is just so busy. But she gave us money for Inn N Out so I can't complain. We got to bring her a journal to take notes on for conference! She and her family went to Utah for conference! They got to go to the Sunday afternoon session. JEALOUS. We had a lesson with Zach at Barnes and Noble. It was good but he seemed really stressed with work and everything. He got a car this week so that's good! We got a referral this week for a less-active. Her name is Emily. We went over and she was SO sweet. She is 23 and has 2 kids. She is living with her boyfriend and I guess he is very anti. Emily wants to come back to church and have that foundation and stability for her kids. They only thing is her boyfriend does not want his kids to go. She is having a hard time with that. I'm really excited to get to know her and teach her. We are going to go shopping with her soon to get her dress clothes for church. She hasn't gone to church in 10 years. Her family is active though. We met a less-active's grandpa that night too, his name is George. We got to share the Hallelujah video with him, he really liked it. We are going to visit him again :)

Friday we had a lesson with Constance. She is just so amazing. She started reading the Book of Mormon! She is amazing. She sets up members to come with us and her own appointments! We then had a short lesson with Zach and Alyssa came as well. They were both late so we had 15 minutes but it was a good lesson. We then tried to see a lot of less-actives. We ended up seeing a lot! Some said we could come by again and others weren't interested. So it was productive.

Saturday we watched the morning general conference with Constance! Her TV didn't have the channel so we walked to a members to watch it. Constance then made us lunch, she is so nice. We then watched the afternoon session with Sue. It was so good. We had a lesson with Zach. We taught him the last lesson he needs before baptism. This whole week we were a little worried if he was ready or not. We want to make sure he is committed. He wasn't reading his Book of Mormon and that night Sister Daughtee looked a bit worried as well. 

Sunday we watched the morning session at the Holdimans! Sister Holdiman loved it. She then made us lunch. I feel like i'm at my grandparents over there. They are so cute. We then went to the Daughtees to watch conference with Zach. He wasn't there though and he went to go get jimmy johns...he came in though when conference already started. He said he really liked conference. We then met with him and went over the baptismal interview questions. He slipped up with the Word of Wisdom so we are going to postpone the baptism a bit. We don't know when it will be. But it will be a good time for Zach and to apply the Atonement in his life. It's sad but it is for the best and maybe what needed to happen. Zach is so strong and he does have a testimony of the gospel, this is just going to strengthen it. We then saw the Christensens, Mike Gonzales and the Lumans. All were really good lessons. It's the best feeling knowing you can help someone come unto Christ. It's really an honor to be His representative!

This week I have learned a lot and I have been able to see the love Heavenly Father has for all His children. His divine chastening is because he knows us better than we know ourselves. His plan is to build us better than we could ever become. When judgement day comes he is going to look at who we became. And we cannot doing it without our Advocate. He does make us whole no matter how broken we are. I loved conference and listening to the leaders. The Prophet Thomas S Monson is called of God and does receive revelation for US in THIS day from God. I love what Elder Holland had to say about Lucifer and how he can not progress and so he does not want us to progress. But we CAN. It's our choice and we can DO it. Christ makes salvation and happiness possible. And remember "GOD will never desert us, He will always stand by us." Oh I also loved what President Uchtdorf said "obdience is the process of which we discover what we are truly made of." We can have all the blessings God is willing to give us if we are obedient to Him. If we come unto Him, He will draw near unto us.

I love this gospel! I love being a missionary! 

xoxo

Sista Fisha

This is old but it's when I went street contacting for the first time with Sister Israelson! First day on the mission wowzas

Exchanges with Sister Israelson and loofahs from the ground

Low quality pic of a coyote

Tori and Jenna are the craziest girls

Hayley!!