week 70: getting muddy

Monday, February 27th, 2017

Hellooooo again

This week went super fast. We went hiking to some caves this morning and it was way fun. They are in Vernon. The cave went a mile back. It was SO muddy but lots of fun. Singing hymns in there was really cool.

Monday we had a lesson with Clarise! We finally got to see her. She has been super busy. We then had a lesson with Zach. He is doing good. He really loves church so it's sad that he has to work on some Sundays now.

Tuesday we had a lesson with the Raymonds on families. We finally got to see Emma as well. They might be moving soon but they don't know where. Emma is actually getting it which is cool to see. We then had a lesson with Trista and Sister Butler came with us. Trista is a cutie.

Wednesday night we gave little talks about receiving our mission call & such cause the kids are doing a mini mission thing. It made me realize how grateful I really am that I came out on my mission. I can't imagine my life without it. We had a lesson with Molly, she got fired from her job...but it's a good thing, and her mom is sending her anti stuff so that's not good at all. I'm a little worried.

Thursday we did weekly planning and then had an awesome lesson with Joanna. We then went to the valley, we got five guys on the way there. We stayed with some sisters in Scottsdale.

Friday we had MLC! Two men from the missionary came and taught us, it was SO good. Their names are Brother Gonzales and Cates. It was 7 hours long though...oh man. We talked about planning/ teaching/ finding. I was like why haven't I learned this my whole mission? It kind of makes you feel like an awful missionary - but there is continual learning in the field. I have just seen the work hasten so much since being out. President and Sister Robinson talked about the doctrine of Christ. I love learning about the doctrine of Christ, it's really everything we do as missionaries - I mean it is our purpose. President also talked about how making and keeping covenants gives us the power of godliness. It was so nice in the valley, I love going down there (& we got chick fil a) but then I'm always ready to come back to the mountains.

Saturday we drove back. It took forever cause there was a marathon in Mesa. Long story short we finally got the other sisters from Mesa. Sister Clipp and Ames took over our areas for the weekend and I think it was really good for them. Sister Clipp seems more confident now. We had dinner with the Ricketts. Noah is such a good recent concert! He is reading and he said the other day he searched Joseph Smith movie on YouTube. He loved it so much.

Sunday was church. It was good. Nothing too exciting I don't think. We had a lesson with the Ramirez family on scripture study.

Sooo I finished Jesus the Christ this week. I just couldn't set it down. So good. I loved reading it, especially after I had just read the New Testament. I wanna share a paragraph from the Book about the Atonement.

"Christ’s agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind, both as to intensity and cause. The thought that He suffered through fear of death is untenable. Death to Him was preliminary to resurrection and triumphal return to the Father from whom He had come, and to a state of glory even beyond what He had before possessed; and, moreover, it was within His power to lay down His life voluntarily. He struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible. It was not physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing. No other man, however great his powers of physical or mental endurance, could have suffered so; for his human organism would have succumbed, and syncope would have produced unconsciousness and welcome oblivion. In that hour of anguish Christ met and overcame all the horrors that Satan could inflict." - James E. Talmage

I read the general conference talk from last conference this week called "Repentance: A Joyful Choice" by Elder Renlund. I love that talk a lot. I love how He talks about how repentance is a choice. He says "Even as we feel godly sorrow for our actions, when we choose to repent, we immediately invite the Savior into our lives." Repenting is turning to the Savior & making changes to become more like Him. It is joyous because of the Savior. It is the good news of the gospel!

In 1 Nephi 7:17, Nephi prays after his brothers bound him with cords, he says, "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." Nephi didn't pray to have his circumstance changed but for the strength to change his circumstances. He understood the enabling power of the Atonement.

I'm grateful for the Atonement and that I can gain strength and forgiveness from my Savior because of it. I'm starting a new book called The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister & I'm soooo excited to read it! Well I hope you all have a fantastic week! Love you!

--xo: sista fisha

weekly planning

da sky

locked out of the apt

the valley

da sky

spelunking

muddy

exploring

artsy

Week 69: do you want to be a mormon?...okay bye...

Monday, February 20th, 2017

Hi friends.

This week was pretty good! The beginning of the week was a little hard, none of our investigators are progressing and we have been working really hard to find new investigators but not a lot of luck. This weekend we found 3 though! We had a mini-missionary this week named Sister Layton & it was so fun to have her. I tried my best to have Sister Clipp lead and she did awesome. She is coming out of her shell more. This week is transfers but don't worry Sister Clipp and I are still staying here! Weird I only have two transfers left.

Monday not a lot happened, we set up some appointments with some people. We also talked to Haley's mom a bit who is a less-active.

Tuesday was a good Valentine's Day! We had taco Tuesday with brother Duncan. We then had service in Linden but they were so late - so while we were waiting we took pics with cows. We went to Haley's because she had something for us - chocolate covered strawberries! Yum, she is so cute. We heart attacked some people we taught and brought them cookies, it was a lot of fun. We had dinner at the Rubert's, the Elders were there as well - what a romantic dinner. We had a lesson with Kirby - it didn't go as well as I would have hoped. He is willing to meet and is open but just has some really strange views. I had to hold my tongue a lot haha. He doesn't think the Book of Mormon is true and is skeptical of it. He can't get an answer if it is true if he is like that. We will see how our next lesson goes.

Wednesday we had district meeting, it was good. We visited Bonnie, she is so funny. She insisted on giving us money - a roll of quarters equaling $10. Haha it's awkward when people give us money because they get mad if you decline. We knocked on lots of doors this day. I'm just praying a lot for the faith to find.

Thursday we had a lesson with a guy named TJ, he is a less-active that we met knocking doors. He is wanting to get back to church! He doesn't know if he wants to go to singles ward yet. That night we did some family history work with Molly!

Friday we had a lesson with Noah. It was really good. We watched the restoration video with him and he said he loved it. He is so cute. We had another boy his age named Ryker come. They got a long great so that's good. We really just want Noah to have friends! Noah also talked about how he knows the Book of Mormon is true, it was really cute. We then picked up our mini- missionary! She came from the valley!

Saturday for exercise we did district sports. We then had our first lesson with the Munoz-Arroyo kids. It went well and they committed to baptism! I don't think the dad will let them get baptized but we shall see. We can't teach them sadly though -- we are passing them off to the Spanish Elders because they understand it better. They are cute though. Zoe started crying in her closing prayer, it was sweet. We had a lesson with Tewana on revelation, it was good. We decided to knock doors on this on street, the first door we went to a man was getting out of his car. He had just driven from California to pick up this cute puppy. He tells us he was baptized when he was 21 which was 50 years ago. Anyways we are hoping to get him active! He was a really nice guy.

Sunday we last minute had to go to PEC. Sister Layton & I went to Paloma Ward. Molly gave a really awesome testimony in gospel principles, she started crying it was the cutest thing. She talked about how much the gospel/ church has helped her. I just feel like God's timing is perfect and she found it at a perfect time. Im so glad that I got to be the one here for it all. It's moments like that - that make me realize this is why I am here and the hard times are worth it, even if I save one sheep. I was sitting in relief society and the relief society was in the hallway & called me out. There was a woman from another ward and she had an awesome referral for us! We went over after church and she is totally interested! I'm so excited! Her name is Rebecca! I feel like getting that referral was totally a tender mercy. I know that when we are trying our best, God will bless our efforts. We then dropped off our mini- missionary, sad. It was so fun having her here, she would make a great missionary! We had a lesson with the Tsosies and it was actually really good. They were at church & asked if we could see them that day.

Here are some great quotes that I have been thinking of from last genconf!

"God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for each of us depends on how we respond to His love" - Elder Christofferson

"Every moment of precious prayer can be holy time spent with our Father." - Sister McConkie

I have really come to love praying on my mission, I'm not always the best at it. But I am truly grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that listens to my problems and helps me through them. I know His love is infinite & lasts forever. I'm grateful for my relationship with Him.

Proverbs 3:18 "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her."

I found that scripture this week & I like it! Hope you have a happy week! 

--xo: sista fisha

Taco Tuesday with Brother Duncan

Me and cows

happy valentines to me

We heart attacked people!

Our mini-missionary!

The Rim with Molly & her kids

week 68: happy galentine's day

Monday, February 13th, 2017

Hiiiiiii!!!iii

Yes today is galentines day (day before Valentine's Day), if you watch parks & rec you know what I am talking about.

Still here in Show Low. I've been in the mountains foreverrrr, it has been way nice weather here though. Like warm, like I don't need to wear tights. Someone told me this week though that my legs need to see some sun...so that was nice. But yeah I am white. It's what being on a mission does to you. I can't really think of anything exciting that happened this week so I will try not to bore you.

Monday we saw the Raymonds and Trista Brewer. We found out today though that she isn't in any of our wards though...struggle.

Tuesday we dropped Jesse, which was sad. We will still see him at church though. It's just all on his timing though. We visited Tewana, we are gonna see her less cause she is pretty active now which is awesome. Clarise canceled...so we saw the Shields. They really just aren't ready to come back to church sadly.

Wednesday we saw Joanna. She didn't read the Book of Mormon so we read with her. She has some pretty good fellowship which is good. We also saw Molly. She went to the valley this weekend to tell her parents she got baptized so I hope that all goes well. She is awesome.

Thursday I was on exchanges with Sister Israelsen! So that was fun. Lots of knocking doors and no one answering. We had some good adventures though. We did see Jessica, I think we are seeing her this week before she moves as well. We showed up to Emma's lesson with a member but she wasn't home...we then had a lesson with Zach, he is doing well!

Friday was a good day. We saw the Williamsons and Aidan is cute and really smart. He liked the Book of Mormon, he was like yeah I already know it is true! We then saw the Slade kids and Sister Willis came with us.

Saturday we saw a guy named Kirby. He was a member referral so we thought he wasn't a member. Turns out he is! Haha welcome to Arizona. He doesn't remember anything though really. We taught him the restoration, he really liked our visit. We had a good conversation. His fiancé isn't a member and he just got out of rehab. He has totally changed his life around. We had a valentines dance in Show Low Ward, so we helped them with that. It was way fun and there were some nonmembers!

Sunday we gave talks in church! On charity/missionary work. It went well I think. Kirby and his fiancé came!! It was so awesome! I think he really liked it! Idk about her though. I'm really excited to work with Kirby. He really likes us, he says people have been trying to get him to church for years, but we are the only ones who have got him here.

Since it's Valentine's Day tomorrow here is a quote about love!

“Love … is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, church, and neighbors.” - President Hinckley

In Matthew 22:36- 39 one of the Pharisees asked Christ, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Loving Him is the first great commandment. When we love Him, we will want to keep His Commandments. We share the gospel because we love Him. When we love Him - we will keep the 2nd greatest commandment as well.

I love my Savior & my Heavenly Father. I feel like the least I can do is share His message with others. God has given me so much, it's why I am here, because I love Him, His love motivates me every day.

Have an amazing week & happy Valentine's Day! I love you all ️

"For God so loVed the world
          that he gAve
               his onLy begotten Son

      that whosoEver believeth
                        iN him
        should noT
                     perIsh but
  have everlastiNg
                       lifE"
-John 3:16

--xo: sista fisha

Hitchcocks

exchanges w/ sis israelsen

valentines dance

ELK

galentine's day

week 67: day469

Monday, February 6th, 2017

Hello everyone!!

This week was good! Noah got baptized!! Not much else really happened, same old same old! We had interviews with president this morning & got donuts so that was good. Also I've got 99 more days on my mission...double digits 

Monday we visited the Raymonds, we are trying to help them get active & strengthen their faith. We also visited Sister Lambdin - a less-active. We read the Book of Mormon with her.

Tuesday was taco tuesdayyyy. Like always. We can only go for 30 mins now though. Which is better anyways. We knocked on lots of doors, no answers. Afternoons are hard. We had a lesson with Joanna! She said yes to getting baptized! We still need to work on some things with her though. She doesn't get the organization of the church - we really want to focus her on reading the Book of Mormon. She loved Molly's baptism and a lady in our ward talked to her for a while and really related with her. Basically she just needs to be an example to her kids, hopefully her husband will follow. We had a relief society activity in Show Low Ward - wow they are hilarious.

Wednesday I was on exchanges with Sister Hanson! It was a fun day with her. We taught Jesse - I think he needs time so we are probably going to drop him this week. I keep feeling like it's what we need to do. We had the best lesson with Noah - he is sooo cute. It was on temples and he was soooo excited. It was so cute. We showed him the baptismal font and he was like "it looks like a royal bath!" And at the close of the lesson he said "after this & after I get done with my homework I am going to read the whole Book of Mormon." Haha he loves the gospel. We then had a lesson with Molly. She is awesome - she got her temple recommend yesterday! And she bore her testimony during the sacrament, as well as her 7 yr old daughter. So cute!

Thursday morning we went to the Whipple's & had biscuits &gravy for groundhogs day. They do it every year and the whole town is invited. So it is a huge deal. We then had ZTM & Sis Israelsen & I did our trainings, it went well. We then had to drive all the way over to Taylor to get our phone...haha Sister Hanson took it to Taylor on accident. We had another lesson with Noah. We had a lesson with Zach - it was good. He really wants to get baptized. He is becoming more converted that's for sure.

Friday - weekly planning! We saw Jessica Mejia. She is moving to Tucson soon. She came to church with her kids this week so that was awesome. We then had a lesson with the Slade kids. We then had some trouble with scheduling of things for Noah's baptism but it all worked out. It was very stressful though.

Saturday we were asked to go to the pinewood derby. It was so intense - I'd never been to one before. We then did service for the nonmember and her daughter. Her daughter actually had taken the discussions before. They are both willing to meet with missionaries! So that was cool. They aren't in our area though. We went to lunch with Brother Phil and Jackie. And then Noah got baptized!!! It was stressful before but once I got to the church it was so peaceful. I think it was one of the most peaceful baptisms I had been to. It was small - people still came to support Noah & his brother though. It was pretty perfect, Noah had been waiting for this moment for a while. His confirmation blessing was very cool - I hope he goes on a mission one day! We had eaten so muchhhhh that day that after dinner we had to go home because my companion thought she was going to throw up, she didn't but it was close. Things we have to suffer as missionaries - food.

Sunday was good. Normal day pretty much. It was rough with everyone watching the super bowl but we did get into a few houses. People are so crazy on this day!

I started Jesus the Christ last week. I've been wanting to read it for so long but was so hesitant because it's so long & hard to understand. But I really like it!! I'm going to try to read it before general conference. (Side note I can't wait for gc!!)

Last conference, Elder Renlund said, “We may be perfected by repeatedly and iteratively exercising faith in Christ, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails.”

I'm so grateful for the doctrine of Christ & that I have a knowledge of it because of the restoration. At the missionary broadcast Elder Bednar really talked about how it's not just a checklist. They are all gathered together in one. And when they are tied together, there is power & lasting conversion.

A scripture I came across this week that I like:

"O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee” (Alma 31:34–35)

I love this gospel & that I have a chance to bring precious souls unto Christ every day. Have a happy week! Love you all 

--xo: sista fisha

my baby

Exchanges with Sister Hanson

Jessica

Girl Scout cookies

Noah's baptism