"Hey you look really different--Have you lost weight?" - Cafe Rio cashier to me today. (I really go there to much!)
I really can't explain to you how much I love this Gainesville ward. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be here for another transfer. I really like to stay in my areas for a long time, don't I? Transfers were on Thursday and I cried like a little child. Most of my dear friends went home this transfer including Sister Hills and Sister Lindmeir. They have been so influential in my missionary work and I am so grateful for them! My new companions name is Sister Schramm. She is from Mapleton, UT and loves being a missionary. She came in the transfer after I did and so we both are working so hard and have already seen much success. We are both Sister Training Leaders. Sister Schramm just became one so I will be able to show her the ropes.
We have seen a lot of miracles lately... You would not expect anything less right? On Friday we had an appointment that ended early and so we had time to check on potential investigators. I told Sister Schramm that we needed to go and see this one individual and after 5 minutes of driving I had this thought to turn and knock on this certain door. I knew that I had knocked on this door once before with no luck. I really did not remember who lived there. I knew it was either a less active member or a potential. We parked the car and walked up to the home. We knocked... no answer.. We knocked again and this older gentleman came to the door. We talked to him and let him know that we are missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He smiled and said, come on in my wife is in the family room. We then found out that this was a less active member who had not had contact with missionaries in years. She started to get teary eyed and told us that we were an answer to her prayers. She now wants visiting teachers and the ward is thrilled to have made contact with her. I know that the Holy Ghost influenced me to turn the car around and knock on this house. I am so grateful for the guidance I receive daily.
The next miracle happened at church. I don't know if I told you about the Chalmers and their situation a while back. It was a mom and grandma who Sister Stott and I reactivated back in April/May. Sister Chalmers son went missing around the same time that we made contact with them for the first time. Sister Chalmers now has her son back and she brought him to church for the first time yesterday. The Chalmers also received a calling in the church. I am so grateful for reactivation and the miracles I see from it daily.
After church we made contact with Vivian and she wants us to come back. I will keep you updated on her progression. After we had a long visit with Vivian, we knocked on this door and a lady came to the door. I had a prompting to focus on overcoming trials as we talked with her at this door approach. We asked some inspired questions, read a verse in the Book of Mormon, and she completely opened up. She told us that she really is going through a difficult time and she also said we came at the perfect time. I invited her to baptism and we said a prayer with her. She has a little daughter and a husband who will join us in the next lesson. MIRACLE!
I really could go on and on but I know that if I did you would be reading my email all day. I really am at a good place in my missionary work. I love being a missionary and being able to be a servant in the Lords hands. I know that as all of us as members of the church are prepared in our heart and in our mind to do missionary work, we will see lives change and in return our lives will change. I have seen so many hearts soften and so many lives change out here. I really cannot doubt the power of God. I know without a doubt that He lives!
Wow, it's almost August. Time really just continues to get away from us. I have three transfers to work my little heart out. I hope Josh and Trevor have a good ole time at EFY! Sister McCorm is now an EFY counselor. Maybe she will be in their group? Hmm... Dad and mom, I never knew that you were concert junkies? I hope you had a fun time at Styx. It will also be nice to have Ade in town. Has she started her mission papers yet? I love you and I will see you guys at 5pm (your time). We will be talking a lot about baptism and confirmation. If you can, study Mosiah 18 before we meet.
Love your sister missionary,
Sister Smith
I really can't explain to you how much I love this Gainesville ward. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be here for another transfer. I really like to stay in my areas for a long time, don't I? Transfers were on Thursday and I cried like a little child. Most of my dear friends went home this transfer including Sister Hills and Sister Lindmeir. They have been so influential in my missionary work and I am so grateful for them! My new companions name is Sister Schramm. She is from Mapleton, UT and loves being a missionary. She came in the transfer after I did and so we both are working so hard and have already seen much success. We are both Sister Training Leaders. Sister Schramm just became one so I will be able to show her the ropes.
We have seen a lot of miracles lately... You would not expect anything less right? On Friday we had an appointment that ended early and so we had time to check on potential investigators. I told Sister Schramm that we needed to go and see this one individual and after 5 minutes of driving I had this thought to turn and knock on this certain door. I knew that I had knocked on this door once before with no luck. I really did not remember who lived there. I knew it was either a less active member or a potential. We parked the car and walked up to the home. We knocked... no answer.. We knocked again and this older gentleman came to the door. We talked to him and let him know that we are missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He smiled and said, come on in my wife is in the family room. We then found out that this was a less active member who had not had contact with missionaries in years. She started to get teary eyed and told us that we were an answer to her prayers. She now wants visiting teachers and the ward is thrilled to have made contact with her. I know that the Holy Ghost influenced me to turn the car around and knock on this house. I am so grateful for the guidance I receive daily.
The next miracle happened at church. I don't know if I told you about the Chalmers and their situation a while back. It was a mom and grandma who Sister Stott and I reactivated back in April/May. Sister Chalmers son went missing around the same time that we made contact with them for the first time. Sister Chalmers now has her son back and she brought him to church for the first time yesterday. The Chalmers also received a calling in the church. I am so grateful for reactivation and the miracles I see from it daily.
After church we made contact with Vivian and she wants us to come back. I will keep you updated on her progression. After we had a long visit with Vivian, we knocked on this door and a lady came to the door. I had a prompting to focus on overcoming trials as we talked with her at this door approach. We asked some inspired questions, read a verse in the Book of Mormon, and she completely opened up. She told us that she really is going through a difficult time and she also said we came at the perfect time. I invited her to baptism and we said a prayer with her. She has a little daughter and a husband who will join us in the next lesson. MIRACLE!
I really could go on and on but I know that if I did you would be reading my email all day. I really am at a good place in my missionary work. I love being a missionary and being able to be a servant in the Lords hands. I know that as all of us as members of the church are prepared in our heart and in our mind to do missionary work, we will see lives change and in return our lives will change. I have seen so many hearts soften and so many lives change out here. I really cannot doubt the power of God. I know without a doubt that He lives!
Wow, it's almost August. Time really just continues to get away from us. I have three transfers to work my little heart out. I hope Josh and Trevor have a good ole time at EFY! Sister McCorm is now an EFY counselor. Maybe she will be in their group? Hmm... Dad and mom, I never knew that you were concert junkies? I hope you had a fun time at Styx. It will also be nice to have Ade in town. Has she started her mission papers yet? I love you and I will see you guys at 5pm (your time). We will be talking a lot about baptism and confirmation. If you can, study Mosiah 18 before we meet.
Love your sister missionary,
Sister Smith