Carlee and Sister Thacker with Sister Price. . .
Carlee's war with a pen. . .I think she lost the battle!
Carlee and Sister Thacker enjoying the beautiful flowers in Ohio!
Three Leaf-Clover!
13 years ago
Monday, August 31, 2009
Having Another Week of Adventures. . .
Look at our 'little goose girl', it is such a Carlee photo. . .
Carlee and Sister Thacker with Sister Price. . .
Carlee's war with a pen. . .I think she lost the battle!
Carlee and Sister Thacker enjoying the beautiful flowers in Ohio!
Carlee and Sister Thacker with Sister Price. . .
Carlee's war with a pen. . .I think she lost the battle!
Carlee and Sister Thacker enjoying the beautiful flowers in Ohio!
It's Been Quite The Week. . .
August 30, 2009
Hello from the Ohio!
Man, it is beautiful here! It's not raining, and it’s not 90 degrees in 90% humidity either. Oh the blessings! It actually feels like autumn is coming.
This week has been... you know I don't think any one word would describe it. Rough. Exciting. Hard. Rewarding. Painful... ha ha. Yeah that sounds like our week.
Highlights: We had a wonderful Zone Conference! Elder Packer of the Seventy was our visiting authority and he and his wife were wonderful! It was delightful to have them! Elder Packer shared a lot of what Elder Holland spoke at in the MTC about teaching by the Spirit. That is the main push from the missionary department. I think it is because now we have all the resources with Preach My Gospel we just have to start implementing them and making the work more effective. Exciting huh!
We also had Stake Conference this week which was very edifying. AND we got Sister Price to come! She's a less-active who I LOVE! We convinced her to give us a ride so she came with us. :) I attached the picture with her and Sister T. and I.
Lowlights for the week: Well, I'll only share one. Pretty sure it defies all the laws of physics. (Don't quote that to Jim cause there are probably lots of laws that made it quite possible.) So I stepped on a pen on Saturday. What I mean to say is that I actually put a hole in my foot with a pen. Yep. I'm not sure how it happened, somehow I stood up from the couch and took a step just in time for the pen to fall and catch underneath my foot with the tip entering my foot. OUCH! Sister Robbins said I basically I got a tattoo on the mission...ha ha. Who else can say that? I'll include a picture of that too. You can't really tell but it went in there deep! eck.
I love this work, even when it's hard. Sister Thacker and I memorized this little poem a few weeks back and it came in really handy this week. :)
It's easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows by like a song.
But the man worthwhile is the one who will smile
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble,
And it always comes with the years.
But the smile that’s worth the praises of the earth
Is the smile that shines through tears.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Keep going! Keep smiling! No matter how hard it gets. Why? Because just like I said last week: Heavenly Father loves us! And is aware of each of us. There is nothing we can't do with Him on our side!
I love you!
Sister Painter
PS: Isn't that goose picture the best picture you've ever seen! ha ha! See... we're all out doing the work!
Hello from the Ohio!
Man, it is beautiful here! It's not raining, and it’s not 90 degrees in 90% humidity either. Oh the blessings! It actually feels like autumn is coming.
This week has been... you know I don't think any one word would describe it. Rough. Exciting. Hard. Rewarding. Painful... ha ha. Yeah that sounds like our week.
Highlights: We had a wonderful Zone Conference! Elder Packer of the Seventy was our visiting authority and he and his wife were wonderful! It was delightful to have them! Elder Packer shared a lot of what Elder Holland spoke at in the MTC about teaching by the Spirit. That is the main push from the missionary department. I think it is because now we have all the resources with Preach My Gospel we just have to start implementing them and making the work more effective. Exciting huh!
We also had Stake Conference this week which was very edifying. AND we got Sister Price to come! She's a less-active who I LOVE! We convinced her to give us a ride so she came with us. :) I attached the picture with her and Sister T. and I.
Lowlights for the week: Well, I'll only share one. Pretty sure it defies all the laws of physics. (Don't quote that to Jim cause there are probably lots of laws that made it quite possible.) So I stepped on a pen on Saturday. What I mean to say is that I actually put a hole in my foot with a pen. Yep. I'm not sure how it happened, somehow I stood up from the couch and took a step just in time for the pen to fall and catch underneath my foot with the tip entering my foot. OUCH! Sister Robbins said I basically I got a tattoo on the mission...ha ha. Who else can say that? I'll include a picture of that too. You can't really tell but it went in there deep! eck.
I love this work, even when it's hard. Sister Thacker and I memorized this little poem a few weeks back and it came in really handy this week. :)
It's easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows by like a song.
But the man worthwhile is the one who will smile
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble,
And it always comes with the years.
But the smile that’s worth the praises of the earth
Is the smile that shines through tears.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Keep going! Keep smiling! No matter how hard it gets. Why? Because just like I said last week: Heavenly Father loves us! And is aware of each of us. There is nothing we can't do with Him on our side!
I love you!
Sister Painter
PS: Isn't that goose picture the best picture you've ever seen! ha ha! See... we're all out doing the work!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sister Winter's
Sister Winter's in the rest home and us!
This is one of our Recent Converts. She's in a residential living center and she's bedriden. We got her a Tabernacle Choir CD, because she LOVES them.
This is one of our Recent Converts. She's in a residential living center and she's bedriden. We got her a Tabernacle Choir CD, because she LOVES them.
I LOVE WITNESSING THE LORDS HAND IN HIS WORK!
Hi Mom...and Dad...and Family...and Friends!
Here let me answer all of mom's questions:
How has your week gone? Super! Oh man! I LOVE this work! But it’s hard. It never ceases to amaze me how many ups and downs you can have in a week, or even a day! No wonder we're so exhausted every night!
Do you seem to be getting the hang of Missionary work by now? I don't know if you ever can. I don't think I ever will. The work is always changing, always something different to be working on. The biggest difference from Week 1 to now is my change of heart. I can't believe I've been so blessed to be here!
Do you have to send in weekly reports, or what did you need the thumb drive for? Weekly Reports.
How is it going with all your investigators? Hmmm. Well they've all seemed to drop off the face of the earth the last two weeks. Bummer deal. But that just means the Lord has something else for us to do. More to come...
Were you able to get the Tabernacle CD to the little lady in the rest home? Yes! And she loved it! I'll attach the photo we took with her this week! She's such a cutie! She's had it rough, but we love her!
How is the weather? Still Raining? ha ha... yep. We don't know what to expect from one day to the next. Sometimes it’s hot and humid. Sometimes is cold and windy. We just wake up every morning and guess. :)
Are your shoes holding up okay? Oh they are great!
Do you have to wear nylons? Not yet! Wahoo! I'm SO grateful!
Did you get your package from home? PACKAGE?!?! No! If you sent it to the mission home I won't get it till zone conference. (Send them to my apartment if it’s not close to transfer’s week)
Do you need anything this week? Nope. Thanks though. You are wonderful! Oh wait, lots of letters! Always need letters! :)
Sorry about all the questions. Yeah sheesh Mom. Just kidding, I love you!
Can I just say, I LOVE this work! I know I say that a lot, but it's true! I definitely have been recruited into lifetime missionary service! I'm way excited!
We've had a crazy week. Like I said, the majority of our investigators sort of dropped off the face of the earth. They are around we just can't get in to see them. So we've been doing a lot of less-active work, one of the most difficult yet rewarding experiences I think. For example, Friday we saw several less-actives and basically lost hope. Several of them have joined other churches or are influenced by the adversary in other ways. One of them was telling us (lecturing more so) about the group they were apart of now and honestly I couldn't help but think they were modern day Zoramites. Everything Alma describes the Zoramites to be this group is: 1) the chosen people 2) with no need for a Savior 3) and founded on pride. It made me so sad! It's incredible that Satan is teaching the same philosophies now as he did thousands of years ago.
It’s been difficult, but we see tender mercies all along the way. And I LOVE witnessing the Lord’s hand in this work. For example, just the next day we were checking up on a young lady named Nicole who was on the ward list, but no one in the ward had any idea who she was. When we arrived at her apartment she wasn’t home but her roommate Shannon was. Right about the time Sister Thacker got out the words, “Sister Missionaries from the…” she said, “I know I’m one of you.” Oh yeah? Well that was news to us. She invited us in and pretty soon told us her story. She grew up in the church, baptized at eight, and was even married in the temple. However, her marriage ended in ugly divorce right about the time her mother passed away. She explained to us how she became pretty angry with God and how she felt her ward was judging her instead of helping her. So she stopped going to church, moved several times and “got lost.” Oh man it was such a testimony builder to me that the Lord is watching over each of His children. We had NO idea she was there, but the Lord did. And the Lord sent us when the time was right for her. After several years of attending another church she told us that she’s been thinking a lot about the gospel and wondering what she should do. She knew that we were there that day for her. The Lord loves each of His children and He is aware of each of their needs. This is His work, and we get to be apart of it!!!
I sure love you! Thanks for all the love and support! I've been so blessed to have you in my life!
Sister Painter
Here let me answer all of mom's questions:
How has your week gone? Super! Oh man! I LOVE this work! But it’s hard. It never ceases to amaze me how many ups and downs you can have in a week, or even a day! No wonder we're so exhausted every night!
Do you seem to be getting the hang of Missionary work by now? I don't know if you ever can. I don't think I ever will. The work is always changing, always something different to be working on. The biggest difference from Week 1 to now is my change of heart. I can't believe I've been so blessed to be here!
Do you have to send in weekly reports, or what did you need the thumb drive for? Weekly Reports.
How is it going with all your investigators? Hmmm. Well they've all seemed to drop off the face of the earth the last two weeks. Bummer deal. But that just means the Lord has something else for us to do. More to come...
Were you able to get the Tabernacle CD to the little lady in the rest home? Yes! And she loved it! I'll attach the photo we took with her this week! She's such a cutie! She's had it rough, but we love her!
How is the weather? Still Raining? ha ha... yep. We don't know what to expect from one day to the next. Sometimes it’s hot and humid. Sometimes is cold and windy. We just wake up every morning and guess. :)
Are your shoes holding up okay? Oh they are great!
Do you have to wear nylons? Not yet! Wahoo! I'm SO grateful!
Did you get your package from home? PACKAGE?!?! No! If you sent it to the mission home I won't get it till zone conference. (Send them to my apartment if it’s not close to transfer’s week)
Do you need anything this week? Nope. Thanks though. You are wonderful! Oh wait, lots of letters! Always need letters! :)
Sorry about all the questions. Yeah sheesh Mom. Just kidding, I love you!
Can I just say, I LOVE this work! I know I say that a lot, but it's true! I definitely have been recruited into lifetime missionary service! I'm way excited!
We've had a crazy week. Like I said, the majority of our investigators sort of dropped off the face of the earth. They are around we just can't get in to see them. So we've been doing a lot of less-active work, one of the most difficult yet rewarding experiences I think. For example, Friday we saw several less-actives and basically lost hope. Several of them have joined other churches or are influenced by the adversary in other ways. One of them was telling us (lecturing more so) about the group they were apart of now and honestly I couldn't help but think they were modern day Zoramites. Everything Alma describes the Zoramites to be this group is: 1) the chosen people 2) with no need for a Savior 3) and founded on pride. It made me so sad! It's incredible that Satan is teaching the same philosophies now as he did thousands of years ago.
It’s been difficult, but we see tender mercies all along the way. And I LOVE witnessing the Lord’s hand in this work. For example, just the next day we were checking up on a young lady named Nicole who was on the ward list, but no one in the ward had any idea who she was. When we arrived at her apartment she wasn’t home but her roommate Shannon was. Right about the time Sister Thacker got out the words, “Sister Missionaries from the…” she said, “I know I’m one of you.” Oh yeah? Well that was news to us. She invited us in and pretty soon told us her story. She grew up in the church, baptized at eight, and was even married in the temple. However, her marriage ended in ugly divorce right about the time her mother passed away. She explained to us how she became pretty angry with God and how she felt her ward was judging her instead of helping her. So she stopped going to church, moved several times and “got lost.” Oh man it was such a testimony builder to me that the Lord is watching over each of His children. We had NO idea she was there, but the Lord did. And the Lord sent us when the time was right for her. After several years of attending another church she told us that she’s been thinking a lot about the gospel and wondering what she should do. She knew that we were there that day for her. The Lord loves each of His children and He is aware of each of their needs. This is His work, and we get to be apart of it!!!
I sure love you! Thanks for all the love and support! I've been so blessed to have you in my life!
Sister Painter
Monday, August 17, 2009
Some Of Our Investigators!
HI. . .from Sister Thacker and Me!!
Some Of Our Investigators at the Jungkunz dinner.
All of our Ghanian Friends
Me and Anna, Kate's daughter
Me and Kate, our recent convert
Sis Thacker and Suzzy
The Elders and Daniel
Me and Rita
Some Of Our Investigators at the Jungkunz dinner.
All of our Ghanian Friends
Me and Anna, Kate's daughter
Me and Kate, our recent convert
Sis Thacker and Suzzy
The Elders and Daniel
Me and Rita
This Truly Is A Great Time To Be Alive!
August 17, 2009
Hello from the Ohio!
My goodness! I LOVE this gospel! I wish I could describe in words how grateful I am for the blessings we have on the earth today! This truly is a great time to be alive! I feel like I have to repeat this all day to people. Everyone is starting to sense the danger in the wickedness we are seeing around us. I don’t know if it’s because we live in Cincinnati and there are several deaths reported on the news daily or if it’s because the whole world seems to be on a downward spiral. But the fact of the matter is: we have a loving Heavenly Father and he isn’t going to let the evil outweigh the good. We promise people on a daily basis that there is greater good now then there ever was before and it’s in the gospel of Jesus Christ!
It’s hard though. Some people just don’t want to listen. I’m starting to understand even just a little how the prophets of old must have felt! We’ve been meeting with a sweet lady named Betty. Betty is feeling so weighed down in life. Everything is going wrong, and she is discouraged and depressed. We keep offering her the cherished fruits of the gospel: peace, comfort, joy. But she won’t believe us, no matter how much we testify! And it breaks my heart! On the other hand, some people are finally prepared to hear what we have to say. It seems the economy downshift has “compelled” many to be humble. We decided to stop by a former investigator’s house the other day. The missionaries had stop seeing her over a year ago, but Sister Thacker and I felt prompted to go over anyway. When we got there her mother-in-law said she was busy so we walked down to a neighboring member’s house. On our way back to the car Heather (the former investigator) was out in her yard waiting for us. She had her Book of Mormon and Bible ready and she expressed to us that she was ready to make some changes in her life. It was so tender! She’s had a rough life, but she’s ready to change. She’s realized the need for God in the world, and is ready to invite him into her own life! Yay!
Last night we had another “cottage meeting” at the Jungkunz’s (dinner and a lesson). All of our dear Ghanaians made it and another investigator of ours, Rita, was able to come. I’ll have to tell you Rita’s story later but oh how I love her! Sister Thacker and I had the lesson this month so we had a wonderful discussion about prayer. Oh man, of course that lesson was just for me!
Oh! I almost forgot! Earlier this week during ward coordination Brother Jungkunz had the idea for Sister Thacker and me to receive blessings for the “gift of tongues” so that we could be able to communicate with Suzzy better. What a great idea! We could use all the help we can get! Ha ha. So we asked the Elders in our ward yesterday and we both received a blessing. It always astounds me how aware the Lord is of us and our needs. I am so grateful to know I have a Heavenly Father who gives many “good gifts!” Ironically, one of the scriptures we got to use in our lesson for the cottage meeting: Matt. 7:7-11! All we have to do is ask! “Ask and ye shall receive!” The Lord knows how to give good gifts to those who ask. I’m so excited to see what happens with Suzzy, and I’m also grateful for the reminder to always turn to the Lord in humble prayer. (Prayer is easy; it’s the humble part I’m working on!)
Oh man, this letter was all over the place. I think I’m just very longwinded, and I think faster than I type. I’m sorry. I don’t even have time to share the funnies for the week, which is really to bad because we have some good ones! Ha ha! Maybe next week!
Family, I love you so much! Thank you for being so wonderful!
Brittany! YOUR HAIR IS SO SHORT! Ha ha! That was quite a shocker. Sister Thacker just laughed at me when she saw how I reacted. I love it though! It’s super cute!
Sister Painter!
Hello from the Ohio!
My goodness! I LOVE this gospel! I wish I could describe in words how grateful I am for the blessings we have on the earth today! This truly is a great time to be alive! I feel like I have to repeat this all day to people. Everyone is starting to sense the danger in the wickedness we are seeing around us. I don’t know if it’s because we live in Cincinnati and there are several deaths reported on the news daily or if it’s because the whole world seems to be on a downward spiral. But the fact of the matter is: we have a loving Heavenly Father and he isn’t going to let the evil outweigh the good. We promise people on a daily basis that there is greater good now then there ever was before and it’s in the gospel of Jesus Christ!
It’s hard though. Some people just don’t want to listen. I’m starting to understand even just a little how the prophets of old must have felt! We’ve been meeting with a sweet lady named Betty. Betty is feeling so weighed down in life. Everything is going wrong, and she is discouraged and depressed. We keep offering her the cherished fruits of the gospel: peace, comfort, joy. But she won’t believe us, no matter how much we testify! And it breaks my heart! On the other hand, some people are finally prepared to hear what we have to say. It seems the economy downshift has “compelled” many to be humble. We decided to stop by a former investigator’s house the other day. The missionaries had stop seeing her over a year ago, but Sister Thacker and I felt prompted to go over anyway. When we got there her mother-in-law said she was busy so we walked down to a neighboring member’s house. On our way back to the car Heather (the former investigator) was out in her yard waiting for us. She had her Book of Mormon and Bible ready and she expressed to us that she was ready to make some changes in her life. It was so tender! She’s had a rough life, but she’s ready to change. She’s realized the need for God in the world, and is ready to invite him into her own life! Yay!
Last night we had another “cottage meeting” at the Jungkunz’s (dinner and a lesson). All of our dear Ghanaians made it and another investigator of ours, Rita, was able to come. I’ll have to tell you Rita’s story later but oh how I love her! Sister Thacker and I had the lesson this month so we had a wonderful discussion about prayer. Oh man, of course that lesson was just for me!
Oh! I almost forgot! Earlier this week during ward coordination Brother Jungkunz had the idea for Sister Thacker and me to receive blessings for the “gift of tongues” so that we could be able to communicate with Suzzy better. What a great idea! We could use all the help we can get! Ha ha. So we asked the Elders in our ward yesterday and we both received a blessing. It always astounds me how aware the Lord is of us and our needs. I am so grateful to know I have a Heavenly Father who gives many “good gifts!” Ironically, one of the scriptures we got to use in our lesson for the cottage meeting: Matt. 7:7-11! All we have to do is ask! “Ask and ye shall receive!” The Lord knows how to give good gifts to those who ask. I’m so excited to see what happens with Suzzy, and I’m also grateful for the reminder to always turn to the Lord in humble prayer. (Prayer is easy; it’s the humble part I’m working on!)
Oh man, this letter was all over the place. I think I’m just very longwinded, and I think faster than I type. I’m sorry. I don’t even have time to share the funnies for the week, which is really to bad because we have some good ones! Ha ha! Maybe next week!
Family, I love you so much! Thank you for being so wonderful!
Brittany! YOUR HAIR IS SO SHORT! Ha ha! That was quite a shocker. Sister Thacker just laughed at me when she saw how I reacted. I love it though! It’s super cute!
Sister Painter!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Crazy Bunch of Missionaries. . .
August 11, 2009
Thought you would enjoy this picture of my first district. They are crazy! ha ha.
Thought you would enjoy this picture of my first district. They are crazy! ha ha.
We didn't get transfered by the way!
Dear Friends and Family. . .
Sorry this is a day late. Carlee forgot to tell us that on Transfer weeks that their P-day is on Tuesday. So we were wondering all day yesterday what the problem was. We were glad it was only transfers. She sounded happy that she gets to stay where she is.
Hope all is well with all of you. Send her a letter if you get a chance. If you need her address just email me and I will get it too you (ladawn79@hotmail.com).
Thanks LaDawn
August 11, 2009
Hi Everybody. . .
I LOVE THIS WORK! Oh man! I can't even tell you the joy that it brings to my heart! I've successfully completed my first transfer. Its successful because I'm still here! ha ha. Sister Thacker and I didn't get transfered so we get at least another six weeks here! Wahoo! I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's perfect love... and patience! He's been so patient with me in my prideful, selfish ways! And I'm quickly learning that this truly is HIS work! His work is IN HIS HANDS! And we've been blessed to be apart of it!
I keep pondering this week the devotional Elder Holland gave at the MTC before I came out. He taught us the vital role of the Spirit in this work. Of course he said it in a way that only Elder Holland could:
"My point tonight is to stress that the Spirit must be with you and you must teach by it when you teach because that is the way this lesson ceases to be your lesson and becomes His, becomes under the power of the Spirit a vehicle for lifting your investigators out of the temporal world."
This isn't MY work, its HIS work. He continues and this is my favorite part:
"We are charged with the responsibility of getting people out of their ruts and routines, out of their problems and their pain, out of their little arguments and ignorance and sins, and take them to the Gods - to the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost - ultimately we are to take them toward their own Godhood. In short, we are to take them to the divine. And the Holy Ghost is the connecting link which the Godhead has agreed to give us here in mortality for that heavenly connection..."
Wow huh! Isn't that amazing! What's even more amazing is that I've seen this happen! It's real! We have an investigator right now, her name is Marlisha. She is a wonderful woman! (I might have mentioned her already.) She has so many questions about life, about why things are the way they are, what really is God's plan. Sister Thacker calls her an "honest seeker of truth." Everytime we go in her home to share the gospel the Spirit fills the room! It's not because of us, it's because of her. She has the desire! We read Alma 32 with her this week and discussed faith: how it isn't to have a perfect knowledge, but it's to know that the puzzle pieces will one day fit together. It's to have a testimony that the whole puzzle, the gospel, is real and true and beautiful! Oh man! Everytime we talk to her she tells us that is exactly what she needed to hear. That's not us! It's the Spirit! And I extended my very first baptismal commitment! The Spirit prompted and I asked her. She didn't even hesitate. She already knew! We have a long way to go still, but I've seen how the Spirit has literally taken her out of her "ruts and routines" into the divine. And I'm so grateful I get to be apart of it!
Something else I learned this week is how actively we need to seek the Spirit! I was praying one morning and had the impression that it was time to fast. (Oh man, no H2O in the hot muggy air!) But the Lord reminded me that we needed to do everything we could to have the Spirit with us! So I did... and I was blown away with the increase of the Spirit! It taught us in our studies, it testified in our lessons, and it guided us to those who needed us, members and non-members alike! It reminds me that "we are living far beneath our privileges." We have so many opportunites to develop gifts of the Spirit that we aren't. Sister Thacker and I have stepped it up and it shows in the work!
I also love when Elder Holland said, "The Godhead will bear testimony of you and your companion-frail little uncelestial souls that you are (believe me I already know!)- when you have earnestly tried to become part of the Divine Order. You have prayed and studied and fasted appropriately, and have always exerted great faith. You have been obedient to the commandments...and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You have kept yourself clean in thought, in word, in deed...You have tried to develop Christlike attributes, have worked diligent hours and have tried to be a witness of God 'at all times and in all things and in all places.' If you try to live this way - try with all the best that is within you - The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost above you will smile and say 'It is enough. We will let these missionaries and their investigators feel a portion of the poower of heaven. We will let them feel the touch of our unity and our divinity'... Welcome to the work of angels. Welcome to the work of divinity."
Powerful huh!
Oh man. Sorry for all the thoughts. You probably are more interested in what happened this week. Real quick:
Tried Salmon for the first time! ha ha! Kate cooked some Ghanian food for us! It was crazy cool! We tried peanut butter soup. Yes... peanut butter. And she made this crazy onion, spinach, tomato, canned salmon sauce to eat on potatoes, or rice. It was intense. But I'll have you know I tried the Salmon anyway. ha ha. I guess I can cross "Try seafood" off my 100 Things To Do list! :) I love Kate and her family! There is so much love to share!
We got caught in several lightning storms. Wahoo. Ha ha. Funny weather here. It switches between rain and 80 degrees, 80 percent humidity.
Teaching lots. Knocking lots of doors. And loving every minute of it!
I love you! And I love this work!
Sister Painter
P.S. Thought you would enjoy this picture of my first district. They are crazy! ha ha.
Sorry this is a day late. Carlee forgot to tell us that on Transfer weeks that their P-day is on Tuesday. So we were wondering all day yesterday what the problem was. We were glad it was only transfers. She sounded happy that she gets to stay where she is.
Hope all is well with all of you. Send her a letter if you get a chance. If you need her address just email me and I will get it too you (ladawn79@hotmail.com).
Thanks LaDawn
August 11, 2009
Hi Everybody. . .
I LOVE THIS WORK! Oh man! I can't even tell you the joy that it brings to my heart! I've successfully completed my first transfer. Its successful because I'm still here! ha ha. Sister Thacker and I didn't get transfered so we get at least another six weeks here! Wahoo! I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's perfect love... and patience! He's been so patient with me in my prideful, selfish ways! And I'm quickly learning that this truly is HIS work! His work is IN HIS HANDS! And we've been blessed to be apart of it!
I keep pondering this week the devotional Elder Holland gave at the MTC before I came out. He taught us the vital role of the Spirit in this work. Of course he said it in a way that only Elder Holland could:
"My point tonight is to stress that the Spirit must be with you and you must teach by it when you teach because that is the way this lesson ceases to be your lesson and becomes His, becomes under the power of the Spirit a vehicle for lifting your investigators out of the temporal world."
This isn't MY work, its HIS work. He continues and this is my favorite part:
"We are charged with the responsibility of getting people out of their ruts and routines, out of their problems and their pain, out of their little arguments and ignorance and sins, and take them to the Gods - to the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost - ultimately we are to take them toward their own Godhood. In short, we are to take them to the divine. And the Holy Ghost is the connecting link which the Godhead has agreed to give us here in mortality for that heavenly connection..."
Wow huh! Isn't that amazing! What's even more amazing is that I've seen this happen! It's real! We have an investigator right now, her name is Marlisha. She is a wonderful woman! (I might have mentioned her already.) She has so many questions about life, about why things are the way they are, what really is God's plan. Sister Thacker calls her an "honest seeker of truth." Everytime we go in her home to share the gospel the Spirit fills the room! It's not because of us, it's because of her. She has the desire! We read Alma 32 with her this week and discussed faith: how it isn't to have a perfect knowledge, but it's to know that the puzzle pieces will one day fit together. It's to have a testimony that the whole puzzle, the gospel, is real and true and beautiful! Oh man! Everytime we talk to her she tells us that is exactly what she needed to hear. That's not us! It's the Spirit! And I extended my very first baptismal commitment! The Spirit prompted and I asked her. She didn't even hesitate. She already knew! We have a long way to go still, but I've seen how the Spirit has literally taken her out of her "ruts and routines" into the divine. And I'm so grateful I get to be apart of it!
Something else I learned this week is how actively we need to seek the Spirit! I was praying one morning and had the impression that it was time to fast. (Oh man, no H2O in the hot muggy air!) But the Lord reminded me that we needed to do everything we could to have the Spirit with us! So I did... and I was blown away with the increase of the Spirit! It taught us in our studies, it testified in our lessons, and it guided us to those who needed us, members and non-members alike! It reminds me that "we are living far beneath our privileges." We have so many opportunites to develop gifts of the Spirit that we aren't. Sister Thacker and I have stepped it up and it shows in the work!
I also love when Elder Holland said, "The Godhead will bear testimony of you and your companion-frail little uncelestial souls that you are (believe me I already know!)- when you have earnestly tried to become part of the Divine Order. You have prayed and studied and fasted appropriately, and have always exerted great faith. You have been obedient to the commandments...and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You have kept yourself clean in thought, in word, in deed...You have tried to develop Christlike attributes, have worked diligent hours and have tried to be a witness of God 'at all times and in all things and in all places.' If you try to live this way - try with all the best that is within you - The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost above you will smile and say 'It is enough. We will let these missionaries and their investigators feel a portion of the poower of heaven. We will let them feel the touch of our unity and our divinity'... Welcome to the work of angels. Welcome to the work of divinity."
Powerful huh!
Oh man. Sorry for all the thoughts. You probably are more interested in what happened this week. Real quick:
Tried Salmon for the first time! ha ha! Kate cooked some Ghanian food for us! It was crazy cool! We tried peanut butter soup. Yes... peanut butter. And she made this crazy onion, spinach, tomato, canned salmon sauce to eat on potatoes, or rice. It was intense. But I'll have you know I tried the Salmon anyway. ha ha. I guess I can cross "Try seafood" off my 100 Things To Do list! :) I love Kate and her family! There is so much love to share!
We got caught in several lightning storms. Wahoo. Ha ha. Funny weather here. It switches between rain and 80 degrees, 80 percent humidity.
Teaching lots. Knocking lots of doors. And loving every minute of it!
I love you! And I love this work!
Sister Painter
P.S. Thought you would enjoy this picture of my first district. They are crazy! ha ha.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Just Thinking Of Home. . .
I'm just thinking of home!
This one was just a cute one at the church building... in the rain.
This one was just a cute one at the church building... in the rain.
Our First President Interviews. . .
This was the day of our first interviews with the President. My companion Sister Thacker asked if we could stay together thru the next transfers, so we'll just have to see.
I Love You Lots! And I Love This Work!
August 3, 2009
Family!
Can I just say I love you SO much! I really, really do! I've been memorizing the Family Proclamation (almost done!). And it's been such a blessing to reflect on our family and know that we've been striving to "establish and maintained [our family] on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities." I know we could do so much better, but I've been so grateful as I've talked lots of mothers who wish their children had been raised like we had. I don't know how I got so blessed to have you, Mom and Dad. And I'm grateful you taught me that true happiness comes from living the gospel and cherishing our families! God has a perfect plan and that is why he put us in families!
I loved talking to Brother and Sister Jungkunz this week! I got your hug Mom! ha ha... I felt the love! I laughed lots while they told me how much fun they had! I was so surprised to hear how long you kept them there! They laughed and said they were the ones that hung around. They are such neat people! They do a lot for the work out here!
I guess Sister Jungkunz answered all of your questions Mom. :) So I get to just write anything today. ha ha.
Well I had my first interview with President this week. It was wonderful. We got locked out of the building, so that is how I got a picture. We were waiting for the keys. :) He is a good man. I'm grateful for the insight he gave me and hopefully can apply soon. I told him how I'm not a very good missionary yet, but I'm trying! He laughed and said, "Sister Painter! You're brand new!" Oh. I guess he's right. I told him how the first week I was here the Lord had already told me, "It's okay, you'll learn." Man, was I ever grateful for that. President laughed and said, "Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses." So I'm trying.
Sister Thacker and I are hoping to stay here, together, for another transfer. Transfers are next week! Crazy huh! Sister Thacker even told President that in her interview. We're praying too. ha ha. Hopefully we get to stay.
This week has been full of wonderful experiences. The work still is slow, but we're working hard! We finally got to meet with Suzzy alone! (She's another Ghanaian friend!) Whenever we go over there are lots of people, and it’s loud and crazy! We could never communicate with Suzzy because she has a hard time with English. So we felt prompted to stop by one evening and no one was around but Suzzy! So we sat down with her and finally got her understanding, talked a lot about the Restoration of the Priesthood and the Book of Mormon, she knows it’s true. But... she doesn't want to be baptized because she's been baptized twice already. :) We'll get there! She needs the blessings! We all do!
This week we've been doing a lot of walking. (Last week of the month...out of miles! :) It was the end of the day and we needed two more contacts for our goal. So I said, "Heavenly Father, we need two more contacts. That would be wonderful." Well what do you know; there was a family moving their daughter into our apartment complex. So we picked up some boxes and started moving her in. Afterwards, she and her best friends sat down with us for awhile and we talked about why we are out here on our missions. We're friends now, and excited to go back. After all he does say, "Ask and ye shall receive."
Sister Thacker and I started writing down a "funny" section in our journals with all the funny experiences we had that day. I thought you might enjoy a few:
We were talking to a young man about coming to church. Later in the conversation we were talking about how he needs to find a good girl to marry. So I said, "See if you come to church, you'll meet lots of really good girls." When Sister Thacker and I walked away, we just laughed! That is unlike any church invitation we've ever made.
Another good one was when we met with Suzzy. She said a prayer when it was time for us to go, but she said it in her language. Sister Thacker and I were just listening enjoying the Spirit until she leans over to Sister Thacker and says, "Amen. Amen... say Amen." ha ha. I guess we missed it.
Well until next week...
I love you lots! And I love this work!
Sister Painter
Family!
Can I just say I love you SO much! I really, really do! I've been memorizing the Family Proclamation (almost done!). And it's been such a blessing to reflect on our family and know that we've been striving to "establish and maintained [our family] on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities." I know we could do so much better, but I've been so grateful as I've talked lots of mothers who wish their children had been raised like we had. I don't know how I got so blessed to have you, Mom and Dad. And I'm grateful you taught me that true happiness comes from living the gospel and cherishing our families! God has a perfect plan and that is why he put us in families!
I loved talking to Brother and Sister Jungkunz this week! I got your hug Mom! ha ha... I felt the love! I laughed lots while they told me how much fun they had! I was so surprised to hear how long you kept them there! They laughed and said they were the ones that hung around. They are such neat people! They do a lot for the work out here!
I guess Sister Jungkunz answered all of your questions Mom. :) So I get to just write anything today. ha ha.
Well I had my first interview with President this week. It was wonderful. We got locked out of the building, so that is how I got a picture. We were waiting for the keys. :) He is a good man. I'm grateful for the insight he gave me and hopefully can apply soon. I told him how I'm not a very good missionary yet, but I'm trying! He laughed and said, "Sister Painter! You're brand new!" Oh. I guess he's right. I told him how the first week I was here the Lord had already told me, "It's okay, you'll learn." Man, was I ever grateful for that. President laughed and said, "Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses." So I'm trying.
Sister Thacker and I are hoping to stay here, together, for another transfer. Transfers are next week! Crazy huh! Sister Thacker even told President that in her interview. We're praying too. ha ha. Hopefully we get to stay.
This week has been full of wonderful experiences. The work still is slow, but we're working hard! We finally got to meet with Suzzy alone! (She's another Ghanaian friend!) Whenever we go over there are lots of people, and it’s loud and crazy! We could never communicate with Suzzy because she has a hard time with English. So we felt prompted to stop by one evening and no one was around but Suzzy! So we sat down with her and finally got her understanding, talked a lot about the Restoration of the Priesthood and the Book of Mormon, she knows it’s true. But... she doesn't want to be baptized because she's been baptized twice already. :) We'll get there! She needs the blessings! We all do!
This week we've been doing a lot of walking. (Last week of the month...out of miles! :) It was the end of the day and we needed two more contacts for our goal. So I said, "Heavenly Father, we need two more contacts. That would be wonderful." Well what do you know; there was a family moving their daughter into our apartment complex. So we picked up some boxes and started moving her in. Afterwards, she and her best friends sat down with us for awhile and we talked about why we are out here on our missions. We're friends now, and excited to go back. After all he does say, "Ask and ye shall receive."
Sister Thacker and I started writing down a "funny" section in our journals with all the funny experiences we had that day. I thought you might enjoy a few:
We were talking to a young man about coming to church. Later in the conversation we were talking about how he needs to find a good girl to marry. So I said, "See if you come to church, you'll meet lots of really good girls." When Sister Thacker and I walked away, we just laughed! That is unlike any church invitation we've ever made.
Another good one was when we met with Suzzy. She said a prayer when it was time for us to go, but she said it in her language. Sister Thacker and I were just listening enjoying the Spirit until she leans over to Sister Thacker and says, "Amen. Amen... say Amen." ha ha. I guess we missed it.
Well until next week...
I love you lots! And I love this work!
Sister Painter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
