Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas Time!!

Hello my friends and Family!
I am so sorry I never send any pictures. I will try to be a better picture taker. I wish you could all see the arctic tundra I am living in! Currently there is 42632 feet of snow. No that's a lie, but there is A LOT, and it NEVER melts. In fact, snow days are the days when it's a balmy 20 degrees. Usually it's next to 0. So grand!

Like usual, we had a fabulous week! The work in this area is TAKING off! It's so awesome! We are doing a lot of work with part member families and especially teaching many a small child. It's probably preparing me for a future in the primary, but we shall see. It's so cool to see the faith that these young children have. All they want to do is follow Jesus Christ and be the best people they can be! It's been difficult to get their parents to catch the enthusiasm as well, but we're working on involving the members more to help everyone be friends and to have people who expect them to be at church!

Literally this area is SO different than my last one! Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center are considered "Little Africa" There are SO many Liberians here. They migrated to the US of A during their civil war. They are always so welcoming and want to talk about Christ! The only hard part is understanding what they say. haha we brought a member with us to visit this one old lady and we tried to teach her about the restoration but she would start saying stuff and we had NO clue what she was saying! At one point she was talking about Nicodemus and being born again, needless to say, I have not received the gift of interpretation of tongues. It's a process, but things are going well!

This week is crazy busy with Christmas but we are SO excited! Tonight we are sleeping in front of our Christmas tree to celebrate Christmas Adam(what she calls the day before Christmas Eve, because Adam came before Eve), then tomorrow we are going caroling and delivering cookies to our investigators, and then CHRISTMAS! It's been so great to visit people and ask them how they are celebrating Christ's birth this Christmas. Everyone celebrates it in their unique way, and has traditions that center on Christ during this time. It's so cool to see how no matter what religion you are, this is a time for family, love, and peace.

I love you all and hope you have a FANTASTIC Christmas!

Love, Sister Terry!

P.S I tried African Food! Something called Caba leaf I think? it was GROSS. but I ate it. And I tried it. Also I ate Shrimp. Also disgusting. haha oh well. Such is missionary life.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

week ??

Hello My family!

First of all, a question. Why did Satan throw spaghetti into the sea? Because he wanted an apostasy. Word. It's pretty Great. Today is TRANSFERS! No need to fret I am still residing in the city of elm and creek. It is SO great! I love it here! There is many a less active and part member family, so much of our work is going to visit them! We teach lots of young children! It's been so crazy adjusting to teaching 9 and 11 year olds. They are all crazy brilliant though! And they all have such a strong desire to be baptized! We're excited for the many miracles that are coming!

First of all it is frigid over here in the arctic tundra! It got so cold this week that President Clements told us we couldn't tract one day. :(  But we have had lots of appointments and have been meeting with many members to get them involved with the missionary work too so it's been great!

I had so many things to share, but now i have forgotten them all! Oh dear. Well, we were able to go to a concert last night with the Minnesota Mormon Chorale! It was pretty cool! There's nothing like carols of Christ to get you in the Christmas mood!

Sister Hudson got a HUGE Christmas tree from her parents last week, so now our home is super decorated for Christmas. Oh and mom, while we were hanging up the door cover thing you sent, we talked to our neighbors who are super interested in coming to church and having us visit! It was pretty cool. We didn't get to talk to them much, because it was after 9 and we needed to go to bed. It's been a pretty regular week full of the spirit and awesome miracles! We have been able to talk to so many people and set up appointments too. Which is nice, ‘cause then we don't have to tract as much.

Hmm. Yesterday I found a really awesome quote that many a missionary reads, but I thought it can apply to everyone, here it goes:

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed; my presence makes sense, my future secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, or delayed. I will not flinch in the fall or sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder in the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let go, or slow up until I have preached up, prayed up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until He comes, give till I drip, preach till everyone knows and work till He stops me

And when he comes for his won, he will have no problem recognizing me because my banner will have been made clear."


Love you! Have a Merry Christmas!!

Love, Sister Terry

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Happy Holidays!

Hello!

This week was SO crazy! I can't believe how long it was! On Monday I said goodbye to all my friends and adopted family, packed up and moved over to Elm Creek. It's been a pretty stressful situation. The reason we were in a tripanionship was because Sister Smith's companion broke A LOT of rules and got sent home. But it turns out that my new companion, Sister Hudson, was trained by that same missionary. She's been out only 3 months longer than me, and the disobedience shown by her trainer really affected her ability to be the best missionary she can be.

It makes me so frustrated to see that by the choices that one missionary made it affected so many people around her. That area is now closed to sister missionaries for the time being, her past companions have difficulty focusing on the work and being obedient. And more rules have now been made and enforced to hopefully prevent a future occurrence. It upsets me because I have a testimony of how important this work is. We have the chance to change people's lives and bring them closer to God. We made the promise when we are baptized to take upon us Christ's name and be an example. When we make choices that are contrary to God's commandments the consequences are far reaching and effect all those around us. Luckily, the Atonement satisfies the demands that justice come to all those that have been wronged. But it's a process and takes time to find the comfort and solace that the atonement provides.

On Wednesday I got a call from President telling me that Grandpa died. Although it was not a surprise, I can't lie, it was hard. When President Monson made the age change in conference over a year ago, I found myself facing choices I now needed to make. As I was making the decision to serve a mission I often talked to God saying I don't mind serving a mission, and being gone for 18 months as long as I know that my family will be safe and nothing bad will happen to them while I'm gone. I never wanted to face what Andrew had to go through, dealing with his uncle dying while gone. Yet, here I am, going through a very similar thing. How did I get here? Because God requires faith. My family is being taken care of while I'm gone. It's not quite in the way I want it, but I know that grandpa is safe and where he needs to be.

Recently I've been working on memorizing Alma 7 verses 11-12. As I was sharing that scripture as a thought for dinner with my ward mission leader's family a certain part stuck out to me: “He will take upon him death, that he may lose the bands of death which do bind his people.” Because Christ was resurrected, we too will all be resurrected. I know that death is not the end for us and there is happiness waiting for us on the other side of the veil.

I know that this letter is DANG LONG! and the above part was super serious, but here comes all the crazy stuff that happened this week. First off, EVERYONE needs to watch “Miracle”. It takes place in BLOOMINGTON, MN! That's where the mission home is! We were able to watch the movie while at mission conference! HOLLA! It was super weird to watch a normal movie and I could NOT handle it when any one was shirtless but besides that it reminded me SO much of XC (Cross Country). Jody ALWAYS showed us part of that movie before state, probably to inspire us to defeat mountain view aka soviet union. As I was thinking about watching the movie in the past during xc I realize how much it has been able to help me on my mission! First of all because it's been DANG cold outside. like -10 ALL week. but because of cross country I've learned how to set goals, stay focused, and work hard! So even when it's hard, and cold we can still have fun tracting and maybe stopping at Mc'Ds to warm up for a few minutes.

Ahh I love being a missionary so much! God has blessed me so much in my life. Lately I've been reflecting on President Monson's talk from last conference entitled “He will not forsake us”. The story he shared of his blind and deaf friend on his death bed was heartbreaking. But I hope that at the end of my life I can have an attitude like his and tell everyone "God has been so kind to me." He has poured out his spirit upon me and blessed me with peace and perseverance to endure yet another day! Shall we not go on in such a great cause! Courage Brethren on to Victory!

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike-and they will- you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed." -elder Holland

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along." D&C 78:17-18


Love, Sister Terry

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Week 9

Hello! This week was super crazy!! Especially because of Thanksgiving! But also because Monday afternoon we got a call from President Clements saying we are now going to be a trio! So Sister Smith joined us this week! She actually was in my zone during the MTC so I already knew her a bit.

It was quite an adjustment dealing with 3 people instead of just 2. Honestly I did not like it at all. Before I came on my mission I was so nervous I wouldn't ever know what to say. But now I love talking so much that it's hard to swallow my pride and not talk so much so that everyone will have a turn.

But things were super crazy! One night we were delivering cookies to our investigators and seeing how they were when we knocked on Taylor's door she opened it up and was BAWLING. Apparently all her stuff had gotten stolen and her car was gone as well. It was a hard time for her and I felt so bad! We didn't do much, but we were able to share a scripture with her and then the police came so we had to leave. Anyways, she found out that it was her roommate that stole the stuff and sold it all for drugs. Pretty crazy! But Taylor is super solid and read the entire Book of Mormon already! It only took her 1 week! She's awesome and has a super strong desire to be baptized. We just have to finish teaching her all the lessons.

The next day the Dobbins had a party called PIE NIGHT! Alright, so I Really thought that I didn't like pie that much. It's never been a favorite dessert of mine. But oh my goodness how I’ve come to love pie since I've been here! Pretty much Pie Night is this night where the members come over, and invite less actives and non members and then we eat lots of pie! We got to go because our investigators were coming as well. It was WAY cool, and we were able to talk to lots of people and share a bit about the gospel! It's so hard to just have casual conversations now, I'm totally going to be an awkward return missionary and won't know how to do anything else besides testify about the restoration. No lie.

Thanksgiving was super rad as well. We played a game called 3 step with our zone, and I ROCKED. haha not really, but I try. I'm still super sore from it. And then we had Thanksgiving at the Dobbins. Literally they are the coolest family ever! I love them SO much!

The rest of the week was pretty normal, lots of tracting, and we had an exchange with a nearby companionship. But then last night I got a call from President Clements saying that I am leaving the area and going to ELM CREEK. It's nearby where Sister Mansfield served before. I'm pretty excited. She said that there are lots of Africans there. YAY! haha I'm African at heart.

I'm just so glad to know that this is the Lord's work and that he is in control over all of this. Literally it would be absolute chaos and craziness if not for the fact that somehow it always works out. And it works out because this is what the Lord wants! He wants his children to know how to return to him! And I'm SO thankful for the chance I have to share that with everyone!

Love, Sister Terry.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The Craziest Week of All!

Hello My mother! And anyone else who reads this!

This week has been absolutely CRAZY! We spent 88% of our time working with our investigator sister Hernandez so that she will be prepared to be baptized on the 23rd. BUT I'm not sure how much I told you about her crazy life but her husband is stuck in Mexico working on his immigration visa so she hasn't really talked to him much about the lessons we've been teaching her. And we found out on FRIDAY that he doesn't want her to be baptized. AHHH it's ridiculous, and frustrating. But she is trying to talk to him and help him see how important this is to her. We fasted with her yesterday to ask God to soften his heart and give his consent to be baptized. But we just found out that His papers came in and he's approved for a VISA, which means he's coming home! None of us really expected that to happen but the Lord works in mysterious ways. Hopefully we can continue to help her progress that that her husband will give his consent when he arrives in the US of A.

ALSO this week has been frustrating due to the lack of progress in the area. I'm not sure if it's just because of the generation I was born in or due to my nature but I am not an extremely patient person. It's difficult to see the progress we've made over a weekly basis as I look at our day and realize we have not taught ANYONE. But I know that the Lord is trying to help me develop patience and my ability to endure so I will try my best. It reminds me of Elder Caskey's talk before he left on his mission (which surprisingly was this mission). I don't know why this stood out to me so much or how I can manage to still remember it when I remember nothing else about my past life. But he said that God doesn't call you to go where it'll be easiest for you. He calls you where it will help you to grow the most. I know that there are people who are in my area who are being prepared to be taught. I just have to learn how to rely on the Lord and be patient for him to help us find those people.

To help me learn patience he might have made our car completely undriveable. We've been having some struggles with low tire pressure lately and have had to fill up our tires with air everyday this week. Needless to say, the people at the gas station know us well. But yesterday we got home from church and got ready to go to our dinner appointment and realized our tire was completely FLAT. But since our dinner appointment wasn't too far away we got out our bikes (mine is named Bertha. She's a BEAUTY) and off we went!! Which was all fine and dandy until we left our dinner appointment and found out the storm was RAGING out there. We honestly did our best to ride our bikes up the hill to our house but we were practically going backwards. We were probably quite the sight to see with our gigantic winter coats and crazy bikes swerving everywhere. But luckily we live with the GREATEST people ever! They noticed the raging storm and didn't want us to die so they came to our rescue! It's was so great, and mostly freezing but it did remind me that we have to work hard and do our best before God will send the help we need.

Also, on a somewhat different note we have learned much about the missionaries in the Philippines. Although I can never imagine what horrors they have faced and the devastating blow it has been to that country I am astounded to learn that not one single missionary died. It truly is a miraculous tale of the real life strippling warriors that we have among us. Their crazy tales of near death experiences and how God managed to save them buoys up my courage and reminds me of the promise God made to us all, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." This truly is the Lord’s church and no person, idea, storm, or otherwise can prevent this knowledge from penetrating every last corner of the earth. I am so thankful and honored to be included in this great and last work God has called us all to.

Love, Sister Terry

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Transfer Week


Hello my family! Well I've officially made it one whole transfer! WOOT WOOT. It's pretty embarrassing that it's taken me this long, but I finally feel like I've gotten the hang of mission life. And luckily I get to stay here for another transfer and Sister Mansfield is still my trainer/companion. Happy day!

So much happened this week that it's hard to say everything! First of all Elder Godoy of the 70 came and talked to us! It was so cool! He's so awesome and so funny. He told us a bit about his conversion story, about how he was living in Brazil and sister missionaries were able to teach him and eventually baptize him. But then he met with them 20 years later and one of them was inactive. WHAT?! Isn't that nuts? I can't believe that after going on a mission, and coming so close to God and seeing so many miracles that someone could go inactive after all of that. It breaks my heart, and I see it everyday. We forget so quickly how much the Lord has blessed us in our lives, and the miracles that we've seen. I sincerely hope that I will be able to always remember that nothing I accomplish is by my own power but it's when my wants and dreams align with God's will that things really happen.

And that happened this week! We were meeting with an investigator, Sister Hernandez and she's super awesome but is having some financial problems. We were going to meet with her the day of the conference with Elder Godoy, but the conference ran late and we have to have the lesson in a member's home. So it was a pretty hectic time. Usually we just resort to having it in this one member's home when we are rushed because she's pretty flexible and can do it on a last minute notice. But for some reason I decided to call one of the members of the ward that is super busy and we haven't been able to have a lesson in her home before ever. This is a really confusing story but it's got a great ending so bear with me! Somehow she miraculously didn't have anything going on that night and we were able to have it at her house. So Sister Hernandez comes to the house and is talking about how her poor daughter needs a winter coat because she's freezing! And Sister Bahr (who is the member whose house we are having the lesson at) happens to have a random winter coat that is the perfect size! Then Sister Hernandez said that her son has outgrown his car seat and she needs to get a new one but as most people know they are dang expensive! But again, sister Bahr says a member of the ward gave her a car seat just yesterday and she doesn't really need it. It happens to be the perfect size for him. As we talk about the lesson and such sister Hernandez has been struggling to know if God is really there, but we come to find out that just the night before she had prayed asking God for a coat and a car seat for her children.

I know that God listened to her prayers, and he answered them. So many times I get so caught up asking for so many things and trying to remember what I'm supposed to say and then I forget about what I even prayed for. But since I've been on my mission I've had more prayers answered than ever before. It's amazing the way it all works out if we only pray in faith. I LOVE this gospel so much, and I love that I know God answers prayers and that's my favorite part about teaching the restoration is inviting people to pray to know if it is true. Because it IS true! I know it. God knows it. And the rest of the world can know it as well if they pray with a sincere heart.

Love,Sister Terry

P.S. the picture is of the family I'm staying with. In the middle it's me and my companion sister Mansfield. I'm SO glad I get to stay here for 5 more weeks at least!!! YAY!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I've been in Minnesota for a month!


Sidney with the Dobbins, the family housing her and her companion
Hello my family! How are you all doing? I heard that it snowed in Utah, which is super strange cause it still hasn't snowed here yet. No complaints though.

So I realized that I haven't talked much about the people that we are teaching. Super sorry about that. But we met with one of our investigators this week and had a way cool experience! We had been trying to get her to commit to a baptismal date, but she has lots of concerns and also talks A LOT so it's hard to say everything that we want to tell her. But this week we talked to her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the cleansing power of the Atonement. She told us about some serious mistakes she has made in her life, and how much she regrets them now. We were able to testify to her about the cleansing effects of baptism and how she will be free of those sins she committed before. I wish I could explain to you all exactly what happened, and how strong the spirit was. It was so clear that Heavenly Father loves her SO much, and wants her to return to him. And as we invited her to be baptized, and she accepted I LOVED being able to promise her the blessings that come through baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. We are SO excited for her to be baptized!!!

Another major event that happened this week is that one of the lady's in our ward had a baby, and the baby passed away. It's been a heartbreaking week for many of the members as they prepared for the funeral and lent a hand to the family. Our bishop invited us to come to the funeral to help show our support for the ward. It's interesting because our mission president invited us to study the plan of salvation for the past few weeks and write a paper summarizing the plan. So it's been on our minds quite a lot recently. Attending the funeral was hard, and brought back a lot of memories about the funerals I have attended before. Even with the knowledge of the plan of salvation it doesn't make losing a family member easy. We love them, and we love being in their presence and it's hard to know that for right now, we can't be with them. But oh my goodness how thankful I am for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For his ability to break the bands of death and rise again, and through him we all can live again. If I didn't know this before my mission I sure know it now that my family will be together forever. No matter when they are taken from this life, and how long I have to be here without them I know that I will see them again and be able to spend the rest of eternity with them. It's been such a blessing to know that as I spend the next year and a half away from those I love and cherish I will be able to help those who don't have that knowledge find peace and comfort in losing their loved ones by knowing that when a person dies they will live again, and we will be celebrated and rejoice as we join them in the next life. And right now, that's why I know I can do this, I can be away from my family, because this isn't the end for us.


Sorry for the super serious subject. I realize that probably my last two emails have been downers and hopefully it doesn't freak any potential missionaries out. I absolutely LOVE being a missionary. It's the hardest, most rewarding thing I have ever experienced! I have never felt such love for people I hardly even know, and also I've never understood the atonement as well as I do now, and I'm so glad I have 17 more months to study and learn from the scriptures. It's so awesome!

Thursday, October 31, 2013

October 28, 2013

Hola Mommy and friends! I hope all is going well in Utah,

This week was SO rough! I went through a crazy roller coaster of emotions all week long, but fret not because at least it ended on a positive note!

Pretty much there was not much success in the department of tracting. Usually we are able to teach a door step restoration lesson every day, and find a new investigator every other day. But this week there was NOTHING. I joke you not. From Monday to Friday we couldn't find anyone who was willing to hear the gospel. I was so frustrated, and was having the roughest time trying to understand why on earth God wanted me to go on a mission. I have the hardest time explaining the restoration to people in a way that they would understand it, and it just makes so much more sense to have Sister Mansfield say it all. But one night as I was praying and asking why I was called to be a missionary a verse from D&C popped into my head. In my mission we recite D&C 4 every morning and I've been trying extra hard to memorize it this week. That night as I was praying verse 3 came to my mind. It says "therefore if you have desires to serve God ye are called to the work." For me, it was an answer to my prayers. I need to trust God that He will help me, because I do want to serve him and share this gospel!

Also, this week we did tons of Biking! It was crazy, despite all the biking, running, scootering, and roller blading I did before my mission I am still out of shape. haha and biking took quite a lot of effort! But luckily we get to take a break when we pass by people so that we can share the gospel with them! So it's helped me get out of my comfort zone and talk to people because I need a rest. haha embarrassing. We did some raking leaves as well, I miss the pretty Utah trees and fall colors but it definitely brought back fond memories of preparing for Halloween by raking a pile of leaves and putting them in bags with pumpkin faces on them!

And don't worry Riker, Emma, and mom. I'm definitely still getting mercilessly teased for my phobia of spiders and other creepy crawlies. Turns out in Minnesota they LOVE Halloween and all things that apply to it. Every house here has fake spiders on it! And the mom of the family we live with stuck a spider ring in my bag when I wasn't looking. So rude. But I did conquer my fear and knock on a door that had a huge spider on the railing. So props for Sister Terry.

This week I've definitely been thinking a lot about eternal perspective and enduring to the end. It's so funny because miracles happen all the time, but in just a day or so we forget how much the Lord has blessed us and start complaining about why life is so hard. I definitely did that a lot this week as I wondered why we weren't getting success and why this has to happen. But then I got that letter from mom, reminding me that it has been an entire year since I was in a car crash! I remember at that time it was the most frustrating, difficult thing I had ever gone through. I spent so many nights praying to find out why this had to happen, and why God would ever allow something so bad to happen to us. But now that I have the ability to have hindsight and see what has come since that day I'm able to realize how much it has blessed my life. Because I was so concussed and couldn't work out, I wasn't able to deal with my problems the way that I usually do and I had to find another way. And that was by turning to my Savior and finding peace through the atonement. I was able to grow closer to God than I ever would have. And it very much influenced my decision to go on a mission.

It's the same way right now. God sees things in an eternal point of view, and although we haven't had much success this week, it gives us an opportunity to come closer to him, rely on the spirit and have faith that he is preparing people for us to teach.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! And having this wonderful knowledge of the restoration of the gospel and the plan that God has for all of us.



Love, Sister Terry

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Week 5

Guess what! I've officially been out a MONTH. What??? Time literally has flown by! And SO much has happened this week!

First of all, we did SO much knocking on doors this week! I joke you not, it's tracting season! We met many a lovely people, and also many a not so lovely people who exercised their agency by not listening to the greatest message of their entire lives. But persistence is key in this sort of work and God will always win!

BUT we did meet a fantastic lady who is a devote Baptist and well rehearsed in her bible verses. Other religions fascinate me, and it wasn't long before we were discussing beliefs. My favorite part about meeting God's children who question our testimony is the opportunity that we get to BOLDLY declare that we know the truthfulness of our message! Literally though, she was hinting that our testimonies are more our parents testimonies than our own, and that we will be able to know the truth when we start questioning our beliefs, I have NEVER seen Sister Mansfield testify so strongly that this is the true church and that she knows that God has answered her prayers, and that God knows that she knows it is true and she CANNOT deny it's truthfulness. Ahh, she's so legit. That's why she's sister training leader, cause she's dang rad.

We also did exchanges this week with some other sisters. I was able to visit Minnetonka and spend the day with Sister Hessan. The only way to describe her is that she's the soul sister of Brooke Hodson. Literally the entire time I was with her I had déja vu about cross county. But it was a grand time overall and we were able to meet some great people and teach some restorations! YAY!

Unfortunately, in our area people are not so inclined to hear the restoration. It's super strange because people have heard about our church, read the Book of Mormon, and either think it's "an interesting book" or that it's true, but all churches lead to God so it's not important which church you are a part of. WHAT? ha crazy people. I love them though. And will keep trying to come up with ways to share my testimony with them, and explain the necessity of saving ordinances with the proper priesthood power. The funniest thing though is getting to go knocking at 7. It's about pitch black by then, cause it's practically winter over here in little Canada so people come up to the door and always say things like, "what are you doing out so late?" "You be careful, it's pretty dangerous this time of night" hahah LOVE IT!

I wish that I could tell you everything that's going on, and how great missions are, except for those times when no one want to listen to you and then they are frustrating but then you pray and remember that the Lord is on your side and will NEVER forsake you or forget you (2 Nephi/Isaiah). But overall, it's a lot like life with good times and bad, but we do have that eternal perspective, and are able to have hope that the bad times won't last and that Sunday will always come. (Joseph B Wirthlin)

I LOVE you ALL!!

Love, Sister Terry

Monday, October 14, 2013

Week 4? Right?

Sister Terry, Trinity, Sister Mansfield

Guten Tag! I hope you are doing quite well and enjoying this wonderful Columbus Day! In honor of him we read 1 Nephi 13 (I think) about how Nephi knew Columbus was going to come! Pretty remarkable right?

Um... I'm never really sure how to start this weekly letter, so Imma gonna just jump right into it!
I got my first Baptism!!!!!! It was SO cool! Trinity was able to finally be baptized and confirmed! She was so nervous this week, and was going through some tough stuff so we also got some priesthood holders to give her a blessing. Can I just say that I'm so thankful for the priesthood! It's been something that I've been thinking a lot about. It's definitely a huge part of the restoration of the gospel, not only did we have a prophet to lead us and guide us but we were also able to restore that power given to Jesus Christ's apostles to act in God's name and perform miracles, blessings, and sealings in the temple. It's definitely a BIG DEAL.

Back to the story, Trinity was baptized! Sister Mansfield and I gave a restoration lesson while Trinity was drying off and such, and part of being trained is memorizing and reciting Joseph Smith History versus 16 and 17. I was really nervous to recite it, since I'm still working on memorizing it and more often than not I mess it up. But Sister Clements (mission president's wife) was there, and I really wanted to say it perfectly. Guess what! I did. It was pretty awesome. and there is definitely power in being able to recite in Joseph Smith's own words that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.


We had zone training this week and were able to be taught by President Clements and his wife. Something she said really stuck out to me. She talked about Moroni and how he was the last righteous man in the time of the Nephites and how he wasn't sure when he was going to be killed. But he always had that attitude of saying "I am yet alive" and then would testify of Christ. It's really cool that although he had so much to complain about, and was literally just running for his life all the time, he used the time that he had to bear his testimony! That's how I want to be on my mission. I want to wake up every day and be able to say, well I'm still here, and while I'm here I'm going to praise and testify of God with all my heart, might, mind and strength! What a marvelous blessing it is to be called of God to proclaim his word to my Brothers and Sisters here in Minnesota.

I realize that I haven't told you much about Sister Mansfield! haha she's so great! Funny story, she talks in her sleep, and I joke you not she teaches the restoration while she sleeps! This week I woke up one night, and I heard her saying, "Will you be baptized?" That seriously is her level of commitment, she lives, breathes, and eats to preach the gospel. It's pretty crazy but I am definitely learning a lot from her! She's a sister training leader. So we do lots of exchanges so she can help the other sisters in our district (there are 3 companionships) It's pretty cool to get to know the other sisters and also learn from them! Pretty much, I'm realizing that I have a lot to learn and I'm really thankful that the spirit is there to help, guide and testify!

I'm living in a member's home, and they are the coolest people ever! It's the Dobbins and they are so so nice! Literally I've gained 10 pounds since I've been here cause they take us out to eat and bake desserts for us when we get back at night. They have a daughter who is about my age, and we're going to go hiking with her, and then play board games for our p-day! super great! hahah


May God be with you till we meet again.
Love, Sister Terry

Monday, October 7, 2013

October 7, 2013

Hola Mi Famila!
How is it going? How is Utah? Thanks for all the emails and letters! I can definitely feel the support, love, and prayers for me and I'm so grateful!


So I suppose you know that I made it to Minnesota! Hooray! And I am called to work in a town called Eden Prairie! It's pretty rad, I must say! The people are so amazing and so nice! I joke you not, it's the nicest place I've ever been to. Even people who aren't members offer us water, and good luck while we go tracting!


But first of all, CONFERENCE! I just want to add my opinion to President Monson's when he said that the Sunday morning session was one of the most spiritually uplifting sessions ever! I felt the spirit so strong, and was able to have so many prayers answered! It was so cool that they talked about marriage between a man and woman, Here in Minnesota they are very pro gay marriage. One of our investigators had a question about our stance on the subject and turns out I am not very good at being bold when it comes down to it! But we prayed that we would know how to answer her without offending, but also without being timid about God's law. She was able to watch that session of conference though, and it completely answered her question! Best thing ever! I'm so glad God is aware of his children and gives us what we need! And most of all I LOVED President Monson's talk! I felt like such an idiot, cause I was crying so hard but I felt the spirit so strong and he talked about his best friend, and wife and also the importance of enduring. I can't even imagine what he's going through, but I know that he's put his trust in God and it's helped him through these tough times and it can certainly help me as well!


Besides watching conference, I basically adjusted to missionary life out in the field. First off, my companion is Sister Mansfield. She's awwwwwwwwesome! I love her so much! She's from Idaho and she's been out here 14 months! So basically she's pro. Which is good, cause I came out here ready to teach and commit people to baptism but there's one problem. People don't respond the way they did at the MTC! hahah it was definitely a humbling experience when I realized that I am a noob and that bearing testimony is a rather difficult thing to do.


I really miss Sister Davis, and the other people in my district. But hopefully I get to see them SOON! they were all so great! Especially my companion. I know that somehow we're going to be companions again and we'll rock the socks off of the Minnesota people!

So embarrassing story, the first day where we met with our new companions and with the mission president I saw quite a familiar face! Alex Caskey is in this mission! I was SO surprised to see him, and I felt like the worst friend ever since I totally went to his farewell but then forgot that this is where he went! ahh so dumb. But I talked to him a bit, and it definitely reminded me of the good ol' cross country times. And on the bright side, he's training one of the coolest people ever from my district! SO I'm super happy about that!

I'm so thankful to be on a mission though, and I'm thankful for all those people who got me here! Not a day goes by that I don't use something that one of my leaders has taught me. I might not have fully appreciated their testimonies, and teaching back then, but I totally realize how everything they have said has prepared me to be here and to be the best missionary that I can be!


Mission life is SO cool! It's amazing how much you can learn every day, and how each day is an opportunity to come closer to God! This really is the Lord's work and I'm so thankful I can be an instrument in helping bring souls unto Christ.


Speaking of bringing souls, we have a BAPTISM!! I'm so excited! Her name is Trinity, and she's probably the coolest person I've ever met! Her baptism is this Saturday, and I'm so glad that I've been able to meet her and share my testimony about baptism. She was already preparing for baptism before I arrived, so pretty much I'm just the last leg of the race who gets to bring it home. It's nice though, and hopefully we'll be able to find more investigators who are ready to hear the gospel!


Mostly, we talk to the less actives, and try to help them understand the importance of enduring to the end. Although they've been baptized and repented of their sins it's not over! It's so heartbreaking to hear about how they were so strong in the gospel but then they forget the amazing things that God has done for them and how blessed they are. Hopefully the Holy Ghost will be able to testify to them the importance of going to church and reading the scriptures.


I love you all!! Hope you are having a fantastic time in UTAH!!


Love,
Sister Terry
Sister Davis, some elders, Sister Terry--MTC

Sisters Terry and Davis--they're not in Utah anymore

Sisters Terry, Davis, Gesel, Shumway at the Provo Temple

Arrival in Minnesota

This is an email the mission president sent us letting us know Sister Terry had arrived safely in Minnesota.


3 October 2013


Dear Brother and Sister Terry,

On Wednesday afternoon, my wife, Julie, and I, greeted Sister Sidney Anne Terry at the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport and welcomed her to this great mission.  She was happy and excited to begin her mission.  Thank you for all of your efforts to prepare her for the adventure that lies ahead.  We understand what a great sacrifice you are making to support your daughter. 

We drove from the airport to the mission home and took pictures of our new group of elders and sisters.  The day was sunny, and beautiful.  We then had lunch and provided a mission orientation.  I also interviewed each missionary.  The Assistants provided training in finding new investigators. 

At about 6:30 pm, Sister Clements and I introduced them to their trainers, who greeted them with big smiles and bear hugs.  After some more training, we sent them off to their assigned areas. Sister Terry has an outstanding trainer whom I carefully and prayerfully selected.  In two weeks, we will bring them back to Bloomington for a day of training in finding, teaching, goal setting and planning.

Your daughter joins a remarkable corps of accomplished and dedicated missionaries.  There is a great tradition of obedience and accomplishment in this mission.  She will serve with missionaries who desire to build the kingdom and who are willing to sacrifice their all for the cause.  We serve in a beautiful part of the Lord’s vineyard where mighty rivers and beautiful lakes are plentiful.  We are privileged to serve among faithful saints.  

Please encourage your daughter to obey all mission rules.  She will become stronger, more mature, and more self-disciplined as she faithfully follows the rules.  Her first area of service is Eden Prairie, MN; her companion is Sister  Stephanie Mansfield .  Attached are some photos, which I hope you will enjoy.

  
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Regards,



Jordan W. Clements
Mission President

Sister Terry with Pres. and Sis. Clements

New Missionaries

Sisters Terry and Mansfield

Sunday, September 29, 2013

September 27, 2013

Sisters Gesel, Shumway, Terry, Davis

Dear mom,
First of all, yes I got your packages. Thank you very much! I definitely have gotten tons of food and the food at the MTC west campus is SO DELICIOUS! I joke you not. We were able to go up to the main campus yesterday for in field orientation where we learn how to talk to people on the street and involve members in our lessons. The down side is that we also had to eat lunch there as well. It was disgusting. I'm definitely blessed that I get to be over on the west campus! But guess who I ran into? Elder Farley and Sister Tate! It was WAY funny! I totally forgot that they were there, and when I saw Elder Farley I was so excited that I accidentally called him Winston. OOPS. But he said he likes the MTC lots, and I ran into him 5 more times yesterday so it was quite interesting. Sadly no Sister Chapman though!! Could you get me her address and dear elder it to me asapronto? That would be much appreciated! You're right that we are leaving Wednesday, but it is ridiculously early so I doubt you want to be woken up at 4am just to hear my voice. :) So probably not happening for calling you at the airport. Oh and could you also give me Justin's address? I definitely want to write him letters. And if you have spare time write to my companion! She's super awesome, but she doesn't get mail often because she's from Australia and it takes weeks for mail to arrive. It's the same address as mine. :) thanks!

So on to the exciting stuff. SO much has happened this week! And I keep writing it all down so I can remember what to tell you. Unfortunately I left that notebook in my room... hopefully I can remember some of the stuff though. On Tuesday we were able to go up to the Marriot Center to listen to the devotional. I can't remember who spoke but he was a mission president in Bolivia a few years ago. He gave an amazing talk! Literally I was bawling like a baby for most of it! He showed us a scripture in D&C where the Lord was talking to Sidney Rigdon and was telling him that if he leaves his family and goes out to preach the gospel the Lord will take care of his family and they'll be blessed for his hard work. It was super cool cause it had my name in the scripture!! and then he also told us about how there are so many people who are ready and willing to hear the gospel, but we also have to be able to listen to the promptings of the spirit for who is ready to teach. It just showed me how the Lord cares about his children, and he has to be able to trust me as a missionary that I will do all that I can to invite and help them come unto Christ. And if He doesn't think that I can do it, he'll save that investigator for another missionary who is ready and willing to give all that they can. I hope that makes sense, it was really powerful to me though. I definitely want the Lord to feel like his children are in good hands and that I will do all that I can to help invite the spirit into investigators lives.

Oh my, so we got some new missionaries in our zone, on Wednesday night I got to introduce them to the rest of the zone and kind of tell them a bit about the MTC. It was SO hard! I definitely do not feel prepared to be responsible for other missionaries, I just got here! But I guess the Lord, and my mission president, know what they are doing. It's been interesting being a Sister training leader, I just want everyone to love the MTC and be so excited for their missions! The new missionaries seemed pretty cool though, we'll see how they are in the next couple of days.

At first I was SO confused at why everyone says the MTC is so rough and awful, it just seemed like the coolest place to strengthen your testimony! But now that we've begun to really dive deep in "teaching" investigators, and realizing just how difficult it can be I'm starting to understand. I still love the MTC a ton, and I'm so grateful that I'm here! But it's been a roller coaster of feelings as we teach. Sometimes we'll be in there teaching and will have such a great experience and will be able to feel the spirit. And then we'll get cocky and not plan as well and really put on the natural man and suddenly we realize how worthless we are if we don't humble ourselves and rely fully on God. Thank heavens for my teachers though! They are a Godsend. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people who have been teaching me at the MTC and I'm really sad to leave on Wednesday but I'm so excited to go to Minnesota!! Hooray!! I love you all and I wish I could write so much more about everything here but just know that going on a mission is the greatest choice I have ever made and I'm so looking forward to using every day to it's fullest and growing closer to my Heavenly Father and also to help others come to him as well.

Love,
Sister Terry

Turns out I have a bit more time so I'll actually answer your questions. I got packages from both Danielle and Penny Johnson. I'll send them a letter with the package of stuff I don't need that I'm sending you. Thanks for the lyrics to that song. I loved listening to it! That's probably the hardest part of being a missionary. No more one direction :( I keep having it stuck in my head so I'll hum a few notes before I catch myself. Being mom is difficult! haha I definitely feel like a mom in some ways but in other ways I'm the most immature person ever. Hopefully I only show my immaturity at times when it's appropriate to take a break from being serious. That too, is one of the hard things. Since we study ALL the time, it becomes super tempting to get distracted or off topic a bit. And then once you give in to that time temptation the spirit withdraws faster than you can say "get thee hence Satan." but we're working on it, and it is a process but the important thing is to just focus on getting better everyday!

Sorry I haven't replied to many of your letters from home. I love reading what's going on in everyone's life but it's a bit difficult to find time to write back. Our schedule usually goes something like this:

6:30 Wake up, shower get ready for the day.
7:00 Study
8:00 Eat breakfast
8:30 teach an "investigator"
9:30 Exercise, shower again
11:00 Companionship study
12:30 Eat
1:15 Learn from a teacher
4:30 Zone teaching
5:00 Plan for tomorrow
5:30 Dinner
6:15 Have another teacher teach us
9:30 Return home, clean your room get ready for bed
10:15 quiet time
10:30 Bed.

Pretty much the only time we have to actually write letters is from 9:30 to 10:15. And since we have been really stressing obedience as a district we're trying to get better about going to bed on time. So just know that I love you, and those that have sent letters (sis Pasquale) but finding time to write is a bit of a struggle right now. But keep writing ‘cause I love getting MAIL!
Love you lots and lots and lots!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Hello!!

So there is a LOT to tell you, but hardly any time to email! oh dear. I'll start with the facts. I'm living at Wyview. Which is also called west campus. they're trying to send most of the new people over here, cause they're doing construction on the main campus. I love it over here though! We get to do lots of walking during our traveling over to Raintree for studying and zone teaching.

 My companion is Sister Davis. I love her SO much! She's from Australia. Which means she has probably the coolest accent ever! We're determined that I develop the same accent before we leave. She is pretty athletic, so we use our exercise time to the fullest. Unfortunately her favorite sport is basketball.......which is the sport that I suck the most at, but we're learning to compromise and do some running and some basketball. You could say we've got the best of both worlds. he he he

 The first day here was pretty crazy and dang busy! Pretty much you just get knowledge chucked at your head and you don't really understand what is going on. Then they take you in a large group and introduce you to investigators and say good luck! Then we have to teach them whatever we feel like they should learn. Needless to say, it was appalling. But we've improved astronomically since then! And we're learning how to listen to the promptings of the spirit for what we should be telling our investigators. Funny story. We were teaching this little Asian man about the gospel but he was trying to explain reincarnation to us so he said, "you can come back as a grasshopper, cow, female, or a human." Sis Davis and I just looked at each other and were like, "I'm pretty sure humans can be females...." anyway it was super funny to me, but it might just be mission humor so you think I'm a dumb idiot now.

 Crazy thing happened yesterday! I got called as sister training leader! Which is absolutely ridiculous because I have to help the sister missionaries adjust to being at the MTC. But I just got here so I get to adjust at the same time as them. Really though, I'm so grateful for this calling because now I get to help out the new missionaries next week!! (cough cough, Danielle). Our sister training leaders seem so confident and sure of themselves, it's hard to believe that they have only been here a week! Time moves much differently here, days go by quickly but you also feel like you lived here all your life. The only difference is that literally I've spent most of my life here, so everything still feels familiar it's just that the gospel is included more.

 I'm super sorry about the ridiculously long email, I know that sometimes missionary emails drag on, but I hope you enjoy learning about my current life style.

I just want to tell you that I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be right now. And I know that he has been preparing me for this experience for quite a long time. I have such a love for this gospel and it just goes stronger every day! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to share the gospel to everyone that I meet! I'm already dreading the day I have to leave Minnesota and return into the real life. I love you lots and lots and hope you are having a great day!! P.S tell Riker good luck at Idaho! I met a girl from Boise yesterday that is also headed to Minnesota and she ran that race every year! It was so good to be able to talk to her about racing, and she even wore her Bob Firman shirt today while we did service! Literally it is the SMALLEST world ever!! PPS this is a picture of us about to work out. sorry I don't have any pictures of my companion's face! haha next week I'll send more!


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Meet Sister Terry

Pictures of Sister Terry the night she was set apart and then the MTC day! So proud of her!