Hello Mom!!!
Well to start off, indeed I do have a new companion! Her name is Sister Tingey, she is from Bountiful (she know Amelia Bowles, my roommate from college!) and she is 19. She went to LDS Business college before her mission and got her associates in interior design.
So basically that should be enough information to stalk her life. Anyway, she is super cool! It definitely has been a new experience training someone to be a missionary but luckily she is definitely prepared and trying her hardest! haha it's true when they say that training a missionary prepares you to raise your children. I appreciate you more and more every day I'm out here. :)
It's been very humbling having to be the example and leader. Even though I had already taken over the area before, all my companions have been older than me, so taking someone fresh from the MTC and helping them know how to teach has been quite an experience. Luckily, there are SO many people to teach here, and we are staying very busy. She gets to put all that MTC practice to use! :)
Well I have been using the workouts that you have given me. I seemed destined to never have a companion who enjoys working out. So it's a lot of burpees and running up and down the hall. Unfortunately Sister Tingey likes sugar as much as I do! And we like the same things. Say goodbye to treatless transfer. Hopefully I can at least do a less treat transfer. But so far things aren't going well...
You did send me the track schedule. I need to look through my things to see if I still have it. I sometimes lose things. Like my mind. I've definitely turned into a scatter brain, and I now realize how valuable it is to have 2 people doing missionary work together! Then at least when you forget things, the other one remembers. Whew. Thank heavens.
Well, it has definitely been an exhausting week, but also a fantastic one filled with a ton of miracles and strength from God. Every time I think that He has blessed me so much, and there's no way I can receive even more blessings from him, I learn more about the gospel and the infinite power of the atonement and the other ways that it blesses us in all of our lives. Truly it is the good news that we get to share with everyone, and I love being able to share that every second of my life. God has given me so much power and authority to share His important message, and somehow it all works out.
Well, I hope you have a fantastic week!!! I LOVE YOU!
Love, Sister TERRY
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
March 16, 2014
Hi mom!
This is going to be a very quick and short email, so Sorry!
But here are a lot of pictures to make up for it!
This week has been crazy cool and full of So many Miracles!
First of all, Izzy was BAPTIZED! It was so great! She comes from a part member family where her mom is a member, but her dad is not. We've been trying to work with the dad but there has been no success. Then when she was baptized, her grandpa came from Utah to baptize her, and her dad came to the baptism! He also came to church for the very first time the next day for the confirmation! Now, we or the elders are going to start teaching him as well. So it's pretty exciting stuff!
I can't remember much else of what happened this week.... oops. But transfer news! I get to stay here another transfer. And get this… I'm training. haha oh no. It'll be interesting for sure. That poor new sister. But I'm super excited for her, and for the great things that are going on in this area!
Sounds like you had a great week, and I love that thought you shared. That's why Helaman 5, Mosiah 2-4 and 2 Nephi 1 have always been my favorites. You can tell the love that these prophets had for their children as well as for the people they serve. But then you compare it to the book of Omni where a dozen or so people write their last words and it's completely ridiculous. They didn't have anything to say. FALSE. We can always bear our testimonies.
Usually when we have members come we tell them who we are visiting, a couple of facts about them and something that they are struggling with. Then we give them a chapter in the Book of Mormon to read and ask them to prayerfully ponder a question that we give them about the principles found in PMG. But some missionaries do it differently. They should at least tell you what lesson they are teaching. ALWAYS invite the investigator to church. It works so much better when the member does it. And my favorite lessons have been when a member isn't afraid to state her opinion or answer a question that the gator has. It's always awkward when I have to ask the member a question to get her talking .SO don't be afraid to be guided by the spirit and talk. That's awesome that you are going with them! Just stick to the basic principles of having faith unto repentance.
I LOVE YOU!! stay awesome. And legit. Pray often!
Love, Sister Terry
This is going to be a very quick and short email, so Sorry!
But here are a lot of pictures to make up for it!
This week has been crazy cool and full of So many Miracles!
First of all, Izzy was BAPTIZED! It was so great! She comes from a part member family where her mom is a member, but her dad is not. We've been trying to work with the dad but there has been no success. Then when she was baptized, her grandpa came from Utah to baptize her, and her dad came to the baptism! He also came to church for the very first time the next day for the confirmation! Now, we or the elders are going to start teaching him as well. So it's pretty exciting stuff!
I can't remember much else of what happened this week.... oops. But transfer news! I get to stay here another transfer. And get this… I'm training. haha oh no. It'll be interesting for sure. That poor new sister. But I'm super excited for her, and for the great things that are going on in this area!
Sounds like you had a great week, and I love that thought you shared. That's why Helaman 5, Mosiah 2-4 and 2 Nephi 1 have always been my favorites. You can tell the love that these prophets had for their children as well as for the people they serve. But then you compare it to the book of Omni where a dozen or so people write their last words and it's completely ridiculous. They didn't have anything to say. FALSE. We can always bear our testimonies.
Usually when we have members come we tell them who we are visiting, a couple of facts about them and something that they are struggling with. Then we give them a chapter in the Book of Mormon to read and ask them to prayerfully ponder a question that we give them about the principles found in PMG. But some missionaries do it differently. They should at least tell you what lesson they are teaching. ALWAYS invite the investigator to church. It works so much better when the member does it. And my favorite lessons have been when a member isn't afraid to state her opinion or answer a question that the gator has. It's always awkward when I have to ask the member a question to get her talking .SO don't be afraid to be guided by the spirit and talk. That's awesome that you are going with them! Just stick to the basic principles of having faith unto repentance.
I LOVE YOU!! stay awesome. And legit. Pray often!
Love, Sister Terry
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| Sisters Terry and Ballard with Izzy |
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| Sister Terry and her snow fort |
Sunday, March 16, 2014
March 9, 2014
You got to see the new temple film?? (It was actually the second time for the newest movie) ME TOO!! We went to the temple for the first time since I've been here! Man! I needed it SO bad! I forgot how much I love going there. Before I left on my mission I tried to go at least twice a week. That's a HUGE difference from going every 6 months :( but the new film was AMAZING! I was praying for more spiritual understanding to know what on earth the importance of the movie was and what I was supposed to learn.
I thought it was so interesting all the different sides of Satan that they portray. In this one he is trying to act all big brother and friendly, where he is wiser than you and you don't want to disappoint him. But then God is all in there super cool and not intimidated at all. They did a much better job at showing the emotions behind things. Like when God casts Satan out he is willing to do it, and he's frustrated with Satan. But Satan is still his son, and it hurts him to have to do that.
I also loved how Christ's atonement was really the center of everything. God presented it even before Adam became Adam, and then again after they ate the fruit. It was never in question whether it would really happen or not. I was SO glad that I could go and remember those promises that I made when I went through for the first time. It was also fascinating because there was a deaf man there and I was able to read the words (which was super cool) but I also was interested to see what they would do for him at the end of the session. (I don’t know if I can share what she actually said; just know that it all worked out in the end). It reaffirms to me that this is God's work, and his truth. And all are accepted here. That it is a world-wide church because we are all God's children and not one of us are exempt.
This week we soaked up the FANTASTIC weather! I never thought that 27 degrees would feel so warm! It's so funny because there is SO much snow that as it melts there are puddles everywhere! I now understand how there could be so many lakes and streams. All that snow has to go somewhere!
Well, yet again we are going to have a baptism for another 9 year old on Saturday! Basically we teach a lot of little children! When I first got here it was a dang hard adjustment from how I taught before. But now I love it! We get to sing songs with them and play little games to help them understand. And they have such great faith! It's amazing, and I'm definitely looking forward to working more with these kids.
Things have been very interesting lately, as soon as I feel that I am adjusted to missionary life, everything falls through and we have to start over with the work in the area. What I have learned is that there is no such thing as a right way and wrong way to do missionary work. And when it's led by the spirit and our hearts are pure, it always works out. Somehow.
I really am so thankful for this opportunity to be out here on a mission. Everyday I'm reminded of a promise in my Patriarchal blessing saying that I will have a unique understanding of the atonement and I see it come true as I meet these West Africans who have lost everything and everyone but have healed. I see it as people take steps to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ and change for the better. And I see it more and more in my own life as I realize how much Christ must have loved us to do such a miraculous thing. Truly it was not an enviable task. But I'm thankful that he was willing to do it. And we too sometimes have to do things that we don't want to, make certain calls be patient and loving even when we are frustrated. But with the atonement of Christ all things are possible!
I appreciate your prayers and your example!
Do lots of fun things for your birthday and party like an animal! haha or just go to the track meet, that's fun too.
I LOVE YOU. Make good choices.
Love, Sister Terry
I thought it was so interesting all the different sides of Satan that they portray. In this one he is trying to act all big brother and friendly, where he is wiser than you and you don't want to disappoint him. But then God is all in there super cool and not intimidated at all. They did a much better job at showing the emotions behind things. Like when God casts Satan out he is willing to do it, and he's frustrated with Satan. But Satan is still his son, and it hurts him to have to do that.
I also loved how Christ's atonement was really the center of everything. God presented it even before Adam became Adam, and then again after they ate the fruit. It was never in question whether it would really happen or not. I was SO glad that I could go and remember those promises that I made when I went through for the first time. It was also fascinating because there was a deaf man there and I was able to read the words (which was super cool) but I also was interested to see what they would do for him at the end of the session. (I don’t know if I can share what she actually said; just know that it all worked out in the end). It reaffirms to me that this is God's work, and his truth. And all are accepted here. That it is a world-wide church because we are all God's children and not one of us are exempt.
This week we soaked up the FANTASTIC weather! I never thought that 27 degrees would feel so warm! It's so funny because there is SO much snow that as it melts there are puddles everywhere! I now understand how there could be so many lakes and streams. All that snow has to go somewhere!
Well, yet again we are going to have a baptism for another 9 year old on Saturday! Basically we teach a lot of little children! When I first got here it was a dang hard adjustment from how I taught before. But now I love it! We get to sing songs with them and play little games to help them understand. And they have such great faith! It's amazing, and I'm definitely looking forward to working more with these kids.
Things have been very interesting lately, as soon as I feel that I am adjusted to missionary life, everything falls through and we have to start over with the work in the area. What I have learned is that there is no such thing as a right way and wrong way to do missionary work. And when it's led by the spirit and our hearts are pure, it always works out. Somehow.
I really am so thankful for this opportunity to be out here on a mission. Everyday I'm reminded of a promise in my Patriarchal blessing saying that I will have a unique understanding of the atonement and I see it come true as I meet these West Africans who have lost everything and everyone but have healed. I see it as people take steps to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ and change for the better. And I see it more and more in my own life as I realize how much Christ must have loved us to do such a miraculous thing. Truly it was not an enviable task. But I'm thankful that he was willing to do it. And we too sometimes have to do things that we don't want to, make certain calls be patient and loving even when we are frustrated. But with the atonement of Christ all things are possible!
I appreciate your prayers and your example!
Do lots of fun things for your birthday and party like an animal! haha or just go to the track meet, that's fun too.
I LOVE YOU. Make good choices.
Love, Sister Terry
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
March 2, 2014
Can I just tell you, this week was SO crazy! It started off with Tuesday night when we came home at 7:00 to grab Sister Ballard's stuff for exchanges and our entire kitchen was FLOODED with dirty Rice and Bean water. We don't even eat Rice and Beans!!! it was nuts. But we spent the rest of the night with our sister Training leaders filling up buckets of dirty water and throwing it out of the window where it would freeze before it even hit the ground! haha it was that cold! Quite the adventure!
Then a few weeks ago we were driving and slid into a snow bank, so we had to get our car repaired. So we were on bikes for most of the week! All of the sidewalks have a good foot of ice on them and the roads are so tiny because of all of the snow packed to the sides that it makes biking super treacherous! It was a blast and a half though! My little bike bertha rocked it like a champ! The entire time we were biking my back tire was flailing like a fish out of water and I was prepared at any time to biff it hard. But God's angels were among us and helped us stay safe! Except for one time when I got a little prideful and the saying "pride cometh before the fall" was especially true on this occasion. When I hit a patch of ice and couldn’t brake and so I fell... on my bum. Right in front of one of the Elders investigators. but luckily we wear so many layers that It didn't even hurt. haha bonus for the cold weather!
Basically it's been the best week ever! Due to all the hardships and craziness that we had we learned how to trust God even more, and have Faith that he would lead us! Which he did! And we were able to see the coolest miracles and have WAY awesome experiences! In case you were wondering, mission life is definitely the coolest thing ever. Except for being a parent. That's a pretty worthwhile calling as well. :)
During church this week we had 7 investigators show up! Which is a HUGE miracle since we usually only have 3. And since it was fast and testimony meeting, one of our investigators named Happy (she's 10) got up and bore her testimony about the things we were teaching her, and thanked us for teaching her as well. It was SO cute. So then I got up to bear my testimony as well. -but we have a new mission president named president Ehlert who has really been pushing the importance of exercising (I agree), he gave us all pedometers that give out a shrill beep if we haven't moved for a consecutive time of 5 minutes within the past hour. And since we were at sacrament meeting I hadn't moved at all.- So I'm bearing my testimony and all of the sudden my pedometer goes off. Super Awkward. haha basically everyone in my ward thinks that I'm a robot now and just needed a change of batteries. Excellent.
hmm. interesting stuff about the Old Testament. I will read it and research it further. But one of the families we have been working with asked me to read Songs of Solomon for them and tell them what it means. Highlights from my study:
Then a few weeks ago we were driving and slid into a snow bank, so we had to get our car repaired. So we were on bikes for most of the week! All of the sidewalks have a good foot of ice on them and the roads are so tiny because of all of the snow packed to the sides that it makes biking super treacherous! It was a blast and a half though! My little bike bertha rocked it like a champ! The entire time we were biking my back tire was flailing like a fish out of water and I was prepared at any time to biff it hard. But God's angels were among us and helped us stay safe! Except for one time when I got a little prideful and the saying "pride cometh before the fall" was especially true on this occasion. When I hit a patch of ice and couldn’t brake and so I fell... on my bum. Right in front of one of the Elders investigators. but luckily we wear so many layers that It didn't even hurt. haha bonus for the cold weather!
Basically it's been the best week ever! Due to all the hardships and craziness that we had we learned how to trust God even more, and have Faith that he would lead us! Which he did! And we were able to see the coolest miracles and have WAY awesome experiences! In case you were wondering, mission life is definitely the coolest thing ever. Except for being a parent. That's a pretty worthwhile calling as well. :)
During church this week we had 7 investigators show up! Which is a HUGE miracle since we usually only have 3. And since it was fast and testimony meeting, one of our investigators named Happy (she's 10) got up and bore her testimony about the things we were teaching her, and thanked us for teaching her as well. It was SO cute. So then I got up to bear my testimony as well. -but we have a new mission president named president Ehlert who has really been pushing the importance of exercising (I agree), he gave us all pedometers that give out a shrill beep if we haven't moved for a consecutive time of 5 minutes within the past hour. And since we were at sacrament meeting I hadn't moved at all.- So I'm bearing my testimony and all of the sudden my pedometer goes off. Super Awkward. haha basically everyone in my ward thinks that I'm a robot now and just needed a change of batteries. Excellent.
hmm. interesting stuff about the Old Testament. I will read it and research it further. But one of the families we have been working with asked me to read Songs of Solomon for them and tell them what it means. Highlights from my study:
Comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
probably the best verse I have ever read. And super relatable.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
Best compliment ever!! I will use it ALL. THE. TIME.
It's probably one of the most interesting books of the bible. But it's alright.
Anyways, I hope you have a fantastic week!!
I love you lots!
probably the best verse I have ever read. And super relatable.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
Best compliment ever!! I will use it ALL. THE. TIME.
It's probably one of the most interesting books of the bible. But it's alright.
Anyways, I hope you have a fantastic week!!
I love you lots!
Sister Terry
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