October 27, 2014

Hello mom!

Well, I haven't been home for Halloween in 2 years. So maybe that's why I don't remember the death of the screaming mat. You would be glad to know that at least 1 house on every block has a giant spider hanging from their roof as a decoration. And I utterly refuse to knock on those ones. It's crazy. People are SO into Halloween! And the spiders ARE HUGE. It makes it hard for knocking at night, I'm always SO scared that a spider is going to drop on me. But enough about my crazy paranoia.

What the Todd Jepperson? That's pretty cool. What a small world. One day I will try to do family history. But it's definitely not my strong suit. (Todd is a teacher at OJH and we are distant cousins.  We invited his family over so we could get to know them better and figure out how we are related)

The 5 languages of love are: Service, quality time, words of affirmation, touch, and gifts. (Our RS instructor used these in her lesson on Sunday and I asked if Sidney knew about it, which apparently she does)

We talk about them a lot, because as we work with the sisters we have to help them feel our love so it's not just us coming in trying to correct everything that they are doing. But that we love and appreciate the hard work that they are doing and simply offer suggestion to be more effective and continue in being converted. SO the best way to do that is by helping them feel our love by us knowing their love language and doing our best to express it to them.

This week was super fantastic, as always! But really, the beautiful fall weather is incredible right now and the weather got a little warmer so I put my tights back in the closet for another week. :) Minnesota is literally the most beautiful place in the whole world. With all the lakes and trees there is always beautiful scenery as we are driving.

Last Monday we got all the sisters together to do a SISTERS P-DAY!! woot! We carved some pumpkins and did a big thing on this paper called the 40 day fast. Where basically you write down everything that is preventing you from being a consecrated missionary, and then you fast asking God for strength to change and not do those things any more. And for 40 days you do your best to get rid of those bad habits and it invites the spirit into your life! It's super cool, and we are SO excited to be doing it with all these sisters. They are all incredible missionaries and very driven so hopefully they will be led to find many people to teach as they become more consecrated.

We had to pass of a lot of our super cool investigators to the Elders (since all our investigators are men... uber weird) But we are working with Marcus still, and he committed to live the word of wisdom this week! It's been really cool, because as we talked as a companionship about our strengths and our weaknesses, something we noticed is that we were not being very BOLD. We recommitted to be more bold with people as they make changes to come closer to Christ and especially in accepting baptism and we have seen a huge change! Marcus is set to be baptized on the 22nd of November. And then we have another investigator named Shaharah who is getting baptized on Dec 13th. And hopefully many more to come! It's been so cool to see how God helps us to help these people as we turn to him for support and guidance.

We also did an exchange with the Elm Creek sisters. Ahh. it was so good to be back in elm creek again. I LOVE that place, probably way too much. haha but it was cool to introduce them to some of the less actives that I had worked with. And to see how much the ward had changed since I had been there. Luckily, all my recent converts there are doing pretty good, and the work is still taking off in that area. And of course, it was a delight to be with Sister Parke! We did a lot of biking (which I loved) and running (even though I forgot my running shoes, I became pro at barefoot running!) and she is just such a friendly, up beat person!

Yesterday we had a mission president's fireside. Where an Elder Carlson of the 70 came, and we brought our investigator girlay. She is super cool! She's been dating a member of the church for the past 10 years, and knows the book of mormon is true but just struggles understanding why she needs to get married. She actually was living in elm creek ward when I was there, and just recently moved to medicine lake ward. So I'm excited to work with her again.

God is hastening his work in Minnesota! and I am so excited to be a part of it! Have a great week! I love you!

Sister TERRY

October 23, 2014

For p-day we are going to carve pumpkins with all the sisters!! WOOT WOOT! sister p-day!

Oh Rose. She's not doing well at all. I have been praying for her EVERYDAY. But she is very set on the fact that she prayed and God told her that the church is not true. But I hope that one day she will come around. It's actually really sad. The retention rate for the recent converts in this ward is incredibly low. :( But miracle! We've been trying to find a recent convert named Munah. She's actually probably illegal here, and just lost her apartment and her phone so we had no idea how to find her. She was missing for 3 weeks and has a desperate need to embrace the healing of the atonement. So as we were praying and praying to find her and searching in all the apartment buildings where her friends live, we FINALLY found her! It was such a miracle and she was able to come to church on Sunday, and hopefully will be able to continue to come and build her conversion.

Also, coolest story ever, once upon a time I was with my old companion at the library and we met a cute Chinese lady named Fayefay. We striked (initiated a conversation to get to know her) and talked a little about the gospel, got down her phone number and gave her the address to the church. 2 months later we called her up Saturday and left a message inviting her to church. Sunday comes around and she arrives at church! And is ridiculously emotional the entire time. After, I talked to her for a little bit and she just broke down saying that her family life is awful and she doesn't know what to do, she feels so lost and is looking for guidance so she decided to come and then said, "I know I need to get home, but I just don't want to leave, I don't understand this feeling that I have." It was the most touching thing I have ever witnessed. I just started crying realizing how much God was aware of her and knew that she needed the peace in this gospel! We gave her a Book of Mormon and set up a time to visit with her and she said, "I'll go home and read it right now!" Ahh cute little Fayefay. I just cannot believe how aware God is of each of us. It's completely crazy. And overwhelming that we have the opportunity to be his hands in providing the relief and knowledge that people are starving for. Missionary work is so good. I can't imagine how anything could possibly live up to the greatness of life that I have seen here.

Oh hey. We went and visited another less active, and they had a screaming mat just like ours! And I totally wigged out! Dang Halloween. It makes me so jumpy because I keep expecting spiders to pop out everywhere!

We went to the ward's Halloween party on Sunday. It doesn't quite match up to our wards party but it was really cool, and we got a lot of investigators out to it! Another miracle is that we finally taught 30 lessons this week! I have set that as a goal when I first came here, and it finally happened! I love having people to teach and bring closer to the gospel!

Missionary work is so good. I love it so much. Every single week I think that it can't get any better but then it does. This really is God's work, and there are so many miracles every single day. The church is true!


love, sister terry!



Once upon a time I was strolling through the woods and we thought that we would go all twilight and take cool pictures next to trees. However, as I was running back to pull a pose I thought it would be a great idea to change it to a jungle tree swinging picture. So I jump and grab hold of the tree, my toes tingling with excitement at this great success that it would be.... and the tree broke. And thus this picture was born. Enjoy.

More pictures:

October 13, 2014

This week was super great! Starting off with a fantastic p-day last Monday! We went up to the park as a zone and played some really fun games. AKA ULTIMATE FRISBEE! Good thing my 4 years of xc prepared me for that game, cause we won! Actually, really funny story as we were preparing for the battle of ultimate Sister Smith (my companion) turns to me and asks, "Sister Terry, are you a competitive person?" And I responded, "Affirmative." and she goes, "I thought so." but hey. I've clearly made leaps and bounds of improvement if it took her 5 weeks to find out. But we won, and apparently I got a little too into it, cause I lost my voice for the next 3 days. #oops. but partly cause I was still a little sick from last week. I just didn't want to sit out on all the fun. We also had an egg toss. Poor sister Smith got it all over herself. hahah okay. I was laughing when it happened. But I also helped her clean it up.

Tuesday was MLC (mission leadership Council). President Forbes has really been pushing us to work on finding through members. Especially meeting with active members, and have them set up an appointment for us to go meet the less active people that they visit teach with them. It's a really cool initiative. The only problem is when people don't do their visiting and home teaching. Literally if there is one thing I have learned this past month is how crucial visiting and home teaching is. We would have much greater retention as a whole church if people viewed this calling with greater importance. alright, I'll step down from my soapbox now. MLC totally inspired me though, I LOVE president and Sister Forbes, they are the sweetest people you could ever imagine. After the meeting you leave with such great hopes and filled with the spirit! We were able to invite 3 people to be baptized that night, and we are working on being much more bold in inviting people to change!

We blitzed two of the sister teams we work with, it has been such a blessing to be in this area for so long and become so close with all the sisters! They are all such fantastic missionaries. And it's been so cool to see their conversion to Christ deepen and to see how much their areas have improved as they change. I am always so impressed at how quickly we can change and let go of those things that are holding us back from becoming more like Christ. Especially as we think about why we need to change, and what blessings are in store for us if we do.

Let me end with a super great quote,

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world words from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human Nature. Yes. Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world. Men, captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. They set fire in others, because they are on fire themselves."

I feel so lucky to be a missionary, especially in Minnesota! This is the greatest place on earth, and the opportunity to share the gospel with the people here is the greatest blessing I could ever have. I've never loved so many people, or felt so invested in their spiritual welfare. It's been the most exhausting, painful experience. But I've never felt closer to my Savior. And, if I am to help people come closer to Christ and accept his gospel I must do the same first. I am so thankful for the wonderful examples I have had in my life to help prepare me to serve a mission. This really has been the best year of my life.... so far. :)


Have a fantastic week!

October 5, 2014

Last week as I was going through all the messages she sent I missed these two pictures:

Sisters Terry and Smith with Veronica

Sisters Terry and Smith at the Como Zoo

MOM!

hello. I don't have much time to talk but I'll try to move my fingers at a rapid rate to give you a long email, although I can't promise that the quality will be all that wonderful, at least you will have a sufficient quantity. maybe.

Conference was wonderful! Actually, I was uber sick for the past few days, and it was hard to concentrate at places, but I really liked it. Crazy how they talked about sustaining church leaders so much!

I really liked that German guy’s talk, as well as hey! Elder Gadoy talked! that's the one in the 70 that came to our mission! Now you know! We're going to have another member of the 70 come soon too.

We went to the church on Saturday to watch, since we had some investigators who were going there. Then on Sunday we went to family called the Wilsons. (look them up on facebook. Sarah Wilson, and Paul [the third] Wilson) they are SO cool! President Wilson is in the stake presidency. And Sarah Wilson is the young women's president. We've been working with her a lot as we try to reclaim the lost and fallen Rose Flahn.

Then for the afternoon session we watched it with the England family. Ahh I wish you could meet all these people. they are a delight! Lots of uber cute families! Sister England went on a mission to South Africa, which was uber crazy and a lot of her companions got raped or mugged. So now sister missionaries aren't able to go to south Africa. But she's this cute dainty house mom that doesn't take crap from people. It's so cool. And we used to go running with her when Sister Smith and I ran.

I thought about the family, and the spirit prompted me that you were all watching conference on the projector. Either that, or we are still somehow connected with our minds. Either one.

How is work going? and cross country? and exercising? haha you are a busy mommy! But that's the way it should be. Don't forget to do family history though! :)

All is well in Medicine Lake. I love it lots and lots. We have to get going because we have a zone activity today (obstacle course! guess who is going to win!! ) I've been working on being less competitive with... well everything. Numbers, baptisms, exercise and what not. But when it comes to obstacle courses. I WILL DEFEAT THEM ALL. I guess I probably get it from Andrew. SO we'll blame him.

But I hope you have a great day!



Love, Sister TERRY

September 29, 2014

WELL, this week has been a fantastic one! It goes by so quickly every time!! We went as a district to Como Zoo, which was fabulous! We especially loved the monkeys with really cool mustaches. Mega awesome! As well as I am a die hard fan of the lions. My lion king days have left me with a love and passion for them. so cool!

But as for actual missionary work, We went on a couple of exchanges this week. Sister Smith took over the area for a day, which I was SO sad to leave but she did fabulous and even taught Tina the law of chastity! WOOT! One step closer to receiving the covenant of baptism. And obtaining blessings for their family. I am so excited for her, she's just the most sincere wonderful lady I have ever met. It's such a joy to be with her.

But I went on exchanges with Sister Teuscher up in Maple Grove (I really hope that you are always looking up these places on google maps mom.) It's been so fun to see all these trainee's come in so green and new from the "real world" and watch them grow into a confident missionary who can preach the gospel and call people to repentance! what a joy! I am constantly so impressed with these wonderful sisters. I feel like I have the easiest bunch of sisters to watch over because they are so faith filled and are consecrated to the Lord! It makes it a joy to be around them! I also went on exchanges with Sister Richardson. We stayed in Med Lake, and found lots of new people to teach! #holla! #cryrepentance The best was when we found this lady named Jane and she is from Kenya, she owns a group home, which is where we knocked. After we taught her about the restoration we invited her to say a prayer with us, and she accepts and then goes to invite the other women who are there. There was a lady named April there, and Jane goes, "April, do you want to pray with us?" and April says, "Uh.NO." "Have you forgotten that I am a Wicken?" And Jane just looked at us, rolled her eyes and says, "okay. well we will pray for you." Oh my goodness I wish you could have been there. Because actually it was really funny, but probably in this email it seems really lame. SO sorry about that. 10 seconds of your life wasted.

Other highlight of the week, Victoria got baptized! I can not get enough of this cute 9 year old girl. She's such a character. Which I enjoy a lot. Her family is incredibly awesome, we are working hard on getting them to the TEMPLE! woo! the Hernandez family is awesome!

Also, General conference. I am SO stoked. It was amazing to hear the women's broadcast, and especially Elder Uchtdorf. He's so cool. I learn so much every time I get the pleasure of hearing from the apostles and prophets of God. What a blessing to be a part of the Lord's restored church where we literally have someone who is a spokesman for God. Sister Cooper (my recent convert) was asking us why it is SO long, and we talked about how it's only twice a year and she said, "Oh, so he has to tell us everything that God has told him in the past 6 months?! no wonder it's so long!" haha I can't get enough of her. But really it's SO true! There is so much that we need to learn and such a short amount of time to hear everything that they have to say! SO we need to start preparing NOW!

Also, Here's a quote. That I'm so obsessed with,
"I have desired, after traveling for 25 years to stay at home and minister among the people of God, and take care of my family. But God's will be done, and not mine. If it is the will of God that I should spend my days in proclaiming this gospel and bearing testimony of these things, I shall think myself highly privileged and honored. And when the spirit of God is upon me, I think it matters but very little what I suffer, what I sacrifice whether I secure the honor of dishonor of men, or where I die, if it so be that I can keep the faith, fight the good fight, and finish my course with joy. I have all eternity before me, in the which to enjoy myself." Parley P. Pratt.

I can never get over how cool being a missionary is! I wish I could explain all the fun laughs, the crazy cool miracles, and the bitter sweet moments. But it's unexplainable. but also incredible. I love it so much, and I feel SO lucky to be here in Minnesota!! It's the best place on EARTH!


love, Sister TERRY

On the way to Como Zoo with Sis. Smith

At Como Zoo

Nightly Planning

Sisters!