I'm trying to make these things shorter. I myself don't even want to read my own emails.
Tuesday- awesome phone call lesson, phone call prayer, then awful personal study I kept falling asleep. I tried so hard to stay awake, especially because I love personal study. I made up for it by studying during lunch. We had one amazing lesson… Doug is going to get baptized hopefully this month. Stay tuned. So it's sort of a miracle. We knew we wanted a member to come with us to the lesson so we prayed about it as we do as missionaries. I had the strongest impression on who it needed to be and I was like noooo God. It was the member I had the most awkward dinner with, but I knew my answer. Anyways, fast forward and sum up. The member we are bringing became a member at the age of 34. Doug was taught wrong and got the impression that after he was baptized he couldn't slip up on drinking coffee and other habits… we were like you do know about the idea we're not perfect eight? The member we brought still struggles with drinking coffee and drinking alcohol. He explained that its very hard to quit but he knows God is aware of his efforts and that's what's important. A bunch more was said but that was the only thing holding Doug back. Doug shared that there was a difference between other missionaries and us. He said I feel cared for and seen. He said I have noticed God more and I feel good ever since you showed up Sister Hoyt… yah I about cried. Then our friend Keith called and wanted to meet so we squeezed him in. HE IS GLOWING. He still hasn't touched drugs or a cigarette. He feels so much better and is so motivated to get baptized. Guys this is so special to see someone change and come unto Christ. The light in him is noticeably different. He is 60. This is a testament that God is waiting with open arms for you regardless of what you've done and regardless what stage in life you're at. The atonement of Jesus Christ changes you, lifts you, heals you. I love God. I love his son, my Savior, my Healer, and my Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Wednesday
About died 3 times. Someone needs to take my companions license. I am chugging along most days but today it felt like I was dragging myself. I have not been feeling well and I spoke too soon about my companion being a changed person. Highlight of the day: Keith has still not touched drugs, alcohol, or a cigarette. He's getting his brother to join him. I'm making a banana cream pie for him (his favorite). He is so happy and that makes me happy. I also met this nice lady from the ward we were in the area and thought we needed to stop by. She just had surgery on her eye and is getting kicked out of her house so Saturday we are helping her pack. She sent us home with a bag of clothes that didn't fit her and insisted we have them. She is so kind but I felt awful taking anything from someone that had so little. She insisted she always wants to take care of her sisters. My heart was so touched. We are bringing her a bag of clothes from past missionaries to let her go through and see what fits.
Awkward moment: a nice lady texted us a few weeks ago that she had left the church. We decided we would go to her house and invite her to a fall festival. Ya know to show her she's still loved and thought of. She answers the door and the first thing she tells us is" I REMOVED MY RECORDS FROM THE CHURCH. " Our response: okay cool we just wanted to invite you to a fall festival and let you know we still care about you and if you need help with anything we're a text away :) BTW I love your Halloween decorations. Have a blessed day. Kill them with kindness and remind everyone God is still aware of them and loves them.
Thursday.
I did a no no. My companion flew over the curb onto someone's grass and I laughed hysterically. It was too funny for no reason. Well actually it made me think of my sister always hitting the curb at my house(our driveway is like gigantic there's no reason to hit the curb) anyways she did not like that and I couldn't stop giggling. I'm actually still giggling writing this.
READ THIS: Okay okay so we visited a lady and she has two guard geese. Yes geese. Yes guard. She raised them and they come to her when she calls but they also attack visitors. She has a sign to warn you while you drive up. They stand right at the front of the garage. Their names are Carl and Timmy. She's so funny. She's from New York possibly and is THE sweetest.
We had an older lady get completely naked and dressed right there in front of us. We quickly looked down and turned around. I applaud her for her boldness.
We were at a trailer park reading with a sweet lady when the fire trucks pulled up to tell everyone they spotted a tornado coming towards here. Everyone was pretty frightful but I felt totally calm. We finished the lesson and headed home and stopped to get ice cream. The member we took out to our lesson with Doug yesterday messaged us and thanked us. He said he hasn't felt the spirit in awhile and he felt it so strongly yesterday and was so thankful for the opportunity to have been there. My heart was so full I'm so thankful we were prayerful about picking a member to come with us. I think the member and Doug both needed it. God knows what he is doing. Another witness to me, impressions are not my own thoughts but God's.
Friday
Today had a ton of tears, laughter, and SPIRIT. One of the best days but also worst.
Best part of today was I was sobbing while getting a blessing in front of my zone leaders that I didn't know. There's 4 things I've been praying for every morning and this blessing addressed each one of those things. I literally sat there in unbelief sobbing hysterically. They could not have possibly known my prayers but God, he knew. Alma 33: 5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me. 6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer. 7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
God did indeed hear my cries.
When we opened with a kneeling prayer I had the most spiritual experience. I could feel the savior. There's no other way I could explain this but I swear he was kneeling there with us in that room. I have no words to explain today. As hard as it was, I would do it all again to have those feelings and that witness that my prayers were heard. They say you walk with the savior everyday but this experience made it so much more personal and real. I'm starting to think I should sign up for more trials because in my hardest moments I see and feel God so much more.
Also subnote don't work on an attribute of Christ without being prepared for him to test that trait you're focusing on. He really says okay you want ____ well… Boom sham bang have some experiences to test your dedication.
Second best part of today. Sister Jacobson. My mtc comp. I got to see her and hug her at zone conference and it was a tender blessing. She gave me a chocolate bar and she was so precious. She is my only comfort person out here and today I needed that. One of my little angels.
An Elder told me I have a light that is so inviting and that he had to come say hello to me. Very sweet.
Saturday
We did the fall festival and were in charge of running booths. My comp ran off so I spent three hours with Sister Reed. She came out to the mission with me and is having similar struggles as me but she is thriving being her own trainer lol. It was a lovely day with her and I also got to talk to some of our Elders in our district, Elder Newman and Elder Thompson. They are fabulous.The day went way different than expected after the festival my comp became sick and she slept the rest of the day so we had to cancel our two service projects. I also had a touch of the stomach bug. It was joyful.
Sunday
BEST DAY EVER. Doug came to church and my heart was pounding to go share my testimony. I had promised God that if he trusted me with a prompting today that I would act on it. So I did, I got up, followed the prompting, and my mouth was filled. I sat down and Doug had tears and told me there's something different about me and that I speak with power. I told him that's the holy ghost confirming the truth and he agreed. I have never felt that I speak with power but today I realized it's true because I have the holy ghost with me and that is power. I felt like a real missionary today. We got invited to sit in on the young women's lesson and it was beautiful. I had a lot to share and some of the girls seemed to have really connected with what I said. Today I felt like senior companion bringing down the house. I needed a reminder that I can do this and that I have something to offer the lord. I can be me and be successful, I don't have to change or be someone else. Another tender mercy because the day started off rough and then soared straight up. Nothing is more sweet and tender than seeing the gospel really click for someone. The savior is gathering his lost sheep. This is his work and he is working over time. I forgot about this but we had Elder Sikahema come speak to us at Zone Conference and he shared that they're creating 60 new missions and the amount of temples that are announced at each conference will only increase. He said to expect more at the next conference. The lord is quickening his work. I am more than honored to be a part of it. I then had kma which is an academy for juniors and seniors to learn more about christ and talk a little about missions. After we got Mexican food and attended, why I believe devotional. It was a great day.
* there are definitely typos in this email don't judge me I don't have brain function by the end of the night*
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