Chill Out!! March 25th

Little recap of this week 

1. Jermey got baptized!!!! Best day ever 

2. Taught a person without a Christian background for the first time 

3. Went ham knocking everywhere- found a ton of new friends 

4. Kailyn and Steven accepted a baptism invite!!!

5. Saw a groundhog literally thought they weren't real 

6. Knocked the ghetto some more 

7. Felt the spirit so strongly 

Monday-  

p-day we did some pickleball and went thrifting. Found some slaying deals. We helped Christine our friend on date with her bed. Visited sister Tok who is going to teach us how to do Polynesian dancing. Michael broke up with us and I sobbed my entire face off. I was so heartbroken. He went from on date to baptism, to I respect y’all but I'm going to a different church. Heart absolutely shattered, stomach dropped, literally destroyed. Then Sister Jordan found out some bad bad news. Stl’s slept over, and I zonked on the floor at about 12 pm. Woohoo No sleep 

Tuesday- 

Had a really good lesson with Desiree, bore fat testimony to Michael. Had a little phone lesson with Antwan about the temple and some of Nephi that he was reading. He's awesome. Then we had district council and interviews. It was absolutely everything I needed. President is my favorite. He told me, and I quote, “ I'm trying to figure out how to say this, don't take it the wrong way, but take a chill pill…..” I could not keep back my gasp laugh. Never did I think my mission president would say that lol. Apparently he has never told anyone that before. He is a bold man of God. I appreciate it. We had a really good talk, then we had dinner with the Perry's. They are the most precious people ever. I love them so much. 

Wednesday-

 We grinded today. Call, texts, teachings, you name it. We knocked our hearts out and found some absolutely precious people. Some real gems. One man was named Clem and he looked like an angry white man that would bash, but I invited him anyway, and he turned out to be the sweetest ever. We sniped about 4 people out of the car in about 7 minutes. That's my favorite type of finding. Then we knocked into Birttany, and oh my do I LOVE her. She invited us in and we talked for an hour!! Yes that's super long, but it was so, so good. She has been prepared by God. She is a diamond. Literally bomb. We did some service for Christine again. We tore up her broken bed. Taught Mike, Michele and Rodney and it was absolutely precious. We talked about the temple and the spirit was so strong and the room dead silent. 

Thursday- 

went ham messaging and calling people. Did a deep companion study. Went absolutely ham knocking and found some cuties. Taught Tiffany, and it was absolutely a treat. We had some really good discussions and she is so devoted. We had our Book of Mormon study class which is always amazing. It really brings the spirit into my night and our friends absolutely LOVE it. One of our cute friends texted and said that night she had already finished the Homework, and can I keep reading??? Como??? Of course queen!!! Literally a hidden gem. 

Friday- 

Absolutely destroyed today 

The amount of lessons we had and messaging we did was unreal. Taught a Napoli guy, interesting lesson. Hardest Lesson for sure. We checked in on Jeremy, and he is all set for tomorrow. For weekly planning we set in a baptism update. Well our ward missionary Absolutely ripped into us, and accused us of putting people on date to brag. It was unbelievable, and our Mission President, AP’s, President Jackson all had to get involved. Our ward mission leader does not want any of our friends to be baptized, and is super against the baptismal requirements which have been set by prophets. Hmmm. Yeah they seem to think the ward won't be able to fellowship new friends. Anywho wild stuff, but luckily our top dog people got involved quickly and approached him nicely, but also very sternly. Anywho enough of that. We went crazy knocking and found some of the cutest people ever. We visited our friend Carlos who is an absolute gem. Our schedule at the end of the day was nuts.

Saturday- 

Jeremy's baptism!!!!!!!

Started off with a wild time at our friends lucky house. There were about 12 Nigerian men, poor chaos. Lucky is so awesome, and we had a really good, but super all over the place lesson. People calling him, roommates needing things, a quick gas station trip for a phone charger. Ya know just the usual. Well that was at 9 am so we went back home for personal study and then headed to a lesson with a referral named miles. Well he was absolutely the sweetest man ever. He is going to be so fun to teach. 

Well then we found out the ward had no adult baptismal suits so we called the Spanish elders and drove to their church, broke in, and returned with a baptismal suit!!! Satan can not win.

 We then had a call with President Jackson and our ward missionary leader. Well, lets just say I threw in a little testimony about the love I have for the work, my why for being on a mission, sprinkled with the lord set baptismal requirements in D&C, sprinkled with this is about souls not numbers. President Jackson absolutely slayed and put the man in his place so kindly, and kindly explained everything to him. I allowed myself to be a Lil offended and realized I needed to repent and forgive this man. Well I moved on quickly and went to fill the font why we did companion study and calls. Then Jeremy's day came!!! He showed up looking so so precious. He was early so we sat down with our District leader and read Mosiah 18 with Jeremy why all the other missionaries goofed off. Jeremy was so calm and so happy, such a complete difference in him. His baptism was absolutely amazing. The spirit was so strong. Reatha our friend came, and just sobbed saying I know God is here right now. She was absolutely correct. She is so excited for her upcoming baptism. Jeremy came out of the water, a literal cloud 9 gem. A new creature in Christ. My eyes might have leaked a little. Despite there being only 3 ward members come, it was absolutely perfect. The spirit was clearly present. A tender unforgettable day. He is so excited about the temple. We ended the night with Mexican ice cream which is divine, calls, and a zone prayer for all our friends. 

Then the Aps called and were so nice and gave us a pep talk. God is so good. Satan might be working hard, but we are working harder, and faster. We will crush him. My all time favorite thing I've seen in Jeremy is his love for the Book of Mormon. He finished the entire book and is almost through it for the second time. He loves it, he absolutely cherishes it. He is a great example to me. It's been unbelievably to see him going from angry, jumpy, unfocused, to completely calm, filled with peace, loving,  and absolutely filled with the light of Christ. 

I can testify, this is Christ's church restored back on the earth today. He is working through each and every single one of us. He will never give up, he will never turn his back on us. His plan is perfect, and can not fail. We will overcome all things because Christ overcame it all first. We all can become new creatures in and because of Jesus Christ, our loving Savior. He came for me, and for you, he came for the Father. Humbly submit your will to the father and watch the miracles come. 

Sunday- 

Kailyn??? Lucky???? Ysa??? 

Okay, okay soooo Jeremy, Mike, Rodney, Antwan, and Kailyn came to church! We split up and I sat with Jeremy. He got confirmed, and It was absolutely precious. He just glows. Church was unbelievably good today. We then went to the YSA and our friend Lucky came!!! The YSA was so good about greeting him, and making him feel good. It was really cool. The talks were so directly perfect for him and his needs. We had personal study and It was beautiful. It was perfectly tailored to what Kailyn needs. I got done with it all and felt so ready to teach her! Well we went to the church, and Kailyn and our member Sister Hardy came. We had a really good lesson and Kailyn accepted a baptism invite!!!! Wohooo. She's basically a member at this point, she's come to church 11 times. We did some calls and then attended an Easter concert at the church. 

  

March 18th email

Monday: 

some good breakfast as a zone followed with pickleball with the district. Me and Elder Naccarato slapped. 3-0. We did jeremys interview for baptism and he is all set to go!!!! AHHHHHH best thing ever. 

Tuesday- 

Nothing exciting 

Wednesday- 

woke up and hustled to get ready so we could drive two hours for zone conference in New Albany. It was beautiful and amazing. It was all about personal conversion. Some of my favorite things said: 

Converted missionaries convert others

Not my will but thine be done

A hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed

What if others could see what our tags have seen?

I really have been thinking about all the unnoticed things we do in a day. The things that go unreported on our number update at the end of the day. I was reminded that God sees it. The name we represent does see it. Us and our efforts never go unnoticed by God. All your choices throughout the day matters. 

We began to leave when we get a call from the AP's that we forgot our vacuum. In my defense it wasn't next to the rest of our stuff so I didn't know. That was about a 20 minute back track, But we had a good chat with the AP's so guess it was God's plan. We drove straight from New Albany to our church to teach Michael!!! The elders joined us so they could give a blessing, but we ended up co-teaching as well. 

Thursday: Best day of my life 

Training visits were a literal dream. Sister Burtenshaw is a literal dawg. We laughed our faces off, worked so hard, had a fantastic day. We started with a yapping personal study. We had a lot to debrief followed with the Perry's coming to look at all the apartment problems. We went to the library and did some contacting and it was absolutely a dream to have her reporting. We then rushed to Christine's an old lady we're teaching and it was wonderful, and I invited her to be baptized, and she said yes!!!! Woohoo. 

Then we zoomed to get some lunch and knock our brains out. We went to the ghetto, like the ghetto ghetto. Haha it was so fun. We met the crustiest dog which broke my heart. A man with a parrot that speaks Spanish, a ton of shot up houses and some wonderful people. We then rushed to Tiffany's lesson which was a touch all over the place, she likes to talk. Then we rushed to the church for our book of mormon study group and it was absolutely fantastic. Ahh I love it. 

We met with Lee after and Desiree. They're both amazing. Lee I found on social media. Desiree is preparing to be baptized and I found her at our library. So tender to see these people I reached out to progress towards Jesus. Makes my heart swell. We then ran into the Napoli elders and it was actually perfect timing, so I snatched a blessing and it was something else. Elder Tholen is literally the most spiritual person I've ever witnessed. He's the Elder that gave that powerful blessing to the member who's kid had cancer, and the kid( notice had) anywho he cried, I cried, Sis B cried. It was a tender moment. Then we got horrendous news which should not be shared, BUT... all I have to say is Satan is real and the Book of Mormon is one thing he's terribly scared of. Never stop reading it. We then went home and slept. Best day, wishing Sister Burtenshaw wasn't a Napoli sister, we'd be unstoppable together and just die laughing.

Friday- 

We woke up and switched back for weekly planning. We then headed to institute which is always a treat. Headed to Christine's to try and fix her bed, poor old lady's bed collapsed. Had a lesson with Antwan. Knocked in these cracked out apartments, and I mean literally cracked out. That's about all that was exciting. 

Saturday- 

Woke up and immediately texted all our friends on date to not smoke!! We started our fast for Michael and Jeremy. Well we go to teach a referral named lucky! He is from Nigeria, and he was everything and more. He was super hesitant to read the Book of Mormon, but will pray about reading it. Then we had our personal study and went to the church for Michael's baptismal interview. Well about two minutes before, he calls to tell us he smoked and needs to move his date. There were tears for sure. We pressed forward and called a bunch of people. Went to a baptism that was precious, we got to be the witnesses. Did some finding for over an hour and found one single person which is not the normal. Had our Saturday church calls, and then did service for Judith and ended the night with our zone prayer which I said. 

Sunday- 

We had 5 friends cancel right in the morning before church due to sickness. Super sad. But we did have 3 friends come. It was a good time. Had some sync ups today. Zoomed to Jeremy's for an interview, we stood in the pouring rain and snow, BUT he is all ready for baptism!!!!! Had some studies, sat in on a blessing, then knocked the ghetto and I mean the ghetto. Had a naked man answer the door, a few men high out of their minds. All the good stuff. Found some amazing friends. 

March 11 2024 Email

Tuesday: 

We did a ton of calls and lessons over the phone, and then headed to Desirees. She is really quiet, but is just the best. We then taught Reatha over the phone. She breaks my heart. This sweet lady gives her all to others, but doesn't take care of herself. We then went to this mental institution house and taught a guy named Gary. He was really nice and interested, but did scare me a bit. As we left we drove by a lady, so I had to flip around and talk to her. She was the cutest and was super interested. 

We did some social media and then did some quick knocking and found three wonderful friends. We taught Mike michele and Rodney and really focused on Jesus Christ and the word of wisdom. They are really struggling to give up some things. It was pretty powerful I was again put in a position to really testify of Jeuss Christ's sacrifice for us, and it always makes me a little teary. At the end of it they all committed to buying coffee substitutes, and set goals to help with the rest of it. It's special to see just after one lesson the difference in their mindset and willingness. Wrapped the night up with institute. 

Wednesday: 

We went ham today. We had almost every lesson cancel today, so we had some good knocking time. At first it was very hit and miss. We begin praying where we should be because something just didn't feel right. With divine direction we ended up picking some people taught from the past to go stop by and knock around. Well we ended up being led to our promise land. Almost every single door we knocked was interested. We taught several lessons just on the door step, got return appointments, and even found new friends for the Spanish elders. Something about knocking in the rain and mud is so exciting. We rushed to our dinner lesson with an inactive member and her friend she wants us to teach!! Well the dinner was absolutely awesome. We taught Antwan her friend soo much. He had a lot of questions, and the member had already been teaching him about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. It was so incredibly awesome, the spirit was amazing. The Nepali elders were with us, and me and elder tholen tag teamed this one. Antwan is super excited about reading the Book of Mormon. We invited both him and the member to our study tomorrow night and invited him to be baptized when he gains the witness of the Book of Mormon(hold on for tomorrow) 

Thursday: 

Today was something else. We ended up finding 10 friends, putting two people on date for baptism. One was a first contact the other a second contact…. Now let's get into it. 

We had a baller district council, the spirit was very strong. I felt like the spirit really taught me today. We finally got our car back and went to work!! I planned out our bom study lesson so quickly, but the spirit flowed! We did a ton of messaging and then knocking! I felt so prompted to go to a super particular street and we only had a few minutes, well we found 3 people, taught a full restoration lesson, and invited Todd someone we knocked into to be baptized, and he said yes….. WHAT. So I'm already on cloud 9 when we go to teach our Book of Mormon study class. 

Well we have 8 friends come and a few inactive members. Two friends from social media I found. My comp was terrified so I taught the whole lesson, but woah did the spirit flow through. I felt like I was seeing words in front of me. I was so nervous before the lesson thinking about my inability to teach the Book of Mormon, but again God shows me time and time again this is his work, and he has got it. 

We had people crying, taking notes, and asking amazing questions. The spirit was so powerful. After we invited our friend Antwan(who we found Wednesday) to be baptized and he said yes!! Than we taught two of my social media friends who feel like they have found the truth. Literally crying, freaking out, and then it gets better, someone I messaged on social media was so ready. He felt like it was a sign I messaged him, because he had just prayed and has always believed Jesus came to America!! I am blown away by God's mercy and miracles. He works with the most imperfect people like me, and does wonders. 

We currently have 8 wonderful friends on date to enter the path back to God… I can't begin to express how much this mission has changed my life. I testify of him, and as I do I feel completely unshaken in what I know. My love for my Savior motivates me every day to get up at 6:30, and absolutely go until I have nothing left to give. He is my why. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and being able to share it with others and watch them completely bloom and transform it's the greatest honor. When people talk about shouting from the rooftops that's how I feel. 

Well disaster struck at about 9:30 when we got home…. ANTS AND SPIDERS. Sister Hoyt perchance found a crawly worm looking thing on her blanket, about threw up, then she notices oh my there's two spiders above my head on the ceiling. Well then we found about 6 more spiders in the house… Then we find something that looks like a spider and a centipede mixed on the ceiling… Then we see about a whole heard of thousand ants by our sliding door coming in from a hole I've never seen before. At this point I'm flipping. Stls come running over with baby powder, and we start killing everything( okay I'll be honest I only did the ants) we vacuumed all the dead insects, spray bug repellent and baby powder everywhere. My worst nightmare came true.

Friday: 

Started with some Friday morning training that was baller, all about mental health and giving yourself grace. Followed with a new missionary meeting. We then did some weekly planning, and headed to the nepali sisters house so they could get a blessing. Zoomed back to eat, and head to institute. Institute is always fun and spiritually uplifting. We stayed after and taught our friend Levi who I just love, but also, I'd love to throw something at him. He is being a brick and won't keep commitments. We zoomed to the church and taught Antwan with Sister Blanks. It was absolutely beautiful. We showed him the baptismal font and taught a really beautiful lesson. Of course it always has to end with both him, sister Blanks, and I in tears.

 There is something so powerful about bearing testimony on simple truths that are life changing. 

Well we wrapped up and hustled on over to McDonald's to meet Michael. He is absolutely precious, this time we decided to start with tears me and him. I absolutely know I came here to teach him. Watching him just wipe away tears was so precious. Michael is all in, and has seen so many life changing blessings these last few weeks. He is so humble and gracious. We had a really good talk, and he is very willing to do everything he has to. He is worried about smoking. It was special that we chose to teach him that today, because his boss and coworker had asked him that day when he was going to quit smoking. God's timing is divine. After we got a little drinky drink, and did social media at McDonald's with the nepali sisters. We had some good chats. 

It's really funny to think Monday started with tears, and feelings of discouragement, and was followed by miracles, and added strength to endure. This week should have been absolutely draining, but God carries me when I can't take one more step. He fills my mouth and put inspiration into my head. He strengthens us to be courageous and bold. He provides a way for all things to be accomplished. This is HIS work. 

Saturday: 

This was a day. Running on no sleep for this week finally hit today. I felt like I was dragging myself. I gulped down some Dr pepper mixed with diet Dr pepper. It's my new addiction that gets me through the day. Super rainy and gloomy day, but we found two really cool friends. Visited Judith and did some cleaning for her. 

Sunday: 

We had 8 friends come to church. It was so awesome, a bit chaotic, but nonetheless awesome. We had quite the time running around trying to talk to everyone. After church we had to bug bomb our house which required us to turn everything off… heating, fridge, smoke alarm, etc. Our dryer electrocuted me. A horrific experience, but I'm alive. Then we set the bomb off and had to let it go for two hours, and then come back and leave all the windows open for two hours. Bonus: it was snowing!!! 

We taught our friend Kailyn and finally found the root of the problem behind why she wasn't baptized. We had a powerful lesson about loving ourselves, and giving ourselves some grace. We visited a random member and it was so special. She had been thinking and wishing we'd stop by. Her husband is bed bound and they're both converts. They have some crazy special abilities and are absolutely full of the spirit. We sat and visited for an hour… We did try and wrap it up, but they wouldn't let us go hahah. I think Jesus would have stayed, so I don't feel so bad. They haven't had the missionaries come to see them in almost a year. It made me so sad, but we are going back on Wednesday and dragging the elders over too because he needs a blessing. Anywho it was a little moment of God showing us and then that he knows us perfectly. They weren't originally planned in our schedule, but somehow we ended up at their house. God is good. 

Friend update: 

We have 8 friends preparing to be baptized. Two for the 23rd I am so excited. 

We found a ton of awesome people this week and experienced. 

March 4th 2024 email

Well I have been unbelievably busy so this week will just be a small recap email 

Tuesday we went to the temple with the Massillon sisters and Spanish elders. It was beautiful, profound and yet again everything I needed. As usual though disaster always strikes after the temple.

 

Wednesday: I gave a training in district council, woke up horribly sick. President emails and asks sister Haslam to go French and then we call him and they chat then he asks for me…. Well he starts with a pep talk followed with I want you to be a trainer….. 😨😱😭😖🤧🤒🤕🫢🫢…. That describes my reaction perfectly. Well we can't stop the grind and freak out, so we do some calls and stop bys and then head to service with the Elders. 

At this point the elders are in a trio thankfully because the extra person really helped. This inactive lady needed help packing and cleaning.

 Well we walk in and it's a hoarders house. My heart was so sad with the living condition she was in, but we went to work and went ham. We got most of it done when we had to get going. We ended the night with social media work and then we opened PBZ. Sister Haslam was going to Marble cliff to become a French sister!!! Woohoo for her. I was a wee bit jealous. Anywho I looked at all the new missionaries who were coming in and I already had a feeling which one I was training.

Thursday: We go back to help the lady finish packing and then we load it all up into a uhaul and head over to her storage until where we then unpack the uhaul and pack the storage unit. Good times. 

We packed sister Haslam up and did a bunch of stop bys to clean up our area book and called a ton of friends to set up lessons and such. Ended the night with one last district meal. 

 Friday- was a fever dream. We made the elders get up early to give me a blessing and then we all headed down together to Columbus. There might have been some racing followed with a few check your speeds. We had to arrive super early for me to sit in a trainers meeting. At this point my stomach is in a knot, But right before I got to hug Sister Heaton and absolutely maul her. Then we had a few minutes before finding out to talk to other missionaries. I tracked down sister Jacobson my mtc comp and mauled her with hugs. Then I took a walk with Sister Haslam who was also freaking out. We had a good debrief session. I am gonna miss that sister. The time came for me to sit in front of everyone and hear president announce the trainers and who they're assigned to labor with. Well I was correct with who I guessed… Sister Jordan…. I put on a fake confident face hugged that sister and Hyped her up. Well we moved sister Haslams stuff, packed sister jordan's stuff, and then mingled. I harassed our district leader that he better not become flaky. Hugged all the sisters. Everyone came and Hyped me up in front of sister Jordan( I paid them to) jk but I was thinking oh no she's gonna be disappointed ahahah. 

We Got some bippidi bop, Which is like a create your own rice bowl place. Sister Heaton was there and sister williams. Then we headed home. We got Sister Jordan unpacked. Went to Walmart for some essentials and did some weekly planning. By the end of it sister Jordan was whipped. She got ready for bed, and I cooked up some dinner and that was that. 

Saturday- well we did some role-playing for comp study on a lesson. We taught Michael with the elders which was a whole drama fest. Basically to sum it up the new district leaders companion came in and took over the lesson and it was not great to say the least, BUT I made Sister Jordan put him on date!!!! Woohoo..there will be some reteaching to clean up the mess, But let’s be positive!!! 

After we went to another lesson and I taught an entire restoration, but it was really good. I was so nervous to teach all by myself, but it surprisingly went better than expected. We knocked a ton of houses and almost all said yes. Great first day for sister Jordan. 

Sunday- well 6 friends came to church and we put Desiree on date for baptism!! I walked up with a friend so she could share a testimony. It was tender. We had an emergency call during second hour of ysa ward so we Ran and helped this sweet lady. Lots of stuff happening so busy.