BlueBird

Saturday to Sunday we were hit with a north-easterner. The only way I can explain it is comparing it to Steamboat Springs, CO. We spent around an hour Sunday digging ourselves out of the apartment. It gave me a new appreciation for the men who usually shovel for us ha! We woke up today to a perfect bluebird day, if only you could ski on your P day! … Besides the point, it is beautiful, charming, and COLD. Now I know what people mean when they talk about the cold going straight through your clothes and into your bones.

Does it get any better?

Yes.

Rob was baptized Saturday. It sets itself aside as probably the most sacred moment of my mission. It's been a lot of work preparing him for the promises he's just made with Heavenly Father, but he is so blessed for it. His eyes said everything. So full of gratitude, joy, and pure love. What a great chance I have to serve him and the Lord, to help bring him home. He thanked us for all we've done for him, and we continue to tell him that we did not do anything! Because kept his commitments and showed his faith, the Lord blessed him and gave him the testimony needed to get where he is. It's only the start of what's to come. My absolute DREAM would be to see him go through the temple in a year, because I'll be home in a year, which is strange. 

OK. So the baptism. Sorry I'm copy/paste-ing this from my Letter to the President, I just don't have time… WOW. Rob's baptism made everything worth it this week. I cannot even begin to explain the feelings the Spirit brought there. What a moment to remember, honestly one of the best, most sacred moments of my life. The day was beyond anything words can describe. He got to the church with Brother Ladd (who was baptizing him), they changed into their clothes. Rob came out all white, ready to be baptized, grinning from ear to ear. We took pictures then started the program. We sang hymn 86, How Great Thou Art. I conduct the music. I look over at Rob who is shedding tears, and look at Brother Ladd, who is also shedding tears. I couldn't hold back… Crying as I'm leading the music, that song definitely has a special place in my heart. Rob is so tender and loves the gospel. He "wants to shake people and say READ THE GOOD BOOK." Then I gave the talk on Baptism. Amazing how the Spirit leads you when you're prepared with ideas. There are three things that go along with every covenant we make: 1) the Priesthood Authority, 2) the actual covenant itself, and 3) the symbol, which in this case was going under the water then partaking of the bread and water. Then we head into the font room! He was baptized then just stood there for a while soaking it all in… so special. We walk back when JOHN TURNS TO BROTHER GRAMPP AND ASKS HIM TO BAPTIZE HIM!!! AMAZING. Sister Korman gave an amazing talk on the Holy Ghost which was very much so directed by the spirit. We have received many compliments from the members on our teaching, it's amazing!! Rob bore the sweetest testimony of how the Gospel has changed his life. "There's one less hater now." So grateful for the chance the Lord has given me to witness this. How grateful I am!!! Sister Korman and I have been working on a present for Rob - his own set of scriptures, tabbed, and in a case (or matching box, like us). We gave it to him. He looked me deep in the eyes with tears of absolute gratitude. He then said "you can tell what a person wants to say by their eyes." His eyes, that moment will be one I remember forever, or a truly grateful convert, who loves this gospel. 

We made him this:

So YEAH that happened this week. ALSO JOHN IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON HIS BIRTHDAY, JANUARY 9th!! He wanted to do it within the transfer so we would both be there. Such a neat guy with a heart of GOLD. He wants an answer so badly he came to us and told us he is getting baptized!!!!!! We've invited him many times before, but he's the kind of guy who says no at first then later is like "so… I chose hot chocolate over coffee this morning." We knew he'd come to us when he was ready. We asked him how he's felt since having a date and he said, "the only way I know how to describe it is that it's like falling in love."

MY HEART MELTED.

Also, we prayed specifically to find new investigators in our "dead" areas. All the sudden we have two new investigators! One for each dead area!! Creed (HOW COOL IS THAT NAME?!?!) is one, we just met him AT CHURCH. He's reading the Book of Mormon and is so prepared to hear the Gospel. Ed is another, he was at church the other week and is the husband of a part member family! We have to go on splits in order to get to these areas, but it's happening. Splits ARE happening!!

I know that faith is real. It works. I never thought I'd be here to see Hanover like this. I never thought I'd experience anything like I have this past transfer. I couldn't be more grateful for EVERYTHING!!

"But behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God" (Alma 26:11). Now I know how that feels.

I can't wait to call y'all on Christmas and TELL you in so much more detail what's been happening.

OH YES we also took Kaitana and Rob to the Joseph Smith Memorial! I'm leaving out so many details in this email, I apologize that it's all slapped on here in no order whatsoever… 

{The most amazing moment of my life.}

{SO MUCH OF IT!} 

Vessels

Just trying to soak all this in; I love being a missionary. 

Sacred, wonderful experiences happen all around here. Christ's fingerprints are on the hearts of all the people here, they are all around us! Moses 6:63. He is everywhere. 

I can truly testify that we are not the only ones working to hasten the work. It is hastening on both sides. Let me share a wonderful experience with y'all:

So Rob's brother passed in May. He never had the chance to be baptized. We haven't felt the time was right to share baptisms for the dead until this last Sunday. The King's invited us all over for dinner after church. It was us, the Dewey family, and Rob. We ate then opened up our lesson. We started telling him about baptisms for the dead, as we shared this tears were in the eyes of almost everyone in the room. The Spirit was so strong I could've grabbed it! It was INCREDIBLE. Rob's face was the greatest thing I've ever seen in my life. I KNOW that the timing is right for Rob. When we taught him the Plan of Salvation, we taught him that his brother is learning all the things he is. Now he can be baptized just like Rob is. Those brothers are close, and the veil was THIN. He cannot wait to go to the temple, and the temple is what's going to point him heavenward. I've never been so grateful to be a missionary, and to be able to tell someone that their family can be together forever. It was so powerful to have two additional families who had been sealed in the temple present with us. What a sacred privilege we had to share this with him, and his brother.

Next blessing: Maria. She's on FIRE. She invited herself to church with us this week! My goodness she loved it! She's thinking about making the big commitment. One of the councilors in the Mission Presidency came to our ward this last Sunday and invited her to think about being baptized haha! Amazing. She said she was really thinking about it. She loves church and LOVES talking with us!! She's so prepared it's insane. "I've been losing faith in God and my religion, but you two have brought me back to God." I just can't even begin to type all the miracles that are happening.

It's so fun seeing this area change and grow, and so wonderful to be a part of it.

John asked for a "Priestly blessing to answer [his] questions." He is doing all he knows, and all we know, we can do top obtain an answer from our Heavenly Father. He knows he'll get an answer and is waiting to know if the Book of Mormon is true or not. 

Kaitana! Man she's just the bomb. At Dartmouth they have this weird thing where they snap if they're agreeing with what you're saying, she snaps all the time. I love her. She's so prepared. She has so many questions I wouldn't even think about, that are such a treat to study and find out! I just LOVE her!! 

We have four people come to church today. That is a RECORD!!! And eight member present lessons. WAY RECORD!!! We are exhausted! And HAPPY!!! 

How cool is it that when you prepare yourself well, and do everything you can to fulfill the promises you've made to the Lord, He turns us into His vessels. Wise words from none other than Captain Moroni: "Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also" (Alma 60:23). I love that. I try to apply it.

{John gave us a REAL WREATH!!! }

{Just take it in. It all looks like this now. The CUTEST thing people do here is put candles in the center of their windows. Everyone does it! It's so fun to see all these beautiful old homes have the same lights. Someday I'll own a New England home…}

{So Rob is on the right and John is on the left. I cannot tell you how funny these two men are. They smile everywhere else BUT photos haha.}

{Ok SEE we got him smiling!! This was at the ward Christmas party. Gotta love the red plaid VT hats... Thanks grandparents!}

{Last week with my MTC companion Sister Brown!!!}

The Good Book

GUESS WHAT!!!?!?! I AM STAYING IN HANOVER FOR MY 5TH TRANSFER!!! Sorry for the obnoxious caps but that's just how excited I am. I love everything about this place. 

Nowhere to start with this week. It was amazing!! I'll jump right in:

Monday I learned how to break dance... New skillz... Ha! What's really sad is that we did it to no music, and I couldn't move my arms for the next five days... P90X obviously isn't doing anything for us!

I feel like a sinner when I actually like music we listen to... Like Christmas music. 

I can't put events to days anymore. Sorry if I'm jumping around all over the place with this!

Thanksgiving on the mission is a blast, it's so fun house hopping seeing how everyone else does Thanksgiving! We finished the night at Lori's (she the food pantry coordinator at the Haven, not a member). Thanksgiving morning we went down to the Catholic church in Lebanon with John and packaged around 500 dinners for people to drive all around the area to people and families who needed a dinner, that was such a wonderful experience and a tradition I'd love to be a part of next year and years after. 

Some pretty big news for everyone.... ROB IS GETTING BAPTIZED IN TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!! December 14th!!!!

This last Sunday we invited him to bear his testimony. He made me come up to the pulpit with him. I introduced him and then sat behind him as he spoke. He talked about the first time we met, how he was having the worst day trying to mourn the loss of some of his family members and couldn't get out of the rut he was in. He then went to talk about "The Good Book" aka THE BOOK OF MORMON and how he carries it everywhere he goes! He reads from it all the time! HE EVEN SLEEPS WITH IT!!!! He testified that it brings him joy, happiness, and everything good! I just sat behind him bawling like a baby. This was something I wanted so badly, and it was happening. I really can't even explain the joy I felt at that time. Our labors are bringing forth good fruit. The Lord has answered my prayers. Like Alma I can say, "my joy is full." We walked back to our seats, tears flowing down my face. I was so happy.

JOHN. HE FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON!!! So much good this week I can barely take it all in! He fasted on Sunday, got a new church outfit. Tonight we're going to talk with him. I really and truly can see him being baptized by the end of the transfer. It's incredible. He wants to drive Rob to Book of Mormon class, he wants to come to the ward Christmas party. He knows it's true and feels it!!

MARIA!! So she came to church with us and is coming again next week! She said it helped her feel comforted, and apologized for judging us beforehand. We gave her a Book of Mormon full of questions of the soul that Sister Korman had found. She called us later that night and shared one that spoke to her with us. How lucky we are to know her. She's prepared like no one I've ever met before!!! Wish I could just bring you all along to see the good lady she is!! 

Friday and Saturday night we had the Christmas Nativity at the Joseph Smith Memorial. John came with us! The next night we had everyone cancel on us, so with one hour until it started, we called around 30 people trying to get them to come. At last, Chris Balch said she could! What a wonderful night we had, both nights!!

HASTEN

I swear if I get transferred next week my heart will split into pieces... Everyone please send my mail to the mission home address just in case. Also, with regards to Christmas mail, please send it through US Postal Service so it can be forwarded to wherever I am, otherwise the office will be enjoying my packages! 

I know I say this every week, but this week really was absolutely amazing! I am so blessed! Ahhg my heart is full. Amazing how the Lord can improve the quality, and quantity, of our love. So much happens and I wish I could write it all...

The First Presidency asked that all of us attend the Adult Session of Stake Conference. There are a whopping 39 missionaries in our stake! How fun it was to meet them all! No surprise that EVERY TALK WAS ON MISSIONARY WORK AND HASTENING THE WORK. President and Sister Stoker spoke. They really have grown into this mission! You can see all the care and love they have for all of us and the people in our mission. I am so grateful for them. He talks often of prayer, and opening our mouths. He shared some cool stats as well. Tracting, according to President Packer, is COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. From missionaries seeking out people, only 1/100 will accept the gospel. Verses if members initiate it and invite, 1/4 will accept it. That's HUGE.. No wonder all of our focus is on the members. Funny thing is, it's true! He also told us that by opening our mouths and inviting, we can change a life, and by doing that, we can change a legacy. He's a great man. "We do the inviting, the Spirit does the converting." Nothing could be more true to what I've learned out here!

I love the importance of inviting people into our homes. I'm convinced that when I have a home someday we will invite random people over for dinner every night. You can go DAYS without talking to someone with all the technology. Our society is one where we see the backs of people's heads, we don't talk to them! We've got to ALL open our mouths.

People at home! INVITE! That's all you're being asked to do. So do it!

SOOOO Kaitana this week... We shared a tender moment where she realized that the spirit has been consistent. Tears came to her eyes as she realized this. This is what sh'e been looking for! We invited her to pray about a baptismal date. So glad she's staying here for break!! I absolutely LOVE HER!!!! She feels with her heart a lot more, and I feel like her answers are coming. The Spirit is working.

ROB!! He brought a friend named Shawn to a lesson! Shawn is now taking the lessons!!! How exciting is that! He has two daughters 10 and 12. He wants to be healed. He is perfect.

Things are to the point where we have to go on splits in order to get all that we need to done, there is so much we can't do because we just don't have time to do it. We are at a point where we need members to really come with us! It's hard when they all have families, we're not sure what to do... WE NEED MORE TIME!!!

The only thing holding John back from baptism is the Priesthood. We invited him to fast and felt strongly that he'll get answers that way. 

Ok! Gotta go! Love y'all. So much happening after so much work! I am so grateful!!!!

{sista sista!}

Seeking

ZONE CONFERENCE totally went down this last week. Elder Gifford Nielson came and spoke to us about exclamation marks, and a lot of other things... He broke down each ordinance we make and the associated covenants. This gospel is so amazing to me! I'll break it down for y'all:

Baptism - The power to remit sin

Confirmation - The power to receive revelation from heaven

Priesthood - The power to act in the name of Jesus Christ

Endowment - The power to be like God

Sealing - The power to be God

THAT is the package deal... There's no $19.95 price on it. IT IS FREE BECAUSE OF THE ATONEMENT!! What a gift! Heavenly Father is offering us all that He has! It's our agency to choose to accept it.

One thing I've really learned is that I have a strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation. The more I teach about it, and study it, the more I see that a loving God would create a plan like this, that He would give His children all the chances possible to return to Him. 

Agency is something I love. I could go OFF about the things I've realized up to this point on my mission... Too much to write about.

One thing I've done is push my questions behind me as I study for others'. I really haven't taken the time to ponder my own testimony and pull out the weeds. Today during studies, I pondering a lot about feeling alone, and wondering WHERE the Comforter is. I know that I am doing my part and complying with all the requisites of my part of the promises He's given me, where is He? I turned to Moses 6:31-34. My mind runs in circles when I think about all this... In conclusion to all the thoughts that came, and pulling together what I've learned and observed throughout the week, I know that I feel the Spirit when I am grateful. Having negative and grateful thoughts cannot occupy a mind at the same time. I don't feel alone when I look back and see how the Lord really has filled my mouth when I "open my mouth." It just takes hindsight to see that He really has been there, and is there. I am not alone in the Lord's work. This is HIS WORK and HE HAS TO BE THERE WITH ME. I cannot do it without Him, and I'm glad I took the time to resolve what was in my mind. 

I have to take time to strengthen my own testimony, so then I can strengthen others. It doesn't go the other way... 

Also, it's hit hard: the gospel is for broken people. Elder Nielson quoted something from Elder Holland, it goes something like this:

"It takes broken clouds to make rain, it takes broken ground to make grain, it takes broken grain to make break, and it takes broken bread to always remember Him." You could go on to say that it took a broken Savior for us to be healed! I just love that. Broken people finding themselves in this gospel. It really is for everyone!!

This last week had many wonderful lessons! Rob was amazing this week. We assigned him Enos, then asked to read a few parts with him that he liked. He read to us the last verse and testified on how he will see his brother again, and that him and his brother are learning the same things right now. He will meet Heavenly Father again with pleasure. He teared up as he heard the words come out of his own mouth, the power of recognizing that he has a testimony of his own was so powerful! I couldn't take it, I cried!! I am so happy!! How blessed am I see see Rob from the beginning to this point, I am so grateful! Truly!! He ASKED US for a reading assignment, you know they're serious when they ASK YOU FOR HOMEWORK!!

Cool quote: "If you feel far from God, guess who moved?" Also, one shared in Sacrament meeting: "Life is really, really hard, but alone life is even harder, in fact life alone is almost impossible."

Think on those for a little while.

{Today... WHERE IS THE SNOW...}

{This bird made me want a bird! He totally cuddles like a dog haha!}

Awareness

GREAT WEEK!!!

Sister Korman is my new companion. She is also an answer to so many pleading prayers!! I know that the Lord knows my heart, and what I need, because He brought us together. We are becoming so unified! Our teaching is by the spirit. She plans lessons! Our ideas are coming together and the Lord is definitely helping us to light this area ON FIRE!!

This week we have really taken some time to organize and plan. It's the stacking wood in the fireplace before you light the fire... We did a lot of that this week! Sister Korman has a wonderful way of planning out the area. If I learn all that she has to teach me she can help to become the best missionary I can be! Her planning ideas are grand. We do what PMG tells us to do! Then miracles follow!

In New England they do everything the old school way... Houses are heated by wood and oil. EVERYONE stacks wood, and they all need people to stack it! I've become pro at one-handed wood stacking.

Friday we had our trunk or treat activity! We spent $2 and were missionary zombies. Not like we looked any different from our normal day ha!

This is the craziest part of the week:

Saturday we had ward coordination. At the end of it Sister Korman (a professional photographer) asked Brother Knowlton if they needed a photographer for Christmas or anything. She had special permission to use her camera on her mission for finding. Not long ago Bro Knowlton had a dream where they had a fireside slideshow of EVERY MEMBER and their testimonies. He didn't know how it was to be done. But she is here and now we are going to fulfill the dream! Once the ward sees who everyone is it'll get them excited to go out and meet these people! That was the dream! And now it's going to happen! HOW COOL IS THAT!?!?!?

Satan is real, which is scary. He will work as hard as he can to stop people from seeing truth. We just have to remind people to step up 5000 ft. in the air and look down and realize how they feel when they're engaged in the gospel and the members vs how they feel when they are being fed anti. Moroni 7 is a wonderful guide for how to discern truth! If the Book of Mormon is really true, the Restoration is true along with those precious truths that came with the Restoration!

{Wood stacking, barn raising dog!!! LOVE HIM!!!}

{last trio pic!}

pictures

{We made Sister Fuller's birthday a special one. (we got the little packaged ones in the middle).}

{Dinner out of a pumpkin!!}

{Birthday cake for all of us!!}

{there it is!}

{Love the Haven. Best service!}