Sept. 9, 2013
Hey Y'all! So I got moved to Jasper, a small country town, but super cool! I am training again and my new companion is Sister Brunner. She's a lot like me and we get along super well. She plays like a million instruments and super good at all of them!
We've been tracking a lot and meeting a bunch of new people. We met a guy name Steve- a big biker guy with tattoos all the way up his arms and a big beard. He was the nicest guy. Sister Brunner keeps talking about how we shouldn't judge people by the way they look and I have found that to be so true! I learned that in my last area but it's fun to see true it is in this little town.
We've also met a few animal friends along the way...Leonard the Lizard was found in our home and is now sharing our apartment. Jeremiah and Goliath are frogs, and Alma and Amulek the boxers walk us home every night- they are super sweet!
We are living with a non-member Miss Betty. She's about 80 and we love her! When we first met her she said, "Oh you must be my baby dolls?" She calls us her family and is so sweet to us. We went out to dinner with her our first night there. After dinner the elders asked if we wanted to come over to the church and meet some members so we found out that just about everybody in the Jasper branch is related somehow or another. There are about 50-60 people in the whole branch including kids.
On Friday we get to go to the Temple! I am really hoping that they have the new movie so I can see what everyone keeps talking about.
Love Y'all!
Sunday, August 31, 2014
RDH- 2013 Sept 2
September 2, 2013
A little note from the Pres:
Dear Fellow Missionaries, I love this wonderful quote by the prophet..."We may not be able to direct the winds, but we can adjust the sails." - Pres. Thomas S. Monson
Isn't that the truth? We've got the power to adapt and adjust to anything thrown our way! I was reading Preach My Gospel this week and came across another quote from a Prophet that is so good I wanted to share it with you. (pg. 97) How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit? (Moroni 7:13, 16, 17) That's the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is the Spirit of God... I pray that each of you will be human messengers of the Lord Jesus Christ. That your life will be a reflection of good. Remember to ask your self each night, "Who did I help or serve today?"
I love you,
President Hanks
STEADFAST IN CHRIST
A little note from the Pres:
Dear Fellow Missionaries, I love this wonderful quote by the prophet..."We may not be able to direct the winds, but we can adjust the sails." - Pres. Thomas S. Monson
Isn't that the truth? We've got the power to adapt and adjust to anything thrown our way! I was reading Preach My Gospel this week and came across another quote from a Prophet that is so good I wanted to share it with you. (pg. 97) How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit? (Moroni 7:13, 16, 17) That's the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is the Spirit of God... I pray that each of you will be human messengers of the Lord Jesus Christ. That your life will be a reflection of good. Remember to ask your self each night, "Who did I help or serve today?"
I love you,
President Hanks
STEADFAST IN CHRIST
Holy Heavens
August 26, 2013
Holy Moly! This week has been pretty awesome- not going to lie! So on Saturday we got to baptize Terri and that was super awesome! We have another baptism on Tuesday for someone who was excommunicated. I was asked to sing at the baptism. REALLY? So I'll be singing "I Stand All Amazed."
We had an amazing zone conference with President and holy heavens he is amazing- I love him so much! He's such a wonderful man!
And...we were in the newspaper! If you go to al.com and search mormons it should be there. Well folks that's about all I have for you :)
Love you!
Holy Moly! This week has been pretty awesome- not going to lie! So on Saturday we got to baptize Terri and that was super awesome! We have another baptism on Tuesday for someone who was excommunicated. I was asked to sing at the baptism. REALLY? So I'll be singing "I Stand All Amazed."
We had an amazing zone conference with President and holy heavens he is amazing- I love him so much! He's such a wonderful man!
And...we were in the newspaper! If you go to al.com and search mormons it should be there. Well folks that's about all I have for you :)
Love you!
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The number of Mormon missionaries in Alabama, especially young women, has dramatically increased this year, after the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lowered the minimum age for mission work.
LDS President Thomas S. Monson, considered a living prophet, announced at the church's world headquarters in Salt Lake City on Oct. 8 that the church was lowering the age of full-time missionary service to age 18 for Mormon men, down from 19; and to 19 for women, down from 21.
The church expected the change to dramatically increase the number of its full-time missionaries, which had been about 58,000 worldwide. That's expected to increase this year to more than 85,000.
Alabama and other states are seeing the results now.
For the first time, Alabama will likely have nearly equal numbers of young men and women Mormon missionaries. The men serve two years; the women 18 months. They can be assigned anywhere in the world, including Alabama, which has only about 35,000 Mormons statewide. The missionaries are key to helping recruit new members to the Latter-day Saints, which has more than six million U.S. members and millions more around the globe. Before being assigned, missionaries report to 17 Mission Training Centers, where they may be asked to learn a foreign language. Training time has been shortened to accommodate larger numbers of missionaries.
Though they are best known for riding bikes and going door-to-door to evangelize, Mormon missionaries take on a variety of social activities and volunteer duties, working at the church's genealogy library in Columbiana, at public libraries and senior citizen centers.
"The impression of our church is two guys in white shirts knocking on your door at dinnertime," said Birmingham Mission President Richard Hanks. "There's still some of that."
One day a week, two Spanish-speaking missionaries help out at Delicious Bakery in Saginaw in Shelby County, where owner-chef Fabian Pardo Gachuz is a Mormon convert along with many of his Hispanic workers.
Sister Chloe Isaak, 19, and Sister Adrienne Child, 20, have folded boxes, carried out the trash and done other chores to help the bakery. They also share their faith and look for ways to help the people they evangelize. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes," said Isaak. Missionaries search out chores to show their faith.
"We've been able to help people paint their houses," said Sister Alyssa Clark, 19.
"We want to focus more on the works of Christ," Hanks said. "I tell them, 'Find someone to help today.' At night, look in the mirror and say, 'Who did I help today?' If there are no service opportunities in front of them, they're knocking on doors. They're looking for people to share the gospel with and ways to serve."
Hanks, who retired as chairman and president of Mindshare Technologies to move to Birmingham for three years as a volunteer mission president, oversees about 250 missionaries, now evenly split between young men ("elders") and young women ("sisters"). In the past, missionaries have been about 90 percent men.
Birmingham Mission President RIchard Hanks and his wife, Elizabeth, oversee about 250 Mormon missionaries based in Birmingham and working throughout north-central Alabama and parts of Mississippi and Tennessee. (Photo by Greg Garrison/ggarrison@al.com)
Last year, the mission had about 130 missionaries, with only about two dozen of them females.
Hanks took over the mission post in Birmingham on July 1, one of 173 mission presidents assigned to supervise the larger classes of missionaries. He and his wife, Elizabeth, agreed to leave their home in Utah to lead the work in north-central Alabama and parts of northeast Mississippi and southern Tennessee.
Hanks said he has no idea if he'll be able to return to his former company when he finishes his term as a mission president. For now, he's focused on coordinating a missionary army. "This is a very rigorous job," he said.
Ten retired Mormon couples have moved to the region to help him supervise the missionaries. One woman is a nurse who speaks Spanish; if a missionary has a bike wreck, she bandages the wounds. "They're the unsung heroes of the Mormon mission," Hanks said.
Hanks and his wife view it as a calling from God and the church. "If you're a believer like us, when the Lord calls, you go."
Hanks' father, the late Marion Duff Hanks, had been a general authority from 1953 until his death in 2011, serving as president of the First Quorum of Sevcenty and other senior leadership positions at the headquarters of the Church of Latter-day Saints.
The Latter-day Saints have no paid clergy. Church jobs are all filled by volunteers. The missionaries and their families pay for their housing and other costs of a mission trip. "They're all out here at their own expense," Hanks said.
In the past, all young Mormon men were expected to do a two-year mission, he said. Women were expected to attend college and get married soon after, which didn't leave much time for a mission. Now many can delay college and leave for a mission after high school, which some say works better for them.
Sister Whitney Carlson, 19, said nearly all her fellow students at her high school in Provo, Utah, are now on mission trips, boy guys and girls. "My friends are scattered all over the world," she said.
LDS President Thomas S. Monson, considered a living prophet, announced at the church's world headquarters in Salt Lake City on Oct. 8 that the church was lowering the age of full-time missionary service to age 18 for Mormon men, down from 19; and to 19 for women, down from 21.
The church expected the change to dramatically increase the number of its full-time missionaries, which had been about 58,000 worldwide. That's expected to increase this year to more than 85,000.
Alabama and other states are seeing the results now.
For the first time, Alabama will likely have nearly equal numbers of young men and women Mormon missionaries. The men serve two years; the women 18 months. They can be assigned anywhere in the world, including Alabama, which has only about 35,000 Mormons statewide. The missionaries are key to helping recruit new members to the Latter-day Saints, which has more than six million U.S. members and millions more around the globe. Before being assigned, missionaries report to 17 Mission Training Centers, where they may be asked to learn a foreign language. Training time has been shortened to accommodate larger numbers of missionaries.
Though they are best known for riding bikes and going door-to-door to evangelize, Mormon missionaries take on a variety of social activities and volunteer duties, working at the church's genealogy library in Columbiana, at public libraries and senior citizen centers.
"The impression of our church is two guys in white shirts knocking on your door at dinnertime," said Birmingham Mission President Richard Hanks. "There's still some of that."
One day a week, two Spanish-speaking missionaries help out at Delicious Bakery in Saginaw in Shelby County, where owner-chef Fabian Pardo Gachuz is a Mormon convert along with many of his Hispanic workers.
Sister Chloe Isaak, 19, and Sister Adrienne Child, 20, have folded boxes, carried out the trash and done other chores to help the bakery. They also share their faith and look for ways to help the people they evangelize. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes," said Isaak. Missionaries search out chores to show their faith.
"We've been able to help people paint their houses," said Sister Alyssa Clark, 19.
"We want to focus more on the works of Christ," Hanks said. "I tell them, 'Find someone to help today.' At night, look in the mirror and say, 'Who did I help today?' If there are no service opportunities in front of them, they're knocking on doors. They're looking for people to share the gospel with and ways to serve."
Hanks, who retired as chairman and president of Mindshare Technologies to move to Birmingham for three years as a volunteer mission president, oversees about 250 missionaries, now evenly split between young men ("elders") and young women ("sisters"). In the past, missionaries have been about 90 percent men.
Birmingham Mission President RIchard Hanks and his wife, Elizabeth, oversee about 250 Mormon missionaries based in Birmingham and working throughout north-central Alabama and parts of Mississippi and Tennessee. (Photo by Greg Garrison/ggarrison@al.com) Hanks took over the mission post in Birmingham on July 1, one of 173 mission presidents assigned to supervise the larger classes of missionaries. He and his wife, Elizabeth, agreed to leave their home in Utah to lead the work in north-central Alabama and parts of northeast Mississippi and southern Tennessee.
Hanks said he has no idea if he'll be able to return to his former company when he finishes his term as a mission president. For now, he's focused on coordinating a missionary army. "This is a very rigorous job," he said.
Ten retired Mormon couples have moved to the region to help him supervise the missionaries. One woman is a nurse who speaks Spanish; if a missionary has a bike wreck, she bandages the wounds. "They're the unsung heroes of the Mormon mission," Hanks said.
Hanks and his wife view it as a calling from God and the church. "If you're a believer like us, when the Lord calls, you go."
Hanks' father, the late Marion Duff Hanks, had been a general authority from 1953 until his death in 2011, serving as president of the First Quorum of Sevcenty and other senior leadership positions at the headquarters of the Church of Latter-day Saints.
The Latter-day Saints have no paid clergy. Church jobs are all filled by volunteers. The missionaries and their families pay for their housing and other costs of a mission trip. "They're all out here at their own expense," Hanks said.
In the past, all young Mormon men were expected to do a two-year mission, he said. Women were expected to attend college and get married soon after, which didn't leave much time for a mission. Now many can delay college and leave for a mission after high school, which some say works better for them.
Sister Whitney Carlson, 19, said nearly all her fellow students at her high school in Provo, Utah, are now on mission trips, boy guys and girls. "My friends are scattered all over the world," she said.
Hey Y'all
August 19, 2014
Hello there! So this week has been full of amazing things! We had Terri's interview this last week and it went really well! We got the green light for her to be baptized!!! After the interview we went back to her house to eat lunch and during the prayer she kept saying how much better she feels just talking to President- and that it made her heart smile :) We've been spending a whole lot of time there and talking with her. I'm a little bugged by the ward- no one talked to her when she came to church the last two weeks. Our ward is really nice but no one came to talk to her so we showed her around and had her meet some people, but they really didn't talk to her- lame ward! But, it's ok- people are not perfect and that is something to remember. Last night we made plans for the baptism and Elder Hadley will be baptizing her. Terri calls him Littlefoot because he's so little.
I've been reading the Book of Mormon everyday and I just keep thinking to myself if people would just read this book they would have no doubt in their mind it was true. JUST READ THE BOOK! Feast upon the words! Come on people!
Love you all!
Have a blessed day!
Hello there! So this week has been full of amazing things! We had Terri's interview this last week and it went really well! We got the green light for her to be baptized!!! After the interview we went back to her house to eat lunch and during the prayer she kept saying how much better she feels just talking to President- and that it made her heart smile :) We've been spending a whole lot of time there and talking with her. I'm a little bugged by the ward- no one talked to her when she came to church the last two weeks. Our ward is really nice but no one came to talk to her so we showed her around and had her meet some people, but they really didn't talk to her- lame ward! But, it's ok- people are not perfect and that is something to remember. Last night we made plans for the baptism and Elder Hadley will be baptizing her. Terri calls him Littlefoot because he's so little.
I've been reading the Book of Mormon everyday and I just keep thinking to myself if people would just read this book they would have no doubt in their mind it was true. JUST READ THE BOOK! Feast upon the words! Come on people!
Love you all!
Have a blessed day!
BEST WEEK EVER
August 12, 2014
So this week has been like the best ever in mission life. We got this referral from the MTC and went to talk with this lady named Terri. We did the first lesson with her and we asked her if you come to know these things are true would you be baptized? She said well I already know it's true so can I just be baptized? We set the date on August 31. She asked if she could be baptized sooner, but she has to go to church at least two times before. She came to church yesterday and said that was her final answer to know that she should be baptized. She knows it's what she needs, so that's exciting!
Love you all!
So this week has been like the best ever in mission life. We got this referral from the MTC and went to talk with this lady named Terri. We did the first lesson with her and we asked her if you come to know these things are true would you be baptized? She said well I already know it's true so can I just be baptized? We set the date on August 31. She asked if she could be baptized sooner, but she has to go to church at least two times before. She came to church yesterday and said that was her final answer to know that she should be baptized. She knows it's what she needs, so that's exciting!
Love you all!
Hey Y'all!
August 5, 2013
Hello there my darling people! So this week has been pretty groovy, a little crazy but good! The last little bit I've been feeling like we should work more with our less actives. Why should Heavenly Father let us bring more people into the Church when we aren't keeping tabs on the ones he's already brought. So I told our elders and one of the elders felt the same way. So we are going to be working a lot more with less actives this coming week and I'm excited :)
Love you all!
Hello there my darling people! So this week has been pretty groovy, a little crazy but good! The last little bit I've been feeling like we should work more with our less actives. Why should Heavenly Father let us bring more people into the Church when we aren't keeping tabs on the ones he's already brought. So I told our elders and one of the elders felt the same way. So we are going to be working a lot more with less actives this coming week and I'm excited :)
Love you all!
Hey-o!
July 29, 2013
So this week have been good, and crazy hot weather and the list goes on and on. Cheryl decided she didn't want to leave her church but she wants to keep learning so we are going to go over and have an awesome lesson about Joseph Smith and try to light a fire under her.
So this week have been good, and crazy hot weather and the list goes on and on. Cheryl decided she didn't want to leave her church but she wants to keep learning so we are going to go over and have an awesome lesson about Joseph Smith and try to light a fire under her.
The other day we met a woman named Jennifer. She has a baptism date set for Aug. 24 so we are crossing our fingers that she comes to know of the truthfulness of it!
At church yesterday a young man gave his farewell talk and he sang the song "Lead Thou Me On. I love that song. When he was singing the Spirit was so strong. He started to cry, his dad started to cry- I almost started to cry. Since I don't like when people see me cry, I pulled myself together. It was seriously awesome!
We taught Primary yesterday. The lesson was about eternal marriage. I know so much about that but the kids liked it and all said they would be married in the temple - so score!
We got a new 18 year old elder who is as sweet as apple pie! Also- I am starting to get an accent so be prepared for that!
Love you all!!
Have a blessed day!
RDH July 15
July 15, 2014
...An Introduction Letter From My New Pres...
Dear Fellow Missionaries,
What a week! I was blessed enough to meet with more than half of you one-on-one in interviews and it has been confirmed...we really do have the best missionaries in the world! Next week I get the chance to interview the rest of the best!
Bless you as you labor each day to find the elect.
Just a quick reminder...
(3 Nephi 5:13) "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ...I have been called of Him to declare His word..."
Q: How do disciples behave? How will I know I am a disciple?
A: (John 13:35) Love!
(2 Nephi 31:20) 1-Steadfast in Christ 2- Brightness of Hope 3- Love of God 4- Love of all men
In some interviews I have shared my observation of what makes successful people and therefore successful missionaries: 1- Be obedient. Totally. To whatever the current rules are before you.
2- Work. Work. Work. 3- Serve and love others (Arrows pointed outward) "Develop the Habit of Helpfulness." 4- Strive and listen to the Spirit 5- Seek to be converted yourself.
I could give hundreds of examples of friends and colleagues who have developed some of these attributes, but are missing out on others. For example, I have wealthy friends who have learned how to work and amass a fortune, but are not happy. The have learned the joy of service to others, but only service to self...and they are miserable. Work on all five, and you will be a successful missionary.
Sister Hanks and I love each of you. We also respect and honor you for your service to God and your fellow man. We know you do hard things every day. Tonight, when you return home to your apartments, I want you to do a couple of things. Look in the mirror and say...I can do hard things. I can do hard things. I can do hard things. Then ask the person in the mirror...Who did I help today?
We love you.
STEADFAST IN CHRIST!
President and Sister Hanks
...An Introduction Letter From My New Pres...
Dear Fellow Missionaries,
What a week! I was blessed enough to meet with more than half of you one-on-one in interviews and it has been confirmed...we really do have the best missionaries in the world! Next week I get the chance to interview the rest of the best!
Bless you as you labor each day to find the elect.
Just a quick reminder...
(3 Nephi 5:13) "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ...I have been called of Him to declare His word..."
Q: How do disciples behave? How will I know I am a disciple?
A: (John 13:35) Love!
(2 Nephi 31:20) 1-Steadfast in Christ 2- Brightness of Hope 3- Love of God 4- Love of all men
In some interviews I have shared my observation of what makes successful people and therefore successful missionaries: 1- Be obedient. Totally. To whatever the current rules are before you.
2- Work. Work. Work. 3- Serve and love others (Arrows pointed outward) "Develop the Habit of Helpfulness." 4- Strive and listen to the Spirit 5- Seek to be converted yourself.
I could give hundreds of examples of friends and colleagues who have developed some of these attributes, but are missing out on others. For example, I have wealthy friends who have learned how to work and amass a fortune, but are not happy. The have learned the joy of service to others, but only service to self...and they are miserable. Work on all five, and you will be a successful missionary.
Sister Hanks and I love each of you. We also respect and honor you for your service to God and your fellow man. We know you do hard things every day. Tonight, when you return home to your apartments, I want you to do a couple of things. Look in the mirror and say...I can do hard things. I can do hard things. I can do hard things. Then ask the person in the mirror...Who did I help today?
We love you.
STEADFAST IN CHRIST!
President and Sister Hanks
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Hi!
July 15, 2014
Hello family! So this week has been something else. It's been a really hard week- not even going to lie!
1. I have blisters the size of quarters so it hurts to walk- period
2. Our baptism might have fallen through
3. I am losing hope- just a little not a whole lot, but just a tiny bit.
4. We had to drop our progressing investigator. She isn't keeping commitments and now she isn't home when she says we can come over so we are going to go over every once in awhile to see if we can light the fire that she used to have.
But with that being said, we were able to find 4 more people to teach- we hope that it's going to work out for them.
I had an interview with my Mission President and that went really well. I walked in and we started talking and he started laughing. He told me that I was cracking him up and he think we are going to get along super well! So that was a blessing. I was really worried that we wouldn't be able to get along or that he was going to scare me or whatever- but really he's super nice. He also told me that I'm no allowed to date the elders and I informed him that, that was not going to be a problem.
We've been tracking a lot and walking a lot so I had to buy a new pair of shoes. Some of them are so worn that I can't even walk with them anymore (hence the blisters).
So the end of the transfer is coming to a close and I'm excited to see what the next transfer holds :) I think I've done all that I can for Hoover, but if I'm told I will staying, then so be it.
Love you all!
Ugly From Now On...
July 1, 2014
This week has been pretty good! It's funny how prayers are answered. We just said a prayer that we would know what to do and no joke 10 seconds later the Elders called us and asked us to meet this women they met the other day and since she is single they can't teach her very easily. So we went over and had a nice chat with her and we are having another lesson with her tonight! And the best part is that she has family members that are LDS so we don't have to worry about the family freaking her out!
We've been tracking a lot and not really getting anywhere but we keep trying. We've spending some of our time working with less actives but they're hard to get a hold of sometime.
On Saturday we went to help this lady move. She has a sad story. She isn't a member but members rented out her house and trashed it. The whole kitchen had to be remodeled. The yard had trash thrown all over- so all of it was just bad! Not a great example right so she didn't want anything to do with the church. Her best friend is a member and called the missionaries to help out. We went over to help and got along really well. Since she isn't in our area we can't teach her but we got her number and she has ours so this week we are going to call her and bring the other sisters over to meet her.
So y'all remember Lynn? Well we had a potluck with our ward and during the dinner, I was just minding my own business and the Elders came over and our their phone down in front of me and told me to read the conversation. Lynn was asking the Elders if they would ask me out on a date for him. They told him since I'm on a mission I can't date to which he said, "well ask her anyways and set it up for when she isn't a missionary. So I guess I have my first date when I get off my mission already! They Elders advised me that I shouldn't look so nice, next time you see him look ugly- ha ha! I guess I'll work on that :)
Also...I got to meet my new President. He's the boss! Love that man already! We get to have a meeting with him tomorrow to get to know him a little better so that should be fun!
Roll Tide :)
Love you all!
This week has been pretty good! It's funny how prayers are answered. We just said a prayer that we would know what to do and no joke 10 seconds later the Elders called us and asked us to meet this women they met the other day and since she is single they can't teach her very easily. So we went over and had a nice chat with her and we are having another lesson with her tonight! And the best part is that she has family members that are LDS so we don't have to worry about the family freaking her out!
We've been tracking a lot and not really getting anywhere but we keep trying. We've spending some of our time working with less actives but they're hard to get a hold of sometime.
On Saturday we went to help this lady move. She has a sad story. She isn't a member but members rented out her house and trashed it. The whole kitchen had to be remodeled. The yard had trash thrown all over- so all of it was just bad! Not a great example right so she didn't want anything to do with the church. Her best friend is a member and called the missionaries to help out. We went over to help and got along really well. Since she isn't in our area we can't teach her but we got her number and she has ours so this week we are going to call her and bring the other sisters over to meet her.
So y'all remember Lynn? Well we had a potluck with our ward and during the dinner, I was just minding my own business and the Elders came over and our their phone down in front of me and told me to read the conversation. Lynn was asking the Elders if they would ask me out on a date for him. They told him since I'm on a mission I can't date to which he said, "well ask her anyways and set it up for when she isn't a missionary. So I guess I have my first date when I get off my mission already! They Elders advised me that I shouldn't look so nice, next time you see him look ugly- ha ha! I guess I'll work on that :)
Also...I got to meet my new President. He's the boss! Love that man already! We get to have a meeting with him tomorrow to get to know him a little better so that should be fun!
Roll Tide :)
Love you all!
Bugs, and Blessings, Miracles and Mormons
Hi Y'all! So this week has been banging! We had an exchange and while on the exchange we went tracking- 1 because I felt like it and 2 sadly because there was nothing else to do! But I'm glad we did because we were walking past this apartment and this guy yelled down to us, "Hey do y'all do Bible study? We told him we study the Bible, so we had a quick lesson with him. We asked him if we could come by tomorrow night with the Elders so they could meet and he said yes! He gave us his number- we didn't even have to ask him for it! The next night we went to his apartment with the Elders and we found a note on the door. Now normally when there's a note on the door it's not a good thing. So the note told us he had to take his nephew somewhere and was really sorry, but to call him. So the next night, the Elders called and said they were meeting with this guy- Lynn in 45 minutes and could we meet them in the park. We met and had the first lesson which is the restoration and all that good jazz. We asked him to be baptized and he set a date! He's going to be baptized July 20! He came to church yesterday and loved it! He kept saying how he's going to come every week. He told us that even if we hadn't taught him half of the first lesson he would still have wanted to be baptized! So miracles happen :) Just like in 1 Nephi 4:6. We are led to places- we may not know why but the spirit knows why.
Also, one of our members had a story in the Ensign published. Here it is:
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/03/my-life-was-prayer?lang=eng
I just think it's amazing how powerful prayer is! The church is true and our book is blue! I heard that the other day and started to giggle :) I love you all- send me your favorite B of M scripture.
Hope y'all have a great week! Love you!
Also, one of our members had a story in the Ensign published. Here it is:
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/03/my-life-was-prayer?lang=eng
I just think it's amazing how powerful prayer is! The church is true and our book is blue! I heard that the other day and started to giggle :) I love you all- send me your favorite B of M scripture.
Hope y'all have a great week! Love you!
Oh Brother!
So this week has really been awesome! A whole lot better than last week that's for sure! My new little friend is Sister Carlson and she's from Provo, 19, and very sweet! This week we've been tracking like no other, but it's great because we've found more people to teach! On Saturday we went to see a part member/less active family. The wife was raised in the church, but hasn't gone in 21 years. So we went over to have a lesson and this guy was well to sugar code it- a jerk. He wouldn't let us talk and when we tried he would just talk over us, so that was not fun! He also bashed the church and all I wanted to do was throw a Book of Mormon at him, but I thought Jesus wouldn't throw a B of M at him so I shouldn't either. We tried to bear our testimonies and in the middle he would start talking and kept saying you can't know something is true without seeing proof that it's true. I just kept thinking to myself, "oh ye of little faith." He said he didn't think that God would answer him but he would pray anyways so I thought God works according to your faith you dummy. Well I kept those thoughts to myself even though I wanted to slap him. That was the only bad part of the week and everything else has been great! We are teaching a whole lot and trying to bring everyone closer to our Heavenly Father.
Last thoughts for the day- 2 interesting things I thought about this week:
1. We can better teach the Godhead by remembering God the first is the creator, God the second is the Redeemer and God the third is the witness. Cool way to look at it.
2. So you know how in the Book of Mormon all the rad people are totally ripped? Well the reason they are that way is because the muscles are the strength of the spirit. If you think of evil King Noah and his fatness then it totally makes sense!
Love you all!
What Was He Thinking?
June 10, 2013
This week I found out that the next transfer I will be training someone...like brand new fresh from the MTC! What is he thinking? I still don't know half the things that I need to know but if Heavenly Father wants me to train I guess I have no other options!
This week has been a lot harder then most weeks getting Sister Brown ready to go home, but I guess that is to be expected. The grill out was really fun. People eat cheeseburgers weird here...They let them soak in Pepsi. Guys it tastes weird! It tastes like meat and pop and other weird juices, but I ate it and said thank you.
Our Ward mission leader got a gift for me and Sister Brown. He got us rebel flags- you know the confederate flags from the Civil War. Sister Brown really wanted one so he grabbed one for her and for me. We thought it was funny because he gave them to us and told us quite the story of how he got them. In Bessemer there is this flag store that has every flag known to man. You have to go to the back to find them and everything is done in a whisper. You gotta love the south! Now don't think I support what it stood for, but it definitely is more colorful and I like the way it looks- I'm not flying it anywhere-so don't yell at me!
I'm hoping this week goes well with the sister I am training and hope you guys have a great week!
This week I found out that the next transfer I will be training someone...like brand new fresh from the MTC! What is he thinking? I still don't know half the things that I need to know but if Heavenly Father wants me to train I guess I have no other options!
This week has been a lot harder then most weeks getting Sister Brown ready to go home, but I guess that is to be expected. The grill out was really fun. People eat cheeseburgers weird here...They let them soak in Pepsi. Guys it tastes weird! It tastes like meat and pop and other weird juices, but I ate it and said thank you.
Our Ward mission leader got a gift for me and Sister Brown. He got us rebel flags- you know the confederate flags from the Civil War. Sister Brown really wanted one so he grabbed one for her and for me. We thought it was funny because he gave them to us and told us quite the story of how he got them. In Bessemer there is this flag store that has every flag known to man. You have to go to the back to find them and everything is done in a whisper. You gotta love the south! Now don't think I support what it stood for, but it definitely is more colorful and I like the way it looks- I'm not flying it anywhere-so don't yell at me!
I'm hoping this week goes well with the sister I am training and hope you guys have a great week!
UFO Bugs
June 3, 2013
So this week has had many ups and downs, but that is to be expected- but it happens! First, I got bit by UFO bugs and I do mean unidentified flying object bugs. On one knows what they are called but they are massive. And when they bite you it itches and burns! Other than that things are good. So the other day I had a mini breakdown and I prayed that I would feel comfort. The next day we were at the apartment and someone knocked at our door. Now no one knocks at our door so we were a little freaked out, but we went to check and I looked out the peep hole and saw a man. I thought to myself, "Wow that man looks like Greg!" I opened the door and it was Greg! It was so amazing it just made me realize that Heavenly Father is so aware of us and knows how to answer our prayers! I know that Heavenly Father had Greg came over to see me to bring comfort into my life and to say, everything is going to be ok so just keep pushing forward one step at a time. You'll make it and remember, I love you!
Tonight we're doing a grill out. I was informed it's not a BBQ unless there is sauce so it's a grill out. We are having investigators and less active members so it should be super fun! We are doing it with the elders and their investigators and we invited Cheryl and her grandkids. We are super excited to be teaching with the elders tonight- which reminds me...we have to figure out what we all want to teach together. It's gonna be fun! Anyways I love you all :)
So this week has had many ups and downs, but that is to be expected- but it happens! First, I got bit by UFO bugs and I do mean unidentified flying object bugs. On one knows what they are called but they are massive. And when they bite you it itches and burns! Other than that things are good. So the other day I had a mini breakdown and I prayed that I would feel comfort. The next day we were at the apartment and someone knocked at our door. Now no one knocks at our door so we were a little freaked out, but we went to check and I looked out the peep hole and saw a man. I thought to myself, "Wow that man looks like Greg!" I opened the door and it was Greg! It was so amazing it just made me realize that Heavenly Father is so aware of us and knows how to answer our prayers! I know that Heavenly Father had Greg came over to see me to bring comfort into my life and to say, everything is going to be ok so just keep pushing forward one step at a time. You'll make it and remember, I love you!
Tonight we're doing a grill out. I was informed it's not a BBQ unless there is sauce so it's a grill out. We are having investigators and less active members so it should be super fun! We are doing it with the elders and their investigators and we invited Cheryl and her grandkids. We are super excited to be teaching with the elders tonight- which reminds me...we have to figure out what we all want to teach together. It's gonna be fun! Anyways I love you all :)
Sunday, August 17, 2014
All That And An Elephant Bracelet
May 28, 20014
Hello! So things this week have been good! Crazy but good! So on Sunday our investigator Cheryl came to church and it was great! She loved it and kept saying how blessed she was to be there and that this was the first of many times that she would be coming. She said she felt at home there and like she'd been there before. She's working on smoking right now and said that she didn't even feel like leaving once to smoke- she didn't feel like she needed to! So that was super cool! Also there is a RS activity tonight and she's going to come with us so that will be fun! She's not sure if she want to be baptized yet so we have to figure out how to best help her.
I got my first birthday present yesterday. Mrs. Faye (have I told you about her yet? If not she just turned 82 yesterday. She has a bad memory but she always remembers my companion and I)... Anyway she gave me this gold elephant bracelet right after we dropped off a birthday card and sang happy birthday to her. She's such a sweet lady! I love the bracelet. So that's all folks in the life of Sister Denning!
Hello! So things this week have been good! Crazy but good! So on Sunday our investigator Cheryl came to church and it was great! She loved it and kept saying how blessed she was to be there and that this was the first of many times that she would be coming. She said she felt at home there and like she'd been there before. She's working on smoking right now and said that she didn't even feel like leaving once to smoke- she didn't feel like she needed to! So that was super cool! Also there is a RS activity tonight and she's going to come with us so that will be fun! She's not sure if she want to be baptized yet so we have to figure out how to best help her.
I got my first birthday present yesterday. Mrs. Faye (have I told you about her yet? If not she just turned 82 yesterday. She has a bad memory but she always remembers my companion and I)... Anyway she gave me this gold elephant bracelet right after we dropped off a birthday card and sang happy birthday to her. She's such a sweet lady! I love the bracelet. So that's all folks in the life of Sister Denning!
Hey Y'all
May 20, 2013
First of all, my face didn't turn colors- thankfully! Second, my lesson with the president went pretty well, there ended up being 4 other pairs of missionaries there so we all group taught. We were teaching a new member and it was funny because she helped teach the lesson as well. Then we had these popsicles that were awesome! They were made with fresh fruit. I had a watermelon one and it even had seeds in it.
On Monday our investigator Cheryl's mom passed away and we haven't been able to get a hold of her but we pray for her. I think at this point all we can do is pray for her. Right now she's not calling us back or picking up.
Fun story of the week...Since we haven't been able to find investigators we have been working with less actives and one of our less actives owns a second hand store. There are awesome 80s dresses there so while we were visiting we played dress up with her. We even got an elder to dress up with us.
First of all, my face didn't turn colors- thankfully! Second, my lesson with the president went pretty well, there ended up being 4 other pairs of missionaries there so we all group taught. We were teaching a new member and it was funny because she helped teach the lesson as well. Then we had these popsicles that were awesome! They were made with fresh fruit. I had a watermelon one and it even had seeds in it.
On Monday our investigator Cheryl's mom passed away and we haven't been able to get a hold of her but we pray for her. I think at this point all we can do is pray for her. Right now she's not calling us back or picking up.
Fun story of the week...Since we haven't been able to find investigators we have been working with less actives and one of our less actives owns a second hand store. There are awesome 80s dresses there so while we were visiting we played dress up with her. We even got an elder to dress up with us.
Yesterday we went tracking and door after door people kept saying "We found Jesus, I've already been saved". So we knocked on a door and asked if we could leave a prayer on their house (it's called the harvesting tool so we pray with them and leave the Lord's peace and blessings on their home.) They pulled us in and knelt down with us and prayed with us. They are married and have a little 3 year old girl. The 3 year old was os cute- she even knelt down and prayed. Then we asked if we could come back and teach them a lesson. They said yes and gave us their number. So this week we will be meeting with them again! Yay!!
Ball To The Face Kind Of Day
May 13, 2013
So today we had an area thingy where we all got together and polished our cars, then we had pizza and played volleyball so while playing a girl hit the ball and it hit me right in the face and it's already turning red, puffy, and swollen- Awesome right!? Then 10 minutes later I got a ball to the gut, but all the elders were shocked that I bounced right back up and played again. They think I'm pretty rad. I'm hoping that my eye doesn't start turning magical colors, and if it does please be tomorrow. Tonight we have a lesson at the president's house and I really don't want to show up with a black eye...no thank you. I'm a little nervous about teaching tonight because president is a super Bible and Book of Mormon man and knows everything and guess whose teaching- me! Hopefully the spirit will be there and will help me teach what I need to teach!
So today we had an area thingy where we all got together and polished our cars, then we had pizza and played volleyball so while playing a girl hit the ball and it hit me right in the face and it's already turning red, puffy, and swollen- Awesome right!? Then 10 minutes later I got a ball to the gut, but all the elders were shocked that I bounced right back up and played again. They think I'm pretty rad. I'm hoping that my eye doesn't start turning magical colors, and if it does please be tomorrow. Tonight we have a lesson at the president's house and I really don't want to show up with a black eye...no thank you. I'm a little nervous about teaching tonight because president is a super Bible and Book of Mormon man and knows everything and guess whose teaching- me! Hopefully the spirit will be there and will help me teach what I need to teach!
Mercy Me Y'all
May 6, 2013
Hey y'all! So I've been in the south for about a week. My comps name is Sister Brown and we're working out that get to know you part of life. The first few days here I was crying all the time. I prayed that I would feel better and that I would lose myself in the work.
On Saturday we had an exchange with some sisters and I got placed with Sister Mendoza. We went to a place called Little Mexico. As y'all know I'm super duper awesome with Spanish so I thought this was going to be great! So while we were walking back and forth we met this guy named Angel. He was having a hard time trying to find something that would make him happy. He thought that if he had money, a car, and a big house he would be happy. He asked me what makes me happy. I told him that the gospel makes me happy. I got a prompting to give him a Book of Mormon but I've never done that before so I brushed it off. I know you should never ignore those promptings but Heavenly Father gave me another chance. We saw him later and were able to write our testimonies in a copy of the Book of Mormon and gave it to him. This was the first time that I was able to place a Book of Mormon- Yay! It was the first time that I felt like an actual missionary. I think sometimes I don't realize all the blessings that Heavenly Father gives me. So this next week I am going to try super hard to focus on the positive and not the bad or what I would rather have happen.
This week we have a lot of lessons planned for members and dinners at their houses. So that will be exciting. Sister Brown and I are teaching a women named Cheryl and she said she would be baptized so we're hoping this week we are able to get her to commit to a baptism date.
Also it's crazy, there are soooo many trees out here and all I want to do is climb them, but I'm in a skirt all day so that's not going to happen. Oh well! Another day and another time!
Love you all!! Have a great week!!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Hoover, Ala-Bamma
May 1, 2013
Hey Y'all so I am now in Bamma and my new address is 609 Tree Crossing Parkway, Hoover, AL., 35244.
Hey Y'all so I am now in Bamma and my new address is 609 Tree Crossing Parkway, Hoover, AL., 35244.
After all the fun at the airport we met at the mission home for food (yum!) and assignments.
God's Army
Monday, April 29, 2013
This last week I was the music coordinator and we had to do a special musical number. We did the EFY As sisters in Zion/ Army of Helaman song and guys it was so cool! I think I will remember that moment for a long time.. maybe forever! It was just so amazing because the spirit was so strong and I realized I am part of God's army. Holy cow- guys it was amazing! I can't even say more then it was amazing and I am so thankful that I get to be part of Gods army. I get to proclaim his truth! Church is true end of story :)
This last week I was the music coordinator and we had to do a special musical number. We did the EFY As sisters in Zion/ Army of Helaman song and guys it was so cool! I think I will remember that moment for a long time.. maybe forever! It was just so amazing because the spirit was so strong and I realized I am part of God's army. Holy cow- guys it was amazing! I can't even say more then it was amazing and I am so thankful that I get to be part of Gods army. I get to proclaim his truth! Church is true end of story :)
Better Late Than Never...
Hi Ya'll! Well as you can tell Callie has been up to a few important things, so blogging just hasn't been happening. Being a missionary mom, that task fell on my shoulders and of course it's taken me awhile to find passwords, and permissions. Oh well! Better late than never! Callie's emails have been positive and funny and a highlight of my week. Anyone who reads her emails always remarks about how she's maintaining her crazy little sense of humor. Because it's wonderful to watch the growth of a missionary, I will be reposting her texts in the order that they were written. Callie has just over 3 months left to serve in the Birmingham, Alabama mission- she loves being a missionary, but more importantly she loves the people!
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