Hey mother, father and honored guests,
This week was so amazing! On Tuesday we had a lesson with Jennifer, we held it outside in her backyard because it was so beautiful outside. We talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and shared some scriptures about its purpose and importance. She seemed to really enjoy that and gave a great closing prayer. I love hearing the prayers of my investigators. At first they may not want to pray, and are really hesitant. For many, praying with us is their first time giving a vocal prayer. They sometimes stop and start over multiple times before closing, but that's ok. The best is when you mention that its time to go and they ask to say the prayer.
This last Wednesday and Thursday I was privileged to attend Leadership training in Chesterfield, MO. The spirit in these meetings is always so strong and I am so grateful when I am able to attend. Each day there were two break-out sessions in which we discussed and role played ways in which we can improve and become more effective spirit led missionaries. One of the teachings that stood out to me that I wish to share was given during the first day of leadership. Elder Stewart gave it and it kind of reminded of Elder Oaks talk Good, Better, Best. He shared how its important to be busy as a missionary; to schedule our time so that we have something to do every hour of the day. But that we need to analyze how we are using our time. Are we just filling our days to be busy? When we don't have appointments are we using it as effectively as we could? This led me to reevaluate my time spent each day. It has helped me set some new goals which I hope will help sister Northcutt and I use our time to the BEST of our abilities.
All the sisters that came in for leadership training spent the night at the sister missionaries home in Frontenac, really fun! That morning I had planned on going running with Sister Crandall and Sister Lowe. I had brought all my running gear this time and was super excited to have someone to run with.....problem was my shoes where lost in the transition from the car that I traveled up in and the sisters car. :( Thankfully I was able to borrow sister Shutts shoes for my run. It wasn't until the last five minutes that I started to lose feeling in my toes. I wear a size 9 and she wears a size 7. One thing that I have learned while on my mission is that if it's important to me (and its good and wholesome) then it is important to my Father in Heaven.
Thursday night our ward held a R.S birthday celebration in which two LA members who we've only recently started working with attended. The ward was really receptive to them and they told us they had a really good time. That's always a concern as a missionary. As members we are sometimes too shy, too...something, whatever it is prevents us from introducing ourselves to visitors and LA members.
Then yesterday we made breakfast over at Christina and Jennifer's house and almost made it in time for the opening song. :) Thankfully we were able to get a hold of a member and she was able to save us a seat in the middle. And they stayed for all three hours! I love it!
Sister salmon
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
March 19, 2012
Dear Family,
Gas prices out here are about 3.70 +/- .5. it’s getting up there. Thank goodness I don't have to pay for gas. The weather here has been extremely different than usual. We've been having some thunder and lightning storms in the afternoons but in the morning its hot and really humid. It’s usually up in the 70's, 80's. I feel like I’m back in Hawaii it’s so hot and humid. Even in the morning at 6:45am it’s hot.
Last week was such an amazing week. We started it out with Zone pday. We went to Wapelhorse Park and where we split into two groups. One group went and played rugby while the rest went and played sand volleyball. And I think we all got a little sun on our faces after the activity was over.
Tuesdays we've started meeting with a less active lady by the name of Sandra Baines. Recently we've been talking about the temple and she has expressed the desire to sealed to her husband, and to have the temple work completed for one of her children that has passed away. She's the sweetest lady you'll ever meet; I always enjoy my time with her. We also had a lesson with Christina on Tuesday that kind of turned into a double lesson. Christina's boyfriend’s sister Jennifer sat in our lesson and we were able to talk with her and teach her the first lesson. She was very quiet and reserved and would really only participate if directly asked a question. We invited her to take the lessons with us and she accepted! We stopped by their place two other times this week, once on Wednesday with sister Shutt (we had exchanges Wednesday/Thursday) and again on Saturday. After our lesson on Wednesday we left her with a couple fear not scriptures and when we stopped by again on Saturday she said that she had read them all and really enjoyed them.. Leading up to our visit I had been reading a talk which quoted 1 Cor 10:13 and after I read it I felt prompted to share it with her and Christina. After sharing the scripture with her she said that was exactly what she needed to hear. I am always humbled when this type of situation occurs as I teach. The Lord knew that Jennifer needed to hear that scripture. This solidifies my testimony that the Lord knows all his children individually and that he loves all of his children and does want us each to be happy.
Wednesday sister Shutt (my trainer) and I had an opportunity to go on exchanges while our compies served together. During our exchanges we went down to Frontier Park to do some park contacting it was amazing! We made it a goal to talk to everyone we passed. I know that the Lord blessed us during that experience. We were able to find a new investigator and set up a time with them to meet and start teaching.
Thursday I went on exchanges with sister Crandall. We went back to their area Wednesday night and worked in their area. Sister Crandall is a fireball, she has no fear when it comes to talking to random strangers and I love her enthusiasm for the work. We had a great time tracting and found them a new contact as well.
Sunday was amazing! Both Jennifer and Christina came to the first two hours of church. Christina left ten minutes in and finished out the remainder of sacrament meeting in the mothers room. Jennifer really enjoyed both sacrament meeting and gospel doctrine. We invited her back this next week and she said she'd love too.
Little by little we're making progress. Sister Northcutt and I are really trying to be as exactly obedient as we can be and I know that the Lord has been blessing us each day because of our desires to follow him..
The reason why I’m so late in writing this week is because this morning a member in the ward said she'd take us to the St. Louis zoo....which was amazing! it’s perfect weather out there and the animals were all out and about, and we all had an opportunity to ride the carousel. It has been a great morning.
My thought comes from Alma 32 concerning faith like a seed. I think we all know and understand this analogy, but as I was studying it this last week I was thinking how when we nurture our seed that we need to make sure that we are giving it the proper nourishment that it needs. We need to make sure we don't over water it... So when we study we need to be specific, and study those things that will help us strengthen our testimonies. Reading your scriptures every day, saying your prayers, going to church is all great but sometimes we reach a spiritual plateau and doing those things doesn't really cut it. It’s like exercising. After a while we get comfortable with what we are doing and once we get to that point we need to increase our reps/sets/speed etc. When we are specific in our study/prayers we receive that specific strength.
I love you all!
sister salmon
Gas prices out here are about 3.70 +/- .5. it’s getting up there. Thank goodness I don't have to pay for gas. The weather here has been extremely different than usual. We've been having some thunder and lightning storms in the afternoons but in the morning its hot and really humid. It’s usually up in the 70's, 80's. I feel like I’m back in Hawaii it’s so hot and humid. Even in the morning at 6:45am it’s hot.
Last week was such an amazing week. We started it out with Zone pday. We went to Wapelhorse Park and where we split into two groups. One group went and played rugby while the rest went and played sand volleyball. And I think we all got a little sun on our faces after the activity was over.
Tuesdays we've started meeting with a less active lady by the name of Sandra Baines. Recently we've been talking about the temple and she has expressed the desire to sealed to her husband, and to have the temple work completed for one of her children that has passed away. She's the sweetest lady you'll ever meet; I always enjoy my time with her. We also had a lesson with Christina on Tuesday that kind of turned into a double lesson. Christina's boyfriend’s sister Jennifer sat in our lesson and we were able to talk with her and teach her the first lesson. She was very quiet and reserved and would really only participate if directly asked a question. We invited her to take the lessons with us and she accepted! We stopped by their place two other times this week, once on Wednesday with sister Shutt (we had exchanges Wednesday/Thursday) and again on Saturday. After our lesson on Wednesday we left her with a couple fear not scriptures and when we stopped by again on Saturday she said that she had read them all and really enjoyed them.. Leading up to our visit I had been reading a talk which quoted 1 Cor 10:13 and after I read it I felt prompted to share it with her and Christina. After sharing the scripture with her she said that was exactly what she needed to hear. I am always humbled when this type of situation occurs as I teach. The Lord knew that Jennifer needed to hear that scripture. This solidifies my testimony that the Lord knows all his children individually and that he loves all of his children and does want us each to be happy.
Wednesday sister Shutt (my trainer) and I had an opportunity to go on exchanges while our compies served together. During our exchanges we went down to Frontier Park to do some park contacting it was amazing! We made it a goal to talk to everyone we passed. I know that the Lord blessed us during that experience. We were able to find a new investigator and set up a time with them to meet and start teaching.
Thursday I went on exchanges with sister Crandall. We went back to their area Wednesday night and worked in their area. Sister Crandall is a fireball, she has no fear when it comes to talking to random strangers and I love her enthusiasm for the work. We had a great time tracting and found them a new contact as well.
Sunday was amazing! Both Jennifer and Christina came to the first two hours of church. Christina left ten minutes in and finished out the remainder of sacrament meeting in the mothers room. Jennifer really enjoyed both sacrament meeting and gospel doctrine. We invited her back this next week and she said she'd love too.
Little by little we're making progress. Sister Northcutt and I are really trying to be as exactly obedient as we can be and I know that the Lord has been blessing us each day because of our desires to follow him..
The reason why I’m so late in writing this week is because this morning a member in the ward said she'd take us to the St. Louis zoo....which was amazing! it’s perfect weather out there and the animals were all out and about, and we all had an opportunity to ride the carousel. It has been a great morning.
My thought comes from Alma 32 concerning faith like a seed. I think we all know and understand this analogy, but as I was studying it this last week I was thinking how when we nurture our seed that we need to make sure that we are giving it the proper nourishment that it needs. We need to make sure we don't over water it... So when we study we need to be specific, and study those things that will help us strengthen our testimonies. Reading your scriptures every day, saying your prayers, going to church is all great but sometimes we reach a spiritual plateau and doing those things doesn't really cut it. It’s like exercising. After a while we get comfortable with what we are doing and once we get to that point we need to increase our reps/sets/speed etc. When we are specific in our study/prayers we receive that specific strength.
I love you all!
sister salmon
March 12th, 2012
Hey momma dear!
What an amazingly productive week! So it's finally true, you're empty nesters. How does it feel to not have any family in the home? I'm super excited for Kjartsa and Kristian, they have so many exciting adventures ahead of them.
You'll have to let me know as soon as possible when James receives his call. I think he'll go to Australia and will be leaving August 5th! How awesome, he's going to hopefully be able to do the same thing I did for Spencer's wedding. He'll be there for Claire. When does Claire go through the temple? Is she going through the Seattle Temple?
The weather here is so lovely. The daffodils have come up and little specks of color are starting to appear. Today it’s supposed to get up into the 80's, we'll see if it actually does. We are having P-day today. We're going to be playing games and having a fiesta at a nearby park. Really excited about this, I love being outdoors!
This week we met with Kristina started over teaching the lessons. Sister Northcutt and I didn't feel that she had a strong understanding of the foundational principals of the church. We met with her twice in members’ homes and then again on Saturday. I want to try and make daily contact of some kind; we're only with her for short periods of time during the week and all the other times I know that Satan is breathing down her back trying to deter her from doing what she knows is right. We also were able to make contact with Melanie. She's another Investigator whom we've been having a hard time getting in contact with.
We've been doing a lot of PM/LA list contacting as and tracting. I think the Lord's trying to tell me that tracting is effective because we've been doing that a lot this last week. I read this amazing talk by Elder Bednar back when he was President of Ricks College. I can't remember what it’s called but it talked about understanding the redeeming and enabling power of the atonement. And he gave some really amazing examples of how we need to instead of ask for the Lord to take away those things that are difficult, ask for strength to overcome them. He gave the example of Nephi when he broke the bands, and how Nephi asked for strength according to his faith to break the bands. That taught me that as a missionary (and as a daughter of God) I need to be better at asking for the strength and the faith to find people. It gets a little disheartening when we have no one to teach, and that's all I want to do. But the Lord in his wisdom knows what we need, and I have learned many times its through our trials that we receive our answers. God has a purpose in everything he asks of us.
love sister salmon
What an amazingly productive week! So it's finally true, you're empty nesters. How does it feel to not have any family in the home? I'm super excited for Kjartsa and Kristian, they have so many exciting adventures ahead of them.
You'll have to let me know as soon as possible when James receives his call. I think he'll go to Australia and will be leaving August 5th! How awesome, he's going to hopefully be able to do the same thing I did for Spencer's wedding. He'll be there for Claire. When does Claire go through the temple? Is she going through the Seattle Temple?
The weather here is so lovely. The daffodils have come up and little specks of color are starting to appear. Today it’s supposed to get up into the 80's, we'll see if it actually does. We are having P-day today. We're going to be playing games and having a fiesta at a nearby park. Really excited about this, I love being outdoors!
This week we met with Kristina started over teaching the lessons. Sister Northcutt and I didn't feel that she had a strong understanding of the foundational principals of the church. We met with her twice in members’ homes and then again on Saturday. I want to try and make daily contact of some kind; we're only with her for short periods of time during the week and all the other times I know that Satan is breathing down her back trying to deter her from doing what she knows is right. We also were able to make contact with Melanie. She's another Investigator whom we've been having a hard time getting in contact with.
We've been doing a lot of PM/LA list contacting as and tracting. I think the Lord's trying to tell me that tracting is effective because we've been doing that a lot this last week. I read this amazing talk by Elder Bednar back when he was President of Ricks College. I can't remember what it’s called but it talked about understanding the redeeming and enabling power of the atonement. And he gave some really amazing examples of how we need to instead of ask for the Lord to take away those things that are difficult, ask for strength to overcome them. He gave the example of Nephi when he broke the bands, and how Nephi asked for strength according to his faith to break the bands. That taught me that as a missionary (and as a daughter of God) I need to be better at asking for the strength and the faith to find people. It gets a little disheartening when we have no one to teach, and that's all I want to do. But the Lord in his wisdom knows what we need, and I have learned many times its through our trials that we receive our answers. God has a purpose in everything he asks of us.
love sister salmon
March 5th 2012
That's so crazy that she called you so soon. She's such a sweet lady. After sacrament she asked me for you name and phone number because she wanted to call you. She also mentioned something about wanting to ask you about your granola recipe because she makes granola (not as good as yours) and will always brings some to the missionaries. I mentioned you make granola and will sometimes send me some... I've heard from both grandpa and dad that it was a great dinner, lots of good food and fun times. How are the wedding plans, sounds like everything is going as smoothly as they can eh?
That blows goats about Jame's dental visit. I really did luck out with my dental visits. I had a couple fillings that I needed to get filled too. The Lord needed me to serve a mission now and knew that I wouldn't be able to offered for dental care. Thank you heavenly Father! (or how people out here say it, THANK YOU JESUS!) :) It really is a different culture out here. Tell Sister Farnsworth thank you so much for my VT message. It was wonderful. I didn't know that I was assigned a VT?
This morning I went for an amazing run. The sun is up and we had a full blue sky. My morning run acts as that restart button so that no matter what, I can conquer the day. We were dropped by two of our investigators last week and a less active family we were trying to fellowship. It’s sad how it all came about, but at the same time am at peace with it all. They weren't progressing and this has opened the windows of finding those who truly want the gospel in their lives. We had Zone conference last week which focused a lot on finding which was so inspired because that is what sister Northcutt and I will be focusing on. Time to pull up these skirts and hit the pavement.!!!
Today we're meeting up with another set of missionaries and will be walking around down town St. Charles. I guess there is a lot of history here so we're going to go on an adventure. Main street so I've heard (and experienced a little because we tried street contacting down there but got too distracted with all the shops and things to see) is lined with little shops and boutiques. So we're going to go exploring.
I had a neat experience just now, as I was writing. I was sitting next to this older gentleman and every so often he'd lean over and ask for help with writing. We started talking and I introduced myself as a minister of Jesus Christ. We had a neat discussion. He told me about himself and how he hates where he's at and yet how he knows that he is never alone. That he has a "brother, who's my best friend" who will always be there for him. It was such a humbling experience. I know that Jesus Christ is my elder brother who is also my best friend whom I can turn to at all times. I know that he loves me, that he lived(s) and died so that I could repent of my mistakes and make it back home. I know that this church is true. That being a member of this church is the only true way to be happy in this life and in the eternities. I know that I am a child of God. I know that the scriptures are true. I love them; they give me the strength and direction that I lack.
I love you mother dear so much!
sister salmon
That blows goats about Jame's dental visit. I really did luck out with my dental visits. I had a couple fillings that I needed to get filled too. The Lord needed me to serve a mission now and knew that I wouldn't be able to offered for dental care. Thank you heavenly Father! (or how people out here say it, THANK YOU JESUS!) :) It really is a different culture out here. Tell Sister Farnsworth thank you so much for my VT message. It was wonderful. I didn't know that I was assigned a VT?
This morning I went for an amazing run. The sun is up and we had a full blue sky. My morning run acts as that restart button so that no matter what, I can conquer the day. We were dropped by two of our investigators last week and a less active family we were trying to fellowship. It’s sad how it all came about, but at the same time am at peace with it all. They weren't progressing and this has opened the windows of finding those who truly want the gospel in their lives. We had Zone conference last week which focused a lot on finding which was so inspired because that is what sister Northcutt and I will be focusing on. Time to pull up these skirts and hit the pavement.!!!
Today we're meeting up with another set of missionaries and will be walking around down town St. Charles. I guess there is a lot of history here so we're going to go on an adventure. Main street so I've heard (and experienced a little because we tried street contacting down there but got too distracted with all the shops and things to see) is lined with little shops and boutiques. So we're going to go exploring.
I had a neat experience just now, as I was writing. I was sitting next to this older gentleman and every so often he'd lean over and ask for help with writing. We started talking and I introduced myself as a minister of Jesus Christ. We had a neat discussion. He told me about himself and how he hates where he's at and yet how he knows that he is never alone. That he has a "brother, who's my best friend" who will always be there for him. It was such a humbling experience. I know that Jesus Christ is my elder brother who is also my best friend whom I can turn to at all times. I know that he loves me, that he lived(s) and died so that I could repent of my mistakes and make it back home. I know that this church is true. That being a member of this church is the only true way to be happy in this life and in the eternities. I know that I am a child of God. I know that the scriptures are true. I love them; they give me the strength and direction that I lack.
I love you mother dear so much!
sister salmon
Saturday, March 3, 2012
February 27, 2012
Well I made it to my second area, transfer meetings was last Wednesday so I haven't been in St. Charles for that long. Exciting news though, from before I left. I had my first Baptism! It was amazing. Cleo was baptized Tuesday night before I left. It was super crazy. The Zl's were supposed to meet us at the church to show us how to fill up the font and to set things up. But when we called them they said they wouldn't be able to make it so Sister Luker and I were scrambling trying to figure things out. And even though we were both stressing a little trying to figure out how to fill up the font, we kept making jokes and laughing about everything. Sister Luker made the remark as we were trying to figure out how to plug the font "they never taught me this in the MTC". We both laughed at that. But everything went really well and we had an amazing turn out. She was a double dipper, her foot came up as she went down but other than that it was great. She was confirmed yesterday and has been on fire ever since.
Sister Northcutt is my new companion; has been out just over 9 weeks. Her trainer went home this last transfer meeting so I get to finish training her and follow up train her as well. I'm really excited for this new companionship. Sister Northcutt has such a sweet testimony; she just needs to not be afraid to share it. I guess in the weeks leading up to my arrival they have had some difficulty with their teaching pool. People keep dropping them. :( That will be our prime focus these next couple of weeks. We'll be out hitting the pavement (not my favorite), talking to members and nonmembers seeking out those whom the Lord has prepared to receive the gospel. It’s been a blessing that the weather has changed a bit. It’s still cold and the wind doesn't help much, but at least the sun is out and that feels so great. I've moved from one basement to another. But this time the couple we live with are not LDS. I had a neat little discussion with Edie this morning about temple marriage. Who knows maybe we could start teaching them. They're devote Baptists so its weird that they house missionaries.... We went out running yesterday, and hit a gold mine. We live a stones throw away from a high school that has an open track. So now I can gauge my mileage... And this last week as we were out I met a practicing witch. I almost wanted to ask what that meant but decided not to.
Love you all! Don't be afraid to open you mouths and share you beliefs with your friends. This is the true church, Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture.
Sister salmon
Sister Northcutt is my new companion; has been out just over 9 weeks. Her trainer went home this last transfer meeting so I get to finish training her and follow up train her as well. I'm really excited for this new companionship. Sister Northcutt has such a sweet testimony; she just needs to not be afraid to share it. I guess in the weeks leading up to my arrival they have had some difficulty with their teaching pool. People keep dropping them. :( That will be our prime focus these next couple of weeks. We'll be out hitting the pavement (not my favorite), talking to members and nonmembers seeking out those whom the Lord has prepared to receive the gospel. It’s been a blessing that the weather has changed a bit. It’s still cold and the wind doesn't help much, but at least the sun is out and that feels so great. I've moved from one basement to another. But this time the couple we live with are not LDS. I had a neat little discussion with Edie this morning about temple marriage. Who knows maybe we could start teaching them. They're devote Baptists so its weird that they house missionaries.... We went out running yesterday, and hit a gold mine. We live a stones throw away from a high school that has an open track. So now I can gauge my mileage... And this last week as we were out I met a practicing witch. I almost wanted to ask what that meant but decided not to.
Love you all! Don't be afraid to open you mouths and share you beliefs with your friends. This is the true church, Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture.
Sister salmon
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