That's funny about Brother Conger. I was in St. Louis Tuesday, we went to the Temple and did some vehicle safety stuff at the office. When you send a package with Bro. Conger they can't forward it because of no postage, so it'll sit there until the Zl's go down for meetings or the next transfer. It wasn't there when I was there but I told them I had a package coming and would be delivered by a brother conger. He delivered it on Wednesday and it happened to work out that we had president interviews on Thursday so I texted the AP's and asked if they'd bring it then. So I got the package on Thursday, Much faster then sending it. And it is delicious. It made my mission. I don't allow myself to get homesick but when I opened that package I didn't care about the tears of joy and love. Thank you so much!
I can't believe how much time has flown by. I am so excited for everything and everyone in our family....
This last week was a blur. We had exchanges on Tuesday/Wednesday of this last week in Centralia which were so much fun and a great learning opportunity. I have learned so much from the sisters I've been privileged to serve around, they are amazing! On Wednesday when I was on exchanges with sister Lowe in Centralia, (who just came out and who is an old FHE sister from BYUI, ha weird!) we were out tracting and we knocked on the door of an ex-Pentecostal preacher now born again Baptist. He was a hoot to talk to. He told us we don't believe in the right Jesus Christ and to go read our bible and pray for understanding because if we don't change we're going to hell. But he was really nice about it. So it was funny, but we were there on his door step for probably 25 minutes talking, mostly listening because he wouldn't let us say anything. Finally when he took a breath I said it was good to meet him, shook his hand and I told him I look forward to meeting him again. Thursday was our president interviews which are always amazing and insightful. I'm a little anxious about this next transfer though, I've been here so long so I wonder what the lord has for me next.
Love you all! Happy Valentines day!
sister salmon
Monday, February 20, 2012
February 5, 2012
Hahaha so mom, have you got a paper chain count going for me? :) Thank you so much for your wisdom and your letters each week. There are days when your letters are the motivating factor. The mission is hard, harder than I have ever expected.
That's exciting about the package. I will be going down to Centralia tonight and we'll be stopping by the mission office tomorrow morning so maybe it will be there.
On Monday for Pday we had our Zone pday. It was crazy. We played capture the flag, but we used nerf guns and PVC pipes. It was awesome. The Elders really got into it pulling out tables and chairs. When they were finished it looked like a battle ground.
This last week we had exchanges in Jacksonville. They live in this old school, which is crazy. So for my morning run I just ran the hallway. They live in a really cool city. I guess they have a college there for the blind and deaf and as part of their calling they are required to participate in ASL classes. They do a lot of signing there which is so cool. Sister Pederson taught me a few things, sadly I have forgotten them. I hope to serve there; the people there are so friendly.
We are working with two investigators who have baptismal dates. Sometimes I wish they'd just trust us and get baptized. They know it’s true. They have both felt the spirit in their lives. Agency can be so irritating at times. :)
Sunday was a tender mercy. I had been feeling kind blue because of some things that had happened that morning. But Cleo came to church Sunday and brought her Granddaughter. And then a LA whom we've been working a lot with came to church for the first time since Christmas. God is very much aware of us. And when a door closes he does open that window.
I love you all and am thankful for who you are and the example you set to those around you.
sister salmon
That's exciting about the package. I will be going down to Centralia tonight and we'll be stopping by the mission office tomorrow morning so maybe it will be there.
On Monday for Pday we had our Zone pday. It was crazy. We played capture the flag, but we used nerf guns and PVC pipes. It was awesome. The Elders really got into it pulling out tables and chairs. When they were finished it looked like a battle ground.
This last week we had exchanges in Jacksonville. They live in this old school, which is crazy. So for my morning run I just ran the hallway. They live in a really cool city. I guess they have a college there for the blind and deaf and as part of their calling they are required to participate in ASL classes. They do a lot of signing there which is so cool. Sister Pederson taught me a few things, sadly I have forgotten them. I hope to serve there; the people there are so friendly.
We are working with two investigators who have baptismal dates. Sometimes I wish they'd just trust us and get baptized. They know it’s true. They have both felt the spirit in their lives. Agency can be so irritating at times. :)
Sunday was a tender mercy. I had been feeling kind blue because of some things that had happened that morning. But Cleo came to church Sunday and brought her Granddaughter. And then a LA whom we've been working a lot with came to church for the first time since Christmas. God is very much aware of us. And when a door closes he does open that window.
I love you all and am thankful for who you are and the example you set to those around you.
sister salmon
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
This last week went by so slowly for me and my companion, yet so many great things have happened. We were able to pick up three new investigators this last week. Benjamin and Randy are a young couple, Benjamin was on you tube and saw a video about Joseph Smith which linked him to Mormon.org. He referred himself and asked for a Book of Mormon. We were able to go over there this last week with a couple in our ward and share the story of the restoration and how the book of Mormon is the key stone of our religion. Our other investigator is Saddie Reed, she is something else. Sister Shutt and I found her a couple months ago and she said she'd call us when her life wasn't too busy. She called us last week and we had a good discussion with her Monday and another on Saturday. She's battling some health problems currently which makes it hard to meet because she's constantly going to the doctors. Cleo, is one of our most progressing investigators. She came to church again yesterday. This was her third time coming and she brought along her granddaughter who is just as cute as can be. She had fun sticking stickers all over us during sacrament.
I was privileged to give a talk in church yesterday. I guess someone called and canceled so Brother Birk (2nd counselor in Bishopric) called me Saturday morning. I spoke on our ward’s theme for this year which is 2 Nephi 25:26. I was asked to talk about how this scripture can help motive us to change and grow closer to our Father in Heaven. Hopefully it went well. I don't know. I enjoyed speaking, probably because I enjoy teaching.
Excited news! We received a text last night from our Zl's notifying us that we were the number one baptizing zone in the mission. That was awesome to hear because before we weren't doing so great. Currently we have two investigators with baptismal dates and three with potential dates.
This morning I was reading in Mormon 7. It is one of my favorite chapters. I love how it talks about how we must have hope in order to have faith, and to have hope we must first be meek and lowly in heart. I went through this chapter and circled the word hope every time it was mentioned. It says it quit a bit. But I think my favorite verse in this chapter is verse 31. This verse is what I have been called to do. I have been called and set apart to find those who are ready and prepared for the gospel. I love this work!
Sister salmon
I was privileged to give a talk in church yesterday. I guess someone called and canceled so Brother Birk (2nd counselor in Bishopric) called me Saturday morning. I spoke on our ward’s theme for this year which is 2 Nephi 25:26. I was asked to talk about how this scripture can help motive us to change and grow closer to our Father in Heaven. Hopefully it went well. I don't know. I enjoyed speaking, probably because I enjoy teaching.
Excited news! We received a text last night from our Zl's notifying us that we were the number one baptizing zone in the mission. That was awesome to hear because before we weren't doing so great. Currently we have two investigators with baptismal dates and three with potential dates.
This morning I was reading in Mormon 7. It is one of my favorite chapters. I love how it talks about how we must have hope in order to have faith, and to have hope we must first be meek and lowly in heart. I went through this chapter and circled the word hope every time it was mentioned. It says it quit a bit. But I think my favorite verse in this chapter is verse 31. This verse is what I have been called to do. I have been called and set apart to find those who are ready and prepared for the gospel. I love this work!
Sister salmon
Monday, January 23, 2012
Jan 23, 2012
Sorry it has taken me so lone to fill you all in. It’s been a crazy week; it seems I can never get a head of things. Last week was Mlk day so the Library in Champaign was closed, and then I had to be in St. Louis for Leadership training, so that’s where I was all day Tuesday and Wednesday. Training was amazing! I learned so many things about how to become a better teacher and listener. During the training, our Mission president reminded us of when Elder Malm came and spoke to us. I guess before Elder Malm left President Clark asked what we could do to better consecrate ourselves to the work. Elder Malm replied back that if we went back to the basics of Missionary work and studied more intently from our PMG (Preach my Gospels) the Lord would bless us in our missionary efforts. As a mission, we have recommitted ourselves to become PMG missionaries. But he didn’t stop there. Our Zl’s brought up the idea in ZLC that we should also have our members become PMG members. So now we are trying to work with our members, getting them PMG and having them study from its pages as well. PMG is such an amazing tool. One of the ways we are trying to have members implement PMG into their homes is through FHE. PMG has lesson plans, activities, and scriptures already put together for you…I remember when PMG first came out. Santa was on top of things because I remember that all of us received one in our stockings that first year. I have learned so much from reading and studying from PMG. Sometimes I get frustrated with myself because I wish I could say things as eloquently as they are written in Preach. I know that as I have followed the counsel from Elder Malm/President Clark that I have been blessed in my studies and with working with my investigators. The second day of leadership training was just as good, and also humbling. During the latter part of the day I was called up to participate in a role play. I’ll be honest; I strongly dislike role plays, particularly in front of large groups of missionaries. But I was called up, I didn’t sufficiently humble myself. I let myself get cocky and demonstrated what not to do. It wasn’t horrible, but if I had been listening more intently to the spirit it would have gone a lot smoother. That was a huge learning point for me. We need to be humble teachers.
ADDED BECAUSE IT WAS CRAZY AND BECAUSE I CAN :) I wanted to add that on Monday for P-day I took my companion to get her ears pierced for the first time. And then somehow during the night one of her earrings fell out and her hole closed up. She had me re pierce her ear. It was the weirdest craziest thing ever.
Wednesday night was a riot. I forgot to mention that we carpooled down in the Zl’s minivan; there were six of us. Two sets of elder and then me and another sister, whom we picked up in Centralia. We dropped off my companion there and did a switch because my companion wasn’t going to the leadership training. Anyway, on the way home Wednesday night after dinner we set out and after 30 miles of driving we realized we were on the wrong highway. So we had to back track to get on the right highway and we found ourselves back in St. Louis. It took us six hours to get home when it should’ve only taken maybe 4hrs. So we didn’t get home until 1:30am. But the ride was really fun; we need to remember, when you are in the car with people for longer than 2hrs you kind of take your friendship to a whole new level.
Lisa our most progressing investigator is doing amazing. She came to church yesterday and had amazing time. The Elders who are at church the previous hour started talking to her and pretty much told her that she seemed ready to be baptized and to pray about a date. This took her by surprise, mostly because she had been thinking about it. We’ve talked to her about it as well but I think she needed someone else to bring it up. It’s so great to see how the gospel can completely change people’s lives. When we went to go pick her up that morning she didn’t want to come, and told us she had thought up all these excuses to not come. But the lord new she needed to come and helped us overcome all her excuses. She’s becoming a different person. I just love her so much.
I have such a strong testimony of fasting, prayer and obedience. The Lord has blessed us so much this last week because of our desires to re consecrate ourselves to Him. I know that when we feast from the scriptures every day, the lord blesses us in our understanding of the scriptures. And our desires to follow him increases. I’m reminded of Ephesians 6 which talks about the armour of God. I know that as we do the things we know to be right the lord does bless us.
love sister salmon
ADDED BECAUSE IT WAS CRAZY AND BECAUSE I CAN :) I wanted to add that on Monday for P-day I took my companion to get her ears pierced for the first time. And then somehow during the night one of her earrings fell out and her hole closed up. She had me re pierce her ear. It was the weirdest craziest thing ever.
Wednesday night was a riot. I forgot to mention that we carpooled down in the Zl’s minivan; there were six of us. Two sets of elder and then me and another sister, whom we picked up in Centralia. We dropped off my companion there and did a switch because my companion wasn’t going to the leadership training. Anyway, on the way home Wednesday night after dinner we set out and after 30 miles of driving we realized we were on the wrong highway. So we had to back track to get on the right highway and we found ourselves back in St. Louis. It took us six hours to get home when it should’ve only taken maybe 4hrs. So we didn’t get home until 1:30am. But the ride was really fun; we need to remember, when you are in the car with people for longer than 2hrs you kind of take your friendship to a whole new level.
Lisa our most progressing investigator is doing amazing. She came to church yesterday and had amazing time. The Elders who are at church the previous hour started talking to her and pretty much told her that she seemed ready to be baptized and to pray about a date. This took her by surprise, mostly because she had been thinking about it. We’ve talked to her about it as well but I think she needed someone else to bring it up. It’s so great to see how the gospel can completely change people’s lives. When we went to go pick her up that morning she didn’t want to come, and told us she had thought up all these excuses to not come. But the lord new she needed to come and helped us overcome all her excuses. She’s becoming a different person. I just love her so much.
I have such a strong testimony of fasting, prayer and obedience. The Lord has blessed us so much this last week because of our desires to re consecrate ourselves to Him. I know that when we feast from the scriptures every day, the lord blesses us in our understanding of the scriptures. And our desires to follow him increases. I’m reminded of Ephesians 6 which talks about the armour of God. I know that as we do the things we know to be right the lord does bless us.
love sister salmon
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
January 9, 2012
Hey Mother, Family and Friends!
This week we had an amazing miracle. Cleo, our most progressing investigator has been smoke free for the last Five days. We taught the smoke free program the church has and she's been doing amazing. It is a very powerful testimony of our Savior’s atonement and how He can help us change. And then she told us this last week when we were visiting that after this next Friday (daughter's birthday party) she is going to stop drinking too! We had talked about the word of wisdom a little bit when we did the stop smoking program but she pretty much made this decision by her self. It’s so amazing to see people come unto Christ. It’s almost like she's a different person now. We will be seeing her hopefully tomorrow, and we're hoping to set a baptismal date with her. We've talked about it before; we asked her to pray to know if this is Christ’s Church and if she should be baptized. Tomorrow will be a big day for us.
We also had a really good lesson with Roland on Saturday. We taught the Plan of Salvation with Brother Knowlton our WML and it went really well. I'd almost say our best lesson with Roland. I use to be so hesitant to invite members to come to our lessons, just because then I felt they were watching how I taught. Now I know that was just selfish. Having member at lessons makes the spirit so much stronger. Plus, Roland was able to relate easier to what Bro. Knowlton was saying (Must be a guy thing). So on Sunday, when we had a ward missionary correlation meeting we brought up the importance of having members at lessons. Preferable all! I think we're going to start assigning couples or individuals a day and a block of time. Asking for volunteers just isn't working. We'll start with just one day, but we might, depending on how successful it is branch out.
We also have a new family that we hope to pick up this week. David is from Mexico and was raised in the Catholic Church and his wife is Navajo and doesn't have much of a religious background. Apparently her father (who we think is a member or at least is a less active) referred them to the missionaries. We had an okay lesson with them last week. I'm having a hard time getting my companion to talk; which is a little frustrating but we're working through this. So I was doing a lot of the talking in our companionship.
Transfer calls were Saturday night and our district is staying the same again. We've been together for three transfers now, going on four. There are a few changes in leader positions but other than that we're all here. I was given a new responsibility. I have been called to be the exchange sister in Illinois. It is comparable to what the dl's do when they travel around and go on splits with the elders in the district. This means that Sister Luker and I will now get an opportunity to travel to the other two sister companionship's and go on splits. I’m actually really excited about this, and this also means that I'll be able to attend the leadership training next week in St, Louis. I was a little shocked at this calling, but I am really excited. It gives me an opportunity to learn from the other sisters.
Love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support. It makes a world of difference.
Sister Salmon
This week we had an amazing miracle. Cleo, our most progressing investigator has been smoke free for the last Five days. We taught the smoke free program the church has and she's been doing amazing. It is a very powerful testimony of our Savior’s atonement and how He can help us change. And then she told us this last week when we were visiting that after this next Friday (daughter's birthday party) she is going to stop drinking too! We had talked about the word of wisdom a little bit when we did the stop smoking program but she pretty much made this decision by her self. It’s so amazing to see people come unto Christ. It’s almost like she's a different person now. We will be seeing her hopefully tomorrow, and we're hoping to set a baptismal date with her. We've talked about it before; we asked her to pray to know if this is Christ’s Church and if she should be baptized. Tomorrow will be a big day for us.
We also had a really good lesson with Roland on Saturday. We taught the Plan of Salvation with Brother Knowlton our WML and it went really well. I'd almost say our best lesson with Roland. I use to be so hesitant to invite members to come to our lessons, just because then I felt they were watching how I taught. Now I know that was just selfish. Having member at lessons makes the spirit so much stronger. Plus, Roland was able to relate easier to what Bro. Knowlton was saying (Must be a guy thing). So on Sunday, when we had a ward missionary correlation meeting we brought up the importance of having members at lessons. Preferable all! I think we're going to start assigning couples or individuals a day and a block of time. Asking for volunteers just isn't working. We'll start with just one day, but we might, depending on how successful it is branch out.
We also have a new family that we hope to pick up this week. David is from Mexico and was raised in the Catholic Church and his wife is Navajo and doesn't have much of a religious background. Apparently her father (who we think is a member or at least is a less active) referred them to the missionaries. We had an okay lesson with them last week. I'm having a hard time getting my companion to talk; which is a little frustrating but we're working through this. So I was doing a lot of the talking in our companionship.
Transfer calls were Saturday night and our district is staying the same again. We've been together for three transfers now, going on four. There are a few changes in leader positions but other than that we're all here. I was given a new responsibility. I have been called to be the exchange sister in Illinois. It is comparable to what the dl's do when they travel around and go on splits with the elders in the district. This means that Sister Luker and I will now get an opportunity to travel to the other two sister companionship's and go on splits. I’m actually really excited about this, and this also means that I'll be able to attend the leadership training next week in St, Louis. I was a little shocked at this calling, but I am really excited. It gives me an opportunity to learn from the other sisters.
Love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support. It makes a world of difference.
Sister Salmon
Jan 2, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!This week the exchange sisters came into town from Pittsfield. We had a awesome time together, both companionship's worked really hard. Thursday night after dinner sister Brink and I made an extra stop home after our dinner appointment. We stopped by Justa's apartment, she was the one sister shutt and I stumbled upon right after she found out her daughter in-law had committed suicide. We'd been trying to get a hold of her for a while, and with it being the Holiday break, we weren't having much luck. But this time she was home. We had a really good visit with her and shared a message of comfort with her. I guess the weekend was another bad weekend. We have an appointment with her tonight, and we're really looking forward to that. Friday we switched companions again. So this time i was with sister Henke. That morning we went to go visit sister Nicole Simmons. She wouldn't pick up our phone calls so we decided to do a stop by. The only problem is she lives in a gated community. Well that didn't stop us; we started walking around and lucked out when the mail truck was passing through the gate. We just walked on through. (Smile and wave boys, smile and wave!) I guess I should say I started walking on through; sister Henke was a little hesitant at first. We did meet up with Sister Simmons and are expected to see her some time this week.
Saturday, New Years Eve day; the Urbana elders had an investigator who was baptized and we had two of our investigators there. I think they both really enjoyed it. Afterward we did a church tour and then taught the restoration. Baby steps. They're still getting the hang of things. Everything went really well. Cleo, one of investigators who attended the baptism also came to church on Sunday. I'm sure she was really confused at first.
We were asked to stop proselyting at 3pm Saturday night, and were asked to deep clean our apartments. Which we did, i didn't think it would take that long but it sure did. I don't mind cleaning, especially when you get to wear jeans. :) We spent New Years Eve with the Mcconkies eating finger food (cheese, crackers, shrimp, chips and dip, candies etc.) and playing games (Rummikub and Phase Ten). It was a lot of fun, but was the quietest New Years I've ever experienced.
Sunday Cleo came to church and stayed for the entire block. She doesn't have a car so I guess you could say we shanghaied (?) her. But I think she enjoyed it just the same. She kept making remarks how it’s the same as her church yet different. "People here are so much nicer". We are meeting with her on Wednesday, we told her about a stop smoking program the church has so she's excited to start. New years day was then spent at the Reger’s home. We had “make your own sandwiches and custard”, which was really good. People out here sure do love their custard.
Today is FREEZING! Thank goodness I decided to wear two pairs of tights. It started snowing mid morning and has been coming down periodically through out the day.
We had zone p-day today, and for p-day we went to an Illinois woman's' Basketball game. It was fun to watch.... and to be watched. People just stared at us when we first walked in. You'd think they'd never seen people before..... The game was good but really slow. I prefer to men play ball.
And that's a week in the life of sister salmon. Until next week.
love yawl! sister salmon
Saturday, New Years Eve day; the Urbana elders had an investigator who was baptized and we had two of our investigators there. I think they both really enjoyed it. Afterward we did a church tour and then taught the restoration. Baby steps. They're still getting the hang of things. Everything went really well. Cleo, one of investigators who attended the baptism also came to church on Sunday. I'm sure she was really confused at first.
We were asked to stop proselyting at 3pm Saturday night, and were asked to deep clean our apartments. Which we did, i didn't think it would take that long but it sure did. I don't mind cleaning, especially when you get to wear jeans. :) We spent New Years Eve with the Mcconkies eating finger food (cheese, crackers, shrimp, chips and dip, candies etc.) and playing games (Rummikub and Phase Ten). It was a lot of fun, but was the quietest New Years I've ever experienced.
Sunday Cleo came to church and stayed for the entire block. She doesn't have a car so I guess you could say we shanghaied (?) her. But I think she enjoyed it just the same. She kept making remarks how it’s the same as her church yet different. "People here are so much nicer". We are meeting with her on Wednesday, we told her about a stop smoking program the church has so she's excited to start. New years day was then spent at the Reger’s home. We had “make your own sandwiches and custard”, which was really good. People out here sure do love their custard.
Today is FREEZING! Thank goodness I decided to wear two pairs of tights. It started snowing mid morning and has been coming down periodically through out the day.
We had zone p-day today, and for p-day we went to an Illinois woman's' Basketball game. It was fun to watch.... and to be watched. People just stared at us when we first walked in. You'd think they'd never seen people before..... The game was good but really slow. I prefer to men play ball.
And that's a week in the life of sister salmon. Until next week.
love yawl! sister salmon
Monday, January 2, 2012
December 27th, 2011
Dear Family
I loved seeing and talking to everyone this last week. That was my favorite part of Christmas for sure!
This last week was a really busy one. Everyday was chalk full with appointments, and amazingly nobody canceled on us. We found a new investigator. We met with her a couple times throughout the week. During our first visit I was a little concerned because she seemed disinterested. But as we continued to talk and read from the scriptures her whole countenance changed. She was more engaged and she became the one who was asking questions. We invited her to church and she said that she would come. We were a little disappointed when she didn't come. :( We had asked a member in our ward to go pick her up. Part of me wonders if she didn't come because we weren't there. But we're going to see her this afternoon and hopefully we can figure some things out.
With it being Christmas time we were able to take part in some secret Santa’s. Skirts make it very interesting when it came to ding dong ditching. We had tried to leave some gifts at one of our investigators houses, but in the process of our escape my companion's shoe went flying off her foot. This scuddled our plan of a quick escape and when we looked back our investigator was at his door watching us. Oh well, we tried.
Christmas eve was spent at various members houses. We ate lots of food, sung carols, read Christmas stories and participated in white elephant gift exchanges. It was a very enjoyable evening. I'm always interested in other people’s traditions.
Yesterday was kind of an off day for me. We are really struggling with doing street lessons. And it’s even harder on Mondays because it’s P-day. The frustrating thing is I had two opportunities to share the gospel and have a good street lesson. And it wasn't until afterward that I realized I my missed opportunity. Sometimes I just forget. So I was (nicely) beating myself up about that. But I didn't let myself get too discouraged though. It’s when we fall that we produce the most growth. I know that with time and practice and help from my Father in Heaven that I can make this weakness a strength.
This morning I was pleasantly surprised to wake up to a blanket of snow. There was a good two inches on the ground when we went out to go running. I have learned that yes it is fun to run in the snow, but it is also lot harder to run in. It’s almost as bad as running in sand. Still, I enjoyed it.
I love you all. Thank you for your prayers, your love and support.
Sister Salmon
*Spencer I found Tim Tams. You were right, they were at target. We'll be doing those at dm this week.
Dear Family
I loved seeing and talking to everyone this last week. That was my favorite part of Christmas for sure!
This last week was a really busy one. Everyday was chalk full with appointments, and amazingly nobody canceled on us. We found a new investigator. We met with her a couple times throughout the week. During our first visit I was a little concerned because she seemed disinterested. But as we continued to talk and read from the scriptures her whole countenance changed. She was more engaged and she became the one who was asking questions. We invited her to church and she said that she would come. We were a little disappointed when she didn't come. :( We had asked a member in our ward to go pick her up. Part of me wonders if she didn't come because we weren't there. But we're going to see her this afternoon and hopefully we can figure some things out.
With it being Christmas time we were able to take part in some secret Santa’s. Skirts make it very interesting when it came to ding dong ditching. We had tried to leave some gifts at one of our investigators houses, but in the process of our escape my companion's shoe went flying off her foot. This scuddled our plan of a quick escape and when we looked back our investigator was at his door watching us. Oh well, we tried.
Christmas eve was spent at various members houses. We ate lots of food, sung carols, read Christmas stories and participated in white elephant gift exchanges. It was a very enjoyable evening. I'm always interested in other people’s traditions.
Yesterday was kind of an off day for me. We are really struggling with doing street lessons. And it’s even harder on Mondays because it’s P-day. The frustrating thing is I had two opportunities to share the gospel and have a good street lesson. And it wasn't until afterward that I realized I my missed opportunity. Sometimes I just forget. So I was (nicely) beating myself up about that. But I didn't let myself get too discouraged though. It’s when we fall that we produce the most growth. I know that with time and practice and help from my Father in Heaven that I can make this weakness a strength.
This morning I was pleasantly surprised to wake up to a blanket of snow. There was a good two inches on the ground when we went out to go running. I have learned that yes it is fun to run in the snow, but it is also lot harder to run in. It’s almost as bad as running in sand. Still, I enjoyed it.
I love you all. Thank you for your prayers, your love and support.
Sister Salmon
*Spencer I found Tim Tams. You were right, they were at target. We'll be doing those at dm this week.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
December 20, 2011
Sounds like a happening place. We had a really crazy week last week. April our recent convert was scheduled to go through the temple and receive her endowment on Saturday but Monday night she went MIA and didn't come home. (She lives with us in the basement). We were really worried because we couldn't find her and the McConkies were down in St. Louis working in the temple so they couldn't do anything to help either. We sent out an SOS call to all our missionaries and later in the day (Tuesday) she contacted us. At first she was ready to cancel her endowment session. Her family and friends are very much anti so she has no support from them. She used to be a Protestant minister so all her friends are all ministers too. But after much prayer and fasting she finally came around. She knew that she was suppose to go to the temple but was running from it. We drove down to St. Louis Friday night and Sister Shutt and I spent the night in the Mission home. April had to be at the temple by 9:15am for the 10:30 session. During that time we waited in the chapel and I read Alma 40-42 about the plan of Salvation. So so good. I feel like every time I open my scriptures I'm always learning new things....The session went great, the spirit was strong. The day was going great until we received a call from our Zone Leaders who notified us that sister Shutt was being emergency transferred to Missouri River and that I was going to finish training sister Luker from St. Charles.
The emergency transfer was because a new sister was entering the mission so we had to do some quick rearranging. So Sunday night we ran around saying goodbye and also packed up all of sister shutts stuff. But we had a cool miracle happen that night. Around 7:30 we received a phone call from a potential investigator. We hadn't been able to visit with her because things kept coming up so we had to keep rescheduling with her. But she gave us a call and we decided to go visit her. She was so sweet and what we thought would be a 10-15min actually turned into 45 min. We taught her part of the first vision and gave her a book of Mormon and asked her to read it. She was very receptive and was excited to learn more. We have an appointment for tonight so pray that goes through. Monday we drove down to St. Louis and participated in the mini transfer meeting. They had asked me to play the piano and I told them I'd play if they couldn't find anyone else. I haven't played in a very long time. Thankfully Elder Simms was there so he played instead. But I think I might practice a few hymns so that next time I will feel confident to play.
So now I'm the senior companion finishing training Sister luker who's been out for just over 2 months. So we're both babies. So who knows when I'll be transferred next? I could be here for a while. I'm really kind of nervous about this. And I feel weird to be driving again. I didn't pay too much attention when I was copilot so I still get really turned around when I drive. Although today we took our car into the shop finally to get the spray paint taken off. So we're going to be walking and finding rides for the next couple days.
I've ran into two people the last couple days who have some sort of connection with our family. Sunday night at our dinner appointment I found out that our host Dan Simons is from Cardston and knows Jeff and uncle David. And then we had dinner at the McNabbs last night and found out that they know the Reynolds family. Small world.
Love you all. I'll see you Sunday.
Sister salmon
December 12, 2011
Hey Family and friends
Hope this Holiday season everyone is doing well. This last week has gone by in a blur. Actually most weeks go by in a blur. When I first entered the mission field I was so excited to find people and share the gospel, and although that is our major focus it seems to be the members that need our greatest attention at this time. We have a lot of less active/part member families that we work with each week, and this last week we were able to see almost everyone that we had planned on visiting. We had a really good visit with Kathy and Kamen (LA) and Kamen’s friends Teagan and Gracie. We haven't been able to teach them for the last month because they each took turns getting sick. So we were pretty excited to teach them. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and Gracie and Teagan loved it. We had brought cardboard cut outs to help us and after wards they each took turns teaching us. Gracie and Teagan are so close to being ready for baptism. The only thing is their mom doesn't care to be taught (but has no problem with her kids being taught) and Gracie and Teagan are 9 and 12. So they need a good support system, and someone to bring them to church each week. So that's one mountain that we still need to climb.
We've started attending YW's activities periodically. We're trying to strengthen our relationship with the youth and support the leaders in their callings. We only have I think four YW and we're lucky if we have one show up for activities.
Friday night at dinner sister shutt started feeling sick at dinner so we went home early and spent the morning at home. But we had an appointment with Roland later that day that we both wanted to keep. Our zone leaders at Thursdays DM had talked about the need to strengthen our faith and ways that we might go about doing that. And then from there they kind of challenged us, if we hadn't already, to invite our investigators to be baptized. And so at our lesson with Roland we did just that. We invited him to be baptized on December 31st and he accepted. We're both really excited about this. He still has some things that he needs to be taught but I know that if he remembers the answer he received after praying to know if the book of Mormon is true and the feelings he gets when he prays that he will be baptized. Last night we had our stake Christmas concert. We invited Roland to come to the concert and at first he was kind of hesitant. But then his niece piped in and said that she's be interested in coming. They both came and really enjoyed it. And the members were great. Many of them came and introduced themselves and welcomed them in. That's so important. Investigators need to feel included and loved right off the bat.
I don't know if I mentioned that Sister Shutt and both sang in the choir. It was so much fun to be up there singing. At the end all the performers gathered on the stage and we all congregation included sang Joy to the World. The spirit was so strong in the chapel. Someone in the congregation came and talked to me after the concert and asked if I had so much fun singing in the choir. They said that they'd watched me and during that last song I had the biggest smile on my face. Which was probably true. I was just so happy. I love singing about the birth of Christ.
Oh and then last night after our concert we were making some Christmas cards and we discovered a dead mouse in our basement. Bro. McConkie had set out some traps. I guess mice aren't all that uncommon in the fall and winter seasons. All the mice from the corn fields come in to find someplace warm. We caught three last night.
I love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Hope this Holiday season everyone is doing well. This last week has gone by in a blur. Actually most weeks go by in a blur. When I first entered the mission field I was so excited to find people and share the gospel, and although that is our major focus it seems to be the members that need our greatest attention at this time. We have a lot of less active/part member families that we work with each week, and this last week we were able to see almost everyone that we had planned on visiting. We had a really good visit with Kathy and Kamen (LA) and Kamen’s friends Teagan and Gracie. We haven't been able to teach them for the last month because they each took turns getting sick. So we were pretty excited to teach them. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and Gracie and Teagan loved it. We had brought cardboard cut outs to help us and after wards they each took turns teaching us. Gracie and Teagan are so close to being ready for baptism. The only thing is their mom doesn't care to be taught (but has no problem with her kids being taught) and Gracie and Teagan are 9 and 12. So they need a good support system, and someone to bring them to church each week. So that's one mountain that we still need to climb.
We've started attending YW's activities periodically. We're trying to strengthen our relationship with the youth and support the leaders in their callings. We only have I think four YW and we're lucky if we have one show up for activities.
Friday night at dinner sister shutt started feeling sick at dinner so we went home early and spent the morning at home. But we had an appointment with Roland later that day that we both wanted to keep. Our zone leaders at Thursdays DM had talked about the need to strengthen our faith and ways that we might go about doing that. And then from there they kind of challenged us, if we hadn't already, to invite our investigators to be baptized. And so at our lesson with Roland we did just that. We invited him to be baptized on December 31st and he accepted. We're both really excited about this. He still has some things that he needs to be taught but I know that if he remembers the answer he received after praying to know if the book of Mormon is true and the feelings he gets when he prays that he will be baptized. Last night we had our stake Christmas concert. We invited Roland to come to the concert and at first he was kind of hesitant. But then his niece piped in and said that she's be interested in coming. They both came and really enjoyed it. And the members were great. Many of them came and introduced themselves and welcomed them in. That's so important. Investigators need to feel included and loved right off the bat.
I don't know if I mentioned that Sister Shutt and both sang in the choir. It was so much fun to be up there singing. At the end all the performers gathered on the stage and we all congregation included sang Joy to the World. The spirit was so strong in the chapel. Someone in the congregation came and talked to me after the concert and asked if I had so much fun singing in the choir. They said that they'd watched me and during that last song I had the biggest smile on my face. Which was probably true. I was just so happy. I love singing about the birth of Christ.
Oh and then last night after our concert we were making some Christmas cards and we discovered a dead mouse in our basement. Bro. McConkie had set out some traps. I guess mice aren't all that uncommon in the fall and winter seasons. All the mice from the corn fields come in to find someplace warm. We caught three last night.
I love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas!
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