Zone Conference

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a good week; I know I did! On Wednesday we had zone conference which was super good and super beneficial! We were able to do a lot of role plays, and the tips for helping members and getting referrals from them are a straight gold mine. On Thursday I had exchanges and went to Superior with Sister Pryor, who is a brand-new missionary. I was a little nervous since I would be leading the exchange, but it was good! Neither of us can drive right now so we were in the apartment for most of the day, but we had some good phone call lessons!

OH, GUESS WHAT? I found out that one of the Elders in my mission is going to Taiwan! Like next week! And on Friday President texted me and asked for some information for my visa! It might not be anytime soon, but things are moving! I'm excited. Other exciting things: Our friend Edward came to church again! We invited him to be baptized, and he said he would pray about it. I'm excited for him! Also, we were planning on passing off our friend Al to the elders, but it turns out he definitely doesn't want to talk to men. So, we'll see what happens with that. One of our friends invited us to her daughter's birthday party the other day, so that was fun too!

YAY GENERAL CONFERENCE! Everyone and your dog watch it! Think about how privileged we are to have a living prophet on the earth. Who do you know who needs to know about this? 

Another spiritual thought: Zone conference was so fire! Something that I have struggled with is that sometimes I feel like there is so far to go and so many things to work on and I'm so far from where I want to be. I often feel like I'm being prideful if I acknowledge my strengths. Finding the balance has always been difficult for me. One thing that President said at zone conference was "Do not be so overwhelmed with what you are not, that you overlook what you are. Be proud of what you are and humble for what you are not. Focus on those areas that you are strong as you work on the things that are a little bit frightening." The Lord will lead us along. This whole earth life is all about growth! The Lord led you to this point for a reason. What did He see in you as to want you here? If you struggle seeing your strengths, ask the Lord! He will tell you! It is okay to recognize what you are and be humble for what you are not. 

 

 

Revenge Week

Hey everyone! How's life??? This week was good! It was known as "revenge week" because our zone had a huge bounce back after a rough finding week last week. Our zone found like 20 people in the past week! We found a guy named Al, and get this, he was a COLD CALL REFERRAL. In other words, we called a random number, and they weren't interested, but gave us the number of someone who was! That doesn't just happen! This is the Lord's work folks! They didn't even have his name right haha but he's cool! He sometimes brings up marriage though and some of the things he says are slightly on the creepy side so we might pass him off to the Elders haha. But that's cool!

Our friend Edward came to church yesterday, and of course one of the hymns was "If You Could Hie to Kolob," haha hopefully he didn't think too much about it. We also had exchanges on Thursday, I went to Superior with Sister Pearl! We got to teach a bunch of people; it was really good! That whole day was a big success day for all the companionships which was awesome. We tried street contacting for the first time at a college, but nobody was there (we found out later it was spring break for them) but we'll get there! We were also able to have a bunch of member meals this week which was good. 

For those of you who are familiar with my fish of 1 1/2 years, Desmond, I am sorry to say that it was his time to go. My family had a funeral for him, which I appreciate. Here's a little tribute to Desmond!

-Favorite song: Little Saint Nick by the Beach boys, and another by 1D that I can't remember.

-Favorite activities: Watching me do homework, hiding behind his tree

-Favorite food: The tan pieces in his fish food, I always assumed it was krill but I have no idea what it is

-Least favorite activity: Bath time

I love you and will miss you Desmond! You will be in our memories forever! 

Spiritual thought for the week: When Joseph Smith had the first vision, he was "called by name." He also experienced this when Moroni appeared to him. What is the significance of being called by name? When we receive priesthood blessings, when we are set apart, and when we are given a responsibility by the Lord we are always "called by name." I am a big believer that names have power. They add emphasis and personal meaning to any sentence, and they have the power to make any compliment, insult, or phrase strike us to the core. So, let me ask again, what is the significance of God always calling us by name? That He knows us personally and loves us? That he individually chooses us, by name, for our responsibilities? I would like to invite you all to think about your names, and the fact that God knows them and knows you! He knows what He is doing when he calls you by name for a responsibility or even just for communication. Trust Him. 

 Anyway, sorry this was so long, I love you all and hope you have the best week!  

This is an adorable little doll that some people in my ward had made for me! Thanks so much I love it! 

I'm Free!!

Hello everyone! This week was good! A little rough in the finding department, and we had to drop some people which was sad, but we were able to have lessons with some people that we haven't been able to get teach in a while which was nice! It was good to see where they are all at. Wade, one of our friends who they have been teaching on and off for about five years, is preparing for baptism and we got to meet with him and discuss some things holding him back which was good. We're excited for him. Lots of good lessons this week :) some big changes were that we don't have to wear masks everywhere now! If it's required or recommended, we still have to, and if other people are too out of respect for them. But any other time we don't have to! And we can eat in member homes now! And we can street contact now! Except everyone in the mission now has only been here during covid and nobody knows what they're doing! It's gonna be an adventure but I'm so excited!

Today we were able to go to an overlook over the city and do personal study there which was super pretty! In honor of pie day, we also made a pie. On Saturday we were asked to fill the font for a baptism, and we stayed for the baptism which was fun! Saturday night we had a lesson with the Alexander family, which was good, and then it seemed the topics we taught were totally emphasized in church the next day which is so cool. Our friend Edward said he would come to church tomorrow, but he didn't again :( but we're going to try to arrange a ride for him next week! Other exciting events, sometimes (after 9 of course) my companion and I will have a "movie night" and watch some church videos. The most recent one was "The phone call" which is super funny and old and is on gospel library for some reason :) it's an adventure. I don't really know what else happened this week.

Spiritual thought for the week: The whole point of this gospel is to become. Become like the Savior, through the Savior. Humility and hope lead to growth. When you are humble, you don't need to be uncomfortable because you know that you are submitting to the Lord's will, and through Him we prevail. Hope is to know and trust that God can comprehend all things, and He does all things for the benefit of His children. When we are humble and depend on the Lord for strength, and hope that He will give us that strength and that He will follow through with His promises even if we are in a difficult situation, we grow. Heavenly Father wants us to see our progression! I would like you all to write every night for this next week how you have grown that day. I know that God wants us to see our progress and will help us become more and more like Him as we make an effort to grow! Anyway, I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week :)

沒有 Miles

Hello everyone! This was a good week, we had transfers which made everything exciting! My companion and I are both staying here in Duluth which I'm happy about :) Let me just say having a car is such a blessing. Appreciate your cars everyone. :) We had a little adventure when we went to Silver Bay (which is already about an hour away, our area is huge) to bring cookies to a member, except her address took us to the middle of nowhere. But we knew she lived on that street, so we just kept driving! And kept driving. And kept driving. Turns out she lives DEEP in the middle of nowhere, but we eventually found her house (and then she wasn't home) and dropped off the cookies! It was super pretty though, and on the way back I stuck my head out the window and the freezing cold wind was so fun. No regrets.

On the way back we stopped at another house, and then the Bishop's wife messaged us and said to visit her too! It was a fun day :) although our miles for the month took a solid hit. I honestly don't really know what else happened this week... Edward said he would come to church and then he didn't, which was sad, but he said he would come next week for sure! He has been reading the Book of Mormon though and he said he really felt that God was at our last lesson which is great! My companion and I made apple pie with Ritz crackers instead of apples! I had it at a science camp in like 8th grade and mentioned it and we made it on a whim! It tastes exactly like apple pie, it's pretty wacky. We had a lesson with the Alexander family in person for the first time which was good! I honestly don't know what else happened this week, but it was good! :)

Spiritual thought for the week: One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how simple God's plan is, and how completely based off of love it is. God, in His loving selflessness, has no ulterior motives. He has no underlying tricks or loopholes. He is not "a ref waiting for any excuse to throw us out of the game." He is a Father who sent His son to die so that we can become like Him! All that He does for us is out of pure love and nothing else!  I would like to invite you all to read 2 Nephi 26:24 and think about the things in your own life, and how they are all ultimately for our benefit, whether or not it feels like it right now. Look through the lessons of the gospel and God's plan for us and pay attention to how His love is the motivator for all He does. It's incredible.