Monday, October 14, 2013 - The Lost Sheep

What an eventful weekend it's been. I say weekend because everyone in Arizona last week was in either Rocky Point, Mexico or California for fall break. The town of Gilbert started to come back to life on Saturday as everyone was coming back into town. Let's just say we knocked a lot of doors this week with no answer. But, the weekend totally made up for the rest of the week. I'm sure fasting totally made a difference since our Sunday was crazy. In a good way. There's just not enough hours in the day to get everything done that we want to.

 

We were able to meet with Brad twice this week. Hurrah! We just have to stop by and try to catch them because they're so busy and don't really see the need yet of meeting with us very often. We found out a lot from the lesson about Brad and his concerns which was fantastic. He was definitely not where he thought he was in his progression with the gospel. Yesterday we had a great lesson with Brad. We think he's finally seeing the need for the gospel. We are now able to meet with him on a more regular basis. His girlfriend who was less-active is kind of holding him back which can be frustrating, but we think she's finally seeing the need for us to come more than just once a week. For fast Sunday we had been fasting so he would see the need to change and meet with us more often. Our prayers were answered and we were able to have a powerful, but short lesson about the power of prayer and how it can help us with our families and every day life. We found out he's really interested in the church because he wants to learn how to be a better father and he's not really drawn to the doctrine. We also finally were able to get him to read the Book of Mormon. They really want to read and pray as a family and we're hoping they'll keep that commitment. Good things are happening with that family!

 

We were also able to meet with Carl this week and we were also able to address his concerns and find out more than just the surface level concerns. He has a lot to work through though. We also are pretty sure he has aspbergers which makes it kind of difficult to talk to him about the gospel.We're trying to see if we can help him find a job and see the need to come to church. The ward he resides in as no mid-singles; all are 30 something with 2.5 kids or 60 something empty- nesters. It's really too bad he doesn't live in either of the other two wards boundaries so we could help him find someone like him- single 40 year-old. We're still working with him.

 

The area is starting to finally come to life after 2 months of us being in the area. The members are really starting to catch the vision of missionary work and are inviting their friends and family. It's been great to hear how everyone is doing in our follow up appointments. There are so many people we're working with who are so close to taking the discussions. We're excited for what this next week brings! Hopefully many more miracles. We have had 2 referrals this week. One was from one of our Bishops to one of his neighbors, Wesley. We went on Saturday and set up an appointment with Wesley for Sunday after church. We were like sweet! Hopefully we'll have a new investigator! It turns out Wesley had been baptized years and years ago in Michigan and we don't have his records. He now goes to a non-denominational Christian church because he was offended years ago. He's African American and he thinks there's racism toward colored people. We really wished we had an iPad so we could show him Edward Dube's talk from this last General Conference. We have another appointment set up with him next Saturday which should hopefully go well.

 

We also received a referral from a member for a lady who's kids she watches in her daycare. She happens to live in the ward boundaries which is amazing and she is really drawn to the church because of the unity of the ward members. We knocked on her door yesterday after church as well, but she wasn't home. We're hoping to talk with her tonight and the member said she'd set up an appointment for us as well. We're excited to meet Jill as well!

 

If you can't tell already that after being in church from 10:30-5, our Sunday was pretty well packed. We had 4 appointments that night not including dinner. We were only able to be at dinner for 10 minutes because of all of our appointments and Wesley changing his appointment for during dinner. Luckily our Ward Mission Leader was feeding us and he totally understood. Sorry to dine and dash! lol We have been having powerful member visits as well. The Lord is truly helping us discern every one's needs.

 

Now to the best part of our day. A less-active family we had finally been able to contact last week came to church yesterday! All of them! It's kind of a long story about all of their background. Here's the readers digest version: there are 3 families all living in one house and they're all related to each other. Mike and Montana are married. Montana is a convert and hasn't been to church in 2 years, Mike a lot longer. Laura (Mike's sister) hasn't been to church in over 5 years. Montana's non-member parents live with them with their non-member girls. We had met Laura a couple of weeks ago and really hit it off with her. We had invited her to church, but she said she really wasn't ready. We had been trying to meet with Montana and Mike since we've gotten to the area. The Friday before General Conference we were just coming from Montana's neighbor's house(who's a member) and were outside when they pulled up! We were like sweet! Thank you Heavenly Father for putting them into our path! Montana and Mike had been asked to help out with our Fall Festival and they had said yes. We go over there and ask if we can share a message with them. Montana says yes, right now would work! We go into the house and end up sharing a message with Montana and Laura. Montana said she had been thinking about coming back to church since they had invited her to help out with the Fall Festival. We invited them to church and had a very powerful lesson with them. We set up a time every week to come and have Family Home Evening with them and to have the Scripture of the Day sent to them each day. They said they'd come to church the next week! And they came to church. All of them. Even Mike who really didn't want anything to do with the church these past couple of years. And even Laura who didn't really want to come to church. And even Montana's non-member little sisters came. It was a great day. Montana said she's coming back for good because she's missed it so much. Miracles!!! Mike and Laura only stayed for Sacrament Meeting, but it's a good start. I'm so happy for them! Heavenly Father truly cares about each one of us and he will help those who have strayed come back into the fold.

 

These past couple days I've been studying about sanctification. I went through the Topical Guide and looked up all of the scriptures relating to the word sanctify because as a mission we're really working on sanctifying ourselves. It was very enlightening to really find out what it means to become holy or clean and what we have to do in order to become like our Savior. I know the power of the Atonement and righteous living will have a sanctifying effect on our lives. We will be happier because we will be coming more like our Savior. I'm so grateful for this opportunity for 18 months to sanctify myself and become closer to my Savior through prayer and scripture study. There's nothing like being able to spend hours studying the gospel. I love this gospel and the effect it has had on my life for the better.

 

Love, 

Sister Collins

 

P.S. How are you doing on the commitment I gave you last week?

Monday, October 7, 2013 - General Conference!

I am so excited it's cooling down. I dream of leaves changing and the crisp fall air. I think I'm definitely okay with living in the Midwest with all four seasons. 

This week was wonderful. General Conference was such a treat to watch on Saturday and Sunday. I'm so thankful we have a living prophet and apostles on the earth today to lead and guide us. There were just so many good talks. I received so many revelations for myself, investigators, and area. General Conference is truly a blessing to be able to listen to.

One of my favorite talks was Edward Dube. His theme was to "look ahead and believe." It was a great reminder for me to focus on the future and all that it holds. We must endure to the end for the prize is Eternal Life. He talked about how Christ says unto all of us, "Come unto me"  (Matt 11:28-30. It's one of my favorite scriptures). We must have faith and trust in Him.  During Edward Dube's talk I thought of the talk by Hugh B. Brown about the currant bush. God is The Gardner and He knows our potential.

The other talk I enjoyed was S. Gifford Nielson's talk about missionary work. I hope everyone if fired up about missionary work after this conference. We as full-time missionaries can not do this work alone. This is His or and His glory, but He needs us to be His instruments. S. Gifford Nielson asked us to do three things:

          1. Pray for the missionaries serving in your ward by name

          2. Pray who specifically you can share the Gospel with

          3. Invite those who come into your mind with a specific invitation

Will you pray for the missionaries and those you can share the gospel with? Then will you invite? Ok, good. :) I'll be following up in two weeks to see how it's going.

There was a lot about in conference how we can protect ourselves from the dangers of the world by being converted to the gospel. There's so much more and I enjoyed listening to it. I know I can't wait for the November ensign to come out so I can review and read the talks. I am determined to study the talks throughout the year so I can remember what they said and the revelation I received so I can become more who Heavenly Father wants me to be. President Nattress also asked us to find all of the Apostolic Promises in General Conference. It was neat to see who promised what and what the blessings were.

Here's a few highlight's of the week. When we went to dinner Tuesday night, they had one of their friends over who wasn't a member, Nick. We were able to talk with him and he was actually very curious about the church. Unfortunately he doesn't live here in Arizona, but he will be visiting off an one for the next month. He accepted a Book of Mormon and he said he is willing to meet with us. We're hoping he gets the job here in the Gilbert Fire Department so we can officially teach him. It was fantastic to start to see the members being more missionary minded and willing to share the gospel. We've been working a lot with the members to help them trust us and feel comfortable with sharing the gospel.

Transfers were also this Wednesday. Nothing has changed with us. We still have all three of our wards and we're staying together. We were also able to paint walls this week for a part member family! It took us about 5 hours to paint, but it was well worth it. We can tell the husband's heart is softening. They were very appreciative. I am indeed thankful I learned how to paint walls correctly before the mission- thanks Dad!

We did have a funny experience this week. There was this "Help Us" sign outside of this house in one of the neighborhoods. It was too hard to resist.  So we went and knocked on their door and said, "We saw your sign outside and we're here to help! We're missionaries!" The man didn't think we were serious, but we assured him we were very serious. He started asking us questions about what we believed. It was too bad he wasn't really into hearing our answers, but was just looking to bible bash. We ended the conversation as quickly as we could and bid him good night.

The work is hastening and I'm so thankful to be a part of it at this time as a full-time missionary!

Love,

Sister Collins

The Arizona Gilbert Mission has a blog:

http://arizonagilbertmission.blogspot.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!

Texas Roadhouse!

Bouncy House

Help Us Sign

Purple, Sparkly, Shiny Truck?!

General Conference is coming!

I think we need haircuts?!

Monday, September 30, 2013 - Transfers

This Wednesday is transfers. It's incredible to believe how much time has flown by. In this next transfer, I will be hitting my one year mark. I am staying in the same place with Sister Huefner for at least the next 6 weeks. We will be losing a ward, but we won't know until transfers which ward that will be. I love all of our wards and I don't want to lose any of them. Whatever is the Lord's will, I will be okay with whatever the outcome. 

 Thank you for the birthday wishes I received this week from some of you. I had a nice 22nd birthday. It's weird to now say I'm 22 instead of 21. I'm so old compared to most of the other sisters who are all 19. Since we didn't have a dinner that night (the ward in charge of feeding us had a ward camp out) we decided to go to Texas Roadhouse. It was great and they sang to me and had to sit on a saddle. Never had that experience that's for sure. For P-Day last Monday our zone leaders had a bouncy house. Yes, a bouncy house. Another Elder and I had our birthday's this past week, so the zone leaders got a bouncy house. 22 years old and getting a bouncy house for the birthday. lol. We were shocked to say the least with they opened the gym doors. It was a great day though. We had cake and they sang to both of us. We also played basketball as a zone. Fun times for sure. 

This week we saw many miracles. Here's some of the highlights: One of which was a referral by a member. Her name is Ivonne and the text said to teach about the Plan of Salvation and eternal families. We went over to talk with her and she was so friendly! Her husband had walked out of the family and went back to Mexico a couple of years ago. She said she had had a lot of trials in her life. Currently she is out of a job and is looking for one. We said we could get her connected with an employment specialist in the ward to help her get a job. She was very appreciative.  We taught her a lesson that night about the plan of salvation and we related her to Nephi. The spirit was very strong. When we first started talking with her she said I'm Catholic, but by the end she agreed to hear more of what we had to say. I'm looking forward to teaching her more! 

We have still been teaching a lot of part-member families. It's been going well, but of course everyone has their particular challenges. We've been praying and praying to find new investigators so we can build up our teaching pool. I think this transfer we will start seeing the fruit of our labors. We weren't able to meet with Carl or Brad this week- our two investigators. We're trying to address their concerns and help them to progress. 

We do have fun and work hard. We run into a lot of crazies and oh so interesting people. Everyone is unique. The other day a less-active old man in one of our wards opened the door with just a towel on! We were like what the?! Really? Is that necessary? lol. Good thing there was a storm/security door, so I just closed that right up and then we couldn't see him any more. One of the most terrifying 3 seconds of my life. 

On Saturday was the Relief Society Broadcast and it was great to hear from the General Relief Society Presidency and President Monson. The talks were on keeping and making covenants. I can't wait for General Conference this weekend! What a blessing it is that we are able to hear from our prophet and apostles twice a year. They really do speak directly what the Lord would have us know. We can receive answers to our questions when we listen to them. I would encourage you to prepare some questions before General Conference and see what revelation you do receive. Before Elder Andersen came to our mission, President Nattress counseled us to draw a line in the middle of our piece of paper. One side for the notes from what he actually said and the other side for the revelation we received. I have started to do that with all of my notes that I take. It means so much more to me than just writing down what he exactly said. We must always strive to be obedient and worthy to receive that revelation. 

I'm happy to be here and all that comes with serving a mission. No one said it would be easy. I love the talk by Elder Holland, Missionary Work and the Atonement. He said, "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy... The Atonement will carry the missionaries perhaps even more importantly than it will carry the investigators. When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is through Him葉he Way, the Truth, and the Life." Christ knows what we're all going through. He has already paved the way for us. He knows us individually. When life gets hard, just know you can use Christ's Atonement in your own life. I have a strong testimony of the Atonement and it's healing power. "God loved us so He sent His only Begotten Son." The love they have for us is incredible, it's sometimes incomprehensible. I love my Savior and my Redeemer. He carries all of us at some point or another in our lives. He just wants us to become who He knows we can become. We must align our will with God's. 

Love, 

Sister Collins 

P.S. I forgot my camera cord, so I will send this week's pictures next week.

Monday, September 23, 2013 - 95 Degrees is Fall Weather

I love how much the Lord's hand is in everything we do. Earlier this week we were going to contact someone in our plans and we "happened" to run into this less-active lady we had been trying to meet on the street. She had been just going on a walk with her nephew to go visit her parents who "happened" to not be home when we went over so she was on her way home. We were then able to go into her house and talk with her and we invited her to church which she told us her concerns. We were then able to address them and set up an action plan with her so she could come to church. She told us right before we were leaving she didn't think it was coincidence she had been walking when we started to talk with her. The Lord cares about each one of us and sets forth into place the things we need most. Since we've been in this area we have seen the miracles of people letting us into their homes who the ward has told us hasn't opened the door for them or they've never been able to contact them for months. Never give up on anyone! You never know when it's their time.

 

This week we went on exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. Our Sister Training Leaders are Spanish speaking and I went to their area. Since I took nada Espanol in High School I was like well, I don't know anything so I'll just let you take over in the Spanish lessons! We had Spanish study and it was amazing to me how similar Spanish is to English and how much easier it was than German (I should have taken Spanish instead of German in High School...) We were able to teach one of their investigators, Angleica. She feels the Holy Ghost strongly in her life, but she just doesn't have the fullness of the Gospel. Almost everything she was saying she believes in, we believe in. She does love to talk though! The impression I received when we walked into the lesson was to just listen to what she said and to testify. It ended up being exactly what she needed. We also taught a recent convert lesson which was all in Spanish. That was fun to just sit back and have no idea what was going on. It was a nice break from our area and to go to another area and get to meet the people there. I have to say it's the best part of exchanges!

 

One of our Bishops gave us a referral on Friday! We tried to contact her, but she wasn't home. We're going to try again today to see if we'll be able to get a hold of her. I love this area and these wards we have. The members are great and they really are trying to do missionary work. The member visits we've been doing have been spiritually powerful. We've been giving them Elder Andersen's Apostolic Promise and we've been seeing the miracles because of it. I can feel we're about to start seeing even more miracles these next couple of weeks. Transfers are in a week. I can't believe how fast these 6 weeks have gone by. Time does just keep on getting faster and faster. I feel like there's not enough hours in the day to get everything done we need to. It's been nice to be so busy though. Yesterday, Sunday, was one of the busiest Sunday's of my life (what ever happened to "Sunday's are a day of rest?"). We had meetings every half hour from 7:30am-9 and then church from 10:30-5. We cover two buildings so we were going back and forth between the two buildings. I think we use more miles on Sunday than any other day... We were also asked to speak at a youth fireside for one of our wards. We were late because of an appointment we had right after dinner..oops. Good thing we weren't the entire hour! They asked us to speak on the 21 Day Promise (follow up for the family- how is it going? Have you actually started it yet?) and to motivate the youth to share the Gospel. It was a great experience to speak to them and to get to know the youth in that ward a little bit better. I am continually amazed how much I actually do remember names with faces and can match them to their respective families. I know it's the mantle of the calling!

 

Saturday night we were able to have a Church tour with one of our investigators, Carl. We were hoping to resolve some of his concerns about coming to church. He seemed to feel a little bit more comfortable with our church and he really  likes learning about Joseph Smith. We taught him the Restoration while we walked through the building. At the end we watched The Restoration video and the spirit was very powerful. In his prayer Carl said "maybe even I might be a part of this church one day." We can see the progress he's made since we started teaching him. He didn't come to church on Sunday because he already had plans, but we're going to still continue to teach him this week and he said he'd come this coming Sunday. Brad, our other investigator, has been coming to church every Sunday but we still haven't been able to set up an appointment with them because they're so busy. Hopefully they won't cancel the appointment for this Tuesday!

 

It's so funny to me to see how much BYU Pride there is out here; i.e. lawns painted with the Y, BYU flags, tail-gating parties, and everyone running around in blue and white. We know with one of our Bishops to not drop off the progress record after 7pm on Saturday nights!

 

This week I finished the Book of Mormon,focusing on the Atonement. I love how much the Atonement is in the Book of Mormon. I have learned so much the past few months studying the Book of Mormon this way. I feel I know my Savior just a little bit better, it draws me closer to Christ. This morning I was studying how to ask inspired questions. An activity I had started doing was to go through the Gospels and 3 Nephi and write down all of the questions Christ asks. Then I compare them to the questions I usually ask and then write down new questions I can ask. It's been a neat experience to go through the Bible this way and to help me improve on asking heaven sent questions. I am so grateful for this time to improve myself and become more like Christ. He is our ultimate example, He is who I want to be like.

Monday, September 16th, 2013 - Be Not Afraid, Only Believe

First off, a shout out to my little brother, Camden. He received his mission call this past Saturday! He has been called to serve in the Washington D.C. North Mission and he leaves December 18th. I'm super excited for him!!! The mission is the best, hardest thing you'll ever do. It's amazing how the Lord truly does know each of us individually and He knows where we need to be (even though I was rooting for him to get called to the Arizona Gilbert Mission. How awesome would have that been?!). Camden, you'll be an amazing missionary. I can't wait to hear about all the success you will have.

What a blessing it is to be serving the Lord full time. Just yesterday I gave a talk at our stake's pre-missionary fireside. I was asked to talk about how to best prepare for a mission. My best advice would be to become converted yourself (Alma 17:2-3) and to decide now to be exactly obedient- to the mission rules and more importantly to the Spirit. Obedience brings blessings, there is no substitution. This is the best way we can qualify ourselves for the blessings we desire. We have to be living Celestially in order to receive those Celestial blessings we ask for (D&C 130:20-21). We cannot do this work alone. Two people can do anything as long as one of them is the Lord. I have a firm testimony of this eternal principle. When we trust in the Lord and have faith, He will never leave us by ourselves. Faith produces miracles. We cannot doubt not nor fear not; the Lord only speaks in positives, never negatives. We need to "be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5:36). Share the Gospel now. Share your testimony frequently. Our testimonies changes people's lives for the eternities. Our testimonies are powerful; therein lies our power. Never forget who you are- we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. We have divine potential. Never let us forget to see ourselves how God sees us.

 

I'd have to say this week has been one of the hardest, but most rewarding weeks in my entire mission. My testimony has been strengthened. My faith has definitely been strengthened. I know my Savior lives and that He loves me. He loves all of us. I know faith will always overcome doubt, fear, and uncertainty. This week we were able to find a new investigator! His name is Samuel and he's 19. All of his friends are on missions and he's a very deep thinker. He thinks about everything logically. He logically concluded there was a God in High School when before he was agnostic. He's totally prepared. We found him on Thursday night. We had had a lesson with another one of our investigators, Carl, who lives next door to Samuel and his family. After Carl's lesson, we ran to another appointment. We later realized we had lost our phone so we started back-tracking. We went over to Carl's to see if we had left it there and he couldn't find it. We were then looking all of his front yard to see if Sister Huefner had dropped it as she got out of the car. We finally found it in the grass and was just about to get in the car as another pulled up and started to get out. I had this distinct impression we needed to go talk to those two boys. So we stopped getting in the car and went to go talk with them. We ended up teaching a lesson right there on the street and setting up another lesson for the next morning with Samuel. I know faith produces miracles and obedience brings blessings. I know it without a doubt. This area just has so many miracles happening and about to happen. I can feel it and I know the members can as well. The work is hastening. It's exciting to be apart of it right now and in this place. I have the blessing of being able to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are seeking and searching. What an honor it is.

 

Love,

Sister Collins

Sis. Collins and Sis. Huefner at the Mesa Temple

Monday, September 9, 2013 - Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its Off to Work We Go!

What a great week it's been! We have seen so many miracles happen here in this area. I'm so  excited for the missionary work here in Gilbert, Arizona. Let's start out with the most exciting news of the week. As a mission we have been blessed with Elder Neil L. Andersen's presence on Saturday. There was a stake splitting in Tempe so he decided to make a stop to talk with our mission. What a privilege it was. He wanted to take a picture with all of us, so as we were waiting for him to arrive, they put us all in the order they wanted us to be in. We were really squeezed in alright. As we were standing there waiting, we started to sing hymns. The spirit was so strong as we waited. As we knew the time was getting closer and closer, the anticipation was getting stronger and stronger. We were singing "A Child's Prayer" and I just started to feel the spirit even stronger. I knew Elder Andersen was in the building. It was the most incredible feeling. The power he has as an Apostle of the Lord. He is a special witness of Jesus Christ. It was exactly like when Elder Holland came to the MTC last November (it's really been that long since I was in the MTC?!).

He then started by telling us why he had chosen to come to our mission and not Tempe's. The Gilbert Mission is the smallest mission geographically in the world with this many missionaries. He told us we are an experiment right now. We're unique as to the missionaries have about 2 wards each while other missions like Utah or Idaho have a set of missionaries to a stake or even multiple stakes. He then counseled us how to work with the members since this is our primary objective to start having people to teach. He told us we're going to be staying in areas longer than ever before so we can really get to know the members and gain their trust and love. Also we need to start loving the members. He also said we are not to tract. If we don't have anything to do, we have to go to the members are start teaching them. This is the whole experiment to see if we can work with the members. He said if it doesn't work then they will fold the Gilbert Mission back into Tempe. Talk about raising the stakes! Elder Andersen wants us to be staying in areas for 6+ months! The longest any missionary has stayed in one area is 10.5 months and that was one Elder. I could finish my mission in this area. I don't know how it's exactly going to be done with all of the missionaries coming in (next transfer 5 sisters and 21 elders are coming into the mission). Maybe after the numbers stop coming in so rapidly? Who knows. I guess we'll see how everything plays out. It's exciting times! I'm really out in the front lines. It's such a blessing to be serving at this time. Changes have been rapidly happening and they will continue to do so.

This week we were also blessed to have a lot of uplifting meetings to attend. We were able to go to District Meeting on Tuesday which is always uplifting and it's great to be trained. Wednesday morning we were able to attend the Temple for spiritual preparation for Elder Andersen coming to our mission. I always love going to the Temple, the House of the Lord. Many revelations were given to me during that sacred time. Then on Thursday for 6 hours we had Zone Conference. We were with 2 other zones while the zone leaders, assistants to the President, and President trained us. They trained us on how to have effective member visits. We're using Elder Andersen's Apostolic Promise from last General Conference regarding missionary work: "I promise you, as you pray to know with whom to speak, names and faces will come into your mind, words to speak will be given in the very moment you need them, opportunities will open to you, faith will overcome doubt, and the Lord will bless you with your very own miracles." I know this promise to be true. I have seen the blessings come into these members lives as they exercise their faith and pray. I also know it works in my own life as a missionary. We apply this every single day. We have to listen to the Spirit and be worthy to hear His promptings. We were also trained on Ask inspired questions, Listen, Discern, Teach, Testify, Invite, and then Promise. I have seen the effect of inspired questions in all of my teaching opportunities. Questions let the individual come to know for themselves than just a commentary by us. I'm becoming a better missionary and person every single day (at least I hope so). I am grateful for the inspiration President Nattress receives.

We have also had a lot of lessons this week. We've been meeting a lot with the members and with part-member families, less-actives, and recent converts. We have had busy nights. We've been basically going from appointment to appointment. We were able to teach a former investigator, Carl, this past week. He's an interesting fellow. We think he might have some mental issues. We have another appointment this week to determine if he really is ready to commit. We're hoping to find the elect, the seekers of truth. I'm so excited for the missionary work going forward.

I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know the blessings of using the Atonement daily in my life; just to become better. Christ's Atonement isn't only from going from bad to good, but from good to better. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I love the Book of Mormon and I love reading it each and every day. I receive the spiritual strength I need to go throughout the day. I love my Savior. I love this Gospel.

Love,

Sister Collins

Monday, September 2, 2013 - #missionary

This week was a little less crazier than the previous week. We finally got every inch of our apartment scrubbed Monday. It's now a humble abode we like to call home. The members even gave us some things so we could make it girlified and a place we actually want to step foot in. I love seeing things go from nothing to something. It's definitely something now. We have gotten rid of the ant problem finally. The moth problem- ehh- not so much, but there's nothing we can really do except keep it clean. The other day I was pouring myself some cereal and out flew a moth from my cereal bowl. There was no moth inside the bowl before I poured it. #missionaryprobs. Sister Huefner is doing great. She is a hard worker which is a nice change and blessing. We're both excited for the work and willing to work as hard as possible. This area has so much potential.

 

This week we actually taught some people! It was great! One day we had 4 lessons in a day which is pretty good for this area. One of our Bishops gave us a lot of less-active names and we've been going by those. He told us he's never had missionaries before who actually go by the people he's given them right away. So he's said multiple times how much he's loving having sisters in the ward. It feels good to know you're at least doing something right! We've also been meeting with a lot of members trying to get them excited for missionary work and to spiritually uplift them. We've had great member visits this past week.

 

One of the miracles in this past week was that most of the people we went by "happened" to be home or came home while we were standing at the door. We were also able to set up appointments with a lot of the people who were busy or just leaving the house. It was a testimony builder to me about having revelatory planning sessions at night. The Lord truly does bless us when we're just doing what He's asked us to. The people who were home were the ones who needed our message the most and were receptive to it. We have had so many experiences where we had no idea they were less-active or we couldn't remember why we had put them into our plans, and it was exactly what they needed to hear. My testimony has been strengthened time and time again about the importance of an effective, spiritually, revelatory personal and companionship study. It seems like what I had read that day was for some one we ended up talking to.

There are a lot of families in the wards we cover where no one has been able to get into their house. One family in particular we decided to drop by to see since the Bishop asked us to. We went there around 8:30pm and knocked on the storm door since it was locked and we didn't want to ring to doorbell since it was late. We  knocked and waited. Knocked and waited. Then we saw the husband come in front of the door and then go out of sight. We were like Ah, Man! He was totally ignoring us. Then we hear the garage door open and out walks the husband. We both look a little startled and we were like oh, fancy that! We were just knocking on your door. He said he had thought it was the wind... So we began to talk with him and he started sharing with us stories from his mission and we got to know him a little bit. We then shared a message about prayer and the power it has and committed him to start praying as a family. We also set up a time to meet with the entire family. His wife actually has family in the ward. We're totally excited for this visit this week.

 

This past Sunday was Fast and Testimony Meeting and we started our fast after dinner on Saturday night, praying for our area and how we can best help it along with our investigator. We had decided before hand that we would both share our testimonies in all the wards so that the members would know who we were. We get there for Sacrament Meeting our first ward, and we have a man came up to us who we had actually tried to see that past week. He said, my daughter is now living with us and she could really use your help to spiritually uplift her. This is coming from the man who really doesn't come to church that consistently. Miracle number one of the day. After our second ward's sacrament meeting, we have another man come up to us and say, while you were bearing your testimonies the impression came to me that I needed to have you over in my home. I'm the only one here today because my wife and kids are starting to become less-active. Miracle number two. After church was all done, we had a lesson set up with a less-active. We went to the house and his mother said that David couldn't make it. She still invited us in and said we could share a message with them (they are active), when we started with the message she says, hold on and proceeds to call her son. David answers and she asks if he wants to listen in to the lesson. He's kind of hesitant and she says great, I'm putting you on speaker so you can listen in. She said later after the lesson that as soon as we started talking she receive the impression to just call him.

 

I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to at least bring one soul unto Christ. I love helping people feel and recognize the Spirit. I love having the Holy Ghost to always be with me, I can feel His presence with me all of the time. I now recognize whenever He's present and He truly does only testify of truth. I receive little confirmations all day long saying, This is it. This is where you're supposed to be. This is My Gospel. I am God and I do listen.

 

In my personal study one day this week, I was reading the Ensign for September and an article really touched me. In the article it stated the poem, "The Touch of the Master's Hand":

 

’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile:

“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,

“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”

“A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two?

Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three—” But no,

From the room, far back, a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As a caroling angel sings.

         

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”

And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?

Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?

Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,

And going, and gone!” said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

“We do not quite understand

What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply:

“The touch of a master’s hand.”

         

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,

A game—and he travels on.

He’s “going” once, and “going” twice,

He’s “going” and almost “gone.”

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.        

 

I do know Christ is our Master and He does love each one of us. We can become better, live up to our potential, with His help. It's only through Him that we can be saved. It comes by daily prayer and scripture study, obedience, and faith. I know this to be true. I have seen the blessings in my own life from living the commandments. I know He will bless you as you live the higher law and become more like the Savior.

 

Love, 

Sister Collins   

An array of cactus

Monsoon weather!