letter.seven 05.06.13

This week has been AMAZING! I was praying last Sunday and I told God that I would do everything in my power to make this my best week so far in the WKM, but I also told Him that I was going to need His help. Let me tell you. It was the BEST week yet. We had so much more success than normal. Especially in OYMs. (contacts left with an invitation.) last week before we got 54 and this week we got 89! What?!!?! I know that was with God's help because we had WAY more people open their doors than normal. 

We also got 2 new investigators and that was unreal for this area. They were both awesome! I'm sad I won't be here to teach them.

My district also made me some signs telling me that they loved me. I love my district. They're amazing. They are some of the greatest people I know. Also I don't know if I told you but the Zone leaders are in our district and one of them is Elder Snow from Viewmont. He's a year or two younger than me, but that's been fun. 

I'm excited to go to Australia. I'm nervous about the flight... I'm praying for missionary opportunities and I hope that will happen because I would LOVE that. I'm going to miss Washington, my companions, my district, and the Greer’s so much. I have loved it here. More than I ever thought possible, but I know that I'm supposed to be in Australia now and that I'll love it because I'm going to choose to love it, just like I did here! Turns out it works pretty well:) 

missionary life and landscapes in Washington.

letter.six 04.29.13 (I got my visa!)

I don't know if you could tell from my subject line but I got my visa:) I found out on Friday but they told me that I couldn't tell you until today. So that means you probably shouldn't send me a package. I'll just live without the stuff. I'm leaving on Monday and our flight leaves in the late afternoon. I haven't actually seen the flight plans so I'm not sure when I'll call but keep your phone on you:) I'm really excited and nervous to go and I'm sad to leave Washington. I love it here. I love my comps and my district and wards and really just everyone. It's been amazing. I am planning on working my TAIL off this week so that it's my best week yet and I can leave Washington with a bang. Leave it all on the stage, right?

Awesome moments of the week:

*Interviews with the Greer’s. 

They are amazing. I am going to miss them like crazy. I know I'll love the Lindsey's too, but the Greer’s have been such a blessing. They are so kind and loving. 

*Bryan. 

We stopped by the Bishop's house on accident when we were tracting so we asked his wife about the neighbors, she told us about a man that lived across the street that was a member but was less active because he married someone who isn't a member. We never would have stopped there if she hadn't told us that because we try to not tract member houses. When we stopped by he invited us right in. We talked to him for a bit and then we asked him about church and his wife. He said he wants to come and he wants his family to join but his wife is anti. He started crying because it hurts him so much. We shared Alma 26:27 and he cried some more. The Spirit was so strong. Then I felt a strong prompting to promise him that if he would read the BoM everyday asking God how he can help soften his wife's heart that he would know what he should do and that eventually his wife's heart would be softened. He said he knew that he needed to do that and committed to it. It was one of those times where I felt so blessed for the opportunity of having the Spirit cause I wouldn't have thought or been able to promise that on my own. It was amazing.

*Lunch with the Coleman's. 

We had lunch with a couple in the ward at a cute little restaurant and it was delicious but the company was even better. It felt like I was with Mom and Dad again. They have two daughters on a mission and preparing to go. They brightened my week. It was a wonderful tender mercy.

*BoM bashing man. 

There was a man we tracted into and he wasn't mean but he was trying to convince us that the BoM wasn't true. It was the most logical argument I've heard (but still not logical at all) but it made me so glad that I really do KNOW that the BoM is true. Instead of it being a faith shaking experience it was a faith building experience. It made me realize how strongly I really do know that it's true. 

*Dee. 

We went to an appt. thinking we would drop this lady because she keeps canceling but instead she told us that she has read the BoM and knows it's true. So I invited her to be baptized. The Spirit was so strong. She is praying about it and we'll go see her tomorrow night. She is a golden investigator for sure. Miracles are EVERYWHERE on a mission!

*TVP. 

Last night at dinner they informed us that they were using food storage so we would be having TVP instead of real meat. I tried soooo hard not to laugh because of Dad's experience cooking with it. I took a VERY small amount so that I wouldn't have problems and I was fine but it was so funny. As soon as we got in the car I told my comps the story and we all had a good laugh. They were glad they didn't take too much of it either. 

I would like someone to email me the copy of Elder Oakes talk about sin vs. transgression. Jenna is the one that showed it to me so she probably knows. 

I love being a missionary. I love Washington. But I know I'll love Australia too. I'm glad I get my golden birthday in the land down under!

letter.five 04.22.13

Michelle mentioned in her letter that she hopes I enjoy being in the city... well let me just tell you, this is not the city ha. I'll send some pictures so you can see, but the houses are further apart than they are in good old c-ville. But I LOVE it here. People don't necessarily love us but I love them and parts of the city are beautiful and other parts are well.... less than beautiful haha. Again, I'll try to send some pics.

"the city"

Highlights of the past week:
Our members that we live with have a zip line and we did that last Monday for preparation day. It was super fun! Also we got together as a zone at a church and some people played basketball but mostly we all chatted and got to know each other. I love my zone and district. They are some of the greatest people. I love it!
 

zip-line.

Zone Training. I loved it. It was so helpful to learn more clearly what I can do better to be a good missionary and person in general. I forgot my notes but I remember that one thing I liked was that we talked about how we should have our “lines in the water” at all times. There are no breaks. Everything we do should be helping us become a better disciple of Christ or inviting other to do such because the more we have our line in the water the more fish we catch.
 

Ann's companionship with Dallas and Jenna.

Coolest moment of the week was our BAPTISM! It was for Dallas (13) and Jenna(10). There mom has been less active since she was baptized at 8 and was previously a ‘do not contact’. The growth has been amazing and I was only here for the very tail end. I haven't even known them that long but I feel an intense love for them. They are amazing. Ordinances are so powerful. The Spirit was so strong there it felt like you could cut it with a knife. We were able to have a moment of reverence while the kids were changing. We bore our testimonies and it was an awesome experience. We were all a little nervous because President and Sister Greer were there but my companions bore powerful witness of baptism and the Doctrine of Christ. I didn't feel like my testimony was all that great but I do remember that I bore testimony of the privilege of being able to use the Atonement daily.
 
After the meeting we went around talking to people because there were a LOT of people that weren't members of the church there. It was awesome. While my companions and I were talking with some people a girl pulled me aside and asked me if I really did need to use the Atonement everyday. She said she's been wanting God in her life but she didn't think she was worthy of going to church. She asked what she could do to be worthy and if it was ok for her to go. We were both crying as I bore testimony to her that she can be forgiven and that that guilt can be washed away. She can be fully clean and that of course she can come to church! I talked about how I mess up everyday but that's why we go to church: to learn how to be more like the Savior and to partake of the Sacrament. It was amazing. I felt how much God loved her. She has been through a lot. Her fiance died two years ago and she said sometimes she wants to blame God, but that she's wanting to start taking the steps back to Him because she needs Him. She is amazing. I will forever love her. We will hopefully meet with her this week. She's not in our area but she seemed not super excited about meeting with Elders so we may end up teaching with the Elders but we'll at least teach the first few lessons. She is so ready for this. She needs the joy and peace that only the Atonement can bring. Man I love her so much!
I wish we could have a baptism every weekend. It was amazing! The Spirit was flowing through my body in a way I never thought it could. Also Dallas and Jenna's dad was there who isn't a member and I think he had a good experience so we're hoping that this will help him come around because he really is a nice guy and their mom has changed so much.
 
Another cool moment. We went out to lunch and we were talking to a nice lady and we let her go ahead of us and then when we got up there they told us that she wanted to pay for our food. So nice. We thought she must be a member and we went over to thank her and asked what ward she was in but she said she was Lutheran Wow. Talk about a disciple of Christ right there. She was so sweet. I wish she was in our area so we could visit her but we gave her our number so that hopefully she'll call and we can get her in touch with the missionaries in her area.
 

Ann's companionship with a girl they read scriptures with every week.

I love you my dearest family! I love your letters!

David and Matty: I have a challenge for you and really anyone, but especially those preparing for missions. You think that you will have tons of time to study on your mission? WRONG! You don't have even close to enough! So I want you to start reading PMG NOW! I want weekly reports on what you've read and how it has helped you grow and become a better disciple of Christ. I wish I would have done that before my mission. Also, practice teaching and approaching people like CRAZY! You can't get enough practice of that. Even you Matty who has a bit before you go. Start NOW! I'm expecting your reports next week. They don't have to be long and I know I sound like mom but I wish someone would have done this for me. I love you both! I wish there were more missionaries like the two of you out here with me now. You both are going to rock it out in the field, but remember the field for you right now is Centerville, Utah! And believe me there is a lot you can do. Maybe not with people that aren't members but at least with all those who need a little lifting. Go feed His sheep! It's such a blessing!

letter.four 04.15.13

peace out mtc.

Well the "real" mission is actually kind of like I expected in some ways, but not at all in others. It kind of seems weird to me that some people lead normal lives still... It feels like I was born a missionary because I never think about "real" life. Like at all... I think I'm abnormal... ha 

I LOVE the mission president and his wife here, the Greer's! They are amazing! They are the sweetest people on this planet. They leave this July so I just hope that I leave before they do. That's my only request because I LOVE it here! Washington is great! A little to windy for my taste (especially with a skirt...) and it's a bit chilly here but I seriously love it. I am living at a member’s house in an apartment in their basement. It's pretty nice and the members are great. 

My area is Kennewick. I'm serving in the Cottonwood Springs and Rancho Reada wards and I love the people. They are all amazing and they feed us amazing food every night. I love that. :) I have never been so hungry in my LIFE. It's weird and I hope this stops or I'm gonna be a fatty. Just kidding, I'm limiting myself. Also they have the best berries I have ever tasted in my life here. Sis. Greer told us that but I didn't believe her until I tried them. They are sweet and flavorful. better than candy:)

I’m in a threesome and I love my companions. They are hilarious and we all get along really well which is a blessing. I think they are a little burnt out of this area because it's a tough area. It's been tracted a million times and people aren't very receptive. Usually they don't even open their doors. And they all think that if they believe in Christ than they're good and they don't need anything else. FALSE! But... they don't really loved to be told that. We try to do it in a loving way. But I know that God didn't call us to this area for nothing. There are people we are supposed to find and I'm excited to work at it to find them. I think I bother my companions sometimes with my "greeny fire" and they think it's going to calm down... WRONGO BONGO! That's one of the goals of my mission. I'm going to pray everyday to not let any kind of area get me down or weaken my faith. I know it's easier said than done, but I'm determined to do my best. I really do love my companions. They are fun and great missionaries. They just work differently than I do. 

Sometimes I wonder if I'm a bad missionary because I don't hate this... I love it. I even like knocking on people's doors.... I'm a weirdo. It doesn't freak me out. What I'm really bad at is talking to people in the grocery store and stuff. Dad, how do you and G'pa Tanner do that? I need tips! I want to invite EVERYONE to come closer to Christ! Help me! I'm praying a lot for help to know what to say without making the church look dumb, ya know? Or maybe that's my problem... Probably... I don't know. 

We have a baptism this weekend with a 13 year old and 10 year old. They are adorable and I have loved getting to know them. I can't wait for their baptism! It will be awesome to experience. Their mom is a member and their dad is coming to the baptism. BOOYAH! We're really hoping that sparks him to want to learn more because he has shown NO interest so far. 

In one of our trainings we watched a talk by Elder Holland talking about how now that we're missionaries there is no turning back. We are supposed to be disciples of Christ forever. I love that. I love it because I can already tell that I am going to be so different because of this experience. It's been amazing to be a part of. I love this so much. I have never felt closer to my Heavenly Father and to my Savior. This is such a blessings, but it's a hard blessing too. There have already been some challenging times, but the good times more than make up for it. I love this so much. I really wish everyone could be a missionary and I can't wait to serve a million missions with my husband.:) 

Oh Meech, I totally stole your concert idea:) We have a lot of problems with finding people so we're going to put together a restoration concert-type thing like you did and do it in the stake. We're going to try to involve as many members as possible with musical talents and treats after and then really focusing on bringing friends that aren't members. We're hoping that it will get a really good turn out and I know music is a great way to help people feel the Spirit. I'm excited for it. I just hope I'll still be here when it happens.

There have been so many awesome things I've learned but I have like no time...

I'm sorry this letter was short and scattered and had very little information... I hate the time limit! I have so much I want to tell you all. I love you! I know there may not be a lot of non-member missionary work but I am learning how valuable it is to keep members active and to reactive the less actives too. So make sure you're doing that. So important. You all are amazing! I think about you here and there. ;)  Honestly people talk about being homesick and I feel so blessed I don't have the problem, I love you all but I wouldn't even want to be with you right now because this is the best thing that's ever happened to me! I love you and I'm sorry this letter was so lame... I'll do better next week!