Week 18: Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

Hello! :)

I apologize (mostly to my mother) for the lack of words sent home the past couple weeks! I know it's like a drought in a desert, so I'll do my best to quench your thirst today :)

This week was proof that miracles happen when we endure and press forward with faith. It started off with L on Monday. L was the referral from head quarters a little over a month ago who asked for a bible. This was with sister Lewis, and we were never able to catch her at a good time. We would set up appointments but something would come up. Nevertheless, we persisted!! :) 

Finally, we brought a member with us and the appointment followed through. L is a mother of 4 or 5 little kids with a military husband who won't be home until summer. She has been through a lot of terrible things... You name it, she's experienced it. SHE NEEDS THIS GOSPEL!! Everyone does, but she REALLY does. 

She said she got so desperate for help that she heard a guy on the radio say he would pray for her, so she payed him X amount of money for him to pray for her per month. My heart broke. THEN she
said that someone told her that God is too busy to hear her problems so she doesn't ask for anything in her prayers!! Dear goodness! I'm pretty much crying inside for this woman! 

Because of her questions and concerns, the lesson didn't follow a super smooth outline. It was choppy on topics but met her needs and the spirit was strong. She accepted the baptismal invite, but doesn't have a date yet because meeting with her is near impossible due to her schedule. We are shooting for the beginning of March though! Please keep her in your prayers! She is depressed and just really needs to have the time to hear the lessons. I know it will bless her life immensely. Also, she is dying to go to church!! But couldn't make it yesterday because a mechanic was working on her car and she had to be home to pay him, but she is trying! Gah I have so much love and compassion towards her! It's a blessing and a curse ;) 

We met with C on Tuesday and her husband had his last interview with the bishop yesterday so we see her tomorrow and hopefully can set a date! :) it's been a looonnnggg process but worth it! She is so ready and anxious to be dunked :)

**When you have a minute, look up this talk on YouTube, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior" by Todd B. Parker. It's way cool :)

Wednesday and Thursday were FULL of service!! We helped a sister in our ward clean her empty house that she is moving from. So like the baseboards, windows, bathrooms, floors, doors, cupboards, etc. it was fun! :) 

There was only one way to fit in this small space to wash the baseboards.

The weather is like spring here so I didn't even need a jacket most of the week! Even this morning running to and from the gym was pretty warm! :) 

Ohhhh funny story! So the hermanas we live with have had the flu all week, but we made sure to be out of the house as much as possible so we didn't get sick! I decided to fast for an investigator yesterday and felt sort of sick but just thought it was because I hadn't eaten anything all day. Turns out I worked through a fever all day! Whoops! I'm good now though :) 

Sister Liu and I are doing pretty good. We are really good at companion inventory and the weeks have been going a lot smoother than the first couple. I know that I needed her as my companion though because she has taught me so many things, and I have been quite humbled throughout this transfer, which is good :) I do love and appreciate her so much despite the challenges :) transfers are on the 19th of this month, so next week. Just a heads up, and I'm most likely leaving. I'll find out for sure in a week. 

This week we taught a super cool lesson that was definitely inspired! Matthew in chapter 14:24-31 talks about when Peter walked on water. My favorite word EVER in all those verses is, "immediately". Jesus stretched forth His hand IMMEDIATELY. He always does! Now when you think about your testimony and where you are in your conversion (which is a life long process), use this analogy: 

We have Peter in the boat, not really going anywhere. Then there is Peter walking on water, DOING SOMETHING in faith to get to where he wants to go, and finally we have sinking Peter, which we all experience at times. 

In your process of conversion, what area can be strengthened? Which Peter are you? How can you improve? No matter which Peter you are, Christ has his hand reaching towards you with a smile on His face. So reach back and take advantage of His help! I attached a picture that is my all time favorite and represents this really well :) 

I know that having a testimony is so important, and it's by experience that we gain one! A strengthened testimony leads to conversion which is the ultimate goal, yet like I said before, it's a life long process. 

I know my savior loves me, as does my Father in Heaven. I am beyond grateful for His hand in my life and for the knowledge that I have of the gospel. Truly I don't know where I'd be without it! Everyone needs it, even if they don't think they do :) which is why we persist! 

I am so grateful to be on a mission! There is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life at this point in time. The gospel blesses families! I am thankful to know that I get to be with mine forever :)
I hope you had a week as good as mine!! 

Happy Valentines Day (on Saturday) <3
Love you!
Sister Chandler

Week 9: Christmas Lights and Christ

Hello! :)

This week started out so great with a referral from headquarters!! A lady requested a bible and we like to get those requests contacted within 24 hours. So we went to give it to her, and Sister Lewis asked why she wanted one. Her name is L.   She said she was trying to grow closer to God because she once felt the holy spirit and she wants it back. Immediately my heart overflowed with love for this woman and I was like, "Well thats actually our job! We are missionaries for Jesus Christ, and it's our job to help people grow closer to Christ! Is that something you'd be interested in??" She shook her head with big eyes and said, "Oh yes! Can you come by tomorrow??" This is a miracle. I love Heavenly Father!! :) When we went to visit her we found out that she has Lupus and a sickle cell disease, AND she was SHOT in the leg in June!!?? All we could think about was the plan of salvation, but there wasn't any time to teach her so we are going back this week. She also told us she couldn't find a church anywhere that had a daycare because she wanted to take her kids with her to church! I was like, "Our church has that!" I never thought I'd be so grateful for nursery.

Tuesday was AWESOME!!! So get this. At the temple over here in DC they string 600,000 lights all over the trees, and every single night in December there is a concert; different people come from everywhere to perform here, and its a big deal. The first night is the night they push one single button that lights all 600,000 of them all at once! BUT it's invite only because important people are at this one. People like the Ambassador of Bulgaria, and an area 70, and congressmen, etc. Sister Lewis and I were blessed with a wonderful ward, and Sister Egbers is a lady in the ward who's mother was in charge of the whole thing! So she invited us to go!! It was so cool!! The Ambassador of Bulgaria talked about how impressed she was with the missionaries in her country, and how much she respects members of the church for the service they give to her people. I felt so great sitting in the audience wearing Jesus Christ's name on my shirt :) We sang Christmas songs with people from all over the world, and you know that little 12 year old girl, Lexi Walker, who is an amazing singer?? She performed and we got a picture with her :) We felt cool ;) It was BEAUTIFUL!! I am a sucker for Christmas lights so I couldn't have had a better night. 

On Wednesday we went out with a member to teach lessons, and we were talking about Christmas! I mentioned that one thing I am really going to miss is decorating a Christmas tree. The next day she bought us a baby one with lights and little decorations! :) Best gift ever!!! :) I love that tree! 

One morning while sister Lewis and I were running to the gym, I said something funny and she turned to look and laugh at me but she turned too quick and threw something out in her neck, so now her shoulders are literally uneven. I thought about how nice it would be if my dad were here, but we called sister Riggs and she just told us to ice it and see how she feels on Monday (today). I don't think she understood when we said that her shoulders were clearly uneven... poor sister Lewis! Hopefully we can find a Chiropractor soon! 

The ward Christmas party was on Friday, so we helped set up for that and Sister Lewis and I decided to match! It was a hit :) Also, we took a picture with Santa because why not? 

Church was SO good yesterday! I was so spiritually filled, and then we watched the Christmas Devotional yesterday at a members home so that was even more spiritually filling!! I love my savior so much. I am so grateful for the atonement, and for the love my Heavenly Father has for me alone. It's so great to know that I am a daughter of God, and he knows me better than I know myself :) Being on a mission has helped me discover Jesus Christ. I no longer simply know OF Him, but I KNOW Him, and it's the coolest thing ever! I recommend watching "He is the Gift" on mormon.org/christmas. It's a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas :) 

Sad Fact: C is the woman who is on date to be baptized, but is no longer on date because she wants her husband to do it... but we talked to the bishop and he said in order for that to happen we are going to have to wait until next month :( We are going to talk to them tonight, but as of now we don't have a baptism anytime super soon anymore. 

Missions are fun despite the rough patches! I love being a missionary so much! :)
Thank you Thank you for all the love and support!! I love my Heavenly Father, and my earthly parents for making it possible for me to serve this mission :) It's truly the best decision I've ever made. 

Mom: I got your little package and letter! Thanks for making parker write me 2 paragraphs :) hahaha Also, I felt something in my boot this week so I took it off to tip it upside down, and out came a little note that you wrote before I left! 8 weeks later... hahah thanks :) Love you :) 

All my love,
Sister Chandler