Exchanges and Chickens

Hey Hey Everyone :) 

How goes it? I hope you had a great first week of school!! I am in awe that summer is already over. Where is time going?! 

Monday
Sister Donato and I had a pretty good week! After Pday came to an end, we spent our evening at dinner with a member and then we had FHE (Family Home Evening) with a less active and her daughters (who are investigators) at our bishop's home. 

While we were at dinner with the Hansen family, I learned that we have a ton in common! The parents names are Chad and Kathi, they have a daughter named Evelyn (but she goes by Evie) and a daughter named Kailey (just not spelled that way). It was super funny! Great family :) 

Family home evening at the bishop's was great! We taught the 10 commandments, as well as a couple other commandments, and the bishop took over for a game and treats. At first you could tell that nobody really knew each other, and the family that we teach is really shy, but once the ice broke it was awesome! :) I am so thankful for members of the ward (in this case, the bishop) who genuinely reach out and develop friendships with people at church. Nobody is a stranger in the church; you will always have a friend, and you will always be aware of because that's what we do! :)
When that was over, we checked on a few people and went home.

Tuesday was busy! 

After studies we went to get our car washed/vacuumed for zone conference the following day, and baked cookies to give away to a few people. 

One of them being P! The inactive who we visited last week, who was stand-offish for a bit, but then became our friend :) He has his own business working with those inflatable jump house things for parties. He owns a ton, and every day he has to clean X amount of them, so when we pulled up to deliver cookies, that's what he was doing. He was super excited! I really think the poor guy just needs friends. He isn't from Virginia, and he doesn't get out.... Ever... so he is always pretty bored. So whenever we hear of an activity, we shoot him a text to let him know :) we had a good conversation! He gave us some things to take to the D.I. 

And then we went to dinner with a part member family! This is the family that just got their son's mission call right before we knocked on the door last week :) guess where he is going?? The Philippines! Where my companion is from! So guess who is going to help him learn the language?? My companion! Cool, huh? :) we played a game with the restoration after dinner and it was awesome! To show C, the soon to be missionary, how easy teaching the gospel is, we would give a topic such as, "God is our loving Heavenly Father", or, "Prophets", or, "the Book of Mormon", etc. and slid a water bottle across the table. Whoever had it would say something they know about that topic. It was fun because the dad isn't a member, but has had the lessons a lot :) They also had a non member friend over, so it was fun to hear some of the things they came up with :) 

When we came home we prepared for a lesson we were asked to teach at zone conference. Our given topic was on member present lessons.

So we woke up early Wednesday morning and drove to zone conference! 

This is where our whole zone meets with President Huntsman and his wife for about 4ish hours. We receive some training from both President and Sister Huntsman, the A.P's, the zone leaders, the sister training leaders (us), and a couple senior missionaries :) each for about 15-25 minutes. 

it's a revelatory experience every time, but for some reason it was the best zone conference I've ever been to! And it wasn't because we presented ;) the spirit was just super strong the whole day, and it was obvious that everyone else felt it, too! I am so thankful for my zone! Being surrounded by such wonderful missionaries is truly a blessing :) I was also able to get to know the sisters that I have stewardship over a lot better! So that was nice! 

We came home and had studies when that was over, and then went to the women's shelter to help organize again! First she gave us a project to move food storage into a different area, but the place where she wanted it was chaos! So I asked if we could organize and fix that first. She loves us :) haha it was super fun though! and now we will be able to do what she originally asked us to do, so much easier! Thank you, mother, for teaching me how to be tidy :) 

As soon as that was over we headed straight to Centreville because guess who we had dinner with?? C!! :)) she is moving to Texas next week, and Centreville just happens to be within my zone boundaries, so we were able to see her :) it was so great! We had a really good discussion on testimonies and how to develop them. She's a rock star :) the spirit speaks to her in the coolest, most clear ways! Im excited for her and her husband to be sealed next year :)

On Thursday we went to a FARM!! :) 

It was SO fun! I held a chicken :) They're actually quite cuddly once you catch one ;) 

We went with some sisters that live below us because we were going to exchange right after! There is a sister in our ward who owns over 100 acres of farm land, and she has a massive project that our zone is going to help with in a couple weeks, but on Thursday we just helped collect and store the eggs from the chicken coops, feed the chickens, and clean up around the farm. We had a blast :) 

Afterwards we went and had lunch at our members home, and then went home to take a nap because we were wiped! When we woke up we exchanged :) I went to a different area with sister Orr, while sister Palmer went to gainesville with sister Donato. It was awesome! We went to the women's shelter to help there; apparently the lady we organized for has bragged about our organization skills, so the other women working there already have a list of projects for us :) then we went to dinner at Chili's with a member. When we walked outside it started POURING. We haven't had a thunder storm for a long time, so it was fun :) Our evening finished off with one of the most memorable moments of my mission. 

**There is a family that has been less active for 10 years, and had to move across the country for the fathers job. When they got here, they found the bishops number and asked for help to move in! I guess that started their journey back to the gospel because now they have an 8 year old preparing for baptism in a couple weeks :) it was a beautifully humbling experience! We taught about prophets, and how Heavenly Father doesn't leave us alone. The dad- a big, burly guy- just wept, and wept, and wept because of the spirit. He mentioned multiple times that every time the sisters come, the spirit is so overwhelming :) Sister Orr asked them to bear their testimonies, and throughout the lesson, the wife seemed to dodge the questions we asked her. She would say, "dad said it all", or "he said what I was going to say". I asked if she had a testimony of any small part of the gospel such as prayer, scripture reading, the Holy Ghost, etc. and she started to cry out of sorrow. She shook her head and said, "I don't. I don't have a testimony. It's been so long". What a tender mercy and such a humbling experience it is to be a tool in the lords hands, to help others develop that testimony! On our way out the door they said, "We feel like we have known you our whole lives!" And I had only met them an hour before :) Charity is REAL! Heavenly Father's love is REAL! The spirit is REAL! I am so grateful for this gospel :) 

While working with sister Orr, I was able to help her with struggles she is facing as a trainer. It's nice because I was just in her shoes! Although, I'm pretty sure sister jones came pre-trained so I didn't have a rough time :) nonetheless, I was able to share some thoughts and ideas and experiences that helped her. I also helped her figure out how to work with her ward members better! Apparently they don't go out with the sisters, they aren't very fond of having the missionaries in their home to share a message, etc. This drives me nuts. Absolutely nuts! I don't know the reasoning behind why this ward is being weird, but I do know that having the missionaries in your home is a blessing! Not just to feed them, but have them over to help strengthen your testimony/conversion. Without food! So what if you know everything! (You don't) let them in. Work with them. It's a team effort, people! I may or may not feel very passionate about this topic ;) I could write a novel about members and missionaries, but I'll stop now before I get carried away :) Bottom line, I hope with every ounce of my being that you have missionaries in your home, sharing messages with you and your family. I hope you're offering to go to lessons or check on people with them, I hope you make time if they want to get to know you better, and I hope you're showing them your love and appreciation for them. Missions are hard! Remind them how awesome they are when you get a chance :) okay. Rant over, I promise!

We exchanged back Friday morning so that sister Donato and I could go to our weekly zone leadership meeting. It was awesome! We are planning a zone "Finding Fury" where the entire zone will get together at noon, explain the outline of what's happening to everyone, and then get together with a companion that's not your own and go tracting/street contacting for 2 1/2 hours. Then switch with a different companion, and do the same thing for another 2 1/2 hours. We will all meet together for dinner and bear testimonies/share miracles before we split up again and continue that pattern for the rest of the night. This is going to be on the 29th, and we are super excited :) it will be a spiritual, motivating adventure :) We planned other events as well. Our zone leadership rocks! Our meetings are timely, effective, productive, and focused. Not to mention super fun :) 

Sister Donato had to go to lunch with a recent convert of hers from another area, and she took sister Orr with her to meet his parents (non members who happen to be in sister Orr's ward boundaries). I feel like that sounded like we are setting sister Orr up with a recent convert... No. haha we wanted her to meet them to start teaching them if they're interested :) while they did that, sister Palmer stayed with me for lunch! It was like another mini exchange :) she has only been out for 2 weeks now and it was SO cool to see her in this phase of the mission. The phase where you're still stuck in your ways, but trying to change, but it's hard, but you want to be your best self... the adjustment is a process :) I remember being there! A year ago! I remember facing the same challenges that she is facing, and not knowing how to find a balance between normal life and missionary life. I loved being able to talk with her and help her find comfort/peace/reassurance that in time she will figure it out :) it was so great! I love being a sister training leader! :) 

We ended up falling asleep until the sisters came back. Then sister Donato and I did some weekly planning before we went to dinner with a member. Our evening was spent checking on people with an 18 year old sister in our ward. We had a couple lessons and then went to a less active's home for a lesson! Her son is not baptized and turning 9 next week. He is preparing for baptism though, so we are teaching them :) we taught the restoration and he knew a lot! We also gave him a picture Book of Mormon and they loved it! Have you ever seen those?? They're GENIUS!! Whoever came up with that idea deserves a pat on the back; even our adult investigators love it because it helps them understand the Book of Mormon better :) 

The sky was extremely clear that night! Sister Donato and I like to stand still and look up for a good 5 minutes when they sky is like that :) The stars and the moon were gorgeous!! it's not my Idaho sky, but it's better than it was in the city :) speaking of the stars and the moon, when the 8 year old said the closing prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for literally everything. The good bugs, the bad bugs, food and shelter, water... and then we heard him whisper to his mom, "Did he give us the moon?" :) He proceeded to thank Heavenly Father for all of the planets, the moon, sun, and stars :) it was a sweet prayer and reminded me to be grateful for the little things :)

We had our usual Saturday breakfast at our Bishop's house for correlation with him. Pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes :) It was good to update him on our week, and see who he wanted us to check on. The rest of the afternoon was spent weekly planning, and then we went to a recent converts home for dinner! We were stuffed! :) 

Afterwards we met a member at the church and went to see F, an investigator. He's an old guy from Ghana :) we taught the restoration (again; he was taught it once and the sisters gave him a Book of Mormon) to refresh his memory. He said he had been reading the Book of Mormon so we asked him to show us where he was. He's half way through Alma! He loves that book! :) we invited him to be baptized once he knew these things were true, but we didn't give him a day because we want to make sure he really understands what we are talking about before he makes that commitment. He's great :) 

Then sister Donato and I went to check on a less active who is the only member in her family, her dad answered the door and said she was at work, so we taught him the restoration and invited him to read the Book of Mormon. He mentioned that he could only read Spanish; good thing the book comes in a billion different languages! ;) he was pretty welcoming to the idea of us coming back to teach him! So we have a return appointment for tonight :)

Church on Sunday was good. 

We only had one investigator there. What?? We don't know what happened, but we have appointments with all of them this week so we will see :) in second hour we taught 13-14 yr. olds about eternal families and how we use that while teaching people we meet. The rest of the day was good! We had dinner with a member family and learned a lot about the FBI because the dad is an agent; it was pretty cool :) we also learned that sister Donato might be allergic to gluten because she keeps breaking out in hives after she eats, so we are keeping a food log and avoiding gluten starting today to see if that's what it is. If she is allergic to gluten, Heavenly Father is seriously answering my prayers! We already cut sugar out of our diet, and now gluten! My body is on its way to healthy again :) I feel good! 

After dinner we went to take a thank you card and cookies to a member in the ward who does a lot for us, but no answer. On the way to the car we stopped to talk to a man who had just finished doing yard work all day :) as we began, I felt impressed to talk about how the gospel blesses families, including the fact that they can be together forever, and he loved it! He said he wants to talk to his wife about it because they discuss everything together and he'd give us a call :) we got his number, too, and we will stop by again this week. It was awesome :) you could really see that he really wanted that for his family! 

As we continued to let the spirit lead us to where we needed to be, we ended up at a less active's home and were warmly welcomed inside :) we got to know her, found out her husband isn't a member, and shared a message. We have a return appointment for later in the week :)

I'm so grateful for the gospel! I know with my whole being that it's true :)

Today we are going to the Holocaust Museum with sisters that live in our building :) we are so excited! It'll be sad, but it will be good :) I promise to take lots of pictures! 

Have such a wonderful week!! Make good choices. Ponder on your priorities. Be happy :)


Sister Chandler


Pictures:
.dinner with cynthia!! :) 

8 Months Out...Yep, I Love My Life!

My dearest family and friends, 

This week was a roller-coaster. It was full of multiple different emotions, but in all it was wonderful! I love my Savior with everything I have. I am truly, immensely grateful for the atonement and its application in my daily life, as well as the guidance of the Holy Ghost. My testimony of the love that God has for us grew exponentially this week; mostly this weekend! I have felt the spirit much more abundantly in my life this past week than I have for a long time. I'm not sure why, but I'm grateful for it :) 

I testify that God IS there and that He IS aware of you. 

So very aware of you :) I am so grateful to be on a mission!! I wouldn't trade this experience for anything :) Training is so much fun :) I absolutely love my companion :) 

Monday was pretty relaxed! We didn't do a whole lot until it was time to head out for the night! We had dinner with a member who is getting married soon, and we shared a message on aligning our will with the Fathers will. It was not the lesson we had planned and prepared, but as soon as we started talking, we knew what we needed to share. The spirit is the coolest :) After dinner we got a call from an elder in our zone saying he had a referral for us! I'm telling you.People keep dropping at our feet. Heavenly Father is so good to us! Then we went to check on a different referral, but she wasn't home. So we left a plan of salvation pamphlet and a note at her door, with our number in case she had any questions :) 

On the drive to and from different places that night, Sister Jones and I practiced street contacting people :) This means I would give a description of a person and situation and give her 5 seconds to approach me with more than, "Hi! How are you? :)" 

• The first scenario I gave was of a big, buff, African American with head phones in walking past her.  (because this is real life. We see them everywhere and they're the coolest people!)  She goes, "Hey! I have a question for you! ... Where'd you get.... Your shoes??" :) hahah I love Sister Jones :) 

The rest of the night we spent with an investigator, T, who we always seem to run into when she needs us most. We were actually at her apartment complex to check on a potential, but she walked her dog outside and as soon as she saw us she said, "Are you here to see me??" The hope in her sad eyes melted my heart. "We have all the time in the world for you, T. For the next hour :)" so we taught the plan of salvation and invited her to church! She's older than our ward, so we will have to pass her soon, but that will be sad for me because I genuinely love her so much. Oh well. Same team! 

Tuesday morning after studies we went to interviews with President Riggs! It's his last set of interviews with everyone before he leaves next month. It went so well! I am grateful for all he is and all he does. He is a fantastic mission president :) The rest of the day was so fun! 

• We went to a lesson with a member but it canceled, so we went to check on a potential who didn't answer the door. On our way out we said goodbye to the lady at the front desk of the apartment. Her name tag said, "Robbin", and just as we were about to push on the doors to leave, I turned around and asked, "Robbin, are you religious at all?" Turns out she was baptized a while ago, had her kids baptized, and then fell away. We had a good chat and shared a Mormon message with her :) sweet sweet lady :) 
• We then needed gas in our vehicle, so we got some. While we were at the gas station we talked to the guy on the other side of the pump, and as we drove away we rolled down our window to stop and talk to a guy on his bike :) I love doing this 24/7! It's the coolest :) 

Wednesday was so interesting. We went to drop Sister Jones off at a new missionary meeting from 9-1; while she was there, I went to district meeting with sister Todd (who was my MTC companion) :) that was fun! She let me borrow her ankle brace until I don't need it anymore!! Can anyone say blessing!? Inspired.

When that meeting was over, we went to pick our trainees up and go home. After 3 hours of studies, we went to dinner!! The lesson we shared during dinner with a member was so special. The spirit was so strong, and I was filled with gratitude for the gift of discernment. She needed the message we shared, and there is no way we would have known if it wasn't for the direction of the spirit in preparation for it. 

• Then we went to a lesson with another member! Here's where it gets weird, but so cool at the same time :) First of all, parking is impossible in Virginia. They tow everywhere, and the streets are full of cars, so you can only park on the street if you get lucky enough to find a spot. There wasn't a spot, so I just decided to brave it and park in a possible towing zone, just for a couple minutes while we went to see if this guy (George) was home. While walking to his apartment complex, we say hello to a couple guys hanging out on the street. Ky and Fr. They believe in God but then from there they have their individual beliefs. Ky has been surrounded with different beliefs his whole life, while frank doesn't really believe in anything. He thinks the bible stories and Jesus Christ are all just fairy tales. At first it seemed contentious and felt like if we stayed any longer talking to him, it would be pointless because it wouldn't go anywhere. Then I felt impressed to ask if they've ever wondered where they came from, or why they're here. Ky said, "I've always wondered what my purpose is! Why are we here? I always get stuck on that". Oh how I love my calling! :)) For whatever reason, Fr invited us all to go inside and learn more. We asked if they had a parking pass so we wouldn't get towed, but it turns out we had parked in the lot that Ky lives at! He said we wouldn't get towed, and if we did, he'd tell them we were cousins :) Ky is 6'3 and African American :) hahah That made me laugh :) 

• On the way we ran into some more of their friends, so we invited them to come, too :) one of them said, "Sisters! :)" another said, "my grandmother goes to your church! You're Mormon right? I went to church with her on Sunday!" Basically. All I'm thinking is.... What even is this!? #miraclesanyone??  So they came. We taught the plan of salvation. We bore testimony and invited them to pay attention to the feelings of their hearts as we taught. The spirit was strong :) we gave them pamphlets for the plan of salvation and before inviting them to read them, Ky said, "Thank you so much! I'm going to read this before I go to work!" These kind fellows walked us out to our car, and on the way frank told me that he had never trusted women because of what he grew up with. He said he knows he can trust us because of the look in our eyes :) He said, "I can see your loyalty when I look in your eyes. You're genuine, and when I shook all of your hands! You can tell a lot about a persons character in a hand shake. I trust and respect you. I want you to come back". I don't know if anything will come of this. All of them wanted our number (and wanted to know if I had a boyfriend :) hahah) BUT they seemed genuinely interested in the gospel as well :) I love being a missionary. 

Thursday was rough! We were inside a lot of the afternoon because we had studies and had to take an online survey for Sister Jones that we didn't even finish because it's so long. Also, I was exhausted! Mentally and physically. Training hurts my brain; I feel like the majority of the responsibility is on me (though I know we share it) and it consumes my head until I'm worn out. You know when you're so tired that your body is so weak and it's hard to find the energy to move? That's how I felt aaaaalllll stinking day! And we had zero success that night. But the lord blessed me with a tender mercy the next morning by turning my alarm off so we could sleep an extra half hour. Usually we wake up at 6 to have more time to exercise, and I am positive that I set my alarm!! But when I naturally woke up at 6:24 I noticed that my alarm was turned off! Weird. But I felt so much better! 

Friday was weekly planning... In the park :) remember my sunburn from a couple weeks ago?? Well my sweet companion currently suffers the same result of planning in the park :) I'm broken and she's a lobster! We look so good. ;)

• In the evening we went out to dinner with a member, and then cold stone was right next door so we HAD to stop there, of course. When we were satisfied we traveled to see some investigators. The GPS took us through an airport maze and basically we were completely lost for a solid 10 minutes. So stressful. Good thing I have a companion who knows how to laugh at everything and helps me find the humor in it all :) Once we got out of that mess, we followed the GPS to a potentials house. Turns out he lives in Maryland?! Ya. Whoops. We drove across the Potomac river (which meant we were officially outside of the mission boundaries). Sister Jones was crying laughing and I don't think I've ever been so stressed out in my life! THEN we went to see someone else and the GPS took us to the wrong address -_- at this point I'm ready to go home to bed, but it was one of those moments where you smile through it and think, "Ohhhh my gosh. What a day..." Because you can't do anything about it :) haha missions! They're the greatest! Needless to say, we didn't have much success that day either. 

However; I have been blessed with a companion who still has fire and who isn't mentally exhausted. She has new ideas, and her spirit hasn't been dulled by the rejections and trials that come with a mission. She had the idea to sit down at the end of every day and write the blessings that take place. On days like Thursday and Friday, this is a super good idea to help us see the good and remember to be thankful :)

My shoes decided to break! It's cool.
 I just pulled that metal thing out and they still work :)

Saturday was good! We had a lesson with an investigator and had a member with us. This investigator was found by sisters in November, so I had never met him, and he had some really good questions. He really wants to know how to feel that God is there, but he isn't patient enough to wait for an answer. He wants to know right now, and if he doesn't get it, he gives up. We taught him how to pray, and we taught the atonement to explain that he is understood; Christ knows how he feels and Heavenly Father is very aware of him. It was good! We have another lesson with him on Thursday and he's coming to church on Sunday! :) 

• When we got home we had a text asking us to teach gospel doctrine on Sunday (yesterday), so in addition to writing a talk (I was asked to speak on Sunday) we created a lesson plan. We also had to finish companionship inventory and the online survey for Sister Jones. Our Saturday was BUSY! But good :) We taught T that night, too which went well! T is my favorite :) We were talking about the Book of Mormon and reasons why I loved it; one of which was that it brought pure happiness in my life every day, and she said the most random, sweetest thing. I totally got teary eyed. She said, "You impressed me that first time we met. You just radiated something and I kept looking at you trying to figure it out". Heavenly Father is so good to me. Once again the man answered my prayers and then blessed me with a tender mercy moment. 

Sunday was a big day! I gave my talk in sacrament meeting, sister Jones and I taught gospel doctrine, and it was my 8 month mark :) 

• In preparation for my talk, I prayed fervently to be directed by the spirit so that I would prepare the things that the congregation needed to hear. I really only wanted to say what the Lord would have me say, and I prayed that the spirit would teach as I spoke. Afterward I received a handful of comments from people saying they needed to hear the message I shared (The topic was missionary work). Later in the evening a sister in our ward told me my talk inspired her so much that she posted a comment on Facebook inviting anyone to ask her questions about her religion, and it opened a couple really good conversations!

•  After church we ran into sisters in a different ward who are teaching J! (We taught him the restoration but had to pass him because he was too old for our ward). Anyway, they had just gotten out of a lesson with him and they said the coolest thing. They told us that he went to his catholic mass and after about 15 minutes he felt like he needed to come to our ward, so he did, and he said he needed to hear the talks that were given. What a testimony builder to me! I don't share these things to boast and let you know how awesome I am for preparing a talk that everyone needed. I share this with you because it strengthens my testimony to know that the lord hears our prayers. He works through us, and we are privileged to be tools in His hands if we so desire :) God is good :) 

For dinner we ate with a recent convert, her non-member fiancé, and mother in law who is also not of our faith :) The message we shared was on love and everyone was in tears. The mother in law said that us coming over was inspired because she needed our message. Again!! The Lord truly is amazing :) 

Today we had the opportunity to go to the temple!! :))) I haven't been to the temple for about 7.5 months; I was temple starving! We can only go once every 6 months and the last time I went was the first month I got to Virginia. I should have made a paper chain for that ;) All week I have been telling sister Jones, "Guess what we get to do on Monday?? :)))" My heart was and is overflowing with gratitude. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!! It's true. I know it. I live it. I want everyone else to know it. So I'm on a mission :) 

I could keep writing, but if I do it would be repeated words of gratitude and genuine love for my Father in Heaven. So just know that I'm happier than I ever have been because of the Lord and the privilege that I have to be an instrument in His hands, and I'm grateful for your continuous prayers on my behalf :) I hope you can feel my passion in this email because I'm bursting over here just writing everything :) Have a good week!! 

I love you!! 

Sister Chandler 

Sister Jones

Happy Happy Pday! :)

A lot happened this week!! 

It started with a zone activity all day Monday. 

We played volleyball in a sand pit, passed a football around (because yes, I can throw quite a mean spiral), and ultimate frisbee :) 

Sister Morris and I didn't get home until 4:30 so our email sesh was a bit short! We quickly ate dinner and went to work! 

We checked on some referrals when suddenly I spotted a snow cone shack!! Sister Morris has never had a snow cone before. .....Yeah. That's what I said! So we totally went and got a snow cone! It wasn't that good :/ lame sauce. We need a Hawaiian Shaved Ice!! 

Anyway, while we were eating them a man walked past us so we said hello :) he said hi back and then followed with, "Mormons??" Um yes! How did you know?? (You think it's the name tag, huh? ;) well, it wasn't!) He said, "Your demeanor! You're happy :)" 

Every day I pray that the people we come in contact with will be able to see the light of Jesus Christ through our eyes, and feel of His love for them. Prayers are always answered :) 

When we got home for the night, I received a phone call saying that the lord has called me to
{ T R A I N }

Yep. I knew it was coming :) The spirit gave me a heads up a couple days prior, so I was mentally prepared for this phone call, and quite excited!! I'm not a perfect missionary, and I still have a lot to improve on!! But I will do my best! :) transfers didn't come until Thursday though so you'll have to scroll down to Thursdays info if you want to get those details :) 

On Tuesday morning after studies, sister Morris started packing. 

While she did that, I decided to get a little creative and try to make the new sister feel welcome! 

Later we went to an appointment with a referral, but it fell through, so we went to an appointment with a recent convert who is Bolivian and gave us Bolivian food (which wasn't too bad!).

When that lesson was over we headed to dinner with a member! She had just pulled in the driveway when we got there, so we helped her grill steak, make funeral potatoes, rolls, and a salad for dinner :) This meal was totally upon request :) it was delicious! 

Ben and Jerry were there for dessert, as they should be ;) 

Right after dinner we went to a lesson with an investigator (Abby) whom we haven't been able to meet with all transfer! She is so darn busy! But, we were finally able to see her. We talked about the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt impressed to slip a "Plan of Salvation" pamphlet in my bag earlier in the day. While teaching the lesson I asked if other missionaries that taught her had ever given her that pamphlet; they hadn't. I was grateful to have followed that prompting :) 

We also discussed baptism because she has been praying and thinking a lot about it. I asked if she felt that this was what God wanted her to do, and she said yes :) she said she is thinking about being baptized next month! With Abby, you can't push her. If we give her a date she will feel rushed and back out. I also felt prompted to ask if there was anything we could do to help her progress, and to my surprise, she said yes! She asked us to text her a Book of Mormon scripture every day so it would remind her to read :) She is the best! SHE was teaching US gospel principals! She's read the entire manual. Golden. I know. So that was a perfect way to top off the night! 

When we got home, the sisters we live with wanted to take pictures of everyone in our matching elephant/tribal pants, so we did :) 

Wednesday was zone training! 

Oh how spiritual that was. I love my zone. Half of them were transferred though, so I'm excited to see how the new one goes! :) we all had lunch together at the church and then took pictures 

In the evening we had dinner with a recent convert, and then a member lesson in which all of the songs on sister Morris' flash drive were converted onto mine :) BOOYAH!! So grateful :) now I have music :) 

When we got home we all did those face mask things that you do on girls nights.... Ya know... It's rejuvenating for the skin ;) I miss those girls so much! We all agreed that we were so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve around one another, and become such great friends :) Wednesday night was sad, but life goes on! And it's wonderful! :) 

Thursday morning we got ready to leave nice and early to a trainers meeting all morning. 

At around 11am I was assigned to train Sister Jones from Centerville, Utah! :) She enjoys ice cream, hiking, outdoorsy things like boating and 4-wheeling, and she's just the cutest thing! I seriously love her and I'm SO EXCITED to see how the transfer pans out :) 

The entire week leading up to Thursday, I kept reflecting back to my first day in the field. I thought about the things I expected my trainer to know and do, and how my trainee probably feels the same way towards me! Before transfers I was assigned a few things to study in preparation; of which was Alma 37:14 & 47. I realized that this is a sacred assignment. It's not a calling, but it's an assignment and Heavenly Father expects me to take care of this sister! He trusts that I have the capability to "raise" her in such a way that will help her become her best self. I'm not perfect by any means, but I know that with the Lords help, we can do it :) I'm not stressed/nervous/worried because I know He will train her with me :) The lord carries new missionaries, and miracles come with their passion/desire! I'll just do what I know how to do, and make sure we have a blast doing it :) 

We then went to the big transfer meeting with the rest of the missionaries, came home for dinner, had a member lesson, bought bedding for sister Jones, and we had some luggage for an elder in our car that we had to take to him. That was our night! It was lovely :) 

Friday was weekly planning and we didn't even finish! Our day was nuts. 

I had to leave with sister Kennedy from the another ward to go to a pass off lesson in the afternoon, and then when we came home we only had a little time before dinner and then we were out the door!! Sister Jones met our ward mission leader so that was good! 

Saturday was also crazy busy! 

I'm pretty sure my brain was going to explode!! But that's okay :) busy is good :) 

Sunday was so fun!! 

We had church, more meetings with our ward, studies, dinner with a member, and then an open house at our building! The open house consisted of a tour of the building for anyone and everyone to see what it was like. We had posters about missionaries, eternal marriage, self reliance, relief society, temples, etc. all over the building. There were booths people could go to, along with refreshments of course ;) 

Sister Jones and I manned the Book of Mormon booth! We weren't allowed to proselyte because it was supposed to be a relaxed environment where people could feel comfortable and not attacked with information. We were allowed to answer any questions people may have had, and gave out multiple copies of the Book of Mormon; even in a couple different languages! :) it was so great :) 

I really really love my companion!! She is so sweet. She just wants to do her best, she is genuine and kind, very laid back, happy, and just so fun to be around :) I'm grateful for her!! She makes training easy!! :) we have a BLAST with the sisters we live with, as well :) 

This week we received a handful of referrals again and have a few appointments for this coming week with them! The lord truly is hastening the work. Members of the singles wards are on fire!! They're giving out so many copies of the Book of Mormon, and inviting their friends to so many activities- including church. Blessings are pouring out from heaven and I am beyond grateful! I love my father in heaven, and I love being apart of this work :)

I hope everyone is having a splendid week and following the promptings they receive from the spirit as they come :) Because they do :) 

Love,
Sister Chandler