September 22, 2014

"The thing about truth is that it exists beyond belief. It is true even if nobody believes it."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I don’t even know where to begin about this week... Sister Dana and I have come to the conclusion that this is God's work and glory. Now, we all know that, but we KNOW that now! It is amazing to see what all He has done for us this week to make Mansfield grow! 

We taught that lesson last Wednesday to Jason, and we received his permission to teach his daughter starting this week. We love how excited he is to have his daughter understand the importance of doing good in the world, not just because "daddy and mommy want it" but because she wants it. In turn, he said that we could teach both him and her why having a testimony in God can really help us make good choices. He was super open to the idea, and the members that referred us to them are so excited to start helping. They are now bringing friends left and right to church and finding opportunities to share the gospel I love it!!! 

Sis. Gale and her Zone before transfers last week. Sis. Gale is staying in Mansfield with Sis. Dana.

Unfortunately, this week we dropped Pam and her family... We were thinking a lot about them, and we decided that we needed to further establish our purpose with her and stop these LONG appointments. We resolved to go in with a date to extend to her, and when we did that, she said that that is not what she wanted and that she was not ready for that. Although it was sad, we know that there will be a time when she is ready for the gospel in her life. Also, from that whole situation, we were able to find a friend to one of Pam's daughters who is still interested in the church and her sister also. We just received permission from their parents to start teaching them! :) It just goes to show that we need to meet some people to find and be led who God really has prepared for the gospel! 

Earlier this week, we went to Sis. Mills’ home to have dinner and teach her grandson. While we were talking with him, he came to the conclusion that he needed to come to church and do as Alma 32 says and "experiment" with the gospel. As we were teaching him and talking about prayer, this boy named Robbie walked in, sat down, and just listened. By the time we finished talking to Ben, he looked at us and said "I would like to learn also". We were shocked, and Sis. Mills went into the other room and grabbed another Book of Mormon off of her shelf and handed it to him stating, "This is where we are. Follow along." We laughed and ended up setting up a return appointment with him for just 2 days later. We had the lesson in front of the church and then gave him a chapel tour. He came the baptism for another person this last Saturday, and as we were singing the closing hymn, he leaned over and said, "What do I have to do to be baptized?" We just smiled and said, "We will get to that soon." We could not believe how amazing this whole situation turned out. We didn’t even find him; he found us! He is so ready to learn, and there is still a lot to teach him because he has a very basic knowledge. We are planning on extending to him this week!!! 

We had dinner with one of the members in our ward this week, and they had invited a whole family over. Come to find out that missionaries have been trying to teach this family for over 3 years, and they still spend time with this family but haven’t moved to the next step. We were sharing our message with the family right after dinner about the Book of Mormon. Once it was finished, we asked them what they thought about the Mormon message we had shared, and the boy spoke up and said, "I now know that the Book of Mormon is true." His sister smiled and said "Me too." The mom sat there quietly, and we just bore testimony and let it end. The kids ended up coming to church and said that they want to be taught and be baptized... So we went to go see the mom right after church, and we talked to her. She said that she would love for her children to be baptized. She said that they are now old enough to make their own decision, and if that is something that they want, then she will support them. She said that she would like to learn also, but we know that she will take a little longer. BUT, she is so willing and allowing! :) We are also planning on extending to them this week! They have been taught all the lessons, and whenever we do our dinners over there, we will refresh on the principles that they already know. It is so great!!! :) 

To finish this week, we were getting ready to leave from our apartment last night, and our neighbors, Don and Audra, were outside. We were talking to them for a little bit, and they told us that they loved the no bake cookies that we were leaving on their doorstep and said "We are going to the grocery store right now. What ingredients do you need to make them?" We just laughed, and they said that they really wanted to know. Our conversation quickly turned to them telling us that they were planning on coming to church today! Now this is the Wiccan and the Christian that live together. We were shocked! The only reason why they didn’t come is because Don just had surgery, and he had finally gotten a full nights rest and slept in. (Dang it, Satan!) But we told him that they are welcome anytime and that there is always next week. We finished our conversation by setting up a movie night where we are going to watch the Restoration! :) I just love it so much! We are getting so much work done, and it is all because the Lord is making things happen. 

I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunities that have been given to me to learn and help people here in Ohio. I love to serve these people and share the gospel. The mission has been hard. I know that there are always more trials to come, but I also know that as we put our faith in the Lord and in His timing, things always work out! I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and how it testifies to people of the things that we need to do "to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." I love this work so much, and I love my job!!!!

- Sister Gale

P.S. We are getting Ipads soon!!!

September 17, 2014

"Hastening the work has to do with the excitement we all feel about sharing the message of the Gospel. It's a natural process that comes out of love."

- Bonnie L. Oscarson

It is really crazy how fast the time goes and what all happens within the time! I was able to drive the team of horses last Monday. I tell you, it was completely awesome, and so many memories were made. They even said that they will have us over again because I did such a good job!!!! ... actually they just invited us over again, I added in the last part! ;)

We also were able to have a zone fun day last week, and we played ultimate Frisbee, football, and capture the flag. I have never been so sore in my entire life! We were all sending text messages back and forth to make sure that others were sore also. We came to the conclusion that the mission doesn’t just mature you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, but also physically as well! Haha it is the ongoing joke in our zone now!

We were able to teach a lot of lessons this week! It has been so great finding all these families that want to learn! We have come to find the biggest barrier for this area... there are so many wonderful families, but they are all young and super busy! Mansfield work is factory work so the working hours are weird, and the times that they can meet are usually at the same time and day as everyone else. So we are going to need to do splits to teach these families... But we also have to get the members more involved in missionary work before we move to that option.

Our neighbors have made some wonderful progress. We were able to go over there last night because he just got out of surgery and talk to him about blessings, and he asked for one. As we were explaining it to him, we told him that it was based upon his faith, and he seemed to accept that really well. The spirit filled the room, and we know that the spirit was there testifying to him that God is aware of him and that he needs to exercise faith in Him. It was a wonderful evening!

We were also able to have dinner with a less-active last night, and we are teaching her grandson. It was a great discussion, and he committed to coming to church last night. In the process of teaching him, the other granddaughter’s boyfriend came in and sat in on the conversation. Sister Mills went to her bookshelf, grabbed a Book of Mormon, showed him where we were at, and told him to follow along. So he did and said that he would also come to church this Sunday! It was awesome, and we are so grateful for our evening! To end that lesson, Sister Mills’ grandson prayed! We were shocked because the last time we taught him he said that he only prays quietly, but this time he said "ok" without any argument! :) It is so great to see the spirit working with these people!

Also we had a lesson planned with this one family yesterday, and he came to the door and almost cried because he had totally forgotten about our meeting and he and his wife had to be somewhere. It was so cool though because he said, "Let’s meet tomorrow at this time! I am so, so sorry!" That was the first time that I have ever had anything like that happen where the investigator was so sorry for forgetting that he planned to meet with us the following day. We decided that it was more important to meet with him then have some personal time, so we are going over there in 10 minutes. I love it so much!!! These people are looking for truth and direction, and the Lord is completely leading us and others across the world to these people!

I could go on and on with all the stories and work that we have been doing like transporting cats, tearing down ceilings in houses, cleaning the church building for a couple of hours, etc... It is so great, and I love every minute of it! I know that this work is led and guided by our Savior, and that the Holy Ghost is the true converter. I love being the mouth piece for our Lord, and I pray each and every day that I can say His words the way He would have them said to His children. I love you all so much, I love this work, and I love my job!!! Have a great week!

-- Sister Gale

September 9, 2014

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands."

- Anne Frank

Can you believe it?! There is just this week, and then transfers are the following week... I can't believe how fast the time goes. 

This week had a slow start to it, but then sped up and turned out wonderful! Sister Dana finally got over her sickness on Thursday, and we were able to get to work. Because there was so much work to catch up on, Friday, Saturday and yesterday were super busy! It was great, and we were able to finish the week with finding 2 new families and finally get in and teach our neighbors! So from the beginning:

Monday through Thursday we ran some errands getting Sister Dana some medicine so that this virus would go away and so that we could get to work. I am so glad that she is feeling better because it stinks when your companion is sick. There is nothing that you can do for them except hope and pray that the next morning she will wake-up feeling good enough to go out and get working. Luckily, our prayers were answered on Friday. It was a little frustrating for me though because I had to get a shot because of it... :/ I don't like shots, but the mission doctor didn't want me to get sick. So I was told to go and get one. Luckily it didn't hurt, and I will be flu free for the rest of this year! :) 

I did get a lot of studying done. I was able to finish the Book of Mormon, read the whole September Ensign (which is fantastic!!! I encourage you all to read it!), read most of Jesus the Christ, and also learn some more about Joseph Smith! And, Sister Dana and I had a movie night because that's just what you do when someone is not feeling well! It was great, and I feel so proud of all the things that I was able to accomplish! I think one of the greatest lessons that I learned was the true meaning of the word integrity. It would have been so easy to just sleep, borrow some movies from the neighbors, sleep-in, not work out, etc., But instead I studied and studied and studied, and I am so grateful for every second, minute, and hour.

On Friday we were able to teach the Restoration to the mother of the family that came to church with us last week. Unfortunately they weren't able to come this week due to waking up on Sunday with ear infections. It is crazy how fast Satan can work on people to keep them from coming to church. We talked with her on the phone, and she said that we could come over and teach her some more tomorrow and that she and the girls were planning on coming to mutual on Wednesday. I am so excited for this family because they are all going to be a huge asset to the ward!

We also went to go visit a less-active lady in our ward. When we went to her house, there were a lot of people outside. At first we thought that we should come back a different time so that we didn't interrupt the party. And then, in a split second, we thought, "Who has a party without us?!" So we went and crashed the party. We came to find out that this woman's grandson lives with her, and he had questions pertaining to our faith. We told him that we would love to come back and teach him the following day, and she said that that would be totally fine. So we did. We taught him and his 8 year old daughter about the Restoration, and he loved it. He said that he wanted to follow Jesus Christ, and he thinks that he has found the answer to some of his questions. I was so excited to hear that. He is just great. We have been trying to get his grandmother to church since we first met her, and I think that having her grandson come might just help her as well! He didn't come to church this Sunday, but we are going to work on having him come to this coming one!

We also have these wonderful members that literally live in our backyard. They told us about one of their neighbors that the last sisters had met with, and they thought that there was some promise there. We worked on trying to go see them, and we were finally able to meet with the father on Saturday. He told us that he wants his daughter to grow up in a church and that the other sisters told him some things that were really intriguing that he wanted for his daughter. We know that right now he is really only interested in his daughter learning, but he wants to know what we would be teaching her before we teach it. So we are going to teach him, he's going to love it, and then his wife will love it, and because they want to come to church the daughter will, and it's just going to be so awesome having this cute young family as a part of our ward. I am so excited for it! :)

To top the whole week off, we were invited to go eat dinner with our neighbors! It was a yummy dinner, and we were able to have a great discussion about the gospel. I think that it is so wonderful that people have questions- even the people that live next door to us. If we are kind and willing to answer the questions that they ask, people will come closer to their Savior and closer to the truth that they once had. I am really excited for them! So far, one of them is going to come to church with us next Sunday; we aren't sure if they both are, but they are wonderful people. I think they would be wonderful assets to our ward as well!

Today is going to be great! We have a zone funday because it is the last P-day on Monday since transfers are next week! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! We are going to play water volleyball (right up my alley) and then ultimate frisbee (also something that I am so looking forward to). Then, later this evening, we are going over to a part-member's house where the husband (who isn't a member) is going to teach me how to drive a team of horses. Man, I am so excited for this, and I think it's going to be one of those experiences that will only happen once. I will have to take a picture of these horses too because they are HUGE!!!!! But I am so excited. 

I love this gospel so much. One of the things that I love the most is how loving our Father in Heaven is. He gave us so much and continues to give, and all He asks is for us to keep His commandments and follow the example of His son, our Savior. I know that He watches over us and leads and guides us through the Holy Ghost. I know that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth! I am also so grateful for my family. 

Yesterday during our fast Sunday, I couldn't help but read the cover of the program over and over. The Spirit touched me so hard that I got up and bore my testimony about it. It said, "The preparation of future missionaries begins in the family." I then began thinking about all the things that my parents did to prepare me, and I could narrow it down to just one thing: they taught me well. I know that that statement is true! That we are blessed to have families because that is where we learn and grow. I know that we are all one BIG family, and as we turn to our brothers and sisters and help them through anything that they may be going through, all will be blessed with the happy knowledge that we have a loving Heavenly Father that wants us to return to live with Him again. I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach that to everyone! I am so grateful for my family and all that they taught me to help me reach this point in my life. I love you, mom and dad, so very much! I love this gospel, and I love my job!

Love, 

Sister Gale

September 2, 2014

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

- Alma 7:11-12

I don't even know where to start for this week... It was slow yet fast all at the same time! 

First comes first, I have been stuck inside for 5 days. Poor Sister Dana has been sick! I think I have a talent at getting my companions sick because I think this is 3 in a row that have been sick with me as their companion haha. It has been a great 5 days though as I have been able to intently study Alma-Mormon and learn about all different types of things that pertains to missionary work and also the Atonement. I have also been able to study many chapters of Jesus the Christ and gain a better understanding of His life and the different teachings that he taught. Also, I have been able to watch The District (as my companion study time), and I have learned a lot about teaching techniques and also different ways that I need to improve the work that I am doing. It has been a very spiritually uplifting time, and there could be more days ahead! 

The Mansfield Sisters with Sister Daines, the Mission President's Wife

Anyways, out of the days that we were able to do work, I have to tell one of the best things that is going to happen to me next Monday, Sept. 8th!!!!!!!! Well as I have said before, Mansfield is complete country with horses everywhere! And as we all know, there is a rule in the white handbook that states that there is no horseback riding allowed. WELL, this one member and her husband (who is not a member) drive a team of horses (for those of you who don't know what that means, it's the Wells Fargo logo with the horses and a carriage). Well... I exclaimed that I has never done that but have always wanted to. The non-member pulls out his phone, looks at me, and says, "How does Monday, September 8th sound?" I said, "YES!" without even making sure it was okay with my companion! Haha I am so excited for this opportunity, and I will be sure to take pictures of me driving a team of horses!!! :) 

This week we had the wonderful privilege of finding a family that not only came to mutual on Wednesday but also came to church and stayed for all 3 hours. It was so great! There are 2 girls that are old enough to be in young women's and a baby boy that is 3 months old. They also invited their friend who is old enough to be in young women's to come with them. It was so great, and we are teaching them on Thursday again. We plan on dropping by today depending on how Sister Dana is feeling, but we are so excited to start teaching them. Our Bishop was super happy because he said that he wants there to be a focus on finding families, so it was great that we found one. 

Rachel out with the Sisters on Friday

Another funny story that took place this week was the opportunity that we had to dump a bucket of water on our neighbor's head. Apparently there was an "ice bucket challenge" going around on Facebook, and if you got nominated to do it, then you do it and record it. Well, our neighbor asked us to help him out, so we did and invited all our neighbors to come and join in on the fun. You better bet we got it on film, and we also got to know all our neighbors. It was a great 2-for-1 deal going on. 

Other then that, that was all that happened this week worth reporting about. I could go on and on of all the things that I learned from my studying, but I don't have enough time in the allotted time that we are given each week to email home to friends and family. BUT I do want to include how lucky I am to have a new baby cousin who about killed my aunt the first day he was born... greater things are to come! :) I am also so grateful for my family and for all that they do for me! I don't think I could ever thank Heavenly Father enough for them. I also want to thank all my friends. You are all awesome! 

I am so grateful for the Atonement! One of the things that I studied was the Atonement these past 5 days, and there is a scripture that I love; Alma 7:11-12 Not once in the scripture does it mention sins. He came to the Earth to experience everything that we would be going through, and because of Him, we know that we are never alone in anything that we do or go through. I am so grateful for Him, and I know that He knows us and cares for us all on an individual, personal level. I know that He loves each and everyone of us as do I! 

I love this work so much, and I love my job! 

Love, 

Sister Gale