January 26, 2015

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God."

- William Carey

Well, I thought that I would be the first one to let you all know, but the word has gotten out before I have even had the chance to email home. I am staying in Xenia for my last transfer, and I am serving with Sister Ogletree. In mission terms, she is my great granddaughter! She is super fun, and we have so many stories to share about New Albany and the changes that have taken place since I have served there a year ago! CRAAZY!!!!! There were so many exciting things that happened this weekend that I thought I would share with you all:

1) The Malone's went to the temple again to do baptisms for the dead, and it was a tremendous experience. They both didn’t want to actually get in the water because Sister Malone was scared and Bro. Malone's back was hurting. They asked if Sister Ogletree and I would do some names for them, and we did. There were some other recent converts there as well that did some names for them too. In total, 54 names we completed for their family. While we were sitting there, the Malone's were deciding what family members to have done, and I got caught in the moment thinking about everything when Keith came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to do the baptisms for both of his grandmothers. It was such a tender experience. I was super honored! The best part about it all was that we knew that many of them accepted the work that was completed.

While I was there, I just started tearing up. Sister Malone looked at me and asked what was wrong. It hit me that each of these recent converts were doing family names. Each of those deceased family members have been waiting for the gospel, and now they are receiving it so much quicker because each of those individuals have joined the gospel. It was a great eye opening experience and a testimony to me of the importance of family history work!

2) Yesterday we had the wonderful opportunity to go to New Albany and hear an apostle, D. Todd Christofferson, speak to all recent converts and those investigating the church. He talked so boldly yet very lovingly about why baptism is important—it is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Even the apostles of old, after 3 years of following and learning from Christ himself, were commanded that they should not teach until they had received the Holy Ghost. I learned very quickly last night what the power and reality of this gift is. We are given the Holy Ghost—a free gift from Heavenly Father—to help us fulfill the promises that we commit to make at baptism. How amazing is that? He freely gives this gift to all, but a freely given gift must be freely received. It cannot be forced, and people cannot be persuaded. It’s an individual, free choice. I love that, and I am grateful for the knowledge that I was able to gain last night on the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I know that His church is true and that it can truly change lives. I have seen people change and they have freely chosen that. I know that baptism is the first step on the path to eternal life. I know that as we enter in this path, our Heavenly Father will guide us, protect us, and help us to be able to live in His presence again. I am so grateful for His love and His willingness to help us every day of our lives. There is power in prayer, there is happiness in repentance, and there is life in Christ! I know that now more than ever! I love this work, and I love my job!

-- Sister Gale

January 21, 2015

"If I live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you." 

- A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Well, I can’t write that much because the time is scarce, and it has been a hard week. So many miracles happened, so there is nothing wrong with that. The only thing that is really hard is that my companion has reached the conclusion of her mission. It is one of the hardest things that has happened to me on my mission, seeing my best friend leave. I could go on and on about all the things that she taught me, but for the sake of time and space, I wanted to bare my testimony that I know that this church is true. I know that Heavenly Father is so aware of us and that He loves us! I know that the Book of Mormon is here for us in our day for our time to learn from and to read from. I know that there is a prophet on the earth today who is the voice of the Lord to us. I know that I was called to Ohio by my Father. and I will forever be grateful for the friends that He has given me, the trials that He has sent me, and the happiness that He provided for me. This is the work of the Lord, and I absolutely love it!

-- Sister Gale

January 12, 2015

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."

- Hudson Taylor

Well, there is never enough time to write, and I kind of failed in taking pictures this week. But, nonetheless, it was a great one! Included are some pictures at the temple... 

Temple Trip with the Malone's

The Malone's were able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead, and Keith was able to complete 200 temple names. Well, he was only able to baptize 15 of his ancestors, and Helen was able to do 2 of her ancestors. It was a great time, and the Spirit was so strong as they were able to take part in giving their ancestors the opportunity to accept the gospel on the other side of the veil.

Dinner after the Temple Trip

We also were able to teach Sis. Homer this week and extended a baptismal date of February 7th to her. She said that she would think about it, but it is a HUGE likelihood that she will accept that date and be baptized as a member of the church. 

There are so many other things that I could write about, but like I said, there just never is enough time. But one thing that Sis. Homer said to me on Sunday has been stuck in my head for awhile... she was saying how she just feels right about this church. She hasn’t been to her church in a couple of weeks now and doesn’t even feel bad about it, but she just feels right whenever she comes to ours. We started talking about journeys and how we all have our own journey, but Heavenly Father is always there to accompany us. Well, in each of our journeys He helps us to return to live with Him, but we have to be willing to follow Him on this journey. I know that the reason why she feels ready is because in this journey she is on, Heavenly Father has presented her with a choice (like He does with each of us), and all we need to do is follow the Spirit and make the right choice. 

I know that we are all blessed with that spirit to make the right choice, and I am so grateful to be able to teach people about the Spirit and how they can make the right choice and follow their Heavenly Father and the wonderful plan that He made for each of us. I am so grateful for the mission and all the things that I have learned. I hope that we all take the time to listen to the Spirit and know what it is that our loving Heavenly Father wants us to do. I love this work, and I love my job.

-- Sister Gale

January 5, 2015

Sis. Gale's District

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christmas in Ohio

I am sorry that I didn’t write this week. It’s actually been super hard trying to get some letters written to family. It’s one of the hardest things to explain when calling or even writing home seems unreal. It’s hard to even talk to people about normal life. Like, what the heck is wrong with me...? 

Haha Plus, it stinks when my best friend is getting ready to leave. I’m going to have to get a whole new companion, and there are so many changes that are going to be made in the zone and the likelihood of me being over 5+ companionships of sisters is crazy to me when I can’t even help the two that I am currently over. 

The Malone's Baptism

We had one of our zone leaders go home today, actually.

Things are going great here in Xenia. I absolutely love the work and the people. The baptism was amazing, and we are hopefully going to be having another one either by the end of the month or sometime next month. We are super excited for it, and the Malone's are the fellowship for this other person. 

It is really crazy how you grow up in an area for 20+ year,s and then you get sent somewhere (not by choice), for 18 months... less than 2 years, and it seems like home, where you wake up every day and it seems like that’s life. I could see why people served for 10-14 years because it just becomes life. 

Happy New Year!!!

It is hard though, and the trials and changes that come are not fun; the love that you develop with missionaries that you are not happy with is incredible... it breaks my heart to see them fall, leave, cry, etc. 

Zone Fun Day!

I want to just help them all, but there isn’t anything that I can do except for love them and serve them. The friendships that I have made are ones that I never thought that I would make in this life, but I have and it’s great. Sister Hansen is like my sister. 

I can’t believe how short of a time it has been yet we are able to grow together and help each other through the hard times. She even wants to come and see my homecoming... How nice is that?! 

I just can’t believe how true revelation is and how in tune some people are to the spirit such as President Daines. I love this work so much, and I apologize again if I slack in writing… things are getting busier, and my brain just is focused I guess. 

I love you so much, and I look forward to seeing you, as always! 

God is real and knows us so personally. I love my Savior, and I am so grateful for the Atonement that He provided for us. The cleansing power of it is real and available to us all. 

Thank you for all that you do for me! I will forever be indebted to you for everything that you do for me. I love you!!!

- Sister Gale

The Xenia Missionaries trying to spell out Xenia.