From Alex

My week was good! We had a good start with Zone Training :) I love my zone. After the meeting we went to Sister Ba's and I thought it was a pretty rough lesson because her kids were everywhere. But after we left she texted us and said thank you for coming and that she really felt the spirit! I really love how the spirit works. We also saw Sister Mohammed. I love her so much. But she makes me sad because I want her to change but she doesnt have a desire too :/ Maybe one day.

 

So crazzzyyyy story of the week! It started with melissa walking into the church. She is our new investigator :) She wants a new start to her life and she wants her son to grow up with strong morals. But because she came we were late to our appt with a former named Clarrisa. So we only met her and then she rescheduled. But as we were sitting at the bus stop a girls sat next to me and started groaning. I asked her if she was okay and she said no. We asked for her name and how old she was (Carrie and she was 16) and Sister Millett went to go have a closer look at her because the sun was in her eyes and as Sister Millett stood beside her, Carrie fainted on her and started having a seizure. So we had to call 911 and a preacher ran across the way and gave her a blessing and then ran away. And the ambulance came. And this is the other crazy part. WE KNEW THEM! We see them all over and they always ask if we are okay. But Carrie was taken away and that was the crazy story. But the cool thing was that if we had not been there carrie could have fallen and would have been there for a while. The Lord puts you where you need to be.

 

We had trainer/trainee meeting this week. I went because my companions had to go. My mission president is so amazing. His testimony is so strong. It makes mine stronger as well :) I am so blessed to be in this mission.

 

I love this gospel so much. I love that I have the knowledge that God is my loving Heavenly Father and that everything happens for my eternel benenfit.

 

I love you all so much!!

 

Quote :) "God will make the impossible things possible. He will answer our prayers, and will continue to guide us a long as we continue to obey Him."

FROM SYDNEY

This week was so good. Except for the fact that I might have had an emotional melt down because I think I am balding, and I might have received permission, because no one likes an emotional Sister Missionary, to go to the store not on a P-Day to by Vitamins for my hair. Hahahaa.

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Other than that, this week was awesome.

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The week started P-Day night, where Sister Tietjen and I successfully got in contact with a Referal named Tina. We had tried for weeks, but we always came to the house when she was showering. Meh. Haha. So I told Sister Tietjen that she should call Tina (I still hate making phone calls) and she did AND SHE ANSWERED THE PHONE! And she was super interested. After that phone call, we danced and danced to Pop Corn Popping. It was so phone. Sister Tietjen and I like to celebrate. It makes us extremely happy. We have made every day a celebration this week.

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Tuesday, nothing happened really. I have no recollection of Tuesday. Apparantly it was a good day. Yay.

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Wednesday, was AN AWESOME DAY! We were so blessed on Wednesday. We had District Meeting. I was fasting that day for Alex's Visa. During District Meeting I got a call from Sister Clayton (By the way I really need some Louisiana Recipes (Please)) who said she had something from Salt Lake for me. I about peed in my pants. Haha. It was my Criminal Record mabob and I needed to get fingerprints for it. Sister Clayton said she understands if I couldn't get it at the moment, but she said I should make it a priority. So I did. I went straight to the mission office where not only did I get the paper work, President gave me some new red shoes that I absoulutly love. Thank you President Watkins.

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I had to call one of President Watkins councilers (who new Mission Presidents had Councilers?) President Davis. We became best texting buddies, and he was the Chief of Police in San Jose. But he was out of town on Wednesday. But we went to a recent converts house name Ves, and we taught his Mom Pilar, who is senile as Potter, and just lovely. We had a good lesson.

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The next day, we got in contact with President Davis who informed me that no one does ink finger printing in California. California is a head of times and actually does this electronically. Lame. So he called people, and he got a hold of this place called E-Z Mail. The most sketch place in the world, but the only place in all of California that has ink. So I go and I mail that off. So now my fingerprints are in Salt Lake.

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Thursday night was awesome. We visited with Tina for the first time, and she is so awesome. She cried the whole time, and wants to be closer to Heavenly Father. Her daughter reffered her. Her daughter found the gospel in Arizona, and is preparing to get married in the Temple. But it is her first marriage, and her mom really wants to be there. It's cool, because Tina's nephew joined the church and his wife and all his children, and he got to baptize Tina's daughter in Arizona. And everyone is there. So Tina really wanted a Priesthood blessing, and since everything has been working out for us this week, we got our Elders and Andrew Garrett who is preparing for his mission (we like to take the youth with us, they make us feel young and they are excited about everything), and we gave her a blessing (the Elders did) and it was so beautiful. It was awesome.

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Oh! And Vina the Indian women, flew to Figi and grabbed her son by the ear and made him visit with the Missionaries in Figi. Hahahahahaa. OH bless Vina.

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Friday was Sister Tietjens birthday and was awesome. We were dropped off and we walked all day. We got in contact with this women named Kim Key, who hasn't had contact with the church since Salt Lake for fifteen years. She speaks Cambodian, and her husband made her become Buddhist. But she was so happy to see us. When we were leaving, she got up even though her legs hurt so bad, and she hugged us and she whispered in her broken English: "I like you." It made my heart happy.

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And then we walked and walked and walked and I had to pee so bad. I was going to die. We were about to go visit a less active when we decided to visit a former named Anna Moore. I had seen a woman walk by a lot while we were sitting thinking out our plan of action, but I didn't talk to her. So we were knocking on Anna Moore's door, when this woman walks up (who I have seen), and she ends up being Anna Moore. And she wasn't interested before, so we were about to walk away, but I needed to go potty. So we asked if we could use her restroom. So I am busy relieving myself, and Sister Tietjen is being good and talking about the gospel. And I walk out after washing my hands of course, and Anna Moore wants to pray with us. And we hold hands ina prayer circle and we pray and she loves us and we are invited back. Isn't timing wonderful:)

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Saturday was super fun. Weekly Planning! Love that thing. And it was transfer calls. And guess what. I am being transferred once again! Hahahahahahaha. I swear, there is nothing wrong with me.

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Sunday was fun because it was an outgoing fireside. I saw a lot of former investigators in my other areas, and I also say a lot of missionaries and ward members. I loved it. And I got to wear my new red shoes. I told President about you climbing the school building Alex. We are blaming your criminal past for the reason why I had to do Fingerprinting:)

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I love Alum Rock. My testimony was strengthened so much, and I have made best friends. I love Sister Tietjen, Sister Livingston, and Sister Weeks. They are like my Sisters. I have struggled a lot with feeling successful, but I have realized that I need to be in Alum Rock for a reason. I have grown so much. I have learned to love so much.

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I struggled a little bit feeling worthy. A lot of things I did in the past kept coming back tobother me. I don't know if y'all remember me telling you about the MTC where I prayed because I thought I was going to be stuck, but I told the Lord I would be willing to do anything. And there I felt a great calm and peace, and I felt worthy. So I decided to pray again, and I felt like I wasn't getting an answer. All week I kept turning to D&C 6, and I have ignored it. But one day, after the umpteenth time, I decided to read it, and I finally got the answer to my prayer that I was seeking for all transfer.

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Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast ^ainquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.15Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy ^amind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been ^benlightened by the ^cSpirit of truth;
16Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that ^aknowest thy thoughts and the ^bintents of thy ^cheart.
17I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee葉hat the words or the work which thou hast been writing are ^atrue.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might ^aknowconcerning the truth of these things.
23Did I not speak ^apeace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater ^bwitness can you have than from God?
24And now, behold, you have received a ^awitness; for if I have ^btold you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?
32Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as ^atouching ^bone thing, behold, there will I be in the ^cmidst of them容ven so am I in the ^dmidst of you.
33^aFear not to do ^bgood, my sons, for whatsoever ye ^csow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow ^dgood ye shall also reap good for your^ereward.
34Therefore, fear not, little ^aflock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are ^bbuilt upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and ^asin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36^aLook unto me in every ^bthought; ^cdoubt not, fear not.
37^aBehold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the ^bnails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall ^cinherit the ^dkingdom of heaven. Amen.
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San Jose California is my greatest witness and miracle. This mission is amazing. I am so blessed and honored. I feel amazingly loved. I love the Lord and I love y'all! THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

From Syd

My week really starts on Wednesday of last week. We went to help to clean someones house, and Sister Weeks had an allergic reaction and started to freak out. We were all really nervous that she was going to pass out, or something, so we decided to call Sister Abrams. She wouldn't let us though. And then somehow word came out what happened (because we called Sister Abrams behind her back) and we had to go visit President and Sister Watkins.

 

And I was sitting in that room with them (this is on Thursday), and we all had to talk about our feelings, and I just cried and cried. I was honestly so frustrated with the fighting in the appartment (which I can honestly say I am never apart of, I just stand back), and I was sick of not feeling the spirit. Everyone just felt so sorry for me. It was quite funny.

 

But this week has been very stressful. After the interview I just felt so tired even though everyone has been so happy. I just felt so lonely and not like a very good person or teacher. Then I went to dinner at a members house so we could visit one of our investigators named Fernando. And last time he made fun of the way I spoke, so I really did not want to speak this time. So I was asked to pray, and I was like dangsnap. And so I did, and he kept going on about my voice, and I just started crying again. And then I was asked to speak at church, and I didn't want to speak because you know, my voice felt a little offended. But I did, but I really needed a blessing. And I really wanted a fathers blessing. I really wanted my daddy to give me a blessing, and I wanted my Father in Heaven to tell me he loved me. Because I was feeling really depressed. Sister Livingston wanted a blessing, so we both asked our Bishop for a blessing. And he gave us one. Sister Livingstons had everything that I wanted Heavenly Father to tell me, and mine just basically said search the scriptures and pray and find your own revelation. I felt super upset because he didn't even tell me He loved me. So I didn't feel any comfort.

 

But Sister Livingston and I had a great talk afterwards, and I realized how I really did need to seek my own revelation. I have been relying so much on other people to find it for me. I just really thought their might be something wrong with me. Every area after I leave gets all this success, so I was really worried that there is something really wrong with me. Hahaha. But in my blessing I was told to put on the armor of God, so I decided to look it up

 

Ephesians

Chapter 6

Children should honor their parents—Servants and masters are judged by the same law—Saints should put on the whole armor of God.

 1 ^aChildren, ^bobey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
 2 ^aHonour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
 4 And, ye ^afathers, ^bprovoke not your ^cchildren to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
 5 ^aServants, be obedient to them that are your ^bmasters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the ^aservants of Christ, doing the ^bwill of God from the heart;
 7 With good will doing ^aservice, as to the Lord, and not to men:
 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he ^areceive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
 9 And, ye ^amasters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your ^bMaster also is in heaven; neither is there ^crespect of persons with him.
 10 Finally, my brethren, be ^astrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
 11 Put on the whole ^aarmour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 12 For we ^awrestle not ^bagainst ^cflesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ^drulers of the ^edarkness of this world, against spiritual ^fwickedness in high places.
 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
 14 Stand therefore, having your loins ^agirt about with ^btruth, and having on the ^cbreastplate of ^drighteousness;
 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of ^apeace;
 16 Above all, taking the shield of ^afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery ^bdarts of the wicked.
 17 And take the helmet of ^asalvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
 18 ^aPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all ^bperseverance and supplication for all saints;
 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the ^amystery of the gospel,
 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak ^aboldly, as I ought to speak.
 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, ^aTychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in ^asincerity. Amen.

Which is what I really need to be doing to keep all these negative thoughts out of my head. Satan has really been attacking me, and I have been letting him get to me. I just need to pray better, search the scriptures better, and just be better. So I made some goals for myself:) They are as followed:

Be Honest ALWAYS- You always feel guilty when you lie. IT feels terrible!
2- Be positive- Don't talk about negative things. Don't act negatively, and don't put people down. Look for the postive in everyone.
3-Be patient- people havve different worries and concerns. Don't snap or huff and puff. Be nice to everyone!
4- Be loving- Love everyone. If you talk about someone- say something nice- see people the way the savior would see them. Look for opportunities to serve people.
5- Don't fear! Talk to everyone. Participate always in lessons. Trust the Spirit and the Lord. I know more than I think I know. Don't fear the future. be bold like Alma! These people will never see me again except in the next life. They want to appreciate nmy effort.
6- Always pray- it's a conversation. Invite the spirit when you pray. Don't you dare stop under 5 minutes. Talk! Be honest and focused when you pray. Pray for Heavenly Father, pray for your companions, investigators, family, give thanks always. Leave yourself last. Praying always means forgetting yourself and focusing on others.
7- Remeber Him always- everything around your is his, esspecially your mission. Be grateful for everything all the time. Remembner this is his purpose. Hehave in a way that you would if he was standing right in front of you. He is watching. Have integrity.
8- Repent always- don't try to change others (except through the Spirit;)) change yourself. You have a lot of faults that need to be worked on. Change and try to  be more Christlike.
9- Try always- come home exhasted bc you talked to everyone. You invited everyone to change like you are trying to change. Don't give half, give all. Always bear testimony.

Repent always again- uou always need to repent, even for the little things. Make an effort to change yourself. Always be firm in what you know is true. Change your thoughts, actions, and words immediately. Satan wants you to fail. Pray to the lord for strength to endure.
- Try always again- you can always try harder. Give 110%. Don't you dare look back on your mission and think I could have tried harder. Go home tired and with your goals reached. Pray to the Lord to help you. Help your companion.
Read the BOM Always - read it and love it. Don't be scared to talk about it. Take your time on a verse. STUDY IT! Don't doubt it, it's true. You have prayed about it and recieved an answer. Always continue to pray about it to let your testimony continue to grow.
11- give your life to him- consecrate your life to HIm. Reflect His will and example. ALways pray to know what he want you to do and do it. LEt him Direct your path. After your mission, keep going. Love like Him and be like Him.
12- Be the best missionary I can be and at the end of the mission, go to the temple and ask what you did was enough and had over your mission to him. Everything about it. And make sure you have a lot to give.

13- Do his will always- don't think what I should do- think what he would do. Don't think about yourself, this isn't about you.
14-- Serve him always- with everything yo have. Love him and love will come. Serve him and chance fore service will come. Become better and make sure your mission describes how you will act for the rest of your life.

I am going to try my best to be happy. I have something that should always make me happy! I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I am extemely loved by my Heavenly Father and Savior. And Sister Weeks and Sister Livingston had an investigator named Oliver baptized and I helped teach him! A lot of the people that I helped teach are being baptized in my other areas. I am so grateful that I get to plant seeds. I love this work and I am so happy to be here! I love you all:)

Love,
Sister Powell