Dear Family,
Happy Valentines day! We had a Relief Society activity this morning where we made cupcakes decorated for valentines day..I have included a picture..the one half eaten was a heart..I ate half of it then remembered to take a picture...but anyways!
Great things are happening here in Clinton, MS. I am learning so many things. Mainly how to rely on the Lord and how with him all things are possible. Also, I am learning how to have more faith. The work here in Clinton is good and challenging. I can honestly say that God does hear our prayers He knows and loves us each on an individual bases. One thing I hope you know is that missionaries are not the only ones on a "mission". We all are on missions, every single one of us. and our loving Heavenly Father gives us different trials and opportunities to grow catered specifically to our individual missions. The trick is, for those who have come in through the "gate" is to endure well while on the "straight and narrow path." (2 Nephi 31)
Another thing I have learned is that Heavenly Father really wants to bless us, it is just up to us to have the faith sufficient for him to do so.
D&C 35:8 says 8 For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.
The baptisms and finding people..( or changed those to whatever your are going through in life) can and will happen..be it according to our Faith and his will.
Well I will step off my short little soap box to tell you a few happenins/ stories from the week..
Let me start by saying that brrrr..! It was freezing this week. I am so grateful to be able to serve two summers in the south as opposed to two winters. Well the reason I bring it up is because our car kept saying "Ice possible"! ( We drive a little sandy colored Chevy Malibu) It was so cold the car was angry at us. lol...to top it off the car tells us the weather. Good times.
We are teaching..hopefully still will be teach.. a lady who i think i told you about last week. She is the one the elders came and gave a blessing too a few weeks ago because of her health? ..Well She is not progressing ( an 'investigator' is classified as a progressing investigator if they are keeping commitments such as coming to church and reading the book of Mormon?. She had a date set for Feb. 25th. In order to get baptized on a certain date the investigator needs to have come to church at least 2 times and fulfill the baptism requirements found in Doctrine and Covenants section 20.. She has done neither. As a result we have no one with a date right now. * this is where you insert the faith* We are going to set someone with a date this week and (if it be the lords will) help our friend whose baptism date has to be moved to want to make and keep commitments.
One way that will really help us to get people to keep commitments is this new 'Book of Mormon Mentoring Program'. In a nut shell, this program is put in place specifically so in between visits members of the church can go and read with their non-member friends( our investigators) the assignments we had left them to read. One of the hardest commitments we have for people to keep is reading and this small thing will drastically change this. The way it works is the missionaries present names to the ward counsel of our investigators who are ready to have members come read with them. The ward counsel then makes 'assignments' of who they prayerfully have considered would best fit the investigator. This works about the same as way as a Visiting teach or home teaching assignment. After the assignment has been made the bishop will meet with the member or member couple and extend the assignment. Once the member has been given the assignment the members with come to a teaching appointment with the missionaries for the assigned investigator. During or after the lesson they will ask if they can come and read the assigned reading during the week. This is not meant to be a chore for the member or seem like something forced..but a genuine desire to help the investigator friend to understand the scriptures. The member friend will come back on their own and read with the investigator for 20-30 min. The member is not asked to teach anything, but simply to read the scriptures with them and bear simple testimony. ( I hope this makes sense..i will send you home a copy of the out line for the program soon. it is great! Even if your ward/stake/mission does not have this as a "set program" ya'll should just offer to read with the missionaries investigators as they ask you to come out with them for teaching appointments.)
We have been doing much to help build a relationship with the ward here and also the new bishop. Ya'll got any good service ideas?
bahh! I have to tell you..first we tracted into this trailer that had gnomes all of the place. If you've seen the movie 'gnomeo and juliet' you'll just love the little gnome scene they had on their tree..too funny!
So We had a meeting this week In Monroe, LA on Wednesday another 'training for trainers' meeting. It was great. We talked all about the book of Mormon, the book of Mormon mentoring program, and how to be better planners. What was also great about this is I got to see my trainer again Sister Hills, before she goes home in a week and my new baby sister who is two months old. ( your trainer is your "mom" or dad if your an elder..and if they end up training again they become your sibling.. kinda funny.) Ive included a picture.
This week we had planned to tract these certain homes.. So as were going along we get to this one house where this lady is refurbishing a desk to be a vanity. We walk up to her and start asking her about it..then we tell her who we are and ask if she would let us loan her a copy of the book of Mormon. Then she said a few choice words to us told us " I have hinted to you that I am not interested and would like you to leave now please..if I have any questions I'll ask my preacher thank you." and went inside..we said yes mamm and went to the next house.. ( I also remember thinking how glad I am that people do not mob missionaries anymore like they used to in the pioneer days.)
So as we were two or three houses down we were talking to her neighbor who was really interested and said she would love to learn more. We left her with some information..set up a return appointment..all that good suff..as we were doing so the lady who had just asked us to leave comes out and says " girls come back here!"..( not in an angry way..) but in my mind I was thinking.. "no way no how lady! You're a daughter of God too..but I just don't want to go there again!"..Then I heard the words come out of my mouth.." we'll be there in a little bit!".. yikes! I know what your thinking..how are ya'll two still alive? .. well so we go over and are standing there and we ask her what we can do for her.. She said " ladies..I just wanted to apologize for my rudeness. ya'll are out doing the Lords work. As you walked away the scripture came into my mind of ' if you come knocking at my door it is the Lord and you shouldn't turn him away.' ( something like that..i'll find the reference for you.) So then she proceeds to tell us that She is very sorry and would like to hear what we have to say. Her whole countenance changed and she listened to every single lesson as well as asked us everything from Garments to plural marriage. It really was great. We are hoping to meet with her again this week. The kicker to this story is that the first time she would not accept a loaned copy of the book of Mormon and after our second encounter we left her with so much to read and she took a copy of the book of Mormon. The Lord really does soften the hearts of people. It was made very apparent in this sweet sister. ( and now you know the rest of the story... :D )
Soo.. On Sundays, and at least once a week we go to the 'rehab center'/ nursing home and sing and I play the violin for a man in our ward that stays there. He is so sweet. This Sunday when we went to sing and play for him there was this one lady named Flo who lives a few doors down that wheeled herself over in her wheelchair and was so excited to hear me play. When I say so excited..I mean So very excited. Kept tellin me to play for songs and was smilin and clapping along. It was great. As we were walking out of the place after we had played and sung for him, ms.Flo called all of into her room, hugged each of us and looked at me and said " oh wait! i have something for you!!"..She gave me this cute little pillow that said " You are God's special gift." It was so very sweet of her. It really makes me feel good to be able to help brighten up peoples day with music. What a wonderful gift and blessing music is in our lives.
Well, That is pretty much it on the week..besides the fact that it is freezing life is great. Things will always warm up..and I know we are going to find the elect this week! Be on the look out for a baptism soon ya'll. :)
Love ya'll and hope ya'll have a great week.
Love, Sister Urie.
Tracting Tips: zero..
Southernism: Someone told us this saying the other day, id never heard it before..." It's as hot as a Mississippi summer."
Scripture: D&C 122:5-8
5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation;if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8 The Son of Man hath Descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
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