Week 57-Pictures

Sister Urie's Daughter (Sister V's new Companion)
 

Week 57: Transfers,"You had how many other lessons?" and The Funeral.‏

Dear Family!!

 

It was another GREAT WEEK in Flowood, MS. The sun in shining and it sure is getting humid here! Just when you think your acclimated to the weather it gets..better..ha.
So I bet you are wondering what happened with transfers this go around. Well you guessed it.. I am staying in Flowood with Sister Mokalake. We are having so much success and finding so many people who are "elect" and really prepared to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of these people is a progressing investigator we have right now. She had a date set for the 30th of June ( this Saturday), but we pushed it back to the 7th of July. This way she will be completely prepared. ( Plus it didn't get announced in church this week.) Her main concern is knowing if Joseph Smith really is a prophet of God. We know that the Book of Mormon is the "Key stone" of our religion. If the book of mormon is true, the Joseph Smith translated it by the gift and power of god and means that he is a prophet of God. She Believes the book of mormon to be the word of god, yet she is still having a hard time trusting in man. I know that the Lord will answer her prayers and she continues to ask him.

Gaining a witness of the book of mormon and of the prophet is not just a one time deal, I love that we can always ask and the promise remains that he will always answer according to our faith and intent.

 

This week we called in our numbers.. 30 other lessons can you believe it!! We have been tracting a lot...yes in this heat. And have only been using the "harvesting tool" I told yall about.  ( I did tell you about it right?) It is amazing. It is so apparent by using this who is elect and will be receptive and who will not. President Tucker called it a "sifting tool" and that it truly is. I love it and we truly have been blessed because of the use of it. Gotta love it..last thing President Tucker did before he left was "gave us sisters the priesthood"...hehe.

 

So in T-30 minutes I will be playing the violin at a funeral for a man in the ward who recently passed away. He was very less active..The thing that amazes me is members from the Clinton ward invited me to play the violin at his funeral. There are so many missionary opportunities that have come from because of this gift and talent and I feel so blessed to be able to perform this service. Another wonderful thing is there will be many less active members of the ward at this funeral. Heavenly Fathers hand truly is in every aspect of our every day life. Always. There are no Coincidences with the Lord and It is more and more apparent to me every day. Thank God for small miracles.

 

...Ohh Funny story..So Friday our phone just stopped working..for no reason! They have no clue how, but sprint deleted our number for no reason..so we have been using sister tuckers personal phone for the time being..crazzzy! It was so nice of her to let us borrow it. We will be getting ours back soon. This is another reason I know the lord has his hand in all things. So many people called to try to cancel appointments..but did we know about it ..nope! why? because our phone wasn't working..so we showed up anyways and had amazing lessons with our investigators. Rejoice! :)

Another fun thing...New arrivals were yesterday and We got to help with it. We didn't get to take them out tracting..but we did get to have lunch with them and get to know them. And I got to meet my new daughter! She is so sweet and I am so excited for sister V to train. :)

 

I hope that yall have a wonderful week. I miss yall terribly  and hope that everything is going well. Please let me know what I can do for yall. ( Prayers are always implied)

Thank you!

Love Sister Urie

 

..sorry this one is so short..

 

Southerism: We were reading a scripture with a little girl the other day..Moroni 10:3 to be exact..and she read it like this..

"I would EXPLOIT you that when you read these things, if it be WINDOWS of God that ye should read them.." he he :)

 

..Also I included a picture of the church parking lot 20 minutes before church is to start..yep..need I say more. ha I was thinking how back at home you don't get a seat if you show up at that time..just crazy!

 

..the white car is the white jetta..we had to switch Celeste with the assistants..they named him LL Cool J.. yeah.. so sad. ha and that is our mormon.org sun shade.

 

Tracting Tips: about 8cents.. were getting better!

Scripture: 2Nephi 31:20..its all about how we endure..:) Enjoy to the end!

Week 56 - Pictures

 Time for a new Umbrella!

 Sister Tucker and Sister Urie

 Cactus Jack after the concert

Boiled Peanuts!
 

Week 56: Leadership Training..Cactus Jack. "I cant drink coffee?!".. annd Boiled Peanuts.‏

Dear Family!

 

Well it is that time again...week 6 for us in the mission and that means a couple of things. First Transfers are a comin, second our mission president is leaving soon and third transfers. Not trying to look too far ahead, but I am sad that President and Sister Tucker are leaving. Because yall are so far away and communication is limited, they become like second parents to us in the mission. I sure have come to love them so much and am going to miss them.

Another great week has flown by and yet there is still so much to be done in this area. Our mission, along with others, have implemented what is called the 'Harvesting program'. This is a tool we can use to the many that we now have for finding the elect in our area. Acting under the priesthood keys of our mission president ( because we're sisters) we approach people on the street or when tracting and do the same thing that Christ would do if he were in our area..That is, leave his peace and blessings on their family and their home. This only takes 10-15 minutes and the spirit that is present as this is done is amazing. We kneel in prayer with the family, with the head of the house's approval and leave the saviors peace and blessing on them. The spirit, as I said, is always so strong during this. One great thing about this is it will really help us to "sift" out the elect in our area per say. I am so excited to use this harvesting tool more in our area.

 

Some great lessons that happened this week were with this Hispanic family we are working with..( the ones I told you we found at raisin canes?) Well.. They have been a little flaky..understandable..its the summer time. But we did have a great lesson with them on Sunday and finally met their daughter. They are all really interested to learn more and once we get all the scheduling worked out I will tell you all about the wonderful lessons. The little girls always say " the sisters are coming..the sisters are coming." its really cute! Somebody likes us! lol

 

 So..Another wonderful experience we had is our progressing investigator came to church! She is doing so well. I feel so grateful to be able to be one of the missionaries teaching her. She is still praying to know if Joseph Smith really was a prophet. During Sunday school yesterday the whole lesson was on The organization of the priesthood. Her concern was not about any of that..she said it made perfect sense to her..what she was more concerned about was if the event of Joseph actually seeing God and Jesus really happened. Because if it did then all of the organization stuff "she described it like the way a company or business is run..is true. She is very bring and is progressing very well. I am not sure about her date for the 30th of June, but I just know she will get baptized.
Funny story..so she came to church on Sunday with her coffee.. Yes..We had not gone over the word of wisdom yet and knew it would be an issue..so we gave her the pamphlet at our last lesson on Saturday and said that we would discuss it at our next visit on Monday.. After church in the evening time we get a text from her saying.."You didn't tell me I cant have coffee!" lol.. Yes we did discuss this with her today and the spirit was very strong in our meeting. She committed to live the word of wisdom and continue to study to see if Joseph really is a prophet. She is great!..also she is taking us out to lunch again this week. "How cool is my life" - cactus jack.

 

So..yesterday..and by yesterday I mean last Monday! ( the days run together..lol) We ran into( we will call him..) Mike ..or new investigator. I saw him at wal mart and he looked really familiar..So i said" hey! Were you at the library today?" he said he had been.. Come to find out he had sat across from me..I knew he looked familiar..long story short we loaned him a copy of the book of mormon right there in the laundry section of wal mart  ( best wal mart trip ever..right after we ran into a less active, who's name I thought was on the roll is not! She almost came to the relief society activity too..but her husband out of the blue went "anti" on her.) ..back to Mike.. So We set up an appointment with him and he met us at the church with the Tuckers. We had a great lesson and he committed to be baptized on July 21st. We are meeting with him this week and I will let you know how it goes. He asked so many great questions, wants to change his life around and I am excited for him to progress.

 

So we had Leadership training on Friday. Amazing as always. President Tucker started out by teaching us who God is and the doctrine of who we truly are. Knowing who we..that we really are Sons and daughters of God really motivates us to want to change and do better. The comment was made that if we really knew this we would want to be more obedient and repent. We need to make sure that we are teaching our investigators how to really repent and come unto Christ. The assistants talked about always being on duty. There is never "off time" for missionaries. we are always to be doing the lords work..even on P-day..It is just a day to get to go shopping for grocery's. Then President gave his last " will and testament" if you will.. the speech that he would give at the departures he gave to us. I sure am going to miss him..The counsel he gave us was wonderful and It motivates me to want to be and do so much better. Great great meeting. also it was a plus to see all my sister friends in the mission. I love these girls.

 

Saturday we got to go to Clinton for the musical stake fireside ( which sadly was poorly attended). Cactus Jack was performing a musical fireside. It was wonderful. He has a great voice and apparently has his CD's for sale at Deseret book ( hinthint nudgenudge winkwink.) lol. He has a wonderful voice and I wish yall could have been at his concert. His life has been full of so much tragedy and heart break. As he would go to sing a song he would tell us all the stories behind it and the meaning of the song to him. It was wonderful. One thing he kept saying is " How cool is my life!" I have pondered on this and some of the things he has said. The truth is there is nothing great about shrinking so that others will feel better about themselves. We all need to shine and be our best, this is what will bless peoples lives more then anything. "there is nothing enlightened about shrinking."

 

Well my time has come to a quick end. I hope yall have a wonderful week! Things are great here. The ward is taking care of us and we are in no short supply for people to teach..never a slow time that's for sure. I love yall! Thank you for the prayers and support. It means the world to me. Though yall are so far away..know my prayers are with you.

I hope that yall get to go out with the missionaries and see them often!

 

Love yall!

Sister Urie

 

Southernism: Boiled Peanuts! I sent pictures of this..ate my first ones today and thy are amazing..never going back!

Tracting Tips: Nothin..yet! We are going to be blessing every home in Flowood this next transfer..so look out! haha

Scripture: 3 Nephi 11:3 Let us all be worthy to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

 

Till next TUESDAY.

Week 55 - Pictures

 

Week 55: You wouldnt believe it even if you were here...‏

Dear Family!

 

Another great week in Flowood,MS..Honestly..you would not believe it even if you were here the things that have happened in the last three days. So many small miracles have taken place and so many wonderful teaching opportunities. My heart is full just thinking about it. I know that the lord has prepared this place for missionaries..I cannot deny this! There are so many things that happen and are happening here in Flowood that you cannot deny that the Lord had his hand in the experience. " ...and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." ( Alma 37:7)

I will illustrate this principle by telling you a story.. now I need to put an *apostate disclaimer* on this story because..well you will see.

So yesterday..Sunday.. we were driving to go see this person we felt we needed to go see. On the way there and as we pulled into the subdivision we saw a lady pull over, slam on her brakes and jump out of the car and ran and opened the back door of the car. We were in the sud division so Sister M and I, after witnessing this, quickly pulled over and ran over to see if the woman needed any help. She told us that her daughter (very young) had a fever and was really sick..also that her husband was at work and this was the second time she had tried to make it to the store to get her medicine and also the second time her daughter had thrown up on her car seat. Without thinking I said, "we'll go for you!"..the I hesitated and said.."it's Sunday.".. I knew that if my child were that sick that I would be at the store getting medicine ( also having someone give them a blessing.. besides the point) We went to the store for her and got the medicine that she was needing ( yes we got strange looks)..and I also felt prompted to buy a twix candy bar.. So we drove quickly back to her house and gave her the medicine..there is a song I love that says "she didn't speak the saviors name..but her actions taught me more of why he came. She never knew the lives she blessed and changed in this world and beyond." Judge the situation as you will..but I know we were supposed to be in that subdivision to help that woman. We were able to help her daughter and then I gave her the candy bar and she said that twix were her favorite. In a few days we will go back and follow up and see how they are doing, but at that instance in time it was not right to "push the gospel" on her. The Lord knows all his children and knows the events that will lead up to their conversion into his restored gospel. I hope that us breaking the sabbath to help her "pull her ox out of the Myer" was what the savior would have done. For I feel he would have..actually he would have healed her right then and there..but we work with what we've got.lol ( I hope this story came across right..)

 

phew! that was a long one.. well I have a new companion. Her name is Sister Mokalake. She is from Southern Africa and prior to coming here she was in the temple square mission for almost a year. Sister Mokalake is so full of life and is a great missionary and teacher. We are tearin it up here in Flowood! :)

Earlier in the week we had a great lesson with the Hispanic family that we found at rasin canes! ..Come to find out the husband might be a member. We are searching for his records..I hope that they are as sincere as they say they are about bringing their granddaughters to church, for they missed church this Sunday. One of the girls was sick.. We are going to stop by tonight to visit them! They had accepted a baptismal date of June 23 which we will have to push back. The wife ( so the grandma) has custody of her 3 grandchildren..their ages are 9, 6 and 4. Perfect primary age girls and one is baptismal age! The grandma is so sweet..she always calls us and cannot say our names..but she calls! i love it when investigators call us to reschedule or to schedule appointments. ( well we don't like it when they reschedule..but at lease they call and save us the miles!) Blessings from heaven.

 

Did I mention last week for P-day we went to Jackson with the Clinton sisters? I have included some pictures from our fun adventure. If you have seen the help yet..( so I hear it is a great movie) You will recognize some of these places..p.s were watching that movie when i get home..lol The historical buildings here are beautiful and there is so much history here.

 

Well... ::We interrupt this email to loan a copy of the book of mormon to the guy sitting across from me at the library::..

 OK were back..and with almost a new investigator..he is really sincere and wants to learn more about our religion..he is very open and can really see how the bible has lost so much meaning over time. He is going to read the book of mormon..and call us soon so he can ask us the questions that hes written down. Another thing he said is he wants to know more about the religion of the future republican nominee for president. ( Or so we here since we do not watch the TV.) haha Mitt Romney really has opened many doors for us..

Take yesterday for example.. there was a less active lady that on the ward list it said 'DO NOT CONTACT'..so we went. ha.. she wasn't interested and was very mean at first..then before she almost slammed the door she said.."oh and I'm voting for Romney.." haha.. we got her talking and by the end she excepted our phone number and that if she needed anything she would call us..but wasn't interested in the church. I love how the spirit softens peoples hearts!

anyways..

 

I am really coming to learn greater charity here in Flowood..Things aren't perfect..and I might not agree with everything people do..but I can love them anyways. God loves all his children and so do I. It never ceases to amaze me that our Father in heaven can over look the sin and love the sinner. Our worth and our value never diminishes..no matter what happens to us in life. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and the gift of repentance!

 

Saturday and Sunday we had two baptisms of children in the ward. What a sacred and beautiful ordinance. I know that the same authority that John the baptist had when he baptized the Lord Jesus Christ is the same power that worthy males in our church hold to perform the same sacred saving ordinances. One thing I love is how much the spirit was present, each time, as they were confirmed by the laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost. In that ordinance the words are said " receive the holy Ghost". I love this so much. The gift of the holy ghost is just that..a gift! It is still up to us to live worthy and do all we can to receive this gift.

I also had the opportunity to play the violin at one of the baptisms. It was so sweet and the spirit was so strong. Truly with all my heart I love this work and I love the south.

 

Now for my last and final story... We have a new amazing investigator she has a date for June the 30th..but let me back up.

So we met her on Friday..we felt impressed to go visit someone in a certain apartment complex  ( who wasn't home..) She was walking around with her dog ( lizard hunting! lol) we loaned her a copy of the book of mormon and set up a return appointment for the next day.

The next day we almost didn't go back because I was worried she wasn't very sincere..but we went and she is the best investigator I have ever had on my mission..well that is hard to say..but she is wonderful. We set her with a baptism date..and invited her to church. Sunday came..and guess what.. She came to church. Tears come to my eyes just thinking about it.. We invite so many people to church and I find comfort in knowing that at least each week we had two converts there...ourselves. But she came! and stayed for all three hours and loved it. After church the amazing Elder and Sister Tucker ( who live very close to her) had us and her over for dinner and a lesson..We read the first chapter of the book of mormon together and committed her to read the next chapter on her own and wed discuss it..So we set up a return appointment for this morning..

We went this morning..and would you believe it! ( well..you will..but..) she read the first 5 chapters and had taken amazing notes. We discussed it and read the next chapter together. We are meeting with her on Wednesday..she is taking us out to lunch. At church they made a plea to feed the missionaries.. she asked us " are you going hungry? I will feed you!" it was so sweet. Heaven really is showering down blessings upon is. I know the Lord loves us and is preparing away for us to sow and also reap here in Flowood. I cannot thank him enough!

It was really funny..she is in psychology..and thought that a ward is a psych ward.. ha annnd that the people in the back of the pamphlets for the church part looked miserable and it made her almost not want to come. she said ..and I quote " The people in these pamphlets look miserable!" haha. yes the work is true.. They don't call it the plan of happiness for nothin!

Well this was a very long email..the time is far spent. I hope yall have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Sister Urie

 

Southernism: "When the destination is big. So are the bumps in the road." -s.frank

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16.. always be on duty..and you are that one soul!

Tracting tips..nothin.. but check out the picture of the tattoo of one of our investigators!..yep!

Week 54-Pictures