Week 66 - Pictures

week 66: Zone Conference.. The Savior's Peace and blessing..and atleast we had two people at church.‏

Dear Family,

 

Would you believe it..It was another great week In Flowood MS. I have learned so much this week..not any different then any other week.I just love the mission and I love being able to be a full time representative for the Lord Jesus Christ.

This week we were able to leave the saviors peace and blessing in many homes.. As a result we have received many referrals. ( Referrals being people that they, after having received the blessing, have specific people in mind that they would like to have receive the blessing also) One lady is so sweet. We have felt prompted to tract a specific apartment complex..after having done so ( well not all of it yet..but most) we found our sweet friend Ruby. She has shared with us her family and we are excited to start teaching them as well. Sadly there are people who even reject the peace and blessing. One reason I like using the Saviors Peace and Blessing ( we like to call them PB&J's ) is because they are not turning us down, or the book of mormon, or even Joseph Smith. They are turning down the savior. With this approach we still feel saddened about their not excepting the restored gospel, but at least we know it is not because of anything we did wrong. PB&J's are the best! The spirit is so strong too when we offer the blessing.

 

So I bet your wondering about our friends were teaching.. first ill tell you about our friend that didn't think we believed in birthdays..well it was his birthday this last week! and guess what...?! We took him a cupcake! haha he loved it and told us what a great time he had at church. He is going to come to church this next week, sadly he was not able to come yesterday. His has been a slow process..but like I said before I know it will be a lasting conversion. ( hope I did'nt tell you this last week..I'm pretty sure it was this week..?) The weeks are running together..and to be honest I cant believe that is has already been 4 weeks into this transfer. Time is flying so quickly and its making me a little sick..lol

The next investigator that I really want to tell you about is the one that has come to church a lot in the past months and had a date but it was changed a few times? .. well we dropped her for a few days and then felt we should go see her. turns out she is having a really hard time with her school load and has pretty much shut out the world. She has still been reading and praying about the book of mormon though, which is great... to be honest though at the busiest times in my life that's when I've needed the gospel the most..that is when I have needed the scriptures the most. we'll see what happens. She said shed come to church next week. The spirit was there in our visit and we had a great member with us.

This week it has really hit me that I really need to be using preach my gospel more..its not just for missionaries..there should be one in every home..at least for family home evening lesson use. We are focusing on using more of the activities in it with our investigators. I know this will bring increase spirituality into their lives as well as ours..try it out ! :)

..we had zone conference this week..all about finding. finding those golden nuggets that are hidden out there. it was defined. elect as those who are keeping commitments. members are the full time finders..:)

also..the two people that came to church were me and sister Johnson. two converts! gotta love it. Trainings is going great. she is a great missionary and i do not even feel like I'm training her..shes training me for sure.

Love yall!

 

One sad thing that came from a man not wanting the saviors peace and blessing was he tried to bible bash with us.It is really sad to me when people are confused about the Godhead. They are in fact three separate beings. It is also really sad to me that they say the things we believe are not true when they have never even tried to read and pray about the witness of Christ.. also its sad when you ask them if they have asked god if their belief in the godhead is true and the skirt around the question. The truth of all things is confirmed by the power of the holy ghost ( Moroni 10:5)

 

Sorry there aren't more pictures this week..that will be my goal for next week for sure. but..! I'm loving the work. The people here are great and the ward is wonderful. My favorite member of the ward is Scruffy the Dog. :) hehe

 

Hope yall have a wonderful week. Yes there is a storm coming.. and we will be fine. Thank you for the prayers and concern. It is greatly appreciated.

Love ya! Till next week..

Sister Urie

 

 

Scripture: 2 Nephi 29 "A bible a bible we have a bible!"... (the whole chapter is great! read it.)

Southernism: Check out this new license plate I saw!

Tracting Tips: none.. :(

p.s..the picture of the dog was a crazy dog that we ran into while tracting..viscous!whenever we would knock on the door he would go crazy!! haha..

Week 65 Pictures

Week 65, are you sure its week 65?

Dear family,

 

Time is going so fast! I hardly know what to do with myself. It is amazing that as things start to come to an end ( even though mind you we are "always in the middle") How time gets faster..until right up to the end and things slow down.. yet again I can say It truly was another GREAT week in Flowood MS and I am loving every minute.

If you were wondering, training is going well and Sister Johnson is still alive. Its weird...this training go around I haven't felt nervous or scared to train at all. Either someone has been praying really hard for me ( which there is no doubt in my mind that people are praying for the work) or I'm really starting to get used to this. Bring on whatever, any companion anything. ( within reason..lol) I love this work and I feel so blessed to be apart of it. 

So I bet your wondering.. What amazing things have been happening in Flowood/Brandon this week?..Well let me tell you!!

We had our very first Book of Mormon class this week. yes you read correctly. Attendance in total ( not counting 6 of us missionaries) was 7 people! Pretty great. Were going to have to set up a lot more tables this coming week. Hopefully. It is also really neat because Sister Johnson ( my companion) is an amazing artist and is going to start making flyers to put around the building each week to get ward members excited for the class. I'll have to take pictures of them and send um to ya!

The topic for this last Scripture study class we taught was the introduction to the book of mormon and a little background on the restoration. I know with all my heart..and it just makes sense that we needed a restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Which is so great that we were blessed with an additional witness to help us know the truth of the restoration. Something that they have asked us to do as missionaries is read from the Book of Mormon at least 20 minutes a day. Also once a week we are to take Moroni's challenge and pray to know if the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Why preach and testify about something you do not have a witness of yourself. I think this is important for us to as members of the church, If we really want our friends to enjoy the gospel and gain a witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon, we ourselves need to be taking advantage of and coming to a knowledge of its truth for ourselves daily. 

 

Speaking of people who are coming to know if the book of Mormon is the word of God... Do yall remember the investigator I told ya about that didn't think we celebrated Birthdays? well.. he came to church!! We tried to meet with him this week and it fell through because he has been so busy with work..so we stopped by Saturday evening and the first thing he says to us is " I'm coming to church tomorrow!" whooaah..OK sounds great! ha ..you just don't have to many people come out and tell you that right off the bat. He really enjoyed the services and said that he will not be able to come this next week ( he has to go to his sons church) but that he will come the following week. I have decided that it is going to be a slow process but I hope that it will lead to a lasting conversion for him.

We also had another friend come to church and stay for only sacrament meeting..but that's OK!  I love it when we see people taking steps towards repentance, being in the right place and the right time.

 

Great story for the week happened as we performed random acts of service.. So..went to an appointment and they weren't there..but we saw a few houses down that people were either moving in or out of the house of a less active member. We walked over there and upon seeing that they actually were moving in ( a random family we didn't know) we asked if we could help. They told us no thanks we got it.. ( I never really take no for an answer..because it looked like they could use some help) so I set down my bag ( were in our skirts mind you) and said "no strings attached we just want to help." And started helping unload stuff from the truck and taking it inside. I love helping, it felt so good to be able to help, after a few minutes the feeling of opposition with us helping went away and we were able to have lots of fun. It went by so fast, The fastest move in i have ever been able to help with id say..One of the men there said, "do we have to pay you?" of course we told them no we just want to help and kept working. After it was done we shook their hands and walked away. Probably could have pressured them for their contact info and if they wanted to learn more about our church, but I felt they just needed that kind of exposure to the church first and then later when missionaries knock on their door they'll remember that one time when to ladies in skirts helped them move in.

 

Oh update on the other missionaries in our area.. They shut pearl down for two weeks ( our district leader..biking only area) and they are working with Brandon Zone leaders in their area. Its been a little crazy, but I will say the dynamic with this group of missionaries is much better then in the past. We are working really well together and many new projects are in the works. I am excited for all the changes in place and It is amazing what can happen when a group of people work in unity.

 

Well.. I love this work and I love being a missionary. I have a wonderful companion and a great area. Most importantly I know I have a loving Heavenly Father who is always there..anytime. 

Love yall and hope that yall have a wonderful week. Don't forget to read your Scriptures!

Sister Urie.

 

Southernism: (I'm running low on words..but I found some cool church signs! check it out..)

Tracting tips: zip..zero..nada..OK..maybe one penny. it keeps raining and washing our money away.

Scripture: 2 Nephi 25:23-26,29-30

Week 64 - Pictures

Week 64: New Companion, New Friends and the Hindu Temple‏

Dear Family,

 

What another great week! I love being a missionary and I feel so blessed to be serving here in Flowood, MS. Can I just tell you..? Things are looking up! We just got a new district leader in the area and a new zone leader. So currently everyone serving in this area has only been here for no more then two transfers. New blood equals lots of great changes about to take place. I am so excited.
One of these changes is "Scripture Study Class" We will be holding once a week on Wednesday evenings. This class will be a great way to bring the ward together, to be excited about reading the Book of mormon and also to help them learn how to mentor with the book of mormon. The book of mormon mentoring program has taken a back seat.. actually its pretty much been shoved to the trunk because, in my opinion people are too scared to share the Book of Mormon with people or they want to just don't know how. Ill let ya know how the class goes next week.

So I almost had to play the piano in church again..but! We were able to visit the lady who is called to play and she came to church. It is amazing! Most people ( ALL PEOPLE) just need a visit and a friend, and they will come back. Funny thing is most of the people we visited with this week had this concern.."I would come back, but I don't really know anyone." One family we got into see who haven't been to church in many many years the husband remarked " I know that there are a lot of Men in the ward that would be excited to see me." You're so right they would!! Could you only imagine what would happen if we took seriously our calling to be a friend and loved those in the ward that we know or don't know back into the gospel?.. We would no longer be focusing on what we call "less active" retention..but we would be focusing on Finding those who are seeking for a fullness of happiness. (Then the missionaries could focus on teaching them) As members we are called to be full time finders.

 

I love this work! .. Sunday we had a lady that is less active come to church that we have seen a couple times. ( remember the lady I told you we met at wal mart? I know we meet a lot of people at wal mart.. This is the one we met in the bread isle that said she had been less active but knew god had sent us to her and that she wanted to come back?) ..well she came to church! Her husband is anti..but I know if we keep praying for him and helping her feel of the love that comes from having faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement.. it will help her so much. Also! We are going to work on finding her some fellowship. A friend that she can turn too.. I love the quote by Gordon B Hinkley that says there are three things that members  and non members need in this work to succeed 1. A friend 2. To be nourished by the Good word of God and 3. A calling.

We all are looking for purpose and what a better way to have purpose then by inviting others. I do not believe that the purpose of a missionary to "invite others to come unto Christ.." only applies to full time missionaries, for everyone of us is a missionary and example of the church in our own respect..

Ill get off my soap box.. but please just love your friends into the gospel!

 

We met with the non member family I told you we were teaching this week..And they have a baptismal date for September 8th! it is amazing how good it feels to set a date for people for baptism..it was kind of funny because they asked us why we set them with a date because other churches just tell ya..hey your getting baptized this week! ..maybe we should start doing that? ..but no we told him that this is a life long commitment and that we have things that we need to teach them and help them to do to prepare..like come to church..(They were sick and didn't come this week.)

A miracle of Flowood this week is we ran into a lady who was excommunicated ( found her in the area book) and under the bishops supervision have been working with her. We left the saviors peace and blessing on her home and we are helping her build her faith in Christ and the atonement by teaching her the lessons again. one so we can practice and two.. well so she can be re-baptized! :) She said she would come to Scripture study class and ..eventually back to church. This sweet woman is yet another friend we met this week that said shed come back if she had a friend.

 

... Well As you can see from the subject line of this email.. We went to a Hindu Temple this week!! ha.. We met a sweet Hindu lady tracting and she invited us to come to her church..as we also invited her to come to ours. (I hope she comes) The temple was beautiful but felt so empty in my heart. They were celebrating Krishna's birthday (one of their Gods) and her son was dancing at the performance. their costumes were beautiful. Loved it..just sad..You know? It is neat to experience different cultures and to hear their "creation story".

 

So I told you about my new companion right? Sister Johnson from Murray, Utah. She is so nice and we get along really well. Sister Mokalake went down to Slidell, LA. My old home! ..Sister Johnson and I have been having many adventures and great teaching experiences. Cant wait to share more with yall next week!

Stay safe and know I'm praying for yall!

Love, Sister Urie :)

 

Scripture: Jacob 7:9-12
And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost.

I love this scripture... It has really caused me to ponder and reflect on how much of an effect the atonement has on our lives. It is at the center of everything. Without it there would be no point. But there was an atonement made and this makes me want to try harder to become more like my savior and be more of what my father needs me to be. to change..to repent.

Southernism:... My southernism this week is the back of that trailer picture I sent.. only in the south! love it :)

Tracting Tips:...ten cents?

Week 63-Pictures

Week 63: Jackson adventures​, last district meeting and New arrivals!‏

Dear Family!

 

It was another wonderful great GREAT week in Flowood Mississippi!  I say this every week...but Miracles are happening everyday in this area and I am loving every minute of it. Also, I feel so grateful to be able to serve here at this time.

 

Transfers were today and guess what! I'm staying in Flowood and training a new amazing missionary named Sister Johnson. She is from Murray, Utah. So.. I will be in Flowood for two more transfers. Bring it on! I am so excited because things are really starting to look up and we are really starting to build a great repore with the ward.

 

Shorter time today because of transfers..but! I do have two stories for you!

 

First... not a story but I played the piano for sacrament meeting on Sunday.. yeah yeah read that again because its true..I SISTER URIE played the piano for sacrament meeting two days ago. Crazy! They're running low on people that can play..the ladies that have been filling in were out of town..and the sister who is called to play couldn't make it again.. SO i filled it. crazy! but its true.

 

first real story.. we had a dinner appointment with the amazing family were working with. We told them sister Mokalake was leaving ( went to slidell by the way) .. So they had us over for dinner. It was a little crazy at first because all their family came in and out ( grandparents and such that were on their way leaving from visiting) then after they left it settled down.. we got to talk about how the husband has been reading and what he thought about what he read. The 3rd verse of the first chapter of Nephi stood out to him most...awesome! because he loved that Nephi said that it was true..he is continuing to read and pray about it.. Also! We gave them a children's book of mormon stories book..they said they would read it every night for bed time stories to the kids. love love this family.. We are going to see them on Wednesday and I will report more..

 

Second story.. is we found this new guy named Howard. Howard was really nice but was drinking and smoking when we walked up to him and his friend. He said we could leave the saviors peace and blessing.. So we set up a return appointment. Also he wanted to know some more about our message and how it was different from what he believed.. and we were talking.. (I guess I've been come really awkward..because) he asked me"You are a really great representative for the church..but  what do you do for fun..?" ( in other words you're too uptight and too about business..do you ever have fun?! bahhaha.. I told him retail therapy..but what do you say to that? honestly. But yes it  was funny.

 

Things are great. things are wonderful. Everything is wonderful and I love all the things I am learning and being able do. So many blessings. 

 

I love yall and hope you have a great week. Did you think to pray? Do it! Heavenly Father Loves you and wants to hear from you! So get down on your knees and tell him what you need. 

 

Yall be good now.

Sister Urie :) 

 

Southernism: "I reckon"...

Scripture: 2 Nephi 9:45-46 and 49-52

Tracting Tips: Zero...