Tornados, Scriptures left on highways, and much more.‏ Week 8

So, I guess you could say that you get a few memories from serving a mission.

First off, Tuesday night we locked ourselves out of the apartment and had to call our landlord in Davis to come up and open it for us. We walked over and visited a few potentials while we were waiting. Wa-la, an hour later they came and it was all good. embarrassing, but good. Well..the NEXT night there was a Tornado in Moore an hour away from Sulphur (Did some damage but no one got too hurt) and so the skies were crazy. Everything was dark purple and blue/pink. It was CRAZY and we. were. excited. Well we got home at 9:30 (from a lesson) and it was raining pretty hard. We finished planning for the next day at about 10 but the rain had become an absolute sheet outside. The first floor apartments were about to get flooded because the water was about 4 inches high. The sky was completely lit up every time lightning hit as well and so, well, we couldn't help ourselves. We threw off our shoes, shut our door without thinking, and ran around in the rain for a second. Literally, just about ten seconds, couldn't take much more. It felt like we were in a water park under one of the buckets that had filled up and then dumbed on us. We thought we were so funny until we tried to get back in to the apartment. Locked. *siiigh** I'm just really happy that we kept on laughing or the situation would have gotten worse. Well we ended up walking over to some potentials house. They ended up giving us a ride to Grandma's and we slept there that night. We called the elders so that they could call President. Well, THEY got a crack out of it. Anyways, we called the landlord again in the morning and thankfully they were already in Sulphur. They're such good sports! So yes, that was memory number one.

Numba two, we went over last Monday to the Bishops. They had us watch us they beheaded (yes, beheaded) three chickens. I love Oklahoma!

And then three: last night we were driving back from Elmore and the sunset was more gorgeous than usual. We pulled to the side of the highway to take pictures because, well why not. Sister Cottle put my scriptures on top of the car to put her camera on so we could both be in the pic. Well, they turned out and happily we drove away. We got to our appointment at by eight and I reached behind the seat for my scriptures. Nope, no there. Left them on top of the car? yes. We went back this morning and they had actually stayed on for about a mile before they fell off. Good ol' scriptures. They're a tad wet, but nothing that can be fixed. *siiigh the things I do.

Well, now to the good stuff. Nick and Stephen came to church! We had cleaned Arline and Nick's fridge Saturday morning and Arline was sick again sunday morning and so he probably felt a little obligated to go honestly, but hey. He made it! And then Stephen, ah Stephen. We had actually taught him all the lessons and he had a baptismal date but then had some problems with drugs and put in jail for about two weeks. He's come out pretty changed and says that he knows that this is where he needs to be. Sooooo BAPTISM SOON!!

Steve wasn't able to make it because he was having car troubles and wasn't able to drive. Wish he would have told us sooner. We could have found him a ride *sigh* ah well.

OH! Miracle. Sister Carrasco has an older cousin, Michael, and she sent us over there to check it out. He wasn't interested but there was a random guy in there named Tim (he was just a friend passing through town because he had a trucking job or something) who was asking some questions. We offered to send some missionaries over to his place, but he said that he's just never home because of his job. Well, it was Saturday and we were hot and sweaty. We passed this one house with a guy on the front porch and we went over to talk to him. Yes, it was Tim. Miracles. He'd lost his job and is living in Sulphur for the time being. We taught him the Restoration on the porch and that was the most I've felt the spirit all week. He's certainly interested saying that he knows that he wants to turn more towards God during this time.

We got seven investigators this week. I can't believe how much the Lord is blessing us. My testimony of working hard is just strengthening every day. The blessings WILL come, whether we see them right off or not.

I love you all so much. I know that He does too. I am grateful for the privilege to help others feel that love every day. I'm grateful to know about Dad's interviews. I'm definitely praying for y'all. Glad that the musical was fun...but is OVER now. Keep turning towards him because he is ALWAYS there and through him we can find the GREATEST strength. I'm grateful for the enabling power of the atonement. I experience it every day out here. Really. I love him and He loves me. Have a great Easter everyone! And make sure to watch the church's Because He Lives video! Tis on lds.org.

Love you. So much.

Sister Call

P.S. I'll  try to get some pictures next week. We take them all on Sister Cottle's camera and it's not working right now. She'll email them to me when she gets home so I'll be able to save them and then email them to you on Monday.

Week Five? Holy. Smokes.‏ (week 7)

So I can't believe that next week are transfers. It actually hasn't flown by like I was expecting it too..but yet it did. Good luck making sense of that. Everyone says that the days are long but weeks short. Uh, I can testify to that alright. I'm going to be getting a new trainer which I'm honestly pretty excited for. Sister Cottle has been pretty incredible, I'm just ready for some new lessons to get thrown at me with another companion.

This week was great. Three new investigators. We've honestly found all of them, except like two, through tracting. Miracles come through WORK that's for sure...and other things of course. But that's certainly how they've come this transfer. Where to start...

Steve came to church for the second time in a row yesterday in Pauls Valley (40 minute drive)! Oh man, what a blessing. He's the best. He came out walking to his car in his big ol' cowboy boot but BUT, Steve had a clean, iron button up shirt on. He was also holding his Book Of Mormon in his hand with a big old grin on his face. All of the Branch members are so great when it comes to investigators coming to church too. They all introduce themselves and act like they've been his friend for years. And yes even, in Steve's words, "the important men up at the table blessing food" came over (good old Elders). Besides making coffee for a living and chewing since forever..he's honestly golden. He has such a sincere desire to build that relationship with Christ, we just know he'll get there. We're setting a baptismal date next time we see him so fingers crossed.

Arline and Nick are FABulous. Arline has been trying to come to church for the past month now but she keeps getting sick (she honestly does, not doing so hot that girl). Nick is her best friend and her brother pays him to help her out around the house sooo he's over there all the time (Sister Cottle and I are debating weather or not he's homeless. He honestly looks it). He wasn't too excited about us coming over at first because he was married to a member years ago and things didn't end too well with her. Shoot. So he knows a great deal about the church (he surprises us every time we're over there), just unfortunately has a bad taste in his mouth. He actually had brought over a white shirt Saturday night and was planning on driving Arline up and staying! Ah man, NEXT week. It's going to happen. We were talking to him last night though with Arline and he says that he's starting to be more open minded, realizing that we're not just a bunch of "hokie wierdos". I honestly love him. He's barely 5'4, probably weighs 110 or something, and has these huge bottle coke glasses. Sweetest guy ever. Okay, I'm done talking about him. He's honestly my favorite though!

Those are our main investigators who are progressing, but there's about twenty others. Kristy is really neat. I think I talked about her before, she opened up her door to us right away. She lives with her sister and both of them have around three or four kids. They take turns watching the kids/working. She's been sick the past week, but we're gonna get her! Susie isn't opening her door to us anymore. I'm actually pretty bummed about it. She was the first door that I felt really inspired to knock, and then had the lesson with her and she started crying after the prayer. I'm praying for her because I know that she really needs this gospel with the way her life is going (she's addicting to a great deal of stuff, all of her family left her, and her son just got into jail for fifteen years for drugs) she's just scared.

I'm grateful for Sister Cottle. She's teaching me in many ways. She points things out about myself that I didn't even realize that I do and that I definitely need to improve on. We've had our rough times, but we've been able to always talk about it later on and clear it up. Communication, who knew right? It really works. I just find it funny that the thing that I thought I was going to stress about least, companions, has been mainly my only stress for me. The Lord does tend to humble us. Once again I'm just really grateful for these lessons. I knew they would come and I was excited about it, just didn't really think about the hard part which is actually learning them. 

Well, I am SO grateful to be out here. I love being able to see the Lord's hand everyday. I know that it was always present, just out here your eyes are opened all the more to it.

I love you all, stay strong and keep the faith!

Sister Call

 Picture one is of all my MTC sista's at the Veteran's Meeting two weeks ago. The second was with Sister Hamm, my very first exchange. I love her! It went really well.

Sulphur and Oil Fields?

Week 6

Loved ones,

Yes yes, time is a'flyin. I can't believe that transfers are in two weeks already! Okay, it doesn't feel like I just got Sister Cottle...but I just got Sister Cottle, I swear.

Are we still working hard? Yes. Are we still loving it? Yes. Sulphur is wonderful. I'm really starting to get to know and love these people. Yes, it is rather stinky here, but the people are wonderful. (And yes, I did get the package. Thank you so much! Letters, CD, PEANUT BRITTLE, it was all lovely.)

We didn't have any apparent or all too visible miracles this week but hey, tis all good. We had quite a few meetings to attend up in Norman (next to the city. An hour and a half drive) and so we haven't been in Sulphur as much as usual. It was so great being able to see all of my MTC District at the Veteran's Meeting though! (Yes, I am a "Veteran" at this point) 

We had church in Sulphur yesterday. It was the second time that we've had it now. Sister Cottle arranged all of it last transfer. We're able to meet at the library once a month on the third Sunday and it's nice because Sulphur is made up of a bunch of absolutely lovely, but elderly members who just aren't able to make the drive up to Pauls Valley every week. So they're able to attend and then Investigators from Sulphur are more likely to make it to this one. Sister Cottle and I all of last week and the week before were inviting people like crazy! Ah man, from everyone who said they were going to come, we were going to have over ten investigators and so many less-actives. Well, church time rolled around and..no one there. Except for a few members from Pauls Valley to support. I couldn't help it, my heart sunk a bit. BUT..that was before we heard a' clunking of some old cowboy boots coming through the door. Steve had come! Good ol' Steve. We met Steve one night while we were out late, visiting this one potential, Shannon. He pulled up in his truck and walked out with a pack of beer. Looked at us, asked "Y'all preach about Jesus"?.. We answered "Uh, we help bring people closer to Christ, so sure" "Well then, come on back and we'll talk."    !!!    ( I might have told you all this story already so apologies, but it is just too good) Well we taught Steve two lessons already. He is reading the Book of Mormon and claimed at the end of the Plan of Salvation lesson "Man girls, I've never felt more comfortable or good about something in my life. I really think that this is where I belong." Ha-Za! Well he said that he'd definitely come to church but well..you never know. Anyways, Steve was at church. Steve brought his Book of Mormon and Steve made sure to look up every verse that the speakers said. Sister Cottle and I made sure to help him out. His frustration at not being able to find Matthew in the Book made us crack up a little bit. At every verse he would vigorously nod his shaggy head, "Mm Hmm, oh man is that true." It was great!

It was only the missionaries that spoke yesterday and so yeah. I've given two talks already. I absolutely loved it! They say that the spirit will lead you but you don't truly understand until you get up there and open your mouth. I love this gospel and I am privileged to share it with others. This is Heavenly Father's Children's Salvation that we're talking about here. And we get to be a part of it.

I love you! Keep on keeping on. And remember that he's aware and LOVES you.

Sister Call

 

My scripture will be in..I believe it's Moroni? How perfect love casteth out all fear. And then if we get TWO, Mosiah 4:9 Believe in God. Believe that he is...

I love them both.

Week Three (Five including MTC) and Running!‏

Happy March Y'all!

Wow, what a week. I don't know where to start..

Well there was more snow at the beginning of the week. Our cars were grounded but I honestly enjoy being able to get out and walk. Sulphur is pretty small and so we're able to walk from one side to the next in a day. All of the houses are pretty run down (a lot of Trailer Parks), most people have only a few teeth left, have heavy drawls and little yappy dogs, and ALL are incredibly nice. Yee. Haw.

I still can't believe it, but we were blessed with 8 investigators this week. Yes, that's right. 8. Sister Cottle is trying to keep telling me that this is NOT what it's like for, well, anywhere else most of the time. But I don't care. We're both on cloud nine right now.

We've got about 30'ish investigators now, and I want to be able to tell you about them all but I'll only have time for these eight freshies.

So the first tha comes to mind is Tom and Jan. They have been allowing us to come over for weeks now. They're an older couple (he just got laid off, but he was thinking about retiring soon anyways) who are just the nicest. They are both Baptist (surprise), and they say that they're "Not lookin' to gettin' converted, but would love to get to know more about The Mormons and come and check out our church". I think it was Saturday and we were able to sneak in our first official lesson with them, (before it had just been discussions and messages) which was the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was incredible. The POS is probably my favorite lessons to teach..as of right now. They both opened up about a lot of things and Tom started crying. It was wonderful, being able to testify of how they're going to be able to be together forever and how they're going to see all of their loved ones.

Another was Steve. Steve is some 40 year old guy (Most of our investigators are single men. They just seem to be a lot more open to us compared to the women that answer the doors...hm) but we met him late one night while we were out doing our thing. He had a can of beer in his hand but he told us to come back later sometime and we'd "Talk about Jesus". Well..we did. The other afternoon. He answered the door (with a bag of popcorn this time in his hand. Improvement. I love it) and we were able to share the Restoration with him on his porch. It was great and he's coming to church in Sulphur next week! (We hold church at the Sulphur Library every third sunday for those can't make it all the way to Paul's Valley every week)

Another was Susie. Susie we found while out tracting. We knocked on her door and when she opened it "Wham!", the smell of smoke rather took you off guard (everyone's house's are just rather 'smoky' around here though). We put our biggest smiles on though and while trying not to inhale, I immediately went off about how lovely this old dress things was that she was wearing (need to do it before they just immediately shut you down, saying "I'm a Baptist" ((Everyone's responses to us)). She smiled and boom, we were in. We walked into her home and were able to share the Restoration. The spirit was pretty great but the best part was when the closing prayer was said. I said it and when Sister Cottle and I looked up, Susie had tears streaming down her face. We were quiet for a moment, then quietly testified of his love for her and her family. Incredible.

My all time favorite this week though has been Michael and Donna. Oh boy, I can't wait to tell you all about this. So Michael is Donna's kind of step son and his wife and then all of her kids live in the house. Small house, big family. Party. But they were just potentials who told us to come back...every single time we knocked on their door. Which was a lot. We were pretty sure that they weren't interested, just trying to be nice because they felt bad for us. Well, we weren't going to go anymore, but we decided that we should try one last time. We knocked on their house and Donna answered. Wa-la, we were invited right in. They're all smiles and they kept apologizing for never letting us come in, they're just honestly busy ALL the time.( the longer we were they, we noticed it, with people coming in and out) Well we talked for a little bit and they were both just so honest and open. They've gone through struggles in their lives (Donna especially with just losing both of her parents within 6 months of each other) but they have a pure desire to come closer to Christ and do what he want's of them. And yes, upon hearing that, that's when the excitement as a missionary really starts coming! Because well...this IS the right way to go. Well we shared a heartfelt lesson of the restoration and really taught Donna and Michael, not the lesson (Not sure if you all understand..Lani probably knows). We just really taught the lesson to meet their needs by listening and following the spirit. Donna was crying and everything was incredible. Again. The best part though was when we were walking up the street to our car. We'd been walking for a bit when we heard someone panting behind us, trying to yell but was out of breath so just start clapping their hands. Sister Cottle and I looked at each other "What the..?" But ended up turning around. Michael had been trying to run after us for a while and get our attention. He told us that he truly appreciated us coming and what we were doing out here, leaving our families and all for the work. He began to get emotional and so just quickly finished by saying that he can tell the difference that we've already made in their home and that Donna really needed it. He then grabbed us in side hugs *shrug*, it was alright.

And there you have it folks. Can you say miracles?

There we countless miracles seen this week, but those were my favorite.

The weather's been rather..balmy. One day it's 30, the next it's over 70...I thought Spokane weather was whacky.

Well I better go, I love you all!

Sister Call

 

P.S. Ford!! Provo AND Idaho!! GAH. OH and uhh..happy birthday. I promise, something's comin in the mail.

 

Photos....YEAH

MTC sisters going to OK

Sister Esplin, Caudill, Call, Cox.

MTC Elders and Sister Esplin, Caudill, Call, Cox.

Priscilla and Sister Cottle, her Trainer 

Week 4

I think this may be all we get this week... :(

I wonder if it started snowing....

We emailed from a members house last week because our cars were grounded. We're over here in Wynnywood right now though at the library where we're always going to do it. and yes, TWO hours! Ha-za!

We have MANY investigators and MANY potentials and MANY miracles. Man, I'll try and say all of them in the email.

Hey hey! my cord's finally working so pics are on the way. I'm seriously praying for your guys everyday. 

The branch is great! didn't have church yesterday cause of the snow. Gosh darn it, it all melted by noon though so we could have *sigh* Okies.....

Love you guys! We need to go and get on somewhere else cause this library is closing

She ended up writing more......

Hello everyone!

Man, is this work rather fabulous or what. This week we went for another round of the grounding of the cars. The Reeders (the elderly couple serving in Paul's Valley, the area right next to ours) were driving us back to Sulphur from our District meeting on Thursday and did it start coming down. 'Twas rather scary. Okay, wait. It really wasn't that bad, but as I said before, my dear Okie's cannot drive in the snow. For a while on the highway, every fifty feet or so there was a new car that had slid off the road. No one looked hurt. Just a lot of embarrassed faces. 

So anyways, for most of the week Sister Cottle and I have been on foot. It's been so great! We keep trying to catch this potential, Ronnie, at his house. Well on Saturday we were walking by to stop in and he was "conveniently" pulling out of the driveway. Well, he wasn't getting rid of us that easily. We went for an adventure in his yard and overhang, on the hunt for a shovel. Nothing. Until Sister Call showed her wierdly gutsy side and we ran over to a neighbors house where we had spied a couple of metal gardening shovels, and proceeded to explain who we were. You know, just a couple of drenched oddballs with name tags, asking to borrow some metal shovels. (No one shovels around here). With our biggest smiles we promised to shovel her's as well. Well, Ronnie's sidewalks, driveway, and porch got shoveled. 

I absolutely love the work. I know it's what I'm supposed to be doing for the next year and a half (and, in a way, for the rest of my life). I know that he's aware of me every second of everyday. And he loves it. He loves seeing what we need (and then sometimes we don't even need it) and then showering us with those rather lovely tender mercies. He's seen Sister Cottle and I's small sacrifices, being it walking in the ice and sleet for only a FEW miles, or knocking just one more door, and he chooses to bless us and make that blessing EVIDENT. (He's always blessing us. It's not just always right in front of our faces) How did he bless us you ask? Well, drumroll please....by giving us FIVE new Investigators this week.

!!

Ah, I sure wish that I had time to tell you all about them. Three are roommates in their 20's, and the other two are single moms. 

Something that I've realized that I need to work on is having more faith. Faith that he has prepared someone out there for us that day. That there is a reason that we went out tracting that day. A reason that we're walking down that street. There IS someone. And right now, tracting is fabulous. I honestly enjoy doing it. But I've just been in the mind set that, well, it's just something that we do, you know? Just missionaries doing our stuff, trying to find people to teach. Well Sister Call, you have been called to Oklahoma for a reason and if we are being obedient, the Lord is going to trust us to put his child that he's been preparing for perhaps years in our path. We need to make sure to follow every prompting we receive for that is how he can communicate with us. We need to make sure to talk to that person that is putting groceries in his car that we simply feel like we should. If we don't do it and he's prepared, well we just lost our opportunity to teach him and the Lord is going to allow the next set of missionaries in the area to teach him. I'm sorry if all of this doesn't make the best of sense, it's just something that I've come to truly realize this past week. I know we're here for a reason and we just need to open our mouths to everyone!

I absolutely love you all! Keep the letters coming please, I had no idea that they were going to be so great or be so meaningful to me! 

Have an absolutely fabulous week. And feel His love every day.

Sister Call