Week 30-Missions

Missions are wonderful things.

We had a really neat experience last week. It was after the temple and Sister Franklin and I were feeling pretty down about the work we're putting into finding and the lack of investigators still. We've been having a hard time feeling like we're fulfilling our purpose out here because we're not teaching anyone (except two who aren't progressing). Well, in tears we got on our knees. We knew that Heavenly Father has been preparing people in Mustang and he knows who they are. We were trying to do all that we knew how and what to do for this past month in our missionary efforts and it's been hard. It was time to just open our hearts to the Lord, tell him everything, and just give it all to him. We know that we have the desire and willingness to humbly do what He needs done in Mustang this transfer, so we just really wanted to know what to do. Well afterwards we were impressed to call this potential that we knocked into, Nancy. There was another Nancy in the phone who we accidentally called. It turned out that Nancy was this former investigator (who's records weren't in the area book) who was going through some really hard things in her life right then and was ready to start taking the discussions again. Her parting words were "Think you girls are right. Pretty sure this is God telling me something with you two just "happening" to call me right now." !!

We were in tears. I know that was Heavenly Father assuring us that he appreciates the work that we've been putting in and that he's been leading us all along.

Ever since that day, the work has been amazing! We pulled up to a potential's house for a return appointment and he was just sitting out in his yard, with two lawn chairs placed carefully in front of him, all smiles, ready and waiting for us. His name is Justin and he and his wife and son go to Life church. He was absolutely FULL of incredible, open questions that lead us beautifully into the Restoration. Sister Franklin was able to share the first vision for the first time on her mission and there were tears. We weren't prompted to invite him to Baptism but we sure will this week with our next appointment!

The next was this other potential that we tried, Jasmine. Her boyfriend, William, was there. They're 15 (sounds a little sketchy, but it was a good environment) and both (especially William) are looking for something more in this life. They have simple but incredible desires to make Christ a bigger part of their lives and do what He wants of them. It was SUCH great experience and the spirit was definitely there. 

We've also had multiple members have great news when we follow up with their dinner commitments that we set with them! One has a friend who's coming to church with her this Sunday and then another has a friend from work who's interested in "Checkin' out the Mormons and then joinin' " WABUSIGOKSJP! 

I know this is the Lord's work and that he's leading it. He was perhaps just making sure that He could trust us with these special individuals that he's been preparing for years. 

I love you all!

Sister Call

Week 29-REBUKED (OR "taught by the Spirit" as President prefers us to say

We (I) have truly been humbled this week. I've been so independent in my missionary efforts and, yes, prideful. I've been thinking that it was all up to us since members weren't handing us 15 referrals every week. Any amount of time spent at their houses was almost a 'waste of time', and sister Call was tapping her foot the whole time we were always there, wanting to go out and just knock doors or something else that felt missionary related! Well, through trainings throughout the past few weeks and loud promptings from the spirit, I've finally realized that we really do need the trust of these members. If we as missionaries really desire people to get baptized and to STAY active, have a lasting conversion, then for the most part that is going to come through member missionary work. 

So. What are we going to do about that?  Well throughout our finding and visiting Less actives and such, we need to actually go and MEET the members. Be there only 10-15 minutes, but gain their trust. Pump them up about missionary work! Help them realize that it is a real thing, WE'RE a real thing, and that we're here to work! Pleeeease family and friends. Share. This. Gospel. It's not as hard as we first think it's going to be. That's Satan working on you. Do you think he wants you to go out there and find friends who need this message? Nope. No he does not. When in doubt, go to 1 Nephi 7:12. If you really believe that he can do all things, then do it! He's going to make it happen through YOU. I'm positive it's his will for you to share the gospel. So if we allow him to guide us in how to do it..guess who's going to share it? 

I love you all. I'm sorry that I don't have any big tales to tell this week. We've had many tender mercies for which I'm grateful that I'm grateful for. 

Keep the Faith,

Sister Call

Us out finding the other day. I know you can't see it well, but this moth was NASTY and HUGE.

Us next to our apartment the night Elder Wheelwright left to get ET'd (what this means...I have no idea!!!)

And then story of our lives after just a few hours of finding. No judgements people. This is what oklahoma humidity does to you

Week 28 - Miracles happen ooonce in a while ( but name that song Call family)

Miracles left and right!

We have been doing LOADS of finding and despite Heavenly Father not necessarily needing to let us see the results right away..He is! We have been able to find a handful of solid investigators already. (And everyone else that wasn't interested was fairly nice too. Phew)

The biggest miracle that happened this weekend was that the wonderful Taylor family was Baptized this Saturday! Elder Lloyd and Favilla knocked into them about three months ago and when they left we were able to finish their lessons. Brother Taylor had been a Less-Active since he was 14. Well, at that time both he AND his family were ready to come back/join the church. He even received the Aaronic Priesthood and he was able to Baptize them. Elder Lloyd drove 20 hours down from Idaho to confirm them on Sunday! It was yet another amazing experience out here. Watching a family making those covenants together that's going to allow them to be together forever, it was wonderful. It's no wonder that it's so stresseful to find families to teach out here. :)

I. Love. Sister Franklin. She is such a rock! I know that my Heavenly Father certainly answered my prayers because she makes me so excited about missionary work. It hasn't been since my very first transfer that we've worked this hard but you know what? I've never been happier! ..funny how that works. 

There's been so many miracles, but another large just happened today actually. We were at the laundromat with the Elders. Both Sister Franklin and I (we talked about it after) were both feeling as if we should talk to this one older gentleman. We didn't. :(  But BUT, Heavenly Father wasn't going to let him slip by and as we were walking out, he called out "Hey, so what's this here church you're from"? *face palm** Come oooon Sisters. Follow the promptings already! Well we started talking with him and it turns out that he didn't grow up in a church (veeeery uncommon) but he used to go with friends when he was a teen. Said that he really misses it because he knew that it made a difference and that he's been trying to find one to go to for the past while. He ASKED if he could come and check out the church. !!!!  We're also coming over this week for a lesson and so, well, there you go. Heavenly Father is really there folks, and this gospel is true. I know it. 

What a blessing to be out here. I will NEVER regret coming to the good people of Oklahoma and spreading this amazing message of Christ and his Restored church. I love you all so much. Keep looking and DOING missionary experiences because it brings blessings to us and them. Every time. Even if they don't accept right away.

Love you much!

Sistah Call 

Sister Franklin and I's very first day together at transfers! Love this Sister.

PS. Sister Taylor, Hayli, and Mikayla were baptized but Harli is still six.

 She's probably my favorite though.

 If you can't tell, she's the one in the pink dress :D

Week 27 Blessings from Heaven.

So this week has been one of the crazies on the mission for me.

First off, on Wednesday I received a companion. NOT a 'greenie' or 'baby'. I feel pretty inadequate training this wonderful missionary, Sister Franklin. She makes me want to be better every day! I've honestly never seen more of a sincere love for and desire to share this gospel. She actually lost an older sister a few years back and that is one of her driving motivators in this work. She needs to share this message that helped her family get through it together.

The area was split with the Elders and, darn it, they got all of our investigators. But hey, because of that we were able to just hit the streets, finding away. 

Sister Franklin and I experienced a rather different kind of miracle today. We were out, just a findin' away, when we ran into a "basher." Now this lady was actually one of the hardest I've ever run into. She'd been a member for over 50 years and was pretty ANTI. I've found that during those instances my mind and heart become almost numb and I almost (..almost) feel sympathy for them because their ideas of this church and the blessings it brings are just so twisted. So I was doing all right, but just one look over at Sister Franklin and you could tell she wasn't. We were finally able to get away from the situation. We crossed the street and Sister Franklin looked at me and asked if we could say a prayer. I began to say it and suddenly the Spirit hit me like a ton of bricks. I choked up, not being able to talk for a bit. We both silently stood there for a while, too wrapped up in our emotions to even speak. We both knew however that this church was (and is) true. Joseph Smith really did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. And through all of that, Christ's true church has been restored to this earth. Well why was this a miracle you ask? It was truly one of the most powerful witnesses to the truthfulness of this church that Heavenly Father has blessed me with out here so far. I grateful for my mission. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn to work hard for the best reason; my Savior. 

I'm sorry the email wasn't longer this week. Definitely get some pictures of us to y'all next week. She's so amazing!

I love you all. Have a great and blessed week fam-bam,

Sister Call

Week 26- Hard-earned Miracles‏

Good mormon good mormon,

Don't you just love the gospel? Even if it wasn't true (and it darn tootin' is), it makes you the best person that you can be on this earth! It's the best way to live. I feel so down those days when I know I lost a little sight of the importance of the work we're doing here. (sorry if that sentence didn't make much sense) One of my favorite quotes from Preach My Gospel is from Elder Holland (surprise) "..Much of the time we are just too casual about all of this. THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE. This is the salvation of the children of God. Eternity hangs in the balance.."

!! 

Need I say more.

..

I actually think I will though. 

I am never going to regret going on a mission because I've never grown so much and quickly in something that I hold so near and dear to my heart. I love my Savior and what an honor being able to aid in sharing this message.

This week was a little slow. We've mainly said goodbye to ward members for Sister Downing and Bishop. I'm so grateful for transfers though. I was certainly scared of them at the beginning of the mish, but now I look forward to the opportunity to turn over a new leaf. And what better opportunity than to get a new missionary who will have no previous experience and not know any different so will (hopefully) just roll, be patient with me, and work hard. 

We're getting a set of elders in our ward again so the area will be split again which is nice. Almost all of our Investigators are going over to the Elders though which is going to be rather rough but BUT..will allow a great opportunity to tract (excuse me, find. We shouldn't use the "T" word) anywhere and everywhere. So my new companero will get a pretty sweaty, AWESOME beginning of her mission. Welcome to Oklahoma Sister! Where we sweat off all the grease we eat. Let's go see some hard-earned Miracles! Yee. Haw. 

Love you all family! Great to hear the Moyie went so well. Always one of my favorite adventures with the family. (Hey Lani and..it was either ford or ruth. Remember when we went on a walk and then it totally started pouring down and we ran back. We then had to sit out on the bench because we couldn't go inside because we were all too soaked? Good times good times) 

Love you! Have an incredible week building your testimonies,

Sister Call