Week 82-The hardest thing I've ever Loved to do

I pray that this doesn't sound terrible, but over the past year I've often thought about what this email would consist of. All those wonderful times my mom and others would get up during testimony meeting growing up and make the statement "My heart is full," (I know we've all heard it before) well, I really do know what she was talking about now. 

Everyone, the Savior lives. 

I have perfect faith in that statement. 

There are so many things that I could say right now. Perhaps a lot of returning missionaries write a list of 50 things that they've learned on the mission in their departing email, including other things. I just know that with every experience shared, lesson learned, it all goes back to that beautiful truth for me and my mission.  

Back to accounting real quick, this week was wonderful. The Lord blessed others and us so much! The Lord helped us have an incredible lesson with Tonya. The spirit was wonderful and she finally committed to a Baptismal Date. Sisters have been working with her for months now and she has so many other distractions in her life that taking this step will require a great deal of faith on her part. 

We had another lesson with the Alcorte family. They are not active and Sister Alcorte has had some hard things take place for their family, but the spirit was such a great teacher in boldly telling them that if they put God first, then everything would start working out. They would start feeling more peace. 

My companions are wonderful! I LOVE how obedient they want to be and diligent and LOVING.The Lord has blessed us because of it. Goodness, they're such a perfect mixture of all of that. We all balance each other out. 

It is interesting how I put Moroni 8:16 on my mission plaque, "...Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear." This gospel is the single most important thing. In fact, it is the ONLY thing. It is the plan. It is why we are here. There is absolutely NO need to fear in this life. We have a Savior. And all is well because of that, no matter what comes. That is the message that we have for the world. 

I'm grateful to have been blessed to have such an incredible foundation for my testimony. My parents began it, and the mission has truly solidified it for me. This is one missionary that Heavenly Father is never going to lose.

I love you all very much. Thank you so much for the prayers and support over the past year and a half. They have helped. 

Not only keep the faith, but share it. I will. :)

Sister Call

1) A wonderful recent convert named Deb. One out of many who's 
life has changed because of this gospel. 

2) My beautiful Okla'Home'a.

Week 81 My Savior's Grace

What a great week. 

So there is this incredible thing. It's called the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And you know, it has the power to change lives. It gives us a certain perspective on life that brings such hope, peace, and makes us want to happily carry on. For we know we have a Savior who will make up that difference for us. He IS the difference. (Brad Wilcox's "His Grace Is Sufficient" READ it..please of course)

We met with this man the other day. His name is Ty Smith. Brother Smith (loves when we call him that) has gone through every possible wrong thing that can happen in this life. He's been out on the streets, in and out of jail three times through drug sales and addictions, beat as a child, lost his wife and only child, every friend has been killed, the list goes on. We spoke with Him on the street about a week ago and invited him to the church for a lesson. Everyone, I just have to tell you that that has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Seeing this scraggly, tatoo'ed, ear-ring man sitting across from us in the Relief Society room, with tears streaming down his face as the spirit touched him. It told him that he DOES have a purpose, and that he has a Father who cares. There is a very good reason for all of this. 

That is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "So glad I had this opportunity" doesn't explain my emotions very well right now.

Veronica and Isaiah have decided that they are getting baptized on September 3rd with the rest of the primary aged kids which will be for the best. 

And then we also learned that Brother Jack Deaner slipped up and had some coffee yesterday morning and so will now be getting baptized on the 27th of Aug. I was sad at first, but this is completely best for all three of their conversions. I love them so.

Well folks, that sure isn't all for this week..but for this email, yes. 

I love you. God lives. And so does His love. Know that and feel that more for yourselves through CPR (church, prayer, read)

Have an incredible week, and we will too :)

Sister Call

Week 80

 

(The last weeks have been crazy here at the Crazy Call household, Cub Day Camp, Family Reunion and Girls' Camp,  sooooo I got behind on the blogs, I am caught up now.  This is all Priscilla had today :(..... but at least we know she is busy building the Kingdom, serving and making every moment count of her mission!  We are so proud of Priscilla! Love, the Mom)

 

I feel absolutely terrible that I cannot write today. We spend the morning studying and doing some service for investigators who are getting married and then we have an STM to leave to in just 2 minutes.

This week was incredible because I'm coming to feel more and more of just how much I'm loved up there because I am simply His daughter. And that I really mean the world to Him.

I love you all. Very much.

Sister Call

Week 79- Boy Howdy, what a week!

First off, this beautiful lady was baptized!

Sister Teria Turner, what a wonderful lady. She has such a funny lady! AH! I wish you could hear her speak. Sister Chamberlain calls them 'Ism's' (mannerism's). When she is sitting down she is always bouncing her legs. And that's just one. She is one quirky lady.

Teria's a miracle though. The sisters have been working with her for years now and she finally decided to be baptized. We had to get permission from the first presidency because Teria mentally has a condition where she is, well, just too nice! She really cannot say no, including to those times when she especially needs to.. eech.

I really don't want to say this for lack of cliche'ness, but she really was glowing in a sense yesterday when she was confirmed in Sacrament meeting.

Super neat thing about Teria as well. She has short term memory loss, and Sister Dobb and Chamberlain (before I got here) promised her that she would be able to remember the more of the Book of Mormon that she reads.

Guess what.

Teria knows and remembers more about the Book of Mormon than Sister Call does.

Let's just take a second and realize the reality of that miracle.

The Purcell kids are also doing so well! We love those crazy kids, Isaiah and Veronica and all their cousins! And miracles, Veronica told us yesterday that she is wanting to get baptized! Before hand, Isaiah was mainly on board. One of their 4 year old cousins, William, who is the son of Sister Smith, Sister Purcell's active sister, ( sorry, I know that's super confusing) told me that he was going to marry me when he was 14. He couldn't wait till 16 though because then he would be too old and dying soon. Well..okay William. :) They're a cute family, I'll make sure to send a picture next week of them.

So my companions are incredible. Sister Chamberlain is from Salt Lake with about 5 kids in her family. She is a 'hipster' and feels the music of the gospel! She is a complete goober and is working on a few lightness and frivolity toning downs but in all reality, is helping Sister Call stop being such a stick in the mud. :) When she opens her mouth and teaches, it's so personal and applied to them, the spirit so easily fills the room. I love her.

Sister Sorensen is go and do. She is extremely diligent and is here to work. The 3 months she was home re-committed her so much to the work. It's pretty inspiring. :) She's from Spring City, Utah and has 5 kids in the fam-bam. They were both born into the church. She is also SO humble. Really wanting to be better and improve.

I love the work. Dad, I had an incredible experience during Sacrament yesterday that had to do with the scriptures in 3 Nephi that you put into the front of my quad right before I left. I'll share a little bit in next week's email but make sure to share the details with you..soon enough I guess :)

I love you all! Keep the faith,

Sister Call

1 and 2) The night before her baptism and her baptism

3)So we were out tracking in about 110 degree weather or so, not having too much success. Well, I am here to testify of the Lord's humor. At the end of this long street, there was this random trophy just conveniently place right dab in the middle of the sidewalk. "Good job my kiddos" We all busted up laughing and had to take some dumb photos. What a loving and REAL Father in Heaven we have. :)

Week 78 Nothing but Blessings!

Where to start where to start..

Holy Okie smokers! (sorry, that's probably not too appropriate, everyone smokes here though)

This week has been so incredible! We have Teria who is getting baptized on Saturday and we're SO excited. Be praying for Teria this week. :)

We then received another miracle with the Purcell family. This less active sister moved in with her active sister in our ward and she has two children who want to be baptized! We set baptismal dates with them yesterday. They're so cute and excited. 

Thomas came up to us yesterday when we were going over for a lesson, an investigator we have who is catholic and Hispanic but speaks fluent English, had a huge grin on his face. "Sisters, I did what you challenged me to do. I talked to my manager and asked for every Sunday off so that I could go to church, and he said yes! You can expect me there every Sunday"! Oh goodness. He is the happiest most humble 25'ish hispanic man I know. What a blessing to be a part of his life at this time with him. He is getting baptized on the 27th of Aug but we feel like it could be moved up. He needs to stop drinking and smoking. He knows he needs to though..so that's where it starts. 

Enid is incredible. There are a great deal of Marsheilles up here (since the islands are sinking) they all congregate to certain spots in the US all together. For the most part they're all family. They attend a branch after our ward meets and if we make a Marseilles contact we send it over to the four Marseilles elders. 

We also serve on an air force base here. We're not on it as much as we were in Ft. Sill or teaching but it's still neat. There was a HUGE airshow yesterday that they only hold once every couple of years. The Thunderbirds came and performed (exactly like the BLUE ANGELS father! Was it "A kind of magic" yesterday? Yes. yes it was ;) ) Ha Aaaaanyways. We went for a quick minute but the proselyting wasn't as good an opportunity as we first thought so we left. But you could see the stunts from the planes all throughout Enid. SO neat. I'm sorry this is a rather apostate email, but I can't help but feel like I'm living in Top Gun every day for a minute. There are SO many soldiers in their air force jumpsuits with aviators, driving around. (some on motorcycles..perhaps)  It's rather funny. 

So now to bring the spirit back, just a thought for the day. We were listening to "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox the other day with some recent converts. In it he states that he knows that it'll be Christ at that judgement bar, pleading for us to apply His Atonement and choose celestial glory. In Mosiah 26: 26-27 It says "And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.

And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them.."

Does that not just break your heart a little? I know that Christ is more than with us every step of the way out here. He IS the reason that we can take steps forward here, and it breaks His heart when we choose not to see how much those steps of humility and progression with his Atonement will make us happy. I want to commit all of us to be more committed to that wonderful messenger, the Holy Ghost and his promptings. It's truly those little things that will bring us lasting happiness and take us home. 

Love you all!

SIster Call

Priscilla, Sister Sorensen and Sister Chamberlain

Priscilla and Sister Chamberlain and field....

Week 77- Enid time

Enid is the land of miracles!!

I'm SO excited to be here! Sister Chamberlain is one incredible missionary. She has such a great testimony of this gospel! Together we're going to..'tear' it up with the Lord's help! (sorry, that language was dumb) SO excited though! 

We are teaching this fellow Jack. Started just last week. He lives in a bus and we love him for it. He has been to church twice already and we're SO excited for him! He will be getting baptized at the end of this month, or first week of next. He is Albert Einstein from Oklahoma. That's what he looks like. 

There's also a woman named Teria who will get baptized the weekend that we receive permission from the first presidency because she is on probation. :( It'll happen though! She is prepared and wanting it so badly and the Lord knows it. 

Sister Chamberlain is such a wonderful human. What a great missionary. I know that the Lord knows. He knows what little Sister Call needs, especially this transfer. 

I love you all. 

I want everyone to think about the story of Alma and Amulek. They not only watched individuals who they taught and baptized, burned to death because of it, but those women and children willingly did it. Just perhaps weeks or days after they had even heard about this gospel. How in the world could they do that? Well, they had a certain perspective on everything. They knew just how much more there was to our existence than just this life. Just something to think about.

Have a wonderful week.

Sister Call

1) This is Jack here. We love him

Week 76-New President going Hamm with the Spirit

The Oklahoma City mission is up in ca-hoots right now! (in all the best ways)

President Mansell has been having those poor AP's over at his house until who knows how long (1, 2 in the morning) completely diving head on into everything and changing it ALL up. About half of leadership, the STL's and Zone Leaders were dropped (including yours truly), almost EVERY companionship has been switched, and there are also some new callings in the mission, traveling stl or zone leader, who goes and stays with a different companionship every two days or so. (Those are Sister Ryan (from Spokane!) and then previous AP Van Halder)

I will be going up to Enid, I've never served up north before, always south or central, and I will be training Sister Chamberlain for her 2nd transfer in the mission. I'm excited to be that normal missionary again, completely focusing on proselyting. I know this is the Lord's will and I'm excited to go out and apply those lessons I've hopefully learned and hit the ground running with Sister Chamberlain! :)

OKC 2nd has been a blessing for me. Sister Jensen and Washburn have taught me a great deal. I love the city. Pretty excited to go to boonies again though.

Miracle time. What a blessing. Sister Washburn and I set a goal to be exactly obedient for a week and see what the Lord will do with that. I hope that doesn't sound hypocritical. We were being obedient before, but just taking extra care to follow everything, and well, we received a call on thursday of this lady, Debra Kimball, who has a lot of family who are members. She asked us "what do I have to do to do to be baptized"? I was on the phone with her "Well, you will meet with us and take some lesson.." She interrupted "Yes yes I know honey, I'm 61 and not getting any younger. My time is ticking. I know Christ is my Savior and I need this. Now."
...

Even as I'm writing this out I still can't believe it. Debra will be getting baptized. And just like that, Heavenly Father showed both us just how in charge of all of this is. I have such a testimony of Obedience. It truly is the first law of Heaven.

I'm sorry that I haven't spoken much about people this transfer I feel like. It has been a great deal of finding and then dropping in two weeks or less, but alas, it's progressing!

I love you. Keep up sharing this gospel.

Sister Call

1) Carla. She was incredible! We knocked on her door and she felt so strongly that this was all true. But then the father at the catholic church she did attend rather put an end to it all. Father Jorge rather ruined our morning :/

She's wonderful though!

Week 75- The Lord Knows

What a good week! Sister Washburn and I, instead of teaching a lot of lessons this week, were taught many lessons ourselves by our loving Heavenly Father. We're needing to drop a great deal of our investigators. They are not progressing. So it's go time! We know the Lord has plans for this area and we are working more effectively through the lists and members. The Lord sees our efforts and receiving a baptism is a very righteous desire of ours that we know, and so if we keep having the courage to follow the Spirit, then we need to trust that His will will take place in this part of His vineyard.

We had a miracle this week! Bernice Cook is a less active member who has rather slipped through the cracks. She hasn't been visited by the ward in a long time (so many less actives) and she was baptized about 8 years ago. We began teaching her and her non member family and she and her grandsons came to church on Sunday! They came pretty late and apparently sister Cook had a flat tire and so she went to get it changed, having dropped the boys off. We were sitting in gospel principles when bishop opened the door and motioned for us. We come out and there's these two cute 8 and 9 year old boys, staring up at us with their two kid Book of Mormon Stories books we gave them. "Do you know these boys"? Asked Bishop who was very confused. Huzzah! Miracle. There was Adam and John, both named from the bible they said. So cute.

With the area the past two weeks, Sister Call has been feeling pretty down. You look back on the work ethic, effectiveness of it, where you fell short on following the spirit, and (this has been a big lesson learned for me, learning just what my best is) you can say that you worked your hardest and did your best, you begin wondering what the Lord is thinking and doing up there. Aren't these His children that we're dealing with? Is this not God's church on the earth? 

It was Saturday evening and Sister Washburn and I just really needed to teach a lesson that day, if not for others, ourselves. We were trying all these doors, knocking a few, moving onto the next LA/Investigator/member, trying them, not home. Then knocking some more, until it was 8:45 and we were needing to wrap it up, when we knocked on the last one. (I know I know, everyone always says it happens on the last) This little old african american lady opens the door. She has the brightest smile on her face, and without us hardly saying a word, motions us right inside. Her name is Linda and she knows that she needs and wants to get back into church. She knew that we were meant to be at her door then. We went back to the car in tears and said a prayer of heart felt gratitude.

In answer to the questions before, yes. This is God's church. He was and is aware of us all along. I know this gospel is it. We have it in our lives. I love my Savior and I am in awe of how much He loves me. 

I love you all!

Sister Call

Week 74 Endings no such thing in the Gospel

This week President and Sister Walkenhorst are driving back home to California and the Mansell's will be coming on Thursday. She and President came to their (our) ward yesterday (they're not actually there too often) and I kept looking behind me at President (he's not too hard to miss) and I was pretty emotional. I know what Grandpa Fox says is true about how we are called to our missions for our Presidents. I can't put into words what he has taught me about the gospel and how we must apply it in our lives.

We've had a good week. We have a couple new investigators, one especially *drumroooll* Brother Bible! He's in his 20's and is the nephew of a less active member. He's living with them for his job. We went and taught him and I absolutely LOVE how the spirit just tells everyone in the room just how true the message of the Restoration is. He has wonderful questions. We're very excited for him.

Funny/not story. We were on exchanges and Hermana Brown who I was with told me to take 4 of these different kind of pain pills for some pain I was experiencing. I asked her three times just to make sure."4 you said"?? Yes. Well I did and...we were right in the middle of exchange report (just between Priscilla and the Sister... I think) and all of a sudden the room became very swirly, there was buzzing in my ears, and my body went to weighing about 2 pounds. Boy, it was the worst/best feeling. Hermana Brown, what did you do to your STL(Sister Trainer Leader)?? I felt terrible, she was really bearing her heart about a lot of things, her testimony too, and there was Sister Call, sitting on the floor staring at her, rather cross eyed. We then went out to work and I can bear testimony on relying on the reserve tanks of Heavenly Father's strength is real! Hermana Brown was a champion as we were riding our bikes, and we've definitely been able to laugh about it since. 

I'm sorry for the short email again, everyone is wanting to go to the zoo. 

I sure do know this gospel is true. I feel it in my heart every day. Love you all, and don't just keep the faith, share it!

Sister Call

1) when I randomly find my, I don't know, SISTER in the ensign?? Psh..Lani

Week 73 Time flies when...well it just flies.

What a blessing to serve a mission, I am telling you.

Carla is doing incredible! We knocked on her door about 2 weeks ago. Her entire family is catholic but she knows that there's something missing in her life. Well she's been reading the Book of Mormon, praying and taking the lessons for the past 2 weeks and has been fairly tired of what everyone at church and especially her mom would react when she tells them. (she's about 27 by the way) Well everyone at church tells her to speak directly to Father Jorge because there's something wrong with her for even wanting to learn more about 'the mormons'. She's stronger than that though and she was just mainly worried about her mom at that point. We had a lesson with her last night and the spirit has been so strong the past couple of lessons. She told us that her mom told her that she loves her and will honestly support her in whatever she wants. What will bring her close to Christ. So...she's getting baptized in about 3 weeks!!! But but...we did a lot of talking last night and both Sister Washburn and I agree that we need to give her to the Hermana's who are in the spanish branch, not because she doesn't understand english perfectly, but really because she's going to progress best surrounded by that wonderful hispanic branch. We knew that the spirit had been telling us that for a little bit now, but we were of course pridefully fighting it. *sigh* ah well. What a blessing to have been able to be led to such an incredible, humble, and prepared individual!

We've been teaching a part member family, the Riewerts. The non-member wife, Sister Riewerts is VERY sweet. Her family is completely anti (she has grown up in Oklahoma her whole life) so at first she was just taking the lessons for information and for her husband...but something changed yesterday. We watched the Restoration video with them and the spirit was strong. Through the spirit, we were able to bear testimony of how she can't do this for anyone else, just her and especially her Heavenly Father. If this is really His church and He knows best how to make her happy..then do not be afraid to sincerely open your heart and ask him. It was wonderful. She looked in our eyes and promised that she would. That has to be my favorite part of the mission. Being able to feel and see the spirit change people. 

I also love the members in this ward, they're so wonderful! Everyone's support in the OKC 2nd ward is incredible and we LOVE Bishop. Good ol' 31 year old Bishop Wadsworth. What an incredible individual.

Love you all! Remember who you are, just how true the gospel is, and the importance to share it. Please.

Sister Call

1) So Sister Call likes to kill lightning bugs apparently on accident with pool noodles. (don't ask why that was in a missionary apartment. Definitely can't swim.)

2) Last zone p-day. Broom hockey. Only minor injuries. Success. 

Week 72 Area Miracles... that's all I can say

Okay. This week has been INCREDIBLE!

Our area has, in just one week, quadrupled (4*) it's numbers. I know that numbers aren't important..but they certainly do represent people and how much care you're giving them. And I WANT to say it's us (my prideful self) but I can only point it to the Lord, who knows why He's sending us these blessings now. We just need to not question and keep trying our best to stay obedient, diligent, and listen to the Spirit.

Sister Washburn is amazing! I can't put into words how much I appreciate her willing spirit and desire to be better every day.

We were over eating dinner at the primary president' house, Sister Coggins, the other day. She sent us over to a LA's (less active) house who no one knows about in the ward. She said that they had just been on her presidency's mind lately. Well, we did aaaaand of course knowing us, we knocked on the wrong address (Drexel AVE instead of PL) and the. most. prepared. 25 year old girl answers the door. She said that she'd grown up catholic (which isn't too common for OK) but she knew and felt that her relationship with God was supposed to be a lot more personal and closer, her questions weren't being answered, and that 'there's a piece in her life missing." Missionaries? Her name is Carla and it was a beautiful lesson that we were able to teach her. What a privilege to be out here! Sharing the answers with people that they can't find anywhere else.

 It was President's last MLC (Mission Leadership Council?) on Tuesday. There were tears shed, especially when he and Sister Walkenhorst bore their testimonies at the end. Grandpa Fox, what you and Elder Christofferson told us about how one of the main reasons why we're sent where we're sent is for our mission presidents. I can't put into words what they've taught and most importantly shown me about the Atonement through their words and actions. President and Sister Mansell will be arriving here on the 30th. President assigned Sis Washburn and I to bring over some ice cream their first day..because he says it's terrible and that they'll be stressed out of their minds. The minute he walks off the plane, President's handing him his phone.

Their is a LA in the area, Sister Johnson, who the sisters have been working with for a few years now. She came to church yesterday...WITH her non member boyfriend and her brother's girlfriend who has already taken all the lessons. We believe that she wants to get baptized. (that was basically our first time officially meeting her) She just works every Sunday (she got that one off because of vacation) and she struggles to find the faith to quit. Financial situations are pretty tough right now in Oklahoma because of the lack of oil. Good thing we know God is bigger than that though. What an incredible miracle though!

Sister Washburn and I have experienced so many tender mercies these past two weeks of being together. I pray that we continue doing more of our part every day to allow the Lord to keep blessing us!

Preach My Gospel: "Do I have enough faith in Christ to accomplish anything He wants me to do-even miracles if necessary"? A question that I've had to ask myself a few times out here. Just know that I have faith that Christ IS here not only in the field, but in all of our lives. He has the power to make anything happen that is His will (which is always for our best interests). Do we have the faith-filled action to allow Him too though?

Love you all! Have an incredible week. And share this gospel with others! Stop taking it for granted :)

Sister Call

 Sis Washburn and I's first day. She loves her dresses :)

You know, just zone leader Elder Walker cutting off the head of a rat snake in good ol' Paul's Valley

A family we're working with, the Durands, little boy named Victor. SO cute.

President's last MLC

District leader Elder Burrows throwing the keys onto the roof and 'retrieving' them. Don't worry. We ended up going and asking maintenance

'Generation' pic at transfers (figured this out; Priscilla, Sister Franklin's brand new sister missionary, Sister Franklin...  training....that's what I think)

Week 71

Hiiiiii Sorry, I only have about 5 minutes :/ We got here about 10 minutes ago and we need to head to Paul's Valley in just 5 minutes to make it in time for STM. I'm so sorry!

Hi mom!!

Okay sorry, so I am completely out of time, but all is well and my new companion is Sister Washburn. She's incredible!! I am so happy, honestly. The work in the area improved last transfer that's for sure, but with her to work the area, it busted last week!! Ah! I'm so excited. I love this work! Seriously, I'm re-discovering this gospel and my love for it everyday.

Love you all!

Sister Call

(This is all for this week....no comment.....Mom..... hopefully next week will be better)

Week 70- aaaaahhhh

No post this week :(

Here's what she said:

Okay okay, so I'm the worst human being ever and it's a long story, but Sister Jensen had to use my computer time for some things and so now we need to go, but I promise I will repent in my email next week to the fam. Love you all!

SIster Call

Priscilla's Companion, Sister Jensen, is heading home and needed more computer time

Week 69- "Cause they got the Lord in 'em"

So this week has been pretty eventful!

To begin with, just need to share the tale of how Sister Jensen and I went to the gas station this morning to get some quarters for our laundry and the guy at the counter states "Y'all are just glowin' right now"! We look at each other and then hear a wonderful black lady behind us state loudly as she stocks up huge fried doughnuts "It's cause they got the Lord in 'em"! Everyone at the gas station is smiling and nodding because of the comment.

...

Welcome to my beloved Oklahoma. This is just all too common for people who have such a love for their Savior.

So we were out with a member last night and we tried a former investigator we found in the area book. This Hispanic guy answers (who from the looks of it, was NOT the former). His eyes get huge and he exclaims "I got on my knees to turn my life over to God just a few days ago. He sent you"! At least that's what we got out of his little English. He then gathered us around the dinner table with almost his entire family, and none of them spoke English. We don't really know what happened, but Sister Jensen and I were able to get through the Restoration with such simple explanations but most importantly, the spirit was there and he stated at the end "Hermanas, I might not understand much of what you just told me, but I know that it is all true because of what I feel. What must I do"? (This was at the end of the First Vision) Sister Jensen and I didn't even blink. "Be baptized Miguel"! (that was his name) He accepted a date..but we'll be giving them over to the REAL hermanas. But BUT..what an incredible testimony of His heavenly father's awareness of him! I know I can't fully grasp just what really happened last night.

I know this work is true. I love you all! Sorry this is so short, but I'm REALLY out of time.

Sister Call 

Week 68-Another week has evaporated

Another week has evaporated.

 (In the words or President Walknehorst)

Sister Jensen and I are working hard in the city! We saw a great miracle the other night. We were at a Part members house the other day. The wife isn't a member and the husband hasn't come to church in years. We were able to share the restoration with them and it was wonderful! The spirit was felt at times, at the end it turned into more of a Q&A so it was rather funny. Just getting the polygamy and other basic questions like that out of the way..but it was a lot of fun. Oh Mormons, we're supposedly crazy, right?

The other night it was 10 minutes before nine o-clock and we had gone to check on a referral. They were not interested, but Sister Jensen made a comment that we were here for a reason though. So we prayed about what Heavenly Father needed us to do. We started walking down the street and were 'prompted' to knock a house. Okay, we really were prompted, promise. It just helped that this house was COMPLETELY red and not going to lie, we had to. Spirit or not. Well, this huge black man answered completely covered in, you guessed it, red. No joke. Went by the name of Randy. Father's a preacher. But hey, we've got an appointment for tomorrow! What a nice guy..

I know this gospel's true! Sorry for such a short email, but time's a tickin'. Love ya!

Sister Call

1)comp unity shirts for zone p-day

2)our district (elder burrows on the left is our district leader)

3) just using those good ol' acquired map skills on the mission. Good things, just like my parents told me they would be. :)

Week 67 - Oh Missions

So I don't really have too much to say this week. The work is incredible and I'm just grateful to be able to continuously be a little better every day.

Sister Jensen is great! She puts up with my crazy shenanigans of wanting to bike every day and do all of these things. To all those missionaries out there, communication and charity is KEY in companionships and just, well, every relationship. I was reading this morning about Charity and in Ether 12:28 it tells us that if we have faith, hope and charity, the we will continuously flow into the fountain of all righteousness. (something like that) Honestly, it doesn't matter how diligent, obedient, or hard working you are. If you don't have Charity, there is nothing that Christ and His Atonement can do for you for every action MUST be led by that. The love for others that He has for you.

So anyways, just a thought for you all to ponder.

We had another miracle the other day with pulling over to talk to this wonderful mother, Misty. She was great and we were able to teach her right then. Blessings. Sister Jensen and I are trying to improve together a little more every day, and I am honestly so happy.

I know my Savior lives and loves us. I know it.

Sorry this email is so short!

Love you all though,

Sister Call

1) In Marilyn and Scott's '88 Mercedes Beinz. Someone we talked to and have an appointment with Wednesday night. Surprisingly, I'm really getting to know cars well out here!

2) Shirley's Baptism that President let us drive back for in Lawton! She's the one on the left in a white shirt :) I love Shirley. She's incredible.

Week 66- Grateful for the Spirit

This week we have seen miracles!

We have been on the bikes practically everyday, fixin' to see some miracles. We had a few funny moments when we left the apartment in the morning, hitting the bikes for a about 5 minutes, ready to take on the world, and then having worried zone leaders calling us, telling us to go back inside for a few minutes for shelter because of the weather. Silly zone leaders. They're funny though, Elder Butterfield and Moe, just listening to the spirit and trying to keep us safe. We had some good laughs as we were riding back.

We were rather discouraged for a minute when I got here because the area wasn't doing so great. But with a good amount of prayer and faith in the Savior and each other, we were able to set a vision. We've seen some miracles from it already! We were biking down the street and this woman with her daughter is getting out of their car. We stop to talk to them. Her daughter had a little more energy and so Sister Jensen and I divided and conquered. She began to play soccer with the little girl, Nevaeh, as Sister Call spoke with the mom, Amber. She's been through a great deal, but she has the most incredible faith through it and so because of that along with the spirit, the Lord blessed us to be able to get in and teach them the Restoration! I love it because people know their bible down here and so being able to see so many dots being connected in their eyes, especially concerning Christ establishing his gospel on the earth and then the great apostasy, it's incredible. And it's incredible because it's true! I love this true church.

And then later on that night we were able to teach a Less active woman, Sister Bass and her non-member grandson, Richard. The spirit was incredible. And they both came to church on Sunday! It was actually stake conference and so I was blessed to be able to see some members of the Mustang 1st ward, my old area! It was very humbling and touching, especially seeing the Stott family! (hopefully you're reading this now Stotts. Love you guys!)

The Lord is in charge of this work. I know it's true. Sister Jensen and I were really able to experience the promise given to Joseph Smith and all of us in D&C 84:88 "Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." Throughout our lessons this week, the spirit has been present so strongly. The Lord knows the individual sitting in front of you, of course He does! And so don't be prideful and get in the way of the spirit but instead let him lead. I know He will if you allow him too.

Once again, and I can't say it enough, I'm grateful to be a part of this great work and continue to be so after! It should never stop and if it does, that means that we're doing something wrong. This gospel changes lives and it's just too important not to share.

Love you all!

Sister Call

1) us crazies on the bikes

2) riding in a member's 1962 Chevy impala to a teaching appointment. Oh yes.

     

Week 65- Apologies... :/

So sorry everyone, this one here is going to be a quicky because Sister Call lost her license and wasn't able to get onto the computer but her blessed companion is letting her have her last 10 minutes or so of comp time.

What a crazy week. I'm now in OKC and it's nuts. This area is surprisingly pretty dead which is going to be a great growing experience for both Sister Jensen and I. Honestly, I'm excited. BIKING EVERY DAY!!

The tornadoes are supposed to be hitting as of tomorrow. dah! (Sorry mom, I probably shouldn't have said that..but I did because I'm still prideful and it's all the talk for the new missionaries *sigh*)

There was an incredible miracle last night though! A less active that they've been working with for a long time last night, Sister Bass, asked for a blessing. She hasn't come to church in years. She was absolutely in tears at the end of the blessing and said that she knew that she would be walking through those doors finally next sunday. (and her non-baptized grandson with her!) 

That's about all for now folks. I love you and Sister Jensen and I are excited for this area and the stretching and growth that's going to come for both of us and we work hand in hand, humbly with the Lord. (well, try our best that is. What everyone can do) :)

Love you!

Sister Call

Week 64-Fixin' to write this here email..‏

Sorry. That's all the creative juices that were mustered this morning.

I'm headin' to the City! I'll be in OKC 2nd, living in Moore. President lives in my area. Member visits anyone? ;) Maybe we'll have to stop by for some water for a second... (Priscilla's Companion will be a Sister Jensen, she goes home next transfer, so once again Priscilla is "sending another Comp home")

This week's been wonderful! There's been a little bit of flooding (it's starting up again darn flabbit). Church was cancelled yesterday and it rained for 5 minutes! Phew. I am calm. My precious okies. I can't blame them. You really can't predict the weather here. One minute they're saying an F5 tornado is going to touch down and it sprinkles for a second...and then it flips around and does the opposite. Quirky. Quirky Oklahoma. 

Shirley is getting baptized on the 30th! She was going to get baptized this Saturday who would have thunk, our baptismal font decided to get remodeled/cleaned the past two weeks! Hm. Not funny. We had a lesson with her on Wednesday. We watched Prophet of the Restoration. After it finished everything was kind of quiet. Sister Cox quietly piped up, "So what do you think"? Shirley turned to us with tears streaming down her face, "You know what girls, I'd already made up my mind before we turned that on. We didn't even need to watch it." She then broke down in sobs "I've been searching for so long." What an experience, to be here with these children of God, to take part in helping them come to the knowledge of just who they are. 

We also had another major miracle happen! The Haley family. We went out to Walters. A little town, population 500 over 30 minutes away and stumbled upon these fine folks. They were an unknown on our ward roster. We knocked on their door and Brother Haley answered. He's not a member and neither is their daughter. Sister Haley was offended over 40 years ago. Well, no one has knocked on their door for years and we were able to get right in and teach them. They want to come to church and be baptized. the second lesson we taught was the Plan of Salvation and Sister Haley says she knows it's true. She always has. She is ready and wanting to come back to church. Blessings. What a miracle!

It's wonderful being here family. Once again, that's all I can say. I'm excited for this upcoming transfer! I love you all. Have only one incredible week!

Sister Call

PS. Sorry no pictures. A member has my camera right now. Long story..

Week 63- "Well, I had to give up 17 bucks worth of coffee, bucko!"

Okay. Most incredible week.

We had a lesson with Sheryl about the Word of Wisdom on Saturday. She has her normal cup of coffee every day, but the worst is the tea. Ooooo down south Ice tea is where the problem usually lies. After the lesson, she kind of sighed and followed us out the door. Asking her what was going on, she replied "If I don't get rid of it now, it's never going to happen. Let's be honest girls"! She then proceeded to knock on her neighbors door and promptly give him her $17 worth of coffee that she had just barely bought. !!!!!

We then had a lesson on fasting in gospel principles and she promptly testified to everyone that if she could give that stuff up, "Y'all better not think there's not anything you can't give up for the Lord since I could do that for Him" (..it was something along those lines)

The trios going well. We're out of it for the next two days but will be back at it again after. (It's a long story) 

Base has been incredible. Another individual that I've been blessed to teach, Brother Acfalle, was baptized yesterday. He saw the example of Burhnam and needed that for himself. Another battle buddy, Conner, is getting baptized in two weeks because of it too!! GAH. This work is incredible. Do you want to know why Ft. Sill has so much success? You got it, the MEMBERS. Honestly, the members bring them, we teach them, and then they testify, teach, and fellowship throughout the week to them. It's truly a remarkable experience. It's humbling, and I better apply these things for when I get back home. I promise you all, there's a reason that missionary work is a commandment for Everyone. I challenge everyone to apply this as well.

I sure love you all! Keep up the faith. Trust me, it's worth it.

Sister Call

PS. MIRACLE. We talked to a woman emptying her trash at a dumpster Saturday and she said that she'd been looking for a church for years and has always respected the LDS and wanted to learn more. and bam. She came to church on Sunday too. How incredible of the Lord, to place these people in our paths. I sure love my Heavenly Father and His love for us :) 

1)Sheryl and one amazing shirt

2) Nothing like eatin' pizza in the back of a pick up next to a dumpster for dinner

3) Brother Acfalle (yeah. I'll tell you all how to pronounce it when I get home)

4) Blessed Oklahoma's sidewalks