Dearest Family and Friends... Yeah! (Maddy knows where that's from)
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I have so much news to tell you!!!!
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For starters Todd is getting Baptized!!! He is the last member in a part member family to get baptized and I can't tell you what a change we've seen in him! He's so different then when we started teaching him. He's much more peaceful and happy, psh if that was all this church did for people I'd be happy! It's been so neat to see his growth. He started from not even knowing if God existed to now knowing that this is true and that he needs to be apart of it. He's getting baptized November 26th, and He's telling people about it! It's so neat!
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Okay, so tomorrow is transfer meeting and Sis. Hudson and I were So sure we weren't getting moved and then we got a call this morning. I felt my heart drop to the floor. I wasn't ready to leave Green Valley! Well Elder Belt, our zone leader told us, "Sis. Davis..... (longest pause of my life).... you're staying and Sis. Hudson......... you're staying too!" So why in the world did we need the call? Because both of us are training! I barely end the training program for Sis. Hudson on Sunday and I'm back on it. Which is actually really nice bc now I'll get these things ingrained in my head, being the third time I've been through this training program with my own during the pilot program. Ha! We're still in shock and don't know exactly what to think! It's crazy. Hopefully I'll be able to help this new sister and be able to work with Sis. Hudson to help her too! It's so neat that Sis. Hudson, who I trained is now helping me train right after her training. I know she'll be great. :)
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Okay another late development, a week ago we had something called Santana winds. They are super fast Dry winds that if there is any fire at all, it can spread rapidly! So we got nervous on wednesday but no big deal because the next day was POURing rain. And in australia apparently it's called "bucketing." so I'll let you imagine that. :) It's not always fun to go out in the rain but Some people will take pity on us and let us in. So we talked with lots of people that day.
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I've been summoned to sing in church on Thanksgiving sunday. Sis. Davis, the choir director found out I liked singing and invited me to use my talents, haha I don't know if I can promise anything good in a ward with so much talent. I am constantly humbled for sure. :)
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Speaking of humbling, I have been so humbled this week. This Sunday I realized that I needed to learn the things I'm learning this way. I could not be the person I am today if I hadn't come on a mission, I would not be the Missionary I am today if I wasn't constantly challenged by change, I couldn't learn the way I learn if I had been one of those Preach My Gospel missionaries on the DVDs, I couldn't teach the way I teach without the training program that I'm Constantly on, and I couldn't keep improving without things that take me continuously out of my comfort zone. It was a really neat realization that God does have a plan for me, He does care what happens to me and that every situation I'm in is for my benefit, my learning and growth. I was able to share that yesterday with a woman we're teaching. Her name is Kathy and she has had so many health issues that sometimes she wonders why God gives her these things. I was able to share my experience and how I'm always wondering if I'm going to be able to help those around me. She told us, "you don't have to worry. having you sit in my living room at all has changed my life and lifted my spirits like you can't imagine." She told us that we are affecting those around us and that I don't need to worry about it. It was so sweet to hear her feel that way and to have a reconfirmation that I Am doing the right thing right now. :) I know this church is true. I love it and I love being a part of this missionary service to God. There is no better place that I can be right now.
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I love you all and hope you are all doing well and being strong. I pray for you all daily!
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
??? Missing a week?
Hey, don't know what happened this week, as there was no letter to post. Sorry, I'll have the next ones up as soon as I get them from Maureen's Mom.
Em
Em
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Week 34 - Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Wow! Everything sounds like it's going well. The dinners, lunches, talks, etc, all completed, now it's just halloween and the holidays coming up! :) I miss not making the pumpkin cookies and carving pumpkins while listening to scary music... i almost want to wait another semester before going back to school but I think I would get WAY too bored at home. I keep hearing from RMs who are so bored at home and who just can't sit still. I'm sure I'll be like that for quite a few months. The members in our ward are doing well! They now come up to Us telling us how so and so shared the gospel this week and how they said this and that. It's really cool to see them getting excited about the work. We have a great ward who are finally getting out of their comfort zone. And to tell you the honest truth I think it's because I'M finally getting out of my comfort zone again. I'm attempting to talk to everyone (haha you should just see me striking up random conversation with people in the street) Fortunatley I have Sis. Hudson to help me. :) She is a great companion, still has things to learn as we all do but she does everything so well and just shines with her love of the gospel and the importance it has in her life. :)
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So a few random happenings as of late:
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1. We have fog. And I mean thick and intense fog. Sunday morning we were driving to ward council and I could barely see 20 feet ahead of me! I don't think I've ever been in something so thick before! It was pretty cool. And each morning when we exercise we have a bit of foggy overcast. I'll send some before and after pictures haha.
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2. I've learned something lately. If we have a change in perspective we get a change of attitude and when our attitudes are changed, our actions change. Mondays are always difficult days because no one wants to set up things on Monday. Well yesterday during study I had a new perspective of the work. That when we work hard and focus on the Lord and His work we aren't so intimidated or fearful so I determined to have a better attitude about Mondays and to just work my hardest and focus on others instead of myself. As a result, we worked harder and we made sure we were always busy fulfilling our purpose, helping and inviting others to come to Christ and yesterday was the Best Monday ever. I think it was better then some of our other week days too! So there you have it. :)
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3. I've also learned that teaching with the Holy Ghost is like reading a new book or having a light turned on in your head. I feel like each time I teach others with the Spirit, I myself am learning so much more! I'll be saying something and then everything clicks and I know what I'm saying is true or I'll start saying something I've never even thought about so I know it must be the Spirit. It is truly a miracle. And Elder Holland said that when we are enlightened as we teach we can know with a surety that the Spirit is present and is leading the discussion. People cannot be converted without the Spirit. We were teaching a man a few days ago and he's trying to understand faith and how he can have it in his life to believe what we believe. While we were talking we were being completely led by the spirit. Unfortunately, a comment was made by another family member that completely changed the atmosphere and the spirit left. Out of no fault of the family member there was immediate contention and we could Not teach anymore. We tried to bring it back but it never really came back. We had to apologize and stop our teaching. We showed a mormon message and then set up another time to visit and left. It was sad to think that we were doing so well and that the Spirit was there one minute and had to leave the next. I know the adversary is trying to keep the work from continuing but God's work will not be stopped and every soul's salvation is so important to the Lord that He won't allow some mere servent (aka me) to mess it up. How wonderful that is to know.
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4. Last night we were teaching a woman who's name is Carolyn. She is a friend to one of our members. Their grandson invited her son a few weeks ago to attend church and they both ended up attending which is how we met them. It was so neat to see how the members were being so brave. Well we talked to her and she sounded slightly interested but not so much. We decided we'd try calling her anyway so we got her number and after weeks of her being out of town we finally got a hold of her last week and she set a time to meet with us yesterday. We still didn't think she'd be that interested but we went in with hope and talked about the Book of Mormon. We read the introduction with her and she was so fascinated! She said she'd come to church again and that we could meet with her on Sunday! We were walking on the clouds as we left. :) It's always been so wonderful to see a new-found light when people investigate the church and realize that there is so much hope and peace available in this world.
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5. Members have been asking us when we meet, why did we come out on a mission in the first place? It's always interesting to remember how I was when I was younger and apparently I thought I'd go on a mission, but it was never anything I think I really planned on. But here I am, serving the people in San Diego, California, studying my scriptures like never before and sharing my testimony with everyone I meet. :) I know there is no other place that I should be then here and now. I love it here and I know that what I'm doing is right. And it feels so good and I've gained a much better relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm still working on it and always will be but I love where I am now and I wouldn't change that for the world. President Sabin, our stake President in Poway asked me "what are you going to do after your mission knowing all you know now?" Honestly I'm not sure as to the peticulars but I know I'll be attempting to be the best member missionary ever, I will study my scriptures daily, I will communicate with my Father daily, I will attempt to keep all the Christ-like attributes I have gained and I will always want to be the best person I can be to everyone around me. I never want to change. I Love who I'm becomming on my mission. And I'm so thankful to my Father in Heaven for helping me come out here and learn.
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I love you all and hope you are all doing really well in life! Keep up the missionary work, keep your life worthy of the spirit and enjoy every moment of every day. I Love my Father in Heaven and My Savior.
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
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So a few random happenings as of late:
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1. We have fog. And I mean thick and intense fog. Sunday morning we were driving to ward council and I could barely see 20 feet ahead of me! I don't think I've ever been in something so thick before! It was pretty cool. And each morning when we exercise we have a bit of foggy overcast. I'll send some before and after pictures haha.
.
2. I've learned something lately. If we have a change in perspective we get a change of attitude and when our attitudes are changed, our actions change. Mondays are always difficult days because no one wants to set up things on Monday. Well yesterday during study I had a new perspective of the work. That when we work hard and focus on the Lord and His work we aren't so intimidated or fearful so I determined to have a better attitude about Mondays and to just work my hardest and focus on others instead of myself. As a result, we worked harder and we made sure we were always busy fulfilling our purpose, helping and inviting others to come to Christ and yesterday was the Best Monday ever. I think it was better then some of our other week days too! So there you have it. :)
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3. I've also learned that teaching with the Holy Ghost is like reading a new book or having a light turned on in your head. I feel like each time I teach others with the Spirit, I myself am learning so much more! I'll be saying something and then everything clicks and I know what I'm saying is true or I'll start saying something I've never even thought about so I know it must be the Spirit. It is truly a miracle. And Elder Holland said that when we are enlightened as we teach we can know with a surety that the Spirit is present and is leading the discussion. People cannot be converted without the Spirit. We were teaching a man a few days ago and he's trying to understand faith and how he can have it in his life to believe what we believe. While we were talking we were being completely led by the spirit. Unfortunately, a comment was made by another family member that completely changed the atmosphere and the spirit left. Out of no fault of the family member there was immediate contention and we could Not teach anymore. We tried to bring it back but it never really came back. We had to apologize and stop our teaching. We showed a mormon message and then set up another time to visit and left. It was sad to think that we were doing so well and that the Spirit was there one minute and had to leave the next. I know the adversary is trying to keep the work from continuing but God's work will not be stopped and every soul's salvation is so important to the Lord that He won't allow some mere servent (aka me) to mess it up. How wonderful that is to know.
.
4. Last night we were teaching a woman who's name is Carolyn. She is a friend to one of our members. Their grandson invited her son a few weeks ago to attend church and they both ended up attending which is how we met them. It was so neat to see how the members were being so brave. Well we talked to her and she sounded slightly interested but not so much. We decided we'd try calling her anyway so we got her number and after weeks of her being out of town we finally got a hold of her last week and she set a time to meet with us yesterday. We still didn't think she'd be that interested but we went in with hope and talked about the Book of Mormon. We read the introduction with her and she was so fascinated! She said she'd come to church again and that we could meet with her on Sunday! We were walking on the clouds as we left. :) It's always been so wonderful to see a new-found light when people investigate the church and realize that there is so much hope and peace available in this world.
.
5. Members have been asking us when we meet, why did we come out on a mission in the first place? It's always interesting to remember how I was when I was younger and apparently I thought I'd go on a mission, but it was never anything I think I really planned on. But here I am, serving the people in San Diego, California, studying my scriptures like never before and sharing my testimony with everyone I meet. :) I know there is no other place that I should be then here and now. I love it here and I know that what I'm doing is right. And it feels so good and I've gained a much better relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm still working on it and always will be but I love where I am now and I wouldn't change that for the world. President Sabin, our stake President in Poway asked me "what are you going to do after your mission knowing all you know now?" Honestly I'm not sure as to the peticulars but I know I'll be attempting to be the best member missionary ever, I will study my scriptures daily, I will communicate with my Father daily, I will attempt to keep all the Christ-like attributes I have gained and I will always want to be the best person I can be to everyone around me. I never want to change. I Love who I'm becomming on my mission. And I'm so thankful to my Father in Heaven for helping me come out here and learn.
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I love you all and hope you are all doing really well in life! Keep up the missionary work, keep your life worthy of the spirit and enjoy every moment of every day. I Love my Father in Heaven and My Savior.
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Week 33 - Thursday, October 6th, 2011
Wow this is a long one to respond to.....
So my week has been great! We didn't meet with many investigators but I feel like we're getting on top of things again which is really good. Those investigators we do have are doing well. They are all the stubborn sort who don't like to meet often so we're going to try and explain the importance of meeting more and coming to church. But their interest is sincere and they do want to know more, so that's been good.
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As for the members, they've been great. We've been working more with members this week inviting them to work on missionary work and just get to know their friends more and invite them to things. Unfortunately, our ward council, which is top notch, has not been focused on the Rescue as much, even after that talk by Elder Alonso. Bishop is on top of it but it doesn't seem like the rest of the council is interested in helping the missionary work with less actives. It's somewhat frustrating as they just assume the missionaries do everything. Maybe I should share with them what Elder Perry told us. When he visited he told us that as we work with the ward council and combine our efforts in helping the missionary work then the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings. I believe it! Now I just need to be humble enough to let the ward council actually help and I need to encourage them to help in the work. It may come through serving them first though. So we'll see how it works out. ;)
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One of the families we've been working with lately is the Tengburgs (or Tengyburgers according to Sis. Hudson) They are such a great family and so full of life and energy and a desire to serve. They may come to Mesa to go to the Easter Pageant in April (only 6 months away haha) and if they do I'll give them your number - they said they'd love to meet you. I love them so much, they are just a fabulous family! Anywho, I really don't know what more to say about our week - it was pretty slow this week. But something sis Hudson and I are trying is to memorize a scripture every day - it's not working out too well bc we keep forgetting but we can "try, try again." :)
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Mom - good luck with the holidays. And you don't need to worry - something I learned this week is that worrying is like rocking a rocking chair. You can go back and forth as much as you'd like but in the end you are in the same spot. :) So no need to worry, it'll all work out. And as for things you can send... maybe a blouse or two or a few cardigans (quarter or full length sleeves) but I may go shopping today to look for things. I just need a change of clothes... the shirts are starting to get worn. :p Oh bother. Other then that I can't really think of anything... okay maybe some sweets... you know me and my sugar tooth - I've been pretty good lately though so maybe it deserves a treat haha? Anway, I love you all and hope you are all doing well! I pray for you each night!
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Last thoughts, A while ago Sis. Hudson told me that her teacher in the MTC would tell them that if people, whether investigators or members, have doubts in the church or are second guessing and justifying things then they aren't reading the Book of Mormon every day. There is no way you can read the Book of Mormon every day, study and ponder and pray about it and be lead off the path. How neat is that? So I've made sure I'm studying the Book of Mormon every day and it's so true. The more I read it, the more I ponder the message it contains, the more I understand, the more I understand the more I know it is true and that no one but Prophets inspired of God could write that book. Every page testifies of Jesus Christ and His divinity. It is really a very special book. :) So keep reading the Book of Mormon, study and ponder it Every day! I love you all!
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
So my week has been great! We didn't meet with many investigators but I feel like we're getting on top of things again which is really good. Those investigators we do have are doing well. They are all the stubborn sort who don't like to meet often so we're going to try and explain the importance of meeting more and coming to church. But their interest is sincere and they do want to know more, so that's been good.
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As for the members, they've been great. We've been working more with members this week inviting them to work on missionary work and just get to know their friends more and invite them to things. Unfortunately, our ward council, which is top notch, has not been focused on the Rescue as much, even after that talk by Elder Alonso. Bishop is on top of it but it doesn't seem like the rest of the council is interested in helping the missionary work with less actives. It's somewhat frustrating as they just assume the missionaries do everything. Maybe I should share with them what Elder Perry told us. When he visited he told us that as we work with the ward council and combine our efforts in helping the missionary work then the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings. I believe it! Now I just need to be humble enough to let the ward council actually help and I need to encourage them to help in the work. It may come through serving them first though. So we'll see how it works out. ;)
.
One of the families we've been working with lately is the Tengburgs (or Tengyburgers according to Sis. Hudson) They are such a great family and so full of life and energy and a desire to serve. They may come to Mesa to go to the Easter Pageant in April (only 6 months away haha) and if they do I'll give them your number - they said they'd love to meet you. I love them so much, they are just a fabulous family! Anywho, I really don't know what more to say about our week - it was pretty slow this week. But something sis Hudson and I are trying is to memorize a scripture every day - it's not working out too well bc we keep forgetting but we can "try, try again." :)
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Mom - good luck with the holidays. And you don't need to worry - something I learned this week is that worrying is like rocking a rocking chair. You can go back and forth as much as you'd like but in the end you are in the same spot. :) So no need to worry, it'll all work out. And as for things you can send... maybe a blouse or two or a few cardigans (quarter or full length sleeves) but I may go shopping today to look for things. I just need a change of clothes... the shirts are starting to get worn. :p Oh bother. Other then that I can't really think of anything... okay maybe some sweets... you know me and my sugar tooth - I've been pretty good lately though so maybe it deserves a treat haha? Anway, I love you all and hope you are all doing well! I pray for you each night!
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Last thoughts, A while ago Sis. Hudson told me that her teacher in the MTC would tell them that if people, whether investigators or members, have doubts in the church or are second guessing and justifying things then they aren't reading the Book of Mormon every day. There is no way you can read the Book of Mormon every day, study and ponder and pray about it and be lead off the path. How neat is that? So I've made sure I'm studying the Book of Mormon every day and it's so true. The more I read it, the more I ponder the message it contains, the more I understand, the more I understand the more I know it is true and that no one but Prophets inspired of God could write that book. Every page testifies of Jesus Christ and His divinity. It is really a very special book. :) So keep reading the Book of Mormon, study and ponder it Every day! I love you all!
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
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