Hello Family, and dear friends,
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We are really excited to get Maureen home on Saturday! It's hard to believe it's been a year and a half. Where does the time go!!
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If you would like to come, she will be speaking right after the sacrament in our ward at the Cooley Park building, which is the building on McClellan closest to our house. We start at 1:30.
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We want her to have a chance to see everyone before she goes back up to BYU, so Sunday evening we would like to invite you to come and welcome her home. We'll be ready by about 7pm, so if you would like to, come anytime around then.
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Thank you again for the love and prayers on Maureen's behalf. She is lucky to have all of you in her life.
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Nile and Candi
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Last email from Sister Davis!!!
We can hardly believe Sister Davis will be home on Saturday! We are so happy to see her, and are so excited to hear what she has to say about her mission experience. Thank you all one more time for the love and support you have given Maureen and our family this past year and a half. It's been so much fun to share Maureen's emails with you. Thank you for your sweet responses, and for keeping her in your prayers. I know that she has felt supported by them. She will be heading out to BYU on the 23rd, so she won't be home long. But we will be able to CALL her if the mood strikes. Very happy about that. We love you guys. Thanks for being on the journey with us.
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Nile and Candi
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There are very few times in my life when I have felt so full of different, overwhelming, conflicting emotions.... This is one of them. I cannot believe this is my last email on my mission. It's hard to believe this day is here. I've had so many lasts lately that I feel like it should just continue going for another month or so. :) We had my last Mission President's fireside Sunday night. The spirit was strong and it was in Spanish so I was straining my ears to understand what was being said but we sand the Armies of Helaman in Spanish which was fun. Also, my last "baptism" on my mission was on Friday. But let me explain the background really quick.
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Beth, Ruth and Carsten have been investigating the church for a while now. Cars became 8 a few months ago and has been dying to be baptized while his mom and sister are more hesitant. Well up until Tuesday of this past week we weren't sure if Carsten would keep his baptismal date for the 11th. Tuesday night we talked with him and he was stoked for the baptism. So we had to get him interviewed and teach a few more things... and we could only see him on Friday because they were so busy. Well we start planning everything that night and then Wednesday morning the zone leaders texted us lots of questions about his baptism. Then the assistants called and asked if Carsten should really be an investigator or a convert. Well because his dad isn't a member we figured convert, but for the past year he's been living half the time in the same house as his member step-father... so we called President and he told us that he would be a child of record. Okay, no big deal, we don't care if it counts as convert or not, we just really want him to be baptized so he can finally get the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Well... he needs an interview with the Bishop before baptism... and Bishop's out of town until Sunday night. So fortunately, Carsten could be interviewed by the 1st counselor. So Friday night, at 8 o'clock, we schedule the interview, and while Cars is getting interviewed we had our district leader show up to allow Ruth the opportunity to know what the interview was like so she could decide if she wanted to be baptized or not on Saturday with her brother. After her interview our district leader invites Beth to talk to him! We were all slightly shocked because Beth doesn't like to talk about getting baptized when it comes to herself. After about 30 min. She comes out, we give them hugs, they leave and our district leader procedes to tell us that Beth has a date for the 26th of August! I don't think I've ever been that shocked. Well the next morning her husband, the member, texts us and tells us Beth would be baptized that day if her ex wasn't going to be there. Well we texted back to see what was going to happen... and we got no response! So 20 min before the baptism starts they aren't there yet, and we still don't know what's going on. Our whole district is literally pacing the floor. (It was actually quite amusing). They finally walk in 5 minutes to the hour and only Cars is getting baptized. So we were a bit dissapointed but so happy for Carsten. :) It was a really good day, even though stressful. And we're just excited for the next two weeks! Plus we have about 2 people right now that we haven't been able to meet with yet who want to be baptized... so we're working hard. And seeing mircles. Even though it's stressful. :) That was a very long explanation, sorry but I hope you can understand how utterly stressed I was.
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Well other than that, we've had a good week. We've gotten a lot done and seen some people we haven't been able to in a while. So it's been a very rewarding last few weeks.
So to end this wonderful mission, I want everyone to know that this has been the greatest experience of my life so far! I have learned sooooo much, so don't expect me to be the same. I have changed for the better, I have become converted! I can now talk More freely to others about my beliefs and share my testimony, and I love reading the scriptures and praying and going to church and being involved with everything. :) Okay so some things never change but I really have grown, and my love for the Savior has grown immensely. I KNOW He lives! I Know He loves us and that is why He layed down His life for us. I Know that we have a Prophet today, because God restored this church to the earth in it's fulness through Joseph Smith. I know he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I Love that book and I have come closer to my Savior through it than Anything else. It has brought me peace and joy, and comfort as I've read from it's pages. No other book has the same effect. I know it's true because I have read and prayed to know the truth and it has been revealed to me that it Is true! I Know we can each receive revelation for our daily lives and I'm so grateful that we have a Father in Heaven who cares enough to listen to us any time, any place. I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior so much. Of those things I humbly testify. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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Love Sister Davis
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Nile and Candi
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There are very few times in my life when I have felt so full of different, overwhelming, conflicting emotions.... This is one of them. I cannot believe this is my last email on my mission. It's hard to believe this day is here. I've had so many lasts lately that I feel like it should just continue going for another month or so. :) We had my last Mission President's fireside Sunday night. The spirit was strong and it was in Spanish so I was straining my ears to understand what was being said but we sand the Armies of Helaman in Spanish which was fun. Also, my last "baptism" on my mission was on Friday. But let me explain the background really quick.
.
Beth, Ruth and Carsten have been investigating the church for a while now. Cars became 8 a few months ago and has been dying to be baptized while his mom and sister are more hesitant. Well up until Tuesday of this past week we weren't sure if Carsten would keep his baptismal date for the 11th. Tuesday night we talked with him and he was stoked for the baptism. So we had to get him interviewed and teach a few more things... and we could only see him on Friday because they were so busy. Well we start planning everything that night and then Wednesday morning the zone leaders texted us lots of questions about his baptism. Then the assistants called and asked if Carsten should really be an investigator or a convert. Well because his dad isn't a member we figured convert, but for the past year he's been living half the time in the same house as his member step-father... so we called President and he told us that he would be a child of record. Okay, no big deal, we don't care if it counts as convert or not, we just really want him to be baptized so he can finally get the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Well... he needs an interview with the Bishop before baptism... and Bishop's out of town until Sunday night. So fortunately, Carsten could be interviewed by the 1st counselor. So Friday night, at 8 o'clock, we schedule the interview, and while Cars is getting interviewed we had our district leader show up to allow Ruth the opportunity to know what the interview was like so she could decide if she wanted to be baptized or not on Saturday with her brother. After her interview our district leader invites Beth to talk to him! We were all slightly shocked because Beth doesn't like to talk about getting baptized when it comes to herself. After about 30 min. She comes out, we give them hugs, they leave and our district leader procedes to tell us that Beth has a date for the 26th of August! I don't think I've ever been that shocked. Well the next morning her husband, the member, texts us and tells us Beth would be baptized that day if her ex wasn't going to be there. Well we texted back to see what was going to happen... and we got no response! So 20 min before the baptism starts they aren't there yet, and we still don't know what's going on. Our whole district is literally pacing the floor. (It was actually quite amusing). They finally walk in 5 minutes to the hour and only Cars is getting baptized. So we were a bit dissapointed but so happy for Carsten. :) It was a really good day, even though stressful. And we're just excited for the next two weeks! Plus we have about 2 people right now that we haven't been able to meet with yet who want to be baptized... so we're working hard. And seeing mircles. Even though it's stressful. :) That was a very long explanation, sorry but I hope you can understand how utterly stressed I was.
.
Well other than that, we've had a good week. We've gotten a lot done and seen some people we haven't been able to in a while. So it's been a very rewarding last few weeks.
So to end this wonderful mission, I want everyone to know that this has been the greatest experience of my life so far! I have learned sooooo much, so don't expect me to be the same. I have changed for the better, I have become converted! I can now talk More freely to others about my beliefs and share my testimony, and I love reading the scriptures and praying and going to church and being involved with everything. :) Okay so some things never change but I really have grown, and my love for the Savior has grown immensely. I KNOW He lives! I Know He loves us and that is why He layed down His life for us. I Know that we have a Prophet today, because God restored this church to the earth in it's fulness through Joseph Smith. I know he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I Love that book and I have come closer to my Savior through it than Anything else. It has brought me peace and joy, and comfort as I've read from it's pages. No other book has the same effect. I know it's true because I have read and prayed to know the truth and it has been revealed to me that it Is true! I Know we can each receive revelation for our daily lives and I'm so grateful that we have a Father in Heaven who cares enough to listen to us any time, any place. I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior so much. Of those things I humbly testify. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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Love Sister Davis
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Week 66 - Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Here is Maureen's second to last email!! I can't really believe that she will be home in two weeks!
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Dear Family... and everyone else.
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I cannot express to you how happy I am. I don't even know where I would start. No, nothing huge has happened but I think when we realize what trial we've been going through and are able to finally overcome it that is huge miracle! So, yes I've overcome a large trial I've had on my mission. Hallelujah! But it would probably be boring for you to listen to and it would take me days to explain... so maybe someday I'll tell you. :)
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Well as for the work, we haven't been able to see Carston in a while, but he's supposed to be baptized this saturday! So we're meeting with his family tonight and we'll see if he's still on track for this week. We've been working with the members a lot this week specifically with the Martin's. Their 18 year old son is currently dating a non-member. She is really sweet and has come to church with him often. SO we're hopefully going to see her this week! She has a lot of questions and is really interested. Hopefully if we talk with her this week we can ask to teach her family too. They aren't very religious but they are open to her hanging around the mormons. :) Another family we're working with are the Pulsiphers. They have a son who is also dating a non-member and she is Very interested in learning more. Basically there are lots of people who are interested in the Gospel and we've been able to teach so many lessons lately, it's been a wonderful way to finish strong.
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Sister Turner and I are working as hard as we can trying to make every second count. :) We had a wonderful meeting with our relief society president last night. We talked about the Gospel, it's importance, why we need to live it and how it is only through the Savior's atonement that it is possible to live this gospel. She had lots of wonderful thoughts and experiences that opened my eyes to the many different ways the Atonement works through us. :) I love my mission SO much. I could never compare it to Elder Holland's love for his mission but I know that I am who I am today because of the many lessons I've learned on my mission, and I have become so much better because of those experiences. :) I will forever treasure what I've learned here. And I know I will be different when I get home, so bear with me. I was able to bear my testimony in my last zone leader council meeting this past thursday. And I can't share it the way I did there but I want you to know that I know Christ lives, I know Heavenly Father loves each of His children and that He calls us to be His hands here on earth to share that message with those around us. So share it with everyone! I love you all so much! Stay strong!
.
Love Sister Davis
.
Dear Family... and everyone else.
.
I cannot express to you how happy I am. I don't even know where I would start. No, nothing huge has happened but I think when we realize what trial we've been going through and are able to finally overcome it that is huge miracle! So, yes I've overcome a large trial I've had on my mission. Hallelujah! But it would probably be boring for you to listen to and it would take me days to explain... so maybe someday I'll tell you. :)
.
Well as for the work, we haven't been able to see Carston in a while, but he's supposed to be baptized this saturday! So we're meeting with his family tonight and we'll see if he's still on track for this week. We've been working with the members a lot this week specifically with the Martin's. Their 18 year old son is currently dating a non-member. She is really sweet and has come to church with him often. SO we're hopefully going to see her this week! She has a lot of questions and is really interested. Hopefully if we talk with her this week we can ask to teach her family too. They aren't very religious but they are open to her hanging around the mormons. :) Another family we're working with are the Pulsiphers. They have a son who is also dating a non-member and she is Very interested in learning more. Basically there are lots of people who are interested in the Gospel and we've been able to teach so many lessons lately, it's been a wonderful way to finish strong.
.
Sister Turner and I are working as hard as we can trying to make every second count. :) We had a wonderful meeting with our relief society president last night. We talked about the Gospel, it's importance, why we need to live it and how it is only through the Savior's atonement that it is possible to live this gospel. She had lots of wonderful thoughts and experiences that opened my eyes to the many different ways the Atonement works through us. :) I love my mission SO much. I could never compare it to Elder Holland's love for his mission but I know that I am who I am today because of the many lessons I've learned on my mission, and I have become so much better because of those experiences. :) I will forever treasure what I've learned here. And I know I will be different when I get home, so bear with me. I was able to bear my testimony in my last zone leader council meeting this past thursday. And I can't share it the way I did there but I want you to know that I know Christ lives, I know Heavenly Father loves each of His children and that He calls us to be His hands here on earth to share that message with those around us. So share it with everyone! I love you all so much! Stay strong!
.
Love Sister Davis
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