Family,
.
thank you for the stories and updates, it's great to hear that everything is going well back home and that you are all hard at work on something. :)
.
This past week has been a lot better. We were able to meet a lot more of the people in our ward, we've met with almost all the investigators the last sisters had been working with, we just have one left and he's Always busy with work. We are working with someone named Rob, he has had a hard life and now just wants to find real happiness, as his two daughters are growing up and they need a good example in their life. He sees that and desires to be a good example so they can grow up strong while he didn't. He met with us last night and told us how he really wants to change his life around and be good and he likes what we say and how we treat everyone and our church services and he wants to learn. he is a true seeker of truth. :) He's prepared by the Lord. It's so great to see when people are prepared to learn more, when they have been truly humbled by the Lord. we talked to him about the Book of Mormon and explained how Joseph Smith fit into everything and he enjoyed it and said he would read and pray about it. He's a great guy.
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Another man we're working with is John, an elderly gentleman who is really depressed. He doesn't think he's done anything worthwhile in his life, and he feels like a failure. He used to play the Trumpet but won't now because he thinks he is terrible at it. We encouraged him to try playing and to listen to our message which will bring the happiness he's been missing. He's hard of hearing so it can be hard at times but we talked with him yesterday and told him about the restoration. It was a really neat experience to see him following along, realizing that the priesthood had been taken off the earth and that the only way of getting it back was for God to call a new prophet in these days. It made sense to him and he knew there should be a prophet today. He just thought it was strange that he had never heard of our prophet today. So we gave him the Book of Mormon and invited him to read. He said he would that night!!! This is a HUGE jump for John. We were so happy after that meeting!
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As for the other two ladies we have met with, one is named Flo and the other I can't name for certain reasons. But They are both awesome! Flo is married to a less active and has three kids, two of which chose to be baptized into the church as their grandparents have continued to take them to church. Flo's husband realized a while ago that there would come a time when Flo would be interested and he would have to gain the testimony he never had before. So they are both learning and on the road to conversion. Flo has asked why she has to be baptized when we told her it made sense to her and she said the one thing she has to figure out is the priesthood. So we talked to her about it and she said she'll pray about it. Our lesson went really well and we actually had dinner with her and her family last night. They are such a wonderful family and we love them dearly! Flo has made two HUGE steps lately. She is someone who doesn't like to be pressured into things and so we've invited her to come to church and stay longer than sacrament meeting a few times. Well our first Sunday there, she stayed for Gospel Principles! Huge step #1, and then this past Sunday I was doubtful she'd stay but I invited her to stay for Relief Society, and she said it was time for her to try it! Huge step #2. It was great and she made a comment in Gospel Principles about fasting! It was perfect! She is wonderful and we love working with her. The other lady we work with, her husband was recently baptized, they actually found the church themselves and have been taught over the past year, and she is so ready for baptism! As soon as she is available she will be baptized, we're hoping for the 27th of August.
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Those are the main people we work with, we've been trying to get to know the members better and how we can help their families work on being better member missionaries, it's been really good. We have so many incredible families in this ward who, even though they are wealthier and I always am amazed by their houses, they have been humbled through hard times and they love the Lord because of it! One of these families is actually the Davis's haha. They like to come with us to appointments and their oldest son just came back from his mission so he's been coming to lots of our appointments with us. They are such a wonderful family that have gone through lots of hardships. We love them a lot. And maybe we're related... maybe. haha
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Just recent things that have happened, we had a Pioneer picnic at the park with our stake on Saturday, it was wonderful, John came! which was really big for him. He loved it and we had cinnamon rolls galore to munch on. :) Oh! I saw the Davies family! I don't know if you remember them but they went to Aspen Grove with us a few years back and Trevor and Kristin, who were in my group started the game Hi-ya. I saw Trevor on Saturday which was really funny, we talked a bit and I found out this was his stake! What are the odds? You can tell Maddy that Josh Davies is currently serving a mission in Oklahoma, if she remembers him haha.
.
So Guess who's coming to visit us this Saturday!? Sis. Clayton's father, Elder Ballard! We're so excited to meet with him and see what he has to tell us concerning missionary work. We're so excited to get the work rolling even better. It's such an exciting time right now. The field is white already to harvest and I am one who has been called to the work. it's such a great work! I'm so happy serving here and I love this Gospel. :) the wonderful thing is the more I help others understand it more, the more I begin to understand it. It's so great and I love learning even more. :)
.
I hope Utah is treating you well and I hope you enjoy your visit to BYU today. I love you all so much. I hope you are all doing well and that you are staying happy and doing that missionary work! Members really are the way for finding. We tract a little but it is much more effective to have a member bring one of their friends who has seen the way the Gospel changes their lives and wants to know more. This is a marvelous work. I don't want it to end! :)
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Love ya!
Love Sister Maureen Davis.
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P.s. I haven't gotten mail yet so I'll see if I get the package later today. But I'll thank you in advance! :) Love you!!!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Week 22 - Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Dearest Family,
.
Thank you for your letter, I know you are all busy so thanks for taking the time to write. I'm doing well... as for the new area, I'm in the New Poway stake, the place that we just acquired a few transfers ago so I'm pretty much at the tip of the mission, away from Everything! It's kinda sad bc I liked being in the middle of the hustle and bustle. But now I'm in a Very rich area. I live with a member who is rich and we pretty much live in a mansion. No big deal! haha it's really cool, I get to play tennis every morning on her private tennis court... I'm still not good though. I'm with Sis. McCloy still~ which means we whitewhashed the area. That's the 4th time this year for the ward we are in, Green Valley. They were pretty upset when they heard it was being whitewashed AGAIN. We called our ward mission leader and he told us how annoyed he was. Here we are two sisters who have only been on their missions for 5 months, who just got out of a very confusing area, who have only had trainers for 6 weeks and the rest of the time we've been trying to figure out everything on our own, who this is the first time for both of us to white wash and everyone in our ward is slightly upset... it's been a rough few days but thankfully because of it, we have needed to humble ourselves and we have to work harder then we've ever worked before. We cannot do this without Heavenly Father and we're so grateful for His help. Thank heavens for this Gospel and for the Atonement that helps us out in hard situations like these.
.
I have felt in increase in love and support and I'm so greatful for it. The ward is now very welcoming, we've met the people and already we love the ward. Our ward mission leader is now really good with us, we call him every other night to check in and let him know what's going on. I don't think I've ever talked to anyone in our wards this much haha. But it's been really good. The ward is beginning to trust us and realize that we are here for them and that all we want to do is to help. They are very open now and we are just trying to get to know everyone in the ward still. It's hard work but I love it. This ward is really good at fellowshipping, pretty much they ask us if they can come with us to our appointments and they wrap their arms around everyone who comes in. Now if they were just good at finding they wouldn't even need the missionaries haha.
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Well I would write a lot more but we have limited time on the computers at the library. Hopefully next week we'll be down in SDSU area again visiting people and using the computers down there. :) Well I'm glad that everything is going so well! I'm glad that you all are doing well and enjoying your vacation. I hope you know I love you all so much! And really all I really need is prayers, for me for my investigators, etc. :) This is a hard time and we're trying to do our best to get through it as happy as possible. We made a list of goals we have for our companionship and the vision we have of working here, after that things have gone so much better so we have high hopes! We are working with a few people right now that I already love. We met them our first night here which was a big shock to them, seeing new missionaries, but we're working with Flo, a nonmember in a part member family, and she is making monumental strides already so we're excited for her. Though she doesn't admit it, we know that she knows this church is true, she just hasn't told her family yet which is scary for her. So we're helping her.
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We're also working with another lady who is amazing, she is ready for baptism and she knows it is true but she is going to Iran this week so we have to wait till after for her to be baptized. And beacuse our ward was at the same time Alicia's baptism was, we weren't able to go, but we heard it was amazing and hopefully we will get pictures with her when we visit. :)
Well I don't know what more to say. The work is going well, we love our ward, it's hard but worth it. The funny thing is that the week before transfers I asked Heavenly Father to humble me because I know I can't get much farther without being humble... then I got sent here. I think I'm being humbled haha. We are hoping that we can be the best missionaries we can be and we're just hoping and praying for all the help we can get haha.
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As for Tara, I actually have been thinking about writing her this week so thanks for the reminder. I will definitely send her a letter. I hope she is doing well at least and I know she is serving the mission the Lord has intended for her. :)
Well I love you all! I'll write more next week when it's less crazy. :)
.
Love ya!
Love Sister Davis
.
P.s. tell grandmommy and granddaddy I love them very much! And I hope they got my letter a while back.
P.s.s. I'll have to write more about my new mission pres. next time - honestly I don't know much about them bc I haven't really seen them since that first week but I'll let you know for sure.
.
Thank you for your letter, I know you are all busy so thanks for taking the time to write. I'm doing well... as for the new area, I'm in the New Poway stake, the place that we just acquired a few transfers ago so I'm pretty much at the tip of the mission, away from Everything! It's kinda sad bc I liked being in the middle of the hustle and bustle. But now I'm in a Very rich area. I live with a member who is rich and we pretty much live in a mansion. No big deal! haha it's really cool, I get to play tennis every morning on her private tennis court... I'm still not good though. I'm with Sis. McCloy still~ which means we whitewhashed the area. That's the 4th time this year for the ward we are in, Green Valley. They were pretty upset when they heard it was being whitewashed AGAIN. We called our ward mission leader and he told us how annoyed he was. Here we are two sisters who have only been on their missions for 5 months, who just got out of a very confusing area, who have only had trainers for 6 weeks and the rest of the time we've been trying to figure out everything on our own, who this is the first time for both of us to white wash and everyone in our ward is slightly upset... it's been a rough few days but thankfully because of it, we have needed to humble ourselves and we have to work harder then we've ever worked before. We cannot do this without Heavenly Father and we're so grateful for His help. Thank heavens for this Gospel and for the Atonement that helps us out in hard situations like these.
.
I have felt in increase in love and support and I'm so greatful for it. The ward is now very welcoming, we've met the people and already we love the ward. Our ward mission leader is now really good with us, we call him every other night to check in and let him know what's going on. I don't think I've ever talked to anyone in our wards this much haha. But it's been really good. The ward is beginning to trust us and realize that we are here for them and that all we want to do is to help. They are very open now and we are just trying to get to know everyone in the ward still. It's hard work but I love it. This ward is really good at fellowshipping, pretty much they ask us if they can come with us to our appointments and they wrap their arms around everyone who comes in. Now if they were just good at finding they wouldn't even need the missionaries haha.
.
Well I would write a lot more but we have limited time on the computers at the library. Hopefully next week we'll be down in SDSU area again visiting people and using the computers down there. :) Well I'm glad that everything is going so well! I'm glad that you all are doing well and enjoying your vacation. I hope you know I love you all so much! And really all I really need is prayers, for me for my investigators, etc. :) This is a hard time and we're trying to do our best to get through it as happy as possible. We made a list of goals we have for our companionship and the vision we have of working here, after that things have gone so much better so we have high hopes! We are working with a few people right now that I already love. We met them our first night here which was a big shock to them, seeing new missionaries, but we're working with Flo, a nonmember in a part member family, and she is making monumental strides already so we're excited for her. Though she doesn't admit it, we know that she knows this church is true, she just hasn't told her family yet which is scary for her. So we're helping her.
.
We're also working with another lady who is amazing, she is ready for baptism and she knows it is true but she is going to Iran this week so we have to wait till after for her to be baptized. And beacuse our ward was at the same time Alicia's baptism was, we weren't able to go, but we heard it was amazing and hopefully we will get pictures with her when we visit. :)
Well I don't know what more to say. The work is going well, we love our ward, it's hard but worth it. The funny thing is that the week before transfers I asked Heavenly Father to humble me because I know I can't get much farther without being humble... then I got sent here. I think I'm being humbled haha. We are hoping that we can be the best missionaries we can be and we're just hoping and praying for all the help we can get haha.
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As for Tara, I actually have been thinking about writing her this week so thanks for the reminder. I will definitely send her a letter. I hope she is doing well at least and I know she is serving the mission the Lord has intended for her. :)
Well I love you all! I'll write more next week when it's less crazy. :)
.
Love ya!
Love Sister Davis
.
P.s. tell grandmommy and granddaddy I love them very much! And I hope they got my letter a while back.
P.s.s. I'll have to write more about my new mission pres. next time - honestly I don't know much about them bc I haven't really seen them since that first week but I'll let you know for sure.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Week 21 - Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Well, Transfers are tomorrow and Sis. McCloy and I got the call. We're leaving the center tomorrow. :( We are pretty sad about it because we love the singles here soooo much. They are just so awesome and full of energy! But I honestly think the elders in our district and who worked in the center with us are even more sad. (We cooked for a few of them) And apparently we keep everything lively in District meetings haha. I guess it comes as no surprise though as we've thought we were being transfered for the past two weeks. And we'll see tomorrow where we're going. We think we'll probably go up to the new stakes as everything down here is spanish proselyting. It'll be fun!
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Other then that, things have been going really well here. We've been meeting with members and Alicia who is still getting baptized on Sunday and we're coming back for it. :) She's amazing. We actually met with her last night and her roommate decided to sit in on our lesson! First time we've met him and he asked if he could listen. We were teaching her commandments but we welcomed him. The only awkward thing was that we have no idea what commandments he's not keeping. We think he was drinking an alcoholic drink as we talked about the word of wisdom... it was interesting. But after all of us bore our testimonies we asked if he wanted to share anything and he said yes, "thank you, I really enjoyed the lesson." We happened to bring all the pamphlets with us so we told Alicia to leave them out for him to read. The really cool thing is that when we were deciding to take the pamphlets I just randomly thought, "Hey lets take all the pamphlets, she doesn't have any right now, so why not?" Then it just so happened that her roommate was there. What are the coincidences? :) sometimes inspired thoughts won't be a big thing, sometimes they'll come as just a thought.
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This week has really been a good one. I learned a lot and I've felt the spirit so strongly this week. I really feel like I've been doing all that was right, I've been following the inspirations that I'm given. After watching Pres Monson's movie, On the Lord's Errand, I felt like I needed to follow promptings even more. SO I am trying my best and I want to always be on the Lord's errand as well.
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I know this has been very short. I'm sorry, we have a lot to do today before we leave.
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Mom a few notes:
1. Yes, that was a senior missionary, Elder Robison. We were taking goodbye pictures and we just have to be goofy and send it to you.
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2. No President didn't change any rules yet, he wants to wait 6 months bc things are already working so well right now.
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3. Thanks for the jokes mom :)
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4. Bro Thomas DID get baptized and that was the best day of my entire mission! Sis. Cluff and I sang the Olive Tree. It was wonderful and I absolutely loved it. We were all crying, and Bro Thomas gave the best testimony ever! I really have never been so happy then at that moment. AND he told us that while Sis. Cluff and I were teaching him he found out he Was going to be baptized! He Knew and he didn't bother telling us till a transfer later. I guess he had a dream about it after one of my first visits there. We are so happy for him, and Sis. Thomas was exstatic! We promised to be there when they were all sealed together!
.
Well that's it for now, you'll find out next week where I'm going to go. Till then, love you all, keep doing your best, have fun at girls camp and enjoy living life! :)
Love, Sister Davis
.
Other then that, things have been going really well here. We've been meeting with members and Alicia who is still getting baptized on Sunday and we're coming back for it. :) She's amazing. We actually met with her last night and her roommate decided to sit in on our lesson! First time we've met him and he asked if he could listen. We were teaching her commandments but we welcomed him. The only awkward thing was that we have no idea what commandments he's not keeping. We think he was drinking an alcoholic drink as we talked about the word of wisdom... it was interesting. But after all of us bore our testimonies we asked if he wanted to share anything and he said yes, "thank you, I really enjoyed the lesson." We happened to bring all the pamphlets with us so we told Alicia to leave them out for him to read. The really cool thing is that when we were deciding to take the pamphlets I just randomly thought, "Hey lets take all the pamphlets, she doesn't have any right now, so why not?" Then it just so happened that her roommate was there. What are the coincidences? :) sometimes inspired thoughts won't be a big thing, sometimes they'll come as just a thought.
.
This week has really been a good one. I learned a lot and I've felt the spirit so strongly this week. I really feel like I've been doing all that was right, I've been following the inspirations that I'm given. After watching Pres Monson's movie, On the Lord's Errand, I felt like I needed to follow promptings even more. SO I am trying my best and I want to always be on the Lord's errand as well.
.
I know this has been very short. I'm sorry, we have a lot to do today before we leave.
.
Mom a few notes:
1. Yes, that was a senior missionary, Elder Robison. We were taking goodbye pictures and we just have to be goofy and send it to you.
.
2. No President didn't change any rules yet, he wants to wait 6 months bc things are already working so well right now.
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3. Thanks for the jokes mom :)
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4. Bro Thomas DID get baptized and that was the best day of my entire mission! Sis. Cluff and I sang the Olive Tree. It was wonderful and I absolutely loved it. We were all crying, and Bro Thomas gave the best testimony ever! I really have never been so happy then at that moment. AND he told us that while Sis. Cluff and I were teaching him he found out he Was going to be baptized! He Knew and he didn't bother telling us till a transfer later. I guess he had a dream about it after one of my first visits there. We are so happy for him, and Sis. Thomas was exstatic! We promised to be there when they were all sealed together!
.
Well that's it for now, you'll find out next week where I'm going to go. Till then, love you all, keep doing your best, have fun at girls camp and enjoy living life! :)
Love, Sister Davis
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Week 20 - Thursday, July 7th, 2011
Okay - I'm feeling a large letter today. Just sooo much to share!
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Answering some questions, no I don't need stamps, Yesterday was great! We saw fireworks from a distance for about a minute before returning to our room (luckily we live on a hill so we could see a lot). Sea World does do fireworks. I love San Diego and the weather, but I think I'm getting accustomed to it because I already think it's really hot and it's 85 degrees. :) It's hard to sleep at night bc sometimes it doesn't cool down enough, but I'm still getting good rest at night.
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Sis. McCloy is great. We just found out this morning however that her brother got in an accident. He was in the canyon and his truck ended up rolling about 8 times down the mountain. Fortunately, he's alright. He needs surgery on his mouth bc he broke his jaw and his nose was ripped open, but he is going into surgery today and should be going home tonight so we're all very relieved it wasn't something worse. Sis. McCloy hopes this will help her brother not be so reckless. :) I haven't really been sick yet, just a slight cold now and then. Nothing big at all.
.
Preparation days have been good. Honestly we usually just e-mail, shop for groceries, write letters, relax and go back to work. A few weeks ago we played soccer, and we were planning on going to Old Town today but it won't work out. Maybe next week.
.
Okay as for Pres. Clayton. We met him on Thursday morning. He and his wife and and two of his daughters came to meet us. We divided into 2 zones at a time so it wasn't overwhelming for him. He told us about his family and about himself. He graduated from collage at 18... so he's pretty smart. He's an anesthesiologist and he likes to laugh. I think it's quite entertaining. Pres Donaldson hardly ever laughed. We knew he cared about us but he didn't usually use emotions to show us. So it's funny how Pres Clayton will laugh after every other sentance. :) He's really good. He's very nice and fun-loving. I'm excited to get to know him and his family better. And as you know Sis. Clayton is Elder Ballard's daughter. So guess who's coming to visit the Clayton's come August? And guess who wants to meet all the missionaries? Yeah, we're pretty excited. The Clayton's are awesome and we're really going to enjoy having them here. :)
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Okay as for my news....
1. Happy Birthday ERIN! I can't believe you're turning 16 already. Stop growing up. ;) And be careful on the roads. I have something I'm sending, so I'm sorry if it's late. Couldn't mail it sooner. Love you!
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2. The beginning of this week was really hard. We just haven't had investigators to teach and frankly it's been annoying. BUT, we found 2 new people this week. So that has been good. We hope to find even more as we work harder. I just have to realize I continuously need humility. That's when Heavenly Father blesses us, when we're humbled.
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3. So one of the new investigators has been coming to church with her boyfriend for the past 2 weeks. So this past Sunday we asked to meet with her after church. We met and asked her what she wanted more than anything right now, she said she wanted to be a part of this church. She said that she felt like each time she came she was "coming home." She said she wanted to be baptized! So we invited her to be baptized promply after that comment and she'll be baptized July 17th. We are so happy. Heavenly Father definitely blessed us with a miracle. She is super sweet and we're more than excited for her. We even went to the Mormon Battalion yesterday morning to watch the Josep Smith movie. It was a really powerful experience. She's golden. :)
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4. One thing I realized the other day is that... we shouldn't be afraid to share the Gospel bc, let's face it, Truth is on our side, and so is the Godhead. :) That's pretty much all we need. We just need it to sound enticing to others. So that's the part we're working on.
.
5. I read the Spirit of Revelation by Elder Bednar again per Granddaddy's request. ;) It was good to read it a second time and realize the things I needed to do to have that spirit with me. I love that talk.
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6. The mission preparation class is good. Right now we're doing more practicing just so we can help the members know how to talk to their friends and prepare them for the mission. It's been really good for them. And you realize it's a lot easier than you think.
.
7. I also learned a bit about Charity recently... I've needed it, once again. I found something really neat too. 1st Peter 4:8 - read it and check the footnote. It's really true.
.
8. Again I want to share that I Love learning! It's wonderful to start off your day learning something new and being able to apply it through the day. I know that it's just that good to start the day with study and prayer, it shows Heavenly Father we're willing to put Him first and we learn what we need to do for that day too.
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9. The Gospel is Amazing. Enough said.
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10. I hope everyone had a good fourth of July/Independance day. It's neat to remember these inspired men who were called to bring about this great nation. I know they were inspired of God. It makes me sad to see all the people who refuse to accept God, especially in our nation, which was founded because people wanted the freedom of religion.
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11. I think I'm beginning to figure out how to teach. We are trying to be very bold now, and get people to the next ordinance. We're going to teach more doctrine, because doctrine understood, changes attitudes and behaviors. We'll see how it goes this week.
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12. Last but not least... I'm so happy to be on this mission. I KNOW this is where I'm supposed to be and I wouldn't be happier anywhere else then here right now. This is where I need to learn and better myself and prepare myself for the future. This is the place where I'm gaining a stronger testimony, where I get to see people's lives change for the better, where I get to use all of the gifts God has given me and use them to bless others. I love it here, and I want to be the best missionary I can be and help others come to true happiness. I love it!
.
Thanks for Everything! I love you all!
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
.
Answering some questions, no I don't need stamps, Yesterday was great! We saw fireworks from a distance for about a minute before returning to our room (luckily we live on a hill so we could see a lot). Sea World does do fireworks. I love San Diego and the weather, but I think I'm getting accustomed to it because I already think it's really hot and it's 85 degrees. :) It's hard to sleep at night bc sometimes it doesn't cool down enough, but I'm still getting good rest at night.
.
Sis. McCloy is great. We just found out this morning however that her brother got in an accident. He was in the canyon and his truck ended up rolling about 8 times down the mountain. Fortunately, he's alright. He needs surgery on his mouth bc he broke his jaw and his nose was ripped open, but he is going into surgery today and should be going home tonight so we're all very relieved it wasn't something worse. Sis. McCloy hopes this will help her brother not be so reckless. :) I haven't really been sick yet, just a slight cold now and then. Nothing big at all.
.
Preparation days have been good. Honestly we usually just e-mail, shop for groceries, write letters, relax and go back to work. A few weeks ago we played soccer, and we were planning on going to Old Town today but it won't work out. Maybe next week.
.
Okay as for Pres. Clayton. We met him on Thursday morning. He and his wife and and two of his daughters came to meet us. We divided into 2 zones at a time so it wasn't overwhelming for him. He told us about his family and about himself. He graduated from collage at 18... so he's pretty smart. He's an anesthesiologist and he likes to laugh. I think it's quite entertaining. Pres Donaldson hardly ever laughed. We knew he cared about us but he didn't usually use emotions to show us. So it's funny how Pres Clayton will laugh after every other sentance. :) He's really good. He's very nice and fun-loving. I'm excited to get to know him and his family better. And as you know Sis. Clayton is Elder Ballard's daughter. So guess who's coming to visit the Clayton's come August? And guess who wants to meet all the missionaries? Yeah, we're pretty excited. The Clayton's are awesome and we're really going to enjoy having them here. :)
.
Okay as for my news....
1. Happy Birthday ERIN! I can't believe you're turning 16 already. Stop growing up. ;) And be careful on the roads. I have something I'm sending, so I'm sorry if it's late. Couldn't mail it sooner. Love you!
.
2. The beginning of this week was really hard. We just haven't had investigators to teach and frankly it's been annoying. BUT, we found 2 new people this week. So that has been good. We hope to find even more as we work harder. I just have to realize I continuously need humility. That's when Heavenly Father blesses us, when we're humbled.
.
3. So one of the new investigators has been coming to church with her boyfriend for the past 2 weeks. So this past Sunday we asked to meet with her after church. We met and asked her what she wanted more than anything right now, she said she wanted to be a part of this church. She said that she felt like each time she came she was "coming home." She said she wanted to be baptized! So we invited her to be baptized promply after that comment and she'll be baptized July 17th. We are so happy. Heavenly Father definitely blessed us with a miracle. She is super sweet and we're more than excited for her. We even went to the Mormon Battalion yesterday morning to watch the Josep Smith movie. It was a really powerful experience. She's golden. :)
.
4. One thing I realized the other day is that... we shouldn't be afraid to share the Gospel bc, let's face it, Truth is on our side, and so is the Godhead. :) That's pretty much all we need. We just need it to sound enticing to others. So that's the part we're working on.
.
5. I read the Spirit of Revelation by Elder Bednar again per Granddaddy's request. ;) It was good to read it a second time and realize the things I needed to do to have that spirit with me. I love that talk.
.
6. The mission preparation class is good. Right now we're doing more practicing just so we can help the members know how to talk to their friends and prepare them for the mission. It's been really good for them. And you realize it's a lot easier than you think.
.
7. I also learned a bit about Charity recently... I've needed it, once again. I found something really neat too. 1st Peter 4:8 - read it and check the footnote. It's really true.
.
8. Again I want to share that I Love learning! It's wonderful to start off your day learning something new and being able to apply it through the day. I know that it's just that good to start the day with study and prayer, it shows Heavenly Father we're willing to put Him first and we learn what we need to do for that day too.
.
9. The Gospel is Amazing. Enough said.
.
10. I hope everyone had a good fourth of July/Independance day. It's neat to remember these inspired men who were called to bring about this great nation. I know they were inspired of God. It makes me sad to see all the people who refuse to accept God, especially in our nation, which was founded because people wanted the freedom of religion.
.
11. I think I'm beginning to figure out how to teach. We are trying to be very bold now, and get people to the next ordinance. We're going to teach more doctrine, because doctrine understood, changes attitudes and behaviors. We'll see how it goes this week.
.
12. Last but not least... I'm so happy to be on this mission. I KNOW this is where I'm supposed to be and I wouldn't be happier anywhere else then here right now. This is where I need to learn and better myself and prepare myself for the future. This is the place where I'm gaining a stronger testimony, where I get to see people's lives change for the better, where I get to use all of the gifts God has given me and use them to bless others. I love it here, and I want to be the best missionary I can be and help others come to true happiness. I love it!
.
Thanks for Everything! I love you all!
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Week 19 - Pictures!!
Sis. McCloy & Sis. Davis!
Sis. Davis, Sis. McCloy and Sarah!!
P-Day
Random Panda at the Zoo
Sis. Davis & Sis. McCloy showing off their new haircuts!Week 19 - Thursday, June 30th, 2011
Well I make a list of things I want to tell you all and today I just about wrote you my grocery list. :) I knew you'd appreciate it at least. Haha ps I was wondering, how much peanut butter do you put in peanut butter cookies? I wanted to make them but of course in my recipe I completely left out the most crucial ingredient! I'm a bit stumped as to why I didn't include it, but if you could lt me know that would be fabulous!
.
So I've decided that ever since Leaving for the mission, i've kinda been a fan of change. Interesting right? I mean I not only got rid of 3/4 of my stuff at home, cut my hair, cut my hair again, and painted my nails Bright pink (yeah I know), but I'm also a bit stir crazy and I kinda want to move to a different place. I love the people I work with and we're getting lots of member visits and referrals and I enjoy the people and the center but I kinda want a change. Haha I guess my Mission President leaving tomorrow isn't big enough. It's actually really sad. We had a final Mission President's fireside with Pres. Donaldson on Sunday. Sis. Cluff and I have been trying to get the Donaldsons a gift before they left since we were companions, so we Finally got it to them at our practice. During the fireside we all sang with all we had. Amor (the lady in the District II video who was taught by Sis. Voyles and Zaldivar who was married to Teddy and had two kids) she actually gave her testimony at the fireside. It was really interesting to see her up close and realize she was real! And in mission lingo I realized that Sis. Voyles is my grandmother. :)
.
Haha well we watched a mormon message called Moments that Matter Most and I suggest that everyone watches it. I Love it. And then Pres. spoke and pretty much everyone cried as he said it was his last fireside and we were the best missionaries ever! He closed by saying He knew our Savior and Joseph Smith. And we all knew exactly what he meant. We love President and we are going to miss him and Sis. Donaldson sooo much! But it's all for the best and Pres. Clayton will be awesome. I gave Sis. Donaldson like 4 hugs and Pres told me after the mission I could find him and give him a hug. Which I will be doing. :) PS if anyone is interested, who will be in Utah at the time, wants to listen to the Donaldson's give their homecoming talk in church they will be speaking July 10th at the Cedar Hills 10th ward at 9am (address = 9737 Chesterfield Dr. Cedar Hills, UT) just saying *cough cough* those who live in Utah should Definitely go! *cough* :)
.
Well other than all that we had two miracles las week! :) One Alexis FINALLY answered her phone and wants to meet with us. Two, Jen talked with us again, she is willing to find out the truth and she Came to Church! If you knew Jen, you would be screaming with joy. I know I had to stifle back a shout of praise when she walked in. We weren't expecting her to show up at all! We still have qute a bit of work to do with her bc she isn't sure if she wants to change her lifestyle but as soon as she gets that witness we'll be miles ahead. :)
.
I feel like most of this week has been visiting members getting them to invite their friends, so we haven't really met with any investigators. It's a bit slow right now. But we're hoping to pick it up this week as we may get a new investigator through Mariah! And we're having every female in the two wards pray to know if there is someone they know who is ready for the gospel. It seems to be working, now we'll have to find a way to get the members to invite them. As much as I love the singles, sometimes they just don't feel obligated to do anything. But we're still working with them. There's always hope. :)
.
I'm praying for everyone back home! And I realized last week that all my friends are returning, it's kinda strange. I think Perry may be home soon too. Tell everyone I say hi when you see them! :) It's really strange to think that I'll be home in a year and a month. I just got out, and i'm almost 1/3 of the way done! crazy.
.
Well I attached pictures of the new watches we got, me, Sis. McCloy, me, Lynette and Josh (who will soon get engaged, don't tell Lynette); Sis. McCloy, me and Sarah, one of my favorite members ever; and Sis. McCloy and I with our new hair cuts.
.
Well I love you all! Keep me updated with your lives!
.
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
.
So I've decided that ever since Leaving for the mission, i've kinda been a fan of change. Interesting right? I mean I not only got rid of 3/4 of my stuff at home, cut my hair, cut my hair again, and painted my nails Bright pink (yeah I know), but I'm also a bit stir crazy and I kinda want to move to a different place. I love the people I work with and we're getting lots of member visits and referrals and I enjoy the people and the center but I kinda want a change. Haha I guess my Mission President leaving tomorrow isn't big enough. It's actually really sad. We had a final Mission President's fireside with Pres. Donaldson on Sunday. Sis. Cluff and I have been trying to get the Donaldsons a gift before they left since we were companions, so we Finally got it to them at our practice. During the fireside we all sang with all we had. Amor (the lady in the District II video who was taught by Sis. Voyles and Zaldivar who was married to Teddy and had two kids) she actually gave her testimony at the fireside. It was really interesting to see her up close and realize she was real! And in mission lingo I realized that Sis. Voyles is my grandmother. :)
.
Haha well we watched a mormon message called Moments that Matter Most and I suggest that everyone watches it. I Love it. And then Pres. spoke and pretty much everyone cried as he said it was his last fireside and we were the best missionaries ever! He closed by saying He knew our Savior and Joseph Smith. And we all knew exactly what he meant. We love President and we are going to miss him and Sis. Donaldson sooo much! But it's all for the best and Pres. Clayton will be awesome. I gave Sis. Donaldson like 4 hugs and Pres told me after the mission I could find him and give him a hug. Which I will be doing. :) PS if anyone is interested, who will be in Utah at the time, wants to listen to the Donaldson's give their homecoming talk in church they will be speaking July 10th at the Cedar Hills 10th ward at 9am (address = 9737 Chesterfield Dr. Cedar Hills, UT) just saying *cough cough* those who live in Utah should Definitely go! *cough* :)
.
Well other than all that we had two miracles las week! :) One Alexis FINALLY answered her phone and wants to meet with us. Two, Jen talked with us again, she is willing to find out the truth and she Came to Church! If you knew Jen, you would be screaming with joy. I know I had to stifle back a shout of praise when she walked in. We weren't expecting her to show up at all! We still have qute a bit of work to do with her bc she isn't sure if she wants to change her lifestyle but as soon as she gets that witness we'll be miles ahead. :)
.
I feel like most of this week has been visiting members getting them to invite their friends, so we haven't really met with any investigators. It's a bit slow right now. But we're hoping to pick it up this week as we may get a new investigator through Mariah! And we're having every female in the two wards pray to know if there is someone they know who is ready for the gospel. It seems to be working, now we'll have to find a way to get the members to invite them. As much as I love the singles, sometimes they just don't feel obligated to do anything. But we're still working with them. There's always hope. :)
.
I'm praying for everyone back home! And I realized last week that all my friends are returning, it's kinda strange. I think Perry may be home soon too. Tell everyone I say hi when you see them! :) It's really strange to think that I'll be home in a year and a month. I just got out, and i'm almost 1/3 of the way done! crazy.
.
Well I attached pictures of the new watches we got, me, Sis. McCloy, me, Lynette and Josh (who will soon get engaged, don't tell Lynette); Sis. McCloy, me and Sarah, one of my favorite members ever; and Sis. McCloy and I with our new hair cuts.
.
Well I love you all! Keep me updated with your lives!
.
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Week 18 - Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
Thank you for the letters! It so good to hear from you all!
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And thank you mother for all the kind advice you give me. I'm trying my best to be good at being healthy. As for Mission Prep class, it's going well! We talked about Revelation this past week and this week we'll be discussing Teach People, Not Lessons. I really like it, though we tend to just discuss the topics then have a seminary-type lesson.
.
I hope dad had a god Father's Day, know that even though I couldn't call I was thinking about him. We had a dinner with the Robisons and Browns and we were each asked to talk a bit about our fathers and how important they are to us. Everyone seemed to have one defining trait about their fathers. Guess what dad's was? Funny. It just purely defines you dad. That's all I can say. :)
.
As for finding, it hasn't been going too well. It is just strange trying to find people while working at the Center. But we're working on it and Heavenly Father still blesses us even when we don't deserve it. :) He's too good to us sometimes. Just this week this lady named Gena randomly walked into the center asking us for a Book of Mormon. We found out she has been less active for the past 30 years and now she's trying to straighten up her life. So she's been readine Book of Mormon and yesterday she met with us. She wants to be re-taught the lessons so that she can become fully active again and be with her 1st husband who she is still technically sealed to! I can't tell you how excited I am for her! Coming back after 30 years, Still knowing it is true! We told her she needs to reconfirm her testimony and that as she keeps reading, praying and asking through life, she will keep that testimony strong. She just soaked in everything we said, we told her to contact her bishop so that she can get things worked out and she said she would this week, before Sunday and she'd go back to Church on Sunday. We are soooooo happy for her and blessed to be a part of this experience! I was really happy and excited as I talked to her, I hope she didn't find me too strange. Sometimes I just can't contain my happiness.... oh well!
.
President Donaldson leaves next week. :( so we're having a last fireside in Poway on Sunday. We're sad but excited to meet our new president.
.
So as finding by ourselves can be somewhat unproductive we are trying to find more through members. Mariah is one of our star members! Last wednesday we talked to her about missionary work and who she knows that is ready she said there is a girl named Stephanie who is ready. She wanted to know how to talk about the gospel so we role-played, which I still dislike but when I was doing it with Mariah it was so easy! We talked about sharing our testimony and letting people know why we find the gospel so important in our lives. And she was like "yeah I need to do that!" so she said she would. Well yesterday she texted us and asked if she could meet with us. We met and se told us she has some goals for missionary work. Yep! She said that she wants to work on 3 of her friends and she thinks they are all interested and then she wants to help two of her less active friends come back. So we're currently working on plans for them. We met Stephanie last night and we're planning on meeting with her this week sometime! Because new members usually want to work on missionary work more we also talked to Becky about it and the next day she had talked to her dad about the church, she suggested websites he should visit to learn more and she also told a friend in Florida about the church. Although neither in our area, we are so very proud of her and her desire to share. :)
.
On a sad note, Emily dropped us. And Jen and Ilima, our only two other investigators are seemingly not interested. We're still working with them though it is difficult. Jen's boss contributes to our challenges and Ilima's lifestyle makes it hard for her to want to change. But we pray for pretty much Everyone!
.
We have a new member named Taylor who is going through a Very difficult time. She just found out that her ex-husband who abandoned her and her children is getting full custody of the kids as she doesn't have a job. And she was deathly sick the other day And her roommate Hates mormons. She's having a very hard time with it all but we're working with her trying to help her see that no matter how difficult life is, Heavenly Father has a divine, eternal plan for her and she can't see it all right now. If she finds a job before august and works to have a income and a house she can get her kids back after a certain time period but it is still terrible that they won't let her have them now. Well we brought her brownies the other day and stick-note attacked her door with awesome comments so that she knows she's loved and she was so grateful for them. We saw her yesterday and asked her if she wanted a priesthood blessing, she said she did so we're trying to organize away for her to do it when her roommate is away and when her hometeachers are available. It's tricky but She's far more than worth it!
.
Thank you for letters! They were a wonderful surprise!
.
Oh something I learned this week - Instead of asking Heavenly Father to help and bless others we should be asking Him what We can be doing to help these people! It is through others that Heavenly Father blesses us. :)
.
Last but Not least ... drumroll..... Guess what?! Bro. Thomas is getting BAPTIZED!!!! I know I talked about him before. He's in Clairemont and he is the one we had to tell we couldn't visit bc he wasn't ready yet, and the one who's wife was upset we didn't warn her beforehand, and who Sis. Cluff and I absolutely love!!! And after four LONG years of missionaries talking to him he finally decided to be baptized! The day is July 9th and he asked Sis. Cluff and I to sing at his baptism. :) We're so happy!!!!
.
Well I love you all! I'm so happy to be a missionary and to be out here. It's such a blessing! I'm so glad everyone is doing well and that things are working out right now. Life is Awesome! :) I love you!
.
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
.
And thank you mother for all the kind advice you give me. I'm trying my best to be good at being healthy. As for Mission Prep class, it's going well! We talked about Revelation this past week and this week we'll be discussing Teach People, Not Lessons. I really like it, though we tend to just discuss the topics then have a seminary-type lesson.
.
I hope dad had a god Father's Day, know that even though I couldn't call I was thinking about him. We had a dinner with the Robisons and Browns and we were each asked to talk a bit about our fathers and how important they are to us. Everyone seemed to have one defining trait about their fathers. Guess what dad's was? Funny. It just purely defines you dad. That's all I can say. :)
.
As for finding, it hasn't been going too well. It is just strange trying to find people while working at the Center. But we're working on it and Heavenly Father still blesses us even when we don't deserve it. :) He's too good to us sometimes. Just this week this lady named Gena randomly walked into the center asking us for a Book of Mormon. We found out she has been less active for the past 30 years and now she's trying to straighten up her life. So she's been readine Book of Mormon and yesterday she met with us. She wants to be re-taught the lessons so that she can become fully active again and be with her 1st husband who she is still technically sealed to! I can't tell you how excited I am for her! Coming back after 30 years, Still knowing it is true! We told her she needs to reconfirm her testimony and that as she keeps reading, praying and asking through life, she will keep that testimony strong. She just soaked in everything we said, we told her to contact her bishop so that she can get things worked out and she said she would this week, before Sunday and she'd go back to Church on Sunday. We are soooooo happy for her and blessed to be a part of this experience! I was really happy and excited as I talked to her, I hope she didn't find me too strange. Sometimes I just can't contain my happiness.... oh well!
.
President Donaldson leaves next week. :( so we're having a last fireside in Poway on Sunday. We're sad but excited to meet our new president.
.
So as finding by ourselves can be somewhat unproductive we are trying to find more through members. Mariah is one of our star members! Last wednesday we talked to her about missionary work and who she knows that is ready she said there is a girl named Stephanie who is ready. She wanted to know how to talk about the gospel so we role-played, which I still dislike but when I was doing it with Mariah it was so easy! We talked about sharing our testimony and letting people know why we find the gospel so important in our lives. And she was like "yeah I need to do that!" so she said she would. Well yesterday she texted us and asked if she could meet with us. We met and se told us she has some goals for missionary work. Yep! She said that she wants to work on 3 of her friends and she thinks they are all interested and then she wants to help two of her less active friends come back. So we're currently working on plans for them. We met Stephanie last night and we're planning on meeting with her this week sometime! Because new members usually want to work on missionary work more we also talked to Becky about it and the next day she had talked to her dad about the church, she suggested websites he should visit to learn more and she also told a friend in Florida about the church. Although neither in our area, we are so very proud of her and her desire to share. :)
.
On a sad note, Emily dropped us. And Jen and Ilima, our only two other investigators are seemingly not interested. We're still working with them though it is difficult. Jen's boss contributes to our challenges and Ilima's lifestyle makes it hard for her to want to change. But we pray for pretty much Everyone!
.
We have a new member named Taylor who is going through a Very difficult time. She just found out that her ex-husband who abandoned her and her children is getting full custody of the kids as she doesn't have a job. And she was deathly sick the other day And her roommate Hates mormons. She's having a very hard time with it all but we're working with her trying to help her see that no matter how difficult life is, Heavenly Father has a divine, eternal plan for her and she can't see it all right now. If she finds a job before august and works to have a income and a house she can get her kids back after a certain time period but it is still terrible that they won't let her have them now. Well we brought her brownies the other day and stick-note attacked her door with awesome comments so that she knows she's loved and she was so grateful for them. We saw her yesterday and asked her if she wanted a priesthood blessing, she said she did so we're trying to organize away for her to do it when her roommate is away and when her hometeachers are available. It's tricky but She's far more than worth it!
.
Thank you for letters! They were a wonderful surprise!
.
Oh something I learned this week - Instead of asking Heavenly Father to help and bless others we should be asking Him what We can be doing to help these people! It is through others that Heavenly Father blesses us. :)
.
Last but Not least ... drumroll..... Guess what?! Bro. Thomas is getting BAPTIZED!!!! I know I talked about him before. He's in Clairemont and he is the one we had to tell we couldn't visit bc he wasn't ready yet, and the one who's wife was upset we didn't warn her beforehand, and who Sis. Cluff and I absolutely love!!! And after four LONG years of missionaries talking to him he finally decided to be baptized! The day is July 9th and he asked Sis. Cluff and I to sing at his baptism. :) We're so happy!!!!
.
Well I love you all! I'm so happy to be a missionary and to be out here. It's such a blessing! I'm so glad everyone is doing well and that things are working out right now. Life is Awesome! :) I love you!
.
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
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