Here's the latest. I had to laugh about the truck washing incident. It just goes to show that service goes a long, long way. Also, we now know Maureen knows how to wash a truck; I'm sure her Dad will put this information to good use when she gets home! Thank you to each one of you for your thoughts and prayers for Maureen. We are so grateful for them and so happy that she is doing well. -Nile and Candi
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Dear Everyone -
This week has been a week of laughs. I don't know why but it just feels like it. It really has been a good week though. We met with Beth twice this past week which was really good. She's having a hard time understanding the Book of Mormon so we read with her and helped her to better understand and apply it. We met with Don and Ron and they have been out of sorts lately, we're trying to help them get over frustrating life situations by applying the gospel. It was really neat what we ended up talking to them about - we told them how God wants to give us blessings. He's Waiting to give us blessings but He has to let us ask for them and do things that show we are willing and ready for them. So He gives us commandments and promises that He will bless us if we just keep those commandments. He can't break that promise. So if we were just obedient we would be blessed. I also realized while studying this morning that the Savior wants to bless us as well, so much. I was reading in 3 Nephi 17 this morning and He asks the people to bring their sick and ill and injured family to come to Him and be healed. I noticed that He didn't say "I'll come and heal all of you, no worries" but instead He asks them to Bring those who need healing to Him. Just as they had to come to Him and show forth their faith in His healing power, so must we turn to Him if we want to be healed, physically or spiritually. He doesn't just heal everyone that believes in Him, He invites us to Come to Him, Follow Him and He will heal us. It's something that we all have to work on, truly coming to Him.
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Well the other day I found out that someone I had worked with a lot in Green Valley (Lisa) is getting baptized on May 12th! If her husband lets her. We're praying for her. She is such a sweet lady, I'm so happy for her. As for everyone else we're working with - We've worked a lot with less active members here in El Cajon. So many of them are so ready and willing to come back when they feel the spirit. One family in particular we're working with is about to have a baby. So we asked them what we could do for them. The husband, who is less active, said "you can wash my truck." He was joking but we took him up on it and came over yesterday to wash his truck. It was so entertaining because the whole time he was making comments like "I can't believe you're washing my truck," "I can't believe you're washing the wheels," "I can't believe you're drying my truck," "I can't believe you're thanking me for letting you wash my truck!" It was quite entertaining. Following the awe-struck comments he invited us in and told us that he had been praying to know if President Monson was a prophet and if this church was true. (his wife was surprised) He said he had been feeling a "yes" but he wasn't 100% positive. He ended up asking a lot of good questions and we were able to answer them. AND he's been coming to church every week! It's so neat to see people's lives change. They are not people getting baptized, no, but they are changing their life around and using the Atonement again. How neat is that!? It doesn't matter who the person is, we should invite All to partake of the Atonement and come closer to the Savior. :)
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As for Uncle John... He moved. We were supposed to visit him on wednesday and we went to find him gone and his sister telling us he'd moved back up to Nevada. We were pretty sad but hey, there are missionaries in Nevada! And we talked to him, he told us he's going to church and he's going to hunt out the missionaries. So we'll follow up with him.
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We had another Mission President's fireside in Spanish. It was really good - the spirit was so strong and Sister Turner and I were able to sing Called to Serve in Spanish, Memorized! :D We also had interviews yesterday which was really good. President and Sister Clayton are great examples and we are so grateful to have them here with us. They really have the spirit with them and they were called to this mission at this time for a reason. They have taught me a lot.
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Things are going well out here - we had two random people come into our church building on Sunday, checking it out because they lived nearby - so we're going to go visit them. We had a lizard run into our garage... and now it must live under the boxes because we haven't seen it since... And we have a serious ant problem - no worries, we have windex, paper towels and gorilla glue - solves everything.
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Well I hope you are all doing well! I love you and pray for you daily. Stay out of trouble, study the scriptures and preach my gospel, pray daily and go to church. Those things help us to live the gospel every day of our lives!
Love Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Week 55 - Thursday, April 19th, 2012
To continue on the Miracle from last week...
We met with Uncle John on wednesday and gave him his very own copy of the Book of Mormon. He cried. The Book of Mormon has touched him so much in his life that he was so happy to have one again. When his wife passed away he read the book for days and it was the only thing that brought peace to his life. He was ever so grateful to us for giving him that gift back. Well we talked to him a bit about his life. He ended up telling us that he had experiences in the past that he regretted and he didn't think he could Ever be forgiven for them. I asked him to read Alma 36 that night - he said he would. Well on Friday, Sister Turner met with him while I was on exchanges. She said they sat there for 5 minutes while he explained how the chapter had touched his heart and how he knew he could be forgiven now before he asked them "so what do I need to do to be baptized?" :) It was the sweetest, neatest experience. He wanted so badly to do what was right and be forgiven and the spirit bore testimony to him that it was through baptism. :) So he'll be getting baptized May 5th! We are so happy for him and the blessings he will receive from this choice! It is the best gift ever to see a person who has little hope and happiness left in life to change almost overnight, and come to the conclusion that there is happiness and help ahead and that they can have the Savior's atonement active in their lives. :)
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We had a great Easter too! We ate dinner with the Keleman family - and talked to their less-active kids. The oldest, who we had never met before was so interested in our message and wanted to share her thoughts too. It's amazing the people that are prepared either to find the gospel or come back to the Gospel of Christ. God prepares His children in so many ways and then lets us (members and missionaries) find them and see the miracles occur right in front of us, sometimes we don't have to do anything but smile. We just told Uncle John who we were and suggested a scripture he could read and God did the rest. Sometimes that is all that is required. I hope that I can open my mouth always and share with others the truths of Christ's Gospel and just let them know how much Heavenly Father loves them. He will bless those children who follow Him and He blesses us all with opportunities to come and Follow Him. I hope I can always follow Him and give Him my all.
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I love you all! Sorry this week is short, but know how much I love you. Our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ love you so much more than me. So turn to them, ask for help, ask for strength and allow the Atonement to bless your lives. I know it will. It has most assuredly blessed mine forever. I love my Savior with all my heart. And I say these things in His name.
I love you.
Love Sister Maureen Davis
We met with Uncle John on wednesday and gave him his very own copy of the Book of Mormon. He cried. The Book of Mormon has touched him so much in his life that he was so happy to have one again. When his wife passed away he read the book for days and it was the only thing that brought peace to his life. He was ever so grateful to us for giving him that gift back. Well we talked to him a bit about his life. He ended up telling us that he had experiences in the past that he regretted and he didn't think he could Ever be forgiven for them. I asked him to read Alma 36 that night - he said he would. Well on Friday, Sister Turner met with him while I was on exchanges. She said they sat there for 5 minutes while he explained how the chapter had touched his heart and how he knew he could be forgiven now before he asked them "so what do I need to do to be baptized?" :) It was the sweetest, neatest experience. He wanted so badly to do what was right and be forgiven and the spirit bore testimony to him that it was through baptism. :) So he'll be getting baptized May 5th! We are so happy for him and the blessings he will receive from this choice! It is the best gift ever to see a person who has little hope and happiness left in life to change almost overnight, and come to the conclusion that there is happiness and help ahead and that they can have the Savior's atonement active in their lives. :)
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We had a great Easter too! We ate dinner with the Keleman family - and talked to their less-active kids. The oldest, who we had never met before was so interested in our message and wanted to share her thoughts too. It's amazing the people that are prepared either to find the gospel or come back to the Gospel of Christ. God prepares His children in so many ways and then lets us (members and missionaries) find them and see the miracles occur right in front of us, sometimes we don't have to do anything but smile. We just told Uncle John who we were and suggested a scripture he could read and God did the rest. Sometimes that is all that is required. I hope that I can open my mouth always and share with others the truths of Christ's Gospel and just let them know how much Heavenly Father loves them. He will bless those children who follow Him and He blesses us all with opportunities to come and Follow Him. I hope I can always follow Him and give Him my all.
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I love you all! Sorry this week is short, but know how much I love you. Our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ love you so much more than me. So turn to them, ask for help, ask for strength and allow the Atonement to bless your lives. I know it will. It has most assuredly blessed mine forever. I love my Savior with all my heart. And I say these things in His name.
I love you.
Love Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Week 54 - Thursday, April 5th, 2012
Hellooooooo Everyone!
So I feel like to share my sentiments I must quote from the District II movies we watched before we came out. "Im so happy... which is weird... because I am sooo tired." :) I have been so tired lately. We get in at night and I'm ready to crawl into bed. It's just a crazy busy life being a missionary. We run around preaching the Gospel, talking to random people everywhere we go, sharing our beliefs and our testimonies, laughing... and crying... and everything in between. It's an emotional rollercoaster which is more draining then anything else. But it's worth it. :) I love being a missionary and it scares me how little time I have left. Over and Over I've realized how much I want to get done. If only I knew these things at the beginning of my mission. But anyhow... the work still progresses and is wonderful. It is such a rewarding experience.
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This past week has been really fun. I went with the Green Valley sisters which was good, but it was also kinda sad. Flo has regressed a bit and the sisters had no idea why. I was slightly upset that they hadn't stayed more on top of things but I realized that I didn't know what had happened and I didn't need to judge anyone. (Just like President Uchtdorf said) Fortunately I was able to go over and see what was going on. She wouldn't come out and wanted us to leave so I sent in a note to her and when she realized I was there for the day she came out and talked with me. She's doing alright, she just gets overwhelmed with the amount of stuff we do in the church especially when she has a job too. She found out she was getting let off and it had been hard for her, so I told her that God sometimes gives us trials to work through to polish us. ;) I hope she listened to General Conference. She'll be okay. I'm not too worried about her but I do need to write her more often.
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On Friday I was able to go to Imperial Valley. I don't know if you know where that is, but it's an hours drive from Yuma, AZ. Yeah... I was really close to home and it was weird because the closer we got to El Centro, the more I felt like I was in Arizona and it was a little strange. However, it was a really good exchange and I've decided I love the valley. It's really neat there, there is just a special spirit there. Sister Hansen and I were able to discuss what we wanted to do for our Sisters conference next week in our two-hour drive. :) so there is a lot of things going on to keep us on our toes. Then of course we had amazing General Conference! I loved it so much and I took lots of notes. I loved Elder Oak's talk, and President Eyering's, President Uchtdorf's, President Monson's, Elder Holland's, and Elder Ballard's. And I loved Elder Anderson's too... okay so I liked them all so much for many different reasons. They all spoke in a different way to me which was really neat. And I knew that whoever was next to me was getting a completely different experience! All of my questions were answered as well. It was a great weekend. And to start the week, I had a zone leaders council meeting to go to. We ended up talking about ways we could be more exactly obedient - it was a neat experience because I realized the importance of being exactly obedient. It's more than just following rules, it's for our spiritual well-being. We have the spirit more with us when we are exactly obedient. And it's easier to keep going down the right path if we are always making the right choices.
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As for our miracle this week... We've been trying to contact one of our investigators lately and it's just always hard to get a hold of her. Well we finally found her outside one day with her husband and a friend. The friend's name is Uncle John. Uncle John asked us for a Book of Mormon. Uncle John Used to meet with the missionaries a few years ago and he's interested in asking us more questions. We said sure! :) Heavenly Father prepares people and literarly puts them in your path at times. he had just come back from turkey hunting and had happened to be outside with his friends, who happen to be our investigators... perfect. :) I love missionary work. I'll update you on anything else huge that happens. For the time being, we're praying for miracles and for the opportunities and strength to find and teach the people around us. "The Field is white already to harvest" Doctrine and Covenants 4:4
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Well I love you all! Take Luck and pray for the opportunities to share the gospel with those around you!
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
So I feel like to share my sentiments I must quote from the District II movies we watched before we came out. "Im so happy... which is weird... because I am sooo tired." :) I have been so tired lately. We get in at night and I'm ready to crawl into bed. It's just a crazy busy life being a missionary. We run around preaching the Gospel, talking to random people everywhere we go, sharing our beliefs and our testimonies, laughing... and crying... and everything in between. It's an emotional rollercoaster which is more draining then anything else. But it's worth it. :) I love being a missionary and it scares me how little time I have left. Over and Over I've realized how much I want to get done. If only I knew these things at the beginning of my mission. But anyhow... the work still progresses and is wonderful. It is such a rewarding experience.
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This past week has been really fun. I went with the Green Valley sisters which was good, but it was also kinda sad. Flo has regressed a bit and the sisters had no idea why. I was slightly upset that they hadn't stayed more on top of things but I realized that I didn't know what had happened and I didn't need to judge anyone. (Just like President Uchtdorf said) Fortunately I was able to go over and see what was going on. She wouldn't come out and wanted us to leave so I sent in a note to her and when she realized I was there for the day she came out and talked with me. She's doing alright, she just gets overwhelmed with the amount of stuff we do in the church especially when she has a job too. She found out she was getting let off and it had been hard for her, so I told her that God sometimes gives us trials to work through to polish us. ;) I hope she listened to General Conference. She'll be okay. I'm not too worried about her but I do need to write her more often.
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On Friday I was able to go to Imperial Valley. I don't know if you know where that is, but it's an hours drive from Yuma, AZ. Yeah... I was really close to home and it was weird because the closer we got to El Centro, the more I felt like I was in Arizona and it was a little strange. However, it was a really good exchange and I've decided I love the valley. It's really neat there, there is just a special spirit there. Sister Hansen and I were able to discuss what we wanted to do for our Sisters conference next week in our two-hour drive. :) so there is a lot of things going on to keep us on our toes. Then of course we had amazing General Conference! I loved it so much and I took lots of notes. I loved Elder Oak's talk, and President Eyering's, President Uchtdorf's, President Monson's, Elder Holland's, and Elder Ballard's. And I loved Elder Anderson's too... okay so I liked them all so much for many different reasons. They all spoke in a different way to me which was really neat. And I knew that whoever was next to me was getting a completely different experience! All of my questions were answered as well. It was a great weekend. And to start the week, I had a zone leaders council meeting to go to. We ended up talking about ways we could be more exactly obedient - it was a neat experience because I realized the importance of being exactly obedient. It's more than just following rules, it's for our spiritual well-being. We have the spirit more with us when we are exactly obedient. And it's easier to keep going down the right path if we are always making the right choices.
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As for our miracle this week... We've been trying to contact one of our investigators lately and it's just always hard to get a hold of her. Well we finally found her outside one day with her husband and a friend. The friend's name is Uncle John. Uncle John asked us for a Book of Mormon. Uncle John Used to meet with the missionaries a few years ago and he's interested in asking us more questions. We said sure! :) Heavenly Father prepares people and literarly puts them in your path at times. he had just come back from turkey hunting and had happened to be outside with his friends, who happen to be our investigators... perfect. :) I love missionary work. I'll update you on anything else huge that happens. For the time being, we're praying for miracles and for the opportunities and strength to find and teach the people around us. "The Field is white already to harvest" Doctrine and Covenants 4:4
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Well I love you all! Take Luck and pray for the opportunities to share the gospel with those around you!
Love, Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Week 53 - Thursday, March 29th, 2012
Hey Family- I hope you got the pictures and have been able to look at them (from my st. patty's day package). I figured that would be easier then sending memory cards home.
There's so much to share this week that I don't know exactly where to begin...
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This week has been an MTE week and it'll continue for the rest of this week as well. Basically we all get together in different groups of zones to listen to President and talk about what we could do better - whatever he feels inspired to talk about. Well after the first MTE there is something called coaching, where a coach goes out with a companionship and helps them throughout the day to apply what they've learned. Well as a trainer sister I get to go coach half of the proselyting sisters companionships, usually the english ones. To prepare us, we had a leadership training meeting with President and the Mission Department (which was a special treat).
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So for starters Sister Clayton came out with us Tuesday evening to coach us, then we had the leadership training meeting on Thursday which was an all day event. The head person over the proselyting department actually was the mission president in Mesa, Arizona about 5 years ago. Go figure. It was really good and we learned a LOT! I really couldn't tell you all of it now... so you'll have to wait till I get home. :) But the biggest thing we talked about was teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ because that is really the core of Everything. And how better to explain that we believe in Christ than to teach His doctrine and how we follow Him. It was really neat and that is something I will strive to apply throughout my mission. I also realized how little time I have left. Because of this, my companion and I have made a decision that we cannot talk about home.... because it just wouldn't help. It's helped in that we are more focused and I love it. I'm truly trying to apply the Gospel in my life and in my teachings and I'm loving everything I'm learning.
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Well Friday I went and coached Sis. McCloy and Lee after their MTE - which was lots of fun to be with them in my old area Clairemont. We saw lots of miracles. Then yesterday, after my own MTE, I went with some spanish sisters. It was hard. I understood a lot of what they said but I couldn't say much back so I was shockingly quiet. But we saw a huge miracle last night and I was able to bear my testimony along with the other sisters amidst a lot of contention in this family. I said it in English but one of the sisters translated it and the spirit was soooo strong. We all testified of the Savior, of His divine roll and of our Father's Plan for us. It was the most powerful lesson I've been in for a while. And even though there was contention before and we were so confused, as we testified the Spirit touched all of the hearts there and everyone was silent. It was just so powerful. :) So tomorrow I'll be going with Sister Mitchel and sister Richardson to Green Valley and then I'll be with Sis. Park on Friday in Imperial Valley - which is like 4 hours from home. haha Anywho.
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I love working with these sisters, they are so great and I am so fortunate to see miracles with them. It's the greatest assignment Ever! I realized just the other day why Heavenly Father gave me this assignment. Before going to El Cajon I think I was getting a little lazy in Green Valley. Not terribly but I know I wasn't giving my all. Now Heavenly Father is telling me that I have more to give and He's giving me motivation to do it - I have to be able to help other sisters so I better get it myself. :) It's a gentle reminder from Heavenly Father that I need to change and give more of myself.
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Well the last thing I wanted to talk about was about church last Sunday. Our ward is truly becomming a missionary-minded ward. Last week was fast Sunday and everyone who got up bore their testimony about a missionary experience they've had lately. It was really neat. Bishop also got up and bore his testimony. He's been working with a family that has basically asked him if he knew of any churches they could attend. He's pretty excited. He also met with elder Hainey who is over our area this past week. Elder Hainey said that today it isn't missionary work we're doing as members of this church, it's Gathering Israel. It is the time to prepare for the second coming. We are the voice of warning, yet also the voice of comfort and assurance that all who follow Chirst's doctrine will find peace and joy. It's so neat to share that with others. And there are people who have that Israelish gene, they are looking for home and are waiting to find it. They are all around us. Sometimes they will ask us to find home and sometimes we need to invite them. But if we open our mouths we will be able to bring so many of God's children back home and how great will be our joy! :)
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I love this work! I love all that I get to do every day and I'm still trying to become a better person. I hope that the Lord can mold me into the person I need to be and that I'll be humble enough to listen. That is my constant prayer and I'm grateful that the Lord allows me to learn and grow. :) I Love you all and hope all is going well back home! Talk to everyone and share who you are with them. You never know who is ready to hear the gospel message.
Lots of Love,
Sister Maureen Davis
There's so much to share this week that I don't know exactly where to begin...
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This week has been an MTE week and it'll continue for the rest of this week as well. Basically we all get together in different groups of zones to listen to President and talk about what we could do better - whatever he feels inspired to talk about. Well after the first MTE there is something called coaching, where a coach goes out with a companionship and helps them throughout the day to apply what they've learned. Well as a trainer sister I get to go coach half of the proselyting sisters companionships, usually the english ones. To prepare us, we had a leadership training meeting with President and the Mission Department (which was a special treat).
.
So for starters Sister Clayton came out with us Tuesday evening to coach us, then we had the leadership training meeting on Thursday which was an all day event. The head person over the proselyting department actually was the mission president in Mesa, Arizona about 5 years ago. Go figure. It was really good and we learned a LOT! I really couldn't tell you all of it now... so you'll have to wait till I get home. :) But the biggest thing we talked about was teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ because that is really the core of Everything. And how better to explain that we believe in Christ than to teach His doctrine and how we follow Him. It was really neat and that is something I will strive to apply throughout my mission. I also realized how little time I have left. Because of this, my companion and I have made a decision that we cannot talk about home.... because it just wouldn't help. It's helped in that we are more focused and I love it. I'm truly trying to apply the Gospel in my life and in my teachings and I'm loving everything I'm learning.
.
Well Friday I went and coached Sis. McCloy and Lee after their MTE - which was lots of fun to be with them in my old area Clairemont. We saw lots of miracles. Then yesterday, after my own MTE, I went with some spanish sisters. It was hard. I understood a lot of what they said but I couldn't say much back so I was shockingly quiet. But we saw a huge miracle last night and I was able to bear my testimony along with the other sisters amidst a lot of contention in this family. I said it in English but one of the sisters translated it and the spirit was soooo strong. We all testified of the Savior, of His divine roll and of our Father's Plan for us. It was the most powerful lesson I've been in for a while. And even though there was contention before and we were so confused, as we testified the Spirit touched all of the hearts there and everyone was silent. It was just so powerful. :) So tomorrow I'll be going with Sister Mitchel and sister Richardson to Green Valley and then I'll be with Sis. Park on Friday in Imperial Valley - which is like 4 hours from home. haha Anywho.
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I love working with these sisters, they are so great and I am so fortunate to see miracles with them. It's the greatest assignment Ever! I realized just the other day why Heavenly Father gave me this assignment. Before going to El Cajon I think I was getting a little lazy in Green Valley. Not terribly but I know I wasn't giving my all. Now Heavenly Father is telling me that I have more to give and He's giving me motivation to do it - I have to be able to help other sisters so I better get it myself. :) It's a gentle reminder from Heavenly Father that I need to change and give more of myself.
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Well the last thing I wanted to talk about was about church last Sunday. Our ward is truly becomming a missionary-minded ward. Last week was fast Sunday and everyone who got up bore their testimony about a missionary experience they've had lately. It was really neat. Bishop also got up and bore his testimony. He's been working with a family that has basically asked him if he knew of any churches they could attend. He's pretty excited. He also met with elder Hainey who is over our area this past week. Elder Hainey said that today it isn't missionary work we're doing as members of this church, it's Gathering Israel. It is the time to prepare for the second coming. We are the voice of warning, yet also the voice of comfort and assurance that all who follow Chirst's doctrine will find peace and joy. It's so neat to share that with others. And there are people who have that Israelish gene, they are looking for home and are waiting to find it. They are all around us. Sometimes they will ask us to find home and sometimes we need to invite them. But if we open our mouths we will be able to bring so many of God's children back home and how great will be our joy! :)
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I love this work! I love all that I get to do every day and I'm still trying to become a better person. I hope that the Lord can mold me into the person I need to be and that I'll be humble enough to listen. That is my constant prayer and I'm grateful that the Lord allows me to learn and grow. :) I Love you all and hope all is going well back home! Talk to everyone and share who you are with them. You never know who is ready to hear the gospel message.
Lots of Love,
Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Week 52 - Thursday, March 15th, 2012
Dear Family,
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Life has been good. We've been chugging along as usual. :) I can't remember much about this week except for Sunday. Sunday was a really hard day, we had so many goals that we were trying to meet and we seemed to not be able to meet any of them and I was just plain frustrated. It was hard but I realized that I needed to try working harder and to trust God more. So after a pretty dismal afternoon and a difficult conversation with someone who is Extrememly opposed to the church... we just wanted to go home BUT, Heavenly Father knew it would be a difficult day so He blessed us with a Mission President's Fireside that night. It was truly a tender mercy. We got there and were able to practice the song we were singing that night, and immediately we started feeling better. However the best part of the whole thing was when President got up and bore his testimony. He talked about the spirit we felt as we listened to the music and the testimonies and then said "so what?" What will we do now that we've felt that spirit? When Elder Zwick was here, his main question was "Am I Willing?" Am I willing to change? What am I willing to change? He told us that if we are willing to change, we will have the Spirit. If we are Not willing to change, we won't have the spirit. So what are we willing to change? It was an eye opener for me. Recently I have been a bit stubborn with the way I do things in my work. I want to do it my way at my own leisure and that's just not how it works. So I realized I needed to change to have the Spirit with me in my work, I need to be More willing to do God's will and not my own.
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President also mentioned the power of the Atonement, that we can change, that because of the atonement we have the opportunity and ability to change and become more like our Father in Heaven. I didn't really understand that until yesterday morning when I felt very overwhelmed during study. I felt like I'm not trying hard enough, that I haven't been a good example because we haven't been able to find Anyone in a few weeks. I was so frustrated with myself and Sis. Turner piped up and said "do you remember what President talked about last night? The Atonement can help us in this predicament too. We don't have to continue feeling like we can't do anything and that we're hopeless and helpless. We don't need to feel like we're bad missionaries. Because of the Atonement we can put the past behind us and start clean and fresh Today!" I had to laugh about that because that's what I'm teaching everyone but I apply it to sins of commission and in this case I guess we've been guilty of sins of omission. But regardless of what the case may be we can be forgiven. We can start fresh and clean! The weight was lifted off my shoulders and I realized just how important this gospel is. That we can't receive the fullness of the Atonement's effects without baptism by the Priesthood authority of God. What does that mean? we must be baptized by someone who holds that Priesthood to truly have a remission of sins. Yes, we feel better but the weight cannot be taken away without access to that atoning grace. I understand that now and I'm so grateful that I have that in my life and that I was able to feel that yesterday morning. :) I know this church is true. I know the Savior did perform that Atonement, purely out of love for us and for our Father in Heaven. That Atonement covers Everything we do if we follow His example, are baptized by those holding the Priesthood power and allow the Atonement to work in our lives by having faith and repenting. It is necessary for those feelings of guilt and shame to be gone. I love my Savior! I'm so grateful for all He has done for me and I hope and pray that I can share even a bit of that truth with others. :)
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I love you all! Thanks for letting me share my experience, not that you had any choice in the matter... ;) But I truly do love the Lord and this Gospel and I know He loves each and every one of us! :)
Keep setting wonderful examples and let the Atonement work in your life by being "willing to change" always.
Love you,
Love Sister Maureen Davis
PS Happy Early Birthday Mom!
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Life has been good. We've been chugging along as usual. :) I can't remember much about this week except for Sunday. Sunday was a really hard day, we had so many goals that we were trying to meet and we seemed to not be able to meet any of them and I was just plain frustrated. It was hard but I realized that I needed to try working harder and to trust God more. So after a pretty dismal afternoon and a difficult conversation with someone who is Extrememly opposed to the church... we just wanted to go home BUT, Heavenly Father knew it would be a difficult day so He blessed us with a Mission President's Fireside that night. It was truly a tender mercy. We got there and were able to practice the song we were singing that night, and immediately we started feeling better. However the best part of the whole thing was when President got up and bore his testimony. He talked about the spirit we felt as we listened to the music and the testimonies and then said "so what?" What will we do now that we've felt that spirit? When Elder Zwick was here, his main question was "Am I Willing?" Am I willing to change? What am I willing to change? He told us that if we are willing to change, we will have the Spirit. If we are Not willing to change, we won't have the spirit. So what are we willing to change? It was an eye opener for me. Recently I have been a bit stubborn with the way I do things in my work. I want to do it my way at my own leisure and that's just not how it works. So I realized I needed to change to have the Spirit with me in my work, I need to be More willing to do God's will and not my own.
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President also mentioned the power of the Atonement, that we can change, that because of the atonement we have the opportunity and ability to change and become more like our Father in Heaven. I didn't really understand that until yesterday morning when I felt very overwhelmed during study. I felt like I'm not trying hard enough, that I haven't been a good example because we haven't been able to find Anyone in a few weeks. I was so frustrated with myself and Sis. Turner piped up and said "do you remember what President talked about last night? The Atonement can help us in this predicament too. We don't have to continue feeling like we can't do anything and that we're hopeless and helpless. We don't need to feel like we're bad missionaries. Because of the Atonement we can put the past behind us and start clean and fresh Today!" I had to laugh about that because that's what I'm teaching everyone but I apply it to sins of commission and in this case I guess we've been guilty of sins of omission. But regardless of what the case may be we can be forgiven. We can start fresh and clean! The weight was lifted off my shoulders and I realized just how important this gospel is. That we can't receive the fullness of the Atonement's effects without baptism by the Priesthood authority of God. What does that mean? we must be baptized by someone who holds that Priesthood to truly have a remission of sins. Yes, we feel better but the weight cannot be taken away without access to that atoning grace. I understand that now and I'm so grateful that I have that in my life and that I was able to feel that yesterday morning. :) I know this church is true. I know the Savior did perform that Atonement, purely out of love for us and for our Father in Heaven. That Atonement covers Everything we do if we follow His example, are baptized by those holding the Priesthood power and allow the Atonement to work in our lives by having faith and repenting. It is necessary for those feelings of guilt and shame to be gone. I love my Savior! I'm so grateful for all He has done for me and I hope and pray that I can share even a bit of that truth with others. :)
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I love you all! Thanks for letting me share my experience, not that you had any choice in the matter... ;) But I truly do love the Lord and this Gospel and I know He loves each and every one of us! :)
Keep setting wonderful examples and let the Atonement work in your life by being "willing to change" always.
Love you,
Love Sister Maureen Davis
PS Happy Early Birthday Mom!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Week 51 - Thursday, March 8th, 2012
Okay, logistics first, keep asking Maddy about registration dates, i think I'll probably get on next week to see what I need to do about it and then I'll let you know more. Thanks mom!
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As for everything else... This was a long week. We've been stuggling to find people for a while now and we're just praying to get more out of our comfort zones to do so. I did exchanges on Friday with Sis. Hudson! It was so fun to be back with her and surprising how easy it was to teach with her, we still have the rhythm down I guess. :) It was really neat, we met with our latest new investigator, Dylan who was less than enthusiastic but the family (who are less active) were so excited and they were bearing testimony to him. It was really neat!
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While on exchanges we learned the importance of member work. There was a lady we met with from my ward who was sweet as ever and who shared a really neat miracle story about missionary efforts. She had been talking to someone she works with about religion without ever identifying her religion. So the lady she was talking with told her that for the past five years she's been having a dream and she said she thinks it's God speaking to her through this dream. Sister Oaks, the member, said she believed her and that she knows God can speak through dreams. So this lady was surprised and ended up telling her about the dream. She dreamt that she was walking around this beautiful tree, And on the tree there was fruit that was like an orange but Golden. Her greatest desire was to have her family try some of this fruit! So she looked around and saw a long path from the tree with fruit scattered down the path. That's all she remembered. But sis. oaks was astonished and told her she knew someone else who had a dream very similar to that and that it was found in the Book of Mormon and it actually explains what it means in that book. The woman was so surprised, she wanted to read it! So sis. oaks is going to get her a copy of it this week. It was so neat. The Lord really prepares people to hear His gospel and the truth. It's so neat!
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The rest of the week was fairly good, Beth and Ruth should have a baptismal date next week, Beth is going to pray for a date, she's finally ready! We're so excited for them. as for Minerva, we're still working with her. We just did a family home evening with the family last night and we ended up playing bula, bula haha they all loved it (including my companion) So I'm just spreading the traditions. :)
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Oh and this last testimony meeting was so sweet. Everyone got up and bore their testimonies about missionary work! And the less active woman we've brought back to church stayed for Gospel Principles class and made so many wonderful comments. Things are looking really good for that family too.
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Thanks for the emails each week. They really brighten my day. I love you all and hope all is going well back home. I hope the nasty bug has left too. :) Love you! Give everyone a hug and a kiss from me.
Love Sister Maureen Davis
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As for everything else... This was a long week. We've been stuggling to find people for a while now and we're just praying to get more out of our comfort zones to do so. I did exchanges on Friday with Sis. Hudson! It was so fun to be back with her and surprising how easy it was to teach with her, we still have the rhythm down I guess. :) It was really neat, we met with our latest new investigator, Dylan who was less than enthusiastic but the family (who are less active) were so excited and they were bearing testimony to him. It was really neat!
.
While on exchanges we learned the importance of member work. There was a lady we met with from my ward who was sweet as ever and who shared a really neat miracle story about missionary efforts. She had been talking to someone she works with about religion without ever identifying her religion. So the lady she was talking with told her that for the past five years she's been having a dream and she said she thinks it's God speaking to her through this dream. Sister Oaks, the member, said she believed her and that she knows God can speak through dreams. So this lady was surprised and ended up telling her about the dream. She dreamt that she was walking around this beautiful tree, And on the tree there was fruit that was like an orange but Golden. Her greatest desire was to have her family try some of this fruit! So she looked around and saw a long path from the tree with fruit scattered down the path. That's all she remembered. But sis. oaks was astonished and told her she knew someone else who had a dream very similar to that and that it was found in the Book of Mormon and it actually explains what it means in that book. The woman was so surprised, she wanted to read it! So sis. oaks is going to get her a copy of it this week. It was so neat. The Lord really prepares people to hear His gospel and the truth. It's so neat!
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The rest of the week was fairly good, Beth and Ruth should have a baptismal date next week, Beth is going to pray for a date, she's finally ready! We're so excited for them. as for Minerva, we're still working with her. We just did a family home evening with the family last night and we ended up playing bula, bula haha they all loved it (including my companion) So I'm just spreading the traditions. :)
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Oh and this last testimony meeting was so sweet. Everyone got up and bore their testimonies about missionary work! And the less active woman we've brought back to church stayed for Gospel Principles class and made so many wonderful comments. Things are looking really good for that family too.
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Thanks for the emails each week. They really brighten my day. I love you all and hope all is going well back home. I hope the nasty bug has left too. :) Love you! Give everyone a hug and a kiss from me.
Love Sister Maureen Davis
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Week 50 - Thursday, March 1st, 2012
Dear Family and Friends... yeah! :)
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Hey I love you all. I've had a great week. From meeting with Elder Zwick, twice, in zone leader council and zone conference, to the miracles we've had with some less actives coming back to church, to our exchange with the spanish sisters. It's been a good week. I wrote down Lots of notes from Elder Zwick but they have all seemed to escape my mind. I do remember that he warned us to protect our companions from making mistakes and not being exactly obedient because that can lead to bigger things. And I remember how much he and his wife stressed using Preach my Gospel, not only as missionaries but as members. It just states our doctrine so purely and simply. It was great and I'll have to share more of my notes when I get home. :)
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As for the exchange it was good, I'm getting better at knowing what to do for these sisters. Sister Hansen and I talked about the vision and goals we have for our sisters and I'm excited to work more with them. In fact I'm going to be with Sis. Hudson again this friday! I'm excited to be with her again and see how she's doing. We're singing in the upcoming fireside in Poway. Which reminds me, today when I was at the Temple I saw Sis. Davis and Brother Gaughan, both wonderful members I served with up in Green Valley! It was so cool to see them there. And Sis. Davis did a double take when she saw me. :) I also saw Sis. Tengburg, another one from Green Valley at our zone conference lunch. I love Green Valley people. :) It was a really good day at the Temple today too. We had some investigators that we prayed for there and I think we have some ideas of what we can do with them so I'm excited.
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As for the miracles with some less actives. There was this lady who hasn't gone to church in forever. She just didnt think it was important, so we talked about the sacrament and preparing for it. It was like a light went on and she realized that she needed to prepare so she said "sisters, I'll be there. and I'll prepare too." She was there just as she said! Even though her grandson was in the hospital. Her home teacher went and gave him a blessing after church and when they gave the blessing, the spirit was so strong that an athiest who was dating this lady's daughter asked to learn more about that feeling. So on friday we taught him and he was excited to learn more. I know that Heavenly Father blesses us with miracles when we are working hard. We've been so blessed lately. I love this work and everything about it! I hope you are all doing well and staying humble and keeping up a great relationship with our Father in Heaven. He loves us and wants only the best for us. I know that is true and I love sharing it every day of my life. :)
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
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Ps - I love working with the people in El Cajon. I love to "consider their potential. From the day they arrive on the planet, blinking step into the sun. There's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than - no hold on. Sorry, that's the Lion King. But the point still stands: leave them alone!" Okay sorry I had to throw that on. Sister Turner's sister sends her a Dr. Who quote every week so I thought I'd share the latest one, just for you mom. ;)
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Hey I love you all. I've had a great week. From meeting with Elder Zwick, twice, in zone leader council and zone conference, to the miracles we've had with some less actives coming back to church, to our exchange with the spanish sisters. It's been a good week. I wrote down Lots of notes from Elder Zwick but they have all seemed to escape my mind. I do remember that he warned us to protect our companions from making mistakes and not being exactly obedient because that can lead to bigger things. And I remember how much he and his wife stressed using Preach my Gospel, not only as missionaries but as members. It just states our doctrine so purely and simply. It was great and I'll have to share more of my notes when I get home. :)
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As for the exchange it was good, I'm getting better at knowing what to do for these sisters. Sister Hansen and I talked about the vision and goals we have for our sisters and I'm excited to work more with them. In fact I'm going to be with Sis. Hudson again this friday! I'm excited to be with her again and see how she's doing. We're singing in the upcoming fireside in Poway. Which reminds me, today when I was at the Temple I saw Sis. Davis and Brother Gaughan, both wonderful members I served with up in Green Valley! It was so cool to see them there. And Sis. Davis did a double take when she saw me. :) I also saw Sis. Tengburg, another one from Green Valley at our zone conference lunch. I love Green Valley people. :) It was a really good day at the Temple today too. We had some investigators that we prayed for there and I think we have some ideas of what we can do with them so I'm excited.
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As for the miracles with some less actives. There was this lady who hasn't gone to church in forever. She just didnt think it was important, so we talked about the sacrament and preparing for it. It was like a light went on and she realized that she needed to prepare so she said "sisters, I'll be there. and I'll prepare too." She was there just as she said! Even though her grandson was in the hospital. Her home teacher went and gave him a blessing after church and when they gave the blessing, the spirit was so strong that an athiest who was dating this lady's daughter asked to learn more about that feeling. So on friday we taught him and he was excited to learn more. I know that Heavenly Father blesses us with miracles when we are working hard. We've been so blessed lately. I love this work and everything about it! I hope you are all doing well and staying humble and keeping up a great relationship with our Father in Heaven. He loves us and wants only the best for us. I know that is true and I love sharing it every day of my life. :)
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Love Sister Maureen Davis
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Ps - I love working with the people in El Cajon. I love to "consider their potential. From the day they arrive on the planet, blinking step into the sun. There's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than - no hold on. Sorry, that's the Lion King. But the point still stands: leave them alone!" Okay sorry I had to throw that on. Sister Turner's sister sends her a Dr. Who quote every week so I thought I'd share the latest one, just for you mom. ;)
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