Monday, October 7, 2013

Aug 20

Wow!! Pday already!! Can't believe that another week has gone by. But here I am again, writing you all :) I was requested by someone special to give more details on the people I work with... so I will try to do better at that! Emailing every week (instead of talking) is much harder than I thought when I first came out here. I seem to always be trying to do better and better at it, with giving more and more details. But I am going to perfect it!!
So this week has been really interesting for me. Starting with Wednesday :)

We met with one of our Ward Missionaries: Melissa Christenson. Background knowledge on her: she is 19, and is currently dating our Ward Mission Leader Jacob Taylor. I don't know if you want to know a lot of details.. but I am going to give it all to you!! Haha.. just because I love you all! Anyway, they have been on and off dating for about 7 months. She "plans" on going on a mission, but I think that she is going to get married instead. Jacob Taylor is 24 and a return missionary. They are cute together, but it super awkward at times when they are ALWAYS together. I am not even kidding. But! We met with her and just had lunch. She took us out to Panera Bread, super good, and we got a whole load of relationship drama!! Seriously, being in the singles ward is sometimes like being a therapist. We tend to get all of the drama and everything from those we meet with. Crazy!!!

We teach a bible study every Wednesday. I LOVE IT!!! This week was on Matthew 9. The discussions we have are totally spirit lead, and I wish that I could capture them and tell you everything about them.. but I can't. but!!! in one of my personal studies this week, I found a quote that goes along with this chapter:

" The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls." President Harold B. Lee

"perfect people don't need a Savior."

There is soo much about faith, and healing, and such an incredible Spirit that is in this one chapter alone. Almost everyone was in tears at the end of the discussion.

We have an incredible senior missionaries in our ward. Sister Van Alfen makes treats for after bible study... they are always super good! I have started to collect some recipes from her, that I will bring home and try to make for all of you. (don't worry.. I haven't gained weight.. in fact I'm losing!)



On Thursday we meet with a convert who is struggling, Christine Johnson. She made some choices and now has to pay the repercussions for them. I won't go into details, but I have seen the devastating spiritual side to it all.. and it is really sad. But! I know that as long as we try to do our best and make the right choices. There is always a plan and a reason for everything...Trust in the Lord with all that you have!

Later in the evening we taught or better yet, they are teaching us the lessons.. by Chris Franco and Tom Amato. They threw all plans out the window and taught with the Spirit. They are going to be great missionaries!!! We have all the premissionaries teach us, in preparation for when they go out on their missionaries. It is really neat to play the part of the investigator or the observer. You realize how much you can learn from others and the Spirit.



Friday!! We had an amazing district meeting!! Our district is like family. We would do anything for each other and we love each other. Some quotes and things I learned this week from it:

"Remember is on of the most important words in the Book of Mormon. We are meant to Remember."

"One we forgive ourselves we can move forward faster." "Do not doubt the Atonement."

"There are no ordinary people, just potential Gods and Goddesses." - C.S. Lewis.

From this District Meeting I really want to read the book the Infinite Atonement. I will after the mission. Remember always how amazing the infinite and true the sacrifice our Saviour has made for each and every one of us. Don't let it pass you by, but use the Atonement to change.. to become who you are supposed to be. I know being out here on the mission, I am able to do that. But I know that it is possible for each on of you to also to do the same.

Friday was exchange day last week!! Hooray! I went with Sister Mims (from Texas) again, and we always seem to have fun. Most of the time I try to encourage, and uplift her in this work. She is a good missionary and just doubts herself a lot. So I try to for those 24 hours to uplift her and everything like that. We each have our own struggles and battles to face, but with the help of encouragement and our Saviour we can make it through. ;D



Saturday!! I hit my 4 month mark!! Crazy!! I cannot believe that I have been out here for 4 months! I would never ever trade this time for anything at all! I have seen so many miracles already, and although we haven't had a lot of investigators or any baptisms. I know that it is in the Lord's timing, and I am here for a specific purpose.



Sunday!! one of the best days in the week!! I love church! some things that I learned from the talks and lessons at church:

"5 love languages..(weird I know, but it was really interesting! and it will relate to the gospel) 1: Words of Affirmation. 2: Quality Time. 3: Gifts. 4: Acts of service. 5: Physical touch."

"Love is a choice. You choose if you want to love someone." "Love the Lord."



"Life is pain,your highness,. And anyone who says different is selling you something." -Princess Bride.

"Remember through the Savior, good things will come."

"Good things will come through our trials!!"



During our Relief Society Lesson, Melissa Christenson taught the lesson. At the end, she called everyone out for not doing Member missionary work. It was amazing!! Pretty much just called all of Relief Society to Repentance. We were shocked and soo proud of her!! We then were given our oppurtunites to bear our testimonies at the end. The spirit was soo strong, that we could have sliced it in half. Amazing and incredible!!!

quote for the week!!



"It's not a race. It's a journey. Enjoy the Moment." - Sister Utchdorf.



Please continue to pray for me! I love you all and hope to hear from you next week!!! Enjoy!!!

(pictures should come next week ;P)

Love,,

Sister Shelby Twitchell :D

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