Rain !!!

The first half of last week was amazing! The last half was... wet.

Monday we met with Melissa Mae and had an enjoyable and rejuvenating P-Day

Tuesday we had a great district meeting followed by chalking the Plan of Salvation on the sidewalk on FSU. It was mostly the Elders, but we helped and donated the chalk, so we'll take credit too. Later we had a lesson that fell through, so we got to do some tracting. We did have a great lesson with Kiley & Cory. We talked about fasting & prayer & taught them the promised blessing/ required action way of reading the Book of Mormon. They both loved it and ate it up. It was amazing! We also ran into a girl on campus that investigated the church two years ago. We gave her another Book of Mormon and she said she'd love to have us call her after the semester is over.

Wednesday we spent time on FAMU and found two new investigators, Angela and Earnest. It was great to open my mouth and for people to actually want to listen. I found a new favorite question for talking to people on campus 'would you like to learn more about Jesus Christ?' It is hard to say no to that, and then I'm able to testify, they feel the Spirit, and a seed is planted! I love being a missionary!

Thursday is when it started to rain. We made it down to TCC, but had to leave early and we just barely beat the really heavy rain, though we were both still soaked! We did have a dinner appointment that night with the Roberts family and a girl Briana that came to church randomly last week. It was an amazing lesson and the spirit was so strong! I love it when I'm teaching and the words I'm saying aren't my own. It is an experience I can't even describe, but it is powerful.

Friday we tried to venture out, but after only an hour they announced a thunderstorm warning over the intercom on campus and told us to seek shelter immediately. We were at the church parking lot when it started coming down in sheets so we didn't quite make it. We were still wet most of the day.

Saturday morning we ventured out again. I need to go to CVS to get an ace bandage and a heating pad because my knee was killing me. On the way back it started to pour again. We forced ourselves out in the pouring rain later for Alex's baptism. It was wonderful. The FSU Elders have been teaching him for quite some time. He is a powerhouse and is going to do great things in the church.

Sunday the sun was back!!! Alex was confirmed and the blessing was as powerful as he is. The Stake had an Easter Musical that was beautiful. Later in the evening we stopped by a few investigators' homes that don't have phones or we have the wrong phone number, but no one was home. Somehow we managed to get work done, most of it was in the first half of the week, but even the time we were stuck inside was good because we were able to update the area book and call former and potential investigators, something we've been wanting to do for a while.

Caralina!!!! Thank you for the letter! I'd love to hear details about everything. Pictures are great too! You can email me if that is easier...! I'll try to get your letter in the mail tomorrow. I love you!I'd love to hear from all of you!Love,the finally dry, Sister Short

Squirrels

We have new friends at 105 Fifield Lane. Squirrels. We first heard them in December, but they visit us daily now. They have chewed holes in one of the screens and love to hang out in our attic. We had the Elders come and check it out (mostly to make sure we weren't hearing things) and they have definitely been up there. Hopefully our friends will have to move on soon.
Monday- Our district played Broom Hockey! We only broke two brooms and only one Elder started to bleed. It was a great success! Tanya, Krissie & Carly fed all of us and Sister Wilcox taught Carly how to do the "Utah bump" to her hair. She was looking on Facebook and noticed that a lot of members have that hair, so she associates it with being a member and wanted to learn how. She is so much fun!
Tuesday- We had a great green dinner with Kristin Hill and had a Bible/Book of Mormon study with her and her roommate Rachel.
Wednesday- Zone Conference! I love getting to meet with President Summerhays. Zone Conference is always exactly what I need to give me a boost and some added direction. We had a lesson with France after and it was amazing as we read the Tree of Life with her in 1 Nephi 8 and she saw what she needed to change in her life. I love the Book of Mormon!
Thursday- We went to the TCC Booth and were able to talk to several different people. We also got to meet with Farah and feel of her strength. Erica Sewell also fed us all dinner, which is always nice :)
Friday- We got to go to the Ronald McDonald house, always a favorite, and then we had an amazing lesson with Kiley & Cory. Cory is doing so well as he prepares for baptism.
Saturday- We planned in the morning. I love planning because we receive so much inspiration and direction for everyone we are working with in such a condensed period of time. Then we went tracting and were able to meet up with Caroline. We found her before Spring Break, but she was moving and her phone was turned off. Then the Zone Leaders found her one day and she mentioned meeting us. They gave us her address and we went and taught her a first lesson. It was a miracle!
Sunday- We had a lesson with Amber, girlfriend of Cory Zauche, a member of 5th ward, after church and she has such a sweet countenance and the spirit was very strong in the lesson. Afterwards we went tracting and were able to welcome rejection! It really was great! We testified with faith and not fear and as a result we found a new investigator, Jade, and a few potentials. It was a great experience!
Lina- Thanks for the letter, I haven't had the chance to read it because we haven't gotten our mail from the Elders, but I'm excited!
I love you all!

What Not To Wear??

That's right. We were walking to a lesson when someone yelled out their window that we should be on what not to wear! We just about died laughing. We both commented on how we are rather shapeless in our clothing and it isn't even flattering. We felt validated and enjoyed the comment! We had a really good week, especially considering that it was Spring Break. We are excited to work hard this week too. I don't have much time, so here are some fragmented thoughts.

Monday- I had an amazing blessing in which I literally felt the healing power of the Priesthood flood my body. I also was given great counsel and promised great blessings. I love the Priesthood!

Tuesday- We talked more about being a family at District Meeting and planned a great broom hockey activity for today (I broke the broom within 10 minutes...)

Wednesday- We had 3 lessons with less-actives and had a break through with one. I was able to share my experiences in dealing with depression. It was nice to be able to have someone else benefit from that as well (plus she was at church on Sunday!)

Thursday- I can't currently remember, and don't have time to think...

Friday- we did service at a high school 'Brain Bowl' and ran into a former investigator who only stopped progressing because her dad was against it. She said she turns 18 soon and will give us a call.

Saturday- Carly was baptized! I'll send pictures next week, but she is the best! She has Cerebral Palsy and so she has to use a walker, so she comes up with lots of things that she will do in the Celestial Kingdom, the current favorite is riding sea turtles :)

Sunday- Farah shared her conversion story in Sacrament meeting and it was very powerful.

I love you all! Have a great week!

Mail Thief

This past week was yet another amazing one (which is good because this week is Spring Break and most everyone is gone) Here are some daily highlights.

Monday we had a great lesson with Erin and she committed to fast for guidance on Sunday. Unfortunately she didn't come to church and had to work late last night, so we don't know how that went. She has an amazing spirit and knows the Book of Mormon is true, but something seems to be holding her back.

Tuesday we had another amazing district meeting. We had a lesson later that day with Kristen Hill & Rachel again. I love getting to help people see that the Book of Mormon and the Bible go hand in hand!

Wednesday we spent time down by FAMU. Everyone their is so friendly! We had some great opportunities to testify to people as we were tracting. I really feel like my tracting ability has improved- I may not be getting more investigators, but I testify with the Spirit for those brief moments & hopefully plant a seed.

Thursday Sister Wilcox & I held the booth on TCC & we talked to multiple people. We were able to teach a formal lesson with Stephanie and met several of her friends.We had a lesson with Cameron & Joe again as well as some friends of theirs that were in town. They love learning more, but still don't have a desire to make any changes. We also watched video surveillance of our mail thief! Sister Wilcox had a gift/credit card sent to her for Christmas & they tracked the purchase and we got to watch a video of the guy! They also took the letter from Grandma & Grandpa Erekson that we found on the side of the house to dust for fingerprints. It was pretty cool, plus we got to tell them a bit about the church. We'll be sure to keep you updated on the case of the missionary mail thief. :)

Friday we went back to Cameron & Joe's to help them clean up their apartment for the puppy they are getting after Spring Break. We then went to the Ronald McDonald House and cleaned there. I love cleaning, but even more than that, I love wearing pants! Later in the evening we met with a woman named Kelly in the 2nd ward who requested the Sister Missionaries. She is less-active but her 8 year old son goes with her dad and she wants to become active again and put her life in order. I love getting to help people that want to help themselves! It is amazing to watch the Lord work in their lives to help them return to Him.

Saturday we went to the Family History Fair they had at the Stake Center- it was a pretty good turn out with a lot of non-members. We then had a lesson with a girl named Meaghan. Meaghan was adopted by a less-active member and was visited a few weeks ago by diligent home teachers. She has expressed an interest in learning more and seemed to really feel the spirit in the lesson. She didn't come to church, but we're pretty sure that she was scared because she doesn't like to meet new people. We meet with her again next week & we are going to offer to come get her so she doesn't have to go in alone. Hopefully that will help. We had another great lesson with Kiley & Cory. We taught the Word of Wisdom & not only did Cory commit to live it, but seemed to really understand it as more than just a list of do's and don'ts.

Sunday was a wonderful Fast Sunday. Testimony meeting was powerful and I love the opportunity to have a meaningful fast. Sunday night we finally had time to plan for this week. Last week was so busy and this week, well, isn't. We'll see what happens.

I love you all!

Member Referrals

I love that each week has so much happen that I have to pull out my planner to remember it all...

Monday we had a wonderful, Spirit filled lesson with Erin. We watched the Restoration and talked about the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong and we were able to discover and help relieve some of her concerns. I love being a missionary!

Tuesday we had a great district meeting where we ended up all sharing what we've been struggling with and helping each other overcome it. We really worked together to build each other up and we are working together to accomplish our goals. Nothing we had originally planned for the rest of the day worked, but we had a lot of great things happen. I love being a missionary!

Wednesday we had a lesson with a less-active member and it was amazing to see her desire to do and be better. It was inspiring to see someone overcome so much and continue to strive to improve. We had a lesson with another less-active that lived far away, a member took us there, but she was a no-show. We went to leave and her car wouldn't start. It was quite comical, but ended up being for the best because her dad was already coming up this weekend and was able to help her and to see just how poor condition the car is in. Tender mercy in a small way and strange way :) We spent some time on campus and I cast out fear and opened my mouth more than ever before. I'd like to say miracles happened, and in a way it did, but not how I expected. I got more rejection on campus than ever before- even at hello. I even had a dog reject me! But then we went to go tracting before a lesson and we found a new investigator, tracted into a friend of a member that we'd met previously, received two referrals, and found a few other potentials. It was an amazing hour! Then we had a fantastic lesson with Cameron & Joe (Referrals from a family in 3rd ward). They aren't ready to make changes yet, but they have a desire to know more and to believe. They are excited to get to meet with us each week. I love being a missionary!

Thursday we spent time at TCC and were able to talk with a girl, Stephanie, that we'd met before and set up a time to meet and got her phone number. We had an amazing lesson with Kiley & Cory (Kiley is a recently active member and Cory is a friend/boyfriend since they were 13) about the Plan of Salvation. At the end Cory was a little emotional and expressed that he wanted to go to the Celestial Kingdom. It was exciting! I love being a missionary!

Friday we had fun at Friday Forum and the Ronald McDonald House. Afterward Kacie Bunch (who went to RMH with us) took us to get milk. She loves coffee, but she opted for a Dr. Pepper instead of Starbucks! Small miracles happen all the time! She is doing really well. Later we helped Kristen Hill clean her room again. It was wonderful! Her roommate Rachel was appreciative to and we were able to talk with her about the scriptures. We are going back tomorrow too! I love being a missionary! (especially when you do service and get to spend most of the day in pants!)

Saturday we spent time planning and other normal things, but then we spent time eating with investigators, eating with the Elders for Elder Clasby's birthday, and eating with members. Lots of food! I love being a missionary!

Sunday was Stake Conference and it was wonderful! Kacie was there and loved it. Kiley & Cory came, Kiley also brought her mom. Cory got there before Kiley and instead of waiting for her just came in and sat down by us with a big smile on his face. Elder Glen Pace was the visiting General Authority and he was wonderful! It was also fun to get to see President & Sister Summerhays. I remember now that the mission president was usually at Stake Conference, but I didn't put it together. We had an amazing lesson after with Kiley & Cory and a few other members & investigators & Elders Clasby & Rasmussen joined us. It was wonderful! We talked about the tree of life, but then it ventured into giving up things of the world for the Lord, then it went into baptism and Cory set a baptism date for the 11th of April! It was a powerful lesson and Cory just shines! I'm so happy for him! I love being a missionary!

Sister Wilcox and I were reflecting on the work in the 5th ward and from the time that we got here to April 11th (Cory's BCD) there will have been 10 baptisms in the 5th ward, and 8 of them were/are from member referrals!! That really is the 'better way' that President Hinckley describes.

I love you all!

Required Action -- Promised Blessing

President Summerhays gave us an assignment just over a month ago. We read the Book of Mormon and marked in one color the required action and in another color the promised blessing. For example1 Ne 1:12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the spirit of the Lord. 'he read' would be one color and 'he was filled with the spirit of the Lord' would be the other.It was an amazing experience. He challenged us to finish it by Feb 20th (Zone Conference) which meant at least 20 pages a day. It took a lot of work and time, but through the enabling power of the Atonement I was able to finish. It was powerful. I came to see how much the prophets of the Book of Mormon cried repentance. I saw how the miracles were all according to the faith of the individuals. I saw things I've never noticed before. It was an amazing experience. I invite all of you to do the same.

Transfers were this week and Sister Wilcox and I are still here. At Zone Conference on Friday President Summerhays said that there were two new sisters coming out next transfer but that he thinks campus will remain the same (we'll both still be here). It is possible that will change, but Sister Wilcox and I like the idea of serving together longer. We are so very different, but we get along so well. Between the two of us, there isn't a person we can't relate to in some way or another. We work hard and we have fun. It has been great!

The highlight of the week for me was Zone Conference. We talked about diligence. I left with a resolve to do and be better. I re-dedicated myself to the work. I will not just wake up at 6:30, but get out of bed and exercise. I will work all day, even when it is cold and/or rainy. I will show the Savior my love for Him through my actions and my continued diligence. It was a call to repentance, but it felt amazing. I love the chance we have to partake of the Sacrament each week to start over clean and pure. We also talked about the Book of Mormon reading we had been doing and we all committed to read the Book of Mormon every day for the rest of our lives. I'm excited about that. That is something I know I can be diligent about and unlike getting up on time in the morning, it is something that I can make sure happens at some point in the day, so I know that every day for the rest of my life I will read from the Book of Mormon and partake of the power that it holds.

In Zone Conference we also had the chance to talk about the District Meeting we held in the beginning of February where we finally became unified. We shared with what we did to get there, which was we committed to work together as a team or family to accomplish our goals as a district. We dissected what President had guided us to do and so Elder Rasmussen asked me to write on the board what I had written on the board at the District Meeting. As I did so, he continued to explain that we all committed to work together, but then I 'said ok, now HOW?!'... The entire Zone burst into laughter as he did a pretty good impression of my frustrated 'how'. President Summerhays laughed and said something about always needing the counsel of a woman and then handed me his name tag. I was thoroughly embarrassed for my boldness, but later when I talked with Sister Summerhays she said that I had gained the respect of the Zone, so it was a good thing. Then later another Elder needed to write on the board but was very hesitant to erase what I had written. President Summerhays commented that it was nice of him to not want to erase what I had written without my permission and the jokingly added 'especially since she might kill you'. Again laughter. President Summerhays knows me better than I ever realized :) **Note - I would never kill anyone, especially not an Elder, but the Elders in my district are well aware that I do fight for what I feel is right and, as already demonstrated, I'm not afraid to speak my mind... **Anyways, I found it all highly amusing and it was nice to laugh at myself a bit.

The work is going well. We have four progressing investigators and are working with a few less-active members. We are excited to have time to go tracting this week and find those that are prepared to hear the gospel.

I love you all! Read the Book of Mormon!

Farah!!

Farah Lamore Lester was baptized on Friday the 13th of February 2009!

That's really all I have to say, but I'll provide more details because they are amazing!First, the other things of the week.

Tuesday we had district meeting and it was the last one for the Zabriskies, a senior couple that went home on Friday. They serve two years in Quincy and accomplished miracles. We will miss the wisdom and insight as well as the fun they bring to district meetings. We then hiked up much farther than necessary (we couldn't find it at first) to contact a referral from last week. We had dinner with Kristen Hill - she always feed us very well :). And she has non-member roommates and friends that we get to spend time talking with. One of them even holds a bible study with Kristen each night and they use the Book of Mormon too! She is an excellent missionary :)

Wednesday we spent literally hours making phone calls an updating the area book. We taught a couple less-active lessons and they are all doing so well! One has said that she decided to quit smoking and drinking because she is reading the Book of Mormon and no longer has a desire to do those things. Hooray!

Thursday we spent most of the day at the TCC booth and had a lesson fall through and an unexpected lesson pop-up. It was fantastic! I love getting to talk to people about the Book of Mormon and all the ways it blesses my life. We helped Kristen Hill clean her room and were able to sit on her bible study with her roommate Rachel. It was a great chance to serve and to teach. :)

Thursday night we were on our way to a lesson with Farah when she called and told us not to come because they were leaving to follow the ambulance with her grandma to the hospital. We didn't hear from her that night and so in the morning we took cookies over (what else do we do) to make sure her grandma was okay (honestly, I was afraid she'd die or be really sick and Farah would want to postpone or something). Her grandma answered the door! Whew! We talked to Farah and everything was good to go. Talk about over reacting :)

Friday we had service for a bit at the Ronald McDonald House and then we were off to get ready for Farah's baptism. It was amazing! Eddie Wester, the friend that introduced her to the church, was able to baptize her. He was baptized the week we met Farah and was able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and perform the ordinance. He did a great job too. It was amazing! The Spirit was so strong. When we met Farah in the bathroom after all she could do was cry (but she cries pretty, not sobbing) and we cried with her and hugged before we let her get dressed. The Spirit is so strong whenever we are with Farah. Several people commented that it was the most spiritual baptism they have attended, even recently returned missionaries. I am so thankful that I've had such a cherished opportunity to get to know her. That I'll be able to continue to spend time learning and growing with her. I am thankful that she will be able to uplift the members of 5th ward with her sweet and gentle spirit. She is an amazing woman that has overcome numerous obstacles. She is so happy and feels so good that you can't help but feel the same way. It is truly amazing.

Saturday was tricky since it was Valentines Day, so we planned, let someone into the institute, made phone calls, updated the area and member books (the member book helps us to know who all the members are and a little about them- I'd be lost without it! but it is NOT a gossip book as some missionaries call them. We treat the information we have with the respect it deserves so that we can best help the members of the ward- sorry, I'm a little sensitive on the issue...)

Sunday was wonderful! Farah was confirmed by Brother Dennis Prescott, a member of the 4th ward that she works with at Publix (a local grocery store- possibly the best ever). It was a beautiful blessing and reflected who Farah is. Her countenance has changed since we met her about 2 months ago. It was always sweet, but now it is even brighter! She has also made numerous friends in the ward and is growing more and more each time we see her. We had other miracles Sunday. We had a goal of 4 new investigators this week, but we didn't really have time to tract. A member brought someone to church that we are going to teach, and when we went to contact a referral, we were able to teach her and her boyfriend as well as tract around her complex really briefly and find another new investigator. 4 in a matter of hours! It was a huge blessing and an amazing miracle to witness. When we went to church we had 2 appointments set up for the week. By the end of last night we had 8. The work is amazing!

So Katie Hawkes shared a bit of a talk by Elder Bednar with me, one that I've been studying for months and I realized that I should share some of the great talks I've found and had shared with me.
Pray Always & Ask in Faith by Elder Bednar
The Good Samaritan: Forgotten Symbols by John W. Welch
In the Strength of the Lord by Elder Bednar (this is the one Katie found too) It has also been a theme for our mission. I love it!
We also read the Ensign each month and there are always things that relate directly to our own lives and/or the lives of our investigators. I encourage all of you to get a subscription! Enjoy! I'll try and remember to send more later.
Katie Hawkes- I did get your letter and will reply asap. Thanks so much! Happy 22nd!
Katie Lewis- I have to find out you are dating someone from Katie Hawkes? Consider your self rebuked. I want to hear about it! You can email me!
Caraline- Katie says you aren't in the circus yet, there are circus classes at FSU, you should come down here.
Katie Lee- how goes student teaching? What would it take to get your last From The Heart cd from you?
Erek - congrats on BYU Hawaii!! Way to go!

The rest of you- I'd love to hear from you :)