Friends and dearest Famliy!
This is it! My last week as a Missionary! Just a few highlights..
Monday we had a great lesson with Norvell! His two twin nephews came
to the lesson. Their names are Keymon and Keymonte! So precious! We
talked about the Book of Mormon and invited them to all read the
introduction and pray if what they read was of God. I am really
excited to hear about their experience! We just found out that one of
the guys we were teaching, Brent, had to leave for Arizona to help out
his brother. He will be gone until Thanksgiving. Hopefully he will
keep reading and praying!
Tuesday was my last District Meeting. Elder Keagon my District Leader
had written on the agenda "The Tale of Two Sisters". Sister Smith and
I both had the opportunity to bare our testimony to our District at
the conclusion of the meeting. It was great! We met with Sister Mundy
and share with her 1 Nephi 8, Lehi's Dream. We had cute cut outs of
course and had a great discussion about holding to the rod and
standing strong and faithful. She has become so much strong in these
past 3 months! I am so grateful to have been able to learn with her
and from her. We met with Iza'ya for a few minutes today and he told
us that his mom doesn't not want him to get Baptized again. She
doesn't understand the importance of authority and that that is key in
order for a Baptism to really be in the name of Christ. Hopefully
through prayer and learning her heart will be softened. We then were
able to read with Norvell, Keymon and Keymonte! We invited them to
continue to pray. It is so fun to hear them say there first prayers!
They are so pure!
Wednesday we had exchanges! I was in our area with Sister Toyn. We
were up bright and early to teach Seminary! It was wonderful! We
talked about our purpose and also ways to share the gospel. They role
played setting at lunch and inviting there friends to learn using the
willing and brief! They loved it! We were able to meeting with
Norvell, Keymon and Keymonte again! Keymon and Keymonte ran out of
there house up to us holding their copies of the Book of Mormon,
shouting, "IT'S TRUE! IT'S TRUE! WE KNOW IT'S TRUE " I have never seen
so much enthusiasm! It was amazing!!! They are very special sons of
God! We then had a "Ice Cream SUNDAY" lesson with Iza'ya! We compared
the Sabbath to a Sunday that you eat. WE talked about the things we
should and shouldn't do on Sunday. He loved it! Everyone always does.
Hopefully this will help him to come to church this Sunday. We had a
great dinner with the Robles. We shared with them the "Because or Him"
video that the church created for Easter. It brings tears to my eyes
every time I watch it! http://easter.mormon.org/ We also read in the
Book of Mormon with with Sister Olive. It's amazing to how the
scriptures have the answers, guidance, and comfort to all of life's
needs.
Thursday we met with a less active named Lisa. She agreed to have us
come and "practice" our lesson with her! It is always exciting when we
get to teach someone about the gospel, who may have forgotten it's
importance. Their testimonies are always rekindled! It is amazing! We
also met with Jeanie! She is preparing for Baptism in December and is
really doing awesome! We had a crazy accident happen though. Our
member that was with us was petting her dog, who was a rescue dog and
is very unstable. Well after petting her, she stood up to quick and
the dog bit her hand. It was hurt pretty bad! It really was quite
scary! Then we met with Norvell, Keymon and Keymonte and read a little
bit more in the Book of Mormon with them. I love reading the Book of
Mormon with people. The Spirit is always so strong as we read the word
of God together as brother and sisters.
Friday we had a surprise Sister Training Leader Meeting. Sister
Swerdfeger and I gave a training on "Lovingly Correcting Disobedience"
It turned out amazing! We talked about three steps to take. 1) as we
are on exchanges with our sisters we should read in the Missionary
White Hand Book about something that Sister is struggling with. Have a
positive discussion on how we can all improve that behavior. 2) pull
her aside in the moment of the disobedient behavior to talk about it.
3) seek help from Mission Leaders. All the Sisters said our training
really helped them! We role played examples for them. It was really
positive. They announced that they with have Mission STLs now, they
will work along side President and the APs. They are like Sister APs.
It is pretty cool. I know it will help a lot of Sisters!
Saturday was my last full day to work as a Missionary! We worked hard!
We talked to so many people and had a couple lessons. But the
highlight was being able to attend Terry's Baptism. Sister Pence and I
had taught her in September and then she moved. But the Elder's were
able to continue teaching her! It was so great to her and it was a
very special experience! She is solid! I can't wait to see all the
good she does. She is such a great example to her family and friends!
Sunday during Craig Ranch Ward, Bishop Montandon had me stand a bare
my testimony. I held it together pretty good. It was great to be able
to see all the people that I have grown to love and adore as I have
served here these last 3 months. The Montandon's fed us dinner and
then had a surprise dessert party afterwards and invited members of
the ward to come. It was very special. I was grateful to have been
able to say goodbye to everyone.
I truly am at peace with this chapter of my life ending. I know that
if The Lord wanted me to serve longer He would have called me to serve
longer. He asked for 18 months and I have faithfully served the best
that I could. I wasn't the perfect missionary. But I was perfect in
one thing, I was perfect in trying. I know that Heavenly Father
qualifies whom He calls. He will always give us guidance and
direction. He knows us. He knows our needs, wants, and desires. I am
so grateful He know me. When I look back on my mission and even my
life, if things would have worked out the way I wanted it to be, I
would not have the joy I have now. I would not have been able to serve
with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I am forever grateful
for a loving Heavenly Father, who sent His Son to be my Savior and
your Savior. I know that I can always trust Him. "I know that He
loveth His children; nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all
things." - 1 Nephi 11:17
Love,
Sister Davis
Hello Wonderful Family and Friends!
Let's just jump right into it!
This Monday we had an amazing lesson. We went to go visit our new
investigator Marco. He was called into work and wasn't home. His
sister Rebeca answered the door and invited us to come in and share a
message with her. We shared the Restoration message and talked abou
how the Priesthood authority was here on the Earth again. We talked
about the Book of Mormon and how she can have a witness from the
Spirit that all of this is true. She excepted to be Baptized in
November and was so excited to read from the Book of Mormon. It was so
powerful! I truly know Heavenly Father is aware of His children!
Tuesday we had a great district meeting and then meet with Brent. We
taught him about the Restoration. He is struggling with the idea of
Prophets, even Bible time Prophets. Hopefully as he studies and prays
he will recognizes his answer from the Spirit. We also met with Sister
Mundy! We had a great discussion of Alma 32 and Ether 12. I love the
things we learn about Faith, Hope, and Humility from these chapters!
She has a great desire to come closer to the Spirit. We taught Iza'ya
about the Plan of Salvation. He renamed it "The Happy Plan" It is so
fun to teach him, because he loves to learn and really understands all
that we share with him! Then because our dinner canceled on us we were
able to go with the youth and our investigators to the Meet The
Mormons movie at the Texas Station! It was awesome! Super weird to be
in a Casino and then a Movie Theater as a Missionary! But it was
wonderful to feel the Spirit and see how the gospel has blessed so
many peoples lives across the world!
Wednesday we meet with Jacqueline and read in the Book of Mormon with
her. She is going through some really struggles. She excepted to
prepare to be Baptized in November! The Spirit was so strong as we
taught her and invited her to prepare to be Baptized. I am so excited
for her! Later we read in the Book of Mormon with Iza'ya. He is so
excited for the things he reads and how he can relate it to his life!
Thursday we talked to Brent more about the Book of Mormon. He has
already read to much of it. He just needs to pray with real intent! We
taught Jeanie about the Plan of Salvation! She talked to us about how
she is trying to quite smoking. I know it may be a challenge for her.
But we praying and doing all we can to help her. We also met with
Iza'ya again and taught him about Faith, Reptenace, Baptism, The Gift
of The Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. He love Repentance! It is
his new favorite word. We a
Love,lso met with Hannah the lady we helped move a few weeks ago. She
is a sweetheart. We had a great lesson with a guy Novell. We taught
him the Restoration and invited him to be Baptized. He agreed and is
going to pray about the thigns we have shared. It was a jam packed
day!
Friday was my 18 MONTH MARK! I can't even believe that! We were able
to meet with President and Sister Snow for interviews and watch the
Meet The Mormons movie! What an awesome day! We had a great dinner
with the Fontano Family! I just love them! We met with Novell and he
said that he prayed about what we shared. He woke up in tears and he
know that the Holy Spirit made it know to him that what we shared was
true! Amazing experience! We read with the Garcia's about the Savior
coming to the America's! Then met with the Endsley's and talked about
The Plan of Salvation. I just love these families!
Saturday we had weekly planing but we did get to meet with Iza'ya and
read in the Book of Mormon! He loves the scriptures which makes it so
fun to read with him.
Sunday was a great day! We went to the Why I Believe Fireside after
church! Sister Mundy came with us! I got to see all of my old friends
from Boulder City and Robindale! It was wonderful! I saw Olivia and
Lou which was a special treat! I love feeling the Spirit there!
I can't believe I only have one week left as a missionary! I am going
to work my very hardest and share my testimony with everyone! I am so
grateful for the time I have to serve here! It is the greatest work!
Love,
Sister Davis
Hello Family and Friends!!
What a great week it has been! There is so much good here in North and
then you get a little crazy mixed in. The crazy this week was that
there was a traffic violation outside our apartment complex. The
driver shot at the officer and his two armed friends ran away. All the
streets were blocked off and there were camera crews around our
apartment trying to surround the two armed men. This is North.
Monday we had our first lesson with a 16 year old boy, Iza'ya
(Isaiah). He is so innocent and remembers so much of what the Elders
taught him before. We had a great discussion on the Restoration and he
has a great desire to be baptized. His mom has been holding him back.
Hopefully through prayer and fasting her heart will be softened.
Tuesday we had a great district meeting and then we were able to meet
with Jeanie and have our first lesson with her. She is living with her
son and his family who all attend our ward. I felt like we were
teaching a member. She is already reading the Book of Mormon, praying,
coming to church, having Family Home Evening with her family. She know
that this is Christ Restored Gospel on the Earth today. She is so
ready! I am not sure why her family hadn't invited us to teach her
earlier! I love teaching her. She has had a very hard life, but can
see the light at the end of the tunnel and she knows how much the
gospel can help her. We then were able to go to Sister Mundy's and
answer questions and read with her. We talked about opposition in all
things an dread in 2 Nephi 2 about the importance of choices. It was
wonderful. I always feel uplifted as awe meet with Sister Mundy! We
had dinner with a less active, part member family that night. It sure
was fun! They had the two cutest kids. Then Janelle went with us to
say a prayer with a girl we met earlier that morning. She wasn't home,
but her brother was. He let us in and we prayed with him. It was the
strangest experience. He stopped us in the middle of the prayer to
make a few random comments. He said he would be interested in learning
more. He is YSA age so we told the YSA Sisters about him and hopefully
they will be able to help him.
Wednesday we went to the Temple. I was able to see so many people from
my past areas. Sister Green from Quail Ridge was in my session. Sister
Slack from Black Canyon was sitting right next to me. It was so great
to see them again. The Las Vegas Temple is so pretty! There is such a
special spirit there! It was such a blessing to be able to go and feel
of my Heavenly Father's love. We had dinner with the Garcia's, they
fed us steak! It was so good! They are so fun and made us a little
care package of snacks to take with us. It was great!
Thursday I was on exchanges with Sister Coltrin in their area. We had
some great lessons with some of their investigators. It was fun to go
on exchanges again with Sister Coltrin. Last time we discovered that
we were both going into Advertising at BYU. This time we both
discovered that we both changed our majors to Public Relations at BYU.
We are so in sync it is crazy! It was fun to see how another
companionship balances being in two wards! It is a challenge for
everyone!
Friday we had our first lesson with Jacqueline. We had talked to her
on the street and then she called and set an appointment with us! It
was nuts! She has so many questions and is really interested to know
why no one likes Mormons. She thinks we are great! She said she would
be at church on Sunday! We then went to lunch with Cathryn Daniels! It
was so fun to see her again and catch up! It is nice to have friends
from Texas living here in Vegas. We had a great Plan of Salvation
lesson with the Esser's. It was so fun to use my giant pieces and
teach them about the plan our Heavenly Father has for them. Everything
after 4pm fell through. That happens a lot. But Heavenly Father always
has another plan for us!
Saturday we had a full day! We met with Gloria and talked to her about
our purpose and how we couldn't keep coming by if she wasn't
interested in finding out for herself it what we were teaching her was
true. We expressed our love and our desire for her to keep attending
church and to call us when she was open to learning. We then met a
less active man in our ward, Brother Duvall. His house was so full of
cigarette smoke that we had to leave quickly. Sister Swerdfeger had an
allergic reaction to it. Later we had two great lessons right in a
row. First with a man named Novell, whom we were able to pray with and
invite to learn more. Then with Jandy and Anthony. We brought Sister
Esser and her 14 year old son, Christian, with us. It was great! They
have such powerful testimonies! Later that night we went to a less
active, part member families home with the Fontano's. They requested
blessing, because they were going through a very difficult time. We
had no idea what we were walking into. After being there 30 minutes
and not being able to say much Brother Fontano asked us to leave. I
was so grateful he did. He and his wife were there for another hour
and a half. I can't explain what happened there. But it was the most
terrifying night of my mission. I couldn't sleep that night.
Sunday I was exhausted physically and spiritually. It was very
difficult to fast, but I know that gave me strength. Our church
services were full of the Spirit. Jacqueline came to church and really
enjoyed it! I am so grateful that we have a refuge from life storms as
we attend the Temple and go to our church services on Sundays, to
partake of the Sacrament.
How grateful I am for the gospel and the peace that it brings. I love
being a missionary. I love having the Spirit with me to help and teach
others. I love this gospel and my Savior. I know that He has felt all
that I feel and all the feelings of those I meet each day. I know He
lives and loves us!
Love,
Sister Davis
Hello my dearest family and friends!
What a jam packed week it has been!
Last Monday we met with a lady named Leeann. I had originally met her
on exchanges and she set up to have us come back and say a prayer with
her and her family. Before we prayed we were able to get to know her a
little bit and we soon learned that she has been battling cancer for
the last 4 years. She found out when she was pregnant with her
youngest and as a result he was born with a few handicaps. She asked
us why God would let these bad things happen to her. We prayed with
them and the Spirit was so strong! She could feel Heavenly Father's
love for her and asked if we could come back and teach her family. She
told us that her 8 year old daughter use to got to church with their
neighbor and how much she loved it! We are really excited to see the
miracles that take place in this families life!
Tuesday I was with Sister Paris, from the MTC, all day! We were on
exchanges and I was in the YSA ward here in North. I miss teaching in
the YSA wards! There is something that is so unique and special about
working with people your own age. I can literally see the paths they
could take in their life and the potential they have if they will just
accept and live the Gospel. I want more than ever to help my brothers
and sisters feel the Spirit and the love that our Savior, Jesus Christ
has for them.
Wednesday we had Mission Leadership Council! It is always fun to see
all my friends that are serving in different parts of our mission! We
had the special privilege and treat to have a sneak peek preview of
Meet The Mormons! It was absolutely amazing! It is not a "come join
our church" movie. It is truly about six ordinary people with
extraordinary stories. I want to personally invite every single one of
you to go see this movie on opening weekend. How well Meet The Mormons
does in the box office on October 10th and 11th will determine how
long it stays in theaters and if it is able to later be on Netflix and
Amazon. Elder Holland said of the Meet The Mormons release, "This is a
very bold move on behalf of the Church. This has never been done
before. We are asking you to step out boldly with us!" I love that!
Share and Experience! Invite everyone! It begins on the streets of New
York and takes you all across the world with these people experience!
Thursday we had our Zone Training Meeting! Sister Swerdfeger trained
on Being Consecrated and I gave a training on Patience. My training
was very simple, but from the comments that were made both during and
afterwards I know it had a great impact. We read about Patience in
Preach My Gospel sentence by sentence and discussed each one. Then I
shared this poem at the end and asked them to think about how they
could be more Patient.
patience
He’s Been There Before
The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet,
Grab my companion’s bedding, and pull off his sheet.
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.
The morning activities follow – with study, prayer, and such.
When it’s time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven’t done too much.
“We have a super day planned,” my companion says with a grin.
I lowly utter a faithless breath, “Yeah, if anyone lets us in.”
With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street,
Prepared to face another day of scorching winds and heat.
It’s 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through;
My companion and I are riding home, not accomplishing what we thought to do.
We ride up to get the mail, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate “air box”.
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete.
The only thing to show for our work; a case of blistery feet.
It’s past 10:30 p.m., my companion is fast asleep.
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep.
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray;
I need to talk to Father, but I’m not sure what to say.
“Oh, Father”, I begin, “what happened to us today?
I thought we’d teach somebody, but everyone was away.
My hands, my aching hands – worn, hurt, and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we’d have tracted every street.”
“Why on missions are the days all so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike.
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me.
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes. It’s very hard to see.”
“Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn’t you protection enough?
People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff.
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack.
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back.”
“And what about my family? They don’t have much to say.
I’m sick of not hearing from home, day after day after day.
My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
The way he rides his bicycle, I don’t think he can see.”
“Oh, Father, why am I here, am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I want to go home, I’m sorry that’s on my mind.
Now you have it, I can’t go on, I don’t know what to do;
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you.”
My prayer now finished, I get up and jump right into bed.
I need my rest for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead.
Sleep starts to overtake me, I almost drift away,
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time and another day.
maat gma
My companion let out a grumble, “It’s 6:30 already? No way!”
I’m standing alone on a hill, the view is very nice;
A man walks towards me and says, “My name is Jesus Christ.”
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet.
“Arise,” he states,” follow me to the shade – you and I need to speak.”
My attention’s towards my Savior, total and complete.
He says, “Your mission is similar of what happened to me,
I understand how you feel, I know what you’re going through;
In fact, it would be fair to say I felt the same as you.”
“I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.
At times I felt not quite sure what else that I could do.
I know you don’t like to bike, for you a car would be sweet;
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21 speeds.”
“I understand you don’t like sweating. In fact, it’s something you hate;
When I sweat blood from every pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don’t like your companion – you’d rather have someone else;
I remember my companion Judas, he sold my life for wealth.”
“It’s hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you,
Much like when they put thorns on my head and called me Kingof the Jews.
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack;
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back.”
“Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day,
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way.
It’s hard not to hear from home when your family’s not there to see;
I lost communication on the cross and cried, ‘Father, why hast thou
forsaken me?’”
“We have a lot in common, but there’s a difference between us you see,
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me.”
He embraced me with His arms, His light filled me with His love.
With tears in my eyes I watched as He ascended back to the father above.
I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head.
Listening, I heard the alarm, and realized I was in my bed.
My companion let out a grumble, “It’s 6:30 already? No way!”
I sat up and said, “Come on, I’ll even carry your scriptures today.”
No matter what we go through, when we feel we can’t take more,
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ. He's waiting at the door.
Anyone who has served or is currently serving a mission can relate to
the feelings of that young missionary in the poem. I am so grateful
for our Savior who know exactly how we feel. I also was asked to bare
my testimony for the last time to my zone. It is such a strange
feeling, but I'm truly grateful for that opportunity.
Friday we had a few lessons and actually over booked so we didn't have
time for dinner, thankful the Endsley's, who were our last appointment
ordered Chinese food to share with us! I am grateful for the little
things. There are tender mercies all around us!
Saturday and Sunday we had General Conference! It was such a blessing
to hear the words of the Prophet, Apostles and other General
Authorities. I know that they are truly called of God. They speak the
words that Christ would have us hear. I wish I had time to share with
you all the things I learned and loved. I think the most important
things I can share with you is that I know with out a doubt that
Thomas Spencer Monson is God's Prophet here on the earth. There is no
reason God would not send us a prophet today. We need him more than
ever. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father. I know that He
wants to help us and has given us the tools to return to live with him
again.
Two things to take away from my email:
1. Go watch Meet The Mormons on Oct 10th and 11th and after those dates as well.
-INVITE EVERYONE!!!!!
2. Go to LDS.org and listen and read the Conference Addresses if you
didn't have the opportunity to watch them.
Love,
Sister Davis
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