July 29 2013

Hellooooo :)

 

This week has been a very long week. Many changes! But change is a great thing! My new companion is amazing! Her name is Sister Berger! She's from Michigan and went toBYU-I the past 3 years! She knows Noah... well she sat next to him in a math class or two.. she recognized him from a picture I have! Crazy stuff! But she is the happiest person I have ever met! Never a dull moment! We have been street contacting people left and right! We have appointments set with three of the people we talked to on the street! Really awesome!

 

Since my mission began I have had many people not be interested in the message we share, but it wasn't until this past week that I had some who wanted to bible bash with us. It's amazing how The Lord protects us. As he was going off about all the reasons the Mormons are from the devil, the Lord placed many scriptures and ideas in my mind. I could have easily told him he was wrong, and shown him in the Bible that what he was saying was false. But all I could say was that we aren't here to fight or draw contention and just apologize. I know, however, The Lord put those scriptures and ideas in my mind to protect me and my testimony. So I would know that He is aware of me. He is proud of me! What a blessing that is!

 

This week we had a lesson with Dylan & Ryan C. They are brothers and are both veryyyy less active! We've been trying to meet with them since May. Dylan came to church on Sunday, which was such a blessing! He stayed for all three hours and then helped pick up chairs and socialize! We have a lesson with him this week! Reactivation is the best!!!

 

We also met Kelly! He is a less active! We invited him to come to institute and he came! We are meeting with him soon! What a blessing!

 

We taught a lesson to Rose this week! She is a member who was baptized two years ago. We were talking about how members of the church will not be tempted by things of the world like drugs, alcohol, or sex.. But of internal things... doubts, insecurities, fears.. which will lead to the outward temptations. That is why it is so important to be aware of our weaknesses so that we may be protected! Ether 12:27 has taken on another meaning for me.. 

 

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humblethemselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

 

We must know our weaknesses! We find that out through prayer! It is when we pray that we can find strength! I know that without pray I could not do The Lord's work. This work begins on our knees! What a blessing it is to communicate with our Father in Heaven!!! We must include him in all we do and trust in His timing! His timing is perfect!!

 

This P-Day when I went to the office all the Elders were teasing me and singing me Happy Birthday! They said it must be your birthday with as many letters as you have today! It sure was great to read your words! I wait all week to get mail! They truly get me through the hard days! Please keep writing! Every letter is so precious to me!

 

Love and miss you all more than you know!!!!

 

Love,

Sister Davis

July 22 2013

Hello my beautiful friends and family!

 

Well what a week it has been. One to remember, that is for sure! So much to say as always and sooo little time! So I will hit the highlights...

 

Last Monday was our 40 day fast fireside! It was powerful! Many members brought their friends! We finally were able to set an appointment with a girl named, Ashley, who we've been trying to meet with....

 

Fast forward to Friday... Ashley canceled our appointment, but we knew that we really needed to meet with her.. We scheduled the appointment for 30 minutes after our original appointment, with much effort. When we met with her we shared a Mormon Message about the Atonement. It was powerful! She began to cry and told us that she feels very alone! We told her that our message would bring her peace and committed her to meet with us and let us help her. We invited her to come to church and she said Yes!

 

Fast Forward to Sunday... Ashley came to church! All three hours! It was great! After church they announced there would be a baptism held for another ward after church so we would need to get out of the building quickly... Ashley turned to me and said, "I want to be baptized! Can I watch that baptism, so I know what my baptism will be like?" What a blessing!!!! We went to the baptism and explained to her that the men preforming the baptism have the authority of God to baptize people, and told her that her friend, Jake, had that same authority. You could see the Spirit working on her the whole time. After the baptism, she went and found Jake, and said "Jake I'm getting baptized, would you baptize me?" Jake was taken off guard but He said, "Of course! Thank you!" Ashley wanted to go talk to the two ladies that had just gotten baptized. She went up to them and told them that she was getting baptized next! That it was her turn now! She is so precious! The "Why I Believe" Fireside was after the baptism and she wanted to go to that too! So we took her to hear the conversion stories of three other people! The Spirit was so strong! She really connected with the last speaker and after the fireside went up to him to talk to him! He spent a few minutes talking with her and telling her that he waited 6 years to get baptized, because he was afraid of his mom... And he regrets everyday he waited to get baptize. Ashley's mom is totally against the church and hates us.. It meant a lot that that man had a similar trial. I know he really touched her. The fireside ended at 8pm... We spent 7 hours yesterday with Ashley! That is for sure the longest lesson ever!! After the Fireside was over she turned to me and asked... "What's next?" She wanted more!! We set an appointment up to meet with her tonight, and we will commit her to a baptism date!!! She is so prepared and wants this so bad!!!!! I am so excited for her!!!!! I will let you know how that goes next week!!!

 

Next miracle.. Corrine! We had a lesson with Kayla Richardson, who just left for her mission in WA!, a few weeks ago and Corrine was there just watching... I think I may have written about her before... Anyways... Kayla gave us Corrine's number just before she entered the MTC! We called her on Thursday... She told us that she has been reading The Book of Mormon and The Bible together! She said she didn't understand much.. We told her we could meet with her and that we would answer her questions.. she said, "I would LOVE that!" She was so excited to meet with us again... We have an appointment with her this Thursday... I will let you know how that goes!!!

 

Next miracle.... Brittany! Brittany is the girl friend of a guy, Jason, in our ward who is less active.. We asked if we could practice our lesson on him and that we would need another girl there with us. He volunteered his girlfriend... she was not happy! But when we met with them Brittany was very open and asked when we could meet again! What a blessing!

 

Okay last miracle of this email... Dillon Thornton! Dillon is a less active we met this past week! We are reactivating him now! He was in a serious car accident a year ago and was in a coma for months, because he was texting and driving! Crazy! He served a mission in Mexico City four years ago. He wants to come back to church, but he isn't all there since the accident. He has brain damage and struggles with socializing with others! He is a blessing to us and I know that the Atonement can heal his pains!

 

So many miracles this week and many I didn't have time to tell you about! It has been a great week! This was the last week of the transfer and my last day with Sister Cardenas! I am staying here in Robindale, but she is going to Paradiso. My new companion is Sister Berger! She is awesome! I've met her a few times, and we are officially companions tomorrow! I will tell you more about her when I learn more about her!

 

Until next week, know that I love you soo soo soo much! I know that this is where The Lord needs me to be right now! And I am so humbled to be able to take part in helping my brothers and sisters become closer to Him! How great is this calling?!!! SO GREAT!!!!

 

Love,

Sister Davis

July 15 2013

Hello all!

This week has been a week of miracles! I know it may seem like I say that every week! But it is sooo true! This week especially! I am not even sure where to begin! I want to start with thanking all of you for your letters & packages! This week I was very popular and it feels so great to know you are thinking of me! I treasure each letter! I have a binder I put each one in a sheet protector and always read them when those rainy days come! They don't come often, but every once in awhile I get a little down and they truly cheer me up and brighten my days.

Well, we have a new investigator! His name is Prakas.. and he is from Nepal!!! He speaks very little English. He is Hindu, but only because they really don't have a choice in Nepal. He is so sweet and very humble. He doesn't know anything about God or Jesus Christ! All he knew was that "Americans" were "Christians".. He came to church 2 Sundays ago and didn't understand much, because of the language, but he felt good. We taught The Restoration of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything we explained was in a very simple way, but he felt the Spirit! We told him we would get him a Book of Mormon in English and Nepali! ... But we soon found out that there is no Book of Mormon in Nepali :( There is only 180ish members in Nepal, and no Book of Mormon has been translated for them! We plan to read it with him to help with the language. It was an amazing experience to teach him of our Savior and our Heavenly Father. I can feel the Saviors love for him! Even though he doesn't know Christ, Christ knows him! It is the best being a missionary!!!

We have been teaching two less active guys, Skye and Dylan, they are from Hawaii! They aresooo cool! We had a powerful lesson about Prayer last week! They have come to church the past 4 weeks, but only stay for Sacrament Meeting... But this week they stayed for Sacrament AND Sunday School! WOOH! 2 out of the 3 meetings! What a blessing!!!!!

Yesterday ended our 40 day Fast! It truly has been an amazing 40 days!!! FULL OF MIRACLES! We are having a Fireside tonight to end the fast!!! Three members of our YSA ward will be sharing their conversion stories! We will have two amazing musical numbers! And a member of the Mission Presidency is going to speak! Plus desserts of course! You are all invited ;) It is sure to be a great night!!!! I will let you know how it goes next week!!!

Over these past 3 months (yes I hit my 3 month mark this Wednesday!) I have grown so much in The Gospel. The Plan of Salvation truly has taken a whole new meaning! I know that we will all see our loved ones again. They are in a temporary state. They are sharing the Gospel with those who haven't received it and they are learning about The Gospel and this great plan! Christ is with them! I received a call from my wonderful Mission President yesterday, he sends his love and prayers to all of you who have recently lost a loved one. President Neider really helped me to recognize that Christ is looking after each one of us whether we are here on the earth or if we have passed on. 

I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of our Savior and His Atonement! I could not serve this mission without His Atonement! Prakas really opened my eyes that there really are people who don't know who Christ is or what He did for them! I am grateful to share this with everyone I meet!

I love you all! And I am so grateful to have my big brother here on the mission with me!

Can't wait to hear from you next week! XOXO!

Love,

Sister Davis

July 01 2013

Hello my beautiful family and friends!

This week was record breaking temperatures for Las Vegas! We received six heat alerts from our mission president. Six! We've been trying our best to stay hydrated! But these past few days no one has let us in. We just knock all day - out in the heat and then back in our little red oven! But the work here is moving forward and we have been showered with blessings during this heat wave!

There is so much to say and so little time! So I will do my best to convey how amazing this week has been!

On Wednesday, we were out knocking doors.. we stopped by a house we had been before, but no one had answered. This time someone did! A girl named Melody - we asked her if we could share a message with her about Christ! She said she would love that and asked if we could come back this next week! She has been in and out of the hospital and in and out of foster care her whole life. She told us how Christ has always been her rock and we told her we could help her faith become even stronger! I can't wait to see her again!

We also ran into a girl named Rikki, who I street contacted a few weeks ago in an apartment complex when we were on exchanges! We've tried to set up a time to meet with her, but her schedule is sooo crazy! She told us this past week that this would be the perfect time in her life to meet with us, that her faith use to be really solid, but she has been struggling a lot these past few years. We had her neighbor, Kayla, (I've written about her before) give Rikki a Finding Faith in Christ DVD! Rikki loved it! And wants to meet with us soon! What a blessing!!

Okay last blessing for this email....

Yesterday, a lady named Kim, who is a member, brought her old neighbor to the Singles Ward. Her name is Kayla, not confuse anyone... Now I am working with 3 different Kayla's.... Anyways, This Kayla called Kim yesterday morning and asked her if she could go to church with her!!! She asked to come to church!! WHAT A BLESSING!!!!!!!! We will be meeting with her later this week also, if everything works out with her schedule!

Say lots of prayers! The work is moving forward! I am so grateful to be apart of this great and marvelous work!

Always praying for you and sending my love your way!

Keep sending letters and packages! I live for them!

Love,

Sister Davis

June 27 2013

Hello my lovely family and friends!

WOW! I feel so blessed! Today was filled with many emails and letters from my most favorite people.. EVER! Thank you for thinking of me. I love you all so much and think of you all the time! ALL THE TIME!

I have to say things here in Vegas are really great and I can't believe I have already been out on my mission for 10 weeks! I am loving every minute! Did any of you watch The Work of Salvation Broadcast last night?!!?!?!? No?? You missed out! Preach My Gospel changed Missionary Work for the last decade and that Broadcast will change Missionary Work for the next few decades!!!!!

L. Tom Perry announced, “The missionaries are now authorized to use the Internet in their proselyting efforts. During less-productive times of the day—chiefly in the mornings—missionaries will use computers in meetinghouses and other Church facilities to contact investigators and members, work with local priesthood leaders and missionary leaders, receive and contact referrals, follow up on commitments, confirm appointments, and teach principles from Preach My Gospel using mormon.org, Facebook, blogs, email, and text messages. “Access to the Internet by missionaries and the use of digital devices will be phased over several months and into next year. We will be in touch with you when it is time for your mission and area to use these tools. Of course safety is paramount in this new frontier of missionary work. Mission presidents will monitor missionaries’ online work to help them remain safe in all they do.”

This is HUGE! I am so excited to be apart of this great and marvelous work! There was so much more that was said at the Broadcast! We will soon have all of our chapels open during the day and tours will be available for all, given by missionaries! I can't wait for that! Each chapel will turn into a little visit center type thing.

The work here in Robindale is moving forward a little more everyday! I know that as we continue to be strictly obedient the Lord will bless us with miracles!

The forty day fast is going great! We are about half way done and many of the members have friends they want to share the gospel with! They are bringing them to Family Home Evening and to Church. The members are feeling the urgency and excitement more and more!

We are doing a lot of reactivation! So far we have five people we are working with to bring back into the fold. ONE at a time! We are trying to care of the ONE! At last nights Broadcast someone said that the Lord will not trust you with more of His children if we don't take care of the ones we already have. We are working hard to help the children Heavenly Father has already blessed with the true Gospel.

I am so excited to see what comes of all the new changes! I know that they will bring the gospel to so many more of God's children who need His love. I feel so honored that I am able to help move the work forward!

I am always praying for YOU!

Love,

Sister Davis

P.S. Please keep writing!!!!!!!!!! I love letters! I have a book of every letter that has been mailed to me. (I can't print the emails). I only have one hour to email, so please write me letters so I have time to respond! XOXO.

June 10 2013

Hello!!!

I hope you all are doing well! I love reading all of your letters and hearing about what is going on in your lives! I wish I could be there for all the good times and bad, but I know that I am needed here in Las Vegas. The work here is good and very hot! I'm melting! But I love it!

This last week we started our 40 day fast and we are already seeing the miracles poor out upon us and the Robindale YSA Ward! We had two investigator, that were not progressing. It was in all of our best interest to stop teaching them. We really didn't want to loose them, because we love them so much! But as soon as we did we received three new investigators out of the blue! We exercised our faith in the Lord and He truly did bless us! I am so grateful for the opportunity to see the Lord's hand so frequently.

This coming Wednesday our mission will begin to read the Book of Mormon together. We will each read 7-9 pages a day! We will finish the Book of Mormon in 75 days. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in 75 days! We are inviting everyone to join us in this amazing journey! I would like to invite each of you! This is something that I know will strength my testimony both in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. I am so excited to have this opportunity! I hope you will join me!

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can help each one of us, no matter what we are going through! I am so grateful to be able to share that with people! I want to thank you all for the support you give me! I think of you often! I love and miss you so very much!

Love,

Sister Davis

June 03 2013

Let me just start by saying Heavenly Father truly is aware of each one of us, individually! He knows our worries and our fears. He wants to help us and He knows how to do that! Yesterday was a powerful day! Filled with blessings and miracles!

I had the opportunity to fast and this Sabbath Day I choose to fast in gratitude to my  Father in Heaven for all that He does for me. Here on the mission it is so much clearer to me that His hand is guiding ever aspect of my life! What a blessing! We had a powerful testimony meeting. Jantell, a girl who just started coming back to church, bore her testimony. It was beautiful! She talked about how she saw us in her apartment complex, 3 weeks ago, and ran home to clean. She started praying that we would knock on her door and we did. She has totally turned her life around, in order to grow closer to her Savior. It's amazing to see the changes she is making!

Sister Cardenas and I taught during the third hour of church. It was a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting. We began with testifying of the Savior and His 40 day fast. We then introduced that as a congregation we were going to start a 40 day fast. Each person was asked to fast one day for the missionary work in our area. We passed around a calendar for people to sign up on and by the end of the lesson it was full of names! Many people signed up for multiple days! We played a video called, "Small and Simple Things!" It was powerful! The Spirit was so strong! By the end there was not a dry eye in the room! The video explained the importance of our small acts of service and the importance of baring our testimony to those around us. We gave every person a black name tag just like ours.. They wrote their names on it and we reminded them that they are all called to this work! Bishop Tuke spoke for 15 minutes at the end. He asked, "How many of you go to a good restaurant and don't tell any of your friends about it? ...Why is sharing the Gospel any different? ...How many of you are worried about offending your friends by telling them about that good restaurant? ... Why are you afraid about sharing the Gospel? ... How many of your friends stopping being your friend if they don't like the restaurant you told them about? ... Why would they stop being your friend if you shared the Gospel with them?" Everyone got the message! Bishop Tuke had Sister Cardenas and I stand up in front of everyone and said, "We are so blessed to have these two missionaries in our ward, and they are sister missionaries, which is even better! Why do you think they are here? Do you think they didn't have things going on at home? Do you think Salt Lake didn't know what to do with them so they just gave them to us? They are called of God! They are here to teach our friends and our families. They are here to teach! They are the ONLY ones who have the authority from God to teach your friends and family in this area. You do not have the authority to teach them. I do not have the authority. We can bare testimony to our friends and family, but we cannot teach them! You are here to give Sister Davis and Sister Cardenas opportunities to teach!"

I can't even express to you the overwhelming feeling of the Spirit that was felt as Bishop Tukespoke. I definitely needed a reminder of my calling. Heavenly Father sent me here to teach! I know that as the Robindale YSA Ward fasts for missionary opportunities we will see miracles! We will! I cannot wait to see the affect each person has on their loved ones!

It only takes one person to introduce the Gospel to someone and change their life forever. Be that ONE person! We need you! God needs you!

I love you!

Sister Davis