June 30 2014

Hello Hello!

 

Boulder City is literally on FIRE! The members are stoked about the work, the weather is intense, and we are seeing many miracles! I love being a missionary! I don't think I can say that enough!!!

 

This past Monday, was my last day to be solo, before my new companion came! I was able to have lunch with Sister Berger, one of my very favorite companions!! It was her last day in the mission field! Bitter Sweet! We had lunch at ZUPAS! It was sooo good! Then I had a lesson with Lou! He talked about his desire to be of service to the church and how he wants to have a calling like the members I bring with me! He said he was going to buy a white shirt this week so he could come to church! He wants to look just like everyone else who goes to church! I spent my last night in our little Trio with Sister Eagar and Hope! It was great! I am truly so grateful for these Sisters and how they took me into their companionship when I was without someone! I will be forever grateful for the lesson they have taught me!

 

Tuesday Sister Nichols arrived in Boulder City! We truly hit the ground running! We had three members with us through out the day and saw many members! I was also able to introduce her to Lou and we talked to him more about prayer! He is planning to get his white shirt tomorrow! He loves to give us updates on that! I love when he does! We went to have a lesson with this young family. Sister Mawby and I met them one day when we were walking to visit some members. The husband's name is Joe and his wife is Marissa. They have two cute girls and a brand new baby boy! They seem like such a great family! Joe knows Brother Werly in our ward, so we had Brother Werly come with us! We ended up just talking outside with him for 20 mins and then we got going. We called Brother Werly later and he said that he kept talking with Joe for another 45mins after we left! They really hit it off! Brother Werly will be a great fellow shipper for Joe and his family!

 

Wednesday was our first district meeting! We know have 6 sisters and 2 elders in our district. Our district leader and his companion are pretty out numbered! It sure is fun though! We had a lesson with Sister Nutter, whom I haven't seen since April! One of the youth, Kyle, was with us. We read in the Book of Mormon with her and Kyle shared an amazing testimony about how he finds strength through reading the Book of Mormon! What a blessing it is to have such strong and righteous youth in our ward! Later that night we had one of the most amazing service projects. There is a lady named Sandy that lives right between two of our members. She recently lost her mom, dad, husband, and two dogs. She is suffering a lot of depression and struggles. She has totally let her yard go. Her backyard, looked as though she had never stepped foot outside. We rounded up all the young men and leaders to pitch in for this service. 1 hour and 18 trash bags full! Her yard looked amazing! She was so grateful! Her heart was truly softened towards the church and she even welcomed Sister Nichols and I in to visit with her. She told us all about her trails and heart ache. It was amazing to see the Lord soften her heart right in front of our eyes! The Spirit works wonders!!

 

Thursday was jammed packed with members coming out with us and visiting potential investigators! We had a great lesson with Lou! Brother McDonald came with us and shared a truly powerful testimony about coming to church each Sunday. He invited Lou to sit with him and we answered many of Lou's questions. We also had, Zach, who just graduated from high school, share his testimony of partaking of the Sacrament! The Spirit was so strong and Lou is so excited to come to church this Sunday! Later on we had dinner with my favorite couple, the Lopan's! They are my adopted grandparents! I love them sooo much!! They are just so full of joy and love for the Savior!

 

Friday we had weekly planning, which took up most of the day. Then every member that was suppose to come with us canceled, all with in 15 minutes! It was nuts! We weren't able to get into any doors, except for our dinner appointment, thank goodness! I am grateful for days like these, because it makes the other days so much sweeter!!

 

Saturday we had no appointment set, but we were still able to get into a few doors. Sister Stubbs gave me this new great picture lesson that goes with a story in the Book of Mormon! I can't wait to show y'all! It is pretty cool!!! We also met with a less active family, the O'Donell's! They invited us to watch the big Boulder City 4th of July Parade with them! It should be really fun, but also really hot!!! We followed up with the Bishop's Family on a challenge we gave them to use the "Willing & Brief" Invitation in the next 3 days. They were able to invite their aunt, who is not a member, and she agreed to have the missionaries over! I love when members are able to see the impact they can have on someones eternity!

 

Sunday was really great. It was the first Sunday in 3 weeks when I had an actual companion! We went to Lou's house before church, so that we could walk over with him. He was SO nervous! He told us he felt bad that he didn't have time to dry clean his white shirt. He looked so handsome! As we walked into church everyone greeted him with a great big smile! Pretty soon he would tell people, "I'm Lou, this is my first time here and I'm coming back!" He wasn't able to stay for the next two hours, but he was really sad that he couldn't. He will stay next week for sure! We also had 5 lessons with families in our ward inviting them to use the "Willing & Brief" Invitation! We even taught it to the Stake President and his wife! It was awesome!!! I love having the Stake President in our ward!

 

Overall, I am so grateful to have a companion and to still be able to serve in Boulder City! I have been here for 5 months and truly has just flown by! I probably only have one more month here and I plan to make the most of it! I love the people and it just so happens to be a few degrees cooler here than in Vegas! Counting my many blessings! What a joy it truly is to have the gospel apart of our lives. What a blessing to know truth and to have our testimonies strengthened by our daily experiences. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who is completely aware of us and what is best for us! I love being a missionary!

 

Miss and love you all!

Love,

Sister Davis

June 23 2014

Family and Friends!!!

I have to say I sure love being a missionary! I love the miracles we see each day and the lives I am able to see change!!

Last Monday, I received a call from my Mission President. He asked me if I would be willing to have a "mini missionary" stay with me for the week! Of course I said yes and we made arrangements for my mini missionary to come. I stayed with Sisters Hope and Eagar and worked in their area for the rest of the night.

Tuesday morning I moved all of my things back to my apartment and Sister Olson, my mini missionary, came down to Boulder City. She just graduated High School and is 17. She wants to serve a mission and was really excited (and nervous) to come out with me for a week! We really hit the ground running! Knocking on doors, visiting less-actives and teach investigators. We saw Lou, whom I just adore! We read in the Book of Mormon with him! He is doing so well!

Wednesday we had our last district meeting of the Transfer! It was wonderful! I love all the Elders and Sisters here in Boulder City! We are so close! Sister Olson and I visited with an older lady in our ward, Sister Titmus. She has been having some heart problems this past week and has really been worried about it. I asked if she had received a priesthood blessing and if she would like one. She hadn't and we arranged for a couple of men in our ward to come by later that day and give her a blessing. We saw her a few days later and she thanked us so much for coming and suggesting a blessing. She said the next morning she had no problems with her heart and is feeling so much better! I love the priesthood power! It is real! It is back on the Earth, because of the Restoration! I know that the Lord continues to bless and lift others!

Thursday we had exchanges! Sister Olson went to the YSA Ward and I had Sister Coltrin come to Boulder with me! We found out that Sister Coltrin and I are both going to BYUand going into the same major!! It was so fun to talk at lunch about it! We also had so many miracle lessons! We taught a less active lady, Sister Shattler, and her 10 year old (nonmember) daughter, Tiffany! We talked about the Book of Mormon and showed them the app to have the scriptures read to them! They loved it and are excited to listen to the scriptures every day!! We also saw Lou and taught him about the 10 commandments and the Law of Chasity! He really loves the members of the church and how they really follow these commandments! He said the most amazing prayer ever at the end of our lesson! He asked Heavenly Father to confirm the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of what we had been sharing with him. We were all in tears! The Spirit was so thick! I am so grateful for the power of prayer!!

Friday David and Amanda from my last ward took me out to lunch!! They are moving away and we just had to say good-bye to each other! They are seriously my favorite people! It was so fun to hear the updates of their life and there missionary experiences! They are great examples! I know that I was in Quail Ridge to meet them! I had weekly planning today which was something Sister Olson really couldn't help me with, so I did it on my own.. I am really getting good at planning by myself!

Saturday our day was pretty full! We saw Caitlyn, who was at Girl's Camp all week! We taught her about the 10 commandments and the Law of Chasity! It was a great lesson and she is excited to be Baptized on July 5th!! We also received our TRANSFER DOCTRINE! I am staying 6 more weeks in Beautiful Boulder City! My new companion is SISTER NICHOLS! My MTC Companion!!!!! I am soooo excited! We already are best friends! It will be soooo great!! The ward is really excited as well!

Sunday we received two new ward missionaries! Brother and Sister Slack! They are so great and I am so excited to have them apart of our team! They really have jumped right in and are excited for their new callings! Missionary work truly is the greatest work! I am so grateful to be apart of the Lord's work!!!

I hope you all are having a great week and that you know how much I love and miss you! I feel so blessed to be able to serve and lift others! I truly am being refined and changed! What a great blessing it is to be a member of Christ true and restored Church! I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each one of us! I am grateful for His love!

The church is true, the book is blue!

Love,

Sister Davis

June 16 2014

Hellooooo!

This week has been great! However, when you are a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, EVERY week is great! I love serving the Lord! The joy I feel each day is truly breathtaking! I am so grateful to serve here in Boulder City! There are truly such amazing people here! I know Heavenly Father is preparing all of His children to receive His Restored Gospel!

Sooo, last Monday night, I had an amazing lesson with the Hess Family! I love them! I shared the "Small & Simple Things" DVD, you can find it on YouTube, it is in two parts. Afterwards, I challenged them each to write their testimony in a copy of a Book of Mormon and give it to someone. There was 7 of them at the lesson and they are all really excited to share the gospel! It is amazing! I also met with Lou earlier that day and taught him the first part of The Plan of Salvation! He loved it! He is such cute old German guy!

Tuesday I had some really great lessons! I was able to teach Caitlyn, who is set for Baptism on July 5th, the Plan of Salvation. She had received this lesson before, but said she was able to learn somethings that she hadn't before. Payton, a 13 year old, was with me and bore the sweetest testimony! I am so grateful for the Youth in this ward! They make such a difference!! I also saw Anna Lee who just got out of the Hospital! She is doing better, but is still not her normal 90 year old self! I had dinner with the Lopans! I love them! They made homemade chicken noodle soup, with homemade noodles! It was sooo yummy! I just love the members in the Black Canyon Ward!!

Wednesday was District Meeting and we ordered Pizza to be delivered here at the church! It was way fun! I saw Lou again and finished the rest of The Plan of Salvation. Prior to this lesson Sister Graff, the member coming out with me, gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers! It was the sweetest thing! Well we brought the flowers into Lou's lesson, so after we were done we talked to him about the flowers. We asked him what he noticed about them. He said that they were all different types, colors, sizes. We compared that to people at church and how we are all different, but when we come together it creates a beautiful group of people! We pointed out the only orange flower and told him this one is you, Lou. We took it out of the bouquet and said do you see the difference? There is a whole. We explained that we need him at church to complete the group and that he brings something special there. He was really touched and it totally changed his perspective! He will be out of town this Sunday, but hopefully he will come the next Sunday!

Thursday was great! We met with Caitlyn again and talked about Faith and Repentance! It was powerful! She is right on track! I saw Lou again today and was able to read a little in the Book of Mormon! Listen to this.. Lou has read the ENTIRE Book of Mormon and is now reading on page 478 for the second time! How awesome is that?! He says that he think the Book of Mormon is the word of God. So we talked a little about prayer and how that is how he will know for certain that it is the word of God.The Spirit was so strong in that lesson. His heart was truly touched! Then I had dinner with a semi-active family the Gneitings! It was wonderful! They are such a cool family and we were able to really connect!

Friday I was able to attend the Temple! It was so great! I saw Amber and Stephanie from the Robindale Ward in the Cafeteria! We had lunch together and it was such a tender mercy! Then I saw Lorena and Sister from the Quail Ridge Ward there as well! It was so fun to see people whom I love from my other areas!! I miss them sooo much! I am so grateful to have the Las Vegas Temple in my mission! And that I can go every 3 months! It is a beautiful Temple and I just love the Spirit that is felt there!

Saturday I had exchanges with Sister Ena and Sister Coltrin! Sister Ena came to my are with me, so I had a real companion for one day!!! We saw many miracles!! We taught Lou about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which consist of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End! We had a cool object lesson and he loved it! He is soaking in everything we teach him and he even had some questions for us about what he read! It was wonderful! I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to teach Lou so much this week! I always feel the Spirit when we are with him!

Sunday was Father's Day! I missed my daddy sooo much! But a member let us make a sign and sent a picture for us, so that was great!! It is really weird to go to church with out a companion. I feel so out of place! But I am grateful I can go and hear the words of the speakers and teachers. The Spirit teaches us so much through others and their testimonies. It is truly amazing!

Well I have to get going! I have a busy week ahead of me! I pray that Heavenly Father will lift your burdens and help you reach out to others! It is such a blessing to have this gospel apart of our lives! Sharing it is the greatest way to show our gratitude!! Miss and Love you all!

Love,

Sister Davis

June 9 2014

WARNING: This is not an April Fool's Joke and no you did not read this email wrong. This is really what is happening to me.

 

Howdy! I am sure you all want to know what crazy things are happening here in Boulder City! Well let's get right to it...

 

Monday Sister Barth had to have a Hida Scan. It is a special scan to see if her Gallbladder is working properly. It took about 3 hours and so yet again I spent my Pday in the Hospital. About an hour later the Doctor texted us the results. Her Gallbladder was completely normal and perfect. This was good and bad news. Good because no one wants a faulty Gallbladder! Bad because now we still don't know what is wrong with her. She has in more pain Monday night then she ever had been. After talking to the medical advisor and Sister Neider, our mission presidents wife, we came to the conclusion that there was nothing more the mission could do to help her...

 

Tuesday morning we received a call from the mission president and yet again I had to drive my companion to the airport. Exactly a month apart from each other. Sister Barth did not want to go and it was so hard to see her in tears. We packed her things and we were on our way. I have not heard from her, so I don't know if she has found answers yet. I am again staying with the other sisters here in Boulder City, Sister Hope and Sister Eagar. I will be with them until the end of the transfer which is June 23rd. This is a long stay and I am having members come out with me all the time! I am pretty shocked that this has happened TWICE! And in such a short amount of time! I am not sure what the Lord is trying to teach me.. But I have learned many life lessons recently! I am grateful that Heavenly Father is teaching me so many things and that He has trusted me to take care of two of His physically ill daughters.

 

Wednesday I was in a meeting for most of the day. It is called Mission Leadership Council. It is made up of the Sister Trainer Leaders, the Zone Leaders, the APs, and the Mission Presidency. It was pretty neat to be apart of! It was held at the Mission Office, which is in my first area. Sister Berger was there and we both bought Carlos, our convert from November, his own scriptures! We wrote our testimony in it and he came up to the church during lunch for us to give it to him! He was so excited! He just lit up! I just love him tons!!!! I spent most of the night with the other BC Sisters. I am just so grateful for them!!

 

Thursday we had Zone Conference! And I was asked to give a training on teaching our members the message of the Restoration and the "Willing & Brief Invitation"! It was great! I shared this quote with the missionaries,

 

"We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work! If you and I would truly pray and ask in faith, as did Joseph Smith—if we would pray with the expectation to act and not just to express—then the work of proclaiming the gospel would move forward in a remarkable way."

 

It's my favorite!!! Anyways, and then I role played for them how to do the L1/W&B message! It was amazing! Then all 40 of the missionaries role played together! I got to walk around and hear them role play and give feedback! The Spirit was so strong! Our mission is amazing!! EVERYONE LOVED IT! Later that day I met with Caitlyn and shared a scripture with her! She has been listening to the scriptures as she gets ready and she recognizes the difference in her day! Such a blessing!! The other BC sisters had dinner with one of their members, but I had dinner with a lady in my ward, Sister Harber, whom I just adore! She is amazing! It was so good to visit with her and she helped me feel better about the stressful situation I am in right now. I also was able to have a member with me, visit the Lopan's, who are my adopted grandparents and go to ward coordination meeting! It was a good day!

 

Friday I did weekly planning, by myself. That makes things pretty easy, because I get to do all of my ideas! But I wish I had someone to help me! Sydni, a ward missionary, came out with me for about 2 hours. We saw Caitlyn and set her for Baptism in July. She wants so bad to be baptized, but she is Flaky Fourteen. So it has been really hard to see her. We got Slurpee's at 7/11! It was a much needed treat! Later I had dinner again with just me and Sister Miller. She is so sweet and really tries to take care of me!! The craziest thing happened today! Well, not the craziest thing, but still kinda crazy. Anna-Lee our anciently old former investigator was in the hospital, so I got to go see her. She has pneumonia, and is seriously in her 90's. It could have killed her, but she is doing a lot better! She was so excited when I walked in! She said to the nurse, "This is my favorite girl!"

 

Saturday we had Zone Training Meeting, where the Zone Leaders train on what they were taught at Mission Leadership Council. They trained on church attendance and finding joy in serving. They shared this great Mormon Message

 

I was asked to give a training on Hope! I have learned SO much about Hope! In Preach My Gospel Hope is described as "Believing and Expecting" I read Ether 12:4 but I substituted the word hope for expect or expecting.. It reads,

 

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety expect for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which expecting cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

 

We discussed the worlds definition of Hope "something that probably won't happen" verse Heavenly Father's meaning of the word. It was powerful. I asked each of them to think of a time that they have been discouraged and lost hope... I asked them then, How did you overcome that? For about 20 mins all 30 missionaries were sharing their experiences and we were all so uplifted. Everyone touched on that they found hope because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To conclude my training I shared this story with them,

 

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town.

One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.

Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak....

 

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage.

On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, 'What do you have there, son?'

Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you going to do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?" 

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." 

 

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" 

"Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" 

"How much?" the pastor asked again. 

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?" 

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand.

 

In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot.

Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story:

 

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. 

Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.

"Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" 

What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. 

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other,

how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" 

"And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

 

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you.

They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" 

"How much? He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!"

Then He paid the price.

 

The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.

 

 

I know that it is because of Christ we can have Hope. We can EXPECT to return to live with Him again! I am so grateful to know how to return!

 

On Sunday I went to church with a member as my companion. It was so hard to see everyone in our ward. They all were teasing me about "killing two companions" "better not get to close to Sister Davis" "I bet no one wants to be your next companion" I joked with them too, but it got real old real fast! I had my favorite wings with my favorite family the Birds! And Sister Smyth, a less active lady in our ward, took us 3 sisters to the Why I Believe Fireside! It was wonderful to hear the testimonies borne and the music that was shared. She loved the fireside! I was so grateful to see the other missionaries and members from my old wards! I just love the people here in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission!

 

I am truly grateful for my trials. I am being refined and becoming more like the Savior everyday! I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, which gives me so much comfort and strength everyday! I would not be able to do this without it! I love you all! And I "hope" (expect) you to have a great week! Remember it is because of HIM!

 

Love,

Sister Davis

June 2 2014

Hello Family & Friends!!!!!!!

 

I miss you all SO much! This has been a trying week! But I am grateful that my Heavenly Father has helped me prepare for everything that has been placed in my path. I have truly seen Heavenly Father's hand helping me through each stumbling block.

 

In my last email I told you about Monday and Tuesday...

 

Monday we spent in the ER.

 

Tuesday we were home all day.

 

Well, Wednesday we had district meeting and I gave a 30 minute training! It was sure fun! I love training the other missionaries! I learn so much! I trained on our "Balanced Missionary Day" which consists of four parts..

 

"Missionaries Finding" - HOW: by talking to everyone we see, serving, visiting potential investigators, and former investigators

"Helping Members Find" - HOW: by sharing the "Willing & Brief", the Book of Mormon Challenge

"Member Present Lessons" - HOW: having members out with you all the time - using a variety of tools to do so

"The Rescue" - HOW: using an action list, visiting members monthly

 

I shared a quote which I just love found in this months Ensign by Elder Davids A. Bednar, of the quorum of the twelve apostles, he says,

 

"We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work! If you and I would truly pray and ask in faith, as did Joseph Smith—if we would pray with the expectation to act and not just to express—then the work of proclaiming the gospel would move forward in a remarkable way."

 

It really was a great district meeting! Afterwards we had a lesson with Lou! We talked about prayer and he prayed for the first time with us! It was short and sweet! But the Spirit was SO strong!! I love being a missionary! Later on we saw Jenny, it is so hit or miss with her! She is always so excited when we come by, but then she isn't there when we set up appointments and it is really hard to teach her when we don't see her consistently! Her family is so ready for the gospel, but they just need to be more committed!

 

Thursday we had exchanges!! I was with Sister Hope in her area here in Boulder City! It is like another world! Their area has SO many trailer parks and apartments. Our area has just little house that were built when the Dam was being built. Sister Hope opened up to me about somethings going on and we had to meet with President and Sister Neider at the Mission Office. We discussed many things which I can't include here. Our companions had to drive down to the Mission Office and meet with President and Sister Neider as well! It was very awkward for all four of us and really a hard thing to do. But I know that our loyalty is first to the Lord, then to the Mission President, and then to our Companions. I was so grateful that President and Sister Neider talked with us all about some challenges and concerns that were occurring in our areas. After Sister Hope and I left President's office, we had Bishop Taggard with us for an hour! It was awesome! He is just very easy going! We saw our investigator Brandi, whom we can never seem to see anymore, and said a prayer with her! It was great! Then we saw Caitlyn and her Less Active mom, Lisa! We talked outside with Lisa for about 15 minutes. Bishop invited them to church and to have Tev, Lisa's husband, call Bishop about being a Scout Leader or coming to help at Girl's Camp! Tev seemed to be interested in those things even though he hasn't been to church yet! It is pretty exciting!

 

Friday we were in Vegas from 10am-8pm at 4 different doctor's offices, doing so many tests, scheduling appointments. It was really a tiring day! We were able to go to President Richardson's home for dinner and spend sometime there while the medical advisor, President Richardson's mom, was working with Sister Barth. It was a very interesting day.

 

Saturday we drove back down to Vegas for even more tests. I don't know how many more tests they can possibly do! When we finally got back to Boulder City we went to the High Priest Group Social with all the old people in our ward. It was fun to socialize with them we played a game where everyone wrote down 5 things that no one knows about them and then we had to guess who it was about. It was pretty cool to hear all of their stories! I really do love the nearly dead people here in the Black Canyon Ward.

 

Sunday we had a great Fast and Testimony Meeting. Bishop Taggard read this quote to the congregation at our request,

 

"We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work! If you and I would truly pray and ask in faith, as did Joseph Smith—if we would pray with the expectation to act and not just to express—then the work of proclaiming the gospel would move forward in a remarkable way."

 

It really is my favorite! And many members shared their testimonies of sharing the gospel! We can really see that things are changing here! We are bridging the gap between members and missionaries!! Sister Bath and I taught the Young Men during the third hour. It started off with a bang! Everyone was seated in this room upstairs and I was walking/hurrying up the stairs, which our at 90 degree angle, for real! and as I was almost at the top I tripped! My hands were full of things and I went face down! It was SO embarrassing! I scrapped up my knee! Oh it was bad!! But after that spill we had a great lesson! We did a mini District Meeting with them! We talked about how they can help us with our balanced missionary day and then we role played the "Willing and Brief Invitation" with them! they were siting in two rows facing each other, they would extend the invitation and testify, then we had one row slide down and switch people! It was SO fun and the Spirit was SO strong!! I love working with the youth! They remind me so much of my little brother and sister!!! After church we went to see a less active family, the Smyth's! They said they would like to go to the Why I Believe fireside next week and are planning on taking us as well! I just love them!!!

 

Later today Sister Barth will have another test called the Hida Scan, for her gallbladder! Hopefully from this test we will know how to help her! Right now she is on a Gluten Free and Dairy Free diet!! I feel so bad for her! I sure hope that we can find some answers!!

 

I hope you all have a great week! I wanted to attach one of my favorite quotes about the Book of Mormon,

 

"For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history—perhaps like no other book in any religious history. In this I stand with my own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.”" -Elder Jeffery R. Holland

 

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God! I know that it has brought me much peace and answers! I know that it can do the same for you! Keep the Faith! I know that this road can seem long and hard! But I know that we can make it through hard things! You, me and the Lord! Love you and miss you!!

 

Love,

Sister Davis

May 27 2014

Hellloooo loved ones!

WOW! I've never emailed on Tuesday before! But I spent from 10:30am-5:30pm in the ER yesterday! Sister Barth is having terrible stomach pains. I promise I am not poisoning my companions! What are the odds though?! This has just been a really crazy month! Thank goodness it is almost over!!!

So, last Monday we had a the great opportunity to share our Book of Mormon challenge with a few members. It is amazing how many people have friends that they would like to give copies of the Book of Mormon too, but they just need us to invite them. I am really excited to see what happens in the next few weeks. We then met up with the other Boulder City Sister to do an exchange! I am the Sister Trainer Leader (STL) now and so I am in charge of the exchanges with several sets of sisters! It is a little stressful, but so much fun!!!

Tuesday, Sister Eagar was here in Black Canyon with me! We saw some really great miracles! We had our Relief Society President with us this morning at 10am! We had no appointments and one of the last house we tried was a lady named Brandi! She has never let us in and always blows us off, but today she let us right in! She shared with us all of these horrible things she has had to endure in her life! It breaks my heart! I know it is hard on our Heavenly Father to see His children suffer.  We talked to so many people throughout the day! Brother Hess came out with us for the first time. He is in his 30's and his daughters and his wife come out all the time. He is just so busy! But what made our time with him out even more exciting is that he never served a mission and so this was is first time ever with missionaries! We taught a couple for the first time and he was teary as he shared his testimony! It was amazing! We also met one of his buddy's while he was with us and Kurt, his friend, wants us to teach him at Brother Hess' home!! So many miracles!!!! I love exchanges! And sharing the gospel!!!

Wednesday we saw Lou, our German investigator, with Brother Caldwell and Kyle, a 12 year old in our ward. It was the best lesson we have had so far! We read in the Book of Mormon and after 2-3 verses we would show him a picture and read a caption about what was going on. We left him with this story book to help him read side by side! He really enjoyed what was said by Kyle and Brother Caldwell! It was wonderful! We also met with a few other people and had a great dinner with Bishop's family! I love Wednesdays because we always stop by the church during mutual to set up having the youth come out with us! It is the best!

Thursday we met with Sister Calvert, a lady who just had her leg amputated. She shared with us how grateful she is for the things she has in her life and it was so inspiring! She is such a happy lady for everything that she has gone through! We had a great experience with Zach, an 18 year old in our ward. We were walking down Wyoming Street and we saw this lady sitting outside on the corner. Her name was Gina. We visited with her a little bit and we could just tell she was prepared for the gospel. She told us she was baptized Baptist, raised Pentecostal, and her father was Catholic. She said "I don't know what religion I am, but I know Jesus Christ died for my sins." It was a simple but powerful statement. She allowed us to say a prayer with her there on the side of the road. We set up to go back and see her later. It was truly a blessing to meet her. Later we had dinner with a young family in our ward, the Benson's. They have 5 kids from ages 10-5weeks. We shared our Book of Mormon Challenge with them and they LOVED it! Keefer, who's 5, asked his mom, "Who needs scriptures?" when she gave him a name of someone he could give it to his face lite up and he ran to get a pencil and began to ask his mom how to spell, "I believe in Jesus!" It was so tender! After we saw the Benson's, we went to see the Werly's and the Sargeant's two young families combined. We shared it with them as well. They were very excited! It is amazing how many miracles we are seeing! Our ward is really catching the Spirit of Missionary work!

Friday we had Sister's Conference!!! I LOVE SISTER'S CONFERENCE!!!!!! It was our last time to be gathered as Sisters with President and Sister Neider! It was so bitter sweet!! I wish you all could have seen what it is like! It is truly amazing to have over 90 Sister Missionaries gathered together! I just love being a Sister Missionary!!! There is nothing else like it! Later on we met with the Hansen's! Our ward calls them Barbie and Ken, they've just been married for a year. We shared the Book of Mormon Challenge with them and Sister Hansen was so excited! More excited then Keefer, if that's even possible?!! She wants to order more copies of the Book of Mormon, because she wants to give out sooomany! Everyone is catching the fire!!!

Saturday all of our appointments canceled, except for dinner..... all of our members that were suppose to come with us bailed... But! The greatest thing happened! We went to visit Sister Goff, a widow in our ward. She has been stuck at home for 4 weeks because she had to have surgery and she will be stuck at home for another 6 weeks or so. Last week we extended the Book of Mormon Challenge to her, and she told us she had someone in her water aerobics class she wanted to give it to, but she wouldn't see her for 6 weeks or so. We went by to see how she was! As soon is she sat down she said, "Sisters, I did it.. I gave the Book of Mormon away." WE WERE SO EXCITED! However, the story she then told us of how she gave it away was even better. She said that she had decided that this lady from her class is who she needed to give it too. She wrote her testimony in it and then decided when she saw her in 6 weeks at this class she would give it to her. Well two days after we had come by this friend called Sister Goff and asked if she could come by and bring her lunch. She did come by and Sister Goff gave her the Book of Mormon. Heavenly Father knew that Sister Goff was willing and prepared and he provided a way for her to give the Book of Mormon away without even leaving her house! It was truly inspiring!!!!

Sunday, Sister Barth spoke in Sacrament meeting! She shared part of her conversion story and the ward just loved it! One of the members offered to pay for the rest of her mission. So many people wanted us to come over and share a message with them! It was such a blessing! We met with the Tobler family after church and shared the Book of Mormon Challenge with them! Apparently the Benson's, who are the teenagers Sunday School teachers, told them that we had an awesome challenge for them, So they were super excited when we came by, which made it even more fun to share it with them!

Yesterday, Monday, we went at 8am to the Hoover Dam for a special secret tour! It was awesome!!!! They showed us places where they shot Transformers, and we went to places that only workers can go to. I juts loved it! Then Sister Barth was in so much pain that we spent the rest of the time in the ER. We had to cancel the appointments we had set and called it a night.

Today I went to an appointment with another Sister Missionary and went grocery shopping, while Sister Barth was home with another Sister. We just went up to the Family History center to email, but I have a feeling we will be inside the rest of the day/night. The joys of having a sick companion! Please send your prayers! We need them!

On a side note, my finger is out of the braces off and on. They want me to do little finger exercises with it. It is sore and hurty, but it is the least of my worries! The game that we were playing when I hurt it is called Kanakie! (Ka-Nack-ee) We play on a field and split into two teams. We kick the ball and the other team grabs it, you can run with the ball, throw it backwards or forwards. But as soon as your tagged with it or it hits the grown the other team gets the ball and you run the other way. I'm not sure if that explanation makes since! But it is So fun!!!

Well that is my week + 2 extra days! I hope you all have a great week! Remember "this" (sharing the gospel) isn't another thing to do, it is the ONLY thing to do! Share it all the time and share with me your experiences!!! This is why we are here! XOXO!

Love,

Sister Davis

May 19 2014

WOW! What a week!

 

Monday as you know I hurt my finger.. well.. I went to see a doctor in our area and he said I tore some ligaments in my finger! I will have this silly brace on it for at least a month and he said it won't be fully healed for about 4 months.. my career as a professional morning sporter is over... We got to go to the Werly Mines as a district! You've got to google this place!!! There are so many movies and album covers shot here!! It is amazing!!! It was a blast!!!

 

Tuesday I picked up my new companion! Sister Barth! She is from Maryland! She's been on her mission for 14.5 Months! She has been a member of the church for a little over 2 years!!! Her testimony is so strong it will knock you off your seat! She is amazing and she told me she actually prayed to come to Boulder City! Heavenly Father answers prayers! It has been so nice to have a companion! Last week was so rough! We just hit the ground running when she got here! We had an awesome lesson with a girl Taylor, whom I taught for the first time last Sunday. She is already on chapter 7 of the Book of Mormon! We talked a little more about the scriptures and set up to meet with her tomorrow! We also saw Caitlyn and we were able to share a scripture with her and her step-dad Tev, who is really interested in learning more about the church. Tev says he just feels so drawn to learn! We saw a few members and introduced Sister Barth to the Bishop! It was such a good first day together!

 

Wednesday we had a wonderful district meeting! We taught so many lessons! Taylor has read to chapter 15! She loves the Book of Mormon! I do too! We went to Mutual with the youth tonight to introduce Sister Barth! Everyone loves her! We were able to set up a lot of lesson and have people to come out with us! We are so excited for this new transfer! It is going to be powerful! Bishop shared with us that when we went over last night and shared a spiritual thought, that after we left his daughter Lizzie, who's 13, was just sobbing. She felt the Spirit so strong and is so excited to have us together in this ward! I am too!!!

 

Thursday we had even more lessons! Things are really moving here!! We had a great lesson with Lou, who is from Germany! He is really struggling with reading the Book of Mormon, but he really wants to understand it! He is so awesome! I just love him! We also saw the Newport family, who we have been trying to teach! They are so sensitive to the spirit! They love the Book of Mormon!!! I love seeing their eyes light up as we teach them!! The gospel really does bless our families!!

 

Friday we went to an old lady luncheon that our ward puts on once a month! It was fun to see them and have them meet Sister Barth! When we went back to our apartment to finish our weekly planning we discovered that it was 88 degrees! Our AC went out!!!! We were dying but after a few phone calls we were able to get it all fixed! Man oh man! Was it hot!! We were able to see Mikalina, who was taking the lesson and then went MIA on us! It was her birthday! Her mom gave me a cute elephant bracelet and told us to come back! They missed having us around and I hope we will get to teach her more!!

 

Saturday was SO Hot! We walked so much! I don't know how I survived last year or how I will live through this Summer! It is so hot! We had some good visits with members! We have started a BOOK OF MORMON CHALLENGE! We share a little message and then give each member a copy of the Book of Mormon and challenge them to share their testimony and the book with someone who needs it! The ward is so excited!! I know we will see many miracles from this challenge! I challenge y'all to try it out! And see miracles unfold in front of you!

 

Sunday was wonderful! We had meetings in the morning and a great time at church! After our studies we went to dinner at the Birds and then Sister Morris took us to the Why I Believe Fireside! We brought Taylor with us! Bishop Taggard shared his conversion story and it was so powerful! I love the Spirit that is felt there! I was able to see my ward mission leader from Quail Ridge and a few members. I also saw Justin!! My ward mission leader from Robindale and members of that ward as well! It was so so fun! Carlos was there! It is always good to see him! He's my favorite! I love him so much!!!

 

Overall this has been a week of miracles! Heavenly Father truly is aware of us! I was reading this week in the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 37 verse 41.. it says "Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works.." I know that miracles happen because of our faith and the small choices we make each day! Choose the right and see the blessing that will follow! I love my Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is true! It is restored! It will, can, and does bless all of our lives! SHARE IT!

 

Love,

Sister Davis