July 28 2014

Well Helloooo!

This Summer Heat is really a killer, but time is still flying! This transfer is soon coming to a close! I can't even believe it! We find out this next week about where we are going! I have been in Beautiful Boulder City for SIX MONTHS! I am pretty sure I will be going somewhere else for my last three months.. but you'll have to wait and see!

Last Monday we met with Lou! He is doing so great! We also had an awesome Family Home Evening! We learned a little more about the Pioneer's and played a Pioneer puzzle game! The Slack's hosted it, they are wonderful. We met with Bishop at McDonald's later that night to make plans for our Boulder City Why I Believe Fireside. But before we met him he texted us and asked if we could me at the McDonald's, I thought he met a family in the ward, who's last name is "McDonald" Not the fast food place. Thankfully we got that cleared up before we met him. It was pretty funny.

Tuesday I gave a training in District Meeting about Charity! It was great! I know that it is so important to have Charity as a missionary and even just as a person. I am thankful for Christ's example of Charity! He truly is the greatest! We later met with Lou and taught him about the importance of teaching and learning from others in the gospel! Lou loves learning and it is so fun to teach him because of that. After our lesson, Sister Nichols and I had to drive out to Vegas for a doctors appointment. When we got there they told us that they accidentally scheduled us wrong and that we would have to come back on Friday.. that sure was a long drive for nothing and waste of our miles! We met with the Relief Society President and the Sunday School President, Brother and Sister Woodbury. (Did you know the 215 Highway here in Vegas is named after Brother Woodbury? Pretty cool! Fun Fact!) We shared with them the ward challenge of using the "willing and brief invitation" within the next three days! They accepted and are excited to share the gospel! I am grateful to be serving in such a supportive ward!!

Wednesday we had Caitlyn with us, our recent convert, she is just a ball of sunshine! I love being around her! We had a couple lessons with her! I love hearing her share her testimony! She has grown so much! We also met with Lou again, we shared with him the "Because of Him" Easter video! HE LOVED IT! He said that he wishes everyone in the world could watch this video! What an amazing video it is! Lou is so missionary minded. He told us that he has been talking to his son in California about the gospel and plans to send him a pamphlet and Restoration DVD. He wants his family to know and feel what he is experiencing!

Thursday and Friday we had exchanges and I was with two different Sisters in two different areas in Henderson. It was a long 48 hours! I was grateful to be back in Boulder City by the end, but it was really a great experience!

Thursday I was with Sister Crowe, the day was certainly not normal. Their AC went out the night I got there and we tossed and turned all night trying to sleep in an apartment that was 90 degrees! I thought I might die! We had the opportunity to do some service during the day and had to meet with a repair guy to fix the AC.. we waited and waited the time frame he gave us then we called and he said he wasn't going to make it! It was crazy! We also received some very inappropriate and nasty texts from a man who was very Anti. It was horrible, we blocked his number and hope to never hear from him again. How he got a hold of the sisters number I do not know!

Friday I was with Sister Chevalier. We had quite a few lessons with recent converts and twice we share the video "John Tanner" It is an amazing movie about a man who sacrificed all his wealth, time, and talents to build the Kingdom of God on the Earth. It is so inspiring and makes me want to be better and to sacrifice more! It was neat to see how other wards in the church work with missionaries. I am so grateful to be a missionary!!

Saturday was full of weekly planning, but we did attend a Baptismal Service at the 5th Street Chapel. Lou came with us so he could see what it is like and know what to expect for his Baptism! It really excited Lou even more! The crazy thing that happened on Saturday was our dinner appointment. We walked in and they said we are having a Barbarian dinner! They handed us trash bags and told to make a head and arm wholes, we put our trash bags on sat down at the table. Then the slapped Navajo Tacos with all our toppings on the table and told us "you are not allowed to use your hands to eat or drink, only your mouth" So we began to eat like pigs, literally. It was soooo fun though. We had chilly and sour cream all over our faces. We had ice cream for dessert! It was a mess! I can't wait to do this with the missionaries back home when we feed them! It was awesome and gross! It would make a great diet technique, because you get soooo full on such little food, because it takes you so long to eat it! Sister Lopan called us up and we went over to have fresh homemade bread! Yum! She gave us our own loaf! It was wonderful!

Sunday we had soooo many meetings and our day was packed with finishing weekly planning and preparing for the Why I Believe Fireside! In Gospel Principles we taught about Eternal Marriage and read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" read it here: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng&query=the+family+proc It was a great discussion! Lou was all chocked up as he explained to the group how much he wished he would have had this knowledge and the gospel sooner in his life! He expressed how lucky we all are to have been brought up most our life in the church. He wishes he could have shown his kids this righteous path. He is excited to be able to influence others and share what he now knows! We had dinner with the Hess and the Birds and all their family! Like 20 people! I love Sunday Family Dinners! It was so great! We had our Boulder City Why I Believe Fireside that night! We had a pretty good turn out and so much dessert brought by the members! The Spirit was strong in the meeting! We had 3 amazing convert speakers and 3 outstanding musical number preformed by missionaries! It was fantastic! I am excited to have it continue and build! This will be something Boulder City will continue to do throughout the years to follow!

I am so grateful to be serving here in Boulder City! I love the people and the many lessons I am learning! I am grateful for the support and love I feel from those around me! What a joy it is to share the gospel! Pure joy! I hope you will be able to feel this same joy as you learn and grow in the gospel! What a Blessing!

Love,

Sister Davis

Sister Hope and I... we accidently matched :)

Our district leader, Elder Anderson, is leaving :(

July 21 2014

Helloooo my favorite people!!!!

WOW! This week is just flying by! We only have 2 more weeks of this transfer! I Just can't believe it! We had soooo many lessons this week and the Spirit was so strong in each one of them! It is such a blessing to be a missionary! I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!

Last Monday we met with Lou! He LOVED church! He felt like every talk and speaker was talking right to him! He knows that Heavenly Father is aware of him! It is amazing to see him really recognize that! We also had two lessons that evening and Sister Peterson, the Stake Presidents wife came with us! Both lessons started out really terrible, because the people were fighting with their kids and there was just chaos in the houses. BUT we were able to bring it back to the Spirit and end it on a really positive note! The Spirit really guided our words! I am grateful for that! We also had a wonderful Family Home Evening lesson on gratitude we shared "In The Spirit of Thanksgiving" Mormon message and had a discussion. I just love watching Mormon messages! They are so uplifting and inspiring!

Tuesday was jammed packed! I swear every Tuesday is! We had 10 lessons! It's hard to highlight anything that was really great, because everything was! I just love teaching and baring testimony of what I know and love!! I love this gospel!!!!!

Wednesday we had 9 lessons! It was a packed day as well! On top of our lessons we also had to get our oil changed and have interviews with our New Mission President and his wife! They are so sweet! I can really feel their love when they speak to us! I am glad to have them here! We have a new investigator named Wendell! He is 81 years old! Brother Beekman introduced us and we were able to teach him this evening! He can't really see or hear. We will have to be very creative in how we teach him. If you have any ideas let me know!

Thursday was my 15 MONTH MARK! I can't even believe it! It seems like I just got here! There have been so many wonderful things that I have been able to see and be apart of over these last 15 months! I feel so blessed to be able to serve here! I remember when my trainer, Sister Cardenas hit her 15 month mark! I just can't even believe it.. that was almost 15 months ago! We had some really sweet lessons today! Sister Merrill came with us to teach Lou and then to see Karlee. In both lessons Sister Merrill shared very sweet and sincere stories about her first experiences praying. Both Lou and Karlee really connected with her! Karlee prayed for the first time with us and it was an amazing prayer, she said "and please bless that the sisters will come back soon..." It was the sweetest thing ever!

Friday we had Sister Smyth, a less active lady, come out with us! She connected so well with the people we went to see! I love having members with us! They are a blessing! We met with Bishop to plan our Why I Believe - Boulder City event! It will be this Sunday at 7pm at 916 5th Street! Please Come!!! You are all invited!!!!

Saturday we went to the Temple! It was a wonderful experience! Brother Beekman happened to be there and bought our lunch! I also saw a couple people from my last ward! I love seeing people I know at the Temple!

Sunday we taught Lou about Family History and got him set up to useFamilySearch.org. He is really excited about it! Hopefully we can help him find his family from Germany! We had dinner with the Birds - they are moving August 1st to Utah! It is so sad, but they will only be 10 miles from Provo, so I will get to see them all the time when I am back at school! Karlee drove us to the Why I Believe fireside in Vegas! She brought her 3 month old baby with her and she loved it! Emilee, her little girl, was kind of fussy. But it turned out to be a great event! Karlee is really loving reading the Book of Mormon! She says that she has never liked to read much, but for some reason she just can't put the Book of Mormon down! I know the Spirit is truly testifying to her of this truth!

I really love seeing the changes in peoples lives as they come closer to the Savior. I love seeing the change in my life! I am forever grateful for the lessons that I am learning here and the Spirit that I feel with me! What a joy it is to be a missionary! I hope you all will have the chance to share these precious truths with others and feel the joy that comes as we become more like the Savior! I know He lives and loves us each!

Love,

Sister Davis

 Temple Day!

"I got to go to Josie's Party!!!!!! :) Thanks to Holly and Tawna!"

July 14 2014

Hellooo from Beautiful HOT Boulder City!!!

 

Well my emails are a little mixed up, because I already told you about half of my week last Wednesday when I emailed! So I will start us off with Thursday.

 

We had a great District Meeting, nothing to crazy! Afterwards we went on a half day exchange! I stayed here in Boulder and Sister Cook, one of the sisters I look after came here. We had a great day! It was a lot of fun! We had a great lesson about prayer with the Shattler's and the oldest son even sat in, which was unheard of! We also had an amazing lesson with Lou! Previously we had given him an assignment to pray, read Mosiah 18, write questions and insights, read it again, and then pray to know if what he read was true. He loved what he read! He even went on to LDS.org to look up more references, like the Seminary guide and articles about Mosiah 18! He is amazing! He was teaching us what he learned and I just loved it! We gave him a Baptismal date and he accepted! It will be in August! It is amazing to see how far he has come in just a few months!! I am so grateful to have the great privilege of teaching him! Later we met this girl Ameilia! She was 16 and said she is looking for a church, she has been to a few in town and set an appointment for us to come back! It was such a blessing!!

 

Friday we had weekly planning all day! Then we took Sister Woodbury, the Relief Society President out to a lesson with Emily. The lesson turned into us teaching her dad about the Book of Mormon. He is a less active member, who has never had is own solid testimony. He accepted a reading assignment in the Book of Mormon and to pray about it! We are going to meet with him later on and hopefully be able to help him return to the path and bring his daughter with him. Later on we met up with some other sisters to have a full day exchange. I went to the Lake Mead stake with Sister Hirschi and her companion stayed in Boulder City with Sister Nichols.

 

Saturday we had a few lessons in their area, but one in particular was really amazing! We went to go and contact this guy Larry. He lived in an apartment complex! (I have not been in an apartment complex in 6 months, because we have none in our area her in Boulder City) A cute girl in her 20's answered the door. Her name was Setari. We offered to say a prayer with her and she let us right in. We asked her if Jesus Christ were here, what would you ask him for. She said, "I would ask him why in the world He would die for me or for anyone?" We knelt and offered a prayer we told Heavenly Father about Setari's question and asked him why Christ would do that. An overwhelming Spirit came into the apartment. When we ended the prayer we looked at each other and Setari was in tears! The Spirit really touched her. We shared our testimony of Christ's love for her. We invited her to come to church and meet with us tomorrow. She agreed. I called Sister Hirschi last night and she said the Setari loved church and stayed all three hours! They also had a great lesson after church with her! I know that Heavenly Father placed us there, because He is aware of all his children. He loves us and wants us to always remember that!

 

Sunday we had a great time at church. Lou came and he just fits right in! Everything that was talked about in Sacrament meeting I know was just for him. It was the exact things he had questions about and the speakers were amazing! We taught Sunday School and tailored it to teach Lou about Tithing. The when we talked with him after church he asked if we had told the Priesthood teacher to teach what he did, because it was just what he needed to hear! He has a strong testimony that God knows him and listens to him!! I just love to see how the ward takes care of him. We talked with Lou and the Stake President after church. Lou said, "President Peterson, I have a secret hope that these Sisters, after their through with their missions, will move to Boulder City, so that I can see there future children." He is such a doll, I just love him! We have also been working with Riley a little 8 year old who's grandparents are active, but her parents aren't. She has been coming to church every week and is meeting with the Bishop so she can prepare to be baptized!! She is SO excited!!! We met with them after church! It is so fun to see their whole family get involved in our lessons with her! We had dinner with my very favorite family, the Lopan's! Sister Lopan made homemade noodles, for her homemade chicken noodle soup! It was sooo good! I just love being able to eat at some many different houses. It is always so good!

 

I sure do love being a missionary! It is such a blessing to serve at this time! I know that this is exactly where I need to be! What a joy it is to have that knowledge! I love the tender mercies of the Lord! I was able to see this Mormon Message this week and I just love it! Here's the link! https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-03-05-the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng   If it doesn't work just YouTube "Tender Mercies of the Lord" It is amazing! I know Heavenly is aware of us each individually! I am praying for you and am so grateful for the prayers I receive from you! Thank you for your great examples!

 

Love,

Sister Davis

July 9 2014

Hello wonderful family and friends!

Well it has been a pretty wild ride this last week! Last Monday we had all our appointments cancel! It worked out pretty good, because we were able to prep some 4th of July pass along cards. They turned out so cute! The Lopan's helped us stamp and glitter these cute cards! They got soooo into it! I love them!

Tuesday we had appointments every 30 minutes after lunch! We were sooo booked! I loved it! We had a total of 12 lessons! Amazing! We screened Caitlyn for Baptism and she is totally ready, we have her set to be Baptized this Saturday!

Wednesday was a lot like Tuesday totally booked every 30 minutes! 12 more lessons! I spent most of the morning in Missionary Leadership Council! I was one of the first to meet the new Mission President and his Wife, President and Sister Snow! They are very different from the Neiders, but still soooo great! We learned lots of great things, especially why it is important to bring members to lessons. Sometimes we focus more on why it is important for the investigator and not the member. I shared our experience of setting a goal of how many members we want to have out with us each week! The APs LOVED IT! They changed their whole training around setting a goal after my comment! It was so neat! Later on we taught Lou the Word of Wisdom! He grew up on coffee and tea so it will be a test of faith if he will truly be willing to leave it behind. He understands the commitment and that it comes from our Heavenly Father. That is a blessing!

Thursday was our catch up day! We didn't have as many appointments as the past days. We had a great dinner with Sister Slack and her nonmember neighbor, who the young men did service for the other week. It was such a great dinner! We talked about faith and the Spirit was so strong! It is so great when members invite their friends over for dinner!

Friday was the 4th of July! Boulder City does it BIGGGGG! There was a HUGE parade with over 100 Floats! Tons of people to talk to! We also had weekly planning so that took up a lot of our day! We had a BBQ with the Lopan's! Just us and them! It was the best! We joined with their scripture study! The Fireworks in Boulder didn't start until 9pm, and we had to be home by then. We thought we would be able to watch them from our apartment, but because of the angle and the trees it was not so. We heard lots of them! The show went on for 35 minutes straight!

Saturday we had Zone Training Meeting! Sister Stinnett and I gave a training on Diligence! It was the bomb! I love giving trainings! I was able to teach Sister Stinnett how to put a training together. We started off having everyone explain what comes to mind when they think of the word "Diligent". We then had a discuss about what it says in Preach My Gospel about Diligence. After an amazing discussion we asked them all to look in the scriptures and have a few of them share a scripture that helps them to be diligent or reminds them of diligence and why. That was powerful! Then we asked them to think of a time that they lacked diligence and how they over came that. Many tears were shed as they expressed how the gospel and our Savior lifted them to a higher standard. We then watched a clip from "Facing The Giants" the scene is called "The Deathcrawl" (Go on YouTube right now and watch it!!!) Then we had them share the thoughts and impressions that came to their mind! WOW! The Spirit truly touched us all! We committed them to write down what they were going to do to be more diligent. Then I read this quote, by Elder Jeffery R. Holland,

 

"You only get one chance to serve a mission. It is your responsibility, your duty, to use it to its fullest; to give every last once of energy until you collapse in exhaustion at the end of it. All the hardship, all the tears, all the work will be looked back upon as the best thing you have ever done; not because you enjoyed it, not because you baptized everyone, but because you gave everything you had, especially when you didn't want to. Live you mission to its fullest. Work harder than you ever have before. Let people know that this is the most important thing in the world to you. If you do not run until you have nothing left to give and then keep going anyway; cry and pray and work and sweat and plead until you are so drained that all you can do is turn to the Lord - if you do not do this then these people will not come to this joy because of you. Their failure to come to Christ will be partially upon your head. Come out of your mission proud of what you've done and this experience will bless the rest of your life."

 

There was a powerful Spirit there. I forgot to mention that there were 40 missionaries at this training and the New Mission President and his wife just happened to come as well. It was truly an amazing experience. One for which I am so grateful for.

 

After our ZTM we rushed back to Boulder to get ready for Caitlyn's Baptism!!! The person filling the fount didn't come, but we had time to fill it! There was so many people we had to move into the chapel for the service. All the missionaries who taught her came and even President and Sister Snow were there. It was a great service. She was beaming the entire time. While she was changing we had everyone write her a little note and we put them all together to give to her at the end of the service. All the Young Women sang "As Sisters in Zion" - it was beautiful! She bore her testimony afterwards. It was the sweetest thing ever!!

 

After the Baptism we were all in the gym for a little munch and mingle. All of the sudden I thought I was going to pass out and I felt really nauseous. I saw a couple sister missionaries and told them I wasn't feeling well I made it to the bathroom and just fell to the floor. Everything sounds so tunnelly and I felt horrible. They went and grabbed Bishop Taggard and President Snow. They helped me off the floor into the Relief Society room to give me a Priesthood blessing. I didn't hear anything they said in the blessing. I was just trying to sit up and not fall over. They had me lay on the floor in the Relief Society room. Sister Taggard brought me some food and sat there with me for about an hour. Then we went back to the Bishop's house. I was throwing up the whole time and started to have a low fever.

 

That evening I went home and went to bed, but I was up every hour throwing up and tossing and turning. Going from freezing cold to burning hot. I stayed home from church on Sunday with a 101 fever that was only kept down when I was taking medicine. There was another sister missionary in Boulder City that was sick so she stayed in with me while our companions got to together to go to both wards and work that night. It was a miserable day. Lou came to church though! He stayed all three hours and LOVED it!!!

 

Monday I spent all day floating between the Peterson's and Lopan's home while my companion had her Pday and worked in our area. It was nice to rest because I still wasn't holding food down. President Peterson is our Stake President here. When he got home on Monday night he gave me another blessing. It was one of the most spiritual moments of my mission. I am so grateful for God's power here on the Earth today! I know that the Gospel truly has been restored!!! I am so grateful for the knowledge and to be able to share that with others!

 

Tuesday I was bounced around to different members houses. Still very weak, but holding it together.

 

Today, Wednesday, I have been home resting and going stir crazy! Still feeling weak, but doing much much better!!

 

That's my weeks update. Such great miracles and blessings happened! It's hard to be sick and be a missionary, but I am grateful that my companion has been able to work and keep the area going!

 

Thank you for all your prayers! I feel them and I need them! When times get hard, I remember all of you who are praying for me and it truly gives me strength! I love you and miss you so much!!!!

Love,

 

Sister Davis

 

P.S. I'll send pics from the 4th of July and the Baptism next week!!

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