Hey family! This week was wonderful!! Thursday Friday and Saturday rained soo much I was really getting sick of it because it really puts a damper on the work! Especially when all you do usually is tract! But it was still a great week. Wednesday night we had a laurel named Shannon go with us to this appointment that we set up with this lady we met. Well she stood us up so we went to the car to call her and there was a kid walking by and they went up to him and asked him if he wanted to learn more and he said sure and so we went to a table right there and taught him the restoration and he loved it! He said he knew he needs to start going to church and praying and he committed to find out if it's true and be baptised if he finds out it is. It was such a neat experience and it was such a cool experience for Shannon to have as a 16 year old. We have this lessactive that's just starting to come back to church and she has a neighbor that's a jehovah witness and and she and her JW friend come over every week and teach Bonnie and so she wanted us to come so we could be there to back Bonnie up. So we did and it was a good discussion and they actually have a lot of similar beliefs, but obviously some huge differences and so we interjected in different parts to clarify the doctrine and our beliefs. They didn't really have anything to so back to what we would say, it kind of shut them up. They were very nice women and totally non confrontational so it was nice. It was Sis. Schlauder's first experience with different church groups on her mission so she's been thinking about it every day since then. She's like, "Really, why would Jesus borrow a body to come to earth and then shed it when he left. That's just ridiculous!" She's funny I love my companion we have a lot of fun together and there's a lot of work to do here so we stay busy! Well I love you all and I will write next week!
Sister Davis
Monday, July 5, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
June 21, 2010
This week was eventful with transfers and all. So I'm in my new area now and I am already loving at it a ton! My new companion is Sister Schlauder and she's so awesome I really like her and she's going to be a great companion and missionary. She's from Las Vegas and she knows the only person I even know in Las vegas! He and her were next door neighbors so how about that for coincidence. We have only been together since Thursday and so we have been trying to get a feel for this new area and we are covering two wards so we are all sorts of confused as to who is in what ward ha but it's fun and we have a lot of work planned for this week so it's going to be really good I know it. We have a couple solid investigators. One is Richard and he is 78 and he knows it's true but he was a sniper in the vietnam war and he killed 106 people and he feels terrible about it and he said he needs to know that God forgives him before he can get baptized. So we are working on helping him gain a testimony of the Atonement. He's really great though. And the other really great one is James and he actually had a baptismal date but just a couple days before it was to happen, his wife freaked out on him and he had to cancel it. He said to us a few nights ago though that he knows this is the true church and he needs to put God first so one way or another he said he's getting baptized in the next 2 weeks. I really hope we can help his wife's heart be softened because I would hate for the Gospel to cause their marriage to be broken up since one of our central doctrines is eternal families.
Everything else is so good! Rachel, the investigator in Katy that the pest control guy found, met my companion and me and the Temple on Saturday and we had a lesson there with her and showed her around the grounds. It's so nice being so close to the Temple I really love that. I just really love my area and my companion and that I am still in a half bike area. Saturday was Sister Schlauder's first day on the bike! It was 100 out with a lot of humidity. Needless to say she wasn't really having it. She's a trooper though and I really love her a lot. She's got a very strong testimony and for coming right out of the MTC she's a master teacher. Well that's all really for now I'm sure I'll have more to write next week! Love yall bye
Sister Davis
Everything else is so good! Rachel, the investigator in Katy that the pest control guy found, met my companion and me and the Temple on Saturday and we had a lesson there with her and showed her around the grounds. It's so nice being so close to the Temple I really love that. I just really love my area and my companion and that I am still in a half bike area. Saturday was Sister Schlauder's first day on the bike! It was 100 out with a lot of humidity. Needless to say she wasn't really having it. She's a trooper though and I really love her a lot. She's got a very strong testimony and for coming right out of the MTC she's a master teacher. Well that's all really for now I'm sure I'll have more to write next week! Love yall bye
Sister Davis
June 14,2010
Hey Familia! This week went by really fast! We had transfer calls on Saturday. I'm getting transferred to Kleinwood/Windrose. It's the area right by the Temple. It will be really great to be so close to the Temple and I've heard that we do service on the Temple Grounds like with the flowers and such. I am going to be training and opening a new sister's area so it will be a great last challenge. I'm really looking forward to it actually. It was funny an elder heard that I was going there so he called and left a message telling me a couple people he wanted me to go see and then he said, "Oh by the way, bring lysol to the apartment because where you are going to be living has a ton of roaches...other than that you'll love the area!" I was like ugh, oh great. Ha but it will be awesome I'm really looking forward to it. I had a really great time with Sister Smith and Sister Judkins and they were diligent and obedient so it makes the work enjoyable and we accomplished a lot. Sister Judkins is actually getting transferred, even though this was only her first transfer, she's going to Tomball with Sister Mullins and Sister Sorensen is coming down here to Katy to be with Sister Smith. Sister Ireland is going home!! It's so sad I can't believe she is leaving... We got to see eachother at the Temple last week because we went to a sealing of a family here in Katy that she taught. My trainer Sister Lieber is going home too. Time goes by really super fast it's so weird. I love my life here on the mission it's so awesome. So Ron is doing so good! We watched a temple video this week and talked about how his family can be sealed together for eternity. Background on Ron for those who don't remember: His wife and kids are members and his wife just started coming back to church last year and went through the temple in January. He has been like way against the church for years and her home teacher/visiting teacher, the Ravenburg's, have been awesome for years and they've developed a great friendship and he asked Ron if he'd take the lessons and Ron said he would. This was back in February when he was still drinking all day long and chewing and he really didn't care about the lessons and now he loves it, hasn't drank for 2 months and is about to quit chewing! And this Sunday, the Ravenburg's told me he set a date to be baptized right at the beginning of August!! They said it's a secret, he's gonna surprise his wife!! It's so neat! The change in him is the most amazing thing I have seen. It's incredible I'm so excited for Ron's family.
Last night, we went to the Roundy's, the family we used to live with, and they had a couple friends over that wanted to talk about the church. Okay, so they believe in pre-destination and I have talked to people that believe that, but only like on the street or at their doors. I've never had a long conversation about it. Okay...so it makes no sense and it made me soo sad!! He was just telling me that God has a chosen people that he's already chosen and those chosen ones cannot get away from their salvation. Then, he told me about this time when he and his ex wife had just had a baby girl and she was born with birth defects and he was soo upset. He said he went home and he was just done with this whole God thing. He opened his mouth to curse God...and no words came out. God wouldn't let him do it. But he wanted to soo bad so he tried just to think it in his mind...and he couldn't do it. He said it's because he's one of God's chosen. I said I think it's because you knew deep down you didn't want to. That your physical mind and body wanted to, but your spirit, which lived with God, knows better. And then he told me how he was playing pool and he had no idea how he was going to get his ball around his opponent's ball and into the hole and then somehow the opponent's ball moved out of the way and he made it and won! I was seriously just like what are you saying! I said, 'so you are telling me that God cares if you win a silly little pool game, but he doesn't love all his children?' And I said are you familiar in Peter where it tells us that Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison who were disobedient in the times of Noah? Why is he preaching the Gospel to them if they weren't following him before? He said I thought it was talking about those who didn't have a chance to repent in this life or didn't choose to. He thinks that the chosen ones have numberless chances to repent because they cannot have their salvation taken away, but those that aren't chosen just don't get that opportunity. He wasn't mean, it was a really great conversation/discussion/lesson whatever you want to call it. It was just super sad to think he's better than others. Sorry, I'm still a little taken aback at his views so I'm sharing my thoughts with yall. If it gets boring just scroll down... anyways so I asked him if he believed that Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins, everyone's, and he said he did! I said why would Jesus Christ suffer for the sins of those he hadn't chose. The only reason we need the atonement is so that we can be cleansed so that we can live with God again and if they aren't chosen, they aren't going to live with God so there was no need to for him to suffer for their sins. It plainly says in John 3:16 that God loved 'the world' that he gave his only begotten son. He gave the world his son, He gave all of us the chance to return to him again. After that he really didn't have a lot to say so he changed the subject. He tended to do that a few times with me, but I was able to share with him the First Vision and he got teary-eyed. I have never felt the spirit so strong before and I know he felt it. And then I just bore my testimony that I know Joseph smith is a prophet and I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really did appear to him and they did restore the priesthood and the fulness of the Gospel, and he did it so we wouldn't have to live by the Bible only. We have modern day witnesses and another Testament that Jesus is the Christ. I know this Church is the true church with all of the keys of the kingdom held within. I know we are led by a living prophet and I know he tells the truth. I'm so grateful for my testimony and for my opportunity to share the gospel. I echo the words of Nephi, "I don't know the meaning of all things, nevertheless I know that God loveth all of his children." I really love my calling as a missionary. I'm excited to go to Klein and to find those that the Lord has prepared there. If there is only 1 thing I have learned in my life over the last year, it is that this is the Lord's work, and that has changed my life completely. It's his work and nothing will stop his work. As I strive to humble myself continually, I will be more receptive to the Spirit and I will be led to those that are ready. I am only a servant in his vineyard, but I can see miracles happen, and I do every week, as I put it all in God's hands. I love this Gospel and even though some may stray, it doesn't change the truth and power of the Church. Inside us is a spiritual giant struggling from celestial homesickness. When we surround ourselves with the things of the spirit, we are happier and more loving because our spirits are because they feel close to home. Living the Gospel is the only way to be truly happy in this life. I'm grateful for all of you and for your examples. Love you.
Sister Davis
Last night, we went to the Roundy's, the family we used to live with, and they had a couple friends over that wanted to talk about the church. Okay, so they believe in pre-destination and I have talked to people that believe that, but only like on the street or at their doors. I've never had a long conversation about it. Okay...so it makes no sense and it made me soo sad!! He was just telling me that God has a chosen people that he's already chosen and those chosen ones cannot get away from their salvation. Then, he told me about this time when he and his ex wife had just had a baby girl and she was born with birth defects and he was soo upset. He said he went home and he was just done with this whole God thing. He opened his mouth to curse God...and no words came out. God wouldn't let him do it. But he wanted to soo bad so he tried just to think it in his mind...and he couldn't do it. He said it's because he's one of God's chosen. I said I think it's because you knew deep down you didn't want to. That your physical mind and body wanted to, but your spirit, which lived with God, knows better. And then he told me how he was playing pool and he had no idea how he was going to get his ball around his opponent's ball and into the hole and then somehow the opponent's ball moved out of the way and he made it and won! I was seriously just like what are you saying! I said, 'so you are telling me that God cares if you win a silly little pool game, but he doesn't love all his children?' And I said are you familiar in Peter where it tells us that Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison who were disobedient in the times of Noah? Why is he preaching the Gospel to them if they weren't following him before? He said I thought it was talking about those who didn't have a chance to repent in this life or didn't choose to. He thinks that the chosen ones have numberless chances to repent because they cannot have their salvation taken away, but those that aren't chosen just don't get that opportunity. He wasn't mean, it was a really great conversation/discussion/lesson whatever you want to call it. It was just super sad to think he's better than others. Sorry, I'm still a little taken aback at his views so I'm sharing my thoughts with yall. If it gets boring just scroll down... anyways so I asked him if he believed that Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins, everyone's, and he said he did! I said why would Jesus Christ suffer for the sins of those he hadn't chose. The only reason we need the atonement is so that we can be cleansed so that we can live with God again and if they aren't chosen, they aren't going to live with God so there was no need to for him to suffer for their sins. It plainly says in John 3:16 that God loved 'the world' that he gave his only begotten son. He gave the world his son, He gave all of us the chance to return to him again. After that he really didn't have a lot to say so he changed the subject. He tended to do that a few times with me, but I was able to share with him the First Vision and he got teary-eyed. I have never felt the spirit so strong before and I know he felt it. And then I just bore my testimony that I know Joseph smith is a prophet and I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really did appear to him and they did restore the priesthood and the fulness of the Gospel, and he did it so we wouldn't have to live by the Bible only. We have modern day witnesses and another Testament that Jesus is the Christ. I know this Church is the true church with all of the keys of the kingdom held within. I know we are led by a living prophet and I know he tells the truth. I'm so grateful for my testimony and for my opportunity to share the gospel. I echo the words of Nephi, "I don't know the meaning of all things, nevertheless I know that God loveth all of his children." I really love my calling as a missionary. I'm excited to go to Klein and to find those that the Lord has prepared there. If there is only 1 thing I have learned in my life over the last year, it is that this is the Lord's work, and that has changed my life completely. It's his work and nothing will stop his work. As I strive to humble myself continually, I will be more receptive to the Spirit and I will be led to those that are ready. I am only a servant in his vineyard, but I can see miracles happen, and I do every week, as I put it all in God's hands. I love this Gospel and even though some may stray, it doesn't change the truth and power of the Church. Inside us is a spiritual giant struggling from celestial homesickness. When we surround ourselves with the things of the spirit, we are happier and more loving because our spirits are because they feel close to home. Living the Gospel is the only way to be truly happy in this life. I'm grateful for all of you and for your examples. Love you.
Sister Davis
May 24,2010
Hi everyone! How was everyone's week?! This week was a very very good week for missionary work! We had a zone conference that was very inspiring! It was on Baptism and the Holy Ghost. We set a baptism with one of our investigators, Jose, two days later! I met Jose the first week I was here in Katy. We tracted his street and he said we were an answer to prayers and he really wanted to change his life. So we taught him and his wife the restoration and teh spirit was so strong but then he got a job in louisiana so he was always gone and we couldn't ever get in with him again until 3 weeks ago and he quit that job so he's home now. We taught the Plan of Salvation and he accepted a date for June 12th! The coolest part is the Songster's, the family that was inactive when I got here but we started working with and they haven't missed a week since? Well the father in the Songster family is baptizing Jose!! It's so amazing! I am so happy when I think about how incredible Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are and how in tune they are with the needs and desires of every one of our heart's. It's been a great week all around. we found 3 new investigators and they are all very interested! a lot of great stories how it happened but I'll save that for another day! Anyways I love ya'll a lot and miss you!
Sister Davis
Sister Davis
May 24,2010
Hi everyone! How was everyone's week?! This week was a very very good week for missionary work! We had a zone conference that was very inspiring! It was on Baptism and the Holy Ghost. We set a baptism with one of our investigators, Jose, two days later! I met Jose the first week I was here in Katy. We tracted his street and he said we were an answer to prayers and he really wanted to change his life. So we taught him and his wife the restoration and teh spirit was so strong but then he got a job in louisiana so he was always gone and we couldn't ever get in with him again until 3 weeks ago and he quit that job so he's home now. We taught the Plan of Salvation and he accepted a date for June 12th! The coolest part is the Songster's, the family that was inactive when I got here but we started working with and they haven't missed a week since? Well the father in the Songster family is baptizing Jose!! It's so amazing! I am so happy when I think about how incredible Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are and how in tune they are with the needs and desires of every one of our heart's. It's been a great week all around. we found 3 new investigators and they are all very interested! a lot of great stories how it happened but I'll save that for another day! Anyways I love ya'll a lot and miss you!
Sister Davis
Sister Davis
May 17, 2010
This past week was amazing! Seriously it was such an awesome week! We were super busy and we were able to see so many people and meet so many new people and we had to new investigators at church! We taught 34 lessons! I haven't taught that many since College Station. It's amazing how much more you can get done having three of you instead of 2. We just did a lot of splits and so we were able to see like twice as many people! The youth in the Katy stake did this Cumorah's Hill performance and it was fantastic! It was so good and there were a ton of non members there. They had 3 shows and we went to all of them and we were able to meet a lot of new people and we gave away 10 copies of the Book of Mormon. The spirit was just so strong it was incredible. It was youth 12-18 and they sounded wonderful. Andy, an investigator came last night and we were talking when it was over and he was like, " I am so impressed. I'm overwhelmed. They sounded professional. That was just outstanding I'm speechless." And we have been teaching him since last July and he knows it's true I think he's holding back cause he just wants to know everything. I asked him to go home and pray about the Book of Mormon. He said he has so many times. I told him that maybe tonight he got his answer. He was quiet for a few seconds and he said You know what, maybe I did. It was awesome!
So this lessactive family we tracted into when I first got here, the songster's, they are doing sooo awesome! Don't ever miss a week of church, starting temple prep classes, always bear their testimonies and they both just got callings! It's so cool. Anyways we were over there last tuesday and I had just read a scripture and Christina was looking at my scriptures and thumbing through them and she's like, "I love your scriptures. I really want these. I want ones like this that have it all in there." Okay well rewind to Christmas. All the sisters had a zone conference and Sister Lieber went up to President Cue's wife and told her how beautiful her necklace was. Sister Cue immediately took it off and said Thank you, here, it's yours! Sis Lieber was soo surprised and I couldn't believe how selfless she was. So I've thought about that since then and wanted to be like her and right when Christina was telling me how much she wanted ones like these(and knowing they couldn't afford any) I said, Here you go. Take them, they're yours! Inside I was like What am I doing! I have learned soo much on my mission and I have marked up thsoe scriptures every where with all the insights that came to me. But I know I needed to do that for her AND for me. There's a quote that says, "Sacrifice is the only acceptable form of Gratitude." I feel that Heavenly Father knows how grateful I am for the scriptures and my testimony has already been deepened by the sacrifice. Okay well then the next day I realized it's pretty hard to get by just reading out of the Book of Mormons we give away. I called up a member in our ward and asked her if when she went to the Temple that next day, if she could get me a new set and I'd just pay her when I got them. I have like not very much for the rest of the month so I didn't really know how it was going to work, but I felt that it would. Well when she brought them to me she said when I was buying these, there was a man in there that heard the situation and what you had done, and he bought them for you! I couldn't believe it! He didn't even know me and yet he bought them for me, The tender mercies of the Lord are all around us it's so incredible. Well I'm gonna end this but I love yall and miss ya!
Sister Davis
So this lessactive family we tracted into when I first got here, the songster's, they are doing sooo awesome! Don't ever miss a week of church, starting temple prep classes, always bear their testimonies and they both just got callings! It's so cool. Anyways we were over there last tuesday and I had just read a scripture and Christina was looking at my scriptures and thumbing through them and she's like, "I love your scriptures. I really want these. I want ones like this that have it all in there." Okay well rewind to Christmas. All the sisters had a zone conference and Sister Lieber went up to President Cue's wife and told her how beautiful her necklace was. Sister Cue immediately took it off and said Thank you, here, it's yours! Sis Lieber was soo surprised and I couldn't believe how selfless she was. So I've thought about that since then and wanted to be like her and right when Christina was telling me how much she wanted ones like these(and knowing they couldn't afford any) I said, Here you go. Take them, they're yours! Inside I was like What am I doing! I have learned soo much on my mission and I have marked up thsoe scriptures every where with all the insights that came to me. But I know I needed to do that for her AND for me. There's a quote that says, "Sacrifice is the only acceptable form of Gratitude." I feel that Heavenly Father knows how grateful I am for the scriptures and my testimony has already been deepened by the sacrifice. Okay well then the next day I realized it's pretty hard to get by just reading out of the Book of Mormons we give away. I called up a member in our ward and asked her if when she went to the Temple that next day, if she could get me a new set and I'd just pay her when I got them. I have like not very much for the rest of the month so I didn't really know how it was going to work, but I felt that it would. Well when she brought them to me she said when I was buying these, there was a man in there that heard the situation and what you had done, and he bought them for you! I couldn't believe it! He didn't even know me and yet he bought them for me, The tender mercies of the Lord are all around us it's so incredible. Well I'm gonna end this but I love yall and miss ya!
Sister Davis
May 3,2010
Sooo...how's life?! Katy is rockin I'm lovin' it. This week has been wonderful as far as the weather goes! It's starting to get more humid and hot but right now it's still perfect! We found 2 new investigators this past week which was super. One is an 87 year old woman and she was at a neighbor's house who is a member but less active and her visiting teacher came over and the 87 year old, Joy, really felt the spirit and a warmth from the visiting teacher and wanted to know more! It's awesome she's an incredible lady. After we taught her for the first time we gave her a Book of Mormon and she was so excited and grateful and she kissed the Book haha. The other is a 27 year old guy but has the mind of a 13 year old and he lives right below us and last week we were sitting out by the pool writing letters and reading and such and he was swimming and asked us what we were doing and we told him writing letters and reading and he said he wished he could do that and we asked him why he couldn't and he said he never learned to read! So I said we'll teach you to read and we set up an appt for the following day and we ended up teaching him the Restoration and he liked it so much and when we met with him the next day he told us how he felt soo different yesterday like when we were talking to him he just felt this really good feeling inside...that Holy Ghost is somethingelse I tell you! It's so amazing when people feel the Spirit and try to describe it to you. It's the best feeling for sure! And he is gonna quit smoking now so we've been working with him on that. One day after he decided to quit we came home from district meeting and he was outside and he was smoking and I was like, "Matt! You're smoking! Don't do it! Throw it! Stomp on it! Put it out!" and he takes it and throws it down and stomps all over it and he's like, "Yeah!" it was so funny. So yeah it's a work in progress but we meet with him 3 times a week so I think that will help him be able to quit. Oh and Ron is doing so good!! I couldn't believe it...so this week when we taught him we taught about prayer and at teh end of the lesson I asked him how his prayers were going and he said, "Oh my prayers are good I have always prayed. I've prayed since my second day in basic training. But what I do need is a reading assignment. Because I have a half hour for lunch and I sleep for 15 and then read for 15 but it takes me like my whole 15 minutes to find a place to read!" That was like the coolest thing to hear!! We stopped giving him reading assignments because he never did the ones we gave him and now to hear him asking for them! It was soo awesome! and he still hasn't drank! His daughter told the YW president that he's completely different. She's like, "I keep questioning myself if that is really my dad! It's so good for teh family it's so much happier to be home." Little miracles make the big ones! So yes this week was really good. We got transfer calls Saturday. I'm staying here and training. It's not really what I was hoping for but I guess the Lord knows best. I kind of feel like I have been training my whole mission. It can be stressful, but I'm used to it now so it shouldn't be anything new. We'll go to the mission home on Thursday for breakfast and to pick her up and then we get to go to the Temple! That is oen plus of training...you get to do an extra session at the Temple that transfer! Well love you guys and I hope everything is good will everyone and their happy lives!
Sister Davis
Sister Davis
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