It Turns Out We Are Not Able To Go To The Temple This Week

March 24, 2014

Sister Wilson, My Companion From MTC
Meeting At Zone Conference

Dear Family & Friends,

Thank you so much for emailing!!! It turns out we are not able to go to the temple this week, but next week for sure (hopefully)!

Nanni, you are adorable. I loved reading your talk! I got to give a talk this Sunday too!!! Someone backed out two days before so they called me up. Yay missions! I felt so bad for the other two about-to-be missionaries who spoke with me because it was supposed to be their farewell and I was up at the mic almost the whole time (because this was the week I sang my solo, too...bah!) But I shortened my talk so all is well. Guess what, one of them is 26! I am not the only old one in the field!! I'm sending you a copy of my talk in the mail. Just in case you want to read it. I learned a lot from President Uchtdorf's talk "You Can Do It Now."

Have y'all seen the movie "Son of God" in the theaters? Everyone is making a hoopla about it here in 'Sconsin, but I hear it's really good (except for those who think that Satan's character was purposely made to look like Obama). Thank you for the music, I've been listening to the CD "From Cumorah's Hill" (I think that's what it's called) and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! I can never get enough of it. I highly recommend.

Also, I was mistaken and we don't get the Church News, so if you still want to send it to me that would be just fine and dandy!

Elder McGlothin! Tell him he's awesome and that I am learning so much and am so thankful to be joining him and the countless other missionaries across the globe! That's cool that he's the Zone Leader, how much longer does he have in the mish?

Hope everyone in the ward is doing well and to Bro. Johnson I say "hi" back!

Yay! DEATH TO THE RAT!! Just kidding, he too is a precious spirit. But I can't believe that you and Dad tried to get suckered by exterminators. Oh well, Dad is pretty smart when it comes to things like that. I would have loved to hear him yell at the supervisor :) Tell him that Elder Kimzee asked us what one thing we would bring on a deserted island if we were stranded I stole Allison's answer and said "My Dad."

That is so cool about Harris!, only through the Spirit of God can that happen. I'm reminded of a scripture in D&C 76:5-7, 10: "...I the Lord...delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness...And to them will I reveal all mysteries...For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will--yea even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, not yet entered into the heart of man.  How amazing that the Lord has a far bigger plan for us than we have for ourselves, and that through obeying and serving Him, we can be the instrument in which a soul can be brought unto Him, even when we may not realize it. I love the quote: "BE the answer to someone else's prayer."

For now, it looks like we aren't moving (knock on wood) so I don't think I'll be sending anything yet. The weather HAS warmed up a trifle, and many have said that they have seen a robin, which is the sign of spring here. Not much blooming yet, but the warmth is on its way because EVERYONE has been getting sick this past week. Good ol' rapid change in temperature. Poor Sis. A had a nasty cold and a couple Elders, investigators, and people from church have been suffering from a knarly flu. But all is well for now (knock on wood again) :)

This week we were able to meet and leave pamphlets with quite a few people when finding/tracting. One young woman said that she only answered the door because her grandmother just died and she is seeking some kind of comfort or hope. I was so pleased that she accepted the Plan of Salvation Pamphlet and let us offer a prayer for her and her family. I hope that she reads it and calls us back.

We taught Willie and Nikki about the Gospel of Jesus Christ over at the Loutensock's house and Bro. Loutensock gave amazing input regarding the Priesthood and baptism when Willie asked some questions about ordinances and church history. We were finally able to contact Lamar, a former investigator, and although he couldn't make it to church, there are a couple members who are helping us meet with him and his girlfriend so that he can learn more. We met with a new investigator, Aaron, and taught him the Plan of Salvation for like 2 hours on his back porch in the cold (since he was the only one home and we couldn't go in without another female present) and answered some questions he had regarding the doctrine of the church and what separates us from all the others. He agreed to read from the Book of Mormon and we are meeting with him again next week.

We were also able to stop by and visit Brandon on Saturday, and learned that the main reason why he won't come to church is because he is worried that his children will spill the beans with his parents, who are mainstream Jehovah's Witnesses. We ended up having a good discussion over parts of the Plan of Salvation and The Fall. We visited Jorie yesterday and went over the importance of praying with real intent. We got into a good discussion over receiving answers to prayers.

I am so thankful that we were able to contact so many new people and that our investigators are progressing and developing that desire to learn more and commit!

Love you all and I look forward to reading your letter! (Even if it's the same as this one :)

-Sister Weaver-

Reunited with my MTC Family
at New Missionary Training Meeting

A painting from Sister Lovelace's
(the woman we are going to the temple with).
She has painting/sketches from this
guy all over her house having to
do with the armor of God. SO COOL! 

Us and the little tots Spring was
babysitting. They were crazy! 

Cool Waukesha painting made by some
 Austistic children and their peers

Evelyn had fun doing our hair
(she wants to be a missionary too)

By The Grace Of God, I Have Been Able To Keep My Nerves Under Control

March 17, 2014

Sister Weaver & Anderson - The Ninja's

Dear Family & Friends,

I already used my debit card (my real MasterCard) to pay for the shoes so it should have already gone through when I had paid. I hate money. Anyways, that is SO cool that you all got to go back up to WA and see everybody again! I wish I could have seen Chad and his new wifey. Ah well...I'm pretty sure that we get the Church News; I've seen it in our apartment at least. I really need to read some of it during my study time.

As far as nerves go, by the grace of God, I have been able to keep them under control and especially in situations where I feel most comfortable. My main problem is getting anxious over eating dinner over at people's houses, because I feel like I HAVE to eat everything, and then my appetite goes all kiddywompous. I have set a goal to FORCE myself to feel comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. 

I know that through my faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ I am made whole and it is such a blessing to be able to put my badge on every day and testify of that truth to others. Whenever I feel the pain of a heavy load, or the nerves of any hint of loneliness, is be confident in the fact that I feel the loving arms of my Savior and the hands and prayers of family members both here and beyond the veil on my behalf.

I was so happy that I got to attend church yesterday! Brother Woodford invited Sister Anderson and I to come to his primary class and share how they can be missionaries and later on in Relief Society, Jori (our semi-golden investigator) shared an inspiring comment from the Relief Society manual!

This week when we met with Brandon, we were able to use the role-play that we had planned for Zone Conference. We related the story of how Nephi was commanded to build a boat and pray specifically to the Lord and how he should know how to go about doing it. We committed him to pray specifically if the Book of Mormon is true and then adjusted our commitment after he asked us about how to know what promptings are from the Spirit, to one of praying specifically to understand the promptings of the Spirit and how he can recognize it. This week we are going to talk more about receiving answers to prayers with him.

We ate dinner with Sister Yopps and talked about how Alma and his people were being persecuted by Amulon and then read Mosiah 24:12-15 and talked with her about keeping a prayer in your heart; while we will not always have our trials taken away, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we will be able to BEAR them.

When we met with Willie we learned that he is already through the book of 1 Nephi! We committed him to pray if the Book of Mormon is true and he was startled by the question, responded that he never doubted it was true!

When we were over at Dee's, a visitor surprised us: we couldn't believe that it was Elder Kanahale!! One of the Elders who had been referred to Dee and taught her with Elder Lorcher (who is home and Dee is trying to get Sister Anderson to write hehe) 2 years ago!! He is on his way home, but he introduced us all to his parents, who came to pick him up and head home to Hawaii (they had to get new clothes for the snow haha). He and his Dad are both Maouri from New Zealand and have BEAUTIFUL singing voices. They serenaded us on behalf of Dee with Elder Kanahale's guitar the song "Well Done." PLEASE look up that song on Youtube, it is gorgeous!

Dee was so thrilled and happy by his visit that she later related to Sister Anderson and I that she was tempted to drop us because she didn't want to keep forming relationships if we were going to keep getting transferred like he and Elder Lorcher were. Especially if she still was not set on whether or not she wanted to get baptized. She told us that it was a sign that God still wanted us to come and visit her. It was a miracle. Sister Anderson and I both cried after they left while we were praying with Dee, the Spirit that he and his family, along with their testimonies they brought, were so strong.

If that wasn't spiritually exhausting enough, later on, when we went to visit Sister Wood, we learned of the distress that had plagued her that day in regards to family trouble. Little did we know that the moment that we knocked on the door, the Elders were there about to give her a blessing. She was so overwhelmed by love and the Spirit, she shared that Elder Kanahale (who had baptized her) came to visit her that day (and had sung her a song hehe). She said that after they had left, she received news that her Aunt was in the hospital. Not long after, another set of Elders she knew well dropped by unannounced and she felt so comforted. Then, if that wasn't enough, Brother Cox from the ward stopped by with the Spanish Elders and offered to give her a blessing. And then, to top it off, Sister Anderson and I swung by, unannounced. After they all left that night and we were left with her she exclaimed through tears that there is no way that the church is not true. Coincidences like this just don't happen and to witness that miracle myself was such a blessing!

I don't know if I will be able to email next week, since we are planning on going to the temple, so if you could send me an old fashioned letter that would be mucho gusto!!! Thank you all for the prayers and comfort you never cease to give me. You all are in my prayers as well!

Also, we may be moving, so I'm probably going to send some stuff home that I rarely use (since it's a nightmare to pack EVERYTHING!!)

Plus, if we have any religious CDs that are gathering dust on your shelves, send 'em my way (Sis. A and I are getting bored from the same CD's in the car :)

Love you all, the church is true, and with Christ we can overcome ANY adversity!!!! Don't let go, be strong and let your light lead through the darkness!

-Sister Weaver-

My Problems & Joys Of The Week

March 10, 2014 The New Ones...MTC Friends Forever.
Back: Sisters Plante, Christiansen, Pope, Ormsby, Wilson, Weaver, and Walker
Front: Sister King, Hatch, and Packer

March 10, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

That is SO cool that you all were able to participate as a family effort in doing baptisms for the dead! What a wonderful experience! We are still trying to find an opportunity to get to the temple :(

Were you able to see the Oscars? Someone from St. Vinny's told us that Ellen had hosted it...I can only imagine how THAT was haha.

When we went over to Dee's again she showed us Allison's comment (because she is friends with Sister Gardner on Facebook) and I was able to read it. Love you Sis!! She also said she looks like the girl from Juno...I don't really see it.

Cool beans on Cathy and Nani's house! It looks great! I can't wait to see inside :) I sure hope that Chelsey will continue on this path of reactivation. I love them so much!!

Weather-wise: it is 50 degrees today. Balmy!!!!

I probably shouldn't even be telling you this, but later this week, I had a fainting spell during a new missionary training meeting. I willed myself not to pass out in front of everyone, so I managed to get to the mother's room before my dizziness took over. Luckily, I didn't really pass out, I just got light headed...plus the anxiety didn't help either and I submitted to an hour of shakes. But, like always, I said a prayer and the Lord helped me overcome and I was able to get through it. President Cutler was there and he gave Sister Anderson permission to drive me home. I was okay until the next night, when I lost my appetite (the fear of passing out again taking hold), so the next morning I asked Brother Tateoka (the ward mission leader) for a priesthood blessing. I was so comforted to have Elder Hubert and Elder Schvaneveldt assist in the blessing. The Lord instructed me to listen to my body and be healed and also, to continue to find that one person who I need to find.

I had been overdoing it with not eating enough + exercise. That day my appetite returned after I had learned that this transfer I would be staying where I was with my same companion! I'm sure stress with that played a key part. Yesterday at church, my appetite still hadn't come back, so I called the nurse and she said to just consume liquids and rest as often as I could. After a little bit I was able to eat dinner. I am so grateful for Sis. Anderson! She fasted for me yesterday and I am eternally grateful for her care and consideration towards me. You couldn't ask for a better companion. I am so grateful for the Lord's protecting hand and although I get frustrated when I don't know when my body is sick from natural causes or my own anxiety, He is always there to instruct me in the ways that will best benefit my own contribution to this work.

During my bought of anxiety, when I reached the point where my feelings of inadequacy and homesickness sought to take hold, He led me to this scripture from Paul in Philippians 1:3-6, 23-25:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request of joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from this day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ...for I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you...And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith..."

I see each and every one of you family members in every beautiful countenance of those whom I meet. And I know that you are all with me as I do as Alma encourages me to do and "see that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?...I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy" (Alma 29:6, 9).

Okay enough about my problems. Lets get to my joy.

This week we were able to visit with Willie and Nikki again, this time teaching them the importance of going to church and went more in depth about the covenant of baptism.

We met with Jorie again and this time taught her the Plan of Salvation and how it connects to her purpose in life. We committed her to pray specifically about the Book of Mormon and if it is true.

We also visited with Brandon, an investigator who was a former Jehovah's Witness, with Sister Duran in our ward, who has such a strong testimony. We discussed the importance of the sacrament and he related his fears of going to church because of all of the hypocrisy and that he often felt worse after going to church than he had before he went. I bore my testimony about the significance of the Atonement and how that personal relationship with the Lord helps shut out any doubts or fears one may have about the social "club" he believes churches to have.

We also finally stopped by Sister Yopps' house, after we had been struggling to get appointments with her. She is worried about the welfare of her daughters who have gone very wayward and we related the scripture about Joseph Smith's adversity in D&C and also how sometimes the Lord stays His hand in order for us to be refined through the fire of tribulation. She agreed and we encouraged her in the strength that she has and is currently gaining regarding her faith.

Funny story!!!! The Spanish Elders have been teaching a woman named Rosa whose only setback from being baptized is stopping coffee. She's been to church and has a baptismal date and is the sweetest lady! So, while she gets a blessing to help her prepare for baptism and receive strength, she says her own prayer that the Lord will help her quit drinking coffee...So, the next day, a miracle happens! She gets arrested! She was fined for something that she had already paid off, but she thought the cops were being very friendly (like I said, too sweet!) so she complied. But, since it was the weekend, she was confined for 4 days...no coffee. She said that she spent a lot of time thinking about how much she wanted coffee and by the time she was let out she had no more desire to drink it! Miracles happen! The Lord answers prayers!

I love you all! You remain in my prayers, always!

-Sister Weaver-

I Love Reading The Powerful Missionary-esk

March 3, 2014

The Generational Pic: Me, My Mom, Grandma,
Great-Grandma, and so forth and such which :)

Dear Family & Friends,

Thank you so much for your email. I love reading the powerful missionary-esk words from a mother to a daughter (especially mine :) I am printing it out. For your lesson about the Atonement, when I teach I always stress the importance of trying to understand how the Savior suffered BOTH physical AND spiritual death and that in order for it to be an infinite atonement for the sins of whoever has lived or will ever live...nobody but the Son of God could have suffered through it all. In the words of David A. Bednar in His talk "The Character of Christ," only One who looked outward before He looked inward could do so...THIS is the character of Christ. If we apply the Atonement in our lives, we do not have to suffer for our own sins. I love the story of Alma the Younger and his experience with applying the Atonement. Changing our desires, CHANGE, is the key to repentance and everlasting forgiveness. Because of the atonement, we ALL may be saved in a kingdom of glory, but in order to receive the highest we have to do our part. If you want a really good insight into what grace is and the importance of it PLEASE look up the talk "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. I love how he says that the Savior is not just at the finish line (at the destination) but is there with you helping you complete every step of the race (the journey).

Cooking skills. Guess what? We never have time to cook because EVERYONE feeds us! So you don't have to worry :) But when we do...it's only breakfast anyway which I'm pretty golden at with cereal as you well know.

Don't worry, I brought a pair of tennis shoes, but they are boring and dirty so that's why I got some neon ones.

This week has been such a blessing! When we met with Nikki, she brought a friend named Willie who had some questions about what we believed and he is trying to discover who Christ is and try and understand what He did. We reviewed the part of the Restoration and taught with the pamphlet and then continued with our original plan we had with Nikki and read from Joseph Smith History about Joseph's firsthand account of the First Vision. We also read the Book of Mormon Promise in Moroni 10:3-5 with him and encouraged him to read and pray to know if this course and this church is true. I also committed him to baptism (my first baptismal commitment made!!!!! even if it was after Sis. Anderson whispered at me to do it :) and he said that he would like to first know what baptism is and why it is necessary. But he said that as he read and continued to learn, and if he felt that this was true, then he would absolutely take that step. We followed up with him later in the week and he is already reading 1 Nephi and is really excited about it. We also were able to give him a King James Version of the Bible. He and Nikki committed to help each other read and learn more together since they both do bible studies together anyways.

We met with Jorie and also taught her the Restoration. She was very receptive and I committed to baptism (without Sis. Anderson telling me to!) as she also committed to continue to learn more and attend church and develop her own testimony of this gospel's truth. She said that she feels spiritually nourished every time that she comes to church!

We met with Dee again and she was skeptical about the three degrees of glory until I showed her where it was mentioned in 1 Corinthians. She is very learned and wants to seek truth out of other books, not just the Book of Mormon, and we are trying our best to answer her questions but she is very patient. She is slowly but surely finding out that this gospel holds all the truths she's looking for, she just needs to pray specifically to know for herself!

There is so much more I want to tell you but because I am a spaz and forgot my planner, I cannot remember it all. Oh well, next week :) I hope that things are good and golden on the home front and that all of you are.  Attached are some pics of the mission peeps. Next week is transfers. I hope no one leaves, especially my trainer :(

I love you all so much!! I'm sorry this is so short!

-Sista Weava-

My lovely district: Elders Kimzee, 
Hubert, Schvanaveldt, Wiscombe and 
Sisters Weaver and Anderson

My psycho district: war-cry style :)

What a strange district :)

Elders Hubert, Kimzee 
and Wiscombe

She's such a ham :),
Sisters Anderson and Weaver

Good Morning Sisters!