Hello wonderful, wonderful family and friends!! I hope you had a faaaabulous week!
Thank you to my family for the Valentine's Day package!! Sister Mendoza and I love the pillowcases!! (Probably thanks to Annette, too!!) I would send you a picture of us with them but my camera is being weird with the computer this week so I can't send any pictures :/ Maybe next week! "Love you more!" :)
This week wasn't crazy busy, well of course it was, but there's not a ton that's sticking out to me to share....hmmm well! Sister Mendoza and I really learned a lot this week. We learned the miracle of repentance and the reality of the Atonement. Especially the power of the sacrament. I really tried hard this week to make taking the sacrament a temple-like experience. I felt the power of Jesus Christ as I reviewed our week and prayed for strength to be better this week. I truly felt like I was being cleansed, just like getting baptized again. But I know I only felt that way because I prepared for that kind of experience. The sacrament has truly gained so much significance to me. I have made the resolve that I will do everything I possibly can to never miss a Sunday going to church so I can partake of the sacrament. I am so grateful for my mission - it has put so many things into perspective and priority for the rest of my life!!
We had zone conference this week with President Bell and Sister Bell and the APs and another zone in the mission. It was AWESOME. I love getting together with all those missionaries and having the opportunity to strengthen one another through trainings, role plays, and testimonies. This was a special zone activity because it was the last time I will ever see Sister Hymas :( the next time I see her she will be Kassie. WEIRD. Did I cry when she was bearing her testimony? Only a little. She has changed my life for sure and I don't know if I could ever thank Heavenly Father enough for her.
Transfers are this week! The last 6 weeks have FLOWN by!! It's so insane!! Thankfully, Sister Mendoza and I are staying right here in good ol' Garden City :) We are very happy about that! I was so worried I wasn't going to be able to train Sister Mendoza the whole 12 weeks, but I do!! Yay :) I love Garden City. Love it, love it, love it!!!
OH! Katelyn got baptized on Saturday!! That was a huge miracle. I think I already told you the whole story about her. But so many missionaries were rejoicing that day. It definitely has been a long time coming. I know the Spirit changes hearts. Katelyn is such an example to me of a young girl who loves the Lord and wants to be obedient. She knows baptism by the proper authority is a commandment of God and she was and is willing to be obedient to Him because she loves Him.
I love Him :)
Have an awesome week! The Church is true. The Book of Mormon is true. Jesus Christ lives and His Atonement is real.
I love you all so much!!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
Called to serve in the Kansas Wichita Mission, Spanish Speaking- June 2014-December 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Week 35: Our Lovely Deseret
Hola! Hello! Yo! Hey there! Hi there! 'Sup?!
If you don't know what this hymn says...look it up. hahaha Sister Mendoza and I were cracking up while we were singing it in sacrament meeting yesterday....good one to sing when investies are at church. hahaha oh my...good stuff!
Lots of cool stuff happened this week! I'll give the run down on some miracles, some evidence of the Messiah among us, that we saw this week!
First off, Amy and Fredric. They are a family, don't know if I've mentioned them before or not...buuut they are awesome. We met them just simply by talking to everyone. They came to church yesterday which was awesome! In one of our lessons with them this week we talked to them about tithing and fasting. In the lesson, Amy was different. Not her usual curious, lots-of-comments, self. We asked if she was okay, she said yes, but of course we knew something was up - girl intuition, right? :) When we extended the commitment to live the law of tithing, they hesitantly said yes. Amy has been a little unsure of baptism, definitely more than Fredric. So we invited her to fast about the decision. We also went over prayer again and how you pray, why you pray, testified that prayers are answered, etc. All the good stuff. Then we left. The next day, we went back for our next lesson and in the opening prayer, Amy thanked Heavenly Father for the raise she got at work! So we of course congratulated her after the prayer and she told us what happened. So. She had had an evaluation at work that day and the night before, when we were talking about tithing and stuff, she was really stressed about it. She didn't know if it was going to go well or if she was going to lose her job and especially with paying tithing, she just didn't know how they were going to get on. Before her evaluation, she prayed and told Heavenly Father that if this is the religion she's supposed to be in, if this is what she's supposed to do, to just give her a good day at work, help her evaluation go well. And thennnnn she got a .90 raise!!! Heavenly Father ANSWERS prayers!! She had such great faith. Now she is as excited as Fredric for their baptism on the 28th :)
Sister Hymas and her companion gave an AMAZING training at zone training about FEELING the Savior "one by one" every week when we take the Sacrament. I copied her description of it from her email - yes, cheating!
Our training was all about feeling Jesus Christ. So we talked about when Jesus came to the Americas and he invited all to come and feel him. Then we went onto the chapel and had everyone blindfolded. We went through a "sensory experience". We walked them through the atonement really. There were things they could listen to and things they could touch. It started out with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and everyone got to touch a piece of the plant. They could hear him praying, the crickets chirping, and a bit of wind. Then it went to the scourging, you could hear the crack of the whip over and over again, and then the whip was passed around and they each got to feel it. Then it went to when Jesus was nailed on the cross. Each person got to hold a nail, and then the hammer was passed around. Then it was the sound of the tomb closing and everyone got to hold a rock. I wish I could explain the powerful spirit that was there at that time. It was very real to us all. Then we played the song from Nashville Tribute! The "He is Risen" one. SO POWERFUL. At the beginning the song is very quite and its Mary, asking where Jesus is, and then Jesus comes in and says, "Mary". At that moment we had one of the elders go around and hold everyone's hand. Each person got to feel Christs hand.
What I felt the most from that training is the REALITY of Jesus Christ. I KNOW He lives. I KNOW His Atonement is real. I know I would not be who I am now without it. I couldn't be better without it. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. When I felt that hand in mine...I can not describe the joy and gratitude I felt. I love Him. I cannot wait to see Him again and just hug Him. I hope and pray I hear the words "well done, my good and faithful servant." :)
I love you all and hope you have the best week!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
If you don't know what this hymn says...look it up. hahaha Sister Mendoza and I were cracking up while we were singing it in sacrament meeting yesterday....good one to sing when investies are at church. hahaha oh my...good stuff!
Lots of cool stuff happened this week! I'll give the run down on some miracles, some evidence of the Messiah among us, that we saw this week!
First off, Amy and Fredric. They are a family, don't know if I've mentioned them before or not...buuut they are awesome. We met them just simply by talking to everyone. They came to church yesterday which was awesome! In one of our lessons with them this week we talked to them about tithing and fasting. In the lesson, Amy was different. Not her usual curious, lots-of-comments, self. We asked if she was okay, she said yes, but of course we knew something was up - girl intuition, right? :) When we extended the commitment to live the law of tithing, they hesitantly said yes. Amy has been a little unsure of baptism, definitely more than Fredric. So we invited her to fast about the decision. We also went over prayer again and how you pray, why you pray, testified that prayers are answered, etc. All the good stuff. Then we left. The next day, we went back for our next lesson and in the opening prayer, Amy thanked Heavenly Father for the raise she got at work! So we of course congratulated her after the prayer and she told us what happened. So. She had had an evaluation at work that day and the night before, when we were talking about tithing and stuff, she was really stressed about it. She didn't know if it was going to go well or if she was going to lose her job and especially with paying tithing, she just didn't know how they were going to get on. Before her evaluation, she prayed and told Heavenly Father that if this is the religion she's supposed to be in, if this is what she's supposed to do, to just give her a good day at work, help her evaluation go well. And thennnnn she got a .90 raise!!! Heavenly Father ANSWERS prayers!! She had such great faith. Now she is as excited as Fredric for their baptism on the 28th :)
Sister Hymas and her companion gave an AMAZING training at zone training about FEELING the Savior "one by one" every week when we take the Sacrament. I copied her description of it from her email - yes, cheating!
Our training was all about feeling Jesus Christ. So we talked about when Jesus came to the Americas and he invited all to come and feel him. Then we went onto the chapel and had everyone blindfolded. We went through a "sensory experience". We walked them through the atonement really. There were things they could listen to and things they could touch. It started out with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and everyone got to touch a piece of the plant. They could hear him praying, the crickets chirping, and a bit of wind. Then it went to the scourging, you could hear the crack of the whip over and over again, and then the whip was passed around and they each got to feel it. Then it went to when Jesus was nailed on the cross. Each person got to hold a nail, and then the hammer was passed around. Then it was the sound of the tomb closing and everyone got to hold a rock. I wish I could explain the powerful spirit that was there at that time. It was very real to us all. Then we played the song from Nashville Tribute! The "He is Risen" one. SO POWERFUL. At the beginning the song is very quite and its Mary, asking where Jesus is, and then Jesus comes in and says, "Mary". At that moment we had one of the elders go around and hold everyone's hand. Each person got to feel Christs hand.
What I felt the most from that training is the REALITY of Jesus Christ. I KNOW He lives. I KNOW His Atonement is real. I know I would not be who I am now without it. I couldn't be better without it. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. When I felt that hand in mine...I can not describe the joy and gratitude I felt. I love Him. I cannot wait to see Him again and just hug Him. I hope and pray I hear the words "well done, my good and faithful servant." :)
I love you all and hope you have the best week!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
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| A less active, Jean, who stopped smoking and put her ashtray outside - "will you make me a 'NO SMOKING' and 'NO DRINKING' sign to put on my door?".... yeah, we could prolly do that. UM YES!! haha :) |
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| Consuelo, a recent convert......doing my hair "like the Mexican girls do it". |
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| The finished product.... |
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Week 34: A Marvelous Work and Wonder
Hello my wonderful friends and family!!! You are all just the best! :)
Missionary work is truly such a marvelous work and a wonder - I am so blessed to be a missionary.
We have seen so many miracles in talking to everyone and just working hard. Always keeping our fishing line in the water - which means taking every opportu...
hahaha I have to tell you this before I move on...soooo right now we are obviously in the library and we are also on a conference call with the zone in order to set a baptism goal for February. We had 2 numbers in mind to set for our goal. Then the zone leaders asked me to be the one to say the prayer to ask Heavenly Father which of those 2 numbers we should set as our goal. Sister Mendoza had the phone and she was like "uhhh...they want you to pray..." and I was like "okay! that's fine!" and then I thought "oh wait...I am in a library with lots of people...." then I was like "whatever, I'm a missionary - it's fine" and went on to say the prayer. haha so funny! #notashamed bahaha super funny :)
Anyyyywaaaay...so we made sure to take EVERY opportunity to talk to EVERYone last week. And we saw miracles!! We found 3 new investigator families! We are so stoked to work with them more and bring them closer to Jesus Christ!! Saturday night, I just laid in my bed thinking about our week and tears were just rolling down my face. I am just so so happy! I don't even think I can adequately explain it, but I know every missionary or return missionary knows what I'm talking about. Not even happiness, but just indescribable JOY. Sorry I can't describe it better. I wish I could. The fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ just FILLS you up. It reminds me of the scripture that says if your eye is single to the glory of God, your body is filled with light and there is no room for darkness. I know I still have a lot more to give to the Lord, so I know I'm not quite there yet, but I am so grateful I was able to feel just a glimpse of eternal joy this week :)
And then....Sunday came. haha I feel like the longer I am on my mission the sweeter the joys and the more bitter the disappointments. I was crying for joy Saturday night, then when those families chose not to attend church, I was heartbroken, and I cried again! I was so sad they chose not to draw closer to Christ by partaking of the Sacrament and learning more of Him in His true church. They will come next week though, so I am excited about that :) I still am filled with joy! No worries :) haha
I KNOW that this is true. I know that Jesus Christ DOES have one true church with HIS authority and HIS power. I am so blessed to be His representative. I am grateful for the Spirit of God who guides us and directs us if we are humble enough to receive and follow its promptings. Jesus Christ lives. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. We have a prophet today :) How grateful I am for Jesus Christ. I truly do love Him. :)
Talk to you all next week! Have the best week ever!!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
Missionary work is truly such a marvelous work and a wonder - I am so blessed to be a missionary.
We have seen so many miracles in talking to everyone and just working hard. Always keeping our fishing line in the water - which means taking every opportu...
hahaha I have to tell you this before I move on...soooo right now we are obviously in the library and we are also on a conference call with the zone in order to set a baptism goal for February. We had 2 numbers in mind to set for our goal. Then the zone leaders asked me to be the one to say the prayer to ask Heavenly Father which of those 2 numbers we should set as our goal. Sister Mendoza had the phone and she was like "uhhh...they want you to pray..." and I was like "okay! that's fine!" and then I thought "oh wait...I am in a library with lots of people...." then I was like "whatever, I'm a missionary - it's fine" and went on to say the prayer. haha so funny! #notashamed bahaha super funny :)
Anyyyywaaaay...so we made sure to take EVERY opportunity to talk to EVERYone last week. And we saw miracles!! We found 3 new investigator families! We are so stoked to work with them more and bring them closer to Jesus Christ!! Saturday night, I just laid in my bed thinking about our week and tears were just rolling down my face. I am just so so happy! I don't even think I can adequately explain it, but I know every missionary or return missionary knows what I'm talking about. Not even happiness, but just indescribable JOY. Sorry I can't describe it better. I wish I could. The fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ just FILLS you up. It reminds me of the scripture that says if your eye is single to the glory of God, your body is filled with light and there is no room for darkness. I know I still have a lot more to give to the Lord, so I know I'm not quite there yet, but I am so grateful I was able to feel just a glimpse of eternal joy this week :)
And then....Sunday came. haha I feel like the longer I am on my mission the sweeter the joys and the more bitter the disappointments. I was crying for joy Saturday night, then when those families chose not to attend church, I was heartbroken, and I cried again! I was so sad they chose not to draw closer to Christ by partaking of the Sacrament and learning more of Him in His true church. They will come next week though, so I am excited about that :) I still am filled with joy! No worries :) haha
I KNOW that this is true. I know that Jesus Christ DOES have one true church with HIS authority and HIS power. I am so blessed to be His representative. I am grateful for the Spirit of God who guides us and directs us if we are humble enough to receive and follow its promptings. Jesus Christ lives. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. We have a prophet today :) How grateful I am for Jesus Christ. I truly do love Him. :)
Talk to you all next week! Have the best week ever!!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
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| Biking, biking, biking! haha, don't we just looks so cute?! Haha I love it. With the field in the background......welcome to Kansas everyone :) |
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Week 33: Blessings, Blessings, Blessings!
HELLO EVERYONE!!!
Well this week just flew by! I hope you all had an awesome week last week and you were able to share some of the light of Jesus Christ with someone!!
Okay, I want to do these thank you's individually, but that would be a TON of people to thank! So. I'm sorry, but please let this suffice...
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE BIRTHDAY LOVE!!!!!!!!!
Seriously. To roommates, to ward members, to friends, to family...just thank you :) thank you, thank you! It was a great day to be a missionary!
I don't have a ton of time, so let me quickly sum up some of the great miracles we saw this week :) PS in the Bible Dictionary it says that "miracles are the physical evidence of the Messiah among us" (thanks Sister Hymas! haha) that's just super cool in and of itself. I can testify to that!
So. This won't sound like a miracle at first, but just bear with me. This week started out pretty rough. We were working so hard. We were talking and teaching and testifying to EVERYONE. Everyone we saw. We were inviting to baptism, just trying so hard to find those the Lord has prepared. On Friday morning, we had one person on date (Brenda), and not really anyone progressing super quickly to a baptismal date. We decided that we had to do something different. So we made a covenant with the Lord in prayer. We promised to go tracting (knocking doors) down this specific street for a specific amount of time and open the Book of Mormon with everyone we talked to and testify of the truthfulness of our message about Jesus Christ. In return, we asked Heavenly Father to bless us with a family we could teach and invite to baptism and put them on a baptismal date. We did what we said we would do and the first door we knocked, we were able to share the message of the Restoration and explain the purpose of baptism and now we have 3 new investigators preparing to be baptized on February 14th :D we are so excited!! Heavenly Father answers prayers.
Saturday was just a miraculous day in and of itself!! We met with a recent convert and her nonmember daughter. Nothing went as planned. haha We taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ (teaching the member) and when we got to the baptism part the mom just turned on her daughter and started just testifying of how Satan has a hold on her and is pulling her, getting her not to be baptized because he's deceptive....and how much potential she has if she would just follow the Spirit and follow Jesus Christ. Then we had some crazy experiences with the Book of Mormon...the Spirit was so intense, we were all in tears!!! and now she's on date for the 14th of February as well!!
ANNNNND biggest miracle!!! Brenda is now baptized!!!!! It was a wonderful service and she's just glowing. She loves it, loves how she feels :) I love her!! I love everyone!
Okay, sorry, sorry, this email makes no sense. Haha oh the joys of rushing....haha
Anyway, I love you, miracles are all around us!! Keep an eye out for them!
I love being a missionary!! Jesus Christ lives. The Book of Mormon is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the Earth. Life is so good :)
I am so blessed to be here!!
Have an awesome week!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
Well this week just flew by! I hope you all had an awesome week last week and you were able to share some of the light of Jesus Christ with someone!!
Okay, I want to do these thank you's individually, but that would be a TON of people to thank! So. I'm sorry, but please let this suffice...
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE BIRTHDAY LOVE!!!!!!!!!
Seriously. To roommates, to ward members, to friends, to family...just thank you :) thank you, thank you! It was a great day to be a missionary!
I don't have a ton of time, so let me quickly sum up some of the great miracles we saw this week :) PS in the Bible Dictionary it says that "miracles are the physical evidence of the Messiah among us" (thanks Sister Hymas! haha) that's just super cool in and of itself. I can testify to that!
So. This won't sound like a miracle at first, but just bear with me. This week started out pretty rough. We were working so hard. We were talking and teaching and testifying to EVERYONE. Everyone we saw. We were inviting to baptism, just trying so hard to find those the Lord has prepared. On Friday morning, we had one person on date (Brenda), and not really anyone progressing super quickly to a baptismal date. We decided that we had to do something different. So we made a covenant with the Lord in prayer. We promised to go tracting (knocking doors) down this specific street for a specific amount of time and open the Book of Mormon with everyone we talked to and testify of the truthfulness of our message about Jesus Christ. In return, we asked Heavenly Father to bless us with a family we could teach and invite to baptism and put them on a baptismal date. We did what we said we would do and the first door we knocked, we were able to share the message of the Restoration and explain the purpose of baptism and now we have 3 new investigators preparing to be baptized on February 14th :D we are so excited!! Heavenly Father answers prayers.
Saturday was just a miraculous day in and of itself!! We met with a recent convert and her nonmember daughter. Nothing went as planned. haha We taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ (teaching the member) and when we got to the baptism part the mom just turned on her daughter and started just testifying of how Satan has a hold on her and is pulling her, getting her not to be baptized because he's deceptive....and how much potential she has if she would just follow the Spirit and follow Jesus Christ. Then we had some crazy experiences with the Book of Mormon...the Spirit was so intense, we were all in tears!!! and now she's on date for the 14th of February as well!!
ANNNNND biggest miracle!!! Brenda is now baptized!!!!! It was a wonderful service and she's just glowing. She loves it, loves how she feels :) I love her!! I love everyone!
Okay, sorry, sorry, this email makes no sense. Haha oh the joys of rushing....haha
Anyway, I love you, miracles are all around us!! Keep an eye out for them!
I love being a missionary!! Jesus Christ lives. The Book of Mormon is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the Earth. Life is so good :)
I am so blessed to be here!!
Have an awesome week!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
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| Brenda is baptized!! |
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| Birthday party! Thanks Noheli!! :D |
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Week 32: Feeling the Power of Prayer
HEYYYLLOOOO!! I hope you all just had such a wonderful week last week!!
First big news: Angie and Shania are BAPTIZED!!! So so awesome :) I love them so much! When they came to the church to get their baptismal interviews, Angie's other daughter Jasmine came with them so we gave her a church tour and she totally felt the Spirit! She is not on date for baptism - YET - but I have faith as she sees the joy that Angie and Shania are feeling and the positive changes it has made in their family, she will want to experience the same thing and come closer to Jesus Christ through baptism as well :) We're excited to continue working with her.
Little side note about church tours: I get SO intense during church tours!! Like suuuper intense. I need to loosen up a little bit. haha anyway, I get so intense cuz I just feel the Spirit so strongly and powerfully. Sister Mendoza jokingly says that I "scare the Spirit into them". I just know Jesus Christ is REAL! The sacrament is so important and baptism is CRUCIAL!!
Big news from this week. We got in a car accident. We are all okay, so please don't worry, but it wasn't just a little fender bender. We were all amazed that no one got hurt. So we've been pretty busy filling out physical paperwork and paperwork online. But the day after the accident, we had an appointment with Angie and Shania and we were talking about missionary work. One of the commitments to extend at the end of that lesson is "Will you pray for the full-time missionaries?" So we extended that invitation and Angie immediately said "Oh yes! I already do, especially for your safety!!" Tears welled up in my eyes and the Spirit whispered to me: "That is why you're okay." I know I say thank you for your prayers every single week, but really. I am SO grateful for your prayers. I know that because of your prayers, we were protected in a scary situation. I am also so grateful for the members here in Garden City. They have been SO helpful in driving us to the places we need to go since we don't have a car anymore. The Relief Society President and her husband came to the accident site and stayed with us until everything got figured out. I have felt the love of our Savior so much this week. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers every single prayer. I love Him. I know He loves me and all of you, too :)
We have another baptism coming up this week on Saturday!! This will be another busy week preparing for that and helping Brenda be ready :) We are so excited!!!
I love you all so much. THANK YOU for your love and prayers :)
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
The sound of water running in the church :))
First big news: Angie and Shania are BAPTIZED!!! So so awesome :) I love them so much! When they came to the church to get their baptismal interviews, Angie's other daughter Jasmine came with them so we gave her a church tour and she totally felt the Spirit! She is not on date for baptism - YET - but I have faith as she sees the joy that Angie and Shania are feeling and the positive changes it has made in their family, she will want to experience the same thing and come closer to Jesus Christ through baptism as well :) We're excited to continue working with her.
Little side note about church tours: I get SO intense during church tours!! Like suuuper intense. I need to loosen up a little bit. haha anyway, I get so intense cuz I just feel the Spirit so strongly and powerfully. Sister Mendoza jokingly says that I "scare the Spirit into them". I just know Jesus Christ is REAL! The sacrament is so important and baptism is CRUCIAL!!
Big news from this week. We got in a car accident. We are all okay, so please don't worry, but it wasn't just a little fender bender. We were all amazed that no one got hurt. So we've been pretty busy filling out physical paperwork and paperwork online. But the day after the accident, we had an appointment with Angie and Shania and we were talking about missionary work. One of the commitments to extend at the end of that lesson is "Will you pray for the full-time missionaries?" So we extended that invitation and Angie immediately said "Oh yes! I already do, especially for your safety!!" Tears welled up in my eyes and the Spirit whispered to me: "That is why you're okay." I know I say thank you for your prayers every single week, but really. I am SO grateful for your prayers. I know that because of your prayers, we were protected in a scary situation. I am also so grateful for the members here in Garden City. They have been SO helpful in driving us to the places we need to go since we don't have a car anymore. The Relief Society President and her husband came to the accident site and stayed with us until everything got figured out. I have felt the love of our Savior so much this week. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers every single prayer. I love Him. I know He loves me and all of you, too :)
We have another baptism coming up this week on Saturday!! This will be another busy week preparing for that and helping Brenda be ready :) We are so excited!!!
I love you all so much. THANK YOU for your love and prayers :)
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
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| Yay Angie and Shania!! :D We love them! |
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Week 31: Sister Mendoza....."my first born in the wilderness."
Helloooooooo!!
My subject line is from the Book of Mormon!! I love that book!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALICIA TOMORROW!!! I hope you have an awesome day!!
Thank you to Eric for my mini Book of Mormon! I use it ALLL the time. Thank you Chelsea for the amazing package!!! I love everything in it - you know me too well :) Thank you to Melissa for the Christmas package!! And thank you to everyone in my ward who sent me Christmas cards! You are all so thoughtful and I love you so much!
I was suuuper nervous to train at the beginning of this week! I am so grateful for prayer - I can feel Heavenly Father's support and help as I try to teach Sister Mendoza all I know (not very much) about missionary life and effective missionary work! The key is the Spirit!!! :) Sister Mendoza is doing very well and loves working hard - yes, I am so blessed. She wants to do everything right and demolish our goals - let's do it! haha I love her and can't wait to continue working with her and discover how we can best serve the Lord together in this area. Gotta love the mission learning curves!
We have seen SO many miracles!!! We are trying to talk to everyone we see and the Lord is definitely blessing us. We have 6 people solidly preparing for baptism this month!!! Angie and Shania are getting baptized this weekend! We are so excited! They are too :) Brenda is preparing to be baptized on the 24th!! And Jasmine, Ezzie, and Mari are preparing for the 31st!
On Sister Mendoza's first day - Thursday - we had an appointment with Brenda, our second time ever meeting with her. She had been reading in the Book of Mormon and praying the days leading up to this appointment - nothing EVER happens unless they are reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it, the last few days have TOTALLY solidified my testimony of that. Anyway, so we taught her lesson 1, the Restoration. Prophets, Jesus Christ's ministry...Joseph Smith story, all of that. Sister Mendoza's first time teaching it in the field :) At the end of the lesson, Sister Mendoza invited Brenda to be baptized on the 24th of January. Brenda was unsure - she said she still wanted to learn before making that step. She feels like it's right and it's good, but she wasn't comfortable committing. We asked if we could kneel in prayer with her right then and she could ask Heavenly Father if baptism on the 24th is what He wants her to do. She said a wonderful, sincere prayer. We sat in silence. Then she said "okay." super super quietly. She is so sensitive to the Spirit. Then I testified - I don't even remember what I said honestly, I know it was the Spirit, not me. It was SUCH a powerful moment! She was crying, I was crying.
That witness from the Spirit of the Lord is crucial. So crucial. It's not from man, but from God. His spirit communicating to ours. It's something that we cannot deny. I know that this missionary work would be NOTHING without the Spirit. Nothing would ever happen. The Spirit of God is what touches the hearts of the people. I am so grateful I have the wonderful opportunity to testify and bring the word of God, the truth, UNTO their hearts and the Spirit can then bring it INTO their hearts, if their agency allows it.
I am so blessed. :)
I hope every one of you has an awesome week!!! I know we will!
I love you!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
My subject line is from the Book of Mormon!! I love that book!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALICIA TOMORROW!!! I hope you have an awesome day!!
Thank you to Eric for my mini Book of Mormon! I use it ALLL the time. Thank you Chelsea for the amazing package!!! I love everything in it - you know me too well :) Thank you to Melissa for the Christmas package!! And thank you to everyone in my ward who sent me Christmas cards! You are all so thoughtful and I love you so much!
I was suuuper nervous to train at the beginning of this week! I am so grateful for prayer - I can feel Heavenly Father's support and help as I try to teach Sister Mendoza all I know (not very much) about missionary life and effective missionary work! The key is the Spirit!!! :) Sister Mendoza is doing very well and loves working hard - yes, I am so blessed. She wants to do everything right and demolish our goals - let's do it! haha I love her and can't wait to continue working with her and discover how we can best serve the Lord together in this area. Gotta love the mission learning curves!
We have seen SO many miracles!!! We are trying to talk to everyone we see and the Lord is definitely blessing us. We have 6 people solidly preparing for baptism this month!!! Angie and Shania are getting baptized this weekend! We are so excited! They are too :) Brenda is preparing to be baptized on the 24th!! And Jasmine, Ezzie, and Mari are preparing for the 31st!
On Sister Mendoza's first day - Thursday - we had an appointment with Brenda, our second time ever meeting with her. She had been reading in the Book of Mormon and praying the days leading up to this appointment - nothing EVER happens unless they are reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it, the last few days have TOTALLY solidified my testimony of that. Anyway, so we taught her lesson 1, the Restoration. Prophets, Jesus Christ's ministry...Joseph Smith story, all of that. Sister Mendoza's first time teaching it in the field :) At the end of the lesson, Sister Mendoza invited Brenda to be baptized on the 24th of January. Brenda was unsure - she said she still wanted to learn before making that step. She feels like it's right and it's good, but she wasn't comfortable committing. We asked if we could kneel in prayer with her right then and she could ask Heavenly Father if baptism on the 24th is what He wants her to do. She said a wonderful, sincere prayer. We sat in silence. Then she said "okay." super super quietly. She is so sensitive to the Spirit. Then I testified - I don't even remember what I said honestly, I know it was the Spirit, not me. It was SUCH a powerful moment! She was crying, I was crying.
That witness from the Spirit of the Lord is crucial. So crucial. It's not from man, but from God. His spirit communicating to ours. It's something that we cannot deny. I know that this missionary work would be NOTHING without the Spirit. Nothing would ever happen. The Spirit of God is what touches the hearts of the people. I am so grateful I have the wonderful opportunity to testify and bring the word of God, the truth, UNTO their hearts and the Spirit can then bring it INTO their hearts, if their agency allows it.
I am so blessed. :)
I hope every one of you has an awesome week!!! I know we will!
I love you!
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
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| Bye Sister Guillen!! I love you! |
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| Sister Valdivia and I are expecting!! haha waiting for our trainees to arrive!! |
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| Me, Noheli, Sister Mendoza, and Gia :) |
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| Suuuuuper cuuute puppies!! Did some unplanned service at this house recently! They are so cuddly and cute :) |
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Week 30: Just call me MAMA!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! So crazy that it's 2015! Like...what?
We rang in the New Year missionary style with playing some games with some members. We had to be in our apartment at 8:00pm rather than at 9:00pm so the members set their clocks ahead so we could "ring in the New Year" at least somewhat :) I am so grateful for wonderful members.
Yes, I am TRAINING. So crazy! In the mish we say "I'm having a daughter!!" so that's the reason for the subject. I got the training packet on Wednesday and was kind of in shock. I'm super excited, but nervous. Her name is Hermana Mendoza from Oakdale, California! I can't wait to meet her on Wednesday! Going to learn soooo much :) and have lots of fun!
It was pretty cold this week. I put some feet warmers IN my socks on day. NOT a good idea. They were really nice when we were walking around cuz my feet weren't cold at all but when we got home, they like burned my feet. hahaha it was so funny! I slipped on some ice yesterday when we got out of an appointment and fell right on my back. hahah I just laid on the ground laughing for a few minutes, it was pretty hilarious :) there's tons of ice EVERYWHERE. I'll send a video of how awesome INTENSE the wind was the other day when we were WALKING to a baptism. haha you're all gonna love it.
Someone told me this week that I look like a German Mennonite...that was a new one.
Angie and Shania are still doing awesome :) They are coming to everything they possibly can - sports night at the church, baptisms... - and are starting to plan out what they want in their baptism program for the 17th! We are really excited :) They are so awesome - they are like sponges. Everything they learn whether it's from us or from church they want to and try to apply it immediately.
I love you all so much! Hope you're making some awesome goals for the New Year! Just remember to involve the Lord in your goal setting and He will help you know what HE wants you to achieve this year :) Seek His guidance and His help in all things :) I know He lives and loves us all.
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
The CRAZY wind. hahahaha......oh my. Good experience :)
We rang in the New Year missionary style with playing some games with some members. We had to be in our apartment at 8:00pm rather than at 9:00pm so the members set their clocks ahead so we could "ring in the New Year" at least somewhat :) I am so grateful for wonderful members.
Yes, I am TRAINING. So crazy! In the mish we say "I'm having a daughter!!" so that's the reason for the subject. I got the training packet on Wednesday and was kind of in shock. I'm super excited, but nervous. Her name is Hermana Mendoza from Oakdale, California! I can't wait to meet her on Wednesday! Going to learn soooo much :) and have lots of fun!
It was pretty cold this week. I put some feet warmers IN my socks on day. NOT a good idea. They were really nice when we were walking around cuz my feet weren't cold at all but when we got home, they like burned my feet. hahaha it was so funny! I slipped on some ice yesterday when we got out of an appointment and fell right on my back. hahah I just laid on the ground laughing for a few minutes, it was pretty hilarious :) there's tons of ice EVERYWHERE. I'll send a video of how awesome INTENSE the wind was the other day when we were WALKING to a baptism. haha you're all gonna love it.
Someone told me this week that I look like a German Mennonite...that was a new one.
Angie and Shania are still doing awesome :) They are coming to everything they possibly can - sports night at the church, baptisms... - and are starting to plan out what they want in their baptism program for the 17th! We are really excited :) They are so awesome - they are like sponges. Everything they learn whether it's from us or from church they want to and try to apply it immediately.
I love you all so much! Hope you're making some awesome goals for the New Year! Just remember to involve the Lord in your goal setting and He will help you know what HE wants you to achieve this year :) Seek His guidance and His help in all things :) I know He lives and loves us all.
Con todo mi corazon y mi amor,
Hermana Shumway
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| Ringing in 2015! |
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| My training packet!! |
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| Some yard covered in ice!! |
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