More Photos from the week

My new shoes after one month (don't worry I have more pairs): 

One District meeting:

Tennis: 

Week 4: Through Tough Trials Brings Great Blessings

Hi, everyone! This week was pretty discouraging.

Even though all week was nice, and there was no rain.

I felt sick for most of the week, and I lost another two pounds. I had to call the woman in charge of medical and she gave me a bunch of suggestions on how I can help myself better. She said it could have been caused from stress, and I think it is just from me trying to adjust to the new area. It also could be caused from all this walking around, and not eating enough calories to keep up with the calories burned! Which is strange because missionaries usually gain weight on their missions. Anyways - it is rather frustrating because I cannot touch my own paperwork, and it is taking a lot longer for my papers to get transferred from Washington to North Carolina because I cannot touch them. The members feed us on occasion, and I am just eating fruits, and vegetables. 

On Preparation day, Sister Bowen, Qunincy and I played some Tennis for an hour. That was a lot of fun. We even tried to play like the pros (and none of us are at that point at all), and we took some cool shots with our cameras as we hit the ball. Also, we heard later this day that Mattie Harget died at the age of 104. I got to see her during a visit while visiting the Wilie family, while she was asleep. She had dementia I believe and she forgot who were daughters were, but she remembered her sons very well. My whole plan was to go to the funeral on Saturday, and to know more about her life.

On Tuesday, I swear I was going to see Dementors (from Harry Potter). In the Theology of Harry Potter, you can see Dementors once you have seen someone, or something die (I am a true Harry Potter fan - and I do not apologize). After Sister Bowen and I saw a less active sister, we were going to our car. Out of nowhere, there was a black Scottie terrier and it was circling around our car after coming from the neighbor's yard across the street. Sister Bowen quickly got in her car, and I got in as normal, for I did not know what was going on. As I sad in the car, I looked over through her window, and I saw the dog. It was then making its way back across the yard, as a large red truck was coming, still barking. This truck did not slow down, and was going faster than the speed limit.. it was going WAY too fast. Next thing I knew, I heard an unmistakable clunk. Sister Bowen saw the dog fly up in the air. And then... silence as the truck kept going. He did not bother to turn around (I heard this happens like this a lot here... it is so sad). The dog twitched, and I immediately started crying. My companion was strong  - I don't know how she did it. What was even more painstaking was when the owner was right there in their yard, and she watched the whole thing. It was hard to watch her fall apart - all I could think of was, 'this dog is this family's best friend' and I can imagine her children coming out, and seeing their dog, and how they were all going to be feeling. My companion and I went across the street and told them that we were sorry for what happened, and that it wasn't us who ran over their dog. Their friend who just pulled in said they were grateful for our concerns. I cried for at least 3 hours after that. One thing I cannot forget was that feeling that a spirit was around me right after the dog died. That may sound creepy, but I felt something. By the time I went to bed that night, I prayed for that family. Oh how I prayed. 

On Wednesday, my companion and I painted the doors and the hallway at Jackie's house. With no masks, I felt super sick within an hour and I had to lie down. It was bad. I am glad that we were able to do some service for her, though! On this day, I felt sick for most of the day, and we did not make much progress doing missionary work. 

All week, it was hard to work, and write our talks before Sunday. We just had to write when we could squeeze time in.  All the missionaries in the area (just my companion and elders) were trying to use the computers at the church. Elders and Sisters cannot be in the same room, and so, you can probably imagine the frustration when we saw a free computer in the room!

Friday: Another thing that happened this week was when Sister Bowen and I were going to visit one of the member's non-member friends, who was not interested in the church but has been visited by missionaries for quite sometime. We knocked a few times and no one came to the door. Sister Bowen wrote on a sticky note and mentioned how we wanted to stop by and see her. When we started walking away, I had this prompting which told me, "check back." I kept walking and those words were said louder, but in a soft way. We were about fifty feet away and then I felt like I shouldn't move any further. I told sister Bowen this prompting, and I felt strange to turn around, but I followed it. By the time we got to the door again, we knocked one more time, and the woman came to the door. I was surprised, and when the woman left the room for a second, I looked at Sister Bowen and I looked surprised. During that visit, though, Sister Bowen and I both figured out, by the spirit, what this woman needed and how we could introduce her to the church: Family History. This could lead into the discussion about eternal marriage (her husband passed away last year, and she believes that they are married forever). I am glad that the spirit touched both Sister Bowen and I to find this answer. 

On Saturday, sister Bowen and I went to the funeral. I barely knew Mattie, but I wanted to know more about her for I had heard great things about her. I loved hearing the testimony of one convert , and the memory she shared when she was putting socks on this woman's feet. She said that the spirit testified to her that she knelt before a queen (meaning of eternal importance; great worth)  and that she has done so much that the Lord has asked of Mattie. The spirit was so strong in the room, and I cannot deny that. I believe it. Mattie greatly favored her family, and she could make anyone feel welcome in her home. She also favored her garden, and when she couldn't walk anymore, the only time she had complained was when she wanted to help out, and when she wanted to work on her garden but she could not. I am glad that this woman is now with her husband, who are sealed for all time and eternity. She has endured well, and I am grateful to have met her for a small moment. Mattie's family has been blessed by her and the things she has done for them. 

Also! I got letters from Sheila and Walter! Oh what joy I felt when I received those letters (I will respond as soon as I can!) (Also - my address is a couple of updates down somewhere, and I need to post my Missionary address soon. I just  don't know if I get the mail sent to that address during transfers or something, and I don't want to wait every 6-12 weeks to get those things!) 

Sunday - an investigator came to church, but only to listen to the missionaries speak. I was the first one. My topic was on how the Gospel of Christ relates to the Plan of Salvation. Well, it's very simple, really - how well you live the gospel depends on your eternal salvation, and which kingdom of glory you deserve (KJV of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:40-42, and somewhere in Doctrine and Covenants). Everyone I bumped into said I did a great job. I was very impressed with Elder Adam's talk, for he extended 5 invitations to the congregation, and that is the key when writing an essay - calling your reader (in this case, 'listener',) to action. I need to do better at that, and invite my listeners to do something.

Today was also the first day where I was able to go to relief society. Oh wow, I was excited. The whole time I was in Primary, with sister Bowen playing the piano from 10 am until noon. I don't know how she does it!

Monday: I am feeling pretty good right now, but I am still worried about my weight. I am becoming a little trunky, but not because of my home. I just miss people, and I miss hearing the voices, and I miss the regular life a bit, but I am glad I am taking this opportunity to help others in need. 

Growing up, I bet no one could tell that I was going to serve a mission. But, everyone's life has a plan, and people need to go through trials in order to become stronger. I have definitely become stronger from my trials, and I am grateful for each and every one of them.

I love you all, and I miss you!

Sorry if I am not responding fast enough to your emails - I am trying, though!

-Sister Marshall 

Photos

Sister Bowen and I -- our outfits kinda match today.

Week Four... And the Trials begin

Hi, everyone! 

This week has been pretty discouraging! 

-6 appointments fell through, one after the other

-A lot of the members have interrupted study time, 

- I've lost two more pounds added from the 9 I lost last week due to who knows what (I am going to stuff my face more this week!) 

-Wednesday to Saturday I've had a hard time sleeping; 

-Wednesday - now - an upset stomach before, during, and after eating

-Waking up super sore, everyday 

-Endured some distasteful comments that definitely tested me

And the list goes on and on, but - I am still doing ok! 

We have a baptism date set for Emma, who is 9, for June 21st. This is exciting! Sister Bowen and I have been giving her the lessons, and her brother is next, for he turns 8 next month. 

Margie, an investigator, came to church yesterday! She is trying to decide which church is best- her daughter's Baptist church, or the LDS church. They cannot see the difference yet between the two, and I hope they do soon! I gave Margie the card that they sold at the Missionary Training Center Bookstore in Provo, Utah, which mentioned the 17 things that stated what the true church had to have. It's a great card! 

My companion and I visited the Shroads Family again, to give their daughter Leah the first lesson to help her prepare for Baptism. We did not expect Sister Shroad's husband to be there, and so we could not teach the lesson. He is completely anti, and there will be arguments if a lesson is taught! It is frustrating to think about! His wife mentioned how a missionary of the church said that anyone outside Provo doesn't have the full gospel;  I was very bothered by that missionary's comment because that is not true at all. My response to that was, "The Gospel [in the LDS church] is the same throughout the world". The Same doctrines, and main principles are taught in every single church - many churches are even on the same page of the lesson, too, give or take a few days. Anyways, though, it was interesting to hear their opinions about the church and they had a bunch of religious books. Brother Shroads is interested in the Youtube Videos on Christians vs Atheism - that is not the best way to figure religion out - not every Christian and not every Atheist believes in the same thing!

Oh. That reminds me. Elder Sorensen called us two nights ago to talk about miracles, and just talk about our day (He is Zone Leader), and he mentioned how he encountered talking to an elderly woman on the street who was filled with so much contention about Christians. She told the Elders that she wasn't religious because "...religious people eat meat. Why would you eat God's creations?" The Elders had to leave because of her contentious nature. While they were walking away, she yelled, "The next time you eat a hot dog, remember that you are eating one of God's creations!" I wish I could have seen that. I told Elder Sorensen, "I know many Atheists who eat meat," And there was laughing involved.

On Saturday, one of the members had a birthday for their 1st year old Son, at the church. It was a great party, and Sister Bowen and I got to help prepare. I didn't know we could have parties at the church! It definitely saves on the mess at home! 

I took a lot of pictures and recorded her son eating his first cake. It was so precious. 

Oh. By the way -- All missionaries have to give a talk next Sunday, on the 25th. Exciting Stuff! 

Anyways! 

The days are long, the weeks are short. 

Until Next Time! 

-------

During the course of the mission, I want to make these remarks on the conversations which I've listened to, and what I've encountered:

-Boeing is NOT a soda factory where the workers are putting on bottle caps

- Web Design is NOT - I repeat - IT work by any means. 

- Playing video games is not a sin - it strengthens kids' attention spans and enhances learning ability and skills.

-  If a woman's excuse is that she feels she does not fit in with the church because she cannot find anyone to play video games with, and that is one of the reasons she is inactive... she needs to open her mouth, and ask in the ward! Or, move to Washington! So many gamers there! 

---- 

 

Another Week Down

Hi, everyone!

 

I have no idea where to start about this week. It felt so long, and I felt like I was rushed every single day!

 

So far, this week, we have visited 11 Less Actives/ Recent converts. We have 6 people who are about to get an extended baptismal invitation, and about 8 investigators. Sister Bowen and I keep forgetting to extend the baptismal invite - it slips our minds by the end of the lesson.

 

Since I've left on my mission, I've unintentionally lost 9 pounds. I guess it is from all the walking, and how I am eating fruits and vegetables most of the time because of my dietary needs and what is available. I have no idea where the 9 lbs came from, but maybe I lost some muscle mass as I cannot workout as much as I used to. 

. . .

 

There was a miracle (as exclaimed by my companion) that happened when I opened my mouth and taught a lesson. We taught a lady named Amanda who was less active in the church, and her husband served a mission but went anti soon after (because his family divorced while on his mission, and he lost faith in the religion all together). This woman normally does not let anyone teach, for she holds her own beliefs, but the moment I stated the purpose of our visit, she seemed taken aback, and she let me have my run because I was new. I taught the restoration with Sister Bowen, and it went pretty well. The moment I said the first vision, I was filled with the spirit, and almost every time I read it (for I have not memorized it yet,) I could not speak - and I cried. I bore my testimony and told her that I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and he did see two Heavenly beings, the father and the son. I told her that without the spirit testifying this to me, I would not be out here serving a mission. The spirit was so overwhelming. Before, she would be telling me knowledge of the world and her complex reasons why she did not believe, and took the analogies in the Bible and Book of Mormon to be literal; All I did was explain simply: the spirit testified to me. Regardless of the knowledge I have, the spirit testifies of all truth - I do not need to go in deep detail why I believe this church. It's the Holy Ghost - it really is.

 

By the time the lesson was over, my companion was beaming. She told me how no one was able to get a lesson in, not even when she was serving with the previous companion. At the time, I had no idea what happened, but I know that the spirit must have touched her in some way.

 

Just before the lesson, her daughter declared that she wanted to be baptized, and that it was her own desire, [regardless of the inactivity of her parents]. So, we have an instant investigator right there!

 

 

. . .

 

Another thing struck me this week, when we randomly selected names in the Roster (ward directory). We visited a lady, named Katherine (Kitty) in Assistant Living. We found her room, in a wheel chair, and we began to talk with her. We got to know her a little bit, and how her arm was in her sling, and not a cast for it was broken in an awkward spot around her shoulder and they could not reach it with a cast. I do not remember all that was said, but I do remember how much love I felt for this inactive sister. She would be at church if she could, but because of her health, she's stuck in her room and cannot walk that far; they also do not have transportation on Sundays. :\ One of the last things she said stuck out to me, and I felt so much compassion, so much love, and so much desire to help her. This is what she said, as we were leaving:

 

"I thought that the church had forgotten me."

 

She has not been visited in years  by the sister missionaries, or anybody, to my knowledge. Our visit was so brief, and I kicked myself for it. After connecting with Katherine, the moment I sat in the car for our next appointment, I just sat and cried. My companion asked what was wrong, and I told her that I had so much love for Katherine. I put myself in her shoes that day - I had such a desire to help her, and to do whatever I could for her. I don't know what is was, but this desire has given me a taste of true, Christ-like, Missionary Service. 

[on Mothers Day, we had the Elders give her a Priesthood blessing (not my own will, but the will of the Father), for comfort, and for healing. I knew that she really needed one of those! She was so thankful, and I am truly glad we found Katherine. I also asked if we could have someone take the sacrament to her on Sundays, for it must have been ages since she's been to church. She said, "I would love that." A lot of work will have to be done for that, with the transportation, but I believe she is worth it. :D 

. . .

Oh! Also, I cannot forget! My companion had to go to the hospital because she is allergic to red ants! She received 8 bites on one foot, and her foot swelled so much to the point where her foot would not fit in her shoe. Her toes were also purple and she could not move them.  I felt so bad for her! I got bit once, and my knee swelled a bit, but it healed within 2-3 days. After she was prescribed medication, she was told to keep her foot elevated, or if she didn't, and she continued walking, her foot would get worse! She was bitten on Thursday, and  today (Monday), her foot finally went back to normal size, and I tried to help her as much as I could. For a few days, we ended our days between 6:30 and 7:00 pm, instead of 9:00 for teaching. But, it was ok. 

. . .

Over the week, I met Rachel, who was in a different Assistant Living Complex. She's wonderful. And, she is a less active too - health problems keep her from going. She had a stroke about 10 years ago, and it has caused her to be very forgetful and it is hard for her to get her words out; but, she is very expressive with her body language and facial expressions. Occasionally, my companion and I would fill in the blanks of her sentences whenever she could not think of the world. I guess the spirit was really working with us, for almost every time we said a word, Rachel would exclaim a "yes!" and those moments were really fun. She is very intelligent and she has made my day, when I go and see her. 

This is Rachel: 

. . .  

Some things about the area where I'm serving:

+Most of the people we visit, happened to be divorced

+ Most of the houses smell of fresh cigarette smoke 

+ A lot have fell away because of the members in the ward, and their imperfection 

+ People are super friendly, and happy

+So much sun! 

+ So much humidity! 

+ We have over 150 people in the Roster which we are responsible for, and this month we only have 875 miles to use, for each of us (because of the Bednar trip a few weeks ago!). 

+The members are so nice with the meals! They have been dinners, and everyone is taking care of my dietary needs. I tried lactose-free ice cream - it was good! But... I still felt sick ;\ 

. . .

I talked with my family on Mothers day using Skype! I was so happy to see them, and to hear what's new. I was also happy to talk with Joseph's mother, and Christopher for a little bit before my 45 minutes were up. It was so nice to hear them again! 

. . . 

There is much more I could say, but I guess I'll say more next week.

This mission Experience has been challenging, but since I am speaking English, I am able to get right on to missionary work. There is so much I need to learn, but  I guess I have 17 months, and 2 weeks to finally get it right!

I love you all, and I miss you! 

From,

Sister Marshall 

 

 

 

 

2nd-3rd Week Out on the Mission!

Wow. A lot of things have happened since I've been out!

The second week: I had the greatest MTC District I could have ever asked for. I love every single one of them! 

Investigators:

For one of our investigators, Lawanna (well, she was pretending to be one), surprised my companions and I as she came and saw us, in person! It was such a neat experience, and the spirit was very strong. She has cancer and one of the things she mentioned was how she was tired of the doctors and going to visits. Sometime during the lesson, I felt prompted to share with her a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 124:86, which states, 

"If there live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works." 

I explained to her this verse, which means that all of her pains, her afflictions will cease  by the time she is off the earth, and that she will be able to rest from her labors here. The spirit was SO strong and I couldn't continue explaining all I wanted to say.

"Why are you so quiet?" She asked. 

"I don't know, I've been quiet my whole life," I said.

"You know, I don't want to be your mom or anything, but someone is going to need to hear what you have to say." She said. 

"Is there anything she said that has touched you, Lawanna?" Sister Griffin, my companion asked.

"She has a tender heart.... she has a very tender heart.... I can feel it." 

She kept going on about what a tender heart I had. I don't know if she felt the spirit, but sister Griffin said she did. 

... Experience gave me a different outlook for my mission.

. . .

Leaving the MTC:

Sister Griffin and I (Sister Roberts was already sent to Houston Texas on Monday), were almost late to the bus because her and I had to carry 2 large suitcases each, a travel size, and our shoulder bags by ourselves for most of the way from 17M to the busses. We spent way over 10 minutes trying to carry everything.

I only got 45 min of sleep that night, since I was packing and repacking, trying to get everything under 50 lbs for the large, and 40 lbs for the carry on. I did it! XD

. . . 

A man, who served a mission in his youth (he was probably early 50's) to Ireland paid for our breakfast (Sister Griffin and I). He was so nice, and we also were on the same airplane as him later on!

. . . 

Eventually, by the time it was time for us to have new companions (which was super hard, by the way!), I realized I was going to end up in New Bern, North Carolina. My new companion is Sister Bowen! 

. . . 

I was eating out with my companion and another sister companionship at the Cookout restaurant, and I had a prompting to give a pass along card to the family two tables away from us. The spirit was so strong when we offered the card to him. I was overwhelmed with great joy. 

. . . 

Also! 

Saturday! I got to hear Elder Bednar speak to all the missionaries at a conference! Talk about amazing! It was 3 hours, and I loved every minute of it. 

by the way:

My new address for my individual apartment, is: 

Sister Marshall

2400 D. Griffin AVE

New Bern, NC 28562 

it will get directly to me!

I am indeed in North Carolina! 

. . . 

My first experience knocking on doors was a little overwhelming. We went to visit a less active, and someone other than the woman's husband was watching her child. when the little child came out (most of the people are African-American over here), and we wanted to share a message, he wanted to bring back the toddler, but the boy just stayed there, with his big eyes, and looked at us. He wouldn't move. I noticed how the man softened a tiny-bit, but I cannot forget the words he said before he took the card to give to Megan later on after work: "I've had enough of this." 

I thought to myself, 'The message we have is so great - the only way someone could turn it down is if they don't know the message which we have to share. ' 

I am so grateful to be on a mission!

This is such a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel!

Anyways, I love you all!

XD 

-Sister Marshall