Another Good Week

Well... this week had some ups and downs. 

We had a lot of people cancel on us and that was tough. 

We taught a new investigator the plan of Salvation and things made sense to her!

We still cannot locate the Headquarter Referral.

This week we got to teach a lesson to a member and afterwards we toughened up some chicken by hitting the pieces in a bag and it for cooking.

We had an investigator drop us (more like, their parents told us she wasn't ready to be baptized, and that they wanted to wait a year) and I believe this was the parents decision, and not their daughter's. We just saw them on Monday, and their little girl was definitely ready. I was thinking the parents were not ready because it involves a big commitment on their part to get them back in the church.

My companion and I saw the North Carolina Pageant on Friday - it was pretty neat! I'll have to attach some pictures at some point! We could only go if we had a less-active or an investigator go with us. We had Margie go with us and she was touched by the spirit. 

On Saturday there was a funeral for Sister Thomas, who died around 74 years of age. She was a nurse and the last baby she delivered was her great grandchild. 

I am improving on my teaching and I am getting used to the area. 

Oh - I almost forgot! The other day, my companion and I were discussing "Why is it important to listen after you say a prayer?" And I said:

"If you ask for help or advice from someone in person, and then immediately leave without waiting for a response, that would be considered as rude or startling to the other person. You wouldn't give the other person a chance to respond! It wouldn't make sense. So, why should we do that with our Heavenly Father? We asked him to help us, now we need to wait, and listen, for his answer." 

Even though his answers to not come right away, they will come. 

Anyways, that is all I can say right now!

Miss you all!

-Sister Marshall 

Baptism, Blessings, and Scriptures

Hey, everyone! 

This week was a great week!

All week, the missionaries had been helping Emma (age 9) prepare for her baptism on Saturday, June 21. What a joy it was to be there! her parents couldn't have been more proud for her decision to be baptized. 

. . .

We played Tennis again, this week, and it was very fun. My right arm is too strong - many times I kept hitting the ball out of the court. The more I hit the ball, though, the more I realize how much strength is needed for it to stay in the boundaries and so that I could give a chance for one of the two team mates to hit the ball.. :P Ha. It was a good game, though.  

. . .

We had another lesson with Roy this week, and it was about the law of tithing. It went pretty well, I believe! He said he did not want to pay the full 10%, but to contribute what he felt he should give. Hopefully he will understand the importance of giving 10%!

. . . 

This week was exchanges, and I got to be with Sister Hurley! She is this wonderful, bubbly person who is very good at talking with everyone. She brings a wonderful, warm spirit about her that can carry into the whole room. She helped me teach a lesson to Joe and Sally, who live close by (part-member family) and it was such a great experience. I truly do believe she was meant to be apart of that lesson for this family - she shared some great insights that only she could share in the way she shared them. I want to be more like her!

. . . 

Car inspection on Friday. We found the time to clean out the car, even though it was not much of a joyous moment, but it was when the car passed the inspection. The elders from our Ward won the first prize out of all the districts; they told us the day before, "you're gonna lose." Yep. We did. They won a bag of chips in Salsa. XD 

. . . 

This week, all the missionaries had to go to a conference which lasted from 9 am - 3:00 pm, and lasted about 30 minutes more with some extra instruction. A lot of note taking, and some practice teaching the gospel principles. The President over the mission told us that he was going to call one of us to show how to teach the Gospel in under 7 minutes. That added a great amount of stress throughout the week, for sure. But... when the time came to it, he didn't call on any of us, and he chose himself and his wife to be the example and to choose a pair of missionaries to act as investigators. My companion was relieved! 

. . . 

On Sunday, none of our 14 investigators came to church! We even received a text during the sacrament meeting that one of them dropped us and did not want us to teach the lessons for some reason (and she was a member referral, too!). But, right after the meeting, one of the members brought a lady who is 17 who is very interested in the church. She carried a bag full of all of her Ensigns and church books which was a struggle for her to carry. She is definitely ready to be taught, and we are excited for her. 

It is interesting how we lost an investigator, and then we gained an investigator. We are excited all the same! 

After church, 

We visited Rachel, who is in the nursing home; she had been going through some hard times for about 2 weeks, and she wanted a Priesthood blessing. The Elders came sometime after 2:30 pm and they gave her a blessing of healing. She was so thankful for that blessing, and I was so glad she was able to receive it. Elder Bluemel exclaimed after the blessing, ["Wouldn't you like the sisters to sing you a song?"] And Rachel mentioned how she had a hymn book in her drawer, by explaining mostly in gestures and not so much voice (because of her stroke). Sister Bowen found it and it was a hymn book from the 1940s (this hymnal had a brown cover and was indeed made from a printing press) and Rachel wanted us to sing her Favorite hymn, which had the lyrics , "Love at home". We got the elders to join in with the singing; Rachel was singing too. I am glad the elders came and were able to take some time out of their day to see this wonderful woman and to give her a blessing. This was truly a memorable experience.  :) 

. . .

I have greatly improved in my lesson teaching, especially when it comes to the Gospel of Christ. 

. . .

Well, that is all I can say for this week, but it was a good one. 

I miss you all still, and feel free to send me more messages/emails/voice recordings/etc.

-Sister Marshall 

 

A Good Week to be Alive

So much has happened this week! 

We found 3 more investigators this week! Talk about a miracle! 

One of them really wanted to know more about the gospel since she was a housekeeper of an LDS family. We are excited to meet with her again this week!

. . . 

It might have either been Tuesday or Wednesday of last week where Sister Bowen and I almost got in a car wreck. We had a green, and the lane opposite from us had their turning lane turn to a red light about 5 seconds before we were about to go. One car still turned after their light turned red (turning left), and then the second car (I had a feeling they were going to turn) behind that car wanted to take the chance and turn, too. The problem was that Sister Bowen and I were already driving since our light was green, and that car almost crashed into us! The only way we did not get hit was when Sister Bowen moved out of the way. I screamed; no one honked horns, and the whole incident had us shaken for a bit. I was more shaken, for at least another day or so. The other car made no acknowledgement that they were turning into another car. I honestly felt that the Lord was protecting us, since we are on His errand. I have never been in a car accident, nor do I want to be.

. . .

On Thursday, Sister Bowen and I went to Thai Thai Seafood restaurant in New Bern with some members. That was the first time they have ever had eaten at a thai place. the Funniest thing was, Sister Bowen ordered her meal 3 stars, and I thought to myself, 'she has no idea what she's in for!' because a 3 is super spicy! We both had Phad Thai (my favorite dish, by the way!) and she drank about 4 glasses of Water and we all kept laughing as she wanted more refills. I'm glad she liked the food, though! 

More miracles happened this week! 

Kitty Neil was able to get the sacrament this week in the nursing home!

- Leah made it to church with her mom (her husband is the anti-LDS), and Sister Bowen and I were super excited! In order to be baptized, it is a requirement to attend church. Although during the lesson last week, it may have seemed bothersome to her parents, but I was so glad they came, all the same. I believe this may have been her first time at church, at the age of 9. I hope they keep coming to church! there are so many great and positive things said at church - and the spirit is strong. 

-Sister Bowen and I were able to call the Elders to give an inactive member a Priesthood blessing - she has been going through so much anxiety and has been having so much stress. One thing she told us, was, "I've been so distant from the church that a Priesthood Blessing never occurred to me.. after the blessing, I was like, 'duh!' " She was beaming after it all, though. I am so grateful for the Priesthood power and I am so glad that it has been restored on the earth today. 

. . . 

I think this week I felt more humble than any other week. As I've been serving here, I have come to see how a lot of people here value the simple things in life, such as quality time with the family, their religion, their home, and that they have food to eat. In this area, there are a lot of people who have less than what I grew up with. They remind me to be grateful for the little things, and to focus on things that really matter. I have never had family live super close to me (some are as far as their backyard, living in a trailer home!), or live about 20 minutes away. They've already been in order states, or about 40 minutes away. I am so humbled when I see deep love within families; non-judgmental, and always there to help those who need help, and put others first before themselves, without complaining. They remind me on how I want my future family to be - strong ties, love, trust, and to always be there for one another, ready to serve. That reminds me - the New Bern ward is almost literally family - someone is related to someone else and it is so hard to remember who is related to who!

. . . 

I have stumbled across a member who does not believe in Dinosaurs. I remained puzzled as I pointed out the proof of Dinosaur bones (they just found fossilized dinosaur eggs with baby dinosaurs inside! last year, I believe! ) and I mentioned evolution. There is proof all around us of Evolution! Evolution is pretty much the works behind all the things God has created; it's almost like saying, "And the man built a car". The car did not poof out of nowhere. There was a process to make the car. The process, in this analogy, is the 'science.' At least, that is what I was taught at Brigham Young University, anyways, put on by the church! 

I cannot remember all that I wanted to write about. 

I am so grateful for my companion Sister Bowen. She works so hard in all she does, and is quite the example for me in missionary work. As I am still in training (by the way - I've been out for 2 months!), I have learned so much on what it takes to be a missionary. I could not trade any other experience for these missionary experiences! 

I know I need to get better at my teaching skills, and I know that will improve over time. *sigh*. 

I know this church is true and I have seen the change within people as they live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have watched someone grow in faith, in their first visit by missionaries. I love watching that and I love explaining these principles to them! 

If it weren't for the church, for the Holy Ghost, and for the gospel, I would not be the person who I am today. I know I am not the same person I was four years ago, and I truly believe that this gospel can bring great happiness.

I want to invite anyone curious about the church to Visit any of the churches, entitled, 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'. There is truly a difference - a peace; a reverence; calm; joy; truth is taught here. 

. . . 

Anyways, I miss you all! Please write to me! If I'm not writing to you, I may not have your email address! 

-Sister Marshall

.. . 

Sister Hurley and I; She is such a funny and lovely lady!

Sister Harrison and I; She was in my district in the MTC!

I finally have my 'Gospel of Jesus Christ' tools made and laminated. Now onto the Plan of Salvation! It took about a week, I believe, because of the time!

I will never have a regular lollipop ever again...

I drew this for Joseph! See if you can spot his name! 

Until Next week! 

See y'all later! 

5 New Investigators This Week

I don't even know where to start with this week!

This week, it started out a bit slow because for the first three days, I could not sleep at all, and I felt a bit discouraged. After that, I was able to sleep and the work picked up pretty quick! I'm impressed! 

We had some dinner appointments and I am so glad that the members are able to think of my dietary needs. I know it may be a little difficult, but I am thankful for their love and support. 

My companion and I have been to homes where there is smoke filling the air. This area is the first time in my life where I sometimes smell cigarette smoke, back to back. A lot of people we visit say they have had a stroke, or someone in their family has had a stroke. 

We went to Traci and Margy's house again this week, with one of our good friends, Jackie. The lesson went well, and we can tell that Margy is interested. Her daughter, not so much. She has chosen to stick with her Baptist faith, but I do hope that she may  be interested in the future. 

Sister Bowen and I are preparing Emma for baptism, and we just had another lesson with her this week, in their home. This is going to be super exciting, and will be my first Baptism as a missionary, on the 26th of June. 

We also taught Leah again, and the lesson went well. I made a smoothie for her mom and gave it to her Monday I think (it was Sister Bowen's idea) and I was glad she enjoyed it.

We visited a woman who is active in the church, and she wanted us to help her fold her family's laundry (for she has a big family and plenty of little baby and children clothes). That was a great visit, and I was able to give her the video clip with her baby's first birthday. 

After hearing so many negative stories this week, and a lot of family problems people are having, I decided to write a poem (well, it turns more into a poem near the end) about it: 

I am a missionary

I feel such great sadness

for the people who have lost their testimonies,

who have seen the light, and denied their cross

I feel anguish when I visit family after family

going through divorce (or, have been through divorce)

And it is more than 50% based on the amount of people I see

Oh how this strengthens my testimony

Of the truthfulness of the gospel

And how it blesses families' lives

Many lay their burdens upon our backs

And now we carry them, and take the toll

With the strength of half a man

Unlike Christ, I cannot carry them in full.

I can try to give them comfort

After they wipe and clear their eyes

But I can only offer tissues

In the words and spirit of Christ

Never in my life have I felt so much sadness

From those who have lost their way

Where Satan attempted more than thrice

To have their Hearts Shrivel and decay.

I am just a missionary

And I can tell you, with a sure and firm belief

That Jesus Died, for all sorrow and sins

In the garden of Gethsemane.

And these moments in your lives

Are just, but a small moment

And the best way to find peace, happiness and joy

Is to rely on the Gospel, and Christ's Atonement.

Some treat the missionaries like Therapy

And I take the bitter cup, and shrink

And as I preach, I speak of Christ

And mention how He's the missing Link. 

...   

We taught a lady named Leshanda, who we have been trying to see every Saturday, and we taught our first lesson with her. Her daughter had some great questions about what happens when we die, and where we go, and I got super excited to answer! We gave out another book of Mormon. her youngest Daughter was in the lesson as well. We have a return appointment, next Saturday. Three new investigators! 

We visited a Lunetta, who is a member referral, and this was our second visit! Within our first visit, she was super eager to learn, and she was the same way in the next. She asked us about some misconceptions about the religion (We do NOT believe in Polygamy, and Joseph Smith did NOT make up the Book of Mormon, and she asked where the Book of Mormon came from). The lesson went well, and I couldn't be more excited for the next lesson.    

Kitty finally got her large copy of the Book of Mormon! It came from our Mail Order, and we gave Rachel an audio copy of the BOM (this is all out of the missionary's money, by the way!). My companion and I are now on the search for a used CD player and Headphones and I know we can find some for her within the ward! there are a lot of people and there has to be an old one, somewhere!

Today is also Elder Adam's last day - meaning, his 2 years are up, and now he's heading back to Utah. It's so funny to hear that he lives a block away from Sister Bowen back at home, and they did not even know it, and did not even know each other. And the previous missionary who left my mission area, is in Utah  too, and they also live super close to each other, and they didn't know each other until the mission! It's crazy.

Yesterday, I finally made the recipe that Jackie (she is the lady who does our laundry) gave me from her sister, a couple of weeks ago: Pinto Bean Fudge. 

It had: 

1 cup of Pinto Beans, cooked, drained, and mashed

6 oz of bakers chocolate 

6 tbsp of butter/ margarine

2 lb bag of Confectioners Sugar 

1 tbsp of vanilla 

Mix all of the ingredients together (a mixer works great)

Chill for 1 -2 hours.

Oh wow, was it rich, and the texture was spot on. 

We also made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, and for an egg replacer, I made a cornstarch/oatmeal/water (blender) mixture (which gives the cookie a nice, muffiny texture) and put it into the batter, but, I added an egg anyways. 

We gave some fudge and cookies to Elder Adams last night, since he was leaving the next day! Now I just need to give some to Jackie, because she was super afraid to try it.. Pinto beans? Oh yeah. It's good stuff. 

I told myself last week that by the end of my mission, I am going to teach myself the bass Clef so that I can play the piano well (sight read) like Sister Bowen. I can play the treble clef just fine, and I know a bit of the bass clef. The bass clef is just two steps upward note-wise and I just need to remember that when I read from treble to base. I just need to know the bass-ics and then there will be less treble for me. I know I can do this! I self-taught myself to play and memorize a couple of hymns already within the first months of me memorizing some hymns... I know I can do this again!

Our downstairs neighbor in our apartment, Dustin, has been a convert since January of this year. His parents came to church on Sunday! We now have another referral, and I am excited to teach his parents the lessons!

I LOVE seeing investigators gain more faith, and hope. I haven't been here that long, and I love watching them grow spiritually. This gospel is all about changing for the better. I have a testimony of that.

I could say more, and I am glad that I am serving a mission. Each week is getting better and better, but each day requires more work. It is not easy, but it is worth it. 

-Sister Marshall 

 

Photos From this Week / Past week

Elders Stopping by 

Last district meeting with Elder Adams -  He is returning home June 10th. 

Coming Back from District Meeting 

Last day with Christensens - They are moving to Utah! 

Busy, Busy

Hey, everyone! It is another week down, and I am now going on my 7th week on the mission.

I've gained 3 pounds so far after the weight loss, and that is good.

So much has been going on! 

On our P day, Sister Bowen and I walked to the park and we played on the swings, played on the monkey bars. I may be 8 years away from 30, but I still got it. 

...

On Tuesday, Sister Bowen and I invited a church member to teach the Plan of Salvation with an investigator, Roy. Sister Bowen and I prayed to make sure that the lesson went well, and I wrote on a note card for the investigator the layout of the lesson, to help him follow what we were going to be teaching. The spirit was strong in the lesson, and the investigator's ability to focus increased than in previous lessons. 

We were also able to teach a part member family on this day as well Joe and Sally, and we taught them the same lesson as the previous investigator mentioned. He is interested in our message, and we will be returning another time to teach him the next lesson. 

On Thursday we met with the little girl, Leah, who has a desire to be baptized, and we were surprised again, that the father (who is anti-Mormon, and a returned missionary) explained the plan of Salvation to her as we taught her the lesson. We invited them to church, but the mother told us that her daughters were up late last night and had trouble sleeping. We will continue to invite them to church so that their daughter can progress toward her baptism.

On Friday, Sister Bowen and I had a lesson with two investigators, Tracy and Margie, and the lesson did not go well (according to us missionaries). The members we brought along for the lesson were going into deep doctrine, while my companion and I were trying to teach them the basics about the restoration, which included some verses from Joseph Smith History. Margie had so many questions, and she wanted to know the order of all the prophets, starting with the Old Testament portion of the Bible. Halfway into the lesson, one of the members completely went off the deep end, confusing the investigator even more. Oh, it was terrible. The other investigator (who is the other investigator's daughter, Tracie), was covering her eyes, with her face  toward her lap. She too did not like how the conversation was going (in my opinion). The members kept on talking with the one investigator who had a bunch of questions, and there was not a spot for us missionaries to say anything. At one point, it was too much, and Sister Bowen said, "Sister Marshall has something to say" and the room became quiet. I said, pertaining to 'How to begin teaching,' ["So, Margie,  the questions you have, about the order of the prophets, I feel like they are a distraction to the message which we would like to share with you today. They do not pertain to your conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ," her daughter nodded, "and the things we would like to share with you are built line upon line, precept on precept, and you will not be able to learn them all at once..." And then the conversation calmed down for a bit, and I felt good that I spoke up. Next thing I knew, the members went back into talking about the deep stuff, and they did not understand how investigators are starting with not knowing anything whatsoever. 

... 

Near the end of the week, Sister Bowen and I were running out of miles because we were short this month because of the Bednar conference, and the sisters called and gave us 40 miles to use before the next day. We visited more people than if we did not have this, and we felt it was such a blessing! 

We visited the Butlers and we invited them to church. They came the next day, and I was so happy to see everyone! 

Anyways, I would write more, but I don't have much time. 

I love you all! 

-Sister Marshall