The Lord Truly Blesses Us When We Keep Trying

-Our Baptism with David fell through, last minute:

David, our investigator, had gotten his baptismal interview. His testimony was very strong, and he passed the interview. He came to church that Sunday, and his baptism was announced in church. That following Monday, he called us up and told us that he was second-guessing his baptism, and how he wasn't so sure anymore. He stumbled upon anti-doctrine and he told us some of the things he read, over the phone. The spirit instantly left, and there was a very bad feeling that my companion and I could feel. He asked us why we didn't tell him things like that, and we told him that is because those things of which he said, are NOT true! Later that week, he left us a voice message saying that he wanted us to rip up his baptismal record. We talked to you about what we should do, and we followed your counsel: he has his agency, and we must do as he wishes. Wither he will be interested in five, ten, or even twenty years, I know that there is hope that he may accept the fullness of the  in this life when he is ready.

I took the Color Code Test: 

I am a Blue/Red. The next colors go in this order: white, then yellow. 

After I took this test, I feel like this has been a big help to help me understand myself, and how I can better respond to others. 

Craig A. Cardon (of the Seventy) Came and Visited us in Stake Conference:

-He said some powerful things: 

+There is a better way to parent our children. He gave a personal analogy of when he was raising his children. If a child came home late, instead of condemning them for their behavior (such as - 'how dare you be late! I thought I told you 10 PM!' Or something like that), he pointed discipline to their spirituality. He would ask questions along the lines of asking if they had felt a prompting to go home. If they hadn't felt it, then they were doing something that dulled their spirituality. If they had felt that prompting, he would ask them about what was preventing them to follow that prompting. He would then talk to them about helping his children understand the importance of listening to that prompting of the spirit. Then he was going to take away privileges, and to have his children close so [that he would work with them on this particular challenge] and to keep them close. He made it more of a bonding and teaching experience - something that would help the child grow, rather than a condemning experience - something that would inhibit their child's learning and trust. 

-During the conference, there was a comment made about how children do come with manuals - there are a lot of parenting opportunities in the scriptures! 

In my studies: 

I have learned why there are Isaiah Chapters in the Book of Mormon! It came to me by an impression. In the headings of the chapters in 2 Nephi, it said to compare with that same Isaiah chapter in the Bible. The Bible has been translated and put together so many times, and the Book of Mormon, in English, has only been translated only once. The fullness of Isaiah is in the Book of Mormon. When I compared these chapters in the Book of Mormon to the Bible, I have observed that the Bible has taken out so many things, and even added some new phrases. One example would be from comparing 2 Nephi 7 to Isaiah 50. 

Anyways - I hope y'all have a great day! 

-Sister A. Marshall 

64 Days Left   

Call Me? Tap Tap!

My Goodness, what a week. I cannot express in my entirety of how I feel right now. So many things have happened!

Yesterday was my 16th Month Mark! I have 2 months left!

Wednesday - we met with a Former (A previous investigator), and her name is Tina. She said she has met with Missionaries before, and that she has gone through 7 Sets of Missionaries. She believes the Church is true, but she is living with her boyfriend and has children, and doesn't see a need a piece of Paper to express that. 

+We found Sister Brakey's drivers License today - it got lost this day, but we eventually found it!

Friday - I accidentally ran over a dog's foot while backing out of a drive way. The member we went to go see told us that we couldn't meet today, since she was so busy. She backed me up and I watched her for most of the time. Her dogs were so wiggly and had surrounded the car because I went over the 'invisible line'.  She said the paw was fine, but I was certainly startled for the rest of the day. 

Saturday - Our Investigator, David, has gone through the interview process and he is getting Baptized on August 22nd! 

+Sister Brakey and I met with a woman named Kelly. She is a former investigator and she told us how her husband died when she was 19. Her husband's death was portrayed in the movie "Platune" and her husband was the one who was put on a cross and shot with his military helmet on. He is also in the Book "My Gift to You" by Jerald "Jerry" W. Berry. I don't remember what his name is. Within this visit, though, she has told us that she has this strong desire to be baptized, but she is still soul searching. She has burdens that she wants to remove and they have been weighing her down for years (She's older than her 50s I think). 

Sunday - 

+We had an investigator come to church! Also, our recent convert passed the Sacrament!

Annabelle, the girl we have been teaching the lessons to, got baptized and confirmed yesterday. She is a Child of Record (age 8). I am so happy for her and her family!

+I encountered one of the most interesting things I've ever endured in my mission. It seems the moment I set foot in Goldsboro, I have been flirted with. This is moreso than any other area I have been in, and this experience which I'm about to share just tops off all of the other experiences.

+ So I was at a stop light (I'm driving this transfer), and there was this old red truck (to the left of us) with two teenage boys in it. My companion and I noticed that they were staring over at us. The one in the middle Seat looked over, and he made a phone with his hand and lip-synced the words "call me." I looked over to my companion. "Did you see that?" She told me no. I was flustered, and I looked at those boys, and I tapped my name tag twice. Within the next second, the light was green, and I sped off. My companion laughed her head off, and with that she said that just made her night.  

Things I have learned this week: 

-We talked more about the 'Tree of Life' in the Book of Nephi. It has been said that those who cling to the rod for dear life become less active [because eventually, when we cling to something, our hand eventually loosens in strength], and those who have the rod in their hand but hold it loosely stay active [because they will have energy to cling to it when they need to]. 

-I have understood what Jesus Christ has done for me, but this week I truly felt it. A lot of people, as my companion has explained to me, experience this at different moments in their life. After I have felt more of what Jesus Christ has done for me, the more I just feel absolute love for my Savior. 

-My companion is very yellow on the Color Code. She's starting to rub off on me! 

-It is easier to get IO's in a parking lot than at any other place. 

Anyways - I'll talk to y'all soon! 

-Sister A. Marshall 

*71 More Days* 

From Virginia Beach, VA to Goldsboro, NC

This week of transfers was rather exciting! On Thursday, the whole mission met up at the Benett's Creek Chapel in Smithfield, VA. The spirit was very strong and powerful. We received more council which pertained to us as missionaries. We received 30 new Missionaries, and this was a large number for the mission. There is a total of 186 missionaries and 9 senior couples. 

Some of the thoughts that came from the meeting are:

-Serve the Lord without expecting a 'Thank You' from those around us - It's all about serving because we love Him.

- As we serve Him, we increase our faith 

- 

We were told to do these things, in this order: 

1.) Take good care of yourselves

2.) Take good care of your companion - treat our companion like we would treat the Lord

3.) [Take good care of those you serve] 

And then the work will flourish. 

-Those thoughts of "I'm not good enough" "Oh, I can never do this", "This will never work out" "This is hopeless - what's the point of trying?" are not from the Lord. That is the adversary trying to bring us down. 

+ Uplifting thoughts of "I can do this" "I will do better next time" "I don't need to worry about this right now" "I can continue forward" are from the Lord. 

There will be correction as missionaries, and as long as we have positive thoughts, those will invite the spirit. Positive and wholesome thoughts are part of the Christlike Attribute Virtue, and those type of thoughts will help us in the work. 

---

Also - I read some of President Boyd K. Paker's Memoriam, additional to the August 2015 Ensign and in small print under the picture where he was sitting in a chair by himself, it said that in his teachings, he taught about how reverence invites revelation. A light bulb came into my mind this morning - it makes sense why for most of my life I have been quiet, and especially reverent. I can hear my thoughts, and also the whisperings the Holy Ghost. It is good to sit in church, to be there early, and sit there with reverence. 

. . . 

So - with transfers! The day before transfers, I was with Sisters Charlesworth and Rudy as a companionship (Sisters Charlesworth and Rudy are going to be companions now - it was a trade off, and then I became the spare. It's ok, though!). It was difficult when both of them were trying to back me up in the car (it's a mission rule that the companion has to back up the driver). Sister Charlesworth was sitting inside the car, and Sister Rudy was backing me up, trying to help me get closer to the gas pump. They both told me different things and oh goodness. That was quite an experience. 

Goldsboro. It's more humid than Virginia Beach, and I am more thirsty! 

Also - This is my second to last transfer!

I have 78 days left. I have 78 more days to finish off strong. 

-Sister A. Marshall 

Transfer Calls!

Hi, Everyone! 

So I got a transfer call on Saturday and my new area is going to be Goldsboro, North Carolina. Transfers are on Thursday this time because there is a large group of missionaries coming in. The whole mission is going to meet up and have a wonderful training. My new companion will be Sister Breaker. I haven't met her yet, but I heard she is a wonderful and diligent missionary. 

Last week I got blonde highlights. A member was willing to do that for me; I feel better with my hair being a little lighter, especially for the summer. 

We had two investigators show up to Sacrament Meeting - Ali and Timberly. 

Since it was the first Sunday of the month, it was Fast and Testimony Meeting. This is where we fast with a purpose (for somebody, spiritual strength, for investigators to receive answers to their prayers, etc) and where we go up to the microphone and share our testimonies of the restored church. One of the greatest things that happened was when our investigator, Timberly, went up and told the whole congregation that she had been church searching and she feels like this is the true church. She declared that she wanted to be baptized on August 22nd, and how excited she is for that day. When Timberly went up, though, one of the Elder Missionaries who sat near the front row looked back at us, with his mouth dropped. My mouth was dropped, and my companion's mouth was dropped. That was OUR investigator! WE are so proud of Timberly for her decision to make a sacred covenant with our Heavenly Father (God). 

I also bore my Testimony; As missionaries, at least, in my mission, it is not a common tradition that Missionaries go up and bear their testimony. But, in this ward, I guess it is. I bore witness that Jesus is the living Christ, that he lives, and that with Him, anything is possible. 

A lot of people, when they go up to bare their testimony, feel it's a time to preach to the people or to share a personal experience only, instead. But - that is not the point of Fast and Testimony Meeting. When the little children go up to share their Testimony, they are setting the example of how it should be - brief, simple, and to the point. When children give their testimonies of how they know this church is true, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet - those things, regardless if they are very simple - or even just simple phrases of serving their siblings - bring a very powerful spirit into the room. That spirit comes because they mean what they say, and that what they said is a true principle. 

....

More great Miracles - this week I had been praying for service opportunities to help our neighbors out. I hear them through the walls a lot of the time and I just wanted to do something nice for them. A few days ago, though, the wife of the family had a lot of groceries and she was making several trips to her apartment. We asked her if we could help, and she let us take some things! She finished her grocery trip run with us helping her. When we dropped the items off, she told us that we had very bright countenances, and how she really enjoyed being in our presence. Her comment truly made my day. 

-- My companion and I didn't have enough MSF money to buy groceries last week. A family was so kind and bought us our groceries, and even things we didn't ask for! I was so trilled, and so grateful. 

-- My companion and I are now implementing something that we like to call 'Drive-thru Tracting' where we give out Mormon.org cards from our car windows. We stop by people who are talking to others out on the street (Did I ever write about the time where we did that, and someone's baby went from their carseat and went to the driver's seat, and put the car in Neutral? The car almost hit us but we backed up just in time. The mother and her friend were standing outside talking to us from our car. This all wasn't our fault though; my companion and I truly believe that it was God who saved us from a car wreck). 

Anyways! This is all I can say for now!

-Sister A. Marshall 

Can I Wear Pants Now?

This week had many ups and downs!

Just before my companion and I came into the Library, we felt impressed to stop and talk to the man who had been putting on "Oversize Load" tape all around his van. We tried to explain our purpose to him and he told us that it was all bull [fecal matter]. He had six degrees which pertained to religious education and talked about how (I guess, in missionary terms,) [a lot of churches have reformed Christ's gospel, having their own opinions of worship]. We wanted to tell him how our church is about a Restoration of Christ's Gospel, and not a reformation. He asked us a lot of questions that only he knew, based on his knowledge and his study. We told him that we did not know because we didn't do our study when it came to plane crashes in 2001 and what the government did on 9/11. I thought to myself that this does not pertain to our personal Salvation (Salvation means delivered from physical and spiritual death) to know these facts. As missionaries, our purpose is to preach Christ's Gospel, which pertains to the principles which Jesus Christ established His church: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. If anything pertains to these 5 things, they will help us spiritually get closer to God. Christ's Gospel is very basic, but yet very powerful. I wish my companion and I could have shared this with him. 

I would like to ask every one of you: 

1. What does it mean to you to have Faith in Jesus Christ?

2. How do you show your faith in Him?

Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to act. This leads to repent.

3. What is your definition of repentance? 

Repentance is about these things: 

** We need to have the desire to change. Otherwise, we will not change.

-Recognize when you have sinned (to Sin means to willingly and knowingly to go against God's commandments) 

-Stop doing that is not in harmony with God's commandments (which requires self discipline) 

-Confess what you have done wrong to the person you offended, etc. This requires Humility, Patience, Kindness, and Charity. 

-Keep the Commandments - Repentance means - changing for the better. As we keep the commandments, we are acting on our faith. (James 2:17-18) 

-Most importantly, we acknowledge the Savior, and that  we cannot receive forgiveness without Him. He Suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, He bled for us, he died on the Cross for us, and he was resurrected for us. Because of this, He knows how to succor his people (succor means to run toward). He knows how to help us in our trials. 

-Baptism is the gateway to Eternal Life, meaning, being able to live in the presence of God again. Baptism, when done with the proper Priesthood Authority, will have access to Christ's Atonement (includes the suffering for our sins, the shedding of His blood,and His death and Resurrection; for a full definition, look on page 18 of the Plan of Salvation Pamphlet). We can be forgiven of our sins, and be clean again. Without the authority, there cannot be that access, and even though that baptism is still a great act of wanting to follow God and a great act of faith, it is not complete. Only through the restored Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can the Atonement be accessed. This is the only church on the earth with that Priesthood Authority. 

4.) Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) talks about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Anything that is good comes from God, and the Spirit testifies of this, either by good thoughts, feelings, impressions, etc. 

5.) Enduring to the End - means living Christ's gospel daily, not just on Sunday and to give the perception of a Christian. Christ's Gospel is in our heart, 24/7, and is a lifetime commitment. Jesus Christ did not take any breaks with being our Savior and redeemer, and neither should we. He always did the will of the father, and always glorified His Father. As Latter-day Saints, we believe in being genuine; not all of the members are perfect at it, but this is the vision that is set for all of the members, and all of God's children. 

I just shared a little bit of the Gospel lesson with you, by memory. These Gospel Principles - when acted on daily - will change your life. You will have more peace and comfort, and you will have more joy in your life.

...

Anyways --

On with the rest of the email - 

Sister Charlesworth got Foodborne Illness; she was very ill Friday Morning, and we had to go to Urgent care, and also the Emergency room. She was in the bathroom quite awhile and she couldn't hold much of anything down. They diagnosed her with being dehydrated, and her type 1 diabetes affected all of this and what she had to go through. I felt so bad; I made her home made fettuccine Alfredo (from what I could do to make it home-made), and she was able to eat that several days later.

. . .

A disappointment: The Santos family that we have been teaching - they are outside of our area! They are in the Cape Henry Area and we have to pass them off to another set of missionaries! When Sister Charlesworth wasn't feeling well, we sat down and located some of our referrals and investigators on the map. 

. . .

A highlight: 

Timberly, our investigator, went to witness a baptism! A member talked to her the entire time, and she was able to have an answer to Timberly's questions.

Another thing: This was the Bayside Sister's baptism. We weren't there, but we heard the Elder's left and the font overflowed. Our Bishop said he went to take care of it. 

. . .

A new thing learned: 

I read more in detail about the Gift of Grace by President Uchtdorf from last General Conference. I learned more about forgiveness, when I looked up these verses in Luke 7:41-47 about the interaction with Simon the Pharisee and Jesus Christ (Read all of Luke 7 for a more full account) : 

 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgavethem both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love himmost?

 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whomhe forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the timeI came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

I came to the conclusion that those who forgive much, love much, and those who forgive little, love little. I thought about the times where I wasn't as forgiving, I wasn't as loving, and when I was very forgiving, I was very loving. I also thought about other people and those who constantly hold grudges and how because of that grudge, they love little. 

Anyways - this is all I can write for now. 

92 Days until I come home.

-Sister A. Marshall 

 

   

Slow Week, But Ended In A Great Finish

This week has been pretty slow. 

Some of the highlights of this week include: 

-Every Day was a dinner appointment. I am so grateful for the freezer! A lot of food that I have has been put in the freezer to eat for later. 

Speaking of having many meals - I believe I pretty much ate two boxes of Dairy-free-gluten free cookies and brownies; I also made a batch of gf brownies, and mostly ate that by myself. I made some gf chocolate chip cookies and my companion and the Sister training leader pretty much ate most of them by the time I came back. There were about 4 left out of the batch I made. I feel so blessed to have a fast metabolism right now. 

- We watched the Sunrise last Monday 

- We had a great exchange with the Sister Training Leaders. I got to be companions with Sister Smart again! On the exchange, we saw a lot of miracles. I tried a new dish from the Military Relations Missionaries and it had Brown Rice, Coconut Milk, and black beans. It was pretty good! It Tasted good with Sweet Potato fries. 

- We taught the Santos family with an interpreter who spoke Tagalog and the lesson went well. We received 6 out of the 7 referrals from that family! There are a lot of people in that household, and my companion think there are more people in that house than we realize. 

-The Kempsville ward held the Meet the Mormons in the gym and then all of the missionaries (including Salem and Bayside) participated in the church tour. 

-We went to the Kempsville Sisters' baptism on Saturday; it was a mother and her 8-year-old daughter. I am so excited and happy for these people!

. . .

I have continued to grow in the new teaching method as we have role played in the mornings. 

A member shared with us how there is an article out there about missionaries adjusting to life again. If anyone knows about this article, and has access to it, please either mail or email it to me! 

. . .

It rained pretty hard in Virginia Beach! With less than a minute, my companion and I were soaking wet by the time we got to the car!

. . .

I have 99 days left until I return home!

. . . 

Anyways!

Until next time!

-Sister A. Marshall 

 

Desolate!

There have been many things going on this week, but yet, at the same time, a lot of things have slowed down.

Our IOs (invitations to others) has really slowed down, along with gaining new investigators. 

Here are some miracles that happened this week! 

Monday: We taught the Santos family! We had a scheduled appointment that day with the lady we met at the laundry mat on July 4th. We went there, and her mother told us that she had left the moment it came to our appointment. After this visit, my companion and I had a prompting to pray and ask for guidance in the car. As we did, it occurred to me to drive straight ahead to the dead end up ahead where the park was. We tracted in this area - about two households, and then Sister Charlesworth had a prompting to talk to the man who just walked into his backyard. We waited until he came out again to talk to him. We told us who we were, and he welcomed us into his home. He and his family are Filipino and speak Tagalog; they know a small portion of English. 

His 10-year-old grandson asked us who we were here to see. Sister Charlesworth said, "All of you!" and we eventually went back to the kitchen were they were about to have dinner. We taught by the pictures of the Restoration pamphlet; The younger father could speak a little English and he was able to follow along (along with the boy - he understood what had said to him). When it came to the first vision with Jesus Christ and God as separate beings, there was something about this where he was intrigued, and that the spirit touched him to let him know that what we had told him, was true. He has this enlightened look on his face. Him and his son were the most receptive. We don't have a return appointment yet. This family of 5 are almost investigators!

Tuesday: The dishwasher is fixed! The moment Sister Evans left, it broke and we have been doing dishes by hand. It took up most of my lunch and dinner hours to clean them and I ended up doing most of them. Oh goodness. What a blessing to have a dishwasher! 

Wednesday: We were mostly on time to our appointments, and we also were able to talk to Ali about one of her setbacks from joining. She told us that she didn't like our views on how we only see a marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and not marriages of the same gender. We told her that we would do some more research later on this, and we did! 

In Romans 1:24-32 it talks about how homosexuality is a sin (for those who act on those desires). 

verses 28-31 talk about the natural consequences of going against this commandment of God, such as developing a reprobate mind, lust, hate toward others, are without natural affection, and going against parents. 

Verse 32 talks about those who support homosexuality and have pleasure in what they do is also a sin. 

Leviticus also talks about homosexuality in Leviticus 18:22 and how it is an abomination unto the Lord. 

It doesn't really talk about this in the Book of Mormon. 

My companion and I both agree that the [guility] take the truth to be hard (1 Nephi 16:2).

I have a strong testimony that Marriage between a man and a woman is of God; homosexuality does not fulfill part of God's plan that he has for us - we are to procreate, within the bonds of marriage, and raise children in a positive, nurturing environment, in which the Gospel can be taught, and observed. 

. . . 

This week I had been studying Virtue and it seems like most of the people we have been seeing this week all had issues with Homosexuality. It seems the moment I write down a goal, it is set in stone and then a lot of trials come with developing that Christ-like Attribute. 

Proverbs 21:10 - A Virtuous woman's worth is far above the price of rubies :D 

. . .

Thursday: We taught Anette! We taught the Book of Mormon and she was very open to it. She is Catholic and she is very kind. We also have a return appointment. :D This was our first full attempt to teach the Book of Mormon in this new way that our Mission President has introduced to us. 

Friday: Our investigator, Toni, rescheduled. Before we walked over to the door, there was a handwritten note. We hoped that it was a note that said she needed to reschedule. When we got to the door, that impression was right! She did reschedule! My companion exclaimed, this is what happens when we have hope! When we think of positive things, good things will happen because of them (usually). 

In the 'Adjusting to Missionary Life' handbook (on page... 36? Or in the 30s), it talks about how worrying is a way of practicing failure. Indeed it is. When we think of all these negative things that may or may not happen to us, some of them may be personal prophecies. Our actions come from our thoughts and if we entertain those thoughts. We may think negatively of others because of what 'might' happen. When we think positively, we can react positively, since we already made the decision beforehand to do so. 

Saturday: We visited a new move in and they were very nice. We realized that they were a part member family. The Husband is not a member, and we invited him to read the book of Mormon. He hadn't read the book all the way through. Many missionaries, and even a stake president had told him different answers on where the gold plates went. My companion and I couldn't believe how some missionaries did not know the answer. We told him that they were taken up by an angel. He wanted to know where that answer came from. The next day, we texted his wife and it is found under the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Book of Mormon, and it is under Joseph Smith History, 1:60 (you can find this on lds.org if you don't have the book).

. . . 

Something that wasn't a miracle was that on Sunday, I felt super sick for a long period of time. I had to lie down for a bit and that helped. 

 Oh! Also! I pretty much got to a sad point where I planked on the ground and cried because the Less Actives which we have been teaching haven't been coming to church. I usually don't get like that. But, I did; I want them to partake of the goodness of the gospel, and to access the power of the Atonement! Only in our church, do we have that access because we have the proper Priesthood Authority! 

. . .

Anyways! So much good has come out of this week! 

We pretty much have a dinner appointment everyday this week! This usually doesn't happen! 

...

Monday: We went and saw the sunrise at Virginia Beach. We had a lot of fun! We even got to take a group picture. 

 

This is all I can say for now. 

-Sister A. Marshall