Hi!!!
I feel like this week was the start of something. SO much has happened. First off, we had Zone Conference on Wednesday. It was SO GOOD. President and Sister Barrow were there, and introduced the new theme for the transfer (and for, I feel, my mission). The theme is "Lord, Increase Our Faith". This was seriously life changing. President Barrow brought it up by asking a question. "What would it take for each companionship in the mission to baptize individuals every week?" The idea seemed so distant to me, more like something that would happen in the Millenium. I think President could tell what we were all thinking and testified to us that not only was it possible, but it had happened before in Korea. In fact, to him. He talked about several ideas of making it reality, and then brought as the main point, that we need more faith. We know from scriptures that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. When we completely trust in the Lord, there is a power that no evil can beat and no mountain can withstand.
The morning after the conference, I was thinking about this and praying about it quite a bit. I prayed to have more faith, and to really give my all-whatever it takes to move the work along to the pace that we talked about. As I prayed and studied the scriptures, I felt the Spirit strongly. It isn't just possible. It will happen if we completely trust the Savior and do everything we can. That is when the miracles began.
Sister Cunningham and I went to the Thanksgiving dinner we were invited to by Rebecca, the woman that Mom met, and I was trying to talk to everyone I could. Usually people are kind, and politely listen or just decline, but that day we were actually getting contacts! They wanted to meet with us! I had a woman ask for MY number, and a girl that I had given a card to actually text us and want to meet with us. We were able to talk to a lot of people at the Thanksgiving party and even when we got back a man the Elders were meeting with brought two women with him that we started teaching. Two new investigators! The next day, while it seemed like a little slower of a day, a random woman walked into the church and asked when the church meeting was. Her brother is in the hospital across the street from us and they were looking for a church to go to. She saw our sign, came in, picked up two pamphlets, and then found us. We were able to get her number and invited her to church. And then on Sunday, she ACTUALLY came to church with her brother!
These are not coincidences. That was definitely all the Lord. It was incredible, that when we started really focusing on faith, on trusting the Lord, and on working hard, the miracles starting FLOWING in. I have never realized how huge faith is. I have read Ether 12 many times before, but have never realized how much it can actually apply to me. "Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith..." Of course, if I do not focus and work and give my all, it does not count for anything. For "faith without works is dead". It is such a hard thing to do to really have enough faith and give everything but when we do it changes EVERYTHING. I am so grateful for this. We are starting something.
On Sunday, we had the Primary program! It was so fun. We have four primary boys and a little girl. They were adorable. The Primary President asked me to play violin for the program,and also for us to sing with them a little, so we have been able to practice with them a lot. Also, one of the members let me borrow their violin, so I have practiced it A LOT. I already have that darn red mark on my neck again. With the Christmas party coming up too (which we have to do ALL of the planning and decorations for) I will play violin with Elder Hong on piano. It has just been so fun to play again. I haven't realized how much I missed the violin. It feels natural. I'm sure I'll be able to play in sacrament sometime too soon! I love it!
I got Tristan's Costco card! Good lookin' guy.
The Thanksgiving party was SO GOOD. The food was DIVINE. Ahh, so good. Turkey and mashed potatoes and pie and American food, yum. However, I realized a little how weird I am going to be when I get back from my mission. I couldn't stop bowing to people and accidentally slipping in Korean words. I really couldn't speak straight. It is ridiculous. It's only been three months! Aigo. Anyway, there were SO many white people everywhere, and I feel that I never smiled and talked so much. It was really good. Rebecca is SO sweet.
We are going to really start prepping for the Christmas party this week. It is going to be so much work. I have a feeling we will be living at the church building and turn into little Christmas trolls. Elder Hong announced yesterday in English, "I HATE Christmas." Mr. Grinch. I am excited, whether we become elves or not!
I'm also excited about the Christmas video "A Savior is Born". We are going to start using it today. We have cards that we will use all the time when talking to people. We will have them scan the card and watch the video with us. We are excited! It is good. I have already found that it is a hundred times easier for people to talk with us when we talk about Christmas. This is going to help so much.
I love you all so much!!! Have a good week!
Sister Stapley
I feel like this week was the start of something. SO much has happened. First off, we had Zone Conference on Wednesday. It was SO GOOD. President and Sister Barrow were there, and introduced the new theme for the transfer (and for, I feel, my mission). The theme is "Lord, Increase Our Faith". This was seriously life changing. President Barrow brought it up by asking a question. "What would it take for each companionship in the mission to baptize individuals every week?" The idea seemed so distant to me, more like something that would happen in the Millenium. I think President could tell what we were all thinking and testified to us that not only was it possible, but it had happened before in Korea. In fact, to him. He talked about several ideas of making it reality, and then brought as the main point, that we need more faith. We know from scriptures that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. When we completely trust in the Lord, there is a power that no evil can beat and no mountain can withstand.
The morning after the conference, I was thinking about this and praying about it quite a bit. I prayed to have more faith, and to really give my all-whatever it takes to move the work along to the pace that we talked about. As I prayed and studied the scriptures, I felt the Spirit strongly. It isn't just possible. It will happen if we completely trust the Savior and do everything we can. That is when the miracles began.
Sister Cunningham and I went to the Thanksgiving dinner we were invited to by Rebecca, the woman that Mom met, and I was trying to talk to everyone I could. Usually people are kind, and politely listen or just decline, but that day we were actually getting contacts! They wanted to meet with us! I had a woman ask for MY number, and a girl that I had given a card to actually text us and want to meet with us. We were able to talk to a lot of people at the Thanksgiving party and even when we got back a man the Elders were meeting with brought two women with him that we started teaching. Two new investigators! The next day, while it seemed like a little slower of a day, a random woman walked into the church and asked when the church meeting was. Her brother is in the hospital across the street from us and they were looking for a church to go to. She saw our sign, came in, picked up two pamphlets, and then found us. We were able to get her number and invited her to church. And then on Sunday, she ACTUALLY came to church with her brother!
These are not coincidences. That was definitely all the Lord. It was incredible, that when we started really focusing on faith, on trusting the Lord, and on working hard, the miracles starting FLOWING in. I have never realized how huge faith is. I have read Ether 12 many times before, but have never realized how much it can actually apply to me. "Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith..." Of course, if I do not focus and work and give my all, it does not count for anything. For "faith without works is dead". It is such a hard thing to do to really have enough faith and give everything but when we do it changes EVERYTHING. I am so grateful for this. We are starting something.
On Sunday, we had the Primary program! It was so fun. We have four primary boys and a little girl. They were adorable. The Primary President asked me to play violin for the program,and also for us to sing with them a little, so we have been able to practice with them a lot. Also, one of the members let me borrow their violin, so I have practiced it A LOT. I already have that darn red mark on my neck again. With the Christmas party coming up too (which we have to do ALL of the planning and decorations for) I will play violin with Elder Hong on piano. It has just been so fun to play again. I haven't realized how much I missed the violin. It feels natural. I'm sure I'll be able to play in sacrament sometime too soon! I love it!
I got Tristan's Costco card! Good lookin' guy.
The Thanksgiving party was SO GOOD. The food was DIVINE. Ahh, so good. Turkey and mashed potatoes and pie and American food, yum. However, I realized a little how weird I am going to be when I get back from my mission. I couldn't stop bowing to people and accidentally slipping in Korean words. I really couldn't speak straight. It is ridiculous. It's only been three months! Aigo. Anyway, there were SO many white people everywhere, and I feel that I never smiled and talked so much. It was really good. Rebecca is SO sweet.
We are going to really start prepping for the Christmas party this week. It is going to be so much work. I have a feeling we will be living at the church building and turn into little Christmas trolls. Elder Hong announced yesterday in English, "I HATE Christmas." Mr. Grinch. I am excited, whether we become elves or not!
I'm also excited about the Christmas video "A Savior is Born". We are going to start using it today. We have cards that we will use all the time when talking to people. We will have them scan the card and watch the video with us. We are excited! It is good. I have already found that it is a hundred times easier for people to talk with us when we talk about Christmas. This is going to help so much.
I love you all so much!!! Have a good week!
Sister Stapley