Letter #54

Date:03/24/2014 1:36 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How are you?? How was your birthday!? I hope it was the best one yet!
I was definitely thinking about ya and as cheesy as it may sound I
even sang you the Happy Birthday song! Haha! How old are you now? If I
remember right, you turned 30 yesterday! ;) Oh mom, I sure do wish I
could have been there to celebrate with ya. I was reminiscing with
Sister Payne last night and I told her all about the fun times you and
I used to have. You truly are the best mom anyone could ever have. You
have helped me in more ways than you will ever know and I feel so
blessed to be your daughter. Thank you for helping me in becoming who
I am. I LOVE YOU!!!
So.. this past week was really great and we saw so many miracles
happen, along with some sketchy things too. Don't worry nothing
though, nothing too weird. I went on exchanges in Winston and that
night right before I was about to fall asleep, police lights started
flashing right outside the window (next to the bed). I freaked out a
little and Sister Dunn said " This happens all the time." Then at 3:30
in the a.m. It happened again. It was nuts! It was also kind of weird
being in the same apartment where Trevor used to live... Anyway, one
of the awesome miracles we saw was when Sister Payne and I were
walking through a trailer park,  a lady named Brenda came up to us and
said " It's a beautiful day isn't it?" We agreed and she then asked us
what we were doing. We talked to her about The Book of Mormon and she
told us that she had never heard of it but was interested in learning
more because her step father growing up was a member of our church. We
said a prayer and set up a return appointment. The Lord truly does
place in our paths those who are seeking for the truth and I love when
we find someone who you just know is prepared to receive the message
of the Restoration. There is a line from Preach My Gospel that says
"He will lead you to them or He will lead them to you." That
immediately came to my mind as we were talking to Brenda and made my
testimony grow even more. I love being part of this marvelous work. It
brings more happiness to my heart than anything else.

Oh! So we went to a single lady's home for dinner the other night and she
made us brownies for dessert. Before we ate them she told us a secret that I
thought you might like. She said, " when you are eating chocolate,
whatever it may be, you must always have 2." We asked her why and she
told us " because you have to be balanced. You can't just eat one
cause then one of your hips will be bigger than the other, and you
don't want to be unbalanced, therefore you MUST always have 2." LOL! I
thought that was super funny and that you might get a kick out of it
as well :D    Oh!!!! And am I getting a new niece??!?!?!
We have Zone Conference up in Eugene tomorrow so I am super stoked
for that! We also have 2 baptisms, one of which I'm singing at, and then
going on exchanges again. We just found out last week that we are also
going to be over the sisters in Grants Pass so I am super duper excited for that!
That's awesome that you guys are so far along on the garden!! I can't
wait to be able to help out with it and be in warm weather! Although
some days have been really nice! Well I got to get going, we have a
lot of errands we need to run before 5 but I hope that you have a
great week and know how much I love you and the rest of the family!!

Love,
Lyndsie

P.S. Is my teal dress done yet?

P.S.S. If you by chance happen to order anything from Amazon.. I would
really like a few CD's :) - EFY 2012 & EFY 2013, & Nashville Tribute;
Joseph

P.S.S.S. I can't believe Carter and Roman are 3 YEARS OLD!!

Sent from my iPad

Letter #53

 

Hi Mom!

So this past week was a bit crazy! I've really been trying to get to know the area and the people here in Roseburg so I can know how I can best help them. We are working with about 15-16 less active members and we have 2 people on date to be baptized on the 29th of March. And let me just tell you... They are amazing! One of them is a 20 year old girl named Ivy. She reminds me of me so much and she is so elect! She has been struggling with different things in life right now but she knows that it's just a trial of her faith and she cannot wait to be baptized! We shared a sweet moment last week in our lesson with her about answers to pray and it was something that I feel changed the both of us. Mary is the other lady on date for baptism! She and her husband are just the sweetest! Her husband actually went to middle school in St. George and is related to the Gublers from LaVerkin. Aren't we related to some Gublers in LaVerkin too?? Haha! I swear I'm just related to everyone in Oregon! Anyway, we helped them do yard work on Saturday and that was super fun! We wore jeans and I'm not quite sure how I feel about them anymore...It was great to be in pants but I think I may be wearing skirts and dresses for awhile after the mish. Haha! Pants are so constricting! We also met this really awesome guy named Eric while we were walking around in an apartment complex. He has a 7 (and 1/4) year old son and they were flying toy airplanes. We went and talked to them and Eric told us that he already has a church that he goes to and that he wasn't really interested BUT then we started talking about The Book of Mormon and I said that it illuminates and supports the Bible and he immediately said, "What's the price of the book?" We told him that it was free and he said that he wanted to read it and that we could come back in 2 weeks! It was crazy how quickly he changed his mind! The spirit works in such incredible ways and it builds my testimony everytime little instances like that happen.

So, the ward I am in is called the Newton Creek Ward and it is HUGE! There are sooooo many young families and I just love it! Although it does make me miss Weston, Wyatt, Carter, and Roman. It also makes me want a little family of my own :) This ward is so missionary minded and they just called 3 new ward missionaries and they are all sisters so we are super stoked about that. I feel that this is going to be a really great transfer but I also feel that it is going to fly by. It seems like each week goes faster and faster. It's so nuts! And going on exchanges once a week, Zone Conferences, MLC, and other meetings is going to make it go even faster. I really just can't believe it.

I hope that you have an awesome week. Know that I love you so so so sooooooooooooooo much!

Love,

Lynds :)



Sister Nealy and I soaking wet after tracting!

Sister Stover and I on exchanges in Bandon!

 

 

Letter #52

Hi Mom!

 
TRANSFER DAY! We got our calls on Saturday while we were on exchanges-- which was a crazy busy day already and then Sunday was also super busy. I didn't finish packing until about midnight last night and then I had to get up at 3am to get ready and drive to Bandon (30 miles away) to pick up a sister and then North Bend (45 miles away) to pick up another. We then had to drive to the transfer spot in Eugene before 8am. I got all my luggage and put it on the transfer van and drove to my new area an hour and a half away. So all in all, it's been a bit of a hectic morning.

      I am now in Roseburg! My companion is Sister Payne and she's from Idaho! We were actually in the MTC together and she is such a sweet girl. I'm pretty excited for this transfer and I feel like it's going to be a great one! Also, when President Young called me about transfers, he asked if I would be a Sister Training Leader. I think I may have told you what that means before but if not, it's pretty much a Sister Zone Leader. Me and my companion will be over all of the sisters in our Zone.  We will be going on exchanges with them each week and helping them to better fulfill their purpose. We will also be teaching at some of our missionary training meetings and going to MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) in Eugene once a month. I am pretty excited about it! My last ZL's told me that Trevor is still a Zone Leader too which means that I will be seeing him everytime we go to MLC :)

     Anyway, it was pretty hard to leave Coquille, especially my investigators but I know they are in good hands and I am excited to start a new adventure! I don't have anytime to e-mail today but know that I love you and am grateful for all that you do!

 
I hope you have a great week!!

Love,

Lyndsie :)

P.S. Tell Trevor I love him too :)

 

Letter #51

Sent:  Mon, 3 Mar 2014 01:06p.m.

Good Morning!

How are you? How is everything going back home? I'm sorry to hear about Uncle Herb and Aunt Gwen :( I sure will miss them.. I remember going to Uncle Herb's when I was younger with Grandma and Uncle Kelly to pick fresh fruits and vegetables. And Aunt Gwen was just the sweetest lady. Let grandma and everyone else in the family know that my prayers are with them.

This past week was kind of slow but it was also really good. On Tuesday we received i-pads and had a 3 hour training with President Young and the AP's. It's so weird to have an i-pad as a missionary but soooo very helpful. I feel very blessed to be serving a mission at this time in my life and very grateful for the tools that the Lord has provided to help hasten His work.

We met with one of our new investigators this last week and it was kind of a rough lesson. We started teaching her about the Restoration of the Gospel and she just completely closed herself off. She wanted proof of everything we were saying from the Bible and then she wouldn't listen to anything we said. Sister Nealy and I bore sincere testimony to her and the Spirit was so strong but she was so closed off that all we could feel was the hardness coming from her. It broke both of our hearts as we walked out of that lesson because we know how important this gospel is and how much it can bless her life but she just wouldn't accept it.. at this time anyway.

I also went on exchanges to Bandon with Sister Stover! Oh my goodness! She is such a funny sister! We had such a blast and because it was my 1 year mark, she took me to Face Rock Creamery and bought me ice cream :) We took lots of silly pictures and laughed pretty much all day.. Don't worry, we still worked hard and had really great lessons with their investigators.

Also, yesterday was Fast and Testimony Meeting at church and I think it was probably the best Sunday I've had so far on my mission. The 4 of us missionaries bore our testimonies along with 3 Recent Converts and other members. I've never heard such heartfelt testimonies in my life than I did that day. The Spirit was overwhelming and in that moment I felt my Saviors love for me and for each of us. We are so incredibly blessed to be apart of the Restored Gospel. I think that we as members, sometimes take for granted just how blessed we are to be apart of the Lord's kingdom upon the earth and to have the knowledge of His great and eternal plan.

So, in your e-mail you said that you sometimes feel guilty for putting us kids through so much growing up. Please don't ever feel that way. The things that we've gone through, have only made us who we are and I know that for me personally, it has made me a stronger person and helped me to see part of God's plan. I agree 100% with Aunt Konnie.  

One of my all time favorite quotes by Elder Richard G. Scott says--
“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11-12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."

The trials and challenges that we face in this life, help us to learn and grow. Sometimes we may not understand the reason why certain things happen but I do believe that one reason is so that we can help others who may have gone through the similar experiences. Also, Heavenly Father knows our potential and He knows what we are capable of doing.

I can't even tell you how many times on my mission I've been able to share with people the experiences I've had in my life and how they have helped me to gain a greater relationship with my Savior and in turn help relate it to them and their situation. I know why I am here. There have been so many times where I see clearly my purpose in being called to serve in the Oregon Eugene Mission. It is such a blessing and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I know with all my heart that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. There is not one thing that it does not cover. It is infinite. It is eternal. 

I love you so much and hope you know how much I truly appreciate all that you do for me and all that you have taught me. I am grateful for my mission and the person that it is helping me to become.

I Love You!

Love,

Lyndsie

P.S. Transfers are Monday.. just so you know.