18

Nicole's Letter: 18

Dec. 26, 2017

I have 18 weeks left.  And so I am going to do 18 lessons I have learned on my mission.  I have been recording some lessons throughout my mission and so here is the first one.  (also got to throw in some spiritual upliftment to balance yesterday's Skype call:)

#1: "Thy will be done. God's plan is greater than our plan and we have to trust that it is.  It takes extreme faith to let go but we have to trust God and His timing.  He sees the big picture" January 2017  That is definitely one of the first lessons I have learned that I need to remember that God knows a lot better than I do.  And that sometimes we go through really hard things yet if we are in align with God, all things will work out. 

This week was super fun!

New companion: Sister John.  

Area: Same

Yet Christmas was awesome!  We went caroling again on Saturday which was super fun!

We have awesome members that make us feel really loved!  It was good!

And sorry, another week at the library so no pictures :(

Love you All!

TRANSFERS.............

Nicole's Letter: Transfers

Dec. 19, 2017

Hello Family!

Guess what...I am staying another transfer in Manito! 

Yes you read that correct.  

That will make my 5 transfer here.  Crazy to think that I got here in July when it was super hot and sunny and nice.  Now it is super wet, cold and snowy and gray.  We got a call from President on Friday and he started off by saying, "The Savior asked his disciples many times what desireth thou. And so I am asking what desireth thou?"  That was not what I was expecting.  And everyone knows that I am one of the most indecisive people ever so I told him whatever he needed me to do.  And he was like well we want you to train in Manito but we wanted to see if you would die if you stayed another transfer there.  I told him that it would be a very long time and that I would be open for a change but at the same time I am open to do anything and can stay.  I don't think I gave him a clear enough answer since at the end of the phone call he was like "You aren't helping us Sister Stevenson"  I think he wanted me to say definitely one or the other.  But with transfers everything is so up in the air that I didn't want to make that decision. So then on Sunday he texted us and said that I would be staying.  So pray that I won't go crazy trying the same people just kidding.  I know everyone in the area book but we have solid investigators that we need to help progress! It will be fun! 

Winter has finally hit!  I am sad that it finally hit but happy that it didn't snow until December 16th!! That made me extremely happy!  

We went caroling downtown by the mall this weekend and it was super fun! Only missionaries would literally carol in masses of people handing out candy canes and light the world cards and think it was a super fun Saturday night! I can't wait to FaceTime with all of you on Monday! It will be way fun! 

Love you all!

The only beauty in snow 

Sister Hulsey and I

Amazing members that give us cute wrapped gifts

Gifts

Nicole's Letter: Gifts

December 11, 2017

We had zone conference this week and it was awesome! Zone conference always comes when I need it the most! It always is such a good recharge for me.  I love President and Sister Dymock! They are the best!

They talked about giving gifts to the Savior.  

So this week I started giving a gift to the Savior each day.  It was cool to really focus on doing something for the Savior each day.

I mean some of them were not that big Gift of Listening, Gift of patience, gift of compromise.  

And then I started to see all the gifts people were giving to me.  Gift of rides, Gift of time, gift of service.  So many!  I challenge everyone for one week to give a gift to the Savior and notice all the gifts that we do have!

This Saturday we were walking up the street and I noticed this person sitting on the step across the road.  I looked at her and I knew that I needed to talk to her but I was like we are already late for a ride that someone is giving us and she is across the street and we are late (making excuses) But the only thing that was coming to my head was a couple elders in the zone a couple transfers ago would always say "Cross the awkward street gap"  And so I just said hello and crossed the street.  We crossed the awkward street gap and I am so glad I did.  We talked to her for a bit and she said that it was super weird that we started talking to her because she had be going through a really hard time and just was thinking about God and then we walked over to her.  She asked us if we could pray with her and so we said a simple prayer.  She said that she was super grateful that we stopped and talked to her.  I am so grateful for the simple spiritual impressions that we receive and follow.  Even though I won't be able to see her again since she lives in Cheney I knew that it is the small and simple things that bring to pass great things.  I am grateful for the small things that God gives me.  

We had the Ward Christmas party which was super fun as well!!!

Went on exchanges with Sister Norman and we got MOD pizza with one of the YSA members.  It was so good! and then we went to get Coldstone.

Transfers are next Wednesday on the 20th and then we get to talk on the 25th!!!!! Can't wait!

Holidays

Our junk wreaths

 Real tree

Waiting for the bus

my second mother on a mission

Nicole's Letter: "Holidays"

Hello!!

Some highlights this week

It snowed a little this week but it hasn't really come so that is good!! It will probably come this week though.  

LIGHT THE WORLD!!! Everyone better be doing light the world!  It is awesome! Go to mormon.org ​​

We have been able to talk to a lot of people by talking about Light the World! It is so amazing! 

We had a Relief Society activity where we made junk wreaths.  It was super fun!  

This ward is probably the best ward ever!!!  Brother Warr (our WML) and his family got us a REAL Christmas tree!!! I mentioned a couple months ago (totally joking since I didn't think I would be here for Christmas) if they could get me a real Christmas tree and then this week at coordination they were like this is your Christmas tree, lights and ornaments!! It was so great!! And then we had dinner at the Plasters with the Moran Prairie sisters and their cute 17 year old investigator that got baptized on Saturday.  I am super sad that I won't be here for Christmas day but at least I get a lot of it!  I love so many people.  It is weird how some people can just become like family. 

We had a super fun pday and we went to take Christmas photos with Sister Blake and then went Downtown and had lunch and shopped! It was fun!

Quote of the week:

Dale Carnegie, a well-known American author and lecturer, believed that each person has within himself or herself the “power to increase the sum total of [the] world’s happiness … by giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged.” Said he, “Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.”

AND

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind;

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind

Camera & Cookies

as you can tell we had thanksgiving which means a full day of doing nothing

 so we took lots of photos and sister hulsey loves photos

​​the zone making cookies

lots of cookies

the sisters in the zone 

getting into the Christmas spirit

Nicole's Letter: Thanksgiving

We had a good week.  

Our dinner for thanksgiving cancelled last minute since they got the stomach flu but then our ward is so amazing that our RS president posted it on facebook and then we got like 5 invites.  So we had two official thanksgiving dinners! One at the stake president's home and another at the Muirheads, who are one of my favorites!!  We made cookies as a zone and then delivered them to a lot of people.

The sisters brought us some gelato which was way good and super nice of them.

Miracle of the week!

We were walking down the street on Saturday morning and we ran into Travis! He is an investigator that we haven't been able to get a hold of but who is super solid.  And he told us that he had been in the hospital but wanted to meet again.  It might not seen like a miracle but it totally was!

Had interviews with President and Sister Dymock and they are seriously the best!

One thought that I took away from it was "Sounds like a pride issue".  That is what one of the elders mom's wrote to him when he told her that he just felt like he was failing and wasn't doing good enough.  She told him that he needed to be more grateful for the Savior's atonement that enables all men to become better and do not get down on yourself because you are failing.  

Another spiritual moment this week was when I was in the bathroom (on a mission i feel like that is where most come from since it is the only place you can be alone).  But I was just sitting and I thought "I seriously can not do this".  And then I thought came into my head "You can't do this" (which wasn't what I was expecting). But immediately after that the voice said "You may not be able to do this but with the Savior you can". 

 "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me"   I am grateful for all of you! and most importantly the Savior.  When we think we can't do it, turn to the one that can!

snapshots

Nicole's Letter:

November 20, 2017

"Snapshots of mission life without the photos"

On Saturday I was on exchanges with Sister Lilley in YSA and it was so fun!!!!

There were three snapshots that we wish that we could take a picture of and send to everyone to tell people what missions are really like.  I feel like some people think that missionaries are in super cute clothes teaching a super cute golden family but in reality this is what it is like

SNAPSHOT ONE:

Saturday morning one of the YSA investigators texted and said that he would be able to have a lesson at his house.  So we desperately tried to find fellowship so we could have the lesson inside since it is a bit cold now.  But no one could come.  (Always happens, you either get fellowship all lined up and the investigator bails or the other way around.)  So we went over and we weren't really phased when we told him that we couldn't come inside and that we could just talk outside- literally freezing outside.  He was shocked (probably cause he would actually have to put on a shirt haha).  So the snapshot is me and Sister Lilley sitting in front of his door with some kitchen chairs that he brought out and him without a shirt sitting literally right behind his doorstep.  With the wind blowing down the hallway.  Hopefully you can picture that.  It was a sight to see.

SNAPSHOT TWO:

Later that day we were contacting someone that wanted us to come do service and she answered the door wearing no pants and the weirdest thing is that we just had a normal conversation with her.  I seriously don't know if people in the world are becoming weirder or it is just because I am a missionary that people are weird.  Probably a little bit of both.

SNAPSHOT THREE:  

We didn't have a dinner on Saturday so I ate something super quick and then passed out on the super hard floor bundled up with a blanket so tired from walking about 10 miles every single day in the cloudy rain. 

But I wouldn't trade this for anything.  Missions are strange but so good all at the same time. 

We also had the face to face last night which was awesome!  

Quote from it:

"TIME FIND TO BE STILL"  I love that.  We all need to stop and think and pray to realign ourselves with God.  

Also, while we were on exchanges we thought we were going to be murdered but don't worry it was just the other sisters trying to scare us and it worked.

GROUP EMAIL

snow

treats from Carol on our last night together

Sister Blake and Me

sister hulsey

Nicole's Letter:

Nov. 14, 2017

"Group Email"

This week has been up and down

Transfers.

Sister Blake left which was really sad.  I miss you a lot!  Sad we won't be together for the holidays.  This ward is seriously the best!  I feel like I have known some of these families for ever. 

One day for dinner one of the members went all the way into the valley and bought Cafe Rio for us.  

We got transfers calls again.  Sister Hulsey came, she is from Florence Arizona and she is very sweet.  

I know that this gospel is true.  One of our recent converts told us yesterday that she was done with church and it broke my heart.  It is sad because this gospel can change lives and it does.  I don't care, everyone has doubts and questions.  But if you stop doing the things that will draw you closer to Christ then of course those doubts and questions will get bigger and darker and pretty soon you are walking away.  There are people that tell me that I am brainwashed or that this church is deceitful.  Yeah no one is perfect but I want to tell them "You think I don't question this everyday, You think that I don't question as I walk through the dark and the rain with a person that I have nothing in common with.  Of course I question it but I don't just question it and walk away but I ask God and I search the scriptures and do things that will answer my questions  And sometimes I also have to just wait.  Wait and know that one day it will all work out.  Everyone is titled to their own opinion and I seriously respect and love everyone but I just want to tell people that walk away, please don't.  This gospel is Christ's gospel and Christ is at the head.  With Christ all things are possible and we need him.  Turn to him and he will guide you home.  Yes it can be hard but hard is good.  Hard is constant.  The variable is our reaction.  React with more fervent desire to know the truth.  Yeah we won't have all our questions answered but focus on what we do know and never stop searching.  God truly does love all of us.  Even though it may seem like he could care less what happens with you (trust me I have asked that this week) but I know he does care.

But anyways that was sort of a rant so you can skip it if you want :)

We also talked to these YSA salesman for a long time in the rain and it was super funny.  They were like Hey! Wait don't go we want to waste time.  We only have like 10 minutes!  It was funny.  

Nothing new:  This ward is awesome!!! They are great!

Love to all! Enjoy your warm homes for me! winter is coming and i am driving ahhh wish me luck!

snow.

snow with sister norman

my face when i got transfer calls :)

I am way excited to be staying in Manito!!!! Manito ward is the best!!!!

Nicole's Letter:

November 6th, 2017

"Snow"

We are both staying in Manito! That will make 6 months for me! Kind of crazy!

IT SNOWED!!!!!!!!  I can't believe that it snowed already! I am not ready for this winter! But oh well, it will be fun!

On Halloween we went to Sam and Joan's and passed out candy and then they made us dinner.  They are such great people! I love them so much!  We also took another trip out to Spangle.  

We went on exchanges with Sister Norman! We went to dinner with some YSA people and had the best curry and mochi ever!

We did service with the elders.  We were raking leaves but then it started snowing.  

And that is it!

Have a good week!

Went back to Grangeville This Week

fall leaves and me again

typical missionary photo---me and my planner

our day in spangle

Nicole's Letter:

"Went Back to Grangerville this Week"

Oct. 30, 2017

Hey!! 

So I know that I have written a lot of short emails lately so here is a bit longer one but it is more of just a journal log so you can skip it if you want :)

Monday:

We had a zone pday and we made Carmel apple nachos which was super fun!  And we also carved pumpkins.  I know why we stopped doing that, it is so nasty pulling all the junk out of it but none the less still super fun!  We had dinner at Sister Lund's house.  She lives more out of the city and she is so amazing! She told us all about her recent trip to Italy and it made me so travel hungry.  We also had really good gelato there.

We then had a lesson with the Powers.  They are a part member family.  I think we have earned their trust since they are going to take us out to dinner and ice cream this week hopefully!

Then we went to an FHE with Carol, the Wights who are another PMF at the Broadbents who are an awesome family! We made carmel apple nachos there as well.  I think it might be a new pinterest thing or something because everyone is doing them this year ha

Tuesday:  WE had extra miles this month so we took a spontaneous trip to Spangle.  Well we never really reached spangle but we were out in the country side and it made us both very happy.  It was a good day! And we found another part member family that no one knew about so that was awesome! They weren't interested but we found them none the less! Then had dinner at the Hansens which is always so awesome. 

 1. they have the cutest baby ever named Indigo and 2.  She is the best cook ever! And she is going to cater my wedding now!

Wednesday:  Food bank day.  

October 25- A full year has past since Post Falls

Here is my first photo in the field.  

Life has gotten much better :)  

Wednesday we had a lesson with Terah and her family.  There were a ton of people there that I didn't know so that is always great!  We committed Halo the 7 year old to be baptized and she said yes! Right after she looked at her mom and was like "Do you want to be baptized?" And Terah was like Yeah actually I do.  It was crazy! So pray that they will be able to come to church! And progress! But it is funny the difference between October 25, 2016 and October 26, 2017.  Life can always get worst but it also can always get better :)  I have learned so much in a year!  One lesson is the prayer can change hearts because it has changed mine.  The enabling power of the Atonement is real and it can change people.  I have definitely have changed (I know that I have gotten darker and deeper bags under my eyes) but also just the things that the mission puts you through, you change no matter.  Just hopefully for the best!

Thursday: Sister Blake hit her 3 month mark which was a big deal for her so we celbrated at night by marking a fork and watch meet the mormons.

Friday:  District meeting which is always a highlight.  Then we went to do service at this other church and while I was bagging up some food I got the biggest spiritual confirmation that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that he really did restore the gospel on the earth.  Weird how God gives you things at times when you are open and will remember them.  We went on exchanges and I went with Sister Lilley to YSA.  And it confirmed to me that I might never get married since the picking out there are looking to great ha.  But it was super fun!  For exercise  we ran two miles and it felt so good!  I felt like I was alone and that was the greatest feeling ever!! 

Saturday:  The ward trunk or treat!

Sunday:  Members are awesome! One person after another keep offereing us rides which we desperately needed since we don't have a car during the weekend.  We had dinner at the Blacks who are very wealthy and will probably become a mission president soon.  They drove us home and gave us good life advice.  But I also fooled them into thinking I have a plan which I totally don't.