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!