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. 

Fall 2017

Nicole's Letter: "Going Back to Post Falls"

Some things this week

It rained this week.  Brought me back to Post Falls days.  No car and rain.  The fun stuff on a mission.  

Tuesday:  i can't remember 

Wednesday:  The foodbank.  Always a highlight. 

Thursday:  Relief Society activity and we took a personality test and apparently I am a healer...

Friday:  district meeting

Saturday: Got super good cookies at our WMLs house at coordination.

Sunday: Lesson with the Wights at our bishops house.  It was super fun.  I love this ward

Went to Costco with the member Sister Blake today and it was way fun! I love that family so much!

A little thought this week:

"Turn your soul toward the light. Begin your own wonderful journey home. As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful."

Look to the Light.  Your life will be better. 

Yielding & Fall Time!

sister madsen and me

me and fall leaves

Us and our ward mission leader's wife on their property!

CAROL GOT BAPTIZED!!!

Sister Blake and I

Nicole's Letter: 

"Yielding"

Oct. 16, 2017

Sister Madsen officially went home a couple hours ago.  It has been a crazy time with her.  Probably the highlight of my mission.  So many moments that I wish I could relive.  I am so grateful that we could have that time together in Manito.  

Carol got baptized!  Carol is the sweetest person ever and she is so funny as well.  We met her the first week that Sister Madsen and I came to Manito and the last week Sister Madsen was here she got baptized and confirmed.  It is was such an amazing experience.  It was a little crazy because her baptismal suit didn't fit so we were calling around to different people and finally got one but the largest one still apparently fit.  Our WMLs wife was in the bathroom with Carol trying to get it to zip up but it just wouldn't go.  So other then other sisters apparently were close and they went in and said a prayer and then it zipped up.  It was a true miracle.

This ward seriously is the greatest!  I love all the people here so much!! They seriously are all such amazing people.

We have had some super fun moments this week.  We went to our WMLs property and had a little fire and drank some hot chocolate and talked with him and his wife.  They are the greatest.  We talked about how a mission is such a mental game. It is so true.  The ward threw us a party as well.  Basically all of the photos that we took are on Sister Madsen's camera so I will send next week.

What I learned this week was that we have to yield our hearts to God.  How in order for us to give our hearts completely over to him they must be broken and then His grace can heal them.

  

I love this quote from a talk. 

“It will work out.  It doesn't say that, It will all work out now.” It speaks of our hope in the eternal outcome—not necessarily of present results. Scripture says, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”⁵ This doesn’t mean all things are good, but for the meek and faithful, things—both positive and negative—

work together for good, and the timing is the Lord’s. We wait on Him, sometimes like Job in his suffering, knowing that God “maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.”⁶ A meek heart accepts the trial and the waiting for that time of healing and wholeness to come.

When we offer our broken heart to Jesus Christ, He accepts our offering. He takes us back. No matter what losses, wounds, and rejection we have suffered, His grace and healing are mightier than all. Truly yoked to the Savior, we can say with confidence, “It will all work out.”

I love that quote since sometimes things in life just hurt and frankly are awful but that is when our loving Heavenly Father can heal us.  I mean we all have to take a walk through Gethsemane on our way to Calvary.