August 12, 2013
Orlando- North Lake Mary Area
Companon: Sis. Ransom (from Phoenix, Arizona)
Calling: Senior Training Companion
The UPS and DOWNS of missionary work
Hello everyone!
Well this week I'm gonna say it's called "The Ups and Downs of Missionary Work" This week was a doosey, but oh boy did it get GOOD!!!! I know right, ya just can't wait... the suspense is killing ya! haha
Well last Monday we went shopping for groceries and went to lunch with the Longwood sisters (the sisters we share the car with). Then we said goodbye to the car for the week sad day. While we were at lunch of course there was music playing at the restaurant and I was loving it!! Sister Low said that another companion she used to serve with called it, "Free Sin"... bahaha, because technically we were sinning listening to it for being a missionary (ya know we are not allowed to listen to music unless it is spiritual), but at the same time we couldn't do anything about it. I thought it was funny. Then that night one of the members took us out to dinner. Yep, it was a great Pday...music and all!
Tuesday we were on the bikes and boy did I get burned! Not as bad as Sister Ransom though. She has this very fair complexion. But that day we went and visited some less actives... some were nice, some were mean... but hey it happens. We also read this wonderful talk called "Find the lambs, Feed the Sheep" This is my homework for all of you to go and read that talk! (CLICK HERE) it is by Pres. Hinckley and Every member NEEDS to read it! We had dinner that night with another family, the Searle's. Sister Searle is from Sweden and is just the sweetest lady! It was fun to hear all about Sweden.
That night we had a lesson with one of our potential Gators named Anthony. It went well, we taught the restoration. He said he would read and pray about the Book of Mormon, so it was exciting! Then we visited a member who is just the smillyest guy I have ever seen. The Gospel really is JOY.
Wednesday we had District Meeting and I gave a training on "We Invite, They Commit, We follow Up" but I changed it to "We Invite, They commit, We testify, We follow up" I think as missionaries we sometimes forget to testify and just how critical that is! After DM the Bevan's came and brought me my mirror that I forgot and took us out to lunch. I have only been gone from Conway a week, but it feels like centuries! haha I just love the Bevans! They are Angels sent from above! I am just positive I knew them in the premortal existence! After lunch we went and did some service for the Bishop's wife who is so sick and struggling. We just helped her with some laundry and some sweeping. She was so appreciative.
That night we had dinner at a member's home and then had a lesson with a couple of the Ward Missionaries. The Bishop has this 4 week plan that we teach the ward missionaries to help in their missionary work and then they go and teach it to the ward members. It is so cool!
Thursday we biked 17 miles. 17 MILES! gah! I was ready for the Tour De France! haha We tried to visit a lot of people, but no one was home. That night our Stake had a stake mission meeting. All the ward council's from each ward were invited along with the ward missionaries, and the full time missionaries. President Berry came and spoke as well as the stake president, the Zone Leaders, and the Stake Mission Leader. It was all about how to implement the direction given from the brethren at the world wide leadership training. It was really cool to be apart of it.
Friday we had weekly planning, but after Sister Ransom was not feeling good. So she rested a bit to feel better. Later that night we went out knocking and met some nice potentials. On the way home we met a man named Milton, he was extremely nice. He kind of told us that theologians would call us a cult. And that how the Bible is all he needs and how the Book of Mormon is not true and all this other stuff. We asked him, "So have you read the Book of Mormon?" He said, "No". So we testified to him that if he would read it and sincerely ask Heavenly Father if it was true, that he would receive a witness of the truthfulness of it. He wouldn't really hear us out and kept telling us how young we were and how much we need to learn and that his heart aches for us. Ha! "No Milton, our hearts ache for you! WE have the fullness of the gospel and you won't even give it a chance." It really gets me when people won't even give the Book of Mormon a Chance and make up their minds about it before even reading and praying about it. So we left it at that.
Saturday we had our coordination meeting with the Ward mission Leader and Wowza I was stressed! The ward and Bishop are so amazing they expect so much! I am just worried about living up to the expectations and getting everything done we need to. I know that I just need to give it to the Lord and do my best and it will all work out.
Also that day we met some really sweet less actives, The Hall's, they are so nice! We will definitely be stopping by again and getting them to church! After the Hall's we were on our way to our other lesson and crossing a Railroad tracks and the asphalt beneath the tracks were all dug out. Well, needless to say I crashed my bike. Yup totally biffed it. I hope it was somewhat graceful though! Nothing but a few scrapes and bruises! The Lord looks out for his missionaries!
That night we went to the Rebers house for dinner, a young couple who are members. They are so much fun! It was a good end to the day.
So it was a tough week, we didn't get many lessons and I was sore and yes I'll admit a little discouraged.
Sunday was the day of Miracles!!! We had a family come to church with a single less active mother and her 3 daughters, 2 of which who have taken the missionary discussions over the summer while at their grandparents and are ready to be baptized! Two baptisms just handed to us! The family is so sweet! They invited us over on Sunday for Lunch and to get to know them.
A few hours later we had a dinner appointment with a family, the Pilchers. They are a really fun family! And they helped me take care of my knee that got all scratched up from the crash. After Dinner I had a prompting to go and see a potential who we were unable to set up an appt. with. We went and she was outside and we taught her the restoration! AND she said she read some of the BOM and loved it! awe awe! It was amazing!
Soooo you Struggle and Struggle and then BAM! The Lord blesses you! I love you all I hope you have an amazing week! Remember struggle and struggle and then BAM! The Lord will bless you! The church is true!
Love, Sister Forsey
Mom - So thinking about Kimmi, new land, doesn't know the language, companion doesn't speak a lick of English, nor does anyone else...wow, it has to be hard! But this was the best advice I got when I got to the mission field...ummm who said it to me? hummm, I wonder who?: "Forget about yourself and get to work" I can't even imagine how hard it is to have to learn a new language AND be training and so far away from family. But that is why we have the Lord. If you don't want to pray, read 2 nephi 32:8-9. We must pray always and NOT faint. The Lord is mindful of our struggles. The Atonement is real, just give it to Him and He will lift the burden that is put upon your shoulders. He will make you stronger to be able to bear them. See Mosiah 24:14-15 When I'm homesick I know that I need to just go and talk to someone! and share the gospel! It helps me remember how lucky I am to have a family and the gospel. And our family will be together for eternity! What's 18 months? Stay strong!
Mom- I love you I love you I love you! keep working hard! and remember the Lord knows best!
Dad- Thank you so much for the letter I haven't read it yet, but I love you! Thank you for all you do and the sacrifices you make for our family!
Orlando- North Lake Mary Area
Companon: Sis. Ransom (from Phoenix, Arizona)
Calling: Senior Training Companion
The UPS and DOWNS of missionary work
Hello everyone!
Well this week I'm gonna say it's called "The Ups and Downs of Missionary Work" This week was a doosey, but oh boy did it get GOOD!!!! I know right, ya just can't wait... the suspense is killing ya! haha
Well last Monday we went shopping for groceries and went to lunch with the Longwood sisters (the sisters we share the car with). Then we said goodbye to the car for the week sad day. While we were at lunch of course there was music playing at the restaurant and I was loving it!! Sister Low said that another companion she used to serve with called it, "Free Sin"... bahaha, because technically we were sinning listening to it for being a missionary (ya know we are not allowed to listen to music unless it is spiritual), but at the same time we couldn't do anything about it. I thought it was funny. Then that night one of the members took us out to dinner. Yep, it was a great Pday...music and all!
Tuesday we were on the bikes and boy did I get burned! Not as bad as Sister Ransom though. She has this very fair complexion. But that day we went and visited some less actives... some were nice, some were mean... but hey it happens. We also read this wonderful talk called "Find the lambs, Feed the Sheep" This is my homework for all of you to go and read that talk! (CLICK HERE) it is by Pres. Hinckley and Every member NEEDS to read it! We had dinner that night with another family, the Searle's. Sister Searle is from Sweden and is just the sweetest lady! It was fun to hear all about Sweden.
That night we had a lesson with one of our potential Gators named Anthony. It went well, we taught the restoration. He said he would read and pray about the Book of Mormon, so it was exciting! Then we visited a member who is just the smillyest guy I have ever seen. The Gospel really is JOY.
Wednesday we had District Meeting and I gave a training on "We Invite, They Commit, We follow Up" but I changed it to "We Invite, They commit, We testify, We follow up" I think as missionaries we sometimes forget to testify and just how critical that is! After DM the Bevan's came and brought me my mirror that I forgot and took us out to lunch. I have only been gone from Conway a week, but it feels like centuries! haha I just love the Bevans! They are Angels sent from above! I am just positive I knew them in the premortal existence! After lunch we went and did some service for the Bishop's wife who is so sick and struggling. We just helped her with some laundry and some sweeping. She was so appreciative.
That night we had dinner at a member's home and then had a lesson with a couple of the Ward Missionaries. The Bishop has this 4 week plan that we teach the ward missionaries to help in their missionary work and then they go and teach it to the ward members. It is so cool!
Thursday we biked 17 miles. 17 MILES! gah! I was ready for the Tour De France! haha We tried to visit a lot of people, but no one was home. That night our Stake had a stake mission meeting. All the ward council's from each ward were invited along with the ward missionaries, and the full time missionaries. President Berry came and spoke as well as the stake president, the Zone Leaders, and the Stake Mission Leader. It was all about how to implement the direction given from the brethren at the world wide leadership training. It was really cool to be apart of it.
Friday we had weekly planning, but after Sister Ransom was not feeling good. So she rested a bit to feel better. Later that night we went out knocking and met some nice potentials. On the way home we met a man named Milton, he was extremely nice. He kind of told us that theologians would call us a cult. And that how the Bible is all he needs and how the Book of Mormon is not true and all this other stuff. We asked him, "So have you read the Book of Mormon?" He said, "No". So we testified to him that if he would read it and sincerely ask Heavenly Father if it was true, that he would receive a witness of the truthfulness of it. He wouldn't really hear us out and kept telling us how young we were and how much we need to learn and that his heart aches for us. Ha! "No Milton, our hearts ache for you! WE have the fullness of the gospel and you won't even give it a chance." It really gets me when people won't even give the Book of Mormon a Chance and make up their minds about it before even reading and praying about it. So we left it at that.
Saturday we had our coordination meeting with the Ward mission Leader and Wowza I was stressed! The ward and Bishop are so amazing they expect so much! I am just worried about living up to the expectations and getting everything done we need to. I know that I just need to give it to the Lord and do my best and it will all work out.
Also that day we met some really sweet less actives, The Hall's, they are so nice! We will definitely be stopping by again and getting them to church! After the Hall's we were on our way to our other lesson and crossing a Railroad tracks and the asphalt beneath the tracks were all dug out. Well, needless to say I crashed my bike. Yup totally biffed it. I hope it was somewhat graceful though! Nothing but a few scrapes and bruises! The Lord looks out for his missionaries!
That night we went to the Rebers house for dinner, a young couple who are members. They are so much fun! It was a good end to the day.
So it was a tough week, we didn't get many lessons and I was sore and yes I'll admit a little discouraged.
Sunday was the day of Miracles!!! We had a family come to church with a single less active mother and her 3 daughters, 2 of which who have taken the missionary discussions over the summer while at their grandparents and are ready to be baptized! Two baptisms just handed to us! The family is so sweet! They invited us over on Sunday for Lunch and to get to know them.
A few hours later we had a dinner appointment with a family, the Pilchers. They are a really fun family! And they helped me take care of my knee that got all scratched up from the crash. After Dinner I had a prompting to go and see a potential who we were unable to set up an appt. with. We went and she was outside and we taught her the restoration! AND she said she read some of the BOM and loved it! awe awe! It was amazing!
Soooo you Struggle and Struggle and then BAM! The Lord blesses you! I love you all I hope you have an amazing week! Remember struggle and struggle and then BAM! The Lord will bless you! The church is true!
Love, Sister Forsey
Mom - So thinking about Kimmi, new land, doesn't know the language, companion doesn't speak a lick of English, nor does anyone else...wow, it has to be hard! But this was the best advice I got when I got to the mission field...ummm who said it to me? hummm, I wonder who?: "Forget about yourself and get to work" I can't even imagine how hard it is to have to learn a new language AND be training and so far away from family. But that is why we have the Lord. If you don't want to pray, read 2 nephi 32:8-9. We must pray always and NOT faint. The Lord is mindful of our struggles. The Atonement is real, just give it to Him and He will lift the burden that is put upon your shoulders. He will make you stronger to be able to bear them. See Mosiah 24:14-15 When I'm homesick I know that I need to just go and talk to someone! and share the gospel! It helps me remember how lucky I am to have a family and the gospel. And our family will be together for eternity! What's 18 months? Stay strong!
Mom- I love you I love you I love you! keep working hard! and remember the Lord knows best!
Dad- Thank you so much for the letter I haven't read it yet, but I love you! Thank you for all you do and the sacrifices you make for our family!