Hi everyone! 7/21/17
We got a new investigator this week, Joe.We were stopping by a former investigator that wasn't home but right across the street was Joe with his son Nate, and his five chihuahuas. The small army of dogs "attacked" us with attention and it was funny and slightly unnerving at the same time just because there seemed to be so many. At first we talked to Nate, his teenage son and when we asked if he was interested he said we should ask his Dad first who was a few feet behind him in a lawn chair. We started takling to Joe and started sharing how we were missionaries and how we believe in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, along with introducing The Book Of Mormon. We found out that he's religious and is super kind. He was open to learning more and we set up a return appoinment. We had to cancel but a week later (this week) we dropped by and were able teach a brief Restoration lesson which went really well. Joe is pretty intellgent and says The Book of Mormon could definetly be true because he thinks it would be ignorant to assume that Christ would only just visit and love one group of his people. He admitted that he hadn't read any of the book yet due to his work. He said he'll have to really dive into it, which we're super excited about!
We've been meeting Bob twice a week now and it's been amazing. We taught about prayer and scriptures. He blazes through The Book of Mormon and loves it, but hasn't prayed yet. We asked him why and He admitted that he knew that we wanted him to pray to know if these things are true and said that he hasn't because ever since he first met us he felt it, and that his life has been changed and going in the destined direction that he's been waiting for.
Wow.
He gave us a short writing of the story of him meeting us and his thoughts and impressions so far and it was absolutely amazing- he's really a writer, and it's amazing to see The Holy Ghost work in him. He has done treadmills up ahead, but he's ready.
Things aren't always completely smooth sailing, because then life wouldn't be as interesting. Last night we tried to give the law of chastity lesson which was a big step for Bob but it was awkward and hard because his two daughters and a friend kept floating around the room! We'll have to go over it a different day and more privately!
Warren, a convert of a year and who had been struggling with his testimony came to church a second time in a row this week which was great. Sister Dotty, a former sister in pontiac happened to be visiting and was there! We ended up just teaching him because he was the only one in gospel principles ( The Carley's were sick) so it was more of the three of us teaching him. Having Sister Dotty there was a huge blessing.
My 20th birthday was absolutely phenomenal for so many reasons but ill have to gush about people later!
I hope you have a great week!
Sister Kate Petty
Monday, September 4, 2017
Hastening The Work
Hi everyone! 7/7/17
At the beginning of this week we had exchanges with our new Sister Training Leaders, Sister Anderson and Sister Peterson. Sister Anderson was already in my district and Sister Peterson was one of my Sister Training Leaders last transfer. I got to be with Sister Anderson for the day which was fun getting to know her more. She's very devout in the work and is great. It was an interesting exchange because their whole town was under a "boil warning". It's when all the water from the facets and lines are contaminated and you have to boil the water first before drinking/using the water. The city was fixing some main pipeline. It was hilarious how much of a nuisance it really was. At first you think you're fine because you can simply drink from water bottles. Nope. No washing your hands, face, cleaning dishes, showering, cooking, cleaning, forget it. Some awesome members gave the sisters a couple gallons of water to tide them over. Thanks to another great member who lives next door let us take some of her storage frozen dinners and a frozen pie since all that takes is some electricity to make. Member's are just so kind.
We taught Bob another lesson and it went great. Bob was out on his front porch ready with his Book of Mormon. We discussed pretty deeply about Repentance and what it means. We also talked about the importance of baptism. He's getting away from bad friends and he knows that he will have to stop smoking. We proposed October 14 and he agreed with that day. He has a ways to go but he's willing and ready for change. We warned him that Satan would try to attack what he knows to be true so far. He understood and agreed. We let him know though that Heavenly Father would be there too to help him along the way and WAY more powerful than the adversary. We're teaching him The Word of Wisdom tonight so we'll see how that goes!
On Friday we were able to have a great dinner with Sister Kelley and her cute baby Crue. Brother Kelley was gone for the week for work. As we were talking together after dinner Sister Kelley walked and scooped Crue up while still talking. Walking back she lost her balance and I heard a tiny pop. We asked if she was okay and she jokingly said " Oh, I'm fine, just broke my pinky toe is all." She looked down and then said "Wait, I actually do think I broke my pinky toe!" We felt so bad but she said she wasn't really in too much pain, and was more angry at the fact she had better things to do then to go to the ER for a pinky toe. We helped her as much as we could and hovered more than helped because she could still walk and we're not allowed to carry babies. As we we're all leaving I winced realizing I left my tablet in her apartment. We agreed to just forget it to not stress poor sister Kelley any more and get it back tomorrow. It actually turned out great! Saturday was by far our most busy day this week and we talked to SO many different people, and Sister Kelley' s toe is fine now. 😊
On a more serious note, we learned that one of our recently returned Elders from our mission died in a car crash. I didn't personally know him, but I know plenty in the mission did and there are many who loved him. Please pray for his family at this time.
I really, really, do have a testimony of Heavenly Father's love for each of us, especially Christ's. Whenever I have been discouraged in the slightest during my mission so far the second I watch a video our something depicting Christ I feel The Holy Ghost so strongly that the reason I am here is so much bigger than me, than all of us, because it is for me and everyone else in this world. It is of Christ. It is what he has done for all of us. A quote comes to mind from an apostle from something recent but I can't remember where. It says something along the lines of this. At times we do not see or know it but one day wee wool look back and see how The Savior had been with us every moment and step of the way.
I also have a testimony of The Lord hastening the work at this time. I've been reflecting a lot on this lately and it makes me think about what my Mission President has said. He made a statement early on in my mission that he felt the same inspiration a general authority recently had about how within the next decade, 1000's would be converted in this area. I feel the Holy Ghost so powerfully confirming this truth too, and it makes me excited and determined. I feel it deep within my bones and soul. I don't care if I'm not still here to"reap the benefits". I'm just ready to work and have felt a renewed conviction to not only work hard, but effectively. This really is the time to prepare and is nothing but exhilarating when I think about it.
It reminds me of Doctrine and Covenants 88:73:
" Behold, I will hasten My work in it's time".
- Sister Kate Petty
P.S the third photo in my last newsletter is of me and The lovely Cobbley Family. They're a super great family. Shannon, one of our recent converts, whose one of our recent converts is practically adopted into that family. She's on the far right with blonde hair which is down and a navy shirt with white stripes. She's leaving for college in just a few days and I'll miss her!
Photo Descriptions:
1) The adorable Kelley family
2&3) The Carley's and I, and two other boys in the branch who simply wanted to join on the far right
4) The Trio and a Horse
At the beginning of this week we had exchanges with our new Sister Training Leaders, Sister Anderson and Sister Peterson. Sister Anderson was already in my district and Sister Peterson was one of my Sister Training Leaders last transfer. I got to be with Sister Anderson for the day which was fun getting to know her more. She's very devout in the work and is great. It was an interesting exchange because their whole town was under a "boil warning". It's when all the water from the facets and lines are contaminated and you have to boil the water first before drinking/using the water. The city was fixing some main pipeline. It was hilarious how much of a nuisance it really was. At first you think you're fine because you can simply drink from water bottles. Nope. No washing your hands, face, cleaning dishes, showering, cooking, cleaning, forget it. Some awesome members gave the sisters a couple gallons of water to tide them over. Thanks to another great member who lives next door let us take some of her storage frozen dinners and a frozen pie since all that takes is some electricity to make. Member's are just so kind.
We taught Bob another lesson and it went great. Bob was out on his front porch ready with his Book of Mormon. We discussed pretty deeply about Repentance and what it means. We also talked about the importance of baptism. He's getting away from bad friends and he knows that he will have to stop smoking. We proposed October 14 and he agreed with that day. He has a ways to go but he's willing and ready for change. We warned him that Satan would try to attack what he knows to be true so far. He understood and agreed. We let him know though that Heavenly Father would be there too to help him along the way and WAY more powerful than the adversary. We're teaching him The Word of Wisdom tonight so we'll see how that goes!
On Friday we were able to have a great dinner with Sister Kelley and her cute baby Crue. Brother Kelley was gone for the week for work. As we were talking together after dinner Sister Kelley walked and scooped Crue up while still talking. Walking back she lost her balance and I heard a tiny pop. We asked if she was okay and she jokingly said " Oh, I'm fine, just broke my pinky toe is all." She looked down and then said "Wait, I actually do think I broke my pinky toe!" We felt so bad but she said she wasn't really in too much pain, and was more angry at the fact she had better things to do then to go to the ER for a pinky toe. We helped her as much as we could and hovered more than helped because she could still walk and we're not allowed to carry babies. As we we're all leaving I winced realizing I left my tablet in her apartment. We agreed to just forget it to not stress poor sister Kelley any more and get it back tomorrow. It actually turned out great! Saturday was by far our most busy day this week and we talked to SO many different people, and Sister Kelley' s toe is fine now. 😊
On a more serious note, we learned that one of our recently returned Elders from our mission died in a car crash. I didn't personally know him, but I know plenty in the mission did and there are many who loved him. Please pray for his family at this time.
I really, really, do have a testimony of Heavenly Father's love for each of us, especially Christ's. Whenever I have been discouraged in the slightest during my mission so far the second I watch a video our something depicting Christ I feel The Holy Ghost so strongly that the reason I am here is so much bigger than me, than all of us, because it is for me and everyone else in this world. It is of Christ. It is what he has done for all of us. A quote comes to mind from an apostle from something recent but I can't remember where. It says something along the lines of this. At times we do not see or know it but one day wee wool look back and see how The Savior had been with us every moment and step of the way.
I also have a testimony of The Lord hastening the work at this time. I've been reflecting a lot on this lately and it makes me think about what my Mission President has said. He made a statement early on in my mission that he felt the same inspiration a general authority recently had about how within the next decade, 1000's would be converted in this area. I feel the Holy Ghost so powerfully confirming this truth too, and it makes me excited and determined. I feel it deep within my bones and soul. I don't care if I'm not still here to"reap the benefits". I'm just ready to work and have felt a renewed conviction to not only work hard, but effectively. This really is the time to prepare and is nothing but exhilarating when I think about it.
It reminds me of Doctrine and Covenants 88:73:
" Behold, I will hasten My work in it's time".
- Sister Kate Petty
P.S the third photo in my last newsletter is of me and The lovely Cobbley Family. They're a super great family. Shannon, one of our recent converts, whose one of our recent converts is practically adopted into that family. She's on the far right with blonde hair which is down and a navy shirt with white stripes. She's leaving for college in just a few days and I'll miss her!
Photo Descriptions:
1) The adorable Kelley family
2&3) The Carley's and I, and two other boys in the branch who simply wanted to join on the far right
4) The Trio and a Horse
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