1-21-13

Annie’s Letter

What missionaries talk about: Religion, Politics, and football.

Religion always. Politics as little as possible. Football as much as appropriate.

haha.

So back story: One day we were tracting and we met a man and he said that he didn't talk about religion, politics, or football. Fast forward a couple of months we realize that this man's wife is a former investigator! We remembered that he had said this line and we really enjoyed it. And applied it to our own lives. It was exciting.

Another fun story: One day we were tracting and this man looked out the window and saw us, eye contact, and didn't open the door. That inspired this song, by Sister Webb and Sister Twitchell. I'm sure you will be able to guess the tune that it goes to.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Two mormon missionaries looking at me!

Something inside tells me not to fear,

but I don't want to give up my beer.

I could read their "bible" all the way through

But I'm afraid I'm come to know it's true.

I guess that it could be...

What would that mean for me?

DON'T OPEN THE DOOR FOR THOSE MISSIONARIES!

We really enjoy writing songs. We have several. The one, I think I sent the lyrics for joy to the world, popcorn popping, we have one to knock 3 times. One for She's always a woman, and one for I'd really love to see you tonight. They are great. I'll have to send you the other lyrics sometime. I just have to write them down first. They're scribbled in my planner lol. You have lots of time to come up with stuff while tracting. And we have been walking a ton this week because... we're basically out of miles. YIKES! So walking walking walking. We are pro at bundling up. Thermals, leggings, long socks, fuzzy socks, sweat pants, boots, long skirts, shirts, cardigans or sweaters, jackets, coats, 1-2 pairs of gloves, hats. We stay pretty warm. This week is going to be cold though! high of like 14 today! Low of -10 (with the windchill) poor Sister Twitchell isn't sure how she's going to handle it. Vegas girl :-)

Check out hymn # 248. I love that song. It is such a wonderful hymn and really helps me get going! It's been stuck in my head for the last couple of days and I couldn't be happier! What a wonderful song! What a wonderful call! This is just the most incredible time ever!Our week was FANTABULOUS! But of course it was! It has been great to be able to do the work of the Lord each day. How blessed are we?! How great is our calling! I love this work. I love this gospel. THE gospel. I love the Lord. I love my Savior. I love having the opportunity to dedicate my life to Him for these 18 months. They are going way too fast! So, some highlights from this week:

One day (I really don't remember which...) we were tracting and met Diedre. She told us we could come in and share a message with her and I was blown away! Sometimes when people let us in while we're tracting, I freeze and have to remind myself what to do! But then the spirit just works miracles and BAM we are having an incredible lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The wonderful restoration and all that it entails.

It is amazing how Heavenly Father just sets things up so perfectly. Miracles just happen! We have been going through our area book and contacting all the potential investigators that have been written down since 2005. It is great, we get to update the area book, meet incredible people who have had interest in the past, and meet new people by going to the homes where discover that the potential had moved. That's actually how we have found 2 of our investigators, and it lead to finding another. So we had been doing this potential contacting and we met Ashley (who is a new resident of this home). We set up a return appointment with her for the following week. Fast forward to last week: On Friday we had dinner with a less active family, the Nichols. They are amazing, have strong testimonies and need to go to the temple. Actually back track even more. Last Sunday Sister Twitchell and I felt very strongly that we should go see the Nichols. Then Sister Nichols was at church that day and asked when we could come see them! So we went that day and set up this dinner appointment with them for Friday, which is the same day that we set up the return appointment with Ashely for the same Friday. So Friday rolls around, we have dinner and an amazing discussion about the Temple and then we trot off to our appointment with Ashely. She wasn't feeling well so we left. As we were walking back to the nichols, where our car was, there were these 3 girls hanging out in the parking lot. Sister Twitchell and I both felt like we should talk to them but before either of us could open our mouths, one of the said "What are you doing?" Of course we were more than happy to tell them all about what we were doing! These girls are teenagers who all have lived pretty rough lives. Drugs, pregnancies, ect. Messy stuff. Well, one of them, Reva was very interested. Sister Twitchell was talking to her while I was talking to another one. We set a return appointment for the next day and were able to take a member from young women's with us. It was amazing. Reva so wants to turn her life to God. She recognized that the path she was on was NOT the path she wanted to be on. So she decided to turn it around. When she was younger she lived with her dad and a "mormon lady" would come around and talk to them. Reva loved what she was hearing and reading in pamphlets and had questions. But one day her dad got mad and wouldn't let the "mormon lady" come back anymore. But now, Reva is getting her questions answered. And she has accepted a baptismal invitation with a tentative date of March 9! Heavenly Father really does prepare people and have a plan. He will NOT let us mess up His work. As long as we are doing the things we need to be doing, He will lead and guide us and help us get where we need to be, say what we need to say, do what we need to do and be what we need to be. He truly qualifies whom He calls.

Mom: I did get permission to call Dr. Giles, once for a short call. But after that, I have permission to email him. So I'll have to get right on that. Wondering if his office is closed today though, because it's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I'm shocked the library is open! They close for Columbus Day! Why not LMK? Whatever.

Dad: I HOPE STYX IS THERE NEXT FEBRUARY!!! I want to go SO bad! But not until then :-) haha. And yes I will be in Marysville for my birthday! My birthday is on a Monday, so no dinner with members that night. But The Ellington's signed up for the 10 and the Madsen's signed up for the 12 :-) yay! And everyone else has been asking if someone has signed up for my birthday. Maybe I'll be celebrating it all month! haha. Tell Kaylee and the rest of the Benedicts crew hello! They're awesome.

Megan and Justin: I'm so glad you're loving the new curriculum. I have only heard wonderful things about it! Justin, look at my missionary calendar that Megan just update. Time is ticking my friend.

Landon: Keep up the good work. There is always a trial of faith before miracles happen. Just keep working and being obedient. "Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles."

Natalie and Jon: Thanks for the letter! The rest of you should really follow her example! I'm glad things are going well. Don't stress about planning a wedding. Just have fun with it! And tell me your details! Do you have a dress? What are your colors? Flowers? Who is making your cake? Where is your reception going to be? I'll write you back today :-) and Jon, ditto what I said to Justin.

Rachel: I know you're so busy! I'm glad you're having a great year! Keep up the good work chica! I'm glad Koda came home. He's such a good dog.

Okie dokie familia. That's about all for this week! I love you all! Send me letters! Have a great week! Oh! One other things. I was reading in Ether. You know how we didn't know the name of the brother of Jared until the Lord revealed it to Joseph Smith? WELL check out Ether 2:13! AWESOME! Okay, love you! tata! :-)

Annie

Landon’s Letter

Hey my family,

So I am staying here in Stoney Creek for atleast 1 more transfer with Elder Washburn. I am excited, it feels we have just finally figured out what is going on here. This week was definately a better week. We found 3 new investigators! It was really cool we stopped by someone who we picked up 2 weeks ago and we picked up 2 new investigators this week. One of the people (Haley) needed a garbage bag to clean so she came over at that time and she stayed for the lesson. It was a really great lesson. Then we found another guy, his name is Dave. We were able to talk with him and picked him up as a new investigator. So we have been really blessed this week.

For this next transfer we have set goals and made plans to achieve for the transfer, weekly goals, and also daily goals. I was able to do alot of math ;D. We figured out numbers to shoot for each day of how many people to talk with each day, how many potential investigators we need to find everyday, how many lessons to have every day, and also so many more. It was alot of fun! So we are going to really try to achieve these goals, while tracking our obedience, and learning more about Preach My Gospel. My Mission President has given us things to work on as a mission. Pure in Hear, Exact Obedience, and Preach My My Gospel. It is amazing just how much the little things account for and add up. We track our Morning and Evening Schedule, OYM to 10 people (Open Your Mouth- talk with), Real Plays (doing a simulation of a situation- so helpful), and also 1 hour long appointments. Our first week tracking was 3/5, 0/5, 3/5, and 0/5 respectively. This week we improved so much. 6/7, 6/7, 7/7, and 5/7 repectively. It seems easy but it is hard. hour long appointments are hard, especially dinner appointments. Just remember that when the missionaries are over. There has been a clear difference between the two weeks can you agree. It's not that we changed huge things, we changed little things. Being out the door by 10:00 a.m sharp, talking with 10 people, real playing everyday, keeping 1 hour long appointments, and just constantly thinking about how to be more obedient. So no we aren't apostate missionaries we just need to improve. I hope with these goals we have set for ourselves to achieve, striving for exact obedience, and working effectively to achieve the standards of excellence. We have also been cleaning this week. Suprising but it is amazing how much less stress there is when we have a clean and organized appartment. So we are shaking things up, cleaning out the dust, and organizing so we are in total control of our area with the parts we need to worry about.

So on to the second part of the title. "Write out your lists." I will be going to Niagra Falls in a couple of weeks. So there will be alot of pictures being taken and souveniers to be bought (that you didn't get the last time). So let me know what you would like from Niagra Falls. (ex. Canadian flag, maple syrup haha, Niagra Falls statue, shirt, something?) Each of you choose 1 or 2 things you would like. I will put it in a box and send it home in a couple of weeks. I have a couple of things I need to send home anyway so please tell me and I will send it out! So that means Dad, Mom, Megan, Justin, Annie, Natalie, Jon, and Rachel. Please and Thank you and if you don't I will send you something anyway so you can either pick it out or you will get a suprise. It could be hogwash :D.

Rachel: I hope that things are going great for you. How is Koda doing by the way? I haven't seen any pictures of him lately. When is Prom? Have you asked anyone to floor show yet?

Natalie: I hope that things are going good for you. Do I get a letter? Sounds like you are just swamped with things to do. Welcome to life. Tell CJ and Hayden hi for me.

Annie: Thanks for being a great example to me. You are a great example of a hard working missionary! Keep up the awesome work you are doing great! We try to get 12 baptisms a week as a mission. So 625 a year.

Megan & Justin: I am glad you are enjoying the new program. The person who learns the most isn't the student being taught, It's the teacher because they are learning, teaching, and bearing testimony. "One who keeps, She loses. One who shares, she grows" ~ President Monson. You are in a wonderful opportunity to help others grow and also yourself. You are doing what me and Annie are doing. Learning, teaching, and bearing testimony. Each time you do this, the Spirit confirms will confirm to you of the truthfullness of this Gospel and you are growing stronger and stronger in faith of Christ. Enjoy it :)

Mom: That is great that you finished the lights. I am grateful that you have put them up. Just please be careful I do love you so please keep doing what you are doing. Take your time. It is not silly at all, it is smart.

Dad: Thanks for your letter it really helps me out. All of them. You have been a great leader to me. You have helped me out by your example. I hope that things are going good for work, church, and all your other responsiblilties. Who are you home teaching now? Who is your partner?

I love you all. Remember to tell me otherwise you might get something you might not like.

Love your favorite Elder, Brother, and Son,

Elder Landon Webb

p.s. I am trying to send some picture so I hope that you can all get them. The place with the waterfall is called the Devils Punch bowl and a cross that is by there. There is also Toronto across part of Lake Ontario. This view is from our appartment!