3/20/13

Annie’s Letter

Hello wonderful family of mine! It's the first day of spring! And there's not snow on the ground! That makes for one very happy sister missionary in the land of Montgomery! It is still cold here though. But the sun is shining and the skies are clear! And it is getting a little warmer. Apparently on Saturday it's supposed to be 70 degrees! yay! It's been a long cold winter. Yes mom, lots of layers. Thermals, tights, leggings, socks, fuzzy socks, sweat pants, boots. We learn how to layer up and keep real warm haha.

This week was...a long time ago haha. We are working on creating a 2-2-5 binder. This is a binder that every area is supposed to have. Since we came into a new area we are creating one. It's a long process. Our area book was empty when we got it, so we are working on filling that up, but trying to keep the former investigator section empty and just fill up the recent converts! haha. But we didn't have a 2-2-5 binder and that is SO important. SO we are trying to take some non-productive time and work on that so that our planning can be more effective and we can increase our finding! We are discovering that there are a TON of part member families and SO many prospective elders! So we are excited to be able to utilize that wonderful resource...just as soon as we get it resourceful. 2-2-5 binders have info on all the members. So it is broken down into mini areas and then we can see what members, less active members, part member families, prospective elders, potential investigators, former investigators and so on live in a specific area. It really helps with planning so I'm super excited to get that all put together. Plus, I think it's fun to make. It's organizing stuff! FUN! So we in the great Ohio, make breakfast every Sunday to help get people to church. We found an investigator 2 weeks ago, his name is Ryan. He is super open minded and willing to learn. We had a return appointment on the following Wednesday and he wasn't there. :-( So Sunday morning we decided to drop by some cinnamon rolls and invite him to church. So we did. He said "ya, I'll go, just let me get cleaned up so I don't look like such a rag-a-muffin." What's a rag-a-muffin anyway? ... So he came to church and the members just completely took charge. He sat with the Stevens, Bro. Davis introduced himself and took him to Sunday School and Priesthood. The members were all super friendly. Most everyone introduced themselves to him, and the ones that didn't thought he was a member. The Bishop explained that we have a different vocab and Ryan said "I'll learn it" and after church he was talking to us about "elders quorum" and stuff. It was awesome. So he came up to us after church and said "so the elders said that there were lessons I could take, and I needed to talk to you." We just smiled and set up an appointment for tonight! He is really excited. The reason he wasn't there last Wednesday was because he had to work late. But on Sunday he said "I'll just tell them I have to go. I'll be there." It was great. He is super awesome. Another awesome story... The same Wednesday that Ryan wasn't there, earlier that day Sister Johnson and I were tracting (exchanges) and we tracted into David who said "I was praying for guidance just last night, and now you're here. That's odd." So we went back yesterday and had the most amazing lesson ever! We had an incredible member with us, Sis Winther. She is the most bombin ward missionary ever! She has a huge testimony of missionary work and makes it a priority. She served a mission in Sweden a long time ago which is super cool! She's just awesome! And we talked about the restoration of the gospel . The spirit was really strong and it was just so great. We have a return appointment on Friday, he is coming to the baptism on Saturday and then to church on Sunday. It's awesome. It's amazing how the Lord really does prepare people to receive the gospel. Everyone is ready at different times. Sometimes that boggles my mind. Shouldn't everyone always be ready? It's the gospel, who wouldn't want that?! But then I have to back up for a second and remember that everyone has agency and that if Heavenly Father wanted everyone ready at the same time to accept the gospel, they would. But that's not how the plan works.

I am so grateful to see how the work is progressing! I'm grateful to be a part of such a wonderful army, marching in the ranks of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. HOW GREAT IS MY CALLING!

OH SOME SUPER IMPORTANT INFORMATION! MISSIONARIES ARE NOW ALLOWED TO EMAIL EVERYONE AND ANYONE! SO PLEASE POST MY EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE BLOG AND ALSO ON FACEBOOK SO PEOPLE SEND ME EMAILS! Thanks! But also encourage them to still send me letters too :-)

So another cool connection to the Neiderer's. My friend from the MTC, elder Taylor, is serving in New Zealand. They had a zone conference a little while ago and guess who he met?! Elder Neiderer!So that's pretty exciting! It's such a small world!

Mom and Dad you guys are awesome! Thanks for the gold! We also had green pancakes on St. Patrick's day! and also green eggs. It was exciting. I was so stoked to get gold! I'm glad the leprechauns didn't forget me :-) Seriously, you're the best ever. We are so lucky to have such wonderful parents. I am just so thankful every day for you guys. You raised us so well! You taught us to be respectful and to be good people, but also to have fun. I've discovered that a lot of people just don't have that balance. It's really quite sad. :-( So thanks! Also, tell Ed and Grandpa to get feeling better soon and I love them! Tell the whole extended family that! I just got a letter from Aunt DeAnn. I love getting letters from her! They are greatly appreciated :-)

Megan and Justin I'm glad things are going well for you! I'm excited to meet your boys someday! I'm sad that I missed the whole puppy stage :-( Do you have fun plans for the summer?

Natalie and Jon it sounds like things are going awesome for you two! I'm so glad! Enjoy temple prep! and how special to be taking it with Jon's parents! That's just super awesome! I am so proud of both of you!

Rachel what is this seminary mission thing? I'm super confused about the whole thing.... So if you could explain that, it'd be great. I hope everything is going great for you! Hang in there, summer is coming!

Well dearest family of mine, I love you all and hope you have a great week! I'll email again on Monday! Oh, today is pday because tomorrow is transfers. I probably won't go anywhere because we are new to the area and in the middle of training, but you never know! :-) Have a FANTABULOUS day!

Annie