We have Reason to Rejoice

Hola!!

So the weeks are slowly, but surely getting more busy here in Sparks. Before I came, the area was split, so now we are working on building our area back up again. I just wish I weren't so lazy. Thinking about all the work we have to do, just makes me tired. 

We had interviews with our mission President this past week. He told me of the story of Alma, how he wasn't finding or baptizing anyone, until he met Amulek. The one. Amulek was being prepared by the Lord. The phrase that stood out to me was "we have reason to rejoice." Remember that no matter what trial you are going through there is always reason to rejoice! 

For all of those who are asking. I am doing GREAT!!! I love my mission, the people, and my companion! I know that this is really Christ's church and I am grateful to share that knowledge with everyone.

We met with Patrick this week and he has some very interesting views on a lot of things. And he has a lot to say about nothing. He is pretty awesome though! His brother was baptized last year and his testimony is continuing to grow. We plan on going through the lessons at least once more before his baptism on May 29th.

Our ward mission leader went out to a potential investigator's home with us. He told them of his conversion and how he wasn't searching for a church because he was content being catholic, but how much happier he has been after "stumbling" upon the LDS church. That is where they are at. They are very content, but could be so much happier if they would accept the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was heartbreaking when they said no, not at this time. But there is still hope that one day they will be open to taking the discussions! 

Another investigator we met with this week was Lady. She says that she came out of the womb Lutheran. Currently she is searching for a "brighter" religion. She feels that the Lutheran church isn't quite right for her anymore. Except it was funny how when we were over discussing the plan of salvation with her, it seemed that she was trying to fit everything into her Lutheran views. She has been reading the Book of Mormon though, but hasn't felt that it is true yet. She said that she expects to feel peace from the Holy Spirit. After many invitations from us and from fellowshippers, she still has not attended sacrament meeting yet. She says that she doesn't want to be influenced at all by the people, just completely by the spirit. It still seems like she isn't quite ready to give up/let go of 60 plus years of being Lutheran. I just don't know what to do with Lady. She is searching, but she's not.

There are a lot of potential investigators here and lots to do, lots to do!!

 Tell Preston that I love him lots! He is going to be an amazing missionary and is going to do incredible things in Mexico!

I love you all so much!! Thank you for your constant support and prayers! Sorry it's short and I didn't even write one last week, or did I, I can't remember. 

I know that families are eternal through God's power (the priesthood), we are bound to them with everlasting ties!! Pray hard, work hard, and the Lord's hand will guide you!!!! I have seen that so many times throughout my mission!! 

       

             Love your guts!!

                     Sister Fish

P.S. what is Preston's mailing address?! and what are the rules on what I can and cannot send?! 

4th week in Sparks already?!?!

Hey everybody!!

Sorry this one is going to be short, I didn't really look at / budget my time very well this week! It was a slow week, so not much to say anyways!! haha!

We met with both Danner families this week! They are hilarious! They both live on the edge of our ward, up in the hills, away from everyone else! They are amazing families! We visited them on Sunday since it was Easter and all! The funniest thing happened while we were there... their dog peed all over my bag! Yeah, it was pretty nasty but funny all at the same time! 

We found some new investigators this week, which was pretty much the high point of the week! One of them is a giant! Seriously he is so so so tall, but so sweet!! He is awesome too! He's a spiritualist and believes all that we believe, but just defines it differently! We have an appointment with him this next week so we'll see what happens! He said that he'd been wondering when the mormon missionaries would show up! 

I'm slowly getting used to the area! I finally don't have to ask Sister Sheppard for directions all the time! I still don't know all the people! I especially don't know anyone in the ward, but guess who I got to meet.... Sister Ross!! (She is the Bowden's daughter!) The world is so unbelievably small sometimes! :) 

That's all I got for this week! Work hard, Pray hard, and Love much! That's the words of wisdom I got for ya! I am so grateful for Easter! That we are able to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and He loves us more than we can comprehend! I hope you all remember that you are never alone because He knows all that you are going through! Turn to Him when you need comfort, and you will find peace!! 

              Much love and Lots of Hugs!! 

                          Sister Fish

Greetings from Sparks

Aloha!!!

 

Oh my goodness this week has been crazy crazy crazy! I feel like I know nothing. I don't know anyone or anything! This past week, I finally started to figure out our area! All the roads and everything. I'm glad that I am the designated driver or else I wouldn't know any of the streets at all!! I am so glad we actually had church this week as well, because I was finally able to meet some of the members!! 

I just have to comment on how crazy this place is! The library I am sitting in right now is basically a yurt. It is that shape anyways and of course, structurally sound. It's crazy. Every home in our area is in a gated community too! They are all super cookie cutter as well! Very cute at first, but after a while, I am starting to miss the variety of home architecture that is elsewhere. 

I still am not sure how I like it here. I am really trying to love it here, but now when I refer to home, I mean Elko! haha! It's good though. The ward is great and they are very supportive of the missionaries. Now we just need to get them doing their own missionary work. Like the prophets have said, it will be a great day when members not only pray for missionaries, but pray for their own missionary opportunities! (so hint hint, pray for your own missionary opportunities! :)

So the past couple of weeks have been spring break here, so I really haven't had a chance to meet any of our investigators yet. That's fun! The previous sisters here have been trying to get in contact with a family of recent converts, but they didn't have much luck. Sister Sheppard and I were able to meet with them this past week! They are going through a lot right now, but we were able to get the Elders over to bless their home and to give the mom a priesthood blessing. They were also at church which was fantastic! We are going to start the new member lessons with them soon too! 

Not much else to say! I am still adjusting! I love and miss you all buckets and buckets! Hope things are good!

              Sister Fish

Week of Changes

Wingappo....

Soooo, I am no longer in Elko. I seriously, almost thought that I was going to serve my whole mission there! Monday and Tuesday were full of good-byes! Then Wednesday was a lot of driving! It was great! I haven't been on the open road in forever!! 

So now, here I am in Sparks. The roads are so confusing. Seriously there are so many streets here. And the speed limits don't max out at 35 mph, what? Where have I come to? The houses are really nice and everyone is loaded, I swear. It's great though! Sister Sheppard is awesome and is helping me to get to know the people and the area!! 

And get this. I am no longer living with members! It is weird, so weird. We live in an apartment complex. 4 other sets of missionaries live in it too, and one of those sets actually lives with us. Sisters Bradley and Irwin live with us! Love it! Sister Bradley was in the same MTC zone as me! It's kind of weird though. It feels a little like college. But it's all good!! 

Conference was amazing! Both days, we watched it at member's homes. I felt like every talk was directed right to me! Obviously I need a lot of help! Loved it! Hearing from the Prophet and Apostles was incredible like always! 

There is not much else to say because I don't know very much yet! I'm sure by next week I will be writing a novel!

Love and miss you all!!

              Sister Fish

Oh and here is my new mailing address...

                         6717 Rolling Meadows Dr.  APT 1125

                            Sparks, NV 89436