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

I'm Leavin' on a Jet Plane

Well I'm not leavin' on a jet plane, but I am leaving Elko. I can't decide if I should be excited for a change, or if I should cry because I'm going to miss everyone so stinkin' much!!! 9 months in one area is hard on the heart when you have to leave it. I'm headed over to Sparks! I will be serving in the Highland Ranch ward with Sister Shepperd who ironically was Sister Purcell's MTC companion. Sister Purcell when she found out who I would be serving with was so upset. She thinks sister Shepperd and I are going to talk stink about her! haha! I'll let ya know the address next Monday!

 

This week was rough. All of our investigators were out of town for spring break. Everyone in Elko leaves the first chance they get. No one stays here for holidays. We met with S. and her sister at Cool Beans. We talked about missionary work and service. S. is considering serving a mission now!! It's exciting. She has such a bright future ahead of her. I'm a miss that girl! Her sister wants to be baptized now too! S. is an awesome missionary!

Rodeo is still Rodeo. He is so funny. He wants to know everything before he makes any decisions, but we feel like he has already received an answer, but that there is something holding him back. Faith Rodeo faith. He brought up a great question the last time we were over. He asked so what is the difference between getting a tattoo and coloring your hair? We tried to explain that one is a little bit more permanent than the other, but that didn't fly for him. He brought up a great point because of course, our bodies are temples. So now I kind of feel like I'm being held to a higher standard.... Which is funny that he brought it up, because that monday before I wanted to color my hair auburn again. So who knows if I will color it or not. He says he is going to come up to the stake center to watch conference!! 

We helped T. paint baby brother's bedroom. She's going to have him April 28th. We've been calling him baby brother since she has decided on a name yet. I'm so sad! I've been here for her whole pregnancy, but I'm missing the good part of being able to see the cute little stinker!! She's doing great though! We invited her to watch conference! I hope she'll be able to! She needs all the support she can get. 

 

The General Women's Broadcast was awesome! Sister Purcell and I bawled the whole time! It's fine!! It was soooo good! 

      I love and miss you all! 

           Sister Fish

Another Monday in Elko

Well Hello over yonder!!!

So the transfer is coming to a close! It is already week 6! I can't believe it! It has gone by so fast. I am starting to freak out! I can't imagine leaving Elko or not having Sister Purcell as my comp. Everyone in the ward keeps predicting that a change is coming... that Sister Purcell and I are both leaving! So I'll let you know what happens next Monday!

This week was crazy! Early Tuesday morning the zone leaders called! This is what they said, "Sisters, we have bad news, President called this morning..." Our hearts stopped. We were freaking out! What did we do? Why are we being sent home? haha! Then they proceeded to tell us that Bruce, the third member of our companionship (the car we've been driving around in since October), was being moved to Ely. We yelled at those Elders! "We don't car that we won't have a car anymore, It's the Lord's car anyways!!" So ever since last Tuesday, we have been on foot. Which has actually helped the work in the area a lot! Hopefully the weather holds up! 

Rodeo is doing great! Still progressing, but not all at the same time. His faith has increased so much, and it's almost like he thinks it needs to be at a certain point before he is baptized. He is continuing to read from the Book of Mormon and praying, but he just won't come to church. We even offered to walk with him last week! So hopefully we will be able to follow the spirit and help him resolve whatever concern he has so he can continue to come unto Christ. 

Ryan is doing great! He is reading and praying and wants to be baptized, but unfortunately his family doesn't want him to be baptized. Ryan has told us that as soon as he graduates and is 18 he wants to make promises with God! Which that is a ways out, but we are just grateful to be helping him to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We met with both Brother K's on Wednesday! Both of their wives are members, but they are not. Both have been investigating the church since they were married! For one, it's been 30 years!! So we know that they know the discussions and what we believe. Bro Myers' invited Bro. K #2 to read about Joseph Smith's experience and to pray. The Esplin's came to our lesson with Bro. K #1. We invited him to read from the Book of Mormon again and to pray to know if it's true. He is afraid of change. After being a part of one religious tradition for so long, he doesn't want to budge. It must be scary! Mom... I just wanted to say thank you for budging! For having the courage to act on the answer's you received. Because you acted, my life is forever changed! I love you mom!!

Saturday was painted filled! T. is working on painting bedrooms in her home for her kids. Sister Purcell and I spent all day helping her do it! We only painted one little room and it took FOREVER! Hopefully for the next room, we are all pros now and it will go by much faster. We are also hoping to include members of the ward on the next room! 

S. had an interview with the Bishop last Sunday and now has a temple recommend! Hopefully, she will be able to head over to Utah soon to do baptisms in the temple! She is such an example to her family and friends! We had her 2nd new member lesson last night. S. brought her sister and now her sister wants to be baptized! It's exciting! It is an exciting time for the youth because that is truly who the Lord is preparing to receive His gospel!

I wanted to leave ya with a quote today that Donna shared with us...

               

          " I shall pass through this world but once, if therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can say, it would be now. Let me not defer it or neglect it,for I shall not pass this way again." 

I love you all lots! Miss ya like crazy! Ya'll are the best support a girl could ask for!!

                               Sister Fish 

Baptism, Baptism, Baptism

So... Top of the mornin' to ya. Are we Irish at all? Just asking. So how are ya'll?!?! This week was pretty amazing!!! 

On Tuesday, we met with our investigator who was in a rodeo accident when he was in high school (I'm just going to refer to him as rodeo from here on out). Rodeo is doing so well. We went over God's plan for all of us to be able to return to live with him. He understood all of it and has been reading the Book of Mormon. Rodeo says that he is beginning to believe that what we are saying is true! YEAH! We saw him again on Sunday and read through 2 Nephi chapter 4 with him. He is awesome! We love him lots! We think that he might think that he needs X-amount of faith to be baptized, but we know that baptism shows great faith! All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains so, how much do you need for everything else? Not very much! 

We had dinner with S. and her family Tuesday evening. We really wanted to get over and meet her family before her baptism on Saturday. I've got to be honest. I was kind of nervous! It was like I was meeting my future in laws or something. (Weird analogy I know, but yeah). I wasn't sure how her parents would react, but it was awesome. Her family is great! They had us over for dinner and they are super supportive of S's decision to be baptized!! After dinner, we went over to the church with S. for her baptismal interview! She passed!! Baptism for Saturday was a go!

Friday, we went on exchanges. I went with Sister Wilcox into 2nd ward boundaries. It was a lot of fun. I feel like I learned a lot as well and it really helped me to grow as a mission. So it was awesome! We seriously stopped and talked with everyone on the street! It was great! We also met with a 15 yr. old who is investigating the church. Seriously it is amazing to me that all the young people are wanting to strengthen their relationship with Christ. It is awesome!!! 

I could hardly sleep Friday night because I was so stinkin' excited for S's baptism. Sister Purcell and I are so control freaky that we stopped by earlier in the day to make sure someone was there to fill the font. We made sure that everything was set up perfectly and ready to go. The baptism was at 4:30pm on March 15th, a day that I won't soon forget!! So many of the ward members were there to support her! Non-member friends were there too! Girls from the dance team and her whole family came. It was incredible. There were so many people there that most everyone had to stand to watch the baptism. The spirit was so strong!! It was awesome!! Elder M ended up performing the baptism. Like any teenage girl, she noticed how cute he was and said "I want him to baptize me!" haha. So it all worked out. Hopefully some day they get married. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! 

Brother Goulding confirmed S. a member of the church on Sunday and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was an amazing blessing! She is going to be an amazing influence to her friends and family! Sister Purcell's family sent leis so after sacrament meeting, we went over and put them on her. She is so happy! She was trying to hold back tears all throughout the blessing. Love her lots!! 

That was pretty much the week in a nut shell!! Sunday night we taught S. her first lesson as a new member! It was great! I know that baptism truly is the gate to greater blessings and to living with God again! I know that we will see Him again and live with Him after this life on Earth. I love and miss you all like crazy!! 

       Sister Fish