July 28, 2014

Fam and Friends!

 

I hope everyone is doing well!! We had a great week!! Ever since the beginning of the transfer, Sister Ashworth and I have been praying very specifically to witness a baptism in this area by the end of August. We've been working hard to find and to teach.. and have kind of been expecting this big miracle to arise.. from including this in each of our prayers. Well, we met with Ben and Natalie yesterday and they've been investigating since November.. they come to church every week and they can meet every other week. Yesterday in our lesson.. we invited them to be baptized on SEPT. 13th and they asked if they could do it earlier.. AH, what?! It's incredible to see how their testimonies have grown.. how Natalie has overcome her concerns through prayer and now they feel that they are ready to receive the blessings from baptism! We realized that it was them all along and that we should focus on these people that the Lord has ALREADY blessed us with to teach. It's been extremely humbling to see the Lord's hand in this work and that he truly does answer our prayers when we ask in faith, but in his timing. They are praying about AUG.30th and want to receive a firmer testimony of the Book of Mormon as they prepare :)

 

We had a very interesting experience this week! We met with Jimbo at a member's home and they also invited one of our other investigator's who they introduced to the church.. Sean. Jimbo loves the bible.. hates the Book of Mormon. And Sean Loves the Book of Mormon and hates the bible. Haha.. so you can imagine how fun that was! We watched the restoration video.. which is so powerful. But Jimbo brought up his same concerns.. We're really stuck with him because he reads, he prays, he comes to church, but he's not progressing in the sense that he's really opening his heart and mind to the fullness of the gospel. We've shared with him scriptures and insights and emphasized that the Book of Mormon really is the tangible evidence of the Restoration.. Joseph Smith and every thing. We can testify all day and we can only do so much.. it comes down to HIS faith and desire.

 

AH it's so frustrating, because we love him so much.

 

We also met with David again this week! He's doing Awesome! When he first met us he told us that he has always felt close to God, and has felt the spirit, but in recent years.. has felt that feeling has been missing. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and really emphasized the gift of the Holy Ghost and that he will have that constant companionship.. I'm realizing what a blessing that is, especially as a missionary. We'll be meeting with him and his girl friend this week!

 

I read a talk this week by Tad R. Callister, "Joseph Smith- The prophet of the restoration".. so good. It's such a blessing to know these truths and that the fullness of the gospel has been restored. The Lord is so involved in our lives.. I can't imagine that he wouldn't provide us with the guidance that we need. We have that guidance through living day prophets.. the Book of Mormon and the bible. This is something so hard for people to understand and yet they know that he is all loving and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God is unchangeable and his work is not yet finished. We can easily get caught up in doubt, but if we just hold on to what we know and read we will only draw closer to him and His Son. It seems so simple.. but this really can make all the difference!

 

I love you all!!

 

Sister James

July 28, 2014

Sister James in beautiful Santa Barbara!

 

Santa Barbara chapel

Sister Ashworth and Sister James

July 21, 2014

Family and friends!!

 

We've had another wonderful week in SB! We've been keeping very busy with a lot of appointments and the work is really moving forward in this area. We have been meeting with our new investigators and kind of weeding them out or seeing who really has that desire to learn and to know if our message is true.

 

SO, Jimbo came to our Book of Mormon class on Tuesday night and we were all able to talk to him about where his desires lay and basically what keeps drawing him to come back! He promised that he would stop looking up "mormon" on the internet and go to the source.. lds.org and mormon.org. We met with him on Wednesday and he told us that he had been reflecting on the question Sister Brown, Sister Casper, Sister Ashworth and I had asked him the previous night. He said, "I keep coming back because I feel loved here.. you care about me and I feel that the Lord loves me." We then had an awesome lesson on the spirit and recognizing the spirit.. we also taught the Plan of Salvation (we meet with him 2-3 times a week). We are slowly seeing that change in him and his heart is definitely softening.. he even prayed with us! Which he has been avoiding. We really do love him and care for him and we were happy to know that he feels that and that through that sincere love and charity.. he's being drawn to the gospel!

 

5 of our investigators came to church, which was such a blessing! The topic was perfect.. Brother Nelson gave a talk on the importance of prayer and that when we ask Heavenly Father with faith.. direct questions, we receive direct answers. Each of these individuals are praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true.. to know if Joseph Smith is a prophet and praying about baptism, so it was definitely inspired. One of our new investigators David is doing AWESOME! We taught him

the Plan of Salvation this week and he has been reading the Book of Mormon. He's very genuine and sincere and truly seeking for the truth.. he's been to several churches, but always felt like something was missing in each of them. He really enjoyed church and is progressing well! Another new investigator, Jim came to church and he was just soaking it all up. He loved it!!

 

We haven't been able to get a hold of Jamie and Charlie, but we hope to this week! We have a great week ahead of us!! I came across a quote in Preach my gospel in my studies this week that I really like. I'm not sure if I have already shared it before.. President David O. Mckay says, "True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. THIS is the spirit of missionary work." I KNOW that hearts are changed when we develop that sincere love for others and see them as Heavenly Father would. It's about developing that love for them. I do love these people.. they are so special to me! I know that this is Christ's church and it has been restored. Keep praying for the opportunity to share your testimony and your light with others.. When we pray directly, we receive direct answers. He listens.. he loves us all!

 

Funny story: Sister Ashworth and I walked up to this guy and after talking for a bit.. we realized that he wasn't all there. He told us he composed the music in Braveheart and all these crazy things that obviously weren't true haha He then told us he got released from jail two weeks ago. We were trying to head out because he started making some weeeeird comments. THEN he leaned in and tried to kiss me!!! I dodged, but then he grabbed sis. Ashworth's hand and kissed it and then we started running and he CHASED us! He finally gave up. Haha don't worry mom, we were safe. You never know what you're gonna get in Santa Barbara..Have a good week every one :)

 

Sister James

July 21, 2014

The field is white

Family and friends!!

I don't even know how to begin to tell you how amazing this week has been! I've truly had some life changing experiences this week and we met so many prepared individuals.. The Lord blessed us with nine new people to teach and those we met genuinely have the desire and are searching for truth.. It's been incredible to see the Lord orchestrate this work and place these people in our path. It's been extremely humbling. I wish I had time to share all of them, but I will share a few!

We had exchanges this week.. they are always great!! I always come away motivated and they always help me realize that I can push myself even more and I'm capable of more. My goal for exchanges was persistence and being rejected 3 times before moving on.. so sister Hegstrom was the perfect missionary to help me with that haha.. She's sooo bold. I love it! She's someone I really look up to and admire. Their exchange message really touched me about the importance of our purpose and that our purpose is more than just something we recite every day.. We also talked about WHY we are persistent. It's because we love these people! And most of the time, they don't even know what they are rejecting, so we have to do every thing we can to share this message because the gospel really is for EVERY ONE. We saw a lot of miracles on Tuesday.. One in particular, that really touched me. We were street contacting and we came across this woman named Syra (She goes by Rob). I actually met Rob on that same street, last transfer with Sister Xayadeth. She accepted a Book of Mormon, when we met her the first time and explained that she lived in Goleta. We really didn't do much about it the first time we met her, and I know that Heavenly Father was blessing me with a second chance. She was thrilled to see us and she had been thinking a lot about our first contact.. We emphasized prayer and she told us she has never prayed. We then taught her how to pray and she said a beautiful prayer. We met with her again on Friday and taught the restoration. She said that prayer has already helped her in so many ways and she will pray about the things we are teaching and the Book of Mormon. She said that once she comes to know that these things are true, she would be baptized.. she explained, "No one has ever told my that I am a child of God." Ah.. soo cool.

We met with Jimbo twice this week and he came to church. He still has his concerns.. and part of the reason is because he looked up "mormon" on wikipedia.. nooo. haha We are trying to clear up all the junk he saw. but we had a member at our lesson and it was defintely more powerful than our other meetings. Our other meetings always seem to be more of a bash and that's the exact opposite of what we want. He still has a problem with a modern day prophet and The book of Mormon, but he is willing to continue to read and pray.. We care for him and love him so much. It's so important to see these people how heavenly father would.

Greatest miracle: We met Jamie and Charlie this week.. oh my goodness, they are amazing. Jamie has been less-active for years and her fiance Charlie has always had such firm faith in God, but has always felt that something was missing. Charlie referred himself through church HQ and they want this more than any thing for their future family.. The first thing they said when we sat down was, "When can we go to the temple? How can we be together forever?" It was so powerful.. Charlie has been on his own since he was 15 years old and his mom passed away when he was just three years old.. We talked about eternal families and he got extremely emotional. We talked about temple work for our family and genealogy and that is something he is soo excited about. They expressed several times that they just want to feel loved and feel that they are part of this eternal family.. Jamie was very emotional.. she has such a powerful testimony and she even told us, that she has never doubted any of it and she couldn't help but miss the spirit she felt. Before we could ask any thing they expressed all of their desires.. baptism, reading and praying, attending church, every thing. Sister Ashworth and I just kept looking at each other, "is this real?!" They are so great.. They want to get married as soon as possible and Charlie wants to enter the waters of baptism as soon as he can. I've never met someone with such great desire to feel the atonement of Christ in their lives and to follow him. 

Yesterday, Sister Ashworth and I had an experience that was unforgettable. We were knocking a less-active members door and a couple minutes prior, a cyclist rode by. He turned around and called out to us.. he said, "I don't know why, but I felt impressed to turn around and talk to you two." He then recognized our name tags and started asking amazing questions.. He told us that he is actually on a "spiritual search" right now and has always wanted to look into the mormon religion. He then asked us about eternal families.. he explained to us that his brother and father have passed away.. he began to weep. He said "I want to know where they are.. if I will be with them." Sister Ashworth and I had the opportunity to bear testimony that He WILL be with his family again and we know exactly where they are. We taught parts of the plan of Salvation and the restoration as well.. This grown man, in his tears, expressed his gratitude to us for allowing him to know that there is a plan. It's moments like that, that change your life.. holy cow.

I have never felt closer to my heavenly father and have never felt greater joy than I have in my life.. This work is incredible. I know it's real and I know that their are individuals in this area.. God's children, who are ready to receive the gospel. I've been thinking a lot about D&C 12:8 and how we really cannot assist in this work unless we are humble and willing to submit ourselves completely to him.

Sister James

I don't ever want to leave Santa Barbara!

Hey all!

 

So, I came to the conclusion this week.. that I would be okay with serving the rest of my mission in Santa Barbara. I love the people.. I love the work here. So many people to talk to and so many opportunities to share the gospel. This week was so great. I already love sister Ashworth. I always get disappointed that my companions get transferred and then I always love my new one haha. We have been together for a short time, but have already witnessed many miracles. We are already so unified and work really well together!! What I enjoy most about serving with her, is we have the same goals and dedication to this work.. She likes to work and I like to work. Within our first ten minutes here in Santa Barbara, we had a powerful lesson, just in the Trader Joes parking lot!! She's from Georgia (but doesn't have an accent and every one bugs her about it haha). We have 14 missionaries in our district.. and more sisters than elders.. ah!!

 

The Lord placed so many wonderful people in our path this week! On Wednesday, we had planned to see a few potentiels and knock a street, but we felt impressed to do some street contacting on a different street. We found two new investigators! (We passed one off to the YSA elders) and a man who was very interested in attending church. His name is Josue and he actually contacted us on Saturday, letting us know that he would try to make it next week! Such a miracle. HE texted us.. that never happens ha!! We also met with Jimbo!! Jimbo is a homeless man (so we may be passing him off to the elders) he has such a good heart.. he's just a very geniune person, but has had a super rought ife. The other Sister's actually met him and invited him to church.. he came yesterday and ast week. When we talked to him this week he mentioned that he had a lot of questions about the Book of Mormon and really enjoyed our gospel principles class.The lesson was on honesty and he had such great insight.. he has a very powerful spirit about him and we are very excited to be meeting with him this week!

We met with our investigator Marge twice this week. She is 87 years old and actually has a grand son, who is a member of the church. Sister X and I found her a couple weeks ago and she said we could come back. We taught her the plan of salvation this week and she said it was a "perfect plan." We really focused on how this plan will bring her so much joy and centered it on eternal families. She is pretty sharp for 87, but we are seeking out a way to help her attend church, so she can feel the spirit there. She grew up attending the congregational church, but never really devoted herself to it. She has a firm belief in Christ, so it has been great to help her enhance that!!
We met a man named John, street contacting on Saturday! We had a really godd conversation about change and the atonement, so we invited him to meet with us. He politely denied, so we put our phone number on the back of the pamphlet we gave him, just in case he had changed his mind or had any questions. Well, yesterday he called us and expressed that he wanted to meet with us and learn more! Such a blessing.. I know that Heavenly Father is directing this work. As we show him that we are willing to serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, he will place those who are ready ito recieve the gospel in our path. This transfer I am really focusing on listening in sincerity and really focusing on the needs of those we meet. I've already felt the spirit filling my mouth and I'm understanding how important it is to truly listen before we open our mouth and share. I have also been reflecting on the love I feel for my savior and how I feel his presence in my life more than ever before. I know that this work is so important and as we rely on him and trust in him (when we do see those miracles), he will bless us!! Thanks for all the support and prayers. Love you all so much!!

Sister James

District with smoothies!

 

Good times in Santa Barbara!

HEY GUYS!

 Well, I'm staying in SB!! Sister X. is leaving :( She will be white-wash training and will do great, but I have loved serving with her!! It was too short, but we saw so many miracles this transfer. This week was so great.. We had a mission conference since President and Sister Castro will be finishing their service this week. It was bitter-sweet and they expressed that they are happy to be done, because they have fulfilled their calling .. and more. They have truly done so much for this mission and are the perfect examples of putting the Lord first. President focused on the authority of our calling as full time missionaries and how we gain Heavenly Father's trust. Heavenly father has already showed his love.. we never have to worry about his love for us, because the greatest manifestation of his love was by sending his son. Being a powerful missionary comes in the choices we make and it's important to gain the lord's trust. He explained that change and transition is healthy! and said something that really stuck with me.. "Every day is a symbol of the atonement." We can always be better with each coming day.. the atonement sustains us and it's power is real!

 We met with Ben and Natalie! Oh my goodness.. it was amazing. The spirit was filling our mouths and they felt it.. we felt it. Natalie has had such a change of heart. We taught obedience, prayer, and scripture study and focused on the importance of how these things will help them overcome their concerns.. we really focused on how the gospel will bless their marriage and Elizabeth (Their baby) We invited them to be baptized and they said they have the desire.. they want to be and they know it's all true. We have not committed them to a date because Ben is a little worried about his Turkish background... being from the middle east and his Muslim background, there are some risks involved, especially with his family back in turkey. They are going to be praying and fasting about it.. but the lesson was extremely powerful and It definitely wasn't us. It was all the spirit! It's sooo important to be worthy vessels and have that spirit with us because I we cannot teach without it.

 Well, I'm running out of time, but I love you all!! I know that this gospel is true and that this work is real. It's not about me, but I'm starting to see the change in myself.. I know that we can always become more converted and we can learn something new each day. I've been called to teach the gospel, but I am taught every day and I've never felt such greater joy! Thank you for your prayers and support and s!!! :) I love you all!!!

 6-23-2014

Sister James and Lisa
 

Saying goodbye to Pres and Sis Castro

Beautiful Sister Missionaries!

 

 

 

 

 

The power of prayer is REAL

FAMILY!!

 We had a great week full of miracles and tender mercies! Sister Xayadeth and I have been praying fervently as to how we can continue to hasten the work in this area. We both agreed that we would find more success if we used our car less and walked more. We live out of our area, so we've been driving and then walking the rest of the day. We had the opportunity to talk to so many people and we were much more effective. I know that seeds were planted and we also had met a few new investigators and set up a lot of return appointments, so I'm excited for this week!!  This transfer has FLOWN. (is that a word?) I'm so stupid haha any way, it's gone by reaaally fast and I really want to stay with Sis X. Every one says we talk the same and we have the same mannerisms.. it's kind of freaky.

 We are still setting goals as to how we can help our ward become more excited about missionary work. We've been getting to know them more each week and focusing on gaining their trust. 85% of the members in our area are less-active, so we've been doing A LOT of less active work. We met with Lisa this week and did some service for her!  Ah, she is so precious. I love her. She is disabled, but truly one of the most Christ-like people I have ever met. We've been talking to her a lot about how the Lord knows her strength and knows that she can handle the trials she is facing. She has such a strong spirit and I feel it every time we visit with her.. she came to church yesterday, which was a huge blessing! She calls us every day to make sure we are okay haha. She asks us to share scriptures and messages over the phone if we don't have time to go over that day.

 MIRACLE: We invited Natalie to our relief society dinner activity pretty last minute, but she came! It was such a blessing because she has been having the same concern about our church being different from other protestant churches. She has some great fellowship and she had a conversation with Sister Lind. Sister Lind had the same exact concerns as Natalie just a few years ago before she joined the church.  She told Natalie that the Lord knew her family was ready to receive the fullness of the gospel and that is why he placed her on this path at this particular time. She bore powerful testimony on how this will only enhance her faith and relationship with Christ, not tear it down. Natalie is pretty serious, but she got very emotional and when we spoke with her at church yesterday, she had a different glow about her.. she was friendly and we set up a return appt.!!

 Again, there are so many crazy people here.. hahaha. If I could just record some moments and send them home.. I've never seen weirder things.

 The power of prayer is REAL. As we turn to the Lord, and then act, we witness miracles. I know there are some of God's choice children in this area, who are ready to receive the gospel and are prepared. I know that once we lose ourselves in the service of God, we develop a better understanding of HIS love. I love this work!!

LOVE,

Sister James
 

The ensign was sooo good this month.. every one, go read it!

" Don't worry about your clumisly expressed feelings.  Just talk to your father. He hears EVERY prayer and answers it in his way. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, he will answer. He will not fail us."

- Richard G. Scott

June 16, 2014

Sister X and Sister James representing SB!

 

Obey with exactness

Hello family!!

 

We've had a good week here in Santa Barbara! A lot of our appointments fell through this week, BUT that's okay :) We are going to be meeting some awesome people this week, so that will be good! Something so special that I've come to develop here on my mission.. is the ability to recognize the spirit and the Lord's hand in this work. We couldn't do it without him. I've never had to rely on the spirit more. "If ye have not the spirit, ye shall not teach." I walk up to someone and I don't know what I want to say.. but I have the courage to open my mouth and It all falls into place because the spirit is prompting me what I need to say to that specific person!

 

We met with Ben and Natalie this week. They've been going to church since December, but it's very difficult to set up appointments with them. I've never met with them except for when we dropped of Natalie's Russian Book Of Mormon (She's Russian) and Ben is from Turkey! Well, we have been praying for the opportunity to meet with Ben and Natalie in each of our prayers, as it has been difficult to set up an appointment with them. They came to sacrament meeting and we were able to catch them and set up an appointment for a couple hours later. We didn't have as much time to prepare because it was sort of last minute, but I felt the spirit filling my mouth as to what I needed to say to best help Ben and Natalie draw closer to Christ. Ben is so ready.. he has that burning desire and he knows all of it's true. Natalie has a hard time understanding the need for authority and the restoration.. We focused on baptism and the authority to baptize. We tried to emphasize that through the Book of Mormon and prayer she can come to know if these things are true for herself.. We committed them to pray about baptism and pray as a family. We also focused on how this is how we follow Jesus Christ.. is through making covenants and promises with God. We talked about how it has blessed our life and especially our family, because we know that is so important to them! They want to raise their daughter in the church and they want her to have that foundation

We have been having a hard time getting a hold of Barbara, but we will be going by again this week. We really want to focus on how her example will influence her daughters and that will prepare Eve for baptism. It's been hard for her to attend church with her work schedule, So we want to just help her feel loved and welcomed, so that she can make it a priority. We want her to know that she is missed at church

 

We also met with Grace (a less active member). Well, the first time we went over.. she kept saying we were stupid and had some colorful language.. The next time we were over, she kept hugging us and telling us how great we were. We were soo confused because her name was on the church records, but she says she was never baptized. We found out from a member that she IS a member and she  is mentally ill, (she has schizophrenia).. so it all made sense after that haha. We will be going back over this week to do some service for her, so that will be fun!!

 

We are really trying to focus on finding new investigators.. I've been learning how important it is to place my faith in Christ, rather than in myself. And what it means to Trust in him and trust that he will place those who are prepared in our path. It's so important to take a step back and humble ourselves and especially try to see what The Lord is teaching you through your circumstances. I know that as Sister Xayadeth and I continue to obey with exactness and place all of our faith in him, we will begin to see those miracles.. We already have and I always look forward to what the next week will bring!! :)

 

Love you all!!

 

Sister James

June 9, 2014