I love Ojai!

Family!!

This past week was amazing... I love Ojai, I love the people and the experiences I am having! We are really focusing on the youth in our ward and took more of them out with us this week... these are our future missionaries and they have such a powerful influence on those we teach.  We had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting as well!  A returned missionary from the Ojai ward gave his homecoming talk, so the whole meeting centered on missionary work! We had four investigators come, which was such a blessing! Lisa and Allie, Louise, and Shirley all came and a less-active member that we have been working with also came.

Our investigator Lisa is so prepared... You have all heard the term "Golden investigator"… she is everything beyond that haha. She is preparing to be baptized on June 13th. She is living the word of wisdom completely, reading the Book of Mormon diligently (she is now in 2 Nephi 6), We gave her a pearl of great price and doctrine and covenants on Thursday and she's already almost done with the pearl of great price. We've been meeting with her almost every day.. it has been such a miracle. She's such an example to me! She gave us a call on Saturday to let us know that Allie is feeling that she is not quite ready for baptism on the 13th, but that Lisa still wants to continue with hers and lead by example. We felt the same way and so we are looking forward to adjusting our teaching to help Allie understand and really focusing on helping her have spiritual experiences to prepare her for baptism soon. We had a Relief society/ YW activity this past week, so it was perfect! It was pretty funny because Janice showed up and it turns out that Janice and Lisa are really good friends! And they both know a lot of the members (this is a small valley…everyone knows everyone).

We happened to do service for Janice this past week and Lisa and Allie actually came with us and helped.. they are so wonderful! Janice really loves to learn, but expressed to us this past week that she's hesitant about the commitment. She even has developed a testimony of the 1st vision and of the prophet Joseph Smith.. but wants to move slooow,  which is okay because this work is about the people and what they need, not about what the missionary wants. We'll continue to work with her, serve her, and help her recognize the spirit.

We haven't been able to meet with Viviana, but we met with her mom, Ellie.. I have mentioned her before. We hadn't planned on visiting Ellie that day and the spirit prompted us to visit. I'm so grateful that we followed the spirit because it was exactly what she needed. She opened up and got very emotional.. she told us that she has never felt peace in her life. Never.. which I thought was heart-breaking. She's always helping everyone else in her family, that she's never been able to find who she is. She told us that just before we showed up three weeks ago, she had been praying to find that peace. She knows that we didn't come by coincidence and that she will find the peace she is seeking in the restored gospel.

I'm so grateful for the precious gift of The Holy Ghost and for the promise that "He WILL show you all things what ye should do." Each individual we meet is so different, they have different desires... and sincere questions of the soul. (especially here in Ojai.. People are deep!) If I rely on my own wisdom, I cannot understand what they need.. HE knows what they need. I'm so grateful for the spirit, leading me and guiding me in this work and giving me the words to say.

There is power in daily repentance and daily scripture study.. it's changing me every day! The adversary is a very real being.. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father has provided us with tools to fill our lives with the savior's teachings to be able to withstand temptation. Live every day in a manner that shows your value for the atonement of our savior and put the atonement to work. I'm learning that I can't convince or persuade any one to come unto Christ... I can't convince anyone that the gospel has been restored. All I can do is invite, testify, and love people into the gospel. We all must have personal experiences with the atonement and we must all ask, seek, and knock for ourselves. We have the ability to receive personal revelation and answers... We have the perfect example - our savior Jesus Christ. The praise of the world didn't mean anything to him.. If we follow the example of Christ in seeking to please our Heavenly Father, we will find lasting happiness... the gospel is true.

Love,
Sister James
5-25-15

Lisa giving up her coffee

 

Our perfect investigator Lisa!
 

 

We're so white!



 

 

 

You are planting seeds for trees you won't sit under!

Hello family!

First of all, welcome to the world my beautiful niece baby Mabel!! She's just so perfect :)

The work is so wonderful.. I know that I always say that, but it truly gets better and better every day! This past week we met with Lisa and Allie (our investigators preparing for baptism in June). They are amazing!! Lisa has read through to 1 Nephi 15, she spent hours researching on lds.org... and she read conference talks given by President Monson on the family. She also asks several questions and just soaks up everything she learns.. She is so willing and prepared. We had a church tour with her and Allie to help them feel more comfortable and familiar. We've really been putting an emphasis on church tours and have seen more people come out to church because of them! We also did one with MA and she spent half the time in the family history center looking up her genealogy with sister Hiland. She was just loving life.. we almost had to drag her out of there haha it was so great! MA has been investigating for a while now, and she knows the church is true, but isn't acting upon the truth she's received. After our lesson and tour, we explained to her that we weren't going to push her anymore and if she wanted to continue to meet or come to church.. she would make the effort. It's always hard to drop someone you love, but we're on the Lord's time and we have to find those who have the desire and have a willing heart.

 

This past week we had a zone activity combined with the Santa Barbara zone! I got to see both Sister Brown and Sister Angimarau, so that was really fun! Our whole activity was centered on our focus, "We are led by the spirit as we find and teach." We went on a hike and had to be blindfolded, while our companion (The Holy Ghost led us). At one point, we did it 3 legged, while sister Scoresby was blind folded.. Due to the height difference and our struggle of right and left... it was a pretty rough experience, but we survived… haha it was pretty funny and it's something that will be remembered!

 

Someone shared a quote with me this past week that I loved and wanted to share - "You're planting seeds for trees that you won't sit under." Our simple acts of kindness.. our righteous actions go further than we will ever know. We don't always need to see the end result, but we can trust that the little things can make the greatest difference. Do good, be good!

Thank you for the prayers and support!!

Love,

Sister James

5-18-15

My dear Sister Angimarau

 

Zone activity

 

 

 

Promised blessings!

Happy mother's day every one! I have the most selfless, charitable, loving mother in the world. I love you Mamabon! :) The work is so good!

 

Dee moved back to Hawaii, which we were pretty disappointed about.. Hopefully she will be able to get in contact with the church and missionaries there.. Thankfully, the Lord always compensates. Everytime. We received a referral from a member in Ventura 1st ward. She's a convert to the church and none of her family has ever been interested at all.. Well, her aunt (Lisa) and her cousin (Allie) are very interested. We met with them and before we could ask, Lisa told us ALL the reasons why she wants to join the church.. she just poured out the desires of her heart. She even told us she had already prayed about it and felt that this is what the Lord would have her do. We taught the restoration and invited her to be baptized on a specific date.. we asked her how she felt about June 20th or June 13th.. she thought for a moment and said, "I want to be baptized on June 13th." We are going to be meeting every other day and she is SO eager to learn. It's amazing to see the desire she has.. We're so excited to teach them!

 

We also met with one of our new investigators, Viviana. We met Viviana through Ellie (A potential investigator we met a couple weeks ago) Viviana is Ellie's daughter and they are both so prepared! She's been reading the Book of Mormon and is drawing a lot of peace and strength from it. We've been texting her Book of Mormon verses and we sent her Ether 12:27... she replied and said she had already found it and marked it.. so cool. We taught her The Gospel of Jesus Christ last night with one of our young woman... the spirit was leading the whole lesson. We were so in sync and Viviana gave so much feedback.. The spirit was especially strong when talking about baptism and the gift of The Holy Ghost. When we talked about the precious gift of the holy Ghost, she told us "That is something I want."

 

I had the opportunity to go on exchanges in Ventura with Sister Hiapo.. what an amazing experience! We've been focusing on one of our 5 areas of focus, "We are led by the spirit as we find and teach." We had so many spiritual experiences. We were able to meet with a less-active that I taught my first 3 months of my mission.. it was so special and I realized how much I've learned since the beginning of my mission about following the spirit and RELYING on the spirit. We don't always know what people need, but he does. I love feeling the spirit give me the words to say and seeing the spirit help hearts change. My love for the scriptures is growing immensely as I've been marking in The Book of Mormon "Promised Blessings from the Lord.” The scriptures are so powerful.. I thought I would share just a few of   "Promised Blessings" And "What we must do to receive them" from my reading so far.

 

 

Promised blessings-

 

"The lord is able to do ALL things according to his will" (1 nephi 7:12)

 

"By small means, the Lord can bring about great things" (1 nephi 16:29)

 

"He prepareth a way to accomplish ALL his works among the children of men." (1 nephi 9:6)

 

"We will have the gift and power of the Holy Ghost." (1 nephi 13:37)

 

 What we must do to receive these blessings-

 

"Repent and come unto him"

 

"Inquire of the Lord. Pray oft"

"Hearken unto the word of God.  WILLING to hearken to truth"

"Endure to the end"

"Humble ourselves"

"Rely on this Redeemer"

AND...KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD"

I know that His promises are sure. He always provides a way to accomplish the things which He commands us to do. His desire is to bless us and we will be blesses when we seek Him first in our lives. I love my Savior and His work.

Sister James
5-11-15

Donating a Book of Mormon to the library

 

Sister James has a way with kitty cats!

 

The work is real!

Hey everyone,

Good week here in Ojai! We've had so many teaching opportunities since it's been so hot… people are kinder and more receptive. Our area is progressing really well! This past week we met with the Dixon family. They are a part member family that we met as we've been going straight through the ward list. Tonya and Michael (the son who is 14 years old) are members and Roman, Tonya's husband is not. Even though Michael was baptized, we would consider him an investigator because he has very little knowledge about the gospel and Christianity in general.. He thought Matthew, Mark, and Luke were the three wise men, so we're trying to make our lessons very simple. Tonya had a miracle occur in her life recently that rekindled their faith and has really softened her heart to allowing us to teach them. She was in a coma for 3-4 months and wasn't supposed to live.. this really changed Roman's perspective and has helped their family realize that the Lord has a plan for them.. We're meeting with them tonight and are planning on having a lesson simply centered on Jesus Christ: his life, his mission, and his atonement.

 

Dee came to church again! We haven't been able to meet with her this past week, because she has been so busy and stressed with finding a job, but she is planning on coming to an FHE tonight at a member’s home. We're also working with a lot of NEW investigators and praying fervently and following the spirit as to where we need to spend our time. We have some investigators who really are not progressing and who have been taught for a while.. so we may need to drop them

 

My love for this work is growing deeper and deeper every day.. I get so excited to go out, to teach, and to testify. I definitely feel myself accelerating and the Lord is really helping me know how I can serve with all of my heart, might, mind and strength and overcome those things that beset me. I finished The Book of Mormon this week and have been inspired by a member in our ward to take a brand new Book of Mormon and start from the beginning with a specific topic in mind. I've been marking "Promised blessings from the Lord" I've received so many new insights already and have been taught so many things by the spirit! It's amazing how you can read the same vs. over and over and receive new light and understanding... I prepared a talk this past week on what helped me decide to serve a mission and what I've learned (how do you fit that into an 8 min talk haha.. well I managed). It was amazing to reflect on who I've become and the experiences I've had.. I am so grateful for all that the Lord has taught me and is still teaching me. Knowing that we have an eternity to assist him in his work and serve the Lord brings me so much peace. I love the gospel… this work is real. Thank you for all your prayers!

Love,

Sister James

Ojai rocks!

Hey guys!

 Ojai rocks. It's the best!

 

We taught Janice the plan of salvation this past week… we brought one of our ward missionaries, sister Stillman and they connected so well. It turns out they have mutual friends and have met briefly before! small world. Janice seems a little hesitant about the commitments with extend, but she is progressing well.

 

We have a new investigator named Dee! It was a miracle.. she just showed up to church and asked, "How do I join?" We got our planners out to schedule an appointment with her.. we are pretty busy tonight and tomorrow, so we asked if we would be able to meet Wednesday.. she said, "Is there any way we can meet before then?!" She is so eager to meet with us and learn about the gospel. We're having a lesson with her tonight :) She is new to Ojai, just recently moved from Maui and went to the church there. We're excited to teach her.

 

 This past week we met with Brother Vanfleet (he is a less-active member). We centered our lesson on a talk given by Elder Scott titled, "Make the exercise of faith your first priority." We talked about daily scripture study and prayer.. he had us pull out his Book of Mormon. It was fully marked, with cross-references and insights in the margins.. it was amazing. He told us he hadn't read in years. He committed to read every day this week and we too committed to feast upon the words of Christ. I feel so blessed to have a specific time set apart in my day to study the scriptures, but I realized during this lesson that  reading them every day is not enough. We must FEAST upon his word and pray fervently that the spirit will teach us what we need to learn. Elder Scott said that daily scripture study is more important than work, school, social media, sports, and even sleep.. We absolutely need that spiritual strength that comes when we read every day.

 

Something I also read in my studies this week was Mormon chapter 9. That is one amazing chapter!  I love vs. 19, "  And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and IS a God of miracles."

 

His ways don't change. His love is eternal!

Love,

Sister James
4-27-15

Mabel's!
 

Lys

 

 

Just when I think how can it get better...it gets better!

Hello!

Just when I think "life is so good. How can it get better?" ...it gets better. This past week was amazing! I'm so happy to be staying in OJAI with Sister Scoresby :) The work is on fire and we're seeing so many amazing miracles. I know that the Lord is hastening his work here and softening hearts!

Our investigators are doing so well. Shirley is the sweetest and has such a special spirit, and I'm learning a lot of sign language which is fun! Good news, we should be finding out within the next 3 weeks about Dane receiving the priesthood and if he is unable to baptize her then we're going to go forward with the baptism any way because she is so ready and we don't want to delay it any longer. I love them, they are so great.

Our ward put on a talent show and waffle dinner, which was a blast! Four of our investigators were there: M.A, Shirley, Marge, and Janice. They all loved it and were able to interact with the members. Janice is progressing really well… she loves what she is experiencing and learning. Although Marge has made it clear that she will always be a Quaker and isn't interested in joining the church.. (yet haha :) she has been reading a chapter of the Book of Mormon every day! We're trying to help her recognize the spirit that she is feeling and what is drawing her to meeting with us and reading

We've been so busy with service.. so many opportunities! I love it! Cool miracle- we went to help work on repairing a home with some ward members. The lady we were helping was named Louise. We realized that she was an investigator the missionaries have been trying to find, but her address was written down wrong. She's been reading the Book of Mormon EVERY DAY and loves what the missionaries had shared with her…So neat how Heavenly Father does his work.

We are really looking forward to this week.. We found more new investigators this week. There are so many people here SEEKING. We met two new investigators: Ellie and Josh. Ellie is a referral from a member and expressed to us that she feels like something is missing in her life.. We had a quick lesson with her, but the spirit was incredibly strong and she told us that she felt "loved." Nothing is more important than helping people feel the love of God through our words and testimonies. Josh was also a miracle! We were talking to a man outside of his house and Josh walked by... he kept eying us and looked really concerned. As soon as we walked away from the man's home, Josh approached us (which doesn't usually happen) and told us right away, "I want to change my life... can you help me?" We said, "Of course!" We're so excited to meet with them this week.

 Yesterday was the BEST. The whole mission gathered at the Ventura Stake Center. David Archuleta was in LA, so he contacted President Felix to see if he could come and speak/perform for us. Brooke White lives in the mission boundaries, so she also performed and shared her testimony. The meeting was so powerful! Man, they are talented! My favorite was "Come, come ye saints." I couldn't help but feel the spirit. David shared some of his mission experiences and focused on some of his favorite scriptures. He mentioned the importance of following promptings and listening to the still small voice - we don't always see the end results of the fruits of our labors as missionaries, but we can trust in that promise from the lord, "That by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

He also talked a lot about grace... we are given weakness to learn how to rely on the savior, to learn how to trust in his grace. The lord has promised good to us and we are enough. I'm grateful for the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and for spiritual experiences that are so dear to my heart... Recently, I've been writing down the promptings I receive and recording more of my spiritual impressions and I'm realizing just how involved my heavenly father is in my life... He's in the details, we just need to slow down and recognize it! We are everything to him. Choose to serve him today!

Love,

Sister James

Sister J and Sister S

 

Nothing better!

Family!

 

I can't believe that it's already Monday. This week flew! I feel like I wake up and then before I know it, It's time to plan and go to bed. Time is so precious. Well, amazing things are happening in Ojai! We are seeing miracles every day.. As I mentioned in my last email, we have been working with a lot of less-actives. All three that we visited this past week came out to church and one of them even bore his testimony during fast and testimony meeting. It was amazing. Nothing better :)

 

As I mentioned last week, we invited Janice to take the lessons. She politely declined when we did and we felt impressed not to push. Well, this past week when we went to do service for her, she told us " sisters! Your invitation has been on my mind all week and I have changed my mind. I don't know why I said no in the first place... I love to learn and I want to learn about the church." We had a lesson set up with her neighbor who we are also teaching (Marjorie). Marjorie is the sweetest little thing... she is a Quaker. She's the greatest lady! She referred us to her friend who we have started doing service for, she's reading the book of Mormon and she loves the spirit that we bring. We had a wonderful lesson with the both of them and brought one of our youth out with us. Janice had several questions about the plan of salvation and the temple.. she was soaking it up. After the lesson she said, "This feels good.. this feels right." It's amazing to see how she has been prepared and service has softened her and the spirit other missionaries have brought has helped her reach this point where she's ready to investigate!

 

Another miracle was finding three new investigators! One of them is Shelby. She is sixteen years old and her mother is a former investigator. All of her dad's side of the family are members of the church, so she is pretty familiar. We met her looking for her mom, but as we began to talk to her, she showed a lot of interest. She reminds me of Joseph Smith... she is truly seeking and is experiencing a lot of confusion in her life. She wants purpose. She desires to have a functional family because she hasn't had that herself.. As we taught her the restoration, we could literally see the spirit working in her and she actually got a little emotional. Beth, our other new investigator is in her 90's. She's from Louisiana and said in her cute accent, "My, I just want to adopt you gals!" :) She is so sweet. Her daughter and grandchildren are actually members in Utah. She was raised Baptist, but has read the Book of Mormon and considers it truth. She doesn't quite understand priesthood authority and why that is necessary for baptism, but she wants to continue with the lessons.

 

It's amazing how quickly you can grow to love someone... I love these people that Heavenly Father has placed in our path! I love sharing the gospel...and I know that miracles haven't ceased. I promise that the greatest happiness comes from living

the gospel, doing our best to keep the commandments and serving our brother's and sisters. Every soul is great in the sight of God!

 Love,

Sister James

4-13-2015

Lake Casitas
 

Lunch at lake Casitas