** From email sent July 26 **
Hey y'all! I am now in Rincon Georgia. I only have 7 or 8 minutes to use the computer so this'll be super speedy fast. My new companion is Sister Smith who is awesome, by the way. She has only been out 6 months longer than I have....and she is convinced she's never going home....:D
Anyway, we're not really teaching anyone right now.....everybody that was in our teaching pool....well...didn't make it out....:D But Rincon is great. There is a woman in the ward here named Sister Ames who is freaking amazing. She's a lot like me. We live in a duplex and well.....that's about it. I'll put more in a real letter. LOVES!!!
** From another email sent the same day **
Yeah y'all.
Sorry that was so short! I thought I was limited on time....but Sister Smith is amazing....of course. Sister Smith is my new companion. She is originally from Hyde Park, Utah....which is up by Logan. She's really tall....about 6 feet tall and is really nice. She's allergic to gluten...so I've tried gluten free pancakes and gluten free cookies and they were really good! She also wants me to write one of her friends.....hmmmm.....not entirely sure how I feel about that....but.....oh well. Rincon is a nice place. Super duper small town.....but we're only about 20 minutes away from Savannah. It's much more humid here, but at least we get the ocean breeze once in a while. Our teaching pool is dead. There's not really anyone progressing....but that's ok. We'll find some people this week. Other than that, that's about all I can say....there'll be more details in my next email.....hopefully. But, love y'all!!!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
"Coming! Ready or not!!" -Jesus
** From email sent July 19 **
So, I got told to die and go to hell by a 90 year old man.....we tracted into him and he yelled at us and told us we were a cult and gave us all these reasons why the Book of Mormon wasn't true. I almost pulled a Jeffery R Holland on him and started quoting his last conference talk about the Book of Mormon....but I held my tongue. But he told us to die and go to hell....which is a huge shock in the south, if anyone else had heard him, he would've been shot. You do not treat people that way in the south....especially a woman. Women are hugely respected in the south. People just treat us with the highest respect. But oh well. If anyone's close to dying, it's him. He's all hunched over and can't even hear.
I'm leaving. Sister Savage and I think I'm either going to Rincon or Ridgeland.....Which will be good, cuz they are small towns....and I'm a more of a small town kind of girl.....always have been. But, we'll see.
On to happy stuff. Sister Platts finally accepted a date. She's still scared, but she knows it's what she's supposed to do. She's been loving church and she wants to bring her daughter to church cuz her daughter doesn't like the church that she's attending right now....so hopefully, we'll get the both of them in the water. :D
Ummmm.....We only have one other person on for baptism and I'm not entire sure how solid she is. Her name is Stacey and her mom lives in Florida and her mom is a member....so at least we have the mom on our side.
Well, opening an area was an experience.....I think God was trying to test me. Or maybe Satan was......Well, Satan can just eat it!
I hope y'all are having fun without me. I've been fighting homesickness this past week....it's harder than I thought it would be....I honestly haven't been this home sick since the beginning of my mission.....but I'm okay. At least I know that there's a tall blondie in Argentina that is feeling the same way I do! Love you, hermanito!!!
The south is such an interesting mission. People love talking about Jesus and stuff, but they don't want to change. Sometimes I feel like quoting 2 Nephi 29: 6-10 to them. "Thou fool, that shall say: a Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? Wherefore murmer ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure, And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be utnil the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written." Sometimes, I just wanna tell them that. Sure, the Bible's great, but we need the Book of Mormon too!
Oh well.....my time is running out so I better get going. Love y'all!!!!!!
So, I got told to die and go to hell by a 90 year old man.....we tracted into him and he yelled at us and told us we were a cult and gave us all these reasons why the Book of Mormon wasn't true. I almost pulled a Jeffery R Holland on him and started quoting his last conference talk about the Book of Mormon....but I held my tongue. But he told us to die and go to hell....which is a huge shock in the south, if anyone else had heard him, he would've been shot. You do not treat people that way in the south....especially a woman. Women are hugely respected in the south. People just treat us with the highest respect. But oh well. If anyone's close to dying, it's him. He's all hunched over and can't even hear.
I'm leaving. Sister Savage and I think I'm either going to Rincon or Ridgeland.....Which will be good, cuz they are small towns....and I'm a more of a small town kind of girl.....always have been. But, we'll see.
On to happy stuff. Sister Platts finally accepted a date. She's still scared, but she knows it's what she's supposed to do. She's been loving church and she wants to bring her daughter to church cuz her daughter doesn't like the church that she's attending right now....so hopefully, we'll get the both of them in the water. :D
Ummmm.....We only have one other person on for baptism and I'm not entire sure how solid she is. Her name is Stacey and her mom lives in Florida and her mom is a member....so at least we have the mom on our side.
Well, opening an area was an experience.....I think God was trying to test me. Or maybe Satan was......Well, Satan can just eat it!
I hope y'all are having fun without me. I've been fighting homesickness this past week....it's harder than I thought it would be....I honestly haven't been this home sick since the beginning of my mission.....but I'm okay. At least I know that there's a tall blondie in Argentina that is feeling the same way I do! Love you, hermanito!!!
The south is such an interesting mission. People love talking about Jesus and stuff, but they don't want to change. Sometimes I feel like quoting 2 Nephi 29: 6-10 to them. "Thou fool, that shall say: a Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? Wherefore murmer ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure, And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be utnil the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written." Sometimes, I just wanna tell them that. Sure, the Bible's great, but we need the Book of Mormon too!
Oh well.....my time is running out so I better get going. Love y'all!!!!!!
"Don't worry about it....Moses was once a basket case too." Saw that on a church sign and I fell in love with it!!!!
** From email sent July 12 **
Um....this week was kinda boring. Um....we've met a wonderful woman named Sister Platts. She came to church with us yesterday and loved it! She is so funny. We were teaching her on Saturday and she was in a Jesus nightgown with her hair all up in a wrap. We invited her to church and she said not this week. Get me next week and Sister Savage said, "well, what would keep you coming from this week?" and she said "I don't know what to wear!" And sister savage said "we don't care what you wear! you can wear that if you want to!" and we pointed at her night gown. She freaked out and said "There is no way in HELL that I am wearing this!" It was way funny.
And we met this lady named Barbara and she wants to be baptized she is really sweet. Just loves us.
It's been an interesting week. Had a turning point with Sister Savage on Saturday. It was really great. I'm growing....though I'm trying to deny it. I don't wanna grow up! I wanna stay young forever! Oh well....growing old is inevitable....growing up is optional! :D Ummmm.....other than that......it's been boring. Oh! I finished that poem and I promised I would send it when I finished it!
"Without Sin"
By Sister Kathryn Marie Hoggard with help from Sister Hayley May Savage ;)
Headed to the square,
They drug me through the streets.
Crying and stumbling,
They threw me at his feet.
"Adultery!" They cried.
"Look at what she's done!"
"Stone her now!" They scream.
"She must pay for what she's become!"
I sit and I shiver and I
Stare hopeless at the ground.
The crowd quiets down
As they gather all around.
The Master looks at them and
Then He looks at me and
Then His gaze is back on the ground
As though he hadn't heard them speak.
Staring at the ground
I silently start to cry
Knowing that I would
Be sentanced to die.
I look up and I see the
Master writing on the ground.
Wondering how? How can this be?
He again looks at the crowd around.
"He who is without sin,
Let him first cast a stone."
I cringed, waiting for the blow,
Only to find, none would be thrown.
I cautiously look up as
The crowd slowly dispersed.
I look into the Master's eyes
Thinking I'd be condemned and accursed.
The Master looks deep into mine eyes,
"Woman," says He
"Where are those thine accusers?
Hath no man condemned thee?"
I again look around me
"No man, Lord." is my quiet reply.
"Then neither do I condemn thee" He said
And once again, I begin to cry.
I gently take His hand in mine
and kiss them tenderly.
For He has paid the ultimate price,
So that all men may be free.
As I stood to leave,
He says "Go and sin no more."
All lives may start anew.
He has opened up the door.
All through my life,
I've never forgotten that day
When my Lord and my Savior
Opened up the way.
Yep......................That's my poem and I am quite proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you!
Um....this week was kinda boring. Um....we've met a wonderful woman named Sister Platts. She came to church with us yesterday and loved it! She is so funny. We were teaching her on Saturday and she was in a Jesus nightgown with her hair all up in a wrap. We invited her to church and she said not this week. Get me next week and Sister Savage said, "well, what would keep you coming from this week?" and she said "I don't know what to wear!" And sister savage said "we don't care what you wear! you can wear that if you want to!" and we pointed at her night gown. She freaked out and said "There is no way in HELL that I am wearing this!" It was way funny.
And we met this lady named Barbara and she wants to be baptized she is really sweet. Just loves us.
It's been an interesting week. Had a turning point with Sister Savage on Saturday. It was really great. I'm growing....though I'm trying to deny it. I don't wanna grow up! I wanna stay young forever! Oh well....growing old is inevitable....growing up is optional! :D Ummmm.....other than that......it's been boring. Oh! I finished that poem and I promised I would send it when I finished it!
"Without Sin"
By Sister Kathryn Marie Hoggard with help from Sister Hayley May Savage ;)
Headed to the square,
They drug me through the streets.
Crying and stumbling,
They threw me at his feet.
"Adultery!" They cried.
"Look at what she's done!"
"Stone her now!" They scream.
"She must pay for what she's become!"
I sit and I shiver and I
Stare hopeless at the ground.
The crowd quiets down
As they gather all around.
The Master looks at them and
Then He looks at me and
Then His gaze is back on the ground
As though he hadn't heard them speak.
Staring at the ground
I silently start to cry
Knowing that I would
Be sentanced to die.
I look up and I see the
Master writing on the ground.
Wondering how? How can this be?
He again looks at the crowd around.
"He who is without sin,
Let him first cast a stone."
I cringed, waiting for the blow,
Only to find, none would be thrown.
I cautiously look up as
The crowd slowly dispersed.
I look into the Master's eyes
Thinking I'd be condemned and accursed.
The Master looks deep into mine eyes,
"Woman," says He
"Where are those thine accusers?
Hath no man condemned thee?"
I again look around me
"No man, Lord." is my quiet reply.
"Then neither do I condemn thee" He said
And once again, I begin to cry.
I gently take His hand in mine
and kiss them tenderly.
For He has paid the ultimate price,
So that all men may be free.
As I stood to leave,
He says "Go and sin no more."
All lives may start anew.
He has opened up the door.
All through my life,
I've never forgotten that day
When my Lord and my Savior
Opened up the way.
Yep......................That's my poem and I am quite proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Baptism
** From email sent July 6 **
BAPTISMS!!!!!!!!!! GAH!!!!!!!!!! MY FIRST BAPTISMS SINCE JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alleluia! Sister Gay got baptized last Tuesday! And so did her boys, Jason and Mondez! It was sooooooo great! And then Sister's Gay's daughter got baptized on Sunday. She was sick on Tuesday, so she had to miss it. But I looooove that family. The little 8 year old boy, Mondez, that got baptized is sooooo great! That little boy holds my heart, I tell ya. On Sunday he wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "Good-bye, Angel." I about lost it. I love that kid. So cute. And I about started crying when they got confirmed on Sunday. Bishop confirmed them and he gave some really good blessings.
We had a lesson with Sister May on Friday. She had pizza and salad for us. She's so great. We've just got to get that tea out of the house somehow.....Sister Savage and I are thinking of coming in in the dead of night and stealing it and leaving Crystal Light in it's place....somehow, I don't think that one would go over too well....But we might be having a power exchange later on this week with our Zone Leaders, that's when the Zone Leaders come with us and teach when we have a tough investigator...hopefully, she'll be able to feel the priesthood power. Pray for her, please. And we're hoping that we will be able to let her watch the Testaments and hopefully she'll dump that tea down the toliet.....
Not a whole lot new has happened....District meeting was this morning.....um.....yeah. We got pizza for dinner last night....There's a Little Ceaser's nearby! ALLELUIA! CHEAP PIZZA!!!!
I was sick on Friday and Saturday. I got a cold, don't know how since it's been dang hot....but yeah. I was pretty sick. We went home and Sister Savage gave me some Tylenol Severe Cold and it knocked me out for four hours. She came in to check on me a couple of times and said that I was completely out of it. And then that night I had a debilitating headache that made it so I could hardly see or think straight. Ugh. Not to mention I was completely drugged up. But I is better now! Yay!
Ummmm......ummmmm....Fourth of July was pretty boring. We sat around and painted each other's toenails....pretty exciting, I know. We listened to church music...listened to the drunk people running around in our complex and lighting firecrackers....yeah. I had a wild fourth of July. I did go to a recent convert's house and have grilled cheese sandwiches and watermelon.....Hmm. Not quite as good as steak and stuffed potatos. How I miss Mama's cookin'. I really miss Mama's cooking. Sister Savage and I are decent, but nothing's as good as Mom's dinners. And also, after having cereal every single morning, I really miss Daddy's pancakes....so I hope I get lots of good food when I get home! :D LOL.
So I figure Jason is either super busy or dead, considering I haven't received an email from him in forever....
But the Church is true, the book is blue and Mormons are Christians! (not everybody thinks so, but we are!)
BAPTISMS!!!!!!!!!! GAH!!!!!!!!!! MY FIRST BAPTISMS SINCE JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alleluia! Sister Gay got baptized last Tuesday! And so did her boys, Jason and Mondez! It was sooooooo great! And then Sister's Gay's daughter got baptized on Sunday. She was sick on Tuesday, so she had to miss it. But I looooove that family. The little 8 year old boy, Mondez, that got baptized is sooooo great! That little boy holds my heart, I tell ya. On Sunday he wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "Good-bye, Angel." I about lost it. I love that kid. So cute. And I about started crying when they got confirmed on Sunday. Bishop confirmed them and he gave some really good blessings.
We had a lesson with Sister May on Friday. She had pizza and salad for us. She's so great. We've just got to get that tea out of the house somehow.....Sister Savage and I are thinking of coming in in the dead of night and stealing it and leaving Crystal Light in it's place....somehow, I don't think that one would go over too well....But we might be having a power exchange later on this week with our Zone Leaders, that's when the Zone Leaders come with us and teach when we have a tough investigator...hopefully, she'll be able to feel the priesthood power. Pray for her, please. And we're hoping that we will be able to let her watch the Testaments and hopefully she'll dump that tea down the toliet.....
Not a whole lot new has happened....District meeting was this morning.....um.....yeah. We got pizza for dinner last night....There's a Little Ceaser's nearby! ALLELUIA! CHEAP PIZZA!!!!
I was sick on Friday and Saturday. I got a cold, don't know how since it's been dang hot....but yeah. I was pretty sick. We went home and Sister Savage gave me some Tylenol Severe Cold and it knocked me out for four hours. She came in to check on me a couple of times and said that I was completely out of it. And then that night I had a debilitating headache that made it so I could hardly see or think straight. Ugh. Not to mention I was completely drugged up. But I is better now! Yay!
Ummmm......ummmmm....Fourth of July was pretty boring. We sat around and painted each other's toenails....pretty exciting, I know. We listened to church music...listened to the drunk people running around in our complex and lighting firecrackers....yeah. I had a wild fourth of July. I did go to a recent convert's house and have grilled cheese sandwiches and watermelon.....Hmm. Not quite as good as steak and stuffed potatos. How I miss Mama's cookin'. I really miss Mama's cooking. Sister Savage and I are decent, but nothing's as good as Mom's dinners. And also, after having cereal every single morning, I really miss Daddy's pancakes....so I hope I get lots of good food when I get home! :D LOL.
So I figure Jason is either super busy or dead, considering I haven't received an email from him in forever....
But the Church is true, the book is blue and Mormons are Christians! (not everybody thinks so, but we are!)
"I gave you TEN Commandments....not nine....not eight....TEN!!!" Love, God
** From email sent June 28 **
Oh my heck!!! What a week! It has been a freaking emotional roller coaster ride. This past week was horrendous.....and looooong!!!! But Sister Gay is totally getting baptized tomorrow. And her three kids are as well!! HURRAY FOR ZION!!!!!!! Sorry, Milledgeville inside jokes are a part of who I am now.....:D But Sister Gay is so awesome! She totally got Antied by her mom....cuz her mom doesn't like us....but she is so solid! She totally didn't care and she knows that what she is doing is right. Satan can just EAT IT!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Anyways, Sister May is also doing very well, except she didn't make it to church yesterday....hmmmm. She's having a hard time giving up tea so please pray for her. But we went to dinner at her house on Friday. She made us barbeque ribs, potato salad, baked beans and turtle brownies....YUM!!!!
We also met a mom and her 10 year old son last week. Her son is hysterical!! He is so funny! He loves the missionaries. He's so cute. He says the most random things, such as: "When I see the blue smoke around me, I know it's good and when I see the red smoke, I know it's evil." We say: "Do you see the blue smoke now?" And he says: "yeah" so we say: "Then we're good." :D And he says, "I wanna be baptized every day!" And "God kicked Satan outta Heaven with his foot!" And "Someone needs to knock Satan out." I couldn't agree more, personally. :D And then, after his mom prayed, he said "I feel so good right now!" He is so in the water. We just gotta convince mom first. :D He was really excited to get the Book of Mormon. :D he said, "THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!!!!!!! I finally have a Book of Mormon!!!!" It was really cute. He's a trip, I tell ya.
So, I learned how uncoordinated I really am this morning. Sister Savage and I were studying in our little study room and in between personal study and companionship planning, she got up to use the bathroom....so I leaned back in my chair, it's like a swivel office type chair that you see in business offices...but.......apparently I leaned toooooo far back and fell over backwards in my office chair. And not only that, I was stuck. So when Sister Savage walks in from the bathroom, the first thing she sees is Sister Hoggard on the floor, in her chair with her feet in the air. I heard her come in and then stop in her tracks. I look up at her and say, "I'm stuck!" Apparently we had a good laugh trying to get me untangled and out of that corner. Luckily, I didn't hit my head on the corner of the dresser. The last thing President needs to hear is that one of his beloved Sister missionaries (He truly does love the sisters) has cracked her head open due to her uncoordination and stupidity. But oh well. It's not the first or last time.
Oh my heck!!! What a week! It has been a freaking emotional roller coaster ride. This past week was horrendous.....and looooong!!!! But Sister Gay is totally getting baptized tomorrow. And her three kids are as well!! HURRAY FOR ZION!!!!!!! Sorry, Milledgeville inside jokes are a part of who I am now.....:D But Sister Gay is so awesome! She totally got Antied by her mom....cuz her mom doesn't like us....but she is so solid! She totally didn't care and she knows that what she is doing is right. Satan can just EAT IT!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Anyways, Sister May is also doing very well, except she didn't make it to church yesterday....hmmmm. She's having a hard time giving up tea so please pray for her. But we went to dinner at her house on Friday. She made us barbeque ribs, potato salad, baked beans and turtle brownies....YUM!!!!
We also met a mom and her 10 year old son last week. Her son is hysterical!! He is so funny! He loves the missionaries. He's so cute. He says the most random things, such as: "When I see the blue smoke around me, I know it's good and when I see the red smoke, I know it's evil." We say: "Do you see the blue smoke now?" And he says: "yeah" so we say: "Then we're good." :D And he says, "I wanna be baptized every day!" And "God kicked Satan outta Heaven with his foot!" And "Someone needs to knock Satan out." I couldn't agree more, personally. :D And then, after his mom prayed, he said "I feel so good right now!" He is so in the water. We just gotta convince mom first. :D He was really excited to get the Book of Mormon. :D he said, "THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!!!!!!! I finally have a Book of Mormon!!!!" It was really cute. He's a trip, I tell ya.
So, I learned how uncoordinated I really am this morning. Sister Savage and I were studying in our little study room and in between personal study and companionship planning, she got up to use the bathroom....so I leaned back in my chair, it's like a swivel office type chair that you see in business offices...but.......apparently I leaned toooooo far back and fell over backwards in my office chair. And not only that, I was stuck. So when Sister Savage walks in from the bathroom, the first thing she sees is Sister Hoggard on the floor, in her chair with her feet in the air. I heard her come in and then stop in her tracks. I look up at her and say, "I'm stuck!" Apparently we had a good laugh trying to get me untangled and out of that corner. Luckily, I didn't hit my head on the corner of the dresser. The last thing President needs to hear is that one of his beloved Sister missionaries (He truly does love the sisters) has cracked her head open due to her uncoordination and stupidity. But oh well. It's not the first or last time.
Monday, September 13, 2010
"Satan doesn't like this work.......bless his heart." -President Bowman
** From an email sent June 21 **
"Satan doesn't like this work.......bless his heart." -President Bowman
Oh my gosh! What a freakin awesome week!!!!!!! Ok, first off, Sister Patty is getting baptized on July 11. Only, she's going down to Florida to do it. But she'll be back here for her confirmation!!!! Alleluia!!! She is so wonderful! Every time we see her, she has something for us. She sells Avon so she's given us chapstick, lotion, mascara and stuff. And she gave us a candle from the consignment shop that she works at. Also, we went to her shop last week cuz I saw a shirt there that was really cute and only 6 dollars, so we went to buy it and I bring it up to the register and she say's "let me get this one for you." And I say, "Sister Patty!" And she's like, "I'm serious!" And I'm like, "Are you sure?" And she says "yeah!" So, she bought me a shirt that I will always remember her whenever I wear it.
Sister Belinda still wants to get baptized! We had the most amazing lesson with her last week! We'd taught her the word of wisdom and she was totally cool with it. Said she'd smoked her last cigarrette this morning and she was gonna be done! What a cinch of a lesson, eh? But then, here is the amazing thing. After we prayed, she turned and looked at me and said, "I have something else to tell y'all too." At that moment, I was like "Oh no, what?" Especially considering we'd just taught the word of wisdom. And she says, "I did that thing you told me to do." She was still looking at me and my first reaction was "Oh dear. What did I say?" Apparently a few days ago, when we had taught her study the scriptures, I had told her that whenever she had a question, that all she needed to do was hold the Book of Mormon in her hands and say a little prayer and ask God in her prayer, her question. (That's something that Adam Bezzant taught me to do in Mission Prep.) Well, she had done just that and had the question of whether or not all this (the church, the Book of Mormon, everything) was true. She had randomly opened up to Alma 45:22, which reads: "Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land over all the churches." And then she looked at me and said, "It's true." And she was trying not to cry as she said it. Well, more than one conversion took place in those few precious moments on porch steps in South Georgia on a sweltering June day.....mine. It was so amazing and later in the car, Sister Savage says, "She is solid because of you, Sister Hoggard. She gained her testimony because of you!" And I was like, scared senseless, because I was a big part of her conversion. It was amazing. All her kids that are of age, Shantell, who is 12, Jason, who is 11 and Mondez, who is 8 are all on for baptism. HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!???? So, maybe I'll actually have a baptism for reals!!!
We have also started working with a lady named Sister Grant.....not quite sure how solid she is.....but we'll see. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!
Oh! I wanna let y'all in on a little quote that I got from Sister Child that is so great
"When we obey as Adam did, endure as Job did, teach as Paul did, testify as did Peter, serve as did Nephi, give of ourselves as did the Prophet Joseph, respond as did Ruth, honor as did Mary and live as did Christ, we are born anew. All power becomes ours, cast off forever is the old self, and with it, defeat, despair, doubt and disobedience. To a newness of life, we come----a life of faith, hope and charity, courage and joy. No task looms too large, no responsibility weighs too heavily. No duty is a burden. All things are possible." -President Monson Isn't that sooooo awesome!!!!!?????
"Satan doesn't like this work.......bless his heart." -President Bowman
Oh my gosh! What a freakin awesome week!!!!!!! Ok, first off, Sister Patty is getting baptized on July 11. Only, she's going down to Florida to do it. But she'll be back here for her confirmation!!!! Alleluia!!! She is so wonderful! Every time we see her, she has something for us. She sells Avon so she's given us chapstick, lotion, mascara and stuff. And she gave us a candle from the consignment shop that she works at. Also, we went to her shop last week cuz I saw a shirt there that was really cute and only 6 dollars, so we went to buy it and I bring it up to the register and she say's "let me get this one for you." And I say, "Sister Patty!" And she's like, "I'm serious!" And I'm like, "Are you sure?" And she says "yeah!" So, she bought me a shirt that I will always remember her whenever I wear it.
Sister Belinda still wants to get baptized! We had the most amazing lesson with her last week! We'd taught her the word of wisdom and she was totally cool with it. Said she'd smoked her last cigarrette this morning and she was gonna be done! What a cinch of a lesson, eh? But then, here is the amazing thing. After we prayed, she turned and looked at me and said, "I have something else to tell y'all too." At that moment, I was like "Oh no, what?" Especially considering we'd just taught the word of wisdom. And she says, "I did that thing you told me to do." She was still looking at me and my first reaction was "Oh dear. What did I say?" Apparently a few days ago, when we had taught her study the scriptures, I had told her that whenever she had a question, that all she needed to do was hold the Book of Mormon in her hands and say a little prayer and ask God in her prayer, her question. (That's something that Adam Bezzant taught me to do in Mission Prep.) Well, she had done just that and had the question of whether or not all this (the church, the Book of Mormon, everything) was true. She had randomly opened up to Alma 45:22, which reads: "Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land over all the churches." And then she looked at me and said, "It's true." And she was trying not to cry as she said it. Well, more than one conversion took place in those few precious moments on porch steps in South Georgia on a sweltering June day.....mine. It was so amazing and later in the car, Sister Savage says, "She is solid because of you, Sister Hoggard. She gained her testimony because of you!" And I was like, scared senseless, because I was a big part of her conversion. It was amazing. All her kids that are of age, Shantell, who is 12, Jason, who is 11 and Mondez, who is 8 are all on for baptism. HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!???? So, maybe I'll actually have a baptism for reals!!!
We have also started working with a lady named Sister Grant.....not quite sure how solid she is.....but we'll see. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!
Oh! I wanna let y'all in on a little quote that I got from Sister Child that is so great
"When we obey as Adam did, endure as Job did, teach as Paul did, testify as did Peter, serve as did Nephi, give of ourselves as did the Prophet Joseph, respond as did Ruth, honor as did Mary and live as did Christ, we are born anew. All power becomes ours, cast off forever is the old self, and with it, defeat, despair, doubt and disobedience. To a newness of life, we come----a life of faith, hope and charity, courage and joy. No task looms too large, no responsibility weighs too heavily. No duty is a burden. All things are possible." -President Monson Isn't that sooooo awesome!!!!!?????
Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!!!
** From an email sent June 14 **
SO GUESS WHAT!!!!????? Milledgeville couldn't take it anymore so they shipped me off....or rather, I flew south for the summer. I am now in Valdosta, Georgia. Clear down on the border of Georgia and Florida. Had to take the longest drive of my life to get here. We left Milledgeville at 8 in the morning and drove to Macon. Then, the assistants drove us to Statesboro, cuz Sister Child was going to Savannah and then the assistants drove us to Tifton and THEN we had to drive another hour to our area. I love it though, but it's freakin hot though! MAN!!! It's made me sick, but luckily I have a great companion that is taking care of me and President told us not to do too much tracting during the day and to drink at least a gallon of water each day. My companion is......*drum roll, please*.......Sister Savage!!!! I get her again. Remember, she was my MTC companion? She is so great. We've opened Valdosta to sisters....can you believe it? We've only been out here six months and already we are opening an area! I can't believe it! The elders left us so pretty amazing people for us to teach....so maybe I'll actually have a baptism that goes through....maybe they'll get baptized for reals this time! We are teaching a woman named Patty...who actually called the church and wants to learn and be baptized. She had taken the lessons years ago, but her husband wouldn't let her be baptized. But she's getting divorced and what's the first thing she does? Calls the church and wants to get baptized!!! Can you say golden? She already knows it's true for crying out loud. She told us so! She's so amazing! I love her. We are also teaching a lady named Belinda and her 11 year old son Jason....(Good name, I think :D ) So, they wanna get baptized and they are so great.
Our ward here is AWESOME!!! And so far, our bishop doesn't seem to be breaking any rules. He's really young though. He's probably only about Lori's age or so. So...like 22? No, he's like Lori's real age. :D So, he's pretty young, but super nice. The ward was all excited to see Sisters.
Our apartment is soooooo nice!!! Dang, the church treats us good. But Elders lived in it last, so I open up the cupboards on the first day and guess what I find? Ramen noodles, nesquick, and corndogs!!! Yummy! NOT!!!! Elders need to learn how to cook a little. Just kidding, I love elders!!! I've been going through Elder withdrawels from my last area. LOL!!! But luckily we get to go get our groceries today, so we can get some more real food.
I got heat exhaustion on Friday. Sister Savage was so worried about me. She looked at me while we were standing on a door step. She said I was white as a sheet and was shaking. So she gently pulled on my arm to move me away from the stairs cuz she was scared I was gonna pass out on her. So we got back in the car, turned on the cool air and she made me drink lots of water. So I'm slowly getting used to this heat. Ugh. Thank goodness I am only here for one summer!
SO GUESS WHAT!!!!????? Milledgeville couldn't take it anymore so they shipped me off....or rather, I flew south for the summer. I am now in Valdosta, Georgia. Clear down on the border of Georgia and Florida. Had to take the longest drive of my life to get here. We left Milledgeville at 8 in the morning and drove to Macon. Then, the assistants drove us to Statesboro, cuz Sister Child was going to Savannah and then the assistants drove us to Tifton and THEN we had to drive another hour to our area. I love it though, but it's freakin hot though! MAN!!! It's made me sick, but luckily I have a great companion that is taking care of me and President told us not to do too much tracting during the day and to drink at least a gallon of water each day. My companion is......*drum roll, please*.......Sister Savage!!!! I get her again. Remember, she was my MTC companion? She is so great. We've opened Valdosta to sisters....can you believe it? We've only been out here six months and already we are opening an area! I can't believe it! The elders left us so pretty amazing people for us to teach....so maybe I'll actually have a baptism that goes through....maybe they'll get baptized for reals this time! We are teaching a woman named Patty...who actually called the church and wants to learn and be baptized. She had taken the lessons years ago, but her husband wouldn't let her be baptized. But she's getting divorced and what's the first thing she does? Calls the church and wants to get baptized!!! Can you say golden? She already knows it's true for crying out loud. She told us so! She's so amazing! I love her. We are also teaching a lady named Belinda and her 11 year old son Jason....(Good name, I think :D ) So, they wanna get baptized and they are so great.
Our ward here is AWESOME!!! And so far, our bishop doesn't seem to be breaking any rules. He's really young though. He's probably only about Lori's age or so. So...like 22? No, he's like Lori's real age. :D So, he's pretty young, but super nice. The ward was all excited to see Sisters.
Our apartment is soooooo nice!!! Dang, the church treats us good. But Elders lived in it last, so I open up the cupboards on the first day and guess what I find? Ramen noodles, nesquick, and corndogs!!! Yummy! NOT!!!! Elders need to learn how to cook a little. Just kidding, I love elders!!! I've been going through Elder withdrawels from my last area. LOL!!! But luckily we get to go get our groceries today, so we can get some more real food.
I got heat exhaustion on Friday. Sister Savage was so worried about me. She looked at me while we were standing on a door step. She said I was white as a sheet and was shaking. So she gently pulled on my arm to move me away from the stairs cuz she was scared I was gonna pass out on her. So we got back in the car, turned on the cool air and she made me drink lots of water. So I'm slowly getting used to this heat. Ugh. Thank goodness I am only here for one summer!
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