I hope that things are going well for everyone. It has been a crazy week here in New York. I've had lots of snow storms, one Sister that I am over got her Visa to Portugal so I had to help with emergency transfers, there was a Mission Leadership Conference in Utica and :( a couple of investigators dropped us. However, the Lord's hands are always in our lives and when I take a minute to stop, slow down and look around, I can see the rewards of my efforts.
Miracle #1: Our 8 Sister Missionaries
As a Sister Training Leader, my companion and I are over 8 Sisters within our Owego Zone. When I was first called to serve as a STL, I was nervous because I thought I had to train them, be the "perfect' example, and help them with every problem. HA! I was wrong. Sister Yancey and I have been so blessed to get to know personally these 8 wonderful Sisters that work so hard. They are really the "example" to me. I've learned from every single one of them as we work during Exchanges, spending between 1 to 3 days with them in their area or in Corning, NY. Yes, they may have struggles, but everyone of them has a divine characteristic that makes them amazing missionaries. I get the opportunity to try and emulate 8 of these characteristics and make myself better. It is also a miracle that our Sisters have no "drama"... it is great :)
One day at the leadership conference, my companion and I were able to discuss the problems within the mission and receive revelation on how to help solve the problems and try to help those under our direction. I have felt the promptings of the Spirit as we and the Zone Leaders decided where to transfer the Sisters. The Lord really cares for all of them individually. Not only have we answered their prayers at times, they have answered our own. If I wasn't called to be a STL, I would not have had some of these amazing experiences, and would not have gotten to know so many amazing people.
Miracle #2: The Corning Young Women
The Young Women in the Corning Branch have a volleyball tournament every year. They have won 3 years in a row. However, a few of the players have graduated and the remaining girls were slightly scared. Kinda reminds me of my home girls back in Reunion. :) So, Sister Yancey and I for the last 3 weeks for Mutual have been playing volleyball and practicing with them. Despite everything... THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP! They were so happy and I am so proud of them.
Miracle #3: A Baptism
If all goes as planned, there should be a baptism this month!! M.G. is the sweetest, most faithful person ever. She is 39 and has some learning handicaps, but if she continues to keep her commitments and progresses, she has been approved for baptism. We try to work with her everyday on Skype and go over the simple things of the gospel. I do love her! :)
Miracle #4: Diligent Investigator
We have an investigator that is probably the sweetest/best father ever to his 4 kids. He has had a very HARD life, even though he refuses to see it that way! He has been taking the discussions for the last year, but he cannot be baptized until he is off probation. He still has 1 more year to go. It has been difficult to have a really good lesson with him because of various challenges like his schedule, crying kids or the requirement to have another female member present during the lesson. Miracles do happen, because a member just happened to text us and was impressed to want to come teaching with us. We were able to have an AMAZING LESSON that this man very much needed. The Spirit was so strong and he still wants to get baptized!! Woop, Woop! Now to just wait and see what happens over the next year.
Miracle #5: OYM (Open Your Mouth)
I had the best OYM experience this week too. We went to go see another investigator and knocked on her door but she was not there. But, a man was outside shoveling snow. We were both nervous and kinda scared and did not want to talk to him about the gospel. (Big mistake... if you are afraid, then Satan wins and can stop the Lord's work). Fortunately, this man actually approached us and said he wanted to talk. We ended up giving him a brief discussion on the Restoration and I had a BOM in my hands that I thought I was going to give to the investigator, but it was actually meant for this man shoveling snow. Some of the things that I was prompted to write in the front of the BOM were PERFECT for him! So, we will give him a few weeks to read, and then we will try setting up an appointment with him (however, his wife doesn't like us.. so who knows). It was still a really awesome experience!
Miracle #6 Don't Misjudge a Situation
We had an investigator that we have not been able to contact for 3 weeks now . Come to find out, she had been in the hospital with the flu. We stopped by her house (which was on the boarder of New York and Pennsylvania) after a dinner appointment and at first we didn't go in because we thought she was having a party...turns out, she wasn't. (I've learned that Satan likes to make us fearful a lot, which causes us to hesitate... Not good!) Thankfully, we got brave and went inside. I am so glad because she is awesome. We set up an appointment to give her a church tour and found out that she read the entire Book of Mormon in A MONTH AND A HALF and is re-reading it. We would have dropped her most likely if we hadn't stopped by and gone in. We are so glad we did. Hopefully she will accept the baptismal challenge.
Miracle #7: ME!
I feel like I have changed a lot, all for the better :) I love New York, I love being a missionary and I love the gospel. I love wearing skirts and being dressed up now, I can recognize how it helps me invite and feel the Spirit.
Miracle #8: Funk-in-Waffles
Funk-in-Waffles is a restaurant here in New York. They probably have the best waffles I have ever had in my entire life!! I had some in Syracuse (which is a college town - think Boulder Colorado... but with the color orange). The waffles are expensive, but sooooo worth it! Even Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) from Food Network ate here too, so it must be a great place. :)
BTW: In the February Ensign, the article "Vital to the Kingdom, Single Adult Sisters" is all about the women in the Owego Ward, Owego Stake. This is my area!! Huge Shout out to my Upstate New York Sisters!!! I haven't met them personally, but I have heard great things about them.
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| Service Project with Sister Yancey. We found a vintage bottle while cleaning out a "hoarder's" apartment. |
The Church is true!
Love, Sister Williams
