Christmas Love!

Hope you had a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas. It was wonderful to talk to ya'll and see that everything is pretty much the exact same! 

This week was by far the best week in my mission! (maybe because it was the most recent, because I tend to think that every week.) 

Christmas eve we went caroling to a few rest homes with members in the ward and then we went over to one of the homes and had a huge Mexican feast. One family gave us Razorback blankets. They are so soft! Love mine.

Then on Christmas we were able to go to two different members homes and eat with them. I felt like I was at home. I feel that like everywhere here!!

We went to a less-actives home on Friday and we were able to Skype her friend that lives in Jordan. We were able to talk a little bit about the gospel to him. It was neat. We told him to download an Arabic Book of Mormon... so I hope the Church has it in that language! 

We have been teaching this lady named Misty. She is a single mom. (I think I have talked about her before) We found her by spiritual harvesting. (Knocked on her door) The first time we met with her she was super quiet and wouldn't say much to us. We took a member with us the second time and she opened up a little more with her. Then yesterday... SHE CAME TO CHURCH! She brought her twins (4 years old) and stayed all 3 hours. Everyone in the ward was so nice to her and had another lesson with her last night. She loved church and the only thing she is still hung up on is the Book of Mormon. She says she prays every night to know it is true. I LOVE her so much! She is so sweet!

We are teaching another guy. He is a referral from a lady in the ward. Its actually the members boyfriend, anyways.. we have taught him twice now and he has a baptism date. There are a few things we have to overcome with him before he is baptized, but last night as we were over there he said he wanted to make a schedule for reading the Book of Mormon. I asked him if there was a day he wanted to finish it by. He said well my baptism date is the 26th right? We said yes. And he said, "Ok because last time when I said Yes I would be baptized, I was 95% sure. Now I'm like 99% sure so I would like to finish it before then." We asked him why its gone up that 4% and he said through prayer and a feeling that he cant really describe. We explained that he was feeling the spirit and it was testifying to him that what he was doing was correct. Ah. It was such an incredible moment. 

We had a baptism in the Spanish branch yesterday as well. Apparently he was baptized in Mexico but his records can't be found anywhere so he was re-baptized. 

Also, I was able to finish the Book of Mormon again this last week! I love that book, and have such a strong testimony of the divinity and reality that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have gained such a stronger relationship with my Savior while on my mission and I know part of that has been because of the power of the Book of Mormon. 

That's about it for my week, thanks for all of your support, and love towards me! LOVE YA'LL!

Hermana Warner 

quote for the new year! 

"I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life."     -Elder M. Russell Ballard

pictures!

1. our new blankets and headbands

2. me and my companion with a family in the ward.

3. cutest under stair bathroom!

5 months!

Hola Familia,

First, today is my 5 month mark. Its crazy how fast the last 5 months have been. I still remember going and getting Hokulia right after I had been set apart, (oh how I miss those) and then leaving for Mexico the next morning and starting this amazing journey. I wouldnt trade the last 5 months for anything in the world!

It was a busy week, filled with many Christmas activities. We were able to go to a Christmas dinner for the Relief Society, a ward Christmas party, and a choir concert for the one high school here in Russellville.

We met a lady this week whose name is Misty. She is a divorced mom with 4 kids. (ages like 17, 11, 6, and 3.) We were able to teach her the first lesson and she was very receptive.

We were also able to meet this guy named Wesley. He is on the College Football team here in town. We were also able to teach him, but he is going home for the Holidays so we wont be able to see him for a while.

We met another family this week that the Elders had tried to teach before but the husband was always gone and therefore they could never teach the mom. However, we went over there and the little 9 year old girl had been reading the Book of Mormon almost every day and was in Jacob. I love little kids. She is so cute and she is key to getting her whole family baptzied. 

One day this last week my comapnion and I went to a mexican resturant for dinner. (great finding place) We were able to talk to the waiter for a long time about the church. He continued to give us more chips so we would keep eating and not leave. He didnt give us our check for like 20 minutes after we were done though. However, when he did he had his email on thier so we could write him and answer questions he had. (He was genuinly intrested in the church.. I Promise!!) It's awesome that where ever we go, we can always find a teaching moment and be sharing the gospel.

That's all for today,

love ya'll!

Hermana Warner

oh yes. one more thing... this lady asked us if our church buys diapers for little kids. It was one of the many different questions we get asked every day. 

Exchanges, Weather and More!

Hola Familia!

Tuesday I was able to go on exchanges English speaking to Conway. (about 1 hour away) I went on exchanges with Sister Benson. This is so crazy... but we played basketball against each other. No joke. It was so strange. I don't know what it is, but maybe the Lord is teaching me to love my rivals. She played for Maple Mountain and Westlake. She is super sweet, and we had a great time. It was way different teaching in English as well. (so much easier)

It snowed here in Russellville. Apparently it rarely snows here, and if it does the town shuts down because they don't have snow plows to clear the snow. Also here in Russellville they have ice storms. 

Starting about Tuesday we starting hearing that there was going to be a HUGE storm that weekend. Everyone was telling us to go to the store, to get food, flashlights, blankets, etc. They were saying prepare for the worst. They said power could be out for days. We decided to go to the store to stock up a little and I've never seen a store so depleted. There was like 5 loafs of bread left, everyone was panicking and was shuffling through the store trying to get back home before the storm hit. A lot of our appointments were cancelled because of the storm. Friday we were not allowed to go outside. We were suppose to study inside all day and have companionship bonding... After we studied for a while we decided to make companionship bonding more adventurous and so we went SLEDDING with a family in the English ward and some of the Elders. There was MAYBE 2 inches on the ground when we went sledding but it was so fun! 

Saturday we were again not suppose to drive... however, the roads looked fine and we were able to teach some people and we met a new guy named Cipriano. We met him at a Mexican store/restaurant. As we were driving over there we said a prayer asking to put someone in our place or to meet someone at that store who would be ready to hear the gospel. We were in there for a minute and we started talking to this one man. We sat down with him and talked to him for about 30 minutes. He is from Mexico, but lived in California like 17 years ago. As we were talking he said that 2 Elders had taught him, he had been to church 2-3 times, had read the Book of Mormon, but was no attending a different church here. (He even said that he read the Book of Mormon before he read the Bible and that the Book of Mormon helped him understand the Bible.) However, we invited him to church as well as this week we are starting an English Class that he said he would come to. It was a miracle, and such an answer to our prayers. It again was such a great reminder that NO WORK IS EVER WASTED. (I just hope the Elders that taught him understand that too!)

Saturday night we got a call that church was going to be shortened just to sacrament meeting and that it would be combined with the English ward. The main roads were fine by now, and there was no storm predicted for the morning, but we went with it. Sunday morning we got a call that church was cancelled. It is now Monday, school was cancelled again and snow is still on the ground. Everyone is still hibernated in their homes. We have the roads to ourselves. Luckily we have had power, and have been safe. 

  

In my studies I was reading in Alma and really thinking about these righteous men/prophets and how much they had to go through as they were missionaries. It then made me think of Joseph Smith and everything he went though. Ultimately it made me think of our Savior and everything he went through. It really humbled me and made me think how good I really do have it. Yeah people reject the message, yes people shut their doors after 2 words of us talking, but I have been blessed and protected by the Savoir. I have it so much easier than those men. 

That's about it for the week, 

Love you all,

Hermana Warner 

~HAPPY DECEMBER!~

What a wonderful Thanksgiving week here in Russellville. I was able to enjoy both a Spanish style of Food for Thanksgiving as well as  traditional English dinners!

I was also able to play soccer on Thanksgiving with the English ward and the Elders in my district. I haven't played in so long (since the CCM) but it was so fun! My companion and I then watched them play in a Turkey Bowl afterwards. 

We were also able to teach some wonderful families and lessons. One lady asked me what I wanted to do when I got off my mission and I told her my major and then she said, "Can you help me?" Me being a missionary said, "Of course. I then pulled out a Word of Wisdom pamphlet and talked all about it." She read the whole thing by the next time we came and her only question was.... Can I have more of those pamphlets? We then gave her all the lessons in small little pamphlets to read. The next time we went she had read them all and is ready to live the standards and commitments of all of them. We just need her to come to church twice before she can be baptized. 

Tuesday was one of the hardest days (rejection wise) on my mission. Normally people are really kind when they don't want to listen to our message, or are not interested, but this day was something else. One door after the next. People would just open the door and then shut it without even talking to us. We would go up to someone in the street and they would say, "Oh heavens no" and quickly walk away. I knew however, that if we just kept going we would find someone prepared. I honestly think the Lord was just testing us to see if we would keep going, keep trying, keep our heads up. That night after dinner we had 2 appointments. Both fell through. However, that is when the miracle came. We felt impressed to knock on this door that we had passed several times. It was late at night and normally we don't knock on doors late at night but we decided to go and knock on it.  This lady answered and let us in. We started talking to her. Before we even got to far she says, "Where is your church? What time?" We told her and then she said, "OK I'm coming." She then had to go so we ended with a prayer. We asked her if there was anything that we could bless her with and she just started crying and said "Health". It was such a miracle to have knocked on her door and to have met this wonderful lady. 

It ended up being a wonderful day. 

It reminded me of a quote I love that says, "Learn to Love your struggles. You simply can't grow without them." We learned a lot that day, and I'm so grateful for that. 

I'm loving the opportunity I have to serve here in Russellville. The English ward here is helping us out so much. They have given us multiple referrals (which the English Elders HATE.. because we are "Spanish speaking" but most of them are ladies that apparently we might be able to better help.) The Spanish branch has maybe 50 people in it with about 30 people attending the past 2 weeks. It is very small so us missionaries get to participate a lot. 

Well that's about it for the week. Have a wonderful week,

Famous El Salvador dish called Pupusas. So good!

My district on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day! 

Back in Arkansas!

Hola!

YES, Im back in Arkansas. I was transfered this last Wednesday back to Arkansas. It was about a 3 hour drive from Memphis back to Little Rock. That is where I met my new companion and then we drove our bran new car (had 16 miles on it) up to Russellville, Arkansas. (about another hour and a half) Compared to Memphis, it is a very small town. I love it!

My new companion just got out to the field. She is from Bountiful Utah. Its crazy how similar we are.  We actaully played club soccer against each other. She played for Avalanche. She also did hurdles in track. She played soccer down at UNLV for 1 year before coming out here. She was suppose to be english speaking but had to get surgery on her knee so she was moved to spanish speaking. (so she would have more time in the MTC for her knee to heal.) I couldnt be happier.

Russellville is the place. I feel just at home. I LOVE it here. We have been welcomed so warmly into both the spanish and english wards. The english ward has been wanting sisters here for a long time (and technically we are not in their ward but since there are not english speaking sisters here, we can do a little of english and help them out!) Saturday there was a combined English and Spanish Thanksgiving party and we went. We felt like celebrities. Everyone is SO HAPPY we are here!

One of my goals for the first week here in my new area was to get to know at least one family so that I didnt have to make Thanksgiving dinner... and im pleased to announce... we over-achieved just a little. We have 4 lunch/dinners planned for Thursday! Even better, everyday we have at least one meal planned from someone in the english ward this week! Yesterday we had one hispanic family feed us and then we were fed by a family in the English ward as well. Can you feel the love? Its amazing!

There is 1 set of english elders in this area and 1 set of spanish speaking elders in this area as well so we all go to the Dinners, but for some reason, they were not getting fed this much before we came... its a sisters charm for sure. ;) 

The first day we were here we went to a Trailer park to find people to teach. We met an awesome lady that we invited to be baptized. She told us she needs to be married first and then also pray about it. We have met many other amazing people as well. The Lord is preparing the people here to recieve the message of the restored gospel.

We have had to get a little creative about trying to find people to teach as we are opening this area. A few nights ago we decided to go "shopping" in Dollar Tree. We met some people in there that didnt necessarily want us to visit them again but It was so amazing the example and effect we had on people around. One guy told us, "I dont know what it is about you two, but I like you." As we stood in line to buy hot chocolate (we had to buy something) this guy came up to us and asked us how we learned spanish and then said he had been reading a Book of Mormon but didnt like it becuase it didnt talk about Christ. I invited him to keep reading it and told him, he will find that Christ is the centeral part of the Book Of Mormon. After I invited him I decided I wanted to re-read the Book of Mormon again before the end of the year. I love this book. I also love that no matter how many times we read it we can always learn something new, or apply something new into our lives to become more like Jesus.

Im so thankful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary. Im so thankful for my amazing family and friends. Im so thankful for this gospel and the peace and hope it brings me.

Love this quote and thought it was perfect for this time of year: "What if you woke up TODAY with only the things that you thanked God for yesterday?"

May we ever be thankful for this time to live on the earth, and for all the blessings, gifts, and talents we have been blessed with.

I love you all,

Hermana Warner

My old companion and I on our last night in Memphis. We had a little party.

Me. and a tree. 

My new companion Sister Peterson

Hello from Tennessee

This last week was another amazing week as a missionary. Life couldn’t get better.

At Specialized training this week (a meeting for all the missionaries in the Tennessee side of our mission) the theme was faith. I loved the saying our president used a lot. he said, When trials and tribulations come winners double in faith, losers half their faith. 

I loved that. I know that we are giving trials and tests in this life because God trust us and he is giving us an opportunity to grow. We simply can't grow without opposition in all things. 

Yesterday we had a baptism in our branch. It was an older man that the elders in my area had been teaching. 

I went on exchanges this week as well with the sister training leader. She is an English sister but speaks a little bit of Spanish. I stayed in my area and my companion went to hers. I was able to learn a lot in the short time we had together. 

Exciting News: I am getting transferred Wednesday. Plus I am training. This shall be fun! 

Also congrats to my grandparents who have decided to serve another mission; this time in the Independence, Missouri Mission. I’m so grateful for their example. 

That’s about it for the week; time flies so make the most of it.

Hermana Warner 

My district minus 2 sisters

The famous Wall behind the famous Jerry's snow cone place. I promise we do missionary work and dont live there.

Sister Lunt (The sister I went on exchanges with)

Big week!!

Hola Ya’ll,

 

This past week we had some crazy experiences and miracles.

 

First, my companion and I moved. We moved into an apartment about 1 mile away from where we were living before. It’s a very nice place and I love it.

 

Second, some day last we went and knocked on a door. It was an old guy who spoke English. He was actually hooked up to a lot of machines so he couldn’t move. He yelled for us to come in and then said he didn’t bite.. (because we were just staying at the door because we are not allowed to go in without another woman in the home)… anyways, we started talking to him for a minute at the door about the gospel and then he goes, “You know 30 years ago I would have chased you down but now I cant. But hey, I can still whistle. Whooo-wo. HA. It was great. Glad we could make his day.. but we did quickly get out of there.

 

Third, we knocked on another old guy’s door who spoke English. We explained who we were and he said, “Oh Jehovah Witnesses” We told him actually that we weren’t Jehovah Witnesses but we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. He then says, “Yeah so Jehovah Witnesses, That’s what I know you by. Anyways, what do you want? Are you trying to save me? If you are I’m too old to be saved and so tomorrow at 5pm on Fox News watch the interview with Billy Gram.”    Alright. We get mistaken almost daily for Jehovah Witnesses. One thing I love telling people is that we are not just another church here in the south. We are part of Christ’s church that has been restored once again to the earth.

 

Fourth, we went to another house and we were speaking Spanish, and she was responding back in Spanish and then all of a sudden she says, “I don’t speak English.” We told her its ok, we are learning Spanish. (My companion and I looked at each other and were like; we haven’t said one word in English.) Either our Spanish is so bad people think we are speaking English or she just didn’t want to talk to us.

 

We then taught a lady who is almost ready to be baptized. We read Mosiah 18 with her and then asked her to be baptized. She said, “Maybe in February” (We were preparing her for the end of this month, beginning of next, but hey, at least she is willing to be baptized!) We then went over the baptism questions and we are going back this week to cover the ones she wants to learn more about.

 

Then on Friday after many prayers we felt impressed to go back to the Lopez Family home. (This is the family that told us last week they were not going to be baptized and didn’t want to keep wasting our time) We decided what we were going to teach. Then in the car we changed our plan again. Then when we got there they let us in and only 1 of the usual 5 we teach sat down to listen. He had watched the Restoration movie we had left with them and his only question was, “What is the difference between Catholics and your church?” My companion pulled out the Articles of Faith and we started going through them. (This was not our plan either) When we got to number 3 one of the daughters walked in and started listening. Then when we got to 5 the mom came in and started listening. When we got to number 8 my companion bore a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. Then I did. The spirit was so strong. Then the daughter looked very sad and her mom asked what was wrong. The daughter started bawling and said, “I know we said we don’t want to be baptized but maybe one day we will come to church and maybe one day we will be baptized. Just don’t give up, don’t give up on us.” By that time we were both crying. We know they know it’s true. Its just going to take time and patience. It was such an amazing lesson and miracle. We were so grateful we felt impressed to go back and then be able to teach by the spirit to directly help and find out their needs/concerns.

 

I am loving it here in Memphis, I love being a missionary.

 

Hope ya’ll have a wonderful week,

 

Xoxoxo

Hermana Warner

Welcome November!

I literally can't believe its already November. Time has flown by the last 4 months.

On Halloween we didn’t have one appointment set up so we decided to contact every single house we have ever tried to contact and they seemed somewhat interested. We were on bikes that day so it did take a little longer to travel to places but we were able to go to 29 different houses. 5 of the 29 said we could come back a different day when they were not busy. There were a lot that were not home too. That night we went to check up on a family of 6 that we have been teaching for a while now. They are so amazing. Every time we come they already have chairs set up for us and always there for their appointment. Anyways, we went over there and they told us they don't want to be baptized and they don’t want to keep wasting our time. Last time we told them to all pray about the baptism date we gave them. They have told us multiple times "We know everything you are telling us is true, otherwise we wouldn’t keep letting you come." When we taught the Plan of Salvation and shared scriptures in 2 Nephi 2 about the Fall, one said, "wow I’ve read this in the bible but now it makes so much more sense." We were then able to testify about the book of Mormon and they started reading that. It was heartbreaking to go over there and hear that they knew this was true but didn’t want to change their ways.

As a missionary its so hard to hear that. I just want to take away their agency sometimes, but I know that would defeat the purpose here on earth.

I’m so grateful I have the opportunity to share the gospel with everyone here in Memphis whether or not they will accept or reject this message. I know that this gospel is the only way of living a happy and joyful life.

 

I love the quote by President Hinkley, "Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people...stand higher lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ."

 

Hope ya'll have a wonderful week,

 

Hermana Warner

 

Happy Halloween!

Hola!

 

First off, since Halloween is approaching rapidly:

1. I am so glad I am on a mission for Halloween. I dislike Halloween a lot. (Besides the treats)

2. I have never seen so many decorations in my life for Halloween. Here in Memphis everyone goes all out. I have never seen so many creepy blow ups. Its crazy how many people decorate their entire yards for this day. 

 

Anyways, other news for the week,

1. Jehovah Witnesses knocked on our door this week while we were studying and shared a short message with us. (We get mistaken for Jehovah Witnesses almost daily.) 

2. Me and my companion taught Primary yesterday and it was so fun! I loved it. We taught the 5 year old class. 

 

We are teaching 2 different families that have a kid with cancer and are getting treatment at St. Jude’s. (a 12 year old and a 5 year old) Life is so precious. It’s been so awesome teaching them about the Plan of Salvation and how we can live with our family forever.

 

Everyone we teach in this area has a belief in God and attends some church. This can be good and bad. Good because they already have that belief and we are just helping them grow that faith, but it is also challenging because people are content with their lives and don’t want to change. What it comes down to almost every time is Authority and the Great Apostasy. We have been teaching those 2 concepts more than ever this week. 

 

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve the people here in Memphis and grow closer to my Savior. 

 

Hope you all have a great week,

 

Love and pray for ya'll daily,

 

Hermana Warner

 

Ps. Happy Halloween    

Good Morning!

Good Morning,

This last week was an adventure! Last Tuesday we had on of our best days yet. We taught many different people who accepted the message. There was one who took the Book of Mormon and was like, "you’re giving this to me for free?" "Thanks, I’m going to read this." Another lady after we said the closing prayer said, "I feel at peace when I talk to you." As missionaries that’s what we have been waiting for. Ah. I get so excited when that happens. I just want them to know, and feel the knowledge and joy I get from this gospel. Anyhow after our lessons we were having dinner with one of the members and after we were done we walked outside and my companion gasped. Then we heard a voice from a truck that said, "Don’t worry. I did it. I already called the police. I have been waiting here for 45 min." Our car had been hit, and the window was shattered. Tender Mercies: 1. we were not in the car. 2. The guy that hit our car was an honest man and waited around for us to come out. 3. We had training the next day (which is for all the missionaries on the Tennessee side of the mission) where Elder Shaw (the Elder in charge of the cars) could help us out.

Apparently what had happened is he was backing up in his truck and he looked to the left and the right and no one was coming so he went and our car was parked directly behind his across the street. He just didn’t see the car. His truck didn’t get one scratch. However, even with the accident (and all the paperwork we had to go through) that was an awesome day!

Besides Tuesday we were able to visit less actives with other members and in return they came to church yesterday!!

It was an awesome week here in Memphis, even though I cursed myself by saying it was still so warm here, because this last week I had to get out my sweaters and gloves.

Have a fabulous week,

Love you all,

Hermana Warner

Marquee Quote of the week! I got a good laugh at this one: "Swallow your pride, Its not Fattening"

Hey Ya'll!

What a wonderful week. The weather has been perfect. When I said the weather has been cooling down here the past few weeks, I meant that it’s now in the 70-80s. I love it!

Little update on my life:

Food: I love the food we get fed. It is always amazing! It’s a lot, (especially when you have 2 dinners in 1 night, 1 hour apart) but so good!

Companion: She is amazing. We work awesome together and she is my best friend! We are enjoying every minute we have together bringing souls unto Christ.

Running: We run around our lake for exercise in the morning. We run for about 3 minutes and then walk the rest!

Language: Both me and my companion are new and so we are learning together. We teach ourselves and try to practice as much as possible. We are both improving rapidly now that we don’t have our trainer to rely on when we don’t understand. I love learning Spanish. I especially love the looks we get after we say "Hola" to people and then are able to keep going and pull a conversation. I also love when we knock on doors and the first thing people say is "I don’t speak English." Well we tell them, 

“We speak Spanish so it’s ok!”

 This week we had some amazing lessons. One of my favorite stories was when we met with a less active. She has 4 young kids and was baptized in 2010. She now attends a different church where she says her kids actually learn something and enjoy going. She doesn’t believe in the Book of Mormon either. We took a member with us to this appointment. We were able to sit and talk with her about the Book of Mormon and when we were done she said, "I still don’t believe it. I only believe in the bible." We did everything we thought we could do, and we thought we just wouldn’t come back to her house again. Then as we were leaving her kids drew us pictures that said, "I love the church" It was priceless. We know they were listening to our conversations and felt something. Then we asked her, "Well is there anything we could help you with? Do you need anything?" She then went on to tell us how she and all of her kids sleep on the floor because they don’t have any beds. We said we would see what we could do. We all knew we would be going back.

We plan to go back there this next week to help her out, read with her and take her some beds that a member was able to get. So many tender mercies!

I love this quote by President Monson, "I hope you appreciate the sacrifices which your parents so willingly make in order for you to serve. Their labors will sustain you, their faith encourages you, their prayers uphold you. A mission is a family affair."

Thank you all so much for your continual prayers, and support in my behalf. I have never been so happy in my life. I love being able to serve the people here in Memphis day in and day out.

Hope ya'll have a wonderful week,

Hermana Warner

picture that the little boy drew that says "I love the church" My heart just melts. So cute.

This Lake is where we went fishing and what we run around. Its right behind the home we live in.

Me and my companions at the temple right before our trainer left

Me and almost all of the Spanish speaking sisters in this Mission on Transfer day. (Minus my trainer and one new sister who was waiting in Arkansas for one of these sisters to go over there) *There will be 5 new Spanish speaking sisters coming into this mission in November

Family Email

Another week came and went,

First off, before I forget, transfers are this week; we got an early call last night from the mission president that my trainer would be leaving today… in 1 hour… back to Arkansas. (Normally they get the call this morning and leave Wednesday) We did get a call this morning however from the AP’s (Assistants to the President) saying that both me and Hermana Johnson will be staying in this area!

This past week was bike week. I loved it. However, our Zone Leader did make up an acronym that I think is pretty funny and one my companions referred to it everyday.

B iking

I  s

K iller

E specially

W hen

E veryone’s

E njoying their

K ars

Conference was amazing! If you didn’t watch it, y'all should. It was amazing. Every talk. Also, if you watched the weekly report during the sessions about the Mexico MTC, they filmed that while I was there and I knew like almost everyone. Some of the Elder's shown were in my district. It made me reflect on the MTC and how much I LOVED it there. in addition, Arnulfo Valenzuela who spoke in the Saturday Afternoon session spoke while I was in the MTC too! 

I loved when Elder Hales talked about conference and how after we are edified it’s important to GO HOME AND LIVE what we learned.

I also loved when Elder Ballard said, “It’s Impossible for us to FAIL when we do our BEST and when we are on the Lord’s errand.

I love how a lot of the focus this conference was about member missionary work. I have realized that members are the key to our success out here. Number one because they can speak the language and answer their questions. Number two every time we take members to our lessons, our lessons are so much more spiritual and the investigators can really relate to these members. These members are the ones that are going to stay. We will eventually have to leave.

 However, member missionary work isn’t just that. I love the quote “Each one, reach one.”  This work is hastening. It’s time for the gospel to be spread to the whole earth!

Another acronym my mission president made up:

Because

Of

Love

Diligently invite

Besides conference, this week was great.

Continue to Look up and have a great week,

Hermana Warner

P.S. The signs on marquees for churches out here are so great. My favorite this week was Spiritual Blindness can only be cured by the Greatest Physician.

HOLA FAMILIA!

I think this was the fastest week of my mission. I can't believe another week has already gone by. We had a lot of success this week and hope to continue it this week.

All 12 of us missionaries in our branch sang yesterday because one elder is going home this next week. We sang Called to Serve.

We started bike week yesterday and the weather is perfect. Last night as we were locking up our bikes we found a frog and I decided to pick it up and kiss it! My companions freaked out but they were able to get a picture... unfortunately I have misplaced my camera cord to load them onto the computer so ya'll will have to wait in suspense to see that picture.

This month our challenge has been to carry around a Book of Mormon EVERYWHERE we go. It's crazy how many more Books of Mormon we have given out because we have them in our hand. A lot of our lessons have been focused on the Book of Mormon as well. Every lesson without fail was amazing. The spirit was so strong and we were able to bear strong testimonies of the truthfulness of the book.

I went on exchanges again, this time for 48 hours. Our sister training leader (who is an english sister) came up with me and Hermana Johnson. It went very well. It is amazing how people can tell you something and you have no idea what they are saying but the spirit will just direct you what to say next and somehow its perfect.

I did go fishing last week and I caught a fish and an oyster. How’d I catch an oyster, I have no idea. It was pretty awesome though. Again, I have pictures to show it, but yeah, maybe next week.

Im so grateful for the opportunity I have to be serving a mission. I love it!

Enjoy General Conference!

Hermana Warner

Family email!

Hola Familia!

 

It was another good week here in Memphis! First off I had the best birthday last Tuesday. My companions made me a cake and the lady we live with bought us dinner. (From a place like PF Changs) We were also able to teach a lot of lessons that day and had a lot of success!

 

On Wednesday I went on Exchanges. I went down to Mississippi to a place called "Horn Lake" Its about 1 hour south of where I live. We switched with the other 3 Spanish sisters. So my trainer and their trainer came up here and then me and my other companion went down there and we split into 2 companionships. We were able to meet and talk to a lot of people. I love talking to people. Its the greatest. We met one man named Mac. We met him in a trailer park around 830pm. It was dark and we were just waiting for the other sisters to get out of their lesson and then we were going to drive home together. My companion and I had passed Mac 2 different times earlier in the evening and just said hi as we were going opposite directions. However, while we were waiting for our ride he kept going back and forth in his wheelchair near us. Finally we started talking to him and it was so cool. His mom lives in Idaho and is Mormon. She has been trying for years to get him to read the Book of Mormon or to take lessons from the missionaries. He said he has been to 10-15 different churches down here and hasn’t found one he likes. We invited him to come to church on Sunday, and he said he would have to get out the iron and find some of his nice clothes but that he would be there. We were also able to give him all of the lesson pamphlets we had in Spanish and he said he was going to take it to his neighbor who speaks Spanish and his neighbor would help him read them. He was so cool! 

 

On Saturday we went to a relief society activity for our branch. We played the game "jeopardy". My companions and I are the ones that made up all the questions for it. I was surprised by how many people did not know how to play that game. I had to help explain the rules and direct the game. 

 

It was an awesome week. I love it here! The weather is starting to cool down. 

 

Today, we are going fishing on the lake that is right by our house. 

 

Quote for the week: Don't rationalize away future happiness by taking shortcuts. Seemingly insignificant indiscretions or neglect can lead to big problems. More importantly simple, consistent, good habits lead to a big life of bountiful blessings.

 

We can all apply this to any aspect of life. 

 

Hope ya'll have a wonderful week!

 

Hermana Warner

 

Hello from Memphis!

 

It was another great week here in Memphis.

 

First off we went to a Shave Ice place that is super famous here in Memphis. Everyone has been telling us to go there. It was so good... we went again. We met an awesome guy there while in line, and now he is being taught by the english Elders.

 

We did a lot of service this week for a family that is moving. We cleaned both her old and new kitchen. One day we did it for 5 hours straight and then the next day 2. It was a lot of work, but a good chance to practice our language.

 

We met a solid family this last week and have taught them 2 lessons now. We are going again tonight. They are up here from Mexico, just temporarly, but are a super sweet family.

On Thursday night as we were coming home from English class we were stopped but a billion cop cars who were doing a drug test in the middle of the road. The lady we were with explained that they do these every so often. Every car on the road has to go through and cops check their car. Ive never seen so many cop cars all in one place it my life. It was pretty cool for me, However, one of my companions is very afraid of cops and so she started to panic.

 

I was able to go to the Memphis Temple today. That was awesome. It reminded me a lot of Louiville Kentucky Temple. Super small but very pretty.

 

Well, that was my week, Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. I think my companions and I are going to make a cake tomorrow during lunch to celebrate!

 

xoxo

Hermana Warner

 

Quote for the week, "Humility recognizes that no one can change someone else, but with faith, effort, and the help of God, we can undergo our own mighty change of heart." -Elder L. Whitney Clayton