Hit my 8 month mark!

First off, yesterday I hit my 8 month mark here in Russellville. I think my church records have been permanently moved to this ward.... (I hope saying this doesn't curse me because next week is transfers. Noooo...)

It has been a fantastic week. The weather has been absolutely perfect, which made working that much greater! 

Last Monday we had a lesson with Arissandra. We didn't have a car and we needed a ride so we asked an English member to come with us. (long story short, because she is single and doesn't do FHE in the summer) Obviously, she doesn't speak Spanish but that didn't matter. We were able to translate a few things for her, as she felt impressed to say them.She was able to share such a personal experience that brought the spirit to the lesson. I was again reminded that even though we may not be able to speak the language very well, or at all, the spirit is a universal language and can speak to all. 

We also had another lesson with this young 17 year old that wants to be a pastor/preacher. The previous times we have met, have been quiet, um... the lessons. Crazy. This time he wanted to meet with us again, we were advised to take the elders so he couldn't intimidate us. We decided to take a member who is pretty knowledgeable in the gospel. It was perfect. Not because she could sit there and prove him wrong, that is not Christ-like (which she told him that), but she was able to control the situation and we were able to teach by the spirit! There were still things we didn't agree on, but having that member there to keep things 'calm' was so needed! I'm so grateful for members! More importantly, I'm so grateful for the spirit, and the pure testimony I can share everyday that touches peoples hearts more than anything else! He will find this truth, it might just take time!  

This week my companion and I were working a lot on teaching by the spirit, recognizing the spirit, and obeying the promptings of the spirit. This is the Lord's work we do, and we must do it in His way. Focusing on this has made such a difference. It has helped us to have more powerful lessons, even if they are just for 2 minutes outside in parking lots. It has helped us be in the right place at the right time, and we are seeing the work move forward. I LOVE being a missionary. I know I probably say this every single week. It is so true. 

Other moments from the week:

-We went and visited this member in a rest home and she started telling us she has given up and she wants to die. She told us who she has chosen to do her funeral stuff. So sad. I hate to see people in so much pain and for them to have no hope. 

-Played soccer and basketball with the Spanish branch. SO FUN. It just so happens that almost every week my companion and I are late, because we were at other lessons, and we are always the first  to leave, because we turn into pumpkins after a certain hour... but... every time as soon as I walk in, the members yell for me to be on their team. Then they yell non-stop the rest of the time.. "Warner, Warner, Warner" for me to pass the ball, for them to give it to me, for me to defend, to shoot, or simply because they think it's entertaining. It's gets very competitive sometimes! 

-We went to some very good restaurants with members this week. We got fed more this week, than any week before, including when we got fed 3 times for Thanksgiving. Listen up... We went to Colton's BBQ (It's like Texas Rode House), Dixie's Cafe, Pizza Hut (who knew they had sit-down), and Las Palmas. PLUS.. amazing homemade food by the members. I had Chocolate gravy which is a southern specialty. They put them on their biscuits. So good. Plus, tamales, and papusas. AH! The members show us their love by feeding us. We had 9 people want to feed us dinner in the past 2 days. We were able to make it to 6 of them. Yes. I have had 6 dinners in the past 2 days. 

-Funny moment: You know you are missionary when you ask, "Ma'am, Can I have another referral?" instead of "Ma'am can I have another refill?" (for a drink) Yep, just a little awkward.  

well, I think that's about it! I love you all. I have the greatest family and friends in the world!! 

Hermana Warner

That sign: we didn't read it until we knocked on their door. ooops. They weren't there though so we got a picture of it! 

One year mark!!

In 2 days I will reach my one year mark. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. In just 6 short months I will be coming home and this dream that I am in will all be over. 

All growing up I remember singing, "I hope they call me on a mission" Every time I hear that song sung now by little children I get emotional. I am living that dream. 

The last year has been the greatest life changing experience of my life. I have learned and experienced so many things I hope to never forget.

I have learned to have hope. I have learned to put my trust in the lord. Even though I may not know what lies ahead of me, what my future holds, I can hold fast to my Heavenly Father who knows all. 

I have learned the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. It doesn't matter if we like to cook, if we are good at sports, if we have the nicest, newest car, or if we got a 34 on the ACT. The Lord loves each one of us the same. We are all equally important to him. Therefore, I am not better than you, and you are not better thanmeI. The car we drive, or how good we are at sports doesn't give us lasting happiness. What if your car gets totaled or if you are put into a boot because you hurt you let playing tennis? Are you of no worth? Can you still have confidence? Of course. As we understand our relationship with our Father in Heaven; that we are all his children and that we are each important in the eyes of God- then our view of life changes. I know it does. It's changed mine.

I have learned the importance of daily scripture study, how to receive personal revelation, the power of prayers, and so many other things. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission!!

 

 Life really is this good. 

Hermana Warner

pictures:

matching shoes

when it rains... it pours. Everyone keeps telling us it has never been this mild(weather wise) in Arkansas. It apparently has never rained this much in the middle of July either! I am enjoying it as much as I can, because the heat, plus humidity is killer. We have been pretty lucky!!

Melinda was baptized!!

 

  

Melinda was baptized last week! AH!! We went over there on Monday night and she said, "Did I tell you why I decided to be baptized?" Ah.. nope... "While  I was in the hospital I had a dream and Christ came to me and said, Follow your people. Be baptized." She said it wasn't urgent, like "im not going to die or anything" but he told me to do it as soon as posible. She had been praying about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon for a while and she finally recieved her answer. The spirit was so strong as she told us that. I have never seen her so happy. She is on cloud 9. All of her worries just seem to be so small. She is so incredibly happy and thanks me all the time for never giving up on her. Beleive me. There were times I wanted to. There were times I thought I was wasting my time, but there was always something deep down inside of me that felt bad for her. A 64 year old lady that has absolutely NO FAMILY, has no contact with her 4 kids, has had abusive relationships, has fibromyalgia, COPD, and smokes while on oxygen. I couldn't handle having her be alone. I would have sister training leaders come and we would have an appointment with her so we would go and we would leave with them saying, Don't go back. She is not ready. She doesn't understand prophets. The elect will listen more than they talk. BlaBlaBla. I eventually learned to not take leaders there after that happened 2 times. (once with me and once with sister durfee)  I learned that the Lord knew I wouldn't give up on her and I have no doubt why I have been here this long. It was for her. As soon as she was confirmed, I kinda felt a feeling of ... You have done your job here.  I also learned to have patience and rely on the lord's timing of things. I can't force anyone to be baptized. They have to have the desire for themselves, and once they have that, the Lord's timing is perfect. Yeah, melinda was not ready 6 months ago, but the lord knows us all individually and knew she needed some company. In fact, we were the only ones that visited her in the hospital. We were the ones that gave her food while she overdosed one day. We were the ones that NEVER, EVER GAVE UP. It wasn't me though. I wasn't my companion. It was the Lord allowing us to be instruments in his hands!   She does have an aid that comes and takes care of her for 3 hours in the morning. The morning of her baptism, Melinda was getting ready for her interview and her aid goes, "Why are you getting baptized? Just be catholic." Melinda said, "I tried that and obviously it didn't work." She didn't let her aid stop her one bit. The next morning after she was baptized her aid was kind of mad that she was baptized... (is what melinda said) and so Meinda let her leave early. Other than that, everyone has been so supportive of her (ward members and people she tells!!) She completely feels like she has an extended family. That's what this gospel is all about! I love it!     My other recent convert Diana came to church last week and we went out and talked during sacrament meeting becuase she has been having suicidal thoughts. I talked with the branch president to see if we could maybe get people over there daily visiting her becuase she is on house arrest, (she runs away from her parents) and is just in her house all day every day without a phone. (they took that away. AND... presidente said "she only listens to you, so I don't know what we can do." AH!!! What are they going to do when I leave? Well, Tuesday morning she was taken by ambulance to the little rock primary hospital becuase she tried killing herself. She drank bleach and took extra pills. She is out of the hospital now and is in a clinic for 1 to 2 weeks and then will go to a long term clinic!! Her dad said he will put me and Sister goudie on the list so we can go and visit her. Poor girl.   Other news, you know you have been in an area long when 2 different people get up to bear their testimonies and they say they are moving and I'm sitting in the back holding back tears and thinking to myself, "They are leaving me." I feel like I am apart of this ward!! (and branch!!)   Other than that.. things are great!! the 4th of July was awesome! The fireworks were nothing compared to stadium of fire.. I didn't realize how much music adds to fireworks. However, they were still good.   The work is still great. We go on exchanges tomorrow. We are both staying in our area, and so both of the sister training leaders are coming to our area.   xoxo Ash