He Will Recognize Y O U, Will You Recognize H I M? 3.27.17

Friends and Family :-)

In the last 14 days Sister Jackson and I had the opportunity to travel the world. ☺️Meaning, we met people from the following places:

• China                 -France
• Russia                -Cameroon
• South Korea      -Iran
• Thailand            -Germany
• Mexico               -Peru
• Brazil                  -Turkey
• Puerto Rico        -Taiwan
• Malaysia              -Japan
• Chile                    -Ghana
• Canada

Its incredible that no matter where an individual is from, God STILL loves them with a perfect love. 

Speaking of that, Sister Jackson and I talked to a college student named Ch about a month ago on the bus who is from China and doesn't really know who God is besides "going to church with my American friend". We briefly explained the Plan of Salvation and he asked if he could keep the Plan of Salvation pamphlet. Well, he set up a time to meet with us last week and I had the opportunity to teach Ch with Sister Taylor (we were on Exchanges). It was the most sacred experience to teach and testify of the Godhead to Ch while he tried to express himself through his broken English. God really does love His children. 

Last week we were walking down the streets of Columbus when basically, we contacted this guys dog Boo. (because it was the cutest and fattest bulldog I've EVER seen). As we started to share our message with M, the dog owner, Boo ran into the bar we stood outside and M ran in chasing after Boo. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. But we did get to briefly teach the restoration to M and set up a time. He said his belief in God was a question mark right now but then said, "Maybe it takes two random girls on the side of street to guide me to an answer." We are excited and pray to help him develop a relationship with God starting this week. 

We had the opportunity to go to another baptism and C came too. Randomly Sister Jackson and I got asked to sing "How Great Thou Art" which then led us getting ask literally 30 seconds before sacrament meeting the next day to sing it as a prelude for the YSA ward. How thankful I am, not only for the talent God has given me but helping me learn to love and be confident in the talent He gave me so that I may help others to Christ through it. 

Yesterday, the tornado warning sirens were going off, the roads were flooded, the wind was blowing and all OSU missionaries were in the Van traveling home from a missionary fireside. So President had all us sisters go to one apartment and the Elders had to take cover in a local Kroger. Luckily, we were all save and the tornado did not touch ground but it was crazy.

A few weeks ago I shared that we will be better acquainted with the Savior as we get to know Him and experience things He has experienced. As I pondered this I realized that, it is important for us individually learn to recognize the Savior. The Savior knows you with a perfect knowledge. He understands your strengths and weaknesses. When you meet again, He will recognize you but I ask you: will you recognize Him? My prayer is that each day each of us will take steps to learn who the Savior is and what He did. So that when the glorious day of reunion happens, we can see the Savior, fall to His feet and proclaim with humble hearts full of gratitude: "My Redeemer, My Savior, My Brother." He lives and we need to strive daily to live for Him. I so testify in the Sacred name of Jesus the Christ, amen. Until next Wednesday, I love you all! ❤

XOXO,

Sister Detamore 

Kind of 18? Lol. My awkward hand 8 works. 

General Woman's Broadcast.

H O M E away from H O M E 3.20.17

Friends and Family :-)

Basically, I loved this week. Who cares if it was Spring Break 2017...we enjoyed every minute of this week. We met some incredible people (interesting people too) and it was the fastest week I have ever experienced. 

Last week I left out some vital information that I wanted to share:

1. At Zone Conference almost two weeks ago an Amish convert shared his family's conversion story. They lost almost everything...their business, kids kicked out of school, shunned from their family, etc. It was such a powerful testimony he had. He also shared the gospel with three other families and they all joined the church. Sacrifice pays off for the gospel I learned that day.
2. When the General authorities came to speak to our mission. Elder Bennett of the seventy stated that we had the best mission President and wife (I agree). Elder Stevenson said us sisters were perfect. So that was cool. ;-)

C is doing great. He had some setbacks this week but is making steps of improvement. He went to a baptism with us on Saturday in New Albany and he came to church yesterday. He is amazing.

I love being able to serve at OSU with Sister Jackson I'm learning to REALLY love it. There is something special about this area and my companion. I'm definitely in the sweet spot of my mission ;-) (basically, Elder Stevenson shared with us that every spot is the sweet spot). The other day Sister Jackson said, "Sister Detamore, you are like the perfect balance. You are the most spiritual person I've met and the most weirdest person I've met. I love it." So if you can imagine, it's been such a great time being wrapped in the spirit but laughing 24/7. 

This week I came to realize the most important decision to make in your life is whether you will follow Christ or not. Every decision hinges off of that decision. I've come to recognize the BEST decision is to follow Christ. Following the Savior and His teachings bring a sense of lasting happiness. Never have I felt so happy in my entire life and it's because I'm learning to walk the path my Savior walked. He lives. He is true joy. He is true light. I love my H O M E away from home. It's something special serving here in Ohio. The Lord loves His people. I know that for a fact. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday, thanks for everything! 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore 

18 Months!

“C”

My thoughts when people walk down the street "I SEE YOU."

 

Spiritually Fed ✨ 3.13.17

Friends and Family :-)

I'm pretty sure I blinked and it was Monday again. This week, wow, it was so so good ☺️ There definitely was ups and downs but God is so good. 

(I'll apologize now, I have a lot of media to send today)

I can't begin to explain how AMAZING C is. We taught him Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. He came to church all three hours yesterday. Participated throughout. Gave a closing prayer in Sunday school. On Tuesday Caccepted to be baptized April 15th. He is truly prepared by God.

Here are some quotes from his prayers the past week: 

"I'm honored and blessed that the sisters approached me" 

"I am ready to learn" 

"I'm excited to go to church and learn more from you"

"I am grateful I was able to learn more about the Book of Mormon" 

Here are some quotes from lessons:

*after first vision...before either of us can testify*

"So, it's like his father and brother appeared to him."

*after we explain Jesus Christ understands his pains and then taught part of Great apostasy*

"So during the time people probably didn't fully know that someone had felt their pain and been there for them...do you know what they did?" 

*only been to church once*

"I could turn to pray and people in the church for support.." 

Please pray for C. He needs the strength to live the word of wisdom. 

This week Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve came to visit. He was accompanied by Elder Randall K. Bennett of the Seventy and Elder William R. Titera also of the Seventy. As we shook their hands, my eyes began to swell with tears of gratitude. These men are called of God. Sister Jackson, me, Sister Horvath, Sister Speakman, Elder Harward, Elder Mitchell, Elder Hansen, and Elder Walker had the opportunity to sing "Come Follow Me/Lord, I Would Follow Thee" medley. My heart is still full of gratitude to not only be able to share our talents with the whole mission but for an apostle of the Lord... what a unique opportunity that was. At the end of the meeting Elder Stevenson said, "I love you a blessing...as if my hands were on each of your heads..." and gave the most powerful and beautiful blessing that left us speechless. This is Gods work and this is the Saviors gospel. 

This week it is Spring Break and since Saturday campus has been pretty dead...we will see how this week goes. But yesterday, that didn't get Sister Jackson and I down....so we decided we would sing to people on the good ole' streets of Columbus. Sister Jackson recorded some so we will send some vids. We are excited to do it some more this week

Friends and family, we were seeking spiritual truth before we ever came to this earth. When we lived with God, we desired to do righteous things. We desired to know spiritual truth. You were seeking spiritual truth then, I invite you to seek spiritual truth now. There is a spirit within you dying to be fed everyday with spiritual truth. Feed your spirit. I know as you do, you will receive the faith to overcome doubt, the strength to go through trials, and the power to resist temptation. Christ is the Savior and our Master. He lives. I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday, thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore 

1.OHIO

2. Buckeyes

It's Okay To Change 3.6.17

Family and Friends :-)

It's been another week with more adventures, awkward moments, rays of sunshine, and even snow. OSU is definitely a different life but a good one. We currently have 12 missionaries serving here. I have to say, I enjoy seeing them every day, multiple times a day. In other areas you rarely see other missionaries so to see 10 other missionaries a day is pretty grand. They are a huge support group and such great examples to me. 

I wanted to share an experiences from last Sunday that I forgot to share: so everyone is probably aware of Josh from Powell. If not, here is a little sniping: In Powell, I grew very close to a family. One night in February my companions and I all decided to drop off a pan at the members home that they had lended to us. Brother and Sister M weren't home but there son Josh answered the door. Josh was inactive and we didn't really know him but we got to know him while we stood there and ended up inviting him to church, Sunday came and it was the most precious experience to watch Josh walk into church with his dad. So from there we would teach Josh every Monday night and it continued while I trained Sister Birchett and even continued while Sister Jackson was trained by Sister Birchett. Well, flash forward to December 1st as Sister Alius and I were about to leave transfers, we saw Brother M walking up to the temple. With tears in his eyes Brother M, shared that Josh was still progressing and now paying his tithing. What a tender mercy to hear. BUT listen to this, Sister Jackson and I go to our first Sacrament meeting at one of the Ysas and in walks Josh! WHAT?!? It was such a tender mercy for us. It's amazing to see the change in Josh. One year ago we started to teach him and now he was sitting in the YSA. Friends and family, your testimonies, your examples make a difference. I know it. And sometimes you don't see the results until a year later. 

Yesterday, we set a goal for how many people we wanted to contact. We had one more to contact to reach our goals and as we walked down the street. There was the guy that I felt compelled to speak to. We met C and he immediately asked us questions about the church which led us walking him to the church (well, institute building where the YSAs meet) that was literally a 2 minute walk from where we were. We had the opportunity of giving him a tour and sharing the Book of Mormon with him. At the end, C said the most sincere pray and asked God to help him overcome an addiction he is facing. We are excited to teach C again tonight! 

Being the only Sister Training Leader at OSU I have the opportunity to go on Exchanges with all the sisters in my stewardship. It's such a privilege to get to know the sisters on a one-on-one basis. I had the opportunity to go on Exchanges with Sister Hicks who has been out about 1.5 weeks. We had the opportunity to teach a girl named Daisy that Sister Jackson and I met our third day here. Daisy said the prayer at the end of the lesson and it was the first prayer she has ever said. This is one reason why I love missionary work. Helping my brothers and sisters gain a relationship with their Heavenly Father through prayer. 

I have come to realize that it's okay to change. To become better and we can through Christ. But I have also come to realize that it is also okay that changing is hard. It is hard to put off the natural man. It is hard to make your weaknesses strengths. BUT it is possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. As you make the choice to change, you can receive the strength to do so. As we apply the doctrine of Christ into our lives, we CAN change even if it is hard. Jesus Christ is the Savior. The only way to find true happiness is to follow Him. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Until next Monday, Thanks for all the love and support! 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore 

1. The best restoration: restoration of the GOSPEL.

 

Doubled-In X2 ✌ 2.27.17

Friends and Family,

This is been the strangest couple days of my life haha. I feel like I was thrown back into the world and it makes me feel awkward sometimes. So, where am I? My companion, Sister Jackson, and I were doubled into OSU. That's right everyone it's my second time opening a new area. I am currently serving at Ohio State University walking the campus and streets around it every single day. COTA has become my best friend which is the busing system in Columbus and is my only means of transportation besides my feet On weekends I'll see young adults partying. We serve in two YSA wards that meet at the institute building for church. I mostly talk to people my age 24/7. I will almost never knock a door again. I hear worldly music walking down the street or in the union. It's weird. But I love boldly proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ and the Book of Mormon is true to my peers even if they don't want to hear it. 

Sister Jackson is my wonderful new companion and is actual my "grandbaby" in mission terms (meaning I Trained her trainer). We both are trying to figure out this campus life haha. She is from Alpine, Utah and has been out 9 Months. She attended BYU Hawaii studying music before she came on her mission. 

With opening a new area, we aren't really working with anyone at the moment. We did meet this really cool guy named R yesterday. So we can't contact people in the union building on campus. Well, yesterday we did a quick companion study in the union and Rick sat literally right next to us which if you have ever been to college you try to avoid sitting by random people. I'm not sure why, it just happens. Well, we just briefly said "oh you fix phones?" and that was going to be the end of the discussion but because of R and his questions about who we were we ended up teaching the whole restoration, giving him a Book of Mormon, and setting up a return appointment. So pray for R that we can begin to teach him! 

Ohio is being super bipolar. Friday it was 75 degrees...just summer weather and absolutely beautiful. Saturday was 30 degrees and snowing. Not sure how that works out? But whatever. 

This week I came to realize you get to know someone better by experiencing things they have experienced. How would I ever get to know the Savior if I never experienced things He experienced? I will be better acquainted with Christ when I experience the joy and pain He felt as He walked the earth. So maybe I don't fully understand why hardship comes and trials occur and maybe we each have times when it's not the easiest thing we have experienced. BUT We do get the opportunity to become better acquainted to our Brother and Savior Jesus Christ...and to me, that makes it all worth it. Jesus Christ is the savior of world. He experienced all things so we could turn to Him. I love my Savior. He is my Brother. I say these in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday, thanks for all the love and support. I'll never be able to fully explain how much it means to me.

XOXO,

Sister Detamore  

Hi campus.

Bonus!

Hey there! We’re getting down to the final countdown of Sister Detamore returning home! Just 6 more weeks to go! Enjoy a few more pictures from her mission Facebook page.

TRANSFERRED. ✌ 2.22.17

Family and Friends,

Here we are a start to a new transfer tomorrow and guess what? I'm being transferred. Yup. Unexpected. Oh wow. Let's see what the Lord has in store. (: 

There are many emotions I'm feeling now as my best friend, Kira, is returning home today to Utah from serving her mission in Georgia. It's been a privilege to serve side by side with her (only 8 hrs apart). It'll be a joyous reunion for sure. I've learned that Heavenly Father really does give you people that have your back. 

The past 17 months have been a roller coaster of emotions. It has been the greatest experience and I wouldn't trade it for a minute. I love the opportunity to witness people feel Gods love and to see the gospel change their lives. Little do they know they are allowing the gospel to change my life too :-)

This week was a great one. ✌️ We had some great experiences. It's been sort of a blur and with my emotions out of wack right now I'll share the best I can:

First thing first, this weather! We are not sure what's going on here in Ohio. But it's been 70 degrees and we pulled out the summer shoes. It's brings such a ray of sunshine in our souls ☀️

Random fact: I'm going to be a great great grandmother in mission terms.

I trained Sister Birchett. Sister Birchett trained Sister Jackson. Sister Jackson trained Sister Speakman. Sister Speakman will be training starting tomorrow.

T, oh T. So T was a bible referral. I will never be able to perfectly describe her but I just love her. She is this black lady from North Caroline who is about 57ish. She is wonderful and came to church too! Our first meeting with her, she randomly bust into singing amazing grace after we asked her how her relationship with God has helped her as a mother. Sister Deighton and I were caught off guard.lol but we love her (: 

N and E are family. They really are. They continue to amaze me on how much they soak up the gospel. 

Steps are happening with J. Funny story we accidentally left her with the wrong scripture one night and we came back a couple days later and:

J: "I just don't get why you gave me this scripture."

*i open her Book of Mormon and read the verse* "And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher"

J: "what are you trying to tell me?"

Us *starts laughing to the point of tears* "oh Janice, we left the wrong scripture!!! That scripture sounds like we are breaking up with you"

J: "that's what I was thinking. I kept asking my husband what you girls were trying to say."

We have human mistakes too. :-)

This week I was taught how important it is to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters. There was a member that we ate with on Sunday (PS her apartment was like heaven and we felt like we were movie stars so basically she is the closest thing to perfect. Christ like and everything) and she asked us to go with her to visit teach the recent convert she was over. We surprise the recent convert with banana bread and three smiling faces. It was exactly what she needed at that time. As this member reached out in love to the recent convert I saw right then and there why we are given callings in the church. It amazes me how Christ like she was. We each have the opportunity to reach out and be the Saviors hands while we are on this earth. I've said it before but the best way to get to know the Savior is to do as He would do. 

I love this work. I love that I can be imperfect and the Lord still uses me to fulfill his purposes. The Atonement is real. Jesus Christ lives. I love you each. Thanks for all the love and support. Until next Monday! 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

17 months

Goodbye to my English bff.):

Columbus, OH dinner at members