The Atonement applies to ALL 12.28.15

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! This week has been incredible and I feel so blessed to be a missionary at this time in my life. It's so crazy to think that a year ago I would have never seen myself where I'm at right now but I'm so grateful that I get to serve the Lord at this time. Sister Harris and I have had a wonderful week together.

Lots of laughter, Crazy moments, funny times, and spiritual experiences. ❤️ (JUST A WARNING: I have a million pics to send...be prepared).

We had a lot of amazing experiences with Megan and her family this week. On Monday we asked them all to pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith so they could Come to feel for themselves that our message is true. Megan rose her hand and explained that she has prayed about it before. We asked her what her experience was and she got emotional as she explained that she felt warm inside right after she prayed and she knew it was true. It was incredible for her mom to her that. On Wednesday we read Christs birth and acted the nativity scene out. It was so funny; probably one of my favorite videos from my mission lol. Well that night we went back to give M a priesthood blessing to help her overcome her concerns with the word of wisdom. It was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. We asked the elders to give the blessings so we had to do it outside since there was no male in the house. We sat in a HUGE thunderstorm as the elders gave her a priesthood blessing. The experience testified to me how POWERFUL the priesthood truly is. Megan said she felt so warm inside and KNEW it was the power of God on the earth once again. We had a lesson on Christmas Eve and the funniest thing happened. As we are teaching the word of wisdom, L (M’s son) starts freaking out because his lizard, which they thought was dead, was climbing up the light wire.

So the lesson stopped and we all tried to catch this lizard and then their cat started to chase the lizard. Everyone was either chasing the cat, chasing the lizard, or just screaming. It was like a tv show episode lol!

K, D, and B are progressing every single day...it's so incredible. We did a mission wide Book of Mormon reading challenge and I finished it Monday. Monday I got on my knees during personal study to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I've always had a strong belief in the Book of Mormon but I never completely knew if it was true. Well that night as we were walking up the porch at K and D’s, through the front window, Sister Harris and I saw them reading the Book of Mormon as a family. We walked in and listened to them finish reading then discussing what they had read. During this, the spirit was able to testify to me that the Book of Mormon was true.

Because of my sweet investigators, the spirit was able to testify to me that the Book of Mormon is TRUE. I always knew that I'd change lives but I never realized how much my investigators would change my life. We had a lesson with them on Christmas. We received some good news and Sister Harris and I were asked by Kathy to be her wedding planners. We are so excited to be able to plan a wedding we had many lessons with them this week and they are so amazing. We can't wait and they can't wait to be baptized in January. ❤️❤️

We checked up on M (Spanish speaking lady) and she said she was reading the Book of Mormon! She said she believes it's true. It's hard to teach her with the language barrier so we are taking a Spanish speaking member with us to our next lesson.

We were contacting some potentials this week and we met a man who didn't believe in Christ. We testified to him that Christ was our savior and then walked away. as we walked away, a lady yelled at us to come over and asked us which church we were from. We shared with her that we were missionaries and our purpose. She said she just moved into the area and she wants to raise her daughter within a church. We are so excited to teach her tonight! We met a man outside his apartment complex while we were trying to contact a potential. He grew up Christian but as he got older he said that he lost faith in Christ. He has a Book of Mormon was first contacted by missionaries two years ago and then again a year ago. Sister Harris looked at him straight in the eyes and explained to him that it was no coincidence that we ran into him. We testified to him that God was mindful of him and that our message is what he is looking for in his life. We will be teaching him tomorrow!

I don't know if any of you remember T that I wrote about a couple weeks ago but we went and visited him (totally inspired!) because we haven't seen him in over a month. He said he was going to call us a couple days ago. He said he has been going through s lot and hasn't found his place in life yet. We hope to teach him this week because we know it will bring the peace and love in his life that he needs.

Oh man, I love Christmas time as a missionary. This week seriously was absolutely incredible. On Tuesday we had a Christmas get-together for the whole mission. Every zone acted out a part of the nativity scene, our zone had King Henry's Court and when the wise men saw the star. The tech elders put all the zones videos together and we watched the videos as a movie; It was absolutely hilarious! We then took a picture as the nativity scene...sister Harris and I were the angels #duh(; we did a gift exchange as a zone which was so fun! We had a devotional where I was in a small musical number for it. It was sorta cool to be able to sing for the whole mission and share the talent my Father in Heaven has given me. We did a night devotional and it was so cool, I was able to be part of the mission choir. Christmas Day was amazing!

We started off the day with breakfast at the Wards, I love Sister and Brother Ward! The Fairborn Ward was more than loving this Christmas season. There were countless members who gave us Christmas gifts this season and I don't know how we are going to thank them. We were able to go to the Mazeys to FaceTime our families. That was probably the best Christmas present EVER. It was so amazing to see my family and share with them my mission experience so far. It made me realize how important my family is and how thankful I am to have the knowledge to know that I can live with them FOREVER. the rest of Christmas was spent seeing other members and two lessons at the end of the night. It was amazing this Christmas to focus on others rather than myself. I was able to focus on my Saviors birth and be able to share His restored gospel this Christmas season.

The mission life is hard to explain; I feel as it is a big dream that I'm living in. It's a special experience to be able to represent my Savior Jesus Christ every single day. It's been incredible to see the change in others’ lives as well as mine. Because of my Saviors atonement, I've changed. I'm not the same Sister Detamore that I was before I entered the MTC. I've come to know that this gospel brings true happiness. I've never felt this much happiness in my entire life and I know it's because I'm living my life in harmony with Gods will.

The same atonement that applies to me applies to ALL. Because of the change that is happening within myself, I can help others change their lives and turn their hearts to the Savior. "On our own we simply can't make it. It's only as we follow Christ, rely on Christ, and commit to Christ that we can find strength and success in our journey." I love this gospel. I know without a doubt that this church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know I have a Savior who is there for me and loves me. I know my Father in Heaven knows me and is leading me day by day. I love you all and I'm so thankful for all the support I've been given so far. Until 2016 , I love you all!

❌⭕❌⭕,

Sister Detamore

Priesthood Blessing in the rain

Mission Paint

Zone Nativity Scene

A little holiday spirit in our apartment

We were the angels in the Nativity

Mission Point!

Christmas was so fun and exhausting, we are so blessed!!!

Christ Lives Today 12.21.15

This week has been probably one of my favs!! It's incredible the miracles you see as a missionary and the experiences you have. The spirit has testified to me countless times that this is exactly where I need to be at this time in my life. So my new companion is Sister Harris and she is from Le Grande, Oregon. She came out a transfer before me so we both are fairly new. She is an incredible missionary and I just love her! We've had incredible experiences together...lots of laughter I haven't been driving my whole my mission but I'm designated driver now and it's been slightly weird driving now lol...but it's fun!

We had an incredible preparation day today. Sister Ward took us on base and showed us what she does. We got a tour of her department which was a blast! She teaches and trains medical response personals.

She took us on a C-17 and C-130....like how cool right?!? Sister Harris and I were just mesmerized by the how incredibly big they were and the equipment. It was so cool because I want to get my nursing degree after my mission and she explained to us everything she does with patients. We took some hilarious pictures (no judgement please lol). She then took us out for lunch to Panera Bread and then we went to Kohl's.

We went to choir practice is Dublin on Saturday which was so much fun!

It was fun to see many missionaries that I've never met before. I will be singing in a small group number which I'm pretty nervous about cause I'm the whole one on the alto part. I'm pretty excited to share my talent with the mission though. We have a big mission ge together for Christmas tomorrow which Sister Harris are totally stoke for! Each zone has to act out a sign from the nativity scene and we get to be Angels!

We had an experience with K, D, and B that was completely unexpected. We've had an incredible week with them...lessons upon lessons. Well, they didn't show up to church yesterday which was unusual so we decided to go see them after church.

They had a concern come up and mostly D’s testimony became shaken. With tears in my eyes, I testified that the most important thing to do at this time is to pray to know that the Book of Mormon is true and the Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and if they came to know those things, they would know that The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was Christs church once again restored on the earth.

We read the last two paragraphs of the introduction of the Book of Mormon with them and invited them to take action. D explained that he didn't doubt it was true and explained they've received so many blessings since we've come to their home. I watched as their concern began to be resolved. Their baptismal dates are still January 9th. It was one of the most emotionally and spiritually draining experiences I've had as a missionary but I testify to you all that if you receive a witness that the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith was called as a prophet then you will know that we are lead by a prophet today who receives revelation for the church. It allowed the spirit to testify to me how true this gospel is and that it is a source of light and happiness that ALL can enjoy.

Tabitha was unable to make it to church yesterday, sadly. Her baptismal date is January 2nd and she just needs to make it to church one more time before then!

M and her family are doing great! They were unable to come to church because of medical reasons BUT they have so much faith. M said she KNOWS that we teach is true and that God is leading her on the right path. Her and her daughter are preparing for baptism for the month of January!

Being a missionary during this Christmas season has become incredible.

I can see people changing their lives to look towards our Savior. They have become to rely on their Father in Heaven. Something that I read today during personal study really stood out to me. In the talk "Never Leave Him" Elder Neil L. Anderson said, "In our weakened moments, the adversary seeks to steal our spiritual promises. If we are not watchful, our injured, childlike spirit will retreat back into the cold, dark crust of our former bloated ego, leaving behind the warm, healing light of the Savior." I testify to you that our Savior Jesus Christ lives today, that through his merciful atonement we can be healed. Satan picks at our wounds while the Savior can heal them. I know that Christ is there for each one of us. Let us all have the strengthen of character to renew our loyalty to the Lord. Merry Christmas to all of you. I love you all and I'm so grateful for all the love and support!

Until Monday,

XOXO Sister Detamore

 

 

Divine Potential 12.16.15

Another week and a half gone by....but what a great week it's been.

Happy 3 months to me; didn't I just say happy 2 months?? I can't believe I've been out for 3 months already. Time really does go by fast when you're having fun! We got our transfer call....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....I will be staying in Fairborn but Sister Wolf will be transferred. I am so excited to be able to stay in Fairborn but I am so sad to say goodbye to Sister Wolf. We have had so much fun together and become so close. The weather has been so weird....we had three days in the 70s last week AND ITS DECEMBER. It's been so fun to be a missionary during this time of the year. I love that we get to share "A Savior is Born" with all that we come in contact with. If you have not watch it, please go to christmas.mormon.org and watch it.

Tuesday...every single lesson we had planned was canceled. We were pretty down but we didn't give up. We decided that we would go see M  Webb and her children because it's been about three weeks. We weren't going to go back until they came to church but we had a feeling to go back. When we showed up M said we were an answer to her prayer. She will now be M Hughes and the Webbs no longer live there. It is only her, her three kids, and her mom. She is going through a lot at this time and has turned to the Lord to help her. She received a priesthood blessing on Thursday and it was an incredible experience for her. During this time, she truly has turned to the Lord and relied on Him. I read her Mosiah 24:14 and put her name in it as I read it. Tears came rolling down her eyes as she explained to us that it was exactly what she needed to her. We had a lesson on missionary work and how it has played a role in her life. With tears in her eyes she said, "it has changed everything in my life. You two truly have changed my life. I want to thank you both for everything you've done.

With everything that is going on...I can't deny that this is true. I know that this is all true." I have seen a change in M from when we first taught her. She has had a change of heart. We have three lessons left and she needs to go to church twice then she can get baptized. We are going to plan for January 9th to be her baptism date.

Her sweet mom has decided to sit in lessons and we are hoping to help her come to know what we know and help her receive the restored gospel. She was able to attend E and C’s baptism.

We are not teaching the family with the two 9 yr old twins anymore....

Family stuff has come up but we hope to get in contact with them and discuss the matter.

We had zone conference on Thursday which was amazing. We focused on the importance of sacrament and the Sabbath day. My testimony on the Sabbath day, particularly the sacrament, was strengthened. I challenge you all to watch the Mormon message "Always Remember Him", it truly strengthened my testimony on the sacrament.

E and C were baptized on Saturday! It was one of the most memorable days of my mission. My heart was filled with joy and love as E as well as her 8 yr brother C entered the baptismal font to covenant with our dear Father in Heaven. It was one of the most emotional experience I have had as a missionary. It makes all the ups and downs completely worth it. It's so special to help others enter the waters of baptism and make special covenants with our Father in Heaven. I can't being to explain the feelings I felt; it was absolutely beautiful.

K, D, and B are fantastic as ever. They progress every single day and the growth they've taken has amazed me. They said that whenever they feel troubled, they immediately open the Book of Mormon to find comfort. K wants to teach her family that instead of wasting time on their phones, video games, etc., they need to open the Book of Mormon regularly. They were able to go to E and C’s baptism; it was sweet and spiritual experience for them. They said that the spirit was so strong and they felt like they found home.

Every time we see them they tell us how many days until their baptism.

They were at church again and I don't see them as investigators anymore, they are just like members in my eyes. We made cookies with them on Monday and had a lesson. B went to scouts for the first time ever yesterday. Sister Wolf and I went to the pack meeting to give him support. They were playing a game were they deliver presents...B starts dancing and goes, "WOOT WOOT, WE GET TO BE SANTA." K, Sister Wolf, and I couldn't stop laughing...we were laughing to the point of tears. this sweet family has become so special to me. Every day they come closer and closer to our Father in Heaven and Savior.

T is awesome. We read the Book of Mormon with her the other day and she said she received an answer to her prayer by reading. She has to come to church one more time and then she can be baptized. The struggle is she has medical problems holding her from church. We hope to see her on Sunday and then she can be baptized Dec 26th.

D is doing better. She is starting to progress more again. We had her at church on Sunday with her two yr old which was pretty nice. We read the Book of Mormon with her yesterday and she said that she felt like Heavenly Father was talking to her.

We haven't seen J and B is a long time...we may have to drop them

We had our Christmas party on Saturday which was so much fun! We had K, D, B, Riley (B's baby sister), D, her fiancé, her two yr old, her soon to be mother-in-law, and her soon to be niece all there. It was so much fun to visit with investigators and help them mingle with the ward.

Being a missionary is one of the most incredible experiences. I've grown so much in the past 3 months and I've definitely come closer to my Savior. I've come to learn that the restored gospel is from our Father in Heaven for EVERY one of His children. I know that through the Saviors atonement we can make our weaknesses become strengthens.

President Uchtdorf said, "If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths. Ironically, our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind to the divine potential that our Father yearns to nurture within each of us." I know that each of us have a divine potential that we can all strive for through the atonement of our Savior. Access His atonement and become the son or daughter God wants and desires you to become. Thank you for all the love and support.

With all the love I have

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Highlights:

First Baptism!

First Christmas ward party away home

Bringing investigators to the ward party

My Savior was Born 12.07.15

I can't believe that it is December and that it is already Monday. I remember this time last year like it was just yesterday. I was sitting in class at Weber State, hanging out with my YSA, and probably spending countless hours on my iPhone. Now I am in Ohio, serving a mission, and helping people come unto Christ every single day. It's a

180 twist and I feel so privileged to be here. It's incredible to watch people take steps to come closer to our Savior. When I was home things that made me happy were sleeping in, hours on Netflix, over 50 likes on Instagram, lazy days...now the things that make me happy are people feeling the spirit for the first time, personal study, people coming to church, and reading the Book of Mormon with my investigators. It is a huge privilege to share the gospel every single day and help others come unto Christ.

This week has been incredible with K, D, and B. They are progressing every single day. K had told us that she wasn't getting much out of reading the Book of Mormon and didn't understand it so we decided we would read at our next lesson to help her. When we got there to read, she explained that the night before they sat down as a family and read 3 chapters from the Book of Mormon. She said they each took turns reading, explaining what they read, and they got so much out of it. We've had so many incredible lessons with them. One lesson D told us that it feels like we are family to them. B then turned to him and sweetly said, "they pretty much are, in Gods eyes." How cute?!? B and Darrell were pretty excited when they heard that they could get the priesthood (B has 4 yrs until he can get it). We talk about B going on a mission all the time and it's so fun. What would have happened if I didn't act on the spiritual promoting to go visit them? Yesterday K text us in the morning saying the baby was up all night throwing up so they wouldn't make it to church but she really wanted to be there. Well, we were greeting people as they came into the church building and I spotted K and B. She gave me a big hug and said, "we thought we'd surprise you and come. D stayed home with the baby though." Later, she was talking to a member of the ward explaining that she was meeting with us. She said "the day they knocked on my door and came in, they changed our lives. They may not know it but they are life savers." We also had the opportunity to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional with them all at the Strodes last night. I am so incredibly grateful for this sweet family. They have changed my life for the better. I am so grateful that I followed the spiritual prompting to go visit them. Always follow spiritual promptings, you may be an answer to someone's prayer.

We are teaching a new family that speaks Spanish and English. The wife has a hard time understanding English sometimes so it's definitely been interesting. We watched the restoration in Spanish a couple days ago and it was different. It's been a really cool experience though.

We finally got to teach D again. She isn't progressing as much but she still has a desire to be baptized. She has some challenges to overcome so hopefully we can help her.

We got in contacted with B and J once this week but we haven't been able to teach them. It's been a challenge to find them so hopefully we can get in contact and teach them again.

We are so excited for this Saturday because E and C are getting baptized. We have once lesson left this week with them and then we will be done with all the lessons. Emma will be a convert baptism for us and C will be a child of record baptism. We have come to love the Campbells family so much. C is just like my nephew Paxton so it's been a lot of fun to work with him and Sister Campbell is just like my sister Jen. They have become a family who I've become super close with it.

We've been working off and on with a less active named C. She use to not be a fan of missionaries but she has changed. We visited her this week and she told us that it always makes her happy to have us over. She said that she wants to start going to church again AND to work towards entering the temple. This made my heart so happy. I know the blessings she can receive from the temple so I can't wait for her.

I am serving in one of the best wards. I love my ward here. The people are so willing to help in lessons and do whatever/give whatever to us to help in any way they can. They have shown me what the pure love of Christ is. I was reading a talk by Elder Uchtdorf called "Your Wonderful Journey Home" and he talked about the pure love of Christ and explained how it is a language we all learned in our pre-mortal life. He said "the pure love of Christ is the most powerful language in the world. It brings about REAL change in character. It can penetrate hatred and dissolve envy. It can heal resentment and quench the fires of bitterness. As you become fluent in this language and use it in your interactions with others, they will recognize something in you that may awaken something in them, a long-hidden feeling to search for the right way on the journey back to their Heavenly Father. After all, the language of love is their true native language too. This true deep and abiding influence is a language that reaches the very soul."

I have come to see how true that is as a missionary. The pure love of Christ can touch the hardest of hearts.

My Savior was born so that I can make it back to my Heavenly Father.

Without Him, not one of Gods children would make it back to the Heavenly Home. We all can overcome human mistakes because of our dear Savior. Through unspeakable suffering, Jesus Christ become our hope, savior, and redeemer. He is my strength and motivation on the path back to my Father in Heaven. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me and guides me every day. Where I see 10 feet down the road, my Father in Heaven sees 10 miles. I am an instrument and the instrument can't work without the hands of the Master. I know this is the Lords work and I see His hand in it every day. This is Christ's church once again established in the earth again. He lives today and guides us today through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know these things to be true. 3 Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

Until next week, I love you all so much and thanks for the support and love! (We will not have p-day next Monday because of transfers so you will be hearing from me on Wednesday next week.) XOXOX, Sister Detamore

Oh so; my hair is dark brown/purple again. #blessing thanks to Sister Rossi for coloring my hair today. ☺️ before and after shots!

BEFORE….

AFTER…

Discover Why 11.30.15

Wow, I feel as if I blinked and it was Monday. The past week was filled with ups downs and eh moments in between but countless miracles were seen. It's incredible the things you experience as a missionary and what you learn from serving the Lord.

I want to start with my experience with D, K, and B where I learned to follow spiritual promptings. My second week in the field, Sister Wolf pointed to a house and said "we taught them in August and the next time we went over, they sorta dropped us. We think outside influences affected them because they were so solid." About a month later, this family, who I never met, kept coming to mind. I continually put it off but one day I decided to tell Sister Wolf that they continually came to my mind, and though I didn't know who they were, we needed to go see them. When we went to their house on Monday, they let us in and we started to talk to them. Sister Wolf asked K if she had been reading the book for Mormon since they last talk and K had said she read it off and on. I then turned to her and said "K, how are you doing?" Suddenly, she burst into tears explaining that they had stopped going to their church and that she was losing her faith. She explained that they've had a lot of bumps in the road the past couple weeks and really needed God. We shared with her "Lord, I Believe" by Elder Holland and then committed them to come to church on Sunday. K said yes, she needed it. We went to their house on Wednesday for our next lesson we watched "The Hope of Gods Light" and discussed how the gospel blesses our lives. As we were teaching, their

14 month old granddaughter sat next to us. We were playing with her hands and I glimpsed down at her hands and yellow pants, I had realized that I had dreamed this moment about three years ago. I was completely stunned. I thought to myself, "is this why I am serving in Fairborn? I had never met them and for the past month I have had an impression to go to their home." The spirit was incredible in the lesson...it was beautiful. Sister Wolf extended baptism for January 9th and they accepted. She also extended them to keep a spiritual journal and write down whenever they had spiritual experiences. We had another lesson on Thursday and taught them the plan of salvation. We started to discuss baptism and D told us he was anxious to be baptized, like the feeling you get right before you go on a vacation.

He said that that feeling he had was God telling him that this is the right path for him. K explained that Sister Wolf and I had been in her spiritual journal every day since we extended that commitment. She said the moment we walked in on Monday, the feeling of despair in their home had been lifted. We went to their home on Saturday and taught them what to expect at church then read 2 chapters out of the children's Book of Mormon and then 1 Nephi 1. Sunday came and as Sister Wolf and I got out of the car, we saw them pull up. K told us after the second hour of church that she felt at home. D answered a question in Sunday school and explained that having Sister Wolf and I in their home has been incredible and has changed their lives. When B got out of primary, he told us how much he loved it.

I wish I could explain every detail about our meetings with this sweet family. BUT what I learned from this experience, is to ALWAYS follow spiritual promptings. This family has been prepared by God and the light of Christ has been brought into their home. What would of happened if I didn't follow the spiritual prompting to go visit them?

We helped make and decorate cupcakes with T on Wednesday, it was so fun! We went to her house on Saturday and planned out her baptism for this coming Saturday, Dec. 5th. Sister Wolf and I were so excited to have a baptism this coming Saturday. Unfortunately, Tabitha didn't make it to church tomorrow due to medical reasons and she has to go one more time to qualify for baptism. We sadly have to push her baptism and we are hoping for next week! All she needs is her baptismal interview and to come to church one more time.

We went and visited someone who moved into the ward. She has twin 9 yr old boys who haven't been baptized so we are teaching them and they are preparing to be baptized January 9th!

We haven't been able to meet with J and B for over a week.

They went out of town for thanksgiving. They move don't have phones so we are going to have to find them at home and get them back on track.

We also haven't taught D in a week, she has slowly stopped progressing which makes me so sad because she was doing amazing.

Thanksgiving was incredible! We did a small photoshoot for thanksgiving during our lunch break and it was a blast! (I'll send pics). We then went over to the wards who are a young couple and another young couple, the Larsens came as well. We helped make the dinner and enjoyed their company. We then went to all our investigations that we are seeing regularly and less actives to share a thanksgiving Mormon message and give them a small thanksgiving treat. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life and to be sealed to my family forever. I'm deeply grateful for my Saviors atonement where you or I can become better and receive strength not of our own.

I'm deeply grateful to be a missionary in The great OCM mission. I'm thankful for my friends and family who helped me on to the path of serving a mission.

The Christmas message from the church kicked off yesterday, It is called "A Savior is Born." I want to invite all of you to watch it, become familiar with it, share it on social media, share it to friends and family members. I want you all to take its invitation and "DISCOVER WHY".

It's sorta hard to even explain what it's like to be a missionary.

Everyday I'm snapped to the realization that I'm ACTUALLY a missionary. My testimony of the gospel depends every single day and I'm molded to my foundation more and more. It's hard to comprehend my Saviors infinite atonement and what he did for me and ALL of us. I am weak on my own, I have faults...But I am instrument in the Masters hand. Our Heavenly Father has given us talents and gifts to help build up the Lords kingdom on the earth. May we all strive to develop those talents and use them. I love you all and I'm so thankful for all the love and support I receive.

Until next week,

XOXO...Sister Detamore

 

Find Him 11.23.15

Wow, I can't believe it is p-day all over again. It's such a privilege to be on a mission and to help others come closer to Christ. Today has probably been the best p-day on the mission. We went shopping at the mall with Sister Masters (she literally is the cutest and reminds me of my sister Jenessa) to get some clothes and a winter coat. It got super cold last night (28 degrees) so I decided it was needed to buy some nice clothes to keep me warm. Then when we got home Brother and Sister Sabino called us out of the blue and told us they would pick us up in 5 minutes for lunch. It is Brother Sabinos birthday and they took us out to red robin. Today made me flashback to being home and for a little, I was sorta sad but I was overcome with joy to know that I am serving the Lord. Yes, I miss my life back home, my family, my friends, BUT there is so much joy from serving a mission. I cant explain how amazing it is.

We had exchanges this past week and I was with Sister Slater.

LITERALLY THE FUNNIEST TIME OF MY MISSION. She is just like me and we had such a great time together. We were able to teach 5 lessons together and the spirit was incredible. I learned so much from Sister Slater. Turns out she is friends with some of my friends who went to American Fork High School. She has 4 months left on her mission but I know I'll definitely be spending time with her when I get home.

Thursday we had Elder Cardon from the seventy come to our mission. We had a big multi-zone conference and I learned so much. It was such a privilege to be able to meet him and his wife. It was such a spiritual experience. One thing that really stuck out to me is when we discussed faith, hope, and charity. They each are a point in a triangle with Christ in the center. I've realized how they truly connect together and they are a huge part in missionary work.

We taught a lot of lessons this week but my favorite one would have to be with D we taught her the word of wisdom along with baptism and confirmation. D has concerns with the word of wisdom but as we were teaching her, she said "you know instead of giving into temptation yesterday, I opened the Book of Mormon instead." This made my heart swell with joy. Before we even taught word of wisdom, she has been turning to the Book of Mormon to get rid of habits.

T is an investigator that missionaries have been working with for 6 1/2 months. She has received all the lessons and is more than ready for baptism but doesn't commit to anything...she likes baby steps. We went over to her house on Saturday to read the Book of Mormon with her cause we haven't been able to teach her in a couple weeks. After we finished Alma 8 together I asked her, "T, what did you get out of that chapter?" She said "I feel like whenever I read they are speaking to me. I think God is telling me I need to be baptized and I should set a date." Sister Wolf and I beamed with joy.

Because she is so ready, we extended December 5th to her.

This past week has been amazing and hard at the same time. I've reflected a lot of who I was before I left, who I am becoming, and who I will be when I get home. I know that the Lord is shaping me into the person I need to be. I know that through humility my Savior can make my weaknesses become strengths. I know we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who are by our side. We are in their watchful care.

I know that Lord gives us commandments because He loves us and He is going to do all that He can to have us live with Him again. Missionary work is hard but it is rewarding and I love it. We have a loving Savior. FIND HIM.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK,

XOXOX,

Sister Detamore

 

Two Months 11.16.15

It's me again..it's only been a few days since I last emailed but so much happens. I'll try to keep this email shorter since it's only been 4 days since I last wrote. I can't express how much I love being a missionary. Today I hit 2 months since I hit the Provo MTC and wow, has it flown by. I have learned so much and grown so much...I can't imagine what I'll be like in the next 16 months. I'm so grateful for the experiences I have had and I know without a shadow of doubt that this is exactly where I need to be.

We taught J and B this week. #lovethem. J totally had a missionary experience the other day where he told someone about the Book of Mormon and how much he loved it. He was super excited to come to church on Sunday. Well, we got out of ward council and had a voicemail from him saying his ride wasn't going to take him to church.

Unfortunately, J’s phone is broken so he borrowed his neighbors phone and we couldn't get a hold of him so Sister Wolf and I chased Brother Mazey, our ward mission leader, down and sped off to his house. We showed up on his doorstep and he was super happy that we got his voicemail. J came to church yesterday for all 3 hrs and LOVED it. During gospel principles, he was answering questions and participating. He seriously is so incredible. His girlfriend, B also has a baptismal date but she isn't as interested as him but we will continue to work with her because we love her and know it could bless their lives.

We taught D again and it was incredible. She is reading the Book of Mormon between every single visit. She explained to us that there is a reason that we ran into her and that we are teaching her.

She was able to come to church yesterday with her 2 yr old and stay all three hrs! After the sacrament had been passed, she turned to me and said "wow, my son did that like a champ." I couldn't stop laughing. She is seriously the sweetest lady.

We had lots of lessons with new people and found a lot of new investigators/ potentials. One lady, named S is a lesson that really touched my heart. We were teaching her the restoration yesterday and sister wolf transitioned from God is our loving Heavenly Father to the gospel blesses families...usually I pick up from there but instead I uttered the words "S, what is your relationship with God right now?" She immediately broke into tears. She said, "you know..that's the problem. I've gone through so much that I don't even know if God is really there for me." We discussed how much our Heavenly Father loves us and that we go through trials so that we can become stronger. We really focused on god is our loving Heavenly Father as we taught the restoration. I extended baptism and she accepted! I know that we met her for a reason and that the gospel can bless her life!

So horror of all horrors happened this week. With having iPads, our area book, lesson plans, calendar, everything is on our iPad. Well, Friday the 13th decided to play a joke on us and cause our areabook app to crash...not just us but other missionaries in our mission. Without thinking, i deleted the app and lost the information we hadn't synced...meaning 3 hrs of weekly planning info, 7 lessons, new lessons scheduled, and information of all the people we met that day. It was the worst experience and I'm pretty sure that I haven't cried that hard in a long time. We had to call our president to get our schedule for the next day and we blindly worked Saturday. Luckily,

24 hrs later, our app started to work again. We were able to catch up on everything and I am so very thankful!

I was called out of the congregation yesterday to speak/bear my testimony since one of the speakers didn't make it to church. I guess that's what you get when you're a missionary lol but thankfully, I don't have a problem speaking in front of people..most people know that about me haha (:

Today Sister Sabino and Brother Sabino surprised us with Frosty’s from Wendy's, the also took us to Wendy's on Saturday. They are some of the sweetest people and I seriously love them and their little boy a lot. They were the members who picked me up from my first transfer meeting and they have been a HUGE blessing in my life from day 1. I am so grateful to be a missionary serving in Fairborn, Ohio. If you asked me a year ago, if I would be serving a mission today, I would have said no. I am so deeply grateful for all of those who helped me to make the decision to serve a mission. This has been the most challenging, incredible blessing I have ever received. This week I've done a lot of deep studying of the Atonement. I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for my Saviors infinite Atonement. I am so thankful to have a loving Savior who is there for me. I'm not who I was and its all because someone suffered and died for me. I know we have a loving Savior who is waiting for us with open arms. He knows how to succor us and we mean the world to Him. Never deny yourself of the mercy of our Saviors Atonement. I know my Father in Heaven is there for me and loves me. I know that we have someone who is there for us no matter what. I am so humbled to be able to spread the gospel and help others to come into Christ. I love my Savior and I love His lost sheep who I get to bring to the fold.

Until next week...XOXOXOX,

Sister Detamore

Give it All to Him 11.11.15

Well...another week (and a half) down...We have P-Day today because transfers are tomorrow. I can't believe it's already transfers; I'm not quite sure where the time went but it's been incredible. I will be staying in Fairborn with Sister Wolf..yeah! I love being a missionary!!! ❤️ Its been quite a week...lots of lessons, lessons cancelled, challenges, falling down our stairs in our apartment (yes, it was painful but absolutely hilarious), stepping in dog poop two different days, and more. I have so many things that I wanna write about but that would take forever so here is a few snippets of my week:

As we have done some contacting this week, we've had a lot of people challenge our beliefs and our testimonies. I honestly never have had those experiences until my mission and it has opened my eyes. I have experienced things, heard things, and seen things in the past two months that I've never have before. My eyes have been open BUT it has only made my testimony a lot stronger; it makes me realize how true this gospel is.

We were going to find a potential on Wednesday and we ran into some people who were doing a fire in their front yard. We met D and she is such a shy, sweet lady. She accepted our invitation for baptism and we can't wait for her. Every time we teach her, I can feel the spirit so strongly. We had a lesson with her yesterday on the plan of salvation and the spirit was so strong. It made me realize how grateful I am to have the knowledge to know that I can be with my family forever because of Gods plan for us.

We had a lesson with J and B on Thursday but they weren't there. We tried getting in contact with them and we've been to their house multiple times but we couldn't find them. It became extremely frustrating and heart aching because they had felt the spirit so strongly in their first lesson and were excited to be baptized. It came to a point where I felt that they were avoiding us and not wanting to meet with us. Monday night Sister Wolf and I were trying to decide what we should do since our lesson fell through and we both had a feeling to go to J and B just one more time. We got to their house and it looked completely dark but we decided to knock on the door anyways. J opened the door and he was so happy to see us there. He explained to us that they had been staying at his moms home for a couple days and that's why they weren't home. He said that he had talked to his mom about the Book of Mormon and she was completely against it...he said that he was so frustrated with her because he loved the book and really enjoyed it. He said they came back to their house that day because they were sick of getting in fights with his mom about the Book of Mormon. I asked him how far he was in and he said that he was already to 1 Nephi 16; my heart swelled with joy. I had almost lost hope and felt defeated because I felt like they were avoiding us BUT that was not the case at all. They love reading the Book of Mormon and even stood up for it when Justin's mom was bashing on it. I know that this gospel can bless their lives and I'm so grateful we have the opportunity to help them receive the restored gospel.

We went to our lesson with A who has a baptismal date and it was the most awkward lesson. Immediately he explained to us that he hadn't read the Book of Mormon and he didn't know if the church was the right fit for his family and that his girlfriend was uncomfortable with us coming over to teach him. We explained to him that first thing he needed to do was read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it was true. We explained that the gospel can bless his life as well as his families lives. We began to teach him the plan of salvation and I had shared a scripture..he cut me off and said " I don't mean to argue scripture but I don't think that's what that scripture says." This frustrated me because I was literally reading it out of the scriptures. As we were teaching him, his girlfriend showed up and she was frustrated that we were on her porch again. We awkwardly said a closing pray and left his house. I felt like the lesson was a complete train wreck but I know that all I can do is bear my testimony and invite him to know for himself whether we teach is true or not.

We contacted a potential named S this week and he is the cutest/funniest old man; I seriously consider him a grandpa. We had a lesson with him on Monday and as we were sitting there his grandson (S) pulled up so we invited him to join us. We taught them the plan of salvation using the Book of Mormon. S said that he didn't really understand the kingdoms of glory so I explained that God loves us so much that he is going to give a place where we feel comfortable.

He said that he really liked that and that it made sense to him. As we were teaching, we talked a lot about the atonement. I expressed how grateful I was for the atonement because the mistakes I have made are forgiven through the atonement of Christ. We discussed that we have someone who knows exactly what we are going through and that we never feel alone. S turned his grandson and said that he didn't need to feel alone because he had God and Jesus Christ there for him always. I knew there was a reason that S showed up at his grandpas house that day and that he hear something that day that he needed to hear.

We have a lesson with them tonight and I'm so excited to help them feel the spirit more and make steps towards Christ.

On Friday I had a experience that really touched my heart. We have weekly planning and I really have a hard time focusing because I find it soooooo boring. I had no energy that day, I didn't want to do anything, and I just wanted to sleep all day. As sister wolf was in the bathroom, I prayed to my Heavenly Father that I was tired and I didn't know what to do to make it go away. Clear as day I heard the words "Get to Work." Never in my entire life have I had an experience like that before. My heart swelled and my eyes filled with tears. I knew that my Heavenly Father had heard my prayer and immediately he answered it. I am so grateful to know I have a loving Heavenly Father who is always there for me. I want you to know that we DO have a Heavenly Father and he DOES answer our prayers. He may not answer them when we want Him to and how we want Him to BUT I know that He will answer.

NO, missions are not easy BUT they are worth it. I can't begin to explain what I have learned and the experiences I have had. I know that every day my Heavenly Father is molding me into the woman he wants and desires to me. My testimony has grow deeper than it ever has before. I know that this is the Lords Kingdom on the earth once more and that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that we can receive personal revelation from it every single day. Because of the Plan of Salvation I can be with my family forever as long as I follow Christ and become like him. If you feel alone, discouraged, lost, turn to our Heavenly Father and Savior...allow them into your life. They love you. They know you. I am so thankful to serve in Ohio and to be a servant of the Lord. I love you all and I am so grateful for all the support I have.

I'd like to end with a part of song that I've grown to love to listen to, it's called Give It All To Him (mom, and anyone else PLEASE LOOK UP THIS SONG AND LISTEN TO IT):

With a pounding heart inside my chest

New shoes on my feet

I tell her goodbye one last time

A tears rolls down her cheek

She says I love you son [daughter]

And just like that I'm gone

With nineteen years behind me

I've got a whole life full of dreams

I spent countless nights asking God

Down there on my knees

Pretty soon I knew

What I had to do

So with a smile on my face

And a prayer in my heart

With my whole world behind me

My life's about to start

I can't count all the blessings that are waiting in the end So I forget myself and give it all to him

Until Monday...XOXO,

Sister Detamore

 

Bonus Pictures! 10.7.15

Hey there, Jen here, Sister Detamore is super blessed to have a wonderful Mission President and wife who are dedicated to taking and posting pictures of the missionaries. This gives us another view of Sister Detamore serving in Ohio. Enjoy!

The Lord’s Work 11.2.15

What an incredible week with incredible miracles. This week I truly realized that this is the Lords work and how much he truly is a part of it. We've had many opportunities the past month getting potential investigators but Sister Wolf and I have struggled to find new investigators where we are actually teaching...we barely could hit our goal of one new investigator each week. This week we had the opportunity to not only find potential investigators but we were able to find 10 new investigators. We also were able to extend baptism to 7 new people so we have 10 people with dates working towards baptism.

The zone leaders called us last night to talk about our successes this week and they asked us to do training at the zone meeting Wednesday...so I'm pretty nervous to train on Wednesday since I'm so new but I am super excited and ready to take on the challenge. There have been so many miracles this week and so many things I can ramble on for days about but I want to share with you all some of the highlights of this week.

To keep my family and everyone updated on my health..Tuesday we had interviews with the mission president and his wife (President and Sister Daines) which was incredible but as we were there Sister Daines knew I was sick and she asked me to go to the doctors. So Tuesday night I had the wonderful (not really wonderful) opportunity to go to the doctors. I had the symptoms of the flu, strep throat, and a cold all together plus random bloody noses....The doctor never told me what I had but he prescribed me with an antibiotic and some liquid for the throat/cough. So pretty much I was dying all week and Friday was the first day I had enough energy to seem like I was peppy. Super crappy but we continued and worked every day. I am now about 85% healthy again and so very grateful to feel more like myself!

So on Thursday we went to take a couple pictures cause Fairborn is CRAZY about Halloween and we decided to contact while we were there.

We ran into J, B, and G. (Band J are dating and have a little boy and G is J's cousin). We talked about the gospel and got to talking about the Book of Mormon. J said he has never read it but has always wanted to. That morning I had prayed to Heavenly Father that I could place a Book of Mormon that day and I had the opportunity to give J one. we set up an appointment with all three of them. Saturday morning we text J to confirm the lesson and he said that he had read the Book of Mormon and had questions...we were super excited because many times people don't read before our visits. J really liked the Book of Mormon so far and how faithful Nephi was to the Lord. We taught the restoration at the lesson and the spirit was incredible. All 3 of them were so focused in the lesson...especially J. We explained that Christ's church was established back on the earth and that we had a prophet leading and guiding us today. Jsaid he knew there had to be a prophet but that he hadn't heard anything about him. The entire lesson I was preparing to extend the soft invitation to baptism (there is a soft and hard invitation..if you don't know what I'm talking about look it up in Preach My Gospel) and before I knew it I was extending baptism for Dec. 5th to them. They said they wanted to baptized by the proper authority of God. It be honest, it wasn't me talking as I extended baptized...i learned that day that if we open our months, they will be filled. I was being lead by the spirit and it was incredible. I knew it was divine placement and we were meant to meet these 3. God truly puts people in your path, you just have to be willing to open your mouth and share the gospel. I literally was on cloud 9 spiritually.

#spiritualcloud9

We've been teaching M W and sorta her daughters but the kids never have received the lessons. So we taught the restoration to the 4 little girls and we were able to extend baptism to the 3 that were at or over the age of accountability. We set up an appointment to teach the girls the Plan of Salvation but when we got to their house the 2 boys decided to sit in the lesson. That is a miracle in of its self...

They always say "the church girls are here!" but once we start the lessons, they immediately leave. We were teaching the Plan of Salvation with coloring pages that I made and the kids were soaking up the information. At the end of the lesson, I decided to extend baptism to the 2 boys...L accepted. Ca was a little hesitant....L whispered "say yes" and sweet K did a thumbs up and said "C, it's a good thing". It was the cutest thing I've ever seen. All of 7 of these kids are 11 and younger but they have all accepted to be baptized. We are now teaching the entire family...we haven't been able to teach any of the lesson to the dad yet... He had a baptismal date but he hasn't been to church so we had to move the date. We are hoping to work on him this week so that we can teach them as a family. They all (besides the dad) have the baptismal date of Nov. 28th and I know that this gospel can bless their family. I have seen the blessing within my own family and I know that this gospel unites families on earth and through the eternities.

Friday we had new missionary follow-up training and it was incredible.

All of us new missionaries and our trainers had the opportunity to go with the President and Sister Daines to the Columbus Temple to do an endowment session. This was probably one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. I am so grateful for the temple and the blessings we receive from attend it. Whether you can do an endowment session, baptisms, or simple just sit on the temple grounds...please make it a point to go to the temple at least every month...or if possible, each week. The temple is a piece on earth and I testify that the spirit can be felt strongly there. I love the temple and I know that our Heavenly Father gave us temples to feel of his love and to come closer to Him.

This week was filled with so many miracles to the point where I can't write about all of them. I know that this is the Lords work and I am simply an instrument in His hands. This week my testimony of the gospel grew farther and deeper than it ever has before. This is Christ's church restored on the earth. We have the tools necessary to make it back to our Heavenly Father and Savior...all we have to do now is use the tools. Because of the Atonement, we can make it back to them. Just as the Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion, the Atonement is the keystone to The Plan of Salvation. The way we show our love and devotion to God is by following His son, Jesus Christ.

Everyday strive to become more like Christ. I am so incredibly grateful for the gospel in my life. I am deeply grateful for the Atonement of my Savior. This work is hard but I know that Salvation is not cheap. Even through the hard struggles, I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary and to find the lost sheep. Thank you for all the support and love! I love you all!!

Until Next Week...

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Hightlights:

Temple session

1st Halloween in Ohio

What a Week 10.26.15

I feel as if this week wasn't the most amazing week but that's okay. I know that we did plant a lot of seeds in people's hearts and that one day those seeds will grow.

I guess I can start out by saying how awful today and yesterday was.

Saturday I woke up with a sore throat and it bothered me all day..I didn't think much about it until all night I was awake due to really bad pain. I was super sick all Sunday and it was more than just a sore throat; it was to the point where I was in tears. We had Sister Uptegraft, Brother Uptegraft, and Brother Dean come over and I ended up getting a priesthood blessing. I cant begin to explain how thankful I am for worthy priesthood holders. After the brethren gave me a priesthood blessing, Sister Uptegraft stayed to make me herbal tea and pulled out her essential oils....(She also proceeded to do our dishes).

Sister Wolf and I stayed home until our dinner appointment at the Rossi's. while were at our dinner appointment, Sister Uptegraft text us and told us she had made us homemade chicken noodle soup. (That woman is just incredible). Brother Rossi is a nurse and so he checked my throat. He told me I should think about going to the doctors because it may be possible that I have strep throat. I woke up this morning super sick still and we are sorta unsure what I have but I'm just taking it easy. I haven't gone to the doctors because I don't want to get there and be told that I'm just sick and that I need to rest and take it easy. BUT I am so incredibly grateful for my ward who is so loving and willing to do anything to help me feel better. It's so nice to have people who feel like family while I'm away from home.

We started a "fitness" challenge on Monday with our district. We get points if we don't eat passed 9:30 pm, get to bed by 10:30, get up by 6:30, exercise for 30 mins, get to personal study by 8 am, and get to companion study by 9. We also get extra points of we exercise extra mins before 8 am or after 9:30 pm. It's helped me a lot with being more obedient to our schedule and "exact obedience bring miracles while select obedience brings select blessings". Also Monday, we had elders call us serving in Alaska and one of the Elders is from Dayton, Ohio. He called us to refer us over to his mom and step dad who live in Yellow Springs. His mom had been inactive for years and his step dad was a nonmember. He asked us if we would go over the their house on Tuesday and share with them what he was sharing in Alaska. I knew that this was a small tender mercy for his mom the moment she opened the door and we said that we had been called by his son in Alaska.

Unfortunately, yellow springs is in the Elders area but helpfully they will work with them.

Adam said that his daughter was too young to be baptized so we asked him to pray to know that the age of accountability was 8. When we went over to their house Tuesday, we asked if he had prayed to know and he said "you know, if being baptized is what she wants to do then she can be baptized!" We are so excited for C. We are going to extend a baptismal date to her tonight and I'm so happy that she can choose this decision for herself.

So Wednesday, we went to teach B who has a baptismal date and before I could get out the car she gave me the plan of salvation pamphlet and Book of Mormon back. She said we were moving to fast for her (which I don't understand because she tried to move up her baptismal date last week) and asking her to make changes in her life that she wasn't ready for. It was really sad but I bore my testimony to her about the importance of baptism and the blessings that come from it. We weren't expecting her to drop us but maybe one day she'll come to realize the truthfulness of our message.

I had the opportunity to go on exchanges this week with the sister training leaders. I went with Sister Crandell to her area, Urbana. She is from Springfield, Utah and has been out for 16 months! We mostly did contacting the whole Day. One older man we went to was D. He had told Sister Crandell about two weeks ago not to come back until she had an answer about a certain question. She found scriptures that answered his question but he still wasn't happy. His wife recently passed and he wasn't happy with God. This guy sorta scared me but I continued to talk to him and bear my testimony to him. All of the sudden, his heart began to soft...maybe not on the subject of the gospel but he went from bashing certain beliefs to sitting with us and talking about his family and life. At first he scared me but throughout our conversation I began to love the man and I knew that at some point in life he would accept the gospel. He reminded me a lot of Mr. Fredtrickson (or however you spell it) from the movie Up. An old man super bitter about his wife dying, a boy (or two sister missionaries) comes along to serve him, and by the end of the movie his heart had soften. I literally watched his heart completely soften..it was incredible. He even gave me tomatoes and everyone knows how much I LOVE TOMATOES. He is even letting Sister Crandell and her companion come back to do service for him. I know that this man is going to continually soften up and will begin to see the light of Christ in missionaries. It's so incredibly how the spirit works on people and how people can truly see the Light of Christ in our eyes.

Friday we had our ward Halloween Trunk-or-Treat.... It was so much fun and I love the ward I am serving in so much. Sister and Brother Ward brought nonmembers to it and we talked a little to them. As we were talking to them, I had a strong impression to talk about the Plan of Salvation. We were talking about God and his hand in our daily lives...and it led me right into the Plan of Salvation. I know that the spirit was guiding me as I was talking to them. The spirit is so important when it comes to missionary work and it should always guide us. I like to compare it this way: missionaries speak to the body/mind and the spirit speaks to the soul. Without the Holy Ghost, missionary work would be impossible.

We had 3 investigators come to church yesterday and I was so incredibly happy. Even though I was super sick, I had the opportunity to go to church and sit by 1 of our investigators. We are going to continue teaching all of our investigators the importance of attending church, why it's important personally, and how it will bless their lives.

There will never be a general apostasy again but we are in danger of falling into a personal apostasy. We need to continually strengthen our testimony and deepen our conversion. Here are safeguards to help

you:

1. Keep covenants

2. Obey the commandments

3. Follow church leaders

4. Partake of the sacrament each week

5. Daily scripture study

6. Daily prayer

7. Service

I can testify to you all that this gospel is true and the fully restored gospel on the earth today. We have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who know us individually and love us deeply. I promise you that if you follow the 7 steps above, that you will become closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior and you will come to know how true this gospel is. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I know that I can be with my family forever and that I've been blessed with such an amazing family. There are so many ups and downs as a missionary but everyday I'm reminded that this is exactly where I should be. I love you all and I'm so grateful for all the support. Look to Christ, build a foundation on Christ, and press forward with faith in Christ.

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

 

A Complete Blur 10.19.15

This week is a complete blur..no like really, I swear I blinked and it was Monday again haha. I'm not even sure what to talk about because we had so much happen. OH GUESS WHAT? I hit the MTC one month ago 3 days ago and let me tell you I have no idea where that month went. I've had my ups and downs but being a missionary is incredible. Happy 1 Month to me ☺️
I guess I'll start with the depressing news because then it'll force you all to read the whole email to get to the GOOD stuff. And plus, I've realized that I haven't really wrote about stuff that does go wrong. Let me tell you, there are going to be ups and downs as a missionary. What I have realized is you can either focus on the negative or focus more on the positive. I've unconsciously decided to focus on the positive so I want to apologize for not writing a lot about the negative stuff. There are downs almost every single day but the good weighs out the bad.
So three of our investigators (A, R, and M) are not going to be ready to be baptized on October 31st..and it makes me so sad. Two of them were progressing pretty well but this week we sort of hit a stump in the path. all three of them have begun to struggle and I know that Satan is trying to work really hard on them because they are moving to such an incredible spiritual experience. I pray for them every single day and hope that we can help them feel the spirit strongly once again.
Another struggle that I've seen while being out is getting investigators to come to church. We have so many of them we contact/visit Saturday night that say they are going to come but when church comes around, they aren't there. I am going to really try hard this week to help people understand the importance of church attendance and that they can receive personal revelation through church attendance
Oh man, we taught this lady the other day and she was craaaazy. She said how we all had a third eye in our brain and the government was polluting our tap water so that it would dull our third eye. #WHAT Then she went off about this secret organization taking over the government...yeah, I wasn't sure what to say the entire time. Haha But she is going through a hard time right now and I know the gospel can bless her life so we will see where that goes.
We had an amazing lesson with our investigator T on Saturday.
She is probably our strongest investigator BUT she won't set a baptismal date yet. She likes to work in baby steps so we are making steps towards setting a date. Our lesson Saturday was on Faith and it was absolutely amazing. We listened to the talk "Lord, I Believe" by Jeffery R. Holland. EVERYONE PLEASE GO READ IT.
The other day Sister Wolf and I read the talk "The Miracle of a Mission" by Jeffery R. Holland. Let me tell you...that talk brought tears to my eyes. I love Holland so much and that talk pierced my soul. No lie. Please read that talk as well.
We had the opportunity to help an elderly woman garden and it made me think of my dad. He cares so much our yard and always plants the prettiest flowers. #lovemydad
My favorite day of the week had to be Saturday. We had a pumpkin carving activity that was put on by our ward mission leader. Man, did I have the time of my LIFE. It was so much fun. I'll definitely send pictures from that activity. We talked to a 12 year old there and wow, she had such strong faith. She isn't a member so we talked about the plan of salvation with her and she was extremely interested to know more about Gods plan for her. We told her we could teach her more but we wanted it to be okayed through her parents..out of respect you know? Well I don't think her parents were too interested but I hope someday Grace can have the chance to her more about the gospel.
Yesterday we went to check on investigators that haven't been visited in awhile. They weren't home so we decided to knock on the door next to them. We met S and she had thee cutest little 2 yr old boy. The moment he saw us, he looked up and said, "I wanna hold you." (Meaning he wanted to be held). It made my heart ache and made me miss my nieces and nephews so so much. We got to talking to her and before I knew it we were in her house teaching her the restoration. After I recited the first vision to her she said, "that's amazing that God and Jesus Christ appeared to him." Yes, S, it is! We have another appointment with her Wednesday and I can't wait to teach her again.
My favorite lesson of the entire week was probably at dinner last night. We had an awesome dinner at a part-member families home. We shared the Mormon message "The Hope of Gods Light" and then Sister Wolf and I shared our personal "conversion" (not really converts but gaining our own testimonies) stories. It was so powerful and the spirit was so strong. There wasn't a dry eye in the room and I KNEW walking out that we had strengthened their testimonies and helped them come closer to Christ. It wasn't because of me but because of the spirit in the room. I told them that if they had a question, had a desire to receive an answer, went humbly before the Lord in pray, with real intent, that they would receive an answer. I told them that I was called of God and set apart as a representative of Jesus Christ and I had the authority to promise them this. I can honestly say that this has been the most powerful moment as a missionary. God is there for us and He knows us individually. I challenge you all to watch "The Hope of Gods Light" and then pray to our a Heavenly Father having a desire to know the answer to a question you want to ask Him. I PROMISE YOU that you WILL receive an answer if you are humble enough to receive it.
Since my sister is so amazing, she sent me a thing that allows me to transfer pictures from my camera to my iPad. I got it Saturday so I didn't take too many photos on my camera but from now on I will have better quality photos then the lame iPad ones. Lol thanks Jen!
Being a missionary is incredible. As I have said before, there are ups and downs. I have times when I wonder what in the world am I doing out here but I have moments where I know exactly what I'm doing out here!
I am so grateful I have the opportunity to be a sister missionary. I have grown so much in the past month and I know I'll continue to grow the next 17. I love this gospel so much. I've never loved it so much until now. I KNOW I have a loving Savior who is there for us. I KNOW we have a prophet on the earth to lead and guide us. I KNOW that I have a loving Heavenly Father who cares so deeply about each one of us. It's incredibly amazing how much we as indicates can grow in the gospel if we allow ourselves to grow. I love you all so much and I am so grateful for the support!
With lots of love..XOXO,
Sister Detamore
Highlights:
1 Month
First haircut on her mission
Pumpkin carving activity
Fall in Ohio
Halloween Packages

So much to say, so little time 10.12.15

 It's so hard trying to think about what I'm going to write because so much happens in a week. Hopefully I write about everything that I want to write about and my emails will probably be long all the time cause there is so much to write about. (ps; I'm writing this sentence after I finished my email...be prepared for a long email...it's so good though)
So last Monday in my email I talked about a 9 yr old we were going to teach that night who had less active parents. We taught their family the restoration to them and we all drew out of each point of the restoration. I'll send the picture of mine. holy goodness, They know so much... They are the Campbell's and they have 4 kids. It's like they taught the kids the gospel but just never go to church. When we were talking about Joseph Smith, “E” (the 9 yr old) goes, "oh, God and Jesus came to him and told him to not join any of the churches cause they were all wrong." I was like YES! Haha so long story we got to the end of the lesson and I extended baptism to “E” with the date of Nov. 14. Her mom starts talking (and I was like oh no...) and she proceeds to say that “C” turns 8 on the 18th so they'd like them to be baptized the same day..so I asked if November 21st would work.
Sister Wolf and I had talked about asking if their dad, “R” would prepare himself to baptize the kids and before I could ask.... “C” (the 7 yr old) goes "And daddy can baptize us!" It was the greatest thing EVER. So we have another baptism coming up!
So another cool story. We had a lesson set up with “M” who has a baptismal date but when we got there she wasn't there. We decided to talk to “K”:, her mother-in-law who is a less active that we've been teaching. “K” has been going through stuff tough stuff and so we taught her about trials and relying on God. At the end of the lesson, we asked her if she wanted to receive a priesthood blessing. The next day we got a member and his wife (which happened to be “K’s” visiting teacher) to go over to “K's” to give her a blessing. We were unable to go because we had a lesson during that time. The next day after she got the blessing we went over to teach the family and “K” was totally different. She literally was glowing. #BEAMING we asked her how it was and she said "as soon as he put his hands on my head, I could feel it.
I could feel the power of the priesthood. I felt so comforted and peaceful afterwards. People kept asking me after what I was on or what I drank but I kept telling them I didn't take anything. I've been like this ever since I got the blessing. I can't stop smiling." PEOPLE THE POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD IS INCREDIBLE. MEN BE WORTH TO USE YOUR PRIESTHOOD. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
Okay, funny story to this story. We started our lesson and while I'm pouring out my testimony about keeping the Sabbath day holy and such...I look in the kitchen and I see a mouse run across the kitchen floor. #WHAT. hah I tried so hard not to freak out and to not laugh...but I go through my testimony and they still to this day have no idea I saw that haha.
Okay ANOTHER COOL STORY. We were tracting this road and as we are walking down it I stopped at a corner and in my heart I said a prayer to Heavenly Father that I could find someone that we could teach and find a new investigator. My companion said "are we turning the corner and going down this street instead?" I said "oh..I don't care." But really I was thinking to myself "we have to turn down this street. I just said a prayer that I would find someone down this street." Sister Wolf said "look there is a guy getting groceries out of his car. Let's go talk to him." We started to talk to him, “T”, and he told us he had a really good friend who was an "Elder" who taught him a little about Mormons. He said it was weird to see us cause he has only seen men in white shirts, riding bikes. He said that he loves how Mormons are always so happy no matter what. He asked if we had a church near by and of course, we said yes! He said it was weird because he was thinking about what he should do this weekend and we randomly walked up to him...he asked for the address to our church. So..we left him our number and address to the church. So Sunday came and he wasn't at church but Sister Wolf and I planned to go talk to him if he didn't come to church. Last night we went over to his house and he said he knew he had something to do that day and totally spaced that he was going to go to church. We got talking to Tim and man, what he said...we KNEW God has prepared him. He said that he has had some hard times and one time he went to a field and started to talk out loud..sorta pray out load..and that he felt peaceful and calm. He said he KNEW there is a God out there. We talked to him a little about the Holy Ghost and explained to him that the Holy Ghost comforts us and yeah. He then goes on to explain that he believes there is a reason that we met him. He said that everything was placed the way it was so that we could be walking past his house as he got out of his car to go inside. He said that usually he drives fast but that day he drove slower...he didn't know why he did that but he now realized it was because he needed to be getting out of his car when we were walking down the road. WHAT THE HECK PEOPLE!?! “T” said there is a reason why we met him...we didn't even have to say it. Gosh, it was so cool. So we talked about the Book of Mormon and he said that he had been giving one by his friend years back but he didn't know where it was. I proceeded to tell him that we had one in our bags for him. He then went on and said "you know, Tyler gave me a Book of Mormon and I lost it...I guess this is me getting it back years later." After an hour of being there, we bore a small testimony and set up an appointment to meet with him on Saturday. We also invited him to come to a pumpkin carving social that we have Saturday afternoon. As we were nightly planning, “T” texted us thanking us for the book and giving us his number if we ever needed to contact him. YOU GUYS “T” IS BOMB and God has prepared him. I can't wait to teach him. It's so cool to see that Heavenly Father really prepares people.
Haha okay...so when we were tracting, we were talking to this guy and I asked him what his relationship with God was like and he goes "That of a banana.". He goes on to say that he knows God exists but doesn't want a relationship with him because bad things happen when God is involved. #WHAT?? he also started to ask if we knew how to hack a computer..so we left. Lol, that of a banana? I don't even get what he meant by that?
I have SO much to write about but I'll do one more story. “J” is a less active convert who has a little girl and is going through her second divorce. We planned to teach her the restoration. So Saturday we started to talk about our loving Heavenly Father and as she is talking about God wanting her to reach he full potential she randomly went on to talk about going through the temple and if she wanted to get married to man in the temple what would happen to her little girl because they couldn't be sealed. We explained to her that her little girl could be sealed to her no matter who the man was. We went to explain how important the temple was and the blessing from the temple.
It made me realize how important the temple REALLY is and how important it SHOULD be in all of our lives. We need to make the temple a priority in our lives. It is a piece of heaven on earth giving to us. We committed “J” to start talking the temple prep class and prepare herself to go through the temple. The next day she came to church and her little girl kept bugging her to go up to the microphone. She helped her little girl bare her testimony then she bore her own. She explained that her daughter had no idea what fast and testimony meeting but she knew that it was God way of telling her she needed to be at church with her daughter and this is the right place for her.
I have so so so so much to write but who wants to read 20 pages from me? Lol. But really the gospel is so cool. Being a missionary comes with struggles. I get tired and sometimes feel to tired to do anything but being a missionary comes with rewards so I'll take it. I love helping people feel the spirit and to gain a testimony of their own.
Our Heavenly Father loves us so much. He knows all individually. He wants to be a part of our lives and help us day by day but as a good friend once said to me "God can't guide our feet until we move." I cant begin to tell you how true that is. Our Heavenly Father cares so much about us. He wants a close relationship with us but we have to be the ones to continually strengthen it. This gospel is amazing. I want you all to realize how amazing it is for yourself.
XOXO, Sister Detamore