Christ Centered Christmas 12.26.16

Merry Christmas Friends and Family! ❤

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. It was such a privilege to be able to partake of the sacrament on Christmas and to remember my Savior. Yesterday was wonderful! Filled with lots of singing. After church, we went caroling with the Hillard Sisters for about two hours. Boy, I love those sisters. They crack me up. We went to the complex for retired senior citizens and they referred us to everyone. We just bounced from house to house it was wonderful to bring Christ into so many homes this Christmas. We also had the privilege FaceTime our wonderful families and how thankful I am for technology to be able to do so. My heart is full for all the love and support this Christmas season. Thank you to all. We then spent the rest of the evening caroling at an assisted living center. I cant explain the joy I felt going from person to person singing about Christ. Christ centered Christmas is just the best. 

We also had a mission day centered in Christ and Christmas alllll day Tuesday. It was wonderful to celebrate the birth of our Savior as a whole mission. (: That night we each received our own Book of Mormon and study journal from our mission President and his wife for Christmas. We are doing a Book of Mormon reading challenge as a mission and will finish March 28th. I love the Book of Mormon!! I chose to study Faith and Endure To The End. There is such a power and learning that enters your soul as you study the Book of Mormon with a purpose. I invite each of you to do so.

A is doing AWESOME. He had his baptismal interview this past week and passed! (We weren't surprised at all). He will be baptized January 7th!! A is such a great example of how the gospel can change lives. 

K and K are great. We have a great experiences with them this week. My favorite was reading 1 Nephi 4 with them. The spirit was so strong as we studied the Book of Mormon with them. The Book of Mormon really does bring a sense of peace, joy, and hope into a home when a family reads it. 

This week S was referred to us who moved into our area. We will meet her for the first time tomorrow. Her baptismal date is this Saturday but due to her just moving here we most likely will postpone it. But we are excited to teach her (: 

And...everyone has heard me talk about my best friend and brother Justin. Long story short, I had the privilege to be there as he took the missionary discussions, spoke at his baptism, watched him get the priesthood, go to the temple for the first time for baptisms and so on. As I served my mission, I was able to read emails of how he was growing in the gospel. On the night of my birthday in May, I received a video from Justin informing me that he would not be home when I got home and that he would be serving his own mission. Last night I said goodbye to Justin and look forward to reading his emails as Elder Olson. To see who he meets and helps come unto Christ. Friends and family, that is what the gospel is all about...helping others come to Christ so that they can help others too. The gospel changes lives I've witnessed it. Let's reach out and share the gospel! No effort is wasted! 

I love the Book of Mormon, I really do. There is power in the Book as we open it up and strive to live the principles within it. I know the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and invites us to come unto Him. I hope we each take time to set goals on how we can bring Christ more into our lives this new year. Jesus Christ lives. God is Real. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday, thanks for all the love and support!

Happy New Year, see you all in 2017.

XOXO, 

Sister Detamore 

Merry Christmas

Zone Nativity Pic

It's always a party with Miss Sister Alius  

Sister Hall, Sister Manns, Sister Alius, and I #Caroling

Do We Let The Opportunity To Be The Masters Hands Slip Between Our Fingers Daily? ✨ 12.19.16

 

Friends and Family:

Can you believe how fast time is going by? I can't believe it will be 2017 soon. I'm not quite sure what to think...so for now, I'm going to ignore that it's almost a new year. 

Merry Christmas! I love being able to spend the Christmas season bringing the light, life, and gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. It's such a sacred opportunity to represent the Lord Jesus Christ. To bring others to Him this Christmas season. I hope we each take time to pause and reflect on our Saviors birth. To show gratitude for Him and to Him. 

A is doing wonderful! We reviewed the baptismal interview questions on Saturday and he most likely will be interviewed tomorrow evening! We are very excited for him. We did a lesson at the Spackman’s Saturday night which was a huge tender mercy for me. I did theatre in high school with Brother Spackman AND Sister Spackman’s siblings. I was in Miss West Point Royalty with two of Sister Spackman’s sisters. Brother Spackman’s dad was one of my seminary teachers in high school. It was such a neat experience to teach in their home. 

K and K are great. They are preparing for March 11th to be baptized. They have the cutest 4 kids. This week we took some time to read from the Book of Mormon with them and it was incredible the power and spirit that the Book of Mormon brought into that home. I love the quote " Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." I've seen this unfold in my own home. Happiness in a home really does come from being founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful to be able to teach this family. 

I want to share an experience we had a couple days ago. We were at McDonalds, using the wifi to do some tasks. As we prepared to leave, we saw a 50 yr old man yelling at a 30 yr old woman. We weren't sure what was going on....but had a strong impression to talk them. They separated as we walked out and we asked the woman if she was okay. She didn't talk much and then here was some more arguments between them as we stood there innocently. Next thing we know, she was walking down the street. We could have easily let her go but we decided to follow her. We found her sitting in mulch, up against the wall of a building, tears flowing from her eyes. We sat next to her, waited for her to calm down, and then showed her #LightTheWorld. There was a clip from the video (photo below) that screamed at me....I was sitting in that moment but in a place of the Savior. 

We talked about the video and asked what her story was. She shared with us events in her life that lead her family to become homeless. As we sat and talked to S, a pouring of Heavenly Fathers love for her rushed over me. We shared with her the Book of Mormon, which we found out she had been given a copy awhile back. We wrote down a scripture for her to read and invited her to do so. Before we left, we helped her say a audible prayer to Heavenly Father. It was such a sacred experience for me. I truly felt I was standing in place of the Savior that day. To help her feel a glimpse of Heavenly Fathers and the Saviors love for her. To feel peace amongst the trials. We were given the opportunity to be the Masters hands. What would have happened if we decided to not follow her? To not minister to her, the ONE. Do we, as disciples of Christ, let the opportunity to be the Masters hand slip between our fingers daily? 

My hope is that each of us can recognize, acknowledge, and act upon the opportunities we are given to be the Masters hand each day. We have the opportunity to minister to the ONE. Jesus Christ showed the perfect example of love, compassion, kindness, charity, mercy, forgiveness, humility. I know with every fiber of my soul that we each are given an opportunity daily to minister to someone for the Savior. May we each take time to recognize, acknowledge, and act upon those opportunities. Jesus Christ is my role model. My savior. My brother. I love Him. I'm learning of Him. He lives. He is the reason for the season. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday. Thanks for all the love and support.

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

The Gospel Can Bring Light Despite The Weather ❄️ 12.12.16

Friends and Family,

What a marvelous and wonderful week it has been. Every week that goes by, my love for being a missionary just expands. It's definitely December...with snow, cold weather, and putting on many layers but the gospel still can bring light and truth despite the weather. 

Sister Alius and I had an experience our first day back together that I never shared. In Powell, we grew very close to a family. One night in February we all decided to drop off a pan at the members home that they had lend to us (at this time we were in a trio with our lovely Sister Scott❤️). 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. Without realizing, we had transitioned into how much our Father in Heaven and Savior love us. He shared a really personal story from his past that showed him that Christ was there for him. Without thinking about it, we simply invited him to church and to partake of the sacrament. He then said, "You know, I was just eating dinner and thinking about how I needed to go to church again." We didn't know Josh was home, we didn't even plan to talk to him but our Father in Heaven knew we would be at the home and knew that we would help build his faith. Sunday came and it was the most precious experience to watch Josh walk into church with his dad. My heart was filled with so much joy to be able to see his dad's eyes fill with tears and love that his son was at church. I can't imagine the joy that our Father in Heaven had to see his son, Josh makes steps of faith and change to come to church. So from there we would teach Josh every Monday night and it continued while I trained Sister Birchett and even continued after I was transferred. 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. 

We read 3 Nephi 11 together as a zone at Zone Training Meeting and it was very powerful. The spirit was so strong and hearing the missionaries bare testimony was a sacred opportunity. I feel so privileged to stand side by side with these Warriors and Servants of Christ as we proclaim simple truths. 

A is doing well. We had two great lessons with him in members homes. Tuesday we shared the Light The World video with him while we taught service. We asked him how he would have felt if he was there experiencing those miracles like those who walked with Christ. With tears in his eyes he said, "in a way, I already have." The spirit was so strong. For awhile A was atheist but with personal experiences he has come to believe in God and the Savior. Isn't it wonderful that we too can experience miracles in our lives just like those of old? Saturday we had a lesson at the Bishop’s home and A said he had some questions but bishop answered them through his testimony. It was SO cool. 

We had dinner at our ward mission leaders home yesterday. It was awesome, him and his wife both are return missionaries. In fact, his wife is a convert and was found on OSU campus. (To all my OSU campus missionary friends, keep up the good work! You truly are making a difference). At the end of dinner we asked who we could share the Light The World video with and they invited us to share it with their neighbor K. We went over without any hesitation and K let us right in. We came to discover that her ancestors were pioneers, members of the church, missionaries, and even her great great grandfathers son served as a mission present over the North German Mission for the church. The same simple truths, the Book of Mormon that we were sharing with her....was the same message her ancestors were sharing with others years ago. We could feel the presence of her ancestors in that room with us and it was such a powerful experience. We are excited to share more with K. This experience truly was a testimony to me that the work we do is true and that the individuals on the other side of the veil are very involved. 

Family and friends, I know how true this gospel is. I know the light and joy it brings. We each can find our purpose on this earth as we turn to the Savior, understand His gospel, and LIVE His gospel. There is power in righteous doing. The Book of Mormon is true. Jesus Christ lives. I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday. Thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO-

Sister Detamore

Recent Convert, Erika. We love her.

Harriet Malone. Our dear 101 1/2 yr old best friend.

Zone Pic #LightTheWorld 

YWs of our ward. We taught them yesterday.

 

Deja Vu Anyone? 12.5.16

Well, it's been a few couple crazy days. Why? I'm BACK WITH SISTER ALIUS. That's right folks. 6 weeks in Powell, Ohio in February wasn't long enough so we get another 6 weeks together but in a cute place called Marble Cliff. I feel like I'm living Deja Vu every day and it's been SO much fun. Sister Alius goes home at the end of this transfer so I'll be in mission terms..."killing" her. How thankful I am to be able to learn and grow from her example again.

(Good news is: the Sister that Sister Birchett trained is now training a sister. In mission terms I am now a great grandma. I'm old. )

Marble Cliff Ward is wonderful. The Columbus Ohio Temple is in our area. It's absolutely wonderful. We basically cover Columbus but we also have a little village called Marble Cliff, Grandview Heights, and Upper Arlington. If I had to describe this area in a nutshell (besides Upper Arlington), I'd say it's like good ole' Ogden, Utah. 

A is just golden. He is definitely a kingdom builder. He is preparing to be baptized January 7th. It's crazy how prepared he is. We text him and asked him to read Mosiah 13 in preparation for our lesson on the Ten Commandments and he text back, "Great, I read that chapter the other day. I'm excited to discuss the Ten Commandments." He loves the Book of Mormon and no matter how busy his schedule is, he reads it everyday. He is constantly receiving answers to his prayers and it's because he is committed. 

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to be in a trio for the day with Sister Hill. She was supposed to go home Friday but extended her mission for 3 days so that she could go to the temple on Saturday with two different converts of her. It was such a fun experience and she actually served in this area a year ago. She felt inspired to follow up on a family she had taught and we had a great experience meeting K, K, and their four kids. We are so excited to be able to teach them tomorrow! We took Sister Hill back to the mission home last night and had the opportunity to watch the Christmas Devotional at the mission home. There was such a sweet spirit there and my testimony of the Savior deepened. It also was a tender mercy because Sister Slater (one of my greatest mission friends) who went home in march was visiting and watch the Devotional with us!  

We met a less active of the church this weekend who was kind to us but didn't want his kids to have any contact with Mormons or even religion in general. My heart completely broke and I almost couldn't hold back the tears. There is so much hope, love, and joy that comes into the home as we allow our Savior to be there. I spent a lot of time pondering my home that was, thanks to my incredible parents, based on the teachings of Christ. How thankful I am to have grown up with the teachings of Christ. There was a sense of belonging and peace that I haven't found anywhere else but the restored gospel. I wondered what can I do to have a Christ-Centered home one day...how I can make my home a holy place. It's the gospel and practicing living the gospel principles in the home. I love the quote "By striving to make our homes peaceful places where we can feel the influence of the Spirit, we can help ourselves and our families to be more Christ-like." We can become more like Christ as we allow our home to be filled with spirit by living gospel principles. 

I know without a shadow of a doubt that this gospel brings such a great sense of peace, hope, love, and belonging in a home. It is the ONLY way to make a home a safe haven; especially in the world we live in today. Let us each strive to develop stronger relationships and spiritual strength in our homes by practicing the gospel principles. I know the Book of Mormon is true and was given to us by a loving Father in Heaven. The Book of Mormon testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the reason for this season. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next week, love you all..thank you for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

"God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." 11.30.16

Hello Friends and Family, it's been some time.

Transfer called came...and of course, we know that it was time to pack up and head out. Saying goodbye to Marysville breaks my heart just a....lot. Yeah, not a little. This place has become home. The people here are incredible. But I am SO excited to go to another part of the Ohio Vineyard. Farewell Marysville, the last 5 1/2 months were SO memorable. "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." I'm excited to meet my new companion and new area.

Well, it's been a fabulous week and a half. There were so many tender mercies and miracles I would like to share with you all.

Tuesday I had the opportunity to go on Exchanges with Sister Hansen in Delaware. We decided during companion study (9:30 am) that we were going to pray with a girl wearing a red shirt that day. We went out to work and kept that in our prayers. After we talked with one of the sisters investigators we went to find a potential....at 10:45 AM there was a lady in a red shirt washing windows at a church. We were able to get to know the lady, talk about family history with her, and pray with her. It was SUCH a huge tender mercy. It's incredible that as we prayed with faith for that miracle, we were able to experience it. 

Wednesday right before District Meeting we had to run to Krogers to grab something. We saw an elderly couple putting their groceries in their car. We helped them and let them on their merry way without thinking much about it. 30 mins later a woman with her little girl came up to us in the store to thank us for helping the couple. She told us that she hopes her daughter will grow up to do acts of service like that. She thanked us for the way our parents raised us. This was such a tender mercy. It made me realize how thankful I am for the gospel helping me to reach out and serve others. It made me realize how thankful I am for my parents who raised me to follow the Saviors example. 

I love that we each can follow the Saviors example this Christmas season. It's our turn to #LightTheWorld. I hope each of you takes the time to watch this video (https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world?play=hero). I'm SO excited to be able to light the world this time of year. 

Thanksgiving was great! We had the opportunity to have dinner at the Terry's in our ward and then headed to have Thanksgiving with D, G, H, and B. It was such a great experience to be in their home with them. To invite the spirit in their home that day. During dinner my fever spiked and I became really sick, so we headed home and were in for the rest of the evening and Friday all day. But I'm good now (:

Monday we went out to lunch with A, A, and a member. Bless their souls. A paid for us all. I am so humbled to have met them. 

I love this work. I love the Savior. I love the Book of Mormon. I love the restored gospel. what a blessing it is to have the gospel to find peace and joy. As we commit to follow the Savior and His gospel, we can find safety, peace, and joy in this ever changing world. Until Monday, love you all!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Wednesday surprised and went to clean their home for Thanksgiving

Lunch at a Mexican Restaurant 

 

Thanksgiving with the Fam.

Happy Thanksgiving 11.21.16

Hello friends and family (: 

I hope this email finds you all well...especially with the lack of info that comes with it. It's been quite the week. To sum it up, I spent last Wednesday to today in bed 24/7. the mission doctor said he believes I caught two different viruses within the last week and a half. So that's been fun. Not really. But all is well and I'll continue to press forward (:

We decided to postpone B and H’s baptism. We feel we need to prepare them more as they prepare for baptism. We also want to help their parents more to baptism. They love learning the gospel and I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach them. (:

We had Zone Conference on Tuesday and it was wonderful. We are truly blessed to have President and Sister Daines leading us in The Great OCM. As we received training, I reflected back to the trainings I received a year ago during Zone Conference. It was evident that our mission has truly grow and advanced. It's been such a privilege to watch this unfold. The Lord really is moving His work forward and He has sent out some of His finest soldiers. I am in awe of the missionaries I serve amongst. They a true warriors in my eyes...with determination, obedience, fearlessness, and love. They continue to push me to be a little better, a little bolder. 

Happy Thanksgiving. how thankful I am to be able to spend another thanksgiving as a missionary. I'm thankful for the gospel in my life. I'm thankful for each of you. The love and support I receive. The examples you offer me. May we each take time to thank our Father in Heaven for the blessings He grants us. Not only during the holiday seasons but throughout our lives. 

This isn't my work, it's the Lords. I have the opportunity to wear the Saviors name on my chest for the next 4 months and I hope to represent Him well. The work is moving forward. The gospel is being spread. May we take the time to reach out and be the Lords hands. To #LightTheWorld. I know that the gospel has been restored....to bless us and families around us. The Book of Mormon outlines our purpose on earth and the blessings that come from being true to the gospel. It testifies of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father lives and He loves. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Wednesday, ah...transfers. Not sure the odds are in my favor this time but it would be a blessed day if so. Thank you for all the love and support. Talk to you next week!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

I forgot to share the sweetest experience. We were on the phone with Abraham, our recent convert yesterday asking about church since we didn't get to go. Sister Ali asked if he could pray for me sometime so that I would feel better. Immediately Abraham began to pray:

"Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you watch over Sister Detamore and help her to feel better. She is a very nice person and is the one who got me into the church. I pray for all of them. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." 

How humbling that prayer was as he spoke to our Father in Heaven. I'm very thankful for it.

I also had the opportunity to get a priesthood blessing yesterday and how thankful I am to know that the priesthood authority is on the earth today. What a blessing.

Have a blessed week, everyone. XOXO.

Real Joy 11.14.16

H E L L O. 

It's been a great week. We had a fun district activity today. Consisting of volleyball.

Sister Ali and I started a new hashtag this week: #IAmHereBecause. If you could please take a picture like ours and the members below then send it to me that'd be awesome! We have some plans with it. PLEASE DO IT. thanks. (: 

So I got a bad cold this weekend and I had to take a nap so we text Sister Daines and told her we didn't get to do weekly planning and asked if we could do it Saturday morning. She called us and asked how I was doing and she said I sounded awful. She then said that me getting sick was a tender mercy and an answer to prayers because she had a companionship coming into the mission home over the weekend because a sister was going home Monday due to stomach problems...and they didn't know what they would do with them for the weekend. So she had the companionship come to our apartment Friday-Sunday and I stayed in all three days with the sick sister. It was definitely interesting but it was nice to sleep all weekend. We had interviews Saturday and President told me the only way to get better is to sleep and he needed me to feel better. So that was my weekend. But I'm feeling way better now! 

I went on two exchanges one with Sister Sly who goes home in 6 weeks and another with Sister Myers in Mansfield. Mansfield had hills...almost mountains. Maybe I cried a little. #LoveMyUtahMountains

This week H and B’s mom entered the picture. G, I love her. She had concerns with the law but is making changes in her life. She is incredible and it's been amazing to teach the whole family. Especially since we have fasted and prayed for a family! H and B are preparing to be baptized the 26th of this month still! Hopefully their parents will come quickly behind them. G calls us "her sisters" and it's so sweet. They prayed for me all weekend that I'd feel better and come back. Hunter looked at her mom at our lesson last night and said (keep in mind she is 9) "mom, I think The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints will be a good church for you." So cute. I love them. It's incredible to walk into their home and help them see the blessings of the gospel! 

Sister Ali went to L  while I was sick over the weekend. We had lost contact for weeks. When she followed up with L was on 1 Nephi 9 which is crazy! Sister Ali asked her why she continued to read it and L goes, "I'm all in. If I find out this is true, I'm going to be baptized. Ever since Sister Detamore and that other sister knocked on my door I've been feeling that what I'm learning is good." Ah. L. That's the spirit! Now we just need to help her recognize she received an answer by the spirit!!!! It's crazy cool she didn't seem that interested but she is ALL in.

We haven't been in contact with A...pray for her.

I love the gospel. I really do. It makes me so happy. ☺️ The gospel is meant to bring us joy. When we become converted to Christ through the gospel, we find real joy. As I have served the last 14 months as a full-time missionary, I have found real joy. Real joy is finding strength, comfort, peace, forgiveness through the Atonement. Real joy is feeling the spirit has you study the scriptures and say your prayers. Real joy is giving Christ-like love and service to your neighbor. Real joy is strengthening your relationship with the Savior and your Heavenly Father. The gospel brings REAL joy. I know the gospel has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is true. Christ lived, God is real. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Thanks for all the love and support, until next week!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

I am here because...

My companion over the weekend, she is Utah bound! Love her ❤️

Sister Power, I guess?

14 AMAZING months serving the Lord

District

"I Am A Child Of God" 11.7.16

H E L L O

If this is short, I'm sorry...it's Sometimes hard to sit down and type. Plus getting my hair colored. Lol. But anyways, this week was awesome! We had a lot of great experiences but we also had a lot of meetings this week.

MLC was amazing as ever this week. It's such a spiritual experience to learn how I can be better and how I can help the other sisters. 

During exchanges with Sister Barnes (who is serving in Powell right now), we had an incredible experience with one of our investigators. (Name taking out) So we had planned to go see the new investigator With a member but he wasn't there so we decided to go to our investigator. we decided to read Mosiah 2:41 with her. As we met her I felt a prompting to bring up the word of wisdom but I didn't know how. Towards the middle of the lesson the question "how do you feel about preparing for baptism?" She still said she wanted it but wasn't ready because she knows the body needs to be clean and she still smoking. After more inspired questions she later brought up her experience where the Lord took her desire to smoke away. She said she was waiting until she moved to stop smoking. Sister Barnes asked "why did God take your desire to smoke away and put the sisters in your life if he didn't think you were ready?" The investigator was taken back and said "that's a good question". Sister Barnes followed up with "if God thinks you're ready why don't you think you're ready??" She gave us a speechless look because she was self discovering. I began to tell her that we are simply representatives of Jesus Christ and when she makes commitments they aren't to us but to God. When she doesn't keep them she's breaking promises with God. Right there we invited her to ask God to forgive her for not living his commandment. She sat there for a while and said that was a touchy spot but eventually she bowed her head and began to pray. She offered a very sincere prayer and talked about her stubbornness. By the end of the prayer A and the member were in tears. It was such a powerful lesson and very guided by the spirit. It was cool because we had just had the training from MLC to direct the investigator to God and have them repent in prayer. I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of that lesson. It was a really great experience for me, Sister Barnes and the member. After the lesson we are all in awe. 

We had two investigators (E and A) who were preparing for November 26th drop us in less than 24 hrs. It was really hard to hear and brought heartache but Sister Ali and I decided to use this to exercise our faith and rely on the Savior. 

We are still working with A, D and his two kids, and we have a lot of incredible new investigators we are working with! 

We have the greatest message to bring to the world whether we are full-time missionaries or members. The gospel of Jesus Christ gives a solid foundation in a ever changing world. It has provided me purpose and given me direction in life. It brings peace into lives. I know this with ever fiber of my soul. Let us reach out, be the Masters hands, and share the restored gospel. Jesus is the Christ. Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. God is our loving Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday, thanks for everything! 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

 

"Eat, Drink, and Be Marysville" ("Eat, drink, and be merry" 2 Nephi 28:7)

Sisters at MLC

Zone Pic

SISER BARNES AND I

I love F A L L

"I Am A Child Of God" 10.31.16

H E L L O

Happy Halloween! Can't believe it's another Halloween spent in Ohio. Expect for this time it's P D A Y.

We are unsure what our plans will be today we were going to set up a table and pass out candy with J then do a FHE with B, S, and the members that referred us then visit one of our new investigators but Sister Ali started to run a fever yesterday and is sick so we will see what happens. 

This week was fantastic! I was able to go on two exchanges. One with Sister Hastings in Marion, OH and another with Sister Taylor in Sunbury, OH. Can I tell you how much I love exchanges? I learn so much from the sisters and from exchanges it's incredible. We have the best sister missionaries in our mission. 

This week we really focused on finding families to teach. It was incredible that the Lord really provides as we exercise our faith and work diligently. We found a couple really great families that we have return appointments with. 

The elders struggled to keep contact with D and his two kids so they were referred back to us. We get to teach them again! D’s work schedule is really tough so we haven't had a sit down lesson this past week but they did come to the ward trunk or treat. At the end we asked H if she wanted to learn a song before they left because she LOVES to sing. We started to sing I Am Child of God but the end of the first verse we had a couple more kids join. My heart just swelled and I pictured the kids sitting with the Savior. I reflected on my youth and realized how grateful I am to know the simply truth: "I am a child of God." In a fast moving, depressing, evil world the simple truth "I am a child of God" can help us find joy, peace and hope. 

A is going through a lot at this time so we have postponed her being baptized. Please pray for her!

J has stopped progressing but J is still progressing! She came to all three hrs of church yesterday for the first time! She is so awesome and has so much faith in Christ. 

Ah, so cool story! We went to follow-up with a potential and I randomly parked in a different parking lot of the apartment complex. Immediately we saw a woman and two kids walking from their car to their apartment. Sister Ali and I went straight to talk to them. She let us right in and taught her the restoration. Her name is A and she has two young boys. She is absolutely incredible. The spirit completely guided us to park in a different parking lot so we could meet A. She had a chapel tour with Sister Ali during the week. She didn't end up coming to church because she was throwing up but we are excited to teach her. She accepted baptism for November 26th! She has a lot of great questions and understanding will come over time for her. Please pray for her! 

How grateful I am to be a missionary at this time. We live in a world where people are confused but with a living day prophet we have direct guidance from God. As we learn and apply the gospel principles, we will find peace, joy, and happiness. I know the gospel brings happiness. It simply is the only way to true happiness. I know that Jesus Christ lives and through His Atonement we can find strength, comfort, and change. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday. Thanks for all the love and support! 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Tracting

Trunk or treat

Love sister snow, she reminds me of my sister!

The Atonement Can Better Us 10.24.16

H e l l o

Another W O N D E R F U L week in my sweet sweet Marysville. Have I told you all how much I love it here? How blessed am I to get to serve here another transfer. 

We had a zone activity today so sorry for all the pics and vids..especially from the week. It was a great week! 

Abraham was baptized!!! it was absolutely incredible!!!! It bore such a simple testimony about how we are Gods children and that we can continue to try through Jesus Christ. I remember meeting Abraham just 6 short weeks ago and now he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

As I sat at Abrahams baptism and listened to the speaker, my heart realized how much I T R U L Y love this work and how fast it is going by. I feel so humbled to be able to wear my Saviors name every day. To help others to come unto Christ. To help others find true eternal joy. This calling had been such a blessing. How thankful I am that my Father in Heaven gave me the opportunity to serve a full-time mission. I always wonder what my life would be like if I didn't serve. I know for fact that through my mission I've learned how to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to become better. I know I'm far from perfect but I know that my mission has shaped me to become even better. That is why Jesus Christ walked the earth. That is what the Atonement is for. To shape us into something better. We all can change a little day by day. It doesn't come all at once but it does come as we allow the Atonement to work in our lives. This week a woman who has health challenges told us she wanted to be better. I remember feeling Gods love for her and promising her that through our message she could become the better that God desired for her. She said, "Wow, that's comforting." Yes, it is comforting to know that through the Atonement we can become the better God desires for us. That's the center of the message we share as member missionaries and full-time missionaries, that the Atonement can better us! 

A is doing well. Helping her to progress to baptism in November 26th. 

J and J are doing well. They have such strong faith. Friday we went in with a lesson plan and before we knew it we were teaching the word of wisdom. They accepted it so well and were very determined to makes changes so they could live it. J came to church and in the middle of sacrament she looked at me and said, "I really do need to live the word of wisdom. It's going to make me so much healthier and stronger." 

Two weeks ago some members asked us to come to dinner at their neighbors house. S and B who are in their 70s. Bob sort of made of Mormons but We have been teaching them and it's been incredible. The last time we went there B picked up the Book of Mormon and said, "Girls..." (my heart sunk...my mind thought he was going to drop us) "I would like this book of type. I feel it will be more interesting to me." It was incredible and the spirit filled the room. B was shocked by the lifestyle we live and he looked at me and said, "you get no sleep, you're always working....and you always have a smile on your face. This work must make you really happy." Thanks bob.

It was really cool...we were teaching this two people that someone referred us to and the stopped us mid-lesson of the restoration to discuss how much we taught in unity. The husband said, "when one stops the other one just picks right up" The wife turned to her husband and said "that's because of how well they work together." I wanted to cry. They told us we taught in unity and the have not one clue about how important that is to us as missionaries. 

I love the gospel. I love the change it can bring. I love my Savior. I know that Jesus is the Christ. The only Begotten Son of God. The Redeemer of the World. And my BROTHER. He lives. He loves. The Book of Mormon testifies of Him. God is our father. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next week. Thanks for all the love and support. 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore 

 

District activity and best hot chocolate ever!

 

Abrahams baptism

S and B

Church with J

Yay for fall

THEY PULLED A FAST ONE ON ME 10.19.16

Friends & Family

Transfers came...DRUMROLL...

I packed. Everything. When I saw everything. The only thing I had left to pack was my get ready stuff and my bedding.

No worries everyone, I'm staying in Marysville. No worries. I'm fine. Just have to unpack everything. Lol I knew this would happen They pulled a fast one on me. But no worries, I get to stay in Marysville!!!! My second home Sister Ali will be staying as well! Let's do this

Sunday was 13 months since I left my normal life and to the title as a representative of the Savior Jesus Christ. I can't begin to explain how my heart feels at this time. My mission has been one of the most rewarding yet trying things I've ever done. I have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve in The Great OCM. There is no place I'd rather serve. O H I O has my heart.

Fall is sorta here. Lol. It got super cold and then all of the sudden we were in the 80s and I was dying. Due to the hurricane, we had unusual hot weather but all is well and hopefully the nice cool fall weather will stay.

Interesting week for sure! Sorry for the lack on this email.

Spent two days in the mission home. That was fun and very much needed. I just love a

President and Sister Daines. 

The FHE went well with D and his kids last week. They live in the elders area so sadly we had to refer them.

A passed his baptismal interview Friday and should be baptized this Saturday. Yesterday, someone close to A told us that he hasn't been living the word of wisdom but according to him and his sincere desire to be baptized, he has been. He will have another interview this Friday to make sure all is clear for Saturday. Please pray for him!

A is doing well. She has such a strong testimony it's incredible. She is still struggling with the word of wisdom so we are going to help her through it. We re-extended baptism for November 26th. We want to help her overcome her struggles. I love this woman.

Monday evening A asked us to meet her and A at Meijer's. We thought it was odd to do the lesson there but we went anyways. Before we knew it, A and A were buying us groceries. My heart was full and my eyes were filled with tears. With the VERY little money they have, almost broke, they served us. It was such an incredible example of Christ-like service. I feel humbled to be in Ohio serving such tender hearted people. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy, happiness, and light. President Russell M. Nelson said "When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening--or not happening--in our lives." I know that this statement is true. Trials may come but God is STILL good. Jesus Christ came bring peace and comfort during troubling ways. I know this to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until Monday, thanks for all the love and support! 

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

13 Months!!

Going to a relief society activity with our investigator 

 

 

Obedience to God Brings More Peace and Joy 10.10.16

Hello Friends and Family ✨

I'm not sure I can perfectly describe this week. God is SO good. His hand is more involved in the work than I've realized before. Fast and testimony meeting with the most spiritual experience for me yesterday and my testimony of the restored gospel has deepened in my heart. How grateful I am for the church and the gospel. 

Pulled out the long sleeves, leggings, and boots this week. HELLO FALL yeah! I love fall so so much. It's been awesome. A little Cold this week though

We met a group of kids who ALL wanted a Jesus sticker (thanks for sending those mom) and it was adorable. One of the little girls proceeded to follow us and knock doors with us get them while they are young hey, she even took us to her grandparents and a couple other people! 

A is doing incredible! Yesterday was her second time to church and she got up and bore her testimony about the church, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. I sat there bawling my eyes as she thanked Sister Ali and I for bringing her to the church. She is an incredible daughter of God. She will be baptized October 22nd or the 29th..maybe the November 5th due to her word of wisdom concerns and finishing the lessons. Please pray that she can overcome her addictions. 

A is doing incredible! His baptismal interview is Friday and his baptism should be next Saturday. Yesterday he walked out with a white shirt, tie, and suit...his first every to wear that in his life. Tears rolled down my faces as I thought about when he will receive the priesthood! 

This week Sister Ali met a women named J on exchanges Thursday. Saturday we had a chapel tour with a J and J (her bf), with our ward mission leader Brother Madsen. Before we could even extend baptism, J asked when they could be baptized. They came to church Sunday and LOVED it. I can't wait to continue to meet with them. They have a baptismal date for December 10th! 

Friday we met D and his two kids who are 11 and 9 through A. H 9 yr old girl, B 11 yr old boy...who reminds me SO much of my nephew Paxton). They all came to church yesterday! Blessings from the Lord! We have a FHE with them tonight with another family. Too excited! Hunter wants to be a singing Nurse...just like me ☺️

I had the opportunity to go on exchanges twice this week! Tuesday, with Sister Johnson and Thursday with Sister Robinson. What great sisters they are! We saw so many miracles both days. The Lord really is in this work. 

I wanna go on for DAYS about the people we met this week and the experiences we had but y'all don't want to read a novel ahah. I'm so thankful to be a missionary. I'm SO grateful for the gospel. It provides peace and eternal happiness. President Thomas S. Monson said "It may appear to you at times that those out in the world are having much more fun than you are. Some of you may feel restricted by the code of conduct to which we in the Church adhere. My brothers and sisters, I declare to you, however, that there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the Spirit which can come to us as we follow the Savior and keep the commandments.” This is so true! Obedience to God and his commandments brings more joy and peace. I know that the gospel has been restored. Jesus is the Christ. Through Him we can find peace, comfort, and joy. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Wednesday, transfers are next week...already?! Thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

 

Sisters in the district and our district

Celebrating Sister Ali's bday

  D, A, H, B, A and us. 

A at church yesterday

Helping A prepare for church Sunday, Tried to remember how to tie a tie for Sunday. Lol. I failed.

 

Little kids!!

Celebrating Sister Ali's bday

J

"Encouraged In A Discouraging World" 10.3.16

Hello everyone!

What a week. Most of my week was spent inside...whether it was a meeting, being sick, or general conference but by miracles we hit our goals for the week! The Lord really is involved in the work. (Sorry for the lack of this email, still not feeling good at all).

Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to go to MLC (missionary leadership council) for the first time and it was SO inspiring. The spirit was so strong and I was able to see even more how true this work is. How powerful and inspiring the gospel is.

A is doing great we may move his baptismal date to October 15th instead of the 22nd. He is making great steps of progress and is very committed to it. We have a FHE planned with him tonight and some members; should be wonderful!

A is doing great as well. She desires to follow the Lord and do what's right. She has a lot of charity. She turned to me last Sunday during sacrament when I wasn't feeling good and comforted me. It was her first time at church I should have been comforting her yet she had the love and compassion of the Savior to comfort me. She is working to be baptized October 22nd. We haven't been able to meet with her in a couple days. Hopefully, we will see her today.

General Conference was so inspiring. I felt lifted and motivated. I also felt correction. I love that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can change. My sister Jenessa said to me, " I felt so encouraged in a discouraging world!" That is the purpose of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. To encourage us and give light to us in a discouraging, dark world. Our loving Heavenly Father has provided means so that we can find joy. I know the gospel brings joy. I know it helps us to improve and become better. President Monson is the current prophet. God is our Father. Jesus is the Christ. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

First MLC and we were matching.

Conference with A!

General Conference in the mission home Saturday evening with all the Sister Training Leaders.

It Truly Is His Work 9.26.16

Friends and Family ✨

What a beautiful past week it has been (': SO much has happened and so many miracles have happened. God is SO good. It's been such a blessing to watch God’s hand in this work. It truly is His work.

I had the opportunity to go on two exchanges this week. I went with my dear old companion Sister Harris AND my grandbaby (I trained her trainer) Sister Jackson. We saw so many miracles both exchanges and it was so much fun. I feel blessed to be able to be a sister training leader and get to work with all the amazing sisters in the zone!

Friday we had interviews with President Daines and Sister Daines. This time it was unique. They came to our apartment to interview us. It was such a spiritual experience, I loved it! At the end we knelt and President Daines offered a closing prayer...so powerful. I feel humbled to serve in The Great OCM with the Daines.

Ken was baptized Saturday and confirmed a member yesterday!!!! It was such a beautiful experience. Here is another miracle story with

Ken: we went to get him an hour before his baptism and we couldn't get ahold of him. We tried for 45 minutes then left. As we drove to the church our ward mission leader told us to keep trying him and he would let everyone at the church know...so we turned around and kept trying.

We didn't know what else to do and Sister Ali suggested we kneel in prayer (for the 7th time) and ask God what we should do. At the end of the prayer, we kept trying when I had a thought to go to the back of his house. So I bulleted to the back. We walked into this creepy covered deck with cobwebs and I had a strong impression that Ken was on the other side of the back door. The door was locked...I tried it like 5 times and it wouldn't move. Suddenly, my dear Sister Clark, her companion, and Sister Madsen showed up. We all said a prayer together and then when Sister Ali tried the back door...it opened. It was God given. Ken was watching tv with headphones and had no idea of the time or that we were pounding his door for the last hour. He walked out of his room with the white jumpsuit and he was glowing✨. His baptism was absolutely beautiful. At the end he looked at me and said, "I feel elated. I feel good. I feel like I belong. This is a new chapter in my life." How grateful I am for the spirit to guide us in the work. To prompt Sister Clark and I down his long driveway with his house hidden in the back of trees, to prompt Sister Ali and I to continue to teach him, to prompt sister Ali to ask God what we should do to get him up for his baptism, to prompt me to go to the back door, etc.

Ab is doing great! He continued to explain that he did not want to be baptized. He said he believed us and loved the church...he would go every week...but that he was already baptized when he was a baby and doesn't think he should be baptized again at his age. We showed up the bible video of Christ’s baptism and as he watched Jesus Christ be baptized...he realized that it would be okay to be baptized as an adult. We discussed how Jesus was baptized as an adult and it needs to be by immersion when we are at an accountable age. We discussed the priesthood power and importance of it. He grew in faith towards the idea of being baptized. We extended for October 22nd and he accepted!!

He also came to church yesterday! Please pray for him that he will stay strong.

Sister Ali met A, Ab’s friends when she was on exchanges Tuesday. Wednesday we had a chapel tour and she accepted baptism for October 22nd! She already loves the Book of Mormon. She came to dinner with us at a members home Friday and came to church yesterday! We have a family home evening with her this week. Please pray that she will continue to press forward and not let opposition to get in the way.

M came to church yesterday. She is so sweet! She also is progressing well and accepted baptism for October 29th!

M, M, and Sister B. are doing well! We had a very spiritual lesson as we finished teaching the plan of salvation and temple work with this family Friday evening. Tcame and bore a strong testimony of the temple. I can't wait to see this beautiful family in the temple.

I probably could go on for daysssss with all the new people we were able to meet and get to start teaching. There were so many tender mercies this week. Faith, obedience, and diligence are key in the Lords work. I'm so thankful for the time to be a full-time missionary.

It has been such a strength for me. I have had countless experiences that have built my testimony and help me to have bedrock faith in Christ and His doctrine. This is His TRUE church. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday. Thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

KEN’S BAPTISM

Sister Ali LOVES hot air balloons and she freaked out when she saw it in the sky. Well, It followed us home straight to our apartment complex lol. She was dying.

Took breakfast to four different people yesterday morning.

Two of our recent converts decorated our apartment Tuesday with balloons, food, and gave us Ohio state lanyards to let us know that they appreciated all our hard work.

I Believe in Miracles ✨ 9.19.16

Hello Friends and Family (:

It hasn't been long since I last emailed but the past 3 days have been filled! This week I was able to witness some incredible things.

So everyone knows my sweet family from Fairborn...Kathy, Darrell, and Bradi! Well, Darrell was baptized on Saturday! This family is everything to me. I feel so blessed to have been a part of their journey! They are all members of the church! 1 year and they can be sealed together as a family

Ken passed his interview for baptism!!

Here is our miracle story:

Ken needed to come to church yesterday so he could be baptized this Saturday. Well, we went an hour and 15 mins before church with Sister Cardoza to take him breakfast and get him to church. He didn't answer his phone (we called like 20 times), rang his doorbell about 40 times, knock extremely hard like 30 times, and we knelt in prayer on his doorstep...so we left because we had another investigator who was planning on going to church who needed to follow us since he didn't know where the church was. The member said if he called right before church she would drive out with us to get him. While we were driving to our investigators, I had a prompting that we could take Ken to the Powell Ward at 1 PM. So we start text the zone leaders, President Daines, and kept trying Ken. We got approval from President 5 mins before we needed to leave...and we had no member to go. We ran outside and saw Sister Cardoza...before we could get a word out of our mouths she immediately said, "are we going to him?" We were like...AHHH yes.... And explained that we had a plan to go to Powell. She told us to get in the car and let's go. We got to Ken’s and did the same routine. He didn't answer his phone (we called like 20 times), rang his doorbell about 40 times, knock extremely hard like 30 times, and we knelt in prayer on his doorstep...but this time our prayer was a little different...we exercised more faith. Imagine two sister missionaries, all dressed nicely, kneeling in spider cobwebs on a dirty porch. Our prayer went something like this, "Heavenly Father, we know miracles are wrought by faith. We have faith that Ken can get to church today. We ask that thou would use our faith to perform this miracle. We know you can perform miracles." We said amen and tried knocking the door and ringing the bell one more time when all of a sudden, our phone is getting a call from KEN. what?!?! So we freaked out and told him to get dressed. He got dressed and we were able to take him to Powell. It was beautiful. I know it was because our faith and diligence. Heavenly Father tested our faith and diligence to see how much we would give Him, because we gave it our all, He provided.

MIRACLES REALLY DO HAPPEN. I learned so much from this experience and I feel so humbled to be able to witness this. We are so excited to see him get baptized this Saturday. He told a member this week, "it's never to late to get baptized." Hah what a great 82 yr old. Pray for Ken that everything will go well this week!

A also came to church!! We met him Wednesday. He is super cool and we are excited to extend baptism to him this week. He is absolutely hilarious. He makes me laugh 24/7.

M came to church as well!!! His wife is inactive and she came with him! It was incredible. He accepted baptism this past week and so did the mother of his grandson,  Last night we went over to their house and as we studied from the Book of Mormon, the spirit was powerful! Sister B. (M”’s wife) stopped reading...looked at us and said, "I really like you sisters. You are helping me get back to church. Get back into things. I felt really good at church today and I decided I want to come back." She expressed the hardship she felt with past missionaries and how they were not very nice to their family...causing them to be done with the church. M said Sister B. was going to find a new church until we came into their lives. At the end of the lesson M prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for sending us and bringing them back to the lords house of worship. It was such a sacred experience. We are so excited to teach this family!

I believe each of us have a divine potential that God wants to help grow within us. We each have a "ME" that God wants us to become. We are made of great worth and potential. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father. How lucky are we? I know that God exists. He is REAL.

Jesus Christ is His son. He lives. Miracles are wrought through the faith of mortals. We are unique. We are divine. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Until next Monday, thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

K E N.,  we all wore his glasses lol.

Temple with some of the sisters in the zone

Abraham at church yesterday

Facetiming sisters in the zone

Training Sister and ONE YEAR 9.15.16

9.12.16

HELLO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY

So due to going to the temple on Thursday our pday has been moved to that day.

But Marysville was changed to a sister training leader area so I am now a sister training leader with my old sister training leader Sister

Ali(26 yrs old...from Trinidad). She took me on exchanges two transfers ago. I'm Actually leading my first exchange RIGHT NOW. AH.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME.

I'll email more Thursday! Love you lots

9.15.16

Hello Family and Friends (':

Have I told you all recently how much I love you all? Boy, has God just blessed me with incredible people in my life. I feel so humbled to have you all in my life! God is SO good and my heart is SO full.

Thank you all for everything you do. The love, support, examples you set. Truly lights in my life.✨

I was set apart as full-time missionary, servant of my God, and representative of my Lord Jesus Christ one year ago today. My heart is full as I reflect on the past year. I have been able to watch people come unto Christ and I, myself, have been able to come closer to my Savior. I feel humbled for the opportunity I have had to serve in The Great OCM. Serving a mission is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. It's being one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life. I'm so excited to see what the next few months have in store.

So updates for transfers. It's been crazy!!! Marysville was changed to a sister training leader area so I am now a sister training leader.

It's been so much fun! I love getting to know the sisters in our zone and the opportunity I will get to work with them. My new companion is Sister Ali. She is from Trinidad and she is too cute! Ahah. I love it!

We have been able to see so many miracles in the past week together. I can't wait to see where the rest of the transfer takes us.

Today we went to the temple so my email is going to be all over the place and choppy. (Please forgive me)

K is doing SO good. He has his baptismal interview tonight and should be baptized next Saturday the 24th! Ah. Too excited!

E is doing well. His friend M and M’s girlfriend, C moved in so we get to teach all three! They truly are prepared and desire to make changes in their lives. E won't be coming back to Marysville but we got in contact with her and she is so excited to meet with the missionaries where she lives now.

M is a new investigator that is amazing! She has a baptismal date of Oct. 29th. Yesterday we had such a spiritual lesson, it was beyond description. I love her ☺️

This week I thought a lot about opposition. It can cause a lot of hardship and challenges in this life. During my mission, my eyes have really been open to opposition in life and how it can affect us. I've really struggled to see the good in opposition...I want everything to be sunshine, roses, and butterflies but it's not. Missions are hard.

Life is hard. It's not always going to be easy. Sometimes I don't have all the answers to why I go through certain trials or struggles; many of you may feel the same way. But one thing I have learned as a missionary is that opposition that causes hardship and pain allows us to have a personal experience with Jesus Christ. To feel how the Atonement applies to us personally. This life is not easy nor was it ever meant to be. We must continue to "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" and one day we will receive the reward of our efforts. In Isaiah 49:23 it says, "And thou shalt know that I am the

Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." In times of opposition, I have learned that it is important to continue to press forward. I will press forward. I will strive to become better. And I will not be ashamed to wait for Him.

Christ will return and we will rejoice. I cannot wait for that day.

The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Generation pic. Sister Jackson (my grandbaby), Sister Brichett (my baby), and Sister Wolf (my mom)

Sister Ali and I

O N E  Y E A R

The zoneeee at the temple. #ColumbusNorthPower

A family we are helping come back to church

My lovely, Sister Rollins ☺️

B I T T E R S W E E T ⚓️ 9.7.16

Hello friends and family ☺️

Transfer doctrine came...I'm staying in Marysville but Sister Clark is leaving ): I'm pretty sad...she has been my rock, sidekick, and everything else. Hmm, this is definitely bittersweet. Tomorrow we will head to the church building in Columbus and get my new companion.

So I'll find out tomorrow who my new companion is.

J is doing pretty good. Tonight we are going to help him understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. We haven't seen him since Friday and he didn't come to church. He said he couldn't sleep the night before and couldn't get up. Sad day. We may move his baptismal date to September 24th instead of October 1st but we will see. He told us the plan of salvation, remembered all the names of the kingdom of glories, and wants to go to the celestial kingdom. Ah, so cool. I've never met someone like him on my mission before. So humble and willing to learn...to act upon the message so sincerely. Please pray that he won't allow outside influences to sway him away.

K is doing pretty good. He struggles retaining information so it's been sorta hard. We will see where things go, he may have to put more effort in to retain knowledge. I mean he is 82...so. He did come to church though!!!!! The other day One of us said the opening prayer for the lesson and he then looked to the sky with his hands like and said, " oh. Ps God thank you for sending these missionaries to help me get acquainted with the things I needed to know a long time ago." What a sweet man.

GROUPIES ‍‍‍ sadly, R and A moved to the elders area so the elders will meet with them.): A was pretty sad about it but she said that when we teach E she is going to try to come.

Eis doing so good! He really retains information so well. He can't go to church due to his circumstances but he will able to soon. He is excited to attend church. We went through the baptismal interview questions of things he has been taught and his testimony is awesome!

He pretty much retaught the great apostasy-Book of Mormon to us. Last lesson we asked him about his experience praying about the Book of Mormon. He said "I had a good overwhelming feeling come over me. I know this is the word of God brought to us in modern times".

Sunday we had two cool experiences, we went out finding potentials. We went to a ladies house and she wasn't there so we went to move on to the next person we had planned but the neighbor walked out and told us that her neighbor was in the assisted living for awhile. We got talking to this neighbor, C, and she expressed that she was looking for church. We asked if we could come in and share more of our message...she let us right in and we got a return appointment. Well Monday morning we text her to remind her about our meeting and her number pops up in our phone as Sister *****(member). What!!? So we looked on LDS tools and she definitely is a less active member. We talked to the bishop and she isn't accountable...but she said she would come to church.

Later that night we knocked on a door and a young boy was going to get his mom so we could talk to her as we stood there, the neighbor walked past, stopped in her tracts, and asked who we were...we briefly explained then the mother of the boy came. She couldn't talk then but invited us back another day. Well we went to the neighbor who had walked past because she was still out. She was super open to talk but didn't really want to learn more at the time. She told us maybe she would pop into our church...so we invited her. She said maybe. The conversation ended and As we went to say goodbye, she said "continue to do what you are doing. You are doing the right thing. it was so nice to meet you to tonight....I knew there was a reason I felt like I needed to walk outside." She recognized us as servants of the Lord, just like it says in PMG pg 156. Maybe she didn't want to learn more now, but she recognized us as servants of the lord, that is a seed planted the missionaries will one day reap!

Something that I have gained from serving my mission is the love for studying the gospel. Throughout my life, I struggled to study the gospel and to pray daily. But my mission has helped me see the beauty of it. The better my studies are, the better my day seems to go. The gospel really is given to us to strengthen us. It's helped me build my testimony and helped prepare me for teaching people each day. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said "If we are not rooted in the teachings of the gospel and regular in its practices, any one of us can develop a stony heart, which is stony ground for spiritual seeds. Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival especially in a world that is moving away from belief in God and the absolutes of right and wrong. In an age dominated by the Internet, which magnifies messages that menace faith, we must increase our exposure to spiritual truth in order to strengthen our faith and stay rooted in the gospel." Family and friends, I can't express to you how IMPORTANT it is to study the gospel daily. There is wickedness everywhere and if you don't feed yourself spiritually, you are allowing yourself to be vulnerable to the power of the adversary. The devil has nothing to offer to you..."he rewardeth you no good thing." [Alma 34:39]. It is up to each of us personally to make the conscious decision to follow our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the Light, the Way, and the Truth. He lives today.

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday! Love you all so much and miss you so much. Thanks for all the love and support

XOXO-

Sister Detamore

Not easy saying goodbye to my cute little Wyoming COMP.

Service

Reunited and It Felt So Good ✨ 8.29.16

Wow, what a week. So my title literally is what my week consisted of.

A lot of different reuniting this week. It's been so cool to look back on the last 11 1/2 months and see the memories I've made, people I've met, and so much more. Serving a full-time mission is something I'll NEVER regret.

We went to Columbus Zoo today. So so fun. Sister Birchett and her comp was there, Sister Harris and her comp were there, and other sisters were there the same time! It was so much fun to be back in Powell for sometime...(since that's where the zoo is). Sister Clark and I fed giraffes today. (': I'm sorry Jenessa, I know you're jealous.

This week I went on exchanges with the one and only SISTER HARRIS.

Yes, my old companion is now a Sister Training Leader. Talk about a tender mercy. Seriously, I love her so very much. It was such a great day to be able to work with her again. She is such a huge example in my life. Love her <3333.

AHHHHH. I WENT TO FAIRBORN, MY FIRST AREA. I was able to witness my investigator Kathy get baptized (': it was the most beautiful baptism.

Darrell and Kathy were married Friday night then Kathy was baptized Saturday. Darrell has some obstacles to overcome before he gets baptized but he will be baptized in the next couple weeks. <3 All of us 5/6 sisters that taught that beautiful family sang a musical number together and each bore our testimonies. It was so beautiful. They've gone through a lot of rivers, climbed mountains, and endured a lot to get to this point. BUT the Lords timing is perfect. This was all suppose to be part of their journey. Darrell came up to me at the end and said, "we wouldn't be here without you." I told him it was the spirit of God and the Lord. He said "you brought the spirit into our home." As I sat at that baptism, it hit me how important this work is.

This is the Lord’s work and truly changes the lives of others. I also was able to see my trainer, Sister Wolf. That was such a bittersweet experience. She goes home in two months and I'm going to miss her so much ):

Unfortunately, this week one of our investigators had to go to the emergency room when we were with them...so President Daines gave us the okay to go visit in the hospital. It was such a scary experience...but I learned the Lord’s timing is everything. We needed to be where we were, with the members we were with, for our investigator and their health. As I walked the hospital halls, my desire to be a nurse grew. It oddly enough was comforting to be in a hospital again...I miss working at the hospital. But, our investigator is doing good and should be back home now!

Ah, cool story. So we met this 8th grader and referred us to J across the street. Well, a J doesn't live there but we met J on Wednesday! He is such a prepared soul. Seriously, the Lords timing is perfect. We extended soft baptism on his door step and went back Friday to teach him the restoration. It was such a powerful lesson.

I've never been in such a powerful lesson! The member we brought bore her testimony and shared her conversion story. There almost wasn't a dry eye in the room! He accepted baptism for October 1st that night!

Sunday morning we went to his house to explain church service...he was ready to go at 8:45 and church wasn't until 9:30. The whole time we talked about church he said he was anxious in a good way to go. He went all three hrs and loved it! After priesthood he said, "we talked about home teaching. That is such a Great idea." Us: "Jerry, you get home teachers when you are baptized." Jerrys eyes get big:"really?!

That's so cool". Ah, it is so great! We have a lesson at a members house with him tonight. Please pray for him. That he can receive a witness of the truthfulness of Joseph smith and that no opposition will pull him away.

The groupies ‍‍‍ the nickname we have give our 4 friends haha. E, R, and A are doing fantastic! They are absolutely incredible. We had a fantastic lesson Friday and it was so powerful with the member we brought. They desire to change. E said he talked to Eand she is doing Better health wise....she said she misses and loves us so much. )': ah, I miss her! Please pray for them individually for strength and support.

Ch is doing okay. We need to help him progress more...we will see how tonight goes with him.

K is doing pretty good! Love that man so so much.

What a bittersweet experience coming home Friday morning from exchanges to find out my best friend opened his mission call Thursday night at my home ❤️ my family kept where he was going and when a secret until I heard from Justin himself. I patiently waited to hear from him and received the best email from him.... COLUMBIA, MEDELLIN reporting December 28th. That is what this work is all about. Changing lives which leads to more lives being changed. Elder Justin Olson will be THEE greatest missionary out there. He has been such an amazing example to me and I feel so humbled that I get to be a part of his whole journey....what a tender mercy from the Lord. He will do miracles in Columbia!

My testimony of the Lords timing became impeded into my heart and soul. With everything that has happened the past week hospital trip, Justin's receiving his call, exchanges with my lovely past companion, going to my old area, seeing old companions, meeting certain people, everything. The Lords hand is literally in the details of our lives.

As I've strengthened my faith in the Savior and His gospel, I've been able to see His hand more clearly in my life and others lives. It's insane the plan that the Lord has already for us. All we need to do is simply follow Him. I testify that that is true. The Lords timing is always perfect. We may be early or late, but He is ALWAYS on time.

This is His gospel. Live it and greater happiness will entire your life. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Until next Wednesday, it's transfers next week. (I love Marysville...I don't want to leave...prayers that we stay in Marysville). Thanks for all the love and support!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Reunited with Sister Harris ❤️

Zoo

Kathys baptism (':

Warm heated blankets at the hospital.