Mission Miracles 1.25.16

Well, it's been quite the week this past week haha. Unfortunately, I had the wonderful privilege (not really) to go to the doctors and receive the greatest news: BRONCHITIS. It's been a week filled with pain and about 10% of energy but as a missionary, you just keep plugging along. We have been watchful the last couple days, hoping it's not turning into pneumonia...we may be going back to the doctors this week but other than that it's been a pretty great week.

We had the world wide broadcast for all missionaries under the direction of the members of the Missionary Executive Council (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Neil L. Andersen, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson and Elder Brent H. Nielson) and the Presidency of the Seventy. It was an incredible experience to come together as an entire mission to received this training. The spirit was powerful and it made me realize the power of the my calling.

This week I truly learned that this really is the Lords work and His hand is in it. President Daines said to our mission Wednesday,"

Miracles happen through the faith of mortals." I was able to experience this in the past week and testify that Through the faith of us mortals, miracles do happen. If you rely on the Lord and have faith, you can experience incredible things! For this month Sister Harris and I set a goal of two baptisms for our area. As we were doing weekly planning on Friday, we reviewed our goals and knew we had only achieved 1 baptism for this month. We knew our goal was inspired but we had no idea how we would achieve the second baptism. We decided to get on our knees and pray to know what we should do. After our prayer, we looked at each other and knew we needed to set a goal of having a baptism this Saturday. We realized that T would be our only option...we hadn't seen her in 21 days but we felt prompted that this was the course we were to take. That night we went over to see T. She didn't have too much time to visit so we cut to the chase and testified that we received an answer that she needed to be baptism this coming Saturday. She immediately said "okay, I only need to go to church one more time to qualify for baptism right?" We were shocked by her response. It took her 6 months to start thinking about being baptized and she hadn't gone to church since October so we feared that this would be too big of a jump for her. We asked her to pray about it and that we would come back Saturday to discuss it with her. We went Saturday and she explained to us that she felt like this was a step God wanted her to take. We discussed a lot about her growth and her testimony. She has grown so much since we saw her last. She had this glow about her and her testimony was just radiating out of her. We text our district leader, zone leaders, and members of the ward to start praying for her that she would have the strength and health to make it to church on Sunday. Sunday morning we went to her home and found her awake getting ready for church so we scrapped off the ice on her car windows. She was able to come to church and stay ALL 3 hrs which she has never done before! She then had her interview with the district leader and a meeting with the bishop. It was incredible to watch this all unfold! We went to her house last night and planned her baptism. Sister Harris asked her how she felt about all of this and she said she felt as if this was her next step. She said she had some butterflies in her stomach about it but mostly excitement. WHAT A MIRACLE THIS IS. T is getting baptized on Saturday! Mission miracles really do happen.

M is continually progression which is beautiful to watch! She has a fear to pray about Joseph Smith because she is nervous about the answer she will receive from Heavenly Father but with the steps she is taking I know that she will come to know that this is the path for her.

Kathy, Darrell, and Bradi are incredible as always! We were able to have dinner at their home this week and read the Book of Mormon with them. It's been incredible to watch their faith grow. Last Sunday Bradi was crying during the sacrament and I asked him why. He explained that it was so sad that Jesus had to go through all of that for us and that his heart was filled with so much love for Christ.

What an amazing 8 yr old he is?!! We were able to start doing family history work with Kathy which has been an awesome experience! We are going to start helping Darrell this week as well so when they get baptized they can take names to the temple and help their ancestors on the other side.

We met new people, dropped people, and were able to catch up on people who we haven't seen recently. Overall, it's been a pretty good week.

Sorta rough considering being sick but I'm still grateful to be able to be a missionary. It's not always easy but it is worth it.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve at this time in my life.

It's been incredible to represent my Savior and to share the restored gospel. I know that miracles really DO happen through the faith of mortals. I know that our Father in Heaven loves us all. He is waiting to hear from each of us everyday. I know that Joseph Smiths prayer was answered in the sacred grove and was called to restored Christ's church on the earth. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives today.

He has his arms open for all of us and is waiting for us to come unto Him. It's bittersweet to spent every day sharing the gospel and helping others come unto Christ. I love my calling, though it is hard.

Thank you for all the love and support! Until next Wednesday...(transfers are next week).

XOXO

Sister Detamore

1. Doctor visit...

2. And three different medications later..

 

 

2. And three different medications later…..

Am I REALLY a missionary or is this a dream? 1.18.16

 

4 months ago I say goodbye to everything and entered the Provo MTC...now I'm serving in Ohio. I have felt happiness, sadness, peace, and everything in between. Mission life is not the easiest life but it completely worth it. Sometimes I wonder if I am really a missionary or if I'm just dreaming. I've learned a lot on my mission and I can't wait to continue to learn and grow.

We had a wonderful weeks but trials to endure as well.

I was able to go on exchanges with Sister Slater, my sister training leader,....again! oh I love her... She goes home at the end of march and I'm so sad.. BUT I'll see her when I get home. The snowstorm was CRAZY that day. I had to drive 25 mph in a 75 mph and couldn't see more than 5 ft in front of me...but by the late afternoon it cleared up. We had a wonderful day filled with lessons back to back. During one of the lessons, the cops stopped by because someone was on the property that wasn't suppose to be. (not the first time cops have showed up...I'm okay mom ) we took every opportunity to talk to people. One lady got stuck in the snow so we took it as a chance to share something with her considering she was stuck and wasn't going anywhere lol. Just imagine two little sister missionaries pushing a big SUV...and yes, we got it unstuck. #win haha but it was a wonderful day spent with her. At the end of the night, we went to check on a potential who wasn't there for an appointment. She explained to us that the Book of Mormon was a false testament. (She hadn't even read or prayed about it). We bore our testimonies of its divinity and truthfulness. I know the Book of Mormon is true and I received that witness through the Holy Ghost.

M, our Spanish speaking investigator, wasn't getting much out of our lessons so we took Sister Fox from ward to our lesson to translate our lesson. While it turned into sister fox and Mtalking Spanish to each other the entire time. It was one of the coolest experiences for me. The spirit filled the room and I was amazed by beautiful the gospel is not only in English but Spanish! We were able to address things that didn't make sense to her and she was able to get a lot out of the lesson. We found out that her sister and her sisters family are members and live in Georgia. Who knew?! We most likely will be sending Spanish elders over there to teach her since she will progress more from that.

We are meeting with a part member family. The father isn't a member but is a full supporter of the family. Through these lessons, I've realized how incredibly grateful I am to have grown up with a father that worthily held the priesthood. The wife has a strong desire to have her husband be baptized, receive the priesthood, and be sealed together one day. We have a strong desire to help this sweet family because we know of the many blessings that the gospel brings to families.

Oh, I love Bradi, Kathy, Darrell, and Riley. This sweet family feels like members of the ward rather than investigators. Bradi has been baptized for a week now and Kathy/Darrell can't wait for the day of heir baptism. We've seen them everyday and they even fed us dinner!

They signed up to feed us again...oh I just love this sweet family.

They do all they can to strengthen their testimonies. We are going over to the Mazeys house tonight to have FHE with them and teach them about FHE so they can start to do it themselves.

Sadly, we had drop The W’’s or now The H’s. We've been trying to get them to church and keep other commitments. They haven't been keeping their commitments and they've received all the lessons, some even twice. I love this sweet family so much and I know one day they will be baptized.

M is the sweetest lady. She has grown so much since we first started meeting with her. She wants to feel in her heart that the Book of Mormon is true before she comes to church. It is sorta a struggle considering she is having a hard time with praying to know its true.

Everyday she makes baby steps of progression and I love that I'm a part of that. She says that baptize would make her feel whole and the peace from the gift of the Holy Ghost is something she wants but she has to feel in heart that this church is true first.

We had a stake missionary fireside last night. We sang in the choir, President Daines spoke, stake president spoke, and two recent converts spoke. The spirit was incredible and my heart was touched by the many words said that night. It truly was amazing.

I love being a missionary. Yes, let me tell you, it's tough work.

There are good days and hard days but I testify to you all that this is the Lords work and His hand is ALWAYS in it. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lives today. We can learn a lot from Peter..Matthew 14:25-31.. Peter walked on the water, with his eyes fixed on the Lord but when he looked around him and saw the waves, he became frightened and began to sink. He looked up to the Savior and asked for help, immediately the Savior stretched forth his hand. If we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, we can do hard things but many times we lose sight and faith. Our Savior is ALWAYS ready to safe us with arms stretched out to us. I know this church is true and the gospel blesses families. Though this work is hard, I love it. Thank you for all the love and support it means more than you know. Until next Monday!

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

1.4 months on Saturday

2. Sarah is the little girl. She is in our ward and she got baptized on Saturday. We are there last night and she kept bringing me toys; it was hilarious.

3. Ohio; the weather is so weird here. One day it's 57 degrees...the next it's 30 and raining....the next it's 12 and snowing.

4. 1. The closest thing to mountains that we will ever get in Ohio

5. My two homes ❤️

oHiO 1.11.16

What a wonderful week filled with incredible miracles and blessings!

I'm so grateful to be able to serve in Ohio and be a missionary! I know that serving the Lord at this time is exactly what I should be doing and I'm so grateful that I made a decision to put myself aside for 18 months and focus on this work. My email will be shorter than most weeks considering we had a zone activity... Consisting of volleyball, soccer, making cookies, frisbee, and more!

We were able to teach a lot of lessons this week and it was so incredible to be able to do that! We met so many different people and were able to continually testify of the restored gospel. We extended baptism to guy on the doorstep and he accepted! It was so incredible to watch someone's heart be soften as heeded to our message.

Bradi was baptized Saturday and it was before! My heart so much gratitude and I was proud to watch him enter the that special father in heaven. His confirmation on Sunday was one of the most incredible blessings I have ever heard. He bore his testimony at his baptism and it was the sweetest most incredible Testimony I have ever heard from an eight-year-old boy.

The weather has been really weird here in Ohio this week. One day it was 50° and the next it was 30° and snowing. Everyone knows how much I hate snow so it's going to be real fun haha.

So we had weekly planning training on Friday and it lasted about eight hours. Talk about some serious training #Win. By the end, my head was pounding and I was about to fall over and pass out. I'm not a fan of weekly planning but it does make a difference. I've learned that setting goals and plans really helps move the work along.

Sister Harris is seriously incredible! She has so much love for this work and it helps me want to work hard as well. We have so much drive and it's been incredible to work with her.

I am so grateful for my Savior. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that He lives today. He has carried me through some of he hardest times. I know this is the only grateful to be a part of it. I know that The Gospel can change lives and Im seeing that as a missionary.

XOXO

Sister Detamore

 

More than Fair in Fairborn, OHIO 1.4.16

Wow, my heart is filled with so much love and gratitude. Our Father in Heaven blessed us and the work in Fairborn this week. I have never felt so guided by the spirit until this week. I reflect back on this past week and my heart can't express the gratitude I have towards this work and my Savior. I feel so grateful to be serving with Sister Harris. She has strengthened me in SO many ways. I am so humbled and I KNOW without a shadow of doubt that it was revelation from Heavenly Father to put us together.

We had this feeling to go to find a former this week and when we got there we contacted into a less active member that hasn't been to church in three years and that the ward doesn't know. She told us how the Book of Mormon has helped her to come closer to God and she knows it's true. We asked her what was keeping her from going to church. She explained that her husband is a nonmember and that she goes to church with him. We opened to the introduction of the Book of Mormon (that she's never read before) and testified that if she knows it's true that she also will know that The Church of Jesus Christ is the Lords kingdom once again on the earth today. We then testified the importance of church attendance and the sacrament. I KNOW it was inspired to visit that address. I know that God sent us to Laura to touch her heart and help her to recognize and remember the truth she knows.

We contacted into a lot of people who had taken missionary discussions before over a year ago. It was incredible to feel so inspired to go to certain doors and find people who have been taught before by missionaries. One of my favorite things was when a lady let us in and we taught the restoration since she didn't remember it from her previous discussions. Sister Harris asked her after we read the introduction what it would mean to gain the divine witness that the Book of Mormon was true. She said "it would become a truth to me. It would be something special to me." I loved that, it touched my heart. I know that God has sent us to her.

One of greatest miracles we experienced was with a woman named J Last week we were on someone else's porch and we yelled at this kid. So we took down his address and info. We show up for a lesson--he had to rescheduled. Showed up the next day and he wasn't there. But J (his dad's girlfriend) was. We shared a little of our message on her doorstep. And even extended baptism on the doorstep. It is very rare to extend baptism on the doorstep, but both Sister Harris and I felt prompted to. Eventually we were invited inside. There we were able to teach her the Restoration. It was a fantastic lesson--she was very accepting of our message. An awesome thing about it was when we entered her home her dogs were so loud, but through the course of our lesson they silenced. We testified of Gods love for her and tears welled up in her eyes. The next day we went by and she wasn't home. But the day after we walked up to her house and she drove into the driveway. Heavenly timing. A friend of her's just had a family member pass away. We were able to teach the Plan of Salvation which was beautiful. She would really like to attend church before setting a baptismal date. 

We went and saw T this week again, which was inspired to go at the time we went at. We shared with him the Mormon message "New Years: Look not behind thee". He said that he is going through some rough stuff and that was exactly what he needed to hear. Sister Harris opened to Alma 7:11&12 and testified that Christ is there for Him and knows how to succor him. He said that the scripture touched his heart and that it made him feel peaceful. With tears filling in his eyes he said, "you know what's weird, you guys always come when I need it." We testified that God is aware of him and that we are very guided as missionaries. I testify that there is power behind the Book of Mormon and that God is aware of us ALL. 

M and her daughter C have received all the lessons so the other day we decided to go through the baptismal interview questions with them. It was beautiful to see them answer the questions and bare their testimonies. M has changed so much since I first met her and I have seen her heart change. She just needs to make it to church two more times and then she will be able to be baptized. 

B had his baptismal interview this week and he so excited to be baptized! When we went over the questions with him, we asked him to bare his testimony. It was the most beautiful, pure, piercing testimony I've EVER heard from a child. It touched my heart and strengthened my testimony. I can't express how excited I am to watch him enter the waters of baptism and make that special covenant with God. He tried on the jumpsuit for the baptism and my heart was filled with gratitude and love. This boy is a chose son of God with such a pure testimony and he is taking the steps now to come closer to God. He has been a huge example to me and I feel so humbled to be able to watch him make this special covenant with God. 

My heart is filled with so much love and gratitude for this work. This work has changed me and I am so grateful for it. I'm not the person I was before I left. Through the atonement of the Savior, I've changed. It's hard to express the gratitude I have in my heart at this time. I feel so humbled to serve the Lord in this part of His vineyard. I know this is the Lords work. I know that I was called to the Ohio Columbus Mission for a reason. I know that this is exactly where I need to be at this time in my life and I know that the atonement is REAL. I've seen the Lords hand in this work this week more than ever. This gospel is true and it will bless ALL lives. 

"I will work HARDER for the Lords work than my own, for I am His. I will always OBEY, for I am His. I will always OBEY, for I am His. I will LOVE with the purest charity, for they are His. I will LIFT up my voice with unwavering FAITH that He will guide me. I will wear His name EMBLAZONED on my soul, for I am His. I will fear NO evil for He is with me, my CONSTANT companion. I will walk with PURPOSE, pray with ZEAL, and teach with LOVE, for this work is HIS. I will be HUMBLE, for the Lord is my STRENGTH.  Because I am weak, I need Him just as much as them, FOR WE ARE HIS."

XOXO,

Sister Detamore 

Bringing a YW from our ward to a lesson with us

A sweet lady in our ward made us these cute bracelets.