This life is not a dress rehearsal, it's the live show 5.30.16

I can't believe a week has already gone by and its ALMOST JUNE. Where is time going by?! I am pretty excited that it's summer! The downside to summer, is the heat and humidity. While we are out tracting on Friday I felt like I was going to die. But the upside to it is everyone's home, outside, and up late! They're definitely are a lot of perks to being a missionary during the summer. We had a ward memorial breakfast today and then went to the parade as a ward. It was so fun! 

Ahh. I LOVE YOU GUYS (': thank you so much for all the birthday wishes and love! You each made it so very special. My birthday was such an incredible day. It started with service at a local food pantry, singing for residents at an assisted living center, teaching lessons, knocking doors, and ended with some ice cream at the mission home ❤️

Alyssa is preparing for baptism on June 18th! Two days after transfers...so I'm a little nervous BUT everything will work out. We are going over the baptismal interview questions Thursday and then just planning and preparing. Oh, I love her!

We've been helping R more and also teaching her! We had a lesson yesterday on the Book of Mormon. We asked her what it would mean for her to come to feel that the Book of Mormon was true and she said, "it would be very important. You don't want to go through your whole life not knowing the whole truth. This life is not a dress rehearsal, it's the live show." That last sentence hit me...not only because I'm going to minor in theatre and do enjoy being on stage ☺️ BUT This life really is the live show. We are performing right now. In Alma 34:32 it states: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." I never truly understood that until I became a missionary and shared the gospel every single day. It is very important that we perform our labors now so that we can gain the gift of eternal life. Our loving Heavenly Father has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ so we would be prepared to live with Him again. 

The stake presidents sons and his wife just moved here from Utah two weeks ago for the summer. Karlie (the wife) got home for her mission in Hong Kong in October and we just clicked! She is so cute. Well, yesterday she came up to us during church and explained to us that she got a job to nanny a girl Sand that she was at church with her! We sat through Sunday school and young women's with her then had dinner at the Welches (we made sushi again!!!!!) and she was there! S is the cutest. ❤️ Her parents are open to her going to any church and hopefully, we will get to teach her some more. Yesterday during YWs, we had a lesson on the temple. The spirit was so strong as we discussed the importance of being worthy for the temple. Karlie showed S pictures of temples. S turned to me and said, "The Salt Lake Temple is my favorite temple." An hour before that she didn't even know what a temple was! What a precious daughter of God. It is divine placement that Karlie is Nanning her. I'm excited to share more of gods love to S. 

Anyways, it was such a great week with a lot of meeting new people and sharing the restored gospel. Oh wow, I love being a missionary (': I'm so thankful to be able to represent my Savior and share the greatest news to the wonderful people of Ohio. I've done a lot of thinking about my Heavenly Father and my relationship with Him. I constant wondered what I could do matter to feel like I was drawing nearer to Him. We were talking about Faith two weeks ago in church and our ward mission leader talked about Joseph Smiths faith. He wasn't expecting the 1st vision as his answer but he did have faith that God was listening and would answer his prayer. I came to understand that we have to have faith that God is there. As I prayed, I had faith that my Father in Heaven was there and that He was listening. That He knew me. He knew my strengthens, my weakness, and despite my imperfections, He loved me. This has changed my perspective on my Heavenly Father. I'm strengthening my relationship with Him by having faith and letting go of my doubts.

I know we have a loving Heavenly Father who does love and care for us. He has given us the Book of Mormon to find peace in this life and to know what we can do to live in the world today. We have a loving Savior who understands us perfectly; we are never alone because we have Him. I know this gospel is true and that this is Christ's doctrine that He taught as He walked the earth. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Until next Monday...

XOXO

Sister Detamore

AND IM SO HAPPY 5.23.16

Hello, Happy Monday to you all. ☺️ so a lot happened this week and I want to apologize in advance for the length of this email!
First of, I can't believe I turn 20 this week! So much has happened in the past year and I'm shocked how fast time has gone by. I'm feel so humbled being able to serve Gods children. This upcoming week will be a very bittersweet week for me. One of my dear friends will be going through the temple. A year ago today he came to my birthday party with us knowing little of each other and little did I know in a short three weeks he would be baptized, become my best friend, and go to the temple a year later! My heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunity I had to be a part of his journey this far. I've seen the gospel change his life and being a part of that has been one of my main motivators as I serve my mission.
This week we had Elder Zeballos of the seventy with us! It is such a neat experience as a full-time Missionary to be taught and instructed by a General authority. There was a lot that I took from that. One thing was that we invite others to come unto Christ not to go to Christ. We have to be standing next to Christ to do this. Our purpose states: "We invite others to come unto Christ by helping them received the RESTORED GOSPEL." Personally, I reflected on my testimony of the Book of Mormon, the plan of salvation, and restoration. If I, as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, am helping people come unto Christ through the restored gospel then I need to be doing that for myself. This week I've really Focused on finding more of a love and testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know as I do that, I will be more sincere in testifying of its divinity. I've really seen a difference in the past week as I have done that. I desire to share the Book of Mormon more and I desire to open it up more...I love it!
Wednesday we went out tracting and nobody was home. As we were getting ready to head in for dinner. We met an 81 yrd old named M weeding in her front yard. We asked if we could help and she said we were dressed up way to nice to help! So she accepted for us to come back the next day. We came back and helped her weed for an hour and then shared a brief message with her and her husband. She then allowed us to come back the next day to share more about the Book of Mormon. We took a member with us and had a great lesson! The member ended up staying for an hour after the lesson to just chat with M. I absolutely love M (': She grew up in Germany and she is like a grandma to me. Don't know how long we actually will teach her but hey, the gospel is for EVERYONE.
We knocked on a ladies door and we talked to her for about 8 minutes. She didn't have time to talk because she was cleaning her house and preparing to move. We asked if we could come by another time and bring her a Book of Mormon. She told us a day but explained that there was a huge possibility she wouldn't be there because her friends 5 yr old son wasn't doing well and if he passed away then they would be on the next flight out. Without thinking much about it I asked if we could pray for her friends family with her before we left. The next time we went back...she was there and waiting for us! She said she had a lot to going on with selling the home and her friends son. She asked where our congregation met and we told her there would be one closer to where she is moving and she was open to still meeting with the missionaries when she moved. She told us more of the 5 yr old boys situation and how there are a lot of prayers for that family but that "ours felt special". She said how we met her at a perfect time. She explained that she and her husband grew up in a church but didn't like the way they practiced their beliefs. She said we met her at a good time because they want to find a religious community to raise their daughter it. I was reminded of my childhood years growing up in the church and the joy it brought me...I testified of the blessings that come from being a member of the church. We have the opportunity to back to her house in the next week to share more. I feel so humbled to have met Kerri. I'm a complete stranger yet she has enough trust in us to share personal information of trials going on and letting us bear pure testimony to her. I feel so privileged to wear my Saviors name on my chest and have these incredible experiences with people I meet! ❤️
We didn't see S and J this week because of someone passing in the family but I'm so excited to share the plan of salvation with them!
We haven't seen J either ): he had to cancel the lessons we set up and now we can't get ahold of him. Please pray that we can get ahold of him...I know this is for him!
We met a guy named Don last Sunday and we had a lesson with him Friday and yesterday. There were so great! He isn't religious but does have a belief in God. Last night we introduced the BOM more and taught using it. We taught a very simple lesson and towards the end I had a thought come to mind..."you are committing him to read Alma 40...how about you read half the chapter with him now to help him understand it and start to keep his commitment?" I knew that was the spirit helping me to know how to help him! It was such a neat experience. As we read from Alma I thought to myself, "Here I am...in Powell, Ohio on a Sunday evening reading the Book of Mormon on the driveway in an old lawn-chair with a man I met a week ago. AND IM SO HAPPY."
A nonmember who is hard of seeing needed some service so her member friend from Florida told her to call the bishop and get ahold of the missionaries. We were able to go help her out and she had shared that she met with missionaries before. During the service project we talked about the Book of Mormon and the crowning event of Christ visiting the Americas. At the end of the service project, I asked if I could share with her one of my favorite chapters from the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11. She gladly accepted. She sat on the couch and I sat next to her feet reading the Book of Mormon to her. There I thought to myself "here I am at a lady's house that I met an hour ago..reading the Book of Mormon to her on a Saturday morning. AND I AM SO HAPPY." It is such a peaceful and joyful thing to read the Book of Mormon with Gods precious children of Ohio. We have planned to go over this week to help her and she is willing to have us share more of our message! She even had the Book of Mormon on CDs and is going to look for them so she can listen. She even invited us over for dinner this week!
A member discussed sharing the gospel at church yesterday and she shared her experience of giving a chapel tour with us. She thought it was such a neat experience that we taught gospel truths with the paintings on the walls. She said a few days later some people from the community not of our faith were using the building. She directed people all night to the bathroom. She said two men walked out and she directed them to the bathroom then they said they were just wanting to look at the paintings. She then said she could give them a chapel tour. They gladly accepted and she proceeded to give them a chapel tour the same way we did with our investigator! It was such a neat thing to hear this afternoon at church. Because of our example as missionaries, a member was able to do the same for nonmembers...and people she didn't even know!
Wow, I'm sorry for the novel but thank you for reading it...<3 There is so much that happens and I just wanted to share it. This week I've gained a greater sense of love for this gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ. President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "Happiness lies in living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ." As I have served the past 8 months, I truly have come to understand this statement better. I’M SO HAPPY. And you can be too (: We are given the gospel of Jesus Christ because our Father in Heaven wants us, HIS children, to be HAPPY. What a loving Father in Heaven we have. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords Kingdom on the earth today. I know that President Monson is a man called of God and receives divine guidance from our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ lives. He Loves. He reigns. I so testify in the sacred name of Christ the Lord, Amen. Until next Monday...

XOXO
Sister Detamore

 

He Is A Really Human Being 5.16.16

HELLO LOVELY PEOPLE (': what a week! Sorry this is so late we went to the zoo as a district for our district active. I feel like I have so much to share but I'll try to keep it short. First off, 8 MONTHS.

What?! I feel like I just got on a mission and now I've been out 8 months. It completely blows my mind how fast time is going by. This, again, has been one of the hardest things I've done BUT one of the best things I've done. I LOVE MY MISSION. I always think to myself what my life would have been like if I didn't choose to serve. Boy, would I be missing out. I've learned so much on my mission. I've come to understand who Jesus Christ is. I've come know that the Book of Mormon is true and have had many incredible experiences with it. I love OHIO. I love the companions I have had. I love the areas I've served in. I love the Daines. I love the people I've met. Wow, I just get emotional thinking about my mission. I'm starting to realize how fast it goes by and it's scaring me. Thank you to every one of my friends and family members who set the example of serving missions to me. I owe this to you all! I'm thankful for the beautiful family I have who have been such big examples to me. I'm thankful for my friends who lived righteous lives and were a light in my life.

Ahh...I'm just blessed by my dear Heavenly Father (':

Tuesday we spent all day knocking. We reached the last house and it was 8:45 pm....this house was huge. So huge we didn't know where the door was. We met S and J. They were the first people the whole day who would allow us to share the Hallelujah video. We began to testify after and John asked some good questions. We asked if we could bring them a Book of Mormon and share more. S said she was too busy and probably never would get around to reading it. I was prompted to testify to her that the book of Mormon can help her as a mother and will bring a sense of peace into her life. After that, she said that we are welcome to bring her a book of Mormon in the next week. We have an appointment to meet with them this week! It was such an incredible experience. We have been praying all day to reach our goal of two new investigators and the last door we knocked on was our answer! God really does want us to achieve our goals and I was able to witness that this week.

The other day we were doing just serve hours at a local pantry. While we are serving there we had a lady come up to us and ask if we could say a prayer for one of the customers. We were able to stand in the circle and say a prayer for the sweet lady we met. Because of this black name tag on my chest, I was able to have this intimate experience with complete strangers. How thankful I am for that. It was such an honor for them to ask us to do that.

We are teaching a less active family, the Carsons, who started coming back to church about 1.5 months ago! We are teaching there 9 yr old, A, and we set a baptismal date yesterday for June 18th! We are pretty excited for her! Yesterday we had a lesson on temples and the spirit was so strong. We discussed how they can be sealed as a family and it made me realize how special eternal families are. I know that the temples are the House of The Lord and what an honor it is that we can attend the temple!

Friday we had an incredible zone conference. It just struck me how real Christ is. He isn't some far out object or concept. He is a real human being just like you and me! He lives with a body of flesh and bones; He is ever so close to us. He knows us personally by name. The spirit testified this to my heart and soul. I was overcome with emotion of understanding that I have a personal Savior who understands me. He knows I'm not perfect but He does know I'm trying to do my best. But the incredible thing is that He isn't just my Savior, He is YOURS too. How comforting is that? We each have someone who has been where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. He can lead us as long as we allow Him to do so.

That night we went out to work. We parked in the dirt of an abandoned building and behind it was a guy on the phone moving tree branches. I had this feeling that we should talk to him but there wasn't an easy access to do so. I decided inside my own head that hopefully he would be there so that when we came back to our car the end of the night we could talk to him. As we were walking away to go tract the street we had in our plans something told me I needed to go back. I immediately turned around and started to walk towards him. Awkwardly yet bold, we waved to him and stood there waiting for about 5 minutes for him to get off the phone. We began to talk to him and before you knew it he

(J) was sharing personal stories about how he came to know who God was and personal experiences/hardships he's been through. We hadn't even told him we were missionaries and he said that we were a sign from God. He kept telling us that he felt like God had a plan for him but he didn't quite know what it was yet. We're able to testify of the book of Mormon and the restoration. We then set up a return appointment for tomorrow night! What a neat experience for me. It's such a sacred opportunity to learn how to follow the promptings of the spirit as I serve the Lord.

I am so thankful for the past 8 months. I have learned and I have grown. I know that the Lord is shaping me into the young woman that I need to become. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that each of you can receive an answer for yourself by reading it and praying about it. I know that Joseph Smith was visited by God the father and Jesus the Christ. We have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today. I so testify in the Sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday..

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

Helped at a funeral luncheon and they gave me flowers!

8 months!

Flowers

ZOO Trip

 

"I Know Jesus Is True" 5.9.16

HELLO AGAIN (': wow, haha...p-day already? I guess I did just have one Wednesday. Well, there hasn't been a lot since I last emailed so this probably will be shorter than usually.... You're welcome (; 

So the last week has been really hard on me. I felt like I was emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically drained. I hit my breaking point yesterday when I member hugged me at church and with tears in her eyes said, "This is from your mom. I just know she misses you so much. But the people here need you more right now." After that I was an emotionally mess for the next two hrs of church. I decided that I needed a priesthood blessing. After I spoke with my family on FaceTime I had Brother Mitchell give me a priesthood blessing. It was one of the most beautiful priesthood blessings I have ever heard. I felt as if my Father in Heaven was sitting there speaking to me face to face. I felt the love of my Savior wrap around me and all my worries lift away. I came to realize how true the power of the priesthood is. We have the authority to act in Gods name here on the earth today. We can access the powers of Heaven through it. I am so thankful for worthy men who hold the priesthood, honor the priesthood, and USE the priesthood.  I love what Elder M. Russell Ballard said: "The same priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our friends, and our neighbors." We have it today because of a young boy with a simple prayer and because of the love our Father in Heaven has for us! 

Facetiming my family was such an incredible thing! Wow, I feel so blessed with the family I have. I truly know that eternal families are real....and again, because of the priesthood power on the earth today! While I was facetiming, my family asked my 4 yr old nephew to ask me a question. He came up to the screen and said, "Jackie, I know Jesus is true." My heart swelled when he said that and his short testimony pierced my soul. What a simple, yet powerful testimony. I learned that no matter how simple your testimony is, it can affect others! I testify that if you open your mouth and share you're testimony, you can touch the hearts of many! 

Wow, motherhood. Where would be without mothers? I want to personally thank ALL the women (with children or not) that are a part of my life. I have no idea where I would be without them. I have been blessed with incredible women in my life. I thank all of YOU WOMEN. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. ❤️

I am so thankful for the gospel in my life. I know that this truly is Christ's church restored on the earth. I testify that living the gospel can bring true and lasting joy. How sacred it is to wear my Saviors name everyday and share my witness of His matchless love and His divinity. He lives today and He is aware of us. He came to the earth not to do His will, but the will of the Father. I will forever be indebted to Him. Because of Him, I find peace. Because of Him, I find comfort. Because of Him, I can return to my Heavenly Fathers presence. You can too. In the sacred name of my Beloved Savior, Jesus the Christ, amen. Until next Monday..with love.

XOXO

Sister Detamore 

 

We were shopping at the mall and I decided to get some Chick Fil A. Well, Jose the manager is a member at the new Albany ward in Ohio. I was just ordering fries and drink....well he gave Sister Birchett and I two drinks, chicken nuggets, and two medium fries.... ALL FREE. I went to give him my debit card and he said, "I don't want your money. You have a great day and know you are always welcomed back here! Come visit." Wow tender mercy...I'm gunna cry

Our True Identity 5.4.16

Another week and a half! I felt like time just flew by. Transfer calls...WE BOTH ARE STAYING IN POWELL. I WILL FINSIH TRAINING SISTER BIRCHETT. WOOT WOOT. I LOVE HER (':

(Ps; HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE. WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT YOU? Boy, are we lucky to have moms)

So much has happened this past week so I'll get right to it!

So Monday evening we walked up to a lady (A) sitting on a park bench and got a return appointment. We text her before I return appointment and she said she had been reading from the book of Mormon and wanted to make it part of her nightly routine #What? We Had a member present lesson with her Wednesday at the same park and she accepted baptism. Sister Birchett and I wanted to cry and cry and cry!! The first REALLY genuine person we have met. We then had a chapel tour with a member and Thursday...The day...that our little hearts were broken. We found our she actually lives in the Delaware ward boundaries; barely out of our boundaries (we always taught her at the park in our area so we didn't know she lived there).

I wanna tell you, that was hard for me. I felt like our tender mercy was ripped right out of hands. We were pretty bummed all day Friday.

Saturday she came to the Polaris elders baptism. We introduced her to the Delaware sisters and explained that she will attend the Delaware ward. At first it was really hard to give her away, I didn't want to.

I FINALLY found someone who sincerely met with us and desired to be baptized BUT after I humbled myself, I simple thanked Heavenly Father for letting me be a part of her journey. He KNEW Sister Birchett and I would be at that park. He knew that she needed us to share the Book of Mormon with her and help her feel loved. From that experience I learned that God really does put people in your path that are ready to hear the gospel, but that doesn't always mean that you'll be the ones teaching them. No matter what, I'm so excited that she gets to learn about the gospel and how much God really does love her! I love Amanda so much. She, as well as her 11yr old son Orlando, will ALWAYS have a special spot in my heart. I'm excited to her about her journey as she meets with the sisters.

Tuesday: we were being obedient sister missionaries and we were out running at 6:30 am. As we are running, a sudden storm came and we were caught in the biggest thunderstorm I've ever been in! Then later that day as we are leaving to go do service, a wild goose started chasing us. Let's just say I screamed and ran. It's little experiences like that that put a smile on your face while you serve the Lord (:

Oh, also what happened that day is we had someone knock on OUR door.

The man was trying to convince us of the blessings that come from having cable. We told him that we as missionaries don't watch TV and proceeded to explain why we don't. Which of course, led us into teaching the restoration. It was so much easier to contact him when he came to our door rather than us trying to find him. lets just say he didn't agree with us BUT we did try right?

We knocked on this guys door and was teaching about the restoration.

He invited us in and had his wife join us. We taught the entire restoration lesson and invited them to read the book of Mormon. L looked at his wife (D) and ask her if she's ever read the book of Mormon. She proceeded to say yes and how she felt like it was true.

#WHAT?!? She had met with misisonaries years ago and gained her own witness of the Book of Mormon but never got baptized. We set a return appointment and went back Friday. We had a really fantastic lesson but Larry had some questions since some things were different from what he grew up with. We didn't get another lesson but he said he would like to attend church this coming Sunday. So hopefully they well come!

Last summer the elders who taught my best friend Justin put on a fireside and receive referrals from it. I've wanted to do that my whole mission because I thought it was a great idea! Well my dream came true. My district put on a musical fireside on Sunday and SO many amazing things came from it! It was such an amazing experiences!

Brother Henderson spoke and Sister Henderson brought a nonmember friend...who, by the end of the meeting, was in tears. Sarah Fife had her really close friend there and his dad. We ended up giving them a chapel tour after the fireside. D was the dad and he is interested in attending a baptism and church! We were able to give him a Book of Mormon as well. He didn't want to set an appointment up just yet but said we could discussed it when he comes to church! Ahh. So many miracles. It was answer to my prayer because I wanted so badly to see something come from the musical fireside.

We had another really cool experience Monday but I'll attach a video about that experience with Tim. Always knock on one more door (':

I also have reflected a lot about how President Daines explained at new missionary follow-up training that if we align ourselves with Gods will we can become instruments in His hands. It makes me think of a quote by Ezra Taft Benson: "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life." I am trying to really focus on aligning my will with the Fathers. I want to be an instrument in His hands, I want to find more joy in the work, I want to bring others to Christ and I KNOW I can if I will give my life (especially the next 11 months) over to the Lord. We can all experience incredible blessings as we align Our will with the lords. It's not a matter of losing our identify but of finding our TRUE identity. Christ is only asking us to lose our old self so we can find our new self. I know that as we align ourselves with God's will we can be so much more happier. I've really been focusing on that A lot the past week and boy, I have been way happier! It's an inner happiness that I cannot explain....I know it comes from LIVING the gospel.

So sorry this is so long but wow, even if we didn't see a lot of "success", I saw a lot of tender mercies. It has been an incredible week. I am so grateful for this past week. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he is aware of each of us individually and knows our individual worth. We are sons and daughters of the living God. We are of great worth. I love you all so much. I'm grateful for the love and support that I've been given. I know that the book of Mormon is true. I know that as we read it, we can come closer to our loving Heavenly Father. I know this is Christ's church back on the earth today. In the sacred name of our Beloved Savior, Jesus The Christ, Amen. Until Monday..

XOXO,

Sister Detamore

1. Found myself a butterfly while tracting.