"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.