Family and Friends,
Wow, this past week and a half has been filled with SO many miracles. I apologize for the length of this email but there is so much to share. My heart is full. I am thankful for the tender mercies that my Father in Heaven gives me.
Suitcases and all, Sister Alius is headed back to Utah. I'll be honest, it is not the easiest sending her home because she has become a dear friend. I can't count on my fingers how many fun times we have had because there are too many. For now, it is "See You Soon." (: (trying to keep it positive). I'll receive a new companion tomorrow morning!
AJs baptism was incredible! There was over 50 people there and the spirit was so strong. He had tons of support from friends and family. We took AJs family and friends on a small chapel tour after the baptism. It was so cool! We also had lots of investigators there. We had K, K, their three little kids, and E...then other missionaries brought investigators. Aj was confirmed Sunday ,received the priesthood, and his temple recommend. It has been an honor to teach him and we can't wait to watch him do baptisms for the dead! We will be going to the temple with him tonight!
K and K are making steps of progress. They came to the baptism and some members took them on a chapel tour after the baptism. They didn't come to church again.... We will keep trying, keep praying for ideas.
Eis so awesome! We met him New Year's Eve and he has kept every commitment sense. He has such a sincere desire to change his life around. He asked God to forgive him in his prayer the other night and we haven't taught him repentance yet...it was amazing!
One night President Daines called us and shared that the temple President had a referral for us. The temple President shared that a young man walked into the temple seeking for answers. It was such a wonderful experience meeting T. We feel privileged to be able to share the restored gospel with him and to help him come unto Christ. When we knocked on his door, N opened the door. N is an investigator that I taught 9 months ago in Powell. My companion and I lost contact of her then I was transferred. Throughout the last 6 months I've always wonder how Noelle was doing and if missionaries ever got in contact with her. Noelle started to date Tyler 2 months after I was transferred and moved here. Tyler shared how he felt drawn to the temple and we had the opportunity to help him recognize the light of Christ within himself that Heavenly Father used to guide him to the temple. We gave him a Book of Mormon and shared our witnesses of it. Suddenly, Noelle goes, "I have my copy in my apartment." As we testified to T and N, I realized right then how much Heavenly Father loves His children, cares for His children, and knows His children. I now realize, truly, how involved the Lord is in this work. N and T were divinely place. This is the Lord work and we are His instruments. I'm humbled that I was privileged to be able to have this experience. This will be a miracle that will last a lifetime and into the eternities. It has become a part of my testimony and my conversion to the Savior. The Savior lives and He knows each of us so well. He knows N and T.
Let me tell you about B. We went to a Referrals house and they weren't really interested so as we left we saw a man on the street. We started to talk to him and he seemed drunk but we got his info and said we would come by and share more with him another day. He started to walk towards where our car was and we didn't want to awkwardly follow him so we went down the opposite way on the street. We saw a house and we decided to knock this random lit house in the cold at 8:30 pm on Saturday. We met B. He asked us, "Do you two girls know where you are at? This is the West Side. It's sketchy here. It's the hood. And it's cold. Why are you in the cold?" We told him we knew God was protecting us and we shared why we were there. The Book of Mormon. The gospel of Jesus Christ inside it. We invited him to church and he said, "tomorrow at 9 AM? I mean I guess." His little 12 yr old from behind the door goes, "YES!" And B goes, "I guess we will be there." We got Contact info and said a prayer. As we walked away, B whispers to his son, "That was awesome." He came to church with his 12 yr old Isaiah and LOVED IT. He was the last one to bear his testimony in fast and testimony meeting. HIS FIRST TIME AT CHURCH. We hadn't even taught him the restoration. He shared his past and how they were homeless 5 months ago but God got them through it. He then thanked God for sending us. He said, "They told my 'no worries, God's got us'. And I wanted that confidence. I'm thankful for people them that go out and find us that aren't out searching." They went to all three hours and absolutely loved it. We are so excited to teach these two! Keep them in your prayers please. (Below is the video of him bearing his testimony at church)
Yesterday as we did daily contact at McDonalds, a man walked out of the bathroom, sat down at a table, put his head down, and started to bawl. We felt compelled to talk to him. This mans name was J. His house burnt down in London, OH Saturday and his 7 yr old was killed in the fire. They (him, his wife and third yr old) lost everything in the fire besides what was on their backs. As we sat and talked to him, my heart and soul were filled with the anguish and pain he felt. I couldn't hold back the tears as I spoke to this man and testified of our Savior. I had never felt in my entire life someone else's pain like that until that moment. We gave him a card and his little family went there way searching for shelter. I sat there paralyzed with pain. At that moment, I came to realize the importance of my calling. That I was set to represent the Savior and stand in place of Him.
In the Grand Council in Heaven, Jesus Christ stepped forward and said "Here am I, send me." He did that for me, He did that for you, He did that for us. He did that because He knew the weaknesses, the challenges, the struggles, the low times, the sin that would come as we walk this mortal journey. He did that so returning to Heavenly Fathers presence was possible. That response made CHANGE possible. Now we are given the opportunity to follow the Saviors example. To speak the words, "Here am I, send me." The Lord has asked for someone to reach out to others, to share the gospel, to minister to the one. You and I too, like the Savior, can say "Here am I, send me." As we say, "Here am I, send me.", we will be honoring our covenants we made with our Father in Heaven. As we say these words, we will not only be following the Savior but getting to know the Savior. The greatest way to get to know the Savior is to do as He does, say as He says, love as He loves, sacrifice as He sacrifices, serve as He serves. I'm grateful that as I put on my black name tag I can say, "Here am I, send me." This is the Lords work. Each of us have a part in it. May we each reach out our arms and open our mouths to say, "Here am I, send me." In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Until next Monday, thanks for all the love and support!
XOXO,
Sister Detamore
Columbus Zone
Matchy matchy
AJs Baptism!!
Sister Bradbury (ward missionary)
ERIC
It's Always A Good Time Being A Sister Missionary With These Sisters
Love Her
Awkward model pic in the hood aka Hilltop
Columbus
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