"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