Forever Families

Hello Family and Friends!

 

Transfers have come and went. The anticipation built all last week as Sister Porter and I waited to find out what was going to happen. I was asked on Saturday by President Morby to be a trainer. My heart raced as I accepted the assignment but over the weekend I felt the inner peace that this was the right thing and what I need at this time. I could feel myself getting comfortable with the work so I know that this is a necessary change. In life I believe we're constantly reaching different plateaus; you get to a point where you've grown all you can from an experience that you need another one to propel you upward. I know this will be a challenging experience but I'll rely heavily on the Lord and remember that we're equal to the challenges we're given. My new companion is Sister Lundquist-Willard. (She goes by Sister Lundquist) She is from Tacoma, Washington but recently moved with her mother to Kentucky. She is a convert to the church; her friend introduced her to the church by taking her to a stake dance when she was a junior in high school. After the dance, she spent the night at her friends house and went to church with her the next day. She was baptized a couple months later. No one else in her family is a member of the church. She knows a lot about many different religions (very helpful!) and loves family history. I can see already how she's been prepared for this area and the people here. Sister Lundquist doesn't like cars, let alone driving them so her prayers were answered; we're on bike for now. It was good that I had the practice last week so I could be prepared for this. Hopefully we'll receive a car in October, but who knows? Come what may and love it.

 

The work is going well in Woodhaven! Our investigator family committed to a soft baptismal date! They haven't said yes and they haven't said no. They want to discuss it as a family; especially because Rhonda is so on board and the family is a little bit behind her. We'll keep teaching them and working with them to help them progress towards baptism. They came to a goodbye party for Sister Porter. It was a great chance for them to fellowship and meet the members of the ward! We'll be inviting them to church this week because Sister Lundquist and I are speaking. We also invited them to our ward picnic in the park tomorrow. We're continuing to go through our area book and will be working especially hard to find new investigators. We'll strive to have the 'faith to find' as we were told in our district meeting this morning. We had a great training on how to propel the ward mission process along and how we can take initiative and get the ball rolling.

 

This weekend was Stake Conference; it was a very uplifting meeting! Our recent convert, Brother Lesch, spoke on his conversion story and journey to the temple. A girl spoke who leaves on a mission to Missouri tomorrow; she gave an excellent talk. She shared a quote that I really liked: "Good people aren't exempt from hard times any more than vegetarians are from charging bulls." I don't have my notes with me so that's not the exact wording, sorry. Our Stake President talked about how we can still have compassion for others even when we don't agree with or support the beliefs of others. One of his counselors spoke about water purification and how it requires movement. So it is with our lives and staying spiritually strong; we need to keep moving forward.

 

I love you all and I'm so grateful for your support! I love being a part of an eternal family even though we're apart right now ;) I know that this church is true and that our Father in Heaven is very aware of us and what we need to learn and grow. Families are a fundamental part of His great plan and I'm so grateful I get this chance to spread the news of Forever Families.

 

Until next week,

Love,

Sister King

 

P.S. "The most important thing is to make the most important thing the most important thing." :) (MIT=the Atonement)

Pedaling with Purpose

Dear Family and Friends,

 

What an exhiliarating week on bike! We have had a lot of opportunities arise that normally wouldn't have had we been in a car. One night we were biking home and I saw a cell phone on the side of the road! I slowed down and told Sister Porter and we turned around to pick it up. The cell phone happened to be on so we tried calling one of the contacts labeled 'Mom's Cell'. The service had been temporarily shut down so we dialed the number on our phone. We got in contact with a woman named Suzanne. She was excited that we had found her son's phone and she gave us her address. It was across the neighborhood so we biked to the house and dropped it off. She was very friendly and grateful that we had returned it. We asked if we could come back and share a message about how families can be together forever but she said "No, I'm Catholic." Oh well, at least we left a good taste in her mouth :) We were also able to do more street contacting than we normally do. I didn't realize how restricting cars were. We've definitely got better at planning visits around the part of town we're in. I'm grateful that the weather has been nice; we've only gotten stuck in the rain once. At first I was scared that my skirt would get caught in the wheels, but it's not really a problem :) Though it reminds me how Edna Mode (on the Incredibles) says "No capes!" A couple of my skirts have gotten holes but a member is fixing them; she's a great seamstress.

 

We were able to get in contact with a former investigator this week! His name is Joe. He was riding his bike one Tuesday and stopped when he saw the youth out playing frisbee. He talked to one of the parent's there and got talking about religion. The member invited him to church and he said he'd consider it. Later on, the member told us about this situation so we looked up his teaching record in the area book. We went over and introduced ourselves and talked on his porch for fifteen minutes. We briefly mentioned his neighbor (Sister DeLong: a woman who has lost her sight, former missionary, lovely 86 year-old lady) and he said he hadn't gone to see her in awhile. We said that we were headed there next and asked him if he'd like to come along. He readily accepted, so we went to her house. The great thing is that it turned into a 45 minute lesson! Joe expressed that he had prayed that morning (at 3:00am) for guidance and direction in his life. He also said he's had trouble being happy lately. Sister DeLong was really bold with him and said: "Joe, you've been telling us that you're unhappy and that you feel like something is missing in your life. It's time for you to join the church--the Mormon church!" Haha :) I love lesson's with a member present! Joe said he'd think about it. He committed to reading the Book of Mormon! His reservations with the church right now are coffee and having to go to a specific worship time. We'll check back with him this weekend; he's out of town for work this week.

 

Our car is in the shop until tomorrow afternoon. They called us on Thursday notifying us that the repairs had been completed but that the previous night a tow truck had backed into it causing the trunk to need replacing! What an ordeal! Bikes aren't all that bad though :) Also, they are a great way to get exercise. Speaking of which, with all the sisters coming in, President has banned coed sports. Now how am I going to get really good at basketball? Haha. My companions and I will still play occasionally but it'll be a lot different without the elders. President is thinking about letting us get together with the other sisters in our Zone, so we'll see.

 

On Wednesday we had Zone Conference! It was phenomenal, as usual. We talked about teaching simply, extending committments and withholding judgments. They also had everyone who will be having a birthday between that Zone Conference and the next one in December line up together. We were to say something about our companion (if he or she was on the line). Sister Porter and I were the one companionship up there together. We also received a mini green flashlight that says "Oregon Portland Mission, Leave Your Nets". Leave Your Nets is one of the biggest mission themes that we have. We have all left behind our personal cares and desires at home just as Peter left his nets to follow the Savior.

 

For P-day yesterday, we went fishing!! We went to Horning's Hideout in Hillsboro :) It was very fun! I caught the first fish! I also caught a craw-dad. Sister Porter caught two. We have o-fish-ially left our nets :) :) I'll try to attach some pictures. What started out as a rainy day turned out to be quite hot! We had a great holiday :) I hope yours was good too! I feel blessed to be able to e-mail today since the library was closed yesterday. We've been told that in a couple of weeks we'll receive a key to the Family History Center so we'll get to start e-mailing there! That way we won't have to worry about computer reservations, making sure we find computers next to each other, etc. More importantly, we'll be able to take our investigators there and teach them more about family history.

 

I have been reflecting a lot on obedience lately. President has illustrated a three-tiered obedience platform. The top layer is Rules; the things you can/can't do. The next layer is Principles; (if/then statements) If you do this, then you will be blessed. The last layer is The Doctrine. I believe this layer is where love comes in. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments". When you truly understand the doctrine of obedience, you're not bogged down in the rules. It's not hard to be obedient because of your love for the Lord. We talked about a similar concept in the MTC; there are three ways to obey: out of fear, duty, and love. Love is the most noble and the most rewarding. I know that we are filled with joy when we obey out of love. I continually strive to cultivate that love as I serve.

 

I love you all :) I hope you're doing well! Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Until next week,

Love,

Sister King

 

P.S. Transfers are a week from yesterday! Weird. We find out the details this coming Saturday; talk about anticipation!

Umbrellas and Bicycles

Hello Family and Friends!

 

Last Monday my companion and I went with a member to the Columbia outlet store. We found some really cute, nice rain jackets! And they were on clearance!! We happened to get the same one...it's a pretty teal color with a black fleece insert. I'll try to remember to attach a picture. That night the member we were having dinner with took us in her 1976 jeep/truck thing and we went to a really nice diner. (The car is also in the picture) It was a fun joy ride with our hair whipping in the wind.

 

I love the fruit in Oregon!! I buy some delicious blueberries every week. I don't remember if I've told you but there is a cute little fruit stand next to the library that we shop at every Monday. When I come back to visit Oregon, it will definitely be in the summer. Well, we're on bikes this week. We were able to obtain some nice ones from two members in our ward. We have helmets, bike locks, bike lights...the whole deal. I'll take a picture of us sometime this week.

 

Yesterday in sacrament meeting Sister Porter and I had a musical number. I played the violin and she sang. The song was "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul"--the arrangement from 17 Miracles. We recorded a practice that we did so I'll try to put it on a CD and send it to you! We're running out of time this week though, especially because we have to ride our bikes to dinner. We also went to the mall today with some sisters in our Zone! We went to the Lego store, got a $1 massage in those chairs that are there, ate some food, shopped, and went to the 'Made in Oregon' store. It was fun to do a bit of tourist-y things. Yes, I got a 'Keep Portland Weird' bumper sticker :) I also bought a keychain, playing cards, and buttons (Those kind with safety pin type things on the back). Speaking of Portland, we had exchanges this week! I found out that the east side of Portland is still in our mission because I was paired with Sister Ramirez there. Did I mention that there are two sets of training sisters? I learned SO much from Sister Ramirez! And we witnessed many miracles :) It was fabulous.

 

We were able to have a lesson with Rhonda, Jeff, and Nicholas on Friday!! We answered Rhonda's questions on the origins of race and language through the great apostasy and dispensations. We explained that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. She said to us "It makes sense that there is a latter-day prophet! Joseph Smith is no different than Noah." We invited them to church and explained how we would be doing a musical number. They were excited to come! However, they didn't show up to church. After church, we stopped by their home and Rhonda opened the door in her robe and pajamas and explained with a guilty expression that they had slept in. We offered an invite to come hear it at our pianist's house before we had to return the violin. They accepted! The spirit was so strong as we taught through music. Rhonda cried. It was also a great opportunity to bond with members of the ward! We have a lesson set up for them this Friday and will invite them to church again. They are excited for the upcoming general conference :)

Recently we've been trying to get more organized with our ward directory, area book, etc. We go through them meticulously so no one falls through the cracks. We are working a lot with our members and are going to start setting up member referral lessons this week. The bishop has had many women of the ward come to him explaining that they don't feel like they belong. He has given us some names of those women to go strengthen and help feel needed and included. It's wonderful to see their faces as we give them little opportunities to serve us at the same time we're serving them. I love our members! After a week of rejection Sunday is great to be around people who love you and will bend over backwards for you.

Yesterday Sister Porter was baking some toast in our oven on broil. Awhile later I asked, "Do you smell that?" (She's had a cold this week so she couldn't smell anything) She said, "My toast!!" She opened the oven and smoke poured out. She closed it and we watched the giant flames--it looked like a camp fire!! We sat there for a second in panic wondering what we should do. Sister Porter turned the oven off and the fire put itself out from the lack of oxygen. Once again, we were protected. We really should just buy a toaster...

A member shared this piece of wisdom with me this week: "Decide what it is that you want and then be okay with receiving what you need from God." God doesn't just hand us what we need out of the blue; that would be taking away our agency. We need to master the technique of setting goals. There is a quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard in Preach My Gospel that says: "I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life." (pg. 146) We were told by President Morby that Chapter 8 is the one we take home with us. We're learning how to manage our time and set goals now. It's hard sometimes with Satan pushing against you. But I can just see God telling Satan, "Go ahead, try her. I know she won't leave Me." Furthermore, sometimes goals feel like standardized tests; we're accountable for the number key indicators we accomplish. There's no real way to measure all that we do to further the work but I know that the most important thing is accountability before God. As long as we're following the spirit and striving to fulfill our purpose, we'll be blessed.

I love you all :) Thanks for your support!

Love,

Sister King

P.S. It's been raining quite a bit here lately! Today was beautiful though, so hopefully it stays that way while we're on our bikes! :)