Happy November!!

November 5th ...

I loved your emails and LETTERS (yay) this week...I laughed and even cried. I'm all over the place.  haha  Sounds like you had a fun Halloween.  You didn't send any pictures...Shanny I think that's funny you carried around a stereo and had the theme music playing in the background all day.  You're too funny.

Ben told me you got a new cat....at least I'm not there. ;)

So!  We had a really good week.  We had a ward Halloween party which was really fun.  There were a lot of nonmembers there, so that was really good.  I had pictures, but I forgot my camera, so maybe next week...

We also found a few new investigators!  We found a YSA named Paige whilst street contacting.  She doesn't really have a belief in God, but she wants to know if something is there.  We taught her and her boyfriend a lesson.  I'll let you know how everything goes!

On our way to Paige's appointment we were street contacting and we stopped a young couple with a cute little baby.  We talked to them about families and the plan of salvation...they said we could go by later that day!  That night we stopped by and they let us in!  It's sad that that's such a surprise to me. ha.  Anyway, we had a brilliant restoration lesson.  Oh, their names are Kyle and Rebecca and (baby) Liam.  Kyle has always had a belief in God, but doesn't have a religion.  Rebecca doesn't really have a belief in anything.  It was amazing to see the change in Rebecca throughout the lesson.  She started off really quiet, looking at us like we were two weird mormon missionaries (haha), and with plenty of doubts.  But as we taught about Jesus Christ and the restoration we saw the spirit really touch her heart.  By the end she was asking questions and wanting to gain for herself.  Kyle said the closing prayer and it was so sweet.  We left just beaming.  And just loving being missioanaries.   Best thing ever.  Wanna know what's cool?  We found out that Kyle's grandma is a member in our ward!  woo!  Pray for them, please. :)

Our investigator Danni (the sisters had been teaching her) is doing okay.  She is changing in a million ways (for the better) and is gaining a testimony.  Her fiance is against it all though, and he just moved in with Danni and her mom.  So she isn't scheduled for baptism anymore, but we're still working with her.  We had a lesson with her this week at the park by her home (we aren't always allowed in...), and it started raining so we had a lesson sitting in the woodchips under the playground.  The things we do sometimes...   well, my mind has gone blank and I don't really have too much more to say!  I hope you have an excellent week....I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving!  I hope someone will take pity on my and my American ways and have a Thanksgiving dinner. ha. That's exciting that Jed is leaving the week after Thanksgiving!  Tell him hello and I'll pray for him. :)

I love y'all!

Sister Rindlisbacher

Snow at our flat in Montrose.....

Montrose beaches...

 



Happy Halloween

We had zone conference, which was AMAZING!  Remember President and Sister Walker from the MTC?  Well they came up to talk to us at our zone conference!  It was soooo wonderful to see them.  Oh man I love them.  We learned so so much.  We talked a lot about having a "white Christmas"...baptisms!  I studied hope this morning.  Hope is an assurance that something will happen.  It's believing and expecting that it will.  No more wishful thinking that we will find people to teach and baptize...we believe and expect it will happen. :)  And if not...we will just keep working. haha

Some of my other favorite moments from the week:

1. I was on exchanges with Sister Ryan, and we stopped a young woman (25?) on the street.  She said she normally would pass us by and not speak to us, but today she decided to stop.  We found a place to sit and just talked to her about Christ and His gospel.  She basically did our job for us, "Can I have this book?" "Can I come to your church?" "Do you do home visits?"  "Can you find a verse about such and such in the Book of Mormon?"  and so on.  It was brilliant.  She lost her baby daughter and was searching for 'something more' in her life!

 2. Yesterday we were taking a short cut through a park, and we saw a woman off to the side picking up leaves off of the ground (to make decorations or something...she was really worried we thought she looked crazy).  We went over to talk to her.  I think we scared her at first haha.  We got talking to her and it turns out she met with missionaries almost 30 years ago, and was very close to baptism!  Even better...she told us that a few days ago she was really struggling.  She was really nervous about something and was about to leave the house when one of our pass-along cards popped through the door.  :)  It says Faith brings hope or something like that.  Anyway, she said it really helped her at the perfect moment and it's hanging on her fridge.  And now we stop her in a park to talk to her??  Freaky. ;)  God is in the details.

3. We tried by a former investigator and she let us in!  I can count the number of times that has happened on my mission on one hand.  So we were excited!!  She is Polish.  We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and she even sang us a few Polish hymns! 

4.  I know this might sound dumb, but thank you for praying for me and my driving. :)  God cares about the big and small things (even driving), and he has answered our prayers!  haha  I've had to drive a lot this week and it's going well.  I haven't killed a soul!  I even had to drive to and through Aberdeen, one of the biggest cities in Scotland, and we made it out alive.  So thanks.

5. It SNOWED this week!  It snowed for you too..wahoo.  We were doing some gardening...in our skirts...in the snow.  Loved it.  I will be able to do anything in a skirt when I go home.  I think I was the only one in all of Scotland who was excited that it was snowing.  It was so pretty, totally a hallmark moment! 

Welp...I think that's all I've got time for!  Send me pictures of your halloween costumes.  I'm dressing up as a mormon missionary!  It's gonna be good.  Have a great week...I love you!!!!!!!!!!

cheerio,

Sister Rindlisbacher

Haggis.....

Hey everybody!

How's it going?  Sounds like things are good back home.  I guess it's been pretty rainy, welcome to my world. haha.  I hope everything is so great back in the promised land. :) We've had a good week here, we're a little less lost than we were last week.  But not much. :)  We're still trying to get around to meet all the members and see less-actives.  And we're really trying to find new investigators!  We know they're out there (Alma 26:22)...the trick is finding them.  We are working with a girl named Danni, the sisters before were working with her.  She came to church yesterday!  woo!

She really liked it.  She likes everything she's been taught, and wants to be baptized! yay! But there are a lot of things standing in the way.  The answer: pray!  (I just wanted to rhyme-I'm a nerd).

Soooo....my driving.  sigh.:)  It is STRESSING me out learning to drive manual in the UK, where they drive insanely (is that a word?), on streets that are half the size of one of our lanes in America, and on the wrong side of the road. haha  But I'm improving a little bit.

I know this might be a weird/unimportant request, but will you pray that I'll be able to learn how to drive? :)  I think I need it.

Thanks a million.

Oh I have exciting news!  I had haggis this week!  I tried like a bite in the MTC, but that didn't really count.  This week we had dinner at a member's home and we had haggis.  Sister Shead already loved it (her dad is scottish!), and I was dead scared to try it.  They were all trying to freak me out haha, but I actually REALLY loved it!  It was so good.  I don't know how to make it, but we're gonna eat it when I get home. :)

Also, everybody here tells me an Elder Rindlisbacher served here a few years ago (so they all have practice saying my name, it's great)...his name is Kurt Rindlisbacher...do I/should I know him? :)

 Yesterday Sister Shead and I both spoke in church.  We spoke about commitments and what they mean to us as a missionary.  I read part of Alma 7, verses 14-16.  They just really hit me.  We need to show Heavenly Father that we're willing to follow him.  We have to prove it to Him.  We need to be COMMITTED to Him.  Another member in the ward spoke with us, and his talk was brilliant.  He spoke alot about missionary work (full time missionaries and members included!)  He said something like, "Are we committed?  It's our duty.  DON'T LEAVE IT UP TO SOMEONE ELSE.  It's up to you.  It's up to me."  I want to be more committed to Heavenly Father.  More committed to the Savior.  And so much more committed to their work.  This is the GREATEST work EVER.

 And I don't know why I sometimes forget that.  Let's not forget. :)

Montrose!!

Where do I start?  I got my new companion...her name is Sister Shead.

She's from Chorley in England!  She lives right by the MTC. ha.

Another Brit!  She's already a really good missionary, so it'll be good.  So, we're settling into the new area.  It's soooo pretty.  It's a bunch of little towns spread apart from each other by country or beach.  Pretty great. The ward is really great, very missionary oriented.  I'm excited to get to know everybody, and find those souls who are searching. :) Our flat is super nice. Oh!  And we do have a car!  Don't worry I haven't killed anyone yet.  I actully haven't driven much yet.  Thank goodness the Lord sent me a companion from the UK who can drive manual. haha The other day I was trying to drive down this street and I stalled in front of a man's driveway as he was trying to back out, and I could not get going again.  I killed it at least 346 times. I'm praying I'll get better.  The Lord can do anything! :)  We're still a little lost and trying to figure everything out, but it's going well so far.

I picked Sister Shead up at the mission home on Wednesday.  I was the only sister training, so I knew who my companion was right off the bat, I didn't have to wait till later that night when they announced it.  phew.  We got to climb Pratt's hill.  Don't worry, it wasn't as horrible as last time.  :)  It was actually a beautiful day.  It was good to again go to Heavenly Father in prayer and makes some goals/promises on the top of such a pretty place.  I love Scotland.

I thought I'd give you a couple of updates from Greenock.  :)  Mark is doing good.  He needs time to figure things out, but maybe when they put missionaries back in Greenock he will be ready.  "I won't let you down, and  I won't let God down either...one day I'll become a saint."

-Mark :)

 

Brian the tattoo guy: the tattoo shop has been closed for a couple of weeks, so we haven't been able to talk to him about the Book of Mormon or anything, and we were sad cause we were leaving soon.  But on our last day we walked by and it was open again!  miracle!  He had been reading the Book of Mormon on his holiday and really likes it.  He said he was halfway to becoming a mormon. haha.  Again...when they put missionaries back in Greenock maybe he'll be ready.  He said he'd miss our happy smiles and cheery attitudes. haha.  I'm just glad to know we made a difference no matter how tiny.

TRANSFERS!

Okay..I'm just so excited and nervous and have so much to tell you I can't even really think.  This week...and the past few days have been really good, and have been really interesting!  I'll start out with transfers...we got moves call last night!  This is crazy...Sister Millward and I are BOTH leaving Greenock.  They're actually closing the area.  So our hearts hurt a little bit, because we love this place so much, but the assistants assured us that they'll take care of Matthew (who should be baptized hopefully this Sunday).  And I just pray that when missionaries come back that they will find Mark, and he will be prepared to take the next step.  ANYWAY!  I'll start with Sister Millward, cause I'm soooo excited for her.  She is going to Ireland!  And not just Ireland, but Limerick!!  My birthplace. :)  I'm secretly (well, pretty openly ha) jealous.  BUT!  I will be going to Montrose!  It's on the east coast (I think) of Scotland!  woo!  And what's even crazier is that I'll be white washing again (third area-third white wash.  Which is probably why I feel like I'm losing my hair ha), but just wait it gets better...I get to train again.  what?!  White wash training in Montrose.  Family.  Friends.  Anyone who reads this email...please pray for me.  haha Heaven knows I need it.  I'm actually pretty excited, but super nervous as well.  I guess it's  HUGE area, and they had a car until last week...one of the senior couples' cars was stolen, so they got the Montrose car.. I got so close to a car! haha So now we're just trying to deep clean/get everything out of the flat, pack, oh and do missionary work. :)  Ok.  Everybody take a couple of deep breaths, and we'll move on to the rest of the email. ;)

GENERAL CONFERENCE:  I loved it so so much.  We got to see all of the sessions except Sunday afternoon.  We just go to the stake center to watch it.  Wasn't it amazing? Everybody asked me what I thought about the mission ages changing for elders and sisters...um....I am still in shock!!!  I still don't really know what to think about it.  My mind is blown.  There are a bunch of 18 year old elders in our mission already (from Enlgand), so that part wasn't TOO shocking, the weird thing to me is that Ben is a lot closer to 18 then he is to 19.  crazy!  But exciting.  And sisters going at 19..that is what I can't wrap my head around.  After conference everybody asked us if we were mad we didn't get that chance....I don't think I am.  I'm really grateful that I am where I am at the right moment.  The only thing is we're gonna be the old lady missionaries.  sweet.  haha

I absolutely loved all of the talks.  I especially loved everything about missionaries.  It really made me realize how grateful I am to be one.  Even with the ups and downs and feeling like you can't always do it...I'm pretty sure this can never end.  (being a missionary) :)

Elder Holland's talk was amazing.  "Sister Rindlisbacher, do you love me more than all of this?  Then why are we back here?  Did I not touch your life more deeply than this?"  I think that's what he said. :)

October

So my week was pretty good...you know...just did a lot of missionary work.  Mark is okay.  He thinks he wants to be baptized sometime after Christmas.  We'll see him this week and talk to him about it.  Miracles happen.  :)

Have I ever told you about Mattew?  I don't think I have...so he is the son of a less active family in our area.  They live really far away though, so we stopped by their house a couple of times, but never got in.  Anyway, he has never been baptized, and he spent the summer with his uncle in Utah and had the missionary lessons (sisters!) and really wants to be baptized!  Isn't that soooo exciting?  We didn't teach him or anything, but we're just excited to see this miracle happen.  Should be in a couple of weeks.  :) 

Also, there is another less active family here and their cute little girl, Bethany, just turned 8, so we're teaching her and she is planning on being baptized in November! :) Miracle.  She is such a little sweetheart.  At first none of the kids really liked us/ they were scared of us. ha But yesterday at church wee Bethany ran up to give us each a hug.  Another miracle. ha.

This whole week I've been studying all about the heart.  Weird, I know.  It's because lately as I've been reading the scriptures I've noticed how often they mention the heart.  And as I've studied it, it really blows my mind.  The heart is where it's at.  It's not just what we do, but why we do it.  We can change our behavior, but what really matters is that we change in our heart as well.  The scriptures are full of phrases like: they softened their hearts, they hardened their hearts, they did not apply their hearts, they did understand with their hearts, serve with all your heart, he changed their hearts, and so on.  This is something I really need to work on.  Giving my heart.  Here are a couple of my new favorite scriptures: Psalms 27:14, Alma 45:7, and Mormon 9:27

The Book of Mormon

Since this week has been kind of hard, and I had a couple of homesick moments (am I allowed to say that? haha) (and don't worry I'm fine!!)...I was feeling kinda "bleh".  But I had an experience that just made me so thankful for what I have, and just feel so dang lucky.  We were on our way to an appointment and we stopped a woman who was walking her dog.  After a couple of seconds we could see she was really drunk.  We talked to her about God's plan for us.  She just burst into tears.  Man.  I hate it when we make people cry. haha.  People look at us like, "what did you do to her??" :) Anyway, she told us that her son had died five years ago.  We just testified to her that she could see her son again.  She just said, "really?"  with so much hope.  We read a scripture and said a prayer with her.  She just kept hugging us and kissing us on the cheek.  It was just so sad.  She was so low and had nothing and didn't even think she could ever see her son again.  That experience just hit me.  Even though things can be hard, I have so much.  We know so much!  And I'm just grateful.

 Also, I finished the Book of Mormon again this week!  I love that book!  Are you still reading it as a family and trying to finish it?  Remember to pray about it....I ask God if it's true all the time.  It's not just a one time answer that we get.  We need to continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon to gain and strengthen our testimony of it. 

Hmmm.....oh!  Something I thought you'd be interested to know....we talked to this guy on the street last night.  Normally, people ask us where in America we're both from, but this time he only thought Sister Millward was American.  I was so excited! (not that I don't love being an American, I do...and it's totally the promised land ha) but that means my accent is getting somewhere! wahoo! 

well, I gotta go!  I love you all!  Have a good week!

September 17th

What happened this week?  Mark.  The adversary is working so very hard on him and his family.  He still really wants to be baptized, but he doesn't know if it's gonna happen in October.  Or November.  Or December. He just can't say. gah!  Me and Sister Millward just wanted to cry.  And we did when he left. :)  Thanks for keeping him in your prayers.

I don't remember if I told you this or not, but our mission is doing a 40 day fast.  So for 40 days, at least 1 or 2 companionships will be fasting for the whole mission.  Purpose?  1-To have increased spirutual power in the mission 2-to have 40 baptisms in the month of October (and I add in that Mark will be one of them ha)...We had our turn to fast yesterday.  I'm just so excited to see what will come of this.  I have a feeling it'll be amazing.  I love the Scotland/Ireland mission.  Best mission in the world. ;)

I got to go on exchanges this week!  It was my first time... they decided to try it out with sisters.  haha.  It was fun.  I was with Sister Tylka in Irvine.  It was really good-she's a great missionary.  I sure did miss my Greenock and Sister Millward, though. :)

 

We have a couple of new investigators!  We visited a less-active and her partner was there, Gary, we just asked him if he wanted to join us, and he said he would!  We had another lesson with him as well.  He's really good and has tons of questions.  And it'll be so good for Karen.  Speaking of Karen, she told us that there was gonna be a Tangled 2?  She knows how much we love Tangled....and when she told us she was just yelling and so excited and ran and gave us a hug. haha. 

Our other new investigator is Liz.  We just met her on the street a few weeks ago and finally caught her in.  We taught her the Restoration, and we'll be going back.  Hopefully it'll be good!

p.s. -- Pictures September 17th

A couple of p-days ago Sister Millward and I were bored so we made a rap to the mission song. That's us with our grills. Look at those gangsta faces. ha. And the other one is of us soaking wet, like usual. This time I forgot to put my scriptures in an extra plastic bag, so when we got home they were soaking as well. :( I literally could squeeze water out of them. Terrible.

 

 

 

 

2 Nephi 33:6

So we found three new investigators this week!  Miracle?  I think yes!  A couple of weeks ago we stopped a woman, Wilma, just outside of our flat and we talked to her for a minute.  She has had a lot of religious people come to visit her, and she said she would love us to come and share more.  So we set up an appointment for a couple of days later, but sadly she wasn't in.  We were pretty bummed, but what's new? :)  On Friday night we decided to stop by her house again before another appointment we had.  She was there and she got really excited and told us to come in.  (never happens..)  Her daughter and her daughter's friend were also there, along with their two little yappy dogs.  We were able to teach them about the Restoration!  They all have a strong belief in God and in Jesus Christ.  And they all said they would read the Book of Mormon and if they come to know that this is the truth, they'll be baptized.  woo!  The greatest part about it all is that Wilma told us the night before we met her she had prayed and asked God to send someone to her, because she feels lost and doesn't know which direction to go.  What?!  I've always wanted a story like that. haha It was an answered prayer for her and for Sister Millward and I.  God is good.

So like I said we had Stake conference this weekend.  It was brilliant!  One-it was so great to see President and Sister Brown and some of the other missionaries.  And to be surrounded by so many members.  Two-the talks were inspiring.  One of my favorites was from Sister Brown.  She talked about 2 Nephi 33:6 "I glory in plainess, I glory in truth, I glory in my Jesus for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."  She spoke about the words 'my Jesus'...and how we can come to know Him and be close to Him like Nephi was.  Close enough to use the term 'my Jeus'.  As I sat thinking about that the thought came to my mind that it goes both ways.  Christ feels that close relationship with us, close enough to call us "my sister Rindlisbacher", or "my Amber" or "my Justin"....It's pretty great.  And He wants us to feel that way about Him.  And I'm trying. :)  Hope you are too.

August 28th

We have had a really...interesting week. ha.  And it's been really long.  But nevertheless, it was a good one.  We had a couple of lessons with Mark that were really good.  We were reading from the Book of Mormon with him on Saturday and it mentioned baptism.  We just asked him, "Mark why do you want to be baptized?" He just told us that he wants to be on the right path that will lead him back to God, and he knows this is it.  Oh my heart soared!  He is doing so, so well.  It's still the family situation that is holding him back, but he tells us that it's getting better.  He is set to be baptized in about 6 weeks...he hopes his family will be ok by then...PLEASE PRAY! shanks. :)

 So do you remember in one of you letters I told you about Brian the tattoo guy?  The one that made fun of my shoes? Yeah..that one. haha  He owns this tattoo shop that we walk by all the time.  When I first got here we gave him a card for mormon.org, but now we just say hello when we pass.  He stopped us the other day and we talked to him for a few minutes and he asked a ton of questions about the gospel.  And his co-worker came in and said he'd been talking to missionaries on mormon.org!  They said they weren't going to join that day, but maybe the next time we saw them. haha.  But really...I think they're interested in learning and it may take a really long time...years? But I think their hearts are being softened.  Oh, the spirit.  :)

Transfers is this week, luckily Sis. Millward and I both survived.  I really love Greenock and I better be here for when Mark is baptized.  He told us he wants us to be here...so hopefully it'll happen soon. :)  The branch is doing well, there seemed to be a lot of people at church on Sunday.  Our sweet Sister Rooney takes such good care of us.  When we left her house (after we taught Mark) she gave us food to take home and she just told us that she spoiled us because we're like her own daughters. :)  She said if I ever had a daughter on a mission I would want someone to take care of them...so there you go mom.  I told her you appreciate it. :)  As do we.  She gives us really yummy treats. ha.

Pictures attached:  We took a ferry to an island that is part of our area!  So, that's us waiting for the ferry.  And a couple from the branch (they're actually on a mission in the Orkney islands but had to come home for a couple of days) took us out to eat at an American restaraunt (spelling? I've always hated that word...) and it was so yummy...and we met John Wayne!  And then that's just a random shot of our umbrella's...we broke 3 yesterday.  Well the wind did.  You should have seen us...it was hilarious.

Happiness -- August 20th

We met with Mark a couple of times!  He's still doing well.  He still loves the gospel, and his testimony is really growing.  On Saturday we had a lesson on temples and forever families.  Oh boy, it was really good.  A couple of things happened...he really loves the idea of temples.  He is so excited to prepare to go after he's baptized.  He got teary-eyed and cried a couple of times during the lesson as we talked about the temple and being with our family forever.  That's what he wants.  Another thing that happened...is I just realized that that's what I want to! haha And I just felt so grateful and overwhelmed that that is exactly what we have the chance at having.  It's pretty great.  Oh!  Also, we teach him a lot at Sister Rooney's house (the older woman that we love in the branch).  She always is willing to have us over to teach and always gives us yummy sweets.  Well, the last lesson we had there Mark brought a bouquet of flowers for Sister Rooney!  Just to say thank you.  Oh my goodness, it was so cute.  Our hearts just broke. ha. 

I thought I would tell you about something I studied this week: happiness.  It all started when I was reading the Book of Mormon.  I read 2 Nephi 2:25.  We are here in this life to have joy.  To be happy!  After that I studied Alma 36...this is when Alma the younger is talking about his conversion story.  He talks about how he is in so much pain and has so much sorrow, but after he repents and uses the atonement..his pains and sorrow is turned into joy.  Real and true joy.  Christ can and wants to do that for all of us.  I got to thinking (because my train of thought is everywhere when I study..) I've always tried to be happy, but I don't think I've always let myself be as happy as I can be, just because I worry so much about the past...so much about the trials and "hardness" of today.  And I think that happens to a lot of us.   But He wants us to be happy!  Not just when everything is perfect and hunky dory, but today.  Always.  And yeah, sometimes it's really hard, but He can help us.  That's what He's there for. :)  And it doesn't mean we won't be discouraged, frustrated, sad, or waiting for something better to happen...but He can help us overcome those things and just...be happy.  And yes..I've turned into a cheesy sister missionary, but just embrace it.  haha And try to be happy.  Because God loves you and He's there for you.  And I love you too!!! 

Paisley Zone -- August 13th

From your missionary -- July 30th

This week has been SO good.  Sister Millward is already a pro; she doesn't need to be trained at all.  I'll tell you about a few miracles.  They all have to do with MARK!  He's doing so well.  It's amazing that the last six months of work and wondering if we'll ever find anyone all become worth it when one person feels the truth.  Miracle #1: He came to church!  And he really liked it and felt the spirit. Miracle #2: He has smoked since he was 18 and has a cup of tea or coffee every morning, well, we taught him the word of wisdom this week and ever since we asked him to start living it...he hasn't smoked or had tea or coffee.  He just quit like that.  He's tried to quit smoking before, but he said this time something was different.  Miracle #3: He feels like he has received an answer that the Book of Mormon is true (he said not 100%), so we asked him if he knew the book was true what that would make him want to do, and he said matter of factly..well, be baptized. :)  So we invited him again to be baptized and he said YES.  :)  He's still worried about his wife and kids and what they think, but now we're working towards baptism.  He just wants them to feel the same things he has been feeling

Arrivals -- Pratt's Hill -- July 23rd

 

From President Brown

"The hike up Pratt’s hill in fine weather with the returning missionaries on Tuesday was in stark contrast to the following day when the heavens opened and bathed us all in torrents of living water (it must have been living because it wriggled its way into every coat and hat – even my welly boots gathered some). The assistants tell me – “yes we’ve had rain before but never like that!” The wonderful thing is that nobody made any complaint and in fact all seemed to actually enjoy it – I certainly did and in spite of the rain I felt the spirit’s influence amongst us. This manifestation of the determination of our new missionaries to succeed was most uplifting to see."

 

Training....

How are you?  I didn't get too much juice this week...hopefully you're sending letters...? ;)  Anyway, this week has been really good!  Sister Patterson left for home on Tuesday.  She was so great!  I'm gonna miss her.  I don't know if she'll read this or not, but I hope everything is well in Canadia! ;)  So I was able go to Edinburgh on Wednesday and spend the whole day there!  I love it there, and I love being at the mission home with so many missionaries.  We had a little training before the trainee's came from the MTC...after they got there we went to climb up Pratt's hill (arthur's seat) again!  And let me tell you...it was pouring rain.  And soooo windy.  We basically had to hike up and down a waterfall.  Welcome to the mission!  It was fun, though.  At the top we were able to re/dedicate ourselves to the Lord and set goals for what we want to accomplish.  I love our mission so much. 

Anyway, after more training, lunch, and interviews Pres. Brown gave the assignments out.  There were a lot of sisters that came in this transfer (and they all are really cute and fashionable.  But don't worry, they'll be like the rest of us soon enough. haha) I got SISTER MILLWARD!!!!  She is a doll.  I really like her.  She is from none other than Boise, Idaho!  She is going to be a great missionary, and she'll be training me in no time.  It's not as scary as I thought...you just do missionary work. ha.  And we have a map...so we're good. :) 

Staying in Greenock -- July 16th

We got moves call last night!! I can't believe it's that time again.  Sister Patterson is getting transferred to Canada. :)  It still hasn't hit us yet that she's going home.  She's been so good!  She's an amazing little missionary.  I'm gonna miss her.  In other news: I'm staying in GREENOCK.  Oh yeah....and...I'm TRAINING.  Yikes. haha  Can you believe it?  I still feel like a brand new missionary.  I'm actually not too nervous, but I'm sure when I get to the mission home on Wednesday I'll be freaking out. 

So, we're working with a younger woman in our branch who is struggling with a lot of addictions, and it's ruining her life.  She just cried when we were with her this week.  I left feeling really sad, but SO grateful for the gospel.   In Preach My Gospel, it says "The gospel is the only thing that will save the world."  And it's true.  If we live the gospel and follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we can be free of all of that hurt that comes from bad choices.  And we can be happy! 

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher










Sister Rindlisbacher, Sister Pettman, Elder Johnston, Elder Clark

Sister Rindlisbacher and Sister Pattterson

 and some families

And Gregg's!

Week of Wet -- July 2nd

I thought I would tell you about this kid in our branch.  I love our wee branch!  We don't have very many that come out (yet!), but they're amazing, so they are.  Anyway, this boy's name is Luke, and he just turned 15.  He was baptized a few months ago.  His family is of the predominant religion in this country :) and he never felt good about it.  So for months he went to different churches to find the right one.  (sound like Joseph Smith much?)  Anyway, one day he went out walking to find one.  He didn't really know where he was walking, but just kept going.  He passed our church and decided to go in.  He talked to the elders and he was baptized like a month later!  And he is seriously one of the strongest members here.  What a boss. ;) 

I have a lot of funny stories that happened this week, but I only have time to tell you one....and you probably won't think it's very funny...oh well!  We were out working one day and knew we wouldn't have time for lunch, so we packed little sandwiches and things.  It was raining (surprise surprise) so we ate under one of those little bus shelter things.  We were just sitting there, enjoying our sandwhiches and this gull (the gulls here are really loud and annoying and EVERYWHERE) flies down and lands near us, obviously he wants some of our food.  Sister Patterson chased him off a couple of times, but he kept coming back.  We ignored him for a while, but then he let out this loud shriek-and it seriously looked and sounded like those raptors on Jurrassic Park when they call all the other raptors. haha We laughed at that, but went back to our food.  Then we look up and see all of his friends had come and were circling us like vultures. We laughed (with a little less joy and a little more worry this time haha)....so the big gull finally flew away...and we felt safe...but then all of a sudden we hear this huge 'thud' on the roof.  I nearly had a heart attack, and we looked up and what do you this it was?  Yeah, it was that crazy gull creepily looking down at us! ah!  So we picked up our stuff and ran to the train station that was nearby.  THEN (just when you thought this horrible story was over) as we were sitting in the train station I looked out the window behind us and he was standing right outside the window, watching us. hahaha creep!  Well, anyway, I guess you had to be there.  You can see my life is full of excitement! :)

Zone Conference--June 25th

*We had zone conference last week!  Oh my, it was sooo good.  Sister Griffiths talked to us about patience and waiting on the Lord and His timing.  "Don't try to figure it out for the Lord". ha I love her.  President Griffiths talked about the spirit.  He told us we can know we are living and teaching by the spirit when we 1. are ordained 2. remember and keep our covenants 3. have a prayer of faith and 4. believe and act

It was a pretty emotional day because it was President and Sister Griffiths last zone conference.  The last time we'll see them (until I get home of course).  ugh.  My heart really hurt!  I haven't known them for too long, and I wish I could have served with them longer, but they are amazing!  And we're going to miss them so much.. they taught us so much, they're brilliant examples, and they just love us.  :)  I always hug Sister Griffiths, but I got to hug President as well this time....I think their last day is Thursday. :(  I LOVE THE GRIFFITHS! And I'm excited to meet President and Sister Brown!

 Anyway..moving on...

*Mark!!  We have a new investigator named Mark.  We met him last week.  We were walking in the POURING rain trying to find a house, and he was out walking his dog.  We stopped him for directions, he wasn't really much help because he didin't really know where he was going, haha, but we started talking to him about the gospel and set up an appointment!  So we met with him a couple days ago and it was brill!  Heavenly Father has prepared Him. He sent us a text that said he's been reading and praying about the Book of Mormon.  He said it's a very emotional experience.  He said he'd slept better than he had in a long time because of good dreams inspired by 1 nephi. haha.  Anyway, we'll be meeting with him again and I'm really excited!  He has a wife and two step-kids, but he isn't sure if they're ready to hear yet.  Pray, por favor! :)

*Favorite quote of the week...After zone conference I had this moment where I kind of freaked out and realized I couldn't ever stop being a missionary. haha But then the next day I got up and changed my mind. ;)  So I've been wondering...how can we love something that is this hard--so much?  Here's two quotes to answer my question:

 "Missionary work is difficult.  It taxes one's energies, it strains ones capacity, it demands one's best effort...no other labor requires longer hours or greater devotion or such sacrifice and fervent prayer." (pres. Monson)

"As a result of that sacrifice, we return from our missions with our own gifts: The gift of faith.  The gift of testimony.  The gift of understanding the role of the spirit.  The gift of daily gospel study.  the gift of having served our savior.  Gifts carefully packaged in worn scriptures, tattered copies of preach my gospel, missionary journals and grateful hearts." (Elder Waddell)

Oh.  Got it. :)

5 months!--June 18th

We had a really good week.  We have a new investigator!  About a week ago we met Edward on the street, he was in a hurry and walking his dog, but we stopped him anyway.  We talked to him for a minute and he told us we could come to his home and teach him more, so on Friday we were able to teach him about the restoration.  He has a little family (one girl and one on the way) and hasn't been religious for a long time.  He said he wants something that will help him raise his family...well, we have just the thing!  The spirit was strong and he is interested in learning more and to work towards baptism! 

Sidenote: I was told that something will ALWAYS interrupt the first lesson, like a phonecall or someone at the door, because Satan doesn't want people to hear about the Restoration of the gospel.  And so far I've found that to be true, and the interruption for this lesson was funny.  Edward's dog threw up because he has a problem with eating snails. haha gross. 

You know what's great?  Heavenly Father always takes care of you and blesses you-even when you don't deserve it.  :)  Yesterday we both woke up with teh worst attitude, just expecting the day to be the worst.  But when we came home we realized that it had been a really good day!  Church was amazing, it didn't rain, we were able to have a lesson with a couple of less-active members of the ward, we got on the wrong bus and ended up far away from home, haha, but a bus just magically appeared out of nowhere that took us back into the town, we talked to a lot of great people, AND we found a bunch of those forget-me-not flowers on the way home (from Pres. Uchtdorf's talk)!  I'm starting to realize how lucky I am.  To be alive, to have the gospel, to have a good family, to be a missionary...gah!  Way more than I deserve. 

"Waving farewell to my sweet Ireland" June 4th

So you know the Nashville tribute band?  My favorite cd was always the Joseph Smith one...and there is a song on there (number 7 I think haha) and one of the lines in the song is..."Now I'm waving farewell to my sweet Ireland."..... And in a couple of days that's what I'll be doing...we got moves call last night and I'm getting transferred! ahh!  I'm going to be in Greenock (don't ask me if that's spelled right) in SCOTLAND.  I was like a scared, lost little girl when President called me to tell  me. haha But now I'm excited and it will be really good!  Even though I'm not too happy about leaving Ireland...I love this place.  But Scotland will hopefully be just as fantastic, I don't know much about the area I'm going to.  My new companion is Sister Patterson (from Canada) and we're white washing in.  Once again. :)  I've been dying to tell you!  So there you go!  It was also pretty sad because this is President Griffiths last transfer. :(  I WISH I could have served with them longer.  I love them!  But President Brown will be amazing as well.  

We were on our way to our flat for the night so we caught a bus and were heading into the city.  Sister Pettman said that we should get off early and just walk home (we didn't want to talk to all the drunk people in the city ha) so we got off (I didn't really want to because I was sick of being in the rain), but we did and we started walking home, jumping in puddles because we were already drenched!  We passed a woman and stopped her to talk to her.  She told us that she had been so lonely that day, her son had just gone to England, and she had buried her brother a couple of weeks ago, and she was just really down and didn't know where to go for help.  Well, we have an appointment with her today and I'm excited!  It just shows me that God knows.  And He loves every single person.  So he kicked us off the bus to speak to that lady who needed it that day.  He's so great!

Elder Holland's talk

We got the conference Ensign yesterday and it was like Christmas-we were so excited! ha That thing is gold. :)  Elder Holland's talk is my favorite...I forgot exactly how it went but I loved when he said something like this..."surely God's favorite thing about being God is showing mercy to His children, especially those who don't expect it and espeically those who feel they don't deserve it."  Anyway, maybe just read the talk :)  And I've seen that...looking back since I got my mission call and on the past 4 months since I've been here...He is the only way I've made it to this point.  He loves us so much!

Things are changing. April 30th

So!  I'm in Dublin right now staying with the sisters here...I sent sister Fisher home this morning. :(  She'll get back to California on Wednesday.  I'm gonna miss her-I feel like I don't know how to do missionary work without her. haha But you know it's time to change when things start getting comfortable...Heavenly Father doesn't like us to be comfortable. What good would that do? :)  Anyway, the news you're all just dying to hear (I'm sure ha)....I'm staying in LIMERICK!!!!!  I'm so happy about this.  I think I could stay in Limerick the whole time and be good.  And my new companion is Sister Petman!  I don't know her but everyone says she is amazing.  And she's from England!  

 

We had a really good week.  I'll tell you a cool story: On Friday we were just walking down the street trying to talk to people.  We came upon this guy, Tomas, in his 20's? and he was just being loud and crazy and whatever.  I didn't really think about it but we went up to talk to him (didn't realize the can in his hand was a beer...ha)....but we talked to him for a long.  He asked a lot of questions and kind of went off on us for a while...we talked a lot about Jesus Christ.  It was so interesting and so great to see him change in that short amount of time though.  At first he was annoyed with us and argued with us, but slowly he started to listen and something in his eyes changed.  He almost cried when he told us about the hard time he was going through.  He even said God was up to something putting us on the same street that day.  Well, we gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he'd read it.  As we walked away he yelled at everybody on that street, "These are two good people!!!"  Everyone looked at us like we were crazy (more than usual) haha.  And we walked away thinking we can't wait till we get to heaven to see what happened to him.  Well, we didn't have to wait that long!  We got a bus to Dublin last night.  We had been on for about half an hour when we see Tomas get on!!!  We got so excited and we went up and sat by him.  We talked to him (along with Elder Turner who was with us) until Dublin.  He is so good.  He had a million genuine questions and he wants to make a change in his life and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father put us both on that bus. (not a coincidence!)  Anyway, the Dublin sisters are going to try by his house and we'll see!  We were at the bus station all waiting for our rides and he was like, "Here I am...just hanging out with the mormons!"  It's so funny because he is the musician/rocker/artistic kinda guy. I can't wait to see what comes of it.

 

Miracles happen everyday.  We just have to look for them and recognize them.  Our district leader calls us every night to hear about a miracle.  It's good because it makes me think about it and realize there are...no matter how small.  You should do the same...pretend your district leader is going to call you every night. :)

Love from Limerick--April 23rd

How is everybody??  Sounds like you're doing good..and it sounds sunny...no fair. :)  Thanks for the letters and emails this week!  I love them so so much.  I also got mom's graduation announcement in the mail.  Yay!  So proud of our mom, she's growing up so fast. ;) love ya mom! And happy birthday to Shannon tomorrow!  I can't believe you'll be 14!  Please stop growing up...we can run away to never never land together. ha

So.  We've had another good week.  hmm.  We had a pretty amazing district meeting on Tuesday.  A general authority (can't remember the name) came and gave training to all the district leaders and we did basically the same thing they did in their meeting.  He talked about why the culture of the mission was negative...why we  don't get many baptisms...he said, "You! It's because of each of you."  Woah.  We talked a lot about that and planning and going by the spirit and we've already seen a difference.  We talked about Alma 23:13.  After these people were truly converted they knew they had to lay down their "weapons of war"....so during the meeting we each took about ten minutes to pray and ask Heavenly Father what weapons of war were we holding onto that we needed to lay down to change ourselves and our missionary work.  The spirit was strong and we all shared with each other some of the things so we can help each other work on them.  Then we took about ten more minutes to pray and ask Heavenly Father what we could do to change.  It was really uncomfortable for all of us haha cause we have a lot to work on, but it was so good because now we can change and be better.  

Has it really been another week?

Has it really already been another week?  I feel like I just emailed yesterday...I don't know where the time goes!  Anyway, how are you all!?  Sounds like you had a good week apart from school and work. haha ;)  We've had a good week too!  It's been grand.  What did we do??? hmmmmmmmm...Well!  We have a new investigator!  His name is Kevin.  We found him knocking doors about a week ago.  He has a lot of health problems, he smokes, he's an alcoholic and has a lot to overcome, but the good news is he really wants to!  We had a lesson with him and he said he just felt good, he felt peace.  He said he wanted to look happy like us (which I thought was weird cause I wasn't having the best day) :)  
 

Here are some things I liked from my study this week: 

"Guardians of Virtue" Elaine Dalton...I really liked this talk.  At one point she was talking about the pioneers and said, "They endured many things, and SO CAN WE."  Amen. (We have a lot of people from Nigeria in the branch and I love how they say 'amen'...so much soul! haha so that's how I say it now)

She also said, "Again, your course is marked, and you can be assured that the savior has not only walked the course but will again walk it with you, every step of the way." Amen. :)

The sun is shining!--March 26th

So-it's been a great day!  The sun is SHINING and it's warm!  It feels like a cool summer day back home.  I l-o-v-e it!  The week has been pretty good as well.  We didn't have a lot of lessons or anything.  James was out of town all week.  Leticia has been really sick.  We had a really good lesson with a less active in the ward, we watched the video finding faith in Christ.  She feels like she isn't close to Him, she knows He came, and performed miracles, and did all that...but she doesn't feel like she knows Him.  So we talked about the Atonement and how he suffered back then, but it still applies today.  He still feels sad when we're sad, He is happy when we're happy, and he is there to help us overcome the things he already overcame.  She just started crying and said no one had ever told her that before.  The spirit was strong, and it was good!

So after we had our meeting we got to go play football outside in the warm sunshine!!!  It was so great.  I really like our zone...we're the only sisters, so we're kind of the weirdos haha but that's okay.  I'll tell you an embarrassing story...we were all getting really hot playing outside so I went in to get a drink. Everyone was still out sitting on the grass.  As I was walking outside, I gracefully (ha not) tripped on the bottom of the doorway, fell over the steps, and landed on my hands and knees at the bottom. hhhhhaaaaaaaaa Oh my.  I didn't make a sound, there was just a 'thud' when I hit the ground.  I stood up and just starting laughing....aaannd so did everyone else.  I looked like the little kid on the playground that falls and scrapes their hands and knees

SMALL WORLD!

This is a photo of the Mark Reed family with Holly and her companion in Limerick Ireland.  The picture was posted on Holly's mom's mission alumni site.  Turns out Mark Reed served in the same mission (South Africa Capetown) at about the same time as Holly's Mom! 

Feed My Sheep

My favorite thing that I studied this week was John 21.  Man I love that chapter!  In the MTC we watched a devotional by Elder Holland called "Feed My Sheep" it was amazing!  He talked about John 21.  This is after Christ was resurrected.  Peter and the other apostles didn't really know what to do because He was gone, so they did what they knew how to do, which was fish.  They went fishing and caught nothing.  They saw a figure in the distance on the shore (it's Christ but they didn't know that).  He asked them how the fishing was going, and they said it wasn't so great.  He told them to cast it on the right side.  They did and they caught so much fish they couldn't reel it in.  It was then that they realized it was Christ and sweet Peter :) just bailed over the side of the boat to get to Him.  When Peter got there Christ asked him, "Do you love me?  Do you love me more than the fish and the boats and your nets?"  And Peter answered, "Yes, of course I love you."  Christ asked him this again and even a third time.  And each time Peter answered, yes I love you Lord.  And Christ said, "Then feed my sheep."  It was so powerful as Elder Holland told the story.  These were his words, "When I asked you to leave your nets, it was FOREVER.  When I asked you to be a missionary-it was FOREVER.  The issue of time and eternity is 'do I love Him'?  And if I do then I must feed his sheep, and do it FOREVER.  The past is over, it will never be the same.  You are in this until the end and if you do go back you will break my (elder Holland's) heart and the heart of God Himself.  Our course must be true.  We have left our nets and we can't go back." 

Holy moly it was so powerful when we listened to that in the MTC.  I hope it made sense, probably not. :) But I studied it again this week because I mentioned it in my talk (I gave a talk yesterday).  "Do I love Him"?  That is the question.  And I do!  I'm gonna leave my 'nets' and never go back.  :)  You too?

February 20, 2012

Everything is going well here.  I'm still trying to get used to everything, but we're settling in.  Limerick is a really great place-we live right in the middle of the city, so it's a little crazy sometimes.  We have funny experiences everyday.  Like, a couple of nine year old girls were making fun of our outfits (yes, I know I look frumpy, I just don't care ha).  Annnnd...last night I was freaking myself out when we were knocking doors.  We stood outside of one door for a while, until we realized a creepy old lady was staring at us through the window.  I booked it. ha. 
Anyway, we have a pretty big area to cover and like I said before, we're opening up the area so basically all we do is try and find people all day.  I've only taught 2 lessons, so we sometimes get frustrated because we can't see the immediate success of our work.  We do have one new investigator!  He is probably 70 something. ha But everybody needs to be baptized, right?  I can see him in white. haha
His name is Patty and we met him on the street.  He's divorced and doesn't really talk to any of his kids.  I think he's pretty lonely, but he's great!  We taught him The Restoration and he's been reading the Book of Mormon and praying.  He's Roman Catholic and told us it's been that way too long to change. ha We'll see about that. We have a couple of other potential investigator's, but we'll see.  I know somebody here in Limerick is ready!  Pray for them and for us

February 13, 2012

Top o' da mornin to ye! haha Yep you guessed it-I'm in Ireland!  Ok!  So on Wednesday I took a bus to Scotland (Edinburgh) and met President and Sister Griffiths and all of the trainers.  Everybody is great!  We (all of the missionaries that came from the MTC) all had a deer in the headlight look the whole day.  The very first thing we did was climb Pratt's Hill or Arthur's Seat.  It was sunny!  It was a good hike, but the MTC made me kind of plump haha so they had to carry me to the top. (just kiddin.  or am I?)  It was so beautiful!  Sooo....my trainer...her name is Sister Fisher!!!  She is from Long Beach and has been out for 16 months, so I guess I'll be killing her off.  She is great-she is a reaaaaallllly good missionary!  I'm excited to learn a lot from her.  I feel inadequate most of the time, so hopefully she'll be patient with me. :)

We are in Limerick, Ireland!!!!  It took us a few days to travel down here.  We are opening a new area, so basically we're starting from scratch. 

Anyway, I'll just share a little experience.  Prayer and personal revelation are so important (and I'm really trying to become better at both).  For the last couple of days I've just been pretty overwhelmed and wondering "what am I doing here!  Send me back to the MTC!".  Yesterday morning after I finished personal study I was praying, just pleading with Heavenly Father to help me find the reason I was here and to help me, and I just opened my eyes and saw the picture of Christ that mom sent me (my very favorite) and the thought came to my head "He's the reason".  :)  He's too good to us sometimes. 

February 7, 2012

So I only have about 3 or 4 minutes to write today. :(  Today is my LAST day in the MTC.  That's soooo crazy!!  Tomorrow morning I'll be on a bus to Scotland.  I'll be honest though, I'm really scared. haha I have loved the MTC so much and have learned so much while I've been here, I'm really sad to leave.  I could just stay here for 18 months and be happy. haha No, I'm really excited to get to Scotland and do what I came to do.  (but I'm still scared to death) :)  I wish I could tell you all of my stories from this week..which include standing in the middle of a park in Manchester, praying with a pigeon lady, while literally hundreds of pigeons flew around me and crawled all over my feet. hahaha.  I'm pretty sure I have some sort of disease now.  But that's ok.  I feel like I've had to be broken down and I'm being rebuilt the way Heavenly Father always wanted me to be.  I have a looooong way to go.  Just know that I know this gospel is TRUE!  God is our Heavenly Father and loves us so much!  Jesus is our Savior and has done so much for us.  I love Him with all my heart.  And I love you all too!  I don't know when my next p-day is....but I'll talk to you soon!!!

January 31, 2012

January 31, 2012.  So last Friday we went "finding".  Allow me to explain...we all packed our bags with Book of Mormons (books of mormon or whatever it is ha), and pamphlets, and pass along cards, and we took a train to Manchester!  It was a real slap in the face and I kept thinking, "What did I get myself into?" haha.  First of all, it was POURING rain, and FREEZING cold, and really windy.  But it's ok, we didn't mind that at all.  So, after we got off the train they kicked us out and said, "Go talk to people...go do your job." haha And we're just like, "uhhhh....ok".  So, Sister Howell and I went out trying to find and talk to people.  It was hard at first, but got easier.  Most people didn't want to listen, some talked for a couple of minutes, and a lot of people just avoided eye contact and walked waaaaay around us. :)  After we got home that night we were all in our room and we just thought, "how did we do that??"  I have no idea how I (me-a little homebody hermit hahaha) walked the streets of Manchester, England stopping random strangers to talk about God, and The Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. haha Oh wait I do know...it was the Lord. :)  I could not have done that without Him. 

On Sunday morning President Walker and his wife took us on a tour of some church history sites.  I thought dad would have loved it. haha  We walked around Preston and took a bus to another little village about 45 minutes away.  We saw the place where Heber C. Kimball used to preach and where he lived.  We saw where the first baptism was done on this continent.  (that's a cool story, but no time to tell sorry!)  We also saw where President Hinckley lived for a few months of his mission.  It was so sweet to hear Sister Walker tell the story about her dad sending the letter home to his dad saying that he thought he should come home-and he got the reply "forget yourself, and go to work".  She doesn't get emotional very often, but she did when she told that story. :)  I'm really trying to do that, forget myself.  I decided I like it better that way. :)

England MTC

(January 19th, 2012)  I just arrived at the MTC about 30 minutes ago.  Life definitley isn't real. haha  I met like 14 other missionaries at the SLC airport.  Most of them going to SCOTLAND/IRELAND and then a few going to missions in England.  Everybody is really great!  I've been good.  I'm doing a lot better than I expected.  After the first tearful moments were over a really nice lady in front us tried to talk to Elder Johnson and I to distract us. ha The flight to Paris was stinking long, and I didn't sleep very much, so we are all kind of lacking in sleep right now.  We sat in the Paris airport for 3 hours.  Did I see the Eiffel Tower?  Negatory. :)  The flight from Paris to Manchester was not long, but was ROUGH!  I almost threw up, literally.  I was praying like mad. ha.  I decided I don't really like flying.  Excpet for the take-off---that's a rush.  :)  On the plus side-I sat by a lady from France who only knew a little English.  And I used all my French on her.  :)  She asked me about plural marriage because a couple of 'mormons' live in her city.  I'm sure she didn't understand a word I said. 

We got off in Manchester and took a bus to the MTC.  Everybody drives on the wrong side of the road and they have SWEET accents.  The MTC is really nice!  I should probably go...but I'm doing good..I have a feeling it will get harder.  But that's how it goes.