Daniels' in the Lions' Den

(this letter was actually two weeks ago)

Thanks for all the pictures! Sorry I don't have any this week. It is a constant struggle to remember my camera! You guys look so great!  Lexi is gorgeous! It is making me nervous: she isn't going to make it 18 months before getting hitched! :) Would it be horribly inconvenient if you sent me a physical copy of those pictures? Especially the family ones and Lexi's photoshoot? I have a collage of photos in my room and I would love to add those to it! And congratulations on doing so well on your test Dad! That lady with the allergies sounded hilarious! We have met a few crazies down here too :)

We witnessed so many miracles this week. The Lord has truly protected us. While we were driving a whole herd of deer appeared out of nowhere. Seriously, one second there was nary a deer on the road and the next the entire herd! Sister Brown slammed on the brakes and the weirest thing happened. The car didn't squeak or squeal as the brakes grinded to a stop. It was so calm and peaceful! Despite our previous speed and our sudden stop, I wasn't launched forward or affected in any way! My heart rate didn't quicken at all. The coolest thing was the fact that we didn't hit a single deer. We must have missed the last one by an inch! That same night we came across this huge dog guarding his house. Although it was barking and snarling furiously at us, we just kept walking towards the house and he ran away! This instance happened twice! I felt like Daniel--Daniels in this case-- in the lion's den!

We met a woman named Elizabeth this week. She really opened up to us about her religious beliefs and her many trials. She has had many family members die in the past few years and one was brutally murdered. As I sat there--a 20 year old girl whose life hasn't been marred by evil---and all I could think is: "What am I doing here? How in the world can I relate to her? To console her when I have ansolutely no idea what that feels like?" I talk to people on a daily basis who have suffered true horrors and unimaginable pains. Pains that come in all forms: some physical, others spiritual or emotional. And I sit there--a girl whose greatest sorrow is the fact that she isn't a size 2 anymore--and listen to these sons and daughters of God who have suffered real pains yet believe in Christ and God with all of their hearts. I feel completely inadequate! What can I say to the aunt whose nephew was bludgeoned to death? What can I say to the mother whose son committed suicide and who later found his body? What can I say to the grandmother who is about to lose her grandkids because she can't pay her electricity bill? As I see all the pain in the hearts of men everywhere, the Atonement suddenly becomes far more real to me. Jesus Christ has felt the pains of the whole world. He is the Great Empathizer, and He knows how best to succor His people. And I, I get to talk of Him! I cannot fix their problems or heal their many wound, but Christ can and I have the privilege of representing Him.

We were checking on an investigator this week, when her neighbor came out and said that she needed us. It turns out that she was contemplating suicide and was praying for help. Then we turned up. She kept saying things like: "I know God loves me, because He sent these two girls when I prayed for help" and similar variations. It was just a simple thing. We just had to show up. We didn't even need to say anything. Just the fact that God sent two of His representatives was enough. Isn't that incredible? We hadn't even gone to that neighborhood for her, but God knew that she was hurting and wanted to help her... and He used us! He truly does use the "small and simple things" to bring to pass His work!

One of the funny instances of the week occurred with the mailman. He was delivering packages to one of our investigators when we pulled up. He came over--all four feet five inches of him-- in his perfectly pressed pants, polished shoes, and tailored button down and said, "I am going to tell you something that you probably aren't going to like." All I could think was, "Oh no here it comes." I was expecting something about the gay movement or at the very least ppolygamy. I was not expecting praise about our skirts as he proudly proclaimed, "It is nice to see young women wearing dresses." He then marched off to his little mail car, leaving Sister Brown and me holding back laughter. Little does he know that I am ditching these dresses in approximately 15 months!

We have really become a part of the town here, and I love it. EVERY ONE knows us: the postmaster, the mailman, the grocery stocker, all fifteen policemen, etc. I feel like a Gilmore girl in Stars Hollow!

Are we from the South? Daniels is one of the most common names down here! People keep trying to figure out if we are related!

Love you guys!

Sister Daniels

Dear family,

 

Since yesterday was Veteran's day, the library was closed and I couldn't email you.I hope you didn't get too worried! I'm sorry about the visa fiasco. Especially since I'm not there to help! It may not seem like it, but the fact that they are asking for another police report is a good sign. Everyone who has gotten their visa was asked to submit another police report. It means that they are working on my visa! I love South Carolina, but I also really want to go to Brazil. It is my mission too so hopefully I can manage to get there!

 

I am so proud of Caden! That must have been so hard. What a trooper! His predicament had me crying in the library. I don't think anyone noticed though... His attitude about the whole thing was just incredible. I look up to him more than I'm sure he ever looked up to me! There is a reason he is our little Nephi :) Tell him I love him and am so proud of him!

 

Our little home has been taken over...by LADY BUGS! They are on the floor, on the walls, on the windows, and on the ceiling! We have no idea what is going on. It's better than the massive-centipede that nearly fell on me in the shower. I am pleased to report that I did not scream as this disgusting creature fell from the ceiling to join me in the shower. This mission is making me one tough cookie :)    

Although it makes one wonder what awaits me in Brazil, if THIS is what is in South Carolina!

 

On a more serious note: we had one of our recent converts pass away. He was baptized a couple of weeks before I got here, but we spent a lot of time with him and I had gotten to know him really well. His name was Brother Laddie Barr. It was so hard to continue doing missionary work the night we found out. I really just wanted to curl up in a ball on my bed and have a good cry, but we couldn't. We stayed out knocking doors despite the tearstained faces. Missions are sometimes really hard, but the good moments far outweigh the bad. President Harvey had requested that we ask his mother for permission to do his temple work. Terrifying? A daunting task? YES! We were so nervous, since she isn't a member. This had eternal significance and we were terrified that we would mess it up! We prayed a lot and practiced what we wanted to say. We went to her house and it was packed full of family and friends. I got even more nervous. How were we supposed to ask and explain in front of all these people?! God was helping us though as we explained briefly and simply about the temple. We mostly stated it was a continuation of the promises we made at baptism and left it at that! The best part is that all his sisters and his mother gave their permission! What a miracle! The Spirit was so strong as we talked about temples. The whole house just quieted down and Sister Barr even reached over and held Sister Brown's hand. The Spirit brings miracles every time!

 

We had the opportunity to participate in "Cooks for Christ," a local charity that raises money for someone in the community who desperately needs it. We helped dish our the chicken bog, a South Carolina "delicacy" that I actually like quite a bit! It was so much fun. We got to meet a lot of people and tell them who we were and who we represent. It was wonderful to see the hearts of the people in Latta just open up to us! We are becoming known throughout the community, and more and more people are inviting us into their homes!

 

I love you guys so much! I pray for y'all morning and night and often during the day, too! Can you tell Dean and his family, Ellie, Grandma Daniels, and Grandma Merrill that I got their letters and that they should receive one from me within the next couple weeks? And that I was really grateful for every single one of them! Can you send me Lexi's address? I have her birthday package, but have no idea where to send it too! I did buy a coat and gloves, so I should be good! I couldn't find any boots that I liked, but those hideous brown practical shoes should work just fine :) Oh and the blog is fine. I was thinking more about it this week and it's good with me, as long as it is private and the list of people who can see it is very limited!

 

Love,

Sister Daniels

Week Seven

Dear family,

 

Yesterday was my first Sunday in my new branch. It is tiny. It makes our ward in Rosepine look huge! I love it though. It has a lot of personality. We had a Fall Festival on Saturday, which we got to go to! It was a great way to get to know the people in the ward and the members took President Monson's challenge to heart and brought nonmember friends!

 

Sister Brown, my new companion, is fantastic! She is such a hard-worker and has really helped me improve as a missionary. She really loves exercise, so she drags me out to run nearly every morning. We run around a graveyard! I keep envisioning the convict from Great Expectations to appear, but alas he and his money are refusing to make an appearance ;)

 

We had a heart-breaking moment this week. The Horne family dropped us. I was completely devastated. They seemed so elect! I didn't know it would hurt so bad to be dropped. I had loved that family and envisioned them all dressed in white at the baptism and at the temple. I know how important this is for salvation and to hear someone say that "We aren't interested" is the worst thing that has happened on my mission so far. I was so dejected all night--thinking about what I could have done or said differently. I know I shouldn't but I couldn't help but think it was my fault. Sister Brown cheered me up though. I am so lucky to have her! The Lord blessed us with a miracle moment the next night. We had already made plans to visit another city in Lake View, but the Lord had a different idea! He sent over Sister Weatherford, who was positively certain that she made a dinner appointment with us (she didn't!), so we scratched our plans and decided to stay here so we could do out with the Weatherfords. We had the most amazing lesson with Dottie and Larry Walter! We met them after being chased by that dog, remember? We taught them the Restoration. Larry who was reclined and appeared to be only partially paying attention at the beginning of the lesson was at the edge of the couch by the time we got to the First Vision! Dottie said the prayer, asking if Joseph Smith was a prophet. She said she wanted to know with "all her heart, mind, and soul!" The Spirit was so strong during that lesson! I think I felt the Spirit more strongly in this lesson than in any other lesson on my mission and I think they felt it too!

 

Sister Weatherford is the Relief Society president, who lives right down the road. She takes care of us missionaries! Our phone wasn't working this week. It wouldn't receive texts or calls and we couldn't call or text anyone. I guess the Elders got worried and called Sister Weatherford, who rushed to our house immediately to make sure we were okay. She even gave us her husband's phone to use, until ours was fixed! I just thought I would share this in case Mom ever gets worried about me :)

 

I loved Lexi's video! I am glad that she is having so much fun. Gosh, I miss that girl!

 

Pops, I loved the poem, "If." It is one of my favorites. I am quite the fan of Rudyard Kipling :) I am glad your job is a little more relaxing!

 

Mom, I love personality tests! I remember that mine changed in college, but I can't remember which one it is. Introvert was definitely a part of my personality both times :) It hasn't gotten in the way of being a missionary. I know the Lord has strengthened me in order to bear the mantle of being a missionary! I don't get nervous to talk to people or anything! Now that is a miracle!

 

Love you all!

Sister Daniels

Week Six

Hello family!

 

This has been one crazy week, but I think it has been the best one so far! Every Friday before transfers President Holm looks to see if we attained our visas and then he calls those that did. I think I was the only missionary in the state of South Carolina that didn't get their visa to Brazil! I'm secretly grateful. I just love South Carolina. I love my new area and I love my new companion. I think that God is keeping me here for a reason. Hopefully, I can discover just what that reason is! I think this will be my last transfer here though, because I got an email from Church Headquarters saying my visa is almost complete!

 

I don't even know where to start... Yesterday, we had planned to Jessica, James, and their family, but they were not home. We knew that God must have led us to their neighborhood for a reason. Sister Brown had already knocked every house on the street, but she asked me if there was one that I really felt inspired to visit again. I prayed and felt the impression to visit the house across the street. There was a kind, elderly man there who said that he believed in Christ and that he had already been saved. (This is a huge problem in the South. People do not understand "works" or "priesthood authority.") He was nice, but definitely not interested. As we were walking down the street towards the car, I kept feeling like we should go back and knock his house again! I kept brushing it off. I mean we had already knocked his housetwice and he wasn't interested either time. I tried so hard to ignore it, but it wouldn't go away. I voiced my concern to Sister Brown and she said that she was feeling the same way! We prayed to know what to do. We didn't want to give him a bad taste for Mormon missionaries, but the Spirit was rather forcefully telling us we should go back and talk to him. I think the Lord was really trying to make a point. He even put a huge dog in the middle of the road, blocking us from going anywhere but back towards his house! Taking it for a sign, we walked back. We stood outside his door for what seemed like an eternity. I was never more scared to do anything in my whole life! It took everything I had just to knock that door. I waited anxiously for him to come to the door and give us a barrage of verbal abuse, but he was really nice about it! I explained everything--how we felt that God wanted us to come back and even about that gigantic dog. I also shared a quick message about prophets being called today. He was really nice and seemed more open to us. He suggested that we go through his yard and take another street to get to our car. We did and guess what? We met the most amazing family! They are looking for a new church, since they just moved here. We would have never found them! We wouldn't have knocked that area again for a long time, but God wanted us to find the Walters. It was so amazing to see the hand of the Lord guiding this work, and I think I learned a powerful lesson. I think God was testing us to see if we would follow Him even if what He asked was hard. He did it with Abraham and his son, and I think--in a much smaller scale-- He did it with us. It was terrifying, but so rewarding at the same time!

 

I live in Latta now. It is a small town that reminds me a little of Salado. There is a total of three restaurants- none of which are known franchises. I am still mustering up the courage to check out "Little Tokyo." Somehow South Carolina and Japanese food do not seem to go together!

 

Oh, I almost forgot! We got stopped by the police!! We were knocking late at night and someone, I guess, thought we were prowlers. It was all very exciting. He asked to see our IDs and then called "headquarters" to check our records. He didn't bring out the handcuffs, which is really too bad. Think of the photo opportunities! We did end up sharing a message with him and giving him a pass-along card, which is admittably even better than a possible mug shot :)

 

Love you guys so much! I hope everything is going well.

 

Congratulate the boys for me on cross country! Looks like we got some demon dogs in the making :) Good luck with school and being Relief Society president and being a mom! Thanks so much for the poem, Pops! I love it!! I love that you are going on splits. We are in a branch and it is super hard to get members to come out with us, but it makes all the difference to the investigators.

 

Love,

Sister Daniels

My new companion and district! We got to do a session!

 Here I am picking okra! Never heard of it before, but people down here are crazy for these funny looking "greens." I felt like a bonafide South Carolinian.

Our house! Well, technically it is more of a trailer, but it is darn cute!

1st Transfer

Betty Rose showing off her "pocketbook"

I just got transferred to a new area with a new companion. I had to say good-bye to my old companions, Sister Houston and Sister Jackson. It was so hard! I had grown really close to them over these past 5 weeks. It was also difficult to leave Florence. I didn't know just how much I loved it until I had to leave it. I am especially going to miss Betty. I don't know if I have told you about her or not, but she is a woman in her sixties that is on permanent investigator status. She loves the missionaries and calls us about seven times a day (not exaggerating). She calls for anything. In the last week she called because she wanted us to find her a ceramic witch and another time she called for us to pray for her to find her purple necklace! She is the sweetest thing though! She just loves so easily and so readily. She is almost child-like. Anyway we called Miss Betty Rose to tell her I was leaving. At the end of the conversation, I said, "Love ya Betty," like I always do. She usually responds, "Alright. Bye, bye," but this time she said "I love you" back! I just wanted to break down right there in Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but I tried to hold things together. I just felt that my heart was breaking!

Week Five!

Oi familia! 

I got all of your letters! And the packages! I felt so loved! Thank you so much.  That birthday package was incredible. You guys spoil me too much! I am embarrassed to admit it but I might have cried while opening up the Jane Austen address book :) Who knew I was so sentimental?? I just thought it was so sweet that you individually wrapped them. I also cried when Dad started sending me bits of books in his emails. Family and literature! My two favorite loves all in one place! That polka dot purple skirt is my new favorite! It is so comfortable and cute :) 

This week was a bit different than most. We had a leadership training meeting up in Columbia that lasted 2 days which means....SLEEPOVER! It was so fun being able to meet other sisters and hearing about their experiences. Being sister missionaries makes for an almost instant camaraderie. I love it. We also got to listen to president, who taught us about being executing the things we learned in the conference. He told of planes that land on those landing strips (not the exact term but hopefully you get the gist!)  in the ocean. I guess there is a hook on the back of the plane that they hook to the end of the barge to slow the plane down. The hook is relatively small and so they immediately thrust the engines on landing in case it doesn't hook. Otherwise they wouldn't have the speed they need to take off on such a short landing and would go straight into the ocean. Anyway, it takes years of training and practice assimilation to master. He said that missionary work is very similar. We plan and practice during personal and companionship study, but sometimes things don't go as planned and we need to be ready to take off immediately and not get discouraged. I think this analogy can apply to families, too! Parents teach their kids correct principles--how someone can hook themselves to the gospel--but if the children make mistakes and miss than the Lord has provided a way for them to come back and try again! It is a bit of a stretch and I think it made more sense in my head, but there it is :) 

This week was a hard one on our companionship. We became frustrated with each other. I didn't know how to fix it. None of us did. We tried a couple companionship inventories, which helped but didn't solve anything. The Spirit just couldn't be there and the love we usually had for each other was just gone. Luckily the Lord knew exactly how to fix it! In every transfer we have one companionship exchange with another companionship. One person leaves and another person comes. Anyway Sister Jackson left for Conway and another missionary, Sister Anderson, came to Florence. I know the timing of this exchange was inspired of God. Those sisters could have chosen any week for the exchange, but this was when it was most needed. Usually companionship exchanges are to help inspire missionaries to work harder or give them ideas on things they improve on, but this time it unified our companionship! Sister Anderson is a sweet girl, but my goodness! She made Sister Houston and I really appreciate each other. Our frustrations immediately vanished and our companionship has never been more unified! I just love Sister Jackson and Sister Houston so much and I am glad that things are back to normal. 

The miracle moment of the week happened yesterday. We were looking for Regina, a former investigator, that Sister Houston had been trying to find for 3 months. It turns out that Sister Houston had been knocking at the wrong address the whole time! Anyway we went unknowingly to this wrong address and knocked. No one answered. Frustrated and disappointed we turned and started walking back towards the car. Then two kids--who came out of nowhere-- ran over and said that we had been knocking on their door and told us to follow them. They led us to their mother who was across the neighborhood and guess who she was talking to?? The long, lost Regina! We set up an appointment with her and then her friend, Tammy, requested that we visit her too! That scripture that says, "And a little child shall lead them" took on a whole new meaning" :) 

Anyway, I love you guys so much! I am going to try to write a handwritten letter every week, too, so I can keep you more updated! I plan on writing those crazy boys too! So hopefully I'll have time this afternoon. 

Love, 

Sister Daniels 

P.S. Oh my goodness. You won't believe this. I JUST got a phone call from President Holm and I am leaving Florence and my companions. DEVASTATION. I wasn't supposed to leave for a few more weeks, but I guess one of the sisters in Marion went home and President Holm said he was inspired for me to take her place at least for the week until transfers. I only have a little while to pack all of my things and say good-bye to my companions. I am just in shock and don't know what to think!

4th Week!

Hey everybody!

I finally received your letters! I was so excited! It turns out that Dear Elder takes longer because it sends them from Provo, Utah. Who knew?? Anyway feel free to write nice long emails or handwritten letters. I would much rather read than write :) Sister Jackson's family writes on Monday and then it gets to her by Friday. So maybe we can try that? 

I can't believe I have been on my mission for over 2 months! The time just flies by here. I think it is because I am always so busy! I also can't believe I am 20. Time is just going by too fast!

Anyway this week has been crazy. One of our investigators called us--completely wasted--and asked us to come over. We went over to cheer her up. It turns out she spent the night in jail and now thinks she is a bad girl. I have never been around a drunk person for very long and was surprised by how childlike she acted. When the alcohol had robbed her of social cues and boundaries, it was interesting to see what rational thoughts remained. Her night in jail, her drinking problem, whether or not we were her friends, Jesus Christ, and the question "Why are people so against the Mormons?" were the subjects that stayed. It was so interesting that Mormons were on the forefront of her thoughts. She said her sister had told her to stop meeting with us and had taken her Book of Mormon away. It was a crazy and out of the ordinary experience and I am not even sure if she will remember any of it, but it got me thinking. What would I say if I was that far gone? What thoughts would the alcohol be unable to erase? I hope it would be Christ. I hope I would talk of Jesus Christ with the love and trust that Jeannie did. Jeannie has her problems--mostly alcohol--but she has such a strong faith in Christ. I wish I could just take the alcohol away and force her to give it up, but I can't. I bet it is so hard for Heavenly Father to see some of the choices we make with our agency. It is hard enough for me!

One of the miracles that we had this week happened on Friday. During the afternoon we got stuck. Appointments had fallen through and our back-up plans didn't feel right. We pulled over and said a prayer that we would be guided where we needed to go and who we should see. We sat there for a few minutes after the prayer. Eventually I felt prompted to suggest Sister Brown. There was no logical reason. She is an active member and we had already received a bunch of referrals from her last week, but Sister Jackson and Sister Houston said they were thinking of her too! So off we went to her apartment. As we pulled in, we didn't see her car. I was so disappointed, because I thought this is where the Spirit had prompted us to go! But then in the parking lot we met Glenn! He is a professor of psychology and is looking for a new church. WHAT?! He wants to learn more about "Mormonism" as he puts it. We talked to him for almost an hour right there in the parking lot! If we hadn't felt prompted to go right then, we would have missed him completely. If we had pulled in even a minute later or five minutes earlier we would have missed him! We had already knocked those apartments and it is unlikely we would knock them again for a long time, but I guess God really wanted us to meet and talk to Glenn! 

Anyway I love you guys! Have a great week!

Sister Daniels 

 Morgan's first baptism.  Her name is  Taneychia (TT) and she has these adorable girls.  Morgan said they actually love her even though the picture does not convey that!

 Morgan's companions Sister Houston and Sister Jackson.  She said they are exactly want she needed.  She is learning so much from them.

The Florence library and one of her favorite buildings in Florence!