Dearest family,

 

Way to go Mom! I'm so proud of you for friendshipping Courtney. It makes such a big difference to the investigator to have a friend and to feel welcome at church!!

 

We met some really cool people this week. We knocked into a man from Iraq. He's lived in America for 40 years, but he still has a bit of an accent. He was SO nice. He had converted to Christianity (he was Muslim before) and knows quite a bit about our church. We couldn't go inside because their wasn't another lady in the house, so we taught him about the Book of Mormon on the porch and answered his questions. He said he would like to learn more and take the lessons! We also met a Bulgarian and a Cuban this week. Both invited us back and both believe in God but not necessarily Jesus Christ. What is so interesting to me is how unique everyone's journey is on this earth. Some people have no trouble accepting the Book of Mormon, and yet struggle with the concept of a modern-day prophet. Others believe in a Supreme being but don't see how an organized religion can have all the truth. The one thing they all seem to have in common is a hurdle that comes before they can know and accept the truth. Looking back on my own conversion, there were times that I had doubts too and yet they always led to a testimony building experience. Each person has to overcome their own hurdles and the missionaries will do all they can but in the end we can't make that jump for them. As a missionary, I feel like I've had a love/hate relationship with agency. When investigators don't act on the spirital witness they've had, it can be frustrating. It is worrisome. And yet I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who loves and who trusts us enough to let us choose. I will forever be grateful that I chose to come on a mission. It is easily the best one I have ever made.

 

We were able to see Danie and Bill&Gale Smith this week. These three are our main investigators and I just love them so much! We have a lesson with Danies tonight and are bringing Sister Fletcher with us. When we invited Sister Fletcher, she was SO excited. She is a convert to the church and she feels that her family was sent to South Carolina to be missionaries. I love having a member come to lessons. It really brings the Spirit and strengthens member, missionary, and investigator! If the missionaries aren't taking you all out with them, you should ask to go!! It helps a lot :)

 

Love you!!!!!!

Sister D

Dearest family!

 

Things in Dutch Fork are going great. Sister Bowman is such a quick learner and has adapted to missionary life with so much ease! It did not come that easy to me!! She loves to knock doors and is always trying to improve her contacting. It is really good for me because it makes me try a lot harder too. I can see a big difference in myself. Training brings a lot of memories of my training days back to me. Man. I have come a long way. Something that I noticed this week is how much easier it is for me to just talk to people. I'm far more friendly and talkative now. I know, it's positively shocking...

I love it. I just love people!

 

We knocked into a couple this week, who let us into their home immediately. They didn't even wait for us to introduce ourselves! I love when that happens :) It turns out Dee used to work in the library and she was impressed by all the Elders and how mature and kind they were. She has a high opinion of our church. We introduced the Book of Mormon and read the first part of 3 Nephi 11 with them. They are very involved in their Lutheran church, but were open to learning more. During the lesson, I just felt this need to bear my testimony so I did. It was probably the most simple and fervent testimony that I have ever said.  The Spirit that flooded the room at the moment is indescribable. I learned all over again that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Our mission president said that our greatest converts we will have on our mission is ourselves and I believe it. I have taught the Restoration (without exaggeration) hundreds of times and each time I do I find out it is true all over again. And I learn something new each time! How does that happen?? I keep thinking there is going to be a time when I've learned all there is, and yet someone will say something that puts a different light on the subject and I learn something new!

 

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church established on the earth once again. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and messenger of the Lord. I know the priesthood is real and that our church has it. I know God answers prayers and the Spirit will be with us as long as we are worthy of it. These things I know!

 

I love you all SO much!

Sis Daniels

Dear family,

Sorry I didn't write yesterday! Labor day means the librarians cease laboring so we cease emailing :)

To answer your question: I think my release date is January 22? I know it is in the early 20s of January and I will fly home on aThursday, so whatever day that is. I could probably ask to leave a transfer early, which would mean I would get home December 11th or something like that, but I don't think I am going to do that. I only have 18 months to be a full-time missionary! I don't want to lose a moment! It is rather unfortunate timing, since I will barely miss winter semester....

Thanks for sending me that picture with Sister Borgholthaus! That girl is just hilarious.

I don't even know where to start. So much has happened this week. We had exchanges, so I went to Lexington with Sister Anderson. It is so interesting to see how other missionaries teach and to learn different techniques. It is also fun to see different areas in South Carolina. We taught a ten year old girl on the exchange (She actually ended up getting baptized on Saturday!) about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I haven't taught too many kids on my mission (At least not on their own) and it was really nice because it forced me to teach simply and clearly. Sometimes I have the tendency to go a little too deep and have to reign it in. Basics. It is all about the principles.

We had dinner with the Woodleys. The husband is less-active. We talked about faith and shared Alma 32:21 and Brother Woodley totally opened up. He said that he wished he could just know like everyone else seems to about God and Christ and the gospel. He says he believes that there is a higher power because when he was opening up his real estate business he just started to understand things. He knew the knowledge came from somewhere outside himself, but he doesn't have much of a concept of faith. As we talked about him, the Spirit was really strong. He could sense that he was missing something and he really wants it. He wants to know it is true. He said he joined the church, because he knew it would make his wife happy and he knew that Mormons are good people. He didn't have a spiritual conversion. I felt the Spirit prompt me to promise him that if he reads the Book of Mormon every day for this month than the Lord will make it known to him the gospel is true. He said he would read every day if I did too. Easiest bargain I ever made :)

Also Brother Woodley came to church on Sunday and stayed for all three hours! Whoop! And Amanda Hernandez thanked me for teaching her cousin. She says that she knows she felt the Spirit and knows the church is true. She feels like she will be baptized in Mexico. Amanda was totally crying when she told me this so of course I start to cry. Geesh, the emotions. Anyway it was just really good to hear that I've made a difference in her life! Or better yet the gospel has made that difference!

I love you all! I pray for you every day!

Love,

Sister Daniels

Dear family,

Wow. This week has been crazy hot! I mean the humidity alone... People always assume that I am used to it, being that I am from Texas and all, but there are things that one just cannot get used to. Humidity is one of those things. On the plus side, we had some really cool miracles happen! We had two lessons in particular where the Spirit just went through every heart. So cool. Plus, Sister Bowman invited someone to be baptized for the first time. I didn't even have to prompt her. She just did it! I was so proud. Gosh, I feel like she is a better missionary than I already! We were reading 3 Nephi 11 with Danie, a member referral. She was pretty skeptical about it being the word of God. She's Southern baptist... Anyway after we read it, I asked her how she felt and she said, "I know that really happened. I know this is true." SO COOL. The Book of Mormon softens hearts. It really does. Then Sister Bowman asked her to be baptized. Danie said she had already been baptized (if I had a nickle for everytime we hear this down in the South I could have paid for the entirety of my mission), so we launched into priesthood and basically taught the Restoration. She totally understood it. She is going to read and continue to pray on it. We are actually seeing her tonight, so keep us in your prayers!

I've been studying church history a little bit lately. I'm almost through with the Doctrine and Covenants and just finished "Our Heritage" again. It just amazes me how strong those early Latter-day Saints were in the gospel. They were asked to sacrifice so much and they underwent so much persecution. I feel like my mission "sacrifice" is so pitiful in comparison! People we talk to are always so impressed with the sacrifices we make, but it isn't really much of anything. Sure, I miss you all and my friends, but it is for only 18 months! And I have had so much given to me in return! Testimony building experiences, friendships, converts, a greater depth of understanding, greater knowledge of the scriptures, and a greater understanding of myself. I understand why they call it the "best two years" (or eighteen months!). I really just love being a missionary.

I got a letter from Michael and Mona this week. They are doing really well! They both have callings now!! The sisters are trying to teach Michael's son, so I am excited to see how that pans out. It is so nice to hear how strong they are in the gospel though. I am excited for them to go through the temple next April!!

I love you all so much!

Sister Daniels

Dear family,

Sorry this email is getting to you so late! We went to the zoo this morning!! Sister Barlow is the senior sister we live with and she took us. It was one of the best zoos I've ever been to. It was small and only took us a little over an hour to go through and it was shady and we got to feed the giraffes! They have these long, purple-ish tongues. Yup. Crazy stuff. We also bought some nectar to feed the birds and they just flocked to us. I have a ton of pictures but they will have to get to you via snail mail. It was SO much fun. We ended up seeing another group of sister missionaries there! I got to see two of my previous companions, Sister Jackson and Sister Brown. Love them!

Things in Dutch Fork are going great. We had the Restoration with Kim and David and it went really well! I was a little nervous, since Sister Bowman had just learned the Restoration and it would practically be her first, but Kim agreed to pray about being baptized. David wouldn't give us a straight answer although I asked him about four times. We hope to next teach the Plan of Salvation in a member's home. Kim knows one of our members, Sister Waters, pretty well so we are hoping that their testimonies, plus the Spirit in their homes will help them get that spiritual confirmation they need to proceed! I love them dearly though. It reminds me of being with Michael and Mona. Hopefully, we get the same end result!

We have been doing a lot of knocking, which always makes for some interesting encounters. I almost got into my first Bible bash. I've gotten a little more fiesty the longer I've been out, which is not really a good thing. But we did reign it in. Herb is a Methodist and thought it providence to find two unbelievers on his doorstep, so he gave us a Bible (which I totally kept, it being  perfectly mini and the KJV) and tried to teach us the Plan of Salvation (the whole by grace alone we are saved and it doesn't matter what we do gambit). We attempted to teach him our version, but the Spirit wasn't really there since he was definetely on the offense, but we did leave a Plan of Salvation pamphlet so hopefully that will soften his heart. We also met a guy named Tommy. He is very interesting and seemed fascinated with how devoted we are to our religion. He doesn't believe in organized religion, but he said he wouldn't mind learning about ours. That and he said he would teach us how to sail after I'm through with my mission, which seems like an exciting prospect! Yay, southern hospitality!

Well, I love you guys! I love being a missionary!

Sister Daniels

Dear family,

Thank you so much for all the letters!! Feeling the love! I also got the CDs and they are wonderful. There is one called "Danish melody" that I just love. I don't understand a word it says, but it sure is pretty! Also, Mom you look fabulous in all of your pictures! It looks like you've lost weight! (Not saying you didn't look fabulous before because you totally did :)

So here's the skinny on the past week:

On Tuesday we had a training meeting for the trainers. Which was way intimidating. President Turner said he told all the trainees that he had given them "the best this mission had to offer" and that we needed to be the best. Yikes! There were five other sister missionaries who are training this transfer too. After the training meeting, we took the new sisters out knocking for two hours. We were randomly assigned, so I didn't go with my actual trainee. I went with Sister Swanson. She was really nervous but really excited and cute too. I made sure to talk to every single person that I saw. Every one was really nice and friendly and we even got into a house! Her name is Darian and she is 23. She has been going through a rough time (boyfriend troubles, geesh) and I think she really took it as a sign from God that our showing up was him telling her He loved her. She was really open and friendly and we are excited to go back and teach her again!

On Wednesday Sister Borgholthaus and I went to transfer meeting to get our new companions. Gosh, I was BEYOND nervous. I kept looking at all the trainees hoping for some kind of inspiration as to who was mine, but alas none came. But that's okay because President Turner let me know soon afterwards. My new companion is Sister Bowman and she is so cute! She is all of 5'1'' and I look like a giant (who knew at 5'6'' I would ever think that??). She is from Colorado and is so much more prepared to be a missionary than I ever was! She has gone out with the sister missionaries in her ward quite a bit and she absolutely loves knocking, which is something I found VERY hard when I first got out. So score on that one since we knock a lot here. Training is so much fun! I love going back to the basics and it has really shown me how far I have come. It is fun to see her grow and to use something that we had practiced in companionship study out in the real world. And boy did we get some miracles this week!

Biggest and most exciting miracle: Kim and David. They are former investigators. Kim had been praying and crying for guidance and then the missionaries knocked on her door. Cool, eh?? So they came to church twice, but didn't have time during the week to take the lessons from the missionaries. Eventually, David said he "missed his sermons" so they stopped coming even though Kim wants to be a member so bad. Well, we stopped by this week and they totally agreed to take the lessons and so we will be teaching the Restoration on Tuesday and I am so excited I can't even tell you!! AHH! They already have a ton of friends in the ward and love the church. So please, please pray that all will go well and that they will feel the Spirit crazy strong and a miracle will ensue!

I love you guys with my whole heart! I love being a missionary!

Love,

Sis D

OH MY GOODNESS. OH MY GOODNESS. I'M TRAINING THIS TRANSFER.

 

I got a call from President Turner Friday night and he asked me to train this transfer. He said this was the most important and trusted role a missionary could have (no pressure or anything!). I am so nervous, but also really excited. Miracles always happen with trainees and we can always use more miracles! I couldn't go to sleep (at one point Sister Borgholthaus made me take Melatonin since I wouldn't stop talking :) because I kept thinking about my trainee and about my two trainers and all the many companions that I have had and about the kind of trainer that I wanted to be. I feel really inadequate, but at the same time I feel like I am ready now more than any other point on my mission. I have had TWO trainers. Not many people have that experience so I was able to see different people's take on it. I've also had nine companions and have learned a lot from each person. I knelt down and prayed for her and for me and for this area and the weirdest thing happened. I felt this peaceful surge of love for this person whom I have never met and whose name I do not know. I love her already and I am excited to work hard and to help her love being a missionary. I am excited for the growth that will happen to both of us. I am going to learn so much and I hope she will be able to learn a little something from me as well. I hope I won't be too rigid or stressed and yet still on purpose and focused and yet still have fun. I am praying for that balance!

 

Also, I'm getting driving privileges...

WATCH OUT SOUTH CAROLINA!

 

So I need you to send in my driving record from the DVM, please! Also if it isn't too much trouble would you mind sending me some CDs? Sister Borgholthaus is taking her collection with her and I will be music-less. I really like BYU Vocal Point's "Lead Thou Me On". Lower Lights is good too :) Oh and the "Joseph Smith Tribute" from the Nashville Tribute band and anything else you deem proper!

 

I am going to training meetings this Tuesday and then I will get my trainee on Wednesday. We find out where Sister Borgholthaus is going on Wednesday and who her new companion will be. The last few days have been absolute chaos, since Sister Borgholthaus wants to see everyone and say good-bye so we have had some very busy days!

 

Happy early birthday, Mum!!! I love you! I plan on writing a birthday card full of the usual mushy sentiments so it should be there by your birthday! Also, I hope to get the boys each a card too. I didn't know what they would want present-wise since the stinkers never write me so I think I'll just have to make do with a card!

 

Pops and Lou, your kayak trip sounds like fun! Oh it is so happening when I get home. I have been surrounded by water my whole mission and not been able to do anything with it! Oh, the cruel irony....

 

I love you all SO SO much. Pray extra hard for me on Wednesday. We're going to need it :)

Love,

Sis D