3/24/14

It has been another great week!

 

Lots of excitement for Jim's baptism this Saturday! And we think President might be coming to it too!!!! I just love what has been happening in this area. When Sis. Lemmon and I first got to our apartment here and we started figuring out where we were I was terrified. I didn't know how I was ever going to be able to make things work here and if we would ever find someone willing to listen to our message. and now 5 months later things have just exploded and we're having a BAPTISM!!!! The Lord is so good. His hand is definitely in this work and He knows His vineyard.

 

Yesterday was an awesome Sunday! We had the Felvers there and Michelle and her son Joey. That was so huge! Michelle hasn't been to church in a few years and when I first met her she didn't think that she would ever be able to come back. SHE DID! the Felvers stayed for all 3 hours again. Dane tried to leave after Sacrament meeting but we were able to get him to come to Gospel Principles. I don't know why he fights us on that. Once he gets in there he loves it and he contributes to the discussion and has such great things to add. He never regrets staying. Why do they fight something they need they're supposed to do and something that will make them happy? We're glad he stayed. and so is he. We had dinner with them last night and started teaching their 8 year old daughter the lessons. Heather said she wanted to be baptized so we started the lessons! We taught the Restoration and it went really well! Dane and Robyn both chimed in and helped teach it. That was awesome to see them being apart of teaching their daughter the gospel, something that hasn't happened for her. As I was watching this I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I am so grateful that my parents raised me in the church, that we were active. Not that Dane and Robyn are bad parents, they do everything for their kids and are incredible people! They did the best they could. and now they're doing better. It's really cool to see and to be a part of. Dane and Robyn heard that we were going to Kirtland when you guys come pick me up and said that they might meet us out there. Dane is going to be out of town that weekend and so he might leave a day later and go to Kirtland first. HOW SWEET WOULD THAT BE?!?!?!?! I told them we're still working out details and that I would make sure we kept in touch so that they would know what was happening.

 

Michelle said she loved being at church. She said she was really scared to come back, but she said it felt good being there. She had to leave after Sacrament unfortunately. and next week she'll be out of town, but hopefully the next she'll be back. She's made so much progress; I really hope she doesn't take any steps back.

 

Jill is doing.... alright.... She is having her gastric bypass surgery right now. We had a really great lesson with her earlier this week about sacrifices. She has still been smoking and has to quit before her surgery. So we asked her to sacrifice her smokes. She had 6 left and she gave Sis. Bakker and I each one and said she would only have the last 4 ones before her surgery today. that was Friday night. We went over last night to say good luck before she left this morning for the surgery and she had her son go buy her another pack of cigarettes. I was so disappointed. She has made so much progress, she has come so far. and she keeps taking huge steps backwards. It's so sad when you see people who want the gospel in their lives but won't do what they know they need to to get there. I hope that the surgery goes well today and that she will be able to quit smoking. Because if she doesn't quit after her surgery it's going to cause some serious complications. So she's been a little frustrating this week. People misusing their agency, what else is new?

 

We had a really awesome lesson with this other lessactive - Janie. she's in her 70's and is the sweetest thing. She has a mental illness and is very child like. But has incredible faith. She is the best example I've seen of childlike faith in my life. She taught me so much. A lot of my prayers were answered as we met with her, things I've been struggling with and trying to understand. It's incredible the different ways that the Lord answers prayers. I love it! I love knowing that we can talk to Him and that He will answer us. I love this quote by Elder Scott:

 

"Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, “Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.” 

It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer."

Such a blessing! I love it!

We have a new district leader now, Elder Oberst. he's such a great elder and I think he's going to be able to really help Sis. Bakker and I with St. Marys. He's inspired and really cares about what we have going on down here. Such a great quality in district leaders. We also have a new zone leader - Elder Chapman! hahahaha! He was just released as one of the Assistants and is now down here in Lima. So funny. I'll take a picture with him and send it home so you can see how NOT related we look. haha! It's awesome. He's a red head. :)

Sis. Bakker's little sister just started her mission papers! It's so exciting. She also has a brother who is serving in Tennessee right now, so they could have 3 out all at the same time. Crazy! But so exciting.

Well that's about it for me today. We're going to be going down to this Catholic shrine thing down in Maria Stein Ohio. It should be neat. We drove by it the other day and decided to go today. It looks interesting and a little creepy... haha!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

3/10/14

It has been another great week! Super busy! I think this has been the craziest, busiest, fastest transfer of my mission! I can't believe next week is already transfers! I only have 3 left after next week.... that is so weird and I'm not okay with it.

 

I LOVED GETTING PICS FROM REX THIS WEEK ABOUT HIS BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!! That kid is so studly! I balled looking at them! I think he is such a great example of what is possible when you live the gospel of Jesus Christ. He's such a great example to me. What an awesome family we have! We are pretty lucky...

 

this week we had some great lessons with Jim. He said he hasn't been drinking coffee since we had our word of wisdom lesson (which he wasn't too on board with) and that he hasn't had any struggles with it. He's right on track! We taught him the law of tithing and fasting/fast offerings and he took it so well!!!! He already had added up what his tithing would be for a year and divided it by 52 so he would know how much he needed to pay weekly. He's thinking about paying tithing before he gets baptized so he can see what kind of blessings he'll be getting. He said he's kind of worried, he's already so blessed and happy he doesn't know what will happen when he gets more! He's such a humble guy! I can't wait to see him get baptized! That is if President lets me stay here next transfer! Jim's baptism is the week after transfers, so I'm praying and doing a little bit of begging, that I get to stay.

 

This weekend was our stake conference and President and Sister Vellinga were there! We heard that in the priesthood leadership meeting he talked about those St. Marys sisters not having to tract all transfer because they're so busy with contacting and appointments. It was so awesome! I feel like I'm having the most success I've ever had on my mission. Sister Bakker has a huge part in that! I love her! She is so awesome. Such a hard worker and not afraid to talk to anyone. The other day we were at Wal-Mart and we passed by the desk where they'll do people's taxes and this lady was sitting there and she looked a little ticked off. So I was thinking, "if I talk to her she might get even more upset that some missionary is talking to her. She won't want what we have to offer. I'll just make it worse..." stuff like that. And she walked right up to her and was like, "You look bored. Can I show you something you can do on your computer to brighten your day?" and the lady was like sure! So we showed her some Mormon message! Sis. Bakker is so fearless. I love her. I'm so grateful l have gotten to serve with her this transfer. She's teaching me so much.

 

We had a zone training meeting this week too. It was really good! I love going to missionary meetings! They always get me pumped for this work and for what my purpose is!!!! Love it!

 

Dad thanks so much for that story about your mission! I love hearing about it. I love that our missions bordered each other! So cool! You're such a great example to me of pushing yourself and being persevering.

 

Well Today is deep clean day so we're not going to be doing anything too exciting. And I haven't been feeling very good the past couple days. I think I might have a sinus infection. I've had terrible sinus pressure/headache for a while. So We'll see what happens

 

I love you guys all so much and can't wait to hear how the zoo goes! It's supposed to be 58 here! I CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING!!!!!

 

-Sis. Chapman

Current pictures of the Birthday Girl

3/3/14

Hey momma!

 

It sounds like another good week at the Chapman house!!! I'm so jealous you get to go to the Temple. I wish so badly it was in our mission boundaries! When you come get me I REALLY want to go to the Palmyra temple!

 

Our week was a great one! We have been so crazy busy with all of our investigators! It's been a lot of fun!

 

Jim is doing alright. We taught him the word of wisdom and he kind of freaked out a little bit... he doesn't think that because he drinks a cup of coffee every now and then he's going to hell. Which is true, it's not about the cup of coffee. The word of wisdom isn't really a principle of health as much as it is a principle of faith and obedience. Are we willing to give up that cup of coffee for the blessing of good health and wisdom? So he is supposed to be praying about that this week and we were supposed to follow up at church yesterday, but it was cancelled.... SO MAD! The roads were completely fine.... anyway.... We know that the spirit will soften his heart and he'll receive an answer.

 

Things are still awesome with Sis. Bakker! I love being companions with her. Mom, you are so right! Not training is so different and it makes it a WHOLE lot easier to just focus on the work. It's awesome! I loved training and I hope I get to do it again, but I really like being with Sis. Bakker right now. We are working so hard and are finding new investigators all the time! IT'S THE BEST!!!

Some funny stuff that happened this week:

 

Monday we went to THE BICYCLE MUSEUM OF AMERICA (that is definitely happening when you come to pick me up)! IT IS SO LEGIT!!!! So fun! I'll send pics!

 

Saturday morning there is a less active here who predicted Sis. Bakker's and I's futures. I'm gonna have 2 kids apparently... I laughed at her...

 

Saturday night we went to the Harvest Baptist church in Wapakaneta and had an awful time. We felt like we went to a Christian Rock concert.... terrible. Some of our investigators go there and invited us. After the "service" our investigators had us over for dinner and forgot to tell us they were inviting their pastor and his family over too... That was interesting... we did the best we could, but the spirit wasn't there. We've been meeting with these investigators for a while now and they still haven't read really any of the BOM and aren't praying about what we teach them, just looking for ways to prove their church is better than ours and that they don't need what we have. That experience was sad. But it solidified my testimony that we have the fullness of the gospel and that I know what I'm talking about is true. It was frustrating though....

 

I LOVED getting my birthday packages Saturday night! Mom the skirt and watch are perfect! thank you thank you thank you! Carol also sent me a package! I loved it too!!! She sent me a beautiful scarf that I wore today too!!! I'm sending a pic of that too! I have felt so loved today! I've been getting a ton of happy birthday emails. Thanks to everyone! It definitely made my day! I wish I had more time to email everyone back - we have no time! But it means a lot!

 

Sorry, this one is kind of short... But it's AWESOME here! I love being a missionary and getting to share this incredible message that we have with so many people!

 

thanks for all the support and encouragement! It's awesome and helps me keep going!

 LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sis. Chapman