May 20, 2013

Whooo I am sooo wiped today!  We have done alot of hard work this week but it was well payed off!

I am going to have my first nap today, I have never napped of Pday but you know what I am doing it today ! and I cant wait! haha.

Okay so firstly; gators- when i said gators in past letters it meant invesitaGATORS for short not a family last name...haha just to clear things up!

So last Pday I had to buy two pairs of spandex- hence the sportchek payment last week so sorry! But i was sick of my skirt blowing up in a gust of wind! haha

A member fixed my bike for me yesterday ! which was awesome!

 

So Tuesday was rainy but I don't know what it is, there is something great when being a missionary as you trudge/bike through rain, drenched with wet clothing on your body; it certainly is character building! haha. But in all seriousness it was amazing so fun! With good company being Sister Judd, we were able to LOVE biking in the rain. We actually were able to meet one of our new investigators Tuesday as we biked through the pouring rain.  He is a man in his 60s and is a barber and we love him! He is awesome, it was an amazing first lesson we had with him Thursday. let me explain...

So we were teaching the restoration and the lesson was all over the place, we explain god is loving Heavenly Father and get to prophets and somehow he brings up baptism and asks about that and if he needs to get re baptized from when he was as a baby.  So I pull out Matt 3 where it talks about Christ baptism and explained how he walked all that way to be baptized by John because john held the proper authority to baptize.  We continued teaching him, he is a funny guy and I feel and have faith he is prepared and will be fully converted. His phone can only make calls he can’t receive, so its really hard to get a hold of him.  We leave notes on his door and then he calls us, but he has been MIA past couple of days, and our note we left on his door from two days ago is still there, so we’re hoping he’s still alive ... literally :/!

 

I dont know if I have mentioned (investigator) at all in the past he is in his 50s.  He is from Nicaragua, he has been taught since 06 on and off.  He is a former we picked up few weeks ago, he has read the BOM knows its true wants to get baptized, but his wife and kids aren’t supportive so its a big struggle for him. And he is trying to get them to be more understanding and okay with it. He is legit, he says once I’m a member, I’m a member ... I’m not going to do this for 2 years then quit, it is life long. We have been having crazy spiritual lessons I actually teared up when testifying and so did he, im really open with all the people we teach (when the spirit is prompting me) about how this gospel has changed my life. And I have with (investigator) been very bold with telling him its important to not delay the day of baptism.  He knows and understands and is full of gratitude.  At the end of our lesson he wrapped his arms around and squeezed, hugging me and my arms were down by my side and i was like ahhhh (investigator) i cant hug!! and he was like I know but I can still hug you haha it was funny. But we actually were able to give him a Spanish BOM this week, its actually quite funny i don't understand why past missionaries haven't done that before. Because his Spanish is his first language so i feel that this will help him alot!

 

(Reactivation member) progression ahh! amazing. Each week is huge! Sister Judd was even like wow with the change from Monday to Sunday huge change. Its weird cause as she is going back to church its not like how it was for me just attending ysa on my own and having it be more personal (which was what i needed) she has to go and attend her family ward with her mom and family with all her church leaders.  It is hard sometimes and she says it is so hard.   It has been amazing seeing the spirit help us and help her.   Silence as a missionary is your best friend that's the time where the spirit really speaks and teaches to your investigator.

 

We picked up a lady (investigator) she is a mother of 16 yr old and 20 yr old she is from Taiwan  and she is a saint! We taught her at the church this week and gave her a church tour, there is a language barrier but she was able to understand everything lesson, just took a little longer though! The Wang family from our ward is out of town right now; they also are from Taiwan so we can’t wait for them to be home and help translate.  Just to give you guys an idea about how much our font is used- We gave her a tour of the church and were going to do this spiritual experience where we show her the font and possible read during that, so we open the font and spiders are in it! and its dirty! It was sooo awkward but kind of funny I was just like "ahhh well this the baptismal font... but it usually is glistening and yea!" and closed the doors and was like alright movingon! haha . Another funny thing after that lesson she offered us a ride if the weather was bad to go to church, so i was like ya! Because that forsure’s that she will be attending church, so sat night i call and ask for a ride just to ensure she will be coming! So she drops us off at the door and says she will go park- Sis J and I being stupid go sit down in sacrament and save a seat but can’t find her anywhere! So we were confused, did ditch us! But turns out we called her after church and were like "Vanessa whats up?!" and she found a seat somewhere else cause she also couldn't find us (at the beginning of church they were ordaining people like raising hands you know) and she thought that when everyone raised their hands it meant them saying we believe and she felt embarrassed because she doesn't, so she thought she had to leave cause she didnt raise her hand! We felt horrible! haha. So we learned are lesson to wait at the door for investigators, so dumb of us! But she laughed when we explained what it meant and wasn't offended or anything, thank goodness, she is such a saint!

 

This week was great! I was able to cut Adriannes hair, we helped a LA clean her house, we were able to get 3 people on date, and pick up another new investigator and let me tell you about him!

So he came to church last week, and turns out he knows our ward mission leader from church so that worked out perfectly! And we taught him with Dave (mission leader in ward) and he came out with alot of questions.  You can tell he’s trying to understand and doing researching as well.  (Little sketchy) but wasn't bad, so we addressed those concerns.  He had one on the trinity and how we see god, Jesus Christ and holy ghost as 3 separate beings.  I feel he was little skeptical but he is going to continue reading BOM.  We showed him Restoration DVD he asked to keep it we were like ummm YEA! but it was amazing at the end he asked us how we all came to know this was true so Dave being a convert of 1.5 yrs, he is 22 shared his and then me and that was really cool as well.  The spirit really put my conversion and thoughts into words that explained very simply, but strongly and boldly and laid out a painted picture of how major this gospel has changed my life, and sister Judd did an amazing job as well!  But it was sooo cool the spirit was so strong and we had like a testimony meeting at the end and he truly was listening sincerely- and then it was silent.... Sister J and I were loving it! And then I extended baptismal question to him- and he was silent and was really thinking. He said well I already have been baptized and stopped and continued thinking and we were just staring and then after like 5 mins of silence he was like I'm going to have to read and think about that. But it was amazing because I didn't matter that he said yes or no - it was amazing to see him take the question seriously and to truly think and want to know and find out if this is what God wants. It was a really cool experience.

 

We are beginning teaching (reactivation person’s dad) this week. He is a former member and use to be a Branch President. It will be interesting to see what happens but we met him outside his apt. and I was just - (well there is no way beating around the bush) so i was just like are (name)? We are missionaries yadda yadda yadda we know (name) quite well and we were sent to come to your apartment to meet you and begin teaching you, would we be able to set up a time to teach you? and well we did! (Reactivation girl’s) sister was just like "wow your just performing miracles with our fam. aren't you!" haha it was funny.

 

The other day, well yesterday actually, Sis J was biking in front of me and my tire hit her back tire and well I went for a fall! I flipped forward but, gracefully fell in the middle of the road (in housing area) I did the whole tumble and roll approach it was pretty funny! I kind of just sat there in shock like ... did this really just happen?! Sister J was dying laughing and then I started laughing we still laugh talking about it is was pretty funny, and I walked out with nothing bad other than a scratch!

 

We are doing exchanges on Tuesday and Sis Starkie (new missionary from st.george Utah she is 19 and is awesome!) and she will be coming here in Charlottetown with me! and We have a full day! of teaching  so I think im going to fast that day for help! haha. We are teaching the investigator who brings her Dad, who is kind of anti.  The mom said “we doing a good job laying the law down to him and he is taking it" so that felt good i guess... haha but the spirit will enable us to do things what we are beyond capable of doing so i have faith and trust in that!

 

There are sooooo much more I would like to explain but it takes forever! But I am having amazing memories that I will hold dear throughout my life!  My pstudys have been amazing this week! I have learned soo much, I will read like 3 or 4 verses a study sometimes but will have a page of notes on those verses and will search for definitions and other verses supporting them its an amazing how much of a change it brings when you really study the scriptures. Today I was reading in Mosiah 2 and UHHHH! King Benjamin!!! what a stud! I love him and its my goal to be exactly like him i read from 18-24 and wow his humility I mean I'm going to try my best to be a servant of the Lord like him. I love Mosiah 1:5 READ IT and i love it because it makes me thing of how much it is a blessing to have the scriptures the knowledge and strength it is in our lives. It truly is amazing and is easy to take for granted. And I know  that without the scriptures we do dwindle in unbelief and I have also experienced that in my life.

I love how everything we do here is preparing us for the next life D&C 130 18-19 lays that out perfectly and help me realize how i should prioritize things in my life!

 

I love you all so much thanks for your emails love and support and I pray for all of you.  

Anyways thanks for your examples and prayers especially you mom and dad I love you!!

xoxox Sister Pizzey

 

 

May 17, 2013

Zone Conference - May 2013

 Sister Pizzey & Sister Huppy

P-day touring the island and the many beaches!

The bike!!

May 13, 2013

We had a wonderful phone call from Paige for Mothers Day!  Hence the shorter email ...

hahah I LOVE you guys sooo much! I love how you sent that picture to me! (picture of family skyping) haha sooo funny. And Dad nice joke there you’re a funny man. I really do love being on a mission. Sister Judd and I get along real well its great. So tonight we have dinner (who hoo, dinner for once!) and we are teaching a member’s fiancé tonight, it’s awesome I can’t wait! 

Then this week we are going to really make sure we stop teaching some investigators that are taking up time and not progressing.  We are going to start unique ways of finding and well planning them, then starting them! We have lots of planning to do this week! I feel great things are coming with progression of investigators! 

I have changed my focus for personal study even more this week- so I’m focusing on one thing a week to really study like hard core study, and I’m giving myself a week to really break it down and allow time for revelation and inspiration to come from HF. So this week I’m focussing on PMG chap 10, may take 2 weeks who knows! And then of course, BOM reading and lesson plans. I have made a change also when reading the BOM to always write down every thought I have and insight I have, because that is my own personal revelation and then once a week I want to read back on my personal revelations. So family when we read the sticks (aka scriptures) don’t just read! And don’t do it when your half asleep ready to go to bed! Wake up early start your day off with some spiritual nutrition from our Father in Heaven - get spiritually fed! Then start your day and write down have a study journal, for your own personal revelation from your father in heaven! Because that’s the way we do it baby!

Haha well sorry this letter is lame, but I LOVE you guys so much! And I’m going to send some pictures !!

xoxoxo Love sister Pizzey

May 6, 2013

So this week has been amazing, truly amazing. I feel so blessed. The devotional last night was awesome and I love being a servant of the Lord, and doing everything for others, not myself. My goal this week is to become better a true disciple of Christ.  I loved the way Elder Walker described him yesterday (CES fireside) and I want to become more like that and never thinking of myself, but fully for those in Charlottetown.

So it’s been a lot this week, a lot of crazy things have happened, amazing things and well some crazy things so get ready!  Forgive me if my letter is all over the map, I’m just going to begin from the beginning of the week and try to move from that time frame.  So we began teaching a girl who is dating a boy in our ward.  Larry have not been able to meet this week, he’s been really busy with work and I think court stuff.  I’m just really looking forward to see what happens after his court date.  We are still teaching a former member (mother and daughter).  The daughter is going through some very very difficult times right now. The daughter doesn’t really have much interest and she isn’t fully there! So we are going to teach her mom and hope the spirit will direct her as well, we have prayed lots and feel this is the best route because when we focus the attention on her she pushes the opposite way. We committed them to read and pray every day so we will have to see if there is progression this Thursday!

Wow this has been an amazing week for (investigator)!  We had 2 lessons with investigator this week, the Spirit was so strong we all were very emotional.  It honestly was like watching me a yr ago I was anxious and in shock with what I was feeling.  And (investigator) was feeling exactly the way I did.  It was awesome the spirit directed our thoughts fully and I was able to help (investigator) out so much because I knew exactly what (investigator) was feeling.  (Investigator) came to the YSA activity which was a huge success btw! Had like 15 ppl there!! That is an unreal turn out, believe it or not, here on PEI! haha.   There have been so many miracles this week for (investigator).  The Lord works in so many ways and truly is aware of his children and is mindful of what we need, everyone! I know that we met (investigator) at this time, and we can help (investigator) start a new chapter and just move on.

We started teaching a less active member who is so receptive and excited about the gospel! Friday and Saturday of this past week we got two people on date for May 25! Church was so awesome yesterday we had 3 investigators there and 4 less actives at church!

We met this guy Saturday night his name is Asibowana - yea we call him SIbo, haha. He is from Africa and was looking for a church when we bumped into him on the street.  We were on our way to an appointment so we talked with him for 10 mins and invited him to church. We got his number, organized a ride and well he came!!  He brought his BOM we gave him, stayed the whole time and loved it! He then came to the CES devotional last night as well! And wow well this guy has the light of Christ, he lights up the room with happiness and is really receptive and started reading BOM and we are going to be teaching him this week. We talked with him after the devotional and then found out his story and wow. He has lived in Canada for 8 months, is a miracle that he is alive. He has lived in like 7 countries, fleeing from the civil war, I would list the countries but well you know me lets me honest, while he was listing them off they went in one ear and out the other haha. I’m the worst at geography. But he and his family were fleeing from country to country during the wars; he lost all his family, and is the only one living and doesn’t understand how he is. He said he’s been in many near death experiences. Thinking about is past is too painful; he just pushes the memories to the back of his mind.  I was tearing up he was telling us, man it was sad, but so awesome at the same time to be able to testify to him that his family will be with him and he will see them again.  It’s an amazing story.  And I know Sibo is going to be someone great and change the lives of many through the gospel.

So we also started teaching (Investigator) from Niageria.  We oringially met his roommate Raymond on the street.  We set up an apt with him and well when we showed up we were stood up! So (investigator) answered the door and so we told him who we were and asked if we could teach him and he said yes, he had a half hour.  This is what I said, "Well go put on a hoodie, we will give you 2 mins and we will teach you on the grass across the street" haha.  And he just kind of looked in shock and was like well okay. So he came out in 2 mins and we taught him, he is excited!  His prayer at the end was so powerful; he feels like he met us for a reason and said “thou is so mindful of me”! Like what!!! So he also came to church! And funny thing guy who stood us up ended up coming to the CES devotional last night!

We set up service this week and we are going to the Old Folks home called Garden Homes right by our house! We go every Weds and we pretty well have free rein to do whatever, room visits, sing with them, whatever! So it’s awesome.

Things are going great here!  Sis Huppe and I have been teaching amazing with one another it truly is how it says in D&C as one, and we just work off one another backing up what one teaches by testifying! I made it my goal to really try my best to teach with simplicity and directly from the Spirit and it’s been really amazing seeing the Lord speak through us by the spirit. Words cannot describe!

Jacob 5 is my favorite scripture in the BOM!!! There is soo many parables that can be taken into so many different ways to apply to our lives and to learn from. 

But for the plaque, if it has to be one scripture it would be Ether 12:27.

Mom you are the best mom EVER thank you so much for the package and the shirt I LOVED it! I have been soo fortunate and blessed with the life I have been given, its unreal. I thank you for your patience and examples that you have set, you both are amazing people that have such strong testimonies and are such great ppl and well because of that has made an amazing role in my life! I love you guys so much!

Today we are going to go tour the island with Sis MacDoogle.  We are teaching like all guys.... haha. I don’t mind it; it calls for a lot of member present lessons!

My new comp. actually served with Sis Huppe for 6 months! It’s so weird how Blake has met her, kind of cool!  And it’s weird thinking how Blake is experiencing the whole east coast of Canada because it is way different from home!  I’m going to miss sis huppe.  We have had a lot of fun together and grown close.  I  am very excited to serve with sister judd, from what sis huppe has said she sounds wonderful!

 As for Sunday with talking with you guys its important I stay focused and I’m choosing to not communicate with you guys.

hahahahh kidding! But Saturday night would work best..... from 6-8 my time? But I understand you can’t do that so we will do 7-9 pm here and I will skype you at 8pm.  Anyway I hope this makes sense, and yea! I will be calling at 8pm this time, and well be by the phones! 

Anyway here is another chapter to the book!

I LOVE you all so much and can’t wait to chat with you in few days !!!

xoxox love sis pizzey!