Week 36

Hello Family and friends!

Happy New Year! President Weston wrote to us and committed us to focus more on being exactly obedient and working more diligently in our area. I am going to do it!

We had a great lesson with Kirsten yesterday. She is still set for January 11th. we are praying our guts out for her. It is scary to see how as she gets closer to her baptism, the devil works harder. It is hard, but I know as she has support and as she has faith...she is going to make it! She committed yesterday to read the Book of Mormon everyday for the rest of her life. WHOO! Can we all commit to that? If she can do it, we call can. :)

Sister Page and I had a really good discussion today about truly coming to KNOW our Savior. It's amazing to realize how each of us must come to know Jesus Christ in our own way. We are all different. I love the scripture in Mosiah 5: 12-13 where is says, "For how knoweth a master whom He has not served and who is a stranger unto him and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart." We discussed how coming to know our Savior is a life long pursuit that includes having Him always in our thoughts, actions and serving all those around us.

I love in Helaman 5:12 when it says, that if we build our foundation on Christ, " a foundation if men build they CANNOT fall." Why is it that we cannot fall if Christ is our foundation?

Something I am thinking about.

Everyone is doing great! Sister Page is doing wonderfully. She is such a great sister. It has been an honor working with her.

I hope you are all doing well. I pray for you everyday. Please know that as our family continues to build our foundation on Christ. We will all be ok! Everything will work out because we Cannot fall.

I hope you have an incredible week! Love you!

Love,
Sister Call

Where is she getting these clothes???!?!?!/Pictures/Week 35

MERRY CHRISTMASS EVERYONE! This is a picture of my companion and I at our Christmas Zone Conference. I want you all to know how much I love you.

Jesus is the Christ. He is the reason we all get to be here! I love you again and am praying for you all.
Merry Christmas!
Love,

Sister Lani Call

Happy Holidays/Week 34!

Hello Family!

I hope you are all doing well! It is always so good to hear you are alive and well and living the gospel!

Something exciting i learned this week: The Hebrew definition for Joy is Eternal Progression.

Just wait...this is going to blow your mind. If you turn to 2 Nephi 2: 25 is says, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy!" So we are literally created to PROGRESS! and the only way to truly progress in this life is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love this. I know that when I am repenting daily and progressing, I feel good. I am fulfilling the measure of my creation and I know that my Heavenly Father is happy. I know that as we all repent daily and use the atonement we will have JOY!

This week we have seen the most incredible miracle. A young girl, Kirsten Williams, is a friend to the member that we live with. We met her one night and set up a time to teach the Restoration. This was a week and a half a go. Since then, She read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and knows that it is true, she has come to church, she attends seminary at 6:45 in the morning AND she is getting baptized January 11th!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! I know it goes back to what President promised Sister Page and I that the work in our area will still progress even though we are out of the area a lot. This is also a testimony to me that this is how Heavenly Father wants the work done! Through the members! We as members know the people who are prepared and willing. They are around us, they are our neighbors, co workers, friends from activities....the list continues. Pray for and search out the opportunities to bring others JOY! I can promise you that if you will reach out to one person before christmas, you will give your gift to the Savior. We watched Mr. Kruegars Christmas this morning. When he walks into the stall to approach the baby Jesus, he pats his pockets and says, "Oh, but I don't have any gifts for you." He didn't realize, but I know that he gave the greatest gift to Jesus Christ. He reached out to those carolers, to the old lady Mabel who he visited for years. He reached out to everyone he saw. It seemed that everyday, he was giving a gift to His Savior. Please take this invitation to reach out to just one. Share the joy you know and it will make your Christmas's the best Christmas's Ever! I promise.

Sister Page and I are having a blast. We love each other and I am so grateful for her example to me of always progressing.

Thank you for everything you do. You are always doing so great! and I so so honored to know you and love you. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest gift! This Christmas, I am going to try to give what I can back to Him because I love Him. I know you all love Him too.

Love you all dearly!
Love,
Sister Call

Her Camera is Working!!!!!

Me playing chess with James Brown after our Thanksgiving meal! That chess set is from Italy. I love him and bawled when I left.

 Sister McMaster and I with the Zacharies on Thanksgiving. We decorated the Christmas tree!

This last one is of Lani and Sister Page. Stella and her Children, Anna and Estevan are from Colombia. They are investigators and came to the Christmas party! I love them to death!!

Week 33

Hello Family!

This week has been the craziest week of my life. Sister Page and I were reflecting back on it and we agree. So on Monday we received a phone call from a sister we are over. She is opening a new area in Kansas. She was really struggling. President Weston called us and asked us to go to Kansas. So we did. I couldn't believe I was in Kansas. :) What started with a trip to Kansas ended in a emergency transfer, an emergency exchange and a trip down to omaha. All and all we have been on the road for over 15 hours this week. We will be taking a nap today.

Through all of this, it was incredible to see Heavenly Father guiding and directing all of us. I have been thinking why did that all have to happen? What was the reason for it? I don't feel like I know exactly what is was for besides seeing how this is the Lords work. I am not in charge, He is. Once we think that we are the ones that are in charge, we get in trouble and need to humble ourselves. That is what happened to me this week. President called us and spoke to us about what to do in the situation and at the end he told us, "remember sisters, this is the Lords work. This isn't about you. " I have been thinking a lot about that. I really needed to hear it. It is when we humble ourselves that miracles happen.

I gave a talk in church yesterday all about the atonement. I love the quote in Preach my Gospel. "When our understanding of the atonement increases, our desire to share the gospel will increase." This was the main focus of my talk. I just said that this is the reason I am out on a mission, because of the atonement. How has all of your missionary work been going? Have you invited someone to take the lessons in our home this Christmas!?? That would be the best Christmas gift ever!! What better way to show someone that you care? To show Christ that you love him? Share it with someone else.

Life is great! I love it out here and wouldn't want to be anywhere else! The Book of Mormon is true! Study it every day and you will become converted!

I love you all! Have an incredible week and look for this little miracles!!
Love,
Sister Call

Stella and her Children, Anna and Estevan are from Colombia. They are investigators and came to the Christmas party! I love them to death!!

Me and Sister Page on an exchange! Such an incredible opportunity to go on exchanges so often and see miracles all over Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa! Sister Page is fantastic. Love her.

WEEK 32!!!!

Transfers! So, I am here in Kearney Nebraska with a Sister Page from Centerville Utah! I am loving it! We are related. :) She goes back to Anson and Chester call.

We spent Thanksgiving in Fairview with James Brown and his daughter Angie. It was really sad leaving them, but it is right.

Anyway, I have absolutely no time. I love you all and am praying for you! Such incredible things are happening. Just jump in and enjoy the ride! Have a great week!

Love you,
Sister Call

 

Here's some belated photos.  1st photo;Lani with Sister McMaster, then with Sister Carpenter (from our home ward, then the Powers family (ward mission leader in Lincoln), finally James Brown's Baptism with Sister Moore (in blue) and Sister Jasper (her trainer.)  WE LOVE OUR MISSIONARY!!!

Week 31 letter

Hello Family,

I forgot to tell you. I met Joyce walker the other week. She was getting ready for her great grandsons baptism and I got talking to her. She lives in California and went to see Grandpa Walker when he was over there. She is Garths sister. :) Also, we have a bishop walker here in Bellevue second ward, the ward right after us. He is her grandson. :) We are related! And he reminds me of it all the time! Joyce knew you dad! She looked at me and asked, are you Michaels daughter?? I was like...!!!YES!!! Her other son was there, bishop walkers son, and he said that he grew up with Terry and would hang out with Terry and Lynn all the time! Crazy connection! I wanted to let you know. :)

She was the sweetest old lady. :) Love her!

This week had been a growing experience. We have had to drop one of our investigators and then another of our investigators dropped us two nights ago. It was sad. But I know miracles follow the hard times as long as we are faithful and obedient and work our tails off!!

I have been thinking a lot about humility and having a softened heart. Sister McMaster and I have really been working on letting each other help each other...does that make sense? One thing about missions, you learn a lot about yourself. I have learned that I am a control psycho and I don't like people to help me through my own emotional problems that I just need to get over on my own. :) :) Not that any of you didn't know that. :) Heavenly Father has been helping me realize that and has been teaching me a lot about the atonement in personal study this week. We went to a inactive members home the other night. We haven't been able to get in for a while. She was sitting on the coach and we started talking to her. Eventually she opened up when again we asked, do you believe Heavenly Father loves you and will bless you? Anyway, she started talking and crying and kept saying, "this is something I just need to get over. This is something I need to figure out..." listening to her, I was amazed and frightened of how much she reminded me of myself this past week. I found myself bearing testimony to her and no matter how hard she tries, she cannot do this alone...she cannot fix her problems on her own. There is just no way. That is why we have Jesus Christ. We shared these scriptures with her.... Alma 34:38-41

38 That ye ^acontend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the ^bname of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and ^cworship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in ^dthanksgiving daily, for the many ^emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

 39 Yea, and I also ^aexhort you, my brethren, that ye be ^bwatchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the ^ctemptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you ^dno good thing.

 40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have ^apatience, and that ye bear with all manner of ^bafflictions; that ye do not ^crevile against those who do cast you out because of your ^dexceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

 41 But that ye have ^apatience, and bear with those ^bafflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Do we contend with the Holy Ghost ever? When was the last time we wrestled before God?

Sister McMaster and I sat in the car the other day and she asked me to pray. I fought it for a while because I had built up such strong emotions but eventually I sat there and prayed and prayed. I haven't plead with my Heavenly Father like that for a while. I know that it wasn't until I humbled myself to the dust that I could feel my weight lifted. This is what we told Sister Peveler. We must humble ourselves and ask for help. So simple, but it can be so hard.

There is incredible power in prayer. I prayed until I bawled and felt the spirit. I prayed until I could feel my heart softened. I prayed when I didn't want to. Pray when you don't want to. Pray hard. President Weston told us that if we do not feel opposition while we are praying, we aren't praying hard enough.

I love you all and am so grateful for prayer. I am so grateful for the atonement. I am so grateful for the incredible people here in Nebraska!! I am so grateful for my strong companion, sister McMaster. She is so patient with me. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for Nephi!!! (I have been studying in 1 nephi). I am grateful for my family! I am grateful for....

Mom, Dad, Sarah, Jason, (NEW BABY), Priscilla, Ford, Ruth, Talitha, Abby, Hyrum and Joseph!

Best family ever.

I hope you have an incredible Thanksgiving!!

Love you all dearly!

Love,
Sister Call

Week 30 letter

Hello Everyone!

Sorry we didn't get to email last week. :)

Wow! We have gone on 4 exchanges in the past 2 weeks. That may not seem like a lot, but it sure wipes us out! :) We love it though. We love the sisters we are over. It is amazing to feel how much Heavenly Father loves them and wants them to be happy.

This past week we had an interesting experience with one of our members. They are an extremely active family in our ward and we really admire them. We sat down with a couple, the children were in bed, and we proceeded to have a lesson following up with their family mission plan. The sister shared that she was to focus on she and her husband. We told her that was great! because we must take care and nourish our own testimonies before we can expect to lift others. We then asked the sister if she believes that Heavenly Father loves her. Their was a pause as she became very emotional and expressed doubts that God even exists. She seemed embarrassed to tell us. Sister McMaster and I just listened. We told her that we love her. We told her that Heavenly Father loves her and as she studies and prays, she will feel Heavenly Father's love for her. We then told her that we do not think any less of her. She is still one of my heroes.

We walked away from their home with eyes wide open. You never know who is struggling. You never know what battles are taking place is someones mind and heart. Only God knows.

I was reminded of that saying that "greater men than you have fallen." This is so true. "Woe to those that are at ease is Zion." No one is safe. I am so grateful for this incredible sister who is facing her doubts and getting back on the path. She is using the atonement! :)

I know there is a God. I know that He is our Heavenly Father who loves us. Our testimonies are as  elusive as a moon beam. Take care of them. Work for them, then nourish them. They are our most powerful tool against the adversary.

I love you all dearly! Have an incredible week!

Love,

Sister Call

Week 28 letter

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM AND SARAH!! I hope you both have incredible birthdays!! I will be thinking of you!

This week has been crazy! As usual. :)

We had zone conference this week and it was incredible. Sister McMaster and I did a training on how to work with members....it was interesting. I couldn't eat the lunch they provided for us because I was SO nervous. Poor sister McMaster. She didn't know what to do with herself. :) Haha! Have any of your watched the district? You can find it on lds.org and I would invite you to look it up and watch some of it.

The day after zone conference, we went to the temple. Spiritual overload! We are SO BLESSED! (some call is spoiled) to have a temple in our mission.I was sitting in the temple and had the thought that this is how it was become we came to earth. We were all sitting together, dressed in white, being trained!! :) The temple is so crucial in our earthly success stories.

BEST NEWS EVER! So a sister in the mission, Sister Seguin, called my friend Stephen Bueadrou (cant spell his name). ANYWAY! The sisters at the trail center call people and try to teach them the gospel. WELL! She called my friend Stephen and GUESS WHAT!! He is reading the Book of Mormon, he prayed on the phone with her, asked her to teach him until other missionaries can come and teach him!! AHHHH! When i heard this, I was beyond excited!! I thought, this is how it feels like when a good friend becomes interested in the church and starts taking the missionary lessons!! It is a feeling I want to have ALL THE TIME!! Wouldn't it be incredible to have a family take the lessons in our home!? Just a thought :) You are doing so well with your missionary efforts!! That is awesome that so many people came to the trunk r treat! Congrats! I am sure that felt incredible seeing that miracle!

Sister McMaster and I are having a blast together, as usual. How I love this sister!

One of our recent converts, James Brown, invited us to his home last night with his daughter, Angie. She has started reading the Book of Mormon! Last night we invited her to start taking the lessons, and we are pretty sure she will! So exciting to see how people are always connected to others who are prepared to receive the gospel.

I hope you are all doing well, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM AND SARAH!! I love you all and pray you will experience the joy of missionary work as you share what you know to be true.
Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Call

Mighty Jumps and Mate!/Week 27

Sister McMaster and I and random little boy named, Caleb. We did service for a Less active family and decided to jump into the work that we did/ :) Good times!

This is me drinking....MATE! It was delightful! This woman that gave it to us is from Argentina. She was sweet.

Love you all!


Here's her letter:

Hi family!

So I wanted to send this email just to my close family because I want to tell you a story that has helped me to understand the atonement a lot more.

We were at a less active families home a few nights ago. The mother broke down and told us how she wants her daughter to stop fighting her and to come to church and gain a testimony of the gospel. I was reminded of a time that I did the same thing.

I remember one Sunday morning I did not want to go to church. I remember everyone getting ready around me...I slowly put some church clothes on, but I was fighting it. Looking back, I was fighting because I was angry. I didn't feel worthy which made me mad. So I fought and told mom that I wasn't going. (I think dad was in the bishopric at this time). I sat on the couch in the front room and refused to move. I could tell that mom was close to tears. Everyone got in the car and left.

I sat there and listened as the garage door closed. As soon as it closed, I felt sick. I knew where I was supposed to be. I knew I was making a very wrong choice and I knew how easy it could become to just not go and that made me so sick. I remember looking out the window and going back to sit on the couch. I was thinking how long it would take me to walk to church. Its hard for me to explain everything that was going through my mind. I was angry, lonely and sick. I wanted someone to help me, but then again, I didn't.

Well, about 15 mins of this passed by. I just sat there, hating everything, especially myself. Then I heard the garage door opening. Immediately, I knew who it was and what was going to happen. It was my mother. She came back for me. This made me more mad because now I really could go to church! I was so ridiculous!

Mom walked in and sat on the couch next to me. I wouldn't look at her. She began to cry. I just remember her telling me that she loved me. I think she even kept repeating it. Eventually my heart was softened. I was embarrassed for how I acted. I got in the car with mom and we went to church.

Now, I told some of this to this less active family. Afterwards, I kept thinking of this experience. That night I was lying in bed and sister Mcmaster asked me about it. I went into more detail with her as I did with you. I was nearing the end of the story when I realized what I was truly feeling during all this. 

Deep down, I wanted mom to come back for me! I so desperately wanted her to come back and rescue me. I was going down the wrong road and I needed someone to come find me. I started to cry as I was lying in bed because I realized that deep down we all want to be rescued. None of us want to be left alone. This is why we have Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ will always come back for us! He weeps next to us and tells us how much He loves us! He pleeds and begs us to come back.

Thank you mom for coming back for me. Thank you mom and dad for not giving up on me, but always walking along side me.

The most important testimony we can gain is of Jesus Christ. Please know that Jesus Christ is really is our Savior. He is our brother and best friend. He loves us so much and will ALWAYS come and rescue us. He rescued me.

The atonement is so real. I love you all and want each of you to know that no matter what, your family is here for you and we will always come back for you. Thats for family is for.

Have an incredible week and keep up the missionary work! I am so proud.

Love your best friend,

Sister Lani Call

Week 26 letter!

This week has been the strangest week of my mission so far.

Hem hem....big changes have occurred. Sister Mcmaster and I are back together! Crazy!! We have both been called as sister trainer leaders. We literally fainted when we heard, we couldn't believe it. Sister Moore left for Basil (Ruth here. She didn't go to an herb, she went to Brazil! A COUNTRY! We love Lani!)today! She was so excited to go. I am extremely grateful for her and the things she taught me. I needed her.

Lots of miracles this week! We went to church yesterday and I got to speak about temples. The experience I shared is a memory I have of my parents walking in the house Saturday morning, after they had gone to the temple together. I got pretty emotional talking about it because I realized why I loved that memory. I loved it because my parents walked in laughing and holding hands! As a little girl I could feel how in love they were and the spirit they brought home from the temple. I talked about how I think they were more in love because they were reminded at the temple that they are going to be an eternal family.

After sacrament meeting a young woman in the ward came up to us and pointed to her friend and said, "This is brook, she wants to take the lessons!" WHOOOO!! I was beyond excited! That has never happened to me before and I know it was a miracle from Heavenly Father. Such a blessing! I cannot wait to start teaching this lovely young lady.

Also, I had my first priesthood blessing yesterday since I have been out on a mission. I have been so prideful thinking I can do it without one, but a few days ago I realized that I really needed one.

Brother Zachary, the man we live with gave it to me. It was absolutely beautiful and I really needed it. I know the priesthood is the power of God and it is real. I could feel it as soon as he put his hands on my head. Brother Zachary doesn't know me too well, but he said exactly what I needed to hear.

I am so grateful for all I am learning. Seriously. Go on a mission! Even though it is hard, boy is it worth it! You will never regret it and you will gain the most precious gift, seeing and feeling the atonement everyday.

I love you all and am praying for you!

Love,

Sister Call

Week 25 letter

This week was pretty great.

So we went on exchanges with the Hermanas(Sisters) in Omaha. The first lesson we had was with a woman from Argentina. We had our lesson eating Argentine scones and drinking....MATE! YUM! It was the most delightful thing! I can understand though why they don't let missionaries drink it....Argentines sit around and talk forever. It was a neat experience. :) Obviously it made me think of you dad!

It was so fun being around the hispanic people and seeing how humble they are.

There is a new booklet for missionaries called adjusting to missionary life. It has a really neat quote at the beginning that says, "As missionaries, we have a front row seat to the greatest miracle of all...seeing the atonement take effect in others lives." This is so true. Seeing the atonement in action is a miracle. That is why it does not matter where you serve because the miracle of the atonement is everywhere at seeing that is the greatest thing anyone can see.

I don't feel that I understand the atonement still, but I am so grateful for it! I would not be on a mission if it wasn't for the atonement.

President Weston has been helping us focus the members on Less actives. We have really been struggling finding in this mission, so the Lord has helped us to see that we will find people through the Less Actives. We are having each member family commit to focusing on one Less Active. It is definitely a work in progress, but I know it is the Lords will. So we are going to do it!

James Brown is doing great! He received the Priesthood and is getting more and more involved in the ward. His daughter, Angie has started reading the Book of Mormon!! STORY TIME!

James invited us over to dinner. Angie cooked :) We had dinner and after we ate, we asked Angie if she had started reading the Book of Mormon we gave her. She said, " Well it is sitting right by my bed. I read it every night, but I am only to page 90..." We were all BEAMING! James's face lite up!!
After, James was washing the dishes. I came up to him to say goodbye and he turned to me, slightly emotional he said, "Thank you for asking her. I am so grateful that she is reading it. It makes me so happy." Those are not his exact words, but I was so grateful to see the atonement working again. It was humbling to see how much James wants this for his daughter! I love them both and pray that Angie will continue.

Thank you all for your prayers and hard work! Have fun but remember that we have such a great responsibility to invite everyone to come unto Christ and use the atonement. Just take a few minutes this week and think about how the atonement has blessed your life...then share that with someone that needs your testimony. :) I love you all. I know the Atonement is real and I am SO grateful for it. It has helped me to become clean and just move forward.

Again, I love you! Have a great week!

Love,
Sister Call

Week 24 letter

What an incredible weekend! It is so fun watching conference and being a missionary! Every little thing applies to you!

We really tried to watch conference with some less actives in our ward, but that didn't work out, so we watched it with the zacharies, the couple we live with.

Every talk was incredible. I just kept thinking how grateful I am to be apart of this gospel and to know the truth. I am so grateful for our prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He truly is our prophet!

I love President Uchtdorfs talk in the Saturday morning session. The message of how we are not perfect was always so good to hear.

We went on exchanges again the other day and as always, saw so many miracles. We just expect to see them now. :)

Our tire went flat, a member came to save us. We found a young family that want to be taught the gospel (not in our area though). We talked to a less active mother who completely opened up and agreed to watch conference with the sisters...the list goes on.

There is so much to be grateful for. Every day is full of miracles and things Heavenly Father blesses us with. Just look outside, and you can pick out tons of little miracles! I love the fields and fields of corn here in Nebraska. :)

Here is a list of things I am grateful for.....

Corn Fields in Nebraska/Iowa!

General Conference!

A Prophet

Birds that chirp and chirp like crazy!

Walking

The Burke family-who make me laugh so much!

Yummy food

Sister Missionaries!!

Bishop Townsend

Spinach ;)

Feeling healthy and strong

THE SPIRIT!

THE BOOK OF MORMON!

Teancum ;)

My Family!!

Computers

PRAYER!

Walmart

Sister Moore

President Weston

Meetings!

Brownies

crickets (two of them got into my bed last night. ;)

............................the list can go on and on forever!

What is wonderful is after making this short list, I feel better about myself. A grateful person, is a happy person. :)

We have another incredible week ahead, just take a moment and make a list of everything that you are grateful for and I promise you that you will end your list and you will feel uplifted and better about yourself and your situation! I promise.

I love you all again and again and am so grateful for each of your individually. You are in my prayers and I pray that we are daily doing our best to become more converted. Keep up the great work and always remember who we are to always remember, Jesus Christ.

Have an incredible week!

Love,
Sister Call

In Two Places at Once!

These go with her latest letter!

Week 23 Letter

What a week! We had interviews with President Weston. How I love that man. When he takes my hand to shake it, I am literally feel the love he has for not only me, but every missionary out here.

The Relief Society broadcast with incredible. Covenants! I have been thinking a lot about covenants lately and I know that it is our covenants that will keep our families together during these horrible times. It is keeping our covenants that will bring happiness and peace and real security into our homes. Do we all know what covenants we have made? I sometimes feel that I am just figuring out exactly what covenants I have made and how I need to be keeping them.

I love how one of the sisters said that we need to point out to children and others and say, "wonderful job! You just kept your covenants!" or something...it's exactly what we do as teachers.

You feel the spirit and stop. Point it our to your investigator or classroom or child. Help them recognize what the spirit is and that they are keeping their covenants. Teach people how to receive personal revelation!

Anyway, off my box. BUT! The broadcast was incredible and I was called to repentance. :)

Sister Moore is doing well. Her visa is finished, so we will see how much longer she is here. Its been fun doing language study with her because I can understand a little bit, since both my parents speak spanish. I can understand a little bit of what she is saying, then respond in english. :) We have great conversations.

We are continuing to set up family mission plans with the ward here. The first thing on their plan is what less active they are going to reactive! President Weston promised us that as the members really focus on just one family and reactivating them, a baptism will follow. Just remember that these are your people, your baptisms. Missionaries are merely your tools to do your work and keep your covenants. :)

One quick story. We went on exchanges again this week. Sister Larson and I were going to a less actives home when we saw a uhaul and a man and his wife quickly throwing things in. We felt like we needed to go over and help. We need and they accepted our help. Their little girl was sick and they had to be out that night! We helped them finish loading, all the while they were saying thank you. Such a sweet little family! Anyway, what really hit me was after we were done and they were saying thank you, the father turned to us and said, "i was praying and praying that someone would come help us. all of our friends couldn't help...so I was praying and praying, and then you showed up!" It just really hit me that Heavenly is so aware of everyone. He answers ALL of his childrens prayers, including this young fathers.

I love you all and am so happy to be here. I will never regret going on a mission. Thank you for supporting me and loving me and thank you for praying for me. I feel it.

I love you again and again! Have an incredible week! You are in my prayers, as always. :)

Love,

Sister Call

Some pictures of us being in two places at once! It is the Nebraska and Iowa border...on a bridge! Also, the member we went with. Sister Harrison. She served a mission in England. Grandpa? It was a fun preparation day!

Week 22 letter

Another fun week!

We went on exchanges again this week. Ah! What a blessing. You truly do see miracles on exchanges. Sister Whipple and I were together in a small town named Glenwood. We had been focusing on finding new investigators for their area. We had one more potential that we wanted to try . We walked up to this mans home, knocked on the door. We introduced ourselves and realized that the person that had lived there had moved. We talked to the man a little bit and told him our purpose. We asked if he would want to hear more...he immediately said, "Sure! my wife and I used to go to church and we are having a baby in a couple weeks. We will definitely want to hear more."

Ha! I don't know if there family will receive the gospel, but it was such a miracle! Heavenly Father lets us experience miracles as we are working hard and being exactly obedient.

I have been thinking a lot about how we can get the members excited about missionary work. We have been praying and fasting about it and yesterday, I think we found our answer. We are starting to create Family Mission Plans with the members. Yesterday we set up our first one with a young family. We asked them about their experience with missionary work and they told us that they think being good examples and being friends is what they want to do. As we continued to teach and discuss how doing missionary work can bless their family, they began to really think and make comments about how they need to pray over a list of all the people they know and that they have faith that they know somebody is ready to hear the gospel that they know. The spirit can even soften members hearts to missionary work! I was amazed how the discussion began to how it ended. They are now determined to start up their own family mission plan and fulfill their vision of having their friends join the church.

Sister Moore is doing very well. She is pretty strong willed, sometimes I struggle knowing how I am supposed to train her. Oh dear. It's all good though. I am growing to love her more everyday. Something that I have found is we both love to sing, so we sing together. The hymns always bring the spirit.

I love you all and hope you are doing well in this crazy school year! Keep up the good work and invite the missionaries over to create a Family Mission Plan with you all! I love you dearly!

Love,

Sister Call

A Christian in the Cornfield

Lani in the cornfield!

Week 21 letter

This week has been crazy! We went on exchanges with Sister Carpenter and her companion Sister Checketts. It was strange, but I wasn't in charge. Heavenly Father is in charge of everything and the success we had, was all because we followed the spirit! We found a man named Roy who had just lost his wife a year ago. It was pretty emotional, but really exciting at the same time because it was the perfect opportunity to bear our testimonies of eternal families. The gospel is so hopeful! It blows me away every time.

James Brown was baptized this week. It was a miracle being sent back to Fairview and being able to witness his baptism. I got to bear my testimony. The spirit was so strong. We had promised James that his wife would be there (his wife passed away years ago). I know her spirit was there because this is what she has been waiting for! It was an incredible meeting and I was honored to be apart of it.

Unfortunately, we don't have any investigators now! Yikes! We are in serious finding mode. :) In chapter 9 of Preach my gospel, it begins with having the faith to find. This is something I am praying for and working on. Putting my complete faith in the Lord. I know that the Lord gives his prepared people to His prepared servants.

Sister Moore is doing wonderful! She has incredible faith and is so enthusiastic.

Sister Jasper came to James baptism. After the baptism she sat in the car with sister moore and I and talked to us about how she feels now being off her mission. We actually went and taught a lesson with her and I was amazed. She no longer has the mantle of a missionary. I can't explain it to you, but she was still powerful, but she no longer had the mantle. We got in the car and she became extremely emotional as she bore her testimony to us and told us how much power we have as missionaries and we don't even realize it. She was very emotional when she said that she misses it a lot. She said, "Throw away all your insecurities! All the fear that you have, that is Satan. God is on your side. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Be consecrated. " I feel like I woke up. Big time. It was humbling watching my trainer, who is no longer a set apart missionary, get so emotional and beg me to give everything I have to my Savior.

It gave me a lot to think about and pray about. I know, without a doubt, that Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon is God's word! This is the most incredible, life changing work. I never want it to end. I love you all dearly, but miss you less and less because I know that sacrificing our time and talents for the Lord is the most fulfilling work and is keeping the sacred covenants we have made in the temple. I love you all. Have an incredible week! Laugh!

Love,
Sister Call

P.S. I hope you are not offended by my comment about missing you. I do love you! :)

Week 20 letter!!!!!!!

Hello everyone!

Big changes this week. So transfer morning comes along and I put the phone on silent....I new nothing was going to happen. I jump out of the shower and check the phone. Missed call from President Weston. AHHH!! I quickly call him back and he informs me that I am going back to Fairview, training another sister who is waiting for her visa to Brasil and called as a Sister Trainer Leader. I think my whole body was shaking when I said yes to all three things.

Needless to say, I have been praying a lot lately. Sister Moore, the sister I am now with is from Florida. She has the most incredible testimony! She is extremely bold and loves missionary work. Her mother is a member, but her father is not. She is strong. I am growing to love her more and more and just pray that I will know how the Lord wants me to help her. She is teaching me Portuguese. :)

This week has been crazy. Sister Moore didn't actually come till Saturday, so I was companion less for a couple of days. I spent that time at the Mormon Trail Center. It was an incredible experience. I got to take a couple of tours. Being a Visitor Center sister is a very different experience...the people come to you, but at the same time, you really have to bring the spirit because most people just want to come in and learn the facts. The sister focus on giving converting tours. Tours that people really feel the spirit and want to repent and change by the end. I hope you can all go to the trail center sometime. I need to bring more of our investigators there. I am glad that I only spent a couple of days there though, I can understand why sisters who leave the trail center after spending a transfer there have a really hard time. The spirit is already there and you have sisters all around you...it is just a really comfortable, beautiful place, but I am grateful to be back out in an area. :)

President Weston has asked the mission to study 15 mins everyday from chapter 6 of Preach my Gospel. I started doing this and came across page 112. On this page is a bullet point that reads...

"Read 2 Nephi 33:10-15 and Moroni 10:27-29,34. What will you tell Nephi and Moroni at the judgement bar about your use of the Book of Mormon?" Will all of you read this and write down your thoughts? I have been thinking about it a lot lately. We will someday have to stand before Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ along with Nephi and Moroni and tell them how we used the Book of Mormon. It made me realize that I am not using the Book of Mormon enough. I need to be constantly teaching and testifying from it. It is our most powerful tool, besides our own testimony. Preach my gospel says on pg. 104 "The Book of Mormon, combined with the spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion." It also says that we as members of the church need to apply the promise in Moroni 10. We can always ask if the Book Of Mormon is true and we should!

The Book of Mormon is true. When you are having a bad day, feeling stressed or frustrated, exercise your faith and open the Book of Mormon. I promise that you will be able to relax and feel at peace. Just start with a prayer.

I have felt pretty overwhelmed lately, but I just know that if we are diligent and work hard, the Lord will bless us and make everything possible.

Also, do you remember the man we were teaching before I left Fairview, James Brown? He is getting baptized this Saturday!! I am so excited for him! Sister Jasper is coming to the baptism too. Pictures will come.

We are not teaching anyone that is progressing right now, but with Sister Moores enthusiasm and our faith combined, I know we will be able to start teaching more people soon.

I am praying for you all! Keep up the great work and know that the Lord is pleased with your efforts. I love you.

Love,
Sister Call

The Family Lani lives with...

Also, these are the Katz. The members we live with. They took us out for their anniversary! They are so cute! Sister Katz is from El Salvador. :)

We received this e-mail,

We are assuming this is from Sister Jasper's family, maybe they came to pick her up from the mission?

I think it was a text.

You understand, Michael and I live in the Dark Ages when it comes to technology!!!! :

"Sister call is doing wonderfully! Sister jasper just ended her mission and we got to meet sister call on the way out. Sister jasper couldn't be more proud of her."

 

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some pictures and the emails:

We went to the NE capital for preparation day with our sister trainer leader, sister vance and her companion. It is the most incredible building! AH! Good times. :)
Love ya!

 

Week 19 letter

I'M SO SORRY THIS IS LATE GUYS!!!! We've been really busy, bue here ya go!

Hello Everyone!

Zone Conference was this week. It was INCREDIBLE! We had a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and his wife come and speak to us. His name is Elder Robbins.

It was amazing. The Spirit was teaching everyone.

It was all focused on becoming. I have had this dream nearly 10 times since I left, but it consists of me going home and not remembering anything and going back to the same person I was before I left. It is a nightmare. Sister Robbins got up and asked us, what are you going to make permanent from your mission? Ah! Everything! Being a missionary is really the greatest tender mercy besides having children I would think. You get the immerse yourself in the gospel. Feel the spirit all day everyday, learn the hard lessons and come to feel how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really love us. Go on a mission! You will never regret it, seriously. It is so eye opening.

So yes, that is one of the biggest things that I learned, becoming. Elders Robbins said, "To be is to do and to do is to be." As we live the gospel daily, we need to let it become us.

I feel like I have shared my testimony a lot this week. It started with President Weston committing us to bear our testimony at every fast and testimony meeting till we die. Your testimony is your most powerful tool. Use it. Say it. Love it! It is a gift and can be taken away if not used. I bore my testimony is Walmart this week to a young girl who was LDS, but got re- baptized as a Seventh Day Adventist. I know that Satan wants our souls. He is real. I know that Heavenly Father loves her because we found her. He gives us second chances! I told her that I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Savior and He is your Savior. The spirit was strong, even is walmart. She felt the spirit and I know she knows it is true. I even told her that she knows it is true. She said yes.

Your testimony can change lives. You worked hard to obtain it, share it! :)

Family- I am so proud of you! That is so cool that you invited the family from dads work (can't remember their names) to church! Way to share your testimonies through song. I know they felt the spirit. Keep up the good work! What do you think the next step is? :)

Sister Mcmaster is just swell. We do have lots of fun together! This week we went on exchanges with our Sister Trainer Leader. It was incredible! We went into Gum's home, Gum wasn't there, BUT his sister was and she started asking questions....the spirit led the lesson and BAM! We committed her to be baptized. Ok ok...so here is the deal. Why should you go on a mission? Because you get to invite people to make sacred promises with God and be baptized, everyday! The spirit is so strong and it is literally invigorating!

I love you all dearly and hope you have had an incredible Labors Day weekend. I hope these letters help you all somehow. I pray that the things I share are helpful to you in some way. Please know that the gospel is so true. We are just so blessed! I feel like my testimony isn't a shield, but a plee for that one person to come to Christ and repent, be happy! :) Remember that Christ does not count His sheep, He numbers them. There is a huge difference. Jesus Christ knows you perfectly.
 Keep up the good work all of you! You all inspire me so much and help me so much. You don't even know.

Have a fabulous week!
Love,

Sister Call

Week 18 letter!!

Hello family and friends,

What an exciting week!

We found a new investigator named, Gum. Did I tell you about him already? We taught him on tues. Had a wonderful little lesson. He told us that he had read some of the Book of Mormon and right after he read, he prayed. He said, "It just felt really good." I just about exploded!! haha! I love him dearly and want him to have the spirit will him all the time. We are praying that he will continue to progress and come closer to Christ.

Last night we went on team ups with a Sister Brown from our ward. She is a little older, sweet lady. We went to see a woman that she wanted to see. We have a great visit with her then.....WE TOOK SISTER BROWN STREET CONTACTING! I have never done that before. It was incredible. Let me tell you about it. We were walking and met a couple outside. We taught them a little bit and they told us that they wanted to learn more. The coolest part about this whole experience is when we got back to sister browns home she turned to us and said, "That was SO EASY!" YES! Sharing this gospel is easy! Why was it such a great experience? Because we were being obedient to what Heavenly Father has asked us to do, work with the members in everything we do. I know that the Lord blesses us when we do what He asks.

Sister Mcmaster is doing so well. You would all love her! She is working extremely hard and is literally training me. I don't feel like the trainer any more. We are equal partners striving to help eachother be more Christ like.

I gave a short training yesterday about teaching less actives. The main thing I got out of it was making the Gospel real to me. When people stop keeping the commandments, their testimonies are not strong enough to face the trials and temptations. The gospel need to be real to them. It needs to be a living breathing thing that is literally who you are. It needs to consume you. That is what I want. I know that I will be a better instrument in the Lords hands as the Gospel becomes extremely real to me. I know that we will become like Jesus Christ when the gospel becomes very real to us.

I have so much to learn. I thought I had such a strong testimony and knowledge of the gospel when I first came out....haha! Nope! I am very weak and know so little. I am so grateful for this opportunity to come out here and have my eyes opened to how real the gospel is and how absolutely crucial it is to live it daily and never keep our eyes off the eternal goal.

I love you all dearly. Have an incredible week and be safe. Be strong and do the little things! Study the Book of Mormon and Preach my Gospel everyday.

I love you!

Love,
Sister Call

Week 17 letter

Hello family and friends,

What an exciting week!

We found a new investigator named, Gum. Did I tell you about him already? We taught him on tues. Had a wonderful little lesson. He told us that he had read some of the Book of Mormon and right after he read, he prayed. He said, "It just felt really good." I just about exploded!! haha! I love him dearly and want him to have the spirit will him all the time. We are praying that he will continue to progress and come closer to Christ.

Last night we went on team ups with a Sister Brown from our ward. She is a little older, sweet lady. We went to see a woman that she wanted to see. We have a great visit with her then.....WE TOOK SISTER BROWN STREET CONTACTING! I have never done that before. It was incredible. Let me tell you about it. We were walking and met a couple outside. We taught them a little bit and they told us that they wanted to learn more. The coolest part about this whole experience is when we got back to sister browns home she turned to us and said, "That was SO EASY!" YES! Sharing this gospel is easy! Why was it such a great experience? Because we were being obedient to what Heavenly Father has asked us to do, work with the members in everything we do. I know that the Lord blesses us when we do what He asks.

Sister Mcmaster is doing so well. You would all love her! She is working extremely hard and is literally training me. I don't feel like the trainer any more. We are equal partners striving to help eachother be more Christ like.

I gave a short training yesterday about teaching less actives. The main thing I got out of it was making the Gospel real to me. When people stop keeping the commandments, their testimonies are not strong enough to face the trials and temptations. The gospel need to be real to them. It needs to be a living breathing thing that is literally who you are. It needs to consume you. That is what I want. I know that I will be a better instrument in the Lords hands as the Gospel becomes extremely real to me. I know that we will become like Jesus Christ when the gospel becomes very real to us.

I have so much to learn. I thought I had such a strong testimony and knowledge of the gospel when I first came out....haha! Nope! I am very weak and know so little. I am so grateful for this opportunity to come out here and have my eyes opened to how real the gospel is and how absolutely crucial it is to live it daily and never keep our eyes off the eternal goal.

I love you all dearly. Have an incredible week and be safe. Be strong and do the little things! Study the Book of Mormon and Preach my Gospel everyday.

I love you!

Love,
Sister Call

Lani WEEK 17 photos

Temple photos! I love the Winter Quarters temple! This is our district and other sisters. It was a fantastic day! Love you!

Love,
Sister Call

Pictures Week 16

Been another great week with the companion!! Riding bikes and living on the tracks. :) I love Nebraska!

I hope you all have an incredible week! Keep up the good work and take heart! The Lord will provide. :)

Love,
Sister Call

MORE PICTURES!!!!!!

What Lani said:

Haha! The first picture is at transfer point. Everyone was emotional saying goodbye. HOW EXCITING! Anyways, the young sister in the middle of the first picture is 19 and training! She was very emotional, but so excited! (Light blonde is Sister Jasper)

Next one is Sister Mcmaster and I.

 

 

 

Pictures

This is what our dear Lani said in her email:

The first picture is with Sister Lately. She is a senior sister who put on Come Home to Kannesville. A MUSICAL! She is amazing.

Second: Lynn- she was one of my investigators and that is her husband Gene underneath. She was always give us little angels and food! She was so close to being baptized. I was sad to leave, but I am so grateful to have been able to be apart of her life. Her husband Gene- he is a turd. :)

Aug. 12 2013 Week 15

Sorry, this is going to be short because I was trying to email pictures.

This week has been great! We have been getting to know the ward more and more which is really helpful. They are growing to trust us more.

Sister Mcmaster is incredible! She is working so hard and learning very quickly. I am so proud of her! We are really working on listening and following the spirits promptings. I am laughing more and more with her. We get a long really well and I have found that laughing makes everything ok! If something crazy happens, we just turn to eachother, Laugh a big old laugh and move on. Why dwell on what has happened? Move on and be better.

Heavenly Father is helping us everyday. I have been really trying to work on talking to everyone! As we do what the Lord asks, He trusts us with more responsibility. My bishop called me to repentance the other night and told me to forget myself! I am a very selfish being! It's not even funny. I know that as I forget myself and completely focus on the Lords work, we will be blessed! We will see miracles and we will have no regrets because we are putting our all into the Lords work.

I love you all and hope you have an incredible week! Please know that I am praying for you. Just know that our Father in Heaven is extremely aware of where we are at and what we need. We are never alone. We have that knowledge. Let it comfort us. I know it comforts me. Have an incredible week and keep up the good work. Invite others around you!!

I love you all dearly!

Love,

Sister Call

FINALLY!!!

We FINALLY have a picture of our wonderfully crazy missionary!! She is with her newest companion Sister McMaster.
Isn't she beautiful!!! :) She says it is very humid.  I'm off to girls camp...Tootles! 

Aug. 5 2013 Week 14

Hola Family!

This week has felt really long. I think it is because we are still trying to get everything figured out. Oh well. The ward is great! It is a very young ward. There are 56 little kids in the ward, therefore, we are teaching children like crazy! Today we are getting fabric at the store to make titles of liberties for the children. Best lesson ever. I will let you know how it goes.

We have found a couple of investigators. We tracted into this woman named Chelsea. She asked lots of questions, which is extremely rare. She then told us that she wanted to learn more! YES! The Lords timing is perfect and only He knows who is on the other side of a door.

This week we have organized a blitz with all the sisters in the ward. We have lots of sisters on our role that nobody knows anything about, therefore, WE ARE OFF TO FIND THEM! We have made flyers for an upcoming activity and will be tracking down all these sisters and making sure they are invited and just figuring out who they are. We need to take care of who we have in the church before the Lord will bless us with more converts.

We live with members and they are so great! Sister Katz is from El Salvador and is teaching us some spanish.

I have been thinking a lot about how to teach lately. It has sort of been stressful, but today I had to call Sister Jasper about something and we started talking about just relaxing and being ourselfs. Our ward mission leaders wife was talking to us about the one thing she regreted and she said that she wished that she had enjoyed herself more. It is something I think we can all work on....just relax, do your best, trust in the Lord and laugh. I haven't been laughing a lot lately...oops!! ;) I need to repent and just laugh. I beat this drum a lot. Oh well.

I love you all! Thank you for all your prayers! You are all looking fantastic and I hope you have a great week. Laugh more and just trust in the Lord. :) and get to know the neighbors more. ;)

Love you lotsss!!

Love,

Sister Call

Lani's Letter July 29 2013 Week 13

Hello Family!!

So transfers happened this last week. Ready for the news??..................It's alright. Neither am I.

I am training and opening a new area to sisters in Lincoln Nebraska. AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I peed my pants when president called.

Anyway, I am training a sister from Salt Lake City. Her name is Sister McMaster. :) Fun name huh? I thought so too. She is wonderful. She is older than me, which is so helpful. She is willing to work hard and has a beautiful testimony of Jesus Christ.

We are opening the Pioneer Ward in Lincoln Nebraska. I have no idea what I am doing. Any suggestions mom and dad? Or anyone that has opened any area? We don't have anyone to teach, so we are really trying to get to know the members and trust in the Lord.

This is a huge growing experience for me, which is good. The Lord has put a lot of trust in Sister Mcmaster and I. I just pray that we can live up to the expectations.

Our ward mission leader and bishop are FANTASTIC! The first night we got here, we called up the bishop and met with him that night. He gave us the run down of everything. Ward boundaries, people to go see...it was so helpful. The ward mission leader invited us to his home to talk and get things organized. He is young and has three little boys. Both he and his wife both served missions. YAYA! They are so supportive and have been trying to share the gospel with all of their neighbors and friends!

We met a family in the ward last night. The Abbetts. Both of them served missions and their daughter served a mission in Oregon. After we taught and got to know eachother for a little bit, they took us to introduce us to their neighbors!! My mind was blown! I couldn't believe it! They continued to introduce us to their neighbors when Brother Abbetts asked Anissa, another neighbors to have us come over and teach her family! MY EYES WERE THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS! Anissa was hesitant, but she liked us and told us that she would talk to her husband. That was such a miracle for us to see. Member missionary work at it's finest. Again, I couldn't believe it.

We are living with members, which is a huge blessing! They have helped us to get records and go through the ward to see who is inactive and active.

The other day when we got here, I was very stressed. I was lost as to where I was going...LITERALLY! (I have never been good with directions- HAHA! It's actually really funny when you think about it) I was stressed because Sister Mcmaster is so new...anyway, I did the only thing I know how to do. I dropped to my knees and prayed. I prayed really hard. I just wanted to feel comforted and that is exactly what happened. Heavenly Father answered my plee for help and helped me to relax and think clearly. I am really having to learn to rely and trust in my Savior.

Anyway, life is great! The people here are great and we are just praying 24/7!! Sister Mcmaster thinks I am crazy because we literally are praying every 10 mins. :)

I am probably the cruelest trainer ever because I make her do so much. I expect a lot of her. I love her and want to her to the best missionary ever. I want her to have fun and strengthen her testimony.

"And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober..." Alma 37:47

We are looking to God and living! Sometimes we fall short, but we can repent and do better. I know this is true. I know that we have been given sacred things to care for. Whether that is children or an area, it is sacred. To care for those things, we must look to Christ and live!

I love you all! Thank you for your incredible examples of conversion to gospel of Jesus Christ. May we all be more missionary minded and all put both feet in the mission field. It's everywhere now and everyone is in it, just trust that the Lord will bless you as you bring His children closer to Him.

Have an incredible weekk!! Love you!

Sister Call