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

Lani's Letter July 22 2013 Week 12

DRIVE HOME SAFELY! It's good to hear that you have a wonderful/crazy time! That must have been fun doing to Salt Lake together. Did you get to talk to any of the sisters at temple square?

so...no big deal, but KIM WAS BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY! It was such a great experience. So many of the ward members were there to support her! You all need to go to convert baptisms. The spirit is so strong and the person getting baptized is so genuine. They are beyond excited! Kim was SO funny! We couldn't open up the front of the font for a few mins. The bishop and his counselors were all up there hacking at the key lock thingy. ANYWAY, Kim steps out of the font area and announces while we are all waiting that, "I AM GETTING BAPTIZED WHETHER THAT THING OPENS OR NOT!" Can you say YES! Everyone busted up! Funniest baptism of my LIFE!

It doesn't end there. Bishop baptized her. Imagine this. She is a big woman. Bishop is a short little fat guy (that is what he calls himself so no offense). They get into the water. He says that prayer then turns into a sumo wrestler person! It was amazing. He brings her back up and she pauses...wipes her eyes...then says, "I DID IT!" I loved it! Baptism are exciting! I love Kim and am beyond grateful that she made this decision to follow the Saviors example.

The spirit was incredibly strong at the baptism. Kim wanted some of the woman to bear their testimonies while she was getting changed. It was powerful because usually the missionaries teach the restoration, but just listening to the testimonies, I realized that they were teaching the restoration themselves. Members really are everything. President keeps telling us that this mission needs to catch the vision of working with members. Slowly it is happening and I know the Lord will bless us as we follow His direction and focus on member missionary work. It's nothing new, there is just am incredible push for it now. Simple put, It's the last days. No time to waste.

Sister Jasper and I are trying this new idea where we go over to a future missionaries home, lesson plan with them...have them choose the lesson and the commitment then we come back over and teach the lesson to their family with them. The future missionary extends the commitment

. We are praying that this will help these families have a greater enthusiasm for keeping the commitment because it is their daughter or son who extended it. Do you think that is a good idea? We aren't sure yet, but we are excited to test it out.

I am sorry if I am being pushy. I just know that now I wish I had done more missionary work before I came out.

Transfers are this week and I am scared to death to be completely honest. Sister Jasper is incredible and I learn so much for her, but I know change is necessary. She goes home next transfer and thinking more about it. She is going to be an incredible missionary when she gets back to utah. This is good for me though because it is an opportunity for me to learn how to just trust in the Lord. Be calm and carry on. Heavenly Father did not set us up to fail...even though we might feel we are failing at times, just remember that the Lord has a plan for each of us and a lot of that includes growing experiences to make us better. Right? RIGHT. Phew!

Well, no camera yet, BUT DON'T WORRY! I will send you all pictures of Kim soon. Pray for opportunities to serve and share what you know to be true. You are all incredible examples to me. Seriously, thank you.

2 quotes from bishop townsend (the bishop of Fairview ward).

"We are not a church of volunteers. We are a church of assignments"

"The gospel is true, don't fight it by being quiet."

I know that is true. Love you all! Have an fantastic week!

Love,
Sister Call

Lani's Letter July 15th Week 11

Sorry This is so late. But here it is!

FAMILY!

This week has been so crazy. We have another baptism coming up this weekend. Kim Stallings is a miracle and I love her to death. Her daughter told us last night that she wants to start getting involved and listen in on the lessons...she also wants her son to be blessed, is that ok? I don't know! BUT IT WAS EXCITING! We are asking the bishop about it. No fear.

We went to Sioux City Iowa for two days this week for two different exchanges. After that, we had exchanges on Thursday as well. Can you say crazy busy!? Sioux City was amazing. We went with the Hermanas into the poorest area in Iowa and I was in seventh heaven! Nobody spoke english, it was all hispanic people. They are lived in little run down homes with maybe one or two beds for 6 kids. It was eye opening. They are so teachable and listen very carefully, maybe because I don't speak Spanish. OOPS! HAHA! I love those people that we got to teach and I would love to go back to see them, BUT we are where the Lord needs us to be.

The ward is doing well. We are constantly striving to help them understand how exciting missionary work is and how it will bless their lives. They are changing slowly but surely. I was thinking that your guys should be a finding family in the ward. Just a thought.

This is the last year that Nebraska will be putting on a musical called come home to kannesville. We are going every night with either a less active or a investigator. You better believe I made sure of that!! I am so excited!

This week has been great and I am excited for next week! Doing missionary work is hard, scary, exciting, humbling, brilliant, eye opening and only brings us closer to our Savior. I love my Savior. I know that he hears me every night as I pray and beg Him for help. I know that He knows exactly what I need to grow. I know that He loves the people we are teaching and we see every day. I know that everyone is an investigator! Even the members. I love you all and am praying that you will have a fantastic trip. God bless you and please pray for the opportunity to share the gospel...you will walk away from the experience feeling more fulfilled because you are fulfilling your purpose. Everyone is a missionary. Yaya!

Alright, I am off my soap box...

LOVE YOU ALL!

BE SAFE!

Love,
Sister Call

Lani's Letter July 8 2013 Week 10

I LOVE all the pictures! How fun! Family Reunion!! I am so glad that everyone was safe and nobody died. Always good to hear.

Mom- you are in charge next year?? AWESOME!! Just don't get too stressed about it and do something simple.

This week has really been great. We had a long leadership training with President Weston along with all the Zone Leaders. President talked to us all about members. He wants all companionship's in the mission to live with members. WHOO!! Living with members is HUGE! You have a friend in the ward, lots of food and someone to always come home to. There are 186 new missionaries coming to the Omaha Nebraska mission in the next couple of months and President has instructed all the Stake Presidents to find members housing/Less active housing for all of them. It is going to be a huge task, but it is going to change the entire culture of the missionary work here.

Yesterday at fast and testimony meeting, one of our investigators, Kim Stallings (by the way, she is getting baptized on July 20th!! ahh!) she was sitting there listening to the testimonies. She turned to me and just looked at me for a second. Her eyes were bright and immediately I knew that she wanted to share what she knows to be true. I asked her if she wanted to go. She said yes, but only if I went with her. OF COURSE KIM!! We went up. I went first, sat down and she timidly walked to the podium. She has been working on modesty by the way. She is beautiful! She got up and told everyone that Jesus Christ didn't give up on her, so He won't give up on you. He won't.  3 Nephi 9:14. "Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you." President told us the secret to loving the people more. He asked me, what is the first great commandment....Love God. What is the Second? Love thy neighbor as thyself. President then said, "You can't love your neighbor, if you don't first love yourself." In order to love ourselves, we need to know who we are. I am a child of God. Do I really understand that? I don't know that I do yet. Obviously I don't because I struggle loving myself and just being myself. Sister Stahl, a woman from my ward said to me in response to a question, "I know who I am. I am a daughter of God! What else do I need?" I hope you all know who you are. You are children of of loving God who watches after you, desperately wants to bless you and is pleading with all of us to return to be with him. I love my Heavenly Father. It's scary mom because some of the greatest will fall in the end, but I promise that as we continue to do the small things and always remember that we are God's children, we will make it! Together! As a family!! What else do we all want?? My perspective is definitely changing. I would much much MUCH rather have a relationship with God and keep my covenants and be happy then be a Broadway actress. PHEW! I SAID IT!! PRAY THAT IT WILL STICK YOU GUYS!! HAHA!

I love you all. Be good and always do the small things. Mom- nice work! Give out the Jesus the Christ. Was that it? Sorry. Have a fantastic week!

Thanks for calling bro. claypool mom. Also- that is a fantastic scripture! But I had one in mind...I just can't remember it this second! AHH! I KNOW I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATING! HAHA! You can just use that one and I will tell my children someday that my mother picked the scripture! Then I will teach them about obedience to their mother. :) Brilliant Idea-I know. I hope you are all safe and well! I am going to be in Souix city Iowa for a couple days this next week! YES!

Love you tons and tons! Keep up the missionary work! It's not leaving!

Sister Call

Lani's Letter July 1 2013 Week 9

Family! 

Why do I always start with that? Not sure. Great to hear from you all!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Ok- something you should know about Nebraska. Hem hem. The people here are CRAZY! On the border of Missouri, fireworks are extremely cheap and people will go and get buckets loads of them and bring them up here. Well, they do that about two weeks before the fourth even happens. THEREFORE, fireworks are popping and blowing up everywhere, every night! Last night we were out street contacting and the whole sky was lite up with fireworks! Anyway, it's crazy and I love it. 

This week has been good. We went on two different exchanges. Sister Carpenter and I went on exchanges on Friday, then Hermana Pocock and I went on exchanges Saturday. Phew! Sister Carpenter seems to be doing ok. She has a lot of faith and is learning a lot. She is growing spiritually and is being stretched, but we all are. We reflected on our lives before we came out and it is just interesting how your perspective changes as you realize that the gospel is everything. We truly are blinded by the world. Satan is brilliant! I have been learning that I just need to always step back and pray for an eternal perspective because as we keep that eternal perspective, we focus on what really matters. The gospel and our family.

We just finished cleaning the temple. The trail center leaders called us this morning and asked what we were doing for our preparation day then asked us to come clean the temple. I am embarrassed to say that I was selfish and though, why are they asking us to clean the temple on our preparation day?? That's not fair! We said yes and as I was quickly getting breakfast, I looked outside and this overwhelming feeling came over me. I need to be so grateful for every single opportunity I have to go to the house of the Lord. I should be honored to be the one that they ask to come and clean the Lord's house. It humbled me. I was talking to a sister as we were cleaning and she was saying how her temple is 20-30 mins away from her home! She was so happy about it...well, what can I say!?..."I am like a 5 min WALK to my temple." AH! Again, I have so much to be grateful for and I get so blinded sometimes. Go to the temple as much as you can. Cleaning the Lord's house is an honor and I want to do it more. 

Our investigators are doing ok. We are teaching all these woman who are very interested and even want to be baptized, but what is holding them back? Their husbands. If the husband believes and pushing things, the whole family will have a desire to learn and change. We need to get the dads. We are really just trying to serve them. I am slightly crazy about service. I would much rather work for someone then go street contacting or tracting. Those things are still scary for me, but service is awesome!! it forces these people to talk to you as you work along side them. Family- how well do you guys know the neighbors? Was there a family that just moved in?? I can't remember, BUT I challenge you to do one act of service for one of our neighbors this week. As you serve them, I promise you that the opportunity to bear your testimony about our simple truth of the gospel will arise. Don't freak out, just do something simple and the Lord will consecrate your efforts. In fact- How many people read these letters?? I challenge everyone that reads this to do one thing for your neighbors and the same promise applies. "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6-7). 

I love you all! I know this is all true and the Lord expects a lot from us. I am doing my best to rise to the occasion. Will you all do the same? Sister Godfrey is in my prayers. And Talitha- God bless you sister. You are a strong example to me of pure love.
I love you all!

Love, 

Sister Call