Week 74

Happy Oaks day!!!! (Kentucky holiday in may for those of you not from Kentucky)!!!

... Just kidding though but Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles came to our mission and spoke to us!!! I got to shake his hand and everything!! It was really amazing to be in the presence of an apostle. He has such a powerful testimony of the gospel and missionary work. Lots to say about it but not much time to write it. I had a lot of exchanges this week again. I feel like I rarely get to be in my area with this STL stuff. But the exchanges were great and I am so impressed with these new sisters who just came out this transfer that I've gotten to work with. In both full day exchanges I went on, we got to invite two people to be baptized that we weren't planning on doing before the lesson but then the spirit told us to, so we did and they said yes! Exchanges always bring miracles. While I was gone Sister Coakley found 3 new investigators!!! Whoot!!! she's doing so great, and we work super well together.

Funny story: We knocked this one house and when the little girl answered the door she yelled "THE MORMONS ARE HERE!!" I think the whole neighborhood heard. Well her parents (who aren't members) came to the door and we began to teach them. The parents weren't to interested but the 3 teenagers who haven't been baptized were interested in the lessons! Whoot!! We are excited to teach them.

To describe this week in one word it would be:

Rough.

We had a lot of lessons planned this week but Every. Single. One. Of. Them. Cancelled. It's like when we first meet these people they seem so interested and want us back and then we come back and they aren’t there:/ I call them flakey investigators. But as this has happened this week I reflected on how Heavenly Father feels when we let him down or turn away from him. And it is the worst feeling. I know I have been one of his flakey investigators before and now I know how he feels. But the thing is, he still loves us and is patient with us. And I am starting to feel that same Christ like love for these people even when they frustrate me or bring me heart ache. All of it is worth it because we are bringing souls unto him.

One of my favorite quotes from two conferences ago pretty much sums it up, it's by Elder Palmer, he says: "My dear brothers and sisters, now anytime you feel you are being asked to do something hard--think of the Lord beholding you, loving you, and inviting you to let it go and follow Him. And thank Him for loving you enough to invite you to do more."

I thank Heavenly Father everyday for loving me enough to invite me to do more.

Sister Lowe

1-2 exchanges with Sister Spotten

3 I GOT TO HOLD A CHICKEN
Marissa with baby chicks

4 raking leaves for service

5 Halloween parties

6 service in Huntsville when on exchanges with Sister Feeney

7 pretty sky:)

Week 73 - Corn Maze

First and foremost... HAPPY BAPTISM ANNIVERSARY TO DEVAN!!! She got baptized a whole year ago today:)) and she is the greatest! I'm so proud and happy for her!

I'm not gonna lie this week was a bit slow. All of investigators were either gone hunting, having surgery, or just wouldn't meet with us… yeah we spent most of our time tracting which is good but sometimes can be tiring.

So highlights of the week:

We met with Jospeh this week and we asked him to read and pray about the Book and he answered and said "what if I already feel it's true, do I still have to pray about it?" YEAH that was cool! He said he just feels the spirit as he reads it, so that's awesome. The only thing is that he has lots of problems with the word of wisdom. He chews tobacco, drinks alcohol, coffee, and tea... so he's a work in progress.

We had a mission conference on Friday and so I got to see all my friends in the mission! President Allred called up companionships to do 4-minute resto and of course he picked Sister Coakley and I. We did it in front of the whole mission... yeah it was nerve wrecking but I think it went over well.

I went on a bunch of exchanges this week... yay STL life! Exchanges are fun but I miss my area and comp but it's fun to be with other sisters, I always learn a lot.

This  week has been tiring for me. I just am so exhausted every night. 

We had stake conference this week and one of the talks talked about being tired. They talked about how Jesus was probably tired but he never stopped. He would go from fasting for 40 days, to teaching and preaching sermons, to being Beaton, scouraged, and stricken, to dying on the cross, to being resurrected, to preaching, teaching, and healing again.... He never stopped. He never was too tired to do anything. He pressed forward to do his fathers will. So I am going to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ and do my fathers will as will.

Love you all, have a great week!

Sister Lowe

1. Pday corn maze with my zone

2-3. Mission conference got to see Davis and Schultz

4. Fall - Halloween in UTAH

5-7 stake conference

Sister Coakley and Marissa

8-9. The valley

10. Baptism anniversary pic

Questions from Devon

Devon wrote me and asked me 20 questions and I thought you guys might want to know them too so here's what I wrote devon:

So happy to hear from you!!! To answer all your questions okay:

1. How have you been?

I'm doing really great! Loving the mission!

2. What is one of your favorite scriptures?

Hmm there are so many but I think it Alma 26: 11-12, 16, 35-36

3. What are your top three favorite companions?

Sister brunt (trainer), Sister Schultz(traine) , and Sister Davis (comp for 3 transfers)

4. What are your top two area's?

USU and Nibley!!

5. Who do you think has had the most impact to you on your mission, besides the Godhead and scriptures?

PMG, my trainer, and president Allred

6.What do you want to major in?

???? Don't know yet still got to figure that out...

7. What does it mean to you for a missionary to be consecrated?

It means there mind is centered on their missionary purpose (teach repentance and baptize converts). They are focused on the Lords work. They are exactly obedient and have the doctrine of Christ embedded in their hearts.

8. What is the hardest thing you have had to do on your mission?

I thought it would be people rejecting me or being tired and stuff but it's not. The hardest thing is teaching someone and see the spirit work in them to believe in this gospel and then they reject it. It breaks my heart because you just love the people you teach and you can see how this gospel will bless their life and then they let it go.

9. What were some of your most spiritual experiences on your mission?

Ohhhh dang, there are so many. When Lansing was baptized that was such a spiritual experience for me. I taught her in the summer and she was ready for baptism and felt she needed to be baptized. Well she chickened out and then moved to Texas for her PHD and I thought I’d never see her again. Well I kept emailing her and then in December she emailed me and said she was coming to Logan for a week and wants to be baptized. It was a miracle and the baptism was so spiritual. I've had other lessons that were super spiritual but it would be too much to write. Mission is full of spiritual experiences.

10. What is your main goal before your mission is over?

My goal when I started my mission was first 1 baptism, haha which happened within the first 3 weeks.. so then I changed it to baptize every month. So I've had 16 baptisms so far and so I want to have 18 baptisms for 18 months. But my main goal is just to fulfill my purpose and keep being diligent in the Lords work.

11. What would be your perfect P day?

Going on a hike in the mountains and playing zone sports.

12. How often do you get to go to the Temple?

Every 5 months I think, I've only gone a couple times on the mission:(

13. On a scale of 1-10 how much do you miss Jasper?

1000000000000000000000000000000000 billion

14. Did you like the MTC?

Yeah I loved the MTC. My teachers were amazing. My companion was hard but I just loved how spiritual it was and how much I felt the spirit there. It is such a righteous environment.

15. Are you coming home and then going to school right away or staying at home for a while?

Yep I get home dec 18th and go to school in January

16. What was your first day like, what were you like, and what stood out to you?

Hahaha, okay so my first day I met my trainer and my trainer and I dropped my stuff and then our investigator and his girl friend picked us up and drove us to their favorite nature spot which they said was only 10 minutes away. Well we kept driving and driving and driving for like 45 minutes and we made it to Tony's grove which actually is out of my mission... whoops. Well we taught them the plan of salvation and then came back and on the way back we were like so this was really far away and they were like "yeah we knew it was so that why we had to lie to you". Yep that was fun. And then we had 2 other lessons that day. So it was a busy day and I went out of the mission on the first day. I was scared my first day but everything went well.

17. Have you almost been in a life threatening or really hurt experience?

Hmmm, well one day on exchanges we came home and we found this 40 year old crazy lady in our apartment who had broken in and was wearing our pjs and used our tooth brushes and shower. She was crazy and talked to herself, and I think was schizophrenic! We called the cops and they arrested her.

18. What do you think is your biggest change for before mission to now?

Waking up every day at 6:30am. I've done it for the past 15 months but man is that hard. But also understanding the atonement and Jesus Christ more. I get to experience a part of what he went through when he was here on the earth and that been change for me.

19. What are your top three Christlike attribute that you think you excel at?

Knowledge, humility, obedience

20. On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love being a missionary?

100000000000000000000000000000000000 trillion

Week 72 - AJ, CJ and TJ get Baptized - Tyler gets Baptized

Exciting things this week!

First and for most... TYLER WAS BAPTIZED!! Whoot whoot! It was such an amazing baptism. We found Tyler only two weeks ago but he has been prepared by the Holy Ghost and is now the newest member of Jesus Christ's church:)

Also.... AJ, CJ, and TJ were baptized!!! Hallelujah! I've been teaching them for 7 months straight when I was in Nibley and they finally were baptized this week!! I got to go back and speak at their baptism and it was just so great. My heart is full.

Okay so other awesome miracles. We met with Jospeh this week (new investigator) and taught him and he is now on date for baptism for November 4th! Yeet! His daughter passed away last week and we helped serve at the funeral and that's when we first met Joseph and he asked us to teach him more about what we believe about the after life. He seems super interested!

We also met this guy named Gary who came to church with his return missionary best friend and he wants to learn and take the lessons from us. We also tracted into a girl named Hailey who is 17 and she was interested in the missionary lessons and is open to baptism! MIRACLES PEOPLE! The Lord is just blessing us so much! Ahhh it's just so wonderful.

I'm starting to really like the area. Still trying to learn it all… it's HUGE! The thing is about down here is the people are really nice but they talk your ear off. People just love to talk. We will be walking and then stop someone on the street and they will just talk forever... like we talked to this non-member this week who literally talked to us for an hour on the street about stories in his life. He would not get to the point. My feet were dying and My legs were real tired after that conversation... and he wasn't interested...sadly:(

Okay so over the course of my mission I meet a lot of people who ask "has your mission changed you. Are you a changed person because of the mission?" And the answer is no. My mission hasn't changed me. I'm not a changed person because of my mission. On my mission I have come to know how to draw unto Christ. Am I changed? Yes. But it is Christ who has changed me. Christ has changed my life not my mission. Christ has made me want to become more like him and change for the better. In the scriptures it says "Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word" Alma 5:7

Mighty change comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ - Simple obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Change is about becoming. It is what we have become not who we were. We need to become one with Christ, have his doctrine embedded in our hearts, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ changes us for the better:)

Love you all!!

Sister Lowe

Lots of pics!

1-3. Tyler's baptism

 4-5. AJ, CJ, TJs baptism

 6. Got to see Jackie and Bryan!!! Oh how I miss them!!!

7-8. Zone service project

Holy Cow - look at the size of that fallen tree

9-11. On our way back from the baptism we got to see the Brigham city temple!

 12. District meeting pic with Sister Coakley

Week 71 - North Ogden with Sister Coakley

What an interesting week! The area we cover is huge! It's my biggest area so far for sure. We live outside of our area so we do a lot of walking or try to get rides.

This weeks been good. Just trying to learn the area more and figure out where we are going. We cover a lot of trailer parks and they are so interesting. The people in there are a bit crazy but they are so humble. Every time we go tracting over there, I am just so grateful for what I have been given and the environment I was raised in.

Okay so some highlights of the week:

Tyler is getting baptized this Saturday at 5pm!!! Whoot! I think this is the fastest conversion experience I've witnessed on my mission. It's been awesome teaching him everyday!

We helped at a funeral for a man named Joe. He is Catholic but because of the death of his daughter he has become so open to the gospel. He asked us at the funeral to come visit him and teach him more about what we believe about life after death. He's taking his daughters death really hard because she overdosed and was not a 'believer' so he's scared for her salvation. I'm excited to meet with him and give him some peace to his soul.

Funny story/scary: we were tracting in the trailer park and knocked on this door and the woman was a bit coo coo but was nice. We later saw her and her husband walking and her husband came up to us and said "next time you knock our door without calling I'm going to pull out my 45 gun and shoot ya".... yeah I was so creeped out and scared but we told him we won't go over anymore and kept walking. ITS OKAY MOM IM SAFE.

We also were walking and saw a group of 6 men out talking a laughing. As we passed they started talking to us. They were drinking and were pretty wasted... and were trying to make jokes about Mormons.

Thankfully one of their wives pulled up and said "stop harassing the missionaries." And then she told us to keep going. So yeah this area is a lot more sketchy than my other areas, but like my favorite scripture says in romans 8:31 "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

On a more spiritual note, we had MLC (mission leadership counsel) this week! It was so amazing as usual! They talked a lot about the power of the Book of Mormon, and someone said "we do not have to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The Book is its own proof. All we need to do is read it and declare it."

I love that. The Book of Mormon proves its self. I know that to be true as I have read a prayed about the Book of Mormon. Everyone I have taught on my mission hasn't been converted because of anything I say or do, but it's been because of the Book of Mormon and the spirt. Without those two there'd be no point to missionary work. That's why I love the Book of Mormon so much. It is my joy and peace. It testifies of Christ. It is so powerful. I just love it.

Sister Lowe

1. Got to see Sister Davis at MLC! Whoot whoot!

2. Sister Coakley and I after district meeting

3. Driving through the canyon to MLC (it's fall)

Turned in my 2 week notice - turned into 4 week notice

After my trip to Tampa/Orlando, Florida representing Chesapeake Hospitality I realized there really wasn't ever going to be true appreciation for all that I have done for this company at the local property where I work, the Holiday Inn Express Louisville Northeast. 

I have worked there since May 4, 2017 - working 7 days a week, sometime (most of the time) 10-14 hour days with little or no appreciation.  So when it came time for me to go to Tampa on a business trip I asked for one more day there so I could relax and have a "day off."  It was approved by Wendy, the GM, but after they fired her, the new interim GM refused to honor the promise. 

It was at that point that I realized they truly will never understand all that I have sacrificed, nor will they ever truly appreciate all that I have done for this organization.  I also put in my bid to be the new GM a few weeks back, but it was received with a "are you for real" reaction.  I was shocked that Marc could be so callous to my desire to serve as the GM. 

After both of these incidents, I realized there really is NO advancement for me at this property or at Chesapeake Hospitality and that is why on October 6, I turned in my two weeks resignation - ending on October 20, 2017.

Marc was FLOORED!!!! 

Betsy's Trip to Tampa - Give Kids the World

On October 1st, Betsy flew from Louisville to DC to Tampa.  She went to Tampa to volunteer at "Give Kids the World."  It's a village of housing units where families that have a child with a terminal illness can stay for a week while their child receives their "wish" from various "wish" organizations - like "Make a Wish".  I went on behalf of Chesapeake Hospitality representing our hotel.  I was happy to get away.  Before coming on this trip I finally looked at the number of days and hours I have worked for this company.  Since I started in May, I have only had 2 days off per month (except when I went on vacation to Niagara Falls).  I was happy to get away and enjoy some sunshine - even if it was just a very little bit.

Sunday evening there was a welcome dinner.  We all introduced ourselves, and had a chance to meet others that were volunteering this week. 

Monday we boarded a coach bus that drove us to Orlando where we went to Disney World, Springville for lunch.  We ate on the boat behind me in this photo.  The Peddleton (?).  I sat next to the the company's owner's wife.  She was so pleasant and kind.  After lunch we had two hours to tour around and shop.  

From Springville we continued via coach to the "Give Kids the World Village," just up the road.  There we received a tour of the property and instructions for our volunteer service.  We were hosting a Halloween Party.  

When the time came, all the kids came in costume with their families.  I headed up a "Monster Match" game.  It was fun.  I got to personally meet all the kids and their families.  Each was so kind and sweet.  It was a privilege to volunteer for such a tender cause.  I already had a great appreciation for all the blessings in my life, but this just exemplified that appreciation.  

Wednesday morning I was on the 7:00 am back to Louisville.  

Week 70 - new companion is Sister Coakley

This week has been an adventure, that's for sure!

So to start, I had to say goodbye to all my Nibley people, and man am I going to miss them. I loved serving in Nibley and it will always have a piece of my heart:)

On Thursday I met my new trainee! Her name is Sister Coakley and she is from Southern Illinois and lives only 5 minutes outside of Kentucky! Pretty cool! She's a U.K. Fan so we get along great, haha! Cool fact about her is she is 6 feet tall!!! So now I just look really short:)

So since both of us don't know anything about the area, we have been meeting with a ton of bishops and relief society presidents. We watched conferences at different bishops homes so that was fun! When we got to the area, the Area Book was like...blank. The Elders had no investigators and had not recorded anything. They had a few names written down but no addresses or phone numbers so we were so lost. But we've gotten a lot of referrals from the bishops and so we are just gonna start fresh.

We had a miracle this week already! We got a referral from the bishop about this guy named Tyler. He has come to church twice with his girlfriend and so we stopped by and had a lesson with him and the girl friend and... he is so GOLDEN! Like we had just started the lesson and he said "I can already feel it here, I feel this weird warm feeling in my heart. It's the same feeling I get at church" yeah pretty cool! He already recognizes the spirit. Sister Coakley invited him to be baptized and he said yes and is on date for October 14th now! He even asked about a time for his baptism! He is so prepared! So that was Sister Coakley's first lesson, haha, pretty good way to start your mission right?

It's been a great week. Lots of change. Lots of stress. I don't think I've ever been so stressed on my mission until this week. The first two days here in pleasant view were so stressful because I literally had no idea what to do. We had no maps, no addresses, no nothing. I wanted Sister Coakley to have a good first week, but I just didn’t even know where to go. I've prayed so much this week. I don't think I've ever prayed this hard on my mission. I'm just trying to rely on the Lord. Let him guide me and direct me here. And he truly has in just the four days I've been here. President Uchdorf said in conference: "God will use you. He will walk beside you. Even carry you along the way. He uses us in our weakness. He uses us in our inadequacies. He will use you for his purposes, if you are willing."

He then shared Proverbs 3:5-6 which talks about trusting in the Lord with all your heart. This was exactly what I needed to hear. It was like God was answering my prayers right in the first talk of conference. Although I feel inadequate and weak in whitewashing this area with a brand new missionary, President Uchdorf said if I am willing, God will use me. And I just have to trust in that. I just need to become one with the Savior and come and join with him. To top it off we had general conference which was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. It was just what I needed to here. Our apostles truly spoke the word of God this weekend.

"Remember to put your savior Jesus Christ at the center of your life today" - Elder Zwick

Love you all!

Sister Lowe

1-2. Temple on Wednesday with my old zone

3. SISTER CINAVI CAME BACK!!!

4. Sister Coakley (the sun was super bright)

5-6. Transfers

7. Conference

8. Views of my area