Sister Neel 8/30/21

 

Hello everyone!! 

GREAT NEWS! I got out of quarantine Saturday morning and came back to my original area! Turns out my ward thought I had gotten transferred when Sister Stoddard showed up to church with a new comp and they were pretty sad.XD Going back yesterday felt like a welcoming party. BUT I had a blast with Sister Porter and was SO SO grateful to spend that time with her! She's the only person that can make quarantine one of the best memories of my mission. :))

It's been a good 2.5 days tho XD The Christensens invited us over for dinner Saturday evening. We've become super close with them which enables the best conversations. They brought up their high school memories/ relationships and Brother Christensen goes, "Oh if we're about to talk about Martha's high school relationships let me pull out my hands AND my toes." HAHAHA! 

We decided to try something new with our lesson and assigned each family member a principle in the Restoration lesson. Our goal was to go in a circle and talk about our specific part briefly but thoroughly enough so we could beat our 5 minute timer. We finished with 12 seconds to spare! Our point of this was to help them see that when they talk to their friends about the gospel, it's possible to give a 5 minute overview of one of the important messages this world needs to hear. We highlighted pure and simple testimonies and the importance of 'I KNOW' statements, that can easily come up in a conversation but impact someone's life in a profound way. President Hinckley says it best: "You never know how much good you can do." :))

Ok now for the ☆ miracles ☆ this week:

•we had a lesson w/ James and he told us he believes the Book of Mormon to be true and Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God!!

•SAM CAME TO CHURCH!!! We had invited most of our people throughout the week but no one could make it. We had faith and knew the Lord would enable someone's schedule to open up. We showed up to church 20 minutes early to greet everyone in the foyer and were about to walk into the chapel as the meeting started, only to see Sam walk through the door!!! He is extremely busy with his job and hasn't been to church in over 3 months. The ward was SO excited to see him again and ALL of his fellowshippers he's come to know and love were there as well!! And the best part was; Hes had a lot of questions regarding the Priesthood and the topic the speakers spoke on in sacrament meeting WAS THE PRIESTHOOD!!!! SO COOL!!!

•last night we were out doing part member visits and felt prompted to stop by Angela's house. As we were walking up we noticed her neighbor sitting in a camping chair on his driveway. He waved and we were able to talk with him for a bit. Once he came to find out who we were, we offered to share a brief message and were able to teach Steve the Restoration on the spot!! The spirit was SO strong!!! His countenance changed and he was SO engaged in the lesson!! We gave him a Book of Mormon to read and pray about and asked if we could come back Tuesday and he said YES!!! He shook our hands and said we were sent from God to deliver this message to him!

In my studies this week, I was reading D&C 4. This chapter will forever hold such a special place in my heart. Why? Well in every district council, zone council/conference and mission activity, we as missionaries stand and recite D&C 4 to remember our purpose and why we are here in the NCRM. That is always one of the many highlights of every meeting I attend, to stand as disciples of the Lord and quote such holy scripture. Verse 3 and 5 are my favorite: "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work....And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."

Our desire to serve can come in many ways. We each have a purpose in God's great plan and our role is significant to ensure the Gathering of Israel and preparing for Christ's second coming. I love the traits quoted above and when we strive to live in a way where we can hear the call from our Father in Heaven, we are qualified for the work He has in store for us. It helps us to remain 'all in' to the gospel. That's one of the mission mottos we have. President and Sister Maurer recently introduced this quote we now recite with D&C 4 as well: "Through faith in Christ, love and daily discipleship we strive for eternal conversion. All in!" 

Being ALL IN to the gospel requires effort and work. We are promised as missionaries that miracles come when we give God every part of us and truly lose ourselves in the work. This is the greatest work WE as children of God could ever do! Love, share, invite. Three easy steps that build God's kingdom. We are that light this world needs. So go out and share! I promise you, you won't regret it;)) 

I love yall!! 

♡♡♡

Sister Neel 

1-4) quarantine adventures 

5) I wish you could see sister Stoddard's face 

6) won the PMG zone kahoot!!