This week has been such a blur! We were able to enjoy New Year's Eve with the Ray family! They made it a rainbow theme (because of their kiddos) and we ate pizza played games, had a cake decorating contest and also wore crazy colored outfits! Then topped it off with writing our new year's goals on helium balloons and letting them go with sound makers and clappers atmidnight (9PM) and we went home with all sorts of energy.
P.S. Brother Ray asked how he and his family can be sealed in the Temple for eternity. Sister Clark and I wanted to cry and we told him that they have to be baptized first and then a year later be endowed and sealed together! :D They have a bap. date for February 28th and Nikki made a goal to quit smoking by Feb. 7th and she has already went from smoking 6 packs/week to 3 packs/week! They are the coolest family ever! I love them and know that they are going to get baptized because they desire it soooo badly! :)
Last night was an amazing night in the making! Sister Clark felt the need to explain to Toshii the restoration-so she had me draw it all out on a white board and he understood what it meant and then to top it all off we watched the Restoration film in Japanese! Who would have thought that I would go to an American state and find a Japanese man and have to teach him through language barriers?! but even through the video its funny to listen to random Japanese voices and watch American people act. Haha! But all in all the message is still the same and Toshii said at the end of the video- I really understand now (because Toshii wants to know God we think all he wanted to see if he was real and seeing Joseph Smith's experience he believed) and he turned to his wife who is a recent convert and with the most love he said 'Thank you'. I believe that it was a moment that he truly understand all of the things we have been saying to him. And not only that the Lord puts into our paths those that need Him the most and his 55 year old daughter, Kenami,who lives with them, started asking me question while Sister and Fonda(his wife) were preoccupied. I told why we have a god and asked her if she believes God is there even though she hasn't been raised that way. She said 'Yes'.
I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of all of His children and that the power from knowing the God loves us softens hearts and strengthens our will to live. Family and friends keep a watch out for those around you. you may not be ordained a missionary but you are a member missionary, and you are expected to share what you know to be true. Please keep an eye out for those that need a hand or who need comfort! I love you all and know that you are all working so hard and living the Gospel righteously.
~QUESTIONS FOR OUR MISSIONARY~
**What did you do on New Years Day? Was it business as usual? Any church parties etc.?**
**Do you want/need more of those Christ picture cards to use/pass along?**
**How is your baptized person (I forgot her name) doing?**
**Have people been friendly to you and your companion during this holiday season?**
**Have you seen a difference in how people act during Christmas - a story you haven't told us as an example would be awesome.**
we went to some members and taught lessons and what not-it was definitely business as usual but new years eve was crazy!!! We went to the Ray family's home and they had a new years kid party that they hold for their nieces and nephews while their parents party and get drunk and the Ray's had a rainbow theme and we dressed up and had a crazy silly fun time-we laughed a lot!!! :)
yes and will you send some unique ones? we usually decorate our planners and PMG's with them and also pass them out with our number on them so we do pretty much a lot with them! :)
she moved!!! :( she went to stay with her son in stoy, Illinois and she has to move out of her house basically because she is old. BUT Elder Polson who is my district leader-the one from rigby- is taking care of her because they are assigned right next to Stoy.
Yes and No. People are sneaky and snarky but that's how we all are and I don't care how they treat me because usually it rolls of my shoulders and I know that that is only because I am ordained with the spirit and so I receive comfort continually. I like it a lot :) but all that matters is that I treat them well and they can choose to be nice or not.
Actually no. The only difference I have seen is that people were understanding that when we talk about Christ over Christmastime that they see that it makes sense because its Christmas and only at that time is it all about Christ. However, people are very religious around here and some people full heartedly believe in Him and others just praise His name without knowing anything about Him or reading His word. But its some thing that varies.
I really miss you all and time has gone by in a weird fast and slow way! I don't clearly understand how that is possible but I was thinking about syd and when she puts in her papers and I thought what if she was called to this mission??? :) If she was-she would be here this year in December just before Christmas and I could see her for the Annual mission Christmas party! :D and I could see her just before I would leave for home a few months later! I am going to pray fervently for it because I will miss her so much! :)
Anyway, thank you mom for the sacrifices you and daddy are making- I am in awe about how the Lord has given so much just for me to be here and how others have given so much for me to be here. I am eternally grateful because Sister Clark is becoming one of my best friends, she reminds me a lot of Shania and Sydney mixed together. I Love you mom. Hang in there. Keep on trucking :)
-Sister Jones
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