Workin' Hard or Hardly Workin'

Backseat driving with my specs on

Dear Family and friends,

This entire week has been crazy, AGAIN!

       We combined two maps together to equal our area and have enjoyed getting to know it and the people there. All week we have gotten over 20 referrals from headquarters, which is NOT normal. But we contacted all of them and have seen some awesome miracles and new investigators from them. One of our investigators that the sisters have been teaching for less than two months is awesome! His name is Timothy and he noticed that one of his friends at school was unbelievably happy and he asked her why and she told him about the plan of salvation a bit and he wanted to know more, so he researched the church and found where the closest building was and ordered for the missionaries to come and find him. They did and he has been going buck wild with all of his learning. And we have only taught the first four lessons and he gets baptized July 11! Whoo-Hoo!

He is so awesome and he has this one teacher he has been super close to all throughout high school that heard he had been taking the discussions and is now getting baptized and his teacher has been intervening just like Satan. First his teacher invited him to their church, we said he could go because we knew that he wouldn't think it a very nice place to go to, and we were right! He hated it! He texted us and said that it was more like a rock concert and that it more fully confirmed his testimony of the gospel and that he really missed coming to church with us. Next his teacher gave him an NIV of the bible (which is a false version) and Timothy knows this and still his teacher had the bible engraved with his name and everything! Sister Patterson and I looked at each other and we were astonished about how much his teacher is trying to influence him.  He has stayed strong though and bears his testimony about how his teacher is crazy! And on top of all of that his teacher finds research on the bible and gave Timothy a claim that baptism is not required to enter into the kingdom of heaven and gave him over ten pages with his 'theories'. I read some of it and was able to prove every point wrong.

Timothy has stayed strong and came to church yesterday and got up and bore his testimony yesterday and stated that he was investigating and knows that it is true and that he can't wait for his baptism, I wanted to cry I was so proud of him!

Katelyn in Kentucky!

   

We are also teaching a man named Greg west who is going to be baptized on June 19 and he has been taught for a few months now and loves everything that we have taught him and wants so badly right now to be baptized! We set up the interview for him and it will be coming here shortly! 

Yesterday we were contacting some referrals right before we had to go home and we knocked on a door of a woman named Nikki and we asked if she needs a prayer and she said yes and we asked what she wants a prayer for and she said that her and her husband just got a divorce of 25 years and was having a hard time, but she said it all with a smile and sister Patterson prayed. When we looked up she was crying but still trying to hide it, she thanked us profusely and then hugged us.  We asked her what she did for a living and introduced a book of scripture.

She said that she draws and does other things for a living and I jumped at that asking what she does and she let us come in her house and not only was it decorated with cute artwork but she had her own artwork up and it was amazing! She gave me some helpful tips on how to draw certain things and then I asked her what her occupation was and she said graphic design. I flipped out and said that I had been thinking about doing that, and said she was answer to my own prayers for later in my life.

She invited us to come back and share more when we were around and it was the coolest experience because we all answered each other’s prayers! Isn't that what this life is supposed to be like? I think so. I have learned so many life lessons out here and especially how to show love for those around me, just as the Savior did. I do believe God puts us in the right places at the right time so that His work can go forth "boldly and nobly and independent" and to help show our love for God in the hearts of His children.

     One thing that I learned this week is that many people choose one verse of scripture or two to justify their wrongs as right, and they continue on in this and not worry because the verse is in the bible and that is the only one they live by. I know that one verse of scripture will not contradict another verse and be defined as the only commandment or word of God. God wants all of us to find obedience and follow it. He expects all of us to be fed by all of His word and I am grateful that I can share more of it with His children.

Exchanges with the other Sisters

      Lastly this week I did one of my first exchanges with the Shepherds Ville sisters! It was so different and in a way like being at a sleepover a little bit. I watched over the area with Sister Cox while Sister Patterson was in Shepherds Ville. It was so humbling to learn from another sister and see what I am doing wrong and change according to the direction that God is giving me. I hope and pray that God continues to allow me to change, it brings salvation closer and closer the more righteous we intend to become. I love Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know Jesus Christ lives and will always love us.

I love you all and pray for you every night!

Hearken to it, then do it! :)
Sister Jones

Saying to Richmond Zone

Hey, Mom I am so grateful to finally get your letter and email.

I have just felt like coming to a new area I have been pushed into

the lone and dreary world where no one knows that I am here...even some leaders and missionaries. However, my friend Hunter was kind enough to follow my emails and found out my address and sent me a letter so that was awesome!

I am doing my best and trying to work as hard as I can. Our area is massive! And we get referrals every single day and we talk to so many people and it is like a mixing pot of different cultures here. I love that verse of scripture! I think I want to take on that challenge to always “Stand ye in Holy Places” because even though I am on a mission it doesn't always mean I am trying to stand in holy places (even though I am doing my best) but I will take on that Challenge, Mom! Thank You!

Questions for Our Missionary
**WHAT DID YOU DO ON EVERYDAY OF YOUR LAST WEEK (I WANT DETAILS AS TO
WHAT YOUR WEEK WAS LIKE**
Work hard. Point blank we have been running around everywhere teaching, contacting referrals and talking to people like crazy! It has been hot and sweaty and fun :)
**DID YOU GET YOUR BIKE?**
Nope but I don't think I will be getting it at all soon, maybe sometime tomorrow at Missionary Leadership Council.  Plus, I don't think I will bike in this area, it's too big and crazy.
**HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO GO TO THE MISSION OFFICE, OR TALK WITH PRES
OR SISTER BROUGH?**
Not often. But we will end up talking to President Brough every so often, definitely more than we normally would as a regular missionary
**ARE YOU DRIVING AND BIKING, OR MOSTLY BIKING?**  HOW FAR ARE YOU
DRIVING EACH DAY, OR WHERE DID YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO THIS LAST WEEK?**

Driving EVERYWHERE. We had to drive to Shepherds Ville all the time, and back!

**IS IT WARMER THAN IDAHO'S 87 DEGREES?  (HUMIDITY?)**
Yes it was 93 yesterday with some sort of humidity-- it was gross.
**DO YOU HAVE PICTURES OF YOUR APARTMENT, CAR, WARD MEMBERS, ETC?**
Yes I will have to send them next week. I have a lot to do.....


I love you Mommy,
Sister Jones.
Sent from my iPad