Week 36

Hello! This week was just so full of miracles! 

This week Sister McMurray sent out a talk by Tad R Callister called "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary" It was really powerful! Also President McMurray has our mission reading President Nelson's talk from last conference called "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives"

Both are really powerful! I have been striving to listen to revelation more, by writing down my promptings after I pray! It has already made an amazing difference in my life! It was a really powerful testimony builder that Russel M. Nelson is God's prophet on the earth today, and following his counsel will bring us much happiness!

Unfortunately, we had to drop Daniel this week. He simply was not praying about the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the keystone of our religion, and unless you put in the effort to know that it's true, you will be missing out on a lot of peace, because that book is full of amazing truths!

On Thursday, we were trying less actives, and many of them have moved. I was really touched by one lady who answered named Madi, she had us come in out of the cold and let us share "Because of Him" with her. She also had mini labradoodles, so that was a bonus!

We met with Jody this week. She is one of our investigators who is on date for baptism! We had her call her dad and ask if she could get baptized. He was so sweet and told her "If you want to get baptized and learn more about Jesus, then that is great!" it was so sweet!

Yesterday we went to try some less active brothers. We could tell when we got to the door that they probably had moved. We knocked twice and had just started to walk away when Lexi answered. We shared Because of Him and she got a little emotional. We testified about the Book of Mormon. She ASKED if she could have a copy! Then we set up a return appointment with her! 

Then we went to try another less active named Jess. We pulled up to the street and realized we had already been there and started to drive away. We just trned the corner and I felt like we needed to go back, so we did. When we parked, we saw some elders walking down the street. They said they had just talked to Jess and told him they would send the YSA missionaries over. So we went and knocked on his door. When he answered I thought he looked super familiar. We asked if he was active. He said he goes to church when he goes home to visit his mom, and I was like "Are you from Lander?" he was! I had seen him at church with his mom around Christmas time. We invited him to come to church with us next week and he agreed!

Then we had a lesson with a less active named Dexter. We met him a couple weeks ago when I was in a trio. He is really striving to know if God is there for him and to feel the spirit. We read the Book of Mormon and invited him to keep reading it daily. I cannot emphasize enough how powerful that precious book is! 

Sorry this email was so long. Laradise is amazing! The church is true! I love you all!

love,

Anzie

Sister Gish sharing the Book of Mormon

Sister Gish and Sister Stapelman

Week 35: Sister Gish Hits 8 Months!

Oh my goodness! You guys! I have been a missionary for 8 months! CRAZY! All week I was thinking about how fast my mission is going! Pretty soon it will be over, and that makes me want to give it my all everyday. I was thinking about how when I get home I will have to face my stake president and my family and report on my mission. I want to be able to truly say that I gave it everything I had, that I learned from the hard times, and most importantly that I have a stronger relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because of my time as a missionary. 

This week was one of those weeks where a lot of our lessons fell through and things just were not going right. We still made it great though! We had over 100 potential investigators in our area book, and we tried all of them this week! We didn't really have much luck with that, but now we have more finding time to seek the elect. 

This week we had some cool experiences with Daniel! I love that guy...He cracks me up! He cancelled our lesson on Monday and wasn't returning any of our calls, so I was a little shook. Then on Saturday the Zone Leaders had a baptism. We invited all of our investigators, but none could come. Me and Sister Stapelman both felt like we should call Daniel, so we did, and... He didn't answer. So we left a message with the details of the baptism. To our surprise we walked in and he was already there! It was a really amazing baptism and the Zone Leaders bore powerful testimony of The Restoration of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ. The spirit was very strong! After, we turned to Daniel and said "Are you next?" he just laughed. Then we were going to drop him at our lesson yesterday, but he was like "can I take 5 minutes to talk about the plan of salvation?" so then he drew it on the board and we were like "You know this is God's plan for you!" He sarcastically agreed (and said we were his fave missionaries...lol nbd) then we got him to agree to pray about a baptism date! It was amazing! Our lesson had gone over into FHE time and we asked if he was going. He said "well now I'm late!" and I said "late, but worth the wait" he laughed and then I told him we were going to put that on his baptism program! He laughed even harder! 

Sorry to ramble, but I really do like that quote "Late, but worth the wait" because I feel like that is what Heavenly Father and Christ say every time we finally repent! We let ourselves suffer in guilt, when we know our Father in Heaven freely forgives! I just want you all to remember that God is waiting to answer your prayers, and He thinks you are well worth the wait! 

I sure love you all! 

Love,

Anzie

Sister Gish hit her 8 month mark! Where has the time gone?!

Sister Gish doing yard work at a member's house

Sister Gish LOVES Sister Stapelman!

Snowy day in Laradise

Sister Gish and Sister Stapelman

Beautiful Spring day in Laradise!

Week 34

Guys! This transfer is already so spectacular! I just love being companions with Sister Stapelman! She is hardworking, obedient, and way fun! Everyday is a literal party, and I can't even! 

Here are the haps for this week. On Tuesday, we went to have a lesson with this one girl, but she ghosted us. It was a bummer, but she left us a really nice note, so that was just kind of funny. Then we had a lesson with Paris! She is so golden and I just love her! She said that she wants to learn through the summer and make a decision about being baptized in the future! I honestly think she will get there!

On Wednesday, we had transfers! I had to say goodbye to my beloved trio! Sister Walker and Sister Lewis are both brilliant missionaries and I learned so much from them in the short time we were together. 

On Thursday, we had district meeting, and then we got to go to lunch with Sister Harkness, Sister Fuge, and Sister Zundel! It was so fun catchin up with Sister Harkness! She is my kindred spirit and I still consider myself lucky that I got to be her MTC companion! On Thursday evening we met with a less active! It was one of those lessons where I low key felt like I was drowning the whole time. It definitely must've been guided by the spirit, because he texted us after and said he really enjoyed meeting with us and is trying to work up the courage to go to church!

On Friday, we met with Tess for a second time and we put her on date for baptism! It was so exciting! I cannot wait to see her grow closer to the Savior as she follows His example. 

Saturday was car fast day! It was rough, but we still had fun! We tracted 20 doors with no answer, and we were so confused. That just doesn't happen much, but after that we tracted into one lady and she let us in! We shared the Because of Him video and it made her cry. It was just one of those tender mercies that made the rest of the day worth it! 

We had 3 investigators at church on Sunday, so that was awesome! Then we had a lesson with an investigator named Jodi, and we put her on date too!  It was awesome! 

Then yesterday, we did some service, and tried a ton of potential investigators! We were able to get some return appointments, so I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious here in Laradise! 

I finished the Book of Mormon this week too! I can testify with all my heart that it is true. As I read, I highlighted any words that had to do with the doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end) as well as any reference to Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the knowledge it gives me and the assurance that although this life is hard, I can return to live with Heavenly Father and my Brother, Jesus Christ again. It is pure evidence of Their divine love for us, and I would invite you all to read and pray about it! 

I love you all and congratulations if you read that whole thing! 

love,

Anzie

Sister Zundel, Sister Gish, Sister Fuge, Sister Harkness, and Sister Stapelman

Sister Walker, Sister Gish, and Sister Lewis

Sister Gish and Sister Fuge

Sister Gish and Sister Harkness

Week 33

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! This week was so good! This transfer flew by and we start another one tomorrow. I will stay in Laramie and be companions with Sister Stapleman. It will be great!

Things are really picking up here. I can definitely testify that obedience brings forth the blessings of heaven, but exact obedience brings miracles!

The best part of my week was definitely watching conference. I have never felt the spirit testify to me so strongly than it did when I stood and sustained President Nelson as God's prophet on the earth today! I love the new changes to home and visiting teaching. Ministering to others one by one is exactly what Jesus Christ Himself would do. I am thankful to be a part of His church and the chance that I have to become more like Him daily! 

Conference always helps me refocus my vision on the Savior! If you missed it, I would definitely invite you to go to www.lds.org and watch it.

I loved Elder Brian K Taylor's talk! I loved when he said that our spiritual pedigree can be written in a single line, that we ARE children of God. I have never felt that more than I have on a mission. I have never had to rely on Him more. I have never had to trust Him more. I testify to what President Nelson said in October 2017 conference. He said "Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son." These past 7 months have been the hardest, most sacred, and most powerful 7 months of my life! I don't just believe in God and Jesus Christ anymore, I know them. 

I would invite you to get to know them for yourself. They are waiting for you!

I love you all bunches!

Sister Gish

Some pics of Sister Gish and her trio!