Week 45: Sister Gish Will Stay in Greeley for Another Transfer!

Holy Cow! Another transfer has already come to an end!

I will be staying here in Greeley! Yay! I will be in another trio! Me and Sister Zitting will be training a new missionary together! I think it will be a blast! There's a party! 

This week was super good! Our mission has been exceeding our goals lately and it has been super inspiring to me! I think the rest of the summer is going to be great! 

Last Wednesday, we went to see Fran. The first thing she said to us was "I don't think you girls know anything about the priesthood." Right then, my heart sank and I knew we needed to leave. She rambled and bashed for a good 20 minutes, but finally we told her that we didn't come to debate with her. We bore our testimony that she can tell us what she believes, but we know that our church is true because of the feelings we have felt in our hearts. I am thankful for the promise in Moroni 10:4-5

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things

I know this church is true, because I have prayed about it. I have felt confirmation from the spirit that this gospel is the way to peace and happiness.

On Thursday we had a lesson with Kelly! I talked about her a little while back. She is an atheist. We showed her the talk "Am I a Child of God?" By Elder Brian Taylor! It was my favorite talk from the last General Conference! I would invite all of you to watch or read it! She had read the chapters we had assigned her in the Book of Mormon and she liked them! She said it was comforting to know that her husband wasn't doomed just because he was an atheist when he died. The whole lesson you could tell the spirit was working super hard on her! When we showed her the conference talk she was teary eyed. She is amazing and I think she will slowly, but surely come around. 

All transfer long we have been doing everything we can to get investigators to church, and every week, hardly anyone comes! This week we had 2 investigators there! Yay! Unfortunately, neither of them liked church. Both of them said that they didn't feel like we talked enough about God. It was ward conference that day and the theme was forgiveness. I thought it was a really amazing sacrament meeting. I think that they were missing the point. Yes we go to church to learn about God and Jesus Christ, but more importantly, we learn how we can become more like them! Dallin H. Oaks has said "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the Plan of Salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ challenge us to become something." I know that going to church and applying the teachings we learn there helps us become more like our Savior!

Yesterday, we said goodbye to Sister Bishop! I love her and I am so proud of the missionary that she is! She will do wonderful things in Australia! I will miss Hermana Lee, but I know she will continue to do amazing things in our mission! I have learned so much from her! She always has great advice for me! She's like the big sister I never had! After we dropped Sister Bishop off we were about to go tracting. President McMurray called us and asked what our daily finding goals were. We had planned to pass out 2 Book of Mormons and get 4 return appointments. He then asked if he could say a prayer with us and then offered a sweet prayer that we would reach our goals! Despite our best efforts, we didn't reach them, but I was still so touched that President McMurray ministered to us! I was running low on motivation that day and it gave me the extra boost that I needed!

I just want to end with a quote from the talk "The Master Healer." It is in the October 2016 General conference. Sister Stephens shares a quote by Richard G Scott that I just love. 

"Hope and healing are not found in the dark abyss of secrecy but in the light and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Elder Richard G. Scott counseled: “If you are free [from] serious sin yourself, don’t suffer needlessly the consequences of another’s sins. … You can feel compassion. … Yet you should not take upon yourself a feeling of responsibility. … When you have done what is reasonable to help one you love, lay the burden at the feet of the Savior. … As you so act, not only will you find peace but will demonstrate your faith in the power of the Savior to lift the burden of sin from a loved one through his repentance. Complete healing will come through your faith in Jesus Christ and His power and capacity, through His Atonement, to heal the scars of that which is unjust and undeserved.”

If I have learned anything on my mission, it's that you cannot control every little thing! Sometimes that is extremely and utterly frustrating. I am thankful for my Savior! I have learned to rely on Him more and more as I continue to lay my burdens at His feet! He truly is the master Healer! She ends her talk by saying "He would do anything to take [your burdens] from you, in fact, He already has."

What can you lay at the Savior's feet? I love you all!

Sister Gish

Sister Gish at the Ft Collins Colorado Temple

Sister Gish, Sister Bishop, and Hermana Lee

Sister Gish and Sister Blackmon

Week 44: Sister Gish Hits Her 10 Month Mark!

Hey everyone! You will be happy to know that the moth population in Greeley is really dying down, and I think I might just make it after Sister Bishop leaves. Plus the Lord has blessed me with courage because a moth started flying around in the car and I didn't even scream. This week has kind of been a blur because it was so eventful!

On Wednesday we had a lesson with someone named Fran. She was crazy. She described herself as a scripturalist. She only believes in the Old Testament. She doesn't believe that Christ is the Savior, but that he is simply the last prophet that God called. She was trying to bash, but she really didn't know any references to the Bible and she misinterpreted a lot! All I could think was how thankful I am for living prophets to lead and guide us. 

We got to  have a lesson with Sister Jantz on Thursday! She is one of my favorite people here in Greeley. She is just so funny and real! It also helps that she owns a cupcake shop and gives us a delish treat whenever we see her! She is preparing to go to the Temple so we were able to talk about temples! I miss the Temple! Even though I have not been my whole mission, I still clearly remember all the good feelings I have had in the temple! After that, we had a lesson with Pedro. We asked him if he had read the Book of Mormon and he said he prayed and asked if he should, but hadn't received an answer. We explained that he wouldn't know until he gave it a try. We explained how after Christ's ascension into heaven that he came to America and ministered to his "other sheep." Pedro said that could not have happened because Christ had returned to the right hand of God forever. We asked if we could read 3 Nephi 11, just so he could see for himself. It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission, one where I really saw how the Book of Mormon can change people's hearts. He said "I couldn't believe I was so narrow minded before." He said that he definitely can see this happening and recalled times in the Bible that Christ appeared to people after His ascension into heaven! It was simply amazing, and I really hope he keeps reading!

On Friday, we went on mini exchanges with the Fort Collins Hermanas. I was with Hermana Gutierrez! To quote her "I am a 5'2 girl with a 6'1 attitude." She is the sassiest, but the most loving and patient sister you will ever meet! She pretty much had me laughing the whole exchange! I love her!

Saturday was my 10 month mark! I cannot even fathom that! We got to have a lesson with Laura! Let me tell you about her! We had dinner with Laura and her family a couple weeks ago. She was less active, but she came to church for the first time in a long time the Sunday before. She told us that she felt something at church that she never had before. She said previously when she would go to church, or even when she got baptized, that she felt like she was going through the motions, and that she didn't actually feel it in her heart. That made me reflect on something I learned at when Elder Wilford Anderson came to visit our mission. He explained that there are 3 types of knowledge: 1) Head knowledge like information and facts,  2) Heart knowledge like when the spirit testifies to our hearts that something is true, and 3) Soul knowledge or when we act on those promptings. When Laura told us about her feelings we explained that she already has the head knowledge. That is what she gained when the missionaries originally taught and baptized her. Now she was experiencing heart knowledge. When she went to church she had a desire to learn more and to go to the temple with her family. All she needed to do was act on that. So we started the missionary lessons with her again! She is such an amazing woman! She is an example to me of how to follow God's will! We got to have a lesson with her at the Temple this week. Unfortunately, we got there and it was closed, but there is still such a special spirit to be felt when you are on the grounds.

Sunday was Father's Day! I was reflecting on all of the wonderful fathers in my life! I am thankful for my own dad, but also for the other wonderful priesthood holders in my life!

Yesterday, I got to see the Wright family! I will forever be thankful for the role they played in my life! Sister Wright always made me feel right at home in Dubois! She made my Holidays away from home so special! (The Wright family is moving to Dallas) I am excited for them to live only a few hours from me! We had a lesson with a returning less active and we watched the talk "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. My sweet friend, Bishop Morley, showed me that talk while I was working on my mission papers, so it is extra special to me! It really helped me understand what grace truly is and how Christ's grace can enable us to become our very best! I would encourage you all to watch or listen to it this week!

I love you all so much...even more if you read this whole thing!

Sister Gish

PS- shout out to Bishop Phillips! I'm missin the Popo Agie ward a little extra these days!

Sister Gish hits her 10 month mark!

Mini exchanges with Hermana Gutierrez

Sister Gish, Sister Bishop, and Hermana Lee with Laura at the temple

Sister Gish and Hermana Lee

I got to see the Wright family yesterday! I can't say that I am too sad since they will only be 4 hours from me! 

Week 43

This week was a fun week full of lessons and exchanges! Being a missionary is such a special thing! I love seeing both missionaries, members, and other people not of this faith come closer to Jesus Christ.

Last Tuesday, we had a lesson with our investigator, Abel. We taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ and invited him to be baptized on June 30th! He wrestled with the spirit for a long time, but finally agreed. We all knelt and he said a prayer to ask for confirmation that he should be baptized. He offered such a sweet and simple prayer. After the prayer, he felt good about his decision to be baptized! We were so excited and definitely started screaming when we got in the car!

On Wednesday I went on exchanges with Hermana Barnum. Talk about a sweetheart! 

 She is such an amazing example at focusing on the people! We went tracting and people were very rude, but we kept a positive attitude and still had so much fun! Sometimes it's the unlucky moments on a mission that end up being the most fun! We also got to go to lunch with Sister McMurray which was so fun! I love her and was so touched that she took the time to minister to us! 

On Thursday, I went on a mini exchange with Sister Walker and we tried contacting a lot of people in her area! We had so much fun! That girl is amazing and I am so lucky that I have been able to serve around her my whole mission! 

Saturday was crazy! It was so hot and all the moth eggs started hatching in Greeley, so literally every door we go to is just swarming with moths. I was literally so terrified! Luckily sister Bishop is fearless and would open every single door for me, and she didn't even scream when a moth would hit her in the face! I don't know what I will do without her when she goes to Australia next transfer! 

I also got to go on mini exchanges with Hermana Jarvis and that was fun too!

Yesterday, I got to go on exchanges with Sister Pelesasa and Sister Walker! That was a blast! Those girls crack me up! I am so thankful that my mission is filled with so many great sisters and that I have had the opportunity to become friends with so many of them!

I will end with one of my favorite quotes by Mother Teresa. She said "what we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean, but if we didn't do it, the ocean would be one drop less. " If my mission has taught me anything, it is that we may never know the impact that we have on other people. That is why I love how the church is encouraging everyone to minister! It helps us use our spiritual gifts to bless others! Yes, my mission is hard, but I take courage in knowing that I am doing good, even when I don't see it!

I love you guys so much! 

Love,

Sister Gish

Everyone's favorite quad-panionship: Sister Bishop, Hermana Lee, Sister Gish, and Kronk

Exchanges with Hermana Barnum

Friendship bracelets with Sister Walker and Sister Pelesasa

Exchanges with Sister Pelesasa and Sister Walker

P-day Fun!

Week 42

Hello friends! It was another beautiful week here in Colorado! The weather has been so nice, which just makes the work even more enjoyable! 

Unfortunately, the beginning of this week wasn't so great! I was sick for a couple days...so I had to stay in! I have been very lucky to not have gotten sick very much on my mission! It's just so sad to be cooped up at home when you want to go out and work! 

On Friday, we had Missionary Leadership Council. It was so inspiring! I love the spirit of revelation that exists when missionaries get together to set goals! Sister McMurray talked a little bit about how Heavenly Father doesn't want our missions to be easy! It made me think of D&C 121:7-8:

7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes

I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who gives me trials so I can grow, and I am also thankful for a Savior who makes those trials bearable! I think too often we feel like opposition is punishment from God, but it's not! Quentinn L Cook said "Adversity should not be viewed as either disfavor from the Lord or a withdrawal of His blessings. Opposition in all things is part of the refiner’s fire to prepare us for an eternal celestial destiny." Each and every day we have the opportunity to rely on Christ's atonement to allow our trials to change our nature!

Saturday was our car fast day! It is such a wonderful opportunity for us to talk to everyone we see! We were walking to a park for a lesson and we saw a lady waiting for the bus. We went over to talk to her and I asked her if she had a belief in God. She told me she did, so I asked her how that has blessed her life. She said that it has helped her make a 360, that without Christ, she didn't know where she would be. I asked her if she has heard of the Book of Mormon to which she replied "yes, it's just different than what I believe." I testified to her that it is simply another testament that Jesus Christ is our savior. It doesn't replace the bible, but rather it works with it to create a fullness of Christ's teachings. Then I showed her my copy of the Book of Mormon that I have been marking the titles of Christ in. I flipped through the pages and it was very apparent that it testifies of Christ on every page! I was able to share the scripture 2 Nephi 25:26. Her heart was softened and she accepted a copy.

Yesterday, I went on exchanges with Sister Lewis! I just love that girl! She is such a loving person! We had a lesson with the Ferguson family! They have twin boys, and they are so smart! They were already halfway through the children's Book of Mormon! We taught them the Plan of Salvation and invited them to church! We also went tracting! We didn't have very much time and we still needed to pass out 3 books to reach our goal. We said a prayer that we would be able to do it... and WE DID! It was great! The Lord is always so willing to help us in our righteous pursuits! When we got back in the car my heart was touched because Sister Lewis asked if we could say a prayer of gratitude to thank Heavenly Father for helping us. She offered a very sweet and humble prayer! I think too often we overlook the Lord's hand in our lives! I would invite you all to say a few more prayers of gratitude each and everyday! Don't ask for anything. Just give thanks! 

I love you all! Thanks for all the love and support! I feel your prayers bearing me up!

Love, 

Sister Gish

Sister Gish with Gwen the Hedgehog

Sister Gish on exchanges with Sister Lewis

Sister Gish and Sister Lewis

Sister Gish and Sister Van Camp trying to figure out how their missions are halfway over...

Pictures from Missionary Leadership Conference