Oct. 9, 2017 "Mosiah 2:17"

Mosiah 2:17

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! Happy Monday from good old Independence, Missouri. Where motorized wheelchairs run rampant and where there's a tiny town whose mayor is a dog. 

In other news, did you know that McDonalds doesnt serve chicken nuggets and fries until after 10:30? UGH 

In other other news, this week was pretty great!! 

Not much happened, but we were able to find some new potential investigators! 

(the trick here in independence - and actually everywhere - is just to get them to actually keep their appointments) 

But there was one night where our plans had fallen through and so we had all this time to find people! It was a darker rainy night and literally no one wanted to answer or was at home for like all the way until 8:30pm. BUT we were trying to follow the spirit and trusted that good things would happen, and so we decided to stop by a less active bishop had referred to us. Kellie Myers. And SHE WAS HOME! AND ANSWERED! And she was so nice! just a friendly normal nice lady. So we got to know her better and it turns out that she still loves the church just has stopped going out of laziness. Turns out as well that she has a nonmember girl living with her - her foster daughter Ashley! And Ashley was so friendly and was interested in talking to us so we were able to set up a return appointment (which they sadly forgot about) BUT once again we were able to stop by and invite them to an FHE with the relief society president and her kids who are the same age and Ashley was like YES I WOULD LOVE TO GO!!! So pray that that works this week!!! 

Also sadly we weren't able to have a lesson with the Blackburns. the sweet african american couple we met! But we are hoping to reschedule. so pray for that too.

however, with them canceling on Saturday it provided a way for us to stay at this service project that we were at! 

This service project was amazing! The Community of Christ church opened up their auditorium to the homeless and less fortunate. And there are a lot of those here in Independence. That's why this was so amazing! Because literally there were like 300 volunteers and 200 people running booths and then like 600-800 people that came in! People would line up to come in and we would greet them and show them around the place to make sure they could get help with anything they needed. They got help with free dental examinations, blood pressure tests, massages, manicures, food stamps and SO MUCH MORE!!! We got to take around snacks and we ended up meeting an elderly couple who were having trouble breathing from walking the long distance up from their car. So we got them each a wheelchair and ended up pushing them all around the entire event! So we got to know George and Arloa Schornhorst pretty well :) They are so so sweet and Sister Angerbauer and I just felt SOOO uplifted as we were able to serve them and to serve so many people. And I just feel like I could take to heart more what Sister Oscarson, Elder Eyring and others said at conference. 

"I testify that the Lord goes before your face whenever you are on His errand. Sometimes you will be the angel the Lord sends to bear others up. Sometimes you will be the one surrounded by angels who bear you up. But always you will have His Spirit to be in your heart, as you have been promised in every sacrament service. You have only to keep His commandments.

The best days are ahead for the kingdom of God on the earth. Opposition will strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, as it has since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Faith always defeats fear. Standing together produces unity. And your prayers for those in need are heard and answered by a loving God. He neither slumbers nor does He sleep." - Eyring

"What good does it do to save the world if we neglect the needs of those closest to us and those whom we love the most? How much value is there in fixing the world if the people around us are falling apart and we don’t notice? Heavenly Father may have placed those who need us closest to us, knowing that we are best suited to meet their needs.

Ask your Heavenly Father to show you those around you who need your help and to inspire you on how to best serve them. Remember that the Savior most often ministered to one person at a time." - Sis. Oscarson 

I have a greater desire to serve others and put others before myself because really, thats where we find true joy - and truly are able to serve God. So i invite you all to do the same!!! 

Love you all. It is such a privilege and blessing to be a missionary. 

Sister Bleak

ps. for those who care... I got into BYU for Winter Semester!!!

Everyone, the remnant church of Jesus Christ of latter- day saints
Did the walking tour one morning to go around and  see all the sites
or where all the sites were in Independence!
Working hard, or hardly working at the VC...?? Lol
Service project!
The sweet George and Arloa ❤️
And lastly listen closely. This guy lives in New York and I've been
contacting him through teaching center(online teaching - he had
requested a free bible) and I called him one day and he was speechless
because he had literally JUST been praying to God that He would show
Himself to him and help him change his life and then I called. Ahhhh
miracles god is really everyone!! So listen close to what he says. I
love people.