Vernal Temple

Sister Hedley and Sister Meldrom in front of the Vernal, Utah Temple

October 27th, 2013

Hello All,
It has been an awesome week! 

Sister Hedley and I have been able to meet people by means we would never have thought. We had a loaf of bread that needed to be returned to Walmart and ended up meeting a couple, he is less active and she is a non member, who both wanted to return back to God. We were able to meet with them once, then they were off to Colorado where they were moving. We hope they seek out the missionaries because they are awesome. 

Also we have seen investigators that haven't progressed at all, soften and commit to pray and read. I know these are God's blessing toward us and it is a sacred trust He has given us. A little while back I wrote in the front of my planner: "This is what I have done with thy vineyard this day, Lord." It is a reminder every day that I have one to report to to whom owns and over sees all of His children. He knows each of them perfectly. We are his tender plants that He sees as one day giant oaks. He prunes, digs about and waters us. I am grateful it is to Him I can rely and trust.

One of the wonderful things I have seen this week is how our visits and lesson change those to whom we focus, sometimes dramatically but most of the time in perceptively. One investigator for the whole time I have been here has said every lesson, "In my own time, not right now" when we ask him to read the Book of Mormon and pray. Yesterday we asked ourselves before his lesson, what can we do? All of our lessons end up pretty much the same way. 

We knocked on his door expecting to either read with him or to go over the Family Proclamation. Instead we listened to the difficult week he has had and that he desires to become a better father for his children. We showed "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father" and related it to him. He understood and at the end we invited him to read and pray and he excepted humbly. 

Sometimes we don't need to say anything, just listen. We had a less active family we visited later that day that have had a rough weekend. They struggle financially and had to take another loan out to pay for essentials. They want to be debt free before they pay their tithing. They know they should but it is just getting to that point that we are gently urging them towards. Again, we listened, showed a Mormon message and left them with a prayer and a challenge to pray and read as a family. We want to visit them once a day this week.
God shows His marvelous hand in simple ways. Oh how I love my Savior! Oh how I love my companion, district and you, my friends and family, God loves you, don't let Satan convince you otherwise.
Sister Meldrom

October 21st, 2013

Hello All,

The combination of Sunday and Monday always perk me up and I am ready for another week of losing myself to the work.

I want to take a moment and tell you how inspired the Preach My Gospel (missionary handbook and lessons), the 12 week Program( a system of learning for new missionaries and their trainer companions that breaks it down into weeks were you accomplish certain things in the week) and a new manual called Adjusting to Missionary Life (a book that goes through different solutions to emotional ,spiritual, mental or physical challenges we face as missionaries).From reading and working on week 5 of the 12 Week Program I feel the Spirit of God guiding me more. I trust God to guide me after all I can do. This guidance has come as words to speak, feelings of calm or peace, questions that cause those I speak to, to pause and reflect. All together whatever is good I attribute to God speaking to me through His Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) 

This week we have met and contacted some people that I have seen God preparing to except His truths whether right now or in the future. I have learned that you are either THE missionary that will help them realize this is God path for them or you will be a missionary to plant seeds of truth that one day they will recognize and find the true path. These people have relate how they have gone through a rough time and they have been able to make it out, somehow they say because they know they couldn't have got out by their own power. Some know it was God, some don't know what helped them out but they know God loves them. 

I ask you to ponder- Do you believe God loves you? Why is it important to believe God loves you? Because God loves you what are you doing to show your love to Him? In John 14:15 Christ says: If ye love me, keep my commandments. I suggest you review God's commands and re-energize yourself to more fully keep them. 

I feel inadequate to relate my tender feelings for you. I am anxious to my God that he will bless you. I have seen miracles.I know God directs Sister Hedley and I. One example: The other night we had no appointments. We prayed to God to be guided to someone that need God and His word. After a couple of failed knocking attempts we sat again in our truck. "Let's go help Sister so and so clean up for the night" (she owns a small pizza house nearby). Sister Hedley agreed. So we go and tackle her dishes while she finishes up with customers. She talks to us as she begins to help clean and tells us of the trials and some of the blessing she has received this week. At the end when we are done she gives us her usual 'Thank you' pizzas and says, "I am glad you came, I needed someone to talk to." God answered her unspoken prayers and answered our spoken plea to help someone. 

God does not cease to be a God of miracles. Miracles come to pass because of actions of faith in Jesus Christ.Why would God work in miracles? Because he loves all of us. Miracles are not moving a physical mountain or displaying a pillar of fire but the simple, small things. How many people can we bless if we just stop and pray for someone to help? What are we afraid of when we don't ask? Who are we thinking of when we don't ask? We should ask and expect that God will use us for His purposes. Are we willing to listen when He speaks?

We had a baptism of an investigator on Saturday. Sister Hedley and I had the opportunity to share the First Vision of Joesph Smith and our testimony of the Restored Gospel. It was a wonderful meeting before God, and I felt the Spirit through the whole thing. If you don't know about the first vision, read (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng) or watch it. (http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-06-01-the-restoration?category=feature-films). If you do know the First Vision, review and let the Spirit spark within you a feeling of love and service as you review. 

God bless you and keep you, till next week,

Sister Meldrom

October 14th, 2013

Hello All!

This has been a busy week! We had a Zone Conference and received our Ipads on Tuesday morning; Zone Training Meeting on Thursday morning; Distcict Training Meeting on Friday morning and Sister Hedley and I were on exchanges with the Sister Training Leader on Tuesday and Thursday! Also we had a baptism Saturday morning and of course the weekly coordination meetings with the ward mission leaders Sunday morning.The only study time my companion and I had together this week was Monday!

Our mission President read 1 Nephi 17, about Nephi receiving the tools he needed to build a ship. We likewise have received Ipads to use as tools to further God's work upon the earth. The Ipads have a special missionary app that allows us to only access certain LDS websites so we remain safe and focused. It has an Area Book app that Sister Hedley and I are slowly working on getting ALL of our records converted into digital. Our Ipads sync, so what we do on one goes to the other. It also hooks up with the LDS church directories so we can more fully coordinate with the members by having their phone numbers and addresses at a press of a finger. The Ipad I was given will go with me my whole mission. When I go to a new area, I only have to sync to my companions and I have all that she has. 

If you have any questions ask away. God is hastening the work!

Love,

Sister Meldrom

October 7th, 2013

Hello All, 

How was General Conference? What was your favorite talk or what impressed you the most?

I was impressed with the thought that I need to be more committed, build and maintain my spiritual stamina for the challenges ahead and forget myself much more.

Things are moving along much the same as they have been. We have about 20 investigators, 4 less active families and 7 recent converts we are working with currently. I have been seeing miracles as stubborn investigators keep commitments and less actives open up to us so that we can learn how we, as representative of Jesus Christ, can more fully help these children of God come back to Him. 

My email is short, I don't know what else to include. 

God has blessed us, as my companion and I prayed for new investigators this week. Members have given us names and the names turn into those we add to our list of those whom to help. If you think I am glorifying in numbers, I am not. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God and we show our recognition of this truth by treating our referrals and our contact sacredly and prayerfully. 

You as members of the church can do this also. You don't have to be a full time missionary. Talk to your neighbors. Pray for charity and the Spirit, for if you truly seek to share the gospel BECAUSE you love your neighbors, and as you prepare, your efforts are never wasted. You may not see them wish to take discussions or return back to church but do not be discouraged. Be diligent, patient and loving and you will not be disappointed.

Keep up the good work! Work with your local missionaries as you see they are diligent and committed to their work. They will appreciate your help. Invite them to teach your friends in your home and don't be afraid to share your testimony! Help the work move along, prepare for the coming of Christ.

I love this work. It makes so much more sense to me as I have tried and learned from mistakes. I have realized I have treated this work to lightly before. I have room for repentance. I am grateful for my Savior who is the reason and the help behind our work.

Love and exhortation, 

Sister Meldrom

The District

Vernal, Utah

Sister Neilson, Sister John, Sister Meldrom, Sister Hedley
Elder Neilsen, Elder Bennett, Elder Kartchner, and Elder Page