November 24th, 2013

Dear All,

This week has flown by and it causes me to wonder if I have done all I could. I feel myself falling more naturally into missionary work and I am not so anxious before every lesson. I hope though that I am not relying on myself but on God. I know it would be a sad use of the Lord's time, that He has given me, if I have to be continually humbled. I haven't found my balance in this yet. It causes me to second guess all my thoughts and actions because I am so worried about just relying on the arm of flesh. The greatest struggle I have every day is with myself. "Am I doing all I can be doing?" "Why don't I understand this better?" "Am I doing well enough?" But I believe God is slowly coaching me on something that you probably see. I am thinking too much of myself. 

So this leads me to the other thing I have pondered on this week. I believe God gives us experiences as missionaries, and even before, so that we can relate and help those we teach. I hope I am getting this right, 'that by helping others I am helping myself to learn'. I am going through Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel and I do set goals (which could always use improvement) but agonizing over it doesn't help. I am working on using the Vision, Goal, Plan, Implement and Evaluate system more into my goals so I not only have the 'What I am doing' but 'Why I am doing it'. I really like how in Zone Conference I was reminded that the Why I am here is the people, and that the keys of missionary work are with the Stake and Wards and the church members. Also that our authority as missionaries is in the teaching. I don't know why I like this so much but it has filled me with a sense of direction and hope in myself and an increase of recognizing the Spirit. Small and simple means.

We had the privilege of two of our investigators getting baptized and we have received three new investigators this week. Members have told my companion and I 'good work', but this really is much like in marriage, a three way partnership. God, members and missionaries. Whenever someone is baptized most people just see the missionaries as the primary source of the event but really all children of God that come back to God have to have the relationship with all three. I have no cause to be EVER ungrateful because God blesses me so abundantly. All glory goes to God.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sister Meldrom

November 17th, 2013

Hello All,

  This past week we have had the privilege to be at the forefront of a excommunicated member coming back. Excommunication is where the members records are removed from the church till they are ready to come back. It is a state of mercy because then they aren't held to the promises that come with being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It all started with a referral from a church member and a lesson with some ward members who ended up being this man and his wife's friends. The first appointment they were "yeah we want to come back" with a slight hesitation but the second appointment was a spiritual and amazing change. They know they want to return. They are ready. They know it will be a difficult road but they are ready. How glorious is our God! They came to church yesterday and he is setting a time to meet with the Stake president. 

  There was also, at church, a couple we have been trying to get a hold of but we haven't had any success. They want to come back too, so we shall visit them. The Lord is blessing this ward, that these less active members live in. He knows it is time for these sheep to come back and the members are helping them. Soon there will be two baptisms in this ward. God is blessing this ward because they are working diligently to find, retain and reactivate.

  As part of the 12 Week training, my responsibility and privilege this week was to "invite to baptism". We had two wonderful women that we taught for the first time this week. After our lessons, I had the privilege to invite them to baptism. Both sisters are going to pray and ponder about baptism. I could see that, if they were willing, God had prepared them to accept the gospel at this time. 

  We also had an appointment with an investigator we haven't seen in a while because of her work schedule. I was able to invite her to baptism as well. She is going to pray about it. I am grateful that God knew I would need these experiences this week. 

  One of my favorite things that I have experienced is feeling the Spirit as people share their stories. God has prepared all whom we run into to accept our help, whether it is to enter the waters of baptism or to continue on their journey toward Christ. What a blessing it is to be at the front of the Lord's holy army. What a serious responsibility. I pray every day I can be better then yesterday. I pray every day that I may have His Spirit. I know I am nothing and I am left to the natural man without Christ. The success I have is not my own, but my Redeemers.

I am humbled that God loves me so much. When I cry unto Him, He hears me. He pours His blessings upon me and I marvel. I wish I was stronger so I could show Him, by being excellent, how appreciative I am. Yet, I fear,I lose faith, and I become intimidated. The solution isn't to focus on myself but to focus on Him and to remember my favorite Book of Mormon scripture Ether 12:27, our weaknesses can become strengths if we are humble and have faith in Jesus Christ. I know we can be instruments in God's hands BECAUSE of our weaknesses. God knows exactly who can benefit from your unique experiences. I have been told over and over again since starting my mission: 'Be yourself'. God doesn't need the learned and perfect preacher, but He needs the humble and sincere teacher and doer of His words. By small and simple means are great things brought to pass.

God bless and keep you, 

Sister Meldrom

November 11th, 2013

Dear All,

Every week I see an out pouring of blessings. I wonder how I can be so blessed. I hope to always remain humble so I can be close to the Savior and receive His help because I need it.

One of the blessing this week was accidentally going to the wrong house for a 'go see this person' referral. We ended up finding this dear less active sister and her non member husband. I know God led us to them because they are open to us coming and sharing the gospel with them. The husband is angry with God for allowing his son to die some years ago and asks difficult questions but we see the kind child of God and we want to help.

We had the privilege to go to the Adult and General Session of Stake Conference and it was all SO GOOD. Among the many things that inspired me, I loved the emphasis on simplicity. Our Stake President told the conversion story of a old gentleman that simply began with a plate of cookies from a neighbor and a teenage young man taking out his trash every week. The neighbors then invited him to a Ward BBQ and it progressed from there. How wonderful that God has need of all of us, that we may learn and be blessed and our brothers with us. I liked how one speaker in the Adult Session emphasized that it is a lot less intimating for a Primary teacher to invite and visit a 'lost sheep' then the bishop, Stake President and sometimes even the missionaries.I plan on improving my messages to encourage and help members in their efforts.

One more thing I really enjoyed was what the Stake President said in the Adult and General Session, "Every missionary is called at a specific time, to a specific geographical location, for a specific purpose. Every member is likewise called at a specific time, to a specific place for a specific purpose.' God knows where, when and how He needs us, we just need to ask in faith and act. We are where we are to help those around us. As a song says, "I hear it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and in turn we can teach them something in return." Think simple and loving and you won't go astray.

We had the privilege to attend the ordination of one of our recent converts and one of our reactivated Brothers receive the Melchizedek Priesthood on Sunday. Both were emotional and you could see the hope they realized. They have the sacred opportunity to bless others lives, just as Christ did.I know that the Priesthood is Gods power given to man for the benefit and blessing of His children. 

They are one more step closer to the temple.

I feel filled as I finish this email to you. I see God supporting and helping me. So,through Him, I can support and help others. The members are a blessing. The investigators, recent converts and less active are huge blessings. My companion has become one of my best friends. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I plan on showing my thanks through my work and focus, as I should now and always on God's children.

"Because God is God of Heaven and Earth, how can I keep from singing?" 

God bless and keep you,

Sister Meldrom