Dear All,
I don't know what to write about...
I guess I have been reflecting on a lot lately what I have learned, what I am learning, and anxiously excited about what I have yet to learn on my mission. My mission has taught me that recognizing the Spirit isn't complicated. A sister I met with this past week made a comment that those who grew up in the church grow up with the Spirit presence so then it is in a sense part of your day to day life. She continued that those that have received the Holy Ghost to always be with them can be assured that if they are living right they WILL have his Spirit always. When we don't have the Spirit you would know it. I feel like this is difficult to explain. I also appreciate the scriptures that talk about how all good things come from God. That has helped me realize that the Spirit IS always there and ALL good things are from God so I need not hesitate following those good promptings.
Another thing I have and am currently trying to improve on is communicating effectively. I have been able through God's loving help personally, and through others, to combat the negative thoughts of myself that I get. Now I am having difficulties with Satan whisper doubt and fear so that I don't speak or express. I have offered many prayers and have seen the blessings of fighting against these thoughts now to just keep on keeping on.
One things from this past week that comes to my mind is how we helped a less active brother realized that repentance is a process and doesn't need to be started when we feel like we can completely go from A to B without any mess ups. These thoughts are not of God to feel like you CAN"T repent till you are perfectly capable. That doesn't make any sense and only equals always feeling like a failure. Jesus Christ came for the sinners, that through them they could be made whole. He was appreciative of this knowledge and right after we invited him to meet with the Bishop to work on receiving the Priesthood so he can baptize his wife.
We had a Stake Church Tour and two people total, both members, showed up. We hope to start this tour with every other week and more people to come! I encourage you to attend or ask your local missionaries for a church tour no matter who you are!
Another transfer has been announced and I am staying in Lindon. I will email you next week about my amazing new companion!
Sorry that my email is short. Combination of... don't know what to say and excited for the District Activity today and a bit anxious about transfers :P I would love emails from anyone that has suggestions how I can improve my emails! What would you like to hear about?
I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who I feel carrying me and helping me from day to day. I am on my mission and stay on my mission because of the love I have felt and the love I hope others can feel from Christ. He is the way[back to our Heavenly Father], the [source and teacher of] truth and the light[that helps me every step of the way]. He is the source of my peace and hope.Blessed be the name of our Redeemer!
God is good,
Sister Sarah Meldrom
Monday, May 26, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
May 19th, 2014
Dear All,
We had a packed Tuesday and Wednesday, which was awesome! On Tuesday we had a church tour with one of the less active families we are working with. One of their struggles is attending church. We went around and highlighted the Sacrament, baptism and especially how church helps us draw closer to Christ. What added to our joy was that on Sunday half the family came to church- that is twice the amount that came before!
We had another church tour with another family on Friday. The fellow shipper that came was the Primary teacher of the 9 years old daughter. This sister was an amazing help to our tour! She gave her own thoughts and testimony, simple and sweet, and at the end volunteered to pick the 9 year old for church, along with the 11 year old brother, when the parents can't make it due to work! There is definitely a sweet, special feeling from a church tour. I am glad it is part of our lessons to teach!
Also on Tuesday we had the first lesson with an interested investigator. Her name is Ellen Patten, she is from Sweden and has had so many neat, special experiences with God already that she has no doubt in her mind that he exists and that he loves her. She is married to a less active brother and they both have been attending church for quite a while. It was finally the right time to start to teach both of them. Ellen has many good, and some complex, questions but the amazing thing about the teachings of Christ is that through the Spirit we can receive the answers and peace to any question we need if we sincerely ask God. We are going to challenge Brother Patten to work on his worthiness so that he can baptize his wife. They are both so ready to come closer to Christ it is amazing! Reminds me of Alma 13:24 "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." We were pleased to see them at church yesterday and the glow that has sparked in their eyes. All because of Jesus Christ.
Last appointment on Tuesday was with a former investigator that contacted us again and desired to pick up the discussions. The break from the lessons has helped him to see how much he wants to continue to feel the Spirit that he has at the lessons. He told us how much he wants to go to church and how he knows that he can over come his weaknesses through Christ's Atonement but that doing it was the hard part. I know he can do it because I have done it with Christ's help for my own weaknesses.
On Wednesday we had our regular two appointments with less actives but in addition we were able to get up with a less active Sister and share the Because of Him video. She expressed the desire to go to church and we encouraged her to do so. It will greatly strengthen her family. We planned to have an activity with this family so we can see in what other ways we can help them.
The last appointment on Wednesday was the first lesson with a less active couple. The brother has been challenged by the Bishop (leader of a congregation) to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. We called and asked to set up an appointment with them so that we can help the whole family. We encouraged them to read the Book of Mormon as a family. After the appointment we found out that their greatest struggle is attending church. Next appointment is going to be a church tour to help them feel the Spirit and feel more comfortable.
It is amazing how often there is a reoccurring theme in the needs of those around us. This week has built our testimonies of the importance of church attendance and how church tours help families. We are going to have a Stake wide church tour on Friday and we have invited all to come. It should be great! We hope to start with doing this tour every other week.
God is good,
Sister Sarah Meldrom
We had a packed Tuesday and Wednesday, which was awesome! On Tuesday we had a church tour with one of the less active families we are working with. One of their struggles is attending church. We went around and highlighted the Sacrament, baptism and especially how church helps us draw closer to Christ. What added to our joy was that on Sunday half the family came to church- that is twice the amount that came before!
We had another church tour with another family on Friday. The fellow shipper that came was the Primary teacher of the 9 years old daughter. This sister was an amazing help to our tour! She gave her own thoughts and testimony, simple and sweet, and at the end volunteered to pick the 9 year old for church, along with the 11 year old brother, when the parents can't make it due to work! There is definitely a sweet, special feeling from a church tour. I am glad it is part of our lessons to teach!
Also on Tuesday we had the first lesson with an interested investigator. Her name is Ellen Patten, she is from Sweden and has had so many neat, special experiences with God already that she has no doubt in her mind that he exists and that he loves her. She is married to a less active brother and they both have been attending church for quite a while. It was finally the right time to start to teach both of them. Ellen has many good, and some complex, questions but the amazing thing about the teachings of Christ is that through the Spirit we can receive the answers and peace to any question we need if we sincerely ask God. We are going to challenge Brother Patten to work on his worthiness so that he can baptize his wife. They are both so ready to come closer to Christ it is amazing! Reminds me of Alma 13:24 "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." We were pleased to see them at church yesterday and the glow that has sparked in their eyes. All because of Jesus Christ.
Last appointment on Tuesday was with a former investigator that contacted us again and desired to pick up the discussions. The break from the lessons has helped him to see how much he wants to continue to feel the Spirit that he has at the lessons. He told us how much he wants to go to church and how he knows that he can over come his weaknesses through Christ's Atonement but that doing it was the hard part. I know he can do it because I have done it with Christ's help for my own weaknesses.
On Wednesday we had our regular two appointments with less actives but in addition we were able to get up with a less active Sister and share the Because of Him video. She expressed the desire to go to church and we encouraged her to do so. It will greatly strengthen her family. We planned to have an activity with this family so we can see in what other ways we can help them.
The last appointment on Wednesday was the first lesson with a less active couple. The brother has been challenged by the Bishop (leader of a congregation) to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. We called and asked to set up an appointment with them so that we can help the whole family. We encouraged them to read the Book of Mormon as a family. After the appointment we found out that their greatest struggle is attending church. Next appointment is going to be a church tour to help them feel the Spirit and feel more comfortable.
It is amazing how often there is a reoccurring theme in the needs of those around us. This week has built our testimonies of the importance of church attendance and how church tours help families. We are going to have a Stake wide church tour on Friday and we have invited all to come. It should be great! We hope to start with doing this tour every other week.
God is good,
Sister Sarah Meldrom
Monday, May 12, 2014
May 12th, 2014
Dear All,
We had exchanges(where we switch companions for 24 hours) this week and they went pretty well. We were able to serve a Brother who has a ton of weeds(didn't really make a dent in the hour we worked) and dinner with a less active family we are working with and help them in their efforts to make it to the temple as a family. We read the introduction of the Book of Mormon with them and the Spirit was very strong. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and how much we can learn about Christ, God's plan for us and the purpose and way back to God. If you haven't read the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, I invite you to do so. I would love to hear what impresses you.
Highlight of the week was on Friday when we went to this couples(a part member family) home whom we have been trying to get up with and discovered all that was assumed about them was wrong. We had been told he, as the member, was against us coming over. We were told she had questions, which she did but she bore her testimony to us about how God was working in her life! They were both so ready to start taking the discussions and for her, to be baptized. It amazed us. We set up an appointment with them this week. Miracles!
We have one of the busiest weeks I have had since being in Lindon coming up! It is going to be great!
Skyping on Mother's Day was great!
Hymn #81
1. Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,
With hope's bright flame alight in heart and mind,
With love of God and love of all mankind.
(Chorus)Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.
Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.
Come unto God; find everlasting light.
(Chorus)
3. Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.
His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.
Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"
(Chorus)
Press forward! God is good,
Sister Meldrom
We had exchanges(where we switch companions for 24 hours) this week and they went pretty well. We were able to serve a Brother who has a ton of weeds(didn't really make a dent in the hour we worked) and dinner with a less active family we are working with and help them in their efforts to make it to the temple as a family. We read the introduction of the Book of Mormon with them and the Spirit was very strong. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and how much we can learn about Christ, God's plan for us and the purpose and way back to God. If you haven't read the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, I invite you to do so. I would love to hear what impresses you.
Highlight of the week was on Friday when we went to this couples(a part member family) home whom we have been trying to get up with and discovered all that was assumed about them was wrong. We had been told he, as the member, was against us coming over. We were told she had questions, which she did but she bore her testimony to us about how God was working in her life! They were both so ready to start taking the discussions and for her, to be baptized. It amazed us. We set up an appointment with them this week. Miracles!
We have one of the busiest weeks I have had since being in Lindon coming up! It is going to be great!
Skyping on Mother's Day was great!
Hymn #81
1. Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,
With hope's bright flame alight in heart and mind,
With love of God and love of all mankind.
(Chorus)Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.
Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.
Come unto God; find everlasting light.
(Chorus)
3. Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.
His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.
Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"
(Chorus)
Press forward! God is good,
Sister Meldrom
Monday, May 5, 2014
May 5th, 2014
Dear All,
Monday we had a wonderful experience. We decided to go to Provo Lake as an activity after all of the essentials were done. We walked, took pictures and sat on the shore for a while. Then saw a dock and couple fishing so we walked over to the dock and asked if they had caught anything. The man came to the shore and showed us a big catfish that his wife had caught and that he had on a metal chain. As he put it back in the water, he told us it was 'funny' that we should come to the lake today. I might add that there was no one else, besides the four of us, because it was pretty windy. He then went on to say that his wife, who was still fishing out on the dock, was not a member but was interested in the church and he was wanting to work his way back to church. To say the least, we were happily surprised. We took down their information, met his wife and we gave them our card and got an idea about what time we would want to meet up for the first lesson. They told us that they weren't sure what day but they would get back to us. Nothing more has happened so far but it was amazing to us because we know we were led to the lake on that windy day and that that couple had been thinking about meeting with missionaries, so Heavenly Father guided us to each other.
It was neat on Tuesday to be able to visit an activity days (girls ages 8-11) activity and talk to them about what it is like to be a missionary and how they can serve and help others at their age. They were a very talkative group, a lot more interactive then most of the youth(12-18) activities we try to interact at. This just added to my testimony that anyone at any age can be a missionary and of service to their fellowmen.
We had stopped by a less active sisters home last week and she had told us about her nonmember neighbor whom may be interested in our message. So this week we went to his house and introduced ourselves, found out if he was interested then schedule a time to return. We have a couple people this past week that we have been able to take the first steps to teaching them.
We have gone out with two Ward Mission Leaders this past week in their wards in an effort to get to know more people and to not scare them so badly. It has been a good way to meet less actives so that we can then keep building friendship with them through service and dinners. (For some reason we are very intimidating....the people here also seem to think as a whole that if missionaries show up at your door it means you need to be fixed or something. We are trying to change that for obvious reasons. Our purpose is to invite ALL to come unto Christ, because we all can come closer and there is nothing wrong with that journey!)
We were told, when we saw one of our stakes Senior Missionary Couple on Thursday, that a certain nonmember they had visited this past week wondered where we were. Back track a little, this brother had got bronchitis two weeks ago and told us not to come for two weeks. Well he was feeling better on Tuesday and expected us but we didn't know. So on Saturday we went and visited and trimmed his tree for him. He is a gruff old man but I am starting to really like him. He refuses to be baptized and won't pray but has a good and kind heart. I had and idea to see if I found Indian stories that went along with principles we wanted to teach if he would like that angle. He is very interested in Indians because his mother was 1/2 Indian and his father an almost 'true blue' Indian. He has also had a lot of dreams and other things centered around Indians. We will see :) At least he misses us :P
I have found a lot of peace in going to church these past couple of weeks. Yesterday was no exception. I just feel so calm and in some senses ' charged up' for another week. I know that this peace comes through the Spirit and by trying each and every week to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I love the Sabbath! It truly is a blessed day for us 'to pay our devotions to God' and to spend time in the service and company of families and friends doing activities that bring us closer as children of God and to God.
I hope all of you women have a wonderful Mother's Day! God is good,
Sister Sarah Meldrom
Monday we had a wonderful experience. We decided to go to Provo Lake as an activity after all of the essentials were done. We walked, took pictures and sat on the shore for a while. Then saw a dock and couple fishing so we walked over to the dock and asked if they had caught anything. The man came to the shore and showed us a big catfish that his wife had caught and that he had on a metal chain. As he put it back in the water, he told us it was 'funny' that we should come to the lake today. I might add that there was no one else, besides the four of us, because it was pretty windy. He then went on to say that his wife, who was still fishing out on the dock, was not a member but was interested in the church and he was wanting to work his way back to church. To say the least, we were happily surprised. We took down their information, met his wife and we gave them our card and got an idea about what time we would want to meet up for the first lesson. They told us that they weren't sure what day but they would get back to us. Nothing more has happened so far but it was amazing to us because we know we were led to the lake on that windy day and that that couple had been thinking about meeting with missionaries, so Heavenly Father guided us to each other.
It was neat on Tuesday to be able to visit an activity days (girls ages 8-11) activity and talk to them about what it is like to be a missionary and how they can serve and help others at their age. They were a very talkative group, a lot more interactive then most of the youth(12-18) activities we try to interact at. This just added to my testimony that anyone at any age can be a missionary and of service to their fellowmen.
We had stopped by a less active sisters home last week and she had told us about her nonmember neighbor whom may be interested in our message. So this week we went to his house and introduced ourselves, found out if he was interested then schedule a time to return. We have a couple people this past week that we have been able to take the first steps to teaching them.
We have gone out with two Ward Mission Leaders this past week in their wards in an effort to get to know more people and to not scare them so badly. It has been a good way to meet less actives so that we can then keep building friendship with them through service and dinners. (For some reason we are very intimidating....the people here also seem to think as a whole that if missionaries show up at your door it means you need to be fixed or something. We are trying to change that for obvious reasons. Our purpose is to invite ALL to come unto Christ, because we all can come closer and there is nothing wrong with that journey!)
We were told, when we saw one of our stakes Senior Missionary Couple on Thursday, that a certain nonmember they had visited this past week wondered where we were. Back track a little, this brother had got bronchitis two weeks ago and told us not to come for two weeks. Well he was feeling better on Tuesday and expected us but we didn't know. So on Saturday we went and visited and trimmed his tree for him. He is a gruff old man but I am starting to really like him. He refuses to be baptized and won't pray but has a good and kind heart. I had and idea to see if I found Indian stories that went along with principles we wanted to teach if he would like that angle. He is very interested in Indians because his mother was 1/2 Indian and his father an almost 'true blue' Indian. He has also had a lot of dreams and other things centered around Indians. We will see :) At least he misses us :P
I have found a lot of peace in going to church these past couple of weeks. Yesterday was no exception. I just feel so calm and in some senses ' charged up' for another week. I know that this peace comes through the Spirit and by trying each and every week to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I love the Sabbath! It truly is a blessed day for us 'to pay our devotions to God' and to spend time in the service and company of families and friends doing activities that bring us closer as children of God and to God.
I hope all of you women have a wonderful Mother's Day! God is good,
Sister Sarah Meldrom
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