March 24th, 2014

Dear All,

It has been a wonderful week! Some of the miracles we have seen this week are some less actives we have been working with have been reading and going to church! You can see how the Atonement and the gospel of Jesus Christ is helping them and putting that glow back in their eye!

On Wednesday we had an appointment with a less active Sister. After teaching our lesson and we were getting ready to leave, I noticed this Sister's daughter was picking at her arms. I said a silent prayer and approached her with a rubber band. I explained to her that I had the bad habit as a teenager of picking at the acne on my arms and now I have scars. I told her to play with the rubberband instead. I hope I didn't embarrass her to much. I remember people who came up to me and told me to stop and I am hoping to help this Sister to be able to change this bad habit so she doesn't have scars like mine. Discovering that playing with a rubber band has helped me, I hope it helps her.

We had a appointment with a recent convert and two nonmember kids on Thursday. The recent convert, who before has not talked much, was practically helping us teach her two nonmember cousins. I hope I never stop being amazed at what the Spirit and feeling God's love helps us to overcome and achieve!

An appointment that we had on Friday was amazing. We go to teach kids the gospel lessons and every time the father makes more and more comments. This time he bore his testimony of the importance of doing proxy baptism for the dead so that they can receive the same blessings and opportunities as we have and also of the beauty and peace of the temple. One of the kids will be 12 in November and the opportunity to invite this Brother and his son to do temple work together may be the key to their reactivation. Oh what small and simple means does God us to help all people come unto him!

It was wonderful to be able to be in the Mount Timpanogus temple this Friday. It is a beautiful temple! I especially like the blue glass on the tower of the temple. As I did proxy work for Mae from Illinois who has passed away, I felt immense joy and excitement and I can only attribute it to Mae spirit being there in the temple and rejoicing at the blessings she can receive. I am grateful for the temple. I am especially grateful I can go so often. I love the temple. I feel peace and love when I am there. I know it is where the veil that separates us and those who have passed on is thin. I have never seen anything but I have felt much that is special and sacred to me and I will never deny that God's spirit and the spirit of  those to whom work we're doing are there, in his house, the temple.

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in His name!
Sister Meldrom

March 10th, 2014

Dear All,

It has been busy crazy this week :) Packing(having to go through my 6 months worth of accumulation-not fun but very good to do once and a while :) ), transfers, learning about a new area (feeling more crowded and confused then Vernal :P ), helping Sister Christiansen remember who people are :D, meeting amazing people already( including my companion!) and being helped and blessed all along the way!

Some amazing things that have happened this week have been meeting some less actives we have been trying to get a hold of. First one was on Friday when lack of communication led to no dinner at a members home. Sister Nomo (my new companion) decided we would go to a Thia place because they are all gluten free and it is good food. As we were sitting, waiting for our order, a less active sister came in and was paying for her take out order. We jumped up and went to talk to her. We small talked then ask if it was okay for us to set up another appointment. She agreed and hopefully felt a little more at ease with us then before. 

The second instants was on Sunday when we were grabbing a quick lunch and getting ready to go to another ward when a Brother texted us. He told us that a less active couple, we have been trying to contact, were at that very moment sitting in Sacrament meeting. This was in a different ward than what we planned on attending. We ran over and quickly got in the back and sat down. A little bit into us sitting there a note was passed up to us. It informed us that Sister Nomo was sitting right next to them! It was a blessing to be so close for when the meeting ended they jumped right up and were leaving, and we jumped up as well and talked to them quickly in the hall. We introduced ourselves and asked if they would be interested in us coming over. They agreed and told us to call them.  The Brother was nervous looking the whole time. All we know is that something happened to him in his youth at church. Hopefully the blessings and doctrine of the gospel we bring in the behalf of Jesus Christ will help to heal his scars. I know they can, if he is willing to let Christ in.

We were also privileged on Wednesday to be able to go to a missionary month kick off fireside that had a guest speaker: Tito Momen. He wrote the book, 'My name used to be Mohammad: The true story of a Muslim who became a Christian.' In the fireside, he told his story and bore his testimony of the importance of missionary work and of God's love for us and for all his children. It was an amazing story but especially amazing what God had helped him from and the Spirit that was felt. It was inspiring!

We had the opportunity to go follow up with a non member name we were given and haven't been able to get any members to help us know who he is or if he is interested. Before we went up to knock, Sister Nomo said, "You do it, I don't like to nor am I any good at it." I responded I felt the same way but will do it anyway. It was not as bad as I have done before (I have a problem with not being able to get the fear out of my voice) but still pretty choppy. He was not interested at all. At least we know now he isn't right now and at least I know what I can to improve on. Granted I agree with Sister Nomo that it is a lot more effective to have members contact and evaluate but if we ever need to 'cold contact' again perhaps I will have our number in hand and a bit of a stronger statement. God is good to me and I hope I can show my appreciation by helping people to feel the Spirit when I share my testimony.  

I know that Jesus Christ lives and has a body of flesh and bone. I know that he has a plan for all of us to have happiness in this life and beyond the grave. I know that through Jesus Christ, death and hell were overcome. Hell being unhappy and not being in the presence of God. I know that one day we will rise from the grave just as Jesus Christ did and have a perfect body and be judged according to the works and desires of our heart. I know God will judge fairly and that if we have used Christ Atonement to over come our weakness and sins to the best of our ability, Christ will have made up all the difference and we will be happy in our kingdom above that we have prepared for. I am grateful for this plan of mercy, this plan of happiness. Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ! 

I am grateful to my Savior. I love him. He is my Friend, Savior, Comforter, Redeemer, perfect Gardener and older Brother. 'Because God is God of Heaven and Earth, how can I keep from singing.'

Sister Sarah Meldrom

March 3rd, 2014

Dear All,

One of our investigators that dropped us, picked us back up! We are so happy. We love her a lot! Even though she has the mentality of a 7 year old and thus doesn't need to be baptized probably, I can see the difference the gospel makes in her life. It gives her the chance for a happier life than without and standards that will help her to feel close to Jesus Christ whom she loves. It has also been a blessing to have to break up the lessons we have with her to the smallest portions a possible. The gospel is simple. 

We had a less active that we taught the Restoration to simply and she felt the Spirit and was grateful for the time we were willing to give her. 

It has been a good week :) God is teaching me and allowing me to grow. One thing I am working on is to communicate, delegate and sometimes ask for help. :) 

My emails going to be short this week because the library is packed and people are waiting for computers :) Have a good week!

I am getting transferred! Will let you know where next email!

Sister Sarah Meldrom

February 10th, 2014

Dear All,

We were able to witness the baptism of an excommunicated member on Saturday. The Spirit was so strong during the baptism program! This amazing event just started with a prayer offered from his wife, "God, we need something more in our life.." A sequence of amazing events transpired. The Bishop stopped by, we stopped by, their active friends who were at the time also ward missionaries came with us to lessons, they quit smoking, drinking coffee and wine and were reading the scriptures an hour a night together! This experience reminds me of two scriptures:"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20 and "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." Alma 32:27 I know God is ever waiting for us, we just need to desire and exercise our faith.

We have an investigator that we had an appointment with this week and we had the Primary President(a Sister who directs the children's portion of church) from the ward she lives in to come also. About part way through our lesson, the Primary President invited our investigator to church.  She did it through a concern our investigator had expressed; that her daughter be able to have a religious choice unlike what she had as a child. Our investigator, who previously was not comfortable at all with the thought of church, turned to us and said, 'Are you guys going?' We couldn't this week due to an already booked day but we promised to go next week. We told her that she didn't have to answer us until our next appointment what she would like to do. She also shared with us that missionaries(we are thinking it was an elderly couple??) went to her daughters school/day care and taught a simple lesson about Jesus. She said her daughter came home with shining eyes and said to her, Mom, did you know Jesus loves me? This touched our investigator.These experiences built my testimony on having ward support and responding to need or righteous desire people already have. Building on their good foundation, not demolishing it. 

I am gradually learning how to balance talk giving though trial and error. I always go over accidentally and yesterday I really hurt Sister Christensen feelings by doing so because I cut into her time and threw her off. I get frustrated with myself with such instances because I can't really show how sorry I am till next week when we have another talk. I just hope God will doubly bless Sister Christiansen for putting up with my learning experiences that annoy her :\ and that I will be able to some day have the right balance :)

 :) God bless you!

Sister Sarah Meldrom

I know that my Redeemer lives.What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives! All glory to his name!He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:"I know that my Redeemer lives!" :' )

LDS Hymn number 136

February 2nd, 2014

It has been a good week beside our phones not working since Tuesday/Wednesday. Sister Christiansen and I found a spot with service on the side of the highway between Vernal and Jensen and we have been going to that spot each day to get our texts, voice mails and to call/text back with a lot of apologies. It definitely helps you appreciate what you have been given. It helps God's work so much by simply having a cell phone for people to tell you they have canceled or opportunities to meet new investigators. Long story short we are trying to patiently wait for the phones to work again.

We had a  potential investigator we had met with once before and taught the Plan of Salvation because she had a lot of questions about life after death. She stopped meeting with us back in December because of her 7th miscarriage and not feeling like God was answering her prayers. This week we brought some information a member had given us about why a lot of women are miscarrying in the area, listened to the events in her life that have concerned or excited her and then we ended up sharing part of the Restoration with her. We scheduled another appointment and as we were ending she said, "It gives me peace to know I have you Sisters to help me and turn to if I need it." I was pretty surprised by this comment. We had only been in her home once before but yet she was expressing complete trust in us. I believe this comments stems from her feeling the Spirit and that we listen to her. We also discovered that she wants to get into her family history work and so we will be going to the family history center with her and probably her sister! I love Family History- I am a bit of a nut about it. I miss exploring familysearch(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints free family history website) and ancestory.com once in a while on my mission but I just tell myself I am doing work for mostly the living at this point in my life AND that i can get others to be as enthused as I and do their own families! :) I know searching out and learning about our ancestors helps us 'to turn [our] hearts to our fathers and the fathers hearts to turn to [us](Malachi 4:5-6).

On Sunday Sister Christiansen bore her testimony then I went up and shared a scripture and then bore my testimony, adding my testimony to Sister Christiansen by saying, "Like my companion, I too have a testimony....." After I sat down a Brother came up and praised us for establishing each others testimony like he learned in the Missionary Training Center. He continued that each person in the congregation should trust us more because we trust and respect each other. We both were rather surprised. Sister Christiansen told me later, "Maybe they WILL trust us more with their friends. I think God has blessed us." I agree.

Remember 'Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal'(2 Nephi 9:39) and SMILE :)

Sister Sarah Meldrom

January 26th, 2014

Dear All,

It has been a good week because I haven't beaten myself quite as much as usual :P I read a wonderful CES Devotional President Faust gave in 2007(The Value of Self Esteem) which has helped, along with combating negative thoughts with my, now 6 things. I added I know the scriptures pretty well thanks to attending seminary(Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants studies we have every morning, unless you live where they have it as part of your school classes, for all four years of High School.) 

We taught a new investigator this week who ended up being a Sister that Sister Hedley and I had testified to about the beginning of my mission. At the time she took the Restoration pamphlet and our card with apprehension and when we would stop by she wasn't home. We eventually didn't stop by unfortunately. Now she is interested in taking the discussions because of a co worker whom has been a good example and answered any questions she has had. We invited her to baptism and she accepted with the comment  that she wants to pray about it also. Of course, we told her! We wouldn't want it any other way! My favorite part of the people I meet are the preparation that has happened, gradually and almost imperceptible which leads them to be prepared.Truly Alma 13:24 is true!  I like this scripture because everyone that is sharing the gospel are 'angels' or are  'coming in his glory'! We have his name upon us, we have his image in our countenances! This is God's work, no doubt!

We also went with a Sister to visit a friend of hers whom is less active. This dear less active Sister's 8 year old daughter wants to be baptized. We promised to come teach her with the hopes we can help the whole family back. If it is their time, it will happen accordingly as they have been prepared and will be prepared by the Spirit. All things are possible through Christ Philippians 4:13

Thank you for all you do. Remember, we are yoked to Christ!

With love from a fellow servant of the vineyard,

Sister Meldrom 

January 20th, 2014

Hello All,

Trying to think of what to say besides this was a good week. The weeks are always good. Exchanges(where we exchange companions for 24 hours) were good, it gave me a good time to cry :P Sister Nielsen is a superb Sister Training Leader(a sister missionary that is called to help and guide all the other sisters). She had me make a list of 5 of my strength and to repeat them whenever I feel like beating myself up. 

1.I have been able to look back and see how the things that have been hard for me were just times God was strengthening and teaching me. 

2. I am very patient with others and don't hold a grudge 

3.I LOVE to serve 

4. I have the Spirit of Elijah ( I personalized my phone number card by adding "Ask us about Family History") 

5. I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church restored on the earth.

I need to remember that I really need to not beat myself up because it gets me stuck in muck and no progress is made. At least if I am not doing so good, and I don't beat myself up, I don't get stuck. :)

Well, we have had simple miracles this week. We learned that an excommunicated(where they are released from the promises they made at baptism and their name is taken off the church record till they are ready to come back) member we have been working with will be baptized in February! 

We were able to finally get up with and teach the first lesson to an investigator who has been in Colorado for the past 2 to 3 weeks. She asks a lot of good questions and we can see she has a real desire to learn and follow the best that she is able. 

We had dinner with a family whose three teenagers ended up being friends with two teenagers we are trying to work with. So of course we invited them to help us teach. They were thrilled! 

We have had pretty good practice with knocking and testifying (sharing our testimonies) this week, there was no one that was interested and it was a bit sad to see the less actives that were hardened against the church but we resolved to work through the auxiliaries (which of course we should do anyway :)) like if the daughter goes to Young Women or such we will serve and try to help that way.

I am grateful that I get to stay here in Vernal for at least another 6 weeks! All that I have learned in the past 6 weeks will help me propel and and excel! All glory to God! I am grateful for my ever patient Savior.

Thank you for all you do,

Sister Sarah Meldrom