So much to tell you this week! What a phenomenal week as a missionary! I feel that I can say today more than ever that...I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! Anyway...I am sure that ya'll get tired of hearing that, but that is too bad because I don't get tired of feeling like that!!
First things first...My birthday!! Thank you for all ya'll who sent your love and well wishes and for those that I didn't hear from...no worries--I know you love me! :) I know that there were many packages and letters that were sent via telepathy! And I loved them all! :) But I MUST send a shout out to all of those who sent the most "bomb digity" (as Sis. Whitehurst would say) birthday wishes! First...Sis. Hummel via Jessie gave me a TOTALLY RAD 1945(I think) edition of the Hymn book. I saw one at a members home not too long ago and practically had to wipe the drool off of it! It was so rad! And now I have one of my very own! There are so many more hymns and great ones I've never heard of before! There's even one called "M.I.A. we hail thee". I had to tell Sis. Hummel what MIA was through the laughter. (Jackie, it doesn't stand for Missing In Action in case you were wondering :).) Then on my B-day I got the package from Jessie! Can I just tell you that my doll sits on my bed like a stuffed animal and Sis. Hummel and I have found about 1,000 different ways and reasons to use her on a daily basis! The Screaming Banshee Book and Doll had us rolling for HOURS!!! But not too many hours because we had work to do! :) I loved the whole package, but that was the best! And then I got my family package the next day! I LOVE it!!! I am wearing the earings right now actually...I think I've worn them everyday since Sat. I wore my new white shirt on Sunday! I felt very spiffy! Thank you Josh and Dyan! And MEG!!!/the Bowmans!!!--The cards are the Bomb dot com (bomb.com :))!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was soooooo excited that I was almost hoping to be transfered so I could give them to people when I said goodbye! Thank you all soooooooooooooooooo much for helping my Birthday be so wonderful! As far as missionary work goes, it was a great day. We were at a lesson and the woman found out it was my birthday. Her daughter's birthday was on the 20th, so she took out a leftover cupcake and I got to blow out a candle! Then when Sis. Whitehurst found out, she gave me a very sweet card and some good gifts! It was a good day! Oh and Sis. Hoeppner gave me the alarm clock that I "accidentally left" when we moved. It will now become quite the fun gag gift over the years!
I think that is all for Birthday updates! Thank you all SOOOOO much again for everything! I started the day a little homesick when I realized it was the first birthday where I wouldn't even get to speak or see the family. But the Tender Mercies of the Lord are evident always, and having a great companion helps!
So I am sure you are all dying to know about transfers!!! Well--here's the update:
We were planning last night (9:15), when we got a call from President Millburn. Which is pretty much the craziest thing the night of transfers. He extended a call to Sis. Hummel to train this transfer. She will be with her greenie in Nags Head, NC! She is sad to be leaving but we will still be in the same district so that is good. The kind of big news is that the Elders are leaving as well. So EC goes from 4 missionaries down to 2. I really feel like this will be good for the ward...it'll mix some things up. There are still a lot of unknowns about this transfer. In fact...all of the Elders in our district are being taken out and Sis. Hummel and I have no clue who our new district leader is or what district we are in since we are the only 2 companionships that will be in the current Currituck District. (There are 3 companionships of Elders that are being taken out.)
Now to the craziest news of all...I know you didn't think it could get any crazier with my Birthday and transfers, but alas... Here goes!
When President called, he also asked to talk to me... and he extended the call to me to be a trainer as well! I hope your jaws didn't hurt when they hit the desk you are sitting at! But I am as shocked if not more so than you! I can hardly believe it. My biggest concern with the upcoming transfer was if Sis. Hummel left and I got a new comp but was still junior. It would have been a little strange. So to get a call to be a trainer was quite a shock. Needless to say I feel very inadequate. I have only been on the mission 7 1/2 months and have never been senior comp or even co-senior. And on top of it all, I am the only missionary staying. It will be interesting and take some adjustment, but I feel at peace with this. I am very humbled by this wonderful opportunity to train in Elizabeth City! I had such wonderful trainers and great comps so far, that I at least feel confident that I was trained well. This morning I read Elder Eyering's talk "Rise to your call", and have been feeling much better since. My mind is reeling with all of the information that I will be working with, but I am so excited! What a grand adventure!!! I will definately be needing some prayers though! I have such mixed emotions but thankfully I know that the Lord qualifies who he calls and I know that this call was extended by the Lord through His servant President Millburn. I keep thinking about a line in the missionary handbook that speaks of our duty as missionaries and then says, "how great is your calling?!" I truly feel that today! I love being a missionary and I love that the Lord has entrusted me with such an amazing opportunity and calling! I don't know if I will ever feel adequate, but I suppose if I started to I would need to be humbled!
I love this Gospel! I love my Savior, Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for the restored truths that are ours today! What a marvelous opportunity to live in the only period of time when the fullness is on the earth! How great is our calling! I makes me think of Ester--who knows whether thou are born to the kingdom for such a time as this (poor paraphrasing). Lately in my studies I have been in the Doctrine and Covenants (revelation given to God's prophets in this dispensation). My heart is full of gratitude for the fullness that we have now! I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God! And I know that through him, Christ brought back His church and His power for our benefit! I will be finishing the D&C this week and starting the Old Testament! I am excited and a little overwhelmed. We will see how it goes! I'm doing well on my goal to read the standard works on the mission... All I have left is the Old Testament. I am so grateful for the scriptures and the men who sacrificed so much for us to have them today!
Alright, well I better go! I hope all ya'll have a grand Leap Day! How awesome that I get an extra day on the mission!! Woo Hoo!!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
209 N. Poindexter Apt. D
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Golden Birthday!!!!
Hey Ya'll!!!
This week was awesome! We are getting a little excited because transfers are next week! I love transfers! It is a little nerve racking, and makes shopping today a little crazy, but I love it!
I am also so excited because it is my golden birthday this Friday (turning 22 on the 22nd!)!! This is not a plead for B-day wishes...I am just soooooo excited to be spending my Golden B-day on the mission! How awesome is that?! The Whitehursts have said that they want me to come to a party at their house, but we will see. Whatever we do...I'm sure I'll tell you all about it next week. I'll even try to attach some pics!
The work is moving forward great here in EC!! We had a lesson with an active family last week and committed them to invite someone to be taught in their home. We had a follow up appointment set for tonight, but they called on Sunday asking if that could be switched to a teaching appointment. They had called their friend and invited him to come hear what the missionaries had to say. We are pretty stoked about this awesome night!!!! This is the Lord's way to do missionary work! President Hinkley said it and I am so grateful to be seeing the outcome here in EC!!! Life doesn't get much better than this! Have I told you all that I LOVE being a missionary?!?! Because I DO!!!!!
It is sooooo amazing to be a part of the Lord's work on the earth! We had the stake conference broadcast last Sunday. We were able to hear from Elder Wood of the 70, Sister Tanner, Elder Nelson, and President Uchtdorf! It was phenomenal!!! Elder Wood pointed out that the sign of the times is not the destruction or the calamities...it is the Restoration of the Gospel and its dispersion throughout the world!!! How amazing is that?! We get to participate full time in the true sign of the times!! What a marvelous work and a wonder! I love the Lord! I love his children! I love being a missionary! And I LOVE this gospel!
I hope ya'll have a great week!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
This week was awesome! We are getting a little excited because transfers are next week! I love transfers! It is a little nerve racking, and makes shopping today a little crazy, but I love it!
I am also so excited because it is my golden birthday this Friday (turning 22 on the 22nd!)!! This is not a plead for B-day wishes...I am just soooooo excited to be spending my Golden B-day on the mission! How awesome is that?! The Whitehursts have said that they want me to come to a party at their house, but we will see. Whatever we do...I'm sure I'll tell you all about it next week. I'll even try to attach some pics!
The work is moving forward great here in EC!! We had a lesson with an active family last week and committed them to invite someone to be taught in their home. We had a follow up appointment set for tonight, but they called on Sunday asking if that could be switched to a teaching appointment. They had called their friend and invited him to come hear what the missionaries had to say. We are pretty stoked about this awesome night!!!! This is the Lord's way to do missionary work! President Hinkley said it and I am so grateful to be seeing the outcome here in EC!!! Life doesn't get much better than this! Have I told you all that I LOVE being a missionary?!?! Because I DO!!!!!
It is sooooo amazing to be a part of the Lord's work on the earth! We had the stake conference broadcast last Sunday. We were able to hear from Elder Wood of the 70, Sister Tanner, Elder Nelson, and President Uchtdorf! It was phenomenal!!! Elder Wood pointed out that the sign of the times is not the destruction or the calamities...it is the Restoration of the Gospel and its dispersion throughout the world!!! How amazing is that?! We get to participate full time in the true sign of the times!! What a marvelous work and a wonder! I love the Lord! I love his children! I love being a missionary! And I LOVE this gospel!
I hope ya'll have a great week!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Yay for Baptisms and Confirmations!!!!
I love being a missionary!!!! This last weekend, Isaac was baptized and confirmed! His dad baptized him which was really awesome since he has been active for a couple months now. He is so sweet. He is from Nigeria! He came to the country about 15 years ago and is the nicest man I have ever met!!! Their family is wonderful and we are going to start teaching their neighbor on Thursday! Sooooo exciting!!!
And then on Sunday night we went to the Ruiz' house for a lesson. They have been less active but have a testimony and a desire to come back to church. Their 10 year old daughter Sabrina hasn't been baptized and we have been praying about it for a little while now and talking to Sis. Ruiz about it. So on Sunday night, we committed Sabrina for baptism! She will be getting baptized on March 15! We are soooo excited! We love their family and it is going to be awesome! We just have to survive transfer calls at the end of the month!
That's the biggest news this week! Happy Valentines' day! I hope ya'll have a great week and enjoy the pictures! And in case I haven't told you...I LOVE being a missionary!!!!!!
Life is great! I am feeling better! Vitamin C-ing it up!
I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
And then on Sunday night we went to the Ruiz' house for a lesson. They have been less active but have a testimony and a desire to come back to church. Their 10 year old daughter Sabrina hasn't been baptized and we have been praying about it for a little while now and talking to Sis. Ruiz about it. So on Sunday night, we committed Sabrina for baptism! She will be getting baptized on March 15! We are soooo excited! We love their family and it is going to be awesome! We just have to survive transfer calls at the end of the month!
That's the biggest news this week! Happy Valentines' day! I hope ya'll have a great week and enjoy the pictures! And in case I haven't told you...I LOVE being a missionary!!!!!!
Life is great! I am feeling better! Vitamin C-ing it up!
I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Hola!!
Hey Ya'll!!
I hope your lives are going as great as mine is! We are so excited to have another baptism here in EC!!! Life couldn't be better! I love NC! It is beautiful! It has been rainy the last couple days and has been about 50-60 degrees everyday! It's great!
So just to let ya'll know, so you don't think miracles aren't happening. I started journaling about my miracles of the day. I figured that I better keep them in a more sacred place than my planner. So if I remember to bring my journal one week, I'll send them, but otherwise, I probably won't!
The highlight of this week has been getting to go to Pres. Hinkley's funeral! What a marvelous experience! My mind was drawn to all the many times I felt the Spirit while Pres. Hinkley spoke. I would love to share my personal favorite memory of Pres. Hinkley! When I was a freshman in high school, he called for a special world wide youth fireside. I was totally excited, I think I thought he was going to announce something of great historical magnitude. That was the fireside where he introduced the 6 bs! Be grateful. Be Smart. Be Clean. Be True. Be Humble. Be Prayerful. As I sat there waiting for something huge, I almost missed the big picture. And then President Hinkley offered a prayer on our behalf. To hear the Prophet of God on the earth plead with the Lord on my behalf was one of the most cherrished experiences of my life! It makes me think of Nephi at the end of his account in 2 Nephi 33:3. I know that President Hinkley truly cared for me as a young woman! I felt the Spirit confirm to me that God cared about me and wanted me to succeed. I know that God has once again restored His church on the earth today and that he did so through calling a prophet! And I know that there has been an unbroken chain of ordinations for the past almost 200 years! I am excited and grateful to have the opportunity to sustain the 16th Prophet of this Dispensation in April! What a grand and glorious chance this is to signify to the Lord that we accept, sustain, and love his chosen servant!
Alright, well I suppose that is enough of my soap-boxing! Please know that I am well! I love being a missionary! I love sharing the gospel! It is the most prized possession I have and I am grateful to freely give it to all I see! I love the Lord with all my heart and am striving to invite His children to come unto Him!
Love,
Sister Abbott
I hope your lives are going as great as mine is! We are so excited to have another baptism here in EC!!! Life couldn't be better! I love NC! It is beautiful! It has been rainy the last couple days and has been about 50-60 degrees everyday! It's great!
So just to let ya'll know, so you don't think miracles aren't happening. I started journaling about my miracles of the day. I figured that I better keep them in a more sacred place than my planner. So if I remember to bring my journal one week, I'll send them, but otherwise, I probably won't!
The highlight of this week has been getting to go to Pres. Hinkley's funeral! What a marvelous experience! My mind was drawn to all the many times I felt the Spirit while Pres. Hinkley spoke. I would love to share my personal favorite memory of Pres. Hinkley! When I was a freshman in high school, he called for a special world wide youth fireside. I was totally excited, I think I thought he was going to announce something of great historical magnitude. That was the fireside where he introduced the 6 bs! Be grateful. Be Smart. Be Clean. Be True. Be Humble. Be Prayerful. As I sat there waiting for something huge, I almost missed the big picture. And then President Hinkley offered a prayer on our behalf. To hear the Prophet of God on the earth plead with the Lord on my behalf was one of the most cherrished experiences of my life! It makes me think of Nephi at the end of his account in 2 Nephi 33:3. I know that President Hinkley truly cared for me as a young woman! I felt the Spirit confirm to me that God cared about me and wanted me to succeed. I know that God has once again restored His church on the earth today and that he did so through calling a prophet! And I know that there has been an unbroken chain of ordinations for the past almost 200 years! I am excited and grateful to have the opportunity to sustain the 16th Prophet of this Dispensation in April! What a grand and glorious chance this is to signify to the Lord that we accept, sustain, and love his chosen servant!
Alright, well I suppose that is enough of my soap-boxing! Please know that I am well! I love being a missionary! I love sharing the gospel! It is the most prized possession I have and I am grateful to freely give it to all I see! I love the Lord with all my heart and am striving to invite His children to come unto Him!
Love,
Sister Abbott
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