Hey ya'al!!!
It's official...I'm in the south! The other day I said the phrase, "Well Sis. Hummel, I'm fixin' to get something out of the trunk..." FIXIN'?! How rad is that?!
Anyway, I am sad to report that I don't have the weekly miracles this week either. I'll repent!
But this was such a GREAT week!! I love being a missionary! Last night we got to teach a whole family! That's right...a whole family!!! Dad wasn't there, but Mom and her 5 kids were!! They are so prepared! There is still a lot of work to do, but they are willing to do it. Yee Haww!!! I love this work!
Last Thursday was great and terrible! It was soooo great because we got so much done. But so terrible because we weren't allowed to proselite (sp?). We got to have weekly planning all morning. Then we cleaned our car...it's so pretty! :) Then we started painting pictures! Then we went to the Dillingers for dinner and the Ward mission leader (Umphletts) for dessert! We were home in time to finish our paintings and go to bed. It was full, but tiring. For some reason when we are doing the Lords work, the tiredness doesn't seem to hit. But when we aren't activly inviting people to come unto Christ, the tired just comes! Isn't that great! What a testimony that this is His work! He lifts us up so we can do His will!
Then on Friday, it was time for dinner, so we parked on a street and pulled out the cooler. As we sat there, we saw a TON of people start congregating at the building right in front of us. We didn't realize it but it was the town's big Christmas lighting ceremony! Naturally, we jumped out and started talking to people! It was soooo great! We met so many nice people. And the Bishop of this ward gave the opening blessing! It was great!! The Lord truly directs us in everything we do...even where to eat dinner!
Well, I suppose that is all for today! December is almost here!! Woo Hooo!!! I love holidays as a missionary!
I love you all! I know that this is truly the Lord's work and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church! How blessed are we to be a part of it?!
Love,
Sister Abbott
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Random thoughts from Sister H & A!- or Sister HA!
Here is a portion of the letter Sister Abbott sent me (Jessie) this week. I thought you all would enjoy. (The title of the post is how Sister Abbott titled this portion of my letter- I didn't make it up).
- We fed a goose a tortilla chip!
- We drove down a street 3 times before we realized the house we were looking for was on the next street.
- We got a ride with a stake missionary and she ran a stop sign... we almost died!
- We taught a lesson to the sister we live with.
- We met a VERY funny lady at a gas station...She was Hungarian!
- Sis. Hart thought her camera was stolen from the airport, but we found it under my car seat! We took fun pictures... a lot of them and then sent it to her.
- We tracted in the strongest wind I have ever seen!
- We taught a man named Dr. Calvin! He's a preacher!
- We met a long haired dachshund!
- We were contacting a referral, and a kid- messy red hair wearing a diaper- slammed herself against the glass. She looked like a kindergartner from "Recess".
- A kid almost ran into the road. We slammed on our brakes and then he waved us on. It was really funny!
- I taught these little kids "Bear, Ninja, Hunter". It's kind of like Rock, Paper, Scissors, but more involved and much more fun! Now, I have random children yelling at me, "1,2,3... ROAR!" with bear claws. It's pretty entertaining.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!!! 11/20/07 excerpts
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
I am so grateful this fine Tuesday morning!!! Just to let you all know... on Thanksgiving, we are going to dinner at a members house at 3 and then helping them decorate for Christmas. Before that, we have weekly planning. It will pretty much be a normal day as a missionary. Sis. Hummel and I are a little bummed that we aren't allowed to proselite. In the white handbook it says that holidays are a great time to find people because they are at home with families. Oh, well... I am excited to be able to devote one whole day to gratitude!!
On a side note, I have heard bits and pieces about the stake center being burnt down. I would love to know more details on that. Please do not worry about it making me homesick... if I have details it helps put my mind at ease and it is easier to get back to work. As I looked at the thumbnail pic that I saw from Meg, and thought about the memories that we have all had in that building it made me so grateful to know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not a building! It is a Kingdom of God! And no one can stop this work! I am so grateful to know that although my memories of practically all of my youth can be traced to that building, my testimony is of my Savior and his Redeeming love. I know that this Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Another Stake Center will be built, and more memories will be made. Although I am saddened at the thought of that building not being there any more, I know that all is well. The Lord allows these things to happen to strengthen us and to help us build to higher heights! What a grand adventure the Lehi Stake is now able to embark on! Pray for President Ahlstrom! I am sure that this is an incredibly trying time on him especially. Pray for him and embrace his vision for whatever will come!
I love this work! I love being a missionary!!! Right before I left on my mission, I was very nervous and often thought, "What have I gotten myself into?!" I was scared for the unknown. But the Lord has truly blessed me! It seems as if these last 5 months have been the longest and yet shortest of my life. I have learned so much about myself, my Father in Heaven, my Savior, and His Gospel. I am excited to make the most of the next 13 months and do my best to invite EVERY soul I meet to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end! I now feel more than ever that this truly is a marvelous work and a wonder! I know that this is the Lords work! There are far too many miracles for it to be the work of man! I am so grateful to be able to be His hands in this work!!!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you! I don't think I express it enough! I have such an amazing support system at home! I know that you all support me and sustain me in this calling. I can feel your prayers and your love daily. My Father in Heaven has blessed me with the most amazing family and friends in the world. How can I not share the most crucial part of the equation? How can we deny the fact that our love, happiness, and joy comes from the knowledge that we have that Heavenly Father has reached out in love once again to his children and has called a Prophet? I know that God has called a Prophet today! I know that it is through Prophets that God reveals His plan to His children (Amos 3:7). And I know that it is through this knowlege that I have found the most happiness. What an amazing blessing to know that our Savior lives?! And that not only does he live, but he leads His church through President Hinkley! This last Sunday, we were tracting and found a man outside who was very polite but told us that he had no intention of changing his religious views. We expressed understanding and through the conversation, I testified that I knew that there was a prophet on the earth today. His eyes shot open, and as I showed him a picture of President Hinkley, I told the man that Pres. Hinkley was a Prophet of God, just as Moses and Noah were Prophets. The man did not speak. He took a card for mormon.org, but declined the invitation to meet with us again. I don't know if he was helped at all by that conversation, but as I testified, I felt my testimony confirmed that the power of God is once again on the earth today and that God has called Prophets for us to have direction in our lives!!
Ok, I'm off of my soap box, but please know that all is well here in Elizabeth City! I am excited to experience Christmas as a missionary! I promise that the miracles will make an appearance again next week.
I love you!!!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
I am so grateful this fine Tuesday morning!!! Just to let you all know... on Thanksgiving, we are going to dinner at a members house at 3 and then helping them decorate for Christmas. Before that, we have weekly planning. It will pretty much be a normal day as a missionary. Sis. Hummel and I are a little bummed that we aren't allowed to proselite. In the white handbook it says that holidays are a great time to find people because they are at home with families. Oh, well... I am excited to be able to devote one whole day to gratitude!!
On a side note, I have heard bits and pieces about the stake center being burnt down. I would love to know more details on that. Please do not worry about it making me homesick... if I have details it helps put my mind at ease and it is easier to get back to work. As I looked at the thumbnail pic that I saw from Meg, and thought about the memories that we have all had in that building it made me so grateful to know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not a building! It is a Kingdom of God! And no one can stop this work! I am so grateful to know that although my memories of practically all of my youth can be traced to that building, my testimony is of my Savior and his Redeeming love. I know that this Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Another Stake Center will be built, and more memories will be made. Although I am saddened at the thought of that building not being there any more, I know that all is well. The Lord allows these things to happen to strengthen us and to help us build to higher heights! What a grand adventure the Lehi Stake is now able to embark on! Pray for President Ahlstrom! I am sure that this is an incredibly trying time on him especially. Pray for him and embrace his vision for whatever will come!
I love this work! I love being a missionary!!! Right before I left on my mission, I was very nervous and often thought, "What have I gotten myself into?!" I was scared for the unknown. But the Lord has truly blessed me! It seems as if these last 5 months have been the longest and yet shortest of my life. I have learned so much about myself, my Father in Heaven, my Savior, and His Gospel. I am excited to make the most of the next 13 months and do my best to invite EVERY soul I meet to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end! I now feel more than ever that this truly is a marvelous work and a wonder! I know that this is the Lords work! There are far too many miracles for it to be the work of man! I am so grateful to be able to be His hands in this work!!!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you! I don't think I express it enough! I have such an amazing support system at home! I know that you all support me and sustain me in this calling. I can feel your prayers and your love daily. My Father in Heaven has blessed me with the most amazing family and friends in the world. How can I not share the most crucial part of the equation? How can we deny the fact that our love, happiness, and joy comes from the knowledge that we have that Heavenly Father has reached out in love once again to his children and has called a Prophet? I know that God has called a Prophet today! I know that it is through Prophets that God reveals His plan to His children (Amos 3:7). And I know that it is through this knowlege that I have found the most happiness. What an amazing blessing to know that our Savior lives?! And that not only does he live, but he leads His church through President Hinkley! This last Sunday, we were tracting and found a man outside who was very polite but told us that he had no intention of changing his religious views. We expressed understanding and through the conversation, I testified that I knew that there was a prophet on the earth today. His eyes shot open, and as I showed him a picture of President Hinkley, I told the man that Pres. Hinkley was a Prophet of God, just as Moses and Noah were Prophets. The man did not speak. He took a card for mormon.org, but declined the invitation to meet with us again. I don't know if he was helped at all by that conversation, but as I testified, I felt my testimony confirmed that the power of God is once again on the earth today and that God has called Prophets for us to have direction in our lives!!
Ok, I'm off of my soap box, but please know that all is well here in Elizabeth City! I am excited to experience Christmas as a missionary! I promise that the miracles will make an appearance again next week.
I love you!!!!
Love,
Sister Abbott
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Email excerps 11/13/07
All is well in NC!!! It has really started getting cold!!!! We went to the mall to look for winter clothes today. By the way, we had a sisters meeting at the last zone conference and Sis. Millburn said that she wants to see more color in our wardrobe. Ok, so she didn't say that. But she said that the area 70s wife said that color is great as long as you are still professional. It was kind of big news. Sis. Kirk was very businessy, but Sis. Millburn is just great!!! We no longer have to wear a white shirt if our jackets and skirts aren't the same color. It is great to know that Sis. Millburn says that it is up to our discression. We just have to make sure that we still look like the Lord's representatives. But I went to the mall this morning...it was a pretty scarce selection. I found a grey cardigan sweater that will be good, but the more I shop, the more I realize that I have clothes like this at home. I can't find any winter coats that fit the missionary qualification (dark-black or brown, and long enough).
Mom, can you send my brown gloves, my winter clothes, and there is a brown throw blanket up in my cedar chest. If there are problems, let me know. It has warmed up this week, but it'll be mighty cold again soon. I know life is crazy, and I understand if it doesn't get shipped right away. I have no problem waiting, but if you don't get it sent this week, can you let me know what you are planning on sending so that I can purchase anything else out here that might be good? I don't want this to be a burden. And now that I'm out here, I realized that I probably should have brought the carry on piece of luggage that I bought...oh well. I'll make it work. I love you!
This week has been a little crazy! I feel like I've been here for forever, but I'm only at my 2 week mark. The people in EC are great! We have met some of the greatest and most hillarious people! It is right on the water (a river I think), and is soooo beautiful! I'll get some pictures and send them at Christmas! I love being on the water! Mom would love it here, but it doesn't smell like the ocean. I don't know if Mom likes the smell...hmmm. Mom, do you like the smell of the ocean? I really feel like I'm in the South here! People are so polite. I get called Miss Abbott pretty often, which is funny. I wonder if people think my first name is actually Sister.
There are a lot of Navy and Coast Guard families in the area. It's great! But I never ever started to understand the true sacrifice their families make. We are working with one Navy wife whose husband is getting ready to ship off for 6 months! Her life seems to be in shambles...hopefully she will start to allow the gospel to help her.
I'm not sure what else you want to know about the area. My comp... Sis. Hummel! She is GREAT!!!!! We laugh SOOOOOO hard! This is her first time being Sr. Companion and I am new, so it's interesting! She has Ciliac disease, so she can't eat wheat barley or rye. She is also highly allergic to brocolli, esparagus, cheddar cheese, sage, thyme, and basil. Setting up dinner appointments is fun! It is really funny how people see it as a challenge to see what they can make that she can eat. It's also funny to have them turn to me and say, "what about you?" I get to say, "I'm not allergic to anything!" It's a good time. She reminds me a lot of Geneva Castillo back in Jr. High. Crazy. wacky. and just nuts! Plus, she thinks I'm hillarious, which is a plus!
Dad, I'm glad that all is going well. Filling a teaching pool is one of the most exciting things ever. Last week at Zone Conference, I realized that the sifting process has many steps. We sift to find those who are willing to listen and then we have to sift through them to find those who are prepared to receive and embrace the Restored Gospel. It's great! But that is the sad part...finding people who just aren't there yet!
We had such a miracle on Saturday. We received a referral for a woman with no name and no address. We were given a description and a few streets that she might live on. So we headed out to find her! We parked at onestreet, prayed and decided to go into down town. We drove around and parked where we felt we needed to be. We didn't end up finding the woman, but we tracted into a woman who used to meet with the missionaries, but wasn't ready to make the commitment yet. She was so excited to see us, and we set up a return appointment. She is so prepared! She just moved out of living with her boyfriend and is excited to have sister missionaries! We will teach her this week!
Ok, well I better get going! I love you all!
Love,
Sister Abbott
Mom, can you send my brown gloves, my winter clothes, and there is a brown throw blanket up in my cedar chest. If there are problems, let me know. It has warmed up this week, but it'll be mighty cold again soon. I know life is crazy, and I understand if it doesn't get shipped right away. I have no problem waiting, but if you don't get it sent this week, can you let me know what you are planning on sending so that I can purchase anything else out here that might be good? I don't want this to be a burden. And now that I'm out here, I realized that I probably should have brought the carry on piece of luggage that I bought...oh well. I'll make it work. I love you!
This week has been a little crazy! I feel like I've been here for forever, but I'm only at my 2 week mark. The people in EC are great! We have met some of the greatest and most hillarious people! It is right on the water (a river I think), and is soooo beautiful! I'll get some pictures and send them at Christmas! I love being on the water! Mom would love it here, but it doesn't smell like the ocean. I don't know if Mom likes the smell...hmmm. Mom, do you like the smell of the ocean? I really feel like I'm in the South here! People are so polite. I get called Miss Abbott pretty often, which is funny. I wonder if people think my first name is actually Sister.
There are a lot of Navy and Coast Guard families in the area. It's great! But I never ever started to understand the true sacrifice their families make. We are working with one Navy wife whose husband is getting ready to ship off for 6 months! Her life seems to be in shambles...hopefully she will start to allow the gospel to help her.
I'm not sure what else you want to know about the area. My comp... Sis. Hummel! She is GREAT!!!!! We laugh SOOOOOO hard! This is her first time being Sr. Companion and I am new, so it's interesting! She has Ciliac disease, so she can't eat wheat barley or rye. She is also highly allergic to brocolli, esparagus, cheddar cheese, sage, thyme, and basil. Setting up dinner appointments is fun! It is really funny how people see it as a challenge to see what they can make that she can eat. It's also funny to have them turn to me and say, "what about you?" I get to say, "I'm not allergic to anything!" It's a good time. She reminds me a lot of Geneva Castillo back in Jr. High. Crazy. wacky. and just nuts! Plus, she thinks I'm hillarious, which is a plus!
Dad, I'm glad that all is going well. Filling a teaching pool is one of the most exciting things ever. Last week at Zone Conference, I realized that the sifting process has many steps. We sift to find those who are willing to listen and then we have to sift through them to find those who are prepared to receive and embrace the Restored Gospel. It's great! But that is the sad part...finding people who just aren't there yet!
We had such a miracle on Saturday. We received a referral for a woman with no name and no address. We were given a description and a few streets that she might live on. So we headed out to find her! We parked at onestreet, prayed and decided to go into down town. We drove around and parked where we felt we needed to be. We didn't end up finding the woman, but we tracted into a woman who used to meet with the missionaries, but wasn't ready to make the commitment yet. She was so excited to see us, and we set up a return appointment. She is so prepared! She just moved out of living with her boyfriend and is excited to have sister missionaries! We will teach her this week!
Ok, well I better get going! I love you all!
Love,
Sister Abbott
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
An email to Jessie 11/6/07
I am sooooooo sorry that I mistyped the address. I was actually telling Sis. Hummel that I was needing to rebuke my family for not writing me when in actuallity, it's my fault. Hopefully the PO will get it figured out! But Sis. Hummel says that usually letters get here REALLY fast. So have no fear!
I am really overwhelmed here! Not bad, doubting myself overwhelmed...just overwhelmed. It's weird not having 2 comps. I miss it. But this is good...I was spoiled for too long. It's frustrating because when there is 3 you can teach a single man, but with 2 you HAVE to have exchanges or you can't teach! Bah! It is nice being able to sit in the front seat though.
Man, I am MOST definately in the South!!! I feel like I jumped into a Andy Griffith episode. It's not that small town but the people act like it. It's great!!! I love it here. I think I'll stay here a while! Hopefully at least 3 transfers!
Well, I am excited to get the package...whenever it comes.
I have to run!
Sister Abbott
I am really overwhelmed here! Not bad, doubting myself overwhelmed...just overwhelmed. It's weird not having 2 comps. I miss it. But this is good...I was spoiled for too long. It's frustrating because when there is 3 you can teach a single man, but with 2 you HAVE to have exchanges or you can't teach! Bah! It is nice being able to sit in the front seat though.
Man, I am MOST definately in the South!!! I feel like I jumped into a Andy Griffith episode. It's not that small town but the people act like it. It's great!!! I love it here. I think I'll stay here a while! Hopefully at least 3 transfers!
Well, I am excited to get the package...whenever it comes.
I have to run!
Sister Abbott
Wrong address... 11/6/07
So I didn't realize until I got Jessie's e-mail that I mistyped the address. It's 312 TraVis Dr. I'm sorry. But that explains why I haven't gotten any mail this week. I was starting to be a little upset. just kidding.
I have to admit that I have been a little lax this week on my daily miracles. They are happening, but I am a little overwhelmed right now and haven't been documenting them. But ironically, I've been doing better at journaling.
I love North Carolina! Elizabeth City is right on a river, and it is soooo beautiful! I'll have to get some pictures and send them! The other day we were tracting, and we went to this one house. The man had a bunch of NC TarHeel stuff. I saw something that said, "This is Tar Heel country". I thought...that's NC! And then I realized that I am in NC! It still hasn't totally sunk in that I'm not in VA anymore. I keep asking people what brought them to VA. It will probably sink in about a week before I go back to VA.
We had a cool experience on Sat. Sis. Hummel has celiac (sp) disease, which means that she can't eat Glutin. So we have to go in for one meal a day, and we live in the boonies, so it can sometimes be a slight disadvantage. But we decided to visit some less active sisters in the nursing home right by where we live. As we were leaving, I asked Sis. Hummel if they had ever given a pass along card to the secretary at the front. She looked surprized, and said no. I walked over to the woman and before I could say anything, I noticed that she had her Bible out. I asked about where she was reading...the Beatitudes. I gave her a Book of Mormon and showed her where Christ taught the people in the Americas the same principles. She was very excited and very interrested. We are meeting with her tomorrow! It's going to be great!
I'm glad that all is going well. Mom...take it easy! Don't be in a wheelchair when I get home, ok? I was needing to ask a couple things... 1) I need to know when Aunt Marilyn served, who her mission president was, and her maiden name. There is a less active man who served in that mission and this might be a way to get in to meet with his family. 2) What exactly is Meg's nerve disease? There is a woman in the ward who was recently diagnosed with MS, but she is going for a second oppinion. What meds does Meg take for it?
I am feeling very rushed today, but I'm not sure why.
I think I mentioned it last week, but we are living with a family in the ward. They are great! We are excited to help them decorate for Christmas on Dec. 4. We get to have a real Christmas, not a fake picture of a tree Christmas. It's going to be great! And we only have to survive one transfer to be here on Christmas.
I suppose that's all...I might write more if I think of anything.
Love, Sister Abbott
I have to admit that I have been a little lax this week on my daily miracles. They are happening, but I am a little overwhelmed right now and haven't been documenting them. But ironically, I've been doing better at journaling.
I love North Carolina! Elizabeth City is right on a river, and it is soooo beautiful! I'll have to get some pictures and send them! The other day we were tracting, and we went to this one house. The man had a bunch of NC TarHeel stuff. I saw something that said, "This is Tar Heel country". I thought...that's NC! And then I realized that I am in NC! It still hasn't totally sunk in that I'm not in VA anymore. I keep asking people what brought them to VA. It will probably sink in about a week before I go back to VA.
We had a cool experience on Sat. Sis. Hummel has celiac (sp) disease, which means that she can't eat Glutin. So we have to go in for one meal a day, and we live in the boonies, so it can sometimes be a slight disadvantage. But we decided to visit some less active sisters in the nursing home right by where we live. As we were leaving, I asked Sis. Hummel if they had ever given a pass along card to the secretary at the front. She looked surprized, and said no. I walked over to the woman and before I could say anything, I noticed that she had her Bible out. I asked about where she was reading...the Beatitudes. I gave her a Book of Mormon and showed her where Christ taught the people in the Americas the same principles. She was very excited and very interrested. We are meeting with her tomorrow! It's going to be great!
I'm glad that all is going well. Mom...take it easy! Don't be in a wheelchair when I get home, ok? I was needing to ask a couple things... 1) I need to know when Aunt Marilyn served, who her mission president was, and her maiden name. There is a less active man who served in that mission and this might be a way to get in to meet with his family. 2) What exactly is Meg's nerve disease? There is a woman in the ward who was recently diagnosed with MS, but she is going for a second oppinion. What meds does Meg take for it?
I am feeling very rushed today, but I'm not sure why.
I think I mentioned it last week, but we are living with a family in the ward. They are great! We are excited to help them decorate for Christmas on Dec. 4. We get to have a real Christmas, not a fake picture of a tree Christmas. It's going to be great! And we only have to survive one transfer to be here on Christmas.
I suppose that's all...I might write more if I think of anything.
Love, Sister Abbott
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sister Abbott's new area
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
This picture was taken from an airship hovering over Elizabeth City. The City's expansive waterfront is shown punctuated by a bridge carrying motorists to and from the City and Camden County. The beautiful Pasquotank River winds it way to the Albemarle Sound at the top.
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