Dearest Familia y Amistades,
So this email goes out to little Calvin who is having a birthday
today. Love you little man :) and to celebrate your birthday I went to
the zoo :) pictures to follow :)
So hmm this week we didn't do a whole lot because we spent one day in
Naperville, 2.5hrs away.
The highlights, our one and only member is in the hospital. The good
news is her husband and her went to court on Tuesday and he is not
getting deported, and least not yet. We are glad to hear that. Our
only progressing investigators are doing great, Carla and Carlos,
except Carla is in jail this whole week....she didn't do community
service. Funny story first time I met her she was talking about how
she has to go to jail and I just stopped her and was like "hey um
what're you going to jail for"...hahah really kind of important
information. But it's nothing big. We won't see them this week though
because of that :( but we had a cool experience with this. So she has
been really scared and nervous about going to jail....with good
reason....so we offered to find someone who could give her a
priesthood blessing of comfort. She said yes and so we made a plan. So
on Sunday night we go over there with one of our members who speaks
Spanish, first thing we see when we pull up is a few guys our age in
the yard, it looks like they were having a little party. Hna Figueroa
and I are just like great, this isn't going to be a good environment
to have someone get a blessing. Plus I am going to be honest, it is
somewhat uncomfortable sometimes to teach nonmembers of the opposite
sex who are your age....sometimes they get weird and talk about taking
you on dates, and thinking you're cute....maybe that happened to me a
few times......awkward....anyway we go in and find out they had
invited a couple of their friends over who wanted to see the blessing.
They were very respectful and quiet. So she got her blessing which was
so sweet, and tender, and which you could tell really touched everyone
there's heart. It was so cool too because our member speaks pretty
good Spanish, but during the blessing he spoke perfect Spanish. It was
so cool. Anyway, afterwards, we had the perfect opportunity to teach
about the restoration of the gospel to these friends that were there
and to talk about the importance of the priesthood. How our church is
the only church that has this authority from Jesus Christ to
performing these ordinances because they were given to they prophet
Joseph Smith when God called him to be a prophet, and how our prophet
today has this authority and can trace his authority back to Jesus
Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. It was very simple and short.
But so powerful and these two men were really interested, and opened
their hearts to the truth. They said the blessing was beautiful. It
was cool. We aren't sure what will happen with them but it was
awesome.
Well that might be the only big cool story for the week. This has been
a harder transfer if I am being honest. Things on all fronts just
aren't running as smoothly. But it's okay. I am not in the pit of
despair. It did rain all week though, that was kind of a bummer.
But today we went to the zoo! It was awesome. I love the zoo. Also
there is all sorts of beautiful flowers and birds here. It makes it
really beautiful to be outside and walk around. We had some miracles
of finding people. Little impressions that only barely graze your
thoughts and if you don't grab onto them they're gone. That is a lot
of what happened this week.
One other cool story I thought of that happened this week. We had an
appointment on Saturday with a women named Miriam at 11:00. Well first
let me back up. We have been trying to get ahold of this lady for
quite awhile. She lives on our way to the church so we usually go when
were going to the church which always seems to be in the morning and
she is never there. So on Tuesday we are driving home from a meeting
and we have maybe 10 extra minutes, so I just have this slight
impression to stop by Miriam's on the way home. So we do, and she is
there! We set up the appointment for Saturday. Anyway, flash forward
to Saturday. We don't have the car so we have to take the bus. We
either have to leave at 10 and reschedule an hour of studies plus get
there 30mins early or leave at 11 and get there 30mins late. So we
decide to go early. It seems like everything is working against us
getting there early though seriously. But finally we go out and catch
the bus(it stops right outside our apartment basically). We are
getting on and the bus drivers all know us because we ride the bus so
often (and we stand out with name tags and skirts), so they don't look
to closely to see if we actually have bus passes, so I go to pull mine
out, not there. I search my bag, my jacket, my pockets, not there. So
we go a little ways down the rode, and are contemplating just trying
to survive the day without my bus pass, especially since the drivers
know us, or going back for it. We decide to go back, and get off the
bus a ways down the street. We have to walk back home and search for
my pass, which we find in the bathroom.....? Okay. Haha so we wait
30ish minutes and catch the next bus. Two miracles came from this
little situation, first, EVERY SINGLE bus driver in Saturday was a
part time bus driver, and we did not know any of them. We would not
have been able to get on any bus without my pass, and would have been
stranded. Second, when we got to Miriam's 30mins late, her friend had
just gotten there as well. Her friend is also someone we met awhile
ago and have been trying to get ahold of. We had no idea they were
friends. They let us in and we taught them both. The friend was super
interested and Miriam not so much. If we had been early or on time,
the friend would not have been there and we could not have taught her.
It was really cool. That whole day we were just think about how The
Lord's hand really is in every moment if this work. This is HIS work.
These are His children. We are just here trying to help them
understand His gospel. How they can be saved through His Atonement,
and by living according to the ways He has set. It really is awesome
to be a part of it. I love being a missionary. Even when you're out of
money and no one feeds you so you and your companion eat pastries for
5 consecutive meals....(not that I did that Saturday and
Sunday.......okay I did). But really this church is true. This church
is the church of Jesus Christ on the earth. I know it because I live
it, I see it change lives everyday. I see it change my life everyday,
and I have felt it burning in my heart.
I love you all. Fight the good fight. Finish your course with faith.
Hermana Simmons
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
The Week We Face Timed - May 15, 2014
Hey there :)
So since I just face timed you on Sunday I am not exactly sure what to
write this week. I mean I guess I didn't tell you much about my week,
but still it am only use to talking to you once a week. What am I
going to do when I come home and I see you everyday! Weird. Haha
Well this week was long and fast. Two days we basically rode e bus the
whole day because things kept being changed around. This week we also
left the house super early. One day we left at 7am and then we didn't
get home till about 7:30ish.....it felt like the longest day ever. We
don't come home for meals because we work too far from where we live,
so we stayed out for 12hrs. It was a loooong day. Then yesterday we
left at 9 and didn't come home till 9:00. It was also,a really log
day, especially since they appointments we had cancelled on us when we
got there so we had no point to leave early. So it was a long week the
long days. But that's okay, when you're at the end of the week it
always feels really short.
Also this week my companion started to get sick. Like the kind of sick
where gradually her body starts to go numb, like she has a pinched
nerve. It's basically not good. She walks like a grandma and has to
take lots of breaks. It first started at church and her legs started
shaking badly so we went to the car, and then she just got really
exhausted and kind of loopy. So we have been talking with Sister Fenn
and Salt Lake, and everyone it seems, and we are going to make the
2.5hr drive up to Naperville, where the mission office is on Thursday
so she can have an exam. She is stubborn and doesn't like to go to the
doctor. So we have been joking about how that's why I am her companion
because I am going to make her get the help she needs while also
making her suck it up. Haha she is that kind of person that just kind
of pushes through like there is nothing wrong which I can relate to.
So yeah. We will probably be having frequent doctor trips and such
these next weeks. I hope she gets better :(
Also this is fun, I have already run out of money on my card for the
month....seriously I do not know how. Probably because for like a week
and a half we didn't have dinner appointments and we don't come home
so we ate out every night. But that's okay we have lots of food, and
dinner appointments I won't die. Haha I was just buying groceries
today like....hmmm......haha okay.
Anyway I just want to give a shout out to the greatest family in the
world. And the greatest mom. I love you all so much. My companion and
I had this conversation after skyping about how we just love our
families so much there isn't words, and we just wish they would
understand that. So yes. I love you all so much. I am so grateful to
have you in my life.
Sorry this isn't super great email. I am out of words for this week. I
love you! Fight the good fight.
Con Cariño,
Hermana Simmons
p.s. Greatest four year old ever is going to turn five on Monday. Love
you Calvin, enjoy your spaghetti and meatballs :)
So since I just face timed you on Sunday I am not exactly sure what to
write this week. I mean I guess I didn't tell you much about my week,
but still it am only use to talking to you once a week. What am I
going to do when I come home and I see you everyday! Weird. Haha
Well this week was long and fast. Two days we basically rode e bus the
whole day because things kept being changed around. This week we also
left the house super early. One day we left at 7am and then we didn't
get home till about 7:30ish.....it felt like the longest day ever. We
don't come home for meals because we work too far from where we live,
so we stayed out for 12hrs. It was a loooong day. Then yesterday we
left at 9 and didn't come home till 9:00. It was also,a really log
day, especially since they appointments we had cancelled on us when we
got there so we had no point to leave early. So it was a long week the
long days. But that's okay, when you're at the end of the week it
always feels really short.
Also this week my companion started to get sick. Like the kind of sick
where gradually her body starts to go numb, like she has a pinched
nerve. It's basically not good. She walks like a grandma and has to
take lots of breaks. It first started at church and her legs started
shaking badly so we went to the car, and then she just got really
exhausted and kind of loopy. So we have been talking with Sister Fenn
and Salt Lake, and everyone it seems, and we are going to make the
2.5hr drive up to Naperville, where the mission office is on Thursday
so she can have an exam. She is stubborn and doesn't like to go to the
doctor. So we have been joking about how that's why I am her companion
because I am going to make her get the help she needs while also
making her suck it up. Haha she is that kind of person that just kind
of pushes through like there is nothing wrong which I can relate to.
So yeah. We will probably be having frequent doctor trips and such
these next weeks. I hope she gets better :(
Also this is fun, I have already run out of money on my card for the
month....seriously I do not know how. Probably because for like a week
and a half we didn't have dinner appointments and we don't come home
so we ate out every night. But that's okay we have lots of food, and
dinner appointments I won't die. Haha I was just buying groceries
today like....hmmm......haha okay.
Anyway I just want to give a shout out to the greatest family in the
world. And the greatest mom. I love you all so much. My companion and
I had this conversation after skyping about how we just love our
families so much there isn't words, and we just wish they would
understand that. So yes. I love you all so much. I am so grateful to
have you in my life.
Sorry this isn't super great email. I am out of words for this week. I
love you! Fight the good fight.
Con Cariño,
Hermana Simmons
p.s. Greatest four year old ever is going to turn five on Monday. Love
you Calvin, enjoy your spaghetti and meatballs :)
Sunday, May 11, 2014
First Week in Bloomington/Normal - May 5, 2014
Hello Ladies and Gents,
Sorry I accidentally sent a one liner. Whoops.
Well this week has been loooong. Basically I have felt like a fish out of water not knowing where I am going, or where I am. Haha it is great. So good news, I mean yes this is he. Idle of nowhere, but it isn't also. And there is Hispanics, you just have to track them down. Luckily though, there has been about 8ish months since this area was opened so they already have found a lot of them. So we do actually teach, in Spanish! But we can also teach in English, that's a nice
break. Haha we are in a English ward. It's great. Apparently when I pray in English I pronounce some words weird, so it sounds like I have a British accent, it happens when I read the scriptures too they tell me. So there is an Elder serving in this area, that served in my last area, and when he found out I was getting transferred down here, he told the whole ward about it. Haha so first thing they do is ask me to say the closing prayer in sacrament meeting. So I am like sure. Then I get to church on Sunday and am meeting people and such and they are like "oh Hermana Simmons we have heard about you, you pray in a British accent"......I was just like great....haha I know I do it. It isn't intentional, but it has gotten worse since I have stopped speaking English, or praying in English. Haha I feel like I just sound awkward speaking in English now. For example when we go to members houses and share a little message with them and such, and of course it is in English, I just feel so like blahhhh, haha I can't talk, or I fumble over my words, at least in my head. Haha
So we have some great people in this area. I am definitely excited to be here. First is this girl named Carla, she is 20, and has a little 3yr old. She speaks English better then Spanish so we teach her in English, but she is engaged to this guy named Carlos, and he only speaks Spanish. Anyway, they're great. We got them to come to church on Sunday, and Hermana Figueroa was in the back translating, but I got to sit next to them. It was the best. They just soaked it all in. Especially Carlos, we haven't really been able to teach him, but Carl got him to come to church, and he loved it. He is a super nice guy, and he just loves Carla's little girl to death, they're an adorable couple. Anyway, it was so great to sit next to them because it was testimony meeting and he was feeling the spirit, but you could tell he just didn't know what to do. But he liked it. And someone got up and started talking about eternal families, and he reached over and grabbed Carla's hand. It was just the best. They were going to leave after the first hour, because originally Carlos said he would only come if they left after the first hour. But then he said he wanted to stay, so they came to the second hour. Which is in Spanish. Usually one of the members who speaks Spanish teaches, but he wasn't there, so we taught. It was such a good lesson. We just wanted to invite them to be baptized right there, but it would of been weird haha with the other people in class too. Haha so we didn't. Anyway, it was a really great Sunday.
Hermana Figueroa is great. She just speaks Spanish, all the time. She prefers it more then English sometimes, so it's a nice combination of listening to Spanish a lot, but also being about to talk in a language I am comfortable in, English. Haha she is an interesting person. Very random. Haha but funny, and we laugh and get along well.
We also ride the bus here. When we don't have the car we ride the bus it is usually about 2-3hrs of our day riding the bus, because we live out in the boonies, literally. And we do all our work in downtown Bloomington. But I love the bus. It's so fun. All the drivers know us, so we teach them lessons as we drive. They know all the missionaries. So they always say, hey we say those two other boy ones. Haha or the other girls. Etc. We call them district investigators since we all teach them. We also meet really interesting people. It's great. But
since we live so far away we rarely come home for dinner....this week we ate out a lot. But normally we are feed almost every night of the week. She never gets hungry and I am over here like, hey I am going to need to eat very soon, or I will start to get quite grumpy. Hahah it's fun.
So the struggle in this area is that most people work ALL DAY/ALL WEEK. Literally. We can never contact them, much less them come to church. So when we find people who can come to church, we work with them at all costs. We have been focusing on the youth, because they speak English and can be fellowshipped by the ward, and will eventually lead their parents to the truth, and since that we have
found really awesome youth. I mean just great!
So yes, this week was good. But long. We dont knock doors as much as I thought. I mean not anymore then I did in my last area. This is gonna be good.
We have a washer and dryer in our apartment! And wifi, and I have my own bathroom and closet. What more could you want? I mean to live closer, but that's okay. Also the English sisters live right next door to them, so we spend a lot of time with them. That's also who we share a car with.
Anyway, not much else for this week. But skyping on Sunday!!! It will be best for me between 5-7 your time. Cause we have almost 2hrs. So yeah! I love you. Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
Sorry I accidentally sent a one liner. Whoops.
Well this week has been loooong. Basically I have felt like a fish out of water not knowing where I am going, or where I am. Haha it is great. So good news, I mean yes this is he. Idle of nowhere, but it isn't also. And there is Hispanics, you just have to track them down. Luckily though, there has been about 8ish months since this area was opened so they already have found a lot of them. So we do actually teach, in Spanish! But we can also teach in English, that's a nice
break. Haha we are in a English ward. It's great. Apparently when I pray in English I pronounce some words weird, so it sounds like I have a British accent, it happens when I read the scriptures too they tell me. So there is an Elder serving in this area, that served in my last area, and when he found out I was getting transferred down here, he told the whole ward about it. Haha so first thing they do is ask me to say the closing prayer in sacrament meeting. So I am like sure. Then I get to church on Sunday and am meeting people and such and they are like "oh Hermana Simmons we have heard about you, you pray in a British accent"......I was just like great....haha I know I do it. It isn't intentional, but it has gotten worse since I have stopped speaking English, or praying in English. Haha I feel like I just sound awkward speaking in English now. For example when we go to members houses and share a little message with them and such, and of course it is in English, I just feel so like blahhhh, haha I can't talk, or I fumble over my words, at least in my head. Haha
So we have some great people in this area. I am definitely excited to be here. First is this girl named Carla, she is 20, and has a little 3yr old. She speaks English better then Spanish so we teach her in English, but she is engaged to this guy named Carlos, and he only speaks Spanish. Anyway, they're great. We got them to come to church on Sunday, and Hermana Figueroa was in the back translating, but I got to sit next to them. It was the best. They just soaked it all in. Especially Carlos, we haven't really been able to teach him, but Carl got him to come to church, and he loved it. He is a super nice guy, and he just loves Carla's little girl to death, they're an adorable couple. Anyway, it was so great to sit next to them because it was testimony meeting and he was feeling the spirit, but you could tell he just didn't know what to do. But he liked it. And someone got up and started talking about eternal families, and he reached over and grabbed Carla's hand. It was just the best. They were going to leave after the first hour, because originally Carlos said he would only come if they left after the first hour. But then he said he wanted to stay, so they came to the second hour. Which is in Spanish. Usually one of the members who speaks Spanish teaches, but he wasn't there, so we taught. It was such a good lesson. We just wanted to invite them to be baptized right there, but it would of been weird haha with the other people in class too. Haha so we didn't. Anyway, it was a really great Sunday.
Hermana Figueroa is great. She just speaks Spanish, all the time. She prefers it more then English sometimes, so it's a nice combination of listening to Spanish a lot, but also being about to talk in a language I am comfortable in, English. Haha she is an interesting person. Very random. Haha but funny, and we laugh and get along well.
We also ride the bus here. When we don't have the car we ride the bus it is usually about 2-3hrs of our day riding the bus, because we live out in the boonies, literally. And we do all our work in downtown Bloomington. But I love the bus. It's so fun. All the drivers know us, so we teach them lessons as we drive. They know all the missionaries. So they always say, hey we say those two other boy ones. Haha or the other girls. Etc. We call them district investigators since we all teach them. We also meet really interesting people. It's great. But
since we live so far away we rarely come home for dinner....this week we ate out a lot. But normally we are feed almost every night of the week. She never gets hungry and I am over here like, hey I am going to need to eat very soon, or I will start to get quite grumpy. Hahah it's fun.
So the struggle in this area is that most people work ALL DAY/ALL WEEK. Literally. We can never contact them, much less them come to church. So when we find people who can come to church, we work with them at all costs. We have been focusing on the youth, because they speak English and can be fellowshipped by the ward, and will eventually lead their parents to the truth, and since that we have
found really awesome youth. I mean just great!
So yes, this week was good. But long. We dont knock doors as much as I thought. I mean not anymore then I did in my last area. This is gonna be good.
We have a washer and dryer in our apartment! And wifi, and I have my own bathroom and closet. What more could you want? I mean to live closer, but that's okay. Also the English sisters live right next door to them, so we spend a lot of time with them. That's also who we share a car with.
Anyway, not much else for this week. But skyping on Sunday!!! It will be best for me between 5-7 your time. Cause we have almost 2hrs. So yeah! I love you. Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
The week our Wish Was Granted and We Saw Geese Take Flight - Mar 31, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This week sucked, and I don't want to talk about how all of our miracles, and everyone we love, dropped us. Not kidding. Everyone.
So instead I will write about the exciting things coming this week :)
So this coming week, lots of exciting things :)
First, on Friday we have mission Conference. It's going to be (wait for it) legendary. It's called "The Restoration". So we will all be going to this forest, on Friday, and we are going to have what president calls 'a sacred grove' experience. Illinois is an interesting place, and I loved that we are so focused on the Profeta Joseph Smith in this mission since this is the place he died. So
anyway, I digress, in December President Fenn gave us all a Book of Mormon challenge. On Christmas (or somewhere around there), we all started a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon, and he have 3 colored pencils. Red, blue, and yellow. Each went with different topics, which we would highlight as we found while we read. The red signified the Atonement, and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Blue signified our missionary purpose, anything that would help us be better missionaries, examples of missionary work etc (I never knew here was so much about missionary work in the Book of Mormon). And yellow signified the gospel of Jesus Christ, so faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It has been awesome. I will finish the Book of Mormon tomorrow probably. Reading the Book of Mormon by topic, and searching out for these different things has really opened my eyes. It has also really helped my love for the prophet Joseph grow. Anyway so with that as our back drop we are all heading to this forest, and none of us are exactly sure what's going to happen. But you could say we are all pretty pumped about it.
President Fenn is the best, so anytime you can hear from him is
awesome. So I will fill you in on what happened next week :)
Also so pumped for general conference. Honestly we are so blessed to having a living prophet Thomas S. Monson, and living apostles, same as they had when Christ was on the earth and organized his church. I hope you will all prepare spiritually that your hearts might be opened, and that you might receive revelation on how you personally need to become more Christlike in your lives.
This week was hard that is not a lie. I got more mad then I have been on my mission yet, and I also got so burnt out with this area. But that being said, there is always another miracle. For example, I am really grateful for my companion. She has been super helpful and has let me work through my struggles this week, without trying to "fix" me. She has just been really understand that sometimes being a missionary is hard. Especially since she felt pretty much how I felt this week, minus the mad, she doesn't really get mad. And I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, all I wanted to do, was read the Book of Mormon all the time. It bring a such peace to my heart. My relationship with my Savior grows every time I open that book. My relationship with my savior also grew this week, and I turned to him in prayer more fervently to help me. I am grateful to be a missionary, thick or thin. I am grateful for the hard times as well as the good,
because that is when we grow the most. We don't grow very much if at
all when things are easy. I am grateful to be stretched and to be refined, so that I may become the women The Lord has prepared we to become, and wants me to become. How merciful is He that He, "shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify [us], and purge [us] as gold and silver, that [we] may offer unto The Lord an offering of righteousness"(3 Nephi 24:3). I am grateful for our own private Gethsemane's and Calvary's. For the opportunity to become more like our Savior.
Keep fighting the good fight.
I love you
Hermana Simmons
This week sucked, and I don't want to talk about how all of our miracles, and everyone we love, dropped us. Not kidding. Everyone.
So instead I will write about the exciting things coming this week :)
So this coming week, lots of exciting things :)
First, on Friday we have mission Conference. It's going to be (wait for it) legendary. It's called "The Restoration". So we will all be going to this forest, on Friday, and we are going to have what president calls 'a sacred grove' experience. Illinois is an interesting place, and I loved that we are so focused on the Profeta Joseph Smith in this mission since this is the place he died. So
anyway, I digress, in December President Fenn gave us all a Book of Mormon challenge. On Christmas (or somewhere around there), we all started a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon, and he have 3 colored pencils. Red, blue, and yellow. Each went with different topics, which we would highlight as we found while we read. The red signified the Atonement, and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Blue signified our missionary purpose, anything that would help us be better missionaries, examples of missionary work etc (I never knew here was so much about missionary work in the Book of Mormon). And yellow signified the gospel of Jesus Christ, so faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It has been awesome. I will finish the Book of Mormon tomorrow probably. Reading the Book of Mormon by topic, and searching out for these different things has really opened my eyes. It has also really helped my love for the prophet Joseph grow. Anyway so with that as our back drop we are all heading to this forest, and none of us are exactly sure what's going to happen. But you could say we are all pretty pumped about it.
President Fenn is the best, so anytime you can hear from him is
awesome. So I will fill you in on what happened next week :)
Also so pumped for general conference. Honestly we are so blessed to having a living prophet Thomas S. Monson, and living apostles, same as they had when Christ was on the earth and organized his church. I hope you will all prepare spiritually that your hearts might be opened, and that you might receive revelation on how you personally need to become more Christlike in your lives.
This week was hard that is not a lie. I got more mad then I have been on my mission yet, and I also got so burnt out with this area. But that being said, there is always another miracle. For example, I am really grateful for my companion. She has been super helpful and has let me work through my struggles this week, without trying to "fix" me. She has just been really understand that sometimes being a missionary is hard. Especially since she felt pretty much how I felt this week, minus the mad, she doesn't really get mad. And I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, all I wanted to do, was read the Book of Mormon all the time. It bring a such peace to my heart. My relationship with my Savior grows every time I open that book. My relationship with my savior also grew this week, and I turned to him in prayer more fervently to help me. I am grateful to be a missionary, thick or thin. I am grateful for the hard times as well as the good,
because that is when we grow the most. We don't grow very much if at
all when things are easy. I am grateful to be stretched and to be refined, so that I may become the women The Lord has prepared we to become, and wants me to become. How merciful is He that He, "shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify [us], and purge [us] as gold and silver, that [we] may offer unto The Lord an offering of righteousness"(3 Nephi 24:3). I am grateful for our own private Gethsemane's and Calvary's. For the opportunity to become more like our Savior.
Keep fighting the good fight.
I love you
Hermana Simmons
The week I turned 21!! Woohoo!! - Mar 24, 2014
Hello hello hello,
I have a lot to write this week, so I am just going to get going. I am going to break it down by days which I don't normally do, but there was a lot this week, so I'm doing it :)
Monday: jeez, Monday feels like a lifetime ago. Honestly. Well as most of you know Monday was not my favorite day of all time, it was kind of a bummer day. Not sure why, just feeling the blues. But can I just say that I love all of you so much. When I got home that night and had a billon emails from all my family and loved ones saying happy birthday and being all encouraging and supportive, I was casi in tears. (Well I was when I read my brothers....okay, I am human, occasionally I cry.....just get off my back...haha). So basically all I have to say about Monday is that. I love you guys. You're the best, and I am so lucky and grateful to have such supportive and loving people in my life. Thanks :)
Tuesday: MY BIRTHDAY! I mean I don't know if you know thus, but I turned 21 this week. It was pretty great. Not in the missionary work part (no one let us in, and we only scheduled our favorite people that day). No importa, it was a great day. We went to the care center and visited with Angie, hopefully you remember me telling you about her. Love her. So that was happy :) then we went to Taco Bell, McDonalds, and Panda Express for lunch (we got our favorite things from each). Then I can't remember what else happened until that night. So around 5 we stopped at home because I knew that Tammy was suppose to come drop something off, and when we got there it was already there. Can I just take a minute to say, I LOVE MY MOM. She is the best, without fail she has always figured out how to get me corned beef and cabbage for my birthday every year, at college, and even here on the mission. It was so great. And thanks to Tammy for bringing it all the way from Elgin, and bringing a cake, and cookies :) I about died. I just kept saying wow I love my mom, wow I love my family, I have the best family. :) just so you know. Anyway, then, we went to Hermana Padilla's. And her house was all decorated, and we got here first...awkward, but it was suppose to be a surprise party. It was basically the best thing I could have imagined. They all went around the table and told us why they loved us individually, and the difference we had made in their lives(Hna Padilla is our mom here, we have an awesome relationship with her, the girls, Thalia, we baptized her sister last transfer, and David of course our recent convert). It was awesome! :) best birthday I could have imagined on the mission.
Wednesday: went to district meeting where I got packages :) you guys are the best seriously. I loved everything, shout out to Gina, and Aj, and Dylan, and Hermana Jacobson :) mom, I should get yours Wednesday, no one is going to the office again till tomorrow, so they'll pick them up.
Thursday/Friday: we went on exchanges with the Hermana training leaders, I went with Hermana Davies again (I went with her my first transfer). Gosh I love her so much. She is a kindred spirit, we think the same, say the same things, and have the same sense of humor. Aka, we would never do well as real companions, no work would get done. But her birthday was on Monday, fun fact. But anyway, I always learn so much from her. Since I see so much of myself in her, but then she also has attributes that I really admire, and want to emulate, it is really cool to work with her. Plus we both just like to work. P.S. Mom and dad, I was thinking about this a lot this week, I am SUPER grateful for the way I was raised. It has effected me so much on my mission. I know how to take care of myself, and how to work, but also how to laugh and joke and have fun while I do it. I love you both a lot, and could not have asked for better parents. You helped me to stand on my own, and settle it in my heart, and President Fenn always says, that I will do what's right thick or thin. At least that's what you always tried to teach me, even when my stubborn teenage ears wouldn't listen. Haha I am getting it now, it's like the things I was taught have always been there, and now I have to actually use them and rely on them.
Well that is actually really all. This week Juan Carlos came to church all on his own, and he loved it. Someday I will take a picture of them all, and his adorable little boys. But our two investigators who had a baptismal date, fell off date because they didn't come to church. I don't want to talk about that. It feels relatable to getting dumped.....not kidding. My heart breaks for them. But on Sunday we taught in young women's, I love the youth of his church. Seriously love them. I just have so many hopes and dreams for them, I just want to impart all my wisdom on them and see them choose he right, and be good. Anyway, so we taught about testimony. It was awesome. We had a Mormon message called "Waiting on the road to Damascus" it's really good, I encourage you all to watch it. At the end I felt like we should call on one of the girls to give her testimony, she is 13, she comes from an awesome family, her mom is relief society president, her brother is on a mission, and her other brother is preparing to go, but her dad isn't a member. But she is awesome. Anyway, she got super weird, and then she says, Hermanas, I don't have a testimony, and then she started crying. It was a really touching moment, and Hermana Barlow and I were able to give our own testimonies, about how basically, you know enough. You start small, and then you grow, you don't have to know all the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to have a testimony, you can start with just knowing God is real, Jesus Christ lives, and is His son. It was a cool moment. Later after church I went and found her because I didn't want her to think we wanted to embarrass her and I wanted to apologize, and she was so sweet, we had a really tender moment. That girls has a testimony, she just doesn't know it yet. It was interesting, preparing our lesson for the young women, I had so much anxiety, I just want to say exactly what Heavenly Father wanted them to hear, I wanted it to be perfect. I want with all my heart to help them learn and grow. It was cool.
And here we are to Monday again. I love you all. Fight the good fight. Pray for me, cause you know I got your back in my prayers. And let me know what's going on out there in the real world, I didn't even know Ida was having a girl till she wrote me making it seem like I knew.........awkward. But it's cool. I love you :)
Love,
Hermana Simmons
p.s. I will try to write back as many people as possible, but ya know, sometimes I just wanna take a nap on p day.....judge me. Haha
The week we decided was actually the pre "the dream" week - Mar 17, 2014
Hi there,
So I kind of thought about writing you my whole email in Spanish, haha. But then I realized that wouldn't be very nice for those of you who can't speak Spanish, or read Spanish. So here it is, English. I feel like there isn't much to say this week. Well transfers are tomorrow, and guess who is getting transferred........not me........or my companion......but probably some other missionaries. Haha had you going for a singular scone didn't I. Haha but yeah, anyway, I am staying in Arlington heights 3rd north, also know as Wheeling,
Illinois. And Hermana Barlow is staying as well, we are both relieved about that. Good things are happening here, who wants to leave when good things are happening? Plus I wanted to spend my birthday here, with the members who I know and love, and who know and love me. Plus with Hermana Barlow, since we have the same birthday. I was actually fine with staying or going. I am getting ready for another adventure in another area, but also, this place is home so when I leave it I'll be like leaving home again.
So on to this week, well first, we changed our car share so, we don't have to go the whole week without the car, so that's great. But we still walk a lot, but I don't really care, it has been beautiful here. And you would be surprised, I never complain, I mean not for real. Haha sometimes just for jokes. My companion and I will take turns dropping to the ground and saying, "uhhhh, I just want to go to the spirit world for a little while" haha......and by take turns I mean it's me, I do it, not her. Haha
But on Thursday, we went and did service, this service consisted of going to an old folks home and talking to old people for an hour. ITS THE BEST THING. We're going to go back every week. We met this women named Angie, and she just told us all about her life. She says to us, "I have been alive for 3/4 of a century. That's a long time." Haha she is so sweet, I mean we talked with her about nothing really but I just had such a good feeling, like I was doing something right. When I come home (in 14 years) I am totally going to visit with the people in those homes. They're awesome, and so many of them don't have any family, like Angie, and they don't want much of your time, they just want to talk to you. Angie told us, talking to us makes her feel young. When we went to leave she said, "I love you guys, can you come back next week?" She kept saying, now I have 2 new friends :) she told us about her life, which was sad, she grew in foster homes, but she always said, but I had a pretty good life, I lived a pretty good life, nothing she said was a complaint. She was happy, and then of course, she went unto the drama about everyone that worked there. Haha she's the best.
Also, JUAN CARLOS CAME TO CHURH. best day ever. Literally. When your investigators do show up at church, it is the best feeling, up there with when hey get baptized. It is surpasses the sadness you felt at them not coming. He is awesome. We are going to invite him to be baptized again, this week. Since when he didn't come to church last week, he fell off date. But he has two little boys, Fernando and David, they are 5, and 4. And for some reason they are obsessed with if people have boyfriends. They first time we met them they asked both me and my companion if we have boyfriends. Haha and they still ask us all the time. So I asked Fernando is he had a girlfriend, and he said yes, and pointed at me......then started holding my hand......haha I was just well sure, you're 5. Haha and I lived with Calvin.....hahah :) (you're beautiful, I love you, always touching you...etc...) haha but anyway, so at church, we were sitting with them and two funny things happened, first our recent convert David, came and sat with us, and he sat by me, and when he sat down Fernando says, "el es tu novio? (he is your boyfriend?)"......it was awkward haha. Then the little one, David, was coloring a picture, and he looked up and saw the girl who was about his age sitting behind us and says, really loudly, "Ella es Bonita"(she is beautiful). And then just went back to coloring like it was no big deal. It was pretty funny. But yes, the best.
So anyway, last but not least, I had a cool experience I wanted to share. So on Tuesday we were teaching a jovencita names Iris. She is 18, but lives with her parents, and they always listens, but they aren't as interested as her. She is dating a boy in our ward, and has been coming to church for a year. So whenever we try and teach her, or something her parents always control/dominate the situation, they talk a lot about how they feel, and what's it's lie for them being catholic and such, and it becomes like Iris isn't even there. So on Tuesday, I was noticing this, and it bugged me, and I felt really strongly like I
needed to ask Iris how she felt, and what she believed, what she felt in her heart. Something she doesn't usually just offer up especially in front of her parents (they are perfectly nice, and supportive, they just don't let her get her word in). Anyway, so I asked her, and right in that moment, the spirit came so strongly, there was no denying it. She hadn't even said anything, and only like 2 seconds had passed but she was almost in tears, and when she answered she said, she didn't know, that it was hard, and she just kept saying that. But that was
okay, because I listened to her, I felt the words come into my mind, I knew what to say next. But then her mom interrupted and said something, but that was okay, because I shortly cut her off, and spoke, and let me tell you, just because you are a missionary doesn't mean every testimony you bear cuts people to the core, or is something you feel burning inside, so far on my mission that has only happened a few times. It's moments like this when you know, without a doubt that you are saying exactly what God wants you to say. And as it says in the scriptures, the spirit constrains you that you cannot shut your mouth, that you have to speak the words. This was one of those moments. I told her, I knew she believed. And what was weird is I did know, same as I know I have two hands, or the sky is blue, I knew. And I told her that Heavenly Father knew who she was, and he knew she was afraid, and that she still had some doubts, and concerns, but that he loved her, and if she continued down this path she would have all the
happiness this life has to offer, and in that moment, I had this little vision in my mind, of Iris coming out of the temple with her future husband after they had been sealed for time and all eternity, and I almost cried, I couldn't talk for a minute, because I knew that was what was in store for her. I don't know I said some other things, but I can't remember. But it was so cool. I felt course through my veins how much Heavenly Father loved her, and how much he wanted her
personally to return to Him. I just felt the spirit working through me so strongly. And it was honestly one of the best experience thus far on my mission. I love that girl a lot, and I desire for her salvation so much. It was crazy. But cool.
Anyway, not sure why I shared that, but the mission is the best. Hard work, mental exertion, and sacrifice of oneself, yes, but the best. When we keep the commandments, when we strive to be exactly obedient, when we seek the spirit, and strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ fully day to day, it isn't a sacrifice, it is pure happiness. I can't describe it, but living the commandments, and being obedient, it sets you free, it liberates your soul from the bondage of the natural man or women in each of us. It allows our souls which are good, to take control, and lead us on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Because though some of you might not remember right now, you once also longed to return to your Heavenly Father's presence. You were there, you agreed to come here, you were eager to prove yourself, and you sat in the presence of our Beloved Father, and your soul mourned to leave Him, but rejoiced to have the opportunity to come to this earth, and have these experiences that would help you become more like Him, and would help you have the life He has. Don't forget, do not allow the world to pull you from your true potential, your true destiny. You are children of the King. And your soul longs to return to His presence. So be good, and do good. Fight the good fight.
The church is true. Father in Heaven loves you. I love you. :)
Hermana Simmons
So I kind of thought about writing you my whole email in Spanish, haha. But then I realized that wouldn't be very nice for those of you who can't speak Spanish, or read Spanish. So here it is, English. I feel like there isn't much to say this week. Well transfers are tomorrow, and guess who is getting transferred........not me........or my companion......but probably some other missionaries. Haha had you going for a singular scone didn't I. Haha but yeah, anyway, I am staying in Arlington heights 3rd north, also know as Wheeling,
Illinois. And Hermana Barlow is staying as well, we are both relieved about that. Good things are happening here, who wants to leave when good things are happening? Plus I wanted to spend my birthday here, with the members who I know and love, and who know and love me. Plus with Hermana Barlow, since we have the same birthday. I was actually fine with staying or going. I am getting ready for another adventure in another area, but also, this place is home so when I leave it I'll be like leaving home again.
So on to this week, well first, we changed our car share so, we don't have to go the whole week without the car, so that's great. But we still walk a lot, but I don't really care, it has been beautiful here. And you would be surprised, I never complain, I mean not for real. Haha sometimes just for jokes. My companion and I will take turns dropping to the ground and saying, "uhhhh, I just want to go to the spirit world for a little while" haha......and by take turns I mean it's me, I do it, not her. Haha
But on Thursday, we went and did service, this service consisted of going to an old folks home and talking to old people for an hour. ITS THE BEST THING. We're going to go back every week. We met this women named Angie, and she just told us all about her life. She says to us, "I have been alive for 3/4 of a century. That's a long time." Haha she is so sweet, I mean we talked with her about nothing really but I just had such a good feeling, like I was doing something right. When I come home (in 14 years) I am totally going to visit with the people in those homes. They're awesome, and so many of them don't have any family, like Angie, and they don't want much of your time, they just want to talk to you. Angie told us, talking to us makes her feel young. When we went to leave she said, "I love you guys, can you come back next week?" She kept saying, now I have 2 new friends :) she told us about her life, which was sad, she grew in foster homes, but she always said, but I had a pretty good life, I lived a pretty good life, nothing she said was a complaint. She was happy, and then of course, she went unto the drama about everyone that worked there. Haha she's the best.
Also, JUAN CARLOS CAME TO CHURH. best day ever. Literally. When your investigators do show up at church, it is the best feeling, up there with when hey get baptized. It is surpasses the sadness you felt at them not coming. He is awesome. We are going to invite him to be baptized again, this week. Since when he didn't come to church last week, he fell off date. But he has two little boys, Fernando and David, they are 5, and 4. And for some reason they are obsessed with if people have boyfriends. They first time we met them they asked both me and my companion if we have boyfriends. Haha and they still ask us all the time. So I asked Fernando is he had a girlfriend, and he said yes, and pointed at me......then started holding my hand......haha I was just well sure, you're 5. Haha and I lived with Calvin.....hahah :) (you're beautiful, I love you, always touching you...etc...) haha but anyway, so at church, we were sitting with them and two funny things happened, first our recent convert David, came and sat with us, and he sat by me, and when he sat down Fernando says, "el es tu novio? (he is your boyfriend?)"......it was awkward haha. Then the little one, David, was coloring a picture, and he looked up and saw the girl who was about his age sitting behind us and says, really loudly, "Ella es Bonita"(she is beautiful). And then just went back to coloring like it was no big deal. It was pretty funny. But yes, the best.
So anyway, last but not least, I had a cool experience I wanted to share. So on Tuesday we were teaching a jovencita names Iris. She is 18, but lives with her parents, and they always listens, but they aren't as interested as her. She is dating a boy in our ward, and has been coming to church for a year. So whenever we try and teach her, or something her parents always control/dominate the situation, they talk a lot about how they feel, and what's it's lie for them being catholic and such, and it becomes like Iris isn't even there. So on Tuesday, I was noticing this, and it bugged me, and I felt really strongly like I
needed to ask Iris how she felt, and what she believed, what she felt in her heart. Something she doesn't usually just offer up especially in front of her parents (they are perfectly nice, and supportive, they just don't let her get her word in). Anyway, so I asked her, and right in that moment, the spirit came so strongly, there was no denying it. She hadn't even said anything, and only like 2 seconds had passed but she was almost in tears, and when she answered she said, she didn't know, that it was hard, and she just kept saying that. But that was
okay, because I listened to her, I felt the words come into my mind, I knew what to say next. But then her mom interrupted and said something, but that was okay, because I shortly cut her off, and spoke, and let me tell you, just because you are a missionary doesn't mean every testimony you bear cuts people to the core, or is something you feel burning inside, so far on my mission that has only happened a few times. It's moments like this when you know, without a doubt that you are saying exactly what God wants you to say. And as it says in the scriptures, the spirit constrains you that you cannot shut your mouth, that you have to speak the words. This was one of those moments. I told her, I knew she believed. And what was weird is I did know, same as I know I have two hands, or the sky is blue, I knew. And I told her that Heavenly Father knew who she was, and he knew she was afraid, and that she still had some doubts, and concerns, but that he loved her, and if she continued down this path she would have all the
happiness this life has to offer, and in that moment, I had this little vision in my mind, of Iris coming out of the temple with her future husband after they had been sealed for time and all eternity, and I almost cried, I couldn't talk for a minute, because I knew that was what was in store for her. I don't know I said some other things, but I can't remember. But it was so cool. I felt course through my veins how much Heavenly Father loved her, and how much he wanted her
personally to return to Him. I just felt the spirit working through me so strongly. And it was honestly one of the best experience thus far on my mission. I love that girl a lot, and I desire for her salvation so much. It was crazy. But cool.
Anyway, not sure why I shared that, but the mission is the best. Hard work, mental exertion, and sacrifice of oneself, yes, but the best. When we keep the commandments, when we strive to be exactly obedient, when we seek the spirit, and strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ fully day to day, it isn't a sacrifice, it is pure happiness. I can't describe it, but living the commandments, and being obedient, it sets you free, it liberates your soul from the bondage of the natural man or women in each of us. It allows our souls which are good, to take control, and lead us on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Because though some of you might not remember right now, you once also longed to return to your Heavenly Father's presence. You were there, you agreed to come here, you were eager to prove yourself, and you sat in the presence of our Beloved Father, and your soul mourned to leave Him, but rejoiced to have the opportunity to come to this earth, and have these experiences that would help you become more like Him, and would help you have the life He has. Don't forget, do not allow the world to pull you from your true potential, your true destiny. You are children of the King. And your soul longs to return to His presence. So be good, and do good. Fight the good fight.
The church is true. Father in Heaven loves you. I love you. :)
Hermana Simmons
A week full of gratitude - Mar 10, 2014
Hello everyone!
How I are all of you? You're the best. You're doing wonderfully awesome. Choose the right, do good, be good. Ya know the usual. I just thought I would start with that this time instead of end with it. :)
This week was awesome. Well every week is awesome after all is said and done. I mean here the mission life, at least for me. Sometimes things suck, and then tomorrow comes. And if you take a minute to be grateful, you realize that even when it sucks The Lord is blessing you immensely and there is small miracles, all throughout the day. Tender mercies, just for you, all throughout the day. I have been studying a little about being grateful this week. Here are some things is
relearned. First, if you are a sour puss, and are walking around all 'woe is me' all the time, you are obviously not being grateful. Because when we are grateful, it is impossible for us to be negative nacy's.
Second thing, I learned this from one of the senior missionaries, Elder Schmidt (I think I know him) he has a very dry sense of humor. It cracks me up. (Him and his wife are leaving this week, they're from Montana and ya know what, I admit it, I hugged him...........haha). Anyway, he says all the time, "Life sucks and then you die". Which I think is hilarious. But there is actually is a good lesson in that, life is not fair. It wasn't intended to be. Sometimes it sucks, a lot, for a long time, so what? Then you die, and all is made right. Heavenly Father takes all of your if.ictions and shows you how they are for your gain.
Now I don't wish to be insensitive. Sometimes life is really hard. And sometimes weaping will endure for the night. But if we spend to much time focusing on the negative, we will have our head in the mud, and we won't see the sun come out. We have to remember to turn to The Lord. As I will write about later.
So that what I learned this week. Be happy. Smile. Smile till you feel like smiling, till you feel happy. This life is meant to be enjoyed, and The Lord said that knowing that we would have struggles.
So onto my week. Well it was awesome. We put four people on date for baptism. Which was sweet!!!! And then they didn't come to church.......not a singular one. So two of those people are now not on date for baptism. Let me tell you, sitting in sacrament meeting, waiting for investigators who promised they would come, who know if they don't come they can't get baptized, and who you love so much.....to get there, and then they never show up, well it's the worst. And that whole meeting your heart is just broken, and every time the door opens you look hoping it will be them. So there was that. But it's okay, they're still awesome. We will keep working with them.
This week we have taught a lot of people that have just the most heartbreaking stories, a man whose wife died three years ago and left him with two boys, 5 & 4. A family who is struggling, because their 13 year old son is bullied in school, and tried to commit suicide 2 times last year. An older husband and wife, who were separated for a year and are working on fixing there marriage. A less active who doesn't come to church because she doesn't have any friends, and no one in her family supports her being a member, so she feels all alone, like God doesn't love her. It is heartbreaking. Sitting there, listening to them talk, you heart hurts, it is filled with their pains, and you just want to take it all away. But guess what, the message we as missionaries bring, it does take that all away. It heals people, or shows them the way to be healed. When they begin to read in the Book of Mormon, and they begin praying with all the sincerity of their hearts, and eventually when they make covenants with God, like baptism, all that pain, and heartache, and guilt, and whatever else they feel, it's swallowed up. It's swept away. They are encircled about in the arms of our loving Savior, who already suffered all their pains, all their heartaches, who already laid down His life for them, and was only waiting for them to come unto Him so He could heal them.
As Christ says to the people in 3 Nephi 9:13(Book of Mormon) "..Will you not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?". This is the message that we bring to people. This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. It is for everyone, for everything. Not just for some people, or something. Everyone. No matter who you are, where you are in your life, whether you think you are content or not, whether you are desperately searching, you need peace, or healing, you need to feel Gods love more abundantly, no matter your questions, or your doubts, no matter you past, or your mistakes, this gospel is for you. So come unto Christ, that he may heal you. And be grateful that his hands of mercy are extended out towards you.
I love you all so much. I want desperately for all of my loved ones to come unto Christ, to keep His commandments, and to return to live in our Fathers presence, which is where I intend to be. I love you. This church is true. It is right. It is the only true church. The only church where we can make saving covenants with God. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful for those of you who have helped me get here. I so often am reminded, and feel so grateful for the large number of people I have in my corner, waiting to lift me up when I fall, and supporting and encouraging me always. If there is every anything I can do for any of you, I hope you will let me know. I love you all so much! Don't forget my birthday, March 18th :) 21!!!! Woohoo, I will be out here walking the streets of Illinois. Haha
Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
How I are all of you? You're the best. You're doing wonderfully awesome. Choose the right, do good, be good. Ya know the usual. I just thought I would start with that this time instead of end with it. :)
This week was awesome. Well every week is awesome after all is said and done. I mean here the mission life, at least for me. Sometimes things suck, and then tomorrow comes. And if you take a minute to be grateful, you realize that even when it sucks The Lord is blessing you immensely and there is small miracles, all throughout the day. Tender mercies, just for you, all throughout the day. I have been studying a little about being grateful this week. Here are some things is
relearned. First, if you are a sour puss, and are walking around all 'woe is me' all the time, you are obviously not being grateful. Because when we are grateful, it is impossible for us to be negative nacy's.
Second thing, I learned this from one of the senior missionaries, Elder Schmidt (I think I know him) he has a very dry sense of humor. It cracks me up. (Him and his wife are leaving this week, they're from Montana and ya know what, I admit it, I hugged him...........haha). Anyway, he says all the time, "Life sucks and then you die". Which I think is hilarious. But there is actually is a good lesson in that, life is not fair. It wasn't intended to be. Sometimes it sucks, a lot, for a long time, so what? Then you die, and all is made right. Heavenly Father takes all of your if.ictions and shows you how they are for your gain.
Now I don't wish to be insensitive. Sometimes life is really hard. And sometimes weaping will endure for the night. But if we spend to much time focusing on the negative, we will have our head in the mud, and we won't see the sun come out. We have to remember to turn to The Lord. As I will write about later.
So that what I learned this week. Be happy. Smile. Smile till you feel like smiling, till you feel happy. This life is meant to be enjoyed, and The Lord said that knowing that we would have struggles.
So onto my week. Well it was awesome. We put four people on date for baptism. Which was sweet!!!! And then they didn't come to church.......not a singular one. So two of those people are now not on date for baptism. Let me tell you, sitting in sacrament meeting, waiting for investigators who promised they would come, who know if they don't come they can't get baptized, and who you love so much.....to get there, and then they never show up, well it's the worst. And that whole meeting your heart is just broken, and every time the door opens you look hoping it will be them. So there was that. But it's okay, they're still awesome. We will keep working with them.
This week we have taught a lot of people that have just the most heartbreaking stories, a man whose wife died three years ago and left him with two boys, 5 & 4. A family who is struggling, because their 13 year old son is bullied in school, and tried to commit suicide 2 times last year. An older husband and wife, who were separated for a year and are working on fixing there marriage. A less active who doesn't come to church because she doesn't have any friends, and no one in her family supports her being a member, so she feels all alone, like God doesn't love her. It is heartbreaking. Sitting there, listening to them talk, you heart hurts, it is filled with their pains, and you just want to take it all away. But guess what, the message we as missionaries bring, it does take that all away. It heals people, or shows them the way to be healed. When they begin to read in the Book of Mormon, and they begin praying with all the sincerity of their hearts, and eventually when they make covenants with God, like baptism, all that pain, and heartache, and guilt, and whatever else they feel, it's swallowed up. It's swept away. They are encircled about in the arms of our loving Savior, who already suffered all their pains, all their heartaches, who already laid down His life for them, and was only waiting for them to come unto Him so He could heal them.
As Christ says to the people in 3 Nephi 9:13(Book of Mormon) "..Will you not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?". This is the message that we bring to people. This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. It is for everyone, for everything. Not just for some people, or something. Everyone. No matter who you are, where you are in your life, whether you think you are content or not, whether you are desperately searching, you need peace, or healing, you need to feel Gods love more abundantly, no matter your questions, or your doubts, no matter you past, or your mistakes, this gospel is for you. So come unto Christ, that he may heal you. And be grateful that his hands of mercy are extended out towards you.
I love you all so much. I want desperately for all of my loved ones to come unto Christ, to keep His commandments, and to return to live in our Fathers presence, which is where I intend to be. I love you. This church is true. It is right. It is the only true church. The only church where we can make saving covenants with God. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful for those of you who have helped me get here. I so often am reminded, and feel so grateful for the large number of people I have in my corner, waiting to lift me up when I fall, and supporting and encouraging me always. If there is every anything I can do for any of you, I hope you will let me know. I love you all so much! Don't forget my birthday, March 18th :) 21!!!! Woohoo, I will be out here walking the streets of Illinois. Haha
Fight the good fight.
Love,
Hermana Simmons
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