Wk #37: An Uneventful Week on Seminole Ground

This week... where to even begin!

It was a SLOW week. It's the week in between summer semesters here at FSU, so there were VERY few people on campus! It was ssuuppeer hot and humid, so that made the days go by extra slow. All of our investigators were also home for this week before the next semester started, so it was quite the challenge! And on top of that I was sick all week. Gotta love the mission life sometimes!

But on a funnier/what the heck note, as we were walking around campus (on the hottest day of the week) we ran into a guy we had contacted a few weeks ago. The first time we met him he was trying to hit on us big time, so it was super awkward. When we saw him this week we were like, uh oh. So, he makes his way over and sparks up some small talk. He asked how our day was going, and we replied that it was a super hot day! He replied with... "Yeah. You guys look super sweaty." WHAT? haha who says that?! Glad to know we were lookin real good. haha

 I hit my eight month mark! Woo! Sister Rindlisbacher and I celebrated with birthday cake oreos. She hit her two month mark on the 15th. :) 

I said bye..again... to my sweet Sister Rohwer. She finished her mission this week! Oh, how I love her. It was such a blessing to serve by her again!

We also had the awesome opportunity to watch a little bit of the Track Play Offs for the Junior Olympics! It was so much fun! Those kids can run!!! 

Sadly, that's all I've really got this week! Like I said, it was a rough one! 

But I will leave you with a little part of my studies this morning. :)

President Gordon B. Hinckley once said, "The happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of...God." 

We can gain HAPPINESS, PEACE, PROGRESS, PROSPERITY, ETERNAL SALVATION and EXALTATION all by just being obedient! So, I would like to ask you: Are you being obedient to the counsels of God? Are you magnifying your calling? Are you attending your church meetings? Are you studying the scriptures and church material we are so blessed to have? Are you applying those things into your life? If not, do you want the things listed above?

Sometimes we think it easier to change God's counsels to apply to US, but we need to change our lives to apply to GOD. It'll be easier, and MUCH more rewarding in the long run.

I love ya'll and I am extremely grateful for all the love and support!

Until next week,

Sister Holmes :) 

Wk #36: I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!

Happy Saturday! I hope it's been as good for ya'll as it has been for me!

With Maleek

This week has been one of the best on my mission thus far. So many miracles, tender mercies, heaven sent strength, and laughs. I've pondered on this all week, and boy. I am SO grateful I came on a mission to experience all these things!!

I love my mission so much that every morning during companionship study, after we are done singing, praying, and reciting our purpose and the first vision, I clench my fists, hold them up a little and half yell "I LOVE THE GOSPEL" with gritted teeth. OOHHH I LOVE IT.

But first of all.... HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE INCREDIBLE DADS OUT THERE! But most importantly, my daddy!! Oh, how I have been blessed with the best of the best! LOVE YOU DAD!

Found 10 pennies within a couple minutes.... Lucky day for sure!

SO. This week :)

 

On Monday, I had the WONDERFUL blessing of going on trade off's with SISTER ROHWER! Talk about the greatest reunion of my LIFE! You guys. I can't even tell you how much I love her. It was a bittersweet reunion, but an awesome one at that. She's going home this week due to some really aweful health issues. While serving in Callaway together, we had talked about how awesome it would be if we got to serve on campus together, and that we wished that we could be companions at the end of Sister Rohwer's mission... little did we know that was going to happen! And, like always, we had a miracle of a lesson together on campus. The unity just clicked like we hadn't ever been transferred. It was so awesome. I'm so sad that she has to go home, but it's for the better. I love her.

Also on Monday night, I overcame my dislike for dodgeball and represented the missionaries on the court. Terrified out of my mind, I was left as the last one standing TWICE. What the heck team?! And, Our investigator, Antonio, the miracle gator, was there and on the other team. haha it was so much fun though. I love the singles ward.

Speaking of Antonio, he. is. AMAZING. We have had the most INCREDIBLE experiences with him. I am so overwhelmed that Heavenly Father trusts me with him! He is so prepared, and so ready to accept the gospel. He is extremely dedicated to reading the Book of Mormon, praying correctly, he registered for BOTH institute summer classes, and comes to ALL the activities. He fits right in to our ward and is just a solid investigator.

We also got a new investigator this week. His name is Joseph and he is from West Africa. He came to the United States 3 months ago without knowing a lick of english. I have SO much love for him! And admiration. His english is so awesome, he struggles a little bit, but boy. Props to him. We have taught him twice this week, and they have been the most spiritually powerful lessons I have taught. The first time we taught, we invited him to say the closing prayer. He happily accepted and prayed in french. SUPER powerful. THEN we taught him again a couple days ago, and he pulled out a notebook in which he had written two pages worth of notes about the Restoration PAMPHLET. incredible! We started to read the Book of Mormon with him, and he was more than willing to try to read in English. Which, he did incredible. After we finished 1 Nephi 1 we asked him if he had any questions. He went on to say, "So, if I understand it right..." then he goes on to explain the chapter in the most simple, beautiful way. We were both speechless. He totally understood it. We invited him to say the closing prayer and told him he could say it in French again if he'd like. He replied "I think I'm going to try to say it in english today." ........ The most elegant, beautiful, most powerful, sincere prayer I have ever heard in my entire life. Tears. My eyes were FULL of tears. What an experience.

We also had an almost scary moment this week as well, nothing too bad, but we decided to get blessings just for a little extra protection and safety. What an incredible blessing. oh, how grateful I am for the Priesthood, and worthy priesthood holders.

Wednesday night at a dinner appointment, I had quite the "lexa moment". The member was trying to teach us how to throw cards so they would shoot across the room. Of course, I was like SAWEET! So I grab a card, try to flick it (being the only one to try) and what happens? I hit the container of raspberries.... RASPBERRIES WENT EVERYWHERE. If there hadn't been a wall there, they would have flown for MILES. Of course. Only me. haha everyone DIED. Sister Rindlisbacher had to get up and go crouch by the door so she wouldn't pee her pants. haha and the member about fell out of his chair as well as the other member that was there with us. SO. Embarrassing. It's been quite the laugh haha

Cool note: FSU was holding US Open Playoffs! Say WHAT! So we got to watch a little bit while we took a break! It was AWESOME! It made me crave tennis. Those player can serve crazy hard! It was so fun! Sister Rindlisbacher is such a good sport!

Tender Mercy moment: as we were walking to the church (20 minute walk) we were sweating, so hot, tired, and a little bit done with the day, a white car pulled over and rolled their window down. A lady, Tori, said "hey!! are you mormon missionaries?!" since we were, she said "I follow this person named Shay Carl from Logan, Utah! I just want to tell you ladies that you are doing an incredible thing. Keep going, don't get discouraged. You are doing something that will change the world." I was overwhelmed to the point of tears. I have SUCH a strong testimony that Heavenly Father is extremely aware of us, and will send us words of encouragement in all ways, shapes, and forms. Tori... She will never know how much that simple decision to stop and encourage the missionaries effected us.

Also, hello 100* at 9:00 IN THE MORNING and 8:30 AT NIGHT. I wanted to die this week. My walks were full of pleading prayers for strength and endurance to just make it to where I needed to be. That was a miracle in itself that I stayed standing. I KNOW I got help from the other side of the veil.

To end, I want to encourage you to read the talk: "The Path to Palmyra" by Matthew S Holland in this months ensign. I read it this morning in my personal study, and my testimony of Joseph Smith was once again confirmed. I want to share an excerpt from it that says,

 "In spite of failure, mishap, and bitter opposition--and in many cases precisely because of those things--Joseph Smith got exactly where he needed to be to fulfill his mission. So, if now or on some future day, you look around and see that other perhaps less-devoted acquaintances are succeeding in their jobs when you just lost yours; if major illness puts you on your back just at the moment critical tasks of service seem to come calling; if a call to a prominent position goes to someone else; if a missionary companion seems to learn the language faster' if well meaning efforts still somehow lead to disaster with a fellow ward member, a neighbor, or an investigator; if news from home brings word of financial setback or mortal tragedy you can do nothing about; or if, day after day, you simply feel like a bland and beaten background player in a gospel drama that really seems made for the happiness of others, just know this: many such things were the lot of Joseph Smith himself at the very moment he was being led to the stage of the single most transcendent thing to happen on this earth since the events of Golgotha and the Garden Tomb nearly 2,000 years earlier.

"But," you may say, "my life and earthly destiny will never be like that of the Prophet Joseph."

That is probably true. But it is also true that your lives do matter to God, and your eternal potential and that of every soul you will meet is no less grand and significant than that of the Prophet Joseph himself. Thus, just like our beloved Joseph, you must never give up, give in, or give out when life in general, or missionary work in particular, gets utterly painful, confusing, or dull. Rather, as Paul teaches, you must see that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Just as He did with young Joseph Smith, God is shaping and directing you every single day to ends more glorious than you can know!"

I love this gospel, and I love being a missionary! It's the happiest, hardest thing I have ever done, and it has forever changed my life and my eternity.

Love to all ya'll!

Sister Holmes :)

Wk #35: Transfers...

Oh the week of transfers... stress, anxiety, nervousness, unwanted anticipation...

good thing I didn't have to experience that!

I'M STAYING AT FSU!!!!!

Sister Rindlisbacher and I are SOOOO excited to be staying here another transfer! We feel like we are just getting the hang of campus life! I could not be happier!!!

This week was a weird one. The first few days were so lloonngggg. But the rest of the week flew by! Once again, many hilarious memories were made, and that's why I absolutely adore my companion!

First of all it was about a million and nine degrees this week with the humidity level at about 327, and I thought I was going to kill over. Multiple times. But I'm still alive, so that's good! And it's not even August yet! Pray for me. haha

We found a ginormous cockroach in the Institute building. Oh my DISGUSTING. That's the first big one I've seen in my whole 7+ months! But, those who know my disgust with bugs will be proud to know that I caught the stinkin roach, let it outside, and squished it. All by myself. We also named him Lucifer. Little devil! What's he doing in the institute!

We also got to push a car out of the road. Yep. I should do that for exercise everyday.

We had quite the conversation with someone on campus that we had met a week previous. He is a total hippie.

It went like this:

"Hey! How are you doing?!"

"good. blah blah blah"

"that's awesome!"

"hey, can I get real with you guys?"

...so here we are, ready to hear that he isn't interested...

"yeah!"

"cool beans." ---turns and walks away.

what the! haha I guess you had to be there, but we stood there not really knowing what had just happened or where the middle of that conversation went. haha  campus people.

Also... guess who got transfered into my district! even into our appartment complex!...
Sister Rohwer and Sister Beal!! (sister beal was in the MTC with me!) how awesome is that!

On a spiritual note, we had quite the miracle this week!

A few weeks ago we met this kid, got his number, and wrote him down as a potential. And, I hate to admit it, but we kind of forgot about him. So then, a couple weeks ago, we run into him and he's like I thought you were going to text me! ... crap! so last week, we call him and set up a time to meet with him.

He comes, and we have an amazing lesson. We taught about how God is our Loving Heavenly Father and that the Gospel blesses families. he had amazing questions, and had such a desire to learn. He told us that his parents don't want him to stray from catholic, and that they are very serious about it, so he wanted to talk to them about it first because he doesn't want his relationship with his parents to change. We were super worried about it, but explained to him that there would be opposition because this is the true gospel. So, we finished up our lesson and watched him walk away, a little worried about the reaction to his parents. We said a faith filled prayer to soften the hearts of his parents. Then, we went on with our day.

So yesterday, we get a text from him saying that he has decided to meet with us, but is not going to let them know that or even talk to them about meeting with us because it's for the better! So... he TOTALLY is prepared! We are SO thrilled to work with him and are praying that he feels the spirit!

Once again, I love my mission, I love this gospel, and I love MY LIFE!!!!

Happy Saturday!!!!

And to end, I'd just like to let you know that the only three things you need to survive in the south is WD40, Duck tape and Prayer.

peace love and blessins!

Sister Holmes :)

Wks # 33 & 34: Two Weeks Worth of Awesome

I don't even know where to start today!!

Since our emails didn't work last week, here are the highlights of the last two weeks. And let me tell ya, they are awesome.

+While walking to go contact, we noticed Wendy's had a sign for free frosty's... HELLO FREE FROSTY! What better way to celebrate memorial day than with free ice cream?!

+We had Zone Training last week and it was so good. I love getting together with the zone. Our Zone Leaders are amazing as well. They had two recent converts from our ward come and talk to us about their conversion and answer any questions we had. I learned SO much and the spirit was so strong!

+We met a guy, Taylor, and started teaching him. He is super awesome. He is preparing to be baptized in another church right now, but we've had some pretty spiritual lessons with him, so we are praying he recognizes this as the one and only true church!

+We invited a guy to institute that we had kind of met.. (We met his mom and his mom tried to set us up on dates with her sons. Gotta love moms in the south! So we got his number and invited him to institute because he was interested in learning about the gospel...) He came. talked to us for about 3 minutes, then started scoping out the girls. Then told us he wasn't interested in learning.. or in the girls anymore. haha

+ We "met our match" this week. I still don't know what that means, and I even asked the guy that told us that what it meant, and he used some explicit language to tell us that he was really awesome, and then got EXTREMELY emotional because "this is just such a beautiful moment and I never want to let it go!" He was 59. I love being a missionary. haha

+ We taught some INCREDIBLE lessons this week! Working on campus is the best. So many prepared people. Well... so many people period! I have never loved being a missionary more. I've really started to understand how to serve here, and it is SUCH a blessing! I have learned so much. I hope I get to stay here! (Transfers are on wednesday....)

+ We got caught in the CRAZIEST THUNDERSTORM. I was terrified and loving my life all at the same time. Of course, we were walking to campus. :) I didn't know thunder could sound like it did, and it looked like we were in a hurricane. It was so awesome! Gotta love contacting in the rain! Good thing we brought an umbrella!

*** Now. I have saved the best for last, and bear with me as I tell you this story. Also, I apologize for this being a lengthy email, but this story HAS to be told, because... of course this would happen to me.

While walking around campus, we stopped to take a bathroom break in the Student Union Square. We were out contacting before our lesson that was in 30 minutes. We had used this bathroom before, and knew it was clean, so we headed inside. It is a two stall bathroom, so pretty small. We were the only two people in there and we didn't want to bring all of our things into the stalls with us, so we decided to leave them on the counter. "It'll be safe, right?" As we discussed it for a second, we noticed that there was a lock on the bathroom door. I had the bright idea to lock the door so we could ensure our stuff would be okay! So, we locked it (it had been locked before on a previous day by Sister Mathison) and went on to do our business. I finished first and told Sister Rindlisbacher that I was going to unlock the door since I could see our stuff. I get to the lock and turn it... and turn it... and turn it... It wasn't unlocking. "Um... Sister Rindlisbacher?.. I think we are locked in the bathroom..." She comes out and tries to unlock it, and in a moment of panic, we realized we were trapped in a two stall bathroom. No windows, no air, and BARELY any service. We about DIED laughing. So, after moments of panic, laughing, panic, laughing, we decided to say a prayer (weirdest thing I think I have ever prayed for) and decided to call someone. Do we call 911? Do we call the other sisters? Nope.. We call a NEW INVESTIGATOR. hahaha we met him one day (by the bathrooms surprisingly) in another building. He works as a janitor! So we decide to call him, thinking "he's GOT to know someone we can call." So, we call him. "Hey Kim! So... we have a question.." As we explain our situation, I am dying. (Kim is about 50ish, and we have taught him a couple times. We had taught him an hour previous to this phone call.) We had forgotten that he was a custodian at the police department on campus until he said "Oh yeah! Hold on, I'll let you talk to the officer." So, we go on to tell the officer our situation, explained which bathroom we were in, and waited. After a good 25 minutes, (we are SWEATING. it was SO HOT.) We decided we better call our next appointment and reschedule... that was also a weird conversation. Then, lo and behold, we here keys, and see the lock turn, and there is a police officer with a huge grin on his face, just chucklin away. I have never been so grateful in my whole life! On the bright side, I found a penny on the floor of the bathroom! :) haha

talk about a "Lexa Moment!"

So, that was my couple of weeks. Hot, humid, rainy, and full of adventures!

I love my life. hahaha

I also love Sister Rindlisbacher. Her and I = pretty much the same person. haha we laugh WAY to hard. :) I've definitely been blessed once again with one of the greatest Sisters in the FTM.

I was also so sad to hear about the passing of Elder Perry. What a sweet, happy man! So, I'll leave you with his simple testimony of the Holy Ghost.

"I bear witness of the power and comfort the gift of the Holy Ghost is to those who live worthy of it. What a reassurance it is for us to know that we are not left alone to find the course that we must follow to merit the eternal blessings of our Father in Heaven. We do not need man-made rating systems to determine what we should read, what we should watch, what we should listen to, or how we should conduct our lives. What we do need to do is live worthy of the continued companionship of the Holy Ghost and have the courage to follow the promptings that come into our lives. May the Lord bless us that we may ever be mindful of this great and precious gift, even the gift of the Holy Ghost, I humbly pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen."

LOVE YA'LL!!!!!!!!!

Sister Holmes :)