Wk #55: I've Lost My Marbles.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!!

YSA Ward Costume Winner

It took Sister Evans and I until 11:00am to remember that today was Halloween! Where has the month gone?! It's so weird to think that exactly a year ago, I was right where Cade is! Halloween in the MTC. I ate SO much junk that day. So fun!

This week I lost my marbles. All of them. My brain has officially turned to mush and I don't even know how to get it back! haha actually, I don't even know where to find time to figure out how to get it back! Too little time, so much to do! 

It was a roller coaster of a week. I don't even know if roller coaster is the right term.. bittersweet? I don't know. Lots of good, some bad, lots of miracles, and lots of stress!

"Look who I found!"

First of all, out of 26 planned lessons this week... 3 worked out. THREE! Talk about a rough week!

Sister Evans, Q, Sister Holmes

We went on two exchanges this week. I went to Crawfordville once again, and I about DIED! They've gone over on miles for the month, so we got to bike! Which, I'm totally down with. But whew! Am I out of shape! After 7 months of not riding a bike... we rode over TWELVE MILES..... uphill, against the wind, without water. I really thought death was around the corner. But hey! I survived, and that's all that matters right?! 

 Sister Evans has come to realize how jumpy I am and  LOVES to scare me. I keep telling her that payback is coming, but we get a good laugh out of it. :) 

Our singles ward had a super fun Halloween party on Thursday, and the turn out was awesome! Lots of investigators came, and the ward participation was so great! We had a lot of fun. I think I ate over 20 cookies.. but I don't think anyone noticed... blessing or a curse? Someone probably should have stopped me. 

Speaking of that... Every office chair that I sit in slowly lowers... is that a sign? Even the one I'm sitting on to email ya'll keeps going down! I GET IT. Layin off the cookies. ;)

Tonight our district is having a Halloween party since we have to be in early. We're pretty excited. I'm preppin to kick some you know what in ping pong and pumpkin carving. It's about to get REAL.

And, to save the best for last....

WE'RE HAVING A BAPTISM TOMORROW!!!! SURPRISE!!!!

Our investigator, Andrew, has had the lessons 3 times, and we've been working with him for a really long time. We had just set a baptismal date for November 7th, but things came up and so we moved it to the 5th. THEN, he met with bishop, and we all decided on tomorrow after church! I AM THRILLED. My heart is so grateful that Andrew finally get's to experience the blessings of baptism! He is the goofiest, most genius person, but man. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to know that kid. He's really, really neat. What better way to bring in November than with a baptism? :)

Really though, what a blessing the gospel is. The power of missionary work has filled my heart and healed it from so many wounds. I'm eternally grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who gives each and every one of His children the opportunity to find happiness and peace. My testimony of the Book of Mormon continues to grow, and the converting power it contains is what I consider the greatest power this earth has. I second the testimony of Elder Holland, and I will defend this gospel until the day I die. 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/testimony-of-the-book-of-mormon-2

My personal studies recently have been extremely good. Ever since Cade left for his mission, I've received an extra dose of the spirit that has helped me more than I could ever begin to explain. Interestingly enough, the week he came out on his mission was the week I finally felt that I knew what I was doing and understood the work. What a tender miracle. I'm very grateful for you Elder Holmes!

I love you all SO much, and I'm again so grateful for the prayers you send my way. 

I'm still the happiest missionary out there. 

SO MUCH LOVE!

Sister Holmes :) 

 

 

Wk #54: The Spirit of Elijah

What up my people!

This week has been C-R-A-Z-Y.

Absolutely nuts, but in a good way! :)

First of all... WHAT THE YEAR MARK?! It freaks me out a little bit! I hate how fast the time flies. It was a good day though! My sweet companion made me pancakes for breakfast while I was in the shower! They were super yummy. I got a few packages (THANK YOU!) and had a great day full of missionary work! 

My "lexa moment" for the week was that I walked smack dab into a WALL. What is my problem?! It was super embarrassing, and I may or may not have a bruise on my arm from it. haha My life is the best life. :) 

We had some really incredible lessons this week. We taught Derek twice, and boy. I have been SO grateful that Heavenly Father led us to him! We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he LOVED it. We asked him what his thoughts were, and he got a huge grin and said, "It just makes me feel so happy! It's WAY better than what I thought was going to happen to everyone, and way better than what I've been taught." He really, really loved it. He even took a picture of the little layout we have (THANKS MOM!) and was so excited to keep looking at it. THEN, we taught him about Family History and Temples at the next lesson because during the Plan of Salvation when we asked if he had any questions he asked, "What about all the people in the spirit world that haven't been baptized? That's not very fair for them." PERFECT QUESTION! So we taught about Family History and Baptisms for the dead, and WHOA. That was a powerful lesson. The spirit of Elijah was SO strong. I sat there in awe during the whole lesson. During the lesson he whipped out his notebook and pen and started writing notes and asked for us to repeat all the scripture references that we had used, and at the end he said, "This makes so much sense. God is a fair God! SO THIS MAKES SENSE! I want to go into the temple one day and help my ancestors be baptized. I can't wait." WHAT!!! I was SO happy!!! I got a little teary eyed! This lesson is what made him deeply consider baptism. He's so ready, and I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude. I love the gospel!!! He is such a sweet kid!

I went on two exchanges this week! I went to Crawfordville and the Tally 4th ward area! I love getting to serve in other areas with the sisters. They are all incredible, and I learn so much every time! In Crawfordville, we had an extremely powerful lesson with a less active about working towards the temple. You guys. THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH IS SO REAL. Again, I got teary eyed in that one too! SO many incredible moment this week that I will forever cherish. I love working with my sisters!

I have felt extremely overwhelmed and blessed to be out serving with Cade. The power of missionary work has been such a testimony to me. I truly have felt the blessings of serving at the same time with him, and that spirit that I have felt that comes from that is something I will never forget. So, Elder Holmes, thank you for being willing to accept the call to serve. I am forever grateful!

I love you all so so much. I can't even say it enough. Thank you for all your love and all the support and prayers. They are definitely felt and recognized and I thank Heavenly Father every day, multiple times a day for that! Seriously though. How did I get so lucky?

I just want to leave you with this video (I MAY have shared it before... I can't remember..) and challenge to work on your family history this week. We ALL have time to get on to familysearch.org and seek them out. It's the perfect Sabbath activity. :) But I know that our ancestors are waiting for us, you and me, to take them to the temple. Don't make them wait any longer, be a Savior on Mount Zion!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/discover-your-family-history-discover-your-story?lang=eng

 

I love you all so so much!! Have a wonderful week!!

All my love, 

Sister Holmes

 

Week #53: Transfer Week = An Emotional Week

Saying Goodbye to Sister Wood

Hello my loves!

I don't even know where to begin this week! SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED. 

But first of all, HUGE shout out to by SI GUY! Happy Birthday buddy!!! :)

This week was FULL of miracles. One right after the other, and boy, am I overwhelmed with gratitude! And I am SO grateful they happened while I was still with Sister Wood!!!

Sister Evans... the new companion

This week we got six, yes SIX new investigators, and they are all EXTREMELY prepared. I have been blown away by the guidance of the spirit this week. 

Ferdinand is from the Ivory Coast and truly recognized us as representatives of Jesus Christ as we taught the restoration. As we testified and promised blessings, he thanked us multiple times. He is such a sweet heart, and I am thrilled to be working with him!

Gregory is incredible. He had a buddy that passed away in a car accident that they were in a few months back, and he has an incredible testimony of prayer. We are so excited to teach him about the Plan of Salvation. What a blessing that knowledge is!

Victor is hilarious. He reminds me of all my boys back home! We were laughin the whole time. (Don't worry, the spirit was there!) But we are way excited about him.

Willie.. Willie is AWESOME. As we taught him the restoration, and he was overcome with the spirit. We had waited on him to get to his lesson for 25 minutes, debating on if we should leave, when all of the sudden he walks into the library. He had forgotten about our appointment and was sitting on the bus, when his alarm went off to remind him to meet with us. He got off the bus and ran to the library! As we taught the restoration, he got very emotional, and said that he knew God needed him to hear this message. It was a very powerful experience!

Christina is a family history investigator, who we are positive will come to love the gospel. She is SO sweet.

Fred we met while walking down the street. He was dozing off on a chair across the street, but I felt prompted to go talk to him. As we did, he opened up about the trials he is facing and said that God had sent us to him. Wow! 

Derek is still doing extremely well. We started reading the Book of Mormon with him, and man. The spirit was so strong. He fell in LOVE! we only read 1 Nephi 1-3, but he didn't want to put it down. He kept asking if we could keep reading to see what happens next, but we left him on a cliff hanger to see for himself on his own! It was a really neat experience.

We also set a baptismal date with our investigator Andrew for November 7th! We are SO excited about that!!! Please, please keep him in your prayers!

We also were able to meet with a lot of our recent converts, and that was a huge blessing. 

Transfers were Wednesday. I've said it before, and I will say it again, and I'll probably say it the next time as well... but I HATE TRANSFERS. 

Emotions. SO MANY EMOTIONS.

It was SO hard to say goodbye to my sweet Sister Wood! I hated it. haha SO. MANY. TEARS.

that's the mission life for ya.

 My new companion is Sister Evans from Wallsburg, Utah! Don't worry, I didn't know where that was at either... haha but it's by Heber. She is SUPER athletic and very, very, VERY hard working! 

I think I MAY have about killed her yesterday. We walked ALL day. She was pretty exhausted last night. It was awesome! Hard work makes for the best sleep ;)

I'm overwhelmed to be leading the area and getting Sister Evans adjusted, but I know the Lord qualifies those he calls. 

For those of you who asked, I am still on TCC campus and I am still a sister training leader! Everything's the same except my companion!

I'm so blessed to be serving as a missionary at this time in the world. I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for the life changing experiences and testimony building moments He has given me. I'm grateful for prayer and the spirit, and I know that they work hand in hand. 

I just want to leave ya'll with this quote from Elder Uctdorf's talk in the Women's General Broadcast.

"As you walk along your own bright path of discipleship, I pray that faith will fortify every footstep along your way; that hope will open your eyes to the glories Heavenly Father has in store for you; and that love for God and all His children will fill your hearts."

I love you all SO much, and I am so grateful for your prayers, letters, support and love!

Until next time, 

Sister Holmes :)

 

Week #52: Another Week!

Happy October 10th!

This week has been a crazy one! We've been staying super busy, and I feel like we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, but that's okay, we're still alive and kickin!

On Monday we went to Wakulla Springs with the sisters in our district, and it was SO much fun!! It was GORGEOUS. I didn't want to leave! It's a very historic place, and I fell in love. We took a boat tour and got to see some manatee's and alligators!!! say what!! First of all, manatees are GINORMOUS. Second of all, gators are freaky. Talk about dinosaurs! I wouldn't want to be chased by one of them, that's all I'm sayin. It was way fun though, and it was super nice to be able to do something fun on P-day! 

This week also had a lot of funny moments :) 

-I was asked about my dating life, and then given advice.

-We were asked if we were high on marijuana... um... NO. The gospel is just that good! 

-I spent the night in Perry, FL... in a TRAILER... in the middle of the woods... Those sisters are troopers. While there I got eaten alive by sand gnats... What even are sand gnats?! I also opened the door to realize there was a snake, on TOP of the door, preparing to pounce on two baby frogs. Terrifying. I'm very grateful I live in the city.

aannddd...

-I butt called 911.. yeah.. oops! I'm cursed with butt calling people. It's really bad. haha

We also had some pretty awesome miracle moments. We found the most genuinely prepared kid on campus this week. We sat and taught him on the spot, and he felt the spirit SO strong. He asked so many incredible questions, and agreed with everything! His name is Derek and we are so grateful that Heavenly Father led us right to him!

It's been a really crazy week, and I know more happened, but I am SO brain dead today!!! But I'm super sad because Sister Wood leaves this week. :( We've been trying to get that all ready, and stuff. but all in all it was an awesome week, and I still love being a missionary :) 

To end, I want to bear testimony that this gospel is so true, and that as we continually seek the spirit, we will be led to where we need to be. I know that He is VERY aware of our heartaches, pains, frustrations and joys. He loves us and wants us to be happy, and all we need to do is allow Him to bless us. 

I'm so grateful. So so grateful.

Love all ya'll!!! 

Sister Holmes

and ELDER HOLMES! Welcome to the mission field!!! Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

Week #51: Trials Bring Gratitude

My heart is SO full of gratitude today. So many happy things to be grateful for!!!

First of all. Let's talk about General Conference. 

WHOA. Why can't it be General Conference ALL the time?! So much love!!! I was overcome by the spirit as I sat in a quiet chapel, surrounded by missionaries and investigators listening to the words of the Lord. So many things touched my heart, deepened my understanding, and confirmed to me that this truly is the path we need to be on. I was filled with wonder and awe at the council given, and the testimonies shared. I desperately needed the sweet spirit of conference this weekend. Oh, what a blessing!

This week has been a rough one for me. Lots of little things adding up, weighing me down, and dragging me along. We did service last saturday morning (i think I wrote about it last week) and had gotten bit by a bug which turned into not a very good thing! It ended up swelling to the size of a golf ball, and was as red as a cherry tomato about the size of a penny. It was SO painful. I had to go to the doctor (bblleehhhhh) and got some antibiotics! Dr. Kent was a little concerned, but luckily the meds have been working wonders! It's gone down a TON and isn't red anymore. YAY!!

I also got hit with the sick bug this week. It's been going around everyone out here... and finally hit me. Hard. It's been a struggle, but I'm still keepin on! There's no time to slow down!! I'm hoping and praying I'm on the uphill swing of things now... but we'll see.

Sadly, we won't be having any baptisms this weekend. Our investigators are really struggling right now, and we're really really sad about that! They are all incredible. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with such inspiring people. They'll get the blessings of baptism soon. :) It's all in the Lord's timing!

Little frustrations have filled this week, but I have continually focused on being grateful. It's the cure for everything. I am SO SO SO GRATEFUL. Heavenly Father is SO good to me. I don't deserve it most of the time. 

Also, HUGE shoutout to the almost Elder Holmes as he leaves for the MTC this week! My love for that kid is beyond words. Buddy, WELCOME TO THE WORK! :) 

Also, another huge shout out to MADI!!! the almost Sister Holmes the second! ;) I am overwhelmed with excitement for Argentina to get two of my favorite people in the entire world!!!

What a beautiful peace the gospel brings!

As I sat and listened to the tender talk Elder Bednar gave, I was filled with happiness and a joy that I was serving a mission. He quoted sweet Elder Scott that said "When you cannot do what you have always done, you only do what matters most." 

How true that statement is!

I feel like that is the definition of my mission. I was once the person doing things that I loved, things I was good at, and things I chose, but then I was set apart to do the most important thing, and I couldn't be happier. 

I love ALL OF YOU!!! 

really. so much love.

Sister Holmes :)

 

Wk# 50: THE LIFE.

What an adventure filled week!!!

Saturday night we went with Tira to get snow cones on Lake Ella. I haven't had a snow cone my entire mission... they don't have them here! But this place was crazy!! It had over 70 flavors, so many toppings, and it was SO GOOD. It was WAY fun! Then we played ultimate Frisbee as a district which is always fun!

Monday morning started out with some awesome lessons and a new investigator named Fabrice from West Africa. He's got a really strong french accent, so it's a little difficult to understand him, but he's super awesome! After lunch we packed our bags and headed on a road trip to help with an Emergency Transfer....

HELLO ALABAMA!!! 

You guys. I LOVE BAMA. I hope to serve there one day! We got to take cute Sister Brandt down to Fairhope, AL and it was SUCH a fun road trip! The drive was gorgeous!

We spent the night in the Fairhope apartment, and it is the cutest apartment I have ever seen. Not to mention, the couch was the size of a full size bed and felt like HEAVEN. 

We up and left early Tuesday morning to get back to Tally at a decent time (it's a 4ish hour drive, so not too bad) and on our way home we made some fun little pit stops! What a better way to spend my 11 month birthday! We went to some pretty redneck southern souvenier shops, and had some good food breaks!

and YUP. I've been out 11 months! WWHHAATT.

Anyway, it was SO much fun, and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to see the mission! We ended up driving through most of it!  Sister Wood and I had a great time, and laughed lots and lots. Great memories were made! 

On Wednesday we got to go into one of the college classes and do a presentation on Family History. It was super cool! Then we had a Specialized Zone Training with President and Sister Smith. Sister Wood and I had the opportunity to teach at that, and it was a really good experience. We trained on Family History and what tools Family Search has to offer! The Zone Training was focused on Family History and "Opportunity Generation Next."

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

(I can't remember if I've talked about this in an email already... so if I have, I apologize.)

We have received council from Elder Nielson (who came and toured our mission) to implement a new form of missionary work. It has only been done in the Philippines, and they saw incredible success. This has never been done in the States before! We are taking the focus off of baptism, and putting it on the temple. We will now focus on reactivation! Our goal is to make the church here in the south strong. By doing so, we reach a new pool of potential investigators! By going through the less active members, we will find more people to teach and baptize, while reactivating members. 

I am SUPER pumped about this. The spirit has definitely testified that this is the key to unlocking the south! It's going to be awesome. 

To reactivate members, we will be using family history, which brings me to the next incredible thing.

President and Sister Smith, as well as the office elders, have spent countless hours working on something that no other mission has ever had! We are the first in the world to take this approach and use this. They have designed and created a Family History Pamphlet, just like the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, Gospel of Jesus Christ, etc pamphlets that we use to teach! It teaches the doctrine of Family History and transitions into the Restoration! IT'S AMAZING. 

Heavenly Father is definitely hastening the work here right now! We have so many new incredible tools to use! BLESSINGS!!!

Wednesday night we also got to teach Dena! I LOVE HER. She is definitely progressing, and we are still praying for October 10th as her baptism day!! Man, she is incredible.

We ate at a member's home that night as well and had Pork Chops. YYUUMMMM. I love eating normal food!

Thursday we taught lots of lessons and then I went to Crawfordville, FL on an exchange until last night! It was super fun, and we got to ride bikes! I haven't ridden a bike since I was in Callaway. Do I want to chop my legs off? You better believe it! It was way good though, and the weather was gorgeous! I also saw the most disgusting bugs there. I gagged. Yep. Gagged. 

And tonight is the General Woman's Broadcast! I AM SO EXCITED! I can't believe General Conference is already here. I also can't believe that Elder Scott passed away! It's going to be a very eventful conference! 

Robert D. Hales once said, "There has always been a desperate need for the steady and reassuring voice of a living prophet of God: one who will speak the mind and will of God in showing the way to spiritual safety and personal peace and happiness...A characteristic of prophets throughout the ages is that, regardless of the consequences, they have had the strength to speak the words of God with plainness and boldness...With the restoration of the priesthood in 1829, there was a restoration of prophets in this dispensation. Living prophets are leading this church today. The greatest security of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comes from learning to listen to and obey the words and commandments that the Lord has given through living prophets. I would hope that the world would understand the importance of having a living prophet on earth today...If we listen to the prophets of this day, poverty would be replaced with loving care for the poor and needy. Many serious and deadly health problems would be avoided through compliance with the Word of Wisdom and the laws of sexual purity. Payment of tithing would bless us, and we would have sufficient for our needs. If we follow the counsel given by the prophets, we can have a life in mortality where we do not bring upon ourselves unnecessary pain and self-destruction. This does not mean we will not have challenges. We will. This does not mean we will not be tested. We will, for this is part of our purpose on earth. But if we will listen to the counsel of our prophet, we will become stronger and be able to withstand the tests of mortality. We will have hope and joy. All the words of counsel from the prophets of all generations have been given so that we may be strengthened and then be able to lift and strengthen others...Our spiritual safety lies in turning to the clear voice of our living prophet. If we listen to his voice and obey his counsel, we will be able to live as Christ would have us live and endure to the end so that one day we, along with our families, will return back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ."

I hope and pray that we can heed to the council of the leaders of this beautiful church, for how blessed are we to have the church that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, established. 

I love this gospel, and I love President Thomas S. Monson. I know he is indeed the living prophet in these latter days. I support him, I believe in him, and I follow him. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/inspirational-playlists?lang=eng

I love you all so much, and I truly am grateful for each one of you!

All my love!

Sister Holmes

Also... My next P-Day will be Monday October 5th, due to General Conference that weekend :)

 

Wk # 49: CHOOSE to Believe.

Another week! WHOO!

First of all, HUGE thank you to all who have shared their testimonies with me! What a HUGE blessing it has been!!

Second of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my old man!!! LOVE YOU DAD!

Nothing super exciting happened this week, we went on two exchanges with our sisters, one to Crawfordville, FL and one to the other side of Tallahassee. They were super good! I got to work with one of the new sisters in the mission, and she is awesome. I love the greeny fire! 

We had some really great lessons this week, got a few new investigators, and have been praying really hard for the investigators we already had. Satan is workin over time on those poor people!! But, they are all doing good. :) 

In one of our lessons this week, we were teaching a guy named Johnnie who we have been working with for about a month now. We always have the same member with us because they are buddies, and we hadn't seen them for a while. It ended up being an awesome lesson, and at the end Johnnie said, "Ya'll are my squad. My G squad. My God Squad!!" it was super funny! So now Sister Wood and I are the "God Squad" haha it was awesome.

It's been pretty hot again this week, 98* today in fact! But I hear it's coolin off in the west, so I'm hopin it starts making it's way over here!

This email is super lame today, my apologies! Really, nothing too exciting happened!

OH! Sister Wood and I do get to go on a secret mission though!!! Okay, not secret, but we get to take a roadtrip across the mission to help with some emergency transfers, so we are PUMPED!!! 

Also, for FHE the singles ward played quidditch. GREATEST THING OF MY LIFE! It was beyond hilarious!!! I unfortunately was in a skirt, so I couldn't play, but oh how I wish I could have! next time... 

I ate my my first pumpkin doughnut of the year this week. I LOVE THE FALL.

I also ate crappy lasagna and gag worthy salad dressing with dog hair on the table. the south for the WIN! haha 

But today I want to leave you with a little snippet of Elder L. Whitney Clayton's talk, Choose to Believe, from last general conference. I studied it this morning and LOVED it. It goes along with one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 17:13 (shout out to my girl Sister Rohwer!)

"Every day each of us faces a test. It is the test of our lifetimes: will we choose to believe in Him and allow the light of His gospel to grow within us, or will we refuse to believe and insist on traveling alone in the dark? The Savior provides His gospel as a light to guide those who choose to believe in and follow Him... There may be times when we have been hurt, when we are tired, and when our lives seem dark and cold. There may be times when we cannot see any light on the horizon, and we may feel like giving up. If we are willing to believe, if we desire to believe, if we choose to believe, then the Savior's teachings and example will show us the pathway forward... Belief and testimony and faith are not passive principles. They do not just happen to us. Belief is somethings we choose--we hope for it, we work for it, and we sacrifice for it. We will not accidentally come to believe in the Savior and His gospel any more than we will accidentally pray or pay tithing. We actively choose to believe, just like we choose to keep other commandments... We..must give place for the hope that we will find spiritual light by embracing belief rather than choosing to doubt. Our actions are the evidence of our belief and become the substance of our faith. We are choosing to believe when we pray and when we read the scriptures. We are choosing to believe when we fast,k when we keep the Sabbath day holy, and when we worship in the temple. We are choosing to believe when we are baptized and when we partake of the sacrament. We are choosing to believe when we repent and seek divine forgiveness and healing love... Sometimes progress in spiritual things can seem slow or intermittent. Sometimes we may feel that we have lost ground, that we have made mistakes, or that our best efforts to find the Savior are not working. If you feel this way, please do not give up--ever. Go right on believing in Him and in His gospel and His Church. Align your actions with that belief. In those moments when the light of your faith has dimmed, let your hope for the Savior's love and grace, found in His gospel and His Church, overcome your doubt. I promise that He stands ready to receive you. Over time you will come to see that you have made the best choice you could possibly have made. Your courageous decision to believe in Him will bless you immeasurably and forever."

 LOVE YOU! <3

Life is good and I am blessed. 

All my love, 

Sister Holmes

The MISH LIFE.