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 # 48: H E L L O :)

Once again, it was another wonderful week full of so many tender mercies AND COOLER WEATHER! I feel so spoiled.

Labor Day was interesting... there were ZERO people on campus! It was brutal. We were the only two souls on TCC. haha but it ended up being a good day :) We were able to see Dena Monday night though, and once again. Another INCREDIBLE lesson. We set a baptismal date with her, and we are SO EXCITED! Heavenly Father is working miracles in that family. So many miracles. I am extremely humbled and grateful that He's letting me witness it. 

Tuesday we had lots of cancelled appointments, and lots of contacting, and we ended up getting a few new investigators that are super awesome!

Wednesday we got to go back to Crestview for MLC. It's always SO spiritually uplifting and fun. I am SUPER excited because our mission is the first in the United States to implement a new form of work! It's only been done in the Philippines, and they had a ton of success. When Elder Stanfil and Elder Nelson came and toured our mission, they left President and Sister Smith with a huge prompting for the mission. Elder Nelson said that he had never before been prompted to implement this in the United States, but is super excited to see the outcome. We will now be focusing on less active/ inactive members more than finding new investigators. Our goal is to strengthen the church here in the south and help them become unified and strong. I am SO excited about this. The way it was presented was incredible, and the spirit definitely let me know that this is what's going to unlock the south! 

Thursday we were blessed to teach lessons ALL day. It was a miracle!! I can't even express how grateful I was for that. The things we taught were so strong, and the spirit was with us all day. Huge blessing!!

I went on an exchange with cute Sister Lawrence serving on FSU and that was super fun! She is a sweetheart. We were able to teach someone on the spot on TCC campus, and he was super interested became a new investigator! It was AWESOME!!! 

We got to share the gospel with so many people this week, and my testimony grew so much. I have SUCH a strong testimony of diligence and patience. Heavenly Father is super aware of each one of us!!! 

I don't have anything else super exciting, but man. it was SUCH a great week!!! 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, 

"I think that people who study the scriptures get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can't be gained in any way except by studying the scriptures... There's an increase in faith and a desire to do what's right and a feeling of inspiration and understanding that comes to people who study the gospel--meaning particularly the Standard Works--and who ponder the principles, that can't come in any other way."

I love you all so much, and hope that you study the scriptures and apply the teachings into your life. They will forever bless you and your family!

LOVE YOU!

Sister Holmes :) 

Wk #39: B L E S S E D

Sister Holmes for LIFE

 

 We got two new incredible investigators this week! Their names are Charline and Kerrol. Charline is from Haiti and she is amazing. When we talked to her on campus she told us that she was looking for a church! We met with her and had an incredible lesson on the Restoration of the Gospel and invited her to say the closing prayer. It was a BEAUTIFUL prayer, and so so sincere. We had the privilege of seeing her twice this week, and she is coming to church tomorrow!!

Kerrol is also super awesome. He and his twin sister go to FSU and he is just the sweetest ever. We met him on a bench on campus, and he was so excited to meet with us. We also had a very powerful lesson on the Restored Gospel, and his prayer was incredible as well. We saw him twice too! The second lesson we had with him, we invited him to pray to know if the Joseph Smith was a true prophet and if the Book of Mormon was true, and in his prayer he told Heavenly Father that he believed that all these things were true, and hoped that they were. SO POWERFUL! It was amazing. We are being SO blessed right now!

Antonio is also progressing so quickly!! Tomorrow we are going to invite him to be baptized on August 1st. I can't even explain how amazing our experience has been with him. I know that I was sent here to Tallahassee to teach him and be a part of his conversion! Pray for him!!

 

 

Yesterday we were on exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders and it was quite the miracle day. I learned a very powerful lesson on faith, and one that I am eternally grateful for. Faith leads to miracles, and if you trust in Heavenly Father, your life will be filled with them.

There were a few times this week where I really thought I was going to die and have to be scraped off of the cement. We were in the low 100's all week, and boy. If there is one thing I have learned in this area it's that I can do extremely hard things with the help of my Savior and Heavenly Father. I seriously don't know how I made it home some days.

On a more funny note... SOMEHOW I have gotten Sister Rindlisbacher to trust me.. maybe a little TOO much. yes... She asked me to cut her hair. hahaha you guys. The only experience with cutting hair I have is a summer buzz on dad and hunter!!! She asked for a baby trim. That's not too hard, right?! Nah. Let's just say, when she turned around to see how much I had cut off, she about died of laughter. There were like 4 hairs on the ground. hahaha I am not experienced, but it's better to be safe than sorry! I ended up doing quite a nice job. ;) Ah, the missionary life.

 

Today I want to end with this cute Mormon message that just came out. how grateful I am that my parents knew that the LITTLE things are what matters. I'm grateful for the time spent individually with Mom and Dad to learn, and to love. I'm grateful for all the things I have been taught, and I'm grateful that I have been able to apply that on my mission. 

 

 

 

 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-07-005-building-families?category=mormon-messages-2015&lang=eng

 

My challenge to you is to remember the little moments, because those moments are what matter the most.

 

Love to all!!

 

Sister Holmes :)

After the storm...

Amazing FSU stadium

Where in the crap do I live? ha ha ha....

 

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 :)

Wk# 31: The Week Full of the Unexpected!

Still the happiest sister in the south during the this week full of the unexpected!

 

Man. Heaven bless the creators of Skype! Technology these days is a huge blessing! It was SO good to see everyone. Goodbye's are the worst, but it was definitely much needed!

This week was full of unexpected lessons, new investigators, procedures, and rain!

Summer semester at FSU started on Monday, so there were FINALLY people walking around campus! It made the days go by much quicker. We were able to meet so many awesome people. There were so many who were receptive to the message! Huge blessing.

We were able to meet with 5 recent convert/ less actives this week which was super awesome, and I love them all! This ward rocks. Gotta love the singles ward!

As we were out contacting this week, we came across a man waiting at the bus stop. We talked to him for a little bit and asked if he had ever seen missionaries before. After he had replied with no, we shared a short message with him and asked him if we could set up a time to meet with him. He responded with "How about right now?" OKAY! As we taught the Restoration the spirit was so strong and he had incredible questions that were leading into the Plan of Salvation. We ended up setting a return appointment and are meeting with him next week. Heavenly Father is definitely preparing people to receive the gospel, and that was made extremely clear to me through multiple experiences this week!

We also had an appointment with a guy that we had contacted on the street. We weren't sure how solid he was, but to our happy surprise he came to the appointment and even brought a friend! We had a very powerful lesson and they both wanted to keep learning. It was a huge blessing! I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!

As we have walked, and walked, and walked...... and walked... and walked... I have acquired a beautiful blister covering my entire heel on the bottom of my foot! So, I promised mom I would go get it looked at because it was looking like it was getting infected. So, I did just that. Called the mission nurse, tried a few at home remedy's that didn't work, and ended up going to the doctor. I was quite anxious to go since the receptionist was a little on the unkind side over the phone, but I was a big girl and went anyway. The doctor was SO nice and I'm 98% sure he was a member, but he surprised me with the sentence "Looks like we're going to do a little procedure today!" WHAT THE! So, I went with it and ended up having a chunk of my heel cut off! haha then the nurse asked me if I wanted to keep it... I said yes.... haha so that's what the picture is. Me holding a little cup with my heel in it! Okay, it's just a thick slab of skin, but ya know. My comps and the doctor thought I was so weird, but I know mom would be proud! ;) It actually feels a lot better though. I'm just trying to be careful so I don't create another blister on top of the raw skin.

We also had a massive rainstorm this week and got DRENCHED. Lovin the southern rain!

We had Zone Conference yesterday, and it was the spiritual push I needed this week. I LOVE PRESIDENT AND SISTER SMITH. What incredibly Christlike people they are! I learned so much and left spiritually filled. We also talked about hurricane prep which terrified me out of my mind. so that was fun.

To end, here are some thoughts I've pondered this past week.

So often we find ourselves unhappy. Unhappy in some aspect of our life, whether it be ourselves, those we love, our circumstances, or our unaccomplished tasks. We find ourselves wishing for the better, hoping for a difference and pondering on the sorrow. Why? Why do we dwell on those things that weigh us down, those things that pain our hearts? "Keep your faith high and your head up!" Take a deep breath and look up. Look at the tender mercies Heavenly Father continually places in your path. Look at the blessings that have come from the things that you DO have. We have been blessed with the knowledge and tools to be happy. Pick up the Book of Mormon, pick up your journal, and let the spirit fill your soul with everlasting happiness. See the good in all. Find the happiness hidden under frustration, and "let that desire work in you." It is through our Savior, and our Savior only that peace can come. Forgive those around you and forgive yourself. Start today with the decision to love, to live, and to go forward.

I love you all!

Sister Holmes :)

Wk #26: Blink, and it's gone!

This week was a total blur! I'm pretty sure I blinked and it was gone! I DON'T LIKE IT!

This week:

-I realized my fear of lizards.

-I learned to never to open the back door at night for more than 3 seconds.

-I learned that lizards are fast.

-I was hit on by a creepy, old, toothless man.

-I ate the worst baked beans of my life.

-I made 20+ U-turns in under an hour.

-I taught a lesson in a hotel room.

-I saw three wigs on the side of the road piled together.

-I got the blood of Archie in my study journal. So gross.

-I caught a glimpse of what pure humidity actually is ( H E L P )

On a more serious note:

-I watched Archie walk into Sacrament Meeting with a suit coat on (this is HUGE. he wears jeans and a plaid button up shirt every week) with his TITHING in his pocket! He also told us during the week that he loves taking the sacrament and missed it during conference!

-I witnessed a family recognize us as representatives of our Savior and desire to learn about the gospel.

-I had my testimony strengthened ten fold on being lead by the spirit.

-I listened to the testimony of little Jazzanae and realized how beyond ready she is for baptism. (April 21st is the big day!)

-I attended our Zone Training and was spiritually fed and learned so, so much. *I'M SURROUNDED BY INCREDIBLE MISSIONARIES.

-Sister Rohwer and I were able to teach about the "Basics" of the gospel at our Wednesday night scripture study. And as we taught, the spirit testified to me SO strongly of the truthfulness of this gospel!

     B- Build Your Foundation

     A- Anchored in Faith

     S- Study the Scriptures

      I- Illuminate the Light of Christ

     C- Christlike Attributes

     S- Sabbath Day Holy

- I was able to witness a continued lifestyle change with our investigator Walt as we taught about the Word of Wisdom. He already had been working on it!

-I once again realized how INCREDIBLY blessed I am to have Sister Rohwer as my companion. I can't say it enough.

This week I've been working on the council given by Elder Bednar during conference to "hush your fears." How many things hold us back from fulfilling the potential that we have? How many times do we walk away from something and think that we should have done something different. How many times do we become trapped with fear? Elder Bednar went on to say that faith and hope invite peace. We must look to Christ, build our foundation on Christ, and press forward with faith in Christ. Our hearts need not to be troubled nor feared, for the Lord our God is on our side! We must always put our shoulder to the wheel, and push along.

Love ya'll!

Sister Holmes

Wk #19: Witnessing a Testimony Grow

 

 

 

Four months has brought the highest highs and lowest lows, curve balls and home runs, weakness and strength, confidence and doubt. I've learned, and I've learned, and I've learned. I've been on my knees, I've cried. I've biked until I just don't think I can anymore. I've bandaged blisters, and have laughed until I've been sure I've gained a six pack. I've loved, and loved even more. But most importantly, I've seen.

 

I've seen relief in the eyes of the lost. I've seen hope in the hearts of the fallen. I've seen gratitude in the lives of the clean. I've seen desire in the soul of the growing. And I've seen harden hearts soften, testimonies grown, foundations built, and faith planted.

This week has brought experiences that will forever be dearly cherished in my heart. Experiences that have changed my life, and have changed the lives of others.

Archie. Archie has been talked to about the gospel for over ten years. His home teachers have worked with him, his sweet wife has been a faithful member and huge example and influence in his life, he's met with missionaries before, but never would accept the gospel. He always felt like he was being pushed, and he wanted it to be his decision. We received a miracle from our sweet Heavenly Father when we went over to introduce Archie to Sister Rohwer. Instantly, his countenance changed. We have now been able to meet with him multiple times, he's come to church the past three weeks, stayed for a pot luck, and has let his desire grow. Yesterday, Sister Rohwer and I went over for a lesson with them after church. We recapped the Restoration by watching the Restoration DVD with him. Not only was I able to witness Archie gain a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but my testimony grew ten fold. As I sat on the floor, I watched Archie watch the movie. Tears filled my eyes as I saw his heart soften, as I saw him understand. I saw him feel the spirit, and my heart was so full. We had a very neat lesson with him. He is now working on keeping the Word of Wisdom, and will be baptized on March 14h! He told us yesterday, and told his home teacher yesterday at church, that he has been waiting for Sister Rohwer and I. We love him more than words could say, and have thanked our Heavenly Father every day for trusting US to help him.

I am SO grateful. So grateful for the miracles I've seen, and for the tender mercies that I've received. I'm grateful for the Atonement, for the beautiful strength and healing it brings me, and for the hope it brings to the people I am surrounded with. I'm grateful for my adorable companion. We've shed many tears together this week with full hearts and admiration for those we've been working with. I've really strived to apply Omni 1:26 into my missionary work, and be a consecrated servant of the Lord. I encourage you to do the same, and apply it to YOU!

Also, update on cute little Jazzanae! Her baptism has been moved to April, due to family complications. We are bummed about it, but she's still rockin the gospel!

I love being a missionary!

Love,

Sister Holmes

ps- I tried sushi for the first time this week. NEVER AGAIN. haha

Week #14: I Shook The Hand of an APOSTLE.‏



The MTC girls together again (L-R; Sister Holmes, Sister Brown, Sister Beal, Sister Christiansen)

The Plain City Crew (L-R; Elder Parkinson, Sister Holmes, Elder Bradford)

Well hello there! WHAT A WEEK! We had the absolutely incredible opportunity to have a mission conference with Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve! President and Sister Smith were able to make it work so that the ENTIRE mission could meet together for this. Such a huge deal! We had the opportunity to meet Elder Anderson and shake his hand. Whoa. Let me tell ya. The spirit when he walked into the room sky rocketed. Instant tears on my end. Then when I got to meet him, I just wanted to hug him so bad! He truly is a man called of God. What an awesome experience! We got to sing our mission song to him (which holy emotions all over again because there were 200+ missionaries singing it for an apostle!) and then we got to hear from President and Sister Smith, then Elder Anderson and his adorable wife. Also, Mark Goldsteen (springsteen? crap. I forgot his name already) anyway, an AMAZING pianist played all the prelude, hymns and mission song for us! SO. COOL.

A fellow class of 2012 Silverwolf, Elder Smith

 

It was fun to have the whole mission together! I got to see all my MTC family and catch up with them, then I also saw Elder Bradford and Elder Parkinson(?) (crap.. I've already forgotten his name too!)  We of course had to take a Plain City picture. So crazy. haha I also ran into Elder Smith (Collin Smith) who I graduated with! What the! It was so fun. I especially loved seeing my girls!

So to make this even better, Elder Anderson came to the Panama City Stake and did a devotional. So I got to hear from him and be in his presence TWICE! He's amazing and I learned SO much. I was on a spiritual high for ddaayyss.

 

We had two investigators come to church, so that was ssaawweeet! We are still working with Valerie, and hoping to set a baptism date with her tomorrow! Peter is doing so well! He definitely feels the adversary working on him, but we have faith that things will work out! He is from Egypt, so Sister Rohwer and I surprised him with an Arabic Book of Mormon. He LOVED it!!! He was so so grateful. So that was a cool experience!

 

It was quite the week! I may or may not have had some mini meltdowns, BUT my sweet Savior pulled me through every time.

Just like I knew He would. :)

 

I'll leave you with one thing that really stood out to me as I listened to Elder Anderson. "Lift your face, and lift your faith."  Always look up to the Savior for comfort, for guidance, for happy times and bad times. Lift your faith and rise up to the

potential you are divinely destined with!

I love you all, and I feel your prayers every minute of the day. Thank you for ALL the support!!!

LOVE: Sister Holmes :)



Nobody's home... Was told an investigator lived here. Good new is no one lives here.

Frozen Yogurt for dinner!

Amazing friends and companions. An instant connection.

Week #13: MIRACLES! THEY'RE REAL!

Alexa & Sister Rohwer (Logan, UT) during Christmas day Skype

WHOA! Has this week been amazing or WHAT! Sister Rohwer and I are being SO BLESSED right

now. We've just been dying at how quickly the work has boomed this last week. My heart has never been so happy!
We got 3 new gators this week! Can you believe that?! THREE CHILDREN OF GOD READY FOR THE GOSPEL! And not only that, but we have 3 others that are pretty amazing potentials that we think with become investigators, and one little 7 year old girl we are working with for baptism! The Lord answers prayers, that's for sure! So all together we have 5 investigators! *insert the victorious butt scootch dance, screaming, and jumping up and down with all the excitement of the universe.*

Now here is a story all about how the work got flipped turned upside down. I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, I'll tell you all about how the work is hastening out here... I'm so clever.. ;)

 

So I hate to admit it, but my faith had been lacking a little. We had seen little to no progress on the people we were teaching, we were having a difficult time finding new people to teach, and our plans kept cancelling left and right. As one of the most frustrating days was coming to an end, Sister Rohwer and I decided to pull into a parking lot and say a prayer. We sat there for a minute and decided to go to a gas station to get a drink. (I may have told this story last week... so if I did, ssoorrryy. you get to hear it again. but stay tuned. There's more information!) There was one person in there. And he was the worker. His name is Peter and we shared the gospel with him! He was SO interested. So fast forward a few days, and we were able to take him on a Church Tour, and teach him about the Restoration. We gave him a Book of Mormon, and the spirit was extremely strong! He asks the most incredible questions and has such a strong desire to know which church to join. He is our age, and is from Egypt (the gospel will be shared with all nations!) and is such an amazing person. He is always telling us how good he feels when we teach him and how much he looks forward to our next lesson.

 

Then, Sister Rohwer and I went on exchanges. Our Sister Training Leaders are Sister Peterson (aka Sister Pete) from Utah, and Sister Palmer from Arizona. And WE LOVE THEM. They are the two funniest human beings on the planet. Sister Pete and I were able to talk to a bunch of people on the streets as we rode our bike in tundra weather, and even ran out of Book of Mormons to pass out! The spirit was so strong in each OYM we did (OYM = Open Your Mouth) and we had so much success. So much that we have a family we are going to begin teaching, and another man who has been looking for this gospel. Holy Miracles!

Not only those, but we had THREE investigators come to church yesterday! That is HUGE! One of them being a lady we met saturday while riding our bikes.

 

As I was riding my bike, I was praying so hard to Heavenly Father. I told him that I knew he would place those children who are prepared to receive the gospel in our paths. I knew he would guide us to where we needed to be, and that I knew he had a plan for our day. I asked to have my eyes spiritually opened, that I would be able to be aware of all those who surrounded us. So, silly me took the wrong turn on my bike. We laughed and just went with it, and that's where we met Cindy. I yelled hello to her as she was unlocking her front door. She looked at me, and started walking toward me. I turned my bike around and rode back to her to hear her say to me, "I know you. How do I know you?! Are you from around here? Have you worked in an office building here locally? I have seen you before. I know you!" I was like wwhhaatt.. So i went with it. She brought up the gospel, was asking questions, and asked if we had any literature for her to read. So, of course I whip out my handy dandy Book of Mormon and she was so beyond excited! I invited her to church for the next day, and gave her the card with the church address, time, and our number. We set an appointment to meet with her on Tuesday.

 

Now, while this was happening, another man came up to Sister Rohwer and started asking her questions! We ended up sharing the gospel with two completely different people, and gave both of them a Book of Mormon having two completely separate conversations, AT THE SAME TIME. What the WHAT!

Now, it's Sunday. We were ecstatic to have two of our gators at Sacrament Meeting. We went to Sunday School, and randomly got summoned out of class. Lo and Behold, Cindy had WALKED about an hour to church because she didn't have a car and she wanted to come see what it was like. SHE WALKED. My heart about leaped out of my body! She stayed for Sunday School and Relief Society, we ended up having a lesson at her house a few hours later, have another appointment set up with her for tomorrow, and she wants to come to scripture study on wednsday, and church again on sunday! we have found her rides, and she is so just crazy awesome!

THE WORK TRULY IS HASTENING! My faith has been increased ten fold, and I thank Heavenly Father every day, and all throughout the day for blessing Sister Rohwer and I with these opportunities, and trusting us enough to let us help these children of His!

Sister Rohwer and I couldn't be happier, and we have seen the miracles and blessings that come from prayer and companionship unity.

SO! This week, I want to invite YOU. I want to invite you to pray for a missionary opportunity. They surround you, and they are always available. Have the faith of Enos, and have the desire to bring one of Heavenly Father's children into the fold. Have a desire to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel, through Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I know with every ounce of my soul, that you will be blessed with such an amazing opportunity to share the gospel.

I am SO grateful to be a missionary! And to not only wear a badge on my chest, but a badge on my heart. This church is true!

LOVE YA'LL!

Sister Holmes :)

Week #9: Callaway Round 2

I'm here in Callaway for another transfer with Sister Charles! We are ready to hit the ground runnin this transfer, and are so excited to be able to continue working with our families out here.

First of all... T H A N K  Y O U,  T H A N K  Y O U,  T H A N K  Y O U   for all the Christmas packages and cards! I am completely overwhelmed by them all! My district keeps teasin me that it's a "greeny Christmas", but I love it! I wish I could hug every single one of you! THANK YOU!

This week was so great! On Monday Sister Charles and I got to go to Mexico Beach with a cute member and her son, and it was GORGEOUS. I didn't want to leave. We had the greatest time, and there was no one there. (We were on the Tyndall Air Force Base beach) so it was awesome. Then, that night we met up with 8 other sisters and headed out to Tallahassee to spend the night in a trailer in a near by town. 8 sisters in one tiny trailer and 1 working bathroom? yep. haha definitely some memories made there! 

 

Tuesday morning, we drove to Tally for our half mission conference where over 100 of us missionaries came together! It was SO MUCH FUN! I was able to see all but 2 of my MTC family! It was so great to catch up with everyone and hear their stories of the work. President and Sister Smith spent so much time putting the conference together, and it turned out amazing. We had a little program, Sister Smith narrated, and a ton of missionaries did a bunch of musical numbers. Then we had lunch from Sonny's BBQ and then sat in a GIANT circle to introduce districts and zones and do a stocking exchange! It was so much fun. 

 

 Sister Crandall (her and her husband are the senior couple in our zone) had me, and she stuffed my stocking full! She is such a sweet lady. Then... WE GOT TO WATCH MEET THE MORMONS! It's about time! Did I cry my eyes out the entire time? You betcha! But man! It was so so good. We drove home that night and got stuck in traffic big time. We were at a stand still for 45 minutes, but some of the sisters in my car went and talked to a bunch of cars and did some He is the Gift messages. It was awesome.

Wednesday we had lunch with our Potential, Joe. You guys. I LOVE HIM. He is THE sweetest man ever. Ready for what we ate?..... SHRIMP BOIL. Ahhh! It was better than I thought, but yeesh. This seafood is going to be a struggle for me! But he also made a homemade blueberry cheesecake and sweet potato pie. Holy delicious! We had a great time with him. He's not interested in lessons, but we are just trying to befriend him and casually bring up gospel topics to help plant that seed. He wants us to come back for Christmas, so we're going to try to stop by. He's just so sweet.

We were able to work with our focus families again, and man. It has been an emotional roller coaster! There is a BIG drug problem down here, and it breaks my heart for the little kids that can't escape it in there homes. We've been working extremely intently with the Bishop with multiple families, and I just want to hug those kids so tight. Oh, the struggle! But, the work goes on, and the Atonement is ALWAYS available. Pray for these families...

On the bright side, our Returning Member, Sarah, is doing SO GOOD! My heart is so happy! She is progressing like crazy! So is Grandma Nash, and a few others.

We have biked SO MUCH this past week, and I LOVE IT! Biking in a skirt is... fun... but I seriously love biking out here. If you ask me again in February, then again in the dead of Summer, I may say something different, but right now? LOVE. We get to talk to so many amazing people, and the weather is perfect! A little chilly, but not too bad. My legs sure are feelin it! Ah, gotta love the burn!

Also, along with shrimp, I had homemade southern fried chicken (delish), butter cream cake (also delish), and SUGAR CANE (not delish)! The food down here! I'm tellin ya!

Since we are getting closer to Christmas, I want to share with you a little quote from Chieko Okazaki from the book Stars Were Gleaming by Greg Olsen (THANKS MOM!)

"The star in the heavens was not the only star or the most important star. The star within the heart of the wise men was the important star. After all, if the star was in the sky for all to see then hundreds of thousands of people would have seen it and thousands of people could have wondered at its meaning, and hundreds could have followed it...with hope and patience. Only [ the wise men ] kneeled before the young child, Jesus. They had a star within that enabled them to see the star without. They saw it with the eyes of faith, and it brought them to Jesus."

I love this so much. This week, and for the rest of this holiday season, find the star in your heart. Follow it's light. Find the Savior. Live the gospel. Be humble and obedient like the wisemen, and give him the gift of your heart this Christmas.

I love you all beyond what words can express. Thank you for your continued love and support! It means more than I could ever say.

Have a super awesome week!

So Much Love,

SISTER HOLMES:)

A happy, smiling day in Callaway!

Uhhh.... A little stress relief, maybe???