Rolling Hills - Week Twelve

Nothing but rolling hills and miracles! 

It's Tuesday and in the past 24 hours we have had so many miracles! So first of all Ether 12:27 is so true! 

"Then will I make weak things become strong unto them"

And here is why:) we had an amazing lesson with our investigator,  she is a slower progressing investigator but she's progressing and that's what matters.  After the lesson we decided to go to the church and try and contact this referral named Jill. We got to the church and of course I have to use the ladies room,  after we just decided to call instead of just showing up at her house.   I dial the number and this guy named Mark answers... not Jill,  I started to talk with Mark, well two hours later and he is a new potential,  we are going to be teaching him! He's amazing and solid! He's a truck driver..., yes, so we will be teaching him over the phone as he drives! This is different but any way you can, I'm so beyond excited :) His house is in Warrensburg and he says when he gets home he wants to meet us, I'm just so beyond excited to see where this goes! I feel really good about him. Well after that miracle we decide to go to the address under Jill's info because apparently the number was wrong.  So we showed up and they said she wasn't home but to come back tonight and she should be there.  We had a dinner appointment... (which off the record of the story but they have pet pigs and a great Dane dog and he's HUGE!....) anyway after dinner we went back to Jill's and she was home and we gave her a book of Mormon and a bible, she wants us to come back and teach her.  We are going back tomorrow too teach her!  Well,  when we asked for her number just to keep in touch the number that she gave us was the same number I typed in earlier that called mark... So we were super confused and when we got to the car we noticed that I had switched the last two numbers of the phone number 😂, my weakness.. Dyslexia, blessed me and Sister Payne with two new potentials...aka investigators.  Heavenly Father truly turns our weaknesses into strengths. 

Well today is Wednesday and we had district meeting but before that all of our district went and helped this potential that is totally against the missionary program. She hates it because she gets attached so she doesn't let the missionaries come over anymore, but her daughter is moving and needed help and were desperate so she called us! So we all went over and packed it all up!  I also go to meet her pig! Yes a pig and her name is "Missy "😂 so yes, she's my new best friend : )  Anyways after when we were leaving and saying goodbye the lady Sherrie told us that she loved us!  And that she wants to feed us dinner! So the missionaries are back! Service truly opens doors❤ 

District meeting was amazing and I learned to expect success and expect miracles! 

The Lord has promised success and miracles and us expecting them is us showing our faith and trust in the Savior! 

We had an amazing lesson tonight with Stacy! (Melanie's daughter).  Sister Payne and I were trying so hard to plan our lesson for them, we prayed and prayed for guidance but everything we planned just didn't feel right.  So like an hour before our lesson we decide, you know what, we need Stacy to open up and tell us how and where she's at.  She's met with missionaries before and in all honestly Sister Payne and I had no idea where they left off with her and where she was spiritually.  So we decide to just go over and ask a few questions and honestly let the spirit take it from there, and he did! It was a great and a much needed lesson. We now have a game plan and I feel so good about it!

Well I've heard about it for years from other people, but I believe I'm getting this horrible thing called allergies 😂 Yes it's the worst and I now understand why people say they are so miserable. But hey, it is what it is and that's what medicine is for👍 

We have the coolest ward! One of the members here is part of The Bomb Squad! Yes, BOMB SQUAD! So they had a 5k this weekend and he told Sister Payne and I, that we could come :) So we went and actually ran and got to talk to a couple of people! (The people that weren't faster them me and couldn't run away from me). Just kidding, but we did get to talk to this one family and they are members but inactive and it's so sad to see because the parents both served missions and have lost there way. So we are going to try and go see them and bring them back.  

I love this mission, so much work to do, it is great and we are being blessed.   

Love you all so much! 

SISTER BITTERS

Truly in the Work... Week - Eleven

Monday (P-Day) we went Zip Lining!  So much fun!  Apparently a couple of our ward members have them but the one we went too, was the longest,highest and diffidently the funnest😂 it was so funny because it snowed Sunday the day before and all the Elders wanted us to cancel because it was to cold. Babies!  Sister Payne and I were so excited and pumped to go, we didn't let the snow stop us.  Of course we got our way and we all went Zip Lining!  All the Elders had so much fun and thanked us after for planning this activity.  Apparently we found out that the reason they didn't want to do it was because it was cold, but also because they are scared of height's   We then went and played games at the church.  Elder Moore is in my district!! For you that don't know,  Elder Moore and I, were in the same Humanitarian group in Samoa!  such a small world to be back serving together out here. 

We had dinner that night at the Heaths.  He is the Stake President. We had a really great time and a really great message was shared.  We talked to them about Peter walking on the water.  Peter fell because he took his eyes off of Christ.  President Heath then shared with us something pretty cool when Jesus was talking to Peter, he said something on the lines of him having little faith. Christ wasn't saying Peter didn't have enough Faith!  Peter was walking on water! He had faith. But he got distracted and fell, because of his little faith. Christ knew that he would fall and was there ready to extend his hand to save him." Christ knows when we are going to fall, he lets us fall, but is there to catch us, he then expect us to get back up, to grow from the experience and keep pressing forward. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father so much!  They mean everything to me ❤ I would not be the person I am today without them and I can't wait to see the person I become. 

Sister Hansen and Sister Berundage the Sister Missionaries from Sedalia, come up and spent the night because we both had to be out in Independence in the morning and thought it would be fun to car pool together and also cut down on thier driving time and save gas and miles by going together in one car. It was so fun and we have gained a great friendship with them! We are planning on spending next p-day with them. 

Tuesday I had my mid-trainers meeting! Crazy that I'm half way done with my training! Time flies when your having fun. So mid trainers meeting is when everyone that came out with me, all get together at Presidents house with our trainers and have a meeting. It was so fun to see my district from the MTC, I love them all, it was especially good to see Sister Hertzberg! I have missed her.  I learned so much from the meeting and it got me pumped up to get out and do the work. 

Got to see Sister Burris tonight ❤ oh my I love her, I learn so much from her every time we go and see her.  She is the sweetest lady you will ever meet. She's a widow and has no children. I actually call her Nana 2 because I told her when I have kids she can be there Nana 2. She lit up when I told her that and she will forever be part of my life. I truly love her!  There are so many great members here in Warrensburg. 

TORNADO WARNINGS! Yep I'm in tornado Ally. I really wish I would have paid more attention in school when they taught me what to do during a tornado,  I am actually really excited to actually experience one. I wanna see one so bad! 

I was talking to the Bryson and they would be our safe house, they told us that they usually watched them because they aren't real dangerous unless they hit the ground. So I was pumped to experience it, but sister Payne was not, she was terrified!  It was so funny, I thought she might sleep in the bath tub that Friday night. 

Have I mentioned how much I love being a missionary? Well I do, I love it with all my heart and I love this gospel with all my heart!  I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.  The gospel and this work mean so much to me. 

The Holy Ghost truly is my constant companion. He is always there but it's up to me to listen and be in tune.  I had an amazing testimony growing experience on Saturday. We went to go contact one of our potentials Samantha. We made contact but she was to busy to let us in, we gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet at the door, she told us to keep trying and come back.... So we will.  After talking with Samantha we decided to knock doors at that complex. We knocked and knocked and knocked. We had decide to skip one of the complexes because they didn't have as much cars as the one next to it so we skipped it and went to the next complex we got one door to open but they were not interested.  On our way back to the car we past the complex that we skipped. There were two cars in the parking lot and one of the cars trunk was open with groceries. When we got almost to the other complex I got the impressing to go back! Turn around! So I did. Sister Payne said didn't we knock this complex and I said no we skipped it and we need to go knock these doors. We headed up the stairs and knocked on this door we waited there for a few seconds when we hear a voice from down below, the guy that was unloading his groceries. He told us that he doesn't think anyone lived there. We thanked him for letting us know. The guy (tim) started walking to his apartment and Sister Payne leans over the railing and said excuse me, can I use your restroom. He said of course and let us in. When Sister Payne was in the restroom, I got talking with his children because he went to go take care of his youngest.  That didn't last long so I was soon standing there all alone. Sister Payne came out and we stood there awkwardly for a second because we didn't want to leave with out letting him know who we were. Well we stood there for about a minute and then the youngest little girl comes around the corner in her underwear and just starts chatting with us. Then Tim came out and we told him who we were and why we were knocking doors. He was welcoming and his little girl kept talking and talking so he let us in and let us sit down. We exchanged numbers with him and got to know him more and his children. He said he would like to learn more and have us come back. So long story short... LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT!
AND GOD AND CHRIST ARE TRULY IN THE WORK!!!

We also have an investigator on date!  Her name is Alyssa and she plays soccer at UCM 
She lives in Lee's summit and has taken the first three lessons down there with the Missionaries.  She asked if she could be taught in Warrensburg, where she goes to school. A ward member from there called us and told us the situation and asked if we would call her and sit with her at church.  We called Alyssa and chatted with her and told her we would love to sit with her at church.  She came and she is amazing and solid. We are now teaching her the lessons up here.  I'm so excited!  We will finish teaching her the lessons :) She is scheduled to be baptized on May 12.  That is going to be an amazing weekend.  Baptism and then calling home for Mothers Day!  

I am just so beyond happy to be here and so excited to be doing this work for my Savior!

Well I love you all so much and pray for you all❤ 

SISTER BITTERS 

Reunited with her MTC Companion Sister Hertzberg

Sister Bitters with her Nana 2💗

Week Ten

Hey y'all! Yes I can say y'all because I'm in the mid-west 😁👍

I can't believe I'm already one transfer into the mission! I still can't believe I'm a missionary. Best calling I have received in my life so far. I'm staying in the Burg!  And I'm still with Sister Payne!  So YAY because I'm not done here yet! No one ever told me how sad it is at transfer times. You get so attached to your district and make homies and then their gone. Sad, but happy because they are needed other places. I can't wait for the new missionaries I get to meet and create many more friendships. 

Well this week has been pretty chill and full of service:) we helped a member pack up her house and load into the moving truck. I'm also a pro-jar-opener this member had 50 jars of food that she didn't want to take, so my job was to open them and dump them out and wash them out. Wow, some of them smelled awful (haha).  Sister Payne and I, got creative, we had Gain dish soap, so we would hold it up to our noses and squeeze it really fast for the air to come up and block the smell. 

At the food pantry we helped restock this week. They always have so much to do there, but I really enjoy helping out there and meeting new people of different religions. While we were there they got a call from one of the churches that feed the needy, M-F and they were short handed and needed help, the main people at the food pantry had to stay, so they turned to Sister Payne and me and asked if we would go help. Of course we said, Yes,  so up to the church we went. It was so fun, I felt like a waitress. Sister Payne said I kinda just took a step back and watched you, because you just dove in. I really enjoyed it and they even invited us back to come help whenever, they loved us so much and they were all so sweet and kinda.  Who knows what it will bring but service is the name of the game.  I feel we are planting seeds.  

The weather here in Missouri is pretty crazy! One day it is high 70's and then the next day it's a snow storm😂 I thought Utah was bipolar. 

The ward here had a giant Easter Egg Hunt, I'm talking huge! A member puts in all together and then invited the whole ward. She had 6,000 eggs full of candy with 20 of them containing prizes, some even had money. So much fun! I found 50 cents, I was so proud of myself.  This ward is so amazing, they are very close and really have a great time when they get together, I love them all ! 

Love you all ❤ 

SISTER BITTERS 

Sister Payne burning her dress for her 9 months to go....

Sister Bitters LOVES Nana 2 Sister Burris💕

Proud of her Gold Egg...

Another Easter Egg Hunt

Zip Lining with Zone

Missouri Sunset

GEN CON 2k18 (Week Nine)

Well this week was great! Tuesday morning Sister Payne needed to go to the Chiropractor to get her body re-lined.  When we got there he had a advertisement for a really cool message chair and we commented on it and he smiled and said want to try it out? I said "heck ya"😂
So I got a full body massage for 30 minutes. AMAZING!!!!! 

We had study time with Ruby again, she's amazing and is still planning on going on a mission.  It has been a great experience to sit down with her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. It is truly a gift from God.  READ IT!!!!!!

We have been challenged by President Love to share the "Because of Him" video with as many people as we can. I love this video and have really experienced sweet and tender moments sharing it. One moment was as we were at a dinner appointment with this family, they have 4 sweet little kids, the oldest being 10, all the way down to the age of 2.  We watched the video and the 2 year old asked to watch it again. So I replayed it for her. It was so sweet watching her face and then she just said the sweetest thing, "That's Jesus! I love him"  ❤❤❤❤❤, it just melted my heart. 

Another moment was in district meeting this week.  At district meeting each companionship gives a 5 minute training.   Sister Payne and I, taught Jesus Christ's earthy ministry and Atonement. We read Mosiah 14 (which I highly recommend) and then played the video for them. The spirit was so strong! I bore testimony after and I just felt the spirit speaking through me. I love this gospel with all my heart and I love my Savior even more. 
We have been meeting with Bee and Marion! I love them so much! Marion calls us his girl friends 😂😂😂😂 they are progressing slowly, but they are progressing. 

Mike from the community center is so amazing.  On Thursday we went to go do our morning run and as soon as I got in the car to go to the community center I had a huge headache and was not feeling great, definitely not in the mood to run.  So I decided to walked laps instead.  Well now that I look back on it I see it was the spirit setting me up.   While I was walking Mike came out and walked with me, I was able to chat with him. We talked about the gospel and the church,  he asked to come to church and I asked if we could come by and share with him more of our message and he said yes and gave me his number.  Then he proceeds to tell me that he wanted us to go see his sister too.  She's struggling and he thinks she could use some support. So he is going to check with her. So two new potentials👍 

Ashley :)  When I had first got to Warrenburg, we had contacted her by knocking on her door. She was  super sweet and super welcoming.  After that first visit we have had a hard time getting back with her, I thought might be putting us off,  but we have finely made contact with her again, have taught her again and she's having us come back!  She is turning out to be great and I love her dogs❤ so yes life here in the Burg is amazing and I just love it so much! 

GEN CON 2k18:

Saturday session was AMAZING! Sustaining Russel M Nelsen was so powerful.  When I sustained him I just got a wave of emotion that I knew this man was called from God, to be his mouth piece to lead and guide the church here on earth.  We were at a New concerts home at the time and to watch this new convert raise his hand and sustain the Prophet of very emotional.  

Heavenly father is so aware of all of us and all of our circumstances. I watched one session with a member who has been struggling and going through a lot. She lost her brother last year, and has been trying to work through all of that and much much more.  In the Saturday afternoon session Heavenly Father spoke to her and answered her questions. I felt so honored and blessed to be part of such a special moment. Heavenly father answered a lot of my questions and it brought me so much comfort. 

I'm determined that every time President Nelsen goes to speak he is going to drop some big announcement. Haha, it's kinda like drop the Mic, walk away. Well for President Nelsen it was drop an announcement and walk away 😂😂😂 

Heavenly father definitely spoke to me a couple times in conference and my questions were answered. I hope that some of your questions were answered also, and that you all grew in your testimonies and will take all the amazing council that you received, remember it and live it.   

Okay, quick story about Saturday.  We have a good friend named Denis. We met him at the food pantry and the Community Center were he works and we do community service every week.  He is always amazed in what we do and interested in our Church, we have taught him a little every time we are there.  Ok, so I think it was Wednesday (LOL) we were at the Community Center and we ran into Denis, he starts telling us about his plans for Easter and how his family was coming over @ 2 on Saturday for dinner. Well, Sister Payne to be funny goes okay 2 sounds great, we will be there.  We laughed and said just kidding, and he goes, wait, yes, come to dinner, here is my address. So Saturday comes around and we head to Denis's house after the first session, we get there at about 2:30, we totally feel bad because we are late, he comes to the door and we apologize and he says, why are you apologizing your not late. We were confused but went in and sat down, it was then that we saw it was his whole family, WOW.  They were all so sweet, loving and so welcoming. Well 30 minutes in we found out that we were not there for just dinner.... No, we are there for the whole party, haha The EASTER egg hunt, the coloring of the eggs and then dinner. We had to explain that we had to leave, because we had an appointment (aka, second session of conference).  So they told us to come back after... so we did. After the second session we went back to Denis's house and ate with them and played games and just had a great night getting to know all of them. They were very interested in what we were doing as Missionaries, and had a lot of questions about the church.  What we thought was a dinner with his close family turned out to be more of a family reunion and a great opportunity for us, we got to introduce a lot of people to the gospel.  Sister Payne and I are really excited to get to know them more and hope that we have the opportunity to teach them more about the gospel, and share with them how it can bless their lives.  

Well I love you all so much and miss you all like crazy! Hope all is well at home ❤ 

Always in my heart 

Sister Bitters

Warrenburg District... Sister Bitters loves this group of missionaries

Pottery Night...

End Results

Sister Bitters always finding the kids to hang out with:) 

and the DOGS:)

HAPPY EASTER FROM THE SISTER MISSIONARIES...