My week has been good i got stuffed to the brim for thanks giving i now have the stomach to eat a whole cow because it is so stretched out. but it was good, so hard though both places we went were shooting guns and it was a big temptation Plus they both offered to let us shoot gal the thing i absolutely love to do and i can't do it what so ever.. But i held my self together.. it has also been one of emotion. I found out i am getting transferred and after 6 months i am attached to this ward It is so hard to say good bye i have to go say some more byes latter to day so that should just be peachy. I tell you what even after six months you gain a lot of junk trying to pack is just awesome. Also as i was packing we took a break and started to decorate for Christmas and it made me super trunky. But on the bright side on saturday we cooked for the Relief society ate some good food and went to good will i bought 11 ties at a dollar a piece all sweet polyester, and i found my trade mark, it is ducks i have about 6-8 ties with ducks on them.. they are pretty sweet.
Sorry so short.
Love yall
Elder phillips
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
General Authorities.
This week has flown by, it has been amazing though because we had three days with general Authorities. The Kinston Stake got a new stake presidency and we also had mission tour. I loved it especially getting to spend time with some General Authorities, which were for Elder Lowell Snow, Elder Cook, and Elder Allen F. Packer. It was neat for Elder snow and Cook we got to know them a little because we got to talk with them more that Elder Packer. But on sunday i invited Both Elder Snow and Cook to eat lunch with us because it was a picnic in New Bern, Elder Snow had to go but Elder Cook came so i got to Eat Lunch with a general authority. And while getting food he came up put his arm around me and said Elder Ya eating all the food? I said trying. then he squeezed my sides and said be careful now. ha ha
Monday, November 15, 2010
week
So this week went so quick i don't remember what really happened the first of the week but the end of the week was amazing, oh and on Wednesday we had zone conference. But on Friday i went on an exchange to woodington and we had a pretty amazing time first me and Elder Holt went to Belk which is like a dillards and he bought a new suit and i was so tempted to as well $300 suits for $100 i am still tempted to and they are some nice suits. Then we went down to his area and started tracting well we parked the car in the middle of nowhere and got on our bikes, we talked to this one Hispanic guy who told us to come back so we were going to refer the Spanish elders to him, so we kept going and we tracted every house on this road. Well when we got back and started strapping our bikes on a van pulled up next to us and a lady got out and marched up to us, she says can you tell me about your church? you missed my house will you follow me back to my home and tell me about your church? We were like heck ya!! so we went with her and it was the Hispanic guys home they are together. We taught an amazing lesson. in her home she already had half the church videos..
Then on Saturday i went back to kinston and we went tracting so on the side of the road we found a deer that got hit a long time ago and it still had antlers on it so we were joking about coming back in the middle of the night and cutting them off it was kinda fun. But then we went to the Harpers for dinner and had ribs, they are an inactive family that we are reactivating. There kids love us and we sat and played guitar. Also his redneck brother was there, so on the ride home we went spotlighting for deer!! ha ha and we told them about the deer we found and the brother was like lets get it so he hops out the truck and grabbed a saws all and cut the antlers off for us.. It was a fun night.. Then at church we had 3 investigators there, it was amazing especially cause Sister Thigpen and Westley were there. so that was my week hope yours was great love you all.
Love
Elder Phillips
Then on Saturday i went back to kinston and we went tracting so on the side of the road we found a deer that got hit a long time ago and it still had antlers on it so we were joking about coming back in the middle of the night and cutting them off it was kinda fun. But then we went to the Harpers for dinner and had ribs, they are an inactive family that we are reactivating. There kids love us and we sat and played guitar. Also his redneck brother was there, so on the ride home we went spotlighting for deer!! ha ha and we told them about the deer we found and the brother was like lets get it so he hops out the truck and grabbed a saws all and cut the antlers off for us.. It was a fun night.. Then at church we had 3 investigators there, it was amazing especially cause Sister Thigpen and Westley were there. so that was my week hope yours was great love you all.
Love
Elder Phillips
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Close of another Journey
Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone enjoyed their week this week. This morning it started snowing here....crazy...that time of year already?
This week was rather crazy busy. Tuesday as a disrict we went and racked leaves for random ppl. We had met a lady named Gaile while tracting (that day when I was struggling that I talked about last week). We went and racked her leaves and she was so sweet and grateful. I am so excited to hear about what happens with her. So we had lots of fun playing in the beautiful automn leaves. I was really struggling tho... while praying that night I realized that I really needed to change my attitude. I was depressed the last few weeks to be leaving and realized that I was ruining the time I had left. After realizing that the week def got better.
Wednesday was a great yet sort of messed up day lol. It was my temple day haha. I get nervous, especially I think when it's been so long. Well we stopped to get some cash and my card wasn't working. So I thought well, I guess I'll just use my airplane money and hopefully the card works next week. So we get to the temple and I go to get my wallet and notice that I left it in the car. Oh man....usually I think if that happens you have to wait downstairs and you don't get to go in. Luckily President goes with us departing missionaries and was able to get me in. I felt so bad.... But the temple was amazing. I recieved alot of spiritual insight and direction, sadly they really rushed us out. We were able to go into another room and ask questions with the temple presidency. They wanted us to be motivated to go back often when we return home. So that was a neat experience. We had yummy NY hot dogs after and then were back on our way. It was so fun and nice to be on a train again :D When I got back I had left the cap open on my waterbottle so water spilled all over my scrips and the phone.... the phone of course stopped working... funny elders said they've done worse before and told me to put it in a bag of rice and in the freezer over night. Luckily this worked lol. After the trip I had my departing interview. It was so nice. President gave me some incredible advice on returning home and also gave me a blessing. It was so amazing. And has been very comforting.
The rest of the week was filled with appts with my families here to say goodbye. It's been hard... way hard.... not much more I can say about that. It was hard tho bc with all the saying goodbyes we haven't had alot of time to tract and teach like I would really love to be doing....since that is my calling and all....that's been the hardest part I think.....
On Thursday we met Sylvia who is an amazing member referral. Brother Davis talked to her while he was in the hospital, she is a CNA worker :) She is the mother of 3 boys: Isaiah: 10, and Abraham and Jeremiah 3. Brother Davis asked why she picked those names and she said they just kinda...came to her. :) She told him that she wanted her children to know about God and he told her that this was the perfect place. She is so amazing. She has had some really rough times. She also wants badly for Isaiah to be involved in volunteer work and such. Saturday night she called to reschedule our appt bc she worked overtime so that she could make it to the baptism and church the next day :D She also had amazing questions!!!! When we went over we had just told her our purpose and introduced the Book of Mormon so she read the intro and wanted to know who Joseph Smith was and so I taught her over the phone...she loved it! Then she asked, "Well what does it mean when it says the ancient inhabitants of the America's?" I've never had that one before :D She said she was so facinated!!!! :D Amazing!!! So she came to the baptism and LOVED it. She said she felt so nice and Sister Jewkes said that she could be the next one to be baptized and she answered, "I would love that. It is so beautiful. But I need to learn more." Eek! So we are so excited! It was super hard to say goodbye to her having just met her. The first night we met her, we felt right at home. We sat on the floor and talked with her. She opened right up and as we were leaving she told us to come back to our new home. SO HARD! It is so hard to meet such incredible ppl for just a little bit and then to leave. I want so badly to see these ppl gain their testimonies of the gospel and watch the new light enter their lives. So so heart-breaking. She stayed for sacrament and gospel principles. She smiled the whole time. I will miss her greatly, and but I am so grateful for phones!!!!
And last but not least, MARIA IS BATIZED!!!! Oh my goodness!!!! How beautiful!!! She had to go under 3 times, but she was just so beautiful! The service and everything was so nice. She said that she feels so good :D She then was confimed in sacrament.
Mike, Raishma, Ashley, Elizabeth Singh and her husband came from Queens yesterday to come to church with me and say good-bye. It was so awesome to walk out of the font doors and see them sitting in the back. Oh I LOVE THEM and will miss them SO MUCH!
I am so grateful for such an incredible and life changing experience that the Lord has blessed me with. The things I have learned on a mission are unforgettable and could be learned no where else. What a blessing to have been raised in the gospel and had such a blessing my whole life. I am so grateful for my parents and teaching me the ways of the Lord. Their selfless service to me as a parent helped me to be a teacher to those here in New York. My mission has deeply planted my testimony. The most valuable thing I have learned in the past year and a half is perfecty expressed in Elder Uchtdorf's words,
"As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit."
I truly have seen this on my mission and know that it is true. We are all here out of love. We were created and sent here because of love. And when we give ourselves to selfless service, we truly are serving God. In return we feel God's love. I know with my whole heart that He lives. I know that He loves us so much that He sent us here so that we can learn how to be like him and gain for ourselves eternal and complete happiness. He loves us so much that He sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us. I know that from the Garden to the Cross Christ carried my every pain, sorrow, and sin so that I can be happy and cleansed and could return to my family someday. I know that He lives today and stands with our Father. They will never leave us. Our job is so simple as to just take His hand and follow His footsteps. I know that this gospel is Christ's, established on the earth today. I feel so blessed to be apart of it; and so blessed to have had 18 months to share and testify of such a blessing. I know how to share this message and I will continue to do so until I return to Him again. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and his incredible and numerous sacrifices to restore that which was lost. I'm grateful for a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who leads the church today, truly under the direction of God. Thank you so much for all of your support during this journey. I couldn't have done it without any of you. Your testimonies have all been witnesses to me. I love my Father in Heaven and brother Jesus Christ. In the name of Him, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you all!
Sister Phillips
I hope everyone enjoyed their week this week. This morning it started snowing here....crazy...that time of year already?
This week was rather crazy busy. Tuesday as a disrict we went and racked leaves for random ppl. We had met a lady named Gaile while tracting (that day when I was struggling that I talked about last week). We went and racked her leaves and she was so sweet and grateful. I am so excited to hear about what happens with her. So we had lots of fun playing in the beautiful automn leaves. I was really struggling tho... while praying that night I realized that I really needed to change my attitude. I was depressed the last few weeks to be leaving and realized that I was ruining the time I had left. After realizing that the week def got better.
Wednesday was a great yet sort of messed up day lol. It was my temple day haha. I get nervous, especially I think when it's been so long. Well we stopped to get some cash and my card wasn't working. So I thought well, I guess I'll just use my airplane money and hopefully the card works next week. So we get to the temple and I go to get my wallet and notice that I left it in the car. Oh man....usually I think if that happens you have to wait downstairs and you don't get to go in. Luckily President goes with us departing missionaries and was able to get me in. I felt so bad.... But the temple was amazing. I recieved alot of spiritual insight and direction, sadly they really rushed us out. We were able to go into another room and ask questions with the temple presidency. They wanted us to be motivated to go back often when we return home. So that was a neat experience. We had yummy NY hot dogs after and then were back on our way. It was so fun and nice to be on a train again :D When I got back I had left the cap open on my waterbottle so water spilled all over my scrips and the phone.... the phone of course stopped working... funny elders said they've done worse before and told me to put it in a bag of rice and in the freezer over night. Luckily this worked lol. After the trip I had my departing interview. It was so nice. President gave me some incredible advice on returning home and also gave me a blessing. It was so amazing. And has been very comforting.
The rest of the week was filled with appts with my families here to say goodbye. It's been hard... way hard.... not much more I can say about that. It was hard tho bc with all the saying goodbyes we haven't had alot of time to tract and teach like I would really love to be doing....since that is my calling and all....that's been the hardest part I think.....
On Thursday we met Sylvia who is an amazing member referral. Brother Davis talked to her while he was in the hospital, she is a CNA worker :) She is the mother of 3 boys: Isaiah: 10, and Abraham and Jeremiah 3. Brother Davis asked why she picked those names and she said they just kinda...came to her. :) She told him that she wanted her children to know about God and he told her that this was the perfect place. She is so amazing. She has had some really rough times. She also wants badly for Isaiah to be involved in volunteer work and such. Saturday night she called to reschedule our appt bc she worked overtime so that she could make it to the baptism and church the next day :D She also had amazing questions!!!! When we went over we had just told her our purpose and introduced the Book of Mormon so she read the intro and wanted to know who Joseph Smith was and so I taught her over the phone...she loved it! Then she asked, "Well what does it mean when it says the ancient inhabitants of the America's?" I've never had that one before :D She said she was so facinated!!!! :D Amazing!!! So she came to the baptism and LOVED it. She said she felt so nice and Sister Jewkes said that she could be the next one to be baptized and she answered, "I would love that. It is so beautiful. But I need to learn more." Eek! So we are so excited! It was super hard to say goodbye to her having just met her. The first night we met her, we felt right at home. We sat on the floor and talked with her. She opened right up and as we were leaving she told us to come back to our new home. SO HARD! It is so hard to meet such incredible ppl for just a little bit and then to leave. I want so badly to see these ppl gain their testimonies of the gospel and watch the new light enter their lives. So so heart-breaking. She stayed for sacrament and gospel principles. She smiled the whole time. I will miss her greatly, and but I am so grateful for phones!!!!
And last but not least, MARIA IS BATIZED!!!! Oh my goodness!!!! How beautiful!!! She had to go under 3 times, but she was just so beautiful! The service and everything was so nice. She said that she feels so good :D She then was confimed in sacrament.
Mike, Raishma, Ashley, Elizabeth Singh and her husband came from Queens yesterday to come to church with me and say good-bye. It was so awesome to walk out of the font doors and see them sitting in the back. Oh I LOVE THEM and will miss them SO MUCH!
I am so grateful for such an incredible and life changing experience that the Lord has blessed me with. The things I have learned on a mission are unforgettable and could be learned no where else. What a blessing to have been raised in the gospel and had such a blessing my whole life. I am so grateful for my parents and teaching me the ways of the Lord. Their selfless service to me as a parent helped me to be a teacher to those here in New York. My mission has deeply planted my testimony. The most valuable thing I have learned in the past year and a half is perfecty expressed in Elder Uchtdorf's words,
"As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit."
I truly have seen this on my mission and know that it is true. We are all here out of love. We were created and sent here because of love. And when we give ourselves to selfless service, we truly are serving God. In return we feel God's love. I know with my whole heart that He lives. I know that He loves us so much that He sent us here so that we can learn how to be like him and gain for ourselves eternal and complete happiness. He loves us so much that He sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us. I know that from the Garden to the Cross Christ carried my every pain, sorrow, and sin so that I can be happy and cleansed and could return to my family someday. I know that He lives today and stands with our Father. They will never leave us. Our job is so simple as to just take His hand and follow His footsteps. I know that this gospel is Christ's, established on the earth today. I feel so blessed to be apart of it; and so blessed to have had 18 months to share and testify of such a blessing. I know how to share this message and I will continue to do so until I return to Him again. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and his incredible and numerous sacrifices to restore that which was lost. I'm grateful for a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who leads the church today, truly under the direction of God. Thank you so much for all of your support during this journey. I couldn't have done it without any of you. Your testimonies have all been witnesses to me. I love my Father in Heaven and brother Jesus Christ. In the name of Him, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you all!
Sister Phillips
God is there!!
Hey
This week has been a difficult one a real trial of my faith, It started off pretty good a lot of good things happened we were able to teach a few new investigators and what not. We also taught a part member family who there daughter is going to get baptized the end of November but they didn't come to church either. But the real story is the Amazing answer i received.. So we taught the Thigpens this week and she set a date for baptism and to quite smoking, and she said she needed a ride to church. We were like heck ya we can do that to get you to church. So Saturday roles around and we finally find some one to give her a ride because she lives in the bottom of our area so we call they don't answer so we leave a message saying we got a ride and he will be there to pick her up and her son. Right After we do this we get a call from them and westley the son is the one on the phone and he says can you call our ride back and tell him we don't need a ride anymore, we are going to go to the Woodington Ward which is south of us.... i Was like are you kidding. He says i have some friends down there that invited me so it will be more comfortable.. Well needless to say he went with his friends and his mom didn't go and she is the one with the baptismal date.. bah plus we found out the member threw us under the bus, basically told them we were lying to them and we didn't care about them!! So we have been trying to clear up misconceptions now. The Girl told him that it didn't matter which ward he went to, that he could be baptized in woodington and be taught by the sisters or the Elders down there. Then told them the only reason we are fighting to get them to go to our ward and be baptized there is to meet our quota which is not true.. I was so mad i broke down and basically gave up, well you can't do that so i prayed hard i needed help i couldn't do it alone, after i prayed i walked out side and was pacing around praying out loud staring at the stars. There was one beautiful bright star i was watching and the clouds moved across it so i basically thanked god for the stars and asked for it to come back, right then i broke threw the clouds like right threw the middle and a huge shooting star flew across the sky!! That was my sign read D&C 35:8, God is there he cares for us all and is there to strenghten us in our time of need and he listens to our prayers.. i love it i felt the spirit so strong.. I felt the healing power of the Atonement so strong because i did have to ask for forgiveness of a few things i said and did when it happened. but i love you all and God so much it is unbelievable.
Love Elder Phillips
This week has been a difficult one a real trial of my faith, It started off pretty good a lot of good things happened we were able to teach a few new investigators and what not. We also taught a part member family who there daughter is going to get baptized the end of November but they didn't come to church either. But the real story is the Amazing answer i received.. So we taught the Thigpens this week and she set a date for baptism and to quite smoking, and she said she needed a ride to church. We were like heck ya we can do that to get you to church. So Saturday roles around and we finally find some one to give her a ride because she lives in the bottom of our area so we call they don't answer so we leave a message saying we got a ride and he will be there to pick her up and her son. Right After we do this we get a call from them and westley the son is the one on the phone and he says can you call our ride back and tell him we don't need a ride anymore, we are going to go to the Woodington Ward which is south of us.... i Was like are you kidding. He says i have some friends down there that invited me so it will be more comfortable.. Well needless to say he went with his friends and his mom didn't go and she is the one with the baptismal date.. bah plus we found out the member threw us under the bus, basically told them we were lying to them and we didn't care about them!! So we have been trying to clear up misconceptions now. The Girl told him that it didn't matter which ward he went to, that he could be baptized in woodington and be taught by the sisters or the Elders down there. Then told them the only reason we are fighting to get them to go to our ward and be baptized there is to meet our quota which is not true.. I was so mad i broke down and basically gave up, well you can't do that so i prayed hard i needed help i couldn't do it alone, after i prayed i walked out side and was pacing around praying out loud staring at the stars. There was one beautiful bright star i was watching and the clouds moved across it so i basically thanked god for the stars and asked for it to come back, right then i broke threw the clouds like right threw the middle and a huge shooting star flew across the sky!! That was my sign read D&C 35:8, God is there he cares for us all and is there to strenghten us in our time of need and he listens to our prayers.. i love it i felt the spirit so strong.. I felt the healing power of the Atonement so strong because i did have to ask for forgiveness of a few things i said and did when it happened. but i love you all and God so much it is unbelievable.
Love Elder Phillips
Monday, November 1, 2010
hey
So this was a fast weird week it seemed like nothing happened.. But it was halloween and we went to our wards fall festival were we had to judge the chili and the costumes, that was on Friday then on Saturday we went to the Second wards trunk or treat and i finished preparing my talk oh ya so we spoke in church on Sunday We were supposed to talk for about ten to twelve minutes. Elder Butts took twenty so they had to cut my talk short but i still took about twelve minutes i spoke on baptism it was way good and very bold because we have part member families that just don't want to commit or to change but they come to church every sunday so i basically told them to give up there silly little sins and get baptized and the bishop even asked me were you directing it towards them and i told him pretty much. I mean i spoke on baptism most every one there has been baptized. But i love speaking in church as a missionary because you can be as bold as you want and you won't make enemies.
Then Sunday night we went over to a members for dinner and we carved a pumpkin and stuff plus we had to be in by six so we had some fun i wish i could send you the videos and stuff but i just send pictures.
Anyway that was my week so i love you all
love Elder Phillips
*Be StiLL*
Hello Everyone!
This week was awesome, super tiring but awesome! I had a neat little experience. On Wednesday we were struggling finding people to teach. We'd knock and knock and no one would be home or answer. So we were trying to find an area with some activity. On top of that two of our appt's had to cancel. We weren't feeling anywhere so it was gettin a little frustrating. I was getting rather overwhelmed and flustered thinking, "Heavenly Father, why can't you please lead us to someone? Time is runnin short...I just want to teach..." I was just getting a little frustrated that He wasn't really "sending" us anywhere. I knew we needed to just pick an area and get out and tract, but it is hard to be motivated when you feel you've done it before and no one will be home. We had some calls that started coming of the past transfer and so Sis Jewkes was talking to them. She being the designated driver we were pulled over and so I was getting more and more ansy (sp?) just sitting there. Then I saw a guy walking and coming past the car. As he passed he gave a somewhat smile and I felt a pang of inward turmoil come from him. I thought, "Great! Someone to teach! Let's go!" But he continued to walk and whatever it was for some reason I was held back and didn't jump outta the car and go! As he rounded the corner, I got even more upset with myself, wondering what was my deal and why in the world did i just let the teaching opportunity that obviously Heavenly Father put right in front of my face, pass me by. When Sis Jewkes got off the phone, after driving around the block we decided maybe it'd just be best to go ahead and take our lunch. I hid out in the bathroom for a bit and read a new era article and then went into the bedroom and prayed for the rest of the time. We then went back out to attempt finding someone again. I decided that maybe we should just try to pull over and pray about a specific area. We pulled over and prayed and then stared at the map for about 5 minutes. I then realized I had left my thumb drive with my pics at the library that monday and went to the library to find that it wasn't there. Luckily it wasn't the one with all of my missions pics on it. As we got to the car I saw a penny on the ground. I felt inside something say, "Be still and know that I am God. Trust in me." We finally headed over the Area 7 and pulled over and tried to help a lady with leaves (which we've been dying to do) and she refused. We drove and drove and then decided on a street, Bayshore Ave. We taught 6 lessons and out of that 3 wanted a Book of Mormon, in 40 minutes!!!! One of the lessons, the lady had lost a son at age 18 and has lost alot of faith bc of that. I love being able to talk about the Plan of Salvation and how the Book of Mormon teaches about everything in life and brings comfort no matter what your situation is. We are so excited. So I def learned a lesson. Heavenly Father truly has his way of trying our faith and patience. He has his timing. We must be still, slow down sometimes and know that everything is in His hands. Our joy and happiness and peace must not be a product of circumstance, but a product of our faith in our Father and Savior Jesus Christ.
Maria is doing amazing! Her UT friend comes down this Thursday. She called last week and said that she can't seem to get herself down from the cloud she is on. :D She really is just so amazing. She is not focusing on getting everything together and ready, but focusing on the spirit and how exciting and special this time is. She really is so incredible. She told me that I have to come out when she goes to the temple. OH!!! I don't want to leave these people.... Her baptism will be this sunday at 12 and she will be confirmed after that in church!!! Wahoo!!!!! :D
Well I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! Happy November and enjoy the beautiful automn season. I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us, and that He is always with us, very aware of our troubles, desires, and dreams. He knows us personally, by name, and wants the best for us. How great it is that we have the potential to someday be like Him. Have a great week and I love you all!
Love,
Sister Phillips
This week was awesome, super tiring but awesome! I had a neat little experience. On Wednesday we were struggling finding people to teach. We'd knock and knock and no one would be home or answer. So we were trying to find an area with some activity. On top of that two of our appt's had to cancel. We weren't feeling anywhere so it was gettin a little frustrating. I was getting rather overwhelmed and flustered thinking, "Heavenly Father, why can't you please lead us to someone? Time is runnin short...I just want to teach..." I was just getting a little frustrated that He wasn't really "sending" us anywhere. I knew we needed to just pick an area and get out and tract, but it is hard to be motivated when you feel you've done it before and no one will be home. We had some calls that started coming of the past transfer and so Sis Jewkes was talking to them. She being the designated driver we were pulled over and so I was getting more and more ansy (sp?) just sitting there. Then I saw a guy walking and coming past the car. As he passed he gave a somewhat smile and I felt a pang of inward turmoil come from him. I thought, "Great! Someone to teach! Let's go!" But he continued to walk and whatever it was for some reason I was held back and didn't jump outta the car and go! As he rounded the corner, I got even more upset with myself, wondering what was my deal and why in the world did i just let the teaching opportunity that obviously Heavenly Father put right in front of my face, pass me by. When Sis Jewkes got off the phone, after driving around the block we decided maybe it'd just be best to go ahead and take our lunch. I hid out in the bathroom for a bit and read a new era article and then went into the bedroom and prayed for the rest of the time. We then went back out to attempt finding someone again. I decided that maybe we should just try to pull over and pray about a specific area. We pulled over and prayed and then stared at the map for about 5 minutes. I then realized I had left my thumb drive with my pics at the library that monday and went to the library to find that it wasn't there. Luckily it wasn't the one with all of my missions pics on it. As we got to the car I saw a penny on the ground. I felt inside something say, "Be still and know that I am God. Trust in me." We finally headed over the Area 7 and pulled over and tried to help a lady with leaves (which we've been dying to do) and she refused. We drove and drove and then decided on a street, Bayshore Ave. We taught 6 lessons and out of that 3 wanted a Book of Mormon, in 40 minutes!!!! One of the lessons, the lady had lost a son at age 18 and has lost alot of faith bc of that. I love being able to talk about the Plan of Salvation and how the Book of Mormon teaches about everything in life and brings comfort no matter what your situation is. We are so excited. So I def learned a lesson. Heavenly Father truly has his way of trying our faith and patience. He has his timing. We must be still, slow down sometimes and know that everything is in His hands. Our joy and happiness and peace must not be a product of circumstance, but a product of our faith in our Father and Savior Jesus Christ.
Maria is doing amazing! Her UT friend comes down this Thursday. She called last week and said that she can't seem to get herself down from the cloud she is on. :D She really is just so amazing. She is not focusing on getting everything together and ready, but focusing on the spirit and how exciting and special this time is. She really is so incredible. She told me that I have to come out when she goes to the temple. OH!!! I don't want to leave these people.... Her baptism will be this sunday at 12 and she will be confirmed after that in church!!! Wahoo!!!!! :D
Well I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! Happy November and enjoy the beautiful automn season. I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us, and that He is always with us, very aware of our troubles, desires, and dreams. He knows us personally, by name, and wants the best for us. How great it is that we have the potential to someday be like Him. Have a great week and I love you all!
Love,
Sister Phillips
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