Elder and Sister Arnold of the Seventy, the Priesthood, and Being Sick

09-28-15

Dear Family and Friends,

So...this week was really hard. But I think I'm doing better. I think.

On Monday, the O's were kind enough to feed us dinner before our appointment for that night. We got to see the P's. I just love them so much. They fame to church this week! So that was exciting. They only stayed for sacrament because P didn't feel well, but at least they came! We went back to the O's for dessert and then we saw H and C. It was a rough lesson. All of them were a little rough that night. But it was okay. We know we are doing our best. (Mosiah 3:7)

Tuesday we had a special person come to our mission! Elder Arnold of the Seventy and his wife came to speak to us. They trained on some really good stuff. Sister Arnold gave a really great training prior on self esteem. So that was really cool for me. I got a lot out of that one. Then we had some trainings by President and Sister Clark. President trained on becoming a mast teacher and Sister Clark trained on Jacob 5. I love that chapter as it is all about the gathering of Israel. And so missionary work is involved! I loved it. We talked a lot about how we can apply it so that was really cool. then we had a training by Sister Arnold on being genuine. I realized that I am not as genuine as I thought I was. I am going to work on being genuine. then Elder Arnold trained us on...well, a lot of things, honestly. He was really good friends with Elder Scott and he got the call that Elder Scott had passed away while he was with us so he announced it to us. That was pretty sad. I think I cried. Right after the announcement, Elder McGovern gave a musical number of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." It was really powerful. then we talked about this case study of a missionary a few years ago who was really good at working with members. We will be discussing that for district meeting tomorrow. We tried by a couple people before dinner after conference, but no success. We ate dinner with the M's. they have a son in Alluvial, my first area so that was really cool to find out. Then we saw L N. That was interesting. We are trying to not give up on her. She keeps trying to get us to her church. Even though she's a member of this church. We saw Brother H that night because I really needed a blessing. I was feeling really inadequate after Elder Arnold's training, but Brother H gave me a blessing and it all worked out. I don't have any scriptures today because we were at zone conference :)

Wednesday was a pretty good day. We saw Sister Ji and watched Legacy with her. She's really sweet...but she won't come to church. We saw Sister M, finally! She's pregnant and guess what?? Her daughter's name is Abby! That made me smile a little. We saw Sister  before dinner and then we went to the M/s. It was fun! After them we went to see H and C again. H didn't get baptized this week but we did watch a really good movie that we think may have helped--Emma Smith: My Story. I remember watching it in theaters when it first came out. Something Emma says in the movie is this: "Strength isn't something you have; it's something you find." And then at the end she tweaks it a little bit: "Strength isn't something you have; it's something God helps you find." Lucy Mack Smith says somewhere in there too: "Being strong can be a very lonely thing." I really needed those things. (Moroni 7:41)

Thursday, we had a pretty good day. We saw Sister L and shared a good message with her. She's having a baby boy like Natalee! And they are around the same age too :) We did some service for Sister Ounesavath so that was fun. Then we saw the s for dinner. It was really good! she is so strong. We saw V H after that who is very sweet. She has gone through a lot in her life. So that was good. (Mosiah 7:33)

Friday was a little rough. Sister Putnam was sick, kinda. She had a cold, we think. At first we were thinking a sinus infection but now we think it's a cold. We hope that's all it is. We ate dinner with the H's and they made homemade pizza! That was really good. We saw M. That was fun. Brother H is pretty great too. We love him. So earlier on Friday, I was feeling a bit of pain in my stomach and so I was thinking it was something I ate and it would go away. Except it didn't. I couldn't sleep that night and tried keeping myself busy by reading and trying to find a way to occupy myself. But I couldn't. So around midnight, I woke up Sister Putnam and she stayed up with me and helped me to know what to do. I was in a lot of pain which I am not used to. I've never handled physical pain well. We called Brother L and he and Brother W came and gave me a blessing at 1 a.m. It was very sweet of them. I was able to sleep the rest of the nice and the next morning I called Sister H. (Moroni 7:47-48)

Saturday we didn't do much. I was commanded to stay in bed per Sister H's orders. I was going crazy but i was also in a lot of pain so it helped to sleep. but if I moved it hurt a lot. I did eat a tiny bit of soup and that was it. I slept for most of the night until our dinner right before women's conference. I learned a lot! I loved Sister Wixom's talk and how she talked about the miracle of children and our divinity. Then I really loved Sister Reeves as she talked about the divinity of women too and the power we have in every tool God has given us. I loved Sister McConkie's just because of how powerful she was. And then President Uchtdorf's was just really awesome. It helped me to know we can always be happy, not matter what. I loved it! We saw Brother Hoffman afterward and that was fun. (I don't have scriptures because I didn't study.)

Sunday was awful. I was in so much pain at church. Sister O took me home second hour to try to help. she had me take vitamin C and then eat an apple. I felt bad since it was fast Sunday but I didn't know what else to do. Sister H called us during our break the fast and so we talked to her. The day before she had thought it would be anxiety but it wasn't that. Then it was a bladder infection but I was just in so much pain that I couldn't move much. So she said to call the doctor in the morning. My fever spiked up to one hundred degrees for just a couple minutes last night too so that was great. We were able to teach two people though! So that was good. Sister O had us come over and she took care of me for a little while. This ward has been exactly what I need as I go through this. I don't like it at all but I know God has a purpose for it. (Mosiah 16:9; 17:9-10)

Today I went to the doctor and found out I have a Urinary Tract Infection...yay! And the one medicine I am allergic to is the one he wanted to give me. But he didn't. He gave me some other medication and said if the symptoms don't start to feel a little better in the next few days to let him know. I may be stuck inside for the majority of the next few days which sucks. I don't like staying in. I go crazy. But if that's what I need to do to recover, I'm sure I can do it.

The O'hs have been really great this week helping me out. I really love them. I also appreciate the L family and the W's for allowing their husbands and fathers to give me a blessing. It was really great of them.

I love you all!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

The O's, Participating in Mutual, and Lots of Randomness

09-21-15

Dear Family,

So I don't actually know if "randomness" is a word. But it is now! And plus, the spell check didn't mark it wrong so it must be a word. This week was pretty boring but I feel like I learned a lot! It was kind of a long week and I was so tried by the end of it. But we get to sleep in on Sundays since we don't have to run so that was nice.

This morning, I was reading the talk called "Truly Good and Without Guile" by Elder Ringwood from last conference. I am trying to finish all the talks before this conference but I don't think I'll be able to since I'm not even halfway through. But it's okay. I know I'll get what I need to out of them regardless. This talk was really good though. Elder Ringwood talked about how we don't need titles or position to be worthy of the Lord. He said the most admirable people to him are those who are truly good and without guile. To me, I think it means to serve without expecting recognition, praise, or anything in return. I really loved it. He talked about a mission companion he had on his mission who never had any leadership positions and didn't know the language very well even though he had been there for a while. He said this missionary was one of the best missionaries he had met. He talked to his mission president who said, "God knows how successful this missionary is and so do I. And now you do too. who else matters?" I loved that because it reminded me that God knows my success and my mission president does. Who else matters?

On Monday we ate dinner with the O family (who we saw every day this week except Friday...hence the subject line). We also had FHE with them. We watched a Mormon Message called Strive. You should all watch it. It's great. I love them a lot. We had an appointment that cancelled on us so we ended up going to see Brother H. I just love him so much. He's so great. He is one of my favorite people. It was a good day! (2 Nephi 33:7)

Tuesday we saw the O's again for lunch! We had leftovers from dinner. We also had zone meeting to which Sister Putnam and I were late because she had an important appointment. I learned a lot! I need to strengthen my testimony of the Book of Mormon. We saw K Fl. She's sweet. She was due on Monday but she hadn't had the baby yet and I'm not sure if she's had her yet now either. We had dinner with Sister P and her boys. It was fun! Then we had an appointment with the P's to which we were also late as we usually are. We had a good lesson with them. They are praying for answers! They weren't able to come to church yesterday because they were in Sacramento. It was sad. But next week! I hope. We saw M and the H's. I love them so much. They are the best. (D&C 82:10)

Wednesday was a really successful day! We saw Sister L in the morning who has a lot of healthy problems. She is just the strongest woman in the world though. I love her. I really look up to her. She's  H's mom. We saw L N from Cambodia. It was interesting. It's always...interesting when we go over there. We saw Sister D. We haven't seen her in a while. She's very sweet. We ate dinner with the H and Brother H. It was good! We had pillows for dinner! for real, though. We actually had pillows. Chicken pillows! They are bread with chicken inside. It was yummy! Then we taught I T who is eight. But he doesn't know if he wants to get baptized. His dad is a member, very active. We are trying to help him understand why it is important. I spoke at mutual! They had a fireside on why mutual is important and I mentioned to Sister O that I had always just gone because my parents always sort of made me (even though I still had free agency :) and she asked me to speak. So I did. And it was really cool to see how that had strengthened my testimony. I really am grateful that I went, even though it was torture at the time, haha. The spirit was really strong. It was great. We taught H after that. He's still set for baptism on Saturday but I'm not sure if he'll make it. He still hasn't received an answer. We are seeing him tonight though so hopefully all will be well! (Jacob 3:1-2)

Thursday, we stopped by a few people in the morning and met this nice old man at an elderly living apartment complex. He was nice. We have a member who lives there but she hasn't been there for a while. We went and did service at the Poverello house! It was fun! We cut tomatoes. You know how much I love tomatoes....not at all. But I liked cutting them! We diced them, actually, so now I know how to dice tomatoes. We saw the O's again for some reason. Oh yeah! It was because she texted us and told us they were broken into...it was scary! The kids were a little freaked out. The younger ones anyway. So that was scary. We ate dinner with the S's. It was good. WE had sloppy joes! I love those. We finally contacted a referral, Fabien, and he is now an investigator! He wants to get baptized but says he isn't really a church person. He is a part member family. His mom is in our ward. They are very sweet./ We saw Brother H again. That was great! I really love him a lot. He has a lot of cool stories and testimony building stories. It's awesome. (D&C 46:30)

Friday we did service at the Poverello House again! That was fun. this time, we made sandwiches for the sack lunches they give out. It was good. Then we went to the Spaghetti Factory with the F. That was really good. I really love it. We saw the D. They are the sweetest. They are getting ready to get sealed in the temple. They want us to go with through with them when A gets her endowments but I don't know if we can as missionaries. I'd really like to though. 71that would be cool. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! You're getting so old ;) (Jacob 5:71)

Saturday we...saw the O's again. They got new puppies! They are Doberman Pinchers. They are really cute. They remind me of Duke when he was a puppy...or I guess he still probably acts like one...even though they don't look anything like him. We had dinner with the M! We watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration with them which always makes me cry. It was good though. I love it. (Enos 1:4,15, 26-27)

Yesterday we had some good lessons at church. The high councilman who spoke talked about this man who wanted to sail to the South Pole and he when he was looking for his crew, he advised in the paper that it was going to be hard and they may not return from the adventure. He talked about how this man sailed a long way and his goal was the get everyone back alive. And he did! They found an island and he took the ones who were the least exhausted to get to the nearest island which was 800 miles away, South Georgia, or something like that. He said he could feel someone else there other than the men who were with him. It had to be the spirit. Then in Relief Society, Sister Howard talked about pride. I'm prideful, I've discovered. This wasn't news to me at this point, but I am prideful. I wish I wasn't. I'm working on it. I need to be better at being happy for other people's success. But I know God will help me. We ate dinner with the H! It was fun. Then we contacted a referral named J. We are goign to see her again this week. She's sixteen. We saw the U. It was good. F is doing okay. Then we saw Brother H again! I love him a lot. He enjoys us coming by. It's great. His girlfriend was there so that was good. We could go in because of that. (Mosiah 2:17, Also, I learned when you love someone, it results in their conversion)

I love being a missionary. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. They time is flying! Today marks my sixteen months...and I can't believe I made it. I love you all! Have a great week!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

The Countdown Begins

09-14-15

Dear Family,

This week was pretty crazy! We taught a lot of lessons and we are slowly starting to find more and more. It's wonderful to see the work moving forward. I just love being here. 

On Monday, we saw M! She is so great. We have decided we need to focus more on her when we are over there. We do Family Home Evening with them and we tend to just teach. We ned to make sure M is understanding. Just because she is now a baptized member doesn't mean she understands everything. I don't even understand everything. We saw Brother H! He told us this really personal, spiritual story that I won't write down here. He is the best. He really is an incredible man. He is like our dad while we're here! There isn't a woman in the apartment ever, which is why we are trying to get him to get married. But he stands at his door and will talk to us for forty five minutes. It's pretty great. The name I chose is Spirit Angel. I don't know how to write it in Cherokee but when he does it for me I will send it! I'm excited. (None...we didn't study as we went to the sequoias.)

Tuesday we saw Sister L for a little bit! She's great. I love her. She's pregnant too! I think she and Natalee are around the same age. We also saw M, a new investigator. She's super sweet. I don't think she's willing to join the church but she likes to learn so maybe if we help her feel the spirit, she'll want to know for herself. She told us she didn't want to change religions because the Bible says not to. We ate dinner with the B and then they took us to the farewell. The P came! It was great! There were only six missionaries going home, two of which was a senior couple. So...after the farewell, we were getting ready to go and P P called us and asked if we could give her a jump because her battery was dead. So we went to Brother B and asked if he could help. He agreed. So we went to give her a jump. BUT it wasn't working! I don't know why, to be honest. My knowledge of cars is very, VERY limited. I just remember when my car would die all the time. Anyway, it wasn't working so eventually Sister Putnam and I went back inside the church to find help. A bishop happened to be walking by and agreed to help us. We found out that she was almost out of gas so he went to get her some. We waited and waited and he finally came back. But it still wasn't working! So finally I squatted down on the pavement (in lieu of kneeling) and asked who wanted to say a prayer with me. So I said a prayer and all the kids said "amen." Then we started to sing a hymn. And it started!! So we learned a valuable lesson about prayer that night. (John 5:39)

Wednesday we saw Sister D. She's great. Except we need to help her with some things. But she's super sweet. Then we stopped by a less active. It was...awkward. She was...well, we'll just leave it at awkward. But we set a return appointment which is good. Then we saw Sister P. She's great. She is still in her rehab center. We hadn't seen her in a while. We ate with the B. They are super sweet. They love us coming over. They make really good food. We had orange chicken! We taught H, who still hasn't received an answer but I think he's starting to recognize answers to his prayers. (John 6:28, 38)

Thursday, we did service for Sister Ounesavath. I love her so much. She is just the sweetest woman in the world. We saw the R. She told us about this comedy show she used to watch and I can't actually remember the name of it. It sounded pretty great though! Clean humor...who would have known? We ate dinner with the M! I love them so much. He makes good food too. K is the best. I really miss going over there. They made pasta. It was good. We saw the P. They are the greatest. She told us that she feels good about her kids getting baptized, but she doesn't want them to go out and do bad things just because they can repent. We're going to talk more about that. We taught H again! It was a good lesson but a longer one. The member we took with us was very talkative. Also, i had this random craving for Mongolian BBQ! Can we go there when I go home?? (2 Nephi 24:3)

Friday, we went to have lunch with the Ounesavaths. i had a really good conversation with her. I just love them so much. They are helping us do laundry today! We saw Sister J. I love her. Sister Putnam gave her a really nice bookmark that she wasn't actually going to give her. But Sister J really liked it so she just let her keep it. We saw L N again. It was interesting. New investigator with one of her roommates though! We ate dinner with the L family. The W kids were there and their baby E is SO STINKIN CUTE! We saw H C and her cousin, K. It was good. They gave us brownies. We saw Brother H again. He has faith. (2 Nephi 26:24)

Saturday was a really successful day! We saw the M. R has some concerns that we are trying to help her with...but she is stubborn. We saw M. Talked about the Plan of Salvation. She had some good questions. OH YEAH! We also went to the Poverello House to serve! They just taught us what to do but it was great! I'm excited to do it! We ate dinner with the K family. We taught I while we were there. It was great! We taught F. She is grieving over her dad. I hope we can help in some way. Then we saw Sister H. It was great! She's super sweet. We saw F and J after forever and a year. It was a good visit. I'm just afraid now of what to say. I don't want to start an argument. But we are going to get fellowship in there. It'll be great. (2 Nephi 28:2, 28, 30)

Sunday, we went to church. It was a pretty good day, except none of our investigators came to church. Even H! But it was good. Brother Henry talked about the spirit. It was pretty great. Our lesson in Gospel Principles was actually really good. There was a good discussion about Adam and Eve. Then we crashed young women and learned about fasting. I had a massive headache all day and so I didn't fast like I planned :P We saw J for dinner. It was great! Her kids are crazy. Then we stopped by S but she wasn't home so we taught her daughter a little bit. It was good! (D&C 18:33-36)

I know this week hasn't been super exciting. Honestly, I don't even know what I've learned. Fasting is important. Satan is mean. But you have to keep your faith. I know God will continue to bless us if we do our part and I am so very grateful for that. 

I LOVE YOU ALL! 

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

Pictures! 

1. Sister Putnam and I!

2. Hector and Carra!

3. Me up high!