Letter #18 07/29/13

Well, another incredible week here in the Meridian Idaho area.

Wednesday was our church's celebration of Pioneer Day, as we reflect on the pioneers that traveled across the plains of this country to bring the gospel to us today. I am so grateful for their great sacrifice and their great faith to overcome the challenges and trials that I know I could never endure (weather, mobs, death).

Sister Chen and I were also, that day, able to attend a baptism for a sister who had had her records removed from the church but was choosing to be rebaptized. We have grown quite close to Wendy as we have only known her a couple of weeks but has been an inspiration to us. Her great faith and her gratitude for the gospel and the guidance of the Spirit is such an example to me to not take those things for granted. The baptism was small and intimate, but powerful with the Spirit. Her five children, none of whom are active in the church any more, all attended and her two daughters sang a beautiful musical number. After the baptismal service, we were able to talk to her 10 year old step-daughter, Savannah ("Savy") and have begun teaching her the missionary discussions. She is such an example of the humility and meekness of a child who is willing to learn and willing to accept without needing the proof but acting on the faith. Last night, we taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel and about Joseph Smith's first vision. As we asked her if she knew that Joseph Smith truly did see God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, she replied yes. I asked her why she thought so and she said, "because They're rea!". That was so powerful to me. They are real. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and they are aware of us and are there to answer our questions. I love that we can be taught, even by a child.

Sister Chen and I were able to be a part of a baptism on Friday for one of our investigators, Erika. She is 16 and a rockstar! She has been on this journey a bit alone, as far as her family is concerned. But she has stayed strong to her desire and overcome many trials. Her baptism was a beautiful and monumental moment for me as she had an attendance of over 150 people attend her baptism! We normally hold the service in the Relief Society room, where the fount is, but with so many people, we moved back and forth from the chapel. Erika's father, who is not active, gave the closing prayer and her brother, who is not a member of the church, performed a violin duet of "Be Still My Soul". Both were so powerful and Erika sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". She sang like an angel and I truly believe there were angels filled in that chapel amongst all those who came. Erika is truly a pioneer and I reminded her that she needs to record this experience and understand that this decision is not only impacting her, but her family and her posterity.

I am so grateful for these experiences that remind me why I'm here and confirm that this is all worth it! We get to find people who have been prepared, who have the desire, and who are ready to make the changes that will only bless their life.

Sister Chen and I were able to speak in one of our wards yesterday and it was a great experience. Sister Chen wrote out her talk in Mandarin and then translated below in English and had my just help with the grammar. She is doing a GREAT job on her English and did such a good job with her talk. She is such a great example to me and I am so grateful for her. We were able to have a few investigators and less-active members attend and I know they could feel the Spirit that was filled in that chapel room.

We had transfers this week and Sister Chen and I are staying together another transfer so I will be able to finish training her! We lost one ward but now are serving in one building so will be able to attend all our meetings :) I have also been called as a Sister Training Leader, which is a newer position, which  basically means that the sister missionaries in my area can come to me with concerns or advice as we have had such an influx of sisters in the mission field. I am grateful for this calling as  it will allow me to continue to stretch and grow and I know that I will be able to turn to my Heavenly Father even more for strength and help as I assist the sister around me.

I am so grateful to be serving this mission and although time is already flying, I am soaking in every moment and growing every day. I am so grateful for the scriptures and a living prophet who help me to know what to do and bring me the comfort of my Savior.

Thank you for all your love and support!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Letter #17 07/22/13

Hey everyone!

This has been a special week for me as I reflect on a year ago yesterday, deciding and feeling prompted to serve a mission. I can't believe it's already been a year and to see how much has changed in my life. I will forever be grateful for that experience that really changed my life. As I have pondered on all the changes and growth that have occured over the year, I also reflect on how this next year will be. I'm so excited to see how much more I will change and grow! I am so grateful for all those who have been such a support and guidance in these changes for me. I know that Heavenly Father is so aware of us and HIS time really is the best time. He knows best and so we just need to trust Him, turn to Him and seek His will.

This week has been another international week for Sister Chen and I. Sister Chen was able to teach a girl visiting from China about the Restoration of our church in Mandarin. I definitely got a taste of how she feels as I understood about absolutely nothing they were saying, haha, but the Spirit was so strong that it didn't even matter. This truly is a tender mercy for both of us and I know that Sister Chen was needed here for this young girl. No one else could have taught her and she truly is ready to receive the gospel in her life. She is only here for a few more weeks but we will be continuing the lessons with her.

We also were able to have dinner with a part-member family who is from Argentina (the husband is the only one not a member and their son just got back from a mission in Provo). And last night with visited with a family that is visiting from Italy! It's so incredible. Once again, I am finding that I really did get my international mission :)

The work truly is progressing here and we are just finding so many more opportunities to serve and to teach. I know that I have been called here for a reason and I know that I have been prepared to take on these leadership opportunities to strengthen me as well as bless those around me. It's sometimes scary and sometimes overwhelming, but I always make it as I turn to the Lord for the strength and the peace. I love my Savior and I am so grateful for His sacrifice and suffering to help ME and every one of Heavenly Father's children. He is always there and He is the only one who knows how to help you. Once again, the gospel is so true!!!

Have a fantastic week!!!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Photo

Sister Chen and I eating s'mores on the 4th of July in our backyard

Letter #16 07/15/13

Hello All!

 

So the theme that we've been focusing on this week has been SERVICE. The work has been a bit slower in this area and so we have been extending invitations for service to help out people from church and even their neighbors or anyone else they may feel need help. It's funny because I feel a lot of people smile but think that because we're "sisters" maybe we can't do what they could ask the elders to do. However, we have been persistant and have started to get some calls for help (mainly weeding). A widow in one of our wards, Sister Knudsen, said we could help weed her neighbors yard, we started there and then we began to move down to the next house. As we were pulling weeds and "deadheading" flowers, the owner of the house pulled up and seemed a little shocked but very appreciative. His name is Demitri and he's from the Ukraine (moved here 3 years ago). He's been here alone while his wife had her baby back in the Ukraine, but he's going to get her and his two kids next week. He said we can come by anytime, to weed or just to talk, and we are looking forward to getting to meet the rest of his family as well.

 

Another tender mercy that occured this week, was more for Sister Chen. We got a call from a set of elders who informed us that there is a family in a nearby stake who are housing a couple from Taiwan. They speak only a little English and seem interested in the missionary discussions! Perfect opportunity for Sister Chen? I think so :) We look forward to meeting them, and I know Sister Chen is looking forward to talking in her native tongue. It was a bit humorous though, because as soon as I explained the situation to her, she told me "Oh no, now I have to remember how to teach in Mandarin!" haha. She is definitely still learning English, but her progression is great. So many people are amazed with how well she speaks English for only being here 3 1/2 weeks. I know it'll continue to take time, but in 3 or 4 months I think she will be doing just fine!

 

Having the mission split into three missions hasn't really seemed to have affected things too much, but it's been nice having our mission president involved more. Since the mission area is a lot smaller, President Winder has been coming to a lot more of our meetings and is able to be a lot more involved. This has been a great opporunity for us to get to know him and his wife better. They are really nice and we can tell that they geniunly care about us and our well-being. Just like anything, it takes time to adjust to new people or new areas (I think of my parents having to move to a new town), but as we trust in the Lord and we trust in our purpose and our focuses, things begin to fall into place and we feel comfortable with wherever we are or whatever we are handed.

 

This mission is teaching me in ways I couldn't even imagine. I am learning how to be a leader, how to teach simply, how to not just look for opportunities, but to think of ways to create opportunities as well. As we work more with the members of the church to find friends or neighbors who are ready to hear about the gospel, we realize together how opportunities can come if we just talk. As we open our mouth, thoughts and words just seem to flow. If the gospel has blessed our lives, why not share it. If we care about our friends, why not be there for them. Everyone has their agency to accept or reject the gospel, and we shouldn't take that away from them, but if we don't open our mouth we are also taking that agency away from them because then they'll never know. Don't be afraid. The worst they can say is no. But they're still your friend, they still care about you and still care about them. But you did what we are asked to do: invite. I love this gospel and I am so grateful have it in my life and to share how these joys that I have felt can bless others too :)

 

I love you all! Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Wightman

Letter #15 07/08/13

Well, we survived the heat! It was crazy to hear that we got onto Good Morning America for our record-breaking heat out here (I know it's still not as bad as Arizona...). Sister Chen and I were histarically cracking up as we would get into the car and the thermometer read 122 degrees. Luckily it would cool down to a nice 105, but now weather in the 90's feels GREAT to us! Surprisingly, I'm not getting as tan as I would like to be in the sun that we've been out in. We express our gratitude for having a car and AC every day though!

This week has been a little slow because of the 4th of July, but we were able to keep busy with the members out here. On the 4th, we started the day off with a breakfast provided by the Tanner's ward (the members we live with). We helped make the pancakes and serve them up. We spent most of the day at a sister's house (she recenlty has been coming back to church), who taught us how to make home-made bread! It is so good! It's a tender mercy too as we save money by making our own bread instead of store-bought. She taught us so many cool tricks and now I just want to make everything myself! haha. We made a total of 4 long loaves and Sister Chen and I got to take home a loaf each. They're almost gone already ;) That evening, we were able to go to a members home for dinner, good old-fashioned burgers and hot dogs, and topped off the night with s'mores (Sister Chen's first time) at home with the couple that we live with. We had to be in by 8pm and still had to go to bed by 10:30, but those neighborhood fireworks definitely went later than that ;) Definitely a different 4th of July for me, but it was still fun, especially to watch Sister Chen experience her first 4th of July. She loved it!

We haven't had too much luck finding new people to teach, but miracles are beginning to happen. We are so supported and loved by the members out here and we are so grateful for that. I have continued to excercise my faith in the Lord as I continue to prayer every day for a miracle moment. We were finally able to meet a girl named Erika, who the Elders before us had been teaching and preparing for baptism, but she had been out of town till this week. She has a baptismal date set for the end of the month and we are excited to continue preparing her for that.

Sister Chen is doing so good and improving in her English every day. I am constantly learning from her example and am having fun even learning some new words in Mandarin. I don't know what this experience is preparing me before, but I am definitely learning to teach things SIMPLY and how to explain words or phrases that we use every day and take advantage of.

I am so grateful to be a part of this great work at this time. I love being a missionary. I love serving others. I love helping people find happiness and hope in their life. I love my Heavenly Father and I love my Savior and all that they do for me. I am so grateful for their unconditional love. I know this gospel is true. I know this church is true. I know the Book of Mormon and the Bible are the word of God. I know that families can be together forever. How grateful I am for what I know. And I am grateful for all of you!

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and have a wonderful rest of your week!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Photo 07/01/13

Sister Chen and I with the Pitmans (from Cupertino)!

Letter #14 07/01/13

There's a change in the weather!

Oh my goodness, I think I'm melting. This week started off with a warm rain, and then the heat came. It's been in the high 90's to low 100's pretty much all week. Right now it's 94 degrees and 11:00 am! I have never been more grateful for a car as a missionary and to be able to have air conditioning. We've been doing a lot of contacting and people are so nice to let us in their cool homes and offer us fresh cold water. As much as the heat kills, it does not stop our work from progressing.

We have tried to visit lots of people in our wards, some are less-active members, part member families, or just others referred to us who might be hearing our message. It has been a little discouraging at times as some never seem to be home or others just aren't interested. But then the Lord shows us how aware He is of us as we find someone who is so grateful we stopped by and shared that they just had said a prayer in their heart asking Heavenly Father for some peace or a visit. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways and doesn't always answer our prayers as we would expect Him to, such as through sending other people, but I am grateful that we can be there to listent to those promptings and to share messages of hope and peace to those ready to hear it.

We've begun teaching a few more people, one of them being a family, and it's so amazing to hear their stories. My testimony of timing, the Lord's timing, continues to grow out here, as they share their experiences of meeting with missionaries before or going to church before but not really being motivated and knowing they weren't ready then, but now they're ready to commit and make changes in their lives. It makes such a difference. We really can't do anything if people aren't willing to do their part. One thing that we continually tell people is that we are their to be their guides. The things we share with them, they need to learn for themselves are true, but we will be their to teach them and help them. Our role is not to drag people into this church, but to add to their faith and bring them closer to Christ through His gospel.

It has been a small world out here in Meridian, as I have run into a couple people from Cupertino. Yesterday, I ran into Lynn Kinney who used to be a part of the orginial Cupertino Ward, she now lives in one of my wards! And we had lunch with another member who's son and daughter-in-law were visiting...turns out their from Cupertino...and their in the Stevens Creek ward (Jeff and Jasmine Pitman). We were cracking up as they were like, "we were at your mission farewell!". It definitely makes me feel more at home here. I love Meridian and how welcoming and loving the people are here to us. They LOVE having Sister Missionaries!!!!

I know that this Gospel that we teach is true. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us so He has given us things to help us to be able to return to live with Him again and receive all the blessings that He has and has in store for us. I know that He has a plan for each of us and places us or other people in our lives to help us learn and grow and face the challenges that come our way. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It has blessed my life, it has blessed my family's life, and I get to see it bless so many others lives of those who live around me. Our Heavenly Father just wants us to be happy. And all He asks us to do, is to do OUR BEST!

I love you guys! Thanks for all your support :)

Love,

Sister Wightman