08/19/13 Letter #21

Well. another week has come and gone out here on my mission. I can't believe how fast the weeks go. I feel like it was JUST Monday a few days ago!

This week was pretty eventful. We had a couple of miracles (those seem to happen EVERY week). The first started last Monday night as Sister Chen and I were filling up on gas before heading home. We could have filled up Tuesday morning, but for some reason I felt that we should just do it that night so we wouldn't have to worry about it in the morning. As we were waiting, I noticed a familiar face at the station next to us and recognized it to be a lady who we've been visiting who's been coming back to activity in the church. She was pleasantly surprised to see us and we got to catch up a little bit. She had had to cancel on us the previous week and we hadn't been in touch to reschedule, but she excitedly asked if we could stop by the next afternoon, which we agreed to. When we went home, we called a sister in the ward who had been close friends with her and asked if she wanted to join us. She informed us that she was recovering from a surgery, but would love if we ALL came over to visit. We then suggested this to Sariah and excitement was almost uncontainable! She felt so honored that we would ask her to help and visit with this sister. The next day we all went to Sister Prisbrey's house, and had a very spiritual conversation. It was so great, being able to meet just as sisters and really as friends and share such personal and spiritual insight. Sariah even mentioned that she too felt the night befores encounter was no coincidence, but just what she needed. How wonderful does it feel to know you were at the right place at the right time. It is so important to listen and to ACT on those promptings because we never know what will be the result, but Heavenly Father does. And often He sends His answers through other people. So you never know when you might be an answer to someone's prayer or someone may be an answer to YOUR prayer!

We got to visit and help out at our new "adopted grandma" Barbara's house on Tuesday as well. She is so sweet and we just adore her. You will often find this 78 year old woman out in her yard, with a oxygen tank strapped on her back, and plowing away weeds with her weed-wacker. She just doesn't quit. Haha. We helped out for about 2 hours and then she was so kind to take us to lunch. She feels bad about us always offering to help in the yard, but we LOVE it and we hate seeing her work by herself in that huge yard. She always shows us her muscles and says she's got it, but I don't care how old you are, that yard is way too big for one person. Later in the week, we were visiting with her again and I asked if she would show us pictures of her when she was younger. She pulled out a huge box of developed pics and we tried sorting through them (most of other people...I think she was always the photographer). As we sorted, I came across a little red photo album filled with old brown and white pictures from the 20's to 50's. How fun was it to look through! I asked Barbara if she had ever done Genealogy and she said she wouldn't even know where to begin. So we are going to start helping her out with her family history work :)

Thursday, we had Zone Conference which consisted of half of the missionaries in our mission, all on the Meridian side. This was my second Zone Conference, but they already had me up on the stand and giving a talk. I was able to talk about how to "liken the scriptures" for our benefit and for those around us as we liken them to our calling, our situations and our moments. These opportunities of speaking and teaching truly allow me to grow so much more! I was also able to accompany a sister on a musical number of "More Holiness Give Me". If you're thinking about quitting piano...don't do it! There will be so many opportunities later that you'll miss out on if you let the dread of practicing take over (Thank you Mom for always calling Jillian back to say that I was NOT quitting).

The people we've been teaching have been slowly progressing, and I know that it can't be on fire all the time, but this time has allowed me to truly put my trust in the Lord and to just keep persevering. Sister Chen and I have strived to be exactly obedient in all that we do and fulfill all the commitment that have been given to our zone and mission. And as I have come to know even more personally on my mission, as I do my best and remain obedient, the Lord pours out blessings. Just last night we received 4 more referrals of people who are interested in learning about the gospel! Once again, the Lord is so mindful of each and everyone of His children. We are so excited to meet these people and share with them the blessings that come from having the gospel in their lives. We have also had a family (only the husband is a member and has not been active for years!)  attend church all three hours for a couple weeks in a row now and their daughter has attended young woman's activities on Wednesdays as well so we will be inviting them to hear the discussions as well :)

Truly every day as I pray for miracles, I see them happen. It is so important to pray, but not only pray, but to pray with FAITH. If we have a sincere desire and real intent (willing to do His will), then through our faith can prayers be answered and miracles happen! It is important as well to remember that prayer is a two-way conversation and so after we talk to Heavenly Father, we need to stop and listen. We're not ordering pizza here, this is personal revelation we're talking about!

A mission is seriously the best thing I could have ever decided to do at this point in my life. I know I would have not been able to learn these things purely on my own and through how I was living my life before. As I represent Jesus Christ and come closer to Him and my Father in Heaven every day, I see the blessings of the Gospel more and more. I love that my role and purpose out here is purely to invite and help others come unto Christ. Why would anyone not want these blessings or to feel closer to their Savior as they face the trials and challenges of life??

I am grateful for my family and my friends and for how loved and supported I am. Thank you all for your prayers. I couldn't be doing what I'm doing without them or without YOU!

Have a GREAT week!

Sister Wightman

08/12/13 Letter #20

I can't believe I've been out 5 months! How time flies. I feel myself continually learning and growing every day. The leadership opportunities placed in my path strengthen me and surprise me, as I always saw myself more as a follower. 

This week has been a bit bittersweet as we are continuing teaching some people investigating the church. It is notorious and pretty much predictable that once someone starts progressing and getting closer to being baptized, Satan works in his twisted ways and puts road blocks in their path. One of our investigators's mom has decided to withhold her from being baptized just to spite her ex-husband and it just breaks my heart to see how some people's agency and have such a large affect on others. It is selfish, but it is real. Savannah is so excited and ready to be baptized and I just hope that by putting my trust in the Lord, that things WILL work out for her. 

On my mission, I continue to see trials and challenges that affect me personally or those around me that I have grown to love and care about so much. So many times I feel a need to handle things on my own, but I am quickly humbled and reminded that I can't. In a lesson yesterday in Relief Society, we talked about turning things over to the Lord.We can't do things on our own. It's impossible. But we need to remember and be willing to have help from those around us and most importantly from our Father in Heaven. One of the quotes shared was that we must "Let go and reach up" and I think this is one of my new mottoes. It is something I must remind myself every day. 

I love this work and I love these experiences. But they are not for me alone. They are for my Heavenly Father and they are for my brothers and sisters seeking for the light, the hope, and the direction. I have a wonderful gift in my life and I have the privilege of being able to share it with so many wonderful people. Sometimes it's with the people I would least expect, but nonetheless they are all Heavenly Father's children and they are all my brothers and sisters. I am grateful for my heavenly family!!!

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Photos 08/05/13

Sister Chen and I with Erika and her best friend after doing baptisms at the Boise Temple

Sister Chen and I were given fresh Salmon from Alaska from a member's fisherman boyfriend (now we have to figure out how to cook it!)

Letter #19 08/05/13

Well, another fun week on the mission :)

Tuesday, was an incredible day. It started off with a phone call from the Mission Office informing us that there was a Chinese family that Sister Chen needed to come talk to. We rushed over and made it just in time as they were about to leave. Sister Chen was able to teach them about our church in Mandarin and later informed us all that this family was traveling the country and staying in a hotel across from the Boise Temple. They saw this "beautiful building" and of course wanted to check it out. Though they were not able to come in, a lady brought them next door to the Mission Office and that's where we came in. I love hearing Sister Chen teach in Mandarin as she just glows. This has been another convincing evidence that she was called to this mission for a reason. There is no one else who would have been able to teach these people.

Sister Chen and I later that day were able to take our recent convert, Erika, to the temple to do Baptisms for the dead. She loved it! The youth are very active about attending the temple, and she plans on going with her best friend every Tuesday morning!

We were able to finish teaching Lina, the 16 year old girl visiting her neighbor from China this week. Lina went home to China today, but I know that in the right time she will be able to be baptized and has such a desire and conversion already of the Gospel, that the time until she comes back for college will not halter her fire. It is incredible how we keep finding and being referred to those who ARE ready for the Gospel!

We were able to teach another 10 year old girl this week. Most of her extended family is already LDS and her parents are not active, but they want her to have the gospel and the standards in her life as she soon begins Middle School. She is all smiles and her pure and sweet spirit is so refreshing! These young children just don't question things. They understand and already seem to know it's true. What an example can we learn from children :)

The work is still progressing and we are finding people in areas where we struggled before. I know that as we excercise our faith and trust in the Lord, THEN does He work His miracles. If everything was just given to us when we asked, we would not appreciate the blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for us. But as we endure challenges and learn from our experiences, the blessings are ones that we cherish and don't forget. I am so grateful for the many challenges and trials Heavenly Father has given me in my life. They have made me who I am, they have prepared me for my future, and they allow me to turn to my Savior as I know I cannot endure them alone. My testimony and conversion grow more and more every day. I KNOW this gospel is true. I KNOW that we have a LOVING Heavenly Father who knows EACH of His children. I KNOW that our prayers can be answered and I KNOW that as we keep the simple commandments that our Heavenly Father has given us and excercise our faith, that even things we may not understand now will appear to be blessings later. How grateful am I for what I KNOW!

Love,

Sister Wightman

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